Saving the Queen Read online

  Count de San Lucas

  What do you mean?

  Don Melchior

  This yellow dress—has it not grazed the august corsage of the Queen? May Saint Iago, the patron of valorous men, be of help to me.

  (He goes inside the pavilion)

  Count de San Lucas

  Perhaps I’d do better to abandon him to his fate, but if he marries Beatrix, I am rid of him all the same, and that’s better.

  It is always deplorable for a well-situated uncle to see his nephew appear in a public place.

  (He leaves—a moment later Don Gaspar, wrapped in a cloak, appears)

  Don Melchior (alone)

  They’ve lost my track. I can breathe easy for a moment. What matter, anyway if these Alguazils succeed in arresting me. The sacrifice of my life has occurred—I cannot be happy—what’s the good of dragging out a miserable existence for a long time?

  I am not unaware of the approaching marriage of Doña Beatrix! If I die before it, I will have no more to endure except the cruel thought that she will belong to another. Ah! Why did I meet her on my way? Why did I notice the first time her divine features through the grilled gate of the choir—in that Convent of Burgos?— I too much forgot I am a soldier of fortune. What madness in me with only a cape and sword—to love a rich and noble heiress.

  (At this moment Alguazils pass over a hill at the back. Don Gaspar hides behind a tree.)

  Again those Alguazils. Oh why dispute my life with them? Is it worth the bother? I wanted to suffocate this love—I felt that reason was powerless. Doña Beatrix came to court—I followed her there, giving myself the pretext that I had to solicit a reward long since promised for my services. Rather, it was because I could not live far from her! And today again, if I got into the Park of Aranjuez, if I mixed with the royal hunt, I was still urged on by the ardent desire of seeing her—if only it were for an instant. It’s my only happiness. I’ve never dared to accost her—to say to her: I love you! No, never!— My pride is revolted at the idea of being greeted with disdain! And what hope remains to me? Now that Doña Beatrix is the fiancée of this Don Melchior? Now especially that there’s a price on my head, like that of a felon and a traitor. I touched the Queen of Spain. It’s a crime of lèse-majesty! Of high treason. The Prosecutor will employ the old statutes of Don Enrique the mournful and Don Pedro the lawgiver.— And I will die!

  My fate will be inevitable. How will I succeed in getting out of The Park of Aranjuez? The Alguazils have spread out on all sides— Ah—night is falling—I could, perhaps, profit from this darkness to reach some postern or to climb the walls of this enclosure. Let’s attempt a last effort—and may all the Saints of Castile be my help.

  (He leaves at the left. At the same moment Griselda arrives from the rear.)

  Griselda (looking around her)

  Over here—did the queen tell me? She saw him flee this way. Nobody.

  (The Queen enters on Beatrix’ arm)

  Queen

  Well, Griselda?

  Griselda

  I’ve searched vainly, Señora, I didn’t see him.

  Doña Beatrix

  Allow me to mention to Your Majesty that night is falling, that we are alone.

  Queen

  Who cares?— If I am distracted it’s by design—I admit it to you, Beatrix—I had a plan in separating myself from the body of the hunt. A vague hope of meeting the generous stranger who was not afraid to risk his life for me.— Oh! I would so like to see him again, to thank him—

  Griselda

  And it’s toward this part of the woods that Your Majesty saw him flee—this young hero?

  Queen

  That’s the way it seemed to me through my faint. He didn’t go, at the risk of being hanged, until my people arrived. I already feel myself an ingrate for not having expressed my gratitude to him already.

  He might think that I am abandoning him to his peril—That thought is troublesome to me— On behalf of my Queen’s crown, I will save him, I will reward him—I will know how to shield him from this cruel and stupid law— What will we do to those who hate us if this is the way we treat those who are devoted to us?

  Doña Beatrix

  Thanks, Madame, thanks for these kind and generous words—I was expecting no less from Your Majesty. You know the promise that I made. I will keep it with joy. What do I care about the name of this young man? For Beatrix d’Astorga he’s called—the Savior of the Queen. There’s no more beautiful title in the world.

