Second Gent. Here comes the bridegroom; and, as it would seem,
Not in the best of humours. Let's withdraw.
[They pass on.
D. Die. (To Don Silvio.) Silvio, no more! I'll not be flouted thus
Before my guests, in mine own castle, too.
I've said that it shall be, and it shall be.
I ne'er take back my word. So bid her haste,
And put a better face upon the matter.
The time is up, and all my guests attend.
Go, bring her, then. (To Guests.) Friends! welcome to this hall.
Guests All. Long live Lord Don Diego, with much happiness!
D. Die. Thank ye, my friends. I do regret to say,
'Fore this august and gracious company,
That we are likely to experience,
This night, some difficulty on the part
Of our fair bride. Some singular caprice;
Transient, no doubt, but not the less unfit
For gay festivity. The fact is that
My youthful bride is of a temperament
Too highly wrought and o'er hysterical.
She only late hath left her convent cell;
Her education, therefore, until now
Hath rendered her unfit to face the world.
Impressionable natures, as we know,
Recoil before aught that can cause a strong
And powerful emotion. 'Tis the shock
They dread. 'Tis nothing. Nay, I do condole
With her; ay, from the bottom of my heart.
But yet I think it not well to indulge
Young folk in such caprice. Therefore, should I,
My honoured guests, be forced to assume
An air of stern severity unmeet
This gay assembly, deem it but as naught;
'Tis firmness that is needed in this case.
We men must not be conquered by caprice.
As for the girl herself, she loves me well;
Nay, passionately.
Inez. (Within, distractedly.) No! 'tis false, 'tis false.
[Titter and commotion among the guests.
D. Die. (To Don Silvio.) Silvio! Why stand you there, with folded hands?
Did I not tell you to lead forth the bride?
D. Sil. She says she will not come.
D. Die. Will not? Ha! ha!
This to my face! Will not, indeed. We'll see.
My worthy guests, bear with me if I lose
My wonted patience, and in haste let slip
Some casual word that may seem unfit
The presence of guests so illustrious.
My temper's somewhat choleric, and if
My will is thwarted I may lose restraint.
Silvio, bring forth the maiden straight, I say,
Or I will have her dragged to me by force.
Inez. (Within.) Oh, mercy! Mercy! Heaven hear my prayer.
A Gentleman. Poor little jade! How I do pity her.
A Lady. And so do I. It makes my heart quite bleed.
D. Die. A truce to this. Ho! pages, drag her forth.
[Exeunt two pages, who re-enter, dragging Inez in, who utters a piercing scream. She is dressed in a white dressing gown, her hair dishevelled, and grasping a crucifix. Father Miguel and Gipsy Queen appear at the open door cautiously. Behind lurk Don Pascual and Gipsies.
Inez. "Oh, Holy Virgin! Save me; save me yet.
Thou wilt not thus abandon me."
D. Die. (Seizing her by the hair, and dragging her towards the Chapel.) So jade,
Since thou hast deemed fit to flout me thus
Before my guests, and spurn'st my tenderness,
Learn how obedience can be enforced.
Come priest. Be ready.
A Guest. Nay, but this is rape!
I cannot stay and see injustice done.
I repent me that I was invited.
Another Guest. True, and so do I. This is no marriage,
But filthy lust and mere abuse of power.
D. Die. (To Guards.) Help! Hell and Furies! or I'll have her drugged.
Guests All. Shame! Shame! Down with Don Diego.
Seize the tyrant.
D. Die. What! Flouted by my very guests. What next?
Guests All. Virtue to the rescue! Save the maiden!
Enter Gipsy Queen hurriedly, and stands fixing Don Diego with her eye, who recoils.
Gip. Q. Hold! I forbid the banns.
Inez. Thanks, Holy Virgin,
That hast heard my prayer, and sent an angel
Down from your high Heaven in hour of need.
What glorious halo do I see around
That sainted vision!
[Inez falls fainting into the arms of Don Silvio.