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ACT II. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Summary, Meaning & Analysis

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Act II of Longfellow's verse drama *The Spanish Student* centers on Preciosa, a Gypsy dancer in Madrid, who faces threats from a cunning nobleman, an overbearing father figure, and a jealous lover who leaves her due to deceitful rumors.

The poem
SCENE I. -- PRECIOSA'S chamber. Morning. PRECIOSA and ANGELICA. Prec. Why will you go so soon? Stay yet awhile. The poor too often turn away unheard From hearts that shut against them with a sound That will be heard in heaven. Pray, tell me more Of your adversities. Keep nothing from me. What is your landlord's name? Ang. The Count of Lara. Prec. The Count of Lara? O, beware that man! Mistrust his pity,--hold no parley with him! And rather die an outcast in the streets Than touch his gold. Ang. You know him, then! Prec. As much As any woman may, and yet be pure. As you would keep your name without a blemish, Beware of him! Ang. Alas! what can I do? I cannot choose my friends. Each word of kindness, Come whence it may, is welcome to the poor. Prec. Make me your friend. A girl so young and fair Should have no friends but those of her own sex. What is your name? Ang. Angelica. Prec. That name Was given you, that you might be an angel To her who bore you! When your infant smile Made her home Paradise, you were her angel. O, be an angel still! She needs that smile. So long as you are innocent, fear nothing. No one can harm you! I am a poor girl, Whom chance has taken from the public streets. I have no other shield than mine own virtue. That is the charm which has protected me! Amid a thousand perils, I have worn it Here on my heart! It is my guardian angel. Ang. (rising). I thank you for this counsel, dearest lady. Prec. Thank me by following it. Ang. Indeed I will. Prec. Pray, do not go. I have much more to say. Ang. My mother is alone. I dare not leave her. Prec. Some other time, then, when we meet again. You must not go away with words alone. (Gives her a purse.) Take this. Would it were more. Ang. I thank you, lady. Prec. No thanks. To-morrow come to me again. I dance to-night,--perhaps for the last time. But what I gain, I promise shall be yours, If that can save you from the Count of Lara. Ang. O, my dear lady! how shall I be grateful For so much kindness? Prec. I deserve no thanks, Thank Heaven, not me. Ang. Both Heaven and you. Prec. Farewell. Remember that you come again tomorrow. Ang. I will. And may the Blessed Virgin guard you, And all good angels. [Exit. Prec. May they guard thee too, And all the poor; for they have need of angels. Now bring me, dear Dolores, my basquina, My richest maja dress,--my dancing dress, And my most precious jewels! Make me look Fairer than night e'er saw me! I've a prize To win this day, worthy of Preciosa! (Enter BELTRAN CRUZADO.) Cruz. Ave Maria! Prec. O God! my evil genius! What seekest thou here to-day? Cruz. Thyself,--my child. Prec. What is thy will with me? Cruz. Gold! gold! Prec. I gave thee yesterday; I have no more. Cruz. The gold of the Busne,--give me his gold! Prec. I gave the last in charity to-day. Cruz. That is a foolish lie. Prec. It is the truth. Cruz. Curses upon thee! Thou art not my child! Hast thou given gold away, and not to me? Not to thy father? To whom, then? Prec. To one Who needs it more. Cruz. No one can need it more. Prec. Thou art not poor. Cruz. What, I, who lurk about In dismal suburbs and unwholesome lanes I, who am housed worse than the galley slave; I, who am fed worse than the kennelled hound; I, who am clothed in rags,--Beltran Cruzado,-- Not poor! Prec. Thou hast a stout heart and strong hands. Thou canst supply thy wants; what wouldst thou more? Cruz. The gold of the Busne! give me his gold! Prec. Beltran Cruzado! hear me once for all. I speak the truth. So long as I had gold, I gave it to thee freely, at all times, Never denied thee; never had a wish But to fulfil thine own. Now go in peace! Be merciful, be patient, and ere long Thou shalt have more. Cruz. And if I have it not, Thou shalt no longer dwell here in rich chambers, Wear silken dresses, feed on dainty food, And live in idleness; but go with me, Dance the Romalis in the public streets, And wander wild again o'er field and fell; For here we stay not long. Prec. What! march again? Cruz. Ay, with all speed. I hate the crowded town! I cannot breathe shut up within its gates Air,--I want air, and sunshine, and blue sky, The feeling of the breeze upon my face, The feeling of the turf beneath my feet, And no walls but the far-off mountain-tops. Then I am free and strong,--once more myself, Beltran Cruzado, Count of the Cales! Prec. God speed thee on thy march!