The
Phantom Lady
by Pedro
Calderón de la Barca
(1629)
Translation by Matthew D. Stroud
Act II
[Angelas room]
Enter
Angela, Beatriz, and Isabel
Beatriz |
What extraordinary tales! |
Angela |
You have not even heard the most
remarkable part! Where were we? |
Beatriz |
You had just passed through the
cupboard into their room. It is difficult to imagine that it was so easy to open the
cupboard, write him a note, and find the answer the following day. |
Angela |
I tell you honestly, I have never seen
such a courtly and gallant style, mixing the humorous with the astonishing, imitating
knights errant to whom such adventures were commonplace. This, Beatriz, is the letter. I
hope you like it. (Reads.)
Most beauteous damsel, in whatever way you may have been aggrieved by this, your
faithful servant, may you lessen his hardships by your ample piety. Pray make known to me
the identity of the evil malefactor or pagan conjurer who imprisons you in this
enchantment, such that, now that my earlier wounds have healed, I might present myself as
your defender in single and terrible combat, even though I may perish in the pursuit. Life
is no better than death, if a knight have not honor. May the giver of light hold you safe
and forget me not. The Knight of the Phantom Lady. |
Beatriz |
My heavens! What a style, with the
language of enchantment and adventure! |
Angela |
I waited for this note with the
greatest fear and doubt, but when I found in him a willingness to proceed, I decided to
continue in the same fashion. By way of answer, I sent... |
Beatriz |
Wait, go no further. Your brother Juan
is coming. |
Angela |
He comes no doubt to express his
pleasure at your visit, Beatriz. As a faithful suitor, he welcomes you to his house. |
Beatriz |
I am not unhappy about that, if truth
be told. |
Enter
Juan. |
|
Juan |
Every cloud has a silver lining,
according to the old adage. In this case it is quite true, for the clouds of your troubles
have given rise to a silver lining for me. Lovely Beatriz, I have discovered that a
problem that you have with your father has brought you, without joy or pleasure, to our
house. I deeply regret that my happiness in seeing you should come at the expense of your
ill fortune. It is not right that I should be so elated because of your misery. But love
today produces various effects: unhappiness for you, ecstasy for me. Its just like
the snake that has not only venom but also the antidote to treat it. You are most welcome
here. Although your stay may be short, its always a joy to see the sun accompanied
by an angel. |
Beatriz |
You have so thoroughly confused your
welcome with your regrets that I know not how to respond. It is true I come because of my
father. You were to blame. Although he does not know it was you, he does know that I spoke
with someone from the balcony last night. While he gets over his rage, he wishes me to
spend time with my cousin, taking refuge in the great confidence he has in her. This alone
shall I tell you; let this suffice. I, too, can find good in ill. Love causes
contradictory effects in me as well. Just as the sun, when it sends forth its beautiful
rays, causes one flower to bloom and another to wither, so too does love wound my heart at
the same time that I most happy to find myself in your house, which has always been like a
glittering diamond, outshining the sun, a worthy setting for an angel. |
Angela |
How clearly one sees the riches you two
take from love. By merely standing near you, I too receive a windfall of affection. |
Juan |
Do you know what I think, Angela? Just
to avenge the problems that my houseguest has caused you, you cunningly invited a
houseguest of your own, one sure to cause me no end of grief. |
Angela |
You speak truly, but I have done so
only so that you may shower her with gifts. |
Juan |
I am exceedingly pleased with your
punishment. (He starts to leave.) |
Beatriz |
What are you doing, Juan? Where are you
going? |
Juan |
Beatriz, to serve you. Only the
obligation to serve you could make me leave. |
Angela |
Let him go. |
Juan |
Until we meet again. (Exit.) |
Angela |
If he thinks he caused me troubles with
his houseguest, he is quite right. But they will be no less than the troubles he creates
for himself because of you. I hope to use our guest to take away all our troubles. That
way, guest for guest, we shall be even. |
Beatriz |
I still want to know more about your
guest! |
Angela |
To make a long story short, notes, both
mine and his, came and went. His were so remarkable, Ive never seen such a
