Womans Witchcraft

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WOMAN'S witchcraft:
THE CUESE OF COQUETRY
JUramattc Ivmnance.
COEINNE L'ESTKANGE.
Fuck.
Now shall two at once woo one:

That must needs be sport alone;
For those things do best please
rne,
That
befall preposterously.
Midsummer Night's Dkeam.
PHILADELPHIA:
WILLIS
P.
HAZARD,
178
CHESTNUT STREET.
1854.
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by
CORINNE I/ESTRANGE,
in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States
in
and
for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA:
T. K.
AND
P. G.
COLLINS, PRINTERS.
SCENE THE PYRENEES,
IN SPAIN; TIME, A.D.
1715.
DRAMATIS PERSONiE.
MEN.
PHILIP V. King or Spain. CALVAR Duke of Bilbao. DON ALONZO a Young Nobleman, travelling
of a Student.
in
the guise
ABDALLAH ROMULO a
GABRIEL
a Moorish Knight. Chief of Banditti.
a Young Priest.
Viola.
PIETROa Shepherd. CARLOS Page to Donna

SILVIO
Gate-keeper to the Castle of Algolar.
WOMEN.
DONNA VIOLA Lady
Pyrenees.
of the Castle of Algolar, near the
OLIVIA
Cousin to Donna Viola, afterwards
Duchess of
Bilbao.
HELENA Waiting-Maid to Donna Viola. ISMENA the White Witch of the Pyrenees.
Chorus of Evil Spirits,
etc. etc.
NOTE.
Although
historical accuracy is
it
not pretended to in this
if in any-
similar composition,
may
be mentioned that, according to the
chronicles of Spain, King Philip V. lost his queen, Maria Louisa,
by death,
affairs of
in 1714;
and that he then
for a time
withdrew from the
government, confiding them entirely to the Cardinal del

C. L.
Giudice, a Neapolitan.
WOMAN'S WITCHCRAFT.
ACT
SCENE
I.
I.
the Pyrenees,
dark night on
Ismena,
the
Witch of the Mountains, alone, with a flaming pine
hranch in her hand.

Ismena. Grim night
and
clouds,
and storms
welcome
you!
Even
as
when
ages gone the

me
soft,
warm
heart
Of womanhood was mine,

Ye, only, make
I welcomed friends
half forget this curse
Of
being, which doth punish me.
Roll on,
!
Thou deep mouthed thunder
nearer
Let
me
bathe
My
To
soul
this
amid
thy terrors, which are joys

!
undying, yet death-thirsting nature

to
Now,
my
and
task.
Ye
that do love this night
More
dire
terrible in
your secret
spells
Than forked
lightnings
spirits that leap
from
hell
To
find a
mocking heaven
in
human
hearts
"Which ye can torture

There's work for you.
gather near
me now
1*
6
Voices
woman's witchcraft.
of Invisible
Spirits.
Amen!
Rise we ; to curse earth again
Ismena. Come, come, come

Voices.
'Tis well
We
haste hither from our hell.
Thou
hast might to bid us come,
Were
a paradise our home.
Other Voices.
[Above, below,
and around.
We
come, we come
pall
Midnight yields her blackest
To engird us
and, with
of
ill
all
Damning powers
and hate,
That can make earth
desolate,
Witch, upon thy will we wait.

Ismena.
Hear, then, and aid
Ye, who forget not, know the unwreaked curse
That waits on her who lords

Mistress of yonder castle.
it
'mid these
hills,
A deep curse
Ye
promised me.
Voices
of
Spirits.
We
promised,
and
fulfil.
Ismena. The time draws on.
Left lonely by the death

halls
Of
father and of mother

o'er these
to
in
yon
And
wide domains, she meets no will
Save ours,
thwart her.
She has longed

it;
it
for love;
Ay, with
free heart,
hath sought
has come.
That
love
must
die.
:
Over her newborn sleep
I breathed the words
"The
heart her heart shall seek,
; ;
woman's witchcraft.
She
shall not find
;
or,
winning, rue the prize.
One love shall never Jill her heart; insate,

She
still
shall
win and
lose;
be loved, and love,
Yet
find in life
no peace
until
Heaven s power
Shall conquer ours!"

First Voice.
This do
we dread
Second
Voice.
Voice.
Then,
pile our curses
on her head
Third
What
shall they
be?
First Voice.
No
charm
early blight
But a
too dangerous beauty's light;
No
But
lack of power, no loss of

love, her
own and
wounds
others'
harm
A smile,
that
like dagger-stroke
Soft words, to rend the heart of oak
All that gives most of joy in
life,
To be
to her the soul of strife
All woman's wiles, and more than they,
To
fix, to
fasten,
and betray;
;
Be
these
her bane
if
these shall
fail,
Our
witchcraft
may no more
avail
Spirits.
Chorus of Evil
Away away!
,
the
charm has spread
Rest beauty's curse upon her head!
Ismena. 'Tis well!
[Exit.
WOMAN
WITCHCRAFT.
SCENE
Viola
II.
room in
the
Castle
of Algolar
Donna
seen reclining
upon a couch, with Helena, her

to
maid
kneeling by her
arrange her hair.
Donna
V.
Methought the Duke should have been here
ere now.
Helena. Not yet,
my
lady
it is
barely noon.
Donna
V.
Noon,
say'st thou
Why,
these walls look
dull as night.
Alas
mine eyes take shadows from
my
thoughts
All things seem dark without, when sad within.

Helena. Then soon, I trust, your noon will shine again.
Donna
Helena.
V.
I trust, but yet

?
my
heart aches with
its fears.
Didst ever love, Helena
Yes,
V.
my
lady.
Donna
Helena.
Thou
was,
didst
till
And was
rises,
!
thy gentle true to thee
He
V.
death.
[H.
and goes
to the
window.
Donna
Ah
;
then thou ne'er hast
known
These horrid doubts
these fears, that shake the heart
Like earthquakes ; thou hast never known the hour
Creep slowly on, when he thou watchest for
Should come, and yet he comes not
never known
Those nights of peopled fantasy,
when dreams
Place him thou lovest in some rival's arms,
woman's witchcraft.
Greeting thine ears with scorn
!
men, vain men
Ye
should be angels in your kindlier hours
So, only, might ye heal the
wounds love makes

?
In woman's bosom.
Helena. Not yet
;
Comes not Carlos yet

but, climbing o'er
yon
farthest hill,
Methinks I see his horse.
Donna Donna
V.
Is't
not the Duke's
Helena. No, madam.

V.
Let
me
look;
it
must be he
to the
[Donna V.
rises,
and goes
window.
How
slow he moves,
as though the steed were
worn
With weary
travel, or his rider's heart

grief.
Pressed heavily with some
'Tis not the

!
Duke.
No
'Tis
lover thus could to his mistress ride
Love's step hath wings, feathered with joyous thoughts;
melancholy moves with leaden

lags the page so long ?
stride.
Why
Doth he not know

?
I bade
him hasten with
his
news
I'll find
some speedier knave
to serve
;
By heaven, my errand
Helena. Pardon,
my
O,
lady
if
unwished-for tidings
Burden
his
mind
tell
Donna
V.
it
!
me
not of that
I cannot bear
Thou
it ?
dost not think
him
false ?
Say, canst thou think
0, are the sweet hours

?
Of youth and
Are
all
love so easily forgot
our hopes
all
the fond vows
we swore
10
Broken forever
If he,
?
woman's witchcraft.
I'll
not believe in Heaven,
who seemed
so true,
the
now
play
me
false
[Enter
page, Carlos.]
Carlos, thou shouldst have brought a world of news, to be
So long
in bearing
it.
What
of the
Duke?
not here to day.
Carlos.
Madam, Duke Calvar comes

V. Sirrah, thou liest
!
Donna
I wait him on this hour.
He
promised
me
Carlos.
They
told
me
of him, lady,
He had ridden to And yet alone.

Donna
V.
the hunt, with
hawk and hound,
Alone, and to the hunt

?
What
riddle weav'st thou
Carlos.
Chasing a new-found quarry,
Just started from a covert near Bilbao.
Donna
out!
I'll
V.
[Stamping her foot..] I
tell thee,
knave, speak
bear no more of this
where went
the
Duke ?
Carlos.
Madam, he
V.
rode
Donna
Carlos.
Well!
To your
V.
uncle's castle.
Donna
Carlos.
Alone
Alone, and secretly.

It
But
yet, I heard,
He By
For
would return attended.

the old porter,
all
was
said
whom
I roundly bribed,
That
within the castle was prepared
feast
and
wassail.
woman's witchcraft.
11
?
Donna
Carlos.
V.
Knowest
for
what
The King
morrow
to grace the festival
Comes
on the
V.
Donna
Carlos.
The
festival
And
V.
seal,
with royal
will,
Their nuptials.
Donna
Carlos.
Whose?
The Duke's.
Donna
Tlie
V.
!
Calvar's?
Dulces
[She
falls in
a swoon, and
the scene
SCENE
III.
Evening
The gate of
the
same
Castle
Enter
Silvio, the porter, and Pedro, a servant.
Pedro. Come, Silvio, comrade, a quarto for thy thoughts.

Silvio.
Make
it
a doubloon, and I
!
may
talk with thee.
Pedro. Tut,
man
thy whole brains, made into barbecue,

that.
and served up with tongue, were not worth the half of
But, I would have thee say, what dost thou think of our
mistress ?
Silvio.
Think of her?
and that I
Why,
simply, that she
is
my
mistress,
am
her honest porter, Silvio.

!
Pedro. Honest, forsooth

Silvio.
Ay
as honest as thou art a scurvy knave.
Pedro. If I do not break thy skull for that word, with

thine
own keys
12
Silvio.
woman's witchcraft.
Hold
!
she comes.
!
Pedro. The devil

Silvio.
I don't see her.

devil is loose.
The gate
is fast.
Ay, but the

!
Pedro. Ha, ha
my
mistress
is
the devil, then
I have
!
thy thoughts, loose-tongue, without the quarto.

dost thou really think
Silvio.
Good
But,
Think
blockhead
have done with thy

it
thinking,
and thy
the
talking, too.
Dost not know

?
!
is
the hour
when
White Witch goes her rounds
Pedro. Ave Maria Sanctissima

in a tremble
Silvio.
!
Thou
?
puttest
me
all
Didst thou ever see her
Never but once before

all
last night.
Heaven
shield
me
from
that follows
Her
footsteps
among
the leaves,
I have heard a-many a time.
Pedro.
Silvio.
And
at this
hour
Always
at this hour.
tell
Pedro. May-be thou mayst disbelieve me, but I

I
thee
am
bitterly afeard.
Silvio. I
have no doubt of
it.
To meet
death.
her,
and cross
her path as she walks, they say,
is
Pedro. Ugh, ugh, ugh

Silvio.
Sancta Maria Ora
[Exeunt.
Get thee
in, get thee in.

if
I shall be murdered
the night air blows
with rheumatism in these old bones
on me.
Get
in.
[The
Witch,
Ismena, passes over

hy the
the stage rapidly,
leading
changes.
DoNNA VlOLA
hand
scene then
woman's witchcraft.
13
SCENE
ing
IV. The Pyrenees by moonlight

crevice
from a
among
the rocks
A fountain gush Enter Ismena,
the
Witch,
and Donna Viola.

