Griselda
Still like us.
Doña Beatrix
In that case, one of the two messengers cannot fail to bring him to safe port—here.
Count de San Lucas
He’ll be at my place—ah, yet—
Queen
What’s wrong with you?
Count de San Lucas
Despite my intense desire to please Your Majesty, I’m afraid of compromising myself by hiding him in my apartments.
Queen
I understand—and I pardon your delicacy, Señor Count! Well—you have only to give orders for Don Melchior to be immediately led here—the susceptibility of Griselda is not alarmed.
Griselda
Let him come—and by the word of a Spanish girl, I am ready to grant him an Arabian hospitality.
Queen
Then remain here, Beatrix. No question you won’t be kept waiting long to see your chivalrous fiancée appear—myself, I will leave the ball for a moment to give thanks to him—come, Count. Trust me, Beatrix—I am going to put immense pressure on the King—I will have mercy for Don Melchior this evening, or I shall tomorrow solicit the ruin of Alberoni.
(She leaves with the Count.)
Griselda
Still, it’s quite singular to be the fiancée of someone one doesn’t know.
Doña Beatrix
Oh! I know him. My heart has foreseen him—I’ve already seen him my dreams—noble young man.
Griselda
But if he were ugly?
Doña Beatrix
I am sure on the contrary—beautiful souls make beautiful faces—bold with men, timid with women, sparkling eye, and sweet smile. That’s the way I picture him to myself.
Griselda
As for me, what worries me is to know if he’s blond or brunet.
Doña Beatrix
What’s it matter?
Griselda
Brunets are passionate.
Doña Beatrix
How do you know that?
Griselda
I’ve noticed it—in my travels.
Doña Beatrix
Be quiet, I thought I heard—
Griselda (listening)
No—no one—blonds are tender—chestnut would be even better—he would be tender and passionate—Great God!—a sudden fear has come over me—suppose he is a redhead—we haven’t foreseen that.
Doña Beatrix
There’s knocking at the door to the secret staircase—my heart is beating horribly.
(Quickly Griselda goes to open. Don Gaspar enters, accompanied by a page.)
Griselda
Enter—Señor, cavalier.
Doña Beatrix (to page)
Take this, page, and be discreet.
(The page leaves.)
Don Melchior (aside)
Where am I—? Who do I see—? Doña Beatrix.
Doña Beatrix (aside)
I’m trembling.
Griselda (aside)
This cavalier has a nice face—come on—chance has done things very nicely.
Don Melchior (bowing)
Señora—
Doña Beatrix (bowing)
Señor!
Don Melchior
Who’s promised me this unhoped for joy of seeing you?— Happiness must be accepted without questions I don’t dare to imagine—
Doña Beatrix
The Queen has directed us to tell you that she will not forget the one who was so courageously devoted to her. Elizabeth of Parma will not be an ingrate.
Don Melchior
Am I not already greatly rewarded?
Doña Beatrix (aside)
What’s he saying? Could it be me he loves? I was afraid of not pleasing him!
Don Melchior
But for this fortunate event which brings us together— would the dearest wish of my soul ever be realized?— To see you, speak to you: that was my whole ambition—
Doña Beatrix
Oh, sir—
Don Melchior
Ah! If I obtained a look from you, by saving a queen, I would save all the queens in the worlds, and if I had a hundred lives I would risk them one after the other.
Griselda
Ta, ta, ta! Did you recite that all pure from Diane de Montemayor?
These lovers have the mania of speaking only in the phrases of a novel—you don’t need—Señor Tall-Dark-and-Handsome—to pretend to the heart of the Señora—to run through giants and cut off the heads of enchanters—she has promised her hand and her fortune to the valiant chevalier who flew to the rescue of the Queen!
Don Melchior
What do I hear—? Am I lucky enough to—?
Doña Beatrix
Griselda has told you the truth—
Don Melchior
It’s a dream—! A beautiful dream—mine, your hand, mine, your love.
Griselda
We are not girls to let our word be protested.
Doña Beatrix
Aren’t you the savior of the Queen?
Don Melchior
Yes, Señora!—yes! Oh, my good angel who made me take this path, thanks! Just now, Doña Beatrix, I was wandering, unfortunately, proscribed. The wheel of my fortune, pushed by you, has turned, and I pass from shadow to light, from tears, to joy—from despair to happiness—a word from you—to a passing stranger who has made him the most enviable man in all Spain.— Almost a god. It’s actually true? I am here—in front of you! No magic illusion is playing with me. I see—through your beauty, your charming soul smiles, encouraged by this celestial indulgence.
I can hope, I can believe— Oh, no—it’s not possible! There’s going to be some fatal awakening here. That I am loved by you, that you will be my wife, and it’s not fever or folly that prattles on my lips—!
