ACT THREE
Scene One:A Room in Don Sancho’s House.
CAMINO comes in with a note; he gives it to LUCRECIA
CAMINO: This note for you was given me
By Tristán the trusty, a man who serves
García well and well deserves
His trust–as I deserve to be2150
Trusted by you–a man whom fate
Has rudely placed in service though
He was nobly born. His master so
Insists upon immediate
Reply, he says, that he would swear2155
The boy is crazy.
LUCRECIA: It’s strange to me!
What man would woo so stubbornly
Who only counterfeits to care?
The strongest love’s not strong enough
Unless it is returned again.2160
Can passion be pretended when
It’s so undaunted by rebuff?
CAMINO: Well, I will swear to this at least–
If what’s inside the heart may be known
By what outside the heart is shown,2165
The man is definitely diseased.
Someone, let’s say, who wears a rut
In your street, pacing night and day?
Someone who never looks away
From your shutters, even when they’re shut?2170
Someone who gets to your balcony
Just in time to see you go,
And yet remains there rooted so,
Unseen, unseeing, unceasingly?
Someone who weeps, who even despairs,2175
And who because I serve his love
Pays me–the surest symptom of
This illness in today’s affairs?
So–cross my palm and hope to die,
If he’s a liar, I’m insane.2180
LUCRECIA: Alas, Camino, it’s very plain
That you have never heard him lie.
If only I knew he had expressed
His feelings truly, for my own part
I swear to you, his storm-tossed heart2185
Would find safe harbor in my breast.
Of course I know it would be best
Not to believe his equivocation,
But I’ll say this–his imagination
Has certainly piqued my interest.2190
And though it would be madness to
Give credit to a man who lies,
All things are possible for him who tries,
There’s no compulsion not to be true.
Since this is so, I still have just2195
Enough hope and self-esteem to believe
That he could learn not to deceive
With me, and change his ways. I must,
Of course, protect my honor still;
He may be lying, or he may2200
Be true in love, so either way
I’ll keep in mind both good and ill;
And since he may be worthy of
My hand, I never will respect him
If he lies, nor ever will reject him2205
If he truly speaks to me of love.
CAMINO: Well, that seems fair enough to me.
LUCRECIA: Then tell him how I cruelly tore
His letter all to pieces before
I could read it. That’s what my reply will be.2210
But then tell him not to despair–
On your own account–and that if he
Still wishes to converse with me
Then he should come to evening prayer
At Mary Magdalen’s.2215
CAMINO: I go.
LUCRECIA: And all my hopes go with you today.
CAMINO: They’ll never get lost if they go my way,
I’m the best Camino in town, you know.
They go off
Scene Two: A room in Don Beltrán’s house.
Enter Don BELTRÁN, Don GARCÍA, and TRISTÁN. Don BELTRÁN takes out an unsealed letter and hands it to Don GARCÍA
BELTRÁN: Have you written yet, my son?
GARCÍA: This evening I was going to.2220
BELTRÁN: Then here’s what I would like you to do–
I’ll give you mine right now un-
sealed; you can read it and make sure
Your father-in-law receives the same
Message from both of us now–name-2225
ly that you’ll be coming soon to your
New wife, to bring her back to her
New home yourself. I want you to,
And it’s the proper thing to do;
Sending for her would be discour-2230
teous when you are free to go.
GARCÍA: That’s true, but the trip would be in vain.
BELTRÁN: Why?
GARCÍA: She’s expecting, and the strain
Of making such a trip, you know,
At least until she gives you what2235
You’re hoping for, a grandson, might be
A risk.
BELTRÁN: It’d be insanity
To travel now. Sweet Jesus! But
Tell me, why did you wait till now
To give me the happy news, García?2240
GARCÍA: Till yesterday I had no idea–
It came in the mail. They wrote me how
They knew for sure my darling bride,
My Sancha, was with child.
BELTRÁN: What joy
To my old age a little boy2245
Would bring! What comfort and what pride!
I want to add a word or two
About how pleased I am. Give me
My note.
Don BELTRÁN takes the letter back
Your father-in-law, let’s see–
What was the name again?2250
GARCÍA: Of who?
BELTRÁN: Your father-in-law.
GARCÍA: (What did I tell Aside
Him?) Don Diego.
BELTRÁN: No, that’s not so–
You called him Pedro a while ago,
Unless I’m wrong.
GARCÍA: No, that as well.
Yes, I remember now–he still2255
Uses them both.
BELTRÁN: Don Pedro and
Don Diego?
GARCÍA: I’m sure you’ll understand!
Because of a certain codicil,
All the heirs of the family estate
And fortune have to take the name2260
Diego. He was Pedro before he became
The head of the family. But since that date
He has to be called Diego, because
Of the codicil in the will, you see,
So now he’s Diego, but he still might be2265
Pedro sometimes, which is who he was.
BELTRÁN: Well, it’s a common codicil–
In certain Spanish families.
I’m going to write him.
Don BELTRÁN goes out
TRISTÁN: No more of these
Mix-ups of yours–they make me ill.2270
GARCÍA: Oh, then you heard my explanation?