V.
Donna
Ismena.
Whither
so fast
Now we may
In
this
rest.
Thy wish
Is granted.
stream resides the power
Thy
spirit craved.
Donna Donna
They
V.
Then
let
me
?
drink of
it.
Ismena. Hast thou no fears

V.
Passion and fear are strangers
are like sun
and night; when passion burns,
Fear sinks
!
at once to the antipodes.

fire,
I could quaff
bathe in blood, or sleep
On
couch no softer than these pointed rocks

to
!
So might I win the power
wreak
my
will
On
those I love, and hate
Ismena.
'Tis but to stoop
'Tis easier
won.
lips
and touch thy dainty
To
this
pure mountain crystal, which
my
spells
Have somewhat wrought upon, and
all is thine.
[Donna Viola
stoops
and
drinks.
Go
thou
well
art
now
resistless.
Every eye
Thy
glance shall meet will answer thine with love.
Mark
my
words
u Thy hand shall have the power
14
To draw
e'e?i
woman's witchcraft.
lions from their
den
and
he
Whose
lips
meet thine, shall seek no other love!"
If what thou soughtst as blessing, prove a curse.
Say not that / have cursed
thee.
Donna
V.
am armed me
And
be the weapon blessed or cursed, to
It matters little.
On
the race of
man
I crave revenge
most dearly upon him
Who
To
If
hath so wronged me.
Love
shall yield
me power
lay
men
at
my
me
feet,
my
abject slaves
it recoil
on
Ismena.
Come,
V.
let
us hence.
Donna
Then,
if
To-morrow
will I to
Duke
Calvar's castle
my
spells prove powerless
on him,
Witch, thy foul treachery
shall not fail reward!
[Exeunt.
woman's witchcraft.
15
ACT
SCENE
I.
II. &c,
in the Castle of the
'pur-
A festival,
with masquers,
Duke of Bilbao Enter Donna Viola, masoned, sued by King Philip.

King
Philip. Nay, then, sweet
nymph, be not
so fleet of
foot!
am
not wont to weary so in chase.

V.
Donna
King
Nor
I to be so
worn with being chased.
Philip.
Why,
then, pray rest thee on this
arm
awhile.
am
not yet so old nor grim of mien,

lip so palsied
In step nor
nor so cold,
at
That dainty beauties need take fright
me.
Donna
Donna
But
it
V.
What
wouldst thou
King Philip.
V.
Dost thou know

Sire, I do;
me?
were rank disloyalty in
woman
To
yield to majesty, in kingly state,

in
More than
Unto
maiden honor would be given
his humblest vassal.
King Philip.
Sayst thou so
Why,
then,
I'll
be most humble, and put up
vassal-like request.
1G
woman's witchcraft.
Donna
V.
What
I
is it, sire ?
King Philip. That
might
kiss
your majesty's
fair
hand.
Donna
King
V.
Ay, and
my
lips too.
Pliilip.
V.
Wilt thou be
condition only.
so free ?
Donna
Upon
King Philip.
Name
all
the price.
Donna
Or word,
V. That, from this moment,
my
motions here
Shall be unfettered
or look.
by your royal hand,
King Philip.
'Tis granted.
?
'[Kisses her.']
0, ye heavens
What
magic's in those lips

spelled
What
art of fire
?
What necromancy
One
word
V.
them with such sweetness
Yet, one word, lady

little
when
shall
we meet again
Donna
Or
To-morrow noon
till
no, no;
you
will forget
me.
King Philip. Not

night to set
V.
the
moon remembers not
to shine,
Donna
Remember
Whatever
[Enter
To-morrow, then, a page
Will bring a token from

our condition.
my
hand.
Farewell
not
Heed you
stirs.
Duke Calvar
Sir
with
Donna Olivia,
his Gride.]
Duke, a word with you
Du7ce C.
ears
No
words, fair masque, are sweet to bridegroom's
That make not music
for his mistress, too.
Donna
V.
Thine ears alone must hear what I would say.
woman's witchcraft. Duhe

C.
V.
17
hears.
My
ears are deaf to all but

the hand.~\
what she
Donna
Duhe
Duhe
[Taking him by
!
You must,
my
lord,
come hence
C.
[Going.']
most brave masque, ha! ha!
Donna
Olivia. Calvar
C.
Anon,
my
lady
'tis
some
folly
I will be with thee soon; sweet, pardon me.
[Exeunt
Donna V. and Duke Calvar.
SCENE
II.
terrace or balcony belonging to the
same
Castle
Enter Duke Calvar and Donna Viola.

Duhe
This
is
0.
By
all
the saints, and Mary's self to boot,

!
a famous prank
There dwells more strength

lily
In three small fingers of that
hand
art thou ?
Than
Come,
in all Hercules'
Now, what
must know.
[Raises her masque.']
What, Viola,
thou here!
Who
bade
thee to this feast ? V.
Donna
My
love
!
slighted love
Know thou, false Duke, true And winged like Mercury

Gates, and
is
Argus-eyed,
walls,
Embattled
portcullis, are but things of sport,
That give
its
search more zest
I would have found thee,

stood
Though
twice ten thousand

;
men
2*
armed around,
And
thou in the centre
or,
though the hollow earth
18
woman's witchcraft.
bid thee in her bosom, farther
Had
down
Than ever miner sank his fearful shaft

Thou hast been
false to
me. 0, pardon, Viola!
Duke
C.
V.
Donna
geon,
Talk not of pardon
Were thy home
a dun-
Lonely, and cold, and clamp, where one small ray
Of
heaven's light smiled on thee through a crevice,
And And
0,
one poor cup of water every day,

crust of bread,
came
to thee
by
its aid,
tell
me
wouldst thou pardon him whose hand

like
Should close that gap, that shone,
Heaven's mercy,
Between thee and thy doom, and
leave thee there
To
die in darkness ?
Yet, in woman's heart
Are
loneliness
and darkness such as ne'er
In dankest cavern gloomed, when the sweet light
Of
love, her sunshine, is shut out forever
Duke
C.
V.
Then
am
guilty
guilty.
Donna
Basely so
in part atone.
But come, thou mayst

Dulce C.
0, how
Be
Or
it
by
forfeiture of lands, or vassals,
precious gems; or favor with the king;

dear-
Or aught more
Donna
Duke
V.
What need have

Ay, on
I of these
I ask a simple boon; wilt promise it?

C.
my
knees.
woman's witchcraft.
19
Donna
Alone
V.
One
in
visit to
my
castle
as
was your wont
happy days.
!
Duke
That
sin,
paragon of mercy
If all souls
were damned with such sweet punishment,

saintless
!
High heaven were almost
Donna
V.
Well,
at
my
lord,
You marvel
my
it.
kindness
and, perchance,
May now
Duke
repent already of your grant.
I will not urge

C.
Then
it
will I,
by Heaven!
the joys
Now
thou hast proffered
by
all
all
So treasured once
ah
?
villain
memory
bliss,
That didst not keep such record of that
As would have
blotted out
other hopes
!
Why Why
But
did I lose thee did I bury

V.
0, fool that I was
me
in another's
arms
Donna
Duke
Not yet
art thou so buried, noble
Duke,
that thy spirit

O.
may
walk.
Hold, tempter, hold
My
plighted oath
V.
Donna
One
Was
it
not sworn to
me ?
Once, did you swear a thousand loving oaths;

for each day, a
new one
for each hour;
Then, every kiss was crowned with an oath.
Then
tell
me
not of any newer vows
False to yon bride, thou wert a perjurer;
But, false to me, a thousandfold more perjur'd
20
woman's witchcraft.
Duke
0.
My
passion seeonds what

;
my
reason scorns.
Honor seems dead
all faith
is
but faithless seems
Now
Thou To
every thought
;
swallowed up in one,
!
Sweet, Viola
to
have but thee alone
art not mortal,
but some goddess grown,
lure
me
thus, like lion from his lair,

still
My
bridal revelry
ringing loud
But, lady, by whatever spell attained,
The palm
is
thine
Olivia
is
my
bride,
My
wife,
my
V.
duchess
but thou
my
;
art
my
queen !
Donna
Duke
Then,
listen to
sovereign commands.
C.
V.
Humbly
I wait to hear and to obey.

in pity to
Donna
Mark, then
yon new-made
wife,
I will not ask what, once
all
mine, thou stolest;
I ask but that, one day in every seven,
We
celebrate the
in
memory
;
of old loves
Housed
Heal
my
castle
thus, in part,
may you
oaths.
my
deep wound of
C.
V.
many broken
!
Duke
Most generous queen
Thy
subject shall obey.

to
Donna
Then, now, farewell; back
your blushing
bride;
Yet, in the height and summit of your
bliss,
So much
at least of
punishment
is
due
Remember
Viola.
Duke
C.
V.
Shall the day be to-morrow
Donna
Nay
but the next.
;;
woman's witchcraft.
21
Duke
C.
The
?
next, then,
may
it
be.
But, goest not to the feast again
Donna
Duhe
Duke
V.
Not
Good-night.
C.
V.
Good-night,
my
queen
Donna
Thou
Ay,
until
wilt
remember ?
[Exit.
C.
doomsday.
Donna
V.
0, that treacherous word
How many
But
yet,
times that day had come to pass,

of men's
Did breaking
vows compel
:
it
hither.
thee,
my
charms work well
/ thank
Witch
\_Exit.
SCENE
III.
woodland
at sunrise
Enter
Don Alonzo
in the dress of a student.
Don
In
Alonzo.
What
lovely vision passed before
my
sight
many
lands I have travelled, and have seen
All bright ideals of immortal art
And,
in weird fancy's studio, I have found,

still
Or
fashioned, forms of
surpassing grace
But
ne'er in travel, art, or fancy's forms,
Have
She
these eyes looked
upon
so fair a thing
sat
upon her horse

to bear
as though the air
Were proud
her up, nor needed else
And
from her eye such lustre darted forth
22
woman's witchcraft.
roused the lark before the
!
As might have Do
dawn
0, I will follow her
and
if this
earth
give her habitation, once again

feast
Mine eyes may
upon such wondrous charms

[Exit.
Enter Pietro, a shepherd.

