Don Garcia of Navarre | Page 4

that illustrious lover have no
foundation--for you tell me so--they at least prove that he is greatly
smitten: some would rejoice at what you complain of. Jealousy may be
odious when it proceeds from a love which displeases us; but when we
return that love, such feelings should delight us. It is the best way in
which a lover can express his passion; the more jealous he is the more
we ought to love him. Therefore since in your soul a magnanimous
Prince....
ELV. Ah! do not bring forward such a strange maxim. Jealousy is
always odious and monstrous; nothing can soften its injurious attacks;
the dearer the object of our love is to us, the more deeply we feel its
offensive attempts. To see a passionate Prince, losing every moment
that respect with which love inspires its real votaries; to see him, when
his whole mind is a prey to jealousy, finding fault either with what I
like or dislike, and explaining every look of mine in favour of a rival!
[Footnote: Molière has expressed the same thoughts differently in The
Bores, Act ii. scene 4.]
No, no! such suspicions are too insulting, and I tell you my thoughts
without disguise. I love Don Garcia; he alone can fascinate a generous
heart; his courage in Leon has nobly proved his passion for me; he
dared on my account the greatest dangers, freed me from the toils of
cowardly tyrants, and protected me against the horrors of an unworthy
alliance by placing me within these strong walls. Nor will I deny but
that I should have regretted that I owed my deliverance to any other; for
an enamoured heart feels an extreme pleasure, Eliza, in being under
some obligations to the object beloved; its faint flame becomes stronger
and brighter when it thinks it can discharge them by granting some
favours. Yes, I am charmed that he assisted me and risked his life for
me, for this seems to give his passion a right of conquest; I rejoice that
the danger I was in threw me into his hands. If common reports be true,
and Heaven should grant my brother's return, I wish fervently, and with
all my heart, that his arm may aid my brother to recover his throne, and
punish a traitor; that his heroic valour may be successful, and thus
deserve my brother's utmost gratitude. But for all this, if he continues to

rouse my anger; if he does not lay aside his jealousy, and obey me in
whatever I command, he in vain aspires to the hand of Donna Elvira.
Marriage can never unite us; for I abhor bonds, which, undoubtedly,
would then make a hell upon earth for both of us.
EL. Although one may hold different opinions, the Prince, Madam,
should conform himself to your desires; they are so clearly set down in
your note that, when he sees them thus explained, he...
ELV. This letter, Eliza, shall not be employed for such a purpose. It
will be better to tell him what I think of his conduct. When we favor a
lover by writing to him, we leave in his hands too flagrant proofs of our
inclination. Therefore take care that that letter is not delivered to the
Prince.
EL. Your will is law; yet I cannot help wondering that Heaven has
made people's minds so unlike, and that what some consider an insult
should be viewed with a different eye by others. As for me I should
think myself very fortunate if I had a lover who could be jealous, for
his uneasiness would give me satisfaction. That which often vexes me
is to see Don Alvarez give himself no concern about me.
ELV. We did not think he was so near us. Here he comes.

SCENE II.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.
ELV. Your return surprises me. What tidings do you bring? Is Don
Alphonso coming, and when may we expect him?
ALV. Yes, Madam; the time has arrived when your brother, brought up
in Castile, will get his own again. Hitherto, the cautious Don Louis, to
whom the late King, on his death-bed, entrusted the care of Don
Alphonso, has concealed his rank from every one, in order to save him
from the fury of the traitor Mauregat. Though the miserable but
successful tyrant has often inquired after him, under pretence of
restoring him to the throne, yet Don Louis, who is full of prudence,
would never trust to Mauregat's pretended feelings for justice, with

which he tried to allure him. But as the people became enraged at the
violence which a usurper would have offered you, generous old Don
Louis thought it time to try what could be done after twenty years'
expectation. He has sounded Leon; his faithful emissaries have