TRISTÁN: I heard more than I understood.
I see a liar needs as good
A memory as imagination.
GARCÍA: I thought I was finished.2275
TRISTÁN: You made a good start
And it’s how you’ll end up if you don’t watch out.
GARCÍA: But meanwhile all I care about
Is how things are going in affairs of the heart–
For better or worse–any news?
TRISTÁN: Well she’s
Not nearly as tough as she’d like to be;2280
I don’t think you’ll need the brutality
Of a Tarquin to ravish this Lucrece.
GARCÍA: You mean she read my note?
TRISTÁN: Oh, yes.
Although she told Camino to
Report she tore it up. It’s true–2285
It’s what I heard the man confess.
And based on that, I’d have to say
This could be going a whole lot worse,
If one believes the little verse
That Martial wrote his girl one day.2290
“I sent my love a little note,
She never answered. Pretty tough.
But she’ll soften soon enough,
Since she read the words I wrote.”
GARCÍA: I don’t trust him–d’you think it’s true?2295
TRISTÁN: I’m sure Camino’s on your side,
And vows–whatever she tries to hide
In her secret heart, he’ll reveal to you.
Once he gives his word, he won’t take it back–
As long as you keep giving as well,2300
When it comes to making a sinner tell,
Money’s much better than the rack.
And a gift or two for her, I’m told,
Might help to make a conquest of
The girl’s reserve. For the God of Love2305
Makes killing arrows out of gold.
GARCÍA: I never heard you talk before
So grossly! What’s got into you?
She’s not the kind of woman who
Would give herself for gold like–2310
TRISTÁN: Book Four
Of the Aeneid, as you know,
Says Dido was consumed with love
For Aeneas, as much the victim of
The Trojan’s gifts as Cupid’s bow.
And she was a queen! So don’t look so2315
Amazed if what I say sounds rough;
Only a diamond’s strong enough
To cut a diamond, you know.
GARCÍA: But didn’t you see how she was so
Offended by my offer to her2320
On Silver Street?
TRISTÁN: The offer, sir,
She found offensive–the jewelry, no.
In these affairs, let custom be
Your guide. As far as I know, around here
They don’t cut off a hand or an ear2325
For the crime of generosity.
GARCÍA: I think I’d give her the earth and sky
If I thought she’d want them.
TRISTÁN: There can be no
More direct way to her than Camino–
He’s a polestar you can navigate by.2330
And just to let you know how well
The whole affair is going, sir,
There’s this: Lucrecia ordered her
Servant–the same Camino–to tell
You something, on his own–that his
Sweet mistress would be going to pray2335
At Mary Magdalen’s today.
GARCÍA: What sweet relief from pain this is!
So were you trying to drive me mad
By telling me so slowly?
TRISTÁN: No!
The news was better delivered slow;2340
The longer it took, the more pleasure you had.
They go out
Scene Three: The cloisters of the convent of Mary Magdalen, with a door leading into the church.
Enter Doña JACINTA and Doña LUCRECIA in mantillas
JACINTA: Is Don García still after you?
LUCRECIA: He won’t let up. And even though
I know his lying ways, he’s so
Relentless, stubborn, and so true2345
That I’m not sure what I should do.
JACINTA: No law prevents a lying lip
From making the occasional slip
And telling the truth. It may be you
Are not deceived. It may be true–2350
His love. Why not? A girl whose youth
And loveliness might draw the truth
From any man who looks at you?
LUCRECIA: You’re always flattering me; but I
Could never hope to be loved by him;2355
Your beauty makes the sun grow dim,
And you’ve already caught his eye.
JACINTA: You know your worth as well as I,
And in our little rivalry
There’s never been a victory,2360
Because the vote is always a tie.
But beauty’s not the only thing
You need to get the fire lit;
Love also needs a little bit
Of luck to keep it sizzling.2365
If I can step aside for you,
My friend, then all my happiness
Would be in seeing you possess
A love I’m not entitled to.
García has no real claim2370
On me, and this could never be
Your fault. Just do it cautiously,
Or you’ll end up being to blame
For rushing headlong into love
And being foolish for believing2375
Him, after being warned that deceiving
Was all that he was capable of.
LUCRECIA: Thank you so much, but let me just
Help you to ease your suspicious mind;
I never said I was inclined2380
To give him love, only my trust.
JACINTA: You’ll start by feeling bound to believe,
And end up loving boundlessly;
The trip from trust to love can be
So short, you’re there before you leave.2385
LUCRECIA: I wonder, then, what you’d make of
This note from him I just received.
JACINTA: I’d say that you already believed;
I might even say you were in love.
LUCRECIA: Then you’d be wrong; the power of2390
The will, you know, is often free
To do for curiosity
What it would never do for love.
You liked it when he talked with us
On Silver Street?2395
JACINTA: I liked it, yes.
LUCRECIA: You let him talk to you; confess,
Were you in love or curious?
JACINTA: Just curious.
LUCRECIA: Well, I’m like that–
Just curious to know what’s here
Inside his note, as you once were2400
To carry on your little chat.