Pietro.
What do
these gentlefolks abroad so early
Why,
run a
here have I just rubbed

race with the skylark,
my
sleepy eyes, and

this
come
to
when
madcap
of a lady comes
galloping across the
fields,
with a poor devil of a page try-
ing the mettle of his steed and his spurs to keep pace with
her.
But, by the keys of the Church, that fine lass has a

!
wondrous pair of eyes
What
when
a lovely milkmaid she would
make
What
a sight,
all
the lads and lasses were at

all,
the vintage, to see her
among them
in her
with such a smile
on her
all
lips,
and such a song
mouth, as would turn
our merry fellows
mad
la
!
Pietro,
my
boy, an thou ever

!
seest her again
La,
what a pair of eyes

day
Eyes, eyes
why, they would make

where they say the sun
it
at the frozen pole of the earth,
is
out of sight for six months

[Exit, singing.
SCENE
IV.
room
in Algolar
Castle
Enter
Donna
Viola
(in riding habit)
and Helena.
Donna
Helena.
V.
0, 'twas a fright, Helena
How,
dear lady
;;
woman's witchcraft.
23
so
!
Donna
Hold me
V.
I tremble yet
!
who have dared
much
I faint
fire
Such, such we
women
are
Thus, in the
and tempest of our passion,

;
"We can meet fiends
but,
!
when our rage
is
cooled,
mouse may
Helena.
fright us
What
V.
hath happened you
Donna
A dozen
robbers, scarce a mile from hence,
Set on us suddenly from out a wood.
They bound yon
trusty page,
who
fought, forsooth,
As though
ten years of war had schooled his arms
And
then to
to
me
their bearded chieftain came,
In act
draw me from
my
saddle down.
Helena. 0, terrors!
Donna
V.
Then, I thought
me
of a spell
Learned from Ismena, the old mountain hag.

I placed
my
hand upon
his ruffian grasp,
And
cried, a a word, bold sir!"
"No
words/' he said;
lips I"
" Kisses would more become those pretty " Yet, words
first,
kisses after," I replied
Mastering the fears that choked me.
He
stood back,
And, wondering, gazed on me
as
might a wolf
To hear
lamb cry " truce"
to his bloody jaws.
Thus, woman's gentleness
is oft
more strong
Than
valor, trebly armed.
His dark brow smoothed,
Lip softened, and his eye grew mild with love;
Anon, he sank upon
his very knees

to smile
Begged and entreated me
on him
24
Asked pardon
woman's witchcraft.
for the rudeness of his seizure
;
Bid Carlos be unbound
in short, did all
To show himself
Helena.
the conquered, though
my
victor.
And
V.
did he leave you so
Donna
Only he
He did, Helena; bade me (which his noble
front,
Most knightly bearing, and frank courtesy
Made
easy ransom) promise in return,
I would forget his ruffian -like pursuit
And,
as he swore he
was of gentlest blood,

castle.
Guest him within

Helena.
my
Passing strange
V.
Donna
There
is
0, Helena
things stranger yet may be

my
thoughts,
will not be appeased,
a restless fever in
That
calls for
all
more
and
Though
the noblest of this goodly land
Fall, as love's vassals, at
my
:
throned feet!
this afternoon
Go, deck
my
room of
state
Perchance his majesty

Helena. The
may happen
why
here.
King ?
!
Donna
;
V.
The King
not
Go,
child, prepare.
\Exit Helena.
Tis said, the lion that hath tasted blood,
Slumbrous and tame before, grows hot with rage

Thirsting for prey
even so, methinks, am I, Now this new lust of power hath so been fed. Woman first passion ever must be luce ;
;
's
!!
25
But, be this thwarted
jealousy, or revenge,
may
hold
is
its rule,
Or
love of power, each

all at
Or
once
mine, mine
Duke
what care I
love of conquest
But, for this paltry
He
is
not true;
for his love ?
I shall not worship changelings.
The
true heart,
Where Love
sits
once enthroned, no charms divine,

Circe's
Not Cleopatra
wand nor
its
Siren
Not
all
the bright perfections of an angel

to
Can bend
swerve from
allegiance
O, thus would I have loved, had he been true
For I did doat on him
till
love in
all
me
heaven;
Became
idolatry.
air
Then,
things changed
like
The very
and sunshine glowed
And
he,
who, erst had been a plain blunt man,

to
Became Hyperion
So wondrous
is
my
love-lit eyes.
!
the alchemy of love

gone.
But now
all's
He
is
my
prey.
Come, power
;
I have exchanged
my
nature with the tigress
And, through the tangled jungle of men's hearts

I move, with stealthy tread, yet sure of spring,
And
strong to
wound e'en
to the
bloody death
[Exit.
26
woman's witchcraft.
ACT
SCENE
I.
III.
in
the
room of
state
Castle
of AhjoJar
Enter, on one side,
King Philip;
on
the other,
Donna
Viola.
King
Philip.
Thou
fair enchantress,
who
hast
won me
so
To
doff
my
royalty, as one of old

his strength, behold
More mighty did
me here,
;
-
All unattended, as thou bad'st

Content, thus at thy
feet,
me come
thy royal slave

\_Kneels to her.
Donna
me.
V. Rise, sire
such homage should be yours from
King Philip. No;

versed,
in love's
kingdom,
all
high rule
re-
One
'Tis
only sceptre sways the universe
woman's beauty, and that nameless charm

fair
"Which thou,
queen of hearts, so queenly wear'st

rise.
Donna
King
Y. I
do beseech your majesty to
Philip.
V.
Command me, and
must obey
perforce.
Donna
then.
Your humblest servant doth command you,

[The King
Or, I well remember,
rises.
Will you be seated ?
Your highness hath a more Arcadian fancy
woman's witchcraft.
I
27
have a pleasant garden near the
castle,
Shaded, yet sweet with wafted breath of flowers;
And
cool withal, where waters fall
and flow;
Wilt walk with
me ?
Sweet, there or anywhere.
in love; thy
King Philip.
I
am bound up
Orphean voice
Would tame me, were

Spain
!
I wilder than the leopard.
thou shalt be forgot ;
my
peace,
my
war,
Viola, this bright day, shall
make
or mar.
Donna
music
V.
Bring music, Carlos! sweet, soul-trancing
[Carlos
Let the
strain fall as soft as
enters.]
dew on
flowers,
it fills
And
sweeter than the perfumed cups
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
gate.
The gateway of the same Castle Enter Helena,
in Spanish out-door costume, knocking
Silvio opens
the
Silvio. So,
Helena!
is
Helena. Well, master Silvio,
thy solemn mouth open In

faith, I
to-day, as well as thy pond'rous gate ?
know
not
which goes the

Silvio.
rustier.
!
Peace
Thy
mistress hath had brave
company
to-day.
Helena.
A gentleman
only
true, a right fair
gentleman
he seemed.
; !
28
Silvio.
WOMAN'S WITCHCRAFT.
Ha,
girl
!
dost think I could serve ten years in
his royal father's guard,
and not know that face ?
There's
much
good, or more
it
ill,
brewing in a house when our Sire
Philip enters
for a lady's smiles.
Helena. For shame on thee, for an old scandal-monger
The queen's crown has

Viola's
;
sat
on
less fair
heads than our Lady
and, maybe, less noble, too.
Silvio. Didst
thou speak of wisdom and
craft, I
would
be with thee
for I believe the devil helps her
on occasion.
Helena. Not without her helping him in return, on occasion,

is all
thou wouldst say; but, 'I

wrong.
tell thee,
thy wise head there
Our
mistress would neither
wed King Philip
for his throne, nor
be
his, for the
crown jewels, without the
throne.
Silvio.
Well, well, berries will be red when they ripen
and
so will be lips
and cheeks when the young blood
is
in
them.
Let go
I shall not meddle with kings, nor donnas
neither, so long as there's beef in the pot,
and
my gate
needs
no mending.
Let go
[Exeunt.
SCENE
lena
out.
III.
chamber
in night dress
Enter Donna Viola and He Song, with guitar heard withthe
Song.
Sleepest, or wakest, lady fair ?
Now,
in his lair,
woman's witchcraft.
Each wild thing slumbers.
29
Of
all
earth's numbers,
I,
Save love and
There wakes no eye;

Sleepest, or wakest, lady?
If thou art dreaming,
Through closed
lids
fair
beaming,
than Jacob's angels given
Be
sights
if
more
But,
thou wake,
Sweet mercy take
On
love that finds those starry eyes
its
heaven
Sleepest, or wakest, lady?
Donna
V.
?
is
What
voice
doth
flatter
us with such sweet
address
Such music
O,
more welcome,
at midnight,
far,
than sleep
it is bliss,
when
the moon,
Soft peeping through the lattice, gilds our dreams,
To have them melted
into wakefulness
As much more
sweet than day's as heaven than earth

!
By
All
the soft touch of song

like
It is not
waking j
But seems
dying into some other world,
made
of happiest dreams.
Why
in.
doth he cease?
Go, Helena, wake Silvio;
command
Say
This gentle warbler be enforced
Bid him be entertained.
that, to-morrow,
Some
strict affairs
must urge me
3*
to
be private
30
WOMAN'S "WITCHCRAFT.
that another day shall not pass
But
noon
Without our conference.
Go, haste, Helena.
[Exeunt
SCENE
Carlos.
IV.
field or
woodland
Enter Carlos.
To
Now,
if this
be not the wildest chase after a
tame goose that ever Christian man was sent upon!

find a scurvy lout of a peasant boy, that
knows no more
to shear
how
ewes
to
!
speak to a
fine
if
lady than I would
know how
Methinks,
it
my mistress
be ever so fond of mutton,

all
she might eat
without acquaintance with
the grass
it
was pastured
on.
But, mayhap, she hath an ambition to
be like the famous monarch of old time

self; in that case, I don't
and
!
eat grass her-
wish to have the watching of her.
One would have

as I guess.
to look well to the fences
Here he comes,
last.
Now we
will
have our errand done, at

crook.~\
[Enter Pietro, with a shepherd's

Say,
my
friend, is not thy
name
Pietro
;
Pietro.
True, I be one of that
name
but there be more
about.
Carlos.
Well, I reckon thou wilt do as well as another for
me, so that thou keep sheep.

Pietro.
Carlos.
Nay, but I don't do that; sheep keep me.
How
wilt thou prove that?
Pietro. Isn't a
one kept by what he eats and wears?

sell
And
don't I shear the sheep, and
them
and
kill
them,
woman's witchcraft.
and eat them; and wear
see the sheep that
their wool, too?
31
I
would
wool.
like to
would eat me, and wear
my
!
Carlos. 0, thou art a very keen shepherd

that, out
Now,
I guess
of thy plentiful wit, thou canst answer
me
one
question.
Pietro. If I don't, hold
me
as dull as that dainty
sword
there of thine, that never was meant to cut.

Carlos.
Thou
liest,
clodhopper
Misshapen lump, thou
mutton-mouth, thou
Pietro.
Wilt
call
me
mutton-mouth
[Flourishing his
Carlos. Hold, good shepherd
!
stich.
brave,
magnanimous shep!
herd, hold
Pietro.
Carlos.
Put up that weapon,

afraid of
I pray
Art thou not
me ?
will say, I
For the sake of argument, we
am.
Only grant me that

Pietro.
my
me
sword hath a right good edge. Then, what
Granted, for the sake of argument.