--I cannot go. Cruz. Remember who I am, and who thou art Be silent and obey! Yet one thing more. Bartolome Roman-- Prec. (with emotion). O, I beseech thee If my obedience and blameless life, If my humility and meek submission In all things hitherto, can move in thee One feeling of compassion; if thou art Indeed my father, and canst trace in me One look of her who bore me, or one tone That doth remind thee of her, let it plead In my behalf, who am a feeble girl, Too feeble to resist, and do not force me To wed that man! I am afraid of him! I do not love him! On my knees I beg thee To use no violence, nor do in haste What cannot be undone! Cruz. O child, child, child! Thou hast betrayed thy secret, as a bird Betrays her nest, by striving to conceal it. I will not leave thee here in the great city To be a grandee's mistress. Make thee ready To go with us; and until then remember A watchful eye is on thee. [Exit. Prec. Woe is me! I have a strange misgiving in my heart! But that one deed of charity I'll do, Befall what may; they cannot take that from me. SCENE II -- A room in the ARCHBISHOP'S Palace. The ARCHBISHOP and a CARDINAL seated. Arch. Knowing how near it touched the public morals, And that our age is grown corrupt and rotten By such excesses, we have sent to Rome, Beseeching that his Holiness would aid In curing the gross surfeit of the time, By seasonable stop put here in Spain To bull-fights and lewd dances on the stage. All this you know. Card. Know and approve. Arch. And further, That, by a mandate from his Holiness, The first have been suppressed. Card. I trust forever. It was a cruel sport. Arch. A barbarous pastime, Disgraceful to the land that calls itself Most Catholic and Christian. Card. Yet the people Murmur at this; and, if the public dances Should be condemned upon too slight occasion, Worse ills might follow than the ills we cure. As Panem et Circenses was the cry Among the Roman populace of old, So Pan y Toros is the cry in Spain. Hence I would act advisedly herein; And therefore have induced your Grace to see These national dances, ere we interdict them. (Enter a Servant) Serv. The dancing-girl, and with her the musicians Your Grace was pleased to order, wait without. Arch. Bid them come in. Now shall your eyes behold In what angelic, yet voluptuous shape The Devil came to tempt Saint Anthony. (Enter PRECIOSA, with a mantle thrown over her head. She advances slowly, in modest, half-timid attitude.) Card. (aside). O, what a fair and ministering angel Was lost to heaven when this sweet woman fell! Prec. (kneeling before the ARCHBISHOP). I have obeyed the order of your Grace. If I intrude upon your better hours, I proffer this excuse, and here beseech Your holy benediction. Arch. May God bless thee, And lead thee to a better life. Arise. Card. (aside). Her acts are modest, and her words discreet! I did not look for this! Come hither, child. Is thy name Preciosa? Prec. Thus I am called. Card. That is a Gypsy name. Who is thy father? Prec. Beltran Cruzado, Count of the Cales. Arch. I have a dim remembrance of that man: He was a bold and reckless character, A sun-burnt Ishmael! Card. Dost thou remember Thy earlier days? Prec. Yes; by the Darro's side My childhood passed. I can remember still The river, and the mountains capped with snow The village, where, yet a little child, I told the traveller's fortune in the street; The smuggler's horse, the brigand and the shepherd; The march across the moor; the halt at noon; The red fire of the evening camp, that lighted The forest where we slept; and, further back, As in a dream or in some former life, Gardens and palace walls. Arch. 