JACINTA: But don’t you see you’re obvious-
ly wrong? To take a note he sent
Is nothing less than encouragement;
To listen, merely courteous.2405
LUCRECIA: If he thought that I read the note,
He might find that encouraging;
But he thinks I tore up the thing
Before I read a word he wrote.
JACINTA: Well, clearly then, if that’s all you meant,2410
It was simple curiosity.
LUCRECIA: It’s been a lifelong joy for me,
You know, my curious temperament.
But listen to this, my dear, will you,
And see if you can recognize2415
His falsehoods? Tell me, are these lies?
Can they be lies, that sound so true?
Doña LUCRECIA takes out the note and reads it quietly to herself. CAMINO, TRISTÁN, and Don GARCÍA come in from the other side
CAMINO: You see right there–the one who’s got
The paper in her hand?
GARCÍA: I do.
CAMINO: Well, that’s Lucrecia.2420
GARCÍA: (Lucrecia, it’s you! Aside
The cause of all my pain! But what
Is in that note? O, jealousy!)
Camino, I am in your debt.
TRISTÁN: Which means tomorrow you can get
That brand new suit.2425
CAMINO: Happy to be
Of service.
CAMINO goes out
GARCÍA: Tristán, here’s what I need–
A way of getting over there
Without her seeing me, to where
I’m close enough to her to read
That paper!2430
TRISTÁN: That’s easy, sir; you’ll find
A chapel through this door; just keep
Along the inside wall, then creep
Out of that other door, behind
Their backs.
GARCÍA: They’re looking! Quick as a bird!
They slip out the first door
JACINTA: You might at least have whispered–you2435
Are very rude!
LUCRECIA: Here, read it–I’m too
Embarrassed to be overheard.
Doña LUCRECIA hands Doña JACINTA the note
JACINTA: Now this is ever so much better!
TRISTÁN and Don GARCÍA come back in the second door, behind the ladies’ backs
TRISTÁN: Well, that was easy enough to do.
GARCÍA: Tristán, you’ve got a better view;2440
So see if you can read the letter.
Doña JACINTA reads aloud
JACINTA: “Now that I see my credit with you
Is lost–no matter what I say–
I ask you to trust my deeds, for they
Will never lie–deeds never do.2445
Only a husband’s word will do
To make a lady like you believe,
And I can never hope to receive
Your favor unless you think me true.
Here is my note, then–may it be a2450
Firm assurance; for as I sign
Myself, so am I, ever thine,
Already your husband, Don Garcia.”
GARCÍA: Good God above–it’s the letter I wrote!
TRISTÁN: Why now? She read it at home before.2455
GARCÍA: Well, maybe it’s because the more
She reads it, the more she enjoys my note.
TRISTÁN: Whatever the reason, it’s going well.
GARCÍA: Whatever the reason, I feel good, too.
To Doña LUCRECIA
JACINTA: It’s short and sweet, so either it’s true,2460
Or the biggest lie a man can tell.
To Doña JACINTA, from behind
GARCÍA: Turn, O turn those eyes on me,
Whose beams are fatal near and far!
Doña LUCRECIA and Doña JACINTA speak to each other
JACINTA: He’s still not certain who we are,
So veil yourself, and prepare to be2465
Enlightened now.
LUCRECIA: Don’t mention me!
They veil themselves. Don GARCÍA speaks to Doña JACINTA
GARCÍA: Lift, O lift that veil away,
That men may see your heaven today,
And heaven itself astonished be!
What find I here? O, can it be?2470
My love, my life’s sweet murderer?
And yet where better look for her,
Than in a church, for sanctu’ry?
If it’s because you murdered me,
That you hide here–then fear not so;2475
The laws of love are strange, you know,
And so corrupt, they never fail
To keep the victim locked in jail
And always let the killer go.
Would you relieve my suffering then,2480
My love? I hope you will. And is
Repentence why you’ve come to this
Old convent of the Magdalen?
How just the hand of love is, when
It gives my pain this recompense!2485
For though your cruelty torments
Me so, I bear it all, my dear,
For the joy I feel, right now, right here,
The glory of your penitence.
Dear mistress? Not a word from her?2490
You owe me nothing for my pain?
Or maybe you repent again
For having repented earlier?
I beg of you, sweet murderer,
Before you strike me twice–beware2495
The consequence! If you should glare
With killing eyes upon my face–
A murder done in a holy place
Can find no sanctuary there.
Doña JACINTA removes her veil
JACINTA: Do you know me?2500
GARCÍA: My God–too well!
So well, that ever since that day
On Silver Street, I dare not say
That I am I! I cannot tell
The two of us apart. You dwell
In me, more deeply than I do.2505
I am transformed since seeing you–
Transformed to being you! My eyes
My self no longer recognize–
Not what I am, or was, or who!
JACINTA: It’s clear you have no memory of2510
Your former life–of what you were;
You had a wife–you’ve forgotten her–
You’re busy courting some new love!
GARCÍA: You’re back to that! Good Lord above!
