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WHETHERYOULIKEITORNOT(AFREETRANSLATIONOFLAMUJERPORFUERZA)

by

TIRSODEMOLINAEnglishtranslationandadaptationby

JOSÉMARÍARUANODELAHAZA

DRAMATISPERSONAE

FINEA,aHungarianlady

FABIO,herservant

ALBERTO,aHungariangentleman,Finea’sbrother

LUSIDORO,hisfriend.

COUNTFEDERICO,aNeapolitangentleman

CLARÍN,hisservant

FLORELA,aNeapolitanlady

FELISA,herservant

FENISA

KINGOFNAPLES

MARQUISLUDOVICO

NOTE:Spanish17th-c.playswerewrittentobestagedonabarestageplatformbackedbya‘tiring

housecoveredwithcurtains.Ifpropswereneeded,suchasaking’sthrone,atableorsome

chairs,theywereeitherbroughtoutontothestage,orrevealedatthebackbyopeningthe‘tiring

housecurtain.

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SCENEONE

EnterFineaandherservant,Fabio.

FABIO.Imprudent!Mostimprudent!

FINEA.Youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutlove.

FABIO.Butyourloveisforamanwhoisabouttoreturntohiscountryandhasn’tseteyeson

you!

FINEA.True;he’sneverseenme.Butthat’sbecausemybrotherfearedwhat,bykeepingmeaway

fromhim,actuallyhappened.Listentome,Fabio.HowcanImakeyouunderstandmy

feelings,mypassion,myfondnessforthisman?SincehearrivedthreedaysagofromNaples

and,throughtheholesofmylatticewindow,Icaughtaglimpseofhismalecharms,I’velost

mysleepandmyappetite.Secretly,I’vewatchedhimeverydayhe’sbeenourguest,from

themomenthegotupinthemorninguntil,afterdiningwithmybrother,heretiredatnight.

AndIfellinlovewithhim,Fabio,Idid.Icouldn’thelpit.AndnowIcan’tbearthethoughtof

beingseparatedfromhim.That’swhyIamdeterminedtofollowhim...tohishomeorto

theendsoftheEarth,ifnecessary.AndeventuallyI’llmarryhim.You’llsee.Whetherhe

likesitornot.HowI’llmanageit,Idon’tknowyet.Fornow,myplanistodisguisemyselfas

aman,followhimtoNaples,andwithabitofluck,becomeapageatCourt,whereI’m

boundtobumpintohim.Afterthat,I’llthinkofsomething,anything,tomakehimfallinlove

me.Anddon'tyoutrytodissuademe!It’stoolate.I’mawomaninloveandI’lldowhatever

ittakestogetmyman!

FABIO.AndisitpartofyourschemethatIshouldaccompanyyou?

FINEA.Ofcourse!That’swhyItoldyouthewholething.But,quick!Heretheycome.He’sleaving!

Ican’tstandit!I’llgetready.Waitformehere.

ExitFineaandenterAlbertoandFedericoandClarín.

ALBERTO.MydearFederico,HisMajesty,whomGodmaypreserve,entrustedyoutomycare;but

I’mafraidI’veprovedtobeanabjectfailure.I’vebeenaterriblehost.

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FEDERICO.Farfromit,Alberto.IwishIcouldreturnthefavourandlookafteryouinmyhousein

Naplesaslavishlyandgenerouslyasyou’veentertainedmeinyours.Toaddtomy

happiness,mymissioninHungary,asmyKing’sambassador,hasbeenasuccessandsweet

peacehasbeenrestoredtobothourcountries.WhatelsecouldIwishfor?Well,onemore

thing,actually...Ihavebeentoldthatyouhaveasisterandamverysorrynottohavehad

theopportunitytomeether.ForIassureyouthat,hadIseenher,Iwouldhavereturnedto

Naplesamarriedman.

ALBERTO.Finealoveshersolitudeandthat’sthereasonyou’venothadthechancetomakeher

acquaintance.ButI’mexceedinglygratefultoyouforevenconsideringthepossibilityof

marryingher.

FEDERICO.Well,Irepeat:Iregretnothavingmether.

ALBERTO.It’sagreathonourformetohavebeenofusetoyou.

FEDERICO.Alberto,I’llwritetoyouassoonasIarriveinNaples.

ALBERTO.IwishyouGodspeed.Please,letmeaccompanyyoutoyourcarriage.

FEDERICO.Please,don’t.ForthenI’llfeelobligedtoaccompanyyoubacktoyourhouse.Andthen

you’llinsistinaccompanyingmeagaintomycarriage,andI,backtothehouse….Andsoon

adinfinitum.

ALBERTO.Verywellthen.Shallweproceed?It’sgettinglate.

FEDERICO.Butyouwillremainhere.

ALBERTO.Iwishtobeofserviceuntiltheveryend.

FEDERICO.Alberto,farewell.

ExeuntFedericoandClarín.

ALBERTO.That’satruegentleman!

FABIO.Everyonehereagrees.He’slavishedhandsomepresentsonallyourservants.

ALBERTO.That’sthewayagentlemanshowshisgratitude.

FABIO.MyladyFinea,yoursister,coulddoworsethanmarrysuchaman.

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ALBERTO.IdidnotwanthimtoseeherpreciselybecauseIknewhe’dfeelobligedtomakesuch

anoffer.IknowhowcourteousNeapolitannoblemencanbe!

FABIO.Butifhelikedher…

ALBERTO.Weshallsee…I’mnotinprincipleopposedtotheidea.

FABIO.Whydon’tyouwritetohim?

ALBERTO.First,he’llhavetowritetomereiteratinghisdesiretomarrymysister.Theofferhe’s

justmadewaspromptedsolelybyhisgoodmannersandtherulesofcourtesy.Heshouldn’t

feelobligedtomarryherjustbecauseI’vebeenagoodhost.Noteverygratefulguestis

goingtoreturntohiscountrynewlywed.Whenhewrites,we’llknowifhe’sseriousabout

it.

SCENETWO

EnterFedericoandClarín,hisservant,arguing.

FEDERICO.That’senough,Clarín!I’mtiredofthisargument.

CLARÍN.Butaren’tyouinlovewithFlorela?Haven’tyoubeencourtingherforalongtime?

FEDERICO.IamandIhave.

CLARÍN.Then,whyonearthwouldyoutellAlbertoyou’dmarryhissister,awomanyou’venever

seen?

FEDERICO.HaveIlostanythingbymyproposal?

CLARÍN.Ifhehadn’trepliedlikethetruefriendheis,whatwouldyourstatebenow?

FEDERICO.Married.

CLARÍN.Areyoujoking?

FEDERICO.OfcourseIam.Myoffertomarryhissisterwasonlyamarkofcourtesy.He

understooditassuch.Besides,evenifhissisterwereasbeautifulasanangel,IloveFlorela

andIwouldnothaveacceptedtowedtheKingofHungary’sdaughter,hadHisMajesty

offeredmeherhandinmarriage.

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CLARÍN.Ithinkagentlemancouldoutofgratitudelendhishouse,hishorses,hisbirds,hisbooks,

hisservantseven,toanotherman,buttooffertomarryawomanwhoforallyouknow

couldbeasuglyassinsurpassethallunderstanding.

FEDERICO.You’reright.Itwasabitrecklessofme.

CLARÍN.IfFlorelawereajealouswoman,you’dbeinbigtrouble,sir.

FEDERICO.Allright.That’senough.Don’tberatemeanymore.I’llmorecarefulnexttime.

CLARÍN.Youbetterbe.Oryou’llendupmarriedtothedaughterofthenextinnkeeperwemeet.

FEDERICO.Holdyourtongue!Someone’scoming.

EnterFineainmen’sclothingandFabio.

FINEA.Goodmorning,mylord!

FEDERICO.Goodmorningtoyou,youngman!Whatbringsyouhere?

FINEA.Asyoucanseebyourclothes,webothhailfromHungary.

FEDERICO.Andwhereareyouheadingnow?

FINEA.Italy,mylord.

FEDERICO.Whatcity?

FINEA.Naples.

FEDERICO.Ah,whatacoincidence!ThathappenstobemycityandI’monmywaythere.We’rein

ahurry,butyou’rewelcometotravelwithus,ifyouwish.

FINEA.Itwillbeanhonour,mylord.

FEDERICO.Verywellthen.IamCountFederico.

FINEA.Yourhumbleservant.

FEDERICO.Andwhat,mayIask,takesyoutoNaples?

FINEA.Illfortune,sir,whichI’mhopingwillchangebychangingcountries.

FEDERICO.I’msorrytohearthat’swhatbringsyoutoItaly.

FINEA.Forgivemyboldness,sir,butitwouldbemygreatestjoyandpleasuretoenteryour

countryasyourservant,mygraciouslord.

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FEDERICO.Consideritdone.Fromthismomentyou’llenjoymyprotectionasamemberofmy

household.

FINEA.Mylord,thisexceedstheboundariesofthemostexquisitecourtesy.

FEDERICO.Yourname?

FINEA.Celio,sir.

FEDERICO.Andwho’sthataccompanyingyou?

FINEA.Anoldservant,mylord,whowillhenceforthbeyoursaswell.

FEDERICO.Well,mygoodfellow,myhouseawaitsyoutoo.

FABIO.Atyourservice,mylord.

FEDERICO.Clarín,makesurethey’relookedafterandthenlet’sgetreadytoresumeourjourney.

ExitFederico.

CLARÍN.Well,Celio,you’velandedonyourfeet!MylordtheCountisverykindandgenerousto

hisservants.

FINEA.Icanseehe’stheflowerofchivalry.

CLARÍN.Thatheis!Onlytoday,thesillymannearlyfellintoatrap.He’ssuchacourteous

gentlemanthat,gratefultohishost,heofferedtomarryhissister!

