The
Phantom Lady
by Pedro
Calderón de la Barca
(1629)
Translation by Matthew D. Stroud
Act III
[Angelas room] Enter Manuel in
the dark, guided by Isabel, who leads him into a closet or inner room. |
|
Isabel |
Wait here. Madam will see you shortly. |
She leaves, closing
the door. |
|
Manuel |
What a turn of events! Did she close
the door? Yes. Whose misfortune can equal mine? Scarcely had I returned from El Escorial
when this celestial apparition, this remarkable enchantment, brought me light only to
leave me in the deepest darkness of doubt. She left me another letter, in which she
declares so sweetly: (Reads) If you
dare to come see me, it must be tonight, and without the servant who accompanies you. Two
men will await you in the cemetery of Saint Sebastian this is the strange part!
with a sedan chair. And she did not lie. I followed her instructions, and tried so
hard to figure out what was going on that I went half mad. Finally I discovered a portal
full of horror, darkness, and fear. Alone and without any light at all, I went through it.
There I found a woman, at least it looked and sounded like a woman. Feeling her way in the
darkness, she guided me from room to room without speaking, hearing, or seeing. But now I
see light through a door jamb. Love, you have fulfilled your desire.. (Looking into the main part of Angelas room.) I
see the lady and await an adventure. What an enchanted house! What lovely ladies! What a
sumptuous room! What riches! What beauty! |
Enter all the ladies
with napkins, sweets, and water, making gestures of great reverence. Enter Angela, very
richly dressed. |
|
Angela |
(To Beatriz.) (Since you are hiding here in our house
but my brothers assume that you have gone home, your worries are unfounded. Once you are
back home, you will have nothing to fear.) |
Beatriz |
(To Angela.) (What is my role to be?) |
Angela |
(To Beatriz.) (For the moment, that of my servant.
Later, alone, we shall see what happens.) (To
Manuel.) Are you unhappy to see me? |
Manuel |
No, madam. He who awaits the
dawn knows well that his joy lies just beyond the cold, dark night. In like manner do I
rejoice in my moment of darkness. The longer the wait, the greater the satisfaction at
daybreak. Yet it was not necessary for me to endure the dark of night to be awed by the
brilliance of your beauty. You shine with such magnificence, that it is not possible for
you to be eclipsed by shadow or night. You are the day that dawns without need of any
other sun. Flee the night, madam; greet the birds that welcome the light that first
illuminates the sky, turning ebony to cobalt to aquamarine. Next comes the golden dawn,
inflaming the sky with its delicate rays of light. The sun appears, the sun that alone can
brighten, gild, and burn. First light follows night; the contact makes the rosy glow seem
all the brighter. Dawn seeks to build on the first rays of light. The sun, singular
divinity, challenges the dawn, and you, the sun. Thus I repeat that it was not necessary
for me to endure the cold, dark night to revel in your shining splendor that, even at this
hour, rivals the sun at mid-day. |
Angela |
Although I should appreciate such a
pretty speech, I must complain, and not in vain, about such flattering excess. Since this
is not heaven, or a sphere against whose noble burning the wind tires itself but rather a
simple house, your exaggerations make me most suspicious. Likewise, I am not light, for I
lack the laughter of pure joy; I am not dawn, as you can tell by my tears of grief; I am
not the sun, since I shed no light on the truth I adore. Indeed, I know not what I am. I
only know that I am not light or dawn or sun, for today neither do I shine nor laugh nor
weep. I pray you, Manuel, tell them that I am and have been a woman whom you alone drive
to such extremes. |
Manuel |
It must not amount to very much, since
although I came to see you here, I could argue that I have more to regret, my lady, than
to rejoice. You have offended me greatly, madam. |
Angela |
Offended you? |
Manuel |
Yes, since you will not trust me with
who you are. |
Angela |
I ask you only that you not ask me
that. I cannot tell you. If you wish to come speak to me, it must on condition that you
not know nor can you ask. I offer myself to you today as an enigma, for neither am I what
I appear to be, nor do I appear to be what I am. While I am veiled, you may see me and I
may see you. But if you come just to find out who I am, and are successful, you will no
