Comic Tragedies — Captive of Castile
CURTAIN.
CAPTIVE OF CASTILE;
OR,
THE MOORISH MAIDEN'S VOW.
CHARACTERS.
Bernardo .
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.
_Lord of Castile.
_ Ernest L'Estrange .
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.
.
_An English Lord.
_ Hernando .
.
.
.
.
.
_A Priest.
_ Selim .
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_A Slave.
_ Zara .
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_Daughter to Bernardo.
_ CAPTIVE OF CASTILE;
OR
THE MOORISH MAIDEN'S VOW.
SCENE FIRST.
[_A thick wood.
Storm coming on.
Enter_ Ernest.
] Ernest.
This summer sky, darkened by storm, is a fit emblem of my life.
O happy England, why did I leave thee; why let dreams of fame and honor win me from a home, to wander now a lonely and bewildered fugitive?
But why do I repine?
Life, health, and a brave heart yet are mine; and 'mid all my peril, God may send some joy to cheer me on to happiness and honor.
Hist!
a footstep.
'Tis a light one, but a Moorish foe steals like a serpent on his prey.
I'll hide me here, and if need be I'll sell my life as a brave man should [_conceals himself among the trees_].
[_Enter_ Zara, _weeping.
_ Zara.
Heaven shield me!
Whither shall I turn?
Alone in this wild forest, where may I find a friend to help.
The dark storm gathers fast, and I am shelterless.
The fierce Spaniard may be wandering nigh, and I dare not call for aid.
Mistress of a hundred slaves, here must I perish for one to lead me.
Father, the faint heart turns to thee when earthly help is past; hear and succor thy poor child now, who puts her trust in thee.
Ernest [_coming forward_].
Lady, thy prayer is heard.
God hath not sent me here in vain.
How may I best serve thee?
Zara.
Gentle stranger, pity and protect a hapless maid who puts her faith in thee.
Guide me from this wild wood, and all the thanks a grateful heart can give are thine.
Ernest.
I ask no higher honor than to shield so fair a flower from the storm, or from rude hands that may harm it.
But how chanced it, lady, that thou art wandering thus unattended?
'Tis unsafe for youth and beauty while the Spanish army is so near.
Zara.
It was a foolish fancy led me hither, and dearly am I punished.
Journeying from a distant convent to my father's home, while my attendants rested by a spring I wandered through the wood, unthinking of the danger, till turning to retrace my steps, I found myself lost and alone.
I feared to call, and but for thee, kind stranger, might have never seen my home again.
Ask not my name, but tell me thine, that in my prayers I may remember one who has so aided me.
Ernest.
It were uncourteous to refuse thy bidding, lady.
Ernest L'Estrange is the name now honored by the poor service I may do thee.
In the Spanish army I came hither, and fear I have seen the last of home or friends.
The Moors now seek my life, and ere I can rejoin my ranks, I may be a slave.
But the storm draws nearer.
Let me lead thee to some shelter, lady.
Zara.
Methinks I see a glimmer yonder.
Let us seek it, for with thee I fear no longer.
I can only give thee thanks, most noble stranger; yet a day may come when she for whom thou dost now risk thy life may find a fit return, worthy thy courtesy to one so helpless and forlorn.
[_Exit_ Ernest _and_ Zara.
CURTAIN.
SCENE SECOND.
[_Room in the castle of_ Bernardo.
Zara _alone_].
Zara.
'Tis strange how the thought haunts me still.
Long months have passed since last I saw that noble face, and yet those gentle eyes look on me!
Ernest!
--'tis a sweet English name, and 'twas a noble English heart that felt such tender pity for a helpless maid.
Hark!
my father's step!
He comes to tell of victories gained, of kingdoms won.
Oh, would he might bring some word of him I have so longed to see and thank once more!
[_Enter_ Bernardo _with a casket.
_ Ber.
Joyful tidings, Zara!
Grenada is free.
Here, love, are gems for thee; they have shone on many a fair lady's neck, but none more fair than thine.
And here are things more precious far to me than all their gold and gems,--a goodly list of prisoners taken in the fight, and sent to cool their Spanish blood in our deepest cells.
Ah, many a proud name is here,--Ferdinand Navarre, Carlos of Arragon, Lord L'Estrange, and Baron Lisle.
But, child, what ails thee?
Zara [_starting up_].
L'Estrange!
Is he a prisoner too?
Hast thou read aright?
Father, Father, it was he who saved me from a bitter death in yonder forest.
I never told his name lest it should anger thee.
For my sake spare him, and let the gratitude thou hast felt for that kind deed soften thy heart to the brave stranger.
Ber.
Nay, Zara!
He is thy country's foe, and must be sacrificed to save her honor.
