ay!Cruz. Away, then!
(Exeunt severally. CRUZADO walks up the stage, and disappears among the trees. Enter PRECIOSA.)
Prec. How strangely gleams through the gigantic trees The red light of the forge! Wild, beckoning shadows Stalk through the forest, ever and anon
Rising and bending with the flickering flame, Then flitting into darkness! So within me
Strange hopes and fears do beckon to each other, My brightest hopes giving dark fears a being
As the light does the shadow. Woe is me How still it is about me, and how lonely! (BARTOLOME rushes in.)
Bart. Ho! Preciosa! Prec. O Bartolome!
Thou here?
Bart. Lo! I am here.
Prec. Whence comest thou?
Bart. From the rough ridges of the wild Sierra, From caverns in the rocks, from hunger, thirst, And fever! Like a wild wolf to the sheepfold. Come I for thee, my lamb.
Prec. O touch me not!
The Count of Lara's blood is on thy hands! The Count of Lara's curse is on thy soul!
Do not come near me! Pray, begone from here
Thou art in danger! They have set a price
Upon thy head!
Bart. Ay, and I've wandered long
Among the mountains; and for many days
Have seen no human face, save the rough swineherd's. The wind and rain have been my sole companions.
I shouted to them from the rocks thy name, And the loud echo sent it back to me,
Till I grew mad. I could not stay from thee, And I am here! Betray me, if thou wilt. Prec. Betray thee? I betray thee?
Bart. Preciosa!
I come for thee! for thee I thus brave death! Fly with me o'er the borders of this realm! Fly with me!
Prec. Speak of that no more. I cannot. I'm thine no longer.
Bart. O, recall the time
When we were children! how we played together, How we grew up together; how we plighted
Our hearts unto each other, even in childhood!
Fulfil thy promise, for the hour has come.
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I'm hunted from the kingdom, like a wolf !
Fulfil thy promise.
Prec. 'T was my father's promise.
Not mine. I never gave my heart to thee, Nor promised thee my hand!
Bart. False tongue of woman! And heart more false!
Prec. Nay, listen unto me.
I will speak frankly. I have never loved thee; I cannot love thee. This is not my fault,
It is my destiny. Thou art a man
Restless and violent. What wouldst thou with me, A feeble girl, who have not long to live,
Whose heart is broken? Seek another wife, Better than I, and fairer; and let not
Thy rash and headlong moods estrange her from thee. Thou art unhappy in this hopeless passion,
I never sought thy love; never did aught To make thee love me. Yet I pity thee, And most of all I pity thy wild heart,
That hurries thee to crimes and deeds of blood, Beware, beware of that.
Bart. For thy dear sake
I will be gentle. Thou shalt teach me patience.
Prec. Then take this farewell, and depart in peace. Thou must not linger here.
Bart. Come, come with me. Prec. Hark! I hear footsteps. Bart. I entreat thee, come! Prec. Away! It is in vain. Bart. Wilt thou not come? Prec. Never!
Bart. Then woe, eternal woe, upon thee! Thou shalt not be another's. Thou shalt die.
[Exit.
Prec. All holy angels keep me in this hour! Spirit of her who bore me, look upon me! Mother of God, the glorified, protect me! Christ and the saints, be merciful unto me!
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. 'T is she! Behold, how beautiful she stands
Under the tent-like trees! Hyp. A woodland nymph!
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Vict. I pray thee, stand aside. Leave me.
Hyp. Be wary.
Do not betray thyself too soon.
Vict. (disguising his voice). Hist! Gypsy!
Prec. (aside, with emotion).
That voice! that voice from heaven! O speak again! Who is it calls?
Vict. A friend.
Prec. (aside). 'T is he! 'T is he!
I thank thee, Heaven, that thou hast heard my prayer, And sent me this protector! Now be strong,
Be strong, my heart! I must dissemble here. False friend or true?
Vict. A true friend to the true;
Fear not; come hither. So; can you tell fortunes? Prec. Not in the dark. Come nearer to the fire. Give me your hand. It is not crossed, I see.
Vict. (putting a piece of gold into her hand). There is the
cross.
Prec. Is 't silver? Vict. No, 't is gold.
Prec. There's a fair lady at the Court, who loves you, And for yourself alone.
Vict. Fie! the old story!
Tell me a better fortune for my money; Not this old woman's tale!
Prec. You are passionate;
And this same passionate humor in your blood
Has marred your fortune. Yes; I see it now; The line of life is crossed by many marks.
Shame! shame! O you have wronged the maid who loved you! How could you do it?