longer wish to love me even though my feelings for you will not have changed. When death
is the artist, one cannot always be sure of the portrait. Something may have one form in
one light and quite another in a different light. Love, the painter, brings two lights
into harmony, which is what you have in me. Today you see me in this light; that is why
you seek me. When you see me again in another light, perhaps you may hate me. What is
important for me today is that that I swear that I am not Luiss lady. You may put
aside that suspicion once and for all. |
Manuel |
Then, madam, what moved you to disguise
yourself and hide from him? |
Angela |
I could be a noble woman with much to
lose should Luis recognize me. |
Manuel |
Can you tell me at least how you are
able to enter my room? |
Angela |
That, too, must wait for another time,
for the same reasons. |
Beatriz |
(Aside)
(Thats my cue.) The water and sweets have arrived, your excellency, if you would
wish
|
The ladies approach
with the napkins, glasses, and trays of sweets. |
|
Angela |
What impertinence! Fool, who is your
excellency? Do you hope thus to deceive our guest, causing him to believe that I am
great lady? |
Beatriz |
Madam
|
Manuel (Aside) |
(Thats one question answered. I
have always thought her to be a great lady who, because of her rank and status, disguised
herself, and kept her secret bought with gold.) |
Offstage Juan calls
and the women stir. |
|
Juan (Within) |
Open up! Open this door! |
Angela |
Heavens! What is that noise? |
Isabel |
Were sunk! |
Beatriz |
I am frozen with fright. |
Manuel (Aside) |
(Is there no end to my bad luck? Heaven
help me!) |
Angela |
My lord, it is my husband. |
Manuel |
What should I do? |
Angela |
You must hide
at once! Isabel,
lead him away and hide him in the room you know of
you understand. |
Isabel |
Come quickly. (She exits.) |
Juan (Within) |
Will you not open this door? |
Manuel |
May heaven help me! My life and my
honor depend upon a fortuitous exit. (Exit.) |
Juan (Within) |
By God, Ill break it down! |
Angela |
Beatriz, you hide over there, and make
sure he doesnt see you. [Enter Juan.]
What do you want in my room at this hour? What brings you to disturb us like this? |
Juan |
You answer my questions first. What
dress is that? |
Angela |
You usually see me in mourning, full of
grief and despair. I only hoped to cheer myself a bit with these clothes. |
Juan |
I do not doubt it. Women can easily
solve their problems with jewels or a new frock, even if in your case I find it a bit
unseemly. |
Angela |
Why should you care what I wear in the
privacy of my own room? |
Juan |
Tell me, did Beatriz return home? |
Angela |
Just so. Her father has changed his
mind and decided to forgive her. |
Juan |
I did not care to know more. I merely
wanted to find out if I might see her and speak to her tonight. I shall leave, but
remember, that dress does not suit you. (Exit.) |
Angela |
Good-bye
and good riddance. (Beatriz
comes out of hiding.) Close the door, Beatriz. |
Beatriz |
We came out of this fright rather well.
Your brother is going to look for me. |
Angela |
Until the house has settled down, and
Manuel returns from his room to see me, let us hide here in this niche so that we might be
harder to find. |
Beatriz |
If this turns out well, you deserve to
be called the Phantom Lady. |
Exeunt. [Manuels room] Enter Manuel and
Isabel through the cupboard. |
|
Isabel |
You must remain here, and make no noise
that might attract attention. |
Manuel |
I shall be as still as a statue. |
Isabel (Aside.) |
(I hope I can get this thing closed
well. Im so nervous.) (Exit.) |
Manuel |
Oh, how much one risks when one dares
enter into a game in which he does not know and cannot imagine the losses that await him,
the misfortunes that are in store! Here I am in the house of a most noble gentleman, so
far away from my home, confronted by a thousand cruel surprises. But what is this? It
appears that someone is opening a door. Yes, people are entering. |
Enter
Cosme. |
|
Cosme |
Thank God that I was able to come back
freely and fearlessly into my room, even though I have no light. Then again, if the ghost
has my master, what would he want from me? (He bumps
into Manuel.) Uh oh! More trouble. Who goes there? Who are you? |
Manuel |
Hold your tongue, I tell you, whoever
you are, if you do not wish to die pummeled by my fists. |
Cosme |
You have my word on it. I wont
speak any more than a poor relation in the house of a rich man. |
Manuel |
(Aside.)
