Gómez Arias
CHAPTER X.
A do el favor antiguo? a do la gloria De mi pasado tiempo y venturoso? A do tantos despojos y vitoria!
_Herrera._
I am merrier to die, than thou art to live.
_Shakespeare._
The fatal day of the trial arrived; the evidence was heard, the factsfully substantiated. Gomez Arias convicted of treason and condemned tolose his head on a scaffold! This sentence filled the inhabitants ofGranada with indescribable horror. The man, who a few days before hadbeen the theme of general admiration; he, who came victorious, borne onthe wings of fortune to the highest pinnacle of honor, was now, by thesame capricious turn of fate, shorn of all his dignity and splendor,and condemned to the horrors of an ignominious death. He, who had solong awakened the jealousy of the great, was now the object of generalcompassion.
Theodora had been schooled in affliction, and familiarized withsuffering, yet when she was apprised of the result of the trial, manycircumstances conspired to add to the intensity of her grief. Sheconsidered herself as the primary, though innocent cause of herhusband's untimely fate; all his ingratitude and cruelty; all thetreachery of which he had been guilty towards her, were now forgotten,and her vivid fancy, excited by the extent of the danger, now sawnothing but his brilliant qualities, and his untimely fate. Doubly dearwas Gomez Arias to Theodora, when she perceived him on the brink ofdestruction. Hope, however, did not entirely forsake her, though theboding voice of grief, which floated on the air, soon dissolved soenchanting an illusion. If expectation had been great, thedisappointment was now doubly terrible; the sentence had beenpronounced, and the queen alone could mitigate its rigour by virtue ofthe royal prerogative. To this last hope Theodora clung with fondexpectation; Isabella was humane and a woman; she had, it was true,acquired celebrity by the rigid and unimpeachable justice of herdecisions, but could she send to the scaffold, a young and gallantnobleman, to whom she stood indebted for a brilliant victory, withoutinfringing the sacred principles of that justice. She was a woman, andthough heroic and high-minded, still nature must have planted in herbosom the genuine attributes of her sex. Pity, humanity, generosity,would stifle the sterner voice of duty, and she could not repel from herthrone, the humble, yet noble supplicants for mercy; she would be deeplymoved by the tears of one, whom but lately she had made a bride, andwhom another word would make a widow. Besides, the application of manyintimate friends, and many of the first families in the kingdom, couldnot be utterly disregarded by the queen, to whom their services had beenso important.
These soothing ideas in some measure lulled Theodora's apprehensions,and she successfully combated the idea of losing him for ever.Unfortunate woman! soon she was doomed to learn the fallacy of herexpectations! Several strong appeals had already been made to the queen;the first families of Granada had deeply interested themselves in favorof Gomez Arias, but all applications had met with a disheartening andabsolute repulse. Nor indeed could the queen be taxed with ingratitudeand cruelty, for she adduced powerful reasons in her answer to thesupplicants, to prove her inability to comply with their request,without at the same time giving her subjects an example of unjustifiablepartiality. A week had not elapsed, since six men had been executed inthe _Plaza de Bivarrambla_, on account of the same offence for which DonLope stood condemned. With this melancholy precedent, even the mostsanguine in their expectations began to droop, and the death of GomezArias was looked upon as an inevitable misfortune.
Theodora heard the opinion generally entertained with a feeling ofhorror. In vain she cast herself at the feet of the queen, and thereimplored the royal clemency with all the fervid eloquence of grief;Isabella received her with tenderness, but allowed the wretched girl noroom for hope: Theodora's feelings were wrought to the wildest paroxysmof anguish. She flung herself violently on the ground, and in all thepoignancy of her affliction, prayed, fervently prayed for the life ofher husband, the mere life, though by incurring banishment, she might bedoomed to see him no more; the tears of the unfortunate bride fellprofusely; her hands were franticly clasped, and trembled in theintensity of her emotion. It was a picture of distress unutterable. Thequeen beheld it with compassion--she was astonished at the sight of suchaffliction in one so injured as Theodora, but she could not remove hersorrows without a partiality in the administration of justice, which ithad been the pride of her life to avoid.
Evidently distressed, she kindly bade Theodora rise, but with nobledignity she pronounced those memorable words:--
"As a woman, I might forgive a treason against love; as a queen, I cannever forget one committed against my country."