I fall at your knees—you are not repulsing me— This hand that my delirium dares to press—you are not wrathfully withdrawing it? My kisses glide over it—and what have I done, Great God—to deserve such happiness?— You still let me—!
Doña Beatrix
I promised it to the savior of the Queen, Don Melchior.
Don Melchior (rising, aside)
Don Melchior—what’s it mean? She takes me for another!
Doña Beatrix
What’s wrong with you?
Griselda
You’ve gone pale!
Don Melchior
Oh—! That’s nothing.
(aside)
Don Melchior—! What mystery!
Doña Beatrix
Are you uneasy—troubled?—Are you thinking of the danger that threatens you?
Don Melchior
No, Señora, no—!
Doña Beatrix
Relax! The Queen takes great interest in your fate—I’m rushing to inform her you’ve arrived without mishap.
Griselda
Go, Señora, and meanwhile count on me to fulfill the duties of hospitality.
Doña Beatrix
Well—I am leaving you, Don Melchior—and you aren’t saying anything to me?
Don Melchior
I love you—
Griselda
Marvelous! Now leave—a woman cannot ask for more.
(Beatrix leaves)
Don Melchior (aside)
I really knew it couldn’t all be true—I can only be happy under the name of another.
Griselda
Well—Señor Melchior—spoiled child of Fortune?
Don Melchior
Yes, you said it, Griselda, spoiled child of Fortune.
(aside)
O bloody irony of destiny!
Griselda
Confess that you’ve had insolent, good luck! Instead of being hanged, as is your right, you are going to marry a charming woman—instead of coursing through hill and dale with the Alguazils on your heels, you are hidden in the very castle of Aranjuez, in the room of Señora Griselda, a very sought-after fate—instead of gnawing a piece of black bread in an isolated hole—you have in prospe
ct a fine repast.
Don Melchior
I’m not hungry.
Griselda
Come off it! Your infanta is no longer here—don’t make so much ceremony. Only young girls of eighteen imagine that a lover lives on the tune of a guitar.
Don Melchior
I thank you—
Griselda
Eat like an ogre— That won’t prevent me from thinking you are the most passionate cavalier in two worlds—Shall I serve you a La Mancha ham, cured with sugar?
Don Melchior
You are thousand times too kind—! I don’t want a thing—
Griselda
If you aren’t hungry, at least you must be thirsty—here’s some sherry wine.
(Don Melchior enters through the window.)
Griselda
Great God!
Don Melchior
A man!
Don Melchior (aside)
Alguazil curs! No other way to escape them!
(aloud)
A thousands pardons. I am disturbing a private conversation.
Griselda
Two cavaliers in my bedroom at night! What a scandal—! And there I was husbanding my reputation to get married at Easter.
(going to Melchior)
Who are you?
Don Melchior (aside)
Watch it! It would be dangerous to make myself known.
Griselda (to Don Melchior)
Protect me!
Don Melchior
Don’t worry.
(to Don Melchior )
Exactly who are you?
Don Melchior
Once more, a thousand pardons. Perhaps—I am indiscreet—I arrive here like an intruder— But don’t worry—I am not a thief— Look at me—I don’t think I seem like one—
Don Melchior (taking him aside)
By chance would you be the gallant of this young girl?
Don Melchior
I rather was thinking it was you.
Don Melchior
You enter her place through the window.
Don Melchior
You are staying at the place after midnight.
Griselda (aside)
What are they saying?
Don Melchior (to Griselda)
I know how to behave, my beautiful child!
Griselda
Well—
Don Melchior
Trust yourself to my discretion.
Griselda
Huh? What’s that mean?
Don Melchior
Count on my silence.
Don Melchior
This cavalier is undoubtedly your fiancée.
Griselda
What an idea!
Don Melchior
This gentleman is, no doubt, your lover.
Griselda
What horror!
Don Melchior
I don’t wish to pry. I’m going to write to her.
(aside)
It’s necessary—“To Doña Beatrix”
(He sits and writes at a table to the side.)
Griselda (aside)
What’s he doing, good God?
Don Melchior (to Griselda)
What do I see? I, who wanted so much to eat— Be as nice as you are pretty—and allow me to sup.
(He goes to sit at the other side.)
Griselda
Well! Well! What are you doing?—Unheard of—!
Don Melchior
Don’t get enraged—I am only taking a small slice of pâté.
(He fills his plate.)
Griselda
A little slice! He serves himself like a Monk!
Don Melchior (aside)
I cannot hesitate: I must reveal my name to Doña Beatrix—
Ah! This letter is too cold.
(He tears it up.)
Don Melchior (drinking)
This wine is delicious!
Griselda
Well— Don’t be shy!
Don Melchior
Excuse me!— Just a small drop.
(He fills his glass.)
Griselda
A small drop! He drinks like a Templar!
Don Melchior
(Aside, tearing up another letter.)