hodgepodge of truth and lies. |
Beatriz |
And in the end, what does he make of
the situation? |
Angela |
He believes that I must be Luiss
lady since I was hiding from him but I have the key to his house. |
Beatriz |
There is only one more problem I see. |
Angela |
What is that? |
Beatriz |
How is it possible that this gentleman,
seeing that someone is bringing and taking away papers, has not spied you or, worse,
caught you red-handed? |
Angela |
That is not so hard to explain. At the
door to his room I station a servant who lets me know who enters and who leaves. Thus,
Isabel does not go through the cupboard until I know that no one is in the room. That poor
servant has spent an entire day watching, all in vain. Oh! But while Im thinking of
Isabel, would you mind taking her this basket. Its just about time. |
Beatriz |
One more doubt: How is it possible that
you praise this gentleman as so intelligent when he has not been able to figure out the
secret of the cupboard? |
Angela |
Surely youve heard of the egg,
that more than one genius tried to stand on its end, and along came a simple man who gave
it just one tap and it stood right up? The greatest problems are just that until they are
solved. If one knows the trick, everything is easy. |
Beatriz |
Another question. |
Angela |
What? |
Beatriz |
What do you hope to gain by such
tomfoolery? |
Angela |
Im not sure. I should say I would
like to appear grateful for his help, but unfortunately I have become a bit jealous of a
portrait of a lady that he has with him. I am of a mind to enter and seize it at the first
opportunity. I know not how else to say that I am determined to enter so that he may see
me and speak to me. |
Beatriz |
And recognize you for who you are? |
Angela |
May the saints protect me! I should say
not! A friend would not commit such treason to a guest. Just the thought that I am his
hosts lady makes his writing to me timid, courtly, confused, and cowardly. I
certainly do not wish to make the situation worse. |
Beatriz |
Then how is he to see you? |
Angela |
Listen, and I shall tell you the most
astonishing plan by which I run no risk of being caught in his room. He will come here,
but he will not know how. |
Isabel |
Add another brother to the mix. Here
comes Luis. |
Angela |
Ill tell you later. |
Beatriz |
How fickle are the fortunes of love!
How curious that heaven should in equal measure throw up such obstacles. The same desire
pleases one and annoys the other. Let us go. I do not want Luis to speak to me here. |
She begins to exit;
Luis enters. |
|
Luis |
Why are you leaving? |
Beatriz |
Because you entered. |
Luis |
The most beautiful, the purest light
ever captured from the sun flees because I enter? Am I the dark of night? May your beauty
forgive me if I tarry here, bold and discourteous, to beseech a favor from you that you
will not grant. Knowing of your cruelty, my desire cannot hope that even the smallest
courtesy may be well received. I realize that my foolish love finds not one atom of hope
in your disdain. But in the face of such rejection, I must persist in loving you. You
shall give me greater glory, even when you offer me more tribulation, for as much as you
detest me, that much more shall I love you. If this makes you unhappy, that the two of us
should end up sharing a single love, then, between the extremes of passion and despair,
learn to love or teach me to hate. You will teach me cruelty; I shall teach you
generosity. You will teach me bitterness; I shall teach you sweetness. You, disdain; I,
love. You, indifference; I, the firmest faith. For it is better, and gives greater glory
to love that you should be indifferent for the both of us than that I should love for the
both of us. |
Beatriz |
Your complaints are so sweet that,
although I should like to be swayed by your troubles, I cannot just because you speak
them. |
Luis |
You treat me so badly, from you have I
learned the language of despair. |
Beatriz |
It is good that you continue, for in
such a manner will your eloquent disdain cure your impertinent disposition. (She begins to leave; Luis stops her.) |
Luis |
You have your revenge, now let us both
suffer. |
Beatriz |
I cannot listen to you more. For Gods
sake, cousin, stop him. (Exit.) |
Angela |
You have so little valor that you
should want to hear and see such a thing? |
Luis |
Oh, Angela! What am I to do? |
Angela |
Forget Beatriz.
To
love someone who hates you is not love but death. |
Exit Angela with
Isabel. |
|
Luis |
How can I forget her if I still suffer?