FINEA.Ibethesawherandfellinstantlyinlove.

CLARÍN.No!Heneverevenclappedeyesonher.Herbrothermustbethejealoustype.Hekept

herhiddenfromus.She’sprobablyquiteafloozy!

FINEA.Iamsuresheis.Likeallwomen.So,he’sunmarriedthen.

CLARÍN.Unmarried,butIsuspectnotforlong.He’sinlovewithabeautifullady,wholoveshim

too.

FINEA.ShelivesinNaples?

CLARÍN.That’sright.

FINEA.Hername?

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CLARÍN.Florela.AndIhavethefeelingyou’regoingtogettoknowherquitewell.Yousee,until

nowIwastheirgo-between,bringinglittlesecretnotes,andarranginglittlesecret

meetings,butIthinkyou’llprovefarmoreadeptatthatbusinessthanIam,andwillsoon

takeoverthejob,withmyblessings.

ExitClarín.

FABIO.I’mafraidtoaskwhatyou’replanningtodonext.

FINEA.Thisisaserioussetback,Fabio.ButoneneverknowswhatFortunehasinstoreforus,

especiallyif(withawink)Igiveitanudgeintherightdirection.

SCENETHREE

EnterFlorelaandFelisa,herservant.

FELISA.Readhisletterandyou’llknowtheexactdateheleftHungary.

FLORELA.Ican’tstandhisabsence,Felisa.Ilovehimso!

FELISA.TheCountisnottobeblamed.BlametheKing,whohonourshimwiththeseembassies.

FLORELA.Idon’tblamehim,althoughIsupposehecould’verefusedtogo.

FELISA.No,hecouldnot.ButI’msurehe’llbebackbeforeyouknowit.Breakthesealandfind

outexactlywhen.

FLORELA.Idon’tdareto.Justincaseit’sthebearerofbadnews.

FELISA.Whatbadnews?

FLORELA.Maybehemetsomeone…

FELISA.Nonsense.

FLORELA.(Openstheletterandreads:)“MybeautifulFlorela,Iwritefullofsorrow,and

unhappiness!Ifearandliveinuncertaintyanddread!WillIfindyouasconstantinyour

loveaswhenIleft?Haveyouforgottenmealready?Imustreturnswiftlytoyoutofindout

whatmyfatewillbe:eithertolive,ifyoustillloveme;ortodie,ifyouhavefoundsomeone

else.”

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FELISA.Well,whatnow?

FLORELA.Now...NowIamhappy.

SCENEFOUR

EnterKingofNaplesandLudovico.

KING.Letusrejoice.Peacehasbeenrestored.

LUDOVICO.AllcreditbelongstoYourMajesty.

KING.IseebyFederico’sletterthattheKingofHungaryisalsoverypleasedwiththeoutcomeof

thenegotiations.

LUDOVICO.Federicosucceededbeyondallexpectations.

KING.Ipresumehe’swellawareoftheimportanceofkeepingthemarriagearrangementssecret.

LUDOVICO.Hecertainlyis.Butyoumayaskhimyourself,sinceIseehimapproaching.

EnterFederico,FineaandClarín.

FEDERICO.(bowing)YourMajesty.

KING.WelcomebacktoNaples,Count.DidyoubringlettersfromHisMajesty,theKingof

Hungary?

FEDERICO.Yes,YourHighness.Ihavethehonourofdeliveringthemtoyoupersonally.

KING.Ishallretiretoreadthem.

ExittheKing.

LUDOVICO.Youshouldexpectarichrewardforyourservices,Count.

FEDERICO.Myrewardistohavebeenofservicetomycountry.

ExitLudovico.

CLARÍN.Well,thegreaterbusinessisdone!

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FEDERICO.Rather,Clarín,thelesser.MysenseofdutyobligedmetoattendtotheKing’sbusiness

beforeturningmyattentiontotheloveofmylife,Florela.ButnowthatIamfreetogoand

seeher,Ishallnotdelayaminute!

CLARÍN.Waitasecond,sir.TheKingisboundtorewardyourservicehandsomely.Wouldn’titbe

wisetopostponeyourweddingtoFlorelauntilyouknowwhathehasinmindforyou?

FEDERICO.Howcanyoupossiblyentertainsuchanidea?EveniftheKingweretorewardmy

serviceswiththehandofaprincess,Iwouldnotbetraymyangel,myFlorela.

CLARÍN.Itcouldbetoyouradvantagetodoso.

FEDERICO.Icouldnevercontemplatesuchabaseact!Herbeautyiswithoutcompare!Celio,what

sayyou?

FINEA.Sir,asIdonotknowthelady,Ishallremainsilent.

FEDERICO.Ah!Whenyouseethatgoddessofvirtue,you’llhavesomethingtosay.Iwilltakeyou

toFlorela.Iwantyou,ratherthanthisfool,tobecomehenceforththesecretaryofmysoul.I

willdisclosemyinnermostthoughtsandfeelingstoyou,andtoyoualone.

ExitFederico.

CLARÍN.WellwhatdoyouthinkofourPyramus?

FINEA.Thathe’samanandhedesiresawoman.Isshereallythatbeautiful?

CLARÍN.Yes.

FINEA.Ofnobleblood?

CLARÍN.Asnobleashis.

FINEA.Well,ifsheissuitableandhelovesher,whywait?

CLARÍN.HeerrsinnotfindingoutfirsthowtheKingplanstorewardhim.Maybehewillgetan

evenbiggerprize.

FINEA.Youareindeedafool.Royaltydon’tmarrytheirvassals.Butenoughaboutourmaster.

Let’stalkaboutthingsthatmatter.WhatdoesonedohereinNaplesforfun?Youknow

whatImean.

CLARÍN.Well,Iknowthesetwogirls,yousee?AndIfancyoneofthem.ButIfearyour...

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FINEA.Mywhat?

CLARÍN.Well…Ilookatyouand…

FINEA.Whatdoyousee?

CLARÍN.Ahandsomeguy.AndthegirlIfancyisaschangeableasaweathervane.

FINEA.Nonsense!Wheretruelovereigns,nochangeispossible!

CLARÍN.It’sevidentyoudon’tknowwomen,asistobeexpectedfromabeardlessyouthlike

yourself.ButIhavedecidedtotrustyou.Comewithme,andyou’llmeettwofloozieswicked

enoughtopleasetheDevilhimself.

FINEA.Idon’tlikeyoucallingthemnames.

CLARÍN.Whatdoyouwantmetocallthem?Princesses?

FINEA.Womendeserverespect.

CLARÍN.You’llchangeyourmindwhenyoumeetthesetwo!

SCENEFIVE

EnterFlorelaandFederico.

FLORELA.Mylove!You’vecomebacktome!

FEDERICO.Mylife!HowI’velongedforyou!

FLORELA.Imissedyoueveryday!

FEDERICO.Thatmakesmesohappy!

FLORELA.Butdidyoumissme?

FEDERICO.EverysingleminuteIwasawayfromyou!

FLORELA.CanIbelieveyou?WhataboutthoseHungarianladies?Didtheyaccostyou,pursue

you,trytoseduceyou?Iwanttoknoweverything.Don’thideanythingfromme.

FEDERICO.Howcouldyouthinksuchathingofme?

FLORELA.Iamconsumedbyjealousy.

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FEDERICO.Well,unconsumeyourself,mydarling!Remember:Idon’tspeakawordofHungarian.

WhenaladyspoketomeIhadnoideawhatshewassaying.Andneitherdidshe,whenI

respondedinItalian.

FLORELA.Therearemanywaysawilywomancancommunicatehercravings!Didanyofthem

offeryouaflower,ahandwrittennote,aribbon?Ifnotinthepalace,wheresuchthingsmay

appearunseemly,perhapsinyourhost’sresidence?

FEDERICO.Florela,Isweartoyou,Ididn’tevenseeAlberto’ssister.Butherearemytwo

servants.They’llconfirmwhatIjustsaid.

EnterClarínandFinea.

FEDERICO.Clarín,pleasetellFlorelawhetherIsawmyHungarianhost’ssisterforevenone

secondduringmysojourn.

CLARÍN.Notevenforafractionofasecond,mylady.Itseemsherbrotherhadherlockedupina

cell.

FLORELA.CanIbelievehim?Iknowwhathe’slikeandIdon’ttrusthim.Whatabouthim?

(pointingatFinea).

FEDERICO.He’smynewpage.Ifoundhimontheroad,outsideBudaorPest,Ican’tremember

which.

FLORELA.Andcanheinformme?Heseemshonest.Andhehasbeautifuleyes.

FINEA.Yes,mylady.IsawtheCountwhilehewasinHungary.

FLORELA.Anddoyouknowwhathewasupto?

FINEA.DoIhavethefaceofaliar,mylady?

FLORELA.No.Suchahandsomefacesurelycannottelluntruths.

CLARÍN.Madam,mymasterwenttoHungaryonveryseriousbusiness,nottoflirtwithladies.I

wasalwaysathissideandIconstantlyheardhimlamentyourabsence.

FLORELA.ItoldyouIdon’tbelieveawordyousay.

FEDERICO.Then,believemypledges.

FLORELA.Whatpledges?

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FEDERICO.MayIneverseeyourbeautifuleyesagain,ifIeverthoughtofanotherwomanwhileI

wasintheking’spalaceorinmyhost’sabode!

FLORELA.Stop!Howdoyoudarepledgemyeyes?

FEDERICO.Celio,pleasetellherwhethertheriskoflosingthosedazzlingeyeswouldnotbe

punishmentenoughforanyman?

FINEA.Sir,IcannotproperlyansweryourquestionuntilI’veexaminedthemclosely.

