EL MAYOR DESENGAÑO

MayDes

REPARTO

I

Bruno and Evandra have loved each other for six years, but she refuses to give him her hand.  They are both noble, but she is poor, so Bruno's father does not want him to marry, but rather prefers that Bruno dedicate himself to his studies.  One day, after his father sees Bruno and Evandra together, he tells Bruno that he will disinherit him if he doesn't give up Evandra.  Bruno refuses to do so, so his father declares that he is disinherited and starts to wish him evil in all things, that his wife be an adulteress, that he have no children, that his best friend betray him, and that he be scorned by all, but then changes to say "May God make you a great saint."

Bruno now has no home.  Evandra cannot take him to her house because she is very chaste, and also because she has an uncle who would not permit it.  Próspero comes along, however, and after hearing Bruno's troubles, he offers Bruno his house.  At this point Evandra appears in her window and explains to Bruno, his servant Marción, and Próspero that she holds her honor so dear that she will not let any man who is not her husband so much as touch her hand, and if a man does touch her hand she will either marry him or have him killed for being so daring.  Próspero, who has heard from Bruno about how beautiful Evandra is, finds himself captivated by her charm.

Meanwhile, Próspero, having been told by Bruno that he (Bruno) and Evandra are to meet at Lorena's that night, goes himself to Lorena's.  When Evandra comes, he tells her that he loves her and puts the blame on Bruno for having talked so much about her beauty.  (He says "quien tal hace, que tal pague.")  Ataulfo and Lorena leave Próspero and Evandra to talk, turning out the light as they depart.  Próspero takes advantage of this opportunity and seizes Evandra's hand, telling her that she must marry him now according to what she had told Bruno.  At this moment Bruno arrives and is furious with Próspero for having stolen Evandra.  Next Evandra's uncle arrives, Próspero asks his permission to marry Evandra and he gives it, since Próspero is, after all, a count and rich.  Evandra, too, agrees to the marriage, since Bruno was so foolish as to say too much about her beauty to Próspero.  The unhappy Bruno says his father's curse is already coming true, observing that anyone who trusts friends deserves to be deceived.  Marción, who decides to become an innkeeper, suggests that Bruno return home, like the prodigal son, but Bruno rejects this idea, as well as that of returning to his studies.  He chooses, rather, to become a soldier and leave Cologne, his native land, complaining that the greatest disillusionment is being betrayed by friends and women.

II

Bruno has gone off to fight against a rebellious city with the German Emperor Enrico IV.  Bruno proves himself to be very brave, scaling the wall of the city before anyone else and thereby earning a favored place with the Emperor.  Marción, having given up the innkeeper’s life for that of a soldier, rejoins him there.  Bruno brings Visora out of the city, after saving her from a cruel soldier who was about to ravish her.  She is very beautiful, and both Bruno and Milardo have fallen in love with her.  When the Emperor sees her he loves her too, but the immanent arrival of the Empress restrains him.  Visora, meanwhile, has confessed to Bruno that she is in love with him.  Milardo tells the Empress about Visora because he is envious of Bruno's place of honor in the Emperor's eyes and by telling the Empress that Bruno is the one who brought Visora to the Emperor, he hopes to turn the Empress against him.  Milardo's untruth accomplishes its purpose, for the Empress, although not worried, is jealous and wants to avenge herself on Bruno by having Bruno killed.  Leida, a captive girl, sings for the Empress a song about a jealous woman, and then to Bruno she sings about a man's fast rise to power and favor and his equally fast fall.

The Emperor, meanwhile, wants to make love to Visora but is cautioned by Bruno that a woman conquered by force is not enjoyed and that he should wait and she will love him.  The Emperor accuses Bruno of using delaying tactics because he (Bruno) loves Visora, and then gives Bruno a key, ordering him to free Visora and bring her to him.  At this moment the Empress arrives, however, and wants to know why the Emperor appears so sad.  He leaves, telling her that Bruno can explain, so Bruno gives her the key, saying it will tell, as he, too, departs.  Only Marción is left with the Empress, and when she begins to question him he pretends to be a mute, but she summons Milardo and some soldiers, who force him to explain about Visora and the key.  The Empress gives the key to Milardo, telling him to take Visora away so that the Emperor cannot have her and telling him that he can have her for himself.  Milardo goes to Visora and tells her that Bruno told the Empress to have her killed and that he is supposed to do it but he cannot.  Furious at Bruno, Visora plans to flee with Milardo and some peasants, but Bruno arrives before they can leave.  Just as he and Milardo are about to fight the Emperor and Empress arrive.  Milardo informs them that Bruno was trying to force his affections on Visora and he saved her, and Visora corroborates his statement.  On the advice of the Empress, the Emperor gives Visora to Milardo as his wife and tells them to return to Milardo's lands.  Bruno, disgraced, is ordered away, but the Emperor spares his life.  Marción quits Bruno's service again, and Bruno decides to become a pilgrim.

III

Bruno has become a clérigo and is competing for Dión's cátedra in Paris.  Dión, whom everyone calls a saint, is on his deathbed.  Bruno gives a lengthy discourse about how finite man cannot know and understand infinite God; Roberto disagrees, but Bruno argues him down and the King and Queen give the chair to Bruno.  Also present are Marcela and Laura, dressed as students, who reveal to Bruno that they are really girls.  Marcela, who loves Bruno, has followed him from Avignon.  Bruno laments the fact that as a priest he cannot enjoy her love.

Dión has died, and the King, Queen and all the others gather as his body is brought out.  Dión rises up and speaks to them, saying, much to the surprise of those present, that he is to be judged.  They had all assumed that he was a saint, but Bruno explains that even saints must answer to God for their errors.  Finally Dión announces that he is condemned, and all are astounded.  Roberto assumes he must have been condemned because of pride, because Dión had said he did not want to be judged, that his virtues should suffice.

From this extraordinary experience everyone learns a lesson.  Marcela and Laura decide to go to a convent.  Marción ,who has rejoined Bruno again, is to become a hermit.  Bruno tells Lucio, Roberto and Filipo that it is too hard to do right in worldly situations, that the simple shepherd is better off.  He wants to dedicate his life to God, living in silence, without women and men fighting.  The other three men want to join him, too.  At this point the Pope and an angel appear.  The angel has seven stars one each for Bruno and six followers who will join him.  The Pope tells them to go to the Valley of Cartuja to find a place to practice their religion, and he blesses them all.  Thus Bruno founds the Order of Cartuja.  From the greatest disillusionment (el mayor engaño) they have learned how to live a life pleasing to God.