Tirso: The Plays

Plot

Act I

Don Tello has come to Don. Melendo’s estate near Oviedo to tell him that Ordoño, King of León, is looking for Don Lope and to warm Melendo, who is a relative and friend of Lope, not to protect him. Ordoño is pursuing Lope at the request of King Sancho of Navarra, who has reason to believe that Lope is in Asturias. Sancho’s wrath against Lope, who is his cousin, stems from events that centered around Isabela, who was loved by both Sancho and Lope, although Isabela preferred Lope. Sancho told Lope to leave Isabela alone, however, and Sancho agreed, which greatly offended Isabela, who accused Lope of yielding to power over beauty. Her complaints, together with the fact that obstacles only serve to increase love, prompted Lope to go to her one night, and seeing the rope ladder leading up to Isabela’s room, cut it down and had Lope arrested. Isabela fled to France, and several nobles (urged on by Sancho) brought false accusations against Lope, who was condemned to death by Sancho. However, Lope’s friends helped him escape, and now Sancho has seized his property and asked Ordoño to help find him.

In the meantime, Ordoño’s sister, Da. Blanca, accompanied by Da. Sancha, has come to a wood near Melendo’s estate. Ordoño wants Blanca to marry the Duque de Vizcaya, who is on his way to León, but she wants to be free to choose her own love. She has come to Asturias to talk to Ordoño as her brother, not as the King as he would be in León. Blanca overhears Lope and Bermudo discussing the fact that Lope no longer cares for Isabela, but instead loves Elvira, who is Melendo’s sister. Elvira and Melendo have been hiding Lope and protecting him. Bermudo urges Lope to leave and sail to England, where they will be safe. Lope decides to do so, and after throwing away a picture of Isabela as a sign that their love is over, goes off to say goodbye to Elvira. Blanca, upon seeing how easily Isabela is forgotten, feels outraged and jealous of her and retrieves the discarded picture.

Also in the wood are Elvira and Ordoño, each of whom claims to have shot the same partridge. They both seize the bird, and he, impressed by her beauty, promises to give it to her if she will give him back his soul. At this point Melendo, Tello and García come, and Elvira learns Ordoño’s true identity. Although he is to be their guest, Elvira tells Ordoño that her soul is already occupied and that there is no room in it for him. Later Lope, who has overheard the conversation between Ordoño and Elvira, expresses to Elvira his jealousy of the King and his feeling that he has no chance against royalty. Upon hearing this, she becomes indignant, asserting that she is royal enough without the King. As he is about to leave, she calls him, gives him a chain, and tells him to hide while the King is there. They again confess their love for each other.

Act II

Lope is now a prisoner of the King, who has brought Elvira to León to serve Blanca in order to have her nearby. Because of the jealousy, Elvira is pretending to hate Lope, and she urges the King to have him killed. Blanca, though, hopes that he will be freed. Ordoño then frees Lope on the condition that he pretend to love Elvira and speak to her of their past love with Ordoño watching, so that he can see whether she really loves Lope. Elvira, meanwhile, has told Bermudo that she really loves Lope but is pretending to hate him because of Ordoño’s jealousy.

Blanca has had another portrait painted of Isabela in a different dress from that of the picture Lope had torn up and thrown away earlier. She has decided to be a tercera for Isabela, and showing him the new portrait, informs Lope that Isabela has followed him and is staying nearby. She insists that he must be true to Isabela. When Lope protests that he has received a letter from France saying that Isabela’s brother had married her off there, Blanca denies that that is true and vows that she herself will right the wrong done to Isabela. Elvira assures Blanca that she does not love Lope, whereupon Blanca tells her that Isabela is nearby and that Lope loves her, confirming all this by showing Elvira the portrait of Isabela. Elvira now disdains Lope because of what Blanca has said. Bermudo observes that Elvira is very changeable.

Lope and Elvira meet, and he warns her that the King is watching and that he is not telling the truth, and further that she must scorn him. When he refers to their past love she denies it aloud and speaks of her love for the King. Lope says under his breath that he really loves her, and she responds that she likewise loves him. Upon witnessing all this the King is happy, thinking that Elvira loves him. Blanca, too, is happy in the belief that Lope still loves Isabela, although she tells him that she hopes that he was not serious about loving Elvira.

Act III

Blanca accuses Lope of having visited Isabela the previous night. She shows him pieces of a letter from Isabela and locks of Isabela’s hair as proof. Lope recognizes the letter as one he had torn up in Asturias, but he cannot understand how Blanca could have it in León. Blanca asks him to answer Isabela’s letter, but in such a way that it will be addressed to Blanca as well. Lope cannot see why Blanca is angry with him, since she has been interceding for Isabela, but she explains that Lope and Isabela wrote and saw each other without going through her, and for that reason she is angry.

Bermudo has talked to Elvira and tells Lope that she will address Ordoño, but that the things she says are intended for Lope. He is to do the same with Blanca. Elvira also plans to write to Ordoño and to include a message for Lope, which can be found by removing the first three syllables of each line. He, in turn, will write to Blanca, including a message for Elvira.

Don Tello brings an offer from Sancho that Ordoño marry Sancho’s sister in exchange for Sancho’s marrying Blanca. Sancho also will forgive Lope, since Isabela is now married in France. Ordoño is surprised at this bit of news, because Blanca had told him that Isabela was nearby. Ordoño rationalizes that Lope loves Elvira and Blanca is helping them, or else that he loves Blanca. He thus accuses Lope of loving a lady in the palace and informs him that Isabela is in France, married. Lope admits that he loves Blanca, and Ordoño gives them permission to marry. Ordoño then reads his note from Elvira and is happy because she writes that she loves him. Lope, too, is happy because he has extracted the message directed to him from the note.

Blanca shows Elvira the note that Lope wrote to Isabela and also shows her the message he wrote to her (Blanca) in it. Elvira is unhappy about the message for Blanca until Bermudo comes and points out to her yet another message in the note, one addressed to her, confirming Lope’s love for her. Although somewhat consoled, Elvira is still uncertain as to whether Lope loves Blanca or her. In Lope’s presence she tells Ordoño that she loves him but she does not know to whom the paper was really directed. She is, of course, really talking to Lope. Ordoño is confused as to what paper she is referring to.

Melendo arrives, announcing that Sancho has come to make peace. Lope speaks to Blanca, in Elvira’s presence (and really addressing the latter), saying that he loves her, but fears competition from Sancho. Sancho soon arrives and confirms that Isabela has married in France. He tells Ordoño that Elvira and Lope love each other, which he proves by a letter Elvira wrote to him, and asks him to let them marry. Ordoño lets Blanca be the judge, and she consents to the marriage of Elvira and Lope and agrees that Ordoño should marry Leonor, Sancho’s sister. Ordoño gives Blanca to Sancho as his wife, and everyone is satisfied at the end.

Plot

Act I

Leonora, a widow and the sister of the Duque de Cleves, is in love with Enrique, who has just visited her, reaching her room by means of a rope ladder. After he leaves she throws the ladder down to him, but at this moment the Duke, who has been hunting, discovers Enrique’s presence and demands that he identify himself since it is dark. Enrique refuses, and he and the Duke fight. Enrique disarms the Duke, takes his sword and leaves his own. The Duke finds the ladder, which Enrique forgot, and also pieces of notes that Leonora had written to Enrique. He recognizes Leonora’s writing and thus knows that it is she, and not their sister, Isabela, who has the lover.

Returning home, Enrique talks to Ricardo, whom he thinks to be his father, and tells him that now that he has studied arms and letters he is anxious to be presented at the court of the Duke. They practice fencing and Enrique, distracted, wounds Ricardo slightly. When Enrique, repentant, bemoans having wounded his father, Ricardo explains that he is not really Enrique’s father, and that he does not know who Enrique’s father is.

Enrique meets Ludovico, the Duke’s cousin, whose horse stumbled and caused his sword to break. He asks Enrique for a sword, so Enrique gives him the Duke’s. Ludovico asks Enrique to accompany him to the Duke’s estate, and Enrique agrees to do so. Meanwhile, in order to protect Enrique, Leonora has told the Duke that although Ludovico was in love with Isabela he has changed his mind and is now her (Leonora’s) lover. The Duke vows to make Ludovico restore Leonora’s honor.

When the Duke confronts Ludovico with references to his activities of the previous night and to the fact that he has the incriminating sword of the Duke, Ludovico becomes very confused, since he has no idea what the Duke is talking about. Finally the Duke has Ludovico taken prisoner. Leonora confides to Enrique that the Duke found the note that she had written to him, and she identified Ludovico as her lover.

Act II

Enrique relates to Ludovico his version of why the Duke had him taken prisoner. He says that he was courting Isabela, but was caught by the Duke. Enrique got away with the Duke’s sword, however, which was the one he gave to Ludovico. The Duke, therefore, thought Ludovico was the culprit when he saw him with the sword. Enrique adds that the Duke assumed that Leonora, rather than Isabela, was involved because Leonora was so upset when Ludovico was imprisoned. He advises Ludovico to go along with the Duke’s idea that he marry Leonora to restore her honor. He also tells Ludovico that he loves Isabela and was Ludovico’s rival for her.

Because of the pleas of Isabela and the Duchess, the Duke frees Ludovico. Enrique relates to Leonora what he has told Ludovico, and, jealous, he suggests that she ought to choose Ludovico rather than him because Ludovico is noble and rich. They argue, and Leonora finally tells him to visit Isabela. She then informs Isabela that the Duke plans to marry Ludovico to the Duquesa de Geldres and advises her to make Ludovico jealous by flirting with Enrique. She praises Enrique, but when Isabela agrees, she begins to speak ill of him, thus making Isabela suspicious of Leonora’s feelings for Enrique.

The Duchess wants to raise Enrique’s status so that Ludovico will be more jealous of him as a rival for Isabela. The Duke’s mayordomo dies, and on the Duchess’s recommendation, the Duke makes Enrique his new mayordomo. Upon her further insistence, the Duke names Enrique his secretary, after the Duchess has given him the title of Count of Moncastel.

When Enrique, Leonora, Ludovico, Isabela and the Duchess all meet, all the jealousies among the four lovers are revealed. Enrique kisses Isabela’s hand, while Ludovico kisses Leonora’s. Enrique follows Leonora as she leaves, affirming his love for her. Isabela, meanwhile, realizes that Ludovico is going to marry Leonora, not the Duquesa de Geldres. Ludovico accuses Isabela of unfaithfulness, referring to the ladder, which she does not understand at all. She is unhappy at this turn of events, and Ludovico does not know whether to be jealous of Enrique as a rival for Isabela or as a rival for Leonora, since he has just heard him (Enrique) refer to Leonora as “mi cielo.”

Act III

The Duke has grown suspicious of the Duchess’s feelings for Enrique because she has asked so many favors for him. He decides, however, that Leonora must marry Ludovico that day. With the pretext that she does not want to hurt Isabela, Leonora pleads to postpone the wedding. The Duke tells her that Isabela loves Enrique now, but Leonora still wishes to delay the wedding and tells the Duke to ask Enrique why. The Duke informs her that Enrique has already advised him to hurry up the wedding. He explains to her that he knows from Isabela that Enrique has been Leonora’s lover, and that he is going to punish Enrique, who is not of high enough station for her. Leonora accuses Isabela of being jealous, repeating that Ludovico is really her lover, that he does not deny it and he has the Duke’s sword. She declares that she will marry Ludovico, and at the same time she makes veiled accusations about the Duchess’s relationship with Enrique. The Duke thinks again about his suspicions of the Duchess and Enrique, but he decides to stay his anger.

Ludovico tells the Duke that Isabella was the one who was visited by the man with the ladder, and that he has been protecting this unknown lover. The Duke shows Ludovico the note in Leonora’s handwriting in order to convince him that it was Leonora, not Isabela. Ludovico then questions Enrique about the note, but Enrique responds that Leonora wrote it for Isabela because the latter was ill. In the meantime Leonora tells Enrique that the Duke plans to kill him because Isabela has told him about Leonora and Enrique. Leonora decides on a plan whereby Enrique will write a love note to Isabela, scorning Leonora, to see if Isabela will be placated and, in turn, placate the Duke.

Isabela is now angry because Leonora has the affections of both Enrique and Ludovico. She asks Leonora to marry Ludovico and let Isabela have Enrique. When Leonora questions whether such an arrangement would please Enrique, Isabela replies that he has been courting her, writing her letters, etc. Leonora surprises her by responding that he is full of deceit because he has been her “esposo” for a year. This information perturbs Isabela, who now wants to love Ludovico.

Isabela and Ludovico meet, and when he speaks to her of the ladder, she does not know what he is talking about. He relates how Leonora wrote a note for her, and she becomes angry, saying that he ought to think better of her than that or else that he is trying to discredit Enrique. She goes on to tell him that Enrique is Leonora’s “esposo.” This news leaves Ludovico upset and confused. The Duke, meanwhile, does not know what to think about the Duchess and Enrique. Enrique brings a letter for Isabela, and the Duke, believing it is for the Duchess, wants to see it, but Enrique refuses to show it to him, telling him that it is to Isabela. He confesses the truth to the Duke — that he was the man with the ladder and that this letter is just to appease Isabela in the hope that she will intercede with the Duke on Enrique’s behalf. The Duke, who really likes Enrique, forgives him. At this moment the Duchess enters with Ricardo and announces that Enrique is really her father’s illegitimate son, who was hidden away until after her mother died, and that her father is coming to recognize him. Ludovico, Leonora and Isabela all enter, demanding vengeance on Enrique. The Duke tells them that Enrique and Leonora can marry and that they are to go and meet the Duchess’s father, who will explain everything.

Plot

Act I

Don Gabriel, a Spaniard, and his servant, Montoya, have accompanied Carlos, brother of the King of France, to Lorena, where Carlos is to marry Beatriz, oldest daughter of Felipo, the Duke of Lorena. Gabriel loves Beatriz, however, and has decided that he must leave. As he and Montoya are departing through the woods, Ricardo follows them and steals Gabriel’s suitcase, then tells him that one of three ladies of the court — Beatriz, Clemencia, or Armesinda — wants him to stay, and yet it is none of the three (“es una de las tres, y de las tres no es ninguna”). After saying that this lady wants to know more of Gabriel, Ricardo leaves with the suitcase. Gabriel follows him to a room in the palace, where Ricardo locks him up and leaves him in the dark. Meanwhile two servants of Ricardo capture Montoya and drop him through a chimney into the room where Gabriel is. Montoya’s capture is, of course, treated as a great joke by the two servants.

Gabriel and Montoya have remained in the darkened room a few minutes when they hear a knock at the torno and are given a light and a paper. The paper turns out to be a note from the mysterious lady, telling Gabriel he will either die there or come out and tell by signs which of the three it is. He replies on the paper that he will come out. He and Montoya are fed, and another note says that they will be freed the next day.

Meanwhile, Beatriz, who is the one who has sent the notes to Gabriel, is sad because she has found jewels belonging to Gerarda, Gabriel’s Spanish sweetheart, in his stolen suitcase. She tells her sister, Clemencia, and her cousin, Armesinda, that she will be happier if they will each wear one of the jewels that Carlos gave her, and they agree to do so. However, she gives each of them one of the jewels from Gabriel’s suitcase instead.

Felipo comes, accompanied by Carlos and Enrique, who is supposed to marry Clemencia. Gabriel, now freed from the darkened room, joins them, looking for signs to tell him which one of the ladies wrote him the notes. He thinks to himself that Armesinda is too young to have been able to plan all this. Carlos confides to Gabriel that he prefers Clemencia to Beatriz, which makes Gabriel very happy. Enrique asks Gabriel to be his second (padrino) in a coming joust. Both Clemencia and Armesinda have on one of Gabriel’s (Gerarda’s) jewels and each says something to him about a lady who loves him. Beatriz, meanwhile, pays him no attention and leaves without addressing him at all. He at first believes that it is Armesinda, then Clemencia, then decides that maybe it is Beatriz after all, and that the signs are not signs and that she’s testing his constancy.

Act II

Felipo receives a letter from the King asking him to delay the wedding of Beatriz and Carlos or to let Carlos go ahead and marry Clemencia. The King thinks he may marry Beatriz himself. On hearing this news, Enrique becomes angry and says that Clemencia loves him and that if Carlos marries her there will be trouble. After saying that she knows that Carlos loves Clemencia, Beatriz looks at Carlos and cries, then at Gabriel and laughs. Gabriel doesn’t know what to make of this, but he decides it is a sign that Beatriz is the one. Clemencia then comes and leads him on, letting him think that she is the one. She then shows him a letter, which she found on the floor in Beatriz’s room, that Gabriel wrote to the unknown lady. Clemencia assumes that it was intended for Armesinda and that she must be the one who is in love with Gabriel, because she thinks that Beatriz is happy over the prospect of becoming the Queen of France. Gabriel pretends not to know anything about what Clemencia is referring to until she shows him the letter. Then he asks her why she locked him and his servant up, why she sent him a message through the torno, why she is wearing stolen jewels, and why she keeps him in so much confusion. She is surprised at these questions, and, denying that she wrote him the letters, she asks him why she should want him when she has Enrique, who is her equal and not a foreigner.

Carlos tells Gabriel that he is now sorry about giving up Beatriz. He thinks he just thought he was in love with Clemencia because of Enrique’s love for her. Now he wants Gabriel to pretend to love Beatriz so that he (Carlos) will be jealous and love Beatriz again. Armesinda has fallen in love with Gabriel and she talks to Montoya to try to find out why Gabriel is so sad. Montoya tells her about Gerarda and also about the unknown lady in the palace who loves him and all of the events that have taken place there.

Beatriz tells her father that she does not want to be a queen and that she will marry whomever she loves. Carlos thinks she means she wants to marry him; Enrique, thinking she is angry with Carlos for changing his mind about marrying her, gets his hopes up; Gabriel wonders if Beatriz is in love with him, if perhaps this is a sign to him. Felipo agrees not force her to marry against her will. Clemencia continues to make insinuating remarks to Gabriel; Armesinda comes and talks of Gerarda, the jewels and how the woman of the torno may make him forget Gerarda. Gabriel is completely confused. Each of the three women seems to be giving him signs that she is the one.

Act III

Clemencia tells Enrique that she thinks he does not really love her, since he switched his affections so quickly to Beatriz. He says he thought she did not care. She affirms her constancy, and they are in love once again. She tells him that Gabriel knows her secrets and will act as a go-between (tercero) for them and that he should ask Gabriel for advice. She then replaces the letter on the floor where she found it, in order to watch to see who picks it up, but Felipo comes along and wants to talk to her about all of the various possible marriages for her and Beatriz, so she has to leave with him.

After Clemencia leaves, Beatriz comes and finds the letter and picks it up. Carlos and Gabriel see her, and they agree that Carlos will go and talk with her, telling her that he knows that she is fond of Gabriel. His purpose in doing this is to get her interested in Gabriel so that Carlos will be jealous and thus begin to care for Beatriz again. When Carlos speaks to her of “signs” she thinks that Gabriel has told him all about the letters she wrote, and he at the same time realizes that there is something going on with her in regard to Gabriel. During their conversation he tells her, untruthfully, that Gabriel is the Duke of Nájara.

Meanwhile Felipo tells Armesinda that she can marry Enrique because Clemencia is giving him up. Armesinda says that he should think more about this and get more advice before making a final decision.

Beatriz later hears Armesinda and Clemencia accusing each other of being the person who wrote the letters to Gabriel. On hearing this Beatriz believes that Gabriel has told them as well as Carlos about the torno, the letters and all the rest. When Gabriel appears shortly thereafter, she scolds him for talking too much and leaves him wondering what she means, whereupon Clemencia appears and also complains that he has talked too much. By now he is very bewildered by what Beatriz and Clemencia have said.

Carlos comes along and tells Gabriel that he should have explained the situation to him before he (Carlos) decided to give up Clemencia and go back to Beatriz. This only adds to Gabriel’s confusion. At this point Enrique turns up and says that Clemencia told him to ask Gabriel for advice, since he was acting as a go-between for them. Although he is terribly mixed up Gabriel pretends to know secrets that he cannot tell Enrique.

Another letter arrives telling Gabriel to go back to the room of the torno, so he and Montoya go there. Clemencia, meanwhile, tells Felipo the whole story of the letters and that Armesinda is the person who wrote them and who is in love with Gabriel. He is doubtful, so she tells him to get the letters from Gabriel so that he can tell by the writing who wrote them. Armesinda comes at this point and says that Clemencia is the one who wrote the letters.

Gabriel and Montoya, back in the room of the torno, receive a letter saying that Gabriel is to die because he is too talkative. At this moment Felipo, Beatriz, Clemencia, Armesinda, and Enrique all burst into the room. Gabriel and Montoya greet them with drawn swords, but they surrender them to Felipo. Gabriel cannot understand why they have all come, since his death was supposed to be in order to silence him so that no one know of the letters. Felipo asks Gabriel who wrote him the letters, and when he answers that he does not know Felipo asks for the letters in order to examine the handwriting. Upon seeing them, however, he says the writing is not that of any of the three women.

Gabriel then proposes to find out himself who the lady in question is. He asks where they got Gerarda’s jewels and Beatriz replies that her maid found them under Beatriz’s pillows — a fact confirmed by one of the other ladies of the court. Gabriel then asks Felipo if all three of the women were with him when Gabriel and Montoya returned to the room of the torno. When Felipo replies that Clemencia and Armesinda were but that Beatriz was missing, Gabriel identifies Beatriz as the letter writer, saying she must have been in the torno delivering the last letter at that time. Beatriz confess that that he has discovered the truth.

At this moment Carlos arrives with the news that his brother the King has married an English princess and that the Duke of Nájara has died childless in Spain, so his nephew, Gabriel, has been named his heir and is the new duke. He asks that Gabriel and Beatriz be permitted to marry, as well as Clemencia and Enrique, and says that he will marry Armesinda. Felipo agrees to these marriages, and the play ends with Montoya lamenting the fact that he is left with no one, while Gabriel comments that love is, indeed, an ingenious plotter.

Plot

Act I

During the conquest of Peru, Francisco Pizarro has been killed by Diego de Almagro to avenge the death of his father at the hands of Hernando Pizarro, after the elder Almagro had turned against the Pizarros. Diego now wants to kill Gonzalo Pizarro and to become emperor of Peru, since Juan Pizarro has died and Hernando Pizarro is now in prison in Spain. During a battle between the Spaniards and the Amazons, Gonzalo Pizarro is struggling with Menalipe, queen of the Amazons, but he refuses to draw his sword against her. Francisco de Caravajal is fighting Martesia, Menalipe’s sister. Martesia, a profetisa, tells Caravajal that she knows all about him and says that she wants to marry him. Since marriage is forbidden to the Amazons, she will have to change the law of her people in order for them to marry. Thinking that she is just trying to get out of fighting him, Caravajal calls her “bruja tahur.” Meanwhile Gonzalo disarms Menalipe and she tells him the history of the Amazons, how, when they were still in Europe, their husbands went off to fight and they learned to get along without men. When the men returned they wanted the women to do their will, but the women rebelled and killed their husbands, went to Asia, were finally ship-wrecked and ended up in the banks of the Amazon. Menalipe asks Gonzalo to marry her. He wants to but feels that he must return to Peru to help his brother Francisco, of whose death he is apparently unaware. He promises to return to marry her however. She warns him not to trust flatterers.

In the meantime, Diego de Almagro is still looking for Gonzalo, but García de Alvarado tells him he is wrong, that Carlos V is the real emperor of Peru and that he should not seek revenge on the Pizarros because it was not a treacherous act for them to kill Diego’s father. Diego, angry, calls out “matadle” but Garcia leaves. Juan Valsa arrives to say that Francisco Caravajal, Alonso de Alvarado, Vaca de Castro, and others are coming with a strong army. He thinks that perhaps they should surrender, but Diego says no, they will fight.

Act II

Vaca de Castro and his army have defeated Diego de Almagro and taken him prisoner. Gonzalo is in mourning for his brother, but Vaca tells him that his brother died with the cross of the sword in his hand, and that of the king on his breast, in a state of grace, so Gonzalo should not quit. Gonzalo is supposed to inherit Francisco’s governorship, but the king has decided to send a viceroy, Basco Núñez Vela, instead. Gonzalo does not want to make trouble, however, unless the viceroy does. Caravajal tells the others of all the difficulties of Gonzalo’s expedition — hunger, insects, etc., and of how they crossed the Marañón (Amazon) River at its narrowest point, where they made a boat for Francisco de Oreñada to go up the river, and how he took his men and left them, in a sort of mutiny. He further speaks of the encounter with the Amazons and how they would have been killed had not Menalipe fallen for Gonzalo and Martesia for him. Vaca tells Gonzalo to console his niece (Francisco’s daughter) Francisca as a father. Meanwhile Menalipe and Martesia are talking. Martesia predicts that Gonzalo will be killed, but Menalipe refuses to believe it. She wants to see him, so Martesia plans to fly them there by magic.

Gonzalo consoles Francisca and suggests that they marry. She agrees. Caravajal tells Gonzalo that the viceroy is taking away all the Indians who are working on the land and asks him to go to try to help the people. (Vaca’s efforts to do this have not been successful.) He wants Francisca to go also, since her father was so respected by the king. Gonzalo tells Francisca to go, but that he will stay out of it. Martesia and Menalipe witness the scene when Gonzalo tells her to go and that then they will marry. Furious, Menalipe wishes a bad fate for Gonzalo.

Act III

Gonzalo has gone into the country, where he is living a peaceful life enjoying his garden. Trigueros arrives, after having spent a month with the Amazons. He tells Gonzalo that they want him to come and marry Menalipe and be happy. At the same time they warn him that the viceroy is planning his death. Caravajal tries to get Gonzalo to fight the viceroy, who is four towns away from him. Gonzalo refuses until he hears from Almendras that Francisca is a prisoner and might lose her virtue. With his honor at state, he decides to fight. Hinojosa then comes and tells him that the viceroy’s cruelties and the killing of Illán Juárez have aroused people and that the oidores have sent the viceroy back to Spain and want Gonzalo to come to be the governor. Martesia and Menalipe appear, relating how the viceroy, with the aid of some of the people, is returning to fight Gonzalo.

While Almendras and Caravajal are pursuing the viceroy, Martesia and Menalipe are trying to persuade Caravajal to get Gonzalo and then to come and live in peace with the Amazons. He will not listen to them, asserting that they are just the devil’s instruments. He says he believes in the Apóstol Gallego, not duendes. Martesia says they can help Gonzalo but even so he will be beheaded shortly. Caravajal reports to Gonzalo that even though they have defeated the viceroy another governor is on his way. Saying that Gonzalo deserves to be governor through his brother, he urges Gonzalo to set himself up as king and marry an Inca princess, and they will all support him. Gonzalo will not go against the king of Spain, however. Caravajal and the soldiers say he must be king or they will desert him and turn him over to the new governor, whereupon they will be all pardoned. When he still refuses to do what they ask, they carry out their threat and Gonzalo is sentenced to die. Menalipe wants to die too, but Martesia says that will not do any good. Alonso de Alvarado arrives, complaining that Gonzalo’s death is unjust. Martesia predicts that Alonso will be the beginning of a line of counts, and also that Fernando Pizarro will marry again and perpetuate the Pizarro family. Menalipe and Martesia are to go back to the Amazon. Martesia asserts that no Spaniards can get through to the Amazon, because they are too evil, but that some will die trying. Menalipe and Martesia walk into a mountain, which opens up and swallows them. Alonso wonders at the voices he has heard, and bemoans the sad end of Gonzalo.

Plot

Act I

Doña Jerónima and Quiteria, a maid, are talking about Don Gaspar, who has been a guest of Jerónima’s brother Gonzalo for a month but who has not spoken to Jerónima in all that time. Jerónima’s ambition is to study medicine; she does not care to marry, unless she should find a very exceptional suitor. At present she studies Latin, as does Queen Isabel. She tells Quiteria that the night before she was looking through a keyhole and spied Gaspar who was looking at some papers, sometimes laughing and sometimes sighing as he read them. She proposes to find out what these papers are.

Gaspar, meanwhile, relates the story of how he had to flee Toledo. He was in love there with a young woman named Micaela, but her brother and mother promised her to another, Don Jaime, for reasons of money and social prestige. Jaime, however, received an anonymous note, ruining Micaela’s reputation and accusing Gaspar of being her lover. Micaela’s mother died of grief over these accusations and Jaime broke his engagement to Micaela, who believed Gaspar to have been the author of the letter. Although he denied this charge against him, she refused to believe him. Finally he found the persons who wrote the letter, killed one of them and wounded the other. After that he was forced to leave Toledo, and so he came to Gonzalo for protection. He now has reason to believe that Micaela’s brother has put pressure on Jaime and that Jaime and Micaela are to marry after all. Gaspar’s own plan is to flee to Portugal and to go from there to the Indies. Gonzalo tells him that he (Gonzalo) is to go to the New World to govern in Havana and invites Gaspar to go along with him rather than going to Portugal.

Jerónima and Quiteria, veiled, arranged with Gaspar to meet them in the Alcázar because they have news of Micaela. Jerónima is beginning to find Gaspar attractive. When Gaspar and Tello, his servant, come to the Alcázar, Jerónima, still veiled, tells Gaspar that he has offended her by being in her house for a month without speaking to her. She then informs him that Micaela has decided not to marry Jaime and wants to see him. At this point Gonzalo comes to warn Gaspar that he must take refuge in the cathedral because his enemies are in Seville and have searched his room in Gonzalo’s house. In fact, he is mistaken on this point because it was really Jerónima and Quiteria who ransacked his room, looking for information about him. Gonzalo also tells Gaspar that he (Gonzalo) is to be sent to Pamplona rather than to the New World and that he must report to Pamplona immediately to help defend it against attack by the French. He recommends that Gaspar follow his original plan of going to Portugal, leaving early the next morning. Gaspar decides to take this advice, and Jerónima makes up her mind to go to Portugal too. She hurries home in order to arrive before Gonzalo returns and misses her.

Act II

Gaspar has taken refuge in Portugal, at the home of Don Iñigo in Coimbra, where Don Rodrigo comes to tell him that Micaela is to marry Jaime. Gaspar has fallen in love with Iñigo’s daughter Estefanía and has her father’s permission to court her. Rodrigo, too, finds Estefanía attractive and is jealous of Gaspar. Estefanía, in turn, is attracted to a young doctor, who is in fact Jerónima in disguise, and she is lovesick. Fearing she may be coming down with the plaque, Iñigo calls a Doctor Barbosa, who turns out to be the very same Jerónima. The “doctor” takes Estefanía’s pulse, holds her hands and talks to her at length, after which “he” pronounces her much improved and promises to return that night, after meeting “his” sister, who is arriving from Lisbon. As “he” leaves, the doctor tells Iñigo that he should postpone the courtship of Gaspar and Estefanía because it is better for her health not to be involved now.

Observing Estefanía’s obvious interest in the “doctor,” Gaspar becomes jealous and goes to seek him out to talk with him. On the way, however, he encounters the doctor’s sister, who is wearing a veil and who in reality is none other than Jerónima, now dressed as a woman. Gaspar is overwhelmed by her, although all she shows him of herself is her hand and her eyes. He is sure now that it is she he truly loves, which makes Tello comment that he changes women as if they were shirts.

Act III

“Dr. Barbosa” has earned such a fine reputation that the King has made “him” “dotor de cámara.” Still disguised as the doctor, Jerónima advises Gasper not to see Estefanía for another day; he really wants to see the doctor’s sister “Marta,” but does not get a chance to tell the doctor. Meanwhile, Rodrigo is told by Dr. Barbosa that Estefanía loves him and that is why Gaspar has been forbidden to see her.

As Gaspar is speaking to Tello of his love for Marta, the doctor arrives, and in the course of the ensuing conversation Gaspar tells “him” that he is in love with Marta. The doctor hesitates, however, telling him that a lady has followed him from Seville to avenge her honor. Tello registers surprise that Gaspar would have had the opportunity to dishonor a lady without his knowing it. Shortly after this Quiteria brings Gaspar a note from Marta saying that she peeped through the keyhole while he and her brother were talking and heard their entire conversation. In the note she professes to love Gaspar.

At this point Jerónima and Quiteria arrive, dressed as Spanish women and with their faces covered. Jerónima tells Gaspar that she has come from Seville to take revenge on him. Later, dressed as Marta, Jerónima tells Estefanía that the doctor has been having an affair with Estefanía’s cousin Leonor. Next Rodrigo comes to tell Estefanía that the doctor says that she loves him, which she denies. After Rodrigo’s departure, the doctor enters, only to be chided by Estefanía for having told Rodrigo that she loves him and for having taken up with Leonor. The “doctor” now confesses that he is not really the doctor but Marta, dressed as her brother, and that she just made up the story about Leonor. She tells Estefanía that a dispensation has arrived from Rome for her to marry her cousin Gaspar. Estefanía says that she really loves the doctor, however, to which Marta replies that she may be too late because the doctor and Leonor are at the moment together planning their marriage. This bit of information prompts Estefanía to want to go look for them but Marta stops her by saying that in fact “she” really is the doctor, not his sister, and that he (the doctor) wants Estefanía’s hand in marriage, to which request Estefanía accedes.

At this moment Gaspar and Rodrigo enter. Gaspar says that since it is clear that Estefanía does not want to marry him, he wants to marry Marta. In an aside, Jerónima, still dressed as the doctor, asks him to marry “me,” a request that shocks Gaspar, of course. She tells him in secret, however, that she’s really Marta dressed as the doctor, and they agree to marry. The doctor then asks Rodrigo and Estefanía to be witnesses to the marriage of Gaspar and Marta, and follows this with the request that Rodrigo give his hand to Estefanía, and the latter takes his hand on behalf of the doctor.

Iñigo enters with Quiteria, who announces that the time has come to tell the truth. Gonzalo has been killed in Pamplona, and Jerónima must go back to Seville to take care of the estate. Thus is Jerónima’s real identity revealed. She confesses that she became a doctor only because of her love for Gaspar and, of course, the two of them will marry, as will Rodrigo and Estefanía. Imitating their masters, Quiteria and Tello decide to marry as well.

Plot

Act I

Próspero, the Duke of Capua, and Rugero, the Duke of Placencia, both want to marry Vitoria, sister of Margarita, the Duchess of Amalfi. Próspero has a letter from the king in his favor, while Rugero has one from the Duke of Milan. Margarita is almost jealous of her sister, with so many suitors, for in addition to the two already mentioned, Carlos, Count and Gran Mariscal of Naples, is also interested in Vitoria. In fact, Don Pedro has come as his messenger with a letter from him to Vitoria. Saying that Carlos has been greatly maligned, Vitoria lets her sister read his letter, but Margarita doubts that Carlos really wrote it because she doesn’t think he is so discreto. Pedro’s servant, Romero, then tells Margarita (without knowing who she is) that Pedro is from Spain, of royal blood, currently working as secretary to Carlos, and the person who wrote the letter to Vitoria. Confronted by Margarita, who informs him that she knows he is a grandson of Don Pedro, King of Spain, Pedro says he does not want his identity known; he has fled Spain because he was in trouble there. He loved a fickle woman who betrayed him by having an affair with another man who was supposed to be a friend of his. She knew of his love for her, and even gave him papers that he (Pedro) had entrusted to her. He denies, however that he wrote the note for Carlos. Later Carlos appears, but when he tries to talk to Vitoria he gets excited and ends up saying, “Dígalo mi secretario.”

Act II

Margarita is attracted to Pedro and finds herself very jealous of his love, Leonor, back in Spain. Romero arrives with a letter to Pedro from Leonor, saying that Don Vela, whom Pedro had wounded because of her, has died and that the King is angrily looking everywhere for Pedro, although the King’s mother is trying to calm him down. Leonor sends her picture to Pedro, but Margarita bribes Romero not to say anything about the letter, which she keeps, along with the picture. Margarita then tells Pedro that she has received word that Vela did not die and that the King has married him (Vela) to Leonor. During the course of this conversation she accurately describes Leonor, much to Pedro’s surprise, and says that she and Leonor are friends. To Margarita’s suggestion that he is growing fond of Vitoria, Pedro responds that if he were writing to her (Vitoria) on Carlos’s behalf he would think of Leonor. Margarita confesses that she is beginning to care for Carlos, although she had planned a religious life. Her present plan is to sharpen Carlos’s wits by making him jealous of Vitoria, then she will win Carlos and Pedro can have Vitoria. To this end she convinces Pedro to pay a great deal of attention to Vitoria in order to make Carlos jealous. In the meantime, Pedro is to give Margarita all the notes that Vitoria writes to Carlos so that she (Margarita) can rewrite them. Margarita tells Pedro to look carefully at these messages that she sends to Carlos, for they will have one meaning for Carlos but that they will also carry a hidden meaning for Pedro.

Carlos is gaining more confidence and becoming more astute. Pedro tells him that now all he needs is to be jealous and his love will be complete, and he further adds that he himself will provide the jealousy for Carlos. Vitoria continues to scorn Próspero and Rugero, but he observes a remarkable change in Carlos, who now appears poised and clever. He attributes his metamorphosis to love and tells her that Pedro is going to make his love even better by making him jealous, which in turn will make his ingenio more subtle and him wiser.

Act III

Vitoria thinks that Pedro is beginning to care for her, and she for him. She learns all about Pedro’s past from Romero, including the fact that Margarita was jealous of Leonor and that Pedro is attracted to Vitoria. During a conversation with Pedro, Vitoria intimates that he might really love her rather that just pretending in order to make Carlos jealous. She tells him that she knows his history and that he wrote the letters for Carlos. He admits that although he began his attentions to her at Margarita’s request in order to make Carlos jealous, now he is sincere. They decide to let Carlos and Margarita marry, as will they. Victoria departs, and at this point Carlos appears, followed quickly by Margarita, both of whom have overheard the conversation between Pedro and Vitoria. Carlos denounces Pedro as a traitor. Pedro protests that he was only doing what Margarita and Carlos had asked of him. Margarita then orders Carlos to leave, which he does, saying that jealousy is not always such a good thing, even though it has made him more discreto.

Margarita remarks that Pedro is not so clever because he could not find the message for him in the letter she had him deliver to Carlos. Neither can he understand why Margarita told him that she loved Carlos and wanted Pedro to court Vitoria and then became jealous of Vitoria. He says to her “you make yourself jealous”. She then shows him the hidden message in the letter to Carlos by taking the last past of each line of the letter, thus forming a new message to Pedro, saying that she loves him. Surprised, Pedro takes her hand, reasons that Carlos is now discreto and can marry Vitoria, asks her to forgive him, and kisses her hand. Vitoria enters just in time to see the kiss and is angry, but Margarita explains that he was only kissing her hand out of joy for having received permission to marry Vitoria. However, she makes mention of a guest in the house who might enter into the picture, explaining that Leonor has been staying there for over a month. It is for this reason that Margarita could describe her so accurately. Pedro’s response to this news, “Ay hermosa Leonor mía,” and his gratitude to her for leaving family and country to be with him angers Margarita, who reveals that she only made up the story about Leonor to get his reaction.

Shortly after this Carlos arrives, accompanied by Próspero and Rugero, with an order from King Fernando to arrest Pedro. Fernando is a friend of King Juan, the Spanish king, who thinks that Pedro has been plotting with the English to overthrow him. Margarita reacts to this piece of news by saying that if they take Pedro prisoner, she wants to die. Carlos, now discreto, finds a way to resolve the problem, however. He suggests that Margarita and Pedro marry and then he will be able to prove to the King that Pedro is not plotting with the English. Carlos then asks Vitoria to marry him, and she agrees. Romero is to continue to get a doubloon a day from Margarita, but with no threat of blows as before if he should talk. Carlos thus serves as an example of how love and jealousy can sharpen the wits and turn fools into clever discretos.

Plot

Act I

Don Guillén sees Estela, whom he loves, talking to his good friend Don Grao. She tells Grao that she does not love him; she is in love with Guillén. Grao says he did not know this and that Guillén should have told him in friendship. However, he says that Estela and Guillén should have each other and kisses her hand, wishing them well. Guillén is not close enough to hear all the conversation and when he sees Grao kissing Estela’s hand he misinterprets the situation and becomes jealous, thinking that Grao loves Estela. After Grao leaves, Guillén reproaches Estela for being fickle and complains that Grao is a disloyal friend. Estela is angry that Guillén is so suspicious and does not bother to explain. Guillén’s doubts about Estela’s love for him are abetted by the fact that he is now poor because he has spent his fortune in aiding Ramón, whose brother was trying to disinherit him.

Gastón, an old friend of Guillén’s, arrives from Aragón with the news that Don Hugo, the Count of Barcelona, knows that Guillén aided Hugo’s brother Ramón and spent all his wealth to help him when Hugo tried to disinherit him in favor of the King of France. Guillén denies the rumor that he was going to take arms against Hugo. Ramón is now in Navarra. Gastón wants to get Hugo to forgive Guillén and restore him to Hugo’s good graces.

Grao now comes to tell Guillén that he should have told him (Grao) that Estela loves him (Guillén) and he promises not to court Estela any more. He also says that Hugo has died and left Ramón as heir to be the Count of Barcelona. Guillén, still angry about Grao and Estela, does not believe what Grao says. Grao now realizes that Guillén saw him and Estela and misunderstood. Ramón arrives and gives Guillén new titles: Count de Ampurias, Duke de Girona, Marqués de Castellón, and Vizconde de Moncada. He is to take Guillén to the court of Barcelona. (¿Guillén promises to intercede with Ramón on behalf of Gastón who had been a friend of Hugo?)

Act II

In Barcelona Doña Gracia and Doña Vitoria are arguing about Guillén. Each insists she is irresistible to men and that Guillén loves her and that count Ramón is interceding with him on her behalf. When Estela appears they tell all this to her. Soon Guillén and Ramón come and the three women ask Ramón which of them is to marry Guillén. Ramón leaves it up to Guillén, who says he loves one of the ladies in the room and will find a private opportunity to tell her, because he does not want to offend the others. Later, when left alone, Estela and Guillén quarrel, as he tells her that she let Grao take his (Guillén’s) place with her so quickly, while she retorts by crying and saying he is not so slow either. Angry and jealous, she ends up declaring that she is not sorry that he is in love with someone else. Gastón, Dalmao and Grao all come to thank Guillén for his aid on their behalf with Ramón. Grao explains that Guillén jumped to the wrong conclusion when he saw him with Estela. Guillén is now perplexed and does not know what to believe. Finally he asks Ramón to help him in a test of whether Estela loves him and who his true friends are. Ramón agrees to the plan whereby he will feign anger at Guillén and take away his title and lands as punishment.

Guillén tries to lead on both Vitoria and Gracia by indicating to each that she is the one he loves. Then Ramón arrives with several nobles and has Guillén taken prisoner. Now both Vitoria and Gracia say that Guillén loved the other. Since he is out of favor, neither wants him.

Act III

Ramón orders Gastón to take Guillén’s possessions from his home. Don Garcerán tells Guillén to pay his debts, but he has nothing left with which to pay them with. Gastón, Garcerán and Dalmao all excuse themselves from helping Guillén financially, even though he had befriended each of them previously. Gilote, a shepherd, and Galván, Guillén’s old servant, visit Guillén. Galván wants his wages, but Gilote tries to silence him and finally ends up by saying he will sell his two oxen to pay Galván. Don Hugo brings orders from Ramón that Guillén be imprisoned in the tower.

Meanwhile Ramón talks to Vitoria and Gracia, who state that they do not wish to marry anyone who has gone against Ramón. They reach an agreement with Ramón for Vitoria to marry Gastón, and Gracia to marry Dalmao. Next Grao makes an offer to Ramón to pay Guillén’s debts and to die in his place, but Ramón orders him imprisoned instead. Ramón divides Guillén’s titles between Gastón and Dalmao, who accept them without protest and who also agree to marry Vitoria and Gracia, respectively. Estela begs Ramón to free Guillén and offers to pay his debts herself. She would give her life for his. Ramón instructs her to return that night. He then goes to tell Guillén that Grao and Estela are his loyal friends. He also gives Guillén a key, with instructions to come to his room in an hour. Ramón continues with his pretense of feigning anger against Guillén when Gastón, Dalmao and Garcerán see him with Guillén. He promises that Guillén and Grao will die the next day. Gilote, meanwhile, has let himself down the chimney in a basket in order to enter Guillén’s room of imprisonment to see if he can help. Ramón orders him arrested and put in chains.

That night, having been instructed by Ramón to come in an hour and thinking they do not know he is there, Guillén listens as Estela meets with Ramón. Ramón declares his love to Estela; he wants to marry her, although the King of Aragón has offered him his daughter to marry. Ramón explains that his anger against Guillén stems from the fact that Guillén tried to seduce the Count’s young sister. At this point Guillén bursts forth, angry with both Ramón and Estela. He summons the others to witness how Ramón has deceived him and is trying to take Estela away from him. Upon hearing his calling Gastón, Garcerán, Dalmao, Vitoria and Gracia appear, and Estela announces to all that she does not want to marry any of them and is going back to the peace and quiet of the country. She has not yielded to Ramón. Grao and Gilote are brought from the prison and Ramón now explains how the whole situation was a ruse so that Guillén could find out who his true friends are. He was just testing Elena, when Guillén interrupted them and he reassures Guillén that she is indeed faithful, as are Grao and Gilote. Dalmao and Gracia, Gastón and Vitoria are still to marry, but they have to return Guillén’s and Grao’s titles to them. Their punishment, as well as that of Garcerán, is the shame they feel as a result of their disloyal behavior toward Guillén and Grao. Estela and Guillén marry, of course, and Gilote is to be the chief Guard (guarda mayor) of Ramón, who is to marry the Princess of Aragón.

Plot

Act I

During the Guerra de la Beltraneja Queen Isabel is involved in a campaign to retake Toro and Zamora. She, the Almirante de Castilla, and Don Antonio de Fonseca meet some villagers celebrating the wedding of Antona García and Juan de Monroy. Antona declares her loyalty to the Queen; the Queen advises her to be an obedient wife and gives her a chain. Also present at the wedding is Bartolo, who wants to marry Gila, one of the village girls.

After the departure of the Queen and her party, the Conde de Penamacor and Don Basco come by, and the Count, who is Portuguese and therefore lovesick (seboso), admires Antona’s beauty and decides to make her acquaintance by pretending to be waiting there for someone. In fact, he is on a secret reconnaissance expedition for the Portuguese, and he sends Basco on ahead to carry on the mission and to wait for him. The Count engages Antona in a conversation in which he flatters her and flirts with her, but she rebuffs him, telling him that she is married. His attraction to her and her powers of persuasion are such that she is able to convert him temporarily to the cause of Fernando and Isabel. The return of Basco with the news that Toro has declared itself in favor of Juana brings him back to reality, however, while Antona vows that Fernando and Isabel will reign in Toro.