  Griselda

  I would marry him eyes closed— He must be an accomplished and brave cavalier like the motto on a garter. I would bet on it! To brave death thus with gaiety of heart, that’s not the work of an old man or one ill-built. Assuredly, he deserves interest for his action and his physique.

  Doña Beatrix

  Your Majesty will intercede for him with King Don Philippe, and your prayer will be granted, no question; the King has such affection for you—

  Queen

  Yes, Don Philippe cannot remain deaf to the voice of humanity. In any other country, instead of mercy I would ask for a reward. I will no doubt succeed—for I have some power over him—I will succeed if my influence doesn’t break against that of Alberoni.

  Doña Beatrix

  Alberoni! Isn’t he devoted to Your Majesty? Wasn’t it he who placed you on the throne of Spain, and that we must thank for the kindness on behalf of your subjects?

  Queen

  If he placed me on the throne, he would already make me descend from it. Do you imagine that it was a good memory of his country that made him find me in Parma to make me the wife of Philippe the Fifth, after having driven The Princess des Ursins from Madrid? No— The lofty favorite exerted on the mind of the King an influence which made him grasp the truly prime, incontestable fact—the unarguable need that Spain experienced to have an alliance with an Italian principality.

  Griselda

  Oh! The old Satan! I sniff his malice. He thought the King would listen less to his wife than his mistress.

  Queen

  He took me for a young girl lacking will, a frivolous Italian—occupied with flowers devotions, adornments—a wife for the King and not a Queen— That’s what he wanted to make of Elizabeth Farnese, Grand Duchess of Parma— He’s already able to see he was deceived. Soon he tried to ruin me in the mind of the master. I met him in the way of all my plans; I found him at end of all my requests, like a locked door—and if I implore mercy, he demands punishment.

  Doña Beatrix

  Cussed Italian! Yet he cannot push the spirit of contradiction to the point of wanting to ruin this young man! I tremble. It must have been impossible for him to leave The Park of Aranjuez. They’ve placed Walloon guards and Alguazils at all the exits.

  Griselda

  We are playing with misfortune—here it is night already, and we are going to go back into the castle without having news of him.

  (The noise of a musket shot is heard.)

  Doña Beatrix

  Great God!

  Queen

  What’s happening?

  (Don Gaspar enters as if pursued)

  Don Melchior

  Two inches lower and I was delivered of all my worries—the bullet cut the feather off my hat.

  Griselda

  May my patron saint protect us! I spy a dark cloak in the black night.

  Don Melchior (aside)

  I hear whispering—in feminine voices—it’s not Saint Hermandad—

  Griselda

  Who goes there?

  Don Melchior

  A distracted man.

  Griselda

  That’s not a profession—How is it you find yourself in the park of Aranjuez after the Angelus strikes? Might you be a thief?

  Don Melchior

  Ah, Señora.

  Doña Beatrix

  Are you a poacher?

  Don Melchior

  No more.

  Griselda

  Then, I see no other social po
sition for you—than lover—it’s a position—nocturnal and ambulatory—

  Don Melchior

  That’s a less outraging hypothesis and one I can admit.

  Yes, I agree, love is no stranger to my presence in this park. But now, I am running the greatest perils if I stay here— Miss, your voice is sweet, I divine you are pretty, you must be kind—indicate to me—from mercy—the path that leads to the small postern gate on the road to Bearn, I don’t have a minute to lose. The Alguazils are on my track.

  Queen

  If it was him!

  Don Melchior

  I must tell you—I committed an imprudence—fatal—which places my life in danger.

  Queen (low)

  No doubt about it.

  (aloud)

  Explain yourself, cavalier—are you the Queen’s savior?

  Griselda (to Beatrix)

  Now this interests you. What a shame you can’t see him clearly.

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Who are these women? Can I give my name?