'T is the Alhambra, Under whose towers the Gypsy camp was pitched. But the time wears; and we would see thee dance. Prec. Your Grace shall be obeyed. (She lays aside her mantilla. The music of the cachucha is played, and the dance begins. The ARCHBISHOP and the CARDINAL look on with gravity and an occasional frown; then make signs to each other; and, as the dance continues, become more and more pleased and excited; and at length rise from their seats, throw their caps in the air, and applaud vehemently as the scene closes.) SCENE III. -- The Prado. A long avenue of trees leading to the gate of Atocha. On the right the dome and spires of a convent. A fountain. Evening, DON CARLOS and HYPOLITO meeting. Don C. Hola! good evening, Don Hypolito. Hyp. And a good evening to my friend, Don Carlos. Some lucky star has led my steps this way. I was in search of you. Don. C. Command me always. Hyp. Do you remember, in Quevedo's Dreams, The miser, who, upon the Day of Judgment, Asks if his money-bags would rise? Don C. I do; But what of that? Hyp. I am that wretched man. Don C. You mean to tell me yours have risen empty? Hyp. And amen! said my Cid the Campeador. Don C. Pray, how much need you? Hyp. Some half-dozen ounces, Which, with due interest-- Don C. (giving his purse). What, am I a Jew To put my moneys out at usury? Here is my purse. Hyp. Thank you. A pretty purse. Made by the hand of some fair Madrilena; Perhaps a keepsake. Don C. No, 't is at your service. Hyp. Thank you again. Lie there, good Chrysostom, And with thy golden mouth remind me often, I am the debtor of my friend. Don C. But tell me, Come you to-day from Alcala? Hyp. This moment. Don C. And pray, how fares the brave Victorian? Hyp. Indifferent well; that is to say, not well. A damsel has ensnared him with the glances Of her dark, roving eyes, as herdsmen catch A steer of Andalusia with a lazo. He is in love. Don C. And is it faring ill To be in love? Hyp. In his case very ill. Don C. Why so? Hyp. For many reasons. First and foremost, Because he is in love with an ideal; A creature of his own imagination; A child of air; an echo of his heart; And, like a lily on a river floating, She floats upon the river of his thoughts! Don C. A common thing with poets. But who is This floating lily? For, in fine, some woman, Some living woman,--not a mere ideal,-- Must wear the outward semblance of his thought. Who is it? Tell me. Hyp. Well, it is a woman! But, look you, from the coffer of his heart He brings forth precious jewels to adorn her, As pious priests adorn some favorite saint With gems and gold, until at length she gleams One blaze of glory. Without these, you know, And the priest's benediction, 't is a doll. Don C. Well, well! who is this doll? Hyp. Why, who do you think? Don C. His cousin Violante. Hyp. Guess again. To ease his laboring heart, in the last storm He threw her overboard, with all her ingots. Don C. I cannot guess; so tell me who it is. Hyp. Not I. Don. C. Why not? Hyp. (mysteriously). Why? Because Mari Franca Was married four leagues out of Salamanca! Don C. Jesting aside, who is it? Hyp. Preciosa. Don C. Impossible! The Count of Lara tells me She is not virtuous. Hyp. Did I say she was? The Roman Emperor Claudius had a wife Whose name was Messalina, as I think; Valeria Messalina was her name. But hist! I see him yonder through the trees, Walking as in a dream. Don C. He comes this way. Hyp. It has been truly said by some wise man, That money, grief, and love cannot be hidden. (Enter VICTORIAN in front.) Vict. Where'er thy step has passed is holy ground! These groves are sacred! I behold thee walking Under these shadowy trees, where we have walked At evening, and I feel thy presence now; Feel that the place has taken a charm from thee, And is forever hallowed. Hyp. Mark him well! See how he strides away with lordly air, Like that odd guest of stone, that grim Commander Who comes to sup with Juan in the play. Don C. What ho! Victorian! Hyp. Wilt thou sup with us? Vict. Hola! amigos! Faith, I did not see you. How fares Don Carlos? Don C. At your service ever. Vict. How is that young and green-eyed Gaditana That you both wot of? Don C. Ay, soft, emerald eyes! She has gone back to Cadiz. Hyp. Ay de mi! Vict. You are much to blame for letting her go back. A pretty girl; and in her tender eyes Just that soft shade of green we sometimes see In evening skies. Hyp. But, speaking of green eyes, Are thine