Readings from Modern Mexican Authors

by Unknown

Xochitl is a fair example of Chavero’s dramas. It comprises three acts and is in verse. There are but five actors—Cortes, Marina (his Indian interpreter and mistress), Xochitl (a beautiful Indian girl, supposed to be Marina’s sister), Bernal Diaz del Castillo (faithful soldier of Cortes and best chronicler of the Conquest), and Gonzalo Alaminos (brought, though a mere youth, from Spain, by Cortes, as a page). Xochitl is, really, an Aztec maiden who, when the Spaniards first appeared, was serving in the temple; Gonzalo, wounded, was brought a prisoner to the temple, where he is nursed by Xochitl, between whom and himself ardent love arises. After the capture of the city, they are separated and Xochitl is sent, as a slave to Tabasco, a present to Marina’s unknown sister. Marina summons her sister to Mexico; she starts but dies upon the journey and Xochitl, substituted for her, reaches the city and is taken at once into Cortes’ house, by her supposed sister. Cortes, having tired of Marina, falls in love with Xochitl; his affection is not reciprocated. Marina, knowing that the love of Cortes has cooled, though she does not know the new object of his love, remorseful for her treachery to her own people and smarting under the contempt of Indian and Spaniard both, is ever complaining and querulous. Xochitl, terrified at Cortes’ love, consults Bernal and makes known the facts to Gonzalo. They plan to flee and set an hour for meeting. Cortes, anxious to rid himself of Marina, determines to send her to Orizaba, to wed Jaramillo; sending for Gonzalo he orders him to accompany her and arranges the departure at the very time set for elopement, by the lovers. The moment is one of public tumult. Gonzalo keeps his appointment but, at the critical moment, Xochitl’s courage fails. Marina appears and Gonzalo abruptly leaves; he is shot in the tumult. Meantime the two women converse; Xochitl narrates the story of her life, her substitution for Marina’s sister, her love for Gonzalo and Cortes’ love for her. They separate in anger. Cortes entering, announces Gonzalo’s death, and mourns him, confessing him to be his natural son. Xochitl, in her agony, tells Cortes of the love there had been between Gonzalo and herself; Marina, appearing at this moment, hands the unhappy girl the weapon with which she kills herself. As she dies, she reveals her complete identity, she is the last survivor of the royal house, the sister of Cuauhtemoc. Cortes overwhelmed by grief for Gonzalo, loss of Xochitl, and weariness of Marina, sends the latter at once to Orizaba, in Bernal’s care.

PASSAGES FROM XOCHITL.

Bernal and Gonzalo, meeting, discuss the recent conquest of Nueva Galicia by the infamous Nuño de Guzman.

Gonzalo. “If to lay waste fields and towns,
If to assassinate war captives,
If to violate pledged faith,
Is to be Christian, I admit
That Don Nuño de Guzman
Is of Christians, the very type.
The Tlaxcallans complain,
Who have been our faithful allies,
That, like beasts of burden,
He has led them over
Hard roads, not fighting—
As they were led to expect—
But, bearing on their shoulders
Great, heavy burdens;
And that those, who, from fatigue,
Bernal, could go no further,
Were instanter thrown to the dogs,
Or left, without assistance,
In the forests. Their shoulders
Covered with wounds, I have seen;
Upon frightful chafed spots,
The memory of which appals me,
They carried our provisions;
Meantime, Don Nuño, tranquil,
Sought renown in war,
Or enriched himself,
By plundering defenseless villages.
Imagine, friend Bernal,
If he mistreats our allies,
What he would do to enemies.”

* * * *

Xochitl confers with Bernal as to what she ought to do:

Bernal.	“But, tell me. Before today
	Has Cortes told you of his love?
Xochitl.	Until today, I have not seen him at my feet.
	His consuming passion,
	Through his betraying glance
	I have, for some time, realized.
	For this reason, Bernal, I avoid
	Finding myself alone with him.
Bernal.	You ought to flee.
Xochitl.	I fear to find myself
	Alone in the great world.
Bernal.	But, when the hawk
	Sees a lonely dove,
	He seizes it, within his talons;
	When the volcano bursts forth
	It destroys in its terrific energy
	The palm, which grows at its base.
	When the wave is lashed to fury,
	The bark sinks in the sea;
	And, at the blast of adversity,
	Happiness vanishes.

(Pause.)

Xochitl.	Do you think Cortes ever——?
Bernal.	If he loves thee, good God——!
Xochitl.	Then, both of us must leave.
Bernal.	You will leave, with Gonzalo?
	Do you know to what you expose yourself?
	Do you know that, Hernando Cortes,70
	If he sees himself mocked, is
	Than the panther fiercer,
	And that his rage would
	Dash you to pieces at his feet?
Xochitl.	And what signifies life to me?
Bernal.	But Gonzalo, also, he——
Xochitl.	Hold! for God’s sake, do not speak
	That murderous word.
	Departure makes me tremble,
	And I tremble if I remain;
	Bernal! everything causes me terror;
	My uncertainty is frightful——
	To remain is impossible——
	Without Gonzalo, go, I cannot.”

(She departs.)