FLORELA.Doyouwishtoexaminemyeyes?

FINEA.Iwishtoassesstheirbeauty,mylady,soastoascertainwhethertheCount’ssincereor

not.(lookscloselyintohereyes).ByJove,hismustbeaveryseriouspledge!Icanseeheaven

inyoureyesandtwotinysunssparklinginyourpupils.Madam,takeitfromme:youmay

believetheCount.

FLORELA.ThankstoCelioIbelieveyou,Federico.Comewithmenow.Nightisfallingandthe

musicofthefountainsbeckonswithitscharmingharmonies.I’lltellyouwhatmyplansare.

FEDERICO.Iftheyconcernourmarriage,thesoonerthebetter.(toClarínandCelio)Youmay

leaveusnow.

ExeuntFedericoandFlorela.

CLARÍN.Celio,ourgirlsawaitus.Let’sgo.

SCENESIX

EntertheKingofNaplesandLudovico.

KING.That’smygreatestsorrow,Ludovico.

LUDOVICO.ItseemsunworthyofFederico.

KING.Buttheletterleavesnoroomfordoubt.Theproofishere.

LUDOVICO.Whydon’tweseetheCount?Let’shearhimout.

KING.Verywell.Summonhimtomypresence.

LudovicogoesoutandreturnswithFederico.

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FEDERICO.YourMajesty…

KING.Federico.TheKingofHungaryismakingseriousallegationsagainstyouinthisletter.And

that’snotall.There’sasecondletter,anditsauthorlabelsyouatraitorandfeelsso

aggrievedbyyouthathecallsyouunprincipledandsaysthatyoushouldbetorturedand

puttodeath.

FEDERICO.Sir,Idonotunderstand.

KING.WhatshallIdoif,ontheonehand,youoffendasovereign,and,ontheother,youkidnap

yourhost’ssister?

FEDERICO.Me?Kidnap?…whatsister?

KING.(handshimtheletters)Youmayseeforyourself.

FEDERICO.(Reads)“Alberto,mychamberlain,byroyalcommand,offeredfoodandlodginginhis

housetoyourambassador,CountFederico.Andinreturnforhishospitality,thesaidCount

FedericosawfittokidnapAlberto’ssister.ItrustthatYourHighnesswillfindawayto

remedythisdisgracefulstateofaffairs.Itseemstomethatthemostexpedientsolutionisto

havethemwedimmediately,soastopreventAlbertofromtryingtorestorehislosthonour

byspillingblood.”

Federicolaughs.

KING.IsthisletterfromtheKingofHungarycauseformerriment?

FEDERICO.YourMajesty,howcanInotlaugh?

KING.Areyouunrepentant?

FEDERICO.Sir,asIamnotguilty,Ihavenoneedtorepent.

KING.Well,ifyou’vealreadymadeamendsandhavemarriedtheladyinquestion,thenthereis

nocauseforalarm.Itwillbeacaseofelopement,somethingIcannotcondonebutcan

certainlyforgive,consideringtheimpetuousnessofyounglove.

FEDERICO.Sir.IdonotneedtorepentorbealarmedbecauseIaminnocentofthesecharges.I

haveneitherkidnapped,elopedwith,ormarriedthislady.IarrivedfromHungary

accompaniedbymyservantsandbynobodyelse.It’struethatIstayedatAlberto’shouse,

butifIevercaughtevenaglimpseofhissister,mayIbestruckbylightningatthisvery

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moment.Ifshehasrunawayfromhomeorbeenkidnappedbysomeone,itisnotjustthatI

shouldbeheldresponsible.IwasverythankfulforAlberto’shospitality,gavemany

presentstohisservants,wishedhimandhissisterallthehappinessintheworld,and

departedhavingseenneitherhidenorhairofher,orindeedwithoutevenknowingwhat

hervoicesoundedlike.MysoleconcernwhilstinHungarywasthebusinessYourMajesty

graciouslyentrustedtomeandnothingelse.

LUDOVICO.Hedoessoundpersuasive,sir.Itcouldverywellbethat,ashesays,Alberto’ssister

hadasecretloverandthat,whileherbrotherwasdistractedwithFederico’sdeparture,she

elopedwithhim.

FEDERICO.Sir,IswearonthememoryofmyfatherandonthenameofmynoblefamilythatIam

innocent.

KING.Iampersuadedofyourinnocence,Federico.

FEDERICO.Iamyourhumbleservant.

KING.Youmustnowwritetothemanddenytheirallegations.Hewhoisinnocenthasnothingto

fear.

ExittheKing.

FEDERICO.Marquis,whatshouldIdo?

LUDOVICO.Well,readAlberto’sletterandreplytoitatonce!

FEDERICO.Ihatetheideaofseeingsuchanhonorablemaninthisparlousstate,butI’llfollow

youradvice.(Reads)“Iofferedyouhospitalityinmyhouse.Igaveyoumyfriendship.You

betrayedme.IamonmywaytoNaples.Preparetodie.”Didn’tItellyou?Hisgriefhas

unhingedhim.

LUDOVICO.Writetohim.Offerallkindsofassurancesandexplanations.Youmustmakehim

believeyou.

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SCENESEVEN

EnterFlorelaandFinea.

FINEA.Mylady.Ican’tgoondoingthis.

FLORELA.Doingwhat,Celio?

FINEA.Actingasyourgo-between.It’sbeneathme.IshallleaveFederico’sservice.

FLORELA.Why?Helikesyouso.

FINEA.Iknowhedoes,butthetruthisthat,sinceIarrivedatNaples,I’mmostunhappy.

FLORELA.Why?

FINEA.(closetotears)Idon’tknow.IonlyknowthatIam.

FLORELA.Howcansuchavaluedservantbeunhappy?

FINEA.Because…

FLORELA.Because…?

FINEA.BecauseIam…

FLORELA.Youare…?

FINEA.Inlove!

FLORELA.Inlove?Withwhom?

FINEA.Idon’tknow.

FLORELA.Youdon’tknow?

FINEA.No,Idon’t.

FLORELA.Howcanthatbe?Isuspectyoudon’treallywanttotellme.

FINEA.Well...It’sasecret!

FLORELA.Iknowhowtokeepasecret.Yourswillbesafewithme.Goon.Tellme.

FINEA.Doyoupromisenottotellanybody?

FLORELA.Ipromise.

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FINEA.It’sabigpromisebecause…because…theladyIloveis…

FLORELA.Who?

FINEA.Federico’slady!

FLORELA.Federico’slady!Thebastardhasanotherwoman!Iknewit!Whoisshe?Tellmethis

instant!

FINEA.Iamloathtoreplybecause…

FLORELA.Because…?

FINEA.Becausethatladyisrightnow...angrywithme.

FLORELA.She?Sheisangry?...Doyoumeanthisinstant?Righthere?Isitme?

FINEA.Yes,mylady.Don’tyouknowtheeffectyouhaveonmen?Yourbeautyissuchthatitcan

meltsnow.Iknowyoudonotloveme,havenotevennoticedlittleinsignificantme.IfIhave

daredtodeclaremyhopelesspassion,it’sonlybecauseIamleavingtheCount,Naples,the

world!Ihopeyou’llfinditinyourhearttoforgivemyaudacity.ButthelastthingIwishto

doisoffendyouorbetraytheCount.Byleaving,Ishallremainyourconstantloverandhis

loyalservant.Please,mylady,don’tblameme,blamemyeyes,whosawyou…

FLORELA.Idon’tblameyou,Celio.Oryourbeautifuleyes.Ayoungman,likeyou...can’thelpit.I

know.It’shappenedtomebefore.Imighthavebeenaggrievedifyou’dtriedtodo

somethingaboutit.Butbeinglovedatarespectfuldistanceflattersratherthanoffends.All

womenlikebeinglovedandadmired.But,Celio,asIcannotrequiteyourlove,youdowell

inleaving.I’msureyou’llforgetmesoonerorlater.

FINEA.Forgetyou?Never!Besides,ourloveisnotactuallyimpossible.Youcanrequiteit,Florela,

ifyouwish.AllIneedtotellyouiswhoIreallyam.

FLORELA.Whoyouare…?

FINEA.Yes.

FLORELA.Andwhoareyou?

FINEA.Iam…apersonofahigherrankthantheCounthimself.

FLORELA.Higher?

17

FINEA.Muchhigher!Butyoumustkeepitasecret.

FLORELA.Itgoeswithoutsaying.

FINEA.Florela,Iam…Please,don’tbeshockedbymyrevelation.ButIamthesonof…

FLORELA.Thesonof…?

FINEA.KingFerdinandofAragon!

FLORELA.Aprince!AnAragoneseprince!

FINEA.Sortof.

FLORELA.Butwhy…?

FINEA.NotevenFedericoknowsmysecret.

FLORELA.Butwhythedisguise?

FINEA.That’sagoodquestion.AndFabio,myservant,couldverywellanswerit.Hisrealname,

whichhehadtochangeforobviousreasons,isMarquisdonFernandodeCabrerayAragon.

AndmineisPrinceAlonso.Butletmetellyoumystorysoyoumayknowthecauseofmy

misfortune.Onceuponatime,theKingofAragonlovedacertainlady,whomhecouldnot

marryforavarietyofreasons.Iwastheoffspringofthisillegitimateliaison!Shortlyafter

mybirth,theKingmarriedaprincessandsevenmonthslatergavemeagentlebrother.My

stepbrotherandIwerenotraisedtogether,sinceIwasnotallowedtoappearinpublic.The

Queenwasaveryjealouswoman,yousee.ButthenHerMajestyveryconvenientlydiedand

sotheKingdecidedtobringmetothepalacefromthevillagewhereIhadbeenraisedin

secret,underthecareofanancientknight.ThemomentIarrivedatCourt,thePrince,my

stepbrother,tookanimmediatelikingtome;andsodidtherestofthecourt,whereIsoon

foundmyselfverymuchathome.Mylifebecameanendlesssuccessionoffestivities,

parties,gamesandfun,untiloneday,whileIwasinagarden,Isaw...alady!Abeautiful

ladywhoallowedme...oh,boundlessjoy...totouch...dareIsayit?herhand!

