Yet why should I fear death? What is it to die? To leave all disappointment, care, and sorrow, To leave all falsehood, treachery, and unkindness, All ignominy, suffering, and despair, And be at rest forever! O dull heart, Be of good cheer! When thou shalt cease to beat, Then shalt thou cease to suffer and complain ! (Enter VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO behind.) Vict. 'Tis she! Behold, how beautiful she stands Under the tent-like trees! Нур. me. No, 't is gold. Prec. There's a fair lady at the Court, And for yourself alone. Prec. You are passionate; And this same passionate humor in your blood Has marred your fortune. Yes; I see it now; The Shame! shame! O you have wronged the maid who loved you! line of life is crossed by many marks. How could you do it? Vict. I never loved a maid ; For she I loved was then a maid no Why, 't is but a ring. I'll give it back to you; or, if I keep it, Will give you gold to buy you twenty such. Prec. Why would you have this ring? As a memento of the Gypsy camp Prec. No, never! never! I will not part with it, even when I die; But bid my nurse fold my pale fingers thus, But your true father has returned to Laden with wealth. You are no more a Vict. Strange as a Moorish tale! As wells drink in November, when it Vict. Where is the gentleman? Chispa. As the old song says, His body is in Segovia, His soul is in Madrid. And probably they'll hang her for the crime, To make the celebration more complete. Vict. No; let it be a day of general joy; Fortune comes well to all, that comes Now let us join Don Carlos. So farewell, The student's wandering life! Sweet serenades, Sung under ladies' windows in the night, And all that makes vacation beautiful! Prec. Is this a dream? O, if it be a To you, ye cloistered shades of Alcalá, dream, Say that I do not dream! I am awake; This is the Gypsy camp; this is Victorian, And this his friend, Hypolito! Speak! speak! Let me not wake and find it all a dream! Vict. It is a dream, sweet child! a A blissful certainty, a vision bright Heaven gives to those it loves. Now As thou wast ever beautiful and good; Prec. (giving him her hand). I have still A hand to give. To you, ye radiant visions of romance, Chispa (aside). And I have two to (Disappears down the pass. take. I've heard my grandmother say, To those who have no teeth. That's Enter a Monk. A shepherd appears on the rocks above.) that Heaven gives almonds Monk. Ave Maria, gratia plena. Olá! good man! nuts to crack. Shep. Olá! Monk. Is this the road to Segovia ? Shep. It is, your reverence. Monk. How far is it? Shep. I do not know. Monk. What is that yonder in the Shep. San Ildefonso. Monk. A long way to breakfast. Monk. Are there robbers in these Who stole you in your childhood, has mountains? confessed; Shep. Yes, and worse than that. valley? Worn with speed is my good steed, With the white star in thy forehead ! Ay, jaléo! They cross our track. (Song dies away. Enter PRECIOSA, on horseback, attended by VICTORIAN, HYPOLITO, DON CARLOS, and CHISPA, on foot, and armed.) Vict. This is the highest point. Here let us rest. See, Preciosa, see how all about us Kneeling, like hooded friars, the misty mountains Nor thirst, nor hunger; but be com forted And saying, "Hark! she comes!" O father father! (They descend the pass. CHISPA remains behind.) Chispa. I have a father, too, but he is a dead one. Alas and alack-a-day! Poor was I born, and poor do I remain. I neither win nor lose. Thus I wag through the world, half the time on foot, and the other half walking; and always as merry as a thunder-storm in the night. And so we plough along, as the fly said to the ox. Who knows what may happen? Patience, and shuffle the cards! I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains; and perhaps, after all, I shall some day go to Rome, and come back Saint Peter. Benedicite! [Exit. |