(This must be a servant who has happened into this room. I can find out from him where I
am.) Tell me, what house is this, and who is its owner? |
Cosme |
Sir, this house and its owner both
belong to the devil, may he take me. Here lives a lady whom they call the Phantom Lady,
who is a demon in the shape of a woman. |
Manuel |
And who are you? |
Cosme |
I am a servant or valet, an underling,
a lackey who suffers these enchantments without knowing why. |
Manuel |
And who is your master? |
Cosme |
Hes a madman, impertinent,
foolish, idiotic, and wretched, who has lost his mind over a lady. |
Manuel |
And his name? |
Cosme |
Manuel
Enríquez. |
Manuel |
My God! |
Cosme |
I am called Cosme Catiboratos. At your
service. |
Manuel |
Cosme, you?! I am your master. How have
you come here? Tell me, have you been following me from the cemetery? Did you enter with
me and hide in this room as well? |
Cosme |
What a clever game you play. Tell me,
how did you end up here? Didnt you go off by yourself at their instruction, ever so
brave and noble? So how have you returned so quickly? And how did you get into this room
since I have the key? |
Manuel |
What room is this? |
Cosme |
Either yours or the devils. |
Manuel |
By God, you are lying. Just now I was
far from here, in a very different house. |
Cosme |
It must be the work of the goblin,
because Im telling you the gospel truth. |
Manuel |
You are trying to drive me mad. |
Cosme |
What else can I say to make you believe
me? Go through that door and youll see where we are. |
Manuel |
Good idea. I shall return immediately.
(Exit.) |
Cosme |
Ladies and Gentlemen, shall we ever
find out way out of this confusion? |
Enter Isabel through
the cupboard. |
|
Isabel |
(Aside.)
(Juan has left again. I have to retrieve Manuel before he figures out whats going
on.) Psst! Psst! |
Cosme |
Things are getting worse. These pssts
are downright psscary. |
Isabel |
My lord has now retired. |
Cosme (Aside) |
(What lord?) |
Enter
Manuel. |
|
Manuel |
Indeed, this is my room. |
Cosme |
Is that you? |
Isabel |
(To
Cosme) (Yes, it is I. Come with me quickly.) |
Manuel |
You are quite right. |
Isabel |
(To
Cosme) (Do not be afraid. There is nothing to fear.) |
Cosme |
Sir, the ghost is taking me away! |
Isabel leads Cosme
out through the cupboard. |
|
Manuel |
Shall we never know the source of this
intrigue? Answer me! What a fool you are. Cosme! Cosme? My God, there is nothing here but
walls. Was I not just now talking with him? Was he not here? I shall surely lose my mind
completely, and for good reason. At least, since someone else is sure to enter here, I can
find out how. I shall hide in this alcove and wait attentively until I can discover who is
the lovely Phantom Lady. |
He hides. [Angelas room] Enter Angela,
Beatriz, and a servant, one with a candle, another with some boxes, and a third with a
glass of water. |
|
Angela |
Since my brother has left the house to
look for you, and since Isabel has taken Manuel to her room, everything is ready. Let him
find the entire scene set when he arrives. Places, everyone. |
Beatriz |
I have never seen such a deception in
my entire life. |
Angela |
Is he coming? |
Servant |
Yes, I hear footsteps. |
Enter Isabel, leading
Cosme by the hand. |
|
Cosme |
God help me! Where am I going? This isnt
funny any more. But wait. Now I see all these beautiful ladies? Who am I? Lancelot? Am I
little old Cosme or King Arthur? |
Isabel |
Here he is. Whats this? Sir! |
Cosme |
(Aside.)