Unbeknowntome,mystepbrother,thePrince,alsofanciedthislady,whoshamelessly

flirtedwithhim,althoughshereallylovedme.Somuchsothatonenight,whileherfather

wasabsentontheKing’sservice,shearrangedformetoenter...herbedchamber!Ah,I

wishnowIhadneveryieldedtotemptation!ButIdid…Icertainlydid...Severaltimes.

Monthspassedandgraduallymybelovedbegantoshowsignsof...of…harbouringa

18

fugitive,ifyoucatchmydrift.Whenthetimecame,insecret,shegavebirthtoaboy.Iwent

toseemybelovedatherhidingplace.Isawtheboytoo.Itookhiminmyarms.Wrapped

himupinmycloakandsmuggledhimoutofthehousetowhereIthoughtmyservantswere

awaitingmyorders.Instead,IcamefacetofacewiththePrince’smen!Mywicked

stepbrother,havingdiscoveredthatIseducedtheladyhefancied,hadcarefullyplannedhis

revenge.Hismendrewtheirswords.Iunsheathedmineand,wieldingtheswordwithone

handandthebabywiththeother,Ifendedthemoff,withsuchgoodfortunethatbothIand

mysonescapedunscathed.ThePrince,however,wasnotsatisfiedandhethirstedforblood.

Ibecameafugitive.Ihidforacoupleofdaysinafriend’shouseandthenIfledonmyhorse

carryingthebaby.IarrivedatalittlevillageontheskirtsofthePyrenees.Ientrustedmy

sontothecareofaplumpwetnurse,whomIpaidhandsomelyfortheservice.Ipromised

hermoretocome,ifshelookedafterthebabyproperlyuntilmyreturn.ThenIcrossedthe

Pyreneesalone,spedthroughFranceallthewaytoFlanders,andfromthere,afterfighting

inacoupleofbattles,ontoHungary,whereIfirstsawtheCount.Onseveraloccasions,

unseenbyhim,Iwitnesshisextremecourtesyandgentlemanlydemeanour.So,whenI

foundouthewasreturningtohiscountry,Idecidedtofollowhim.Ifeignedacasual

encounterontheroadandhe,chivalrousasever,offeredmebothhiscompanyandhis

protectiononconditionthatIbecamehisservant.Iaccepted,eventhoughitwasclearly

beneathmydignityandexaltedranktotakeonsuchalowlyposition.Andthen...thenhe

toldmeaboutyou...andIsawyou...andIexaminedyoureyes...andIforgotmylady

love...andIforgotmybaby...andIforgotthePyrenees...andInowdeclaremyendless

loveforyou...AndyetIknowyoucannotloveme,foryouloveFedericowithyourbody

andsoul.AndsoImustleave...although,havingconfessedmyhopelesspassion...Ifeelas

ifIamleavingnotjustthisplace,butthisworld,thislife,thisuniverse...BeforeIgo,ladyof

mydreams,knowthat,ifyoukeepmysecret,Isolemnlyswear,asanhonestAragonese

knight,onthecrossofthissword,thatshouldCountFedericobeunfaithfultoyou,oruntrue

tohisword,andprovidedImanagetoregainmyrightfulnameandplaceinsociety,Ishall

forthwithsendtheMarquisDonBernardotoaskforyourhandinmarriage...forIam

dyingofloveforyou,mylady.Andsinceyouandyoureyeswillberesponsibleformy

untimelydeath,havemercyonme,fortoshowmercytotheunfortunatecaninnoway

offendthefortunateCount.Farewell!

FLORELA.Don’t!Don’tgo!Wait!

19

FINEA.Whatdoyouwantfromme?

FLORELA.Iwant...ButherecomestheCount.I’lltellyoulater.

EnterFederico.

FEDERICO.Florela!Mylove!

FLORELA.Federico!Whatbringsyouback?

FEDERICO.Lightofmyeyes,I’vereturnedunexpectedlybecauseI’vegottoshowyousomeletters

fromHungary.

FLORELA.Theymustbebadnews.Youseemdistressed.

FEDERICO.Yes,mylove.Iamdistressed,fortheybearverybadnews...forme.

FLORELA.Foryou?

FEDERICO.TheKingofHungaryhaswrittentosaythatI...Ihavekidnappedmyhost’ssister!

FLORELA.Andisthattrue?

FEDERICO.Howcanyoudoubtme?Ofcourseitisn’ttrue.Itcannotbetruebecause,asItoldyou,

Ihavenevereverseenthatlady,orknowthefirstthingabouther.

FLORELA.Wherethere’ssmoke...

FEDERICO.Florela!Please!

FLORELA.ButhowcantheKingofHungary,noless,accuseyouwithoutproof?

FEDERICO.IswearbyallthatissacredthatIaminnocent.Youknowme.

FLORELA.Yes!AndIfearthatyourloveformevanishedthemomentyousawthatotherwoman!

Wherehaveyouhiddenher?

FEDERICO.Howcanyouthinksuchathingofme?HisMajestybelievedmeandissatisfiedthatI

aminnocent.Butyou...youofallpeoplethinkIamguiltyofsuchamonstrousact?

FLORELA.Itconfirmsmysuspicions.Besides,theKingdoesn’tloveyouthewayIdoandso

cannotfeelthepangsofjealousy.ButI,whohadhopedtowedyou,cananddo,everysingle

pang!

FEDERICO.Iamtooupsettoreplytoyou.Pleaseexcuseme.

20

ExitFederico.

FINEA.Youshouldn’thavepressedpoorFedericosohard.Although,I’msorrytosay...it’sall

true.IknowforafactthatAlberto’ssister,Finea,camewithhim.

FLORELA.Youdo?Revenge!!

FINEA.Calmyourself.Youshouldn’t...

FLORELA.Butdidn’tyoujustsaythatshecamewithhim?

FINEA.Yes,Idid.Andifyoupromisenottobecometooagitated,orsayanythingtoanybody,I

shallshowhertoyou.

FLORELA.Ah,Celio,orshouldIsayAlonso!Ifyoushowhertome,I’llbeforevergrateful!And

thatperfidiousCountwillbeforeversorry!

FINEA.Butyoumustn’tsayaword.Mylife’satstake.

FLORELA.Mylipsaresealed.

FINEA.Then,IpromiseyoushallseeFineatoday.

SCENEEIGHT

Night.EnterAlberto,withagun,andLusidoro.

ALBERTO.AnyideaofwhereFedericocouldhaveimprisonedmysister?

LUSIDORO.Itwouldn’tbetoodifficulttohideherinthiscityofNaples.Lookaroundyou:palaces,

villas,gardens,towers.Shecouldbeinanyofthem.

ALBERTO.I’llshootthebastardonsight.

LUSIDORO.Thatdoesn’tseemtometobeanhonourablewaytoavengeyourhonour,Alberto.

Youshouldatleastkillhimfacetoface.

ALBERTO.Didhekidnapmysisterfacetoface?HestoleherbehindmybackandIshallshoothim

intheback.

LUSIDORO.Wouldn’titbewisertoforcehimtowedFinea?

21

ALBERTO.Maybe.But,sowhat?I’llstillshoothimafterthewedding.

LUSIDORO.Whydon’tyoucomplaintohisKing?I’msurehe’llpunishhimadequately.

ALBERTO.Iwantrevenge,pureandsimple.Idon’twanttocomplaintoanyone.Idon’twanthim

toendupinprison.AndIdon’twanttofighthiminaduel.Iwanttoshootthatscoundrelin

theback!

LUSIDORO.Someoneisleavinghishouse!Ithinkit’shim.

ALBERTO.Andtwoofhisservants.

EnterFederico,FineaandClarín.

FEDERICO.What’sthetime?

CLARÍN.Midnight.HardlytherighttimetopayavisittoFlorela.

FEDERICO.Everyhouristherighttimewhenoneisinlove,Clarín.

CLARÍN.Let’sgobacktobed,sir.

FEDERICO.Lovewon’tallowmetoslumber!

CLARÍN.Then,let’sbringoutourbedsandslumberrighthereinthestreet.

FEDERICO.Besides,themendaciousreportscirculatingaboutmekeepmeawakeatnight!To

thinkthatI’maccusedofthehorrendouscrimeofkidnappingawoman!AwomanI’venever

seeninmylife!Damnyou,Finea,whereveryouare!

FINEA.Don’tcursewomen,sir.HowcanFineabeheldresponsibleforthoseterribleallegations?

FEDERICO.Isn’tshethecauseofthem?

FINEA.Yes,butunwittingly.

AlbertopointshisgunatFederico.

ALBERTO.I’llhavemyrevenge!(Thegunfailstofire.)Damnthepowder!

FEDERICO.Who’sthat?

FINEA.I’llgetthem!

FineadrawsherswordandrunstowardsAlbertoandLusidoro.

Theyclashswordsbriefly,thentheyfleeandFineachasesthem.

22

CLARÍN.Sonofagun!Lookathim!Howhefights!

FEDERICO.Celio!Comeback!Letthemgo!

EnterFinea.

FINEA.They’vefled,thecowards!

FEDERICO.YouputthefearofGodinthem,Celio.

CLARÍN.Thewayyouthrustthatweaponofyours!You’rearealman,thoughbeardless!

FEDERICO.Whocouldtheybe?