'Twas a simple deed thou hast spoken of.
What brave man but would save a fair girl from storms or danger?
'Tis a foolish thought, love; let it pass.
Zara.
Oh, Father!
I who never bent the knee to man before, implore thee thus [_kneels_].
Be merciful!
Leave not the English lord to the dark and fearful doom that waits him.
I know too well the life-long captivity, more terrible than death itself, that is his fate.
Oh, speak!
Say he is forgiven, Father!
Ber.
Nay, what wild dream is this?
Listen, child!
I tell thee he must suffer the captivity he merits as thy country's foe.
He hath borne arms against thy king, slain thy kindred, brought woe and desolation thro' the land our fathers gave us.
And thou wouldst plead for him!
Shame on thee!
Thou art no true daughter of thy suffering country if thou canst waste one tear on those who were well lodged in our most dreary dungeons.
Call thy pride to aid thee, Zara, and be worthy of thy noble name.
Zara.
Father, thou hast often told me woman's lot was 'mid the quiet scenes of home, and that no thoughts of fame or glory should lie within a heart where only gentleness and love should dwell; but I have learned to honor bravery and noble deeds, and I would pledge my troth for the noble stranger.
See the English knight, and if he win thee not to gratitude, thou art not the tender father who, through long years, hath so loved and cherished thy motherless child.
Ber.
Nay, Zara, nay; honor is a sterner master than a father's love.
I
cannot free the captive till the king who hath sealed his doom shall pardon also.
The prisoners are men of rank, and for thy country's sake must die.
Forget thy foolish fancy, child, and set thy young heart on some fairer toys than these false English lords.
Adieu, love; I must to the council.
[_Exit_ Bernardo.
Zara.
Ah, there was a time when Zara's lightest wish was gladly granted.
This cruel war hath sadly changed my father; he hath forgotten all his generous pity for suffering and sorrow.
But my work is yet undone, and the stranger is a captive.
He _shall_ be free, and I will pay the debt of gratitude I owe him.
I will brave my father's anger; but whom can I trust to aid me?
Ha!
Selim!
He is old and faithful, and will obey [_claps her hands_].
[_Enter_ Selim.
Selim.
Your bidding, lady.
Zara.
Selim, thou hast known me from my birth, and served me well.
I
have done thee many a kindness.
Wilt thou grant me one that shalt repay all that I have ever shown to thee?
Selim.
Lady, thou hast made a slave's life happy by thy care, and through the long years I have served thee, hast never bid me do aught that was not right.
If my poor services can aid thee now, they are most gladly thine.
Zara.
Listen, Selim, while I tell thee what I seek.
Thou knowest an English soldier saved and led me from the forest yonder, and thou knowest how my father thanked and blessed the unknown friend who had so aided me.
Yet now, when it is in his power to show the gratitude he felt, he will not, and has doomed the man he once longed to honor to a lonely cell to pine away a brave heart's life in sorrow and captivity.
I
would show that gentle stranger that a woman never can forget.
I would free him.
Thou hast the keys.
This is the service I now crave of thee.
Selim.
Lady, canst thou ask me to betray the trust my lord, thy father, hath been pleased to place in me?
Ask anything but this, and gladly will I obey thee.
Zara.
Ah, must I ever ask and be refused?
Selim, listen!
Thou hast a daughter; she is fair and young, and thou hast often sighed that she should be a slave.
If thou wilt aid me now, the hour the chains fall from the English captive's limbs, that hour shalt see thy daughter free, and never more a slave.
If thou wilt win this joy for her, then grant my prayer, and she is free.
Selim.
Oh, lady, lady, tempt me not!
much as I love my child, I love mine honor more.
I cannot aid thee to deceive thy father.
Zara.
Nay, Selim, I do not ask it of thee.
The proud name my father bears shall ne'er be stained by one false deed of mine.
I ask thee but to lead me to the prisoner's cell, that I may offer freedom, and tell him woman's gratitude can never fail, nor woman's heart forget.
And if my father ask thee aught of this, thou shalt answer freely.
Tell him all, and trust his kindness to forgive; and if evil come _I_ will bear it bravely,--thou shalt not suffer.
Thou shalt win thy fair child's freedom, and my fadeless thanks.
Selim.
Thou hast conquered, lady; and for the blessed gift that is my reward, I will brave all but treachery and dishonor.
Thou shalt find thy truest slaves in the old man and his daughter [_kneels and gives the keys_].
Zara.
Thanks, good Selim, thanks; thou shalt find a grateful friend in her thou hast served so well.
I will disguise me as a female slave, and thou shalt lead me to the cell.
Now go; I will join thee anon.
[_Exit_ Selim.