That is the problem. Tell her to do me a small favor, and I shall forget her with great
appreciation. Even the most prudent, the wisest man gives words to his feelings, but I
cannot abandon her in my misery. If one can forget a favor more easily, it is because a
favor does not sting with the same intensity as an insult. |
Luis leaves the room
and enters a patio, where he runs into Rodrigo. |
|
Rodrigo |
Whats going on with you? |
Luis |
I have no idea. |
Rodrigo |
You look so sad. Will you not tell me
the cause? |
Luis |
I spoke with Beatriz. |
Rodrigo |
Say no more. I can see in your face how
it went. But, where is she? I have not seen her. |
Luis |
The vixen is a houseguest of my sister
for a few days, just so that my problems with guests will be complete. Every day it seems
my brother or my sister conspires against me to bring someone else to our house. Whoever
they bring, it is bad for me. Manuel..., you know the story. Now with Beatriz, the heavens
have decided to bring jealousy into the house as well. |
Rodrigo |
Careful! Manuel might hear you; here he
comes. |
Enter
Manuel. |
|
Manuel (Aside) |
Am I, alone in all the world, the
target of such prodigious misfortune? What shall I do to extract myself from these
deceptions? How shall I find out once and for all whether this woman is Luiss lady,
and how she has had the wit and the ability to carry out such intrigues? |
Luis |
Manuel. |
Manuel |
Luis. |
Luis |
Where are you coming from in such a
good mood? |
Manuel |
The palace. |
Luis |
I should have known better than to ask
a pretender at court about his goings and comings. The palace is clearly the center of
your universe. |
Manuel |
If I only went to court, I would be in
less of a hurry. But my affairs have taken on a certain urgency. His Majesty has left this
afternoon for the palace at Escorial, and now it is of the utmost importance that I follow
him. |
Luis |
If I can be of any assistance, you know
that you may count on me. |
Manuel |
I thank you greatly for all you have
done for me. |
Luis |
It is not just a courtesy, I assure
you. |
Manuel |
I see you wish me well in my pursuits. |
Luis |
So true
(Aside) (
and
the sooner you leave the better.) |
Manuel |
But it is not right to take a gentleman
such as yourself away from his affairs. I know for a fact that there is something, or
someone, of importance to you here. It would be most unfair to take you away. |
Luis |
Had you overhead my conversation with
Rodrigo, you might think differently. |
Manuel |
Am I mistaken? |
Luis |
Quite so. Although it is true that I
weep on account of the cruelty of a great beauty, her disdain for me causes me as much
torment as her favors. |
Manuel |
Are you in such despair? |
Luis |
I love a great beauty, but without luck
or hope of success. |
Manuel |
Are you joking? |
Luis |
I would to heaven that I were. But I
was born under such an unlucky star that this beauty flees from me as the veil of night
hurries from the lovely light of day, in whose rays I burn. Would you like to know how
extreme my misfortune is? Just so that I might not be able to follow her, someone stopped
me and kept me from her. Tell me if anyone has worse luck than mine. Most men use
go-betweens to help them spend time with their ladies. She uses go-betweens to avoid me. |
Exeunt
Luis and Rodrigo |
|
Manuel |
What more does he need to declare? A
woman who fled from his sight? Another person who interrupted him and kept him from her?
He is clearly talking about her and me. At least I have solved part of the puzzle. I now
see that she is not his lady, because he would not be so miserable without her if she
lived in his own house. But this makes the enigma even greater. If she is not his lady and
if she does not live in his house, how then does she write to me? One doubt dies and
another is born. What shall I do? This is a confusion of confusions. God protect us from
women. |
Enter
Cosme. |
|
Cosme |
Sir, what has happened to our spook?
Have you by any chance seen him around here? As long as I know he is not in our room, Im
happy. |
Manuel |
Quiet. |
Cosme |
But I have so much to do in our room,
and I cant enter. |
Manuel |
Why not? |
Cosme |
Im afraid. |
Manuel |
A man should be afraid? |
Cosme |
No, he shouldnt be, but here I am
anyway, and for good reason, too. |
Manuel |
Please stop your witty remarks, and
bring a light, because I have to get ready and write some letters. Tonight I leave Madrid. |
Cosme. |
Thats interesting. Sounds to me
like youre afraid too. |
Manuel |
I have told you before that I pay no
attention to you. I have other things on my mind, and here you are just wasting my time.