CLARÍN.Probablythieves.

FEDERICO.Thieves,Clarín,demandyourmoneyandcloak;theydon’tshootfirst.

FINEA.Sir,Ithinkweshouldmoveon.Theymaytrytoharmyouagain.

CLARÍN.He’sright.Let’sgo.

FEDERICO.YouknowwhatIthink?Ithinkthatthishassomethingtodowiththatdamned

woman,thatdevilincarnate,Finea.

CLARÍN.Maybeyou’reright.Inwhichcase,let’sgohome,getsomegunsandlet’sfindoutwho

thosemiscreantsare.

FEDERICO.AlbertoisinNaples.Itmustbehimandhismen.Evidently,Ican’tgetoutofthismess

byjustwritingandexplainingthatI’dnothingtodowithit.

ExitFederico,thoughtful.

CLARÍN.DoyouplantoseeFloratonight?

FINEA.Yes,providedtheCountdecidestoretire.

CLARÍN.Shetoldmethatshe’seagerlyawaitingyouatFenisa’shouse.But...shealsosaidthat

youdon’tseemthatinterestedinyou-know-what.Isthattrue?

FINEA.That’sonlytoteaseher.Tomakeher...wantmemoreanddrivehercrazy.

CLARÍN.Ithinkshewantsitbadlyenoughrightnow.

FINEA.Butissheclean?

CLARÍN.Asahound’stooth.

23

FINEA.Goodsmell?

CLARÍN.Divine!

FINEA.I’mnottalkingaboutperfume.

CLARÍN.NeitheramI!

SCENENINE

EnterKingandLudovico.

KING.TheKingofHungaryhaswrittentomeagainandhe’snotamused!

LUDOVICO.Butitdoesn’tmakesenseforFedericotodenyit.Hecouldendupmarriedtoavery

wealthywoman.

KING.I’vehaditwithhispigheadedness!I’llthrowhiminthedungeon!

LUDOVICO.Withoutproof?

KING.Ah!ButdoIneedproof?

LUDOVICO.Notreally.ButtheCountswearshe’sneverevenseenthatwoman;andit’sabitmuch

tolocksomeoneupwithoutanycausewhatsoever.Butnow,Sire,it’stimetoreceivethe

Hungariangentlemanwhoseeksanaudiencewithyou.

KING.Maybehe’llsupplytheproof.

EnterAlberto.

ALBERTO.Sire,yourhumbleservant.

KING.Welcometomykingdom.HaveyoucomewithanembassyfromyourKingorwitha

grievancetoair?

ALBERTO.Agrievance,sir?

KING.Iknowwhoyouare.Andit’swithaheavyheartthatIseethatyou,Alberto—ifyou’re

indeedAlberto—havecometoNaplestoseekredressforwrongscommittedbyoneofmy

subjects.But,asIamnothingbutajustking,IneedtolistentobothpartiesbeforeIpass

24

judgment.Notinvain,Alberto,isJusticedepictedwithasetofscales.Marquis,pleaseask

Federicotocometoourpresence.

ExitLudovico.

ALBERTO.Iknow,sir,thathewillnotbeabletodenythetruthofmyaccusationstomyface.

KING.Well,lasttimeIsawhim,hepersistedindenyinghehadeverseenyoursister.

ALBERTO.YourMajestymaynotknowthat,justbeforehisdeparture,heearnestlyand

insistentlybeggedmetogivehertohiminmarriage.Andwouldhe,sir,haveaskedforher

handifhe’dneverseenherbefore?

KING.Youhaveapoint,Alberto.Butlet’shearwhattheCounthastosayinhisowndefence.

EnterLudovicoandFederico.

FEDERICO.Sire,Ithankyoufornotpassingjudgmentbeforehearingmysay.

KING.Youarewelcome,Federico.But,first,weshallhearAlberto’sallegations.

ALBERTO.YourMajesty,sovereignrulerofthegreatkingdomofNaples,CountFederico,your

ambassadortotheCourtofHungary,wasaguestinmyhouse,theancestralhomeofmy

illustriousandnoblefamily.Iservedhim,ifnotaswellashedeservedasyourambassador,

atleastasbestasIcould.Andhowdidherepaymyhospitality,poorasitmayhavebeen?

Afterhisdeparture,Idiscoveredtomyutterhorrorandconsternation,thatmysisterFinea.

..thatangelofmodesty,thatparagonofHungarianwomanhood,thatinnocentvirgin,timid

asadove,pureasthedrivensnow;ayounggirlwhohadalwayslivedinseclusion,whose

principalamusementwasherdailyprayers,wasmissing!Icommunicatedmygrievousloss

tomylordandliege,andheimmediatelyorderedhismentosearchhighandlowformy

sister.Theylookedeverywhereinthekingdom,theythreatenedterriblepunishmentsand

evendeathtothosewhoharbouredherorknewanythingaboutherfate.Butnothingcame

ofit.Nothingexcepttheuniversalconvictionthatshehadbeenkidnappedbyatraitor,a

renegade,asnakecalledCountFederico.HisMajestytheKingofHungarywrotetoyou

expressinghisconcern,butI,whocouldnotrestforamoment,decidedtotraveltoNaples

andmakesecretinquiriesinordertoseeifIcouldremedytheparlousstateofmyhonour!

Butallmyenquiries,YourMajesty,havebeentonoavail.Ihavemanagedtodiscover

25

nothing.Thisiswhynow,asalastresort,IappearbeforeYourHighnesstobegforjustice

againstCountFederico!

FEDERICO.Sir,ifImay.Albertoshouldconsiderthatthefactthathissisterismissinginnoway

indicatesthatIamresponsibleforherdisappearance.Intheconfusionofmydeparture,she

couldhave...

ALBERTO.Stop!Beforeyousaywordsyou’llregretandmyhonourwillnotforget!

FEDERICO.That’snotfair!Youcallmeatraitor,arenegade,asnake,andIcan’tevenmakea

suggestionaboutyoursister?Doesn’titstandtoreasonthataHungarianman,someone

whohadbeenhersuitorforyears,tookher,ratherthanme,whohadneverseenher?That’s

thetruth,Alberto!Acceptitor,atleast,considerit.Gobacktoyourhome,forIassureyou

thatNeapolitangentlemendonottraveltoHungarytostealladies,buttocarryoutthe

businessesentrustedtothembytheirsovereign.AndIamwillingtodefendmywordshere

andonthefieldofhonour,ifnecessary!

ALBERTO.AndItoproclaim,hereandeverywhere,thatyou’reatraitor!

KING.Enough!RememberthatyouareinthepresenceofaKing.Afterhearingbothparties,my

decisionisthatyou’llbeallowedtofightforyourhonouronlyasalastresort.Theburdenof

proofisonyou,Alberto.ShowusirrefutableevidenceoftheCount’sguiltbeforeyoudareto

besmirchhisgoodnameonmeresuspicionsandconjecture.

ALBERTO.IbegYourMajesty’sforgiveness.Myonlywishistodefendmyhonour.

LUDOVICO.WhichiswhyyoumustallowCountFedericotodefendhis.

KING.Wellsaid.Nowgo,allofyou.Produceyourproof,Alberto,andIassureyouthatFederico

shallfeeltheheavyhandofjustice.

SCENETEN

EnterFenisachasingFinea.

FENISA.Comehere,myhoney-bun.Don’tbesocruel!Howcanyourefuseme?

FINEA.Fenisa,dowhatIask,andI’llloveyouforever.

26

FENISA.TellmewhatyouwantandI’llshowyousometricksyouwon’tsoonforget.

FINEA.Butfirstyoumustlisten.AndtrytokeepyourhandstoyourselfwhileIamtalking!The

Count,mymaster,hasaskedmetofindapretendgirlfriendforhim,tomakeFlorelajealous.

FENISA.Youmenareallrascals!Letmegiveyoualittlekiss.

FINEA.Wait!Notyet.Bestillforaminute.Florela,yousee,madehimfeeljealousfirst.

FENISA.Butsheloveshim.

FINEA.That’sbesidethepoint.Mymasterfeltthepangsofjealousy,andhewantstorepayherin

kind.Letmetellyouourplan.Florelamistakenlybelieveswe’vebroughtwithusacertain

HungarianladycalledFineaandtheCountnowwantshertothinkthatit’salltrue.You,my

sugar-lips,aregoingtopretendtobeFinea.ThenI’mgoingtotakeyoutoseeFlorelaand

you’regoingtotellherthatyouareFineaandthatyou’vecometoNapleswiththeCount

andthatyouarehead-over-heelsinlovewithhim!Willyouknowhowtodoallthat,my

littlecup-cake?

FENISA.Ithinkso,butfirst…

FINEA.First,youdowhatIaskandthenI’llbeallyours!Butyoumustpromisenevertolove

anotherman,forI’mveryjealous.

FENISA.SinceIsawyou,there’sonlyonemanforme,Celio.

FINEA.ClarínwantsmetoloveFlora,butI’mdevotedtoyou.Andsurely,there’snothingwrong

withyoucheatingonClarín.

Clarínenters,listensandreactstowhattheysay,unseenbythem.

FENISA.Thatscoundrel?I’llcheatonhimatthedropofahat.I’veneverfanciedhim.Iwantyou,

youandonlyyou!You’remybeautifulman!Clarín’sadrunkandachicken.Andbetween

youandme...hemayverywellfancyyouasmuchashefanciesme.Heswingsbothways,

youknow?

FINEA.I’lldealwithhim,ifheevertries.Butnow,let’ssealourlovewithalongkiss!

FENISA.One?I’llgiveyouathousand!

Theykiss.EnterClarín.

CLARÍN.Ah!Youtraitors!You’rekissing!

27

FENISA.Whynot?