green? Vict. Not a whit. Why so? Hyp. I think The slightest shade of green would be becoming, For thou art jealous. Vid. No, I am not jealous. Hyp. Thou shouldst be. Vict. Why? Hyp. Because thou art in love. And they who are in love are always jealous. Therefore thou shouldst be. Vict. Marry, is that all? Farewell; I am in haste. Farewell, Don Carlos. Thou sayest I should be jealous? Hyp. Ay, in truth I fear there is reason. Be upon thy guard. I hear it whispered that the Count of Lara Lays siege to the same citadel. Vict. Indeed! Then he will have his labor for his pains. Hyp. He does not think so, and Don Carlos tells me He boasts of his success. Vict. How's this, Don Carlos? Don. C. Some hints of it I heard from his own lips. He spoke but lightly of the lady's virtue, As a gay man might speak. Vict. Death and damnation! I'll cut his lying tongue out of his mouth, And throw it to my dog! But no, no, no! This cannot be. You jest, indeed you jest. Trifle with me no more. For otherwise We are no longer friends. And so, fare well! [Exit. Hyp. Now what a coil is here! The Avenging Child Hunting the traitor Quadros to his death, And the Moor Calaynos, when he rode To Paris for the ears of Oliver, Were nothing to him! O hot-headed youth! But come; we will not follow. Let us join The crowd that pours into the Prado. There We shall find merrier company; I see The Marialonzos and the Almavivas, And fifty fans, that beckon me already. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. -- PRECIOSA'S chamber. She is sitting, with a book in her hand, near a table, on which are flowers. A bird singing in its cage. The COUNT OF LARA enters behind unperceived. Prec. (reads). All are sleeping, weary heart! Thou, thou only sleepless art! Heigho! I wish Victorian were here. I know not what it is makes me so restless! (The bird sings.) Thou little prisoner with thy motley coat, That from thy vaulted, wiry dungeon singest, Like thee I am a captive, and, like thee, I have a gentle jailer. Lack-a-day! All are sleeping, weary heart! Thou, thou only sleepless art! All this throbbing, all this aching, Evermore shall keep thee waking, For a heart in sorrow breaking Thinketh ever of its smart! Thou speakest truly, poet! and methinks More hearts are breaking in this world of ours Than one would say. In distant villages And solitudes remote, where winds have wafted The barbed seeds of love, or birds of passage Scattered them in their flight, do they take root, And grow in silence, and in silence perish. Who hears the falling of the forest leaf? Or who takes note of every flower that dies? Heigho! I wish Victorian would come. Dolores! (Turns to lay down her boot and perceives the COUNT.) Ha! Lara. Senora, pardon me. Prec. How's this? Dolores! Lara. Pardon me-- Prec. Dolores! Lara. Be not alarmed; I found no one in waiting. If I have been too bold-- Prec. (turning her back upon him). You are too bold! Retire! retire, and leave me! Lara. My dear lady, First hear me! I beseech you, let me speak! 'T is for your good I come. Prec. (turning toward him with indignation). Begone! begone! You are the Count of Lara, but your deeds Would make the statues of your ancestors Blush on their tombs! Is it Castilian honor, Is it Castilian pride, to steal in here Upon a friendless girl, to do her wrong? O shame! shame! shame! that you, a nobleman, Should be so little noble in your thoughts As to send jewels here to win my love, And think to buy my honor with your gold! I have no words to tell you how I scorn you! Begone! The sight of you is hateful to me! Begone, I say! Lara. Be calm; I will not harm you. Prec. Because you dare not. Lara. I dare anything! Therefore beware! You are deceived in me. In this false world, we do not always know Who are our friends and who our enemies. We all have enemies, and all need friends. Even you, fair Preciosa, here at court Have foes, who seek to wrong you. Prec. If to this I owe the honor of the present visit, You might have spared the coming. Raving spoken, Once more I beg you, leave me to myself. Lara. I thought it but a friendly part to tell you What strange reports are current here in town. For my own self, I do not credit them; But there are many who, not knowing you, Will lend a readier ear. Prec. There was no need That you should