Readings from Modern Mexican Authors

by Unknown

* * * *

Cortes communicates his plans for Marina—first to Gonzalo, then to Marina, herself.
(Pause.)

Cortes.	“We are likely to have an uprising,
	And I do not wish you to be
	Involved in it; how good it is to die
	In actual battle
	And not fighting the vile rabble.
	For this reason you are, with Marina,
	To leave for Orizaba
	At dawn.
Gonzalo.	(Aside). And she will remain here, without me!
Cortes.	I expect you at dawn, Gonzalo,
	A passport, for leaving the city,
	With a veiled lady,
	I shall give you.
Gonzalo.	Veiled?
Cortes.	So
	Will the passport read: I do not wish
	Them to know who it is. You ought
	To leave at dawn. Go
	To rest yourself.
Gonzalo.	May happy
	Dreams be yours. (Aside.) At dawn!
	Xochitl ... soon I’ll return for thee.”

* * * *

Cortes.	“To counteract the plotting
	Of so many enemies, I go to Spain.
	In thinking of your happiness——
Marina.	You think of my happiness, Don Hernando?
Cortes.	—Considering that your nobility
	Deserves a name, a grandeur,
	Worthy of you, Marina,——
Marina.	I know not what vile treason my soul divines.
Cortes.	—Wealth, and state,
	And a husband—Don Juan de Jaramillo——
Marina.	Cease! Hernando, cease!
Cortes.	You leave, tomorrow, for Orizaba.
Marina.	And, thus, you abandon me?
	And thus you crown my loyalty and love?
	Oh monster! Impious father!
	And thy son, Cortes? My son?
	No, the very panther
	Does not abandon its little ones: that beast,
	More human heart
	Has, than the grand Christian conqueror.
Cortes.	We must needs separate.
	And no power, you know it well,
	Can bend my fixed purpose.”

---

In 1882, General Riva Palacio, author and statesman, published a little book Los Ceros (The Zeros), under the nom-de-plume of Cero. It was a good natured criticism of contemporary authors, written in a satirical vein. We will close with some quotations from it regarding Chavero.

“Well, then, let us study Chavero upon his two weak sides, that is to say upon his strong sides, because, it is a curious thing, that we always say—‘this is my forte,’ when we are speaking of some penchant, while common opinion at once translates, ‘this is his weakness’; strength is the impregnable side, but we call the more vulnerable, the strong side.

“Archæology and the drama! Does it seem to you the title of a comedy? But no, dear sir, these are the passions of our friend, Alfredo Chavero.

“True, archæologists and dramatists are lacking in this land so full of antiques and comicalities; but theatrical management is difficult and the way is sown—worse than with thorns—almost with bayonets.