Act II

The Count appears, carrying the Portuguese flag and accompanied by Don Basco, Doña María Sarmiento, Juan de Ulloa, and some nobles. At the same time a group of peasants, carrying the flag of Castile, arrive from another direction. Juan de Ulloa informs the peasants that he is in charge in Toro and that they should follow his lead and that of the nobles, who know best, and accept Alfonso and Juana. His wife, María Sarmiento, then makes a more impassioned speech, calling the villagers “bárbaros” and making threats of violence against them if they do not agree to support the Portuguese, at the same time mentioning that the Portuguese would not tax them. Following María, Antona speaks, identifying herself with the people as uneducated, but guided by God. She asks why they should accept Juana, the dead King’s doubtful daughter, when they can have Isabel, who is his certain sister, as their queen. She points out that the Duque de Albuquerque, Don Beltrán de la Cueva, supports Isabel’s claim to the throne – and surely he ought to be able to answer the question of Juana’s legitimacy.

The villagers declare themselves for Isabel, and Antona advises them to fight Juan de Ulloa and the others if Ulloa so chooses. The villagers, who are unarmed, have to use farm implements and sticks to defend themselves. Antona uses a flagpole as a weapon, but the Count intervenes and tries to stop the fight between her and some soldiers. María drops a large rock on Antona from above knocking her down and rendering her unconscious. The Count protects her from María, who wants to kill her. Finally María agrees to let Antona be the Count’s prisoner, after he swears not to let her go. María still wants Antona dead, however, because she believes that Alfonso cannot capture Toro as long as Antona lives.

In the meantime, the Queen is awaiting Fernando, who hopes to conquer Zamora with the aid of his followers there. Bartolo brings her the news that Antona has been captured, Juan de Monroy has been killed by the Portuguese, and Bartolo’s donkey has been taken captive. Antonio promises him a mare to replace the donkey, but Bartolo, who is very fond of his lost mount, is not consoled. In order to satisfy Bartolo, Antonio says that he will give him enough money to buy two donkeys. Alvaro de Mendoza arrives at this point to tell them that Fernando has taken Zamora and is on his way to join them.

Still a prisoner, Antona tells the Count that she likes him but that there are obstacles to their relationship: 1) she is married; 2) he is Portuguese; and 3) she is a peasant and he, a count. She learns from the Count of the death of her husband, and, although saddened, she does not weep. Rather, she vents her feelings by getting angry with the Count and telling him to leave. After his departure she conceives a plan to set fire to her straw bed with a candle and to escape in the confusion in order to avenge herself on María. Meanwhile, María is trying to convince the Count that Antona must be done away with in order for them to take Toro and keep the peasants on the Portuguese side. He is still in disagreement with her when Antona starts the fire, escapes, and comes to threaten María with a bedpost. The Count protects María, interposing himself between the two women and telling Antona to flee. Antona leaves, calling out to the peasants in support of Fernando and Isabel.

Act III

On her way from Salamanca to Medina del Campo in search of the Queen, Antona meets her cousin, Pero Alonso. Since Antona has not eaten all day, they stop at the Inn of Mollorido although Pero says the food there is bad. Four Portuguese travelers are at the inn, talking to the innkeeper’s wife, when Antona and Pero arrive. Shortly afterward, several Castilians arrive and strike up a conversation with the Portuguese. Having eaten something, Antona joins this conversation, revealing who she is and eventually driving the Portuguese, who have not yet eaten, from the Inn with a wooden bench.

Antona invites Pero and the Castilians to join her in finishing her meal, but before she is able to start eating again she tells them that she is about to give birth and will eat later. The innkeeper’s wife takes Antona to another room, saying that Antona will have to stay in bed a month, but Antona scoffs at that idea. Soon Velasco and Padilla arrive at the Inn, bringing the Count with them as their prisoner. Antona and the innkeeper’s wife return after Antona has given birth to a baby girl. Although Antona wants to care for her daughter herself, she is concerned about the war and asks the innkeeper’s wife to take charge of the baby. She fears that it is a bad omen that the baby was born in an inn, but the innkeeper’s wife disagrees.

Antona learns from the Count that Alvaro de Mendoza defeated him near Toro and took him prisoner. She wants to free him, since he had saved her, and she asks the innkeeper’s wife to feed him and Pero to saddle a mount so that he can return to Toro. She has to handle Velasco and Padilla roughly to get them to accede to this idea. At this point Antona begins to feel bad again and concludes that she is about to have another baby. She again goes with the innkeeper’s wife and delivers another girl. When she returns after the birth of her second daughter, Antona tells the Count that she is fond of him and would marry him, except that having babies is so painful. She finally agrees to marry him on the condition that he will have the boys, and she the girls. With the babies strapped to her like saddlebags, Antona then departs to continue her search for the Queen, while the Count is to return to Toro.

In the meantime Fernando and Isabel, along with their followers, are on their way to Toro. They plan to forgive all their enemies, because they realize that many believed that Juana was the rightful heir to the throne. Bartolo explains that there is a way to enter Toro by fording the Duero river and the climbing a steep precipice that the Portuguese have left unguarded in the belief that the Castilians could not get through it. Bartolo, however, has taken his sheep that way many times and assures them that they can scale the precipice. Antona appears, with the twins still strapped to her, vouches for Bartolo’s loyalty and urges them to follow his plan. Leaving the babies with the Queen, Antona joins Antonio and Bartolo in the expedition over the precipice, and they are successful in getting through. They kill the Portuguese guards so that the Castilians can cross the bridge to enter Toro. Then the three of them appear on the wall as the Castilians are defeating the Portuguese and taking Toro. Antona is anxious to find María to make her pay for Juan’s death. Antona states that this is only half the story, that Tirso will tell the rest in a second volume.

Plot

Act I

Ulises does not want to go help Menelao fight for the Trojans because his wife Penélope is ill and he is afraid that she will die, or else that he will lose his honor while he is gone. He thinks he should worry about his own wife more than Menelao’s. When Palamedes comes to urge him to go off to war, he pretends to be mad, acting as though he were a farmer sowing salt. Palamedes seizes Ulises’s son Telémaco, however, and takes out his dagger, vowing to cut the son up and plant him, so Ulises agrees to go.

Aquiles, meanwhile, has grown up in the woods with Quirón and, in spite of Quirón’s efforts to civilize him, he acts like a wild beast, and all the peasants of the area are afraid of him. Now his mother, Tetis, is worried about him because Quirón says that Ulises will search all over to find Aquiles to fight in the war against Troy. One day while out hunting, Deidamia, the daughter of King Licomedes, meets Aquiles, and he falls in love with her. She likes him, too, but her father has promised her to another. Aquiles leaves her with Garbón, one of the shepherds, and goes to chase away her hunting party so that they can be alone. While he is gone Quirón comes and gives her a horse, telling her to flee Aquiles, not realizing that Aquiles has changed since he met her. When Aquiles returns he is upset to find Deidamia gone, and in order to protect himself from Aquiles’s ire, Garbón hides in a tree. Aquiles finds him, however, and he flees. When Tetis sees her son so perturbed over Deidamia’s disappearance she promises to help him win her if he will do what she tells him.

Act II

As part of her plan for Aquiles to win Deidamia, Tetis has him dress up as a woman, although he is not very enthusiastic about this role and has a great deal of trouble curtsying and walking on high heeled shoes. They then go to the court of Licomedes, where Aquiles poses as Nereida, supposedly Tetis’s daughter and thus his own sister. After their departure Ulises and Diomedes come to the woods looking for Aquiles, because the Oracle says the Greeks cannot win without him, and are told by Garbón that he saw Tetis and Aquiles go off, the latter dressed as a woman.

Meanwhile, Nereida (Aquiles) and Deidamia are sewing when in comes Lisandro, who is to marry Deidamia at her father’s instigation. Deidamia is called away, and Lisandro begins to flirt with Nereida, saying that he is sure that Nereida must care for him because she shows so much jealousy of him and Deidamia. Nereida, however, rejects his overtures and finally sends him away by means of a sword. When Deidamia returns, Nereida tells her that if she were a man she would love Deidamia, and they decide to pretend that Nereida is a man. “She” takes the name Aquiles, and they talk to each other in loving phrases, Aquiles kisses her hand, and so forth. Deidamia sees a resemblance between Nereida and her hunting love. Finally Nereida tells her that it was Aquiles whom she met while hunting and that he is in love with her, but is upset that she is fickle and is to marry Lisandro. At this point Nereida leaves, then reappears as a man, confesses that he is Aquiles, explains his disguise, and they swear their love for each other.

Act III

Lisandro has just told Licomedes that Nereida and Deidamia are too friendly when Ulises and Diomedes arrive, disguised as merchants, with a plan to get Aquiles to fight for the Greeks. They say they have a captive who sings beautifully and they want Deidamia to hear, but not see, her. The voice sings about a man hiding from his responsibilities by dressing as a woman, saying that he is a coward and that he should answer the call to arms. Ulises then produces his wares — a large mirror and many jewels, along with a sword and shield. Licomedes tells Deidamia and Nereida to choose the jewels that they want, but when Aquiles sees himself in the mirror he can stand it no longer and, seizing the lance and shield, reveals who he is. Deidamia is unhappy, because he had promised not to reveal himself until the war was over, but he goes off to fight Troy.

Deidamia appears, dressed as a man, outside the walls of Troy, where she has come looking for her lover. During a truce Casandra and Policena appear on the wall of Troy and are seen by Aquiles, who is enamored of Policena. Héctor then appears on the wall and challenges Aquiles, throwing him a glove. Policena throws her glove also, saying it is for good luck. Patroclo catches Héctor’s glove and Deidamia, still disguised as a man, seizes Policena’s, saying “he” has the right to it, and refuses to give it up or to reveal who “he” is, in spite of Aquiles’ questioning, telling him only that he will know if he searches within himself. Deidamia leaves, and the play ends abruptly as Héctor and Patroclo are about to fight. Ulises promises the audience that they can see the second part of this drama “tomorrow”; however, this second part, if it was written, is not to be found among Tirso’s works today.

Plot

Act I

Some bandits — Clodio, Melipo and Peloro — are robbing Constantino, son of the emperor Constancio, and Andronio. After killing Constantino, they learn his true identity and take with them some letters and a picture of Irene, the Greek princess whom Constantino was on his way to marry. Meanwhile, two farmers, Cloro and Lisinio, are talking. Cloro knows nothing of his origin nor who his father is, but he feels he is more than just a peasant. As they converse about religion and read from the saints’ lives, they hear a voice saying, “Lisinio and Constantino, Emperors.” Each man interprets the message in his own way. Lisinio, feeling that his glory is to be found in the army, goes off to earn his place, while Cloro believes that his power will come somehow through his birthright. They agree that whatever one gains he will share with the other. Cloro soon meets the robbers, who notice that he looks just like the dead Constantino, and they persuade him to take Constantino’s place. Irene, meanwhile, does not want to marry Constantino, whom she has not yet met, because she loves her cousin Isacio. Her father, Maximino, has arranged the marriage, however, and insists that she go through with it. Isacio advises Irene not to spurn Constantino but to pretend to like him, and, as a matter of fact, when Constantino (Cloro) comes she does find him attractive.

Act II

Andronio has brought Constancio to the place where his son was killed. There they encounter Constantino (Cloro), Maximino, Irene, Isacio, Mingo, Clodio, Peloro and Melipo. Constancio is taken aback at Cloro’s resemblance to his son — so much so that he thinks Constantino’s spirit has come to dwell in Cloro. He tries to find out who Cloro is and finally, with threats of death by hanging, learns from Mingo that Cloro, posing as Constantino, has married Irene. Constancio is about to have Cloro put to death as an imposter when Elena appears and explains that Cloro is her son by Constancio, born before Constancio married another. Cloro is now to be called Constantino and is recognized as Emperor. He goes off to fight against Magencio, who has taken Rome and is trying to make himself Emperor. Meanwhile, Lisinio has become a captain and is leading the army against Magencio.

Cloro, now known as Constantino, accepts Christ and becomes a Christian, in spite of Irene’s objections that he should not repudiate Jupiter and the gods. A cross appears and leads Cloro to victory against the pagan Magencio. Cloro meets Lisinio, and although they recognize each other, neither one says anything about it. Cloro is aware of Lisinio’s true identity because he cannot read and thus is unable to sign his name to a paper Cloro gives him. Lisinio promises to get one hundred heads of Magencio’s soldiers for Cloro. Poor Mingo is caught on the battlefield not knowing which are the enemy soldiers and always proclaiming himself for the wrong side in an effort to protect himself. He finally takes refuge in a cave where Lisinio is storing the heads he has cut off. Andronio, who had left Cloro in order to continue worshiping Jupiter rather than accepting Christ, is wounded in the battle and accepts Christ as he is dying. At last the war ends with Magencio’s defeat, and Cloro wants to go to search for the true wooden cross in Jerusalem. Irene is angered by this impulse of his and leaves, saying he is no longer her husband. Elena, however, decides to go with him. Lisinio brings fifty heads on a standard for Cloro and is to return soon with fifty more. Cloro then fulfills his longstanding promise to share everything with Lisinio and gives him half of his empire. He extracts from Lisinio, however, two promises: to protect Christians and not persecute them and not to rise up in rebellion against him. Cloro and Elena then set out for Jerusalem to look for the cross.

Act III

Irene, whose love for Cloro has turned to hate because of religion, plots with Isacio to persuade Lisinio to kill Cloro by promising Lisinio that she will then marry him. In reality, however, they plan for Lisinio to be killed because of the murder so that Irene and Isacio can marry. Lisinio, meanwhile, is not happy sharing the crown and has begun to persecute Christians. When he hears Irene and Isacio’s plan he agrees to go along with it. The three of them go to Jerusalem.

Elena is trying to get information as to the location of the cross. During this time the Jews are being persecuted, and three of them –Judas, Leví, and Zabulón — are discussing the story that Christians tell that the cross is made of wood from the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden. Mingo questions these Jews, then hides and hears them plot to make a cross to show Elena and Cloro instead of the real one. Mingo hurries to bring Elena to see what they are doing, but they explain by saying that they are making the cross because Mingo had ordered them to put crosses on their houses (which, in fact, he had). Elena and Mingo torture Judas, and he promises to take them to where the true cross is. Cloro, who still loves Irene, goes to sleep with her picture in his hand and dreams of her. When she, Isacio and Lisinio come to kill him, she feels love upon seeing him with her picture, and when he says her name and talks of her in his sleep, she cannot stand to see him killed, so she awakens him and tells him he is in danger. Cloro forgives all three for the offenses against him personally, but he has Lisinio killed for having offended God by persecuting Christians after having promised not to do so. Judas leads Mingo and Elena to a place where the Jews say the cross is located. They summon Cloro and Irene, and after Cloro and Elena pray three crosses appear. Since they are unsure of which is the true one, Judas says that the real one should bring the dead back to life, so they bring Lisinio. The first two have no effect on him, but when Cloro puts the third one on Lisinio, the latter is restored to life. Lisinio now accepts Christ, as do Irene, who had already decided to become a Christian when she found Cloro again, and Judas. The play ends in praise of Christ and the Cross. Elena will build a great church for the Cross, and Lisinio plans a long penance to atone for his treachery.

Plot

Act I

Don Alfonso has cared for Ramiro and Sancha, two illegitimate children of King Duarte of Portugal, and reared them as shepherds. Unaware of their true identity, Sancha is in love with Ramiro. As the play begins, King Duarte has died and his ten-year-old son has been named as King Alfonso V, with his uncle Pedro, the King’s younger brother, as regent, because the nobles do not trust such a young king. Pedro comes with his daughter, Princess Felipa, to Momblanco in order to take Ramiro to court, following instructions given him by his brother, who told him of the two illegitimate children before he died. Ramiro is dressed as a gentlemen and Tabaco as his lackey. At this time Ramiro meets Felipa and falls in love with her; she, in turn, appears to reciprocate his love. This obvious affection for Felipa on the part of Ramiro makes Sancha extremely jealous, and she decides to follow them to Santarén, disguised as a dwarf who has just died in Momblanco on his way from Castile to the court to amuse the King. Don Alfonso is to go to Castile to see the King’s mother, who has gone there from Portugal.

At the court, meanwhile, Don Dionís (who also loves Felipa), Don Duarte and Don Egas are very upset at the King’s youth. When Pedro arrives they convince him that, as the dead King’s brother, he should be their new ruler. He repents shortly after agreeing to reign, however, and begs forgiveness of the young King.

Act II

The King has begun to favor Ramiro over the other nobles, much to the consternation of Dionís and Duarte, who, wondering who he is, try to find out more about Ramiro from Tabaco. The King plans to appoint Ramiro as Comendador of Avís, but at Ramiro’s request gives this honor to Dionís, who had asked for it previously. Ramiro is then made Alcaide de Santarén, and at Ramiro and Pedro’s request Duarte is made Conde de Penela. Ramiro is also given the titles of Maestre de Santiago, Count of Olivenza and Count of Estremós.

Sancha arrives at the court, disguised as the dwarf Vargas and accompanied by Cabello, one of the shepherds who poses as her as her lackey. Upon her arrival, she is immediately recognized by Ramiro. Dionís, meanwhile, tells Ramiro that he loves Felipa and asks him to intercede with her on his behalf. Then Sancha, in a private conversation with Ramiro, tells him that she has learned that she is his sister, although she has only invented this story and does not know that it is really true. She informs him that their father is a priest, a relative of the gran Prior. Her purpose in leading him to believe all of this is to find out the truth about whom he really loves, and when he admits Felipa is the one, Sancha promises to help him as a go-between.

Ramiro now tells Felipa that he loves Inés, one of her ladies-in-waiting, and asks her to pretend that they (Ramiro and Felipa) are in love in order to make Inés jealous. Inés, in the meantime, tells Felipa that she likes Ramiro and wants to marry him. Next comes Sancha to tell Felipa the news that Ramiro loves her. Felipa explains that it is all just a ruse to make Inés jealous. Now Sancha learns from Dionís that he, too, loves Felipa. Felipa tells Ramiro that Inés loves him and that she (Felipa) loves Dionís, but he realizes that she really loves him. Felipa tells Ramiro to tell Dionís to come to her window that night, but Ramiro plans to go himself, and so informs Sancha. Sancha says that Felipa told her that Inés and Ramiro were in love.

That night Ramiro, pretending to be Dionís, goes to Felipa. She knows, however, that it is really Ramiro. Dionís overhears their conversation, but the tryst is abruptly ended by Sancha, who arrives, shouting “¡Fuego, fuego!”

Act III

That same night both Dionís and Ramiro return to the street near Felipa’s window. Although Ramiro does not recognize Dionís, the latter recognizes him and lets him know that he knows that Ramiro used his name with Felipa. Dionís goes. as himself, to Felipa’s window. She, thinking it is really Ramiro, makes a date for him to enter her room the next night and gives him a ribbon. Dionís then informs Ramiro and that he is to go to her room the following night. Ramiro knows that Felipa thinks she talked to Ramiro, not Dionís.

Meanwhile, Sancha agrees to help Duarte, who is in love with Inés. Told by Felipa that Ramiro is to come as Dionís that night to be her lover, Sancha determines to foil this plot. After dark, Felipa and Ramiro meet in the park and go to her chambers. Sancha, dressed as a woman, also appears in the park, where she meets Dionís. Thinking that it is not Dionís, but Ramiro, she goes away with him.

Alfonso returns from Castile to report that all is going well, including the African situation, which they had been so, concerned about. He further reports to Pedro that Sancha has disappeared. Cabello, however, confides to Tabaco that Sancha is really the dwarf, and Tabaco, in turn, passes this bit of information on to Alfonso and Pedro. Sancha now returns, announcing that Ramiro is her husband. Alfonso, shocked, says that cannot be, for she is Ramiro’s sister. All is resolved happily, however, when the person with whom she had gone away turns out to be Dionís rather than Ramiro. Alfonso then reveals that Sancha and Ramiro are the dead King’s sister and of high rank, so that she and Dionís can marry. Ramiro now appears, confessing that he is Felipa’s lover, to which the King replies by greeting him as his brother and telling Ramiro and Felipa that they may marry. Duarte and Inés are likewise to marry. At the end only Cabello and Tabaco are left unwed, which prompts Tabaco to ask Cabello to remedy that situation by marrying him.

Plot

Act I

Enrique and his two servants, Julio and Chirimía, are preparing to go courting. Enrique speaks of his two friends, César and Ludovico. Julio believes that Ludovico is a more sincere friend than César, while Chirimía says that Ludovico flatters Enrique too much and that César is a truer friend. Soon César and Ludovico come, and Enrique tells them that he’s in love with both Porcia and Elena. In an aside César says that he also loves Porcia but would give her up for Enrique.

Enrique, accompanied by César and Ludovico, goes to talk to Elena at her window. Ludovico insists that Elena loves Enrique, but César disagrees. When Enrique calls her “Porcia” by mistake, she becomes furious, which Ludovico attributes to jealousy. He becomes even more insistent that she loves Enrique. César, on the other hand, thinks that she doesn’t really love Enrique or she would not have gotten furious with him so easily. The three men then leave Elena, and Enrique talks to Porcia at her window. He mistakes her name on purpose, calling her Casandra, in order to see her reaction. She is not upset at all, but says she loves him and has faith that he loves her. In an aside, however, she confesses that she is dying of jealousy. After they leave her Ludovico is convinced that Porcia doesn’t love Enrique, whereas César is equally convinced that she does.

The King of Naples receives a letter saying that three princes are conspiring against him. He doesn’t believe the letter because it is anonymous and because he has always tried to be a fair and just king. Enrique, who is one of the King’s favorites, advises him that the writer has remained anonymous out of fear and further states that in spite of the King’s being just he is still a Spaniard and there are many who want a Neapolitan king. Then, in a cunning plot (the first cautela), the King and Enrique plan that the King will pretend to be angry with Enrique in the hope that Enrique will then be contacted by the traitors or in some way be able to find out who they are. In addition, Enrique will know who his true friends are, because he realizes that a favorite always has many false friends.

Following the plan, the King informs Ludovico, César, the Prince of Taranto and the Prince of Salerno that he is angry with Enrique and he divides Enrique’s titles among the four, all of whom accept gratefully, except César, who declares that if Enrique is a traitor he wants to pay for having befriended him, and if he isn’t he (César) does not want his (Enrique’s) title. The King, in an aside, tells Enrique that he is lucky to have such a friend.

Act II

Enrique is finding out who his true friends are. Chirimía remains with him, but Julio, whom he has favored greatly, goes to Ludovico. Ludovico brings Enrique a note from the King in which the King writes that the bearer of this message is not a true friend of Enrique and that César has interceded with him (the King) on Enrique’s behalf. Enrique sends a sealed reply to the King with Ludovico, telling the King that a servant has brought him a message from the two Princes (of Taranto and Salerno) that they want to talk secretly to Enrique. César then comes to Enrique to confirm his friendship and offer to share his wealth with Enrique so that they can go to Spain. At this moment Chirimía brings a message for Enrique that has arrived from the Condesa, saying that she wants to see him. Both Elena and Porcia are condesas, but Enrique assumes the message to be from Elena since Porcia is too poor to consider him now that he is so poor, and he also remembers how jealous Elena was at the window that night (which he interpreted to be a sign of her love for him.)

However, in the meantime, Elena tells her servant, Isabel, that she only liked Enrique because he was so rich and powerful. Isabel recommends Ludovico as having these merits now. Porcia then comes to ask Elena for a jewel so that she can help her lover. Elena gives it to her and also writes a note to Porcia’s lover for her, because upon hearing some bad news, Porcia recently fell and cut her hand. Next comes Ludovico and speaks to her of love, but she thinks he’s speaking on behalf of Enrique and she, trying to win him for herself, answers him with phrases that have two interpretations, and he incorrectly assumes that she loves Enrique. At this point Enrique arrives and Ludovico, having been told by Elena that he should inform Enrique about whom she really loves, tells Enrique that Elena still loves him.

Shortly after this a servant brings the jewel and the note that Elena wrote for Porcia to Enrique’s home, saying that they have come from the Condesa. When Enrique recognizes that the unsigned note is in Elena’s handwriting his belief that she still loves him is confirmed.

That night the King comes to Enrique’s house to spy on Enrique’s meeting with Ludovico and the two Princes. As the King listens Enrique promises to help them to conspire against the King and to make Carlos of France the new King of Naples. César arrives as the Princes and Ludovico are leaving and on seeing them he is angered because he thinks Enrique is planning to betray the King. When César reprimands Enrique for plotting against the King, the King comes out of hiding and César realizes that it is a case of cautela contra cautela (wit against wit, or clever scheme against clever scheme).

Act III

César still does not understand completely what is going on, but he accepts the situation. Enrique gives him one of two papers that he has, and, telling him that it is a note for Elena, asks him to deliver it to her. Meanwhile, the two Princes and Ludovico are very obsequious to the King. After the Princes leave, Enrique enters to talk to the King while Ludovico is reading some papers in the same room but behind a partition. Knowing that Ludovico can hear them, the King has to pretend to be furious with Enrique and to prevent Enrique from saying anything that would give away their ruse, thus leaving Enrique quite confused. The King then calls Ludovico out and sends him on an errand and Enrique understands what has happened. The King explains to Enrique that he should not be upset when he feigns anger, because if he were really angry he would arrest Enrique. Ludovico, however, returns just in time to see Enrique kissing the King’s feet and, realizing that they have plotted together, slips away.

César delivers Enrique’s paper to Elena, and it turns out just to have a signature — Carlos, rey de Francia — on it. Enrique, of course, gave him the wrong paper to take to Elena, this one having been given to him by the Princes at their meeting. Not being aware of the exchange of the messages, however, Elena and César are both confused and upset.

Ludovico and the two Princes tell the King that they know that Enrique’s fall from favor was part of a plot, but that Enrique is pretending with the King and in reality is conspiring against him. The King finds this hard to believe, but yet he does not see how they could have known Enrique’s loss of favor was trick unless he had told them. The King learns from Elena about the paper with the signature of Carlos of France that Enrique sent her. Both she and César admit to the King that they are suspicious of Enrique. The King summons Enrique, who, thinking someone else is listening, confesses that he has been a conspirator against the King. When the King calls the captain of the Guard to arrest him, however, he denies the treachery, explaining that he thought they were being overhead by someone else. Now Porcia comes to intercede for Enrique. To help prove his innocence Enrique pulls out the paper he received from the Prince of Taranto, which only had the signature of Carlos of France on it, but when he looks at it he realizes that he exchanged it with the note he sent to Elena. He explains what happened; they call César, who corroborates Enrique’s story; and the King is satisfied of Enrique’s loyalty. He accedes to Enrique’s request to marry Elena and for Porcia to marry César.

The king now formulates a plan to get rid of the Princes. He tells each Prince individually to go immediately with his men to a certain fountain where he will meet Enrique, disguised. Enrique will be waiting and will take out a handkerchief and wave it to identify himself, whereupon the Prince is to kill him. Thus the two go to the same place and kill each other, each believing the other to be Enrique.

Elena tells Porcia that she is foolish to love Enrique because he is poor and furthermore is in love with her (Elena). The King announces that Elena is to marry the person whom she wishes to marry (whom she assumes to be Ludovico) and Porcia is to marry his friend. Ludovico now comes to ask the King’s permission to marry Elena, but before he can reply Chirimía interrupts to ask that the King send him and Enrique back to Spain because Enrique has gone mad and is taking memorials from pretendientes just as he did when he was a favorite of the King. The King then announces to the group, that has been joined by Enrique, that Elena is to be wed, not to Enrique but to Ludovico. Enrique is now confused as to why sent him the jewels and the note swearing her love if she is in love with Ludovico, but she explains that the note and jewels were from Porcia. César counsels Enrique to marry Porcia, and thus their marriage is arranged. The King then has Ludovico seized as a traitor, and Elena cries out that she has been deceived, to which the King replies that she should not be so ambitious and full of self-interest, Chirimía realized that Enrique did not really fall from favor and he is vindicated while Julio loses for having followed Ludovico. Thus one clever trick was used to defeat another.

Plot

Act I

Don Rodrigo and Chinchilla have just arrived in Flanders from Spain. Since Rodrigo is the second son in his family, he has no inheritance and so is poor, but he has a letter of introduction to the Archduke, who, unfortunately, is not at home at the moment. They are debating what to do when Roberto appears and, seeing Rodrigo, mistakes him for Liberio’s son, Otón, who has been gone for three years. Roberto summons Liberio and his daughter, Clavela, who comes and greets Rodrigo as Otón. Rodrigo is confused, but Chinchilla tells him to pretend to be Otón. Chinchilla learns from a servant, Lucrecia, that Otón had to flee because he killed a favorite of the Duke of Cleves. The Duke is now dead, though, and his widow Diana, the Condesa de Oberisel, is in charge now and Otón has nothing to fear. Pinabel, the dead mean’s brother, has forgiven Otón because he is in love with Clavela.

Casimiro, meantime, has come to the Condesa, sent by her brother, who wants her to marry Casimiro. She tells him, however, that it is too soon after her husband’s death for her to marry, that she is still in mourning. In fact, she uses this as a pretext because she does not want to marry.

Pinabel asks the Condesa to intercede for him with Liberio and asks him to marry Clavela and Pinabel. She agrees, and they call Liberio and Clavela and tell them of Pinabel’s request. Liberio proposes to let Otón (Rodrigo) decide since he has returned. Pinabel talks to Otón (Rodrigo), who says he has a friend in Spain named Rodrigo who loves Clavela because of having heard so much about her and that he promised to wait a year before letting her marry so that Rodrigo could meet her. He promises to write Rodrigo, though, to see if he’s still interested. Actually Otón (Rodrigo) is interested in Clavela himself and makes all this up in order to put Pinabel off.

At this point Casimiro attacks the Condesa’s palace. Since she won’t marry him willingly he has decided to carry her off by force, as Paris did Helen. During this upheaval Otón (Rodrigo) meets the Condesa and is quite taken by her. Chinchilla says that perhaps he should have let Pinabel marry Clavela, after all.

Act II

Both the Condesa and Clavela are attracted to Otón (Rodrigo), although Clavela still thinks he’s her brother. During a conversation with Clavela, the Condesa nearly lets her feelings for Otón (Rodrigo) slip out, but she covers it over by saying that Otón is really her salvation because if Casimiro surrenders to him and returns with him she’ll surrender to Casimiro. She says she loves Casimiro, but that he shouldn’t have tried to win her by force.

Otón (Rodrigo) returns and tells them that Casimiro has been defeated and that Pinabel proved to be a valiant leader in the battle against Casimiro.

Rodrigo (Otón) really likes the Condesa, but he decides that if he can’t win her he’ll settle for Clavela. He goes to a window of the palace at night, looking for the Condesa, but Clavela is there instead. She pretends to be the Condesa and tells him that she really loves Casimiro, but that she didn’t want to be forced by him. Casimiro and Floro happen to overhear this conversation and Casimiro is delighted, of course to learn that the “Condesa” loves him. Otón (Rodrigo) on the other hand, is equally sad.

Shortly thereafter Otón (Rodrigo), who is still out in the street, hears Casimiro talking inside the palace about his joy at the prospect of soon being the master of the Condesa’s palaces. When Chinchilla tells Otón (Rodrigo) that Casimiro was outside the Condesa’s window a few minutes before, Otón (Rodrigo) is sure that the Condesa and Casimiro had planned to meet at the window, but that he had disrupted their plans by arriving first. At this point the Condesa comes to the window, complaining that she cannot sleep. Upon seeing her, Otón (Rodrigo) speaks to her, referring to just having talked to her moments before. Filled with jealousy, she wonders to whom he spoke previously, and decides to pretend to be Clavela in order to see what she can find out. As Clavela, she tells him she’s waiting at the window for Pinabel, whom she loves very much. Believing that the time has come to tell her the truth, Rodrigo reveals that he is not her brother. He tells her his true identity and the story of how he had to leave Spain because his older brother was unfair to him. They had quarreled and he wounded his brother. Still believing she is Clavela, he says he loves her, but since she loves Pinabel, he will return to Spain. She stops him and tells him she really loves him, now that she knows he’s not her brother. The Condesa says all of this merely as a ploy to keep him from going back to Spain.

Act III

Both the Condesa and Clavela have been kept awake thinking of love, and they encounter each other early in the morning. The Condesa tells Clavela that she (Clavela) is to marry Pinabel that very day because it is not fair to keep him any longer. Left alone, Clavela says she prefers death to marrying Pinabel.

Rodrigo and the Condesa have a conversation during which she surmises that Clavela has told him that she (the Condesa) loves Casimiro and Rodrigo thinks that Clavela has told her who he really is, because she accuses him of being jealous of Pinabel’s affection for Clavela.

There follows a scene between the Condesa and Rodrigo where she talks in enigmas and leaves him completely confused. She tries to put on a glove that is too small and says it can be stretched to fit — an analogy with the idea of his rising to her rank — but he isn’t sure of her meaning. She thinks if he is clever he will see that she loves him, although she still believes that he loves Clavela.

Casimiro hopes to win, defeated, what he could not accomplish in war; however, the Condesa is not happy to see him again. Meanwhile, Pinabel, growing impatient with Otón’s (Rodrigo’s) insistence that Pinabel and Clavela cannot marry until he hears from “Rodrigo” in Spain, tells Casimiro that Otón (Rodrigo) is trying to usurp his position with the Condesa, a piece of news that prompts Casimiro to swear to kill Otón (Rodrigo).

The Condesa dictates a letter to Otón (Rodrigo) to be delivered to the person who loves her “more than himself,” telling him to meet her in the garden at twelve o’clock. He hesitates about to whom to deliver the message, and finally decides that it is intended for him. At that moment, however, Casimiro comes along and says that he has heard that Otón was a witness to the Condesa’s saying that she loves him. He then says, “I love him more than myself.” Rodrigo thinks that his saying this is significant, and so he gives him the letter with instructions to meet the Condesa at twelve.

After Casimiro leaves, Rodrigo realizes that it was a mistake to give him the letter because the Condesa had no need to send him a letter since they are to marry the next afternoon when her brother comes to give her to Casimiro. He therefore decides to go on to meet the Condesa, although it is only ten o’clock, but he learns from Chinchilla that Casimiro has beat him there and thus he has lost the Condesa. He shouts out his anguish, attracting the Condesa and all the other occupants of the palace. The Condesa asks him why he didn’t keep the letter for himself and he replies, “I thought that it was for him” (“Pensé que era para él”). She chides him calling him “the man of the ‘I thought that'” (“¿Hombre érades de penséque?”).

The Condesa marries Casimiro and gives Clavela to Rodrigo, at the same time telling the others the real Otón is coming with her brother and that Pinabel will marry her cousin, Laura. Chinchilla and Clavela’s maid Lucrecia are also to marry. Rodrigo and Clavela will return to Spain to get away from the punishment of the “I thought that” (el castigo del penséque). Rodrigo warns others not to share in the punishment of the “I thought that” by making such a foolish mistake as he did.

Plot

Act I

Carlos reprimands César for not having confided in him about his new love. He reminds César that he has always told him all about Vitoria. At first César refuses to tell Carlos anything, but he finally relents and agrees to tell everything but the lady’s name. He explains how he met a lovely lady at a party given by his brother, the Duke, and fell in love with her, although she was with someone else. During the course of this story he mentions that word “sirena” and Carlos guesses that Sirena is the lady in question. César makes him promise to say nothing, because he will lose Sirena if Carlos mentions this. After Carlos departs, Sirena and Diana enter, and Sirena informs César that he can’t be both her lover and Carlos’s friend because she does not like Carlos; César, therefore, will have to choose between them. This ultimatum leaves César very upset.

César’s nephew, the Duke of Milan dies, leaving César heir to the title. César states to Carlos that his new rank will make no difference in their friendship, that their relationship will continue as always. Meanwhile, Sirena has learned about César’s change of status and, fearful that his new title will make him spurn her, she decides to make him jealous with Marco Antonio, who is something of a fool. She gives Marco Antonio a band of diamonds in a scene witnessed by César’s lackey, Gascón, who thinks that Sirena would do better with him than with Marco Antonio.

Act II

César is concerned that Sirena may not love him and that he is not a duke. He believes that women are fickle, and when Gascón tells him how Sirena gave the band of diamonds to Marco Antonio and that he kissed her hand, César is convinced that his suspicions are true and that Sirena no longer loves him. He decides that since Sirena likes Marco Antonio so much he will arrange for their marriage. When Carlos suggests that Sirena is merely trying to make César jealous, César decides that this is so and that he will repay her by courting someone else in order to make her jealous. “Jealousy is cured by jealousy,” he says. Carlos recommends Narcisa as a subject for César’s affections for this purpose. Narcisa, however, is in love with Alejandro, and when César explains his plan to her she is unwilling to go along at first. César is able to convince her that it will only be for a short time, so she agrees, but with the proviso that her lover know nothing of this. Although she will not tell César who her lover is, Alejandro appears and quickly shows himself to be jealous of César’s attentions to Narcisa, and César guesses that he is her love. Shortly thereafter Sirena and Diana come to visit Narcisa, and when Sirena finds that César is there and is being very attentive to Narcisa, she becomes jealous. Diana tells her that her little game of jealousy may prove to be costly.

Act III

Narcisa and Sirena argue over which one of them César really loves. Sirena claims that his attentions to Narcisa were only to make her (Sirena) jealous. Gascón tells them that César is coming, and Sirena orders that Gascón be locked up so that she and Narcisa can find out whom César loves. Sirena proposes to hide when César arrives so she can watch the conversation between Narcisa and César.

By now, prompted by his jealousy of Alejandro, César has begun to care for Narcisa, and Narcisa, in turn, has begun to like César because she is jealous of Sirena. As they talk, César tells Narcisa that although at first he only pretended to love her to make Sirena jealous, he is now serious; he truly loves her. When she responds in kind they pledge themselves to each other. Now Sirena jumps out from her hiding place and full of jealousy and anger says she only pretended to like Marco Antonio to make César jealous, but César tells her it is too late now. Alejandro enters dressed as a gardener and, despondent, says he has listened to the conversation between Narcisa and César. Then enters Marco Antonio, and his presence along with that of Alejandro arouses new jealousies in César and he is again undecided between the two women.

Sirena decides that the best course of action is for her to marry Marco Antonio as a way to getting back at César, even though it will hurt her more than it will him. However, Alejandro comes along and the two of them plan to feign love for each other in order to make Narcisa and César jealous, for as Alejandro points out “Jealousy is cured by jealousy.”

Marco Antonio asks Narcisa to intercede for him with César to bring out his marriage to Sirena. Narcisa tells César that Sirena loves Marco Antonio and that they should wed. At this point a page announces Sirena’s arrival and César hides to listen to what she says. Sirena is accompanied by Alejandro. The two of them have found each other; they were both scorned but now they have consolation in their love. When Narcisa mentions Marco Antonio’s petition, Sirena replies that she only used him to make César jealous. Sirena and Alejandro then give each other their hands, but Narcisa interrupts, saying this decision is too hasty and is only the result of jealousy. Alejandro and Sirena, however, insist that they are sure. César comes out of his hiding place, and he and Narcisa admit that they do not love each other. All of the mix-ups are then resolved, with the two pairs of lovers — César and Sirena, and Alejandro and Narcisa — marrying. Sirena accepts Carlos as a friend, Gascón is released from his imprisonment, and only Marco Antonio is left out. Thus the audience can see that jealousy is indeed cured by jealousy.

Plot

Act I

Melchor, accompanied by his lackey, Ventura, has come to Madrid, nearly broke, from León, to marry the wealthy daughter of an old family friend who has just returned from the New World. In a church he sees a veiled lady with a beautiful hand, with whom he falls in love. He notices the man sitting next to her cut the cord of her purse from her belt. He takes the purse from the man and then goes outside to wait for its owner to appear. When she comes out he tells her that he saw a robber take her purse, and gives her his (with what little money he has left), pretending it is the one he retrieved from the thief. When she says it is not hers, they agree to let her servant keep it while he tries to find its rightful owner, and they are to meet again the following day in order to return it if they have found its owner. She asks him not to follow her, and he accedes to her request.

Melchor then meets his cousin Luis and Jerónimo, who is (unbeknownst to Melchor, of course) the brother of Magdalena, the girl whom he met at church, and who happens to be, incidentally, the one he has come to Madrid to marry (although none of them realize this). Luis confides to Melchor that he loves the girl Melchor is supposed to marry, but that he is willingly giving her up for Melchor. Melchor, in turn, tells Luis of having met someone whom he thinks he loves. Magdalena, meanwhile, is very much attracted to Melchor. When Melchor and Ventura go to the home of Alonso, the father of Jerónimo and Magdalena, to meet Melchor’s intended, she recognizes him, but he does not think her hand is the one he loves, although Ventura tells him it is the same one. Alonso’s upstairs neighbors, Sebastián and his sister Angela, who scorns all men, come down to congratulate Melchor and Magdalena.

Act II

Magdalena, dressed in mourning and posing as the veiled lady from the church, goes to meet Melchor the following day. She first encounters Luis (who does not recognize her, of course) and asks him to send Melchor, who is nearby, over to talk to her. Luis tells her to bewitch Melchor, for this would help him in his love by keeping Melchor’s interest away from Magdalena. Melchor approaches Magdalena, who is still veiled, and during their conversation she tells him that she has heard about how he is to marry Magdalena and that she is jealous of Magdalena and that she has already confessed to Quiñones, as well. He responds by reassuring her that she has nothing to fear, that she is much more beautiful than Magdalena, and other such phrases, ending up by asking her to show him her face, since it is only fair that the captive see the face of his master. She obliges only to the extent of showing him her eyes, however, expressing her apprehension that her face may not measure up to his expectations.

Meanwhile, Ventura bribes Santillana, whom Magdalena has hired as her squire, to tell him who she really is, and Santillana says that she is an Italian, the Countess of Chirinola, and that she lives on Calle de Silva. Santillana then says flattering things to Magdalena, who gives him a ring as a reward. He also refers to her as the Countess of Chirinola and she does not deny it. (She and Melchor arrange to meet again that night.) In the meantime, Angela and Sebastián are plotting. They love Melchor and Magdalena, respectively, and their plan is for Sebastián to say that Magdalena has promised to marry him and to pay some witnesses to give testimony to this as fact. Angela gives Ventura a ring in exchange for information about Melchor and the “Countess.”

Angela passes this information on to Sebastián, and the two of them tell it to Alonso, who is very angry upon hearing of Melchor’s interest in another woman. Alonso gives permission for Sebastián and Magdalena to marry, and Angela is to marry Jerónimo. While Angela, Sebastián, Jerónimo, Alonso, Magdalena and Quiñones are talking, Melchor arrives, and, by dropping cleverly phrased hints as they leave one at a time, they let him know that they are aware that he loves the Condesa and plans to marry her secretly on Sunday. Magdalena informs Melchor that she knows all about the Countess and that because of her estate the latter has had to return to Italy to marry a certain Enrico, undertaking a journey made very dangerous because of the Moorish pirates. Melchor sadly decides to return to León.

Act III

Ventura has sold a ring to get enough money for him and Melchor to return to León, but before they can leave, Santillana comes with a message from the Countess that she did not really have to return to Italy but was testing his loyalty to her and telling him to meet her at the usual place. She sends him a gift of money and clothes, which Ventura receives from a veiled lady who accompanies Santillana. Quiñones, meanwhile, is telling Angela that Magdalena made up the story about the Countess’s having to return to Italy, and she suggests that Angela veil herself in order to take the part of the Countess and go to meet Melchor. Magdalena, of course, sent the note and gifts to Melchor, and is herself preparing to go meet him, dressed as the Countess. Quiñones’s purpose in telling all of this to Angela is to get money that Sebastián has promised to give her if he marries Magdalena.

Quiñones gives Angela the purse that belonged to Melchor so that she can use it as proof of her identity. She then leaves Angela to go to delay Magdalena in her departure to meet Melchor. Disguised as the Countess, Angela meets Melchor and they talk. Although Ventura remarks to Melchor that her the Countess’s eyes appear to be a different color, Melchor disagrees. Soon Magdalena appears, also veiled as the Countess, at which point Melchor becomes quite confused and incapable of deciding which is the real Countess. Just as the two women are about to show him their hands for him to decide on the real one, Jerónimo and Sebastián appear. Fearing that Jerónimo will recognize her, Magdalena flees. Angela, too, leaves, saying that she is returning to Italy. Jerónimo and Sebastián pass on by, ignoring Melchor.

Santillana brings a message to Melchor that the Countess is staying at Magdalena’s and that he should come to her window at one o’clock. Magdalena tells Quiñones that she is now jealous of both Countesses. Quiñones, meanwhile, has gotten the purse back from Angela and returned it to Magdalena’s room without her knowing that it was ever gone. That night Melchor talks to Magdalena (as the Countess) at the window. She tells him that she must return to Italy and he should marry Magdalena. When he agrees she becomes angry and calls him an unfaithful traitor. He tries to calm her by saying that for him Magdalena is a monster compared to her and that he loves only her, but she leaves the window, saying that she is returning to Italy. Magdalena then appears as herself in the window and tells him he is no judge of beauty.

Meanwhile, Jerónimo has heard a man talking to Magdalena, so he, Alonso, Luis and Sebastián come to the street to see what is going on. Melchor explains that he was talking to the Countess, but Angela appears and says it was she disguised as the Countess. Next comes Magdalena who claims that it was she, not Angela, who was the Countess and offers the purse that Melchor gave her as proof. At this point Melchor recognizes Magdalena’s hand as the one he first fell in love with, and so Melchor and Magdalena are to marry. Thus Angela will marry Jerónimo and forget Melchor. Paralleling their masters, Ventura and Quiñones are to marry, and Luis is left contented that Magdalena is marrying his cousin. Now at last Magdalena no longer has to be jealous of herself.