?
dost thou want with

Carlos.
Civilly, to
know whereabouts
those sheep do keep
you, and feed you, and lead you to water, and pasture you.
Pietro.
O, now thou art speaking reason again.

I'll
Come
along, along.
and
show thee where we
graze.
This way; come

[Exeunt.
32
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
Donna
Duke
Duhe
V.
A garden Enter Donna

Calvar.
Duke, I have said; no more
Sweet, be
it
Viola and Duke
V.
Calvar, no
more
0.
V.
Calvar
still
call
me
not Duke.
Donna
That
shall be as
your merit stands with me.
C.
Dost thou not love
me ?
Else,
Donna
Duke
The
V.
why
call thee hither?
C. Then,
why
so foreign to love's tender guise?
passion which, in
soft looks
its first
purple dawn,
Feeds on
is
feasted with a kiss

in its height of
Grows wild with ardor

Thus mine
noon
[Approaches her.
Donna
Duke
V.
Away! Duke,
Must
I obey
?
command
thee; cease!
C.
V.
Donna
Duke
Thou
shalt!
C.
[Turning slowly away.~\
Most
cruel tyrant!
Donna
V. Hold, Calvar!
For
this
due obedience,
I will forgive thy froward tongue.
Remember,
(Thou canst not doubt
my
love),
when
rolls
a week,
The
self
same day makes thee again

G. Unwillingly I leave
my
guest.
Duke
To
salve
but am most glad
my
penance with that better hope.

vanquished; 0, thou bitter-sweet,
For
this time
That mak'st and marr'st

I'll
my
passion in a breath
[Aside.
sides."]
rule thee yet!
[Exeunt, on opposite
! !
woman's witchcraft.
33
SCENE
VI.
room in Algolar
Castle
Enter
Donna
Viola, and
Don Alonzo
in student's dress.
Donna
V.
Sir Student, I
most humbly crave your pardon,
For giving you so slow and dull a welcome.
Your moonlit
strain,
which sweetly broke our
sleep,
Might have flung wide the gates of palaces
Don
Alonzo. Ah, lady
pardon
guilt,
my
presumptuous song
The tongue bears not the
which from the heart

inspire
!
Gushed madly ; such sweet madness you
Donna
V.
Art thou not strange
to
me ?
These eyes but once
Don
Alonzo.
Opened upon thy beauty; yet such space

That picture holds
in
my
mind's gallery,
it,
And
I
I so oft have conned
that, 'twould
seem
must have seen thee many million times
Donna
V.
To
flatter, is
;
the poet's privilege.

he,
Don
Alonzo. No, lady
whose soul
is
Nature's child,
Nurtured by her alone, as those of old
By manna
O,
call
from God's hand

false, in
most worships truth
not poets
heart or song;
Where
falsehood dwells, there beauty dies away;
Sweet tune from broken harp might come, as well
As
poesy
from a heart that

V.
is
not true
?
Donna
I wronged thy calling then ; wilt thou forgive I have heard, in other lands,
Don
Alonzo. Yes, lady.
Strange tales of faery-work and witchery;
34
woman's witchcraft.
mystic muttered spells;
;
Of mighty wands, and

Doubtful I heard them
but I doubt no more.
That unseen
spirits
hover o'er our world
Through
its
dark caverns climbing from their depths,

thro' the air
:
Or winging downward
the power
Thy beauty
wields, hath something of their nature.
Else, a lone student, thoughtful, shy,
and timid,
Had
not thus dared to scale thy lofty state

a dove should
As though Donna
To hear
mount
it,
to
an eagle's nest
Magic or madness wrought

V.
noble lady.
;
Then
call it
madness
for I love so well
thee rave, 'twere bliss to be thy keeper

ever, gentle lunatic
!
So wander
And,
Pray
if
aught else of vagary be thine
tell
me;
so,
perchance,
may come
thy cure.
Don
!
Alonzo. These soft words, lady, but increase
my
ill.
could I dare to take you at your word,

tell
And
you, that
my
madness grows
to those lips
!
so bold,
It leaps, in wishes,
even
What punishment
Donna
V.
do such rash thoughts deserve
Naught, but
free pardon, if I be the judge.
Dost think, the church would frown on gentlest love,
Given as medicine
for lunacy ?
Don
Alonzo. No, lady; 'twere a blameless charity.

V.
Donna
I would 'twere thine.
Don
Alonzo.
I tenfold
I
0, rare munificence
Now, am
Methinks
madder than
before.
am
another
man
than T
woman's witchcraft.
35
knight's full armor weighs upon
my
limbs;
Give
me my sword and helm

for
Bring forth
my
horse
On
my
lady
No, nopardon me.

Sometimes
'tis so.
I did forget myself.
Most noble
lady, I
am
strange in speech
But, trust me, were I in more courtly guise,
(Such virtue travel worketh
in the rude)
I might not lack the mien of chivalry.
Something I've seen of war
a looker on
is
And
sometimes
when the
soul
wrought upon,
sight.
!
Things past come thus between us and our

Forgive
me
but, those eyes, those lips,
O Heaven
I do beseech you, bear with

It
is
my caprice. my way, being too hot of brain, When aught hath stirred these rebel spirits
me
sir
;
up,
?
is
Dull walls cannot contain
shall
we
forth
Donna
V.
Gladly, fair
your madness
infectious.
Don
Alonzo. I pray you, do forgive me.

this
am
bold
But when
You'll find
sudden tempest vents

passing humble.
itself,
me
V.
Donna
Let us
forth.
[Exeunt.
SCENE
VII.
Another room in
the
same
Castle
Enter
Donna Viola.
Donna
V.
Now, were
I not so vowed to
my
revenge
So arm'd and
steel'd against the
approach of love,
;;;
36
That Cupid's
self,
woman's witchcraft.
with
all his darts,
To
pierce
my
encas'd heart
would
fail
!
'twere conquered here
This student hath a princely nobleness,
As though he were
Some
the child of
pomp and
know,
power.
Low-born are seldom so;
yet, well I
natures are there, heedless of degree

in-born majesty, of God's
all
Whose
Shames
own crowning,
the world's poor, puppet dignities

life's
Kings, and their courts, in

Strut
oft, like apes, in
gay Carnival,
conquerors' disguise
But, when unhoodcd greatness walks
among them,
Their
pomp and
tinsel
show
Yet, I
like
lamps by daylight
free
!
Alonzo I could
Victims must
Still
love.
am
still
be humbled to
my
power;
must
make night
smile, to con again
The
tale of
each day's conquest.
Helena
[Enter Helena.]
Bring
me some famous
is
bravery of dress.
guest to-day.
This robber-gentle
my
Let's play the bandit.
Did'st thou never hear
Of Donna Cassima,
the Moorish lady,
Who,
for her
humor, roved the mountains once,

?
Armed
cap-dpie, the terror of the passes
slender sword might suit this figure well

for the
Though
helm
but
haste,
methinks he comes
[Exeunt After a
with Carlos.]
little
time
Re-enter
Helena
37
Helena. Is he not coble, Carlos
?
0, the Hector
With what
I
a fearful flourish strode he in
wonder, when he seized you on your road,

did not die from fright at him.
!
You
And
yet
So handsome, too
Good
lack, this lady of ours
Weareth some wondrous
spell, to
!
tame such
hearts.
Would
I could learn
it
too
'T would be
my
fortune.
it.
Carlos. I do believe you, there's
some magic in
Helena. Yet would I fear to be alone with him,
As
she
sits
now. In honesty
Carlos.
so
would I
Though I
did cross
my
maiden sword with

j
his.
I wonder, now, I dared
he
is
one of those
Who
His
carry thunder on their dark knit brows
close teeth glisten, like the flash of knives,
When, from beneath
his bearded lip, he smiles

tiger's
His deep voice mocks the
angry roar;
All things about him speak ferocity.

Helena. Yet now, he's whispering a tale of love
Hark, through the
half- closed
door we scarce can hear

fierce
!
it.
Such might
Carlos.
soft passions
have to rule the
Aye, but the end, Helena, comes not

?
yet.
Helena. Hast any fears

Carlos.
I have
lay again.
but
it
were vain
[Exeunt.
To
call
up ghosts we cannot
38
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
VIII.
The
same Enter Donna Viola and

the
Romulo,
Bandit.
farewell.
Donna
V.
For
this time,
Romulo,
week
Passed over
be thou here my guest

!
again.
Romulo. Hard clemency
But, I have pledged
my
honor,
And,
I
this time,
must abide
it.
Yet know,
lady,
am
man much more

this passion
of deeds than words
And, what
may
inflame
me
to,
Failing love's substance, as you seem to proffer

Its
shadow
for
my
bait,
I dare not limit.
I love
thee ; and,
where Romulo hath loved,

!
Death or possession follows
[Exit.
Donna
I
V.
Ha
'tis
well.
!
am
almost frighted.
Yet, I do not fear him
'Twill be a duller day than any yet,
When, with my woman's

The
full strength of
wit, I
!
may
not match
one
man
Well, I
am
weary.
!
Off with these trappings.
'Twas a feverish scene

o'er-stirred heart
!
To-morrow
will I cool
my
With
a pure pastoral.
Carlos
Enter CARLOS.
Carlos.
Here,
V.
my
lady.
Donna
fields
Was
I not told that thou had'st found
the
Where
Pietro, the peasant, feeds his flocks ?
! !
woman's witchcraft.
Carlos.
39
'Twas
V.
so,
my
lady.
Donna
Now,
pipes.
then, for
my
rest.
To dream of shepherd's
No more
banditti
[Exeunt.
SCENE
IX.
chamber
Donna Viola
!
is
seen reclining
on a couch.
Donna
V.
'Twas but a vision
Why
my
is
my
sleep so
broken ?
Unhallowed thoughts are trooping
thro'
brain.
Marshalled by her I dread, the false Ismena
Away
I'll
yield no
more
come,
softly, sleep
Enter
the Witch,
Ismena.
What
Ismena.
would' st thou?
Thee
V.
spells,
Donna
am me
not thine, nor will be!
Take back thy

Ismena.
and leave
I cannot;
The charm Hell wove, Hell never can unwind
Donna
V.
Yet leave me;
for
my
heart hath learned to
hate thee
I charge thee, hence; tempt
my weak
;
soul no farther!
[ISMENA
an
gesticulates violently, as if struggling with
invisible
Power
and
at length, with
a wild
shriek, disappears.]
No more
I'll
sleep alone, nor in this place;
40
woman's witchcraft.
vanish'd shape hath shed a gloom around,
chills ray
Her
That
very soul
0,
it is
fearful
To tamper with such