JACINTA: Why not?2515
GARCÍA: It’s just your stubborn pride!
I made that up–I swear! I lied
To be with you!
JACINTA: Or not to be!
Mention a wedding, and suddenly
You’re off to Turkey to find a bride!
GARCÍA: I swear again–my love is true!2520
That I’m a married man is what
I am to other women, but
I’m still a bachelor for you!
Doña JACINTA and Doña LUCRECIA speak to one side
JACINTA: Are you enlightened yet?
LUCRECIA: (Oh, me! Aside
How swift a spark of love can start2525
A conflagration, and the heart
Erupt with burning jealousy!
To Doña JACINTA
GARCÍA: Remember at your balcony
That night, when I explained to you
My situation? Surely you do!2530
JACINTA: My balcony?
LUCRECIA: (Oh, treachery!) Aside
JACINTA: You are mistaken–totally!
You talked to me?
GARCÍA: And you know when!
LUCRECIA: (You talk to him at night, and then Aside
You dare to give advice to me!)2535
GARCÍA: And what about the letter I wrote–
Do you deny it?
JACINTA: Of course I do!
LUCRECIA: (You’re such a loyal friend, aren’t you?) Aside
GARCÍA: I’m positive you read my note!
JACINTA: Lying can be quite wonderful,2540
As long as there’s no injury,
But once you cross that boundary,
It just becomes intolerable.
GARCÍA: But three nights ago, at your balcony,
Lucrecia–we talked–we two!2545
JACINTA: (Lucrecia! Me? Oh, good for you! Aside
New bull in the ring, new strategy!
He saw Lucrecia! Now it’s cer-
tain that he loves her, since he pretended–
Just so she won’t be offended–2550
That he’d mistaken me for her.)
LUCRECIA: (O traitress! I see what you’re about!
You just informed him, doubtlessly,
That the woman in the veil was me,
So now he’s going to sort it out2555
By claiming that he talked to you
Because he thought that you were me!)
TRISTÁN speaks aside to Don GARCÍA
TRISTÁN: She must be pretending not to be
Lucrecia, in order to
Confuse the woman she’s with.2560
GARCÍA: I know!
If she were doing it for me,
She’d veil her face. But can they be
Talking together and still be so
Unknown to one another?
TRISTÁN: That’s true–
But then in church you often see2565
Two people talking who happen to be
Unknown to each other, but in the same pew.
GARCÍA: You’re right!
TRISTÁN: So go along with her
By claiming to be the victim of
Bad eyesight.2570
GARCÍA: Lady, the fire of love
So brightly burns, my weak eyes were
Bedazzled momentarily;
I took you for another, I fear.
Forgive me my mistake, my dear;
It was this veil that blinded me.2575
For just as fantasy may be
Beguiled by love–so may the eyes.
Lucrecia’s face I recognize
In every woman that I see.
JACINTA: (I knew he’d try to play that part!)2580
LUCRECIA: (The little bitch informed on me!)
JACINTA: (The one he loves is obviously
Lucrecia.)
GARCÍA: Lady, my poor heart,
From the first moment I did see
Her face, made her my sovereign queen.2585
Doña JACINTA and Doña LUCRECIA speak to one side
JACINTA: Well, he’s the best I’ve ever seen!
LUCRECIA: (So now she’s making fun of me! Aside
I won’t let on I understand–
The last thing I want is to make a scene.)
To Don GARCÍA
JACINTA: I think Lucrecia would have been2590
Delighted, were she listening and
Assured of that.
GARCÍA: You know my sweet-
heart?
JACINTA: Know her? She’s my dearest friend!
So much so I would dare contend
That she and I have hearts that beat2595
As one–one heart between us two.
GARCÍA: (Well, obviously–if you are she! Aside
How carefully and cleverly
She teaches me what I’m to do!)
To Doña JACINTA
Then be an angel, I beg of you–2600
Since fortune now has offered me
This golden opportunity–
And bear her tidings of my true
Devotion and my pain and woe.
And pardon me for making you2605
My messenger.
TRISTÁN: (Girls love to do Aside
That sort of thing these days, you know,
At least in Madrid!
GARCÍA: And try to make
Her see such love deserves to be
Returned.2610
JACINTA: If you do that, I’ll see
That she relents for your love’s sake.
GARCÍA: Why won’t she believe me? I’ve been head
Over heels since first I saw her beau-
tiful face.
JACINTA: Well, I’ll be frank with you-
She never believed a word you said!2615
GARCÍA: But it’s true–I swear to God, it’s true!
JACINTA: Look, she’s the one you need to convince–
And being true won’t matter, since
The one who’s saying it is you.
Liars make people so disgusted,2620
And their credit is so weak,
That when they open their mouths to speak,
Even the truth can’t be trusted!
GARCÍA: But lady–
JACINTA: Enough–no more–just be
Aware of this.2625
GARCÍA: I must obey.
To LUCRECIA
JACINTA: Are you happy now?
JACINTA goes out
LUCRECIA: (What can I say, Aside
Jacinta? Thanks for enlightening me.
