Don Garcia of Navarre | Page 9

you to complain of?
GARC. Oh! how double-faced she is! how well she knows to
dissimulate! But all means for escape will fail you. Cast your eyes here,
and recognize your writing.
[Footnote: The lines, "Heavens! what is the meaning of this?" till "and
recognize your writing" have been employed again by Molière in the
Misanthrope, Act iv., Scene 3, (see vol. II). The misanthrope Alceste
has also in his hand the written proofs of the faithlessness of the object
of his love: but his suspicions are well founded, whilst those of Don
Garcia are inspired only by jealousy.]
Without having seen the other part of this letter, it is easy enough to
discover for whom you employ this style.
ELV. And this is the cause of your perturbation of spirits?
GARC. Do you not blush on beholding this writing?
ELV. Innocence is not accustomed to blush.
GARC. Here indeed we see it oppressed. You disown this letter
because it is not signed.
ELV. Why should I disown it, since I wrote it?
[Footnote: The words, "And this is the cause" until "since I wrote it,"
are, with a few slight alterations, found also in the Misanthrope, Act iv.,
Scene 3.]
GARC. It is something that you are frank enough to own your

handwriting; but I will warrant that it was a note written to some
indifferent person, or at least that the tender sentiments it contains were
intended only for some lady friend or relative.
ELV. No, I wrote it to a lover, and, what is more, to one greatly
beloved.
GARC. And can I, O perfidious woman...?
ELV. Bridle, unworthy Prince, the excess of your base fury. Although
you do not sway my heart, and I am accountable here to none but
myself, yet for your sole punishment I will clear myself from the crime
of which you so insolently accuse me. You shall be undeceived; do not
doubt it. I have my defence at hand. You shall be fully enlightened; my
innocence shall appear complete. You yourself shall be the judge in
your own cause, and pronounce your own sentence.
GARC. I cannot understand such mysterious talk.
ELV. You shall soon comprehend it to your cost. Eliza come hither!

SCENE VI.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA.
EL. Madam.
ELV. (_to Don Garcia_). At least observe well whether I make use of
any artifice to deceive you; whether by a single glance or by any
warning gesture I seek to ward off this sudden blow. (_To Eliza_).
Answer me quickly, where did you leave the letter I wrote just now?
EL. Madam, I confess I am to blame. This letter was by accident left on
my table; but I have just been informed that Don Lopez, coming into
my apartment, took, as he usually does, the liberty to pry everywhere,
and found it. As he was unfolding it, Leonora wished to snatch it from
him before he had read anything; and whilst she tried to do this, the
letter in dispute was torn in two pieces, with one of which Don Lopez
quickly went away, in spite of all she could do.

ELV. Have you the other half?
EL. Yes; here it is.
ELV. Give it to me. (_To Don Garcia_). We shall see who is to blame;
join the two parts together, and then read it aloud. I wish to hear it.
GARC. "To Don Garcia." Ha!
ELV. Go on! Are you thunderstruck at the first word?
GARC. (_Reads_). "_Though your rival, Prince, disturbs your mind,
you ought still to fear yourself more than him. It is in your power to
destroy now the greatest obstacle your passion has to encounter. I feel
very grateful to Don Garcia for rescuing me from the hands of my bold
ravishers; his love, his homage delights me much; but his jealousy is
odious to me. Remove, therefore, from your love that foul blemish;
deserve the regards that are bestowed upon it; and when one
endeavours to make you happy, do not persist in remaining
miserable_."
ELV. Well, what do you say to this?
GARC. Ah! Madam, I say that on reading this I am quite confounded;
that I see the extreme injustice of my complaints, and that no
punishment can be severe enough for me.
ELV. Enough! Know that if I desired that you should read the letter, it
was only to contradict everything I stated in it; to unsay a hundred
times all that you read there in your favour. Farewell, Prince.
GARC. Alas, Madam! whither do you fly?
ELV. To a spot where you shall not be, over-jealous man.
GARC. Ah, Madam, excuse a lover who is wretched because, by a
wonderful turn of fate, he has become guilty towards you, and who,
though you are now very wroth with