Plot

Act I

Fisberto, who is noble but poor, has two daughters, Lisena and Diana. Diana, the older, has the reputation of not ever having been in love. One night Lisena goes to the garden of their home, carrying a letter and a picture of Prince Sigismundo, the son of the King of Bohemia. Diana has followed her and manages to find out from Lisena that the letter was written by Sigismundo, who is supposed to marry Leonora, the Princess of Hungary, but who really loves Lisena. In spite of Diana’s fame as a severe, hard-hearted person, she promises to help Lisena and Sigismundo. She hides the letter and picture in the sleeve of her dress. Shortly thereafter, Sigismundo, with the aid of Fisberto’s lackey, Gascón, enters the garden for his rendezvous with Lisena. While Gascón, serves as a lookout and Diana withdraws to the side, Sigismundo and Lisena are left to their tryst. Meanwhile, Lisena’s servant, Carola, who is aware that Lisena has a lover but does not know who it is, comes to the garden, where she meets Gascón and they talk. Then Fisberto arrives, having been told by his servant Orelio that he saw someone leaving the garden. He and Orelio find the two young women, who deny that anyone else was there, but Fisberto takes Diana’s arm and finds the letter and picture hidden in her sleeve. He immediately assumes that Diana is the one who has lost her honor.

Leonora in the meantime is on her way to the court of Bohemia to marry Sigismundo. Alberto, Sigismundo’s brother, tells his father that neither Leonora nor Sigismundo is enthusiastic about marrying the other and that he (Alberto) loves Leonora and wants to marry her. The King, however, refuses to delay the wedding. Now Fisberto arrives to inform the King that Sigismundo has dishonored Diana. At first the King thinks this is a trick of Alberto to keep Sigismundo from marrying Leonora, but Fisberto shows him the letter and the picture, and then explains that all he wants is a good husband for Diana and that as far as he is concerned Sigismundo and Leonora can go ahead and get married. The King decides to marry Diana to Don Sancho, a Spaniard who has performed great military feats in Saxony. The news that Diana is to marry Sancho makes Sigismundo very happy, because Lisena does not have to marry and is still free. He is also overjoyed to find that Alberto loves Leonora and promises to help the two of them get married.

Act II

Sancho and Diana are married and the King gives them titles: he as Count of Alba Real, she as Duchess of Florabel and Alba Real. So that the King and Fisberto continue to believe that Diana is his beloved, Sigismundo pretends to be resentful about the marriage and leads Sancho to believe that he loves Diana. Enrique, who has been absent for two months because of business for the King, returns. He loves Lisena, but upon his return he learns from Gascón that she has been promised by her father to Duke Arnesto.

Meanwhile, Sigismundo and Gascón conspire to arrange for Lisena to come to her window to talk to Sigismundo at eleven o’clock that night, pretending to be Diana in order to protect herself in case of discovery. (The King cannot do anything if Sigismundo talks to Diana, since she is already married.) In order to mislead him, Alberto tells the King, who has not yet seen Leonora, that she looks just like Lisena and that Leonora and Sigismundo are starting to care for each other. Shortly thereafter, Sancho overhears the King tell Sigismundo that he knows all about Sigismundo and Diana — the letter, the garden, everything. The King gives Sigismundo the letter and the picture and orders him to obey him henceforth and not have to be forgiven again. Sancho is understandably upset upon hearing all this, and his consternation increases when he overhears Gascón tell Sigismundo to meet “una Diana” at the window at eleven that night. To add to his woes he picks up the letter and picture, which Sigismundo left behind and reads the letter, believing, of course, that it was intended for Diana. His first impulse is to kill Diana, but he decides that it would be wiser to be quiet and to wait.

Alberto and Sigismundo are carrying out their plan for Lisena to go to court the next day, pretending to be Leonora. The real Leonora, who loves Alberto, is helping with the plot by instructing Lisena in the things she will need to know in order to impersonate Leonora and by using her brother’s imminent death as a pretext for not leaving her quarters and giving away the ruse.

Enrique mistakes Sigismundo for Duke Arnesto (who, according to Gascón, is supposed to marry Lisena) and tells him that he is a former suitor of Lisena. He also says that he knows that Fisberto is marrying Lisena to the Duke and that he wishes them well. Sigismundo does not know what Enrique is talking about, and later, when he talks to Lisena at the window, he asks her about Duke Arnesto, but she does not understand about him either. While Sigismundo and Lisena are at the window Sancho listens, thinking that Diana is the woman at the window, and since Lisena is pretending to be Diana she says nothing to disillusion him on this point. Sigismundo and Lisena part, promising to meet again the next day. Gascón and Carola, meanwhile, are also out that night, but Sancho comes upon them and fires Gascón, saying that he should not be carrying on with the servants.

Act III

Lisena, posing as Leonora, is going to the palace to meet Sigismundo. Gascón is to serve as her coachman, and the servants know the secret. Sancho is still worried about his honor, but he does not want the affront known. He wants a secret revenge, especially after hearing from Orelio the story of a tailor who was falsely accused, lashed and then forgiven when the truth was discovered, but thereafter was known as “whipped.” Diana overhears Sancho speaking of his disgrace and how he can avenge himself and restore his honor by burning down his house with her in it and then pretending it was an accident. She tries to explain what has happened, but he says he was just imagining such a situation and leaves. She goes to the estate of Valdeflores where Sigismundo and Lisena are in order to be safe until the truth is known. Enrique, too, has found his way to this place, where he talks to Lisena, who pretends to be Leonora. When the King and his entourage arrive, she tells them that she (as Leonora) has decided to go on with the wedding, because her father has decided that she should marry the King of Poland, but she loves Sigismundo and has accepted him as her husband. The King agrees that they shall marry. Sancho, meanwhile, discovers Diana’s absence and he sets out for the estate where the others are, planning to keep quiet and await the opportunity for vengeance.

As everyone gathers at the estate Lisena continues with her impersonation of Leonora, although Diana and Fisberto recognize her and call her by name, arousing the King’s suspicions. Alberto, however, satisfies the King (his father) by saying that they have been led to think that Leonora is Lisena and that Leonora finds it a very amusing joke. The real Leonora is standing with Alberto, who is holding her hand, and the King soon asks who she is.

Her reply that she is the real Leonora enrages the King, but she begs him to forgive them and let Lisena and Sigismundo’s marriage stand, so that she can marry Alberto. The King relents. Lisena explains to her father that she, not Diana, was the one that Sigismundo loved all the time, that Diana just happened to be holding the letter and picture when he came to the garden. On hearing this, Sancho is greatly relieved, knowing that his honor is intact, and is glad that he kept still. Diana confirms that she only went along with the confusion of identity in order to help Lisena, and that she loves only Sancho. As a reward for all of his scheming and other assistance, Sigismundo makes Gascón his chamberlain. As the play ends Sancho, in an aside, repeats that he is glad he remained quiet because now no one has anything to talk about (“al buen callar llaman Sancho”).

Plot

Act I

Don Manrique de Lara has left Castile because his father, Don Pedro de Lara, has been exiled by Alfonso VIII as a result of the workings of his enemies, Fernán Ruiz de Castro and Don Lope Díaz de Haro. Don Manrique, seeking the protection of Don Gastón, Count of Foix, brings a letter of introduction to Don Gastón from Don Jaime, Count of Urgel. Don Gastón decides to aid him, and tells him that he is in love with Armesinda, but her father, the Duke of Narbonne, has promised her to Don Ramón, the Count of Toulouse. Manrique tells Gastón that he is an excellent jouster and that he will fight Ramón at the tournament the following day in order to kill him and free Armesinda to marry Gastón. The following day, Manrique meets Armesinda and they are immediately attracted to each other. She knows that Gastón is in love with her and she is unhappy because she does not want to marry Ramón. Tamayo, Manrique’s lackey, tells Armesinda’s maid, Rosela, who Manrique is and that he is a famous jouster, but no one tells this to Ramón, who is subsequently killed by Manrique in a joust. When the Duke of Narbonne learns who Manrique is, he sends guards to capture him, but Manrique escapes. The guards capture Gastón, however, and bring him back to the Duke. In the meantime the Duke finds a note that Manrique has written to Armesinda in which he tells her that he killed Ramón so that she would not have to marry him and would be free to marry Gastón, to whom he is indebted for his friendship. He says that he had another reason for killing Ramón, but only hints at what it might be. The Duke, angry with his daughter for wanting Ramón killed, orders her to be thrown in prison.

Act II

Ramón’s estate has gone to his brother, Guillén, and there are rumors that the Duke plans to marry Armesinda to Guillén, against her will. Manrique asks the King of Navarre for aid in freeing Gastón, but since Gastón is an old enemy of the King’s, he offers only to fight against the Duke, another of his enemies, but refuses to free Gastón. Manrique, as a loyal friend of Gastón, will not accept these terms. Tamayo has learned from Rosela that the Duke has told Armesinda that Manrique is dead, hoping that she will forget Manrique and marry Guillén. Gastón is to be executed. Manrique sends Tamayo to Narbonne to tell Armesinda that Manrique is alive.

Armesinda’s sister, Violante, who loves Gastón, tells him that she has saved his life by getting the jailer to execute someone else in his place; thus Gastón is free. She also tells him that Manrique has enlisted the aid of the King of Aragon and that the Duke is planning to marry Armesinda to Manrique at the King’s insistence. Gastón is angry at hearing this, believing that Manrique is not his true friend. In fact, Manrique has gotten soldiers from the King of Aragon, but his purpose in attacking the Duke is to free Gastón.

Everyone except Violante believes that Gastón has been executed, and when Tamayo arrives Rosela tells him that Gastón is dead. She smuggles Tamayo into a chest of clothing to be taken to where Armesinda is imprisoned. In this manner, Tamayo is able to tell Armesinda that Manrique is alive. At this point the Duke and Violante come and Tamayo has to hide. The Duke informs Armesinda that the King of Aragon has written to ask for her to marry Manrique and that he has agreed. Being assured that Armesinda and Manrique are to marry, Violante reveals how she helped Gastón escape. It is clear that her plan is to marry Gastón.

Gastón has found out that Manrique has defeated Guillén and established himself in Foix. Gastón, dejected, does not know where to go. Meanwhile Violante tells Manrique that Gastón is alive and betrothed to her and that the Duke has given permission for Armesinda and Manrique to marry.

Act III

Dressed as a pilgrim, Gastón is still bemoaning how Manrique is a false friend when he hears Tamayo talking with two servants. Manrique arrives, and Gastón approaches him, asking for alms. Manrique gives Gastón a doubloon, and as they continue talking Gastón complains that some friends, like some coins, are false. Manrique recognizes him and upon hearing more accusations by Gastón that he is not a true friend, Manrique vows to prove to him, by force if necessary, that he is a loyal friend. He orders his servants to take Gastón’s sword and says that they will go to the King of Aragon, not to have Gastón killed as the latter fears, but to prove that Manrique is, indeed, a loyal friend.

The King of Aragon has made an agreement with the Duke whereby Armesinda will marry Manrique and Violante will marry Gastón. The Kings of Aragon and Navarre are aiding the King of Castile in his battles against the Moors in Seville, and in exchange the King of Aragon is going to ask the King of Castile to pardon Manrique and his father. Manrique comes to the court of Aragon and tells Gastón’s story, also noting that Violante deceived them in saying that Gastón was her husband. Manrique says, untruthfully, that the King of Castile has offered to forgive him and restore his lands if he will marry the daughter of the Count of Castro, so that Armesinda is free to marry Gastón. Upon hearing this news Gastón is overjoyed and exclaims that Manrique is a true friend after all.

Manrique is so saddened by his renunciation of Armesinda that he suffers a temporary madness and orders Tamayo to bury him, since he considers himself dead without her. At the same time, both Armesinda and Violante are unhappy because of Armesinda’s impending marriage to Gastón. The King of Castile arrives, having traveled incognito, and the King of Aragon tells him how glad they are that he has forgiven Manrique and plans to marry him to the Count of Castro’s daughter. The King of Castile is surprised to hear this news and says it is not true. The others than realize that Manrique lied to them so that Gastón could marry Armesinda. Tamayo comes and tells them how despondent Manrique is. The King of Castile agrees to forgive Manrique, and Gastón gives up Armesinda and asks the Duke for Violante’s hand. Thus Gastón repays Manrique’s friendship by making it possible for him to marry Armesinda. The Kings send for Manrique in order to tell him the joyous news. The King of Castile pardons Manrique saying that any friend as good as he deserves to be forgiven. Tamayo is to marry Rosela, and all is well. The play ends with the King of Aragon’s statement that Manrique and Gastón are good examples of how friends ought to be.

Plot

Act I

In the early part of the thirteenth century, Don Gastón has just returned from fighting with the forces of Jaime of Aragon in recapturing Valencia from the Moors. He tells of the holy signs that came to Jaime before the battle and also speaks of the founding of the Mercedarian Order by Fray Pedro Nolasco. Gastón plans for Maroto, one of his shepherds, to marry Laurencia, Niso’s daughter. Maroto is none too pleased with this idea, nor is Laurencia, who is in love with don Guillén, the Comendador de Santiago. Guillén is something of a ladies’ man, but he tells Laurencia that he really loves her.

One night Guillén has arranged to come to Laurencia at her house, but when he arrives, unbeknownst to him, Maroto is there too, standing guard over Laurencia. Laurencia tells Guillén that her father is not yet asleep and that he will have to return later. Guillén climbs up on the back of his servant, Gallardo, in order to take her hand, and he tells her to go to see if her father is asleep yet. At this point Maroto calls for help from the other shepherds, shouting that there are robbers at Laurencia’s house. Guillén flees, vowing that Maroto will pay for this.

When the others come Maroto tells them that he was dreaming that a robber came to steal a jewel from Laurencia when he called out to them. He then declares that he does not want to get married now and that he will not marry until his head is on backwards, and then only to a bride who issues from an olive grove. Gastón does not want to force marriage on anyone, so the wedding of Maroto and Laurencia is called off.

Act II

Gastón has chosen Guillén to marry his sister, Petronila, who is overjoyed with this arrangement because she’s in love with Guillén. Guillén, although promised to Petronila, seizes Laurencia in the presence of Petronila and the shepherds and with the help of Gallardo carries her off to rape her. Niso and the other shepherds swear revenge, as does Gastón, who asks the others to let him take care of the matter, since it was his sister and one of his shepherdesses who were offended. In spite of everything, Petronila still loves Guillén and asks Gastón to forgive him and not to hurt him.

After violating Laurencia, Guillén throws her out for Gallardo to enjoy. Gallardo complains that he always gets the leftovers — be they food, shoes, or women. Laurencia slaps him and, vowing vengeance, leaves him to go seek out the villagers. When she finds them, they are discussing the situation, and she berates them for only talking and not acting to avenge her. In a very emotional speech she calls them cowards, even less than chickens and other animals who would defend their own. After she leaves, the villagers decide to take matters into their own hands, even though Gastón had asked them not to, and they burn down Guillén’s property. In the meantime Gastón has challenged Guillén and they are about to fight when Gallardo brings the news of the fire. Guillén goes off to see about his property, and Gastón postpones his revenge until later.

Laurencia, dressed as a man, has joined Roberto and his group of bandits who have agreed to help her in her avowed intention of taking her revenge on all men other than themselves. Shortly thereafter, Guillén and Gallardo come along and are captured by Laurencia and the bandits. Their capture is followed by that of Maroto, who deserves to be tortured and hanged, according to Laurencia, because he could have married her and saved her honor. Before she can carry out her threat against Maroto, however, one of the bandits interrupts them to say that some villagers are coming to attack them, so they all go out to defend themselves.

Act III

The attack against the bandits is soon dissipated, and they are about to hang Maroto when the fighting breaks out again. Maroto, tied up and left alone, prays to the Virgin, who appears to him, stepping from an olive tree. She tells him to build a Mercedarian monastery on that spot and to take in the prisoners redeemed from the Saracens.

Meanwhile the villagers capture Guillén and Gallardo, and Gastón turns Guillén over to Petronila. The villagers, forbidden by Gastón to kill Gallardo or to draw blood, give him a purgative. Petronila plans to let Guillén go free, whereupon he promises to marry her. Maroto comes and tells them of his experience with the Virgin, but they do not believe him. When he returns to the olive grove to tell the Virgin of their disbelief, she turns his head around on his body as a sign to the others that what he is saying is true.

Gallardo, with his hands bound and suffering greatly from the purgative, finds Guillén and Petronila. His arrival is followed by that of Gastón and then that of Maroto with his head on backwards. Upon seeing him that way they all believe him and go to the olive grove to see the Virgin, who appears to them as they pray. Gastón promises to have the monastery built there to take in the captives and to give all his money to the Mercedarians. Maroto vows to serve the Virgin in the monastery. Laurencia enters and tells how the Virgin called her and purified her, and that she intends to dedicate her life to serving the Virgin. Guillén promises to reform, to marry Petronila and to be a faithful husband to her. Even Gallardo promises to give up his mischievous ways and serve the Virgin.

Plot

Act I

Alfonso challenges Ascanio to fight because he believes that Ascanio has wronged him. When asked by Ascanio to explain why he is so angry, Alfonso relates the history of how he and his cousin Serafina grew up together and how much he loves her. In fact he once grew so ill from love that she relented to him. However, she then got sick, for she did not really love him. When she informed him of this fact, he left and went to fight for the Emperor against the Germans, using the name of a Spaniard, Don Lope de Haro. After Alfonso’s departure, word got around Milan that he was dead, and his mother subsequently died of grief, leaving Serafina to inherit his title. As a favorite of the Emperor, Alfonso was able to intercede with him on Serafina’s behalf when other ambitious people tried to get the inheritance away from her. Things went so well that the Emperor planned to marry Alfonso, as Don Lope, and Serafina, but when she met “Don Lope” and saw that he was really Alfonso, she would have no part of such an arrangement. She now loves Ascanio, and it is for this reason that Alfonso has challenged him to a duel. Ascanio, however, loves Lucrecia, who is in love with Alfonso, so has no interest in fighting over Serafina.

The Emperor urges Serafina to marry Alfonso, but she still refuses. He angrily orders her to give the titles and estate back to Alfonso, which she agrees to do. The Emperor also informs Ascanio that anyone who gets involved with Serafina will be his (the Emperor’s) enemy, so Ascanio is worried about a possible duel with Alfonso over Serafina. Next the Emperor tells Alfonso that since Serafina will not marry him he should marry Lucrecia, an idea that Lucrecia accepts with great enthusiasm. Alfonso, however, cannot bring himself to agree to this marriage. Ascanio, meanwhile, encourages Serafina to marry Alfonso, but she will hear nothing of this and vows that she will win Ascanio yet, with her dowry. The more he resists, the more she loves him. Ascanio says he will never love her unless Alfonso is his go-between.

Alfonso tells Serafina that he will go to Spain to fight with Fernando against the Moors and that they can then spread the word that he has been killed in a duel so that she can keep his inheritance. Knowing that she is happy, he, too, will be happy. Fearing that if Alfonso leaves on her account the Emperor will be even more angry with her, Serafina suggests another plan: that Alfonso court Lucrecia to make Serafina jealous, to see if jealousy will change her feelings toward him. Alfonso is also to offer power and favors to Ascanio to try to get him to pay attention to Serafina, in the hope that if she wins him she will no longer want him. In this way their problem will be solved. Serafina says to Alfonso “del enemigo, Alfonso, el primer consejo” (“the first bit of advice from the enemy, Alfonso”). Although he sees pitfalls in this plan and has doubts about whether it will work, Alfonso decides to go along with it.

Act II

Alfonso tells Ascanio that the Emperor is appointing him (Ascanio) governor of Milan and indicates to him that he must pretend to love what he hates and hate what he loves, just as Alfonso will do. Although they are interrupted before Alfonso can finish his explanation, Ascanio understands fully the situation to which Alfonso refers. In a conversation with Lucrecia, Serafina professes to be glad that Alfonso is to marry Lucrecia, but nevertheless they end up arguing, with Serafina saying that Alfonso still loves her. Alfonso’s servant, Portillo, lets it be known to Serafina that Alfonso loves Lucrecia, information that serves to increase her jealousy even more. The Emperor, meanwhile, informs Alfonso that Serafina is to marry Ascanio; he also tells Alfonso that he doubts that he (Alfonso) really loves Lucrecia and then startles Alfonso by saying that he (the Emperor) loves Serafina too and asks Alfonso to disdain her so that he will not be jealous and worried about Serafina and Alfonso. To put Alfonso to the test, the Emperor is to hide and watch while Alfonso talks to Serafina and Lucrecia, scorning the former and praising the latter.

Before Alfonso’s encounter with the two women, however, he receives a note from Serafina in which she asks him to show particular favor to her so that she can prove to Lucrecia that he still loves her. Alfonso now finds himself in the difficult position of trying to please (both) the Emperor and Serafina at the same time. In the meantime, Serafina, angry, tells Ascanio that she believes that he only loves her because the Emperor bribed him to. Finally Alfonso, Serafina and Lucrecia meet, while the Emperor, hidden, looks on. Alfonso tries to scorn Serafina but, unable to do so, manages to escape the awkward situation by blurting out the truth and then running away. The Emperor sends Arnesto after him and orders that Serafina be locked up.

Act III

In a long conversation with the Emperor, Ascanio says that Alfonso, who is now the Emperor’s prisoner, is very unhappy about what has happened, realizing that he should not have disobeyed the Emperor’s orders. Nevertheless, as punishment for Alfonso, the Emperor wants to give his lands and titles to Ascanio. The latter refuses to accept them, however, saying that his is too good a friend of Alfonso to take his property. Upon hearing this, the Emperor admits that he was testing Ascanio’s friendship and loyalty and now he enlists Ascanio’s aid in testing Alfonso.

Alfonso, sad and regretful at not having obeyed the Emperor, hears from Portillo that people are saying bad things about him. Shortly thereafter, Ascanio comes to tell him that Serafina has given letters to the Emperor naming Alfonso as a traitor. Ascanio and Lucrecia are trying to help Alfonso, though, and Ascanio brings a letter and a key from Lucrecia, so that Alfonso can escape. Alfonso, however, does not want to flee, but rather asserts that he will die honorably in order to prove his innocence. Ascanio then goes to Serafina and tells her that rumors are spreading that she is a traitor to the Emperor, but that if she marries Alfonso, who is now back in the Emperor’s good graces, she will be cleared. He also says that the Emperor only pretended to be in love with her as, in fact, the Emperor himself had admitted to her earlier. She refuses, saying that she is an honorable person and must be accepted as such without marrying Alfonso to prove it. Now Alfonso tells Serafina that he will die an honorable death in spite of her accusations that he is a traitor. She, confused, tells him that she is being accused of being disloyal. Arnesto arrives, telling Serafina privately that the Emperor orders her either to marry Alfonso or to be exiled. He is soon followed by Lucrecia, who claims that the Emperor has sent her to persuade Alfonso to marry her and thereby save his life. Confronted with this situation, Alfonso announces that he cannot marry Lucrecia because he loves Serafina, at which point Ascanio warns him that he must then die the next day. Serafina is able to set things straight, however, with her announcement that Arnesto has brought her the news that the Emperor wants her to marry Alfonso. The Emperor’s arrival shortly thereafter confirms what Serafina has said: Alfonso and Serafina are to marry, as are Ascanio and Lucrecia. Portillo will be the head of Alfonso’s household, and all ends well.

Plot

Act I

Don Baltasar, after wounding someone who attacked him, escapes into a house, where he finds himself locked in Doña Mayor’s bedroom. He goes to sleep, and she comes in, sees him and faints. He awakens and wakes her, and they talk and fall in love. She is to go to Madrid the next day to marry Don Luis, whom she does not love. In the meantime, Baltasar’s servant, Carreño, meets Diego, who is Doña Ana’s cousin. Diego is worried about Baltasar, who is supposed to marry Ana. He fears that Baltasar is untrue. Carreño promises to check for him. Baltasar tells Felipe, whom he is visiting, about Mayor, and Casilda brings Baltasar a letter from Mayor, saying that a servant has been found dead and implying that she hopes to see him again. Encouraged, he plans to arrange this.

Act II

Doña Mayor is on her way to Madrid with her father (Don Alonso), Luis Medrano, and Baltasar, who is disguised as muleteer. Mayor, pretending to be sick in the coach, rides Baltasar’s mule as he walks beside her. Thus, Baltasar gets a chance to tell Mayor that he came to Toledo because of a legal affair and he might end-up a marqués. Meanwhile, Carreño and Felipe are following to see what will happen, as is Diego. Carreño informs Diego of the situation. Diego reacts by wanting to kill Baltasar because he is not true to Ana, but Carreño advises that it will be better to talk to him privately. Diego decides that this is true.

Mayor’s mule “runs away,” after Baltasar poked it in the dark, and he runs after her. He takes this opportunity to tell her about Ana, but says he does not love her any more and that Ana has another love. Mayor says that she has a plan to have him arrested for the death of her servant in Toledo and that she will go to see Ana to reassure herself on that point. Luis is looking for them and overhears the end of their conversation, when they speak of marrying. Mayor pacifies Luis, by telling him it was just a joke, that Baltasar was talking romantically and that she had led him on for a joke. He believes her and tells “Lucas” (Baltasar) that he will be the padrino at their wedding.

Act III

Alonso and Felipe have met at an Inn. Felipe says he is on his way to Madrid, too, to fight for the king. Felipe then talks to Elena, telling her that he had to see her. Carreño and Casilda also talk, and he says he loves her. The joke goes on about “Lucas” and his marriage to Mayor. While they are waiting for a wheel to be fixed, they have a mock wedding, but Baltasar and Mayor are serious. Felipe and Elena, as well as Carreño and Casilda, are also betrothed. Diego arrives and tells Baltasar that he must marry Ana, for Rodrigo, her other suitor, has been killed. Baltasar puts him off, agreeing, but asking to wait until they get to Madrid. Mayor overhears this conversation and orders Baltasar arrested for having killed the servant. He escapes, however. Felipe and Carreño set out to find Baltasar; Felipe wants Baltasar and Mayor to get together as it will help him with Elena. They go to the monastery of San Isidro, where Luis’s servants have prepared for the wedding of Luis and Mayor. The others arrive, but Mayor refuses to marry Luis until “Lucas” is found and in prison. Baltasar returns and reveals his true identity. He and Mayor assert that their wedding vows were sincere and that they are legally married. Felipe supports them. Luis leaves in a rage. Diego brings the news that Ana has married Rodrigo, who was not dead after all, so that Baltasar is free to marry Mayor, whereupon Alonso gives his blessing to Mayor and Baltasar. The marriages of Felipe and Elena, and Carreño and Casilda, are declared to be valid, too. Baltasar remarks that a great deal can happen in the short journey from Toledo to Madrid.

Plot

Act I

Doña Juana is on her way from Valladolid to Madrid, accompanied by Quintana. Juana has had an affair with Don Martín, who promised to marry her, but whose father has now arranged for him to marry Doña Inés, a young woman from Madrid who is richer that Juana. Because Martín is already promised to Juana, he and his father plan for him to present himself to Inés using the name Don Gil, coming recommended by Martín’s father. By means of bribery, Juana has learned of Martín’s scheme and plans to circumvent it. Dressed as a man, she continues to Madrid, while Quintana goes to Vallecas, where he is to await further word from Juana. Along the way Juana meets Caramanchel, whom “he” takes on as a servant, introducing “himself” as “Don Gil.”

In the meantime Don Pedro, Inés’ father, receives Martín, disguised as Don Gil, who gives him a letter from Martín’s father explaining that Martín is married but he is sending Don Gil in his place. Pedro instructs Martín (as Gil) to go to the Duque’s garden that afternoon in order to meet Inés there. He intends to let Inés and Martín get acquainted before telling Inés that Martín is to be her husband. After Martín (Gil) leaves, however, Pedro overhears Inés talking to Don Juan and learns that they are in love. Juan, jealous, does not want her to go to the garden, but she responds by asking him to go too. After Juan has left, Pedro tells Inés that she cannot marry Juan because she is to marry Don Gil. Angry, she makes fun of Gil’s name, saying it sounds like a country bumpkin.

At the garden Juana (as Gil), who has again learned of Martín’s plans by bribing a servant in Pedro’s household, arrives, clad in green breeches, before Martín does and presents “himself” to Inés, Clara (Inés’s cousin) and Juan. Both Inés and Clara are attracted to “Don Gil,” who promises Inés to come courting that night. Upon observing Inés’s private conversation with “Don Gil,” Juan becomes very jealous. After Juana (Gil) departs, Pedro comes with Martín (Gil). Much to his consternation and surprise, Inés informs her father that she has already fallen in love with “Gil.” Pedro and Martín are bewildered, since Inés has not yet met “Gil” (Martín), and Pedro explains that Martín is “Don Gil,” to which Inés replies that he is not the “Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes” whom she loves. Confirming Inés’s story, Clara also professes love for “Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes.” Pedro and Martín remain confused as to the identity of the other “Gil,” and Martín offers to wear green breeches, too, if that will please Inés.

Act II

Posing as Doña Elvira, Juana takes a house next to Pedro’s. She sends Quintana with a letter for Martín in which she writes that she is pregnant and has gone to a convent in order that her father not discover her condition. In this way, she plans to prevent Martín from suspecting that she is the other “Don Gil.” When Martín receives the letter he is moved by Juana’s plight and decides to go to her. Inés, meanwhile, tells Juan that she is forced to obey her father, but that she does not love the second “Gil,” whom she is supposed to marry, whereupon Juan promises to do away with him. Inés also has become acquainted with “Elvira,” who tells her how she was loved in Burgos by a certain Don Miguel, who then left her and went to Valladolid to his cousin, Don Gil, a friend of Martín. She continues with the story of how Gil was to marry Inés because Martín was already betrothed to Juana, but Miguel stole Gil’s letter of identification and came on to Madrid, posing as Gil. Elvira and Gil followed Miguel, and on the way, Gil fell in love with her, but she rebuffed him because of her relationship with Miguel. The real Gil, then, is the first one that Inés met in the garden.

Juan challenges “Gil” (Martín) to a duel, but the latter does not want to fight, especially after Juan tells him that Inés is to follow her father’s will and marry him even though she does not love him. Martín (Gil) decides to marry Inés and not go to Juana in the convent. Instead, he plans to persuade Juana to become a nun. Osorio brings Martín a letter from his father urging him to hasten the wedding because Juana has disappeared, a letter of credit to a merchant for money, and a letter for Inés’ father. Martín intends to put the letters in his pocket, but he inadvertently drops them instead. The letters are soon found by Juana (as Gil) and Caramanchel, and Juana sends Quintana to the merchant to collect the money.

Inés tells her father about the two Gils and the confusion of identity, according to Elvira’s story. Juana (Gil) shows the letter from Martín’s father to Pedro, who recognizes the writing and thus accepts Juana (Gil) as the legitimate one. The affair is then settled when Gil (Juana) says “he” loves Inés and their marriage is arranged. When Martín appears shortly thereafter Pedro calls him a rogue and a liar, referring to him as “Don Miguel” and telling him to go back to Burgos. Martín, of course, is again confused by this latest turn of events, a condition aggravated when Osorio comes to tell him that a certain “Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes” has already cashed his letter of credit.

Act III

Quintana brings word to Martín that Juana has died in the convent upon giving birth prematurely to a malformed daughter. Juana died in a mixed state of joy, from having received a letter from Martín saying he was coming to her, and fear, because of the knowledge that her father was on his way to find her to avenge his honor. Caramanchel shows Inés a letter that “Gil” (Juana) wrote to “Elvira” (Juana) in which Gil professes to love Elvira, rather that Inés, although he has to call on Inés that afternoon. The contents of his letter, naturally, make Inés both angry and jealous. In the meantime, Juana tells Quintana that she has written to her father, hoping to get him to come to Madrid by telling him that she is at death’s door as the result of a beating that Martín gave her in Alcorcón and that Martín is now in Madrid posing as Don Gil de Albornoz in order to marry Doña Inés.

Clara declares to “Gil” (Juana) her great love for “him.” “He” professes to love her, too, and they swear their love for each other. This last part of their conversation is overheard by Inés, who, after Clara’s departure, reveals her presence and accuses “Gil” (Juana) of being untrue and of deceiving three women–Clara, Elvira and herself–at the same time. Juana secretly is glad that Inés is suffering, since the latter has caused her so much grief, but in order to get out of the predicament when Inés vows to marry “Don Miguel” in retribution, Juana admits that she is not really “Gil” but “Elvira,” disguised as “Gil” to test Inés to see if she really loves “Gil” rather than “Miguel.” As a part of her scheme, she relates, she wrote herself the letter from “Gil” and borrowed the latter’s clothing to disguise herself. When Inés expresses skepticism about this explanation, Juana agrees to put on one of Inés’s dresses to prove that she is really “Elvira.”

Juan learns from Caramanchel that the first “Gil” loves “Elvira” and that Inés is jealous. Soon Juana, dressed now as Elvira in Inés’s clothing, and Inés meet Caramanchel, who is completely bewildered by the similarity between “Elvira” and the “Gil” whom he serves and is convinced that the two are the same person: an “hembri-macho.” “Elvira” tells him that “Don Gil” will come within an hour and he will see them both together and thus will know the truth.

That night Juan waits below Inés’s window in order to avenge himself on whichever “Gil” appears to serenade her. As Caramanchel watches, Juan speaks to Inés, who along with Juana (Elvira) is at the window above. When Inés assumes that he is Gil, he assumes that identity and converses with her. Soon Martín appears and Juan recognizes him as “Gil” and challenges him to a duel. By now, however, Martín is convinced that the Don Gil who causes him so much trouble is really Juana’s spirit taking revenge on him. He promises to pray for her and begs her to leave him alone, saying that she has caused him enough trouble, and with that he departs. Juana, of course, has found his reaction very amusing.

Juana leaves the window on the pretext that Valdivieso is awaiting her. She intends to follow through with her plan to appear as Gil in order to satisfy Caramanchel and Inés. At this point Clara appears, dressed as Gil in an effort to find out if Gil is expected by Inés. Her soft voice leads Caramanchel and Inés to think that she is the real Gil. Believing that Clara is the other Gil, Juan, after identifying himself as the real Gil who has been falsely accused of being Miguel, threatens to kill Gil (Clara). (Juan has no way to know Miguel’s name so far as the text is concerned, so that his use of this name appears to be a slip of memory on Tirso’s part.) Now Juana, also dressed as Gil, arrives, accompanied by Quintana. In the ensuing struggle between so many “Giles” over which one is the real “Gil,” Quintana wounds Juan. Now four “Giles” have been there, three of them at the same time, all of which leads Caramanchel to say “Don Giles llueve Dios hoy.” Extremely upset, he believes that he as been serving an “alma en pena” after everything that he has seen and heard.

Meanwhile, Martín has withdrawn to a park to contemplate his many problems. “There is never lacking a Don Gil to persecute me,” he says. Diego, Juana’s father, comes, having been informed by Quintana that Juana died as a result of the beating Martín gave her, along with Quintana and a sheriff, to have Martín arrested for beating Juana to death. This accusation leaves Martín totally confused, whereupon Diego shows him the letter he received from Juana. Don Antonio and Celio appear, demanding that Gil (Martín) be punished for swearing to love Clara and then breaking his word. Poor Martín is now more bewildered than ever, a condition further heightened when Fabio and Decio come to have him arrested for wounding Juan.

Juana, still dressed as Gil, along with Pedro, Inés, Clara, and Juan (who was not badly injured), comes to clarify the situation. Her father is overjoyed to see her alive, and she explains that she has told the whole story to Inés, revealing that she was Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes. Martín takes Juana’s hand in marriage, leaving Juan and Inés free to marry as well. Clara is betrothed to Antonio. Caramanchel arrives, loaded down with religious articles to protect him against the “alma en pena,” but he is relieved of this worry when Juana tells him of her three identities as Elvira, Gil and Juana. Osorio announces the arrival of Martín’s father, and they all go to greet him with the news of the three impending marriages.

Plot

Act I

In Lisbon there are festivities to celebrate the upcoming marriages of two Portuguese princesses: that of Isabel, who is to wed Juan II of Castilla, and that of her cousin Leonor. sister of Alfonso V, who will marry the Emperor Federico III of Germany. Isabel is to be accompanied on her trip to Castile by the beautiful Doña Beatriz de Silva, who is the object of the affections of Don Pedro Girón, a Spaniard, and Don Pedro Pereira, a Portuguese nobleman. Since both of her suitors wish to go to Castile with Beatriz, she decides to permit them to do so. Beatriz’s brother, Don Juan de Meneses, is in love with Leonor and is overjoyed when she asks him to travel with her to Germany.

Meanwhile Juan II awaits the arrival of Isabel in Badajoz. He is marrying her on the advice of the Condestable de Castilla, Don Alvaro de Luna; the King has not even so much as seen a picture. The Princes of Aragón, Don Enrique and Don Pedro, and Don Alvaro de Estúñiga counsel Juan against Alvaro de Luna, but Juan is weak and takes the Condestable’s word for everything. When Pedro Girón arrives in advance of Isabel, the King asks what his future wife is like. Pedro Girón has two portraits — one of Isabel and one of Beatriz — and he accidentally shows the King the wrong one. The latter immediately falls in love with the lady of the portrait (Beatriz), and before Pedro Girón can rectify the error Isabel and her entourage arrive. The King greets Beatriz, referring to her as Isabel; Pedro Girón explains the confusion of the portraits; the King apologizes to Isabel, who takes it all very well. The King, however, has already fallen for Beatriz. Both Pedro Girón and Pereira are jealous of the King’s obvious attraction to Beatriz, and Isabel says that she has entered Castile “por la puerta de los celos” (through the door of jealousy).

Act II

In Castile, Beatriz tells Inés that she has favored several men. She has given a glove to Pereira and another to Diego Sarmiento (although later Luis de Velasco says she has given him the second glove) and a flower to Luis de Velasco. Beatriz agrees not to give a token to Pedro Girón because Inés is in love with him. At this point Pedro Girón arrives, and Inés excuses herself on the pretext that she must go talk to Alvaro de Luna, but in reality she hides in order to spy on Beatriz and Pedro Girón. When Beatriz refuses to give a favor to Pedro Girón, he says he won’t take part in the bullfight that afternoon. She then gives him a toothpick since she doesn’t want the palace to be sad because there will be no fiesta. On seeing this, Inés becomes both angry and jealous and swears revenge.

The King tells Inés that he is in love with Beatriz and gives her a letter to deliver to Beatriz. Pereira and Diego Sarmiento are arguing over Beatriz when Isabel comes with Pedro Girón and Luis. One by one they all make a claim for Beatriz’s love, after which Isabel says that Beatriz must choose the one she wishes to marry. Pedro Girón vows to exile himself if she refuses him, Pereira and Luis swear vengeance if they are denied, and Diego is counting on aid from the King.

Isabel wants desperately to get Beatriz married so that she (Isabel) will no longer have to be jealous of Beatriz and the King. To this end she asks the King to give Beatriz in marriage to one of her four suitors. The King, however, finds some impediment in each of the four: Pereira is Beatriz’s cousin, and thus they might have no children; the King has promised Pedro Girón to an Aragonese noblewoman; he plans to make Luis Gran Prior of Castile; and Diego is too young. The King’s refusal angers Isabel, who, as a jealous Portuguese lady should, swears to avenge herself on Beatriz.

Inés shows Isabel the letter that the King gave her to deliver to Beatriz. Isabel then informs Beatriz that she is to be sent back to Portugal because she has bestowed favors on four gentlemen and has caused a fifth, the King, to fall in love with her.

At this point Isabel takes out the letter that the King wrote to Beatriz and tears it up. Beatriz responds that she simply wanted to favor (be kind to) them all and that she cannot help it if the King has fallen in love with her. This reply makes Isabel even angrier and she shuts Beatriz up in a wardrobe and leaves her to die with no food or water.

Meanwhile Leonor and Juan de Meneses are in Rome, where Leonor’s wedding to the Emperor and their coronation are to take place. She has fallen madly in love with the Emperor, which causes him to be sad and to complain that he has lost his love since coming to Rome. She professes to know who his lost love is and warns him to forget her or it may cost him dearly. As she passes by him later she stumbles and he takes her hand to steady her and then tries to kiss it, whereupon she slaps him. Disconsolate, he decides to leave Rome and seek solace in divine, not worldly things.

Act III

The Virgin, as a girl, appears to Beatriz in the wardrobe in which she is locked and promises her that she will be free and will serve the Virgin from now on, forming a new order, the order of the Immaculate Conception, in Toledo. The Virgin also tells her that Juan de Meneses has become a Franciscan because of his rejection by Leonor. Meanwhile the King is looking for Beatriz and demands that Isabel tell him where she is. Isabel announces that she has condemned Beatriz to death and that she has been locked in a wardrobe for three days. Upon opening the wardrobe however, they are surprised to find Beatriz alive and well. The King then informs Beatriz’s suitors that they are all going to Granada to fight the Moors and that the greatest hero can have Beatriz; however Beatriz, disguised as a peasant, manages to escape with Melgar to Toledo. When they are unable to find Beatriz in the palace, the King and Queen Isabel accuse each other of having hidden her away. Inés then finds a letter in which Beatriz writes that she is going to Toledo to become a nun. The King decides to stop on the way to Granada to be her sponsor (padrino).

As Beatriz and Melgar are fleeing they hear voices. At first they are afraid, thinking that Isabel’s people are pursuing them, but the voice turns out to be that of San Antonio de Padua, who is there to help them so that Beatriz can found the Order of the Immaculate Conception in Toledo. Still frightened, Melgar runs away, but Beatriz sees San Antonio de Padua, Pope Sixto IV, Pope Paulo V, King Jaime I of Aragon, and King Juan I of Castile. After this vision, Melgar returns to inform Beatriz that the King and Queen and their entourage are arriving. They all appear and give Beatriz their blessing. Then Isabel is no longer jealous, and Pedro Girón ends the play by promising a second play that will tell the story of the founding of the Order of the Immaculate Conception and the rest of Beatriz’s life.

Plot

Act I

Pereto, an old peasant of Montalto, has three children: Sabina, Camila and Félix (later known as Sixto). Félix and Sabina go every day to Fermo to sell firewood and produce, but before they arrive Félix changes into student’s clothes in order to go to the university while Sabina sells their products. Félix has been studying for four years because a professor of mathematics and astrology once told him that he should study religion and that he would thereby earn a crown, which, if he accepted it, would be followed by three others. He also said that all of the good things that happened to Félix would take place on Wednesdays.

One day Félix meets Marco Antonio and Pompeyo on the road. While they are talking, Pompeyo’s servant, Fabio, tells Félix that Pope Paul II has died and that Cardenal Colona, the uncle of Marco Antonio and Pompeyo, hopes to become the new Pope. Marco Antonio and Pompeyo are on their way to Rome to see their uncle. After the others depart, Félix thinks again of the prophecy regarding his future and decides to join the Order of St. Francis with the ambition to work to make himself Pope or nothing.

Meanwhile, we learn that Césaro, a noble of the Urbino family who is studying in Fermo, has seen Sabina and fallen in love with her. Césaro tells Sabina of his love for her, but she thinks he’s joking, although she is encouraged by his words, because she loves him, too, and even comes close to confessing her love to him. At the same time, a student who has followed Félix and seen him change into his peasant’s clothing confides to another, and the two plan to reveal the truth about Félix.

When Félix and Sabina return home that afternoon, they learn that he has been chosen king of the Easter celebration. One of the shepherds, Chamoso, goes to the church to get the crown of St. Louis, King of France, since they had forgotten to bring a crown for Félix. He mistakenly brings the crown of the Pope, Saint Gregory, instead. Félix takes this to be another omen, and he makes plans to go to Escuti the following day to join the Franciscan order.

Act II

Félix, now a priest, returns to Fermo, where his family greets him. Rodulfo and Abostra, the head of the Franciscans, are to choose a Predicator for the Pope by drawing names from a silver vessel. Félix’s name is drawn twice, although it is not supposed to be among the names they put into the vessel. Abostra becomes jealous of Félix because his name has been drawn and prepares to avenge himself by discrediting Félix with false rumors.

Sabina tells Camila that she and Césaro have been lovers for three years and that she is now to have his baby. Césaro promises to marry her, but his father, Prince Fabriano, tells him that he is to be named Cardinal of Rome. Césaro explains to his father that he cannot become Cardinal since he is married, but he refuses to say to whom. His father, angry at his refusal, orders him locked up. Upon being threatened by Prince Fabriano, Decio tells him about Césaro and Sabina. The Prince, enraged at the thought of his son’s marrying a peasant girl, swears vengeance.

Marcelo, on the way to Rome with the Crown of Venice that he is to give the Pope, meets Ascanio Colona. The two of them encounter Félix, who is lamenting the fact that Abostra has discredited him before the Pope with false accusations. Meanwhile, Julio, Marcelo’s servant, steals the crown and hides it in the rocks.

Félix, now alone, falls asleep. Rome appears to him in a dream and gives him the crown, telling him that three crowns still await him. He awakens with the crown in his hand, but Marcelo and Ascanio return, and, thinking he has stolen the crown, they take it from him and send him on his way. Félix then meets his father, who tells him that the Prince has had his house burned down because of Sabrina’s relationship with Césaro. Félix decides to go to the Pope to try to get all their affairs straightened out.

In the meantime the Pope has learned that the accusations against Félix are untrue. Rodulfo and another Franciscan priest arrive at the Pope’s palace with a message from Abostra, in which he recommends that Félix be made Inquisitor of Venice, much to the surprise of the priests.

Félix arrives, and the Pope names him Inquisitor of Venice and Vicario General of the Franciscans. The Pope announces that Abostra is dead, and the priests wonder how he can know this. Ascanio and Marcelo arrive and tell Félix that Julio has confessed that it was he who stole the Crown of Venice. They have brought the crown to the Pope, and as they present it to him it almost falls and Félix catches it. He takes this to be a sign of coming good fortune and observes that the day is Wednesday, the day on which favorable things happen to him.

Act III

Alejandro has come on behalf of Césaro’s father to tell Pereto that Césaro is to marry Octavia Colona. He insults Pereto by offering him money to bribe him and Sabina. Pereto refuses the money; Sabina cannot believe that Césaro will marry someone else. Upon Alejandro’s return with the news of Pereto’s refusal of the money, the Prince grows angry and Marco Antonio, who is Octavia’s brother, swears to kill Sabina in revenge.

Meanwhile Ascanio and Félix talk. Ascanio says that Félix is not worthy to be a cardinal and that Sabina is not worthy of Césaro. Félix decides to resign as Vicario General since there’s so much jealousy of him. At the request of a Franciscan who says Félix is too hard on the priests, the Pope agrees to remove Félix as Vicario General. Félix wants to go back to Montalto, so the Pope sends him back, but makes him Bishop of Fermo. The Pope then announces that he is making both Ascanio and Félix cardinals.

