SCENE I.—_On a Mountain by Salvatierra.

_Enter GIL PEREZ, MANUEL, ISABEL, and JUANA._

_Gil._ This mountain then, upon whose wrinkled edge The weary moon reclines, must be our fort; Where, in some green and shady spot of it, (Hung round with savage, inaccessible rocks,) While Isabel and your Juana rest, You and I, Manuel, will steal into The little village nestled there below, And of such travellers as come this way, Demand (our own all gone) a scanty living, By fair entreaty, not by violence; Until, pursuit giv’n up, we may retreat Elsewhere, to live upon what little means Injustice leaves us.

_Man._ Gil, ’tis nothing new For criminals to hide Ev’n where they did the crime, where vengeance least Expects to find them, and hunts round in vain. And even should they light upon the place, Surely we two, back’d by these friendly rocks, Can keep at bay the rabble that we foil’d On level ground.

_Isab._ I have listen’d to you both, And take it ill you reckon on yourselves Alone; when I, who though a woman, having yet Your blood, Gil Perez, running in my veins, And something of your spirit in my heart, Am at your side.

_Jua._ And I, who, like a coward, Chime in at last; yet, if with little power, With right good will indeed.

_Gil._ Well spoken both! But I maintain it as a golden law, Women be women ever; keep you quiet, And comforting yourselves as best you may, While Manuel and I, as becomes men, Provide for you in all.

_Isab._ Well, we at least, If fit for nothing else, can pray for you.

[_Exeunt ISABEL and JUANA._

_Gil._ Now they are gone, I want to talk with you On a grave matter, Manuel, ’Tis this. Among those depositions at the Judge’s, One rascal, and a rascal too whose gold Makes weigh his witness against honesty, Declared on oath he saw me, me, Gil Perez, Abetting Don Alonso treacherously To slay Don Diego.

_Man._ Who was this?

_Gil._ Why one Who has not this alone to answer for, As you will know when I name—Juan Baptista.

_Man._ A coward, who, as all such villains do, Flies to the tongue for vengeance, not the sword; Behind one’s back too— Why, let us go at once, and in broad day Before all eyes, before the very Judge’s He lied to, drag the rascal from his house, And make him eat his words in the very place He spit them forth in.

_Gil._ All this we will do, But at some better opportunity, And fitter place. I’ve heard my grandsire say, ‘If you begin the fray, why then You must abide the how and when; But who’s drawn into it, I trow, May suit himself with when and how.’ But footsteps! Hark!— Now to commence our calling, as new members Of the most courteous cut-purse company.

_Enter LEONARDO, travelling._

_Leon._ (_speaking as he enters_). Lead on the horses, Mendo, ’tis so pleasant Under the shadow of these wooded rocks, I’ll walk some way alone.

_Gil._ Your servant, sir.

_Leon._ Sir, God be with you!

_Gil._ Travelling all alone? And whither, may I ask?

_Leon._ To Lisbon, sir.

_Gil._ And whence?

_Leon._ I started at the break of day From Salvatierra.

_Gil._ Ay? Then you can tell What news is stirring there.

_Leon._ Oh nothing, sir. Unless perhaps the exploits of a fellow The terror of that country; one Gil Perez, I think; who, when justice was at his heels After some crime or other I forget, Wounded the Sheriff, kill’d his officer, And then was impudent enough to walk Into the very Judge’s house, and there, Before his very eyes, snatch up and read The depositions drawn up against him.

_Gil._ A very curious story, that!

_Leon._ And then, Though half the place was up in arms on him, He, and another who is, as I hear, Much such another rascal as himself, Broke through them all and got away scot free! But they are after him.

_Gil._ This is the news?

_Leon._ All that I know of.

_Gil._ Well—before you go, I’ll ask you, sir, who by your speech and bearing Seem a good fellow, if a friend of yours Came flying for his life, the Philistines Close on his heels, and fell before your feet, At your own door, exhausted, and beseeching Help and protection of you—let me ask What would you do?

_Leon._ What do? why, give it him.

_Gil._ You would? and would you, in so doing, Deserve the name of rascal for your pains?

_Leon._ No, certainly.

_Gil._ And when a writ was out Against you for so doing, charging you With murder, threatening death and confiscation, Would you be more a rascal for demanding Such needful information of the Judge As he alone could give of evidence Which you suspected, and found false?

_Leon._ No, truly.

_Gil._ One question more. If, damn’d by such false witness, You were found guilty, all your property Confiscated, yourself condemn’d to die, Might not you fly the misdirected sword Of justice, and of those who well could spare Beg a poor tithe of what she robb’d you wholly, And be no rascal still?

_Leon._ Oh clearly, clearly.