  Queen

  You don’t reply?

  Don Melchior

  Madame—

  Queen

  This embarrassment makes me believe more—

  Doña Beatrix

  Speak—mercy—

  Griselda

  Count on our discretion—

  Don Melchior (aside)

  These women— That’s lucky.

  Queen

  You interest us more than you can think.

  Doña Beatrix

  Have no fear. We aren’t the ones who will denounce you.

  Griselda

  We don’t have lovers in the police.

  Don Melchior (aside)

  Indeed, my situation cannot be worse.

  Queen

  Your confidence can be useful to you.

  Don Melchior

  Well, yes—I admit— It was I who had the perilous honor of bringing help to Her Majesty.

  Doña Beatrix

  Noble young man!

  Queen

  Devoted heart!

  Griselda

  Worthy offshoot of the Cid!

  Queen (going to him)

  It’s you—you who have no fear, to save the Queen, to expose yourself to a terrible punishment. Ah—be sure, Sir, that the Queen understands all your devotion—if she were here, she would be happy to thank you.

  Don Melchior

  Who are you to know thus the feelings of the Queen?

  Queen

  A woman from whom Elizabeth Farnese has no secrets—one of her friends—for the Queen can have them.

  (She takes Beatrix’s hand)

  Griselda

  Be careful—I see the torches of the escort shining through the trees.

  Don Melchior

  I am lost.

  Queen

  Not at all!— We will hide you tonight in this very palace.

  Doña Beatrix

  But in the meantime, my God! What to do?

  Griselda

  Ah! That pavilion!— Go in there!

  Queen

  A page will come seek you there.

  (He goes into the pavilion. A moment later the Count enters with the Queen’s entourage and lackeys bearing torches.)

  Count de San Lucas

  Over here, gentlemen. I perceive the Queen. Your carriage awaits you, Madame—with eight indispensable mules.

  Queen (to a page)

  Take these doubloons, Hilario!

  Count de San Lucas (to another page)

  Take this purse, Rafael—

  Queen (pointing to the pavilion at the right)

  (to Hilario)

  My savior is here!

  Count de San Lucas (to Rafael—pointing to the pavilion at the left)

  The Queen’s savior is there.

  Queen (to Hilario)

  You will introduce him tonight to the palace—to Griselda’s apartment.

  Count de San Lucas (to Rafael)

  You will lead him tonight to the palace to my quarters.

  Queen

  To the castle, gentlemen.

  Count de San Lucas

  Make way for the Queen. In my capacity as general Master of Ceremonies and as gallant hidalgo, I dare throw my cloak by the path of our beautiful sovereign.

  (They light the Queen’s way with torches, she gives her hand to the Count, and the curtain falls)

  C U R T A I N

  ACT II

  THE SECOND DAY

  Griselda’s room in the castle of Aranjuez. Door at the back and left. Window to the spectator’s right.

  At Rise, The Queen and Doña Beatrix are seated near a table on which there are candles. Griselda looks through the door.

  Queen

  Well, Griselda?

  Griselda

  Our knight, our Amadis, hasn’t arrived yet.

  Doña Beatrix

  I am so impatient.

  Queen

  Get hold of yourself, dear Beatrix, it’s a good Spanish league from the rest pavilions of the hunt to the castle of Aranjuez.

  Griselda (coming to the front of the stage.)

  And God knows that a Spanish league is capable of wearying the patience and the legs of a saint.

  Queen

  Don’t be afraid—I have confided this delicate mission to my faithful page, Hilario.

  Griselda

  I know it—he’s sharp like a needle. And what reassures me further is the stupidity of the Alguazil Martínez. When he pursues others, he’s the one that gets caught. And he won’t have a sufficiently unlucky hand to arrest our hero.

  Doña Beatrix

  How hurried I am to see him! Our meeting in the woods was so absurdly interrupted by Your Majesty’s escort—we don’t even know his name.