Sabina goes with some shepherds to free Césaro from his imprisonment at the hands of his father. She gives him a rope ladder, but the Prince and Alejandro come, so she and the shepherds deceive them by pretending to be hunters. In the meantime Marco Antonio is on his way to kill Sabina when he meets Camila and immediately falls in love with her. Soon Sabina arrives on the scene, followed by Césaro, who has escaped and is going to Montalto in search of her. Pereto comes, bringing the news that Félix has been made a cardinal. Fabricio, who has come to escort Pereto to Rome, tells them that the Prince has given permission for Césaro to marry Sabina, now that her brother is a cardinal.

They all go to Rome, where Félix honors his father and they all pay homage to the new cardinal, Félix. Césaro and Sabina are to marry, and Prince Colona gives Marco Antonio permission to marry Camila. The play ends as Césaro predicts that in four years Félix will become Pope Sixto V.

Plot

Act I

Manuel de Sosa has come to Goa, a Portuguese possession near India, from Dío, where he has serve for three years. García de Sá, the governor of Goa, hears from Manuel of the feats of the Portuguese against the Turks in Dío and learns that the Indian rulers, King Safidín and Queen Rosambuca, are to be baptized as Christians. Carballo, Manuel’s lackey, recognizes María, who is dressed as a man and serves Da. Leonor, García’s daughter, as a page. María explains to Carballo that she has come seeking Manuel, who promised to marry her and who has with him their son, Diaguito.

In the meantime, García tells Manuel that he wants Leonor to marry Juan de Mascareña, but she is not interested. He says that Leonor admires Manuel very much, after having met him when she and her father visited him in Dío nine months before. He wants Manuel to intercede with Leonor on behalf of Juan. Manuel agrees, but he really loves Leonor himself. Leonor gives María a note for Manuel, which María reads. It tells Manuel that Leonor runs a great risk and must see him to tell him of it. María, upset and jealous, plans to tell García.

García gives Juan hope of marrying Leonor and sends him to escort Safidín back to Tanor. Isabel, Leonor’s cousin, appears in the dark, and mistaking García for Manuel, hands him a baby that she says is his. García, confused, cannot think how Manuel could have fathered a child in Goa. Then he remembers that Leonor was in Dío nine months before, as was Isabel. He is perplexed as to which is the mother. Manuel comes, and García hands him the baby. Carballo tells Manuel that María is there — now Manuel has two wives and two children!

Act II

Manuel promises María that everything will be all right, telling her that he loved her first and will love Leonor for her, but he says she must sail with Juan to Tanor so that he can straighten out things and join her there. She is suspicious, but agrees. Meanwhile, García talks to Carballo, who, fearing that otherwise he will be tortured, tells him that Leonor is the baby’s mother. Furious, García thinks of killing all three, but concludes that everyone would know his dishonor that way, so he decides it is best to have Manuel and Leonor marry and thus save his honor. Confronted with this decision, Manuel worries about María but has no choice. Just before the marriage he trips and cuts his hand on his sword, which he interprets as a bad omen. García says that they will save his honor and he will give Leonor a big dowry, but he does not want to see them until he gets over his anger, so they are to go to Portugal.

In the meantime María, Juan, and Diaguito are on a ship ready to go to Tanor when Carballo comes and asks that Diaguito go to see Manuel for a little while. He says that Manuel is to sail to Portugal, that Leonor and Juan are to marry, and that María and Manuel will be able to live in Portugal. Manuel wants Diaguito to visit him for a few minutes. Diaguito goes and then the servants bring letters to Juan and María saying that Manuel and Leonor are married and on their way to Portugal, taking Diaguito with them. Diaguito calls to María from the ship as it sails by. She wishes all evil to the ship, but retracts the curse because, after all, Diaguito is on board.

Act III

Juan says that he will set out to find Manuel and Leonor so that García, who is upset because he now knows María’s story, can avenge his honor. In the meantime, a storm throws Manuel and the others ashore in Mozambique among cannibals. Since there are five hundred of the Portuguese, they think they can last the winter. The natives capture Carballo, however, and tigers and a lack of food kill nearly four hundred Portuguese. The natives say that if they will turn over their weapons they will feed them through the winter. Although they are suspicious, Manuel thinks they should acquiesce in order to stay alive. Leonor, incidentally, has been very courageous through all these tribulations. Finally Manuel gives their arms to the natives, over the protest of the others. The natives immediately attack them. Manuel takes Leonor and the children to a safe spot and goes back to look for the others to make weapons of wood and whatever they can find. The natives take Leonor and a tiger gets Diaguito. Manuel returns and does not know which of the two to try to save, but it is really too late for either.

Juan, María and García, who have been searching for them, have to stop to ride out a storm nearby. Carballo comes and tells them to hurry to help Manuel and the others, but a sailor arrives and says it is too late. The tiger killed Diaguito, Leonor buried herself alive to avoid the attacks of the natives, who had forced her to undress, and Manuel ran off into the forest and no doubt is dead by now. They are all saddened by this most unhappy news, with María and García deeply grieved.

Plot

Act I

Rogerio has returned from Paris, where he has been studying. He and Leonisa love each other, although she is a peasant and he a gentleman. She came from England at the age of three with her father, an employee of Pinardo who ostensibly is Rogerio’s father. Upon his return, Rogerio learns that his father wants Leonisa to marry Filipo and that her father says that she is worthy of Filipo, even though he is a nobleman. Rogerio tries to convince Pinardo that Leonisa should not marry Filipo, and she agrees, but Pinardo is firm in his decision.

Now that his wife has died, the Duque de Bretaña acknowledges Rogerio as his illegitimate son and wants him to marry his niece, Clemencia. Clemencia, however, loves Enrique and has promised him that she will not forget him and will love Rogerio only as a cousin. Acceding to the Duke’s wishes, Rogerio takes Clemencia’s hand as they are talking. Leonisa, however, witnesses this scene and walks between them on the pretense of looking for an earring she has lost. Rogerio takes an earring from Clemencia as a love token, but Leonisa in turn takes it from him, claiming that it is her lost earring. At the moment a servant comes to say that the Duke is calling for them, but Rogerio and Leonisa have the opportunity to exchange a few words, in which he says he still loves her and that she will kill him if she marries Filipo, but yet he admits that the circumstances have changed now that he is a duke.

Act II

Rogerio is sad because he cannot marry Leonisa, but he tells the Duke that it is because he is taking his new responsibilities very seriously. Leonisa comes to visit him at the Duke’s palace, but he tells her that he must marry Clemencia, that he loved her (Leonisa) when he thought he was Pinardo’s son but can no longer love her now that he is a duke, and that she should marry someone else.

Overhearing Clemencia and Enrique talking, Leonisa learns that Enrique loves Clemencia, who is, however, determined to marry Rogerio, once the dispensation for the cousins to marry comes from Rome. Later Leonisa suggests to Enrique that they plot together so that through jealousy each can win his love. As a part of this plot, Carlín falsely tells Clemencia that he has delivered a message to Rogerio from Leonisa, thus causing Clemencia to be jealous. Carlín then tells Rogerio that Leonisa is unhappy that she cannot marry Rogerio, but that Felipo is courting her and she will probably give in.

Enrique, meanwhile, has taken in a relative of his, Margarita, the Duquesa de Clarencia, who has been banished from Scotland. He plans for Leonisa to impersonate Margarita, while the real Margarita stays in seclusion at a castle of Enrique’s. Enrique is to pretend to love “Margarita” and to want to marry her. At the same time the Duke learns that Margarita has had to leave Scotland because a noble there, a favorite of the King, had her father killed and then persuaded the King to marry her to him. In order to get revenge, Margarita killed him immediately after the wedding, and then fled. The Duke plans to protect Margarita, although he has received a petition from the King of Scotland asking him to return her to him. Soon, Enrique brings “Margarita” to the Duke’s palace, where Rogerio meets her and notes her resemblance to Leonisa. Later, once again dressed as herself, Leonisa tells Rogerio that she is going to marry Filipo.

Act III

Rogerio tries to convince Filipo not to marry Leonisa, but Pinardo reminds Filipo that he has given his word. Filipo points out that Leonisa’s virtue makes up for her lack of nobility, thereby causing Rogerio to admit to himself that he ought to have looked at it that way. He still plans to try to win Leonisa. Meanwhile, Enrique receives permission from the Duke to marry “Margarita.” Enrique is concerned, however, because he had hoped that Rogerio would want to marry her, since she looks so much like Leonisa.

Leonisa, as Margarita, and Firela, dressed in English garb as Margarita’s lackey, appear and are seen by Carlín, who recognizes them and finally decides that he is dreaming. After the departure of Carlín and Firela, “Margarita” is joined by Enrique, the Duke, Clemencia and Rogerio. Rogerio manages to speak privately to “Margarita.” She agrees to marry him and he gives her a ring. Clemencia, meanwhile, is jealous of Enrique and “Margarita” because she thinks they are to marry. Rogerio then advises Enrique that he wants to marry “Margarita” and that Enrique can have Clemencia. Enrique replies that he no longer loves Clemencia, but will marry Leonisa, since she looks so much like “Margarita,” Rogerio is perturbed after Enrique tells him that he has already told Leonisa that they will marry.

At Filipo’s house Leonisa, Firela, Pinardo and Filipo are preparing for the wedding of Leonisa and Filipo. When Rogerio appears Leonisa reminds him that he told her to get married. He wants her to marry him, however, and gives her a ring. Leonisa, of course, knows that he is is already pledged to “Margarita,” and thereby she has promised to marry him twice. Rogerio, too, is confused and upset at finding himself engaged to two different women, but he finally decides that he truly loves Leonisa and will marry her.

The Duke, accompanied by Clemencia and Enrique, arrives, demanding to know why Rogerio has called off the marriage of Enrique and “Margarita,” Rogerio explains that he knew that Clemencia and Enrique loved each other. When Enrique denies loving Clemencia any longer and affirms his desire to wed “Margarita,” Rogerio tells them that “Margarita” is his wife, thereby evoking a quick denial from Leonisa, who shows the ring he gave her as evidence of their betrothal. At this point Rogerio announces his intention to marry Leonisa. Shocked, the Duke complains that she is not noble. The real Margarita appears now, however, and explains that Leonisa is her cousin. Leonisa’s father had to flee his homeland, as did Margarita herself but he was noble. She further informs them that the Scottish King has died and she is now free to return home. Enrique admits that he was responsible for Leonisa’s being an imposter in the hope that he could make Clemencia jealous and thus win her back. The Duke gives permission for Rogerio to marry Leonisa and for Enrique to marry Clemencia.

Plot

Act I

Lucrecia, an Italian countess, is very fond of Lope de Vega and is especially attracted by the bucolic life of his Arcadia. Felipe is in love with her and she with him, but he’s a Spaniard and she’s afraid of what the jealousy of all her suitors might lead to if she married a Spaniard, one of the hated enemy. For the time being, therefore, he is dressed as a shepherd called Tirso, playing “Anfriso” to her “Belisarda.” He is growing impatient with this situation, however, and she puts him off by explaining that she loves him but cannot risk saying so openly because he’s one of the enemy. She suggests that they write to the Duke of Feria asking for his help.

Hortensio, Lucrecia’s uncle, urges her to marry because her people are anxious that she marry and have an heir. She responds that she will look over the list of suitors and give her reply that afternoon. As promised, Lucrecia sends her Spanish servant, Angela, that afternoon with a letter for Hortensio to read to her suitors. The letter states that since all of the suitors are worthy she does not wish to offend any by choosing one who is less than perfect.S he then names suitors one by one, pointing out the faults of each, and concludes by saying that because none of them is perfect she will not marry any of them. She adds that she will only marry someone as perfect as Lope’s Anfriso of the Arcadia.

Act II

Alejandra, Lucrecia’s cousin, suspects that Felipe is not really a shepherd. She takes his hand to look for calluses and discovers none. He attempts to explain by saying that he hasn’t been working in the fields much lately because he spent a time studying to be a priest. Meanwhile, Lucrecia has witnessed this scene, and, misunderstanding what she sees, becomes jealous of Alejandra. To spite Felipe she tells Carlos that she will marry him. Felipe, believing that Lucrecia wants to marry Carlos, bids her farewell.

The shock of what’s happened and Felipe’s departure causes Lucrecia to become somewhat unbalanced and she thinks that is really Belisarda. She mopes around and gets furious if anyone denies that she’s in Arcadia. Alejandra suspects that she’s sad because of Felipe, who is probably really a nobleman. In the meantime Felipe has rejoined his army regiment and (is again accompanied by) Pinzón, his servant. They encounter Pedro, on his way to Milan to tell the Duke about Lucrecia’s madness. On hearing this story, Felipe realizes what is wrong with her and he and Pinzón set out to try to help her.

Disguised as a doctor, Pinzón, accompanied by Felipe, gains admittance to Lucrecia’s house. In a comical scene Pinzón speaks in fractured Latin, but he manages to convince Hortensio and Carlos that he can cure Lucrecia. He orders a potion prepared and tells the people of the household to humor Lucrecia and dance and sing like shepherds. Lucrecia recognizes Felipe and they arranged to talk later. Lucrecia pretends to be slowly getting cured, but Alejandra is suspicious that all is not what it appears to be.

Act III

As Lucrecia’s “cure” slowly progresses she and Felipe are awaiting word from the Duke so that they can marry. The others are all “playing Arcadia,” as Pinzón has ordered. There is an elaborate scene in which those who used latinized grammar and structure are in Purgatory and those who wrote bad plays and copied from others are in Hell, while Apolo observes all this from Parnassus up above. They all admire this spectacle, which Pinzón set up.

Alejandra confides to Pinzón that she knows who Felipe really is.He explains that Felipe is trying to cure Lucrecia but he really loves Alejandra. Using their Arcadian, not their real names, he promises that soon Felipe will court woo her (Alejandra) and that Lucrecia, jealous, will go to Carlos to try to make Felipe jealous. Then as a part of Lucrecia’s “cure” Pinzón will stage the wedding of Alejandra and Felipe, but it will be a real wedding, not a fake one. Lucrecia overhears this conversation and thinks that what Pinzón says is true. When he sees her and realizes what has happened, Pinzón tries to explain to Lucrecia that Alejandra was about to expose them, but she’s still dubious.

Felipe enters at this point, just in time to hear Lucrecia telling Pinzón, as she departs, that she’s going to marry Carlos. Questioned by Felipe, Pinzón tells him what’s happened. Felipe is furious with Pinzón and grabs him by the ear, whereupon Pinzón yells, the others come, and he makes up a ridiculous story to explain why he was yelling.

Lucrecia announces that she’s to marry Carlos and that Alejandra and Felipe will marry. At this moment Felipe comes down on a cloud, as Carlos is pulled upon another one. Felipe identifies himself as Felipe of Spain, and when he says that Lucrecia is his love she finally believes him and is convinced that he loves her. Carlos returns and says that Don Jaime Pimentel is arriving in the name of the Duke to be the padrino at the wedding of Felipe and Lucrecia. Carlos asks Alejandra to marry him, and she agrees. Pinzón is to be well rewarded for all of his tricks (including the clouds that brought Felipe and whisked Carlos away) that helped to bring to play to a successful conclusion.

Plot

Act I

Elena and Juan are in love with each other, but he feels unworthy of her because his family is out of favor with King Pedro IV. She reassures him that this makes no difference to her because she loves him anyway. That night there is to be presented a play written by Juan I of Aragón, and Juan asks Elena to go with him to the performance. She refuses, however, because she thinks he really does not want her to go for he is jealous of the attentions other men would give her.

Juan’s protector, the Count of Urgel, and Josefa confide to Elena that the Count asked her not to go to the play that night because he is jealous of the King. She plans to go, veiled, however, to meet Juan, whom she loves. Upon hearing all of this Elena becomes extremely jealous and goes to the play herself, also veiled. At the play the Count tells Juan that he does not expect to enjoy the play since he could not talk Josefa into coming. Elena, with her face hidden by her cloak, now pulls the Count aside to tell him that he should watch his companions, for Josefina is coming, veiled, to meet one of them. The Count sees Elena’s hand and finds her very attractive. They go into the theater together. Juan, meanwhile, is still outside, debating about going to see Elena, when Elena’s servant Engracia passes by, having taken off her manto because of the heat. Questioned by Juan, she tells him that Elena is jealous because she has heard that he is to meet a lady, so she sent Engracia to search for him. He denies that this is true and gives her a ring to give to Elena as assurance of his love. Josefa, veiled, comes by and talks to Juan who does not recognize her. Soon Elena and the Count come out, and she points out Juan as the man who is flirting with Josefa. Elena then uncovers her face so that Juan can see her, but the Count also recognizes her. The Count is called away, whereupon he asks Juan to detain Elena until his return, because he finds her very attractive. Left alone, Elena and Juan complain to each other of unfaithfulness and each is jealous of the other. Finally Juan announces his intention of going away and leaves the scene. At this moment the Count returns and Elena implores him to send his squires to take Juan prisoner so he cannot leave, because she is in love with him.

Act II

The Count is holding Juan prisoner and threatens to kill him if he does not marry Josefa. Juan, however, has made a deal with the jailor and is able to sneak away to see Elena. They decide they are in love and pledge themselves to each other, and she reveals to him that she has a plot to get them out of their difficulties. Josefa, meanwhile, chides the Count for being too violent, but he declares that Juan, because he has plotted against the King, deserves no better. At this point Beltrán, the jailor, comes and gives the Count a letter written by Elena imploring him to help Juan escape with her by getting them out of Aragón and into Navarra. Beltrán swears his loyalty to the Count, however, and does not want to take part in the scheme. Josefa then suggests a counter-plot: that she pose as Elena and then later she can tell Juan that Elena fled out of fear but that she (Josefa) will marry Juan. The Count can then say he will pardon Juan if he marries Josefa. This plan will have the advantage of leaving Elena free for the Count.

They implement this plan to the extent that Josefa takes Elena’s place, and posing as Elena she urges him not to run away but to think of his reputation and stay and marry Josefa. He accuses her of being fickle, after just having said that she was his intended. Josefa becomes angry and calls for a light, whereupon he sees who she is. Engracia and Buñol, Juan’s servant, advise him to pretend to like Josefa, and that they will protect him by saying he was forced into this situation. He decides to follow their counsel. Just then Elena arrives, unnoticed, she is confused because the Count had sent her away when he was angry and jealous because of Juan and now he is having her return with much courtesy and politeness. She overhears Juan accepting Josefa’s favors. The Count arrives and decrees that Juan will die the next day because of his treachery, but Josefa begs the Count to forgive Juan and let him marry her, to which the Count and Juan agree. Elena now makes her presence known and Juan, crying out that she is loyal one, while he is untrue, pulls out his sword and the two of them escape together. The Count sends his men after them.

Act III

The Count has ordered Alonso to kill Juan and to have two witnesses to the death. Alonso, however, is a friend of Juan, so he plans to have two relatives serve as witnesses and take back Juan’s bloody clothes, but without actually killing Juan. Elena, meanwhile, is poor, because the Count has taken away all of her possessions, and she is supporting herself by embroidering. Engracia does not find their new way of life very much to her liking.

Juan, dressed as a peasant after having been set free by Alonso, approaches and sees that Elena has a full-length portrait of him hanging over the door. He then sees her take a paper from some things that Engracia has brought to her. The paper is a note to Elena from the Count. Elena tears the note into four pieces, without reading it, then decides to read it, so picks up the pieces and reads the note. Finding the content of the message displeasing, she tears it up again. The note has told her that she can save Juan by seeing the Count that night. Seeing her tear up the note for the second time, Juan thinks to himself as he departs that she is true constancy in beauty (la firmeza en la hermosura). Now Josefa, who is feeling sorry for Elena, comes with the news that Juan is dead and the promises of the Count are false. She offers to help Elena with the King, who is returning, and with money.

Elena remains loyal to Juan, discussing her problems with his portrait over the door. Juan meets Buñol, whom he reprimands for having stayed in the Count’s household. Buñol gives Juan his cape and sword, and Juan is to go see Elena. Buñol promises to wait for the Count, who is also on his way to Elena’s, according to Buñol. Engracia, who thinks that they will be better off after the Count enters and Elena accepts him, mistakes Juan for the Count in the dark and tells him that Elena is waiting. Juan, of course, is now upset, thinking that Elena is not true.

In the meantime, the Count is beginning to regret having had Juan killed so soon, thinking that he acted in haste. He arrives at Elena’s, looking for Engracia and believing that Elena will love him now, just as Juan, furious, plans to avenge his honor, while Elena is awaiting the Count with a pistol in her hand. Juan enters Elena’s room, pretending to be the Count, and she pretends to accept him but then aims her pistol at his heart, while he pulls out his dagger. They ward off each other’s weapons, however, and Buñol quickly appears with a light and announces the arrival of the Count. Happy to find Juan alive, Elena goes with him into the adjoining room. The Count enters and is about to go into the room where the lovers are when Juan’s portrait falls from the wall and blocks the doorway. Juan then appears in the other door and the Count is overcome. Alonso and Beltrán arrive bringing the news that the King has returned and is displeased at what people are saying about the Count’s treatment of them. The Count is now full of remorse for his actions. Alonso explains that Juan is not really dead, which relieves the Count greatly.

In the end Juan and Elena marry, of course, Josefa announces her decision not to marry, the happy Count is now going to be a noble and honorable person once more, and Buñol informs Engracia that — contrary to custom — he does not intend to marry her, so that this drama will not end with everyone’s getting married.

Plot

Act I

Don Alvaro, who is in love with Doña Beatriz, is out of favor with the Portuguese King Juan II because the King’s secretary has forged some paper implicating Alvaro, along with others, in a conspiracy with Fernando and Isabel to usurp the throne of Portugal. The King has already had Fernando, Duke of Berganza (Braganza), beheaded because of these false accusations. Alvaro has been hiding out, but he has heard rumors linking Beatriz and the King, so he has come to talk to her at her home. Noting that the King is married, she affirms her faithfulness to Alvaro and swears she loves only him. At this point Caldeira comes to warn them that the King is coming; with Don Egas and his entourage so Alvaro and Caldeira therefore hide behind a tapestry. The King tells Beatriz that he is going to marry her to Egas, but she protests, saying that she loves the King and cannot marry Egas. As she starts to go through the tapestry and into her room, the King moves to stop her and the tapestry falls down, revealing Alvaro and Caldeira. Alvaro accuses Egas of being responsible for the false accusations against him and vowing that he would fight him except that he cannot unsheathe his sword in front of the King. He does hit Egas with his sword still in its sheath and departs with Caldeira. The King sends his men after them and orders Beatriz taken prisoner.

Alvaro and Caldeira flee to Galicia, to a spot near where a some peasants are hunting wolves and wild boars. The peasants speak of searching for Jews also, for many of them go through Galicia to Portugal, where they are more favorably received. These fleeing Jews dress like Spaniards and are hard to detect. These peasants work for Garci-Hernández and during the fight they take off their clothes and go off fighting. Just then Alvaro and Caldeira come along and finding the clothing, decide to put it on in order to disguise themselves. Exhausted, Alvaro lies down and goes to sleep, where he is discovered by Mari-Hernández, who thinks he is a Jew and is about to drop a big rock on him, when she changes her mind because he is so handsome. Instead she awakens him, and he explains to her that he is an hidalgo with enemies in the palace. They are attracted to each other, and she is to ask her father to take him on as a carbonero. Alvaro sees this as a fine opportunity to get even with Beatriz for her love of the King.

Act II

Caldeira meets Dominga, one of the nearby serranas, and tells her he was going from France to Santiago when he was robbed. He adds that he found the clothing that he is now wearing and that his name is Godiño. They immediately like each other. Soon other villagers arrive in preparation for Mari-Hernández’s birthday party. Alvaro sees the Count of Monterey among the guests, and he leaves, lest the Count recognize him. During the celebration suddenly shots are heard, followed by a woman’s voice. Beatriz appears, having been pursued by Egas. She tells her story to all: how she managed to escape, with the aid of her servants, on horseback from Egas’s attack, and how he continued to pursue her. Now she is safe at last in Galicia. At this point the group is interrupted by a hunter who tells of a bear who stole a beehive and is staving off three dogs and the bees. All except Beatriz and Caldeira go off to view this interesting sight. Left alone, Beatriz and Caldeira recognize each other and he agrees to take her to Alvaro.

Meanwhile, Mari-Hernández confides to Dominga that she is very sad because she is in love with Alvaro but she fears he loves someone else. Dominga, in turn, confesses her love for Godiño (Caldeira). Soon Alvaro arrives and, professing his love for Mari-Hernández, he kisses her hand. Just then Caldeira arrives with Beatriz, who is very angry at the scene she has just witnessed. Mari-Hernández, too, is angry but her father calls her, and thus she finally leaves. Beatriz explains to Alvaro that she was only pretending to love the King, and they get their differences straightened out. The Count and the others return; the Count recognizes Alvaro; Alvaro says Beatriz is his intended (esposa); and Mari-Hernández, furious, is determined to get revenge.

Act III

The Count, who has been trying to negotiate peace between Portugal and Castile, now finds his efforts thwarted because the King of Portugal is angry with him for protecting Alvaro and Beatriz. Nearby, meanwhile, Mari-Hernández is fighting with a Portuguese soldier. She says she would like to kill all the Portuguese people in order to get even with Alvaro. Upon hearing her say this, the King offers to be her ally against Alvaro, and they formulate a plan whereby Mari-Hernández is to send Alvaro out so that the King can take him prisoner. The King promises not to hurt him but rather to force him to marry Mari-Hernández, in order to restore her honor. They are near the Count’s estate, and Mari-Hernández and Domingo go to his home dressed as men, Mari-Hernández pretending to be Portuguese. Alvaro has received a letter from Beatriz and Caldeira one from Mondonga, and Mari-Hernández and Dominga overhear them reading these letters aloud, in turn, which turns out to be quite amusing. The young women, however, are more angry than amused.

That night Mari-Hernández and Dominga, still dressed as men, go out courting (rondando) in order to spy on Alvaro and Caldeira, who are also out. Egas and Vasco, meanwhile, are plotting to kill Alvaro because their treason by means of the forged letters will be known if he is caught alive. When Mari-Hernández and Dominga arrive at Beatriz’s window they find Alvaro and Caldeira there. Dominga sticks Caldeira with a pin and chases him, while Mari-Hernández accuses Alvaro of having given his word to marry Mari-Hernández. Beatriz, who was already jealous, becomes very angry and leaves her window. Mari-Hernández, claiming to be an ex-sweetheart of Mari-Hernández, starts to fight with Alvaro in order to avenge the wrong done her. Just then Egas and Vasco appear, and Mari-Hernández wounds Egas when he tries to hurt Alvaro, leaving Alvaro quite confused. Mari-Hernández explains, however, that no one else can avenge the wrongs that “he” wants to avenge. Vasco, in the meantime, has fled, while Domingo continues to chase Caldeira.

The Castilian troops arrive with the Count, followed by the arrival of the King with the Portuguese army. The Count admits the King, who angrily demands that he turn over Alvaro and Beatriz. The Count explains that Egas has confessed his treason, however, and that Alvaro and Beatriz are innocent. Mari-Hernández, still dressed as a man, asks for reward for having captured Egas, and revealing her true identity, makes the King live up to his promise of letting her marry Alvaro. In addition, the King makes her Countess of Barcelos. Beatriz is to marry Olivenza and Caldeira and Dominga will also marry.

Plot

Act I

Doña Petronila, dressed as a man and calling herself Don Gómez, meets Tomasa, also dressed as a man and calling herself Vargas. They converse and agree to travel together, with Tomasa serving Petronila (acting as a servant to Petronila). Tomasa says that she is looking for a soldier who carried off her sister.

Meanwhile, Don Hernando is serving as a gardener in the garden of Juan Fernández in the hope of winning Laura. He had previously killed a man because of jealousy over a woman, and had to go to Italy, where he became a famous soldier. He has now returned to Spain, however, and is in love with Laura who professes to love him in return. Laura, who is Italian, has had difficulty in getting her inheritance (and, as a matter of a fact, Hernando is one of the contenders for it).

Back at the inn, Tomasa has guessed that Petronila is a woman, which Petronila finally admits. She then tells how she fell in love with Hernando, who is a cousin of her mother, when he was visiting her home before he had to flee to Italy. At that time he loved Inés, but she was to marry García. Petronila only peeked at Hernando when he was at her house, but he promised her mother that he would return to marry her. Now she knows that he is back from Italy and that he has been well received, so she is looking for him to see if he will still marry her, since she is now poor because a flood washed away all her possessions and killed her mother.

Just as Tomasa is about to tell her story, Count Galeazo and his party arrive at the inn. Petronila is impressed by the Count’s handsome appearance, and she and Tomasa learn from Roberto that the Count is Italian and has come to Madrid to marry.

Act II

Petronila has discovered that Hernando is posing as a gardener in the estate of Juan Fernández and that he is in love with Laura. Meanwhile she also learns from the Count (Galeazo) that he is supposed to marry Laura, who is his cousin, in order to help settle some lawsuits between her and his father over an estate. He realizes (although he has not yet met her) that she does not want to marry him, however, and he is ready to return to Italy. In addition, the Count knows that the Marqués Octavio also is seeking Laura’s hand. Octavio’s father was killed and his lands taken by the Count’s father years ago in revenge for a certain offense against him. Petronila reassures the Count that they can work all this out if he will just let her make a plan. She tells him, too, that Laura loves “him” (her), but that “he” (Don Gómez) would like for Laura to marry the Count.

Hernando’s servant, Mansilla, returns to his master, telling of his travels and his adventures with a certain Tomasa, thus identifying himself as the object of her search. He brings Hernando a letter from his (Hernando’s) mother, informing him of his cousin Jerónimo’s death. He is to inherit his cousin’s estate and his mother wants him to return to Málaga and marry his dead cousin’s sister, so that she, too, can enjoy her brother’s fortune, which as a woman she cannot inherit. Laura receives a letter from her uncle, telling her of the immanent arrival of the Count and urging her to marry him. Hernando and Laura meet and exchange their two letters so that each can read the other’s. At this point Tomasa arrives, dressed as a man and pretending to the Count. Accompanied by Petronila (still dressed as a man) and the real Count, both of whom pose as servants, Tomasa speaks in nonsense phrases. Upon spying Mansilla she recognizes him and gives him a chain. The arrival of Octavio is announced, and Tomasa and her party depart.

Act III

Disguised as Don Gómez, Petronila talks to Laura, telling her that “he” is really the Count and that Hernando has deceived both Inés and Petronila, giving her letters from him to Petronila’s mother to prove it. Laura falls in love with this “Count,” who promises to return with Inés. After Petronila’s departure Hernando appears and is berated by her for having deceived her. After giving him the papers Petronila gave her, she (Laura) tells him to choose between Inés and Petronila. All of this leaves Hernando quite confused. Next, Petronila, still dressed as a man, comes and gives Hernando a letter from a lady (Petronila), saying that she has come because of a question of honor and asking him to look for her in Gorguera Street opposite San Sebastián. The letter reveals that the writer is Petronila.

In the meantime Tomasa has revealed her true identity to Mansilla, who professes to be happy to see her and promises to marry her. Petronila, now dressed as a woman and posing as Gómez’s sweetheart, talks to the Count, who thinks she is attractive. Hernando then comes to see Petronila, who tells him who she is and that the Count wants to marry her. Hernando is struck by how much Petronila reminds him of Don Gómez. Posing as Inés, Tomasa goes to talk to Laura, who notes that she bears a strong resemblance to the false Count. Observing that it is a matter of honor for Inés and that she has a prior claim on Hernando, Laura offers to give him up to Inés and to marry the Count, since she has now won the lawsuit from him and in this way they can both enjoy the estate. Petronila, dressed as herself, comes, and Laura immediately likes her because she looks like Don Gómez, and this she wants now to help Petronila. Next the Count comes to talk to Laura. He tells her who he is and that he knows about Don Gómez, warning her that the latter already has a wife and child in Madrid. Confused and upset by what he says, Laura refuses to believe him. Tomasa then appears, dressed as the Count, followed by Petronila, also disguised as the count. At this moment an alguacil arrives looking for the Count (on an old charge). The Count says that Petronila is really the Count; Petronila points to Tomasa, who says she is Mansilla’s wife and that the other “Count” is really Petronila. At this point Hernando arrives and Tomasa identifies Petronila to him as his niece, telling him that she has a large dowry and they are to marry. Hernando agrees willingly to this arrangement. Tomasa also says that she registered the complaint against the Count and now she wishes to withdraw it. The Count and Laura are to marry, and, of course, Mansilla and Tomasa marry also.

Plot

Act I

Pascual, a peasant, meets King Fernando, who is out hunting. When the King removes his glove, Pascual is fascinated, thinking that it is part of Fernando’s skin. Tello then comes to tell Fernando that he has wounded Diego, one of Fernando’s favorites, and that he is going to Toledo to ask the Moorish king for protection. Tello’s reason for stabbing Diego is that when he (Tello) returned from the wars he found that Diego, to whom he had entrusted Blanca, his sweetheart, and Blanca were in love and that Blanca was pregnant. Diego’s wound is not fatal, however, and the King decides that Blanca and Diego will marry, although she seems to be a little confused about whether she prefers Diego or Tello.

In the meantime Tello has gone to Toledo and has met the Moorish Prince Alí, who admires Tello’s bravery. The two of them are becoming friends. Alí offers to help Tello oust Fernando so that Tello can be king, but Tello asks him for help only in stealing Blanca and bringing her to Toledo.

Casilda, the daughter of the Moorish King, is interested in Christianity; she helps the Christian prisoners and is learning about their religion from them. In a conversation with her cousin Axa, she points out many defects that she has found in the Koran. Her cousin defends Islam, however, and suggests that a serious (but unidentified) illness from which Casilda suffers is, in fact, a punishment from Allah for defying his law.

Casilda has trouble understanding the concept of the Trinity, but when she hears two captives comparing it to a spring from which three streams come forth she understands. Later she has a vision of San Vicente, who tells her that by means of fire and water she can become a Christian and that she must look for Los Lagos de San Vicente, which will cure her illness.

Act II

Blanca is now with Tello in the Moorish court. The King speaks of Casilda’s illness, of how sad it is since she is so lovely otherwise. Casilda is brought in after having suffered a fainting spell. When she regains consciousness she remembers the lakes that San Vicente told her about and she asks to speak to Tello, thinking he can advise her in this matter. Blanca is jealous that Casilda and Tello are along together. Axa adds to her emotional turmoil by telling her that Casilda loves Tello, that Alí loves her (Blanca) and that she can become his queen, and that Diego is in Toledo, but Blanca cannot have him because she (Axa) loves him.

In a long conversation with Tello about her new faith in Christianity, Casilda explains about God, Adam and Eve, Christ, and the Christian doctrine in general. She wants Tello to baptize her.

Axa informs Alí of Blanca’s resolve to marry him, provided that he will take vengeance on Tello for her. Alí then accuses Tello of being a false friend in having rejected Blanca in favor of Casilda. Tello denies loving Casilda and professes his love for Blanca. Alí promises to intercede with King Fernando for Tello so that he and Blanca can marry and return to Castile.

Pascual has been brought to the Moorish court as a prisoner, and he aids Casilda in smuggling food to the other Christian captives. Axa learns what they are doing and tells the King, who finds Casilda and Pascual with a large basket. When Axa uncovers it, however, it is full of flowers, just as Casilda had said. The King marvels at how sweet the flowers smell. He promises to grant Casilda a favor that she wants to discuss with him in secret.

Act III

Casilda’s father has made a truce with King Fernando and she has been granted a month to look for the Lagos de San Vicente, which she thinks will cure her. She is received at his court by Fernando, who sends Tello along to help her search. Axa accuses Casilda of just wanting to be with Tello, of not really believing in Christianity at all. Casilda, however, miraculously flies away, and Tello sets out to follow her.

Meanwhile Alí is making war on the Castilians. He plans to kill a group of Christians that he has captured, but the Virgin Mary appears to him and he, like another Saul, is converted to Christianity. Six angels come down on clouds, Mary baptizes him and he vows to stay in that spot as Her chaplain to do Her work.

Pascual returns to Castile, only to learn that Mari Pablos, his love, is to marry Gilote. This news makes him very angry, but when he meets Mari Pablos they settle their differences and all is well. Blanca, meanwhile, tells Fernando that Casilda and Tello, of whom she is jealous, are really his enemies and represent a grave threat to his kingdom. The King promises a swift and severe punishment for them if what she says is true.

Tello arrives to tell them that he followed Casilda, who flew to the place where some lakes sprang up, and their waters cured her. There she is building a hermitage to San Vicente, which they all go to see. Although others tried to tear it down because of jealousy, she prayed and God promised her to restore it. Now all the ruins have been gathered together and they fly to the top of the mountain, where the building lands all intact. Fernando decrees that Blanca and Tello will marry that he (the King) will be the patron of the hermitage and that Diego will marry in Burgos. They all admire Casilda and her miracles and the promise of more cures to come in the marvelous waters of the Lagos de San Vicente.

Plot

Act I

Recently returned from Peru, Fernando Pizarro is performing in a bullfight when a fire breaks out and the bleachers collapse. A bull escapes and heads toward Doña Isabel, who is in a sedan chair. Her servants flee as the bull approaches, but Fernando valiantly rescues her and at the same time realizes that he is in love with her. Doña Isabel and Doña Francisca are sisters of Don Alonso Mercado, and are well into marriageable age. Alonso is very grateful to Fernando for having saved Isabel. Meanwhile, Don Gonzalo Vivero loves Isabel and suspects that Fernando may love her, too. Accordingly, he asks Fernando which one of the sisters he loves better, but Fernando refuses to tell him and advises him not to act hastily without finding out the truth.

Both Isabel and Francisca are very fond of Fernando, and each thinks that he is in love with her. He tells them and Alonso that he must return to Peru but that he will return in two years to marry one of them, but he refuses to say which one because he does not want to hurt the other.

Gonzalo has Padilla give Fernando a letter, pretending that he thinks he is delivering it to Gonzalo, in which Isabel asks the recipient to come to her window as usual. Fernando (who is being observed by Gonzalo) becomes despondent, thinking that Isabel is in love with Gonzalo. Upon hearing Fernando’s laments, Gonzalo, of course, knows which of the sisters is Fernando’s choice. He approaches Fernando, who offers to step out of the picture, in the belief that Gonzalo and Isabel are in love. Gonzalo admits that the letter was just a trick and volunteers to go to the New World with Fernando because he admires him so much. They are to leave immediately, to the disappointment of Alonso and his sisters, who had hoped they would remain in Spain a little longer.

Act II

In Peru the Pizarro brothers, along with Gonzalo Vivero and other Spaniards are fighting the Indians, who outnumber them greatly. In the midst of the battle Santiago, mounted on a white horse, descends from a cloud, frightening away the Indians. His appearance is followed by that of the Virgin, who puts out the fires that the Indians have set to rout the Spaniards from Cuzco, which they had captured from the Indians. The Spaniards win the day, but Juan Pizarro is wounded and killed during the struggle.

Guaica, an Indian girl, asks Castillo to intercede for her captured lover, promising him one hundred gold bars which she has hidden in a well, but when he looks into the well to see the “treasure,” she pushes him into the cavern. Peñafiel, Chacón and Granero appear, however, and the others lower Chacón into the well, where he has hidden a chest full of gold and silver. As Chacón descends into the hole, clinging to a rope, he becomes fearful, thinking of spirits that might be in the depths, and he is terrified when the mud-covered Castillo grabs him. In response to his shouts, Peñafiel and Granero pull out Chacón, who has rescued the chest, and Castillo, who is still hanging on to Chacón. Still believing Castillo to be a devil, the others flee, leaving him with the treasure.

In the meantime, Gonzalo Pizarro laments the injustice of the fact that they do all the work while the King rewards Almagro. Fernando points out to his brother that they do not expect rewards, but rather serve because they want to. At this point, Gonzalo Vivero arrives with the news that Almagro, accompanied by five hundred men, has made an agreement with Inga to join forces in order to drive the Pizarros out of Cuzco. Fernando, however, refuses to believe that Almagro would do such thing, remaining confident of Almagro’s ultimate loyalty.

Elsewhere, Juan de Rada, a Spanish soldier, brings to Inga a letter from Almagro in which the letter offers to join forces with the Indians against the Pizarros. An Indian girl, Piurisa, chides the Indians for retreating when they so outnumber the Spaniards. A messenger then arrives and informs Inga that Almagro has entered Cuzco as Pizarro’s friend, but then took possession of the city and captured Fernando, while Gonzalo Pizarro managed to flee. Almagro now wishes to marry Inga’s sister and to share the territory, thus ensuring domination by the combined Spanish-Indian line of succession.

In Cuzco Fernando plays dice with Juan de Rada and loses heavily. Juan asks Almagro to spare Fernando’s life so that the latter can pay off his gambling debt. Almagro’s rule in Cuzco is soon threatened, however, by the appearances of the Marqués, Francisco Pizarro (another of the brothers, apparently informed of the situation in Cuzco by Gonzalo Pizarro), and a large army of Spaniards, who have come to Fernando’s aid. Almagro and the Marqués make a truce, about which some are skeptical, and a conflict is avoided for the moment.

Act III

Back in Spain now, Fernando is a prisoner of Felipe II, kept in Medina, and guarded by Alonso de Mercado. After Almagro had pledged friendship, he turned on Fernando, but was defeated by the latter, who had Almagro killed. The King, unaware of what had really happened, thought that Fernando was disloyal to the crown and therefore had him imprisoned. Gonzalo Pizarro, likewise, is in trouble with the King, because he has been fighting against the Viceroy in Peru, although Gonzalo has many sympathizers in this disagreement. Francisco Pizarro, meanwhile, has been killed in Peru by Almagro’s son in revenge for his father’s death at the hands of the Pizarros.

Isabel leaves Medina to go to live in a convent in Trujillo, after bidding farewell to Fernando, her esposo. She tells him that she will die before he does. Francisca, who is still in love with Fernando, has a key made from a wax imprint so that he can escape, and she throws the key and a paper to him, but he tears up the paper without reading it and throws the key away.

Alonso de Mercado brings both good and bad news to Fernando. Isabel has died, after bearing Fernando’s child, a girl whom Alonso will raise. Gonzalo Pizarro has been killed in Peru, but Felipe II has freed Fernando; and Francisco Pizarro’s daughter, Francisca, is coming to marry him. Thus the Pizarro line will continue. Fernando gives Alonso’s daughter Francisca to Gonzalo Vivero in marriage, and Alonso explains that when envious people pursue one it is necessary to keep in mind that loyalty always conquers envy.

Plot

Act I

Don Gómez has two daughters, Marta, who is extremely beautiful but feared by many because she is so dazzling, and Lucía, who is colder but not so overwhelming. As the play opens the two sisters are mourning the death of their brother at the hands of Don Felipe. Lucía loves Felipe and unbeknownst to Lucía, Marta loves him too and he prefers Marta. In order to trick Lucía into revealing her love for Felipe, Marta tells her that their father is holding him (Felipe) as a prisoner in Seville and is going to have him beheaded. Don Gómez, meanwhile, receives a letter from Captain Urbina, an old friend of his own age, who has just returned from the Indies, where he made a fortune. Urbina invites them all to Illescas for a fiesta and bull fight the next day, and he also expresses his desire to marry Marta. Gómez tells the girls they are going to the fiesta, but makes no mention of the marriage. Marta is apprehensive about going to Illescas, however, because she knows that Felipe is there. When, during their conversation, Lucía makes a reference to Felipe’s being held in Seville, her father shows surprise and hurries off to check the story. Marta continues to mislead her sister by telling her that their father is taking them to Illescas, but that he there plans to go on to Seville to have Felipe killed.

In Illescas, Felipe, with his friend Pastrana, meets López, who tells them that Don Diego and Don Juan want to marry Marta and Lucía and that the girls are on their way to Illescas with their father. Captain Urbina and his nephew, the Alférez, meet Gómez and the two girls upon their arrival in Illescas, and later at the bullfight Felipe heroically gets the bull away from a fallen picador. The Alférez recognizes him and tells him that his Uncle, Urbina, is to marry Marta and that he (the Alférez) likes Lucía a great deal. Felipe asks the Alférez not to reveal that he has see him in Illescas, and Felipe makes a plan to go to Urbina’s house to talk to Marta.

That night Juan and Diego are near the door of Urbina’s house, as are Felipe and Pastrana. They hear Gómez tell Marta that she is to marry, and she assumes her intended to be the Alférez, not Urbina. When Urbina says it is he she is to wed, she is greatly surprised. Just at that moment she spies Felipe, whom she recognizes even though he is muffled, and quickly escapes the situation by informing her astounded father that she cannot marry anyone because she has taken a vow of chastity. Gómez decides that they will return to Madrid, where he can check out her story.

Act II

Some time has elapsed, and Urbina has come to Madrid to see Gómez. Marta insists on her vow of not marrying, but she refuses to join a convent or become a beata, although she does not indulge herself in clothes and other worldly goods as she did previously. Gómez and Urbina decide to let the Alférez and Lucía marry, thinking that perhaps this will cause Marta to change her mind. The Alférez has just returned from Mamora, telling of the great victory of Don Luis Fajardo over the Moorish pirates there.

Marta has been visiting hospitals, but when she and Inés return from one of these visits her father scolds her for doing things unfitting for one of her social rank. She insists, however, and he gives in, recognizing that she is very pious. Soon Pastrana arrives and manages to formulate a plan with Marta and Inés. Disguised as Juan Hurtado, from Seville, Pastrana will bring to Gómez the news that Felipe has been captured in Seville and request from him (Gómez) a warrant for Felipe. Thus having deceived Gómez, Felipe will be able to enter the house unsuspected. Diego and Juan, meanwhile, are also still trying to marry the sisters, but Gómez gives them no hope.

Marta tells her father that she has heard that Felipe is a prisoner, but he is doubtful about her source of information. Soon Pastrana arrives (in disguise) to verify the news, however. Lucía is confused by all this and is a bit suspicious, but she is not too clever so cannot discover the truth. Nevertheless, when Felipe appears dressed as a student, she recognizes him and suspects that he and Marta are together in this plot to deceive Gómez. Although Felipe pretends to be poor and ill, Gómez refuses to take him in at first, but finally Lucía helps Marta to persuade their father to let him stay on the pretext that he can teach them Latin and other subjects. Lucía’s purpose in keeping Felipe at their home is to further her own cause with him.

Left alone for a moment, Felipe and Marta embrace, and upon Gomez’s unexpected and hasty return Felipe pretends to have fainted and she, to be aiding him.