LUCRECIA goes out
GARCÍA: She’s such a smart one, isn’t she?
How cleverly she made it clear
She’d couldn’t be Lucrecia here!2630
TRISTÁN: The girl’s no fool, that’s plain to see.
GARCÍA: She made it very clear that she
Would be upset if the other girl knew–
The one that she was talking to.
TRISTÁN: That’s obvious, since there can be2635
No other reason I can see
Why she’d refuse to admit what’s true;
And she never really denied to you
That talk you had at her balcony,
Since she herself reminded you2640
Of the very things that you discussed
When you conversed with her.
GARCÍA: That must
Be also why she let me view
Her face without the veil–so I’d
Be sure.2645
TRISTÁN: And said so pointedly,
“Mention a wedding, and suddenly
You’re off to Turkey to find a bride.”
And just to add to what you’ve heard
Already, here’s more proof–that though
She says she’s not Lucrecia, she’ll go2650
And talk about her in the third
Person, revealing all her in-
most thoughts, suggesting that she knows
She would respond to your propos-
als and your love, once you begin2655
To make Lucrecia come to see
The truth of what you tell her, sir.
GARCÍA: But what proof can I give to her
To show I love her truthfully?
TRISTÁN: You want to marry her?2660
GARCÍA: I do.
TRISTÁN: Then ask her, sir.
GARCÍA: And if she won’t?
TRISTÁN: It seems to me, sir, that you don’t
Quite get what she just said to you:
“Make her believe it, and I will see
That she relents for your love’s sake.”2665
What stronger gesture could she make
To tell you she desires to be
Your wife? Someone who takes your letter?
Who talks with you from her balcony?
Good indications, sir, that she2670
Adores you! How could she give you better?
It’s just the thought that you might be
Married that holds her back–that’s all.
And you’ll surmount that obstacle
The minute you propose–for she2675
Must think a gentleman like you
Who offers marriage has to be
A real bachelor, you see?
And if she needs to know it’s true,
If she’s afraid to trust a man2680
Who’s lied to her before, if she
Demands some further guarantee,
Well–Salamanca’s not Japan!
GARCÍA: Oh, yes it is–for a young man who
Is hopelessly in love! Each mo-2685
ment lasts a century.
TRISTÁN: Do you know
Of someone here who’d vouch for you?
GARCÍA: I might.
TRISTÁN: Well, how hard could it be?
GARCÍA: I’ll go and find one right away.
TRISTÁN: I’ll give you one right now–today!2690
GARCÍA: Oh? Who?
TRISTÁN: Don Juan.
GARCÍA: To vouch for me?
Don Juan de Sosa?
TRISTÁN: Yes–he’d do.
GARCÍA: Yes–he would know.
TRISTÁN: That’s not to say
I’ve seen him lately–not since that day
On Silver Street. Has he seen you?2695
Sir–I admit I wondered what
It was about that note you got
From him that worried you, but not
Wanting to anger you, I put
My curiosity aside–because2700
The one time that I asked, you went
Quite pale and made a violent
Denial. Now that the moment does
Seem more appropriate, I won-
der, sir, if I–the keeper of2705
Your secrets, the counselor of your love–
Might ask. By now, the storm is done.
GARCÍA: I want to tell you all–I must!
For from experience I know
Your secrecy and prudence, so2710
I’m sure that you have earned my trust.
In the early evening, at St. Blaise,
Promptly at seven o’clock, he wrote,
Don Juan de Sosa will wait for me,
To discuss a matter of some note.2715
Because it was a duel, I said
Nothing. A man would only speak
If he wanted to be stopped or helped–
Two things that only a coward would seek!
So to the appointed place I came,2720
Where Don Juan de Sosa awaited me;
Two weapons he wore that gave him the odds–
They were his sword and his jealousy.
His strong resentment he expressed,
And I accepted his angry words,2725
And then, at last, to make it right,
The two of us drew our naked swords.
Quickly measuring out the ground,
I made a swift advance, and streak-
ing forward, deftly stepped aside,2730
To hit him with the thrust oblique.
His life was rescued by the Ag-
nus Dei medal he displayed
Upon his chest, which caught my point,
And snapped in two my thrusting blade.2735
He gave me ground, stung by the blow,
Then with a furious rage, he roared
Back–and mainly thrust at me;
High on the blade I caught his sword,
With a crosshand perpendicular2740
Defense. No sooner had he dis-
engaged, and found me still so near–
I had nowhere else to go, for his
Weapon was now three times the length
Of my poor trusty steel, now just2745
A fragment of its former self,
Shattered in that initial thrust,
And I was forced by this to seek
Close quarters–but on he sped,
Aiming a furious slashing blow2750
In the direction of my head.
I took him at the very top
Of his downswing, driving my bold
But shortened blade beneath the full
Weight of his sword, stopping it cold!2755
Then came the moment of truth! I spun
Out with a backhand blow of such
Power, the shortness of my sword
Didn’t count against me much,
And opened in his head a gash2760
As wide as my hand, and down he fell,
Fainting and senseless upon the ground,
And lifeless I presumed as well.
