More winning far than his, who thanks the gate
That spreaks with pride to let a monarch in."

Empress. Girl, I am loth to speak in terms of blame, But thou hast much offended courtesy ;

Not only slighting me, thy sovereign lady,

But him to whom thy fate awards thee bride!
Coun. A wife must be a widow ere a bride!
Empress. A wife? no wife art thou !

Coun. I am a wife!

Before this goodly presence I proclaim it!
A wife by stealth, but still a wedded wife!
Wedded for love, as fervent, durable,

As ever led a woman to the altar!

Empress. Where is thy husband? where is thy husband?

Coun. Here! I am kneeling

At his feet?

Huon. Thy husband, I?

Coun. My husband, thou!

Huon. Was I not wed to Catherine ?

[Kneels to Huon.

Coun. My name is Catherine, as thou should'st know, But, as thou know'st not, till now; the lips

Pronounced that name in wedding thee the hand
Then given to thee-the troth then plighted thee-
Were mine, as truly as the breath that now
Avows I am thy wife !-in debt to fate

For baffling thee, for now she owns thee lord
In thy adversity!

Huon. Thou kneel'st to me!

I marvel of thy words!-I overlooked thee,
Madam!-My wife, rise !-pray you, rise!-my own,

My dear liege lady ever!

I am feeble

In words; but, oh! the strife is strong within

Of wonder, gratitude, humility,

Pride, honour, love, outdoing one another!

Enter CATHERINE, disguised, R.

Cath. Fair empress, justice!

Empress. Who asks for justice?

Cath. One that is most wronged

In his honour; cheated by a craven knight,
Who promised him to give him meeting here;

But hath broken his word-no doubt, through cowardice. Empress. What is his name?

Cath. Sir Rupert.

Sir Rup. [Stepping forward.] He speaks false !

I am here to my appointment.

Cath. Are you so?

Are you not maimed in the arm?

Sir Rup. No!

Cath. Nor in the leg, that you can't sit your

Sir Rup. No!

horse ?

Cuth. That is still more wonderful! Nor yet

In your spirit?

Sir Rup. No!

Cath. Most wonderful of all!

You do not mean to say you have the heart

To fight with me?

Sir Rup. That you shall see anon.

Cath. Anon, sir? now! but where are your good friends?

Sir Rup. Here!

[Sir Otto and Sir Conrad come forward.

Cath. Gentlemen, I am sorry for the fall
You got in tilting for the Countess; but
'Tis nothing to the one which he shall rue,

As you shall see. Down on your knees, and beg
Your life!

Sir Rup. And beg my life!
Cath. Now what's the use?

Down on your knees at once!

Valour won't come for stamping, sir! entreat
Your friends to hold you, that's a better way

To pass for a brave man.

Sir Rup. I'll smite thee.

Cath. Do!

If

you dare!

[Throwing off cloak.

Ha! Have I brought thee to thy knee at last, sir?

Said I not I would bring thee to thy knees?

Beware I say not I will keep you there.

Sir Rup. What! Catherine?

Coun. Yes, Catherine, Sir Rupert.

Sir Rup. Oh, happiness!

Coun. Which thou hast well deserved.

Sir Rup. Thou still wast gracious to me.
Coun. For thy truth,

Attested by thy jealous poverty.

I saw thy honest love for Catherine,

In secret cherished, as thou though'st—as one
Conceals a costly treasure he has found,
And rightfully may keep, but being poor,
Doth fear to own.

Thy Catherine, before thou fear'dst to claim,
Is rendered back to thee, confessed thine own.
And with her, tendered thanks, for sacrifice
In self-denying love and trust to me.

Cath. Oh, more than paid in profitting her friend.
Coun. Yet to be paid! Huon, canst thou forgive

The scornful maid, for the devoted wife

Had cleaved to thee, though ne'er she owned thee lord? Huon. I nothing see, except thy wondrous love.

Coun. Madam, our happiness doth lift to thee

Its eyes in penitence and gratitude!

Thou, chief in station, first to give desert,
Despite its lowliness, its lofty due!

Oh, thou hast taught a lesson to all greatness,
Whether of rank or wealth, that 'tis the roof
Stately and broad, was never meant to house
Equality alone-whose porch is ne'er
So proud, as when it welcomes in desert,
That comes in its own fair simplicity

THE END

[Flourish.

1

MODERN STANDARD DRAMA.

EDITED BY EPES SARGENT,

AUTHOR OF "VELASCO, A TRAGEDY," &C.

DON CESAR DE BAZAN.

A Drama

IN THREE ACTS.

AS PRODUCED AT THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE, LONDON,
AT THE PARK THEATRE, NEW YORK.

WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARACTERS, COS TUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, &c.

DOUGLAS, No. 11 SPRUCE ST

1847.

PRICE 25 CENTS.