For our small,
selfish
spirits in their
might,
ends
In
this still hour,
How
And
strangely changed look
all life's
tangled schemes;
that which, in the day, would cause but mirth,
Stalking in night and silence, most appals

I'll
me
think no more; each shadow grows a ghost;

[Exit.
Hence, hence!
SCENE
X. Another room in Algolar
Castle
Enter Carlos
if
and Helena.
Helena.
Ha! ha! ha!
Ha!
ha!
!
0, Carlos,
thou
could'st but have seen that sport

all in
To
see our lady, there,
plain rustic trim, playing the diffident with that love!
smitten clown
Carlos.
La! la!
to
Did he not seem
know
her
Helena.
Know
it
why, the poor
fool
knew
nothing.
Here
was he, as
were, sometimes sitting
down and sometimes
standing, and then walking around and around her

falling
anon
lily
on both knees before her, taking up her two
hands as
oaf!
Carlos.
though he would swallow them both whole, the
And how
did she play her part the while?

perfectly.
her.
Helena.
Oh
most gently and
None
of your
stage-players could
come up with
There
sat she,
on a
woman's witchcraft.
little
41
rock by the great olive tree, with her hands in her lap,
a face
so
in
and
more innocent than the image of the Virgin
yon chapel.
Carlos.
A good
much
play, sure,
?
it
was.
Did they say nothing
Helena. So
of nothing that I could not

it;
remember
after all.
the hundredth part of

I only
and yet
it
was nothing,
know
it
that, if I
had not smothered

ill
my
laughter with
coughing,
must have gone very
with me.
"Sweet
maiden," said he, "is thy name Carlotta ?"

youth," answered the lady, "
it
it
"No, sweet
" Sweet Viola,
is
Viola."
should have been Carlotta; that were a prettier name.

sister,
My
and
my
me
mother, and
my
grandame, wear that

like,
name."
" Well,
fair Pietro, I will
wear any name thou
so thou wilt love
in it."
And with
that the poor sheep,
with
less wit
than any ram in his
flock,
grew
so over-deep
in his
sort of
new madness
dream
;
of love, that he lay there gazing in a
till
the other sheep
wandered
off
a good half
mile or so
and none but the lady

I.
herself could get
him
to
run and fetch them back again.

Carlos. Dost thou
know what new game
is
toward ?
Helena. No, not

Carlos.
Our lady bade me, when

to see
this
storm came up, keep
an eye over the road,
what
traveller
?
came
by.
Helena. Did'st thou see any one

Carlos.
to stop
castle.
Aye, just before
came
in hither.
I have orders
him, and bid him take shelter from the rain in this
4*
42
Helena.
los?
!
woman's witchcraft.
more pastime
!
What was
it like,
good Car-
Carlos. I think, a
Moor; but
port;
yet, a very proper

stately,
man
withal;
lion-like in
swarthy, and
and yet
graceful, too.
Helena.
will not
Moor
Faith, I love
Moors
If the mistress
have him, he shall not pass

It is
me
without a smile, I
warrant.
my
turn to have sport now,
when she begins
to tire of them.
Carlos.
Oh, Helena!
I,
to
talks of
Moors and
amorous
cast-offs,
when here am
so fond, so fervently
!
Helena. Thou, indeed
Think you the mistress
shall
have
a twenty or more, each as handsome as the king, and I

to be content with a
am
buckram page that hath not a beard an

Carlos
for I
inch long ?
Away,
Carlos. Well, I
must away now, indeed;
am
bid to
be ambassador in the rain to Sefior don Moor, below there
and that
is
no dry sport, forsooth.
{Exeunt.
SCENE
XI. The gate of the same
Castle
storm?/ night
Enter Silvio,
hnight.
Carlos, and
Abdallaii, a Moorish
Carlos.
My
mistress bids
me
to entreat you, sir,
Brave not the terrors of both storm and night,
But
enter hither.
; ;
woman's witchcraft.
Ahdallah.
43
A
it
!
most kind request.

Tell her that I
Would
I were worthier of
Am
And
Of
of a race her fathers warred against
I come, to seek
my
old ancestral graves
there find record, writ in tears and blood,
their
most warlike deeds.

Still are
Carlos.
you welcome.
Those ancient feuds were buried, long ago
And, were our dearest
foes
unhoused to-night,
No
Christian door were closed.
Ahdallah.
I'll
True, nor Moor's neither.
enter with thee.
\Exeunt Carlos and Abdallah.]

Silvio.
Here
are brave doings, indeed.

in the house
When
the last
of the
Moors sleeps a night
where the King of
Spain dined the other day, old things
may become new again.

this reckoning, of
One, two, three,

all
four, five, six;
why, upon
the days in the week, she hath left but one for the
Church
A
the
good mass
!
it
should be, then, to do the business of the
whole seven
But, I fear me, the White Witch stands in
way
of that.
Ah,
is
well
let
it
the spit turn and turn,
and when the hare

go, I say
!
roasted,
will sing.
Let go,
let all
[Goes in and shuts
the gate.]
! !
44
woman's witchcraft.
ACT
SCENE
I.
IV.
Castle
room in Algolar
Enter Donna Viola

me.
and Calvar, Duke of Bilbao.
Duke
C. Once, Viola,
V.
you were
less cold to
Donna
Duhe
Aye, and
You were
not, then, yourself so over-bold.

?
C.
Should not love grow
Should
it
not speak,
and look,
act, too ?
Why
charm
did you win

it
my
love
And, having
If
'tis
lost
it,
back again,
your beck,
but thus to hold
me
at
For sport and torment,

I will not bear
it
like a caged bird?
Donna
Duke Duke
V.
Nay, but you must,
my
lord.
C.
V.
Why
do you treat
me
so
?
;
Donna
For
it
my
revenge
no more
0.
Then be
:
thwarted.
!
I have let loose the reins
On
passion's neck
onward
\_Approaches her impetuously.']
Donna
peril.
V.
[Retreating\]
My
lord,
you near me
at
your
Duke
Thou
I
C.
Ha, ha
little
wren, dar'st thou the lion's paw

;
am
roused
'tis
sweet devil, charming ruin, thou
Fly not,
vain
woman's witchcraft.
Donna
[
45
V.
seizes
Then,
her
if
no other safety,
The Duke
Donna V. suddenly draws

villain,
dagger from her bosom, and stahs him.~\

This must be mine
If I had loved thee
!
Thou double-hearted
still,
or thou or I
;
Had
thus atoned thy fault

C.
now,
it is
well.
Duke
0, serpent
thou hast stung
me
Punished,
[Dies.
punished
Donna
sight
V.
This, then,
is
death;
a cold, strange, horrid
And
have /done
that
'tis
it,
with
this
trembling hand?
Now
done, methinks I
!
am
slain
myself
Help, Helena
Carlos
Still, still
Will no one hear
me ?
Help,
[Throics herself upon a couch.]

alone
?
must go
forth,
and seek
Some
friendly witness to this bloody deed.

!
0, how I shake
Thou
shalt play false

the
no more
[Looking on
Duke.]
No more
spend husband's fondness at thy home,
Fresh gathered from
my
lips
Once, I did love thee
But now, remorse hath

It
lost a
pang
in
knowing
it
was not
all
revenge
thine act compelled
[Exit
[Enter, shortly, Carlos,
Servants, and Helena,
who
Carlos.
cries out.]
No
words, no words
let all
be done in silence.
Take
it
up, and bear
him hence.
I lead the way.
[Exeunt, bearing the body of die Duke.]
46
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
II.
A forest Enter
Carlos and Servants,
hear-
ing the Duke's hody.

Carlos. Stop
lay
him here
close to the open road.

tie it
Go, some one, bring his horse, and
near.
'Twill thus be thought he has been slain
by robbers.
Servant. I doubt, 'twill long be thought so.

Carlos.
Well, no matter.
'Tis said that murder, done in deepest night,
In the most
stillest spot,
without a sound,
Has
yet, in course of watchful Providence,

to the doer.
Been traced
But, were
this
proclaimed,
it
The common
heart of
human kind would judge

Looks
!
As
less
than murder.
it
not so to you
Servants. Yes, yes

Carlos.
Then thus our mouths
are sealed.
Return.
[Exeunt.
SCENE
III.
room in Ahjolar Castle Enter Donna
Viola and Helena.
Donna
Helena.
V.
Is't
not the Sabbath, Helena?

It
is.
Donna
Hath
left
V. Go, bid one bring a priest.
This dagger-work
a heavy sickness on
I
my
heart.
)
Thou know'st
But,
if
am
not over
full
of faith
there be in heavenly conjuration
woman's witchcraft.
Aught
I want
that can give the
it
47
wounded
spirit ease,
now.
Tis true, priests are not angels.

all
I doubt, they are
quite
it
human.
Bring one hither.

?
Helena.
Who
V.
shall
be,
my
lady
Father Simon,
? ?
White-haired, and bowed with years and penances
Donna
No
What have
I to do with hoary age

feel.
'Tis the young, only,
know what youth can
Bring me that Gabriel,
whom
I once have seen,
Shriving a dying villager.
Thou know'st him?
Helena. Right well.
'Tis said, a truly pious priest.
Donna
V.
Would
;
I could think as
much
of all his order
Go, send for him

Helena. Here
I wait a
him on the moment.

!
\Exit.
this castle,
is
new
caprice, indeed
Within
Save
for the rites of death, these
twenty years,
Old
Silvio tells,
it
no holy
man
;
hath been.
I trust,
bodes but good
yet,
by her eye,
He must
And
And
be steel'd in Faith's most trusty armor,

his visor
wear
down, whose soul meets hers,
bears no scathe.
God send
us better thoughts
{Exit.
SCENE
IV.
The same
Enter
Donna Viola and
Gabriel,
the Priest.
Gabriel. God's blessing be upon thee, noble lady.
Donna
One
to the
V.
I thank you, reverend

all
sir.
Behold
in
me,
church a stranger ;
unused
48
woman's witchcraft.
forms, and canons, and all holy things.
brief, I
To
In
have no faith
But, sick of soul,

office
I longed to ask thee, can thine

Gabriel.
help
me
He whom
V.
I serve hath help for
all,
my
lady.
Donna
Forgive, then,
my
unsaintly mien and speech,
And
I
forget thine ordained authority.

not, care not
know
aught
for
solemn pomp
As man
with woman, hear and speak with
me
Gabriel. Lady, I
am
but man, as thou art woman.

feel for
Donna
V.
Then, can'st thou
me ?
Hast thou a
heart?
Did ever passion
set
on
fire
;
thy blood
Gabriel. I have a heart
but never yet loved woman,

charity.
!
Save with
affection,
and pure
Donna
me;
V.
A man,
yet ne'er hast loved
Pray, look on
I fain would read
some meaning
upon the
in thine eyes
floor
!
Gaze
not, so statue-like,
?
Can' st thou not love

Is
it
Come; take
this
hand
in thine;
not gentle
[Touching
his clasped hands.
Gabriel.
Pardon me, noble lady.