Act III

Everyone admires Marta’s great piety. Urbina gives her money for a hospital that she wants to build to help poor, sick wayfarers. Her father wants her to recite some Latin for him, and since she has learned none she and Felipe have to dissimulate in an amusing scene of “fractured” Latin. Later, after catching Marta and Felipe in an embrace, Lucía accuses Felipe of not being true to her. She threatens to expose him, but he embraces her, explaining that he only did it to be near her. At this point Marta returns and finds them and he now must try to allay her suspicions. As Felipe and Marta are concluding this conversation, Gómez and Urbina arrive, just in time to hear Marta say, “Vive Dios.” They are shocked to hear her use such language, but she excuses herself by saying that she was reproaching Felipe for using that expression, whereupon she orders him to kiss the floor in penance or to leave the house. He refuses to kiss the floor, saying he prefers to leave. She flails at him; he starts to leave; she then decides he should stay; and finally Gómez and Urbina tell him to stay, which he agrees to do after Marta kneels and kisses his hand as an apology for having insulted him by threatening to make him leave her house.

The Alférez, meanwhile, recognizes Felipe, who tells him that he (Felipe) really loves Marta and that he will help him (the Alférez) to win Lucía. Felipe then suggests to Lucía that she pretend to like the Alférez. Pastrana, too, has a plan, whereby he gives Gómez and Urbina the idea of going to Seville to see Felipe’s execution, thus leaving Marta and Felipe with the opportunity to be alone. Marta now informs Lucía that she really does not want Felipe, but that she will help Lucía get him. As a part of this plot, however, Lucía is to pretend in public to marry the Alférez, since that is her father’s wish, but in reality they will thwart their father’s plan. They are all to go that night to the Duke’s garden for the wedding. Juan, meanwhile, wants to kill the Alférez for taking Lucía away from him, but Diego restrains him.

After the others have gathered that night in the Duke’s garden, a carriage arrives with Marta, very beautifully dressed as the madrina for Lucía; Lucía herself; Felipe and Inés. Diego and Juan, who are unaware of the identities of the others, recognize Lucía, and Diego says the other woman is Marta but Juan says she would not be dressed in that fashion. When asked, Lucía tells them the other lady is the Countess, and Pastrana answers them in Portuguese when they question him. Gómez and Urbina then return unexpectedly, having learned of the plot from a friend who had a relative who worked at the Duke’s. Felipe begs Gómez for forgiveness; Juan explains that he has been looking for Felipe to inform him of a large inheritance; Urbina gives Marta a dowry of the money he had planned to give for her hospital; and Gómez yields to the pressure and changes his revenge to love. Thus Felipe and Marta marry, as do the Alférez and Lucía and Pastrana and Inés.

Plot

Act I

Bruno and Evandra have loved each other for six years, but she refuses to give him her hand. They are both noble, but she is poor, so Bruno’s father does not want him to marry, but rather prefers that Bruno dedicate himself to his studies. One day, after his father sees Bruno and Evandra together, he tells Bruno that he will disinherit him if he doesn’t give up Evandra. Bruno refuses to do so, so his father declares that he is disinherited and starts to wish him evil in all things, that his wife be an adulteress, that he have no children, that his best friend betray him, and that he be scorned by all, but then changes to say “May God make you a great saint.”

Bruno now has no home. Evandra cannot take him to her house because she is very chaste, and also because she has an uncle who would not permit it. Próspero comes along, however, and after hearing Bruno’s troubles, he offers Bruno his house. At this point Evandra appears in her window and explains to Bruno, his servant Marción, and Próspero that she holds her honor so dear that she will not let any man who is not her husband so much as touch her hand, and if a man does touch her hand she will either marry him or have him killed for being so daring. Próspero, who has heard from Bruno about how beautiful Evandra is, finds himself captivated by her charm.

Meanwhile, Próspero, having been told by Bruno that he (Bruno) and Evandra are to meet at Lorena’s that night, goes himself to Lorena’s. When Evandra comes, he tells her that he loves her and puts the blame on Bruno for having talked so much about her beauty. (He says “quien tal hace, que tal pague.”) Ataulfo and Lorena leave Próspero and Evandra to talk, turning out the light as they depart. Próspero takes advantage of this opportunity and seizes Evandra’s hand, telling her that she must marry him now according to what she had told Bruno. At this moment Bruno arrives and is furious with Próspero for having stolen Evandra. Next Evandra’s uncle arrives, Próspero asks his permission to marry Evandra and he gives it, since Próspero is, after all, a count and rich. Evandra, too, agrees to the marriage, since Bruno was so foolish as to say too much about her beauty to Próspero. The unhappy Bruno says his father’s curse is already coming true, observing that anyone who trusts friends deserves to be deceived. Marción, who decides to become an innkeeper, suggests that Bruno return home, like the prodigal son, but Bruno rejects this idea, as well as that of returning to his studies. He chooses, rather, to become a soldier and leave Cologne, his native land, complaining that the greatest disillusionment is being betrayed by friends and women.

Act II

Bruno has gone off to fight against a rebellious city with the German Emperor Enrico IV. Bruno proves himself to be very brave, scaling the wall of the city before anyone else and thereby earning a favored place with the Emperor. Marción, having given up the innkeeper’s life for that of a soldier, rejoins him there. Bruno brings Visora out of the city, after saving her from a cruel soldier who was about to ravish her. She is very beautiful, and both Bruno and Milardo have fallen in love with her. When the Emperor sees her he loves her too, but the immanent arrival of the Empress restrains him. Visora, meanwhile, has confessed to Bruno that she is in love with him. Milardo tells the Empress about Visora because he is envious of Bruno’s place of honor in the Emperor’s eyes and by telling the Empress that Bruno is the one who brought Visora to the Emperor, he hopes to turn the Empress against him. Milardo’s untruth accomplishes its purpose, for the Empress, although not worried, is jealous and wants to avenge herself on Bruno by having Bruno killed. Leida, a captive girl, sings for the Empress a song about a jealous woman, and then to Bruno she sings about a man’s fast rise to power and favor and his equally fast fall.

The Emperor, meanwhile, wants to make love to Visora but is cautioned by Bruno that a woman conquered by force is not enjoyed and that he should wait and she will love him. The Emperor accuses Bruno of using delaying tactics because he (Bruno) loves Visora, and then gives Bruno a key, ordering him to free Visora and bring her to him. At this moment the Empress arrives, however, and wants to know why the Emperor appears so sad. He leaves, telling her that Bruno can explain, so Bruno gives her the key, saying it will tell, as he, too, departs. Only Marción is left with the Empress, and when she begins to question him he pretends to be a mute, but she summons Milardo and some soldiers, who force him to explain about Visora and the key. The Empress gives the key to Milardo, telling him to take Visora away so that the Emperor cannot have her and telling him that he can have her for himself. Milardo goes to Visora and tells her that Bruno told the Empress to have her killed and that he is supposed to do it but he cannot. Furious at Bruno, Visora plans to flee with Milardo and some peasants, but Bruno arrives before they can leave. Just as he and Milardo are about to fight the Emperor and Empress arrive. Milardo informs them that Bruno was trying to force his affections on Visora and he saved her, and Visora corroborates his statement. On the advice of the Empress, the Emperor gives Visora to Milardo as his wife and tells them to return to Milardo’s lands. Bruno, disgraced, is ordered away, but the Emperor spares his life. Marción quits Bruno’s service again, and Bruno decides to become a pilgrim.

Act III

Bruno has become a clérigo and is competing for Dión’s cátedra in Paris. Dión, whom everyone calls a saint, is on his deathbed. Bruno gives a lengthy discourse about how finite man cannot know and understand infinite God; Roberto disagrees, but Bruno argues him down and the King and Queen give the chair to Bruno. Also present are Marcela and Laura, dressed as students, who reveal to Bruno that they are really girls. Marcela, who loves Bruno, has followed him from Avignon. Bruno laments the fact that as a priest he cannot enjoy her love.

Dión has died, and the King, Queen and all the others gather as his body is brought out. Dión rises up and speaks to them, saying, much to the surprise of those present, that he is to be judged. They had all assumed that he was a saint, but Bruno explains that even saints must answer to God for their errors. Finally Dión announces that he is condemned, and all are astounded. Roberto assumes he must have been condemned because of pride, because Dión had said he did not want to be judged, that his virtues should suffice.

From this extraordinary experience everyone learns a lesson. Marcela and Laura decide to go to a convent. Marción,who has rejoined Bruno again, is to become a hermit. Bruno tells Lucio, Roberto and Filipo that it is too hard to do right in worldly situations, that the simple shepherd is better off. He wants to dedicate his life to God, living in silence, without women and men fighting. The other three men want to join him, too. At this point the Pope and an angel appear. The angel has seven stars one each for Bruno and six followers who will join him. The Pope tells them to go to the Valley of Cartuja to find a place to practice their religion, and he blesses them all. Thus Bruno founds the Order of Cartuja. From the greatest disillusionment (el mayor engaño) they have learned how to live a life pleasing to God.

Plot

Act I

Famine reigns in Palestine, and most people do not have enough to eat. Some poor relatives of Elimelec, a very rich man, ask for food at his house, and Nohemí, his wife, gives it to them. The situation is so bad that Jaleel and Zefara are even fighting over their baby, for Jaleel wants to eat him, and she won’t let him. Elimelec comes home with his sons, Masalón and Quelión, grabs the food from the poor and scolds Nohemí for wasting food on them. Zefara curses him to the terrible fate of losing all his wealth and dying a poor beggar in a foreign land.

The judges have ordered that since he is the richest man in the land, Elimelec must share with the poor, but he refuses and takes his family to Moab. The Israelites catch up with them, though, and kill Elimelec and capture Quelión.

In the meantime Rut appears. She is to marry Timbreo, but she doesn’t love him. She falls asleep, and Masalón sees her and falls in love with her. He overhears her saying in her sleep that she is the daughter of the King of Moab and that she is about to marry against her will. She adds that she wants to marry a noble Israelite. Masalón awakens her, and then pretends to be asleep. She sees him and thereupon loves him. He wakes and tells her that he is an Israelite. She says she’s grateful that he didn’t molest her while she was asleep, but that she must go before Timbreo finds them. She gives him a gold chain from her neck and tells him that one who loves truly will seek his beloved.

Nohemí comes and tells Masalón that the Israelites have killed his father and captured Quelión and that he must flee. Before he can leave, however, the Israelites arrive with Quelión. Nohemí, on her knees, pleads for her own life and for her sons. The captain frees them, but takes her sons’ clothing. They are left destitute, and Masalón is sure that he has lost Rut now that he’s poor. Thus the curse of Zefara has come to pass.

Act II

Rut’s father, the King of Moab, and Timbreo observe Rut’s sadness and try to discover the cause for it. Finally she tells them that while she was asleep a Hebrew stole the gold chain her mother gave her, and that because of this, she’s sad and wants her chain back. Her cousin, Orfá, guesses that she likes this man. Rut does not know what to do nor why she feels the way she does. Soon Masalón comes, poorly dressed. He tells Rut he loves her and will do whatever she asks. He says that he gave her gold chain to his mother and brother so that they could sell it to get money for food and clothing. Orfá then takes him to change his clothes.

Rut tells her father the story a Hebrew captive girl told her of how Bohoz dreamed that the Israel to come rose from a rock. The prophets told Bohoz his line would finally bring the Messiah and that the rock from which his descendents would come would be a Moab woman. The girl told Rut that she must be the rock from which the Messiah is to come, since in the Hebrew language the name Rut means “rock.” For this reason Rut wants to marry an Israelite. The King says that in order to marry her the Israelite would have to give up the Hebrew God and accept the religion and laws of Moab.

At this point Rut discloses Masalón, elegantly dressed. The King, upon seeing Masalón, is struck by his nobility and beauty, and after Masalón promises to accept the ways of Moab the King gives Rut and Masalón permission to marry.

Nisiro brings in Nohemí and Quelión, whom he has taken as prisoners because Quelión has Rut’s gold chain. Masalón explains who they are and how they happen to have the chain. He arranges for Orfá to marry Quelión, but Nohemí predicts that evil will come to her sons because they are rejecting their God in marrying Rut and Orfá. When Timbreo learns of Rut’s coming marriage he becomes jealous and enraged and wants revenge.

Act III

Ten years have passed. Rut’s father has died and Timbreo has killed both Masalón and Quelión and he now rules as King. He wants Rut to marry him, but she refuses. Nohemí, who thinks her sons brought on their deaths by marrying outside their faith, has decided to return to Palestine. Rut and Orfá want to go with her but she says they should stay in their own country. Orfá agrees to stay, but Rut insists on accompanying Nohemí, saying that she will follow Nohemí wherever she goes and that Nohemí’s country will be her country and Nohemí’s God her God.

When they return to Palestine Nohemí’s relatives spurn her, even though she had always been generous to them. Rut becomes a reaper and follows the reapers of Bohoz. One day Bohoz see Rut, learns who she is and remembers the prophecy that his descendents would come through a Moab woman. Rut also sees Bohoz, who looks just like Masalón. They fall in love. Nohemí tells Rut that there’s another relative of Masalón, closer in kinship than Bohoz, who should be Rut’s husband, according to Jewish law. Rut, however, insists that she want to marry Bohoz.

After the harvest feast, when all have eaten well, Bohoz falls asleep and Rut lies down at his feet and covers her head with his cape — the Jewish symbol of a coming marriage. He awakens. They decide to marry after he asks permission of the closer relative of Masalón. The play ends with the celebration of the wedding of Rut and Bohoz. Their son will be Obed; his son, Jesé; his son, David; and so from this stock will eventually come Jesus, the Messiah.

(The subplot of Lisis and Gomor has been omitted.)

Plot

Act I

Leonisa and Firela, two shepherdesses, are going to a stream to wash clothes accompanied by Carlín, who is fond of Firela. Leonisa confesses that she’s in love with Rogerio, even though he’s a nobleman and she’s just a peasant girl. She has always been cold and aloof to young men of her own social class. Rogerio, who is really the illegitimate son of the Duke of Bretaña, has been reared by Pinardo, who has brought him up as his own son and taught him music, philosophy, astrology, metaphysics, architecture, and all the things a young man of the court needs to know. Rogerio, however has never been in love and Pinardo tells him that he acts as if he were made of bronze and that it’s time he change and fall in love.

Meanwhile Clemencia is to marry her uncle, the Duke of Bretaña, although her cousin, Enrique, is trying to talk her out of it. He says he loves her and wants to marry her and inherit the Duke’s title and estate, since the Duke has no heir. Clemencia responds that she loves the Duke because he is her uncle and because he raised her. Upon overhearing this conversation, the Duke decides to reveal his natural son, Rogerio, and name him as his heir.

The Duke brings Rogerio to his castle, after having told Pinardo of his decision to reveal Rogerio’s true identity. The Duke and Pinardo agree that Rogerio and Clemencia shall marry. By now Rogerio has seen Leonisa washing clothes at the stream and has fallen in love with her. When he leaves to go to the Duke’s palace he promises to be true to her. He also tells Pinardo of his love, but Pinardo does not approve, saying he has gone from one extreme to the other.

Act II

The Duke tries to cheer up Rogerio, telling him that he should be happy because he’s noble and is going to marry Clemencia. Rogerio however, says he misses his mountains, although it is really Leonisa he longs for. Clemencia and Enrique have reacted to Rogerio’s arrival in different ways. She professes to love Rogerio, while Enrique tells Rogerio that it is all right for him to be a duke but he does not want him to have Clemencia.

When Carlín arrives with a letter from Leonisa to Rogerio he runs into Clemencia, who learns of the letter and its contents. She then tells Rogerio that she knows about Leonisa and the course of his sadness. Carlín delivers the letter to Rogerio, telling him that Filipo, Lord of Castel and Fuen-Molino loves Leonisa but she is still faithful to Rogerio. He predicts, however, that her attitude toward Filipo will soon change.

In the meantime Pinardo plans to help Filipo win Leonisa. He tells Pinardo that her father brought her to the mountains from Bretaña when she was very young but no one knows what their rank had been before they came. Firela comes with a coral necklace that Leonisa has lost, and Filipo bargains with her for them, giving her a ring for herself and a gold chain to give to Leonisa in their place.

Firela takes the gold chain to Leonisa, telling her that Filipo has her necklace and sent her the chain instead. On hearing this Leonisa becomes angry, so Firela tells her that Rogerio sent her the chain by Carlín. Carlín, threatened by Firela with no love, supports her story. Leonisa then puts on the chain and kisses it. Filipo appears in time to see her kissing the chain, and he, in turn, kisses the coral beads and tells her that he’s overjoyed that she has received his chain so enthusiastically. Leonisa realizes how Firela and Carlín have deceived her; she takes off the chain and grabs the coral beads from Filipo. At this point Rogerio returns, and seeing Leonisa with Filipo, he misinterprets the situation, and returns the chain to Leonisa, the coral beads to Filipo. The arrival of the Duke, Pinardo, Clemencia and Firela interrupts this scene. Clemencia, seeing Rogerio in despair, promises to cheer him up. Leonisa is angry with Firela and Carlín for their trickery, and Rogerio returns to the Duke’s. He takes Filipo with him as his secretary, saying that Filipo deserves an opportunity to go to the Duke’s courts.

Act III

Rogerio is still melancholy, but, aided by Filipo, he makes wise judgments in business matters. Clemencia becomes ill and needs a bleeding, and Rogerio says that since Filipo has the coral beads he should go be the bleeder. Filipo leaves a note telling Rogerio that he found Leonisa’s beads and sent her the chain in their place and that he’s very much in love with Leonisa.

Enrique arrives with the news that the Pope has given a dispensation for Clemencia and Rogerio to marry, even though they are cousins. Rogerio asks Enrique for his glove, which he sends to Clemencia, who has suddenly recovered from her illness, along with a note that says “this only comes to you for your own good.” When Enrique identifies the glove as belonging to him, Clemencia concludes that Rogerio must be jealous of Enrique.

Rogerio is now pretending to be bewitched. Leonisa, who has forced her way into the Duke’s castle, tells the others that she can disenchant him. The two of them argue about the coral beads and the gold chain. Leonisa tries to explain that she kissed the chain because she thought it was from him, but he persists in believing that she loves Filipo. At the same time she thinks he is in love with Clemencia, since he is supposed to marry her. Finally after much discussion they see that they really love each other.

Rogerio is still pretending to be bewitched, and Leonisa tells the Duke that she can break the spell by putting on him the coral beads that Filipo is wearing. She put them on him, but at that moment Clemencia appears and accuses Leonisa of having cast the spell on Rogerio. The Duke, believing her, has Leonisa and Carlín imprisoned. Pinardo comes with the news that the man who was supposed to be Leonisa’s father has died and left a letter for him telling him that Leonisa is really Clemencia’s sister and daughter of the Duke of Borgoña. As a baby she was stolen in revenge by a nobleman who took her to the mountains and reared her as his own. The Duke decides to let Rogerio and Leonisa marry so that Rogerio can be happy rather than melancholy. Before he can tell Rogerio all this, however Rogerio tells him that he is happy now and will marry Clemencia. The Duke realizes that Rogerio’s change of heart has taken place only because he wants to save Leonisa from being tortured for failing to cure him.

At this point Enrique announces the arrival of the Duchess of Clarencia, who has fled England and is on her way to Paris. This duchess in reality is Leonisa, dressed as an Englishwoman, accompanied by Carlín, disguised as her servant. Clemencia recognizes them and the Duke announces Leonisa’s true identity. The play ends happily, with two marriages, that of Rogerio and Leonisa and that of Enrique and Clemencia.

Plot

Act I

Jezabel, the wife of Acab, King of the Israelites, tells her husband that if he loves her he will worship Baal, rather than the God of the Israelites, and that he will order his people to do the same. After her persuasive words and tears, he agrees to do as she asks. In private, Jezabel tells Criselia that the reason she wants Baal to be the god of the country is that he permits any kind of sin, so that she can do as she pleases and have lovers if she wishes.

Jezabel calls for Nabot, Raquel’s husband, to come to her. When he arrives she pretends to be asleep. He admires her beauty, but laments her cruelty. She professes to love him and tells him that he should accept Baal and her love, but he refuses. He does kiss her hand in respect and puts his hat back on at her request. She then pretends to wake up and says she was only feigning sleep. He still holds to his God and refuses her love, whereupon she swears revenge. He vows to let them kill him before he’d renounce the God of Israel. All this is witnessed by Raquel, who sees them but is not close enough to hear what they say. She misinterprets what she sees and becomes jealous of Jezabel.

The King comes and announces that they have killed more than three hundred Israelite prophets and leaders and that Elías is fleeing. At this moment Elías enter, however, and predicts that there will be a terrible draught and famine throughout the land as a punishment to Acab and his people for deserting their God. Acab tries to stab Elías, but he gets away. The King, however, orders his soldiers to follow Elías.

Jehú, Abdías and Josepho discuss the fact that they must obey the King, but they don’t like it. Jehú (like Elías, Raquel and Nabot earlier in the play) affirms that there is a great deal of danger in having a woman running the kingdom.

Act II

Three years have elapsed and there is a great drought. A group of shepherds has come down from the hills to look for food in the valley. They finally decide to eat one of their animals and they choose Coriolín’s burro to be the first, which upsets Coriolín, of course.

Abdías, the King’s majordomo, has been hiding two hundred prophets in two caves for these three years, and he is hoping to find some innocent person who will aid him in taking food to them when he encounters Coriolín, still mourning his burro. Abdías promises him another if he’ll help.

Meanwhile, two crows snatch bread and a roasted bird from Acab’s plate. He becomes upset, thinking this is an evil omen, and sends his soldiers after the crows, which carry the food from the King’s table to Elías. The latter takes this as a sign that the time has come for him to take action.

Acab wants to buy or trade for Nabot’s vineyard, which adjoins the palace. Nabot refuses to deal with the King, because according to Hebrew law he, as the oldest son, cannot sell his patrimony. The King is angry at his refusal and tells him he may regret his decision.

Back in the country Lisarina and Coriolín are talking. She is jealous of his affection for Birena, and his scorn for Lisarina serves to make her angry, as well. When two soldiers who are following the crows come hunting Elías, she tells them that Coriolín knows where he is and that he has a new burro that was given to him as a bribe to keep quiet. The soldiers seize Coriolín and take him away.

Jehú tells Jezabel that Abdías has found Elías, who had brought back to life the Prince of Sarepta and had lived there for more than six months, subsisting on a never-ending supply of oil and flour, after which he lived in the mountains of Carmelo, where the crows brought him food. Then Jehú tells of how Elías challenged three hundred or more of Baal’s prophets to a life or death contest to see which could set fire, through his god, to an ox on an altar over a woodpile. Baal’s prophets failed, but Elías dug a trench, filled it with water, called on his God, and started a great fire, followed by a rain. The people acclaimed him for these marvelous feats. After hearing all this, Jezabel becomes angry and wants revenge and is determined to find Elías and make him pay for insulting Baal.

Act III

Elías, fleeing from Jezabel, is tired and discouraged. He falls asleep, but an angel appears to tell him to awaken and eat the bread and water that is near his head. He eats a part of it, then goes back to sleep, but the angel wakes him again and tells him to finish. He does so, and finds himself with new strength.

Acab is complaining to Jezabel that the Israelites no longer respect him and he wants to die. He tells her how Nabot refused him the vineyard, to which she replies that she will take care of that situation. Taking Acab’s seal, she summons Nabot and tells him that he must make a choice. Opening a curtain, she reveals a table which three silver fuentes with a message on each. The first one holds a crown, his reward if he will kill Raquel; the second, the choice of iron to punish him or a lady’s headdress to promise him love; the third, rocks lying in a pool of blood, to show his fate if he refuses her. Saying that life is short, after all, that he must serve his God, Nabot turns down her offer.

Jezabel immediately sends out the notice that Nabot has been blasphemous. She finds two witnesses against him, and he is tried and stoned to death. Upon learning of Nabot’s death, Raquel curses Acab and Jezabel and their children, but Abdías tells her that Elías has prophesied her curse: that Acab will die in battle, his sons will all be killed and Jezabel will be killed and eaten by dogs.

After some time has passed, some soldiers appear, chasing a prophet, but Jehú stops them, telling them that Acab has been killed in battle by an arrow and that his son, Ococías, reigned for a short time but has also been killed, and now his second son, Jorán, is king. The prophecies of Elías are being fulfilled. Jehú also tells how God anointed him and told him that he is to be the King of Israel. Upon hearing this the soldiers all swear loyalty to Jehú.

Jorán has been wounded, but Criselia brings Jezabel the news that he is still alive and appears to be improving. She asks the Queen to release Raquel from prison as a reward for this good news. Jezabel refuses, but she does decide that after three years of mourning Acab’s death she will now shed her widow’s garb and show her beauty. Left alone, she hears a woman’s voice singing the story of Nabot and Raquel, ending by predicting that Jezabel will be torn apart by dogs. This frightens her.

Abdías comes and tells Jezabel to flee because Jorán is dead and Jehú is coming as the new King. She decides to make herself beautiful and offer to Jehú herself and her crown in an effort to save herself.

Raquel crowns Jehú. Then Jezabel appears on her balcony to wish Jehú well and offer herself to him. When he sees her, Jehú orders his soldiers to the balcony, and they throw her down, where she is torn apart and eaten by a pack of dogs, as in the prophecy.

Jehú tells Raquel that all of Acab’s seventy sons will die so that her revenge will be complete and the prophecies fulfilled. Raquel says that Nabot’s death is fully avenged. Jehú’s last statement is that now Israel is free of Jezabel and that this story should serve as a lesson that rulers should not let their wives run their affairs.

Plot

Act I

Don Diego and Don Fadrique, old friends, meet outside a church in Toledo. During the course of their conversation, in which they speak of the political and religious situations of the day, Fadrique learns that Diego has come to Toledo to marry Doña Catalina, the daughter of Don García. Before making his presence known, however, Diego wants to find out more about his intended. Fadrique, meanwhile, is to marry Lucía, García’s other daughter. After Fadrique leaves, Lucía passes by and notices Diego, and the two of them strike up a conversation. They are attracted to each other immediately. Diego’s servant, Cristal, learns from Quesada, who is accompanying Lucía, that the young woman is García’s daughter, so he and Diego assume that she is the one whom Diego is to marry. In the meantime, Catalina has summoned Fadrique in order to tell him that a rumor is circulating to the effect that Doña Dorotea is having his child and that Lucía is very jealous of Dorotea. Fadrique denounces this rumor as completely untrue.

Lucía returns home and happily relates to her sister the story of her meeting a handsome man at the church. Shortly after Lucía’s arrival, Diego appears at García’s home and, after addressing Lucía as “Catalina,” learns that the girl he met is not the one he is to marry, but her sister. He thinks that Catalina is very ugly, but she finds him attractive. García explains to Diego that Lucía is to be married on the same day as he and Catalina. Upon hearing this news, Diego feigns a headache. Catalina gives him a ring in order to help drive away the pain, while Lucía ties a string of beads around his wrist. Catalina, aware that Diego is the man Lucía encountered earlier at the church, becomes quite jealous of her sister.

Act II

Fadrique tells Diego that although he has had an affair with Dorotea it is all over now and he wants to straighten things out with Lucía. He asks Diego to support him as witness that he and Dorotea are through. Fadrique and Catalina have already agreed that she will talk with Dorotea at church and confirm Fadrique’s innocence. Dorotea, of course, has an interest in getting Lucía married to Fadrique. Cristal, meanwhile, has a letter that he forged in a woman’s writing and that he plans to use on Diego’s behalf.

García is to accompany Catalina to church to witness the conversation with Dorotea, although Lucía tells him that he cannot trust Catalina because of the latter’s jealousy of Diego and Lucía. At this point Diego and Fadrique arrive at García’s home where Diego vouches for Fadrique. Diego talks separately with Lucía in double talk, while Fadrique and Catalina converse, with the latter listening to the other conversation at the same time. Lucía now dresses with a veil and goes off to carry out a plan she has thought up for discrediting Fadrique.

After talking with Dorotea, García and Catalina are convinced of her innocence, but Lucía appears, completely veiled, and claims to be the real Dorotea, asserting that the other one was a plant of Fadrique. She tells them that she really has Fadrique’s child and gives them letters written to her by Fadrique–letters that were, of course, originally directed to Lucía, not Dorotea.

Cristal, who is carrying several letters, delivers one of them (the one he had earlier forged) to García. The letter is to Diego from another Dorotea, this one in Madrid, who writes as wife to husband, even mentioning their son “Juanico.” García now believes that Diego is just after Catalina’s dowry, and the three “Doroteas” leave him both angry and baffled. He confronts Fadrique with the second “Dorotea” and tells Diego to go back to “Juanico’s” mother in Madrid. Both Fadrique and Diego are astonished by García’s words and by the letters, which he gives them. García vows that his daughters will marry others now.

Saddened by hearing about Diego’s “Dorotea,” Catalina weeps, and Lucía, too, is perturbed. Their father has difficulty in understanding their reactions and their jealous remarks to each other, which are interrupted by the arrival of Fadrique, who has recognized the letters purporting to be from “Dorotea” as those he had written to Lucía. His claim is dismissed by García, however, and Lucía refuses to support him.

Ordóñez tells them that while they were gone, a lady named “Dorotea” came with a child who looked like Fadrique. Diego, meanwhile, has learned from Cristal of the letter he forged in order to help Diego. He now appears chasing Cristal and pretending to punish him for mixing up the letters and giving the wrong one to García. Deeply wounded by the belief that Diego has a wife in Madrid, Lucía admits that she was the second “Dorotea,” in order to hurt him in return. Fadrique, now cleared of all guilt, asks that Lucía marry him. García orders Diego to return to Madrid. Diego is secretly happy that Cristal’s plan worked so that he does not have to marry Catalina, but somehow he has to devise a way to marry Lucía.

Act III

In spite of Lucía’s efforts to postpone the wedding (complaining of a headache, for example), her father insists that she must marry Fadrique immediately. Dorotea has decided to enter a convent. Catalina and Lucía continue arguing and they are still jealous of each other because of Diego, even though he is supposed to have returned to Madrid. Cristal comes to tell Lucía that Diego is still in Toledo and that he still loves her. Cristal explains the forged letter from the “Dorotea” in Madrid, proving that the writing of the letter matches his own, and further adds that he and Diego have a plan.

Before Cristal can leave, García and Catalina come, and Cristal explains his presence by pretending to have been thrown out by Diego. He asks García for money. Lucía continues to complain of a headache and a strange noise in one ear. García agrees to give Cristal some money. Elsewhere, Juan, Diego’s cousin, joins the latter’s conspiracy to marry Lucía.

Lucía still feigns illness, and Quesada announces to García, Fadrique, and others who have gathered for the betrothal, that she has become deaf. García, prompted by the suspicious Catalina, brings Lucía to join them. Lucía, prompted by the suspicious Catalina, brings Lucía to join them. Lucía pretends to be deaf and talks in a monotone as she thinks a deaf person might. She wittily misunderstands what people say to her and makes humorous comments based on her “misunderstandings.” Cristal comes with a letter that he says a messenger gave him for Diego. García takes the letter, which is from “Dorotea” in Madrid asking Diego to aid Fadrique, who has stolen money in Madrid. Soon Juan arrives, disguised as a policeman, to take Fadrique prisoner. The latter, however, denies the charges against him, and he and Juan depart fighting each other with their swords.

Cristal and Diego manage to see Lucía alone, and she and Diego pledge themselves to marry. Catalina walks in on them, soon followed by her father, who reports that the “policeman” disappeared but the vicar has ordered that Fadrique must marry Dorotea because he had already given her his word that he would marry her. Juan appears and confesses that he was the “policeman,” while Cristal admits to having authored both of the false letters from the “Dorotea” in Madrid. Diego, now forgiven by García as a result of Cristal’s confession, asks that Juan marry Lucía, since Fadrique cannot. García agrees, but Catalina, in order to prove that Lucía can hear, tells her that García will let her marry Diego. Upon hearing this, Lucía is immediately “cured” of her “deafness.” Diego and Lucía then ask García’s permission to marry, which he gives. Catalina and Juan will marry, as will Cristal and Ordóñez. Lucía points out that “no hay peor sordo / que aquel que se finge serlo.”

Plot

Act I

The action of this play takes place during the reign of King Ferdinand I of Naples, at a time when the French Count of Anjou is waging war against the kingdom of Naples. The Prince of Salerno has died, leaving his daughter, Matilde, and his nephew, Rugero, to compete for control of his estate. Rugero has taken possession of Salerno by force and therefore believes that he has earned the right to govern there. The Council of Naples, however, has refused to recognize Rugero as the rightful Prince of Salerno and has returned the property, along with the title of Princess, to Matilde. Matilde loves Próspero, Prince of Taranto, but he pretends to be jealous and to doubt her love, accusing her of loving Don Iñigo, a poor Spanish nobleman. She assures him that he is mistaken and, taking a feather from his elegant clothing, tells him that she values it more than anything Iñigo can do for her. Meanwhile Rugero is plotting against Matilde by informing the King that she is a traitor against Naples and is aiding the French in the war. The King promises to reward him if he can prove that his accusations are true.

Iñigo has been very successful in a sortija that he ran in Matilde’s street, after having put up a notice of it on her door so that all would know. He carried away six rings, but in spite of this he is depressed, because he realizes that his great love for Matilde goes unrequited. During the course of the games he knocked Próspero off his horse, whereupon he dismounted and helped Próspero up to the place from which Matilde was watching. She, however, was angry with him, blaming him for her misfortune because of Próspero’s injury and ordering the games to cease.

Gallardo points out to Iñigo and his sister, Sirena, that Matilde and six other young women are out on the water in a boat. While they are watching, Próspero comes to see Iñigo and tells him that Matilde really loves him (Próspero) and adds that Iñigo is too poor to compete for Matilde’s hand. Iñigo replies that although he is poor he is noble, being the son of Ruy López de Avalos, who fought bravely in Italy for King Alfonso I, father of the present king. They argue and are about to draw their swords when Sirena interrupts with the news that Matilde’s skiff has capsized. Iñigo goes to help her, leaving Próspero protesting that he would like to aid them but he cannot swim. Iñigo saves Matilde and they put her to bed to recuperate at his house. He leaves so as not to embarrass her at finding herself in a man’s house.

When Rugero hears that Iñigo has saved Matilde he is furious. He wishes she had drowned so that he could get possession of Salerno. He is still plotting to accomplish this, through treachery if need be. Finally he sets fire to Iñigo’s house while Matilde is still there, hoping to kill her that way. When the fire breaks out Matilde and Próspero are caught in it, and he tries to save himself first, not her. Iñigo, who was outside, rushes in and carries Matilde to safety.

Act II

Rugero has convinced the King that Matilde is a traitor. The King returns Salerno to Rugero and orders Matilde out of the kingdom. Próspero then asks the King for Rugero’s sister, Laura, as a wife and the King agrees. Matilde tells Próspero that she is innocent; he says he would like to help her, but he does not want to put his loyalty to the King in question. He tells her he can aid her better by not jeopardizing his favor with the King, and he promises to send a message to his relative, the Marqués of Mantria, to ask if he can take Matilde in.

After the fire Iñigo is left penniless. He is going to hunt and sell what he kills, and Gallardo, his lackey, is planning to sell buttons, pins, toothpicks and the like. When Matilde comes along and tells him of her plight, Iñigo wants to sell his coat and give her the money, but Gallardo convinces him he can sell some of his wares instead.

In the meantime Sirena is with Lauro, who is in love with Iñigo. Gallardo comes selling his toothpicks and buttons, and Laura gives him money to help him and Iñigo. The King appears at Laura’s home after Gallardo’s departure, sees Sirena, and falls in love with her. The King has come to tell Laura that she is to marry Próspero, but she tells him that she loves Iñigo, so he agrees to make Iñigo a general and let Laura and Iñigo marry.

Gallardo returns to Iñigo. At first he pretends to have brought nothing, but then he gives Iñigo the provisions he has bought, telling him that Laura gave him the money because she loves Iñigo and hopes he will forget Matilde. Iñigo refuses to accept the money under those circumstances, so Gallardo convinces him that Sirena really gave him the money. Rugero and Teodoro come, looking for Iñigo to tell him to go to the court because he has been made a general and is to marry Laura. After they leave, Iñigo exclaims that he cannot waiver in his love for Matilde, but she overhears him and tells him he should go. She plans to go to Milan to stay with her cousin, the Duke of Milan. Iñigo, however, tells Gallardo that they will leave immediately to escort Matilde to Milan. She will ride the mount, really a pack animal, that Gallardo brought, and they will eat along the way.

Act III

The King and Próspero are out at night, when they see Sirena and Laura at a window and they stop to talk. The King professes his love to Sirena, who does not take what he says seriously. She thinks he talks that way to all the young women. Rugero and Teodoro come along, and the King overhears Rugero tell Teodoro that he is to go to the Duke of Rojano with a letter on which the King’s signature has been forged. In the falsified letter the King offers the Duke his sister in marriage if he will kill Matilde or have her killed. Rugero then goes to get another letter of assurance for the Duke, and in his absence the King and Próspero advance on Teodoro, who flees, pursued by Próspero. In the dark the King, pretending to be Teodoro, takes the two letters from Rugero. He now knows that Matilde is innocent and that the accusations against her were all a part of Rugero’s plot to get Salerno back.

Iñigo and Gallardo have returned after taking Matilde to Milan, but they did not enter the Duke’s palace, much to Gallardo’s disgust, because Iñigo says it would be acting against the King’s orders for him to do so. Liseno comes bearing the news that the King is on his way to meet Matilde and the Duke, who are coming to Naples, now that Matilde’s innocence has been established. Iñigo gives Liseno his shotgun, his last possession, as a reward for the good news.

The Duke, Próspero and Matilde appear. Matilde says that Próspero is all words and no action. Iñigo then reappears, and Matilde tells him that she is supposed to marry, but that she does not intend to do so without him. He misunderstands and interprets this to mean that she wants him to attend the wedding as a spectator, thereby entirely missing her point. Even after she repeats what she has said he still misinterprets her meaning and, desperate, plans to go to the wedding and to die there.

At the palace the King pardons Matilde and gives permission for the Duke to marry his sister. He makes Próspero a captain-general and sends him off to fight the French. Matilde then returns Próspero’s feather to him, telling him that words and feathers don’t have much substance (and are easily carried away by the wind) and that she wishes to marry Iñigo, who has proved his love with deeds, not words. The King consents and announces that he and Sirena also are to marry. Sirena asks for Laura’s freedom, because she has been unjustly imprisoned for being Rugero’s sister. The King grants her request and says that Laura will marry Próspero and become Marquesa del Ferro. At Matilde’s request the King frees Rugero, on the condition that he leave the kingdom. The play ends with Iñigo’s giving Gallardo his quinta to use as a factory for making buttons and toothpicks, plus a thousand ducats of income.

Plot

Act I

Ricardo scolds his nephew, Simón, who is a student, but not a successful one, for being lazy and not administering his estate well. Ricardo wants Simón to marry his daughter and become a success in letters, by the sword or as a merchant. Simón, however, doesn’t want to marry. Simón falls asleep, and a voice speaks to him as he sleeps, saying “Simón, vela.” The voice tells him to leave France to go to look for the Peña de Francia and a woman there who will be important, holy and beautiful. Upon awakening Simón decides to take the name Simón Vela and to follow the advice of the voice and go to find the Peña de Francia.

Meanwhile in Valladolid, Enrique and Pedro, the Princes of Aragon, both want to marry Catalina, the sister of Juan II of Castile. Catalina, who is in love with Enrique, writes him a note saying “Tonight or never, Prince.” She decides to wait until fate gives her a favorable opportunity to deliver the note, and on one occasion when Enrique asks her, “When?” with reference to his love for her, she replies “Look and you will find the when.” With that she drops her glove with the note as she leaves. Enrique and Pedro struggle for the glove, and each ends up with half of the glove and half of the note. Enrique’s half of the note says, “never, Prince” and he thinks this is his answer. Pedro gets the part that says, “Tonight” and decides that he’ll go to Catalina’s room that night, pretending to be the person for whom the note is intended.

Don Gonzalo de Estremera and Fernán Alonso have falsely denounced Ruy López to the King as a traitor and have caused him to be exiled. Now, in order to improve their position with the King still more and to get Enrique out of their way they are trying to convince the King that Enrique is his enemy and that he wants to marry Catalina in order to get control of Castile. The King, however, refuses to believe them. Simón Vela, meanwhile, arrives with a letter from Ruy López telling how he was treacherously exiled.

Knowing that Enrique walks past Catalina’s room at night, Gonzalo and Fernán plan to surprise him there and kill him, since they are unable to turn the King against him. Unaware of the others’ intentions, the King and Diego, his page, also plan to make rounds that night to see what is going on. When night comes Catalina appears in her window, awaiting the appearance of Enrique. Pedro, however, arrives with a ladder, and when she asks if he’s the prince and he replies that he is, she, of course, assumes that it’s Enrique who is entering her room, and he begins to climb up the ladder. At this moment the King and Diego arrive, as do Gonzalo and Fernán. Thinking that Diego is Enrique, Fernán grabs him and holds him while Gonzalo stabs him and mortally wounds him. The King escapes and goes for help. Gonzalo and Fernán go back to into the palace in order to answer the King’s call, pretending that they know nothing of what has happened.

When Pedro hears the King’s call for help he leaves Catalina to go the King’s rescue. She tells him that since he missed the opportunity tonight that now the answer will be “never.” The ladder to her window remains in place. Enrique appears, accompanied by Simón Vela, and the see the ladder, whereupon Enrique assumes that Catalina has admitted another suitor to her chamber. Gonzalo, Fernán and the King return to find Enrique there. Gonzalo and Fernán accuse him of being the murderer, saying that he meant to kill the King instead of Diego. The King orders that Enrique, Pedro, and Simón be taken prisoner and that Catalina be kept in her room under guard. He takes the two halves of the note from Enrique and Pedro and assumes that they are instructions from Rui López to Enrique to kill the King”tonight or never.” The King is young and easily influenced, and Gonzalo and Fernán take advantage of this to convince him that Enrique wants control of Castile and that Ruy López want the King out of the way so that he can return to Castile.

Act II

Two months have passed. By telling him that he can never win Catalina as long as Enrique is alive, Gonzalo persuades Pedro to be a traitor to his brother and say that Enrique, acting for Ruy López, was trying to kill the King when he mistakenly killed Diego instead. Thus Pedro will go free and Gonzalo promises him that he will get Catalina and the Estado de Villena. Catalina, meanwhile, has a plan to free Enrique. She has had Benavides, who serves Enrique, get a wax impression of the jailer’s keys when the latter was playing a game with some other people, and from this impression he has had keys made. Benavides and Padilla sneak the keys in to Enrique where they take his food, and he escapes. Along with the keys Catalina sends him a note and he finally knows that she loves him. He had not be certain of this even after both halves of the earlier message had been found, not knowing if it was intended for him or for someone else. After escaping, Enrique wants to free Simón, but the others tell him it’s too dangerous.

Enrique plans to go to Portugal to seek protection from his uncle, the King. He sets out on his journey at night, but encounters Pedro, Gonzalo and Fernán, who are making rounds. They see him, but he is covered up and they do not recognize him. He calls them traitors and they draw their swords. He kills Fernán, but Gonzalo flees. He then disarms Pedro, insults him and leaves.

Simón hears the voice again and follows it to freedom, while Enrique continues on his way to Portugal. The latter comes to a place in the mountains called the Peña de Francia, near which a group of peasants is preparing for a May festival. He finds some clothing left by one of the shepherds and puts it on to disguise himself. To this area have also come Don Jaime, the Count of Urgel, and his daughter, Elvira, who are taking refuge there because changes of fortune have driven them from their homeland. Enrique meets Elvira, who tells him that this area is the Peña de Francia. He realizes that this is the place that Simón has told him he is searching for. He tells Elvira that he is fleeing because he’s been denounced by traitors in Castile. He decides to hide there, with the help of Elvira, who tells him to take off the shepherd’s clothes, which would be recognized by their owner, and she will bring him some other clothing to put on. He will stay there and work, disguised as a carbonero.

Act III

Elvira has fallen in love with Enrique and is lovesick. The Count sends her to Salamanca to make some purchases. Melisa is to go also, as well as Tirso, Crespo, and the carbonero, who will take the coal and other products to market as they do every Thursday. When she asks if anyone else is going the Count replies that Mireno (the name that Enrique has taken) will go too. This news fills her with joy. The King, Pedro and Gonzalo are also on their way to Salamanca, where the King plans to marry Catalina to Pedro, whether she likes it or not. Simón, too, is in Salamanca, having followed the voice there. He overhears Doringo and Payo, two of the carboneros, speaking of the Peña de Francia and asks them to take him there.

After arriving in Salamanca, Enrique meets Padilla, who has come there with the King’s entourage. Padilla tells him how Catalina weeps because she does not want to marry Pedro. Enrique gives Padilla, whom he knows he can trust, some clothing for a peasant girl to take back to Catalina and tells him to bring her, dressed as a peasant, to him in the mountains. The King tells Catalina, meanwhile, that she must marry Pedro, but Padilla comes with the clothing Enrique has given him and she is able to escape, disguised.

Guided by Payo and Doringo, Simón arrives at the Peña de Francia. He vows not to eat until he finds the woman the voice promised him there, and he begins to climb the rock. When he gets to the top the rock opens to disclose a table laden with food. He eats, then goes to sleep. The voice tells him he won’t accomplish his task if he sleeps. A rock hits him on the head and awakens him, and he climbs up and sees a fissure from which the rock fell. He goes to get the carboneros to help him open the crack in order to reveal the image of the Virgin that he is sure is inside and who is the woman intended for him.

While this is taking place the Conde comes to the realization that Elvira is in love with Mireno (Enrique). She tells her father that Mireno is not what he seems and shows him the fine clothes that he was wearing when he came to the mountains. Catalina, dressed as a peasant girl and posing as Enrique’s sister, has now joined them. The Count tells Enrique that his wife was the sister of the King of Aragon and that he thereby was one of the heirs when the King died. He lost out, though, and Fernando (Enrique’s father, although the Count, of course, does not know this) took him prisoner. He and his wife escaped, however, with their baby, Elvira.

At this point Payo comes to announce that the King is coming. Enrique has just enough time to tell the Count who he and Catalina really are and to ask him to hide Catalina while he goes off to hide himself in the rocks. The King arrives, looking for Enrique and Catalina. His men catch Catalina. She tells the King that she will not marry a man who sells out his own brother. By now Enrique has climbed to the top of the rock, pursued by Gonzalo. They fight, and Enrique wounds Gonzalo and he falls. Before he dies he confesses his treachery to the King, and Pedro, too, reveals his part in denouncing Enrique. The King returns Enrique to his former status in the court and gives permission for him to marry Catalina. Enrique tells the King who the Conde really is and they restore his lands and titles. Enrique forgives Pedro and asks that he and Elvira marry. The King, Pedro, and Elvira agree.