CLARÍN.Whynot?I’llteachyoutoseducemyfriend!

ChasesFenisa.Fineadefendsher.

FINEA.Stop!I’lldefendherhonourwithmylife!

CLARÍN.(Unsheathesadagger)Getoutoftheway,orI’llrunyouthroughwithmydagger!

FINEA.(unsheatheshersword)Youdaretothreatenme!Here,myweaponislonger!Takethis

andthis!

Fineahitshimwithhersword.Clarínflees.

FENISA.Ah!Whataman!Iaminlove!

SCENEELEVEN

EnterFlorela,FenisaandFinea.

FLORELA.So,youaretheHungarianladywhocamewiththeCount.

FENISA.(adoptingaforeignaccent).IamAlberto’ssister.

FLORELA.Youdidn’tpaymuchheedtoyourbrother’shonour,didyou?

FENISA.Loveknowsnolaws.Myverylifewasatstake,sincelifewithoutloveislikeasunless

garden:soontheflowerswillwitheranddie.

FLORELA.Yourflowersmustthenbeinfullbloom.Itdidn’ttakeyoulongtofallinlovewithhim,

didit?

FENISA.Didittakeyoualongtime?

FLORELA.ImadehimwaitafullyearbeforeIspokewithhim.

FENISA.Notallwomenareasstrongasyouare.Hewasstayingatmyhouse...Isawhimevery

day.

FLORELA.IstillfindithardtobelievethattheCountwouldrepayyourbrother’shospitalityby

seducinghissister.

28

FENISA.Well,hedid.Hekeptsendingmeflowers,andhandwrittennotes,andonceevena

ribbon!

FLORELA.JustasIsuspected!

FENISA.Hesworetomethathe’dneverlovedanotherwoman.

FLORELA.Thatmayverywellbetrue.

FENISA.Iknowhelied.Helovedyouonce.Butnotanymore.Whenhe’swithmehetellsmeIam

theloveofhislife.

FLORELA.Celio!Takethiswomanawayfromhere!She’skillingme!

FINEA.Comewithme,Finea.Youcancontinuethisconversationanotherday.

FENISA.AsyouknownowhowmuchIlovehim,please,madam,stopseeinghiminyourhouse.

Tellhimthathemustbetruetohiswordandmarryme!OrmybrotherAlbertowillslay

him!

FLORELA.Thatwillservehimright!

FINEA.Let’sgo,Finea.

FENISA(asidetoFinea)DidIdowell?

FINEA.(asidetoher)Perfect.BetterthanFineaherselfcould!

ExeuntFenisaandFinea.

FLORELA.Thebastard!Iwantrevenge!!!

Federico,carryingsomeflowers,knockstimidlyonthedoor.

FEDERICO.Mylove,mayIenter?(sheturnsawayfromhim,seethingwithangerbutsilent).What’s

thematter,mydarling?Areyouupset?Ihopeit’snotbecauseofthosehorribleliesspread

byAlbertoandhisdevilofasister.Allowmetoseeyourbeautifuleyes.Don’tdeprivemeof

theirlight,foritwillbetantamounttohurtlingmetothedepthsofhell.Don’tpunishme,

mylove,foranimaginedtransgression.I’minnocent.Youaretheloveofmylife!

Sheturnssuddenly,grabstheflowersandhitshimovertheheadwiththem.

FLORELA.Youdarebringmeflowers?Youdarecallmetheloveofyourlife?Youlyingscoundrel!

IwishI’dneverseenyouinmylife!Isupposeyoualsobringmearibbon!

29

FEDERICO.Awhat?Florela,pleasestop!You’redeceived!

FLORELA.Deceived?AmIreallydeceived?Doyouknow,youtwo-facedruffian,whohasjustleft

thisveryroom?

FEDERICO.Who?

FLORELA.Fineaherself!

FEDERICO.Finea?Finea!!!

FLORELA.Yes!TheFineayou’regoingtomarry!TheFineathat’stheloveofyourlife.TheFinea

youbringflowersto,andsendsecretlittlenotes,andgiveribbons!ThatFinea.

FEDERICO.Stop,stop,Florela,please!YouhavereallyseenFinea?

FLORELA.IhaveseenherandIhavespokenwithher!

FEDERICO.Icannotbelieveit!

FLORELA.Well,believeit,becauseit’strue.Asitistruethatshebeggedme,withtearsstreaming

downhercheeks,topersuadeyoutobetruetoyourpromisetomarryher!

FEDERICO.You’retellingmethatyouhaveactuallyseenandspokentoAlberto’ssister,Finea?

FLORELA.Areyouhardofhearing?That’sright.Finea,theloveofyourlife,thatone!Oh,Iwasso

welldeceivedbyyou,you…!

FEDERICO.Stopit,please,Florela!Letmegathermywits!TheFineaI’veneverseeninmylife

washere?Andyousawher?No,no,no.Thatcannotbe.Thismustbethedevilhimself

disguisedasFinea...todrivemecrazy!

FLORELA.Fourdays!That’sallyouneededtoforgetme,toseduceanotherwoman,topromiseto

marryher,andtobringhertoNaplestoshowme!!

FEDERICO.Thisisaplotagainstme,Florela.Please,believeme.You’redeceived.

FLORELA.Howcanmyeyesdeceiveme?

FEDERICO.Oh,Iknow,Iknow!Thisaruse!You’vefoundsomeoneelse.Youwanttobreakup

withmeandyou’reusingthisFinea...

FLORELA.Isthatwhatyouthinkofme?Butlet’sturnyourtheoryintofact.Iamindeedbreaking

upwithyouforever!Idon’twanttoseeyouagain!Getoutofmyhouse!

30

FEDERICO.Iwillgo,butyou’lldiscoversoonerorlaterthatIhavebeenwrongedbythatwoman.

..thatFineawithhorns!

SCENETWELVE

EnterKingandMarquisLudovico.

KING.AlbertopersistsinbelievingthatCountFedericohashissisterinhispossession.

LUDOVICO.Hemaybelying.

KING.Butwhatcanhegainbyhislie?

LUDOVICO.Orhemaybedeceived.CountFedericoisadamantinhisdenial.

EnterFinea,dressedasawoman,herfacecoveredbyaveil,andkneelsbeforetheKing.

FINEA.YourMajestywillforgivethisintrusion,butIamaladyindistress!IamFinea,Alberto’s

sister,whomCountFederico,underpromiseofmarriage,seducedandtookawayfromher

happyhomeinHungary.SincethenIhavebeenkeptavirtualprisoner,hiddenaway,in

disguise,inhishouse!Andnow,Sire,herefusestofulfilthesacredpromisehemadetome

beforeacrucifixofourLordandSaviour.Iknowforafactthat,asallNaplesisaware,he

wishestomarryanotherlady,Florelabyname.

KING.IknowwhoFlorelais.Goon.

FINEA.IbegYourMajestynottoallowhimtogetawaywithsuchadastardlydeed.IknowI’ve

transgressedtheboundariesofcommondecencyandmodesty.ButIamawoman,and

weak.ThusdidNaturemakeus,accordingtothePhilosopher!IbegYourMajesty:don’t

allowFedericotomarryFlorelaoranyoneelsebutme,Sire!Forifsuchtreacherywereto

beknowninHungary,myKingandmypeoplewouldallbeupinarmsagainstyouandthe

kingdomofNaples.

KING(asidetoLudovico)Well,Marquis!Whatthinkyounow?IsAlbertolying?Oristhatsnake,

Federico,theprevaricator?Offwithhishead,Isay!

LUDOVICO.(aside)Showmercy,yourHighness.Itcouldbethatthiswomanisdissembling.We

don’tknowher.Maybeshe’snotAlberto’ssister.

31

KING.(aside)Let’sfindout.CallAlbertotomypresence.

ExitLudovico.

KING.Madam,Ihavesummonedyourbrother.Pleasewaithere,besideme.

EnterLudovicoandAlberto.

ALBERTO.YourMajesty!TheCountisbentonkillingme!I’mbeingshunnedandinsulted

everywhereIgoinNaples.Andallbecauseofhim!

KING.Keepyourpeace,Alberto.Madam,pleaseuncoveryourselfandshowusyourface.Alberto,

isthisyoursister?

ALBERTO.Shecertainlyis!Finea,Iwantthetruth:wereyouforciblyremovedfromyourhomeor

didyoufollowFederico,yourseducer,willingly?Ineedtoknow.Hungaryneedstoknow!

FINEA.Well,yousee...Whathappenedwasthat...

ALBERTO.Ah!You,perfidiouswoman!Youfollowedhim.Youcannevertrustawoman!

Ludovicorestrainshim.

LUDOVICO.(toFinea)Flee!

ExitFinea.EnterFederico.

FEDERICO.(toLudovico)Iheardacommotion.Isanythingthematter?

LUDOVICO.(aside)Makeyourselfscarce.TheKingisveryangrywithyou.

FEDERICO.(aside)Withme?

LUDOVICO.(aside)AndIfindmyselfatalosstoexcuseyourconduct.

FEDERICO.(aside)Myconduct?(addressestheKing)Mylord,whatlieshasAlbertobeentelling

aboutme?

KING.Iamverydispleasedwithyou,Count.Atruegentlemanacceptstheconsequencesofhis

transgressions.

FEDERICO.Sir.IfIhavenottransgressed,howcanIaccepttheconsequences?Iaminnocent!

ALBERTO.Liar!

KING.Marquis...Tellhim.

32

LUDOVICO.Fineawashere,Federico.HisMajestysawherandspokewithherandAlberto

confirmedthatitwashissister.SheallegesthatyoubroughthertoNaplesunderpromiseof

marriageandthatnowyou’replanningtowedanotherlady.

FEDERICO.Whatareyousaying?