When I say good-bye to Juan, fetch a lamp. (Exit.) |
Cosme |
Indeed I shall, and Ill shed some
light on the ghost, too, and not a moment too soon. Theres bound to be a match
around here. Ill just light up that lamp over there. Im really on top of
things now, if only I could stop shaking with fear. |
Exit. [Manuels room] Enter Isabel through
the cupboard with a covered basket. |
|
Isabel |
They are all out of the house,
according to the servant. I have to put this basket of clean linens in the designated
place. Heavens! Its so dark tonight that Im afraid of my own presence. My God,
Im trembling, and I must be the first spirit ever who swears to God! I cannot find
the desk. But whats this? With my mind in a turmoil and my heart full of fear, Ive
lost my bearing in this room. I have no idea where I am. Where is the table? What am I to
do? Oh, no! If I am not able to get out and they find me here, the whole elaborate plan
will fall apart. I am greatly afraid, and even more now that I hear someone opening the
door. The game is over. I can neither hide nor find my way out. |
Enter Cosme with a
lamp. |
|
Cosme |
Oh, spirit, my master, if perhaps my
pleas do not fall on the deaf ears of a high-born spook, I humbly beseech you not to
remember me in your enchantments. I ask you this for four reasons. (Cosme walks around the stage with Isabel hiding from him by
following behind him.) First, I know why; second, you know why; third, everyone
knows why; fourth, heres a poem I just remembered:
Ghost lady, ghost lady, |
Isabel (Aside) |
Now with the light I can reconnoiter
the room. He still hasnt seen me. If I put the light out I know I can escape while
he tries to relight it. He may hear some noise, but at least he wont see me. At this
point, Ill take what I can get. |
Cosme |
Fear has made me a pretty good poet! |
Isabel (Aside) |
Here we go! |
Isabel strikes Cosme
and extinguishes the candle. |
|
Cosme |
My God, shes killed me. Call a
priest! Confession! |
Isabel |
Nows my chance to escape! |
Isabel begins to
leave when Manuel enters. |
|
Manuel |
What is going on here? Cosme, what are
you doing here in the darkness? |
Cosme |
The spirit has killed us both: the
light with a puff of air, me with a crushing blow! |
Manuel |
Your fear causes you to imagine things. |
Cosme |
Then my imagination will be the death
of me! |
Isabel (Aside) |
Oh, if only I could find the door! |
Manuel |
Who is there?! |
Isabel bumps into
Manuel; he ends grabs the basket of linens. |
|
Isabel (Aside) |
This is going from bad to worse. Now I
run into his master. |
Manuel |
Cosme, go get a light. I have the
intruder in my grasp. |
Cosme |
Dont let him go! |
Manuel |
I wont, but hurry! |
Exit Cosme. |
|
Isabel (Aside) |
He took my basket; well, he can have
it. Theres the cupboard! At last! |
Exit Isabel; Manuel
is left holding the basket. |
|
Manuel |
Whoever you are, be still until there
is light. If not, by heaven, I shall have to run you through with my dagger. But, there is
nothing here but something lightweight, something with linens in it. What on earth? My
God, I have never been so confused! |
Enter Cosme with a
light. |
|
1611 Cosme |
Lets see this phantom in the
light! But, where is he? Didnt you have him captive? What happened? Where is he?
Sir, what in the devil is going on? |
Manuel |
I cannot answer. He left me these
linens, then fled. |
Cosme |
And what do you make of this situation?
You just now said that you had him in control, and he vanished! |
Manuel |
I must admit that that person, who
enters and leaves with extraordinary guile and cunning, was in fact captured here tonight.
But, in order to escape, he blew out your light, left me with this basket, and fled. |
Cosme |
How? |
Manuel |
Through the door. |
Cosme |
You are driving me mad. I saw him in
the dying light of my candle. |
Manuel |
What did he look like? |
Cosme |
He was a little, bitty monk, wearing a
great big hood. Thats why I think our spook must be a Capuchin friar. |
Manuel |
The things fear drives one to! Bring
the light. Lets see what our little friar left us. Here, hold this basket. |
Cosme |
You want me to hold this basket from
hell? |
Manuel |
Just be quiet and hold it. |
Cosme |
My hands are dirty, Sir, from the
candle wax. Ill surly soil the fine linen that covers it. Perhaps you should put it
on the floor! |
Manuel |
Its fresh linens
and a
note! Lets see if our friar is discreet: (Reads)
In the brief time that you have lived in this house, no one has yet brought you
fresh linens. As they are made ready, they will be brought to you. Regarding your
supposition about your friend, since you are sure that I am Luiss lady, I can assure
you that not only am I not his lady, but that I cannot be. I leave the rest for when we
meet, which will be soon. God be with you. Well, at least the spirit is a
Christian, since he speaks of God! |
Cosme |
You see? A religious spirit! |
Manuel |
Its getting late. Collect all
these suitcases and cushions, and put these papers with them (He gives him some papers). They are the reason we are
here at court. But first I intend to send an answer to our spirit. |
Cosme puts the papers
on a chair; Manuel writes. |
|
Cosme |
Ill put them right here so that I
wont forget them and theyll be right at hand. But I have to rest a moment.