That one’s too hot!
Griselda (to Melchior)
I suppose that you are not going to remain around here all night?
Don Melchior
I wouldn’t complain about it.
Griselda
You’ll ruin me—I have only my virtue and—300 piastres. Get out! I have duties to complete—I am a girl of the bed-chamber to Her Majesty, and I aspire to become a Lady of Honor.
Don Melchior
Ah! So much the better—I am going to confide a delicate and mysterious mission to you— Will you do it—?
Griselda
If it convinces you to leave.
Don Melchior
You are very nice.
(Rising)
You know Doña Beatrix?
Don Melchior (aside)
What’s he say?
Griselda
Yes! Well?
Don Melchior
Go tell her that I’m waiting for her here.
Don Melchior
(Rising aside)
What do I hear?
Griselda
Why you—?
Don Melchior
The one she loves!
Don Melchior (aside)
Head and blood!
Griselda (aside)
I’m no longer following him!
Don Melchior
Go, Griselda, leave us—I must speak to this cavalier.
Don Melchior
What’s he want with me?
(To Griselda)
Go, mercy—here’s some money.
Don Melchior (to Griselda)
Here’s some money— Don’t let her come—
Griselda
I’m on my way—I’m rushing—my gracious gentlemen.
(Aside, shaking a purse in each hand)
Right—for an honest girl here’s a night of good things.
(She leaves)
Don Melchior
You are loved by Doña Beatrix?
Don Melchior
I’m not exactly hated— But let’s break this off—don’t lead me into fatuity.
Don Melchior
And, no doubt, you have very powerful titles to that love.
Don Melchior
I don’t wish to boast—that’s not my custom—but beyond the physical and moral accomplishments that people are pleased to observe in me—I have indeed some rights over the heart of this charming Señora—
Don Melchior
Rights?
Don Melchior
Yes—something like a vow—like a promise—in the end—sufficient— The adventure is romantic enough.
Don Melchior
And may one know it?
Don Melchior
Oh! No—it’s too much to my advantage.
Don Melchior
Try to do violence to your modesty.
Don Melchior
I let others recount things like that—a gallant man never speaks of his powers—I have a horror of boasting—
Don Melchior
I am like you—but one can simply recount what one has done that’s good.
Don Melchior
Sing one’s own panegyric— That’s in poor taste—but it’s not my fault if I only do acts of valor, with marks of sublime devotion and intrepidity.
Don Melchior
That condemns you to complete silence?
Don Melchior
You are Castilian?
Don Melchior
Yes—
Don Melchior
Honest?
Don Melchior
No one has ever doubted it—
Don Melchior
Discreet?
Don Melchior
Like a tomb!
Don Melchior
That’s good. I confide m
yself to this—lugubrious comparison. I actually intend, vis-à-vis you, to depart from my ordinary modest reserve.
(louder)
This very day at 4:15—as you see me—I committed a heroic action.
Don Melchior
Of what type?
Don Melchior
The type of ancient paladins—but perfected.
Don Melchior
I didn’t think there was still an Amadis under Philippe V!
Don Melchior-
There are some! You’ve heard of the event that happened to the Queen?
Don Melchior
Like everybody.
(aside)
Where’s he coming from?
Don Melchior
An event that did not have funereal consequences, thanks to the devotion of a savior—
Don Melchior
Who remains unknown. I know —
Don Melchior
And this savior whose name no one knows—
Don Melchior
You know him?
Don Melchior
By Jove!
Don Melchior
What do you mean?
Don Melchior
’Twas I!
Don Melchior
(Stupefied)
You!
Don Melchior
Yes!
Don Melchior
Now that is strange!
Don Melchior
Nothing is more simple. I was passing by there—I stopped the horse.
Don Melchior
Are you quite sure of that?
Don Melchior
Bizarre question!
Don Melchior
Not so bizarre!
Don Melchior
I have no doubt about my identity.
Don Melchior
I have mine.
Don Melchior
Do I have an untruthful appearance?
Don Melchior
Fabulous!
Don Melchior
Thus they call the period which precedes historic times. Is it your intention to apply this epithet to me in a disagreeable sense?
Don Melchior
For the sense that will displease you. You are not the man who saved the Queen.
Don Melchior
Why?
Don Melchior
Because—I will tell you—sword in hand.
Don Melchior
But, still—
Don Melchior
Come on, let’s go—
Don Melchior
Listen—
Don Melchior
I’m not going to listen to a thing. To the fountain of Cybele.
Don Melchior
What! At night?
Don Melchior
There’s enough moonlight to chastise a scoundrel!
Don Melchior
Scoundrel!
Don Melchior
Let’s march!
Don Melchior
Instantly— But so as not to awaken suspicious, let’s each arrive separately at the meeting place.
Saving the Queen Page 3