V.
Donna
Take
it,
Are
priests forbidden to be courteous ?

it
;
and clasp
there's
!
no
infection in
it.
Gabriel. Pardon me, lady
0, too tempting madness
[ Aside.
Donna
eyes
V.
Thou
art as cold as
marble
Why ?
Those
woman's witchcraft.
Are
beautiful; that cheek hath a
49
young glow,
Thriving mid penance, like a rose in winter

I cannot think thee but a heartless statue
Look upon me;

Flatterers have called
me
beauteous;
think'st thou so?
There
is
a ruddy ripeness in
my
cheek,
'Tis true,
and on
my
lip a
redder glow;
in step,
And
In
am
light of form,
and quick
Bird-like
all
when
joyous, tenderest
when saddened;
things warm, impulsive, passionate.
Yet, did I proffer thee

Called thee
my
virgin love,
my
own, caressed and cherished thee,
Told thee, " Sweet Gabriel, I
am
thine alone !"
Yet would'st thou stand

Gabriel
!
off
from these opened arms,

!
And
leave
them empty
I,
Would'st thou not
Gabriel.
Ay, would
V.
lady
Donna
Then thou
!
art heartless, truly
Gabriel. 0, no, no, no
Donna
Making
all
V.
They
tell
me
of a canon
love forbidden fruit to you.
But can such be divine ?

Nature
is
No, never, never

its
eloquent to plead
wrong;
all
Wherefore should
I
tell thee,
man
thus war against
nature
hoary ages cannot plant

error.
Respect upon the brows of such gross

But,
man
I waste
my
words.
!
Thou
hast no heart!
Gabriel. Lady, I have
50
woman's witchcraft.
Donna
V.
A
My
passions are as
heart, that holds
no passion!
!
Gab rid.
warm and
strong as thine
?
Donna
V.
Then, wherefore now so calm

seat.~\
Gabriel. [Rising from his
help me, Heaven!

[Aside.
Calm, didst thou say
Yes, the great heavens are calm,
That give
forth thunders with a
moment's warning;
calm,
And
'Ere
the volcano's crater

it
it is
bursts forth, as tho'
all hell
were wakened
I, too,
am
calm;
but, in this heart's volcano,
Fassions are sleeping, deeper than tragedy;
Stronger than death; more fearful than the grave;
Which, were they not locked
fast
by love of Heaven,
Would make
thee tremble with their lightest whisper!
Donna
you.
V.
Fair
sir,
forgive
me
reverend
sir,
wronged
Gabriel. Daughter, thou wrong'st
me
not, nor need'st
my
pardon.
I
came
to offer thee
my humble my
counsel;
If thou dost need none, duty calls
me
is
hence.
Donna
Gabriel.
V.
I do, I do;
heart
dark and blind!

of our faith
?
Knowest thou not the teachings

V.
Donna
know
not what faith
is;
the very babe,

I.
School'd to
Gabriel.
its
cradle-prayers,
knows more than
Knowest thou,
then, thine
own heart?
I never conned
it
Donna
Gabriel.
V.
Then
let
me
paint
it
to thee.
It
is
evil;
woman's witchcraft.
Full of wrong thoughts and evil impulses
;
51
Each lightning impulse mad
to spring in action
Donna
thee!
V.
How
dost thou
know me
so
I did not
tell
Gabriel. 'Tis but the story of each
Alas, I
know
V.
it
well;
human
soul
'tis
mine
Donna
Or
So
Hast
thou, too, erred?
Gabriel. Lady, as full as charnel-house of bones,
the salt sea of things that creep and swim,

full
my
heart
V.
is
of corruption
Donna
What
can I hope, then
If the best are so,
What room
Gabriel.
in heaven for
me?
'Tis not
by merit;
But, by God's mercy

If
all
best and worst are equal,
but will receive

V.
it.
Donna
Thou
That
That
is
wondrous.
hast put thoughts into

stir it, as
my
inmost heart,
leviathans the deep
Gabriel. Rather, dear lady,
may
they prove as angels,
Moving
it like
Bethesda; whence
may come
Healing, and
life,
and hope
Donna
V.
Leave
me
awhile;
I fain would ponder o'er
what thou hast
said.
Gabriel. Take, then, this scroll with thee,
and con
it
well.
The whole world were not worth
it,
read aright.
[Exit.
Donna
V.
Most strange,
thought not on these things
before
52
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
V.
The same
Manet Donna Viola

[Enter Carlos.]
in
a mu-
sing attitude.
Carhs.
Madam,
a knight, full-armed, and in hot haste, of your ladyship.

Carlos.
Demands quick audience
Donna
V.
Admit him,
What
can
his errand
mean?
[Exit Carlos.
I trust, no sudden mischief of the King's
[Enter
Don Alonzo,
in
armor ;
his face concealed
hy his
vizor,i]
Don
Alonzo. This bold intrusion, lady, in a stranger,
Craves more excuse than time alloweth me.

I come, to
warn you of impending

will bring
peril.
Another hour
upon
this castle
The
fiercest siege of
Romulo's banditti
Donna
thou,
V.
Romulo?
'tis
fearful!
But, pray,
who
art
Thus watchful of our
safety,
and
his onslaught?
Don
Alonzo.
nameless knight, in the king's service,
madam;
One vowed
Against
all
to serve the right
and quell the wrong,
odds.
message from his highness

to these hills
;
Bore me, with one attendant,
Thus, by some accident, or Providence,
(As well I deem that Providence, whose guidance
! !
! !
woman's witchcraft.
Against
53
my
forethought, urged
me
to
such ends,)
I overheard the project of these ruffians.
Now,
is
the time most urgent.
My
fleet horse,
With
They
his
Arabian speed, alone had brought
me
press
all
upon
my
heels.
I beg you, lady,
Arm Man
your vassals; double bar the gates;

all call
it
every height, and bid

V.
me
leader
Donna
Sir
Knight,
shall be
done;
and
all
true
thanks
That warmest heart can
offer, shall
be yours
;
Don
Alonzo.
No
time for thanks, dear lady
this quick
danger
Alarums
Not
till
all
our faculties to action.
the quiet of accomplish'd peace,
May
I go
gratulation, like the rainbow's arch,
O'erspan the cloudy heaven of our thoughts.
to the rescue
V.
Donna
All shall follow you

[JEJx&lmt.
SCENE
VI.
The gateway of
the
same
Castle
Enter
Romulo,
Romulo. Halt.
Then, on the
with banditti.
silence, while I
Stand in
win admission;
instant, follow
me, and enter

the gate.~\
[Knocks at
What, ho
within there
Is the old
man
asleep
5*
54
woman's witchcraft.
old namesake,
By my
I'll
who
if
first
founded Rome,
wake him
!
presently,
he be dead
!
Within there
ho
a friend
[^1
trumpet sounds.]
What trump
Can
it
is
that
be Roderick's
Hath he had time
to reach
The
farthest tower?
A
And
Bandit.
'tis
I think he has not
not thus he blows.
Romulo.
Then,
'tis
some other
Haste, let us force this crazy gate at once,
Or we have
[Enter
lost
our time.
with Carlos,
Don Alonzo,
and armed
hold
!
vassals.']
Don
Here
On,
Alonzo.
Hold,
;
caitiffs,
are live walls to batter

!
spare our gates
to the rescue
[ Vassals
charge;
exeunt omnes, fighting.
Presently , re-
enter
Don Alonzo and Carlos,
with others, bringing
Romulo, disarmed and
ioounded.~\
Don
To wait
Alonzo. Bind him, and prison
him
in
your strongest
hold,
the pleasure of his majesty.
I go, to follow
Carlos
up the hot
to
pursuit.
remember me
thy noble mistress
Tell her, the stranger knight hath errands onward;
But,
if
sweet leisure wait upon his arms,
He
will not fail to
pay her due
respect.
[Exit.
woman's witchcraft.
Carlos.
Silvio
!
55
Silvio
Silvio [within.'] Aye, aye, there, hearties!
Coining!
[Opens
the gate.]
?
What
have ye bagged the game
Ugh
the he-wolf
Pull out his teeth, Carlos, and cut his ham-strings
And
shut him up, where he'll breed no
little
wolves.
[They go
in,
and
close the gate.]
56
woman's witchcraft.
ACT
SCENE
Bon
I.
V.
Alonzo and Abdallah,
A forest Enter Don

the
Moor.
Alonzo. Dost not remember
me ?
Aye, well; too well!
Abdullah.
I never can forget that,
five
years since,
In Algiers, when a
false slave's scimitar
Was at my throat, And saved my life Don Alonzo.

And, with
your strong hand flung him from me,

!
Then wouldst thou now

sir
seek mine
Abdallah. Hear me,
knight
I love you, honor you
the best blood of
my
very heart,
"Would I defend you, in the battle's midst

But, now, a whirlwind passion rules
my
soul,
That sweeps
all else to
the clouds
I love this lady,
Whom
you have sworn your love
shall yield to
none
Hence, the link'd battlements of the world's four corners,

Bristling with arms, keep not
my
!
sword from thine,
Whilst
this
hand
lives to wield it
Draw, I say
;
Eon
Alonzo. I will not draw upon thee

!
we
are friends.
!
Abdallah. Out with thy sword

shall not live
)
We
are foes
Both
If I slay thee,
'tis
well
if
thou slay me,
;!
; ;
woman's witchcraft.
'Twere better
still
!
57
is
Then,
this
poor play
over
This masque of
life,
with which
my
soul
is
weary
not,
Where some
are striving to
seem what they are
And some And some

Of
Or
all I
to
be what they can never reach,
are suffering for

:
what they are

fall
it
am weary
let
the curtain
if
let it rise
on fortune,
Fate wills
Man, thou
shall fight
me;
out with that laggard sword

! is
Now
let the
word
be, death or Viola
[They fight
Abdallah
Moor
disarmed and thrown
to the
ground.,]
Don
Alonzo. Live,
And
to
thy distant home re-
turned,
Remember,
twice a Christian saved thy

live
life
Abdallah. Thus to
now, were slavery.
Die, thou
dog!
[Draws a dagger, and
springs at
Don Alonzo.]
?
Don
Alonzo. Ungrateful
Not quelled yet
[They struggle; at length
and
toounds
Don Alonzo obtains Abdallah mortally.

~]
the dagger,
Such
is
barbarian blood
Wert thou
a Christian, I would not have killed thee

it
'Twas thine own savageness thus brought

Yet,
!
on.
what
grief, for
noble blood thus shed
How
To
all
good angels in yon heaven must weep,
see fierce passions thus

thee,
make
foul the earth
Shame on
sword
Would I had never

me
to
loved,
!
Rather than love should spur
such deeds
[Exit.
58
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
II.
priest's cell
Enter Father Gabriel, and
Don Alonzo.
Don
Alonzo. I come to seek thine holy aid, good father.
Gabriel. Call
me
not good
am
as
weak
as thou.
All are but beggars for the alms of Christ ;
And
oft the
weakest and most needy bear

of his bounty; such
The message
am
I.
What is thy need ? Don Alonzo.