(Now I am sure I am bewitched. My soul hangs by a thread.) |
Angela |
Isabel, what is this? |
Isabel |
(To
her mistress.) (My lady, when I went back for Manuel, in the same room where I
left him, I found his servant.) |
Beatriz |
What a clumsy error! |
Isabel |
It was dark! |
Angela |
Alas! The trick has now been revealed. |
Beatriz |
(To Angela.) (Maybe not just yet.) Cosme. |
Cosme |
Guinevere. |
Beatriz |
Come here, sit by me. |
Cosme |
Im fine here, thank you very
much. |
Angela |
Please, do not be afraid. |
Cosme |
Afraid, a man of my courage? |
Angela |
Then come here, wont you? |
Cosme approaches
them. |
|
Cosme |
(Aside.)
(I cant get out of it since my reputation and my honor depend on it.) It is not out
of fear that I keep my distance but out of respect. Why, how could I fear the devil
himself dressed as a woman? Actually, the devil tried it once, and for a certain trick he
put on a corset and petticoats. In fact, I think the devil invented corsets and petticoats. Anyway, disguised as
a lovely young maiden, rich and well-dressed, he appeared to a shepherd, who, as soon as
he saw her burst into flames of passion for her. He had a merry time with the she-devil.
Afterward, the devil returned to his hideous, horrible form and asked, Wretch, dont
you see the truth of the beauty you have enjoyed? You have nothing left but despair, for
you pursued me! The shepherd, less unhappy than before he ravished her, replied,
Oh, vain and false spirit, you tried to make this unhappy man despair. Come back
tomorrow in the same disguise and youll find me just as amorous and solicitous
afterwards as before. Let me tell you a secret: as horrible as he may be, a devil is not a
half bad when dressed as a woman. |
Angela |
You are not yourself. Please, have a
drink. Great frights make one thirsty. |
Cosme |
No, thanks. |
Beatriz |
We must be going. You have to return to
your room two hundred leagues from here. (Luis begins
calling offstage.) |
Cosme |
What? Whats that noise? |
Angela |
Are they calling? |
Beatriz |
Indeed. |
Isabel |
How dreadful! |
Angela |
Oh, unhappy me! |
Luis (Within.) |
Isabel. |
Beatriz |
Heaven help me! |
Luis (Within) |
Open up here. |
Angela |
For every problem I have a different
brother. |
Isabel |
This is too much! |
Beatriz |
I shall hide. (Exit.) |
Cosme |
This must be the real ghost. |
Isabel |
(To
Cosme) (Come with me.) |
Cosme |
Sure thing. |
Enter Luis. |
|
Angela |
What business do you have here in my
room? |
Luis |
A thousand miseries lead me to spoil
other pleasures. Not long ago I saw in this room a chair used by Beatriz, and then I saw
my brother enter. |
Angela |
And? What do you want? |
Luis |
Since this room is above my own, it
seemed to me that I heard footsteps. To satisfy myself, I have come up to have a look
around. (Luis
opens a door and discovers Beatriz hiding.) Beatriz, you, here? |
Beatriz |
Indeed. I had to return because my
father became angry again, as usual. |
Luis |
You both seem quite nervous. What is
all this with the napkins, glasses, and sweets? |
Angela |
Why on earth would you have the
slightest interest in the way we women entertain ourselves when we are alone? |
Isabel and Cosme make
noise in the cupboard passage. |
|
Luis |
What is that noise? |
Angela (Aside) |
(I am undone!) |
Luis |
By God, there are people here! This
cannot be my brothers doing. I am sure he knows nothing of this! (He
opens the cupboard wider in order to enter carrying a light.) My heavens! Here I am worried about the
petty jealousies of love, when all along I should have been much more concerned for our
honor! I shall take a light, even though I know it may be imprudent. Light can reveal
everything, including dishonor. (Exit.) |
Angela |
Oh, Beatriz! If he finds him, we
are lost! |
Beatriz |
If Isabel now has him in her room, then
you are worried for nothing. The secret of the cupboard is safe. |
Angela |
But what if my luck is such that Isabel
was not able to close the cupboard tightly. What
if Luis enters there? |
Beatriz |
Then you will need to find a safe
place. |
Angela |
I shall throw myself on the mercy of
your father and ask him to help me the way that I helped you. If one problem brought you
here, another may take me there. |
Exeunt. [Manuels room] Enter Isabel and
Cosme through the cupboard. Enter Manuel through the door. |
|
Isabel |
Here, quickly. (She exits.) |
Manuel |
Once again I hear people in this room. |
Enter Luis with a
light. |
|
Luis |
I saw a man! God help me! |
Cosme |
This cant be good. |
Luis |
Why is the cupboard out of place? |
Cosme |
Oh, no! Another light! Ill hide
under this desk. (He hides.) |
Manuel |