With the aid of the carboneros, Simón has opened the fissure in the rock to reveal its precious treasure: a statue of the Virgin. They have made an altar and cover of branches for the statue, which has been there since the time of Rodrigo. Simón entrusts the building of a proper house for the Virgin to the King and asks that he sees that he see it is cared for by the Dominican Fathers, because Heaven is calling him and the time has come for him to die. The King pledges to do as Simón asks, and they all return to the court to celebrate the forthcoming marriages.

Plot

Act I

Doña Bernarda, a poor widow, and her sister Doña Jusepa are on their way from Guadalajara to Madrid, where Jusepa is soon to marry Don Gómez, a rich, seventy-year-old man from the New World. She will receive a large amount of money from her new husband, and Bernarda, too, will get a tidy sum, which she plans to use as a dowry for herself. Bernarda has raised Jusepa, their mother having died when Jusepa was born and their father also being dead. They have an accident with their carriage, in which Bernarda is injured and rendered unconscious. At this moment, Don Fernando comes along and helps to rescue Bernarda, carrying her to the nearby Inn of Viveros. He is quite enamored of her. He learns from Polonia, Bernarda’s slave, the reason for their trip to Madrid.

In Madrid, Don Duarte has stopped at Mari-Ramírez’s inn, right across the street from the house where Bernarda and Jusepa have been installed by Jusepa’s husband-to-be. They are locked in with a hatch or torno, such as would be used in a convent for passing things in or out, their only contact with the outside world. No one can enter, and they are permitted to leave only to attend mass in the mornings.

Meanwhile, Fernando arrives at the inn in Madrid and meets Duarte, an old friend. He hears Polonia’s voice and sees Bernarda entering the house across the street. He learns that she still feels ill as a result of the accident and wants to be bled, so he goes disguised as a barber to see her. Don Luis, Don Gómez’s nephew, who also loves Jusepa, is jealous and has come to try to win her over before she marries his uncle. He sees Fernando, who is dressed as a barber, and Santillana, his uncle’s squire who is taking care of the sisters, go into the house. He then meets the real barber, who says that someone bribed his assistant to get his instruments and is posing as a barber. Fernando comes out of the house and manages to get away when Luis tries to stop him. Bernarda then appears to investigate the noise and is told by Luis that he knows that the barber who entered her house was a fraud and threatens to tell his uncle that Jusepa has a lover. Bernarda questions Santillana, who claims that he brought the real barber, and tells him to bring the barber again the next morning. At the inn, Fernando tells Duarte, Mari-Ramírez and Santarén of his love for Bernarda, how a lackey told him the history of the sisters (although in fact it was Polonia who gave him this information) and of how he bribed the lackey to let him know where they would be in Madrid. By coincidence he stopped at the inn and saw them entering the house before the lackey could fulfill his promise, however. The others all offer to help him to win Bernarda. He tells of touching her bare arm when he was disguised as a barber, but could not bleed her and so told her that he did not have permission to bleed her.

Act II

Bernarda and Jusepa have gone to church early in the morning, followed by Duarte, who wants to see Fernando’s love. While returning home Jusepa stumbled and was aided by Duarte, who saw her face when the wind lifted her veil. They were immediately attracted to each other. Bernarda ordered him away and now, at home, is chastising Jusepa for paying attention to him. Santillana confesses to Bernarda that he has learned from the real barber that the one he brought was an imposter, so Bernarda sends him to get the address of the man who pretended to be the barber. Disguised as a vendor of headdresses, Mari-Ramírez comes and leaves a note for Bernarda from Bernardo, saying that it is a bill. The gate is left unlocked after Mari-Ramírez, and Santarén, dressed as a notions dealer, leaves a box of jewels in the hatch for Jusepa. Duarte also sends her a sonnet written in Portuguese. Duarte is telling Fernando the story of his meeting with Jusepa when Santarén interrupts to ask Duarte to come to the hatch, where Jusepa and Polonia are waiting. Duarte and Jusepa talk, and Duarte calls Fernando to vouch for his honor and nobility. Before Fernando arrives, however, Polonia and Jusepa have withdrawn because Bernarda is coming, thinking that Mari-Ramírez is back. Quickly grasping the situation, Bernarda pretends to be Jusepa, and talks to Fernando, who praises Duarte’s good and noble qualities. She says that Bernarda is about to marry Luis and then she orders the doors opened, whereupon Jusepa and Polonia enter through one door and the men through another. Angry at being deceived, Bernarda tells them she knows everything, and insists that Jusepa will marry Don Gómez, who is to arrive in a day or two.

Act III

Told by Bernarda that Luis has gone to tell his uncle about the false barber, Jusepa denies that she had anything to do with that. Meanwhile, Bernarda is interested in Fernando, but she does not want to lose the money that Don Gómez is to give her. Santillana makes Bernarda jealous, telling her that Fernando is talking to another woman at the inn. She goes to check and finds Doña Melchora there. Melchora is indignant because Fernando has not looked her up; he explains that he lost the letter with her new address. Melchora leaves and Bernarda, who has been veiled, reveals who she is. She tells Duarte and Fernando that they must not bother her and Jusepa anymore, for she is to marry Luis and Jusepa is to marry Don Gómez. She does, however, tell them not to move to another inn, because she wants to keep an eye on them. After her departure, Duarte tells Fernando that she likes him or she would not have come.

Santarén brings them the news that when he went to the basement of the inn for some water he heard Polonia’s voice on the other side of the wall. He and Mari-Ramírez then knocked a hole in the wall so that they could go into the house where Bernarda and Jusepa are staying. Polonia has now gone to get Jusepa, so that she and Duarte can meet. In the meantime, Bernarda is unhappy, wishing she had told Fernando that she cares for him. She decides to go to church to make a novena, and takes Polonia with her, leaving Jusepa locked up. Polonia, however, has told Jusepa to go to Duarte by means of the hole in the basement wall. Then Santarén comes to get Jusepa and convinces her to go. He says that Duarte wants to marry her and that he (Duarte) has a Portuguese dress for his sister that Jusepa can wear as a disguise.

Alvarado, who has followed Bernarda to church, returns to the inn to inform those there that Bernarda is, indeed, in church. Santarén returns, announces the arrival of Jusepa, and goes off to continue the vigil of Bernarda. Jusepa, dressed in the Portuguese gown, enters, accompanied by Duarte. They tell the others that they are betrothed. At this point, Bernarda, who has evaded Santarén, appears. She recognizes Jusepa, but the latter pretends to be the Condesa de Ficallo, a “Portuguese.” Polonia observes that the “Condesa’s” face is shaped different from Jusepa’s. Upset, Bernarda leaves thinking that she has been tricked or is crazy.

Jusepa, meanwhile, hurries back to her house, takes up her embroidery, and gives the appearance of having been there all along when Bernarda and Polonia arrive. Bernarda still cannot believe that Jusepa is there. Santillana informs them that Don Gómez has arrived and will call on them the next day, to which Jusepa says that her betrothed is closer than the inn where Don Gómez is and that she cannot marry the latter because she is already married.

Duarte, Fernando, Santarén and Mari-Ramírez appear and verify that Duarte is Jusepa’s husband. Bernarda realizes that she was right in the first place in thinking that Jusepa was the Portuguese woman. Duarte intercedes with Bernarda on Fernando’s behalf, promising that Fernando loves her, wants to marry her, and will give her ten thousand ducats as a dowry. All the others join his plea, and Bernarda agrees to marry Fernando, saying she could not be so impolite as to refuse so many requests. Bernarda tells Santillana to wait until the following day to inform Don Gómez that his wedding with Jusepa has been called off. Polonia is freed, and she and Santarén are to marry. Mari-Ramírez receives a gold chain from Duarte as the play ends.

Plot

Act I

Among those celebrating St. John’s Day in the little village of Belvalle near Nantes is Sirena, who has fled the life of the court in order to live peacefully in the country. She and her cousin, Carlos, are in love, but Sirena is also loved by the Duke of Bretaña, who courted her in vain before his recent marriage to Leonora. The Duke has come to Sirena’s village to take her to his palace, on the pretext that her dying father had asked him to care for her. Leonora, jealous, goes with Ludovico to Belvalle to see that the Duke doesn’t make love to Sirena.

Carlos, dressed as a shepherd, is talking to Sirena at her window at night, when the Duke and Florio come along. Sirena pretends to be a peasant named Fenisa so that the Duke won’t realize who she is. The Duke tries to bribe Carlos (whom he does not recognize) to take him to Sirena’s room, but just then Leonora and Ludovico arrive. Leonora wants to take Sirena and return immediately to the court, knowing that she can watch to see that the Duke leaves Sirena along there. The Duke protests, saying they must not awaken Sirena, but it appears that everyone in Corbato’s house (where Sirena is staying) is already awake. They agree that Sirena is to return to the court with the Duke and Leonora, and Carlos is to go along as chief hunter for the Duke.

Act II

The Duke cannot get Sirena out of his mind, and he devises a plan whereby Leonora will intercede with her on his behalf and that then he will forget Sirena and be Leonora’s alone. Leonora agrees, but plans to get her revenge by courting Carlos. She tells Sirena about the Duke’s plan and asks her to help by speaking to Carlos on her (Leonora’s) behalf and sending him to her. When Carlos comes, Leonora tells him that one who is loved by the Duke loves him, and he, thinking that Sirena has told Leonora of their love, assumes that she is referring to Sirena and replies that he loves in return.

The Duke wants to ask Carlos to help his cause with Sirena, although Floro advises him not to use go-betweens but rather to ignore Sirena and win her over that way. Leonora, however, promises the Duke that she will persuade Carlos to intercede with Sirena on his behalf, and so the Duke tells Carlos to do exactly as Leonora asks him. Carlos is confused by this order from the Duke, since he thinks that Leonora is trying to help him and Sirena, and he knows that the Duke, at the same time, is trying to win Sirena for himself. Meanwhile, Sirena has been told by Leonora that Carlos accepted her overtures of love willingly, so she, too, misunderstands the situation and thinks that Carlos is fickle. She tells him she’s no longer his lover (esposa) but his go-between (tercera), leaving him more bewildered than ever.

Leonora and Sirena appear by night in a window, with the Duke and Carlos nearby. The Duke suspects that Carlos loves Sirena because he (Carlos) appears to be so upset by the Duke’s love for her. In order to find out, he tells Carlos to pretend he’s alone, thus allowing the Duke to observe how Sirena talks to him. At the same time Leonora has grown suspicious about Sirena and Carlos because Sirena was so perturbed when Leonora told her how receptive Carlos was to her. Leonora therefore tells Sirena to pretend to be alone; thus Leonora can see how Carlos talks to Sirena. At the beginning of their conversation Sirena is very scornful of Carlos; then, prompted by the Duke, Carlos tells Sirena to stay away from him because his lady is jealous. Sirena, thinking that he is referring to Leonora, says that that is just fine, because her lover is jealous of him. On hearing this, the Duke immediately assumes that she is talking about him. Both Carlos and Sirena are, in fact, terribly jealous of the other’s supposed lover. Finally Carlos, in a fit of jealousy, takes out a dagger and is starting to stab himself when the Duke intervenes. In an aside, Carlos tells the Duke that he was only pretending, that the whole episode is just a joke. In order to appease Leonora and end her suspicions of Carlos and Sirena, the latter chides Carlos for attempting suicide in order to hurt her (Sirena) and to make his love, Leonora, jealous. On hearing this the Duke is angered, but Carlos appeases him by saying that she just saw him talking to Leonora, as the Duke had told him to, and jumped to the wrong conclusion on seeing them together.

Act III

Leonora complains to Carlos that he has not obeyed the Duke’s orders that he do as she asks and show affection to one loved by the Duke who also loves him. Carlos reveals that he understood that she was talking about Sirena and that it is Sirena he loves, but that he knows that the Duke loves Sirena too. Surprised to learn that Carlos loves Sirena, Leonora tells him that Sirena is not faithful and that the two of them should take vengeance on the Duke. In the meantime Sirena is still unhappy because she believes that Carlos loves someone else.

Leonora, angry now that she knows that Carlos loves Sirena, tells the Duke that Carlos has not done as she asked him. The Duke, assuming that she means that Carlos has not followed her orders to intercede for him with Sirena, is angry, castigates Carlos for being disobedient, and demands that Carlos arrange a rendezvous for him with Sirena for that night. At this point Sirena arrives and chides Carlos for revealing their secret love. In the course of their conversation he tests her constancy by intimating that she and the Duke have a meeting arranged for that night. The Duke, who had hidden himself while Carlos and Sirena talked, overheard only a few sentences of the conversation, and Carlos is able to appease him by leading him to believe that he has set up an appointment with Sirena for the night.

The news comes that the Duke of Borgoña, Leonora’s father, is on his way, so she and the Duke, who is unhappy that he must miss his tryst with Sirena, go to meet him. Sirena, meanwhile, receives a visit from her friends from Belvalle: Corbato, Niso and Fenisa. She tells them that she is sad and also fearful of the Duke, because he is determined to have her. Corbato plans to hide her away in the country, so she goes with Fenisa to put on villager clothes. Carlos appears and is told by Corbato and Niso that Sirena says he has not stood up for her. He denies this and tells them that he wants to go with them to the country, but without letting Sirena know. He and Corbato thus set out, with Niso to follow bringing Sirena and Fenisa.

When Sirena and the others return to the country there is a terrible rainstorm. The two Dukes, Leonora and their group lose their way, but find Corbato’s house. Corbato offers them hospitality, food and shelter. When the meal is served the Duque de Bretaña gets his dinner served backwards — his chair is backwards, the bread is served face down, and so on. He realizes that this symbolizes that he did everything wrong or backwards, that he was “el pretendiente al revés.” Sirena and Carlos, who have resolved their differences, announce that they are married and are going to Borgoña with Leonora’s father. The Duke of Bretaña, seeing the error of his ways, and Leonora, no longer having to be jealous of Sirena, are happy together. As the play ends Fenisa laughingly says they gave the Duke “el rábano por las hojas,” a symbol of doing things backward.

Plot

Act I

The King of Naples, Don Fadrique, is out hunting when he meets Leonora, who is the sister of Don Juan de Cardona. Overwhelmed by her beauty, he tells her that he loves her. She rejects him at first but when she learns that he is the king, she tells him that she and her brother live here in the country, away from the court, because their father had been a privado of the king’s father, but he fell out of favor and, saddened by this experience, resolved to raise his children with no ambitions for courtly life.

Elsewhere, Don Juan tells his friend, Don Luis, how he saw a beautiful young woman swimming nude in the river and took one of her garters as a remembrance. Luis guesses that Juan saw the Infanta Isabel, Fadrique’s sister, but Juan disagrees, thinking that it must have been one of her ladies. He is madly in love with her, whoever she is. As they talk, Calvo, Juan’s lackey, runs in seeking help for the King, who has been attacked by Antonelo and five masked men. Juan saves the King’s life by throwing himself on top of the King and taking a blow that was destined for the King. Luis is badly wounded during the fracas. The grateful King takes Juan with him to the palace.

At the palace Isabel sees Juan wearing a sling for his arm made from the garter he stole from her. They talk and he discovers that she was the person he saw at the river. She decides not to have him killed, even though her honor requires it, but makes him swear to say nothing of this and to tell Luis that it was one of her ladies that he saw. The King makes Juan his privado and bestows all sorts of honors upon him, but the latter asks to be permitted to go back to his quiet life in the country, because he knows that kings are changeable and he remembers his father’s warnings. The King says that he is that kind of king and refuses to let Juan leave the court, so Juan will be a favorite against his will (privar contra su gusto). The King, of course, has an additional reason to keep Juan at his court, because in this way, Leonora will stay there too.

Act II

People are asking favors of Juan as an intercessor with the King. Clavela gives him a memorial letter whose message is confusing, saying that Clavela knows that Isabel has told him to love someone who loves him, adding that love profits from silence. Meanwhile, Leonora confides to Juan that the King loves her and is coming to talk to her on the terrace that night, all of which leads Juan to the conclusion that the King plans to dishonor Leonora and that the King has made him his privado partially in order to have Leonora nearby. Juan tells Luis, who is now feeling much better, that he has learned that the lady of the river is one of the palace ladies and that he has burned the garter, since it would grieve a friend of his if he did not forget that lady. Luis assumes that Juan is referring to Clavela, whom he (Luis) loves. Suspicious, he gets another garter like the first one and puts it around his neck as a sling. When Isabel sees him with the garter, she thinks that Juan has told Luis everything, because Luis tells her that Juan said enough for him to know who the lady is. Isabel says that Juan should not lie and damage her reputation like that, further stating that the lady in question was really Clavela and that Luis should avenge her (Isabel) by killing Juan, or else she will take matters into her own hands. Luis now reasons that Juan loved Clavela previously but now loves Isabel.

Fadrique wants to keep Leonora in Italy by marrying her to an Italian nobleman, but Juan petitions him to send her back to Spain to marry the Duke of Segorbe in Aragon. The King refuses his request, believing that Juan wants to return to Spain himself because of his reluctance to be the King’s privado. Isabel tells Clavela that Juan has said that he saw her (Clavela) at the river and that she (Clavela) is in love with him, but he cannot love her because of his friendship with Luis. Hearing this, Clavela believes Juan to be a liar. Isabel, too, is angry with Juan because she thinks that he has told Luis that she (Isabel) was really the dama that he saw at the river. Leonora, in turn, complains of the treatment her brother is giving her, after hearing from Luis that Juan is trying to marry her off to the Duke of Segorbe in Aragón so that he can marry the Duke’s sister, Dona Inés. He informs her that Fadrique really wants to marry her, but Juan does not want her to know this because of his own selfish interest in the marriage in Aragón. Even Calvo is out of humor with Juan, because the latter forbids him to accept a job and other favors from Isabel. They all make complaints to Juan, who is quite confused and cannot understand why everyone is angry with him.

The King locks Juan in his room telling him to write several letters, so that Juan will be out of the way, thus giving the monarch the opportunity to see Leonora. Fortunately for Juan, however, the King has forgotten that Juan has already written the letters. Thus Juan goes out through a window, and on the terrace where the King is to meet Leonora, he overhears Rugero and Horacia, who support the Count of Anjou in his struggle against Fadrique, plotting to kill the King by blowing up his rooms. When Juan reveals his presence they flee, followed by Juan, who captures them and has them locked up.

Meanwhile, the King arrives at the terrace and is soon joined by Juan, who is embozado and has disguised his voice by putting a bullet in his mouth. Abetted by the darkness, he is able to conceal his true identity from the King. Juan converses with Fadrique about all his political and personal secrets (which he knows from the letters he has written) and tells him that he has captured two traitors who planned to kill him. He also gives the King a key to the room where Horacio and Rugero are held prisoner and explains that in his chambers, the King will find six kegs of gunpowder that were to be used to blow him up. Questioned by the King, Juan refuses to reveal his identity. Before departing, however, he does require three things of the King: that the King forget Leonora if he is not going to marry her, that he not bestow so many favors on Juan, and that he make Luis his mayordomo mayor. The King agrees to these conditions, and Juan leaves, promising to return the next night. The King wonders if the unknown “guardian angel” might be Juan, since the latter would know the contents of the letters, but observes that the voice did not sound like Juan’s. He decides to hurry to Juan’s quarters to see if he has finished writing the letters yet. If he has not, the King will know it was Juan; if he has, he will know it was not Juan because he would have been writing the letters during that time.

Act III

The King returns to Juan’s room, but the latter is already there and pretends to have just finished the letters. Still suspicious, the King asks his advice about making Luis the majordomo, to which Juan replies in the negative, offering the opinion that that would cause his own reputation and influence to suffer. The King is thereby convinced that Juan was not the “guardian angel” or “saint” of the terrace. The King tells everyone about the embozado and about the capture of Rugero and Horacio, as well as the discovery of the six kegs of gunpowder. He admits that he still feels as if he were dreaming, and they are mystified as to whether the embozado is a spirit, a human being, a saint, or what. For their own reasons, the others are all still angry with Juan, of course.

Clavela explains to Luis that she does not know anything about all this talk of her and Juan. Luis, confused, thinks that perhaps Isabel tried to blame Clavela in an effort to divert suspicion from herself.

After selling off all his own property Juan pays off the King’s debts and goes to the terrace disguised as the “angel” for his appointment with the King. Calvo, Isabel, and Luis all appear. Isabel asks him to avenge her on Juan; Luis learns that he misunderstood what Juan said about the dama of the river and that it had nothing to do with Clavela; but Calvo does not get a chance to speak to the “angel.” He is confused after hearing the latter’s conversations with Isabel (in which he swore vengeance on Juan) and with Luis (in which he defended Juan).

The King arrives for his meeting with the “angel” and reports that Juan has fled. Clavela confirms that he has taken all of his possessions and is rumored to have gone to join the Count of Anjou. The King does not believe this, and Leonora suggests that he has gone to Aragon to marry a lady she has heard about. A page brings a note from Juan saying that he has sold everything and paid the King’s creditors. Isabel and Clavela still maintain that he has gone to Anjou but the King continues to deny this. Finally Juan reveals himself and says his position as favorite has brought him only trouble. He asks to be left in peace and quiet. The King assures Juan that he should continue as the privado and not doubt his royal constancy, and gives Isabel to Juan in marriage in order to confirm his words. He also announces that he will marry Leonora. Juan says, in the King’s behalf, that Luis and Clavela are to marry. Luis explains to Isabel that Juan did not betray her secret nor give him the garter but that it was just a misunderstanding. Calvo is to be the chief equerry for the King. Thus, Juan, who was a reluctant favorite, will be a willing favorite now that he realizes that Fadrique is a loyal friend and monarch.

Plot

Act I

Don Enrique, Don Juan and Don Diego all want to marry the queen, Doña María. Each of these nobles also has a claim to the throne of Castile and Leon. Enrique, Juan’s uncle, is the brother of Alfonso X; Juan is the brother of Sancho el Bravo; and Diego is a “primo” (actually a brother-in-law) of Sancho el Bravo. The Queen, however, has installed her three-year-old son, Fernando, as King.

Angry at this move by the Queen, Juan and Enrique both plot to get possession of the throne. Diego, on the other hand, supports the Queen, whom he loves, and devotedly stands by her. Because of the rebellion of Juan and Enrique, the Queen flees to Leon, her homeland.

The Caravajal brothers, Don Juan Alonso and Don Pedro, remain loyal to the Queen. Juan Alonso is to wed Teresa, the sister of Juan Benavides. When he learns of this, the latter is indignant that his sister would consider marriage to Juan Antonio, since the Caravajals are long-time enemies of the Benavides family and Juan Benavides deems Juan Antonio unworthy of his sister. He goes to León to stop the marriage, but when he arrives he discovers that it is too late, that Teresa is already espoused to Juan Antonio. Considering this an affront to his honor, Juan Benavides seeks vengeance. The Queen arrives, however, and shows them the King, Fernando, hidden in a tree trunk, and asks their aid in restoring him to the throne. In the face of this threat to the Queen and her son, the Caravajals and Juan Benavides reconcile their differences and agree to give their support to the Queen.

Meanwhile, Juan has established himself as king, abetted by Aragon and Portugal. His cause is furthered somewhat by the fact that there is a question about Fernando’s right to the throne because his parents (María de Molina and Sancho el Bravo) were first cousins and a Papal dispensation is necessary to make him the legitimate heir, and such a dispensation has not as yet been granted. Juan’s rule comes to a quick end however, when the Queen, Benavides, the Caravajal brothers, and their followers take both him and Enrique prisoner. The Queen mercifully pardons them and lets them go free after they have sworn loyalty to her. She appears in this last scene seated on a throne, wearing a breastplate and holding an unsheathed sword.

Act II

Juan has persuaded Ismael, the doctor, to poison Fernando, who is ill with smallpox. With Fernando out of the way, his path to the throne would be easier, and he promises Ismael that he will be kinder to the Jews. When Ismael starts to go into Fernando’s room with the poison, however, he is stopped by the sight of a portrait of the Queen. His second attempt to enter is thwarted by this same portrait, which falls and blocks the doorway. At this moment the Queen enters, and observing that Ismael is trying to flee and has become pale, she become suspicious. When she questions Ismael he explains that Juan wants him to poison Fernando and that he is pretending to go along with the idea, but that in reality the potion he has for Fernando is not poisonous. Suspicious, the Queen forces him to drink some of the potion or be tortured, so he drinks and falls dead.

The Queen is confronted by financial problems throughout the realm. She is selling all of her property in order to have money to meet expenses. Enrique and Juan are of no help to her, only adding to her woes by asking for money to pay the soldiers. Benavides offers to help by giving the Queen money, but she refuses to accept it. She sells her jewels in order to pay off more creditors, and finally only Juan is left, asking for funds to pay the soldiers in Extremadura. The only item remaining for the Queen to sell is her headdress, but the merchant will not take it, offering to give her the money without it. She reprimands Juan, who would see his Queen bareheaded (destocada), while the merchant would not deprive her of her headdress (which she compares to a man’s beard as a symbol of honor). She then insists that the merchant take the headdress.

Aware of the treachery of Juan, the Queen dictates to him a letter, addressed to “Infante,” in which she speaks of a plot to kill the King but adds that a king has two guardian angels, so that the plot failed. The letter ends with a warning of loss of life should the treason continue. The Queen then leaves, after saying that a person in the next room will reveal the identity of the traitor to whom the letter is directed, whereupon Juan looks into the room and sees Ismael’s corpse. Realizing that the letter is for him he takes the cup of poison, planning to drink of it, too, but the Queen enters and prevents him from doing so, telling him that Ismael said that Juan had put him up to poisoning Fernando, but that she does not believe it, implying that Ismael should not be trusted because he was a Jew.

Juan Alonso Caravajal and a group of soldiers bring Diego, whom they have taken prisoner, to the Queen. They are accompanied by Don Nuño and Don Alvaro. Juan Alonso explains that Diego wanted to marry the Queen and was seeking help in Aragon, thereby putting his loyalty in doubt. The Queen ignores Diego when he tries to explain and withdraws to talk further with Alonso. Juan tries to take advantage of the situation in order to solicit support from Diego by telling him that the Queen was to have Fernando killed (whereupon he shows him Ismael’s body) so that she could marry Juan Alonso Caravajal, who has promised to kill Teresa in order to be free to marry the Queen. Juan says that he caught Ismael about to poison Fernando and that Ismael confessed everything to him after being forced to drink some of the potion to prove that it was not poisoned. Although Diego finds Juan’s story impossible to believe, Alvaro and Nuño confirm what Juan says, declaring that they doubted at first but now they believe him. At this moment the Queen returns, indicating that she has overheard what Nuño and Alvaro have said against her and warning them to be careful.

The Queen is thanking Juan Alonso for all of his help when Don Melendo informs her that they have no food. He is particularly distressed because Juan has the means to give a grand banquet that night for all the nobles. Quickly realizing that the banquet will be the occasion for a conspiracy, the Queen says that it is in her honor and asks Juan Alonso to gather his men and her followers and await her orders.

At the banquet Juan, Diego, Nuño and Alvaro are discussing the situation. Juan offers to prove to Diego that the Queen and Juan Alonso are conspiring together and are to marry. Diego recognizes that Juan is a traitor, but he maintains silence. Nuño suggests that Juan be named governor and guardian of the King after they take over.

As those inside are engaged with their plans, the Queen, Juan Alonso and their followers have surrounded Juan’s palace. The Queen, when she confronts Juan, asks him who ordered Fernando poisoned, reminding him that she has given him life twice. Juan admits that he asked Ismael to poison the King. Upon command, Juan is take prisoner. The Queen forgives the other nobles, asking them to support the King from their estates. Diego is given the title of Conde de Bermeo, for the Queen realizes that he did not believe Juan and has been loyal to her all the time.

Act III

The Queen is leaving Fernando, who is now sixteen about to marry Constanza, the daughter of King Dionís of Portugal. In a long speech (reminiscent of Polonius) she advises him to serve God, not to be unduly influenced by privados, to treat everyone equally and generously but not to be so familiar as to lose the respect of his vassals, to go out in public so that his people can see him, not to use the court jugglers as advisers, to hold the armed forces in esteem and to entrust his health to good doctors. Before departing she reminds him that he owes the throne to Juan Benavides and the Caravajal brothers.

The King remarks that he is glad to be free of his mother’s control; Alvaro and Nuño speak unfavorably of the Queen. When Benavides interrupts to disagree with them, the King says that no one will dare to speak badly of his mother in his presence, and tells Benavides to return to Leon. The King is supposed to go to Ciudad Rodrigo for the Cortes (Parliament), but he plans to dismiss the Cortes so that he can go hunting.

Don Tello, who is helping Enrique, tries to get Diego to turn against his mother by telling him that she hopes to marry an Aragonese prince, Don Pedro, and rule all of Spain. His theory is that Diego can profit from such a situation because if the Queen’s position is shaky and she loses Fernando’s support she will marry Diego, as he wishes. At the same time Enrique’s position with the King will improve because Fernando will not pay attention if the Queen speaks against Enrique. Indignant, Diego tells Tello that Enrique can seek his own means of ingratiating himself with Fernando. He, for his part, is loyal to the Queen.

While they are out hunting, the King and his party meet Juan, who is dressed as a laborer. He speaks to Fernando, identifying himself, and telling him that he has been imprisoned on the Queen’s orders for ten years because he discovered her ploy to marry a vassal and do away with Fernando when he was just a child. After learning that Fernando had become King (the Regency being over), Juan managed to slip down the wall of the castle where he had been confined, using bed sheets as a rope. He has been living as a peasant for the four months since his escape. The King, who is greatly enjoying the hunt, forgives Juan and promises to restore his property to him. Enrique reports that the Queen and Juan Alonso, offending the memory of Fernando’s father, are conspiring against the King now. The Queen plans to marry her daughter, Isabel, to the Prince of Aragon and then she and the Caravajals intend to usurp the throne. The Queen has already withheld a large amount from him to help her in her purpose. Fernando finds this hard to believe, but all the nobles affirm that it is so. After giving orders that the Caravajals and Juan Benavides are to be taken prisoner, the King departs. The remaining nobles, Juan, Enrique, Alvaro and Nuño, devise a plot whereby the Queen, rejected by her son, will marry Juan, who loves her, and then the two of them will rule, giving to each of the other three nobles a territory to rule as well. They agree to sign a statement of support for the Queen in order to further their cause with her.

The Queen receives an affectionate, but amusing, welcome from the villagers at Becerril, where she has gone to live, accompanied by the Caravajal brothers. Soon Juan, Nuño, and Alvaro arrive there to take the Caravajals prisoner for being traitors. Upon learning that they are acting on Fernando’s orders, the Queen accedes, declaring that good vassals must obey their king, and the brothers are taken away by Nuño and Alvaro. Juan tells the Queen that the Caravajals have turned against her, and when she doubts this he says that they have told the King that she has stolen a large sum of money from his estate and that she loves the Prince of Aragon and plans to hand over Castile and Leon to him. He continues, telling her that the King ordered him to take her prisoner and get an accounting of the money, but when he saw the Caravajals he ordered them seized. She pleads with him to let them go free. In order to prove his loyalty to the Queen, Juan shows her the paper that he, Enrique, Nuño, and Alvarez signed, swearing to support her, if she will marry Juan, and to remove Fernando from the throne, thereby restoring her to it. She takes the paper to keep as proof of their support and of their disloyalty to the King, putting it away and then pulling out another, which she tears up (pretending it is the first one), saying that it is better to destroy it. She goes to prepare her accounts for Juan to take to the King, and reminding him of the account that he owes her: his life three times.

Accompanied by Don Melendo, who vouches for the Queen’s loyalty, the King arrives at Becerril. He speaks with Juan, informing him that he has come to find out the truth for certain. Juan replies that the Caravajal brothers are prisoners, that the fearful Queen has promised to marry him and is urging him to rebel against Fernando. He says that she offered him Fernando’s crown and begged him on bended knee to go to Aragon with her to get arms and support so that he could be crowned first in Leon and then in Castile. His devotion to Fernando, he adds, prevented him from agreeing to her proposals. He advises Fernando to take her prisoner, but not to speak with her because she would not tell the truth and he would be moved to pity since she is his mother. The King refuses Juan’s suggestion, saying it neither reasonable nor just.

The Queen comes and tells the King the truth about the rebellion led by Enrique and Juan, about the attempted poisoning by Ismael, about how she sold her jewels and even her headdress to help him and about her continued support of her son. As a final proof she produces the paper that Juan and the other nobles had signed in favor of her as ruler rather than Fernando. Juan has to acknowledge his signature on the paper, and Fernando now sees the truth. Diego arrives with Pedro and Juan Antonio Caravajal, whom he has rescued from Nuño and Alvaro, and the King explains to them that he now realizes what has been going on. Benavides also appears and is forgiven by Fernando. The King orders Enrique, Nuño, and Alvaro imprisoned, but Pedro says that they have already fled to Aragon. Fernando puts Juan’s fate in his mother’s hands, and she orders him exiled and that his property be given to the Caravajal brothers and Juan Benavides. The King rejoices in the fact that in Spain there are brave and prudent women, and Diego promises a sequel about “los dos Caravajales.”

Plot

Act I

The play opens in Italy, with Aurora, the Marquesa, talking to her sister, Narcisa. Their father has promised Aurora to Carlos, but she has only seen his picture and does not want to marry him. Diana, their cousin, has sent them a letter asking them to take in Don Rodrigo Girón. Rodrigo arrives and tells the two sisters that at the end of El castigo del penséque Diana decided not to have him marry Clavela, so he left Flanders and has come to Italy. Clavela was angry about his leaving her, of course.

At this point Carlos appears, pretending to be his own servant so that he can look over the situation without revealing his identity. Aurora and Narcisa recognize him from the picture, however, but they do not say anything. Chinchilla appears, looking for Rodrigo. In an amusing scene he talks of having just come from Spain and comments on current fads there, such as blue hair and beards. He says that everyone in Spain calls Rodrigo “Don Rodrigo del Penséque” and that some devilish poet has even written a play about him.

Narcisa is attracted to Rodrigo, and Aurora to Carlos, but after learning that Narcisa likes Rodrigo, Aurora feels jealous and begins to like Rodrigo too. She throws him an anonymous note in a snowball, telling him that one of the ladies of the palace likes him and for him to wait and find out who it is. Rodrigo thinks the note may be from Narcisa. Aurora then comes, takes the note from him, reads it and tears it up.

Act II

Ascanio, who is really the Count of Monreal, is posing as secretary to Aurora because he loves Narcisa but cannot declare his love because their families are enemies. He overhears Narcisa tell Aurora that she loves Rodrigo, but Aurora says that she must not fall in love with him. Ascanio leaves, and Aurora tells Narcisa that a French duke and his brother want to marry them. Narcisa says that she was just pretending to like Rodrigo, that she really prefers Carlos, so she will take him and Aurora can marry the French duke. Aurora confesses that the story about the French duke is not true and declares that she will marry Carlos. Upon hearing this, Narcisa says that she will take Rodrigo, but Aurora won’t hear of this, adding that Rodrigo could not possibly care for Narcisa. Narcisa says that she’s sure Rodrigo likes her because one day when he cut his finger he sighed and said that surely she would take compassion on him, upon which she dropped her handkerchief at his feet and he used it to bind his wound. Aurora’s jealousy increases when she hears this, and she calls Rodrigo and tells him that he has offended her by becoming involved with one of the ladies of her household. She shows him a second note written to him by this lady, but adds that the one who wrote it, who is of her blood, has promised to forget him, because she is supposed to marry another. In the letter the lady asks Rodrigo to meet her on the terrace that night, but Aurora makes him promise not to go. She then takes Narcisa’s handkerchief, saying that it belongs to the one who wrote the letter and that she will burn it. She then gives him a ribbon to use for tying up his cut finger.

Chinchilla tells Rodrigo that one of the young women has given him signs of love and that he is imitating his master. They discuss the situation and come to the conclusion that the person who wrote the notes to Rodrigo must be Narcisa. Ascanio reveals his true identity to Rodrigo and asks him to let him (Ascanio) have Narcisa. Rodrigo tells him that he has no reason to be jealous. That night Rodrigo goes to the terrace to meet the lady of the letters. Aurora, knowing that he will come, is there at the window. Because of the darkness Rodrigo does not recognize her. Rodrigo tells the lady in the window that he believes she is Narcisa, but she denies that, saying that Narcisa loves a count who is in the palace disguised. Upon hearing this Carlos and Ascanio each assume that he’s the one referred to. Aurora further adds that she’s not Aurora, who loves Carlos, and that she will reveal who she is the next morning by tripping as she enters the chapel and giving him her glove when he aids her.

Act III

Carlos, still disguised as his own servant, asks Aurora for Narcisa’s hand in marriage to Carlos. He tells her that Carlos thinks she loves another because she keeps putting him off. She asks him to tell Carlos to come and she will marry him. He assures her that Carlos really loves her, not Narcisa, but that he was afraid she didn’t want to marry him. Aurora is now quite confused, jealous, and torn between Rodrigo and Carlos.

Rodrigo and Chinchilla watch as the ladies enter the chapel the following morning. Both Aurora and Narcisa enter, then Brianda, with whom Chinchilla is enamored, trips and gives Rodrigo her glove. Rodrigo, thinking that Narcisa has put Brianda up to his in order to make fun of him, is very angry.

Ascanio accuses Rodrigo of being a false friend, of loving Narcisa. Rodrigo denies this, saying that Narcisa loves Ascanio and that he does not know who wrote the letters to him whereupon Ascanio pretends to know the identity of the mysterious letter writer.

Rodrigo is sad upon hearing from Narcisa the news that Aurora has sent for Carlos and is planning to marry him. When Rodrigo makes reference to Aurora’s plan to marry Narcisa to a count, Narcisa is surprised and says it might be possible if he were a count. Upon hearing this Chinchilla tells his master that Narcisa is surely the one who wrote the letters to Rodrigo, and he tells the two of them to join hands. Just then Aurora arrives. She sends Rodrigo for water and takes advantage of his absence to tell Narcisa that she is going to send him away. She tells Narcisa that she can marry Carlos if she loves him and that she (Aurora) will marry the French duke. Narcisa says that Aurora can have Carlos and she will take Rodrigo. Aurora decides to discover Rodrigo’s true feelings.

When Rodrigo brings the water Aurora complains that it is too salty and tastes bad. There follows a conversation between Rodrigo and Aurora in which he pretends to be Carlos and she practices welcoming him, telling him that she is the person who wrote the notes and talked to him at the window. She tells him to take whatever of this conversation applies to him and have the rest for Carlos. Rodrigo is confused by all this, of course. Finally she decides to write a note of welcome to Carlos, but she says she does not know what to write so Rodrigo dictates it to her. He tears the paper in two pieces, down the middle, so that it is now two messages. The piece for Carlos tells him that she loves someone else, and the other piece Rodrigo gives to Aurora, saying it’s from him to her. He says he loves her and that he will go to the garden to await her reply. He further adds that silence gives consent, and she has not said no.

Ascanio tells Chinchilla that he’s waiting for Aurora’s wedding to ask for Narcisa’s hand. He thinks that Narcisa loves him and will forgive him for his ruse. Meanwhile, Carlos comes and Aurora and Rodrigo emerge from the garden, where she had gone to meet him. She tells Carlos that he is too late to marry her, but that he and Narcisa can marry. Ascanio comes to claim Narcisa, but he is too late, so he will return home. The play ends with an explanation by Rodrigo of how Aurora accepted his love in silence, but how silence gives consent.

Plot

Act I

Don Luis, a Spaniard, is posing as a student in Bologna, where he has fallen in love with a pretty, young, Italian woman named Margarita. He confides to her that he left Spain with a friend, intending to see the world, but that he loves her and cannot leave Bologna because of her. She parries his advances by telling him that she is to become a nun, although in fact she is having an affair with Carlos, who is posing as a gardener but has told her that he is really the Duque de Ferrara. Now he informs her, however, that he is not the Duque but rather the Príncipe de Parma, the son of her mortal enemy. His father killed her father and took his estate during the wars between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, but the Marqués de Monferrato in turn took Parma’s lands. Finally Carlos’ father and the Marqués have resolved their differences, but they plan to have Carlos marry the daughter of the Marqués. Carlos and Margarita, who is expecting a child, agree to dress as gardeners and to go to Parma.

Meanwhile, Margarita’s brother, Marco Antonio, who passionately hates the Parma family, has learned Carlos’ true identity and blames Peynado, who used to be Parma’s gardener, for protecting Carlos. Mario vows to kill both Carlos and Margarita in order to restore his honor. Elsewhere, Don Diego, Luis’ friend, has met Doña Elena, who is dressed as a student. Luis had to leave Toledo because of Elena. She is following him and has become jealous of Margarita. In order to continue her pursuit of Luis, Elena poses as Diego’s page, “Pacheco.”

Luis and Calvete are outside the palace to which Margarita has gone when a servant comes out with a newborn baby. She asks Luis if he is the Prince, to which he replies affirmatively, and she then gives him the baby, telling him that Margarita has borne him a son. Now Luis is determined to find the Prince who has caused him so much pain.

Act II

Diego and Elena (“Pacheco”) are still looking for Luis, when they meet Margarita, who is wondering where to go. Diego offers to help her, taking her to his home. Elena, in the meantime remains at the place where they encountered Margarita, and soon Calvete and Luis appear. Upon hearing them talking, Elena mistakes Luis for the prince whom Margarita mentioned, and Luis, upon seeing “Pacheco,” likewise thinks that “he” is the prince. At this point they recognize each other, and Elena tells Luis of Diego’s having taken a woman home. Luis suspects that the woman is Margarita, although Calvete says that it is not. Diego then returns and explains to Luis that the woman is Margarita and Diego learns all about Carlos; he therefore resolves to give up Margarita. Elena is still upset because Luis loves Margarita, and she has to admit to Calvete that she is Carlos in order to ease is suspicions of her.

Peynado narrates to Carlos the events of the past few hours. Having heard Margarita in labor, he mistakenly concluded that Marco Antonio was killing her and that by now she must be dead. Carlos swears to get revenge on Marco Antonio.

Carlos and Marco Antonio meet and they begin to fight. The timely arrival of Diego and Luis puts an end to their fighting, however, and they hear from Luis and Diego the news of the baby’s birth and that Margarita is safe at Diego’s. Carlos begs forgiveness from Marco Antonio as well as permission to marry Margarita, both of which the latter concedes to him, and they all go see Margarita and the baby.

Act III

Before Carlos and the others arrive, “Pacheco” tells Margarita to flee because Luis wants her and Carlos has gone to marry Claudia, the daughter of the Marqués de Monferrato. Margarita is desperate, thinking that she would just as soon die, but Elena suggests disguising herself as a shepherdess near Carlos’ estate in order to stop the marriage and win Carlos for herself.

Carlos, meanwhile, having been summoned by Julio, assures Marco Antonio that he will marry Margarita and departs to meet his father and the Marqués. Calvete, having seen “Pacheco” and Margarita leaving and still believing that “Pacheco” is Carlos, tells Luis that Carlos has carried off Margarita. Upon hearing this news from Luis, Marco Antonio fears that Carlos plans to kill Margarita and marry Claudia.

Claudia, the Príncipe and the Marqués are awaiting the arrival of Carlos, when “Pacheco” and Calvete come and Claudia hears Calvete call his companion “Príncipe,” thus leading Claudia to conclude that “Pacheco” is Carlos. Claudia is very much enamored of “Carlos” and promises not to tell the others that Carlos has arrived. Peynado recognizes Margarita dressed as a peasant and thinks that it is her soul wandering, looking for a resting place. Calvete reports that Carlos and Claudia are to marry, news that causes Margarita to go mad. She says that they are in hell and all those present there are devils.

Julio announces Carlos’ arrival causing Calvete to think that Claudia and Elena (“Carlos”) have decided to reveal his presence. The real Carlos has come, however, planning to ask his father to let him marry Margarita. They call Claudia, who denies that this is the “real” Carlos. At this moment, Luis, Diego and Marco Antonio arrive. They are angry with Carlos because they think he has gone back on his promise to marry Margarita.

Margarita has been restrained by some villagers who bring her to the Príncipe and the others. Things now begin to be resolved, as Marco Antonio, Carlos and Margarita all ask the Príncipe and the Marqués to forgive them and let Carlos and Margarita marry. Carlos says, “Quien da luego, da dos veces.” The Príncipe and the Marqués, seeing no other way, finally relent. Claudia returns with the “real” Carlos, who is, of course, Elena, whose true identity is revealed by Diego. Luis and Elena are to marry, and the Marqués decides to make Marco Antonio his heir and that he and Claudia will marry. Diego is to marry Carlos’s sister, while Calvete will wed the baby’s nurse. All these weddings will take place in Bologna.

Plot

Act I

Cleandro, who is about to leave Florence to go visit his dying sister, admonishes his daughter, Margarita, to be careful while he is gone. She complains that he scolds her too much and threatens to become a nun, whereupon he apologizes to her and asks her not to enter a convent. After he leaves, Alberto, dressed as a peddler, comes and leaves a note for Margarita. The message is from Valerio, Margarita’s lover, who has been away for a year because Cleandro caught him with Margarita and he has been afraid to come to see her. He has heard that Cleandro is out of town, though, and therefore is sending a sedan chair with two black men to bring Margarita to him that night. Leonela, Margarita’s servant, is attracted to Alberto.

In the meantime, Lelio, whose house Valerio plans to use for his meeting with Margarita, also is in love with Margarita. He has gotten the black men drunk, and he and Britón have blackened their faces and plan to take the sedan chair to steal Margarita for Lelio. On the way they meet Alberto, who goes along with them. They get Margarita, and Alberto plans to return later to see Leonela. In order to get rid of Alberto (so that he will not know that they are taking Margarita for Lelio), Lelio and Britón pick a fight with him and chase him away. While they are occupied with Alberto, Cleandro returns, having decided not to go to visit his sister, opting instead to stay home and protect his honor. Seeing the sedan chair, he gets into it. Lelio and Britón come back and pick up the chair, but at this point Valerio appears and opens the door of the sedan chair, only to be greeted by Cleandro, who tells him that Margarita has told him of his plan to meet with her. Valerio flees, thinking that he has seen the devil, not Cleandro.