And there I left him, secretly
Returning here. That’s it, that’s my2765
Whole story–and if you’ve missed him,
Now you know the reason why.
TRISTÁN: What an amazing incident!
And was he dead?
GARCÍA: He had to be–
I mean, the poor man’s brains were spread2770
All over the vicinity.
TRISTÁN: O, poor don Juan!
Don JUAN DE SOSA and Don BELTRÁN come in on the other side
But isn’t that
Him walking towards us?
GARCÍA: How bizarre!
TRISTÁN: You even tried to lie to me–
Your secretary and counselor!2775
(Dear God, how could I fall for that– Aside
Who knew how he was predisposed!
But then again who wouldn’t be fooled
By lies so beautifully composed?
GARCÍA: They must have used some kind of spell2780
To heal the wound!
TRISTÁN: The gash that you
Described let all his brains spill out–
It healed in just a day or two?
GARCÍA: You think that’s something? In Salamanca
One time, I know, they used this spell2785
On a man who had his whole arm am-
putated, and half his shoulder as well,
And once they stuck the thing back on,
It was less than a week before he had
It working and just as healthy as2790
It was before.
TRISTÁN: He’s raving mad!
GARCÍA: I’m telling you something that I saw–
Not something that I merely heard!
TRISTÁN: Please, sir, no more!
GARCÍA: By God, it’s true!
I won’t take back a single word.2795
TRISTÁN: (Ah, do we ever know each other!) Aside
I’d think my services repaid,
If you would teach that spell to me.
GARCÍA: The thing’s in Hebrew, I’m afraid,
So if you don’t know that, you won’t2800
Know how the incantation’s sung.
TRISTÁN: And you know Hebrew?
GARCÍA: Fluently.
Better than the Spanish tongue.
I speak ten languages.
TRISTÁN: (And I’m Aside
Quite sure that you’ve already lied2805
In every one. And more. The saying
“He’s full of. . . truth” might be applied
To you. Since only lies get out,
There’s all that truth still trapped inside!)
To Don JUAN
BELTRÁN: What are you saying?2810
JUAN DE SOSA: That unless my mem-
ory is playing tricks, no one
In Salamanca has those names–
No lady, nor no gentleman.
BELTRÁN: (Another fabrication from Aside
My son García, obviously!2815
I’d better keep this to myself.)
Sir, may your new commission be
A source of joy for many years–
Along with a handsome salary.
JUAN DE SOSA: Sir, I shall always be so much2820
The more in your debt, the more I thrive.
And now, my duty calls, I fear–
There are some gentlemen that I’ve
Got to go thank. I may not see
You to your house–pray, pardon me.2825
Don JUAN DE SOSA goes out
BELTRÁN: God give me strength! How long must I
Be punished for my son’s disgrace?
Forever? Is it possible?
And how could he look me in the face
And lie–at the very moment he2830
Was being chided for that sin!
And how, in such an important thing,
Could he so quickly take me in?
Me who already knew too well
His reputation for telling lies!2835
But then who would believe that he
Could look at me right in the eyes,
While I was scolding him–and lie!
Who could imagine such a thing–
That a judge could have his pocket picked2840
By the thief that he was sentencing?
To Don GARCÍA
TRISTÁN: Are you still resolved to talk to him?
GARCÍA: Of course, Tristán.
TRISTÁN: Then God go with thee!
To Don BELTRÁN
GARCÍA: Father?
BELTRÁN: Don’t you dare call me that!
Villain! Call me your enemy!2845
No man has any blood of mine
Who bears not even the slightest trace
Of a resemblance to me!
Away! If I never see your face–
Aside to Don GARCÍA
TRISTÁN: There seems to be a storm on the2850
Horizon. Find a better time.
BELTRÁN: God in heaven! What punishment
Have I deserved? You know that I’m
The kind of man that loves the truth–
How can you give me a son like this,2855
Of just the opposite condition?
How can a man like me, who is
So careful of his honor, spawn
This base, contaminated boy?
How can you take my Gabriel,2860
The honor to my blood, the joy
Of my grey hairs, and pluck him
In the flower of youth? I could say more–
But for my faith!
GARCÍA: (What’s going on? Aside
Aside to Don GARCÍA
TRISTÁN: Get lost! What are you waiting for?2865
BELTRÁN: Go away, Tristán–leave us alone!
No, wait, come back–don’t go away;
Perhaps the fact that you’re aware
Of his shame will be humilia-
tion enough to have some effect on him–2870
More than respect for my grey hair!
And if this mortification’s not
Enough to drive him to repair
His faults, at least he’ll feel the sting
Of having his vices publicized!2875
So what did you hope to gain, you wretch?
Madman! What joy have you realized
From telling lies so recklessly?
If you must gallop after your in-
clinations with everybody else–2880
At least with me, rein yourself in!
This Salamanca wedding, what
Was the point of inventing that? Were you
Trying to undermine my credit
With everyone I was talking to?2885
How can I face these people again–
These people that I told about
Your marriage to Doña Sancha de
Herrera? How can I face it out?