I have had enough of this. (He puts his hand on his sword.) |
Luis |
Manuel! |
Manuel |
Luis! How is this possible? What utter
confusion! |
Cosme (Aside) |
See how they entered! I tried to tell
him a thousand times! |
Luis |
Nefarious gentleman, nay, villain,
traitor, contemptible guest who draws his unworthy sword against a host who has shown you
nothing but honor, service, and favor! You dare confront me so? |
Manuel |
I fight only to defend myself. I am
totally bewildered seeing you and hearing you. Even should you try to kill me, you will
not succeed because I, made stronger in the crucible of misfortune, am now immortal. You
shall not, even though you may try, give me death. If all my grief has not done me in,
then neither shall you, no matter how brave you are. |
Luis |
Do not try to talk your way out of
this. |
Manuel |
But wait, Luis. I believe there is a
way to satisfy you. |
Luis |
What satisfaction can there be if you
try so boldly to dishonor me? With you standing here in this room, can there possibly be
satisfaction? |
Manuel |
May my sword pierce my heart a thousand
times, Luis, if I ever had any idea that there was a passage to the other room. |
Luis |
So what are you doing locked up in here
without any light? |
Manuel |
(Aside.)
(What shall I tell him?) I am waiting for my servant. |
Luis |
When I have seen you hiding, you want
me to believe that my eyes are lying to me? |
Manuel |
Yes, for the eyes are more susceptible
to deceit than any of the other senses. |
Luis |
And if my eyes are deceiving me, you
want me to believe that my ears are lying to me as well? |
Manuel |
Indeed. |
Luis |
Then all my senses are lying, and only
you are telling me the truth? You are the only one who
. |
Manuel |
Wait, before you accuse me of being a
liar, I shall cut you down before you can utter another word. If you want a duel, then I
am at your service. I have put up with enough in the name of friendship. But since you are
determined that we should duel, let us fight fairly. Let us each take half the candle so
that we can each see equally well. Close that door you came through so imprudently while I
close this other one. I shall throw the key on the floor so that the one who remains alive
will be able to leave. |
Luis |
I shall push the cupboard closed and
seal it with this desk so that no one can open it from the other side. |
When Luis moves the
desk, he reveals Cosme hiding under it. |
|
Cosme |
Damn it all. |
Luis |
Who is there? |
Manuel |
More bad luck! |
Cosme |
Theres nobody here. |
Luis |
Tell me, Manuel, is this the servant
you were waiting for? |
Manuel |
Pay no attention to him. I know that I
am right. Believe of me what you will, but with my sword in my hand, only one of us will
remain alive. |
Luis |
Then let us fight. What are you waiting
for? |
Manuel |
You offend me greatly if you think I am
a coward. I am wondering what to do with my servant. If we throw him out he will tell
everyone what he knows. If he stays he will surely come to my aid. |
Cosme |
No way. Far be it from me to interfere. |
Luis |
This room has an alcove. Let us lock
him in there and thus we shall be equals. |
Manuel |
Very well. Go, Cosme. |
Cosme |
Why do you go on so about my not
fighting. There wasnt the slightest chance that
that would happen. (Exit.) |
Manuel |
Now it is just the two of us. |
Luis |
Let the duel begin. (They fight.) |
Manuel |
What a valiant fighter! |
Luis |
What strength! What courage! (The hilt of his sword comes undone.) I cannot believe this! My sword has
come undone. I am defenseless. |
Manuel |
That is no fault of your valor. It was
just an accident. Go for another. |
Luis |
You are a most gracious gentleman. (Aside.) (Oh, Fortune, what must I do in such a
situation. The man who dishonors me also spares my life? I must find a way, one way or the
other, to do the right thing.) |
Manuel |
Will you not go for another sword? |
Luis |
Yes. Since you are waiting for me, I
shall return promptly. |
Manuel |
Quickly or not, I shall be here. |
Luis |
God be with you. |
Manuel |
And with you. (Exit
Luis.) I shall close the door and remove the
key so that no one can see that there are people here. What astonishing confusion besieges
my mind! But I knew there had to be another door or passage into this room, and that our
visitor was Luiss lady! In fact, everything is turning out just as I imagined. But
then, misfortunes are always true. |
Cosme looks over the
partition.. |
|
Cosme |
Oh, master! For the love of God, now
that you are alone, let me out of here. I am afraid that the ghost will come back for me
with all the giving and taking and haggling and squabbling. And here I am in a cubby hole