Of hand and
Gabriel.
heart.
Forgiveness for great errors
His voice who can
forgive,
My
words
may
feebly echo.
Tell
me
of them.
Don
Upon
Alonzo. Challenged to single combat, by a Moor,
A brave, true
man, but mad with jealousy
the quarrel of a lady's love,
I slew him, though Gabriel.
my
friend.
"Was the
I gave
strife
equal
life,
Don Alonzo. Most fair.
him once
his
which he
Refused, and strove to smite
me
with his dagger.

;
Gabriel. I cannot blame thee for the deed
although
Our great Example, who went
to his slaughter
it,
Lamb-like, would not have done
and although,
E'en in the hour when insult maddened you,
His word would yet have been, " Put up thy sword
j"
woman's witchcraft.
'Twill
still
59
be pardon'd thee.
The
perfect day
else,
Has
not yet noon'd on earth.
What
is
my
son?
still
Don
Which
Alonzo. Alas
what
not done, but doing
This fierceness of
set our
my
passion for those charms
swords to warring.
Gabriel.
Love may be
guiltless
Don And
(A
Alonzo. But, in a heart where Love and Death once
met,
reared sad altars over buried hopes
loved,
One who hath
and
lost, earth's last perfection,
being, Pleiad-like, dropped out of heaven,

called back to angels'
Too soon
company)
0, in a heart thus blessed, and thus bereft,
Seems not
Gabriel.
all
passion an unholy guest

son, the heart hath
My
many mansions
in it;
Which, when the
soul
is
dedicate to God,
fill.
All glorious attributes of manhood
Thus, in
its
innermost, unwindow'd chamber,
Lit from the skies alone, sweet
Memory
dwells
But, in the outer palaces of Thought,
The wide, warm
halls
where busy feelings move,
All that mars not God's image in the soul
May
Thou
To
live,
profaning not the sacred Past
hast loved once
forget not
!
but
She?
fear not
love again
so
it
be worthily
Don
Alonzo.
The Lady Viola
Gabriel.
GO
woman's witchcraft.
Don
Alonzo.
Why
On
dost start
Tell me,
why
is it ?
Gabriel.
her rests a curse,
Which, by God's blessing on
my
?
fasts
and prayers,
I have discerned, spite of her spirit's foes.
Don
Alonzo.
Who
Evil
are they
spirits,
Gabriel.
and one, leagued with such,
Human
Don
in passion, a fiend in
power and malice.

is it ?
Alonzo.
The
curse
what
Gabriel.
In her eye and

resist,
lip,
And
hand, are spells no mortal can

old,
!
Save by a miracle like that of
Which bade
the sun stand
still
And
yet, her heart,
Inspiring love, cannot be true in love.
Don
Thou
Alonzo.
?
Thou madden'st me
0, heaven
Untrue,
untrue
sayest, a curse;
is
there no
remedy?
have discovered.
Gabriel. This, too,
by
gift divine, I
When
Bears
she shall meet the

all
man who
in himself
perfections that have
won her most,

all else,
And
His
from her sight can charm away

love revokes the spell,
and she
is
!
free
Don
Alonzo. 0, for that power
Lives there so blest a
man
Gabriel. There shines a heavenly courage in thine eye,
And
a strong
in thy
charm of youth
in all thy actions,
And
words a spirit-winning power,

!
That bid me hope, such triumph might be thine
; ;
; ;
woman's witchcraft.
61
'gainst hell itself!
Don Don
It is
Alonzo.
Then
let
me
strive for
it,
Gabriel. Canst thou disguise thyself?
Alonzo.
habit,
Most
under a student's garb,
estate.
readily.
my
To hide my knightly manners and

Already, in yon castle of Algolar,
Twofold I have appeared

Gabriel. 'Tis well
!
as yet
unknown.
angel hath flown down,
!
Her guardian
Heaven-sent, to guide thee to her rescue
Listen
hair,
Assume
So
;
this priestly dress;
push back thy

;
then, as in
my
stead, go visit her

;
Attack her secret thoughts
win
all
her trust
Then, as thou be'est a lover and a man,
Accomplish
all
the rest.
Do
this
to-morrow
I promised, then, to give her farther counsel
But, on some pretext of more urgent duty,

I send thee,
my
lieutenant.
Dost thou read
me ?
Don
Alonzo. I do, kind father.

fibre of
If this plot succeed,
Thy name on every

Is written
my
heart
Gabriel
and beat through every pulse my friend my messenger from Heaven

shall
[Exit
Gabriel
sealed
(solus).
Don Alonzo.
This
sacrifice
is
Peace, battling heart!
Hard though
it
was
its
to offer
Now,
first
waked
My
heart from
dull
it
dream of apathy
feel,
First learned that
could
and
leap,
and throb,
C2
woman's witchcraft.
In passion's agony, or passion's joy;
Now,
Shone
in the vista of bright, possible things,

love,
an earthly heaven
still
reaching on,
!
O'erleaping death, even to eternal bliss
Yet
this
Hope's
my
it
paradise, I
must abandon
gloomy
cell,
!
Shutting
soul up, like this
Against the very light and breath of joy
Then, be
so
if
Father,
Thy
will
be done
Yet pardon,
some natural
regrets,
Some
tearful dallying with soon parted hopes,

this day's prayers less
Make
calm
\_Exit.
SCENE
III.
room in Algolar
Castle
Enter
is't
Donna
Viola, and Don Alonzo, disguised as a
priest.
Don
And,
Alonzo. Daughter, thy brow

V.
is
sad;
ever thus?
;
Donna
No
am
wild of spirit as the wind
often, blithe as the brook's
summer song
But, now, the words of Father Gabriel
Have thrown
Though
a pensive shadow o'er
my
thoughts,
sad, yet sweet; I
would
not,
now, be merry.
Don
Alonzo. Ever more peace with sadness dwells, than
mirth.
Donna
Echoes
V.
I have heard, in
my
heart's silent halls,
as solemn-sweet as vesper-bells
fell;
Voices that sound as tho' from heaven they
And
all
do question
me
"
wild, wild heart,
woman's witchcraft.
63
Why
shake not
off these foes that

is
wreck hy peace
?
Think'st thou a curse
resting on me, father
Else why, as though by angel ministry,
Such gentle and yet
fearful warnings
come
Don
Which
Alonzo. Daughter, our whole race writhes beneath
the curse
the arch-enemy
won long
ago.
;
He
To
and
his fiends conspire against us

offer curses for
yet
They can but
our choice,
barter blessings with, if such

V.
we
will
?
Donna
Needs
it
our
will,
then
Don
Hath
The
Alonzo.
V.
Aye.
Donna
Then
my own
hand
stirred the potion that doth slay
my
soul
witch, Ismena, darkly tempted

spells, to
it
me
With
avenge
me
on a perjured lover;
!
Now, doth
prove
my
curse
Deep, subtle
fiend,
0, be she doubly damned.
Don
Alonzo.
V.
'Tis so, I doubt not.

is
Donna
Then
there hope for
me?
Pray,
tell
me,
father,
This mesh of
hell,
can
it
be torn and scattered
Don
Alonzo. One, only, hath the power this to ordain,

his instruments, to
V.
And, by
work thy
rescue.
Donna
Who who?
Thy God.
Don
Alonzo.
V.
Donna
Him
have I never known
; ; ;
64
woman's witchcraft.
Don
Alonzo. Yet hath he
known
thee
aye,
and loved
thee, too
Lady, where slept thine eyes, thine

That, in
all
ears,
thy heart,
marvellous things of earth and heaven,
Thou
In
all
ne'er didst see, hear, feel,
and
is
taste of
God?
things terrible, His might

all
shown
Through
Yet,
is it
things vast shines His infinity
joy,
where beauty moves and dwells,
To read
the tale of His eternal Love

silent flowers,
In loveliness of the sweet,
Or morning melody
Or
of spring-wakened birds,
the soft light of stars

still
amid the blue
And,
more deeply have I learned of Him,

j
In His own chosen temple of the soul
He,
whom
the heaven of heavens cannot contain,
Dwells with the humbled and contrited heart
Donna
Unheard
V.
These words, I know are true;
deep,
deep
within me,
before,
an echo answers them.

?
Yet, what
am
I to do, or speak, or think
How
learn to love, obey, and worship
tell
me.
be
Don
Alonzo. All this, and more
'twill
my
joy to
answer,
When
Now,
a more fitting leisure waits upon us
Till then
to thine
own thoughts
let
me commend
thee.
for the pressing issue of this time.
It is the blessed task of
human
love,
To break
the rough soil of the rude, hard heart,
woman's witchcraft.
That love divine may there take
Therefore I ask thee
hast thou
root,
65
flourish.
and
any love?
Donna
V.
Alas
here dwells the shadow of
my
curse
As
I should love, I love not any

passions war within
living,
man
heart
!
But many
my
Like hydra-heads, each
open-mouthed
Don
Alonzo.
V.
Doth none
prevail,
and rule above the
rest ?
is.
Donna
Nay, none.
alone,
Threefold
my
monster-passion
He, whom I love
must
be, in one,
Knight, poet, priest!
0, were there such a man,
He were my dream And these together,

More
Fix
fickle far
its
For
these,
and these alone,
can this wilful nature,
than the unresting clouds,
firm tendrils on.
Thou
hast
my
!
answer.
I
Don
Alonzo.
wild,
warm
heart
Would
had power
like his,
Who
smote the rock, that waters eddied from

for thee,
it,
So might I bid a spring gush forth
Which, through the

Winding, might
still
arid desert of this world
surround thee with delight
Such
is
true love.
If there be such a man,

to
Lady, thy prayers may bring him
thy
side.
Ask
Tell
it
of
Heaven;
this night,
on bended knees,
me thy
V.
service shall be offered
up
Donna
Father,
it
shall.
Don
Alonzo.
Mine join
it
then
Farewell.
[Exit*
6*
66
woman's witchcraft.
SCENE
from
IV.
The gate of
the
Castle
ivithout,
King
Philip,
and
of Aljolar Enter
Don Alonzo,
in
priest's dress,
from
within the gate.
Don
Don
know
Alonzo. Blessings be with the
King
Dost
King Philip.
Alonzo.
!
How
Happy
the
tliou
know me
man who knows
so good a
mon-
arch
I
you, as Spain's honor'd majesty;
And,
in the
name
of Spain
and of the church,
I ask to stay your present entrance here.
The lady
of this castle
King Philip.
What
of her
Don
King
Alonzo. There dwells a fatal sorcery in her eyes

fires,
Flee from their

Philip.
or they
idle tale
may burn
!
thy soul
An
Art thou a holy man,

If
it
And
think'st to fright
me
so?
?
he thus,
What
care I for the fiends
Give
me some
charm,
Some form
of prayer, to quell them.