When once they all discover she’s2890
A fiction–your Sancha–then I will be
Denounced as well–this noble head
Hung with the charge of complicity.
And then what means is left to me
To clear this blot from my good name?2895
Since the only way to manage that–
If I want to rid myself of blame–
Is to put it on my son instead!
And then by saying publicly
The fault was yours, I make myself2900
The herald of your infamy!
If it was some affair of the heart
That obligated you to be
Untrue to me–what did you think?
That I would be your enemy?2905
What weapon would I strike you with,
But with the name of father, father
To the end? That name alone should tell
You how your plight would move me rather
Than anger me–an old man who2910
Was young once too, and has to know
How high and hot in young men’s hearts
The flames of love can sometimes grow.
GARCÍA: If you know that, and that alone
Had been enough for you back then2915
To pardon me, isn’t it still
Enough to pardon me again?
Right now? It seemed a sign of dis-
respect to your grey hairs if I
Had disobeyed your plans for me,2920
And so I felt I had to lie.
It was an error, not a crime;
I wasn’t guilty, I was mis-
informed. The cause is love, and you’re
My father indeed, to say that this2925
Is all I need to win your pardon.
I see my offense. Now listen to
The lovely reason why, and she
Herself will make amends to you.
Doña Lucrecia, the daughter of2930
Don Juan de Luna, is for me
The soul of life–this only child
And heir of all her family;
And all I lack to be most blest
With her most beauteous hand is for you2935
To give me your consent, and make
A declaration that the ru-
mor of my marriage can be traced
Back to this cause, and is untrue.
BELTRÁN: No, no! In Jesus’ name–no more!2940
Don’t stick me in another one!
I’d have to think you lied to me,
If you told me that thing was the sun.
GARCÍA: You need not fear. That must be true
Which is corroborated by2945
The facts; Tristán, whom you can trust,
Is ready, sir, to testify
To my desires.
To TRISTÁN
Tell him.
TRISTÁN: Yes, sir.
He tells it, sir, just as it is.
BELTRÁN: Aren’t you embarrassed now, to have2950
A servant vouch for you? Is this
Not shameful, sir? To make the truth
Of what you say depend upon
Your servingman? Oh well, all right,
I want to talk to old Don Juan;2955
God grant he give you his Lucrecia,
And pity the poor deluded thing!
But first I need to be sure about
This Salamanca marrying
Business. I fear in telling me2960
You lied, you’re still dissembling.
I knew the truth already, you see,
Before I came to talk to you;
But now I hear you speak of it,
I can hardly trust that the truth is true.2965
Don BELTRÁN goes out
GARCÍA: Well, that went well!
TRISTÁN: Oh yes–quite well.
I thought perhaps you had used that spell
On him, that Hebrew incantation,
That reverses amputation.
They go out
Scene Four: A room in the house of Don Juan de Luna, with views of the garden
Don JUAN DE LUNA and Don SANCHO come in
JUAN DE LUNA: It seems the night has turned a little cool.2970
SANCHO: My dear Don Juan de Luna, the river air
Is much too cold for these old bones, too cruel.
JUAN DE LUNA: Better we stay here in my garden, where
We can set up a table for ourselves, and eat
A pleasant meal in peace, without a care.2975
SANCHO: You’re right, Don Juan, that would be more discrete;
We’ll sup down by the river some other night,
When it’s more temperate. These extremes of heat
And cold can harm the health.
Calling off stage
JUAN DE LUNA: Lucrecia, you might
Invite your lovely friend to come out here2980
Into the garden.
SANCHO: God willing, sir, do right
By that sweet angel.
JUAN DE LUNA: She’s no fool, it’s clear;
And lovely as my daughter is, I know
More than her life she holds her virtue dear.
A SERVANT enters, goes to SANCHO
SERVANT: There’s someone at the door–Don Juan de So-2985
sa–seeking you; he’d like to be let in.
SANCHO: This late?
JUAN DE LUNA: It must be of importance.
SANCHO: Go,
And show him in.
The SERVANT goes out, and then Don JUAN DE SOSA enters, with a paper in his hand
JUAN DE SOSA: Dear sir, I’d never have been
So bold to come without this paper. But
With it, I have no patience, I must begin!2990
My love can’t bear a moment’s delay, if what
Is in this paper means I may now see
My dear beloved’s face in all its ut-
most glory. My commission’s come! Now be
Mindful of what you promised me. You may2995
Fulfill your word and crown my victory!
SANCHO: My faith in you, you have confirmed today,
Don Juan, by bringing me this happy news
Without so much as even a moment’s delay.
I’ll go and tell my lovely niece. Excuse3000
Me for not calling her to come. Without
Being fully dressed, I know she would refuse.
SANCHO goes out
JUAN DE LUNA: I always knew you’d win. The truth will out!
Even the truth most hidden and oppressed.
Delay there may be–yes–but never doubt!3005
Don BELTRÁN, Don GARCÍA, and TRISTÁN come in to another area
BELTRÁN: It’s not a good time now–he has a guest.