_Gil._ This granted then, look to the inference. I am Gil Perez; I who struck the Sheriff, And kill’d his man, and read the Judge’s papers, And flying hither, shorn of house and home, Ask you for that of which the law robs me; Which, having plenty, if you will not give, By your own free admission I may take, And be no rascal still.

_Leon._ You need not use My argument against me; I respect And pity you, Gil Perez; take this chain; If it be not enough, I pledge my word I’ll bring you more hereafter.

_Gil._ All you say Tells of a generous heart. But ere I take Your present, tell me—do you give it me For fear, alone, and in my power, may be, Or of good will?

_Leon._ Good will! I swear to you, Gil Perez, I would even do the same Had I a squadron at my side.

_Gil._ As such I take it, then. For when my life must pay, As soon or late it must, the penalty Of hungry vengeance, I shall lay it down Contented in my conscience, and report That I but took from those who had to give, And freely gave; the only retribution My evil star allow’d me.

_Leon._ True enough. Is there aught else that I can do for you?

_Gil._ Nothing.

_Leon._ Farewell—and may a better fate Await you.

_Gil._ Farewell—shall I see you safe Over the mountain?

_Leon._ Not a step—adieu.

[_Exit._

_Man._ Sure never robbery was known to wear So fair a face.

_Gil._ Tut, tut, you’re not to call it Robbery, but preferment, Manuel. But who are these?

_Enter two Farmers._

_1st Farm._ I tell you I have bought the stock of vines Upon his farm.

_2nd Farm._ What, Gil’s?

_1st Farm._ Yes; sold, you know, To pay the costs of prosecution, Judges and Alguazils and such; and I Am carrying them the money.

_Man._ Fair game this.

_Gil._ I know him, a near neighbour. Well, friend Antony, How goes it with you?

_1st Farm._ What! Gil Perez! you! When the whole country’s after you?

_Gil._ And if they catch me nobody’s the worse Except myself. But till they catch and kill me, (When I shall want, you know, no more to live on,) I’ve not a stiver; clipt of the estate Whose price you carry in your pocket there. Now, I’d not starve; but, on the other hand, Would not wrong any one to keep me from ’t: How shall we settle that?

_1st Farm._ Oh easily— Take this—and this (_offers money_)—I had better give it up At once, for fear. (_Aside._)

_Gil._ But do you give me this Of free good will?

_1st Farm._ Why as to that, Gil Perez, My will is good to serve you; but, you see, I am not very rich.

_Gil._ You mean by that You would not give this money could you help it?

_1st Farm._ Why certainly.

_Gil._ Then keep it and begone In peace.

_1st Farm._ Gil Perez!

_Gil._ I’ll not have it said I robb’d—not shamed to beg in my distress.

_2nd Farm._ And I pray, Gil, and he who likes may hear me, God keep you from your enemies. I have here Six pieces that my wife knows nothing of; You’re welcome.

_Gil._ Not a penny; go your ways, Or night will reach you ere you reach your homes.

[_Exeunt Farmers._

_Man._ Gil, while you talk’d with them, I’ve heard a sound As of pursuit—listen!—and many too.

_Gil._ Let us up higher then!

_Man._ Beware, the trees Will whisper of our whereabout.

_Gil._ Then here Behind the rocks that tell no tales.

_Man._ Quick, quick! (_They hide._)

_Enter DONNA LEONOR, JUAN BAPTISTA, Judge, Alguazils, etc._

_Bapt._ Here, madam, till the scorching sun be sunk, Tarry awhile.

_Leonor._ My cousin’s grievous sickness Calls me with all speed homeward.

_Judge._ And as yet No vestige of these ruffians, whom to find And bring to justice, madam, in your cause, I’ll peril my own life.

_Gil._ Hist, Manuel!

_Man._ Ay, but speak lower.

_Gil._ When better than now Can I avenge Alonso and myself, When judge, accus’d, accuser, and false witness, Are all together?

_Man._ Wait awhile.

_Gil._ But—

_Man._ See, Fresh comers.

_Gil._ I shall lose the golden moment.

_Enter some, dragging along PEDRO._

_Judge._ A prisoner?

_1st Man._ One of Gil Perez’s knaves, my lord, whom we have just now caught creeping over to Portugal. The very day Perez swam over there this fellow was missed from Salvatierra, and returned on the very evening of his return.

_Judge._ Very suspicious indeed.

_Pedro._ Very, my lord, I grant it. Yes, wherever I go, to Portugal, Flanders, Germany, China, Japan, ’tis all the same. I am sure to find him there.

_Judge._ You know then where he is now?

_Ped._ Oh, doubtless close at hand: he must be, I being here; he is such a constant master, that if you put me in prison he’ll soon surrender only to follow me there.