ALBERTO.Whatishesaying?Thetruth.

FEDERICO.Sire,youhaveseenFinea?

KING.Withmyowneyes.AndImustsaythatIneverbelievedyoucapableofsuchwickedness,

Federico.

FEDERICO.Sir,mayaboltfromtheheavensincineratemeifIeversawthatwoman,Alberto’s

sister!

KING.Whydoyoupersistindenyingit?Suchobduracy!Eitheryouaremadoryouareintenton

drivingallofusmad!

ALBERTO.He’snotmad.He’sanevildoer!

FEDERICO.Allright,allright,YourMajesty!Fine.Ibelieveit!Iwillbelieveit!Ihavetobelieveit!

EveryonesaysthatIhaveFineainmyhouseanditmustbetrue.Ithastobetrue,although

forthelifeofmeIhavenoideahow,where,orwhosheis,forI’veneverseenher!

KING.Itseemsobviousthatyouclaimnevertohaveseenherbecauseyouplantobreakyour

word.YourintentionistomarryFlorelaandyoudon’twantAlbertotomessthingsupby

forcingyoutowedhissister.Thatmuchseemscleartous.

ALBERTO.Federico,iftheevidenceofoursenses,ourreason,ourexperiencetellusthatyouhave

mysisterinyourpossession,whydoyoustilldenyit?You’veseduced,kidnappedand

forcefullyconfinedmysisterinyourhouse.You’vepromisedtomarryher.Todenyitnowis

notonlymadness,itisdisrespectfultoyourKing,toyourfriendtheMarquis,tomeandto

yourself!

FEDERICO.Alberto,mysensesmustbedeceivingme!Imustbeblind,foreveryoneseeswhatI

cannotsee.NodoubtIhaveyoursisterFineainmyhouse.Ibelieveit,butplease,showher

tome!Ibegyou!AndifshesaysthatIhaveevencaughtafleetingglimpseofher,Ipromise

tomarryherrightnow,withoutdelay!

ALBERTO.WithYourMajesty’sleave,Ishallbringhertoyourpresence.

33

KING.Please,doso,Alberto.

ExitAlberto.

KING.Count,Iamproudofyou.

FEDERICO.YourMajesty,Ihavefollowedthedictatesofmyfate,notofreason,forIsweartoyou

thatI’veneverseenFinea.

KING.Again?

LUDOVICO.Federico,thisismadness.

ExeuntKingandLudovico.

FEDERICO.Howcanthisbehappeningtome?Coulditbe?CoulditbethatIactuallysawher,

kidnappedherandbroughthertoNaples...andI’veforgottenallofit?ButIhavenotthe

slightestrecollectionofthatwoman!CoulditbethattheKingandLudovicoandAlbertoare

allplayingacrueljokeonme?ButHisMajestywouldnotconsentit!Andyet,Icannotsee

mywaythroughsuchconfusion,suchunreason!Mysensesfailme.Myreasonbetraysme.

AmIdreaming?IsthisanightmarefromwhichI’llsoonwakeup?

EnterClarín.

CLARÍN.Sir.Ihearditall.Congratulations!ButmayIask:Howdidyoumanagetobringthatlady

allthewaytoNapleswithoutmyseeingher?What’sshelike?Ifyoukeptherfromme,she

mustbeapreciousjewelindeed!

FEDERICO.Ettu,Brute?

CLARÍN.What?

FEDERICO.Youtoo,Clarín?Areyoualsopartoftheplottodrivemeinsane?

CLARÍN.I’monlyrepeatingwhateveryoneissaying!

FEDERICO.Everyone?Who?Who’severyone?

CLARÍN.Well.Firstofall,Florela,whosawFineacryinghereyesoutbecauseofyou.Then,His

Majesty,theKing,andalsotheMarquis,Ludovico,bothofwhomwitnessedherpleasfor

justiceandweremovedbyherheartrendingexpressionsofgrief.Fourth,Alberto,who

chasedherallthewaytoNaplesandfinallyfoundherintheKing’spalace.Areyoutelling

methattheyarealllying?IfsucheminentpeopleweretotellmethatIamahorse,Iwould

34

headdirectlytotheneareststableandstickmynozzleinthetrough.Acceptonceandforall

whateventheblindcansee!

EnterFinea,dressedasaman.

FINEA.IstheCounthere?

CLARÍN.Finally,wherewereyou?

FEDERICO.HereIam,Celio.

FINEA.Sir,Idesiretocongratulateyouonyourbetrothalandwishyouallthehappinessinthe

world.I’veseenyourintendedwife,sir,andshe’sbeyondcompare!AndIhearthatshe’s

alsonobleandextremelyrich.Youlandedabigprizewhenyouseducedherbackin

Hungaryandpromisedtomarryher!

FEDERICO.(unsheatheshissword)Doyouallwanttodrivememad?IswearI’llkillanyonewho

mentionsthatwomanagain!

FINEA.Sir!Pleasecontrolyourself!Ionlywantedtowishyouhappiness!

CLARÍN.Let’sgetthehelloutofhere,Celio!

FINEA.Whydidn’tyoutellmehe’dlosthismind?

ExeuntFineaandClarín.

FEDERICO.That’sit!Iamtrulycomeunglued!Imustbereallymadwhenevenmyownservants

mockme!Damnyou,Finea,whereverandwhoeveryouare!Areyouaghost?Ademon?One

ofthefuries?Whyareyoubentondestroyingme?Andyet,andyet...Somanyproofs…

makemehesitate,makemedoubt.CouldtheyallberightandIwrong?ButIhaven’tseen

her.Ihaven’t,Ihaven’t.That’sthetruth.Andyet,howcouldaKingbesomistaken?Isn’tit

morelikelythattheyarealltellingthetruthandthatI,Ihaveactuallydoneeverythingthey

accusemeof?DidImeetAlberto’ssisterinHungary?Idon’trememberit,butitmustbe

true.DidIseduceandkidnapher?Ihavenorecollectionofit,butitmustbetrue.DidIbring

hertoNaplesandkeepherhiddeninmyhouse?Indubitably,althoughIhavenomemoryof

it.I,whoalwayspridedmyselfofmyrationality,mycourtesy,my…Waitasecond!Imustbe

bewitched!That’sit!ThatFineaiswithoutdoubtawitchandshe’sputaspellonme!But

spellornospell,ImustfulfilthepromisethateveryoneswearsIgavetomarryher.IfI

seducedher,thoughIshouldrememberthatmuchandIdon’t,thenImustdotheright

35

thingandwedher.I’lltellthekingthatImusthaveaccidentallyseducedher,and

unbeknownsttomebroughtherallthewaytoNaples,andthatIamsorryandIwishto

makeamendsbymarryingher.MaybeIwillthenbeabletorecovermysanityandbefreeof

theseaccusations!Everycloudhasasilverliningandinmycasethatwillbefinally,

definitely,inescapably,seeingthefaceofthewomanImustmarrywhetherIlikeitornot!

EntertheKingandLudovico.

LUDOVICO.(aside)Look,sir,he’sunsheathedhissword!Heplanstocommitsuicidebyfallingon

it!

KING.(aside)DoeshehatetheideaofmarryingFineathatmuch?

LUDOVICO.(aside)Stophim,yourmajesty!He’sagoodmanandaloyalvassal.

KING.Federico!Haveyouthoughtthisthrough?Don’tdoanythingrash.

FEDERICO.WhathaveIdonetodeservethispunishment?

KING.(asidetoLudovico)Takehisswordbeforehedoessomethinghemightregret.

FEDERICO.Imustbemad,sir.Mynoblefathermustbespinninginhisgrave!

KING.(asidetoLudovico)Seehowquicklyhealtershistrainofthought?Suresignofinsanity.

Bestnottocontradicthim.

FEDERICO.Allright,allright!I’lladmitit,Sir.Ilied.IliedbecauseIsupposeIhopedtomarry

Florela.ItmustbetruethatIhavebroughtFineawithme,thatIhaveherhiddenaway...I

don’texactlyknowwhere,butImusthave.Idon’twishtoupsetyourmajesty.Iwillmarry

Finea,ifIcanfindher,ifIcanseeher.OrevenifIcannot.Itdoesn’tmattertomeanymore.

I’llmarrywhomeverandwhateveryourmajestytellsmetomarry.

KING.AhFederico!You’vefinallyconfessed.Iforgiveallyou’vedone,allyourlittlepeccadillos.

Letbygonesbebygones.Youaredoingtherightthing,Count.Everyoneinthekingdomwill

rejoice.Givehimhissword,Ludovico.Andnow,myson,gotoyourhousetofetchFinea.

FEDERICO.Sir,Iwillmarryherontheconditionthatsheisbroughttome.ForhowcanIfetch

someoneI’veneverseen?

KING.Butdidn’tyoujustsaythatyoubroughtherwithyoufromHungary?

36

FEDERICO.WhatIsaid,sir,isthatitmustbetruethatIbroughtherwithme,butI’veneverlaid

eyesonher.

KING.Enoughnonsense!Fetchherimmediatelyoryou’llloseyourheadandendupinmydarkest

dungeon!

FEDERICO.Iwill,Iwill,yourmajesty.Inalittlewhile.I’llgoandfetchher,thoughIdon’tknow

whereI’llgo;butI’lllookforhereverywhere,thoughIcan’tidentifyher,forIdon’tknow

whatshelookslike.Butshe’llshowup.I’msureshewill.YourMajesty’swillbedone.I

promisetomarrythatwoman...whetherIlikeitornot!

ExitFederico.

KING.Marquis,followhim.Don’tlethimdosomethingcrazy.

LUDOVICO.Ishall,yourmajesty.Itoofearhemightharmhimself.