take upon yourself the duty Of telling me these tales. Lara. Malicious tongues Are ever busy with your name. Prec. Alas! I've no protectors. I am a poor girl, Exposed to insults and unfeeling jests. They wound me, yet I cannot shield myself. I give no cause for these reports. I live Retired; am visited by none. Lara. By none? O, then, indeed, you are much wronged! Prec. How mean you? Lara. Nay, nay; I will not wound your gentle soul By the report of idle tales. Prec. Speak out! What are these idle tales? You need not spare me. Lara. I will deal frankly with you. Pardon me This window, as I think, looks toward the street, And this into the Prado, does it not? In yon high house, beyond the garden wall,-- You see the roof there just above the trees,-- There lives a friend, who told me yesterday, That on a certain night,--be not offended If I too plainly speak,--he saw a man Climb to your chamber window. You are silent! I would not blame you, being young and fair-- (He tries to embrace her. She starts back, and draws a dagger from her bosom.) Prec. Beware! beware! I am a Gypsy girl! Lay not your hand upon me. One step nearer And I will strike! Lara. Pray you, put up that dagger. Fear not. Prec. I do not fear. I have a heart In whose strength I can trust. Lara. Listen to me I come here as your friend,--I am your friend,-- And by a single word can put a stop To all those idle tales, and make your name Spotless as lilies are. Here on my knees, Fair Preciosa! on my knees I swear, I love you even to madness, and that love Has driven me to break the rules of custom, And force myself unasked into your presence. (VICTORIAN enters behind.) Prec. Rise, Count of Lara! That is not the place For such as you are. It becomes you not To kneel before me. I am strangely moved To see one of your rank thus low and humbled; For your sake I will put aside all anger, All unkind feeling, all dislike, and speak In gentleness, as most becomes a woman, And as my heart now prompts me. I no more Will hate you, for all hate is painful to me. But if, without offending modesty And that reserve which is a woman's glory, I may speak freely, I will teach my heart To love you. Lara. O sweet angel! Prec. Ay, in truth, Far better than you love yourself or me. Lara. Give me some sign of this,--the slightest token. Let me but kiss your hand! Prec. Nay, come no nearer. The words I utter are its sign and token. Misunderstand me not! Be not deceived! The love wherewith I love you is not such As you would offer me. For you come here To take from me the only thing I have, My honor. You are wealthy, you have friends And kindred, and a thousand pleasant hopes That fill your heart with happiness; but I Am poor, and friendless, having but one treasure, And you would take that from me, and for what? To flatter your own vanity, and make me What you would most despise. O sir, such love, That seeks to harm me, cannot be true love. Indeed it cannot. But my love for you Is of a different kind. It seeks your good. It is a holier feeling. It rebukes Your earthly passion, your unchaste desires, And bids you look into your heart, and see How you do wrong that better nature in you, And grieve your soul with sin. Lara. I swear to you, I would not harm you; I would only love you. I would not take your honor, but restore it, And in return I ask but some slight mark Of your affection. If indeed you love me, As you confess you do, O let me thus With this embrace-- Vict. (rushing forward). Hold! hold! This is too much. What means this outrage? Lara. First, what right have you To question thus a nobleman of Spain? Vict. I too am noble, and you are no more! Out of my sight! Lara. Are you the master here? Vict. Ay, here and elsewhere, when the wrong of others Gives me the right! Prec. (to LARA). Go! I beseech you, go! Vict. I shall have business with you, Count, anon! Lara. You cannot come too soon! [Exit. Prec. Victorian! O, we have been betrayed! Vict. Ha! ha! betrayed! 'T is I have been betrayed, not we!--not we! Prec. Dost thou imagine-- Vict. I imagine nothing; I see how 't is thou whilest the time away When I am gone! Prec. O speak not in that tone! It wounds me deeply. Vict. 