We have important business to discuss;
To talk to him alone would be the best.
GARCÍA: Don Juan de Sosa can be of help to us–
To witness to that thing in Salaman-3010
ca.
BELTRÁN: That you should need his help–it’s infamous!
Till I assure him our proposal’s hon-
orable, kindly delay all mention of
That business.
JUAN DE LUNA: Beltrán, my friend!
BELTRÁN: My friend, Don Juan!
JUAN DE LUNA: Such courtesy so late at night?3015
BELTRÁN: I’d prove
By this how constant is my love, and true.
JUAN DE LUNA: Blessed is he who could deserve such love!
BELTRÁN: You must excuse me; the door was open to
Your house–that and our friendship seemed to be
Permission enough to come and visit you.3020
JUAN DE LUNA: Now, now–that’s quite enough of your flattery!
My heart is eager to know why you are here.
BELTRÁN: And I will tell you–just as eagerly!
To Don JUAN DE SOSA
GARCÍA: The truth of such a man as you, my dear
Don Juan, some envious soul might for a time3025
Oppress, but never conquer–’tis too clear!
Believe me, sir, I swear to God that I’m
Happy for your success.
JUAN DE SOSA: Believe you? Yes–
As much as I can.
GARCÍA: And may you climb
As high in rank and have as much success3030
As you deserve and I would wish for you.
JUAN DE LUNA: This match will bring Lucrecia such a bless-
ing that I feel it is a dream come true!
Don Juan de Sosa, if you will pardon me–
Dear Don García–son–a word or two.3035
Your father says that you desire to be
Lucrecia’s husband.
GARCÍA: All that I am or do,
My joy, my life, my soul, my honor she
Holds in her hand.
JUAN DE LUNA: Then here is mine, in lieu
Of hers.3040
They shake hands
I know how much you bring to me;
And so does she, I’ve heard her speak of you.
GARCÍA: For this great boon, I thank you heartily.
SANCHO comes in, with LUCRECIA and JACINTA
LUCRECIA After so many obstacles
Your dream comes true! Isn’t it sweet?
JACINTA: When you have yours, my dear Lucrecia,3045
My happiness will be complete.
JUAN DE LUNA: She comes, with Jacinta by the hand;
How little she suspects what bless-
ings wait for her–all shining bright
And colorful as a wedding dress!3050
Oh, what shall I get for my reward,
Once I have told her the good news?
Don JUAN DE LUNA speaks to LUCRECIA. Don BELTRÁN speaks aside to Don GARCÍA
BELTRÁN: Oh no! Don Sancho! I wish I had
Some other face that I could use.
GARCÍA: The little sins that love commits,3055
A wise man knows how to excuse.
To Don JUAN DE LUNA
LUCRECIA: There was no Salamanca bride?
JUAN DE LUNA: He made that up just to confuse
His father, who was trying to marry
Him off to someone else–that’s all!3060
LUCRECIA: If that is so, my will is yours;
And I am most agreeable.
SANCHO: Come on, you bright young gentlemen,
Approach your fiancées; they stand
Ready, and each confesses herself3065
Content, and awaits her lover’s hand.
GARCÍA: And now my deeds will finally seal
The truth of everything I feel!
Don GARCÍA and Don JUAN DE SOSA both go up to JACINTA
JUAN DE LUNA: Where are you going, Don García?
The lovely Lucrecia’s over here.3070
GARCÍA: Lucrecia? Since when?
BELTRÁN: What’s happening?
To JACINTA
GARCÍA: You are my mistress, lady dear!
BELTRÁN: Oh, not another one!
GARCÍA: The names
May be wrong, but I know I’m asking for
The right person. It’s you I seek;3075
You are the lady I adore.
Taking out a paper
LUCRECIA: But what you say in your letter here–
Do you deny it to my face?
It’s written in your hand, deceiver!
BELTRÁN: You did it again–another disgrace!3080
JUAN DE SOSA: Give me your hand, Jacinta dear,
And put an end to this foolishness!
SANCHO: Jacinta, give Don Juan your hand!
Giving him her hand
JACINTA: I’m yours.
GARCÍA: I’ve lost my happiness.
BELTRÁN: By God, if you don’t marry that3085
Lucrecia, you’ll lose a lot more
Than that, my boy! I’ll strike you dead!
JUAN DE LUNA: I gave you my own hand before
In pledge of hers–and you gave yours.
If you should change your mind again3090
With this insane inconstancy
Of yours, I’ll wash away the stain
Of my dishonor in your blood!
TRISTÁN: I hate to say I told you so,
But you’re to blame for this. If you3095
Had told the truth at first, you know,
Jacinta would be yours right now.
I’m sorry, there’s no remedy–
Apologize and give her your hand,
She’s quite a lovely girl, you see.3100
GARCÍA: I have no choice–here is my hand.
TRISTÁN: And now at last you understand!
Referring to the audience
And they do too! You can get stung
By lying! The sword of truth gets rusted
When it isn’t used. And on a lying tongue–3105
Like yours–even The Truth Can’t Be Trusted!