where I can barely see the walls. |
Manuel |
I shall open the door. I am so overcome
by your description of your plight, I cannot imagine anything more pitiful. |
Exit Manuel into the
alcove. Enter Juan and Angela, who is wearing a cloak. |
|
Juan |
Wait here while I seek out the cause of
all these goings-on and the reason why you should be leaving the house at this hour. I do
not want you to go to your room because I want to satisfy myself regarding what has gone
on. (Aside) (I shall leave her here in
Manuels room. Lest he should appear, I shall place a servant at the door with orders
that no one shall pass.) (Exit.) |
Angela |
I could not be more miserable. My
misfortunes cascade one after the other. I am undone. |
Enter Manuel and
Cosme |
|
Cosme |
Lets get out of here. |
Manuel |
What are you afraid of? |
Cosme |
That woman is a devil, and she still
wont leave me alone! |
Manuel |
But we now know who she is, and there
is a desk against one door and the other is locked with a key. How do you expect her to
get in? |
Cosme |
However she wants. |
Manuel |
What a fool you are. |
Cosme |
(Spotting
Angela.) Sweet
Jesus! |
Manuel |
Why are you shouting? |
Cosme |
It seemed like the right thing to do. |
Manuel |
(Seeing
Angela.) Are you an illusion, a shadow, or a woman who has come to kill me? How
did you get in? |
Angela |
Manuel |
Manuel |
Go on. |
Angela |
Please listen. Luis came to my room in
a terrible state. He burst in daringly, raced around madly, searched the room blindly,
went through the passage imprudently and found you unexpectedly. The next thing I knew
there was the sound of swords clashing. I knew that for two noblemen locked in a room,
spurred on by their honor and their valor, there was no alternative but a duel to the
death. Breathless and lifeless, I fled from my house, and in the cold dark of night, the
bleakness of which reflected my fortune, I began to walk. I stumbled here and made a wrong
turn there. Once I tripped and another time I caught my dress on something. Alone,
miserable, and distraught, I finally made my way to the threshold of a house that was my
prison when it should have been sacred ground or at least safe harbor. But what more can a
misbegotten soul expect? Do you not see how fate links together our misfortunes in endless
chains? There at the door was my brother, Don Juan. I tried mightily but in vain to resist
telling him who I was, but having kept it from him has placed us in such extraordinary
jeopardy. Who will believe that silence in a woman could have caused such calamity? And it
is true that, as a woman, my silence has led to my death. At any rate, he was waiting at
that door when, heaven help me, I arrived at its threshold. I was a volcano of ice or a
snowcap of fire. In the scarce light provided by the pale moon, he was able to see the
jewels on my breast it is not the first time such baubles have betrayed a woman
and he heard the rustle of my dress nor is it the first time a dress has
undone a woman. He thought I was his lady and, like a moth to a flame hoping to consummate
his love in fire, he found in me only the ghost of his lucky star. Who could believe that
a gentleman, consumed by jealousy, should find his fortune so contrary that he should not
know that jealousy is his fate? He tried to speak to me but he could not, for feelings
have always lacked a proper voice. In sad words that rose poorly formed from his heart to
his lips, he sought the cause of his misery. I tried to answer him, but I have already
mentioned that feelings know no words. I tried, but I could not. Reason works poorly in
the presence of fear. I tried to find excuses for my guilt, but when one seeks out
exoneration, it usually comes late or never. The crime is affirmed by the denial. Come,
wicked sister, he said, you who are the first stain on our ancient honor. I
shall keep you cloistered where you will be safe and out of harms way until I
discover, calmly and rationally, the cause of this dishonor. I came in here and
fortune allowed my spirits to rise a bit when I saw you. For having loved you I have
become a false spirit in my own house. Having admired you, I have been buried alive by my
woes. She who would fail to respect your nobility does not love you. She who would admit
her treason face to face does not deserve you. My intention was to love you, my goal to
cherish you, my fear to lose you, my concern to reassure you, my lifes purpose to
honor you, my souls ambition to adore you, my desire to serve you, and my plea, in
effect, to persuade you to look after my troubles, to help me, to support me, to rescue
me, and to deliver me. |
Manuel |
(Aside.)