Tell me one thing: do you believe in ghosts? |
Manuel |
What foolishness! |
Cosme |
Foolishness? You yourself can see the
effects. Youre sitting there with a letter that came to you out of nowhere, and
still you doubt? Fine, if that makes you happy. As for me, Im a believer; Ive
suffered the most, |
Manuel |
How so? |
Cosme |
Just look at us. If they rifle through
our clothing, you laugh at the intrusion, but I have to repack everything, which is no
small job. If they leave you papers, youre impressed by the wit. Me, they leave
coals and take my money. If they bring you sweets, youre as pleased as a father to
accept them. I get nothing, and Im hungry as a wolf. They give you fine shirts and
handkerchiefs of linen. I get nothing but scary surprises. We both came to this room at
about the same time, but you get a basket of clean linens, smelling as sweet as
springtime. I get a slap in the face, a blow so hard and strong that I practically spit up
my brains. All the pleasure and the profit go to you; the pain and suffering are all mine.
The ghost treats you with kid gloves; I get the brass knuckles. So just let me believe
what I will. There is nothing more painful to watch than a man who wont believe whats
happening right before his eyes. |
Manuel |
Just pack the suitcases, so we may go.
I shall wait for you in Juans room |
Cosme |
What is there to pack? Everyone dresses
in black, just as you are already. All you need is a black cloak. |
Manuel |
Leave the room locked and take the key
with you. If I need the key, Juan has another one. I hate to leave in such confusion, not
knowing the truth of the matter. But the honor of my estate and my chances at court take
precedence over an idle curiosity. Indeed, honor trumps everything else. |
Exeunt. [Angelas room] Enter
Angela, Beatriz, and Isabel. |
|
Angela |
It happened just like that? |
Isabel |
I saw the whole artifice going up in
flames. If he had seen me, it would have been necessary to confess everything. As it
turned out, I was able to escape in the manner I just related. |
Angela |
Amazing! |
Beatriz |
It is simply incredible to think that
you could give a man a basket of linens without his seeing you! |
Angela |
If after all this I am able to arrange
for him to see me as we planned, I have no doubt that he will surely lose his mind. |
Beatriz |
Even the most serious person would be
astonished by these goings-on, Angela. You want to call him to a place without telling him
where so that he can find himself with a beautiful lady, rich and famous, without knowing
who she is or where she is from. Then, cloaked and blind, he is to be led away to stew in
his confusion. This is what comes out of that head of yours? I am in awe! |
Angela |
Everything is just as you said. But
since you are here with me, tonight will not be the night of our meeting. |
Beatriz |
I can keep the secret of your love! |
Angela |
No, cousin, thats not the reason.
With you in our house, and with my brothers buzzing about you hopelessly in love,
idolizing the very ground you walk on, it would be entirely too risky. Ill have to
wait until they leave. |
Enter Luis, who
eavesdrops from the side of the stage. |
|
Luis (Aside) |
Good God! Who can suppress his desires?
Who can rein in his thoughts, control his tongue, and imprison his feelings? Since I am
beside myself, surely I cannot. But let me try to conquer my passion. I shall just watch
from here. |
Beatriz |
Let me tell you how to get rid of them
but still let me be present. I would hate to miss the conclusion of this marvelous
adventure. |
Angela |
Do tell me! |
Luis (Aside) |
What are these two scheming? My heart
is in my throat with anticipation. |
Beatriz |
We shall both say that my father has
sent for me, and we shall make a great show of my leaving, but secretly I shall hide in
the house and no one will know I am here. |
Luis (Aside) |
Heavens, what is this that threatens
the honor of this house? |
Beatriz |
Under the cover of secrecy, I shall be
able to see what happens. |
Luis (Aside) |
Oh, cruel
fortune! |
Beatriz |
I look so forward to it! |
Angela |
But what do we say in order to bring
you out of hiding? |
Beatriz |
I am shocked you would ask! No doubt we
can think of something later! |
Luis (Aside) |
No doubt. That I should have to listen
to this! The torment and suffering surpass all limits. |
Beatriz |
This way, in secret and with no
witnesses, I shall see you fulfill your love. With me hidden and the household
unsuspecting, he will have no trouble passing from his room to yours. |
Luis (Aside) |
It is easy to infer her intention. What
a coward I am! I am undone! Would that I had never listened! My fortunate brother deserves
Beatriz more. But what jealousy! She prefers to offer herself to him and thus quench both
their desires. Thus she arranges for him to pass from his room to hers without anyone
noticing. I can scarcely contain my anger! And so that no one might be a witness they
succeed in making real my suspicions. My enemies want to keep the secret from me! By God,
if that is the way it is, I shall not allow it. The next time that she is hidden, hoping
for another meeting, I shall keep close watch over the entire house until I find her. The
fires of jealousy that consume me allow for no alternative. Placing obstacles in their way
is the last refuge of the jealous man. Holy saints protect me! Consumed by love, Im
dying of jealousy. (Exit.) |
Angela |
Everything is set up. Tomorrow we shall
announce your departure. |
Enter
Juan. |
|
Juan |
Angela! And the lovely Beatriz! |
Beatriz |
Just the man we were hoping to see. |
Juan |
If my absence causes you to enjoy my
presence even more, then may you miss me more often, madam. I am suspicious, no, envious,
of my own good luck. It is simply not possible that I deserve your affection. Envious and
envied, I fall into such a sweet abyss that I both envy and pity myself. |
Beatriz |
It would not be right to contradict
such sweet arguments, Juan, from one who has put off seeing me for so long as to have
forgotten me. Is there any doubt that you were engaged in your own amusements? It must be
so, for you profess both to envy and pity your good fortune, while at the same time you
cast aside the beauty that gives you such pleasure. Your clear and convincing syllogism
proves your pity and your envy. |
Juan |
If it would not offend both you and me,
Beatriz, I would tell you that I have been with my guest, Manuel, who has left us tonight. |
Angela |
Really? |
Juan |
You are surprised, sister? |
Angela |
A pleasure startles as much as a
displeasure. |
Juan |
I regret that your hearts desire
has not been fulfilled; he will return tomorrow. |
Angela |
(Aside.)