Act II

Lelio urges his wife, Lisarda, to give him her jewels, swearing that he hoes not want them for gambling. She refuses, telling him that she thinks he wants them for Margarita and that she is jealous. Her uncle, Roselio, defends her, but Lelio takes the jewelry, slaps Lisarda and knocks Roselio down and kicks him. Valerio, who is Roselio’s son, arrives soon after Lelio’s departure, and upon hearing the story of what has happened, he swears to make Lelio pay.

Elsewhere Leonela advises Margarita that she ought not to associate with Lelio, because he is married. Margarita is unconcerned, however, saying that she has had affairs with bachelors and now she would like to try a married man. Soon after this, when Margarita is left alone, a voice speaks to her and tells her that she should not be that way, that she has two choices, the flowery road to a crown of fire or the religious and righteous road to a golden crown of glory. Margarita has a vision of the crown of fire and then of the crown of glory. Frightened by what she has seen and heard, Margarita decides to take the way to God and glory. Fights erupt between Lelio and Valerio (because of Lelio’s treatment of Roselio and Lisarda), between Roselio and Cleandro (because Roselio does not want Valerio to marry Margarita) and between Britón and Alberto (over Leonela). Margarita then learns from Britón that Lelio has wounded Valerio seriously and that Roselio has wounded her father, though not too badly. Lelio has taken refuge in a church. She decides to go there to see him, and she hears Fray Domingo de Guzmán speaking there. He is an excellent speaker, and she is very moved by what he says and begins to take off her jewels and clothing in order to give them to the poor. She is now convinced that she will follow the religious life.

Act III

For a year Margarita has been devout and stayed at home and prayed, as has Leonela. Now Lelio and Britón return, and Lelio bribes Leonela to let him hide in Margarita’s room. Meanwhile, Valerio, pretending to be unconscious on account of having been thrown by a horse, is brought in by Pinardo and Alberto. He tries to persuade Margarita to let him make love to her, but she, instead, calls for help and Lelio appears. Valerio, of course, assumes that she knew Lelio was there all the time. Valerio challenges Lelio to a fight, but before leaving, Lelio tells Margarita that she must let him come back because he loves her so much he cannot live without her. She consents, and they embrace. Cleandro enters at this moment and, upon seeing them, is beside himself with rage, planning to burn down the house in order to restore his honor and even threatening to kill himself. He departs in a rage, and Lelio suggests to Margarita that they flee to Naples, leaving her to think about this idea. She is undecided; at first she plans to stay, then, to go with Lelio, but when she starts to follow him, she falls. This happens three times. A handsome guardian angel comes and picks her up and tells her that it is not too late for her to get up again, saying “Quien no cae, no se levanta.” She loves him deeply on sight, and when he goes to the bed she goes to him. He takes her hand and they rise together toward heaven.

Valerio and Lelio are fighting, in spite of the fact that Lisarda and Roselio beg them not to, when Cleandro comes to tell them that Margarita has resisted temptation and has given herself to God. She is then seen, as in a vision, in a garden with many roses, with her hair loose and her eyes toward heaven, in a pose reminiscent of Mary Magdalene. They all admire the transformation. Lisarda and Lelio reconcile their differences and vow to be a happy couple from now on. Cleandro and Roselio are to serve a religious order, as are Leonela, Britón and Alberto. Valerio is to marry Matilde, Lelio’s sister, and at the end Cleandro points out that Margarita serves as a good example of how one who never falls never rises.

Plot

Act I

Brito, a shepherd, runs into Don Alfonso, who is lost in the mountains. The naive Brito mistakes Alfonso’s glove for part of his skin and is amazed at the sight of a diamond ring that Alfonso gives him. Alfonso enters a cave in a mountain, where he meets Giraldo, an old man who previously served Alfonso’s father, Conde Enrique. Enrique, the son of the Duque de Borgoña, had served Alfonso VI against the Moors, and as a reward the King had given him his daughter Teresa in marriage. Enrique had become angry with Giraldo, however, and had sent him away. Giraldo now leads a quiet life of reading and studying. After telling Alfonso his story, Giraldo recognizes who he is and advises him to devote himself to duty and to forget the temptations of the opposite sex. Alfonso, in fact, has a lover, Elvira Gualtar, and two daughters, and has not been taking care of his business affairs as he should because of his interest in Elvira. Giraldo’s words impress Alfonso and inspire him to go out and fight the Moors. He gathers his men together and they set out.

In the meantime Leonor, a Portuguese lady, is resisting Ismael, the Moorish king. She drops one of her gloves, and he recovers it, refusing to give it back. He is called away to do battle against Alfonso, however, at this point. Alfonso and Portuguese rout the Moors in the ensuing confrontation.

Act II

Don Egas thinks that Alfonso has become too religious, but Don Gonzalo disagrees, reminding him of the story of David and calling Alfonso a “David portugués.” Alfonso, who has had a monastery built, convinces Egas that religion is ultimately their only hope.

Ismael comes to Alfonso and the other Portuguese with Leonor’s glove on his sword. He says that he has killed her father, and now is holding her captive. He demands a high-ranking Portuguese for each finger of her glove. Having thrown out his challenge, Ismael tells them to meet him and his armies at the fields of Obrique.

Egas, who loves Leonor, decides to make a plan to free her. Alfonso has faith that they will win because Christ is on their side. Egas and Brito, however, decide to dress as Moors and go to where Ismael and Leonor are. Brito carries a letter (actually written by Egas, who knows Arabic), purporting to be from the King of Cordoba, saying that Egas is a great magician. Ismael thus enlists Egas’s aid in winning Leonor, and Egas is able to whisper to her about their plot. She pretends to like Ismael more in order to give credence to Egas’s claim to be a magician. Finally Egas asks Ismael to leave him alone with Leonor so that he can persuade her to love Ismael even more. Ismael does so, and Egas and Leonor, along with Brito, flee on two horses. The trick discovered, Ismael is enraged and orders his men to give chase.

Act III

Because they are outnumbered 13,000 to 250,000, the Portuguese leaders want to retreat, or at least delay before engaging the Moors in battle, but Alfonso has faith that God in on their side. He withdraws into his tent, where a crucified Christ comes and tells him that the Portuguese will win and he will become King of Portugal. Christ gives him the coat of arms (Quinas) of Portugal, which consists of five shields, representing the five wounds of Christ, in the form of a cross and the thirty pieces of money for which Judas betrayed Christ. Upon learning what has happened and seeing the Quinas, the Portuguese are revitalized and ready to fight the Moors. Ismael comes to try to convince the Portuguese to give up and let him have Leonor, even promising Alfonso territory and a wife if he will surrender and become a Muslim. The Portuguese refuse this offer, however, and go on to win the day. Even Leonor joins in the fighting.

After the battle, in which many Moors, including Ismael, are killed, the Portuguese leaders are rewarded. Leonor and Egas are to marry. Elvira has now turned to a religious life, so Alfonso plans to marry their daughters to suitable nobles and he himself will marry Matilde de Saboya. Brito is to be “señor” of his village. Alfonso credits God with the victory and proclaims that the arms of Portugal have triumphed in war.

Plot

Act I

The Empress Irene has led the Greeks in a victorious battle, but her son Constantino wants the throne and the people support him. She crowns him, giving him a sword, a globe, and a crown, but as he gets up he falls, the sword breaks, and the globe and crown fall to the floor. Irene cautions him to be prudent; however, he is very high­handed and arrogant. After the coronation, she goes to the country to live among the shepherds. Shortly thereafter Leoncio, the chamberlain, hears a voice that calls him “Emperador griego.”

Constantino is to marry Princess Carola of Cypress, who arrives with some other Cypriots, including her brother Roselio. Both Constantino and Leoncio fall in love with Lidora, one of Carola’s ladies-in-waiting, upon seeing her bend to pick up a glove. Constantino now wants to marry Lidora instead of Carola, and to this end he talks to Lidora, promising that she can be the Empress. She, being ambitious and greedy, decides to accept his attentions. In order to keep Irene from interfering in what he wants to do, Constantino sends Andronio to the country with instructions to take her prisoner and lock her in a tower.

That night Constantino plans to meet Lidora, rather than Carola, but he entrusts the making of the arrangements to Leoncio, who sends Carola to Constantino’s bed and takes Lidora to his own, pretending to be Constantino. The following day Carola and Lidora argue over Constantino. Carola observed that Constantino had appeared disturbed upon seeing Lidora the first time and now realizes how the situation really is. During their argument, Lidora slaps Carola, but when Constantino and the others come she pretends that Carola slapped her. Constantino, angry, has Carola locked up. She remarks that this is a “república al revés” (an upside-down republic), where servants lord it over their masters and the innocent are punished.

Act II

Clodio, Lidora’s sweetheart from Cypress has come to find her, as he could not stand being away from her. She introduces him to Constantino as her brother, Liberio. Meanwhile, Constantino refuses to accept the advice of the Senate to free his mother and marry Carola, instead he ridicules the Senate and has Honorato, a distinguished old senator, hanged when he tries to counsel him. Later, upon seeing Carola, Constantino, and Lidora talking together, Leoncio flees, knowing his deceit (in switching Carola and Lidora) will be discovered. When Carola tells Constantino she is expecting his child and he denies that it could be his, she thinks it is part of a plan to accuse her of adultery and get rid of her. She now understands that when he called her “Lidora” that night, which had confused her at the time, he did it in order to trick and deceive her. Constantino now knows Leoncio’s trick, but it is too late, Leoncio has already escaped. Constantino sends soldiers after him, promising that the one who captures him will be his new chamberlain.

In the meantime Leoncio has fled to the country, to a place where Tarso and Italio have quarreled over Melisa. Although Tarso does not really care for Melisa, Italio is jealous. He tries to kill Tarso, but the latter is quicker and kills him (Italio) instead. Leoncio then finds Italio’s body, drags it off and trades clothes with it, smearing the face of the corpse with blood. Shortly thereafter Damón and the soldiers find the corpse and assume it to be Leoncio, although one of the soldiers is dubious. Damón, having been the first to discover it, will be the new chamberlain.

Constantino gives Andronio the choice of killing his mother by the garrote or of dying himself, so Andronio is forced to go to kill Irene. He loves her, though, and plans to seduce her and then kill her. Tarso helps her to escape, however, getting Andronio to let him in to visit her and by then persuading her to depart wearing his clothes, leaving him in her place.

Carola’s father, the King of Cypress, having been summoned by Constantino, arrives, and Constantino offers him a chance to see what an adulteress his daughter is by spying on her. He makes the same offer to Roselio, thinking that father and son will kill each other in the dark, each believing the other to be Carola’s lover. However at that moment Clodio goes through Carola’s room on his way to a tryst with Lidora, and both the King and Roselio attack him and kill him. They assume that he is Carola’s lover and that she has lost her honor, so go looking for her to kill her too, but she manages to escape to the sea. Tarso also gets away from Andronio and the soldiers after they discover that he is not Irene. Everything is happening just the opposite of the way it should in a good and orderly kingdom.

Act III

Irene and Tarso meet in the mountains, where both have gone to take refuge. Coincidentally Carola is rescued by a sailor, who brings her to the same place. Constantino, meanwhile, is judging prisoners: letting robbers and adulterers go free, but punishing the “idol worshippers” who honor Christ, Mary and the Saints. Roselio and his father search for Carola, but finally conclude that she has drowned. The King still doubts that she is guilty. They meet Leoncio, who tells them all that happened and that Carola is innocent.

At the Palace Constantino looks in Lidora’s mirror and sees Leoncio coming to kill him, although he thought Leoncio was dead. However, Lidora, on looking in the mirror, sees only her own reflection, and thus Constantino concludes that it was the trick of an evil enchantress and that he will pay no attention to it. A sailor comes to tell Constantino that Irene and Carola are alive and hiding in the mountains. The King of Cypress, Roselio, and Leoncio, in the meantime, have gathered together an army of soldiers and are prepared to dethrone Constantino. The Greek soldiers declare Leoncio to be their Emperor, and the King and Roselio want to avenge Carola.

Constantino sets out with some hunters to track down Irene and Carola. When they stop to rest, Constantino goes to sleep and sees the Wheel of Fortune with Irene on the throne, Carola ascending, Leoncio descending, and he himself at the bottom. Fortune speaks to him explaining to him the significance of the wheel and telling him that Leoncio is now the Emperor and that Irene will punish him and have his eyes put out. He is frightened, but Macrino tells him that it is only a dream. Just then his servants come to say that Leoncio, the new Emperor, is on his way to kill him. Constantino flees.

Carola and Leoncio meet and he learns from her that Irene is still alive. He goes to look for her, ostensibly to greet her, but really to kill her so that he can continue to be the Emperor. The Greek soldiers have already found her, however, and are crying “Long live Irene.” At this point the King of Cyprus and Roselio arrive, having captured Constantino and Lidora. As the play ends Irene judges everyone. Constantino is to be imprisoned and his eyes put out, just as Fortune had predicted. Carola begs Irene to forgive him, but she refuses. Lidora is turned over to Carola, who pardons her and asks that Leoncio be forgiven for making himself Emperor and that he and Lidora be permitted to marry. Irene agrees, although she had taken him prisoner for usurping Constantino’s throne, declaring that a vassal should not overthrow his king, even though the king may be a bad one. Carola will return to Cyprus with her father and baby, Irene’s grandson. Tarso is to be chief secretary, and Roselio is to stay with Irene as General-in-Chief. At the King’s request Irene pardons Andronio, who has now come over to their side. Thus the “república al revés” comes to an end.

Plot

Act I

Gil, a servant of Juan Vázquez, and Elvira are celebrating their marriage. Francisco Loarte and some others are hunting nearby, and they come upon the wedding celebration. Francisco falls in love with Juan Vázquez’s thirteen-year-old daughter, Juana, because of her great beauty. Juana shows a strong inclination toward the religious life, wanting to tell stories of saints at the wedding, but her father tells her that this is inappropriate.

Meanwhile in Toledo Marco Antonio has returned after two years in the New World, where he had gone to recover his fortunes, and finds Melchor and Julio jumping the wall of his house. He thinks that Leonor, his wife, has been untrue, because he hears Melchor refer to a beautiful woman whose husband ran a risk in leaving her alone. Marco Antonio is very upset and decides to try to court his wife incognito to see if she’s unfaithful. Melchor, however, tells a friend that he was courting the wife of a soldier who lives next door to Leonor, and when she (the soldier’s wife) called the alguacil, he and Julio jumped to Leonor’s roof to escape. Leonor, in fact, has the reputation of being a very virtuous woman.

When Melchor returns home, his father, Juan Mateo, who is the brother of Juan Vázquez, is waiting and tells him he is going to send him to Alcalá to school so he will keep out of trouble. He reminds Melchor that he is a merchant and the members of his family are labradores, not nobles.

Francisco asks Juan Vázquez for Juana’s hand in marriage, but Juan is hesitant because Francisco is a nobleman (hidalgo), while Juana is a farmer’s daughter (labradora). He tells Francisco he will have to talk to his brother in Toledo before reaching a decision. Meanwhile, he is to take Juana that night to the Franciscan Convent of la Cruz, to fulfill a promise Juana’s mother made to take her there but which her mother was unable to carry out before she died. Just then Juan Mateo arrives with Melchor, in route to Alcalá. He advises Juan Vázquez to marry Juana to Francisco, and Juan Vázquez, in turn, advises his brother that it is a mistake to take Melchor to Alcalá because he will not be there to supervise the youth and thus Melchor will have even more opportunity to get into trouble.

That night the two brothers and their children go to the Convent of la Cruz. When they arrive there Juana tells of how a thirteen-year-old shepherdess named Inés saw that Virgin there, received the stigmata, and then told the villagers where to build the church where they are now worshipping. Inés became an abbess, then sinned, but later repented and died a saint.

Act II

Juan Vázquez has given his word to Francisco that Juana will marry him, but she says she has already promised herself to God. Her father insists that she must obey him, however. They have gone to Toledo to stay with Juan Mateo, and Francisco is coming to join them there. Left alone, Juana asks God to adorn and dress her, and she then hears a voice that tells her she will wear these clothes, and the habit of a Franciscan nun appears.

In the meantime, Marco Antonio and Ludovico are watching Leonor’s house. Marco Antonio has learned that it was Melchor whom he saw leaping over Leonor’s wall. He has decided to kill Melchor, thus gaining revenge, and then go to Madrid and return from there to Toledo, pretending to have just arrived from Seville and the New World. He does not plan to kill Leonor, because he wants to avoid scandal.

Melchor plans to sneak out that night to visit Marcela, Leonor’s next door neighbor, so Fabio lays out his clothing for him in his room. However, Juana finds the clothes, puts them on and, dressed as a man, sets out for the Convent de la Cruz in order to become a nun. She hesitates along the way, but her Guardian Angel gives her the strength to go on.

Leonor has heard from her maid that Marco Antonio is back, and she concludes he has found another love or he would have returned to her. Dressed as a man, Leonor goes out with a friend, Decio, that night, and they find Marco Antonio and Ludovico rondando. Leonor and Marco Antonio recognize each other, and each accuses the other of infidelity. In his accusations Marco Antonio mentions Melchor, and Julio and Fabio, who are passing by at that moment, hear what he says. Julio explains to Marco Antonio how it happened that Melchor was jumping over the wall of Leonor’s house. Thus the differences between Marco Antonio and Leonor are reconciled and they are happy to be together again.

Juana’s disappearance has been discovered, and her father and uncle set out to find her. En route to the convent, Juana meets Francisco, who asks her where she is going and tries to embrace her, but she becomes invisible to him. Francisco then encounters Juan Vázquez and Juan Mateo, and they all go to look for Juana at the convent de la Cruz because Juan Vázquez thinks that’s where she’s gone. Meanwhile, she arrives at the convent and the abbess and the maestra de novicias greet her. Shortly afterwards, Juan Vázquez, Juan Mateo and Francisco come to the convent. Her father wants to take her away by force, but then his heart is softened and he relents and lets her stay. Poor Francisco is heartbroken, even though Juan Vázquez says that he should be consoled since Juana is not leaving him for another man, but for God. This thought does not alleviate his grief, however, and he rushes out, saying that he is going mad and that he’s lost everything.

Everyone admires Juana’s devout nature. She has a vision of San Francisco and Santo Domingo arguing over which she will choose, and she decides to choose the Franciscan order. The head of the novitiates tells Juana that she is not to speak, except at confession, for a year. Thus she plans to test Juana.

Act III

Juana has been in the convent for two years, and all marvel at her devotion. She didn’t speak at all the first year. The head of novitiates is very jealous because she thinks that Juana will be the new abbess, and she wants that position for herself.

One day Juana falls and breaks a vase, but when she prays that it be mended, it is restored. The head of novitiates accuses her of being a witch, of having a devil within her. Juana’s Guardian Angel always stays with her, however, to console and strengthen her. Gil brings his daughter, who is possessed by a devil, to the convent, and Juana casts out the devil by putting the cord of San Francisco around her neck and telling the devil to leave. Juana also has a vision of the baby Jesus while she’s doing her duty as the gatekeeper (tornera).

Juana is made the new abbess (abadesa), much to the dismay of the head of novitiates, who is still jealous, even though Juana has made her the vicaria. Carlos V, the Archbishop of Toledo, and el Gran Capitán Gonzalo Fernández are traveling through, and they stop at Francisco’s house. The latter tells them that he is not well because of his suffering since Juana chose God instead of him. The Archbishop has heard about Juana, and so they decide to go to see her. Speaking through Juana’s mouth, the Holy Spirit forecasts the future: Carlos will have many victories as defender of the faith and will eventually abdicate in favor of his son Felipe and go to Yuste. The King and Archbishop are greatly impressed by Juana and give money to the convent, which is in great need.

The nuns ask Juana to have God bless their rosaries and help them get souls out of Purgatory. Juana’s Guardian Angel takes care of this, and they all see a vision of Christ blessing the rosaries. At his point the first part of the Santa Juana trilogy ends, with the promise of a second part to follow.

Plot

Act I

Juana’s Guardian Angel tells her not to worry about Luther’s activities in Germany because Catholics are making many converts in the New World through men like Don Hernando Cortés and Alonso de Alburquerque. Carlos V passes through on his way to fight against Luther and the heretics, and leaves his nephew Don Jorge de Aragón, Comendador de Santiago, in charge of the village of Cubas. Although Jorge just recently married, he still likes to “play the field,” a habit that his uncle warns him he must overcome. Francisco’s former servant, Lillo, now serves Jorge.

Shortly after his arrival Jorge spies Mari Pascuala, Crespo’s wife, and is enamored of her. When she goes for water he creates an opportunity to talk to her. At first she rejects him, but later she encourages him, with Crespo arriving just in time to hear her say “yo a vos también.”

In the convent, meanwhile, the Vicaria (the Maestra of the First Part) is still jealous of Juana and criticizes her for getting mixed up in a suit of the Archbishop of Toledo. The Vicaria always chides Sor Evangelista because she cannot write, but the Guardian Angel tells Juana that Evangelista will be able to write and will, in fact, write Juana’s story. Juana, however, has much to suffer now, because the nuns are turning against her. Soon Sor Evangelista brings to Juana the news that she suddenly knows how to read and write and that she is to write Juana’s history. Now the Vicaria can no longer make fun of her and call her stupid.

When the peasants all come to the convent for the baptism of the baby of Gila and the sacristán, Jorge orders Lillo and the other servants to take Mari Pascuala by force so that he can enjoy her. Crespo and her father, Berrueco, swear revenge.

Act II

Mingo and the other villagers have taken Mari Pascuala from Lillo and the servants, and now Jorge threatens to burn their houses and torture them if they do not tell him where she is. Finally, on threat of torture, Crespo tells Jorge that she is at the convent of La Cruz with Juana. At this point Jorge receives a letter from the Vicaria saying that the nuns do not like Juana, that she is a fraud and that she has written Jorge’s wife about his actions and that his wife has complained to the Governor. She also says that the Padre Provincial of the order is at the convent and asks Jorge to help to get Juana removed as abbess. She also makes reference to a young woman being held at the convent against her will. Upon reading this, Jorge plans to avenge himself on Juana, and upon being asked by the villagers that he remove the soldiers that they have to quarter, he tells them not to complain because he is their master and all they have is his to command as he sees fit.

At the convent, Juana tells Mari Pascuala that she has to go home, but Mari Pascuala is inspired by Juana and, saying that she is no longer tempted by Jorge, vows to be good. Juana is told by her Guardian Angel that her troubles are now to begin but that she will be honored in the end. The Vicaria now comes to tell Juana that she (the Vicaria) is the new abbess, because Jorge has talked against Juana to the Padre Provincial. Jorge has left without seeing Juana, but she is to be beaten and locked up in her cell, and no one is to speak to her. Juana believes that she deserves all this, that it is small punishment for her many sins.

Jorge continues his highhanded ways with the villagers, greedily taking for himself what used to be reserved for widows and the poor. Mari Pascuala meets him, and in spite of her resolutions she yields to him. He then drives her away, but Tello claims her for himself. She complains bitterly, although she recognizes how she has sinned after having promised to be good. She is about to hang herself when Juana intervenes and reminds her of God’s forgiveness. Mari Pascuala now resolves to go to the convent and become a nun.

Act III

The imprisoned Juana makes a sermon to the birds and animals that appear to her as in a vision. San Antonio de Padua, the Christ child, and her Guardian Angel appear and tell her that the abadesa is dying. She prays to them to forgive her, and Jesus promises forgiveness, saying he cannot refuse her. Sor Evangelista takes Juana to the dying Abbess, who wants to beg Juana to forgive her.

In the meantime, Mari Pascuala, who is now a nun, receives a note from Jorge instructing her to meet him by the convent wall that night or he will reveal what he knows about her past. Bewildered and frightened, she does not know what to do. That night when Jorge comes to the convent wall Lillo is also there, drunk and asleep. Jorge ponders whether he should jump the wall of a convent, and Lillo, in his sleep, predicts a bad fate for him if he does. Fearful at first, Jorge then realizes that it is only Lillo who is talking and he decides to go over the wall. At this moment Juana appears, saying that he will die the next day and that he had better think about how he will be judged. Her saintliness exerts such a strong influence on him that he repents, entrusting his soul to God as he dies. Mari Pascuala says he died repentant, thanks to Juana. San Francisco and the Crucified Christ appear to Juana, and at Christ’s request she embraces Him and receives the stigmata. The Emperor Carlos V comes and once again everyone marvels at Juana’s saintliness.

Plot

Act I

Luis and César are arguing about Doña Inés, whom César has pledged to marry. Now Luis, too, wants her, and they have drawn their swords when Diego, Luis’s father, arrives and stops the fights. Luis is disrespectful toward his father and leaves. Diego begs César to forgive Luis and renew their friendship, and he, in turn, will persuade Luis to leave Inés alone. Diego has brought Luis from Torrejón to Madrid because he was involved with Aldonza, a peasant girl, and had promised to marry her — and all this after the upbringing he had by Juana, who was like his mother. Diego prevails upon Luis to swear not to bother Inés, although Luis has no intention of fulfilling his promise. In fact, he goes directly to Inés, who is angry with him for having believed what César said about her being his lover. Meanwhile, Juana has a vision in which Christ gives her a crown of thorns, a cross, and three nails, telling her that she will suffer the Passion every Friday, although He removes the stigmata that she had received earlier.

Aldonza now comes and lets Inés know of Luis’s former attentions to her; she leads Inés to believe that Luis had seduced her, although that was not the case. After hearing Aldonza’s story, Inés decides to reject Luis and go back to César. In an effort to bring Luis to his senses, Diego sends Lillo (who since Jorge’s death has been Luis’s servant) to the Convent of La Cruz with a message and a gift for Juana. Lillo does not want to go, for the villagers are still angry with him for aiding Jorge with Mari Pascuala, but Diego insists. When Lillo arrives in Cubas he finds Crespo, Mingo, and Berrueco with Juana, who is praying for the recovery of Crespo’s talkative wife, whom he has beaten because she talks too much. The poor woman recovers, and the villagers then get revenge on Lillo by giving him a purgative, promising the same treatment for all alcahuetes.

Act II

Luis promises to love Aldonza if she will tell him what is going on between Inés and César, but after she informs him that Inés has arranged a tryst with César for that night, he (Luis) spurns her. Lillo, meanwhile, has returned with a note from Juana, telling Diego to be firmer with Luis. When Diego talks to his son, however, he is unable to refuse him anything and even promises to have César taken prisoner and kept in jail that night.

María, one of the nuns, asks Juana to pray for Jorge’s wife, Doña Ana, who is ill. Juana wonders about Jorge and subsequently has a vision of him inside a flaming bull, but in Purgatory. Jorge speaks to her, saying that he will be saved thanks to her mercy and assistance. Juana then goes to see Doña Ana, quickly flying there with the aid of her Guardian Angel’s wings in order to cure her of her illness.

That night Luis, pretending to be César, seduces Inés. While he is in her house, however, his father passes by and, upon seeing Lillo, immediately knows what is going on. Meanwhile, César has bought his way out of jail and hurries off to see Inés, arriving as Luis is departing. When he denies being the man who was just with her, she becomes furious, thinking he is trying to get out of marrying her.

Christ and Mary appear to Juana and tell her that she is soon to die. She asks for two favors before she dies: that Jorge get out of Purgatory and that Luis repent and live a good life. After some hesitation over Luis, Jesus grants her two wishes.

Act III

Luis has gambled away his father’s money and they have returned to Torrejón. He continues to be disrespectful to his father, pushing him down and even kicking him. The Guardian Angel tells Juana to look inside a little chest, where she will find a crown, nails, and a surprise, which turns out to be the Holy Sacrament. Upon seeing this miracle, all the nuns are greatly moved. Juana, who now knows that she is to die the next day, is ecstatic. Crespo comes to ask Juana’s aid for his ill daughter, and Diego, to ask for her intercession on behalf of Luis. Crespo’s daughter is brought in, already dead, but Juana’s prayers bring her back to life. As for Luis, he hears the voice of a former friend who is now in Purgatory, who speaks to him and then touches his hand, causing him (Luis) to burn. Repentant, Luis comes to Juana and the others begging their forgiveness, whereupon they all forgive him and he stops burning. He confesses that it was he, not César, who was with Inés, and he and she will marry and restore her honor. Santa Juana ascends into Heaven, where she is welcomed by Jesus and received with gifts of His cross, nails and crown of thorns. All those left below marvel and are astounded by her piety.

Plot

Act I

Pendón brings letters from many suitors to Dorotea, who plans to marry, not for love, someone who will take good care of the money she inherited from her merchant father. Among her chief suitors are Lelio, a poor caballero, and Grimaldo, a law student. It is the eve of St. John’s Day when, according to tradition, single girls pray for husbands and then take the first words they hear on the street as predictions of things about their husbands-to-be. Dorotea expresses her disbelief in this tradition, but as she reads her letters an unknown voice outside forecasts that she will marry a tailor, who is both a saint and a tailor (santo y sastre). Pendón cannot imagine how a tailor could be a saint, saying that is like saying that black is white. The voice also forecasts sticks, jealousy, and a shroud for Dorotea.

At this point Homo Bono, a tailor, arrives. Since she did not summon him and he is a tailor, Dorotea attaches some significance to this appearance and is beginning to believe the voice that she heard previously. She likes Homo Bono and has him fit her for a dress. As they converse Homo Bono shows himself to be full of wisdom and a man of high moral principles.

After Pendón leaves them alone, she declares herself to Homo Bono, but he becomes upset and goes away, leaving his cape with her. Dorotea immediately calls for Pendón, telling him that Homo Bono tried to rape her. Roberto, Homo Bono’s father, comes to say that he has just seen his son fleeing from his house without his cape and he wonders what the trouble can be. At first Dorotea tells the father that Homo Bono raped her, but then she tells him the truth and says that she wants to marry Homo Bono. Roberto greets this idea with enthusiasm and promises to talk to Homo Bono about it. Lelio and Grimaldo come, arguing about which one of them Dorotea prefers, and she tells them she will say tomorrow whom she is to marry.

Act II

Although Homo Bono does not want to marry, preferring to serve God without the hindrance (estorbos) of a woman, his father insists that he wed. Dorotea’s cousin, Sabina, warns her against marrying a tailor, and her servant, Esperanza, says that Homo Bono will preach to her all the time. When they go to meet Dorotea, Homo Bono confides to his father that he does not know the proper way to address his intended. He adds that he will not say nice things that he does not mean, because he will not lie. Roberto tells him to act as if he were in love and he soon will be. Dorotea proves to be very kind and charming, however, and Homo Bono likes her. Pendón is attracted to Esperanza, too. Grimaldo and Lelio arrive to hear Dorotea’s decision and are told by Pendón that she has chosen a tailor. Upon hearing this they both are very angry and swear revenge.

After leaving Dorotea’s home, Homo Bono encounters a poor man, to whom he gives all of his clothes, leaving himself only rags to wear to his own wedding. After the poor man dons Homo Bono’s clothes, he rises up with rays shining around him and Christ appears and speaks to Homo Bono, telling him that since he has clothed Him he is to be His tailor from now on.

Just after this incident a fire, probably set by Grimaldo and Lelio, breaks out and burns Dorotea’s house. Homo Bono is able to walk through the flames and others can follow the path he opens. Dorotea herself is on fire, but he saves her by taking her in his arms and praying that she be spared. Like Job, he asks that his possessions and his body suffer, but not his soul, his life. He and Dorotea are poor now, and will live with Roberto, but Homo Bono accepts their loss without complaint.

Act III

Dorotea chides Homo Bono because now that his father is dead he gives away everything and they do not even have enough to eat. He compares her reproaches to those of Job’s wife. A voice then informs Homo Bono that his chest (arca) will be full of food, so Pendón goes to check and finds it to be true, much to his surprise. Following Homo Bono’s instructions, Pendón distributes the food to the poor. Dorotea complains to Homo Bono that he ought not to go to church so often, leaving her at home alone, because his honor is at stake. However, a voice reassures him that his house and Dorotea will be safely guarded. This voice continues to speak to him as he sews on a dress for a bride, and then a Crucified Christ comes down and he rises up and embraces Him.

Lelio wants to enter while Homo Bono is gone so that he can enjoy Dorotea, but Grimaldo says that would not be right because Homo Bono is a good man and the Lord is on his side. Lelio tries to force his way into Dorotea’s house anyway, but he is met by an angel with a fiery sword in his hand. This sight causes Lelio to faint. Soon Homo Bono and Pendón return to find Lelio there, but the latter being able to utter only “aba,” cannot explain his presence. Homo Bono prays that Lelio recover his voice, which he does, and now Lelio, too, is a believer. Homo Bono makes him promise not to tell what has happened. Now Home Bono and Pendón discover that during their absence two Angels have come and are sewing on the wedding dress that Homo Bono is supposed to have finished. They finish their work and fly away, leaving Homo Bono desirous of flying away after them. Since he cannot do this he goes to the church to seek them there. Meanwhile, Lelio, Grimaldo, Dorotea, Sabina, and Esperanza are talking together of the miracles performed by Homo Bono when Valerio comes to say that Homo Bono has died, kneeling at the altar in the church and wishing to follow the angels. Dorotea begs him to take her with him, but Pendón settles the question of their future by sending her to a convent, while he goes to a monastery. Lelio ends the play by saying that all things are possible with God, even a tailor can be a saint.

Plot

Act I

Felicia is to choose her husband from three suitors: Nineucio, Liberio and Lázaro. Nineucio is very wealthy, but not young and handsome like the other two. She chooses Nineucio, saying he is rich but not miserly for he makes a big show of his wealth and spends a great deal. Liberio predicts that she will be sorry because Nineucio is too old for her. Lázaro says he realizes more than ever that worldy goods will pass and that treasures should be stored up in heaven. His belief contrasts sharply with that of Nineucio, who puts all his faith in his earthly possessions and does not believe in eternal life.

Liberio is the second son of Clemente. His elder brother, Modesto, criticizes him for being a spend thrift and a gambler. After being rejected by Felicia, Liberio decides to ask for his part of his inheritance from his mother and go to Egypt. Meanwhile, Gulín, Liberio’s lackey, has been caught by Clemente stealing jewels. At Modesto’s urging Clemente decides to give Liberio his inheritance and let him and Gulín go to Egypt. Liberio and Gulín set out on their journey, putting their hopes for happiness on gambling and women.

Nineucio, on the other hand, refuses to show clemency to his majordomo, who robbed him of some money, even though Dina, the majordomo’s wife, pleads with him. He also refuses to give Simón money to bury his wife, a relative of Nineucio’s. He turns away the poor and locks the doors of his house while he eats. The generous Lázaro intervenes on the part of the oppressed and given Nineucio a farm on the Jordan in exchange for the majordomo’s freedom and gives Simón money for the funeral. He also feeds the poor.

Act II

In Egypt Liberio is spending his money, losing at gambling and buying expensive gifts for women. He is very generous and has made new friends — Nisiro, Diodoro and Nicandro; as well as Taida and Flora, to whom he gives money, carriages and gold chains. When Lázaro appears, now poor and in rags after having given away all his fortune to the poor, Liberio tells him that he is spending his money wisely, to make friends. He says that the poor are not true friends, even though you give them money.

Lázaro goes to Nineucio, who is his uncle, but later, denying that Lázaro is a relative of his, won’t take him in. Felicia tells her husband that he should be more kind, but he refuses. Lázaro asks him how he can turn down a human being when he feeds his hounds, but Nineucio says they guard his house and protect him so he feeds them. He adds that the hounds are too smart to like the poor. Felicia is growing tired of Nineucio. He only sleeps and eats; he even goes to sleep while talking to her. She says he’d sell his own parents for a moment’s sleep. He only cares for his own comfort. His stomach is his God; he does not believe in an afterlife. She complains that he never makes love to her, either.

Liberio, meanwhile, has lost more money gambling than he has with him and his friends are unwilling to wait until a servant brings more from his house. They want some diamonds that he has with him as security. At this point Gulín comes to tell him that the house and all their possessions have burned up because the groom drank too much wine and let hot oil from his torch drop on the straw and start a fire. They have nothing left except the clothes on their backs. Diodoro, Nisiro, Taida and Flora promise to stand by them. Liberio and Gulín go to look at the ruins, but on the way they are robbed by some bandits (capeadores) and left naked, except that Gulín still has his shirt because the robbers heard someone coming before they could take it. Liberio and Gulín go to their friends, but are refused admittance and water is thrown down on them. Now that they are poor their “friends” won’t have anything to do with them. They ask Nineucio for shelter, but he sends them off.

Act III

Gulín is now the majordomo of a farm of Nineucio, who hired him partly because of Gulín’s name, which reminded him of “gula” (gluttony). When Liberio comes along, poor and hungry, Gulín pretends not to know him and tells him to go on his way. Liberio recognizes Gulín, and finally Gulín says he can tend the pigs. Gulín gives Liberio acorns to feed the pigs and tells him not to eat any of them. Although Liberio does not eat any, Gulín, Laureta and Garbón say he did and drive him off. He is beginning to see the error of his ways.

Felicia, meanwhile, has come to the country. She is very sad and sees what a mistake it was to marry for money. She hopes to escape her troubles and find happiness in the country, but she finds trouble there too. She hears Liberio lamenting his fate, and talks to him. Upon seeing him and talking to him she falls in love with him and offers him money in exchange for his love, but he says he will have no more of worldly goods, for they only bring unhappiness.

While the poor beg for food outside his door, Nineucio is enjoying his only pleasure: eating. The presence of the hungry people outside pleases him because it makes his own food taste better. Lázaro, now a leper, comes and begs Nineucio for crumbs, promising to repay him by helping him to earn eternal life by doing this good work, but Nineucio will have none of it. He still does not believe in an afterlife; he casts Lázaro out with orders to kill him, but poor Lázaro is already dying. Suddenly Nineucio is struck by a burning sensation in his stomach, while outside the poor whom he has refused to feed are cursing him.

In the meantime Liberio returns home. His father forgives him and orders the fatted calf killed to celebrate his homecoming. Modesto is jealous of Liberio’s warm reception, but his father explains to him that he’s still the first born but that Liberio has learned his lesson and they must forgive him. Felicia comes, bearing the news that both Nineucio and Lázaro have died, and says she is sorry for her foolish choice in marrying for money. Clemente says that she and Liberio will marry. Then he asks God to show them, especially Liberio, how He rewards the humble poor (such as Lázaro) and punishes the proud (such as Nineucio).

The last scene shows this reward and punishment. Lázaro is in Abraham’s lap while Nineucio is in Hell. All Nineucio’s food is pouring forth flames and he begs for Lázaro to come down to bring him water on his finger. Abraham will not let Lázaro go, however. Nineucio then asks Abraham to send Lázaro to warn Nineucio’s brothers before they die, but Abraham refuses again. He says that Moses and the Prophets have said it all and if they don’t believe the Prophets they won’t believe even one from the dead. As the play ends Clemente tells Liberio that the middle way is the best and that he should shun both extremes, that of avarice as well as that of being a spendthrift.

Plot

Act I

Doña Margarita and Doña Beatriz are the daughters of Don Francisco Cabezas. Margarita loves Don Alvaro Durán; Beatriz loves Gonzalo Pizarro. Each of the young women has received a note from her lover. Overhearing Beatriz reading her letter aloud, Margarita takes it from her on the pretext of protecting her younger sister. Beatriz, in turn, seizes Margarita’s note, thinking it is hers. They agree to be friends in their love affairs and to help each other, although neither knows the name of the other’s beloved. Margarita reads Beatriz’s note, which speaks of “possession.” After Beatriz leaves, Alvaro sees Margarita reading her sister’s letter and thinks that it is hers and that she has another love. Angry, he vows to find his rival. In the meantime, Gonzalo has paid a visit to Don Francisco and is looking for Beatriz when Alvaro meets him and, assuming that he is Margarita’s lover, challenges him with his sword. Alvaro is wounded in the ensuing fight.

Francisco and his daughters take the wounded Alvaro to their country estate. Francisco believes that Alvaro has dishonored Margarita because he sees in her eyes her love for him and because of the suspicious circumstances of the wound. Not recognizing her father at first, Beatriz, veiled, comes to him to ask for help. Even after she realizes that she is talking to her father, she must continue, telling him to look in a hole in the oldest oak tree by the stream, where he will find a stolen item that he is to keep until it is reclaimed. He does not recognize Beatriz, assuming her to be a local young woman from Zarza. Following her instructions, Francisco finds a newborn baby in the tree that she described. He entrusts the infant to Carrizo, whose wife has just given birth to a baby who died, so that she can nurse it.

Don Rodrigo, Alvaro’s father, having heard about his son’s wound, and guessing about Francisco’s suspicions regarding the relationship between Alvaro and Margarita, calls on Francisco to assure him that Alvaro truly loves Margarita and has not dishonored her. Indeed, he wants to marry her. Relieved, Francisco gives his consent to the marriage, and decides to give the baby to Beatriz to care for. Beatriz confides to Margarita that it is really her baby.

Act II

Twelve years have passed. Beatriz planned to wait fourteen years for her lover to return, but her father and others urge her to marry Don Martín who has been waiting all these years. Although she does not want to marry him or to leave her son, Francisquito, she finally agrees. Margarita promises to look out for Francisquito, to be both mother and aunt to him. At this point Gonzalo returns. After wounding Alvaro he went to fight in Italy, jealous in the belief that Alvaro was Beatriz’s lover. He has finally learned the truth, however, and has returned to find that Beatriz has married another. Beatriz tells him that it is too late for them, but she sends Francisquito to talk to Gonzalo. Because of remarks made by Beatriz upon sending him to Gonzalo and by Gonzalo during their conversation, Francisquito begins to suspect that Gonzalo is his father.

Francisquito, who is mischievous and a poor student, is reprimanded by Francisco. Later, the schoolmaster threatens to whip Francisquito, refers to his unknown parentage, and starts to call him a bastard, when Francisquito takes out a dagger and stabs him and escapes to Zarza. Furious and threatening to kill him, Francisco goes to look for Francisquito before Beatriz can explain to him that he is her son. Elsewhere, Gonzalo still trying to find out more about his son, meets his friend, Hernando Cortés. After they part, Cortés encounters Francisquito, who is being pursued by some shepherds who are angry because of his attack on the schoolmaster. Francisquito shows himself to be very brave, but Cortés rebukes him for having stabbed his teacher. Cortés and Francisquito struggle over a ball for ninepins and it splits, leaving each with half a ball. Cortés, who respects Francisquito for his bravery, leaves to continue his journey, following Fernando and Isabel to Portugal, but tells Francisquito that they will meet again and become good friends.

Beatriz appears and tells Francisquito that he is her son and that Gonzalo is his father. Now he is on his own; he must make his own name. The half of the ball that he has represents half of the world to him, and he is determined to see the other half and earn fame, success and a name for himself, since he has no name or parents who claim him.

Act III

Francisquito is now fifteen and an officer in Isabel’s army. A paymaster and a captain are talking of the peace recently established with Portugal and of how they now want to concentrate on defeating the Moors. The paymaster also wants to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of Gonzalo. He learns that Gonzalo is in Trujillo, and plans with the captain to ambush him, summoning him by means of a note. Gonzalo, meanwhile, is to marry Beatriz de Mendoza.

Quirós, a soldier, comes to Zarza and demands that Carrizo and Pulida give him quarters. He tries to force himself on Pulida, but she resists and he calls upon two other soldiers to help him. Francisquito arrives just in time to protect Pulida and Carrizo, and condemns Quirós and the two soldiers to be punished — Quirós by being hanged but not killed, and the soldiers by being whipped.

The paymaster, the captain, and Robledo are ready to ambush Gonzalo when Francisquito comes along. Francisquito claims to be Gonzalo, and the captain tries to shoot him, but the gun does not fire. Gonzalo and Francisquito join forces and kill the paymaster and the captain and drive Robledo away. Francisquito identifies himself to Gonzalo and says that he is angry because his father is marrying someone other that his mother. Gonzalo explains that Beatriz refused him, saying that he was too late. Francisquito says that Gonzalo will have other sons now, and that he (Francisquito) is going to make new discoveries to follow what Columbus will do in the New World.

Francisquito and Gonzalo are forced to flee when they hear others in pursuit of them for having killed the paymaster. Meanwhile, Pulida explains to the Queen about Quirós and how Francisquito saved her. The Queen agrees that the young Pizarro did the right thing and that the men deserved chastisement. Robledo now reports to the Queen that Gonzalo treacherously killed the paymaster and that Francisquito likewise killed the captain. The Queen decrees that they must be punished; however, when Gonzalo and his son arrive and Francisquito explains the whole situation, the Queen forgives them. They are to accompany her to Granada to help Fernando expel the Moors. Francisquito promises the Queen riches from the New World and affirms that Cortés will fulfill the great predictions that the heavens have made for him.

Plot

Act I

During a truce in the fighting between David’s army and the Ammonites, David’s sons Amón, Absalón, and Adonías have returned to Jerusalem. Amón has never been in love, so the others suggest possible women for him, but he objects to each of them. Absalón wants to take advantage of his father’s absence by entering his harem, although this privilege is prohibited to all. Amón does go into the forbidden garden at night, however, and there he hears Tamar, his half-sister, singing. Enchanted by her voice, he falls in love with her, unaware of who she is. While he is listening to her sing, he trips and falls, and she helps him up. He identifies himself as the gardener’s son and kisses her hand in gratitude. Having learned that the singer is to wear red to the wedding of Elisa and Jusefo the next day, Amón is shocked to discover that she is his half-sister when heh sees her at the ceremony. Not knowing what else to do, he plans to leave, but his love is too strong and he disguises himself so that he can attend the festivities following the nuptials without being recognized. He converses with Tamar, who realizes that he is the man she encountered in the garden, but does not know that he is Amón. When she orders him away, he responds by kissing her hand, whereupon she calls for the others to pursue him and kill him.

Act II

Amón has become ill because of his love of Tamar. His associates cannot keep up with his changing moods. The doctor who has been summoned to attend him is unable to discover his ailment. David returns from his successful campaign against the Ammonites and is welcomed enthusiastically by all, except Amón, who requests that his father go away and leave him alone. Finally Amón speaks to Tamar of his love for an Ammonite princess who looked just like Tamar. He had planned to ask David for a dispensation to marry her, but he has learned that she was killed during the attack by the Israelites. Saying that he cannot get over this love, he asks Tamar to pretend to be the princess, and she agrees to help him. When he wants to kiss her, however, she says that is going too far.

In the meantime, Joab, a general who loves Tamar, happens to overhear the loving farewell between Amón and his “princess.” Jealous, Joab threatens to tell the King of this incestuous love. Tamar, who also loves Joab, explains the situation, and he is satisfied, planning to ask the King for permission to marry Tamar. As he leaves, Joab kisses Tamar’s hand, a scene witnessed by Amón, who becomes very jealous. When he chides Tamar, she becomes angry and refuses to play the role of his princess any longer.