(My misfortunes multiply like hydra, reborn from the ashes. What shall I do in such a
blind abyss, a labyrinth, a tangled web. She is the sister of Luis, when I thought she was
his lady. My God, if I thought I offended his love, what have I done to his honor?
Righteous torment! She is his sister. If I come to her aid and defend her with my sword,
maintaining her innocence with my blade, my guilt is even greater, for then I am a traitor
who has dishonored her house by my presence. But to wish to exonerate myself by
implicating her is to say that she is to blame, and my sense of honor will not allow that.
So, what am I supposed to do? If I defend her, I am a traitor; if I abandon her, I am a
cad; if I hide her, I am an unworthy guest; if I turn her over to her brother, I am less
than human; if I take her under my protection, I am an unworthy friend. Since no matter
which choice I make I must end up worse off, at least let me die fighting.) Fear not,
madam. I am a nobleman and you are now with me. |
Cosme |
They are opening the door. |
Manuel |
Be not afraid. My valor will protect
you. |
Angela |
It is my brother. |
Manuel |
Have no doubts. Get behind me. |
Enter
Luis. |
|
Luis |
I have returned. But, what is this?
Traitor! (He threatens Angela.) |
Manuel |
Hold your sword, Luis. I have been
waiting for you in this room since you left. Here, without my understanding how, this lady
entered. She claims to be your sister. I give you my word as a gentleman that I do not
know her. Suffice it to say that, deceived, I have spoken to her without knowing who she
was. At the risk of my own life and soul I am placing her under my protection. Therefore
our duel, which was supposed to be just between us behind closed doors, will now become a
public scandal if you do not allow us to leave. Having made sure she is safe, I shall
return to satisfy the demands of our dispute. As one who lives by honor and for whom there
is nothing more important than sword and honor, allow me to go for the sake of honor,
since I allowed you to go for a sword. |
Luis |
I went for it, but only to place it
here at your feet. Our earlier differences are now resolved. But now that you give me a
new reason, I have a new cause for which to challenge you. This woman is my sister. No one
may take her from my sight without first being her husband. Thus, if you insist on taking
her hand, it must be with the promise of marriage. When she is then safe and sound you may
return to our duel, if you wish. |
Manuel |
I shall return, but impressed as I am
with your prudence and constancy, I shall not fight but rather throw myself on your mercy. |
Luis |
My friend. (They shake hands.) |
Manuel |
To fulfill my obligations in full, I
offer to your sister my hand in marriage. |
Enter Beatriz and
Isabel through one door and Juan through another. |
|
Juan |
If all you lack is someone to give away
the bride, here I am. I was coming from where I left my sister when I heard your voice.
Prepared for misfortune, I find I could not be happier. I give you both my blessing. |
Beatriz |
Well, they may have gotten together,
but they did not do it alone. |
Juan |
Beatriz, you, in my house? |
Beatriz |
I never left. Someday I shall tell you
all about it. |
Juan |
Let us take full advantage of this
happy occasion! |
Cosme |
Thank God the ghost finally declared
herself! Tell me, was it all a drunken dream? |
Manuel |
Indeed, it was not, and today you shall
marry Isabel. |
Cosme |
Id really have to be drunk for
that. Sorry, but I cant. |
Isabel |
And why not? |
Cosme |
Because I dont want to waste time
better spent by asking this kind audience to forgive our mistakes. We humbly ask your good
will and kind indulgence. |