'T was not meant to flatter. Prec. Too well thou knowest the presence of that man Is hateful to me! Vict. Yet I saw thee stand And listen to him, when he told his love. Prec. I did not heed his words. Vict. Indeed thou didst, And answeredst them with love. Prec. Hadst thou heard all-- Vict. I heard enough. Prec. Be not so angry with me. Vict. I am not angry; I am very calm. Prec. If thou wilt let me speak-- Vict. Nay, say no more. I know too much already. Thou art false! I do not like these Gypsy marriages! Where is the ring I gave thee? Prec. In my casket. Vict. There let it rest! I would not have thee wear it: I thought thee spotless, and thou art polluted! Prec. I call the Heavens to witness-- Vict. Nay, nay, nay! Take not the name of Heaven upon thy lips! They are forsworn! Prec. Victorian! dear Victorian! Vict. I gave up all for thee; myself, my fame, My hopes of fortune, ay, my very soul! And thou hast been my ruin! Now, go on! Laugh at my folly with thy paramour, And, sitting on the Count of Lara's knee, Say what a poor, fond fool Victorian was! (He casts her from him and rushes out.) Prec. And this from thee! (Scene closes.) SCENE V. -- The COUNT OF LARA'S rooms. Enter the COUNT. Lara. There's nothing in this world so sweet as love, And next to love the sweetest thing is hate! I've learned to hate, and therefore am revenged. A silly girl to play the prude with me! The fire that I have kindled-- (Enter FRANCISCO.) Well, Francisco, What tidings from Don Juan? Fran. Good, my lord; He will be present. Lara. And the Duke of Lermos? Fran. Was not at home. Lara. How with the rest? Fran. I've found The men you wanted. They will all be there, And at the given signal raise a whirlwind Of such discordant noises, that the dance Must cease for lack of music. Lara. Bravely done. Ah! little dost thou dream, sweet Preciosa, What lies in wait for thee. Sleep shall not close Thine eyes this night! Give me my cloak and sword. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. -- A retired spot beyond the city gates. Enter VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO. Vict. O shame! O shame! Why do I walk abroad By daylight, when the very sunshine mocks me, And voices, and familiar sights and sounds Cry, "Hide thyself!" O what a thin partition Doth shut out from the curious world the knowledge Of evil deeds that have been done in darkness! Disgrace has many tongues. My fears are windows, Through which all eyes seem gazing. Every face Expresses some suspicion of my shame, And in derision seems to smile at me! Hyp. Did I not caution thee? Did I not tell thee I was but half persuaded of her virtue? Vict. And yet, Hypolito, we may be wrong, We may be over-hasty in condemning! The Count of Lara is a cursed villain. Hyp. And therefore is she cursed, loving him. Vid. She does not love him! 'T is for gold! for gold! Hyp. Ay, but remember, in the public streets He shows a golden ring the Gypsy gave him, A serpent with a ruby in its mouth. Vict. She had that ring from me! God! she is false! But I will be revenged! The hour is passed. Where stays the coward? Hyp. Nay, he is no coward; A villain, if thou wilt, but not a coward. I've seen him play with swords; it is his pastime. And therefore be not over-confident, He'll task thy skill anon. Look, here he comes. (Enter LARA followed by FRNANCISCO) Lara. Good evening, gentlemen. Hyp. Good evening, Count. Lara. I trust I have not kept you long in waiting. Vict. Not long, and yet too long. Are you prepared? Lara. I am. Hyp. It grieves me much to see this quarrel Between you, gentlemen. Is there no way Left open to accord this difference, But you must make one with your swords? Vict. No! none! I do entreat thee, dear Hypolito, Stand not between me an my foe. Too long Our tongues have spoken. Let these tongues of steel End our debate. Upon your guard, Sir Count. (They fight. VICTORIAN disarms the COUNT.) Your life is mine; and what shall now withhold me From sending your vile soul to its account? Lara. Strike! strike! Vict. You are disarmed. I will not kill you. I will not murder you. Take up your sword. (FRANCISCO hands the COUNT his sword, and HYPOLITO interposes.) Hyp. Enough! Let it end here! The Count of Lara Has shown himself a brave man, and Victorian A generous one, as ever. Now be friends. Put up your swords; for, to speak frankly to you, Your cause of quarrel is too slight a thing To move you to