The wretched Theodora was then ordered to retire, but she was unable toobey the mandate. She clung earnestly to the foot of the throne, fondlyimagining that as long as she retained sight of Isabella, she could notlose every hope. Again she was invited to withdraw, the queen humanelywishing to spare her feelings another unnecessary shock, but the objectof her solicitude was not conscious of the kindness of her motive. Anofficer of the governor now entering, proceeded to deliver a roll ofpaper into the hands of the queen. Isabella appeared suddenly agitatedas she received the scroll, whilst a ray of horrible light glancingacross the mind of the wretched supplicant--
"Oh, in mercy do not sign"--she franticly exclaimed. "In the name ofheaven! not yet--do not sign!"
It was too late--the decree which condemned Gomez Arias was signed, andhis unfortunate wife fell senseless to the ground.
In this melancholy state she was carried to her father, who, far frombeing able to afford consolation, was himself a prey to the bitterestwoe.
Gloomily the day wore away, and the inhabitants of Granada beheld withhorror the high scaffold which was already prepared at the Plaza deBivarrambla. An universal mourning seemed to prevail throughout thecity. Every one felt interested and shocked at the approachingexecution, though no one dared to impugn the justice of the sentence, byvirtue of which the noble culprit was about to suffer.
After the condemnation of Gomez Arias, a strong guard was placed at themansion of Count de Tendilla, where he had been confined. He was treatedwith the utmost deference and regard, the queen having particularlycommanded that every attention should be lavished on him; and indeed,until his death warrant was signed, the prisoner had been permitted afree intercourse with his friends and relatives. Thus his prison borerather the resemblance of a levee of a person in power, than the visitsof despairing friends to one in the last stage of mortality. All hisfriends and companions in arms had been assiduous in these mournfulvisits, and he appeared greatly pleased with this testimony of theirregard. Indeed it was his pride which had brought Gomez Arias into thisdreadful predicament, and he was thus highly gratified at the verygeneral interest exhibited in his behalf.
It might be easily seen that he had not yet lost every hope; for to himit seemed impossible that the queen could ever be prevailed on to giveher sanction to the sentence. He fondly recalled to his mind the highfavor in which he had hitherto been held by Isabella--the differenttokens of regard received from her royal hand--the many interviews andeven familiar conversations with which he had been honored. To thesepleasing recollections he added the intercessions of so many powerfuladvocates, all eager to solicit the royal clemency in his behalf. Thus,every thing conspired to buoy up the spirits of the prisoner, and toprolong an illusion from which he was soon to be rudely awakened. He wasconversing in a tranquil, nay, lively manner, with two or three friends,when Count de Tendilla, followed by the official attendants, entered,and in a sad melancholy tone--
"Don Lope," he said, "I deeply lament the necessity to which I amreduced, of being the messenger of woeful tidings; but part of the painI feel in such a disagreeable duty, is removed when I have tocommunicate it to such as Gomez Arias, who have fortitude and courage toknow how to sustain misfortune."
"Proceed, Count," answered Don Lope, with a bitter smile, "let me knowthe worst, and I dare say I shall
have that fortitude which you kindlysuppose me--"
"Don Lope," solemnly said the Count, "your sentence is confirmed, andyou must prepare for death."
"Death!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, with emotion, "death!" Then suddenlycomposing himself, he continued in an indignant tone:--"Well, I mustconfess that I am somewhat struck with your information, Count.Certainly, I was not prepared for so much--banishment and confiscation,I could have expected, but I see that I have most erroneously calculatedon the favor of our Queen--her generosity, indeed, surpasses my mostsanguine ideas."
Count de Tendilla, without seeming to understand this innuendo,proceeded--
"In consideration of your services, Don Lope, the Queen is willing togrant any request you may wish to make. It shall be most religiouslyobserved."
"I am greatly beholden to the Queen," replied Gomez Arias, in the samebitter manner, "but upon my honor, I am already too much indebted to herHighness, and I should be loath to trespass on her indulgence."