!
I will enter.
Don
Alonzo. Yet one word more
The mission
of our
order
Giveth them frequent access
to the court.
Read
this despatch
'tis
it
posted from Madrid.
King Philip. Give

"
me, then.
[Reads.
As
to affairs of war, the minister
hath become suddenly
unpopular; reasons for which, Father Francis discerns not
woman's witchcraft.
yet; he will consider
it.
67
to the Car-
Furthermore, in regard
dinal Del Giudice,

against the king
sence, coins idle
;
it
is
plainly proven that he hath plots
and, on the advantage of his present abto his injury."

!
rumors
I
What
Back
does he so
The mitred hypocrite

;
Priest, thou say'st well

to
I will to horse at once
Madrid
the
villain Cardinal
[Exit
Don
Thy
Alonzo.
Thank Heaven
for this
My
bird of Para-
dise,
fowlers
all
are foiled
thou shalt be free

bliss is in that
And, when
free,
mine
what
thought
[Exit.
SCENE
V.
The Pyrenees, at
night.
Enter
the
Witch,
Is MEN A.
Ismena.
Come
they not yet
Thrice hath
my
midnight
watch
Out-looked these
stars,
and yet they answer

?
not.
Hath
Such
hell its sabbath-nights as
Or, have some fears,
methought
their nature scouted at
Some holy
incantations, good men's prayers,

still,
Or aught more heavenly

I will not thus be
left
affrighted
!
them
alone in evil
Here, where they won
my
ruin,
and have sought
With me
to
wreck a
far
more noble being,
68
woman's witchcraft.
Conquered or conquering
they
!
shall join
me
!
yet
Hear me,
Answer,
false fiends
Ismena
calls
upon ye
!
if
but in echoes
Speak again
1st Voice.
Again
are ye silent
?
Ismena.
Why
Is our cause so lost ?
2d
Voice.
fell craft
Lost, lost
Ismena. Can your
and power rule here no more?
3d
Voice.
is
No more
conquered;
let
Chorus of Evil Spirits. All

Yield to
us flee!
God and Destiny

our breath had blasted,
!
In the
life
All our curses have been wasted
Pure thoughts dwell where crime had been

Guileless love hath conquered sin
:
Hell
is
baffled
let
us
flee
Other prey more ripe will be

Yield we to our destiny
Ismena. Lost,
lost, lost!
Lost, lost!
[Exit.
SCENE
VI.
room
in
Algolar
Castle.
Enter
Donna
Viola, and
Don Alonzo,
in student's garb.
Don
Alonzo. Lady, methought
Time had a
spite against
me,
So slowly moved
his wheels to bring this
day
But, when I see thee, time and space are nought;
Thy charms
are now, to me, the universe
WOMAN
Donna
V.
WITCHCRAFT.
OU
Fair
sir
in the horizon of
my
soul,
!
What
I
storms have passed, within one

;
little
week
am not what I was May Heaven direct Don Alonzo.

Donna
V.
what I may
be,
Hath some misfortune happened ?

!
Aye, and good fortune too; too much of both
Don
Alonzo. If I might ask

V.
Donna
Nay, I
will tell thee all
I need thy friendship.
Don
The
Alonzo.
V.
0, wouldst thou
call it love
Donna
A
evil
sudden provocation made this hand

would-be ravisher.
to tell thee of the good,
slayer of
my
:
So much of
"Would be
to
open out
my
inmost heart,
And mirror there new hopes of Don Alonzo. 0, joy for that
Donna
That did
Its
V.
Heaven's mercy.
The
curse hath been discerned
so torture all
my
life to folly;
very source and root have been dragged out
And
To
now,
it
but remains, with aid of Heaven,
plant fair love, and true fidelity,

erst
Where
had been most rank inconstancy.

!
Don
Alonzo. Might I but aid thee

V.
Donna
Thou mayst
give
me
counsel.
If thou canst find the
man who
in himself
Bears
all
a knight's and courtier's dignity,

a poet's heart, and harp, and tongue,
But hath
70
woman's witchcraft.
yet to
all
And
God
is
ever consecrate,
Wearing
holy thoughts within his heart,
Freely to give them voice
0, then,
then, then
This riddle of
Is read,
my strange, unpeaceful life my heart's foes forever crushed Don Alonzo. Read, of my story, then, one
and
'twill aid thee to
little line
Perchance
unravel thine.
coat,
[Removes
his student's hat
and
showing a priest's dress
underneath!}
Donna
V.
Art thou that

?
priest
Can then
my
prayer be
answered
Don
Alonzo. Daughter, behold in
me
thy grave confessor.
Yet, lest thou fear the miracle be not perfect,
Wait one more change.

[Throws
off the cowl
and gown,
displaying an elegant
knightly costume.'}
Now am
The Count Alonzo, kinsman
to the
all
myself!
Lady, thy faithful servant (in Spain's court
King
And nephew
Holds here,
to the
Duke
of Bilbao),
his proudest
and most happy
title,
Sworn
lover to the lady Viola

V.
tell
Donna
I cannot
Now am
I happy; and yet so amaz'd,
the measure of
my
bliss.
all.
it
Alonzo, I did love thee
more than
And
yet I would not, dared not, could not think
There was a secret magic in thy presence,
; ;
woman's witchcraft.
That
71
like the loadstone
ever drew
me
to thee;
And,
as the harp of
David did with Saul,
Thy
voice calmed all

it
j
my
strange, unquiet thoughts.

is all
I feel
that dark spell
unwound
The
craft of evil spirits
hath been baffled

thou art
And
am
free
and love;
Then
my dream!
new and budding
joys,
Don
I go
Alonzo.
let us, of these
Suffer not
Time
to steal one precious leaf;
to
win our marriage of the King.

;
One
short farewell
sweet
may
it
be the last
[Exit.
'Tis sad to have
bliss
Donna
V.
This, then,
is love.
him
go,
And
For
yet that sadness troubles not

it is
my
built
upon
his noble heart,

it.
And
tempests cannot move
0, Alonzo
All the sweet sounds of the soft Spanish tongue
Cannot, together, make so sweet a word,
As
that one
name!
Most brave and noble

show me some
;
soul,
Be thou
less great;
little
fault;
Lest I should worship thee
which
my
full heart,
New-pledged
to love the
God who made us
both,
!
Would
not quite do
yet hardly can do less
[Exit.
SCENE
VII.
The same
Enter Carlos and Helena.

was not
Carlos. Didst thou hear, Helena, that our Silvio
out of his bed this morning?
72
Helena.
woman's witchcraft.
Why
no; what
is
the matter with the old Cer-
berus?
Carlos.
lieve,
By my
faith,
he swears
to
more than
it.
I could be-
though
my
to
salvation depended on
art not given to
Helena. I
know thou
be
much
believing.
If
heaven were
won by having
first
a full faith in nothing, I

to be saved.
warrant thou wouldst be the

said the old
Carlos.
But, what
man
of himself?
He
said
now
I cannot
tell
thee just what

;
he
said,
he hath such a quaint phrase of his own

:
but
it
was
of this sort, forsooth
That,
at the last
minute of the hour
of twilight, yester-eve
Helena. The Witch's hour?

Carlos.
True
the
White Witch's
hour.
At
that time,
he
saith, a terrible hurly-burly

;
was heard without the walls
of the castle
of which he, being a brave
man, and having
once served in the king's guard,

gate, to discern the cause.
was fain
to step out of his
Whereupon
he, Silvio, saith that

;
he was immediately stunned deaf with the noise

lifted
and was
up
in the air
by a
sort of
tempestuous whirlwind, which

till it left
gave him no more eyes nor sense for anything,
him
on the ground on the inner side of the castle wall, like an

arrow-shot bird.
Helena. Thou amazest me!
What
can such a hubbub
mean?
Carlos.
He, simple man, interprets
it
(which he cannot
say without making the
sigu of the cross to every word), that,
woman's witchcraft.
last night, the
73
White Witch and her
fiends took a long leave
of this our castle, being,
by some holy exorcism, quite overall
done and expelled; and that
this
noise
and whirl did
only indicate, that they would not leave without some sign
of their accursed mischief and fiendish state
.
Helena. Did the fiends say aught, as they fled

Carlos.
?
;
Only some words caught the old man's ear

!"
such
as
"
left, left, left
and "
I,
twice two hundred years
make
the castle ours again, to the world's end accursed;"
and
mis-
more of the
like
which
being somewhat of a sceptic in
those matters, did not care to treasure
up
in
my
brain.
Helena. 'Tis strange, indeed!

tress of these events.
I would fain
tell
my
Carlos.
Go
tell
them
to her.
But, for
my
am
part, be these
things of the earth, or under the earth, I
glad of their
happening.
They
shall serve
us a good tale for
many
Christmas night.
So may
it live,
in all Time's
memory,
How
True Love quells the mightiest Sorcery
THE END
e
",
>:;,v.
L:
4:J j

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&

THE CUESE OF COQUETRY

Now shall two at once woo one:

Midsummer Night's Dkeam.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by

Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

SCENE THE PYRENEES,

IN SPAIN; TIME, A.D.

a Moorish Knight. Chief of Banditti.

PIETROa Shepherd. CARLOS Page to Donna

Gate-keeper to the Castle of Algolar.

Cousin to Donna Viola, afterwards

not pretended to in this

be mentioned that, according to the

chronicles of Spain, King Philip V. lost his queen, Maria Louisa,

and that he then

withdrew from the

government, confiding them entirely to the Cardinal del

Witch of the Mountains, alone, with a flaming pine

hranch in her hand.

ages gone the

Of womanhood was mine,

half forget this curse

being, which doth punish me.

Thou deep mouthed thunder

thy terrors, which are joys

undying, yet death-thirsting nature

that do love this night

spirits that leap

"Which ye can torture

Rise we ; to curse earth again

Ismena. Come, come, come

haste hither from our hell.

hast might to bid us come,

a paradise our home.

Midnight yields her blackest

That can make earth

Witch, upon thy will we wait.

Hear, then, and aid

Ye, who forget not, know the unwreaked curse

That waits on her who lords

Ismena. The time draws on.

Left lonely by the death

father and of mother

wide domains, she meets no will

She has longed

Over her newborn sleep

I breathed the words

heart her heart shall seek,

winning, rue the prize.

One love shall never Jill her heart; insate,

be loved, and love,

Shall conquer ours!"

pile our curses

too dangerous beauty's light;

lack of power, no loss of

Soft words, to rend the heart of oak

All that gives most of joy in

to her the soul of strife

All woman's wiles, and more than they,

charm has spread

Rest beauty's curse upon her head!

Ismena. 'Tis well!