(A vain hope is revived.) I was not afraid on account of his leaving. His comings and
goings are always inopportune. |
Juan |
I did not think that you were. It is
just that you and Luis show nothing but displeasure at the visit of this friend that
causes me such pleasure. |
Angela |
I do not know how to answer you,
although I feel as though I must. I think I should retire from your game of love. Threes
company, and you have made of me a go-between, when love is most enjoyable when played as
a two-handed game, one on one. Isabel, come with me. (Aside)
(This very night shall we retrieve the portrait. We shall have more time and fewer
interruptions. Bring me a light and show me where to hide. A man who writes me letters has
no business possessing the portrait of another lady. The insult!) |
Exeunt Angela and
Isabel. |
|
Beatriz |
I do not believe that I owe you such
kindness. |
Juan |
I shall prove the strength of my
commitment which is substantial with words. |
Beatriz |
Please do. |
Juan |
Listen, my love. Beautiful Beatriz, my
faith is so certain, my love so steadfast, my affection so extraordinary, that even if I
did not wish to love you, against my own will and desire would I love you still. My life
now depends upon yours so much that if I could forget you, I would, just so that I might
fall in love with you all over again. Would that I could experience again the happy, mad
rush of new love. He who loves a woman only when he cannot forget her, does not oblige her
to love him in return, since without the possibility of choice determined by free will, it
cannot be called love. Yet I cannot possibly get your beauty out of my mind, Beatriz, and
I am left to despair that the stars swell with pride at the victory of your love over my
free will. |
Beatriz |
If choices were due to free will, and
forces to the influence of the stars, she who lives not subject to fortune would have a
stronger will than mine. I cannot trust your kindness since my faith, which can overcome
impossible obstacles, would deny that it were my own if my will were not accompanied by
it. During that brief instant spent in forgetting you so that I might fall in love with
you again, my heart would feel my life slipping away. I am delighted to have no part in
putting you out of my mind since I could not love you while I tried to forget you. |
Exeunt. [The street outside Juans house] Enter Manuel, chasing
Cosme, who is trying to flee. |
|
Manuel |
For Gods sake, if I had seen
|
Cosme |
Thats why you look. |
Manuel |
that your incompetence was going
to dishonor me, to make a fool of me! |
Cosme |
You know that I have served you well.
Things happen, even to good Catholic servants! |
Manuel |
You are hopeless. The one thing that
mattered most to me, the one thing I entrusted to your safe-keeping, is the one thing that
you forgot. |
Cosme |
Thats why I forgot it, because it
was so important to me. If it werent so important, why would I bother to forget it?
I swear, I was so careful to collect all those papers and set them aside. It was my care
and attention that caused you all this misery. If I hadnt set them aside, I would
have gathered them up with the rest. |
Manuel |
At least you remembered them
when
we were half-way there! |
Cosme |
I was very worried. I knew something
was wrong. I thought it was probably nothing until I remembered that I forgot the papers. |
Manuel |
Tell the groom to wait with the horses.