At this point the desperate Amón confides to Jonadab what his real trouble is. The latter suggests that Amón ask David to have Tamar bring him something to eat, alone, and that he then take advantage of this opportunity. Amón makes the request of his father, and when Tamar comes he rapes her, in spite of her protests.

Act III

Amón drives Tamar from him, calling her all sorts of evil names. She is disconsolate, first having lost her honor and then being treated in such a cruel way. Reminding Amón that she is his sister, she rebukes him and swears revenge.

Absalón and Adonías argue about which of them should inherit the throne, because they believe that Amón is dying of his illness. Absalón claims that he should be the heir, since he is the older, but Adonías disagrees because he believes that Absalón is too handsome (making special reference to his beautiful hair) and too interested in appearances and beauty to make a good king. At this point David arrives with Salomón and announces that the latter will ascend the throne. Tamar appears, disheveled, dressed in mourning and with ashes on her head. After relating to them what has happened, she asks Absalón to avenge her, since Adonías and Salomón are only half-brothers. Absalón views this as an opportunity both to get revenge for Tamar and to get the throne for himself. For his part, David loves Amón too much to punish him, even though he knows he should. He asks Absalón to forget and not to punish Amón, who has repented and promised not to offend David again. Absalón finally says that if he should hurt Amón, he should be hanged by his hair and left to die between heaven and earth.

Absalón invites everyone to his country place for a sheep-shearing, ostensibly so that they can rest and forget, but really in order to carry out his vengeance. At first David does not wish to go, but Absalón insists that his brothers must go, so that David finally agrees, although he feels uneasy about Amón’s going. At the sheep-shearing, Laureta, one of the peasants, privately tells them their fortunes, predicting to Amón that he may be in danger, to Absalón that he will be on high because of his hair (which he assumes to refer to him as a king), and to Salomón that he is to be a king. When the others go to eat, Amón stays behind to talk to one of the shepherdesses, but when he removes her veil, he sees that it is Tamar, who has been living there in solitude disguised as a shepherdess. Upon recognizing her, he leaves to go to the banquet. After his departure, Tamar says that it will be his last meal, that she is to have her vengeance.

Absalón stabs Amón at the table, then brings Tamar to see the death scene and rejoices with her that her honor has been restored. He is to flee to Gesur, where his grandfather is king. Although he does not know what has happened, David is worried. Adonías and Salomón come to tell him that Amón is dead but he has already guessed it and is very grieved at the loss of his son. Thus Tamar’s story ends in tragedy.

Plot

Act I

Primislao, King of Bohemia, has been murdered, and his brother Adolfo has ascended to the throne. Adolfo has Lotario and Uberto seized, claiming that they plotted the murder. He also has his own wife Basilisa, detained, accusing her of being implicated in the crime as well. He then tries to win the favor of his brother’s widow, Sibila, who reacts negatively, preferring to go lead a quiet life in the country.

Meanwhile a group of shepherds in the nearby countryside are debating whether Balón and Clora should marry. Her father, Corbín, wants her to marry Ventura, a studious fellow who reads a lot. However, although she scorns Balón at first, she really wants to marry him, so her father gives his permission. Ventura willingly gives Clara up, because he has plans to go away and make something more important of himself, as a soldier or a letrado.

Adolfo has ordered Otón to help him force Sibila to give in to him but Otón, overwhelmed by Adolfo’s evil actions, kills him and throws his body, weighted down with heavy stones, into a river. Having overheard the scene, Ventura is hidden from Otón’s sight still observing and listening when Matías appears. Otón tells Matías all that has happened — that Adolfo killed his brother, Primislao, by going to his house at night and smothered him; that Adolfo plans to poison Basilisa and marry Sibila, and that he unjustly accused Lotario and Uberto of treason and murder.

Fleeing from her virtual imprisonment in Druma, Basilisa encounters Ventura, who looks exactly like Adolfo. She, mistaking him for her husband, begins to speak to him. At first he thinks she is crazy when she claims to be the queen, but he quickly analyzes the situation and pretends to be Adolfo, giving her forgiveness and speaking to her kindly. When Otón, Lotario and Uberto approach, Ventura hides. Upon hearing from Otón that Adolfo is dead, Basilisa offers to produce him and summons Ventura. The latter starts to tell them who he really is, but they interrupt, paying homage to him, so he decides to continue the pretense. Otón secretly thinks that Ventura is an imposter because he cannot believe that Adolfo is alive, since he weighted his body down so heavily. At the same time he does not know how an imposter could know all that Ventura does (things which the latter overheard from Otón, of course.) Ventura says that they are all forgiven. For his part Lotario remarks that Otón’s senses are not to be trusted; he has concluded that Otón imagined that he killed Adolfo.

Act II

Matías and Otón wonder if it is not the case that someone who looks like Adolfo is impersonating him, but they cannot imagine how he could know so many secrets from Adolfo’s past. They remain very suspicious. Meanwhile Ventura tells Basilisa that they must marry again because their first marriage ended when he was killed by Otón, but he is now resuscitated. She is frightened by what he says and flees the room. After telling Otón that he will forgive him for murdering him, Ventura now wants to go to amuse himself in the country, Otón assumes that he means with Sibila. Informed by Otón that he and Ventura are going to the country, Basilisa asks Matías to go there with her to spy. When Otón and Ventura arrive Sibila is asleep in the garden. Left alone with her, Ventura admires her and asks himself who she can be, but upon awakening she speaks her own name, thus answering his question. Upon seeing him, she becomes angry, telling him that her father is coming from Sajonia with an army for revenge. Ventura guesses that Otón led him to Sibila and then watched to see if he would recognize her in an effort to learn if he really is the King. Basilisa and Matías have been observing the scene, too, and she is furious because Ventura is enamored of Sibila again and threatens to have her father come to avenge her. Ventura threatens Otón accusing him of spying, and the latter flees. The confused Ventura decides to return to his life as a peasant, since the life of the court is so full of deceit and flattery.

The peasants, in the meantime, have found Adolfo’s body, but think it is Ventura, although they wonder where he got such fine clothes. One theory is that he stole them, murdered their owner, and then in turn was murdered by friends of the latter. Clora is very depressed over Ventura’s “death,” much to Balón’s disgust. When Ventura returns, the villagers run away, frightened because they think that he is a spirit. Now Ventura is extremely sad, having no place where he can go.

Act III

Basilisa, angry with Otón for having killed her husband, has him imprisoned. Balón comes to ask Basilisa to grant him a divorce because Clora cried so when she thought Ventura was dead. He adds that now Ventura is back they are making him the mayor. Upon hearing of Ventura, Basilisa becomes suspicious and questions Balón further. He shows her the ring they took from the dead man, and she recognizes it as belonging to Adolfo. After swearing him to secrecy about all of this, Basilisa goes to the village with Balón.

The new mayor, Ventura, plans with other villagers to erect a sepulcher for the dead man. Basilisa finds Ventura and tells him that she knows he is really a shepherd. When he claims to be Adolfo, she becomes confused again, because she cannot see how a shepherd could know so much about Adolfo’s affairs, but yet Adolfo’s ring was on the dead man, not on Ventura.

The Duque de Sajonia, Sibila’s father, has attacked the kingdom, and the bohemios need a leader, so Ventura goes off to be their commander. Lotario and Uberto quarrel about who will be king, and Matías suggests that they alternate, but then they argue about who will be first. Otón returns. After breaking out of prison he went to search the papers that had belonged to his father, a privado of King Sigismundo, the father of Primislao and Adolfo. Among other things he found a paper saying that Sigismundo had a son named Ventura by a shepherdess, Virena. Ventura, therefore, is the true heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, posing as Adolfo, Ventura has led the bohemios to victory over the sajones. After the battle the nobles and the villagers are gathered together. The Duque de Austria has asked to marry Sibila, to which Basilisa gives her consent. Ventura explains that he is not Adolfo, who is dead, but a mere shepherd. Otón, however, tells him that he is Sigismundo’s son and the new King. Upon hearing this Ventura asks Basilisa to be his wife, and rewards the villagers with land and the nobles with titles. In the end it turns out that Ventura is indeed fortunate, as his name suggests.

Plot

Act I

Otón’s father, who is noble although not very wealthy, wants his son to be a student because their relatives in Rome would help him in his career if he were a learned man. Otón, however, does not care about his studies and is not a very talented student; he works at Latin but still has not learned sum, est, and fui. (He thinks that sum is a noun.) Much more interesting to Otón is Rosela, with whom he is in love. She scorns Otón, though, because her brother Césaro plans for his son Enrique (Conde de Placencia) to marry the Duke’s daughter, Clemencia. Césaro has also promised his sister that he will marry her to no less than a count.

Grimaldo, Otón’s father, is angry because Otón is such a poor student and also is jealous of Césaro and his father Honorato, a merchant, because they are so proud of Césaro’s new success. Grimaldo sends Otón out to be a shepherd, while Otón’s mother, Octavia, says he need not be wise, but asks that God give him good fortune instead. (“Ventura te dé Dios, hijo / que el saber poco te basta”.) Meanwhile, Césaro is named governor by the Duke, and Rosela is to serve Clemencia and marry a count.

Clemencia is loved by a young gentleman, Criselio, who is very unhappy that she is to marry Enrique. His woes are increased by the fact that he is to escort Clemencia to meet the Duke, the Marqués, and Enrique. Nor is Clemencia pleased over her upcoming marriage to Enrique, a man whom she has not even met. When they arrive at the fortress where they are to meet the others, Criselio tells Clemencia that his brother, who serves the Marqués, has told him that Enrique plans to dishonor her before the wedding and thereby get the Duke’s estate as revenge for the Duke’s having won the settlement. He promises to bring his men to protect her, and leaves the door of her room open to the garden so that she can escape if need be.

Just after Criselio leaves and before he can get back with his men, Enrique arrives, but Clemencia is warned of his coming and escapes through the garden to the forest. There she meets Otón and asks him to protect her. He finds some peasant clothes for her to put on and takes her to his father’s estate for safekeeping.

Act II

Otón has brought Clemencia to his father’s home, but Grimaldo has locked up his son for punishment because he is suspicious of his (Otón’s) relationship with Clemencia. Enrique, the Duke, Criselio, Clavela, Rosela, Césaro, and Ramón (the alcaide of the fortaleza), searching for Clemencia, arrive at Garibaldi’s estate. The Duke thinks that Enrique has hidden Clemencia, while Enrique thinks the Duke has hidden her. At this point Clemencia appears and tells them that Enrique, going against the settlement that the Pope approved, abducted her from her chambers at the fortress and that Otón saved her. While Enrique denies everything, the others congratulate Otón, who is freed by his father; even Rosela regrets that she judged him so harshly.

As a result of all that has happened, the Duke and Enrique resume their war against each other. The Duke makes Otón a captain, because although he is not good at studies he is valiant and will have good fortune, which is very important in war. Criselio is to be their general, and Césaro will plan their strategy because he is so brilliant. The Duke promises Césaro that if they defeat Enrique he will give Rosela a titled husband. One of the villagers, Gilote, also dresses as a soldier and goes along with Otón.

Césaro plans for them to go into the forest in front of Enrique’s palace at night and to then make carts in order to enter the estate posing as farmers. This plan backfires, however, because Enrique learns that they are there and routs their forces. Otón and Gilote arrive a little late, however, and come upon Enrique and Alberto, who are alone. Otón captures Enrique and takes him to the Duke, arriving just after Criselio and Césaro have told him of their defeat. The Duke makes Otón a count and everyone admires him and thinks he is wonderful. Rosela is jealous, and Otón is able to get back at her for having been so snobbish. At Otón’s request the Duke does not imprison Enrique, but he is not to leave Monferrato. Césaro is now to stick to his studies and give up military strategy. He is quite chagrined at having been shown up by someone so ignorant at Otón, but he admits that when one has an abundance of good fortune, a little knowledge will suffice.

Act III

Clemencia has grown to love Enrique and she admits to Clavela that she made up the story about his abducting her. She now realizes that Criselio told her that Enrique was planning to dishonor her because he loved her and did not want her to marry Enrique. Rosela confides to Clemencia that she loves Otón and asks for her help in winning him. To that end Clemencia informs Otón that a lady loves him and tells him to go that night to the terrace, where by speaking with her he will talk with the one who loves him. Naturally he misunderstands and thinks it is Clemencia who loves him.

The Duke, meanwhile, has promised Criselio that he will make him his heir and marry him to Clemencia. At Clemencia’s request, he agrees to marry Rosela to Otón. He then tells her that she is to marry Criselio, but she protests that she does not want to marry a relative. The Duke is adamant, however, and tells her to think it over. Shortly thereafter, Césaro, motivated by jealousy of Otón and wanting to get the latter in trouble, tells the Duke that Otón and Clemencia are in love. He urges the Duke to propose a marriage with Rosela to Otón and see Otón’s reaction. He suggests that Clemencia only asked the Duke to marry Rosela and Otón in order to mislead him. The Duke, therefore, calls in Otón and proposes to him that he marry Rosela. Otón is hesitant and also surprised that Clemencia had suggested such a marriage, because he thinks she loves him. Otón’s reaction convinces the Duke that Césaro is right about Otón and Clemencia. Césaro urges the Duke to have Otón killed, but the Duke refuses, saying he owes Otón too much. Instead, the Duke decides to send Otón to Monferrato to take Enrique’s place there.

Still jealous, Césaro tells Enrique that Otón and the Duke are plotting to marry Otón by force to Clemencia that night and to have Enrique killed so that Otón can take over his lands and title. Césaro and Enrique plan to foil this plot by killing Otón and letting Criselio, who is known by everyone to be in love with Clemencia, take the blame for Otón’s death. In the meantime, the Duke gives a note to Criselio and one to Otón, but he accidentally mixes up the notes and gives each man the note intended for the other. Thus, Criselio receives a note saying that he is to go to Monferrato before marrying and be in charge there, while Otón’s note tells him that he is to be the Duke’s heir and marry Clemencia. To further confirm his belief that Clemencia loves him, Otón now receives a note from her asking the Count (the recipient of the note) to come to the garden that night, and saying that Criselio is trying to usurp his place. Rosela delivers the note to Otón in error, however, since it was intended for Enrique but Clemencia simply asked Rosela to deliver it to “the Count” without specifying which one and Rosela assumed it to be for Otón, regarding the marriage of Rosela and Otón.

Clavela, meanwhile, informs the Duke and Criselio that Clemencia has written to Enrique and asked him to meet her in the garden that night. Clavela, who loves Criselio, hopes that as a reward for this news she will get to marry Criselio.

That night Otón goes to meet Clemencia, as the note directed him to do. The Duke, Criselio and others arrive and find Gilote, who tells them that he is the lackey of the Count, whom they immediately assume to be Enrique rather than Otón. He tells them the Count is with Clemencia. Next Césaro and Enrique come, looking for Otón. They find the Duke and his group, and Césaro recognizes Gilote as Otón’s lackey. They then realize that it is Otón who has gone to Clemencia. Meanwhile, Clemencia has recognized Otón, but it is too late. The Duke is angry with Otón, but the latter shows him the note from Clemencia and says he also received the note from the Duke telling him he is to marry Clemencia. When Criselio tells of having received a note sending him to Monferrato, they all understand the confusion. Otón is to marry Clemencia, who now loves him. Criselio and Clavela are to marry, and at Clemencia’s request Enrique is pardoned and will marry Criselio’s sister and get his lands back. By Otón’s order Rosela is to marry the Count of Florel. The Duke turns Césaro over to Otón, who gives him two villas and forgives him, saying that thus ignorance, when it is noble, repays envious learned ones. Gilote, too, is given some land. Thus through his good fortune Otón has earned happiness and success.

Plot

Act I

The Duque de Avero and Don Duarte, Conde de Estremoz, meet out in the country, whereupon the Conde draws his sword and says he should kill the Duque because the latter has signed an order for the Conde’s death. The Duque denies any knowledge of the paper and offers to help Duarte find the traitor who wrote it. Figueredo, a servant, comes to tell them that Ruy Lorenzo, the Duque’s secretary, has planned to have the Conde killed, but the person whom he hired to do it has confessed. Although he does not tell the others, the Conde knows that the reason Ruy Lorenzo wants him dead is that the Conde dishonored his (Ruy Lorenzo’s) sister. The Duque initiates a search for Ruy Lorenzo.

In the meantime, several shepherds are talking nearby. Among them is a young man named Mireno, the son of Lauro. In spite of the fact that Mireno has been brought up as a shepherd, he feels that he is of higher station, more noble than a shepherd, and he has decided to leave, accompanied by Tarso, to seek his fortune elsewhere. On the road they meet Ruy Lorenzo and Vasco. Ruy Lorenzo explains that he has to flee the Duque’s wrath but at the same time he wants to avenge his sister. His story moves Mireno, and they all agree to change clothes in order to hide Ruy Lorenzo’s identity. Thus Tarso (with great difficulty) puts on Vasco’s lackey clothes, while Mireno dons Ruy Lorenzo’s clothing. Seeing Mireno so attired, Ruy Lorenzo remarks that Mireno looks like a born noble, rather than presenting the awkward appearance that peasants usually have when they wear gentlemen’s clothing. Doristo, Lariso, and Denio, shepherds, have started to look for Ruy Lorenzo and Vasco. They have a description of their clothes, so they capture Mireno and Tarso, believing that they are the culprits. Mireno and Tarso have taken new names to fit their new clothing and now call themselves Don Dionís and Brito.

In the palace of the Duque, Doña Juana receives a visit from her cousin, Don Antonio, who is en route to Galicia from Castilla on orders of the king. Don Antonio has heard of the beauty of the Duque’s daughters and wants to see them. Juana tells him that the Conde de Vasconcelos, the son of the Duque de Berganza, wants to marry Madalena, the elder. Both young women, she says, are lovely. The girls come, accompanied by their father and Duarte. Although Antonio finds both girls to be beautiful, he is captivated by the younger one, Serafina, and decides to stay another day. The Duque tells Madalena that the king wants her to marry Vasconcelos, and she agrees to do as the father asks. The Conde (in an aside) asks the Duque for Serafina’s hand, to which the Duque consents, with the stipulation that he get the king’s agreement before telling her, because she is not anxious to be tied down. The Conde speaks sweet words softly to Serafina, but she is rather sharp in her replies.

The shepherds bring Mireno and Tarso. At first the Duque does not understand why they have brought them, but when Mireno says he traded clothes with Ruy Lorenzo, the Duque orders them imprisoned for aiding a traitor. In the belief that they know Ruy Lorenzo and his whereabouts, the Duque plans to make them reveal this information. Madalena is impressed by Mireno, who acts very noble. Later, as Serafina and Madalena talk, the former refers to Mireno’s handsome figure and Madalena becomes jealous. They both want to help him.

Act II

Madalena feels disturbed by the affection she feels for Mireno. She has persuaded her father to set him free, and he wishes to thank her. When Juana announces his presence, Madalena vacillates and finally has him come in. She asks all about him and then tells him that she will ask her father to give him the position of secretary. Mireno realizes that Madalena is attracted to him. Meanwhile, Antonio has applied through Figueredo for the secretary’s job and the Duque gives it to him. Juana suggests to Antonio that if he wishes to see Serafina he can do so by going to the garden, where the two girls are going to practice a play in which Serafina plays the part of a man.

When Madalena asks her father to appoint Mireno as his secretary, she learns that he has already named Antonio to the position, so she requests that Mireno be made her secretary to help her write to the Duque de Berganza and the Conde de Vasconcelos about her approaching marriage, an arrangement to which her father agrees.

Antonio hires a painter to do a portrait of Serafina while she and Juana are rehearsing their play in the garden. They act out a drama of jealousy, and Serafina throws herself into her part, even showing signs of love which she had never done before.

The King gives his approval to the marriage of the Conde and Serafina. The Duque still wishes to delay telling her, but he proceeds with plans for a double wedding for the two sisters. Mireno is to help Madalena write to Vasconcelos. He now thinks that Madalena is in love with him, and in order to throw him off the track she says that she loves Vasconcelos. He believes her, but remains confused. To keep from discouraging him completely, she pretends to trip and gives him her hand in an affectionate manner.

Act III

Ruy Lorenzo is with Lauro and the other shepherds, bemoaning his fate. Lauro says he should not have falsified a letter with the Duque’s signature, so he deserves some punishment. Lauro then tells his own tale of how he has suffered unjustly. He is the Duque de Coimbra, brother of King Duarte of Portugal, who died, leaving his kingdom to his widow and his brother, Lauro, because his son (now Alfonso V) was very young. The widow was the sister of the King of Castilla, who managed to control the young heir to the throne through his mother. The widow died and caused his own brother, the Duque de Berganza, and the King to turn against him. He was captured and sentenced to die, but escaped by using sheets as ropes. His wife joined him and they lived with the peasants near Avero. His wife died when Mireno, their son, was born, and Mireno has no idea who he really is.

At the palace of the Duque, Tarso advises Mireno to speak out to Madalena, for she has given him plenty of encouragement. Afraid he will lose what he already has, Mireno is hesitant, and Tarso says to him “I do not know why the bashful man comes to court” (“No sé yo para qué viene / el vergonzoso al palacio”). Mireno finally has resolved to tell Madalena how he feels when Juana calls him because Madalena wants to see him. Madalena, too, has resolved to express her true feelings to Mireno and does so by pretending to be dreaming and carrying on a clever conversation with him during her “dream,” telling him that she loves him. Then she “awakens” and when he tells her what she said while “dreaming” she replies that Vasconcelos is the man she really loves. As she leaves the room, she cautions him not to believe in dreams, because “dreams are just dreams” (“que los sueños, sueños son”).

Antonio declares his love to Serafina, but she scorns him. Angry and hurt, he throws away the picture of her. The artist had painted her dressed as a man for her role in the play, but changing her black suit to one of color. Upon picking it up after Antonio leaves, the narcissistic Serafina fails to recognize that she is the person in the portrait and she falls in love with the “man” pictured there. She confides to Juana that she is curious to know who “he” is, and Juana, of course, pretends not to know, since she does not want to admit that she let Antonio into the garden. Juana summons Antonio and advises Serafina to pretend to be nice to him so that she can find out who the person in the portrait is. Antonio identifies the portrait as a picture of the son of Don Pedro, the Duque of Coimbra, who has been in exile for a long time. Don Pedro, a widower, and his son Don Dionís, have lived as shepherds, but Dionís has seen Serafina and fallen in love with her. He is afraid to appear at the palace, however, for fear of being apprehended. Thus Antonio has come on his behalf and pretended to love her himself to see if she is easily moved to love. Antonio explains that Dionís can come at night without fear of being caught, so he plans to come to the garden that night. Thus Antonio sets the scene in order to take advantage of Serafina himself.

The Duque observes Mireno as he gives a writing lesson to Madalena, during the course of which Mireno and Madalena speak to each other with double meanings. Duarte informs them that Vasconcelos is to arrive the next day and that the wedding must be held then because he has to return immediately. Madalena gives Mireno a letter saying that the fears of the “vergonzoso en palacio” will end that night in the garden. He now knows for certain that she loves him and he is overjoyed.

Bato, meanwhile, has returned to the village from Avero and told Lauro that Mireno is secretary to Madalena in the Duque’s household. Lauro and Ruy Lorenzo set out for Avero, and Melisa and Vasco go to look for Tarso.

That night Juana and Serafina wait at the window. Antonio comes and tells them that Dionís is with him. Disguising his voice, Antonio pretends to be Dionís and asks to come in. Juana urges Serafina to admit him or she will have to marry Duarte the following day, so she agrees. Tarso, having witnessed all this, thinks that it is Madalena, not Serafina, at the window and gets quite confused by Antonio’s changing his voice and playing two roles. When Mireno arrives, Tarso tells him that someone called Dionís has already entered, at which Mireno is upset, but Madalena appears at the window and Mireno goes in to her.

Lauro and Ruy Lorenzo arrive at the palace early in the morning and are waiting to enter when Vasco and Melisa come. To the sound of drums the Duque, Duarte and others arrive, and the Duque announces that he has received news of the pardon of the Duque de Coimbra and the discovery of the treachery of Vasco Fernández. The Duque de Coimbra is to be honored, alive or dead. Since the Duque de Coimbra is his cousin, the Duque de Avero is especially happy about this news. Seeing Lauro and the other peasants, the Duque asks who they are, whereupon Lauro identifies himself as the Duque de Coimbra and they have a joyous reunion. Madalena and Serafina are summoned so that they can join the celebration. Madalena tells her father that she will not marry Vasconcelos because she already has a husband, the secretary that he gave her. The Duque is furious, but Lauro intercedes, saying that Mireno is really his son, Dionís, and is of noble birth; thus the Duque consents to the marriage. Serafina, however, says that he cannot be Dionís because Dionís is in her room. Madalena disagrees, asserting that Dionís is in her room. The Duque orders both “Dioníses” to be brought. Mireno arrives first, and the Duque de Coimbra identifies him as his son. They explain what has happened to Mireno, and he and Madalena are to marry. Serafina, meanwhile, learns from Antonio how he deceived her by pretending to be Dionís. He asks forgiveness. She calls out for them to kill him, but Juana saves him by telling that he is really a count, and thus the Duque orders Antonio and Serafina to marry. Duarte is to return home to wed Leonela (Ruy Lorenzo’s sister) and make an honest woman of her, as he had promised. Lauro explains to the Duque that Ruy Lorenzo was wronged by Duarte, but that he was unwise in his means of revenge. He asks forgiveness for Ruy Lorenzo and Vasco, and the Duque grants it. Tarso is to marry Melisa and will become Mireno’s (Dionís’s) valet. The Duque promises to Juana a noble husband, and they all go out to meet Vasconcelos to give him condolences for having arrived too late.

Plot

Act I

Antípatro, King of Idumea, is going to marry his eldest son, Faselo, to Mariadnes, the daughter of the Hebrew king, Hircano, and his daughter, Salomé, to Hircano’s son, Aristóbulo, when Herodes, Antípatro’s second son returns victorious from the wars, telling of his merciless way of dealing with his enemies. During his absence Herodes saw the picture of a young Jewish woman in a palace, and he fell in love with her. Upon seeing a picture of Mariadnes, Faselo’s future bride, Herodes recognizes her as his beloved. He tells Antípatro, but it is too late. Salomé and Faselo have already set out for Hircano’s court in Jerusalem. Herodes, blaming his father for his unhappy situation, decides to go to Jerusalem himself, in order to turn Mariadnes against Faselo by telling her that he is a disagreeable, rude, and generally obnoxious person.

In the meantime, Mariadnes and Aristóbulo are out hunting when she is thrown from her horse. Herodes and Josefo, on their way to Jerusalem, happen by at this moment, and Hercules rescues Mariadnes, taking her to a nearby shepherd’s house to revive her. When she awakens, she fears for her honor, but Herodes has restrained himself. Dressed as a shepherd, he comes after she wakes up and tells her that he brought her there after driving away a man who had tried to violate her and who said he was named Faselo. As evidence he shows her his own clothes. They leave the shepherd’s house before “Faselo” can return.

Hircano, Faselo, Aristóbulo, Salomé and others come looking for Mariadnes, only to find that she has gone, leaving behind Herodes’s clothes, which Faselo recognizes. They believe that some shepherds have killed Mariadnes and Herodes for their money and are going to force them to tell what they know.

Act II

Herodes makes up false names to tell Mariadnes his own life story, but hen finally admits to her who he really is. She’s won over and they want to marry. Meanwhile, their fathers and brothers and sisters are looking for them and grieving over what they fear may have been their fate, when Mariadnes sees them. Herodes hides and Mariadnes tells the others about a shepherd who found her and saved her honor. After finishing the story, she says that the man who found her really was not a shepherd but a noble whom she loves and wants to marry. Hircano tells her that she could marry his son. Thereupon she exclaims that she can marry the noble and her father can keep his promise at the same time, because the noble who found her is the other son of Antípatro. The two kings then agree to the marriage of Mariadnes and Herodes.

This turn of affairs makes Faselo both angry and jealous. He decides to get revenge by aiding his friend, but Herodes’s enemy, Marco Antonio, in his was against César Augusto. He receives a letter from Marco Antonio asking him to help him by taking Herodes prisoner and bringing him and Mariadnes to him. He has heard a great deal about her beauty. Faselo doesn’t take Mariadnes to Marco Antonio because he thinks that the latter may be tiring of Cleopatra and he does not want to put Mariadnes in the position of having Marco Antonio use his power in order to conquer her. He does take Herodes prisoner, however, and also has Mariadnes, Hircano and Antípatro put under guard. Instead of taking Herodes to Marco Antonio, Faselo decides that he will not kill his brother if he will renounce Mariadnes. Meanwhile Herodes has made Josefo promise to kill Mariadnes if he (Herodes) is killed, so that they can be together and Faselo cannot have her.

Act III

Hircano has died. Faselo gives Herodes the choice of being killed or of giving up Mariadnes and swearing allegiance to Marco Antonio. Herodes refuses, but at this point César Augusto arrives with the news that Marco Antonio has fled to Egypt in defeat. Augusto makes Herodes king, takes Faselo prisoner, and then goes on his way to Egypt to capture Marco Antonio. Herodes keeps Faselo imprisoned, and when Efraím arrives with a letter for Faselo, Herodes takes it from him and reads it. The letter, which is anonymous, accuses Mariadnes of being unfaithful with Josefo. In a jealous rage, Herodes is determined to find out if his honor has been offended and sets out for Jerusalem to accomplish his purpose.

Salomé tells her husband, Aristóbulo, that she has written a letter to Faselo accusing Mariadnes of being unfaithful because Mariadnes claims to be better than Salomé because she’s a descendent of David and Salomé is tired of her snobbishness.

Soon Herodes arrives, and he overhears a conversation between Mariadnes and Josefo, in which Josefo is pretending to be Herodes, returned triumphant, with her giving him an enthusiastic welcome. Herodes misunderstands the situation, of course, and has the two of them seized.

Efraím comes to tell Herodes of the shepherds and wise men who are traveling, led by a star in the East, to where the King of the Jews, a descendent of David, has been born, as had been prophesied long ago. On hearing this Herodes determines to kill all of David’s descendants, among them Aristóbulo, so that he can ensure the throne for himself. Her also orders Josefo to be garroted and that more guards be posted around Mariadnes.

The shepherds go to worship the newborn babe, and the wise men join in adoring Him. The wise men had gone first to Herodes’s palace to bring him to see the baby, but they became suspicious of him and left without him.

Herodes, meantime, in a rage, continued his plan to keep his throne by exterminating all the descendants of David. To this end he orders Mariadnes killed, as well as all male babies under the age of two, even his own son by Mitilene, who is of the house of David. Thus he hopes to avoid the fulfillment of the prophecy. Babies are snatched from their mothers’ arms and murdered. The last scene of the play shows Herodes, who has died in a barbarous rage, with the bloody corpse of an infant in each arm.

Plot

Act I

Carrasco and Cachopo are playing cards outside a gambling house, while their masters are playing within. As the servants quarrel, sounds of arguments come from inside, where Don Luis and Don Juan are fighting over a card game. Luis has lost the game, but Juan is killed in the ensuing struggle.

That night Doña Inés, Luis’s sister, is visited by Juan’s brother, Diego, who wants to marry her. She, however, spurns his attentions. While they are talking, Fabricio brings the news of Juan’s death at Luis’s hands, and Diego swears to avenge his brother’s murder. Luis and Carrasco, meanwhile, disguise themselves as pilgrims and set out for Toledo, where Luis’s uncle is a canon.

In Toledo Don Pedro has fallen in love with Angélica, a village girl who is in Toledo to adore the Virgin and to take part in a religious celebration. Since Pedro is noble and she is the daughter of a farmer, Angélica refuses his advances, telling him that she cannot believe that his intentions toward her are honorable; therefore Linaro, Pedro’s servant, tells Pedro that he will help him carry her off.

Knowing that Luis has gone to Toledo, Inés too, decides to go there. Luis and Carrasco, on their way to Toledo, pass through la Sagra, where the villagers are celebrating the eve of San Roque’s day with a fiesta. Luis sees Angélica and falls in love with her. At this point Don Pedro and Linardo come to take Angélica and falls in love with her. At this point Don Pedro and Linardo come to take Angélica by force, but Luis protects her and she escapes. She is grateful to Luis, of course, and very much attracted to him. Her cousin Feliciano tries to give Luis a gold chain, but the latter refuses it. Unfortunately, Luis must go on to Toledo, although it is against his wishes as well as Angélica’s. Luis tells Carrasco that they will go to Toledo to see his uncle and that he will then return to Angélica. After their departure, Angélica and Feliciano wonder if it was actually San Roque who came to save her.

Act II

Dressed as a man, Inés is on her way to Toledo when she sees Luis and Carrasco. She overhears their conversation, learning that their uncle is dead and his money left to the Church, and that Luis loves a village girl and plans to stay there to be near her. Meanwhile Pedro and Linardo are still in the area. Pedro has asked Fulgencio, Angélica’s father, for her hand and has been granted permission to marry her. When he and Linardo meet Inés, she (posing as a man) asks to become Pedro’s page, to which Pedro agrees. In this way Inés can be near Luis and see what is going on. By now Angélica has been informed by her father of her forthcoming marriage to Pedro. In spite of her refusal, Fulgencio insists that she must marry Pedro and gives her three days to make up her mind. Her thoughts, however, are still of “San Roque”.

Now Luis and Carrasco appear, disguised as villagers. They talk to Angélica, Luis telling her of having met a pilgrim the previous night who spoke of saving her. She promises to try to help them find jobs. Inés (as a page) comes to talk to Angélica and goes unrecognized by her brother. Luis gives Angélica a note from the pilgrim, which she pretends not to want. Finally she takes it, saying that she will burn it. When Carrasco chats with the page (Inés), he notices a remarkable resemblance between the “page” and Inés. As Luis and Carrasco leave, Luis kisses Angélica’s hand. After their departure Inés informs Angélica that she is really Doña Juana, who has been wronged by Pedro and is trying to avenge her honor. She asks Angélica to pretend that she is going to marry Pedro, but to postpone the wedding for a while. In this way “Juana” will have a chance for revenge and Angélica can appease her father without having to marry Pedro. Feliciano overhears part of this conversation, falls for Inés and follows her. Angélica then reads her letter, which is from Luis, in which he professes his love for her and asks her to send him a message with Tomé, who in reality is Luis, posing as his own servant, and then to help Tomé find employment in the village.

Angélica informs her father of her decision to marry Pedro, but asks that the wedding be delayed. Happy, Fulgencio goes off to tell Pedro, who also is overjoyed upon hearing the news. Feliciano has followed Inés, meanwhile, and she has convinced him that she is really a man, a servant of Juana. Then Inés (as the page) gives Pedro a glove she got from Angélica (by saying she wanted it for a poor person) and tells him that Angélica wants to talk to him that afternoon in the garden. Luis (as Tomé) returns to Angélica, who has gotten him a job as a beekeeper. Carrasco is to be employed as a wine steward. Tomé tells Angélica that Luis is just like him, as Angélica admits to being in love with Luis without even knowing him. Tomé also explains how Luis previously had to flee from Galicia because he had killed a man there.

Act III

At the beehive Angélica and Luis (Tomé) talk. When he wants to kiss her hand again she complains that he is too friendly and that Luis should not trust him so much. He arranges for Luis to meet her at eleven that night. Pedro comes along then and tries to woo Angélica, but Luis (Tomé) keeps interjecting himself between them. Finally Angélica leaves with “Tomé,” while Pedro, irritated, expresses his displeasure at her being so nice to “Tomé.” Inés (as the page) now informs Pedro that he is to meet Angélica at twelve that night. This bit of information is overheard by Feliciano, who plans to go meet her also. Luis does meet Angélica at eleven at her window (where he has to stand on Carrasco’s back to reach up to where she is) and she gives him her hand as his intended. Feliciano arrives next, looking for Pedro. He finds Inés, now dressed as a woman, and pretending to be Angélica, at the window. Inés mistakes Feliciano for Pedro, whom she loves and hopes to marry by means of this ruse of pretending to be Angélica. Pedro, however, recognizes Inés. She gives him her hand as his betrothed, still believing that he is Pedro (although she does remark that his voice sounds a little different.) Pedro himself soon arrives, and Luis and Carrasco return. Feliciano then decides to test Pedro’s valor by drawing him into a sword fight.

Having heard that Pedro’s father plans to marry him off in Madrid, Fulgencio tells Angélica that she and Pedro must marry the next day. Luis and Inés talk, partially overheard by Angélica. Inés calls him by name and he recognizes her. Angélica sees them embrace and hears them say they are to marry, and she naturally assumes that they plan to marry each other. After Inés leaves Luis alone Angélica bursts forth and calls Luis a false, fickle, untrustworthy tyrant, much to his surprise and consternation. After she departs he is stunned and crazed by her rejection and acts quite mad. Angélica tells Pedro that they will marry right away.

Angélica, Fulgencio, Pedro, Inés, and Feliciano are gathered together when Inés reveals her true identity and says she is promised to Pedro. Pedro reacts to this announcement with surprise and confusion. At this moment a scribe brings the news that Pedro has been married by his father to a woman in Madrid and therefore cannot marry Inés, or anyone else. Luis and Angélica ask Fulgencio’s permission to marry and are granted it. Feliciano explains that he is the person Inés is promised to, so they also are to marry. Fulgencio appoints Carrasco to continue as the wine steward for life, a life better than a king’s, according to Carrasco.

Plot

Act I

In Valencia Don Vicente and Luzón return home after having spent the night gambling, to find that Vicente’s sister, Doña Violante, has fled, leaving a note saying that she has lost her honor to a certain Don Pedro de Mendoza (in reality Don Gabriel), who has also fled. Vicente decides to look for “Don Pedro” and tells Luzón to spread the word that Violante has gone off early in the morning with Don Juan de Aragón in order to marry him. Vicente plans to tell Juan that he started this rumor to explain Violante’s disappearance because a Valencian baron had been pursuing her and he sent her out of town to protect her.

Meanwhile, at an inn in Arganda, the real Don Pedro and his servant Agudo have just returned from the New World. Don Pedro is to marry Serafina. Their fathers are old friends and have arranged the marriage. Don Gabriel and Cornejo, calling themselves “Don Pedro” and “Beltrán” arrive at the same inn, and Pedro invites them to eat with him. Their luggage is put in Pedro’s room, next to his. Gabriel explains that he is on his way from Madrid to Vallecas, although just the opposite is true.

Violante, dressed as a peasant (labradora), and Aguado are on their way to Madrid to find “Don Pedro.” Aguado is pretending to be a nobleman, the husband of Violante. He finds a place for her to stay in Vallecas with Blas Serrano, telling Blas that his (Aguado’s) family would not condone his marriage to a peasant girl so he has brought her here to protect her. She is to sell bread for Blas in Madrid.

Shortly after their arrival in Vallecas, Violante and Aguado meet Don Pedro and Agudo. Pedro is angry with Agudo because the latter took the wrong luggage when they left the inn, mistaking Gabriel’s bag for Pedro’s. All of Pedro’s letters of credit, identification, jewels, and gold bars from the New World were in the other bag; however, Mateo, the boy who takes care of the mules, has returned to the inn to exchange the luggage. When Pedro presents himself to Violante as Don Pedro de Mendoza, she is surprised, but says nothing to him regarding her earlier meeting with “Don Pedro.” Mateo returns with the news that the other fellow had already left the inn, not traveling toward Vallecas but toward Alcalá. In an effort to find out who the other person is they open the bag that they have. A picture of Violante falls out, but she quickly retrieves it. The bag contains a poem dedicated to Violante, who realizes that it is the other man who is the one she is after, and that he is just pretending to be Pedro. There is also a letter of introduction addressed to Mosén Romen, from his nephew Don Martín, who explains that the bearer of the letter, Don Gabriel de Herrera, has had to flee from Flanders because of an argument with a German officer in which Gabriel killed the latter. Don Martín asks his uncle to forgive Gabriel and to give him aid. Now Violante knows the real name of her violator. She plans to go to Madrid in the guise of a baker to search for him. Pedro also continues his trip to Madrid in order to find Gabriel and his missing luggage.

Act II

Gabriel and Cornejo are talking in front of Don Gómez’s house in Madrid. Gabriel proposes to gain entrance to the house by impersonating Pedro. He would then continue the deception, marry Serafina and thereby have a secure future. Cornejo points out to him that this is a risky plan because the real Pedro might turn up. Soon Don Gómez appears, accompanied by Serafina, Juan and Polonia. Serafina is anxious for Pedro to arrive, but no letter from him has yet come. Juan, Serafina’s brother, suggests that he may come in person without writing. At this point Gabriel introduces himself as Don Pedro de Mendoza and Don Gómez and the others welcome him enthusiastically. Serafina is very pleased with “Pedro.”

Juan sees Violante, dressed as “Teresa,” selling bread at his house, and courts her, but she pretends to think he is joking. Pedro, knowing that this is Don Gómez’s home, arrives with Agudo and presents himself to Don Gómez and the others, but they do not believe him, judging him to be crazy. Violante realizes that he is really Pedro and later manages to advise him to get witnesses who can identify him. Although he knows no one in Madrid, he plans to get persons from Seville who can vouch for him. In the meantime she will make sure that Gabriel and Serafina do not marry. She explains to Pedro that she tracked Gabriel down by finding the house of the Serafina that Pedro was supposed to marry.

At the inn next door to Don Gómez’s house, Vicente runs into Aguado, who explains that Violante is at a convent and that he is looking for “Pedro,” who is in Madrid, but who in fact is named Gabriel. He brings the poem and letter from Gabriel’s bag, which is still in Pedro’s room. Upon seeing this evidence, Vicente sends Aguado for the bailiff (alguacil) so that he can have justice. Aguado, of course, knows that Pedro is not the man Vicente is looking for, but he is willing for Pedro to be the scapegoat in order to keep himself out of trouble with Vicente.

Agudo advises Pedro to get someone from Seville to come to identify him and to inform the merchants from whom he had letters of credit so that they would not honor them. Vicente comes, followed soon by Don Gómez, Gabriel, Juan, Serafina, Violante (as Teresa), and Cornejo. Gabriel is indignant that anyone would deny that he is Pedro and is ready to challenge the “imposter.” When he sees Pedro he asks him how he can possibly affirm that he (Pedro) is Don Gabriel when he is Pedro, to which Pedro replies that Gabriel has falsified the whole story and that the best solution is with swords. The others, however, try to dissuade Gabriel from fighting, telling him that they know that he is telling the truth. Before they can settle the matter, however, Aguado arrives with the bailiff. Vicente declares that Pedro has offended his sister, killed a German officer, and caused all the uproar of the moment. The bailiff prepares to take Pedro and Agudo to jail Violante denies knowing Pedro, for her own reasons, because she wants to avenge herself on Gabriel her own way. Agudo says that it is impossible for him to go against so many. Aguado denies ever having seen Pedro before when Pedro reminds him about being present when the luggage was mixed up. Violante tells Aguado to see her the next day. Vicente goes to the jail to see that justice is done. The others leave and Juan resumes his flirtation with Violante.

Act III

Taking her own identity, Violante rents a house and summons Don Luis, a cousin of Gabriel, in order to tell him her story and that Gabriel pretended to be Pedro and tried to marry Serafina, that Gabriel is now in jail (although it is really Pedro who is incarcerated, of course), and that Violante wants Gabriel to marry her and remove her dishonor. Luis tells her that Gabriel’s older brother has died and left him wealthy. Luis will enlist the aid of this friends at court and will make Gabriel free to marry her. The plan is for him to bring Gabriel to Vallecas, where Violante is to be an attendant at the wedding of the peasant girl who helped her locate Gabriel. After Luis departs, Violante, pretending to be a recent arrival from the New World (indiana) who was supposed to marry Pedro (Gabriel) and who has come from the New World for vengeance because he violated her honor, calls Juan and tells him her story. He observes her resemblance to “Teresa,” but she says that he could only have seen her previously if he had been in Mexico. She shows him a portrait of “Pedro” and one of herself to substantiate her claims. Juan offers to avenge her honor, but she asks him to wait, because she will find a way.

Gabriel confides to Cornejo that he just wants Serafina, not Pedro’s money, so he has written to his older brother, Don Antonio, for money, which he plans to have delivered to Pedro (but referring to him as Gabriel) at the jail, explaining that it has come from Don Antonio. Don Gómez has lent him some money in the meantime, and he is going to repay him with the proceeds he will get from the gold and jewels in Pedro’s trunk, which has not yet arrived from the New World. Since he is now anxious to get on with his marriage to Serafina before witnesses arrive from Seville to identify Pedro, the wedding is set for the next day.

Violante (as Teresa) tells Juan that she is to marry Antón, the son of Bras Serrano, the following day, and asks him to come and take Antón’s place so that she can promise herself to Juan, not Antón. He agrees to do what she wishes. Still posing as Teresa, Violante informs Serafina that “Pedro” (Gabriel) has had another love brought from the Indies and that she is lodged in a nearby house. Serafina is to attend “Teresa’s” wedding the next day, so that ‘Teresa” can point out the woman to her.

Valdivieso delivers the money to Pedro (who identifies himself as Gabriel to the messenger, because the latter assumes him to be Gabriel). Pedro does not understand how his “brother” could be sending him money in response to a request, but he is happy to receive it. Luis then comes to the jail and Pedro again pretends to be Gabriel because Luis calls him by that name Luis frees Pedro and Agudo and tells them that they are going to Vallecas so that Pedro can marry Violante to restore her honor. Luis confirms that Gabriel’s brother has died and left him a fortune. Pedro remains very confused because Luis says that Violante has identified him as Gabriel, the man who seduced her.

In Vallecas plans are proceeding for the marriage of “Teresa” and Antón. Aguado agrees to give her up in order to please his family and for her own safety. Violante, as Teresa, returns from Madrid; saying that other people from Madrid will be arriving soon, and in fact a large group — Vicente, Juan, Gómez, Serafina, Cornejo, Gabriel, Luis, Pedro, and Agudo — appear. Luis has persuaded Vicente to come to witness the restoration of his sister’s honor. Pedro, upon seeing Violante, recognizes her as the villager who refused to identify him. She leaves the others in order to change clothes, and soon enters dressed as a lady. Revealing who she really is, she straightens out all of the confusion and mistaken identities. She will marry Gabriel, thus regaining her honor, and Pedro and Serafina will wed, as planned. Gabriel is forgiven for his deceit and is informed about the inheritance he has received because of his brother’s death.