"Don Lope," cried Tendilla, with warmth, "you wrong the Queen. At thisvery moment she deplores the necessity which compels her to sign yourdeath warrant. Had there been any means, any honorable method to saveyou from your fate, she would eagerly have seized the opportunity. Shewould willingly forfeit the greatest treasure of her kingdom to saveyour life.--Yes, for your existence she would sacrifice all--all but herduty."
"And when," demanded Gomez Arias, "is this sentence to be carried intoeffect?"
"To-morrow;" replied the governor, "but should you like to profit by thefavor, a respite of two days is granted."
"No," proudly returned Gomez Arias, "I should feel exceedingly mortifiedto disappoint the expectations of the public, who, no doubt, are by thistime anxiously looking for the preparations of the approachingspectacle: no, let the ceremony take place to-morrow; I am ready." Then,turning to young Garcilaso, who had been his companion in the expeditionagainst Mohabed--
"My young friend," he said, "you are a gallant and most promisingsoldier, but be careful how you use the favors of the ladies; for notall your services rendered to a queen will compensate the most trivialdisregard offered to the woman; and above all, be cautious how youmeddle with rings."
Count de Tendilla did not think proper to resent these remarks, for thepresent situation of Gomez Arias precluded the propriety of replying tothe imprudent effusion of his irritated feelings.
"Don Lope," resumed the governor, "I will place your person under nounnecessary restraint, but you must pardon the disagreeable necessity towhich my responsibility reduces me of stationing a guard within yourapartment."
"The presence of soldiers, Count," replied Don Lope, "was neverunpleasant to Gomez Arias; on the contrary, I shall feel particularlygratified; they will, perhaps, tend to dispel the cloud that hangs overmy mind by recalling to memory my former glory; besides, they willacquire a new stimulus to serve their Queen by witnessing theencouraging reward she has in store for her servants."
He now folded his arms and began to pace the room with an affectedindifference, but his inward feelings baffled even the powers of hissuperior mind. No man can feel calm and indifferent under suchcircumstances; it is against the principles of his nature; pride and adue sense of honorable feeling may help him to assume a dignifiedcomposure, or ferocity and callousness may adopt an insolent demeanor ora gloomy tranquillity; but real philosophic evenness of mind exists morein theory than in practice. Nevertheless Gomez Arias manifested nosymptoms of weak regret, and his exclamations bespoke more hisresentment against the queen than the dread of relinquishing life in themidst of a brilliant career. He now seemed to be absorbed in thought andthe governor prepared to take his leave, when--
"Stay," he cried, "upon better reflection, perhaps it will be morerespectful not to refuse the kind offer of my sovereign; I shalltherefore make one request."
"Name it," said Tendilla, kindly; "it shall be granted."
"It is," resumed Don Lope, "that upon my way to the scaffold I may beallowed to head a party of my own gallant soldiers, mounted on mycharger and attended with all military honors."
Count de Tendilla gave an involuntary start at so strange a demand, andlooked steadfastly on Gomez Arias, as if doubting whether compliancemight not be attended with danger. The request might involve the secretof some desperate act, or perhaps only bespoke the workings of a noblepride. However, the governor considered himself justified in grantingthe favor.
"Your wish shall be fulfilled," he said. "Whatever may be the feelingthat prompts you, Don Lope, to make such a request, I and my _own_ guardwill likewise accompany you."
He delivered these words with great significancy of tone and manner,that Gomez Arias might be sure the governor was prepared, should therebe aught in contemplation that might affect the public tranquillity.
"And now," resumed Tendilla, "I must bring you a visitor, Don Lope; onewho earnestly wishes to take a last farewell."
"And who is that charitable being?" inquired Gomez Arias, carelessly;"for if I mistake not, all my friends and relatives have alreadyfulfilled that duty."
"It is your lady," replied Tendilla, "the lovely and unfortunateTheodora."
Gomez Arias made a sign of impatient displeasure, and then, in a coldand constrained manner--
"I am sensible," he said, "of her kindness and self-devotion, but Icannot consent; no, I cannot, I will not see her; and I earnestly prayand hope she may no longer require an interview to which I have alreadygiven an absolute denial."
This was true. Gomez Arias had obstinately refused to see his onceidolized Theodora, nor could all her prayers and entreaties, backed bythe remonstrances of friends, prevail on him to alter so unkind aresolution. This determination might have sprung from a feeling ofhorror for the cause of his death, or of pity for the poignancy of heranguish: perhaps he wished to avoid a scene which was capable ofproducing nothing but terrible or melancholy recollections.
