F'th. M. Peace, brethren, for a while, and no more blood.
A Guest. Look to Don Diego, friends, and seize the hag.
[All surround Gipsy Queen, who stabs herself and falls. All draw back.
Gip. Q. This life is forfeit. I for vengeance lived;
My mission is accomplished upon earth.
I vowed to heaven. Heaven has heard my prayer.
And I depart.
D. Pas. (Rushes up, and throws himself beside the Gipsy Queen.) Oh, mother! dear mother.
D. Die. Help! help! Who has put out the lights and left
Me all in darkness?
A Guest. No one, noble lord.
F'th. M. 'Tis but the darkness of thine own dark soul,
Now upon the brink of eternity;
I counsel thee, confess, and then receive
The consolation that the Church affords.
D. Die. Water! I thirst. Alas! how grim is death!
I am afraid to die. I burn! I burn!
How hideous all the forms that flit around;
Officiating Priest. My lord Don Diego, prithee die not thus;
But ask forgiveness first, of all you've wronged.
D. Die. Good father, willingly; but who would grant
Forgiveness unto such a wretch as I?
Gip. Q. I, Pepa, thy true wife, forgiveness grants,
And craves the like from thee.
D. Die. What! Pepa, thou;
Thou canst forgive me? Thou, my poor wronged wife.
Let us exchange forgiveness then, for I
Have well deserved this blow. Come round me, friends,
Whilst breath yet lasts, and witness bear to this.
I leave my castle, all my lands and goods,
Unto my lawful son. How is he called?
F'th. M. Pascual.
D. Die. Son Pascual, thy hand. Forgive the wrongs
I've done thee, e'en as thou thyself wouldst hope
In thy last hour to be forgiven. Hold,
There's still another I have deeply wronged,
From whom I'd crave forgiveness. Bring her here.
F'th. M. (To Attendant.) Don Diego means the Lady Inez. Haste
And bring her hither, with Don Silvio. [Exit Attendants.
Enter Don Silvio, supporting Inez.
D. Die. Behold me, Inez, penitent, subdued.
Art thou content that heaven hath heard thy prayer?
I've wronged thee much. I frankly do confess.
Forgive me, Inez child, ere I depart
An thou canst.
Inez. I do.
[Giving her hand and sobbing.
D. Die. And friend Silvio,
The like I'd have from thee, and all I've wronged.
D. Sil. Friend Diego, take his hand. I would not add
One pang to that which thine own heart must feel,
By holding back my pardon at the last.
Therefore, with all my heart I pardon thee.
D. Die. Thanks, old friend, Silvio; I already feel
Better prepared to die. Farewell, my friends.
[Inez for the first time perceiving Pascual.
Inez. Pascual!
D. Pas. Inez!
D. Die. Come now, my children both,
I know your minds. Come let me join your hands.
[Pascual and Inez kneel beside Don Diego, who joins their hands.