] Oh, Ernest, Ernest!
thy brave heart shall pine no longer.
Another hour, and thou art free.
Chains cannot bind, nor dungeons hold when woman's love and gratitude are thine.
[_Exit.
_ CURTAIN.
SCENE THIRD.
[_Dungeon in the castle of_ Bernardo.
Ernest L'Estrange, _chained.
_] Ernest.
So end my dreams of fame and honor!
A life-long captive, or a sultan's slave are all that fate has left me now.
Yet, 'mid disgrace and sorrow, one thought can cheer me yet, and one sweet vision brighten e'en my dreary lot.
I have served my country well, and won the thanks of Spain's most lovely daughter.
Sweet lady, little does she dream amid her happiness that memories of her are all now left to cheer a captive's heart.
But hist!
--a footstep on the stair.
Perchance they come to lead me forth to new captivity or death.
[_Enter_ Zara, _disguised as a slave_] Ah, who comes here to cheer the cell of the poor captive?
Zara.
Captive no longer, if life and liberty be dear to thee.
Say but the word, and ere the sun sets thou shalt be free amid the hills of Spain.
Ernest.
Who art thou, coming like a spirit to my lonely cell, bringing hopes of freedom?
Tell me, what hath moved thee to such pity for an unknown stranger?
Zara.
Not unknown to her I serve.
She hath not forgot thee, noble stranger.
When thou didst lead her from the dim wood, she said a day might come when she, so weak and helpless then, might find some fit reward for one who risked his life for her.
That hour hath come, and she hath sent her poor slave hither, and with her thanks and blessing to speed thee on thy way.
Ernest.
And is she near, and did she send thee to repay my simple deed with one like this?
Ah, tell her name!
Where doth she dwell, and whence the power to set me free?
Zara.
I may not tell thee more than this.
Her father is Bernardo of Castile.
She heard thy name among the captives doomed, and seeks to save thee; for if thou dost not fly, a most cruel death awaits thee.
Listen to her prayer, and cast these chains away.
Ernest.
It cannot be.
Much as I love my freedom, I love my honor more;
and I am bound until my conqueror shall give back my plighted word, to seek no freedom till he shall bid me go.
Nay, do not sigh, kind friend;
I am no longer sad.
From this day forth captivity is sweet.
Tell thy fair mistress all my thanks are hers; but I may not take the gift she offers, for with freedom comes dishonor, and I cannot break my word to her stern father.
Tell her she hath made my fetters light, this cell a happy home, by the sweet thought that she is near and still remembers one who looks upon the hour when first we met as the happiest he hath known.
Zara.
If there be power in woman's gratitude, thou shalt yet be free, and with thine honor yet unstained.
She will not rest till all the debt she owes thee is repaid.
Farewell, and think not Zara will forget [_turns to go; her veil falls_].
Ernest [_starting_].
Lady!
--and is it thou?
Ah, leave me not!
Let me thank thee for the generous kindness which has made a lone heart happy by the thought that even in this wild land there is still one to remember the poor stranger.
Zara.
Pardon what may seem to thee unmaidenly and bold; but thou wert in danger; there were none whom I could trust.
Gratitude hath bid me come, and I am here.
Again I ask, nay, I implore thee, let me have the joy of giving freedom to one brave English heart.
England is thy home: wouldst thou not tread its green shores once again?
Are there no fond hearts awaiting thy return?
Ah, can I not tempt thee by all that man most loves, to fly?
Ernest.
Lady, my own heart pleads more earnestly than even thy sweet voice; but those kind eyes were better dimmed with tears for my sad death than be turned coldly from me as one who had stained the high name he bore.
And liberty were dearly purchased if I left mine honor here behind.
Ask me no more; for till thy father sets me free, I am his prisoner here.
Ah, dearest lady, thou hast made this lone cell bright, and other chains than these now hold me here.
Zara.
Then it must be.
Much as I grieve for thy captivity, I shall honor thee the more for thy unfailing truth, more prized than freedom, home, or friends.
And though I cannot save thee now, thou shalt find a Moorish maiden true and fearless as thyself.
Farewell!
May happy thoughts of home cheer this dark cell till I have won the power to set thee free.
[_Exit_ Zara.
Ernest.
Liberty hath lost its charms since thou art near me, lovely Zara.
These chains are nothing now, for the fetters that thy beauty, tenderness, and grace have cast about my heart are stronger far.
CURTAIN.
SCENE FOURTH.
[Zara's _chamber_.
_Enter_ Bernardo.
] Ber.
[_unfolding a scroll_].
At length 't is done, and here I hold the doom of those proud lords who have so scorned my race.
The hour has come, and Bernardo is revenged.
What, ho!