_Judge._ Point out the place, then.

_Ped._ Would to Heav’n I could, for were he clapt up safe I’d not follow _him_, I promise you. Indeed, my lord, I live in terror of my life from him.

Flying from him it was I fled from home To Portugal; where the first man I saw Was he I thought I’d left at Salvatierra: Flying to Andalusia, the first face I saw was his I left in Portugal: Till, rushing homeward in despair, the man I thought I’d left behind in Andalusia, Met me at once, and having knockt me down, Left me for dead. Well, I got up at last, And fled again: but, scarcely got a mile, Your people seize me on suspicion Of knowing where he hides, and so far justly, That carrying me by way of a decoy, I’ll lay my life he soon were in the trap.

_Judge._ Your folly, or your cunning, sir, shall not mislead us; tell me where your master is at once, or the wooden horse—

_Ped._ Alas, I’m a bad rider.

_Judge._ Take him to the village and keep him close. By his looks I doubt not, spite of this affected simplicity, he’s a desperate ruffian.

_Ped._ I seem such a desperate fellow to him. Dear me, of the four men here let one depart, and leave three, and one of the three leave two, and one of the two one; and that one leave half himself; and that half his half; and that quarter his half, till it comes to _nil_: it would still be nilly willy with me.

[_Exit, guarded by Alguazils._

_Gil._ Manuel, The Alguazils are gone.

_Man._ Now for it then.

_Gil_ (_appearing_). God save this noble company!

_All._ Gil Perez!

_Gil._ Be not alarm’d; I have but a few words To say to one of you, this Juan Baptista.

_Judge._ Holloa! my guards!

_Man._ Judge, never strain your throat, Unless you would be answer’d by such guards As waited on you yesterday.

_Judge._ Is this the way that I, and, in my person, That justice is insulted?

_Gil._ Nay, my lord, You least of all should tax a criminal Who so punctiliously respects yourself, And the realm’s Justice in your belly lodged, That not to waste you in a vain pursuit, He waits on you himself.

_Judge._ Impudent man! And this before that most illustrious lady Your treachery has render’d brotherless; And who with daily prayers—

_Gil._ And ’tis for this— That she may hear my vindication Ev’n from the very lips that made the charge, And cease an unjust persecution, Unworthy of her noble name and blood, That I am here. For, madam, if I prove That Don Alonso in fair duel slew Your brother, and without my treacherous help, Or any man’s, would you pursue us still?

_Leonor._ No, sir; for though the laws of duel are For men alone, I know enough of them To pardon all that was in honour done, Ev’n to my cost. Prove what you say you will, And Don Alonso may take sanctuary In my own house against myself and all.

_Gil._ ’Tis nobly said. On this I take my stand: And since ’tis general and accepted law That what a witness first shall swear, and then Forswear, stand for no evidence at all, Stand forth, Juan Baptista; Here is your deposition; I will read it Before the very Judge you swore it to, And before this great lady, and do you Substantiate or deny it point by point.

_Judge._ Audacity!

_Gil_ (_reading_). In the first place you swear, That, ‘As luck fell, you were behind a tree When the two gentlemen came out to fight.’ Say, is this true?

_Bapt._ It is.

_Gil._ ‘And that they fought Hand to hand fairly, until suddenly Gil Perez, rushing from a thicket, sided With Don Alonso.’ Now, bethink you well; Is this the truth, Baptista?

_Bapt._ Yes. I swear it.

_Gil._ Infamous liar! (_Shoots him with a pistol._)

_Bapt_ (_falling_). Heav’n have mercy on me!

_Gil._ My lord, you must another murder add To my black catalogue. Come, Manuel, We must away while we have time. Farewell.

[_Exeunt GIL and MANUEL._

_Judge._ By the most sacred person of my king, I swear to punish this audacity, If it should cost my life.

_Bapt._ Oh, listen, lady; While I have breath to speak. I’m justly slain. I tried to swear Gil Perez’s life away To gain his sister; he has told you true: In fair and open duel, hand to hand, Was Don Diego slain. Oh let my death Atone for this, and my last dying words Attest it.

(_Dies._)

_Enter the Alguazils with PEDRO._

_Alg._ We heard a pistol, and returned, my lord, to see.

_Judge._ It was Gil Perez; that is his work. (_Pointing to BAPTISTA._)

_Ped._ There, said I not the truth?

_Judge._ He must not escape; after him! As to this fellow here, who is plainly in his secrets, let two Alguazils keep guard upon him here, lest he do further mischief; the rest come with me.

_Ped._ What crime have I committed? Did I not tell you, my lord, he would come, and did he not come?

_Judge._ Peace, traitor! Come, madam.

[_Exeunt._