The virgin of the sun : $b A play, in five actsKotzebue, August von
General
The virgin of the sun : $b A play, in five acts
Kotzebue, August von
German drama -- Translations into English; Tragedies (Drama)
_Diego._ (_Assuming an angry tone_) Who told you that I was in the wrong
path?—Signor High-Priest, I would have you to know, that neither in
Castile nor Arragon, neither in Grenada nor Murcia, no, nor in any other
of the countries belonging to my king, by whatsoever name distinguished,
has any mother’s son ever been known to excel Diego in valour and virtue.
_High-Priest._ (_smiling_) I readily believe it. And what gives the
greater currency to this assurance is, that it is uttered by yourself.
_Diego._ It was forcibly extorted by you, from my modesty.
_High-Priest._ Pardon me!—And now permit me to request an explanation of
this riddle?—How can you be wandering at night in so wild a spot as this,
and yet be in the right way?—Are you alone, or is your master near?—What
is it you want?—for never can I be persuaded that you come hither only
for a walk.
_Diego._ (_with hesitation_) Since you press me so closely then—I—must
confess—that—I am in love.
_High-Priest._ (_smiling_) You are in love?
_Diego._ (_extravagantly_) Yes, in love to desperation!—I am tortured
with jealousy; driven almost to phrenzy!—In the tumult of passion I am
now hurried up to the summits of the highest hills, now driven into the
lowest recesses of a subterranean cavern,—till at length I have wandered
insensibly into this spot, devoted to tender feelings, here to hold
solitary intercourse with the mournful turtle-doves.
_High-Priest._ This spot does indeed seem to be selected by the gods, as
an asylum for enamoured fools.
_Diego._ Here will I tell of my sorrows to the silent trees!—here breathe
out my amorous sighs to the chaste moon!
_High-Priest._ Thou art a coxcomb! (_Exit._)
_Diego._ (_Alone_) A coxcomb!—So much the worse for you Signor!—for if
such be the case, the most illustrious High-Priest of the Sun has been
made the sport of a coxcomb. Live wit, say I—it will fetch its price in
the new world, as well as in the old.—But is he really gone?—Yes.—I hear
nothing more!—Hist!—Hist!—(_He goes and looks out at the other side of
the stage._)
SCENE IV.—_Enter DON ALONZO and DON JUAN. The latter with a large Cloak
wrapped round him._
_Juan._ Are we safe, Diego?
_Diego._ A fine question, truly.—Yes, as safe as men can be who are
wandering about a forest in the dead of night, and under the open canopy
of heaven, after, saving your honour’s presence, a piece of knavery. By
Saint Barnabas I believe we are about as safe as a drunkard who should
attempt to cross the river Amazons upon a wire.
_Juan._ Have you seen any thing?
_Diego._ In the dark I seldom _see_ any thing—but I have _heard_—
_Alonzo._ What!—what have you heard?
_Diego._ The voice of the great High-Priest himself.
_Alonzo._ The High-Priest!—What could he want here?
_Diego._ To put me into the right path, nothing more. It is the same in
this, as in all other countries, Priests are the only people who are able
to lead us into the right path.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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