I do not wish to make a noisy entrance, waking up the entire household that is surely
asleep. Entering is no problem, since I have the key. I should be able to retrieve my
papers without troubling a soul. |
Cosme |
I already told the groom to wait. But
look, sir, its a real mistake to try to find those papers without light. Theres
just no way to keep from making noise. If we cant find a candle or a lamp, how shall
we see? |
Manuel |
Is there no end to the problems you
cause? What, now you want me to call out and wake the whole house? Do you not realize that
you are to blame for all this? Where exactly did you leave the papers? |
Cosme |
Thats no problem. I know exactly
where I left them once we get in the room. I can find them in the dark. |
Manuel |
Go on in. |
Cosme |
What I dont know is what that
spook may have done with them. So far nothing I have set down has been in the same place
when I went back for it. |
Manuel |
If they are not there, then we shall
ask for a light. Until we know for sure, it is better to move quickly and, above all,
quietly. I would hate to disturb our gracious hosts. |
Exeunt. [Manuels room] Angela and Isabel
enter through the cupboard. |
|
Angela |
Isabel, the house is now asleep and
everything is as it should be. Our guest has left, so now is the time to retrieve the
portrait he had the very first time I saw him. |
Isabel |
Enter quietly. Be very careful. |
Angela |
Go back through and lock the door to my
room. In order not to create a stir, I shall not move until you get back.. |
Isabel |
Wait right here. |
Exit Isabel, who
closes the cupboard. Enter Manuel and Cosme. |
|
Cosme |
Its open. |
Manuel |
Walk softly. If they hear us, it will
cause quite a scandal. |
Cosme |
I hope you believe me now when I tell
you Im afraid. The ghost could at least have brought us a light. |
Angela (Aside) |
Good thing I brought this lantern under
my cloak so that no one could see it. |
With Angela on one
side of the room and Manuel and Cosme on the other, Angela brings out a lantern that she
had hidden under her cloak. |
|
Cosme |
This is the most accommodating goblin Ive
ever heard tell of. Look how quickly it brings us a light! Youll notice that the
ghost likes you
he produces a light when you need it. When I had one, he snuffed it
out. |
Manuel |
Good heavens! This is unnatural and
quite extraordinary. To have produced a light so quickly is not human. |
Cosme |
You see? I told you youd end up
believing me. |
Manuel |
I am frozen with fear. We must go back. |
Cosme |
At least now we know youre mortal
since you finally showed fear. |
Angela (Aside) |
Here is the table, covered with papers. |
Cosme |
The ghost is going toward the table. |
Manuel |
My God, I both doubt and believe what
my eyes perceive. |
Cosme |
Look! Its guiding us exactly to
the things we are looking for. I wish we could see whos carrying the light. |
Angela removes the
candle from the lantern and puts it in a candle holder on the table. She takes a chair and
sits with her back to the two men. |
|
Angela (Aside) |
I shall place the light here so I might
see the desk. |
Manuel |
Wait. I can see everything by the light
of that candle. I have never in my life seen a lady so beautiful. My heavens! What is this
that to my eyes appears? Her charms are like the hydra: each one gives rise to a thousand
more. What shall I do? |
Cosme |
Shes moving slowly. Shes
drawing up a chair. |
Manuel |
She is the very image of the rarest
beauty that the brush of the Almighty has ever produced. |
Cosme |
True enough. She is His creation. |
Manuel |
Her eyes shine more brightly than
lamplight. |
Cosme |
No doubt because her eyes are the stars
in Lucifers sky. |
Manuel |
Her tresses are rays of the sun. |
Cosme |
She probably stole them from it. |
Manuel |
Each curl is a star. |
Cosme |
If you say so. Just remember,
supernatural forces brought her here. |
Manuel |
I have never seen such loveliness. |
Cosme |
You wouldnt say that if you could
see her feet. They say that you can tell the devil by his feet. |
Manuel |
She is a beautiful angel, a paragon of
splendor. |
Cosme |
Still, Id like to take a gander
at those hooves. |
Manuel |
Wait. What is she doing with my papers? |
Cosme |
My guess is that she wants to see the
very ones we have come back for. That way we will have less to do. She is a very
accommodating spirit. |
Manuel |
Heaven help me! I know not what to do!