  Griselda

  Don’t worry—I bet he’s at least a Medina-Coeli or a Sotomayor. You are really lucky, Doña Beatrix! As for me, I’m dying of envy to marry a noble! I’m vain enough not to think myself a morsel for a commoner.

  Doña Beatrix

  Madwoman! I begin to glimpse many obstacles to our union. First of all, this young cavalier already seems to be gripped by a profound and mysterious passion. And then, it’s in vain that Her Majesty has already solicited mercy for him.

  Queen

  Yes, what I foresaw has happened—suddenly Alberoni has arrived to oppose his influence to mine.

  Griselda

  Cussed Italian! Ah—if instead of a servant’s cap I wore the crown of a Queen—I know what I would do—

  Queen

  What would you do?

  Griselda

  I would undertake to smash Alberoni and I’d display all the shards to Europe.

  Doña Beatrix

  Griselda’s right—why does Your Majesty allow yourself to be dominated by an adventurer, a parvenu?

  Griselda

  A man from nothing— At first a bell ringer at Parma then a chef for the Duke de Vendome—and who today pretends to crush through his influence a Grand Duchess of Parma.

  Doña Beatrix

  A queen of Spain.

  Queen (rising)

  We will see—the future will decide— Meanwhile, we are here obliged to watch over this poor young man!

  Doña Beatrix (rising)

  What are we going to do? How to get him away from his pursuers?

  Griselda

  That duty is my concern—it is proper that each of us do something for him. Her Majesty promises to protect him. Doña Beatrix promises to marry him—and as for me—I promise to hide him.

  Doña Beatrix

  Where?

  Griselda

  Right here.

  Queen

  In your chamber!

  Griselda

  I will answer to you for his safety as for my virtue.

  Queen (smiling)

  Griselda.

  Doña Beatrix

  The Count.

  (The Count enters.)

  Count de San Lucas (after bowing
ceremoniously.)

  Majesty—I am coming on behalf of the King! The court ball has begun. The Ambassadors of France and England will soon arrive. Etiquette demands your presence.

  Queen

  I am going to follow you, Señor Count—but first, tell me—

  What do you know about those two young men so gravely compromised?

  Count de San Lucas

  Most strict orders have been given. They will succeed, without doubt, to be recognized—and the truly guilty will be arrested.

  Queen

  What! You wish it?— What do you actually think of all this?

  Count de San Lucas (aside)

  What to say to her?

  (aloud)

  I will reply with frankness to Your Majesty— In the circumstance—sometimes folks to try to elude—but I who have sometimes been brutally suave—who, by profession profess the deepest respect for etiquette.

  Doña Beatrix (to the Count)

  Take care, uncle—the Queen in her turn wants to save her savior.

  Count de San Lucas

  Majesty—I see in this audacious act, a sublime exploit—

  Queen

  Right on, Count.

  Count de San Lucas (proudly)

  I’ve always had the courage of my opinions.

  Queen

  I’m deeply interested in my liberator—

  Count de San Lucas

  Ah, what happiness for me—I can inform you of his name.

  Doña Beatrix

  You know it?

  Griselda

  Tell us quickly.

  Count de San Lucas

  It’s Don Melchior—my nephew.

  Doña Beatrix

  My cousin.

  Queen

  Are you sure of it?

  Count de San Lucas

  Oh—persuaded.

  Queen

  He told you?

  Count de San Lucas

  Swore it—and I thank heaven over it—I no longer have to fear for Beatrix a misalliance with a mysterious adventurer.

  Griselda

  The other hero, what became of him?

  Count de San Lucas

  No one knows. As for Don Melchior, thanks to the countless tact which characterizes me—I’ve guessed the generous intentions of Your Majesty.

  Queen

  What have you done?

  Count de San Lucas

  I charged my page Rafael to bring him to the palace tonight.

  Griselda

  Ah! That’s like us—

  Queen

  This is a bizarre coincidence. Where did you actually leave him?

  Count de San Lucas

  In one of the rest pavilions for the hunt.