ExitLudovicoandenterFlorela.

FLORELA.YourMajesty,I...

KING.Stop,Florela.Iamverydispleasedwithyou.

FLORELA.Withme,sire.Why?WhathaveIdone?

KING.DoyouthinkitisrighttopreventFedericofrommarryinghisHungarianlady?Isitrightto

drivethepoormanravingmad?Isthisworthyofyourname,ofyourfather,mayherestin

peace?

FLORELA.Sir,IdonotwishtopreventFedericofrommarryinghisHungarianlady.

KING.Youdonot?

FLORELA.No,sir.Ihavenodesiretomarryhim.

KING.Well,then,thereprobateliedtomeagain!Hetoldmeyoutwoplannedtomarry.

FLORELA.Maybethat’shiswish;butnotmine.He’sabitunhinged,youknow?

KING.Itendtoagreewithyou.I’vejustheardhimsayhe’dneverseenFineabefore.

FLORELA.Helies.IhaveseenFineamyselfandspokenwithher.SheprovedtomethattheCount

isaperfidiouslover.

KING.Well,nowthatyou’refreeoftheCount,tellmewhat’syourwish.

37

FLORELA.Sir.Ihaveagreatstatesecrettoimparttoyou.

KING.Astatesecret,Florela?

FLORELA.Yes,sir.DonAlonsodeAragón,theprince,isinNaples.

KING.DonAlonso?Areyousure?

FLORELA.Absolutely.Ispeakwithhimeveryday.Andweareinlove!Don’tyouthinkmynobility

isworthyofanAragoneseprince?

KING.Isupposeso,Florela.

FLORELA.Weareplanningtomarrysoon,withyourmajesty’sleave.He’saskedmetospeakwith

youonhisbehalf,forwithoutyourpermissionhewouldnotdreamofmarryingme,even

thoughhe’stotallybesotted.

KING.Irejoiceinyourgoodfortune.Ihearthathe’sahandsomeyouth.IbelieveIoncesawa

portraitofhim.Whereishenow?

FLORELA.Well,sir,asitwasimportantforhimtotravelincognito,forreasonstoolongtotellyou

now,hecametoNaplesasCountFederico’spage.

KING.IsCountFedericoinvolvedinthistoo?Thatmanistireless!Iamcomingtothedistressing

conclusionthatheisthegreatesttricksterandtroublemakerinmykingdom!

FLORELA.FedericomethiminHungary,buthedoesn’tknowtheprince’strueidentity.OnlyI

knowwhohereallyis.Sir,willyougrantusourwish?

KING.Iwill,Florela.Everythingshallberesolvedsatisfactorilytoday,justlikeattheendofevery

comedy.Iwillmakesureofit,foryouwillmarryyourprinceandCountFedericowillmarry

FineaorI’llhavehimbeheaded!CouldyouasktheMarquisLudovicotocomehere

immediately?

FLORELA.Yes,sir.

ExitFlorela.

KING.IwouldneverhavebelievedFedericocapableofsomanyintrigues!Hehadmecompletely

fooled.

Re-enterFlorelawithLudovico.

38

LUDOVICO.DidYourMajestywishtoseeme?

KING.BringFederico,AlbertoandFineatomypresence.

LUDOVICO.Atonce,yourmajesty.

ExitLudovico.EnterAlberto.

ALBERTO.YourMajesty!Ifearformydearsister!I’vejustspokenwithCountFederico.Heclaims

he’shappytomarryher.But...buthesaysImustdeliverhertohim.Heallegeshe’snever

seenherinhislife,andsocannotmarryanon-existentwoman.FromwhichIconclude,sir,

thathehasmurderedher!Sir,Idemandtherighttoavengemypoorsister,maysherestin

peace!Thistraitorshalldie,sir,andsoIambeggingyourmajestytodetermineasuitable

fieldofhonourwhereIcouldendhislifeinaccordancewiththerulesofchivalry.

KING.Alberto,eitheryoursisterisaliveordead.Ifshe’salive,youhaveFederico’ssolemn

promisetomarryher,withwhichyourhonourwillbesatisfied;ifsheisdead,Iassureyou

thatjusticewillbemetedouttohim.Hewillbeexecutedforhiscrime.Youhavemyword.

ALBERTO.Ithankyourmajesty,butmustIwaitforthelawyerstodebateendlesslybeforeIsee

justicedone?Agentlemanbetweentwolawyersislikeacanarybetweentwocats.Willnot

justicebeservedbetterandmoreswiftlyifIchallengeFedericotoaduel?

EnterFederico,Ludovico,ClarínandFinea.

FEDERICO.Iacceptyourchallenge,Alberto,withyourmajesty’sleave.

KING.Federico,thewholekingdomisinturmoilbecauseofyou.Andnotjustthekingdomof

Naples,butalsoHungaryand,asIhavelatelyheard,thekingdomofAragón.

FEDERICO.Aragón,sir?

KING.IwishnowIhadneversentyoutoHungary!Insteadofpeace,yourembassyhasresultedin

confusionathomeandconflictabroad.

FEDERICO.Sir,IamwillingtofacetheexecutionerifIhaveeverwillinglydoneanydisserviceto

you!ButIamsuchanunfortunatemanthat,hardasItrytodowhat’sright,everything

turnsoutwrongforme!

KING.Isthatright?Well,listennowtoAlberto’snewallegationsagainstyou.

39

ALBERTO.Sir,IaccuseFedericoofmurderingmysisterFineawithmaliceaforethought!He

claimsheiswillingtomarryherbutsaysthathecannotwedanon-existentwoman.

FEDERICO.Alberto,asfarasIamconcerned,sheisnon-existent.Ihavenoevidenceofher

reality!I’veneverseenher,I’veneverheardher.TomesheisasrealasZeus,orrather

Medusa.Showhertome,Alberto,andIwillmarryherinstantly.Myutmostdesireisto

servemyKingandtorestoreyourlosthonour!

ALBERTO.Mylosthonour,youvillain!Here,beforeyourking,Ichallengeyoutoadueltothe

death,inaccordancewiththerulesofchivalry!

FEDERICO.AndIacceptit!

KING.AndIgrantyoubothyourwish.Ihadenough!Goandkilleachother!

ALBERTO.Mysecondwillagreeonatimeandplacewithyoursecond.

FEDERICO.Andmysecondwilleagerlyawaithisvisit.

ALBERTO.Allright?

FEDERICO.Allright!

FLORELA.Excuseme,yourmajesty.NowthatFedericoandAlberto’sproblemshavebeen

satisfactorilyresolved,couldwepleaseturntomine,aspromised?

KING.Wewill,Florela.WhereisDonAlonsoofAragon?Iwishtowelcomehiminaproper

mannertoourkingdom.

FLORELA.(toFinea).Celio,stepforward.HisMajestywishestospeaktoyou.

FINEA.Atyourservice,mylord.

KING.DonAlonso.Idon’tthinkyouneedtoconcealyouridentityanylonger.Youareamong

friends.Iamverypleasedtolearnthatyouhavedecidedtomarryoneofmyloyalsubjects.

FINEA.Ithankyou,sire.AndIamgladthatyourmajestyispleasedtoallowmetomarryoneof

yoursubjects.ButletitbetheonethatImyselfhavechosen.

KING.Byallmeans,Alonso.Pleaseletusknowwhoitis.

FINEA.CountFederico.

FEDERICO.(aside)Me???Marryaman??

40

KING.YouandtheCount?

FINEA.Yes,mylord.

KING.Thereyougoagain,Federico!Whatnewmischiefhaveyoucausednow?

FEDERICO.(stepsforward)Sire,Iamyourloyalsubject.Yourwishismycommand.If,whetherI

likeitornot,Imustmarryaman,thensobeit!(kneelsbeforetheKing.)

FINEA.Youwon’thavetomarryaman,Federico.(takesoffherhatandletsherhairfalloverher

shoulders).IamFinea,Alberto’ssister,whofellinlovethemomentIseteyesonyou.Your

Majesty,Iamsolelyresponsibleforalltheconfusionandturmoilofthelastfewdays,not

CountFederico.Untilthismoment,hewasunawareofmytrueidentity.Please,sire,forgive

me.Forgivemydaring,forIamawomaninlove,andonlylovepromptedandmotivatedall

myactions.

FEDERICO.Howcouldyou,Celio…Imean,Finea…dothistome?

KING.Federico,awoman’sloveexcusesall.Noneednowtoexamineherreasons.

FLORELA.Butwhataboutme,YourMajesty?IfIcannotmarryaPrince,letmeatleastmarrya

Count!

KING.Enough!Listentome,allofyou!Thisismywill.IforgiveFineaandorderthat,asareward

forherclevernessandresourcefulness,shemarriesCountFederico.Asforyou,Florela,itis

mywishthatyoumarryFinea’sbrother,Alberto.

ALBERTO.But,sir,I’dneverseenthiswomanbeforetoday!

KING.Well,youneverknow,Alberto,thiscouldbethebeginningofabeautifulandloving

relationship.

FLORELA.Here’smyhand!

KING.Iorderyoutotakeit,Alberto,inthenameoftheKingofHungary.

ALBERTO.Yourwishismycommand,YourMajesty.

FlorelaandAlbertogrowlateachother.

CLARÍN.IstherenobodyleftforClarín?NoFlora,Florela,Fenisa,Felisa,orFineaforme?

41

FINEA.Yes,thereis.(EnterFenisarunning)YouwillmarryFenisa,Clarín,withtheassurancethat

she’sasmuchavirginnowasshewasbeforeshemetme.

CLARÍN.Ibelieveyou.Grabmyhand,Fenisa.(Addressestheaudience)Andthis,gentleaudience,

istheendofthisplay,whetheryoulikeitornot!