I have never before felt like such a coward. |
Cosme |
Boy, I have! |
Manuel |
My feet are imprisoned in chains of
ice. My every breath is like a dagger in my chest and a rope around my neck. But why am I
afraid? By God, I must attempt to break free of this enchantment. (He
approaches Angela and grabs her.) Angel, demon, or woman! You shall not
escape my grasp this time. |
Angela (Aside) |
(Oh, unhappy me! He had not really left
the house. He has the advantage here.) |
Cosme |
In the name of God (who brings the
devil to his knees), tell us
|
Angela (Aside) |
(I must continue my deception.) |
Cosme |
who are you, and what do you want
from us? |
Angela |
Most generous Manuel Enríquez, for
whom great good fortune lies in wait, touch me not, approach me not, or you will lose the
greatest gift that heaven has in store for you. Fate has decreed that you should receive a
great reward. I wrote to you this afternoon, in my last letter, and told you that we
should see each other soon, and so it has come to pass. I have fulfilled my promise, since
you see me here now in the most human form that I can manage. So go now, leave me here in
peace. The time is not yet right for you to know and understand the truth of my situation.
All will be revealed tomorrow. But you must tell no one of our meeting lest you lose the
greatest blessing imaginable. Go in peace. |
Cosme |
Since she invites us so peaceably, what
are we waiting for? |
Manuel |
(Aside)
(God in heaven! I have had enough of fearing empty shadows! Since my courage will not
stand for any more confusion, I must clear up the mystery.) Woman, whoever you may be, I
shall never believe that you are anything else. But by God I shall know who you are, how
you have entered here, for what end, everything! And I shall have the truth long before
tomorrow. Woman or devil, I must persist. If you are a devil, your threats no longer daunt
me. But of course I know by your form that you are not a devil but a woman. |
Cosme |
Is there a difference? |
Angela |
Touch me not, or you will lose a great
deal. play |
Cosme |
The devils right. Shes not
a harp or a lute or a drum that will respond to your touch. |
Manuel |
I shall see now by my sword whether or
not you are a spirit. Even if should wound you, it should not hurt you. |
Angela |
No! Hold your sword, restrain your
bloodthirsty arm. It is not right that you should kill a wretched woman. I confess that
that is what I am. Although love is a crime, I do not deserve dying miserably just for
loving well. Sully not with my blood the brilliant steel of your sword. |
Manuel |
Who are you? |
Angela |
I must tell you. I cannot fulfill this
love, this desire, this truth, and this faith, as I hoped. But we are in danger of death
if they see us or hear us. There is much more to me than you see here. Thus it is
necessary, in order to remove what obstacles may be, to lock that door, sir, and the outer
door as well, so that no one passing by may see our light. |
Manuel |
Light the candle, Cosme, and lets
close these doors. You see that she is a woman and not a ghost? |
Cosme |
Just as I said all along. |
Exeunt Manuel and
Cosme. |
|
Angela |
Heavens! Now I am locked in this room.
I suppose I shall have to tell him the truth since Isabel has left me here alone and the
guest has caught me. |
Isabel enters through
the cupboard. |
|
Isabel |
Psst! Madam! Your brother is asking for
you. |
Angela |
What luck! Open the other side of the
cupboard. Ah, my love, you will have to live with your doubts a bit longer. |
Exeunt, closing the
cupboard as they leave. Enter
Manuel and Cosme. |
|
Manuel |
The doors are locked, madam. You may
proceed. What? What the devil? Where is she? |
Cosme |
How should I know? |
Manuel |
Do you think she is in the alcove? Go
take a look. |
Cosme |
It would be a great dishonor for me to
walk in front of you. |
Manuel |
Then I shall go. Give me the candle. |
|
(He
takes the candle.) |
Cosme |
All right! |
Manuel |
How cruel is my fortune. |
Cosme |
Well, we know she didnt leave by
the doors. |
Manuel |
How could she have disappeared? |
Cosme |
Beats me. You see? Just as I told you:
she is a devil, not a woman. |
Manuel |
I shall search this room from top to
bottom until I find out if perhaps behind a painting there is a crack in a wall, or
perhaps the carpets conceal a cellar. I shall even search the ceiling. |
Cosme |
The only thing I see is that cupboard. |
Manuel |
That cannot be it, since it is all made
of glass. Help me look at everything else. |
Cosme |
Im no
snoop. |
Manuel |
No longer do I believe she is
supernatural. She was afraid to die. |
Cosme |
But how do you explain that she
predicted that we would return tonight and see her? |
Manuel |
She appeared as a shadow illuminated by
a fantastic light, but, like all things human, she was able to be seen and touched. Like a
mortal she feared me, like a woman she sought me out, like an illusion she deceived me,
like a spirit she escaped me. If I think about this matter too much, by God, I shall not
know what to doubt or what to believe. |
Cosme |
I do. |
Manuel |
What? |
Cosme |
That woman is the devil; theres
nothing unusual about that. If a woman can be a devil day in and day out, why should we be
surprised that on this occasion the devil should appear as a woman? |
Exeunt. |