_Ant._ Don Felix, sir. The friend of him you slew last night. _Gasp._ Well, what is this message? _Ant._ One, sir, that will demand a life--or yours or his. It is so coarsely worded that I dare not give it. It will too much provoke you. _Gasp._ Give it me straight, and let me have it word for word. _Ant._ He told me first, sir, that you were--a villain. _Gasp._ (_catching Antonio by the throat_). How, sirrah? _Ant._ It was not I who said so--'twas Don Felix. _Gasp._ True. I was hasty. Now proceed. _Ant._ A villain--of no parentage. _Gasp._ What? scoundrel! _Ant._ I have said too much, sir.--You'll excuse the rest. _Gasp._ (_much irritated_). No, no, no--go on; leave out a word and I will murder you. _Ant._ (_aside_). Then I stand a bad chance either way, not so amusing as I thought. (_Aloud._) He did say something else, but 'twas of no moment-- _Gasp._ (_putting his hand to his sword_). Your message, to the letter. _Ant._ A vile impostor. _Gasp._ (_striking him_). How? _Ant._ Oh, mercy, sir! you take me for Don Felix. _Gasp._ I am wrong. (_Throws his purse to Antonio._) You said a villain--of no parentage--a vile impostor--ha! was there any more? _Ant._ Yes, sir; and which I think I may deliver without farther danger to myself. He added, "If there's manhood in him, he will appoint a time and place, when and where I may meet him." _Gasp._ I ask no better. Tell him, this evening, at the copse of trees where Perez fell, he may expect me. Take my answer straight. _Ant._ Shall I go now? _Gasp._ Yes; fly to his house. Tell him from me--no, no--tell him no more than I have said already, I'll wait for your return. Haste, haste. [_Exit Antonio._ A villain of no parentage!--Impostor! A vile impostor!--He but states the truth, Yet will I crush him, that he hath stumbled On that truth. Yes! of no parentage!--Why-- Why is this constant pining of the heart, As if it felt itself defrauded still Of rights inherent? If I'm basely born Why do I spurn the common herd of men? The eaglet that regains its liberty, Soars to the sun at once--it is its nature: While meaner birds would hop from spray to spray. Oh! would I had ne'er been born.-- To-morrow I intend to leave for ever Her whom I love--the sacred walls I hate, In some far distant land to die unheeded. My Isidora has desired my presence, And strange, admits me in the open day. Within an hour of this she will receive me, Then must I falter out my last adieu. This evening also I must meet Don Felix.-- _Re-enter Antonio._ So soon return'd! Hast thou then seen him? _Ant._ I have, sir; I met him as I gained the door, and your message was duly delivered. He answered, that _he_ would not fail, and that he trusted his _sword_ would not fail either. _Gasp._ Should his sword fail, I must not return for many days; should it not _fail_, I return no more. But having balanced thus my brief account Of love and hate, I'll quit fair Spain for ever. [_Exit._