He evinced, however, no reluctance to see his man, Roque. The poorfaithful creature anxiously desired to be admitted; for though theclaims of his master to his gratitude were feeble, yet a livelysentiment of affliction and a degree of horror for having been, thoughunwillingly, one of the instruments to forward the catastrophe, made himdesirous of throwing himself at the feet of Gomez Arias.
Tremblingly the poor valet entered, and as he beheld the noble figure ofDon Lope standing composedly in the middle of the apartment, he couldnot refrain from tears.
"Oh! Don Lope," he cried, despondingly, "my dear and honored master,that it should come to this! That ever I should live to see the mostgallant cavalier in Granada undergo such a sentence!"
He then threw himself at the feet of Gomez Arias, and clasping firmlyboth his knees, in a tone of keen anguish continued--
"Alas! my unfortunate master, I will not rise from the ground until yougrant me full pardon for the share I have in your death. Heaven knowshow unwillingly I have acted, and how sadly I repent the untowardcircumstances which reduced me to that fearful alternative."
"Rise, my good Roque," said Gomez Arias. "I freely forgive thee, notonly the melancholy necessity to which thou hast been compelled, buteven all the other transgressions of which thou hast been guilty in myservice, and I dare say they are not a few; however, as I am toundertake to-morrow so long a journey in which, I suppose, thou hast noinclination to bear me company----"
"_Virgen de las Angustias_," interrupted Roque, "how can you, Senor,speak of such dreadful things in so light a manner?"
"Now, Roque," replied Don Lope, "thou must be silent, at least atpresent, and allow me thy privilege for a time; listen with attention.It is high time to settle my accounts. I am thy debtor, Roque."
"_Valgame Dios_!" exclaimed the valet. "Senor Don Lope, why think ofthese matters at such a time?"
"The best of times," returned his master, "or you run a fair chance ofnot being paid at all."
"But I do not want to be paid," cried Roque, sobbing aloud. "I am sureyou think too meanly of me, if you suppose I came her
e with such onintention."
"No, Roque, I well know thy fidelity, and I mean not to offend thee; butthou must not refuse the last bequest of thy master: here, take this,"he said, delivering a large purse, which the valet could scarcely beprevailed upon to accept. "And here," he continued, taking a ring fromhis finger, "receive this as a token of remembrance," and as Roquehesitated to take it, he added, smiling, "Take it, for I can now giverings away without danger."
"Thank you, my good master, but have you no pledge of affection, no lastremembrance for _her_?"
"Why," answered Gomez Arias, with affected levity, "she will neverforget me. Besides I have nothing worthy of her acceptance--give her mybest wishes, and beseech her to pardon me as freely as I forgive her."
Having said this, he wished to turn away, but Roque again interposed,and in a most doleful tone--
"Alack! Don Lope," he said, "remember what I told you at Guadix; myforebodings did not deceive me, for my prognostication has,unfortunately, been but too truly accomplished. Now, had you then--"
"Gently, my good fellow," interrupted Gomez Arias, "gently; this willnever do; thou camest here in the humble mood of a sinner, to crave myforgiveness, and now thou hast relapsed into thy former calling byassuming the preacher. In goodness forbear, and leave that task to thosewho claim it in virtue of their office. And now, my faithful Roque,begone, for I feel drowsy, and an hour's sleep would not come amiss."
Saying this, he bade his servant kindly adieu, and retired to hiscloset, followed by two guards.
Roque was bewildered, for though he had already had several occasions offorming a just estimation of the character and temper of Gomez Arias,yet he could not comprehend how a man on the eve of death could resignhimself to sleep with the ease and composure which his master evinced.
"_Virgen Santa!_" he ejaculated, "did ever man think of sleep at such atime? Why _los siete durmientes_[46] would have been at fault at such apinch. He is going to sleep; the Lord help him! I am sure I cannotsleep; nay, I don't know whether I shall ever sleep again."
Saying this, poor Roque withdrew, weeping and wondering, and imploringthe protection of all the saints in the calendar, for his unfortunatemaster.