extremes. Lara. I am content, I sought no quarrel. A few hasty words, Spoken in the heat of blood, have led to this. Vict. Nay, something more than that. Lara. I understand you. Therein I did not mean to cross your path. To me the door stood open, as to others. But, had I known the girl belonged to you, Never would I have sought to win her from you. The truth stands now revealed; she has been false To both of us. Vict. Ay, false as hell itself! Lara. In truth, I did not seek her; she sought me; And told me how to win her, telling me The hours when she was oftenest left alone. Vict. Say, can you prove this to me? O, pluck out These awful doubts, that goad me into madness! Let me know all! all! all! Lara. You shall know all. Here is my page, who was the messenger Between us. Question him. Was it not so, Francisco? Fran. Ay, my lord. Lara. If further proof Is needful, I have here a ring she gave me. Vict. Pray let me see that ring! It is the same! (Throws it upon the ground, and tramples upon it.) Thus may she perish who once wore that ring! Thus do I spurn her from me; do thus trample Her memory in the dust! O Count of Lara, We both have been abused, been much abused! I thank you for your courtesy and frankness. Though, like the surgeon's hand, yours gave me pain, Yet it has cured my blindness, and I thank you. I now can see the folly I have done, Though 't is, alas! too late. So fare you well! To-night I leave this hateful town forever. Regard me as your friend. Once more farewell! Hyp. Farewell, Sir Count. [Exeunt VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO. Lara. Farewell! farewell! farewell! Thus have I cleared the field of my worst foe! I have none else to fear; the fight is done, The citadel is stormed, the victory won! [Exit with FRANCISCO. SCENE VII. -- A lane in the suburbs. Night. Enter CRUZADO and

Public domain · sourced from Project Gutenberg

Quick summary
Act II of Longfellow's verse drama *The Spanish Student* centers on Preciosa, a Gypsy dancer in Madrid, who faces threats from a cunning nobleman, an overbearing father figure, and a jealous lover who leaves her due to deceitful rumors. This act illustrates how a woman without social power relies on her bravery and clever words as her main defenses. By the conclusion, it becomes clear that nearly every man in her vicinity has either betrayed her or been misled into thinking she is untrustworthy.
Themes

Line-by-line

SCENE I. -- PRECIOSA'S chamber. Morning. PRECIOSA and ANGELICA.
Preciosa encounters Angelica, a struggling young woman who is vulnerable to the Count of Lara's exploitation. Preciosa warns her, offers her money, and encourages her to return the next day. This moment showcases Preciosa's genuine kindness as she gives away her last coin to someone she just met. Her final request for her best dancing dress indicates that she is preparing herself for a tough situation ahead. When Beltran Cruzado shows up demanding gold and threatening to pull her back into a wandering Gypsy life, Preciosa stands firm. His insistence that she marry Bartolome Roman brings her to her knees, and in her emotional plea, she inadvertently reveals her feelings for someone else, which Cruzado quickly exploits against her.
SCENE II. -- A room in the ARCHBISHOP'S Palace. The ARCHBISHOP and a CARDINAL seated.
The Archbishop and Cardinal argue about whether public dancing undermines public morals, labeling Preciosa's art a moral issue before they’ve even witnessed it. However, when she enters and performs, the two church officials—who came prepared to judge her—end up tossing their caps in the air, thrilled. This subtly humorous moment reveals the contrast between their formal piety and human desire, demonstrating that Preciosa's art is truly impactful, able to sway even those set on disapproving of it.
SCENE III. -- The Prado. A long avenue of trees... DON CARLOS and HYPOLITO meeting.
Don Carlos and Hypolito exchange clever jabs before Victorian arrives, clearly smitten. When Hypolito alerts Victorian that the Count of Lara is bragging about his success with Preciosa, Victorian's demeanor shifts from dreamy to furious in an instant. This scene illustrates how swiftly male honor culture can turn love into a competition, and how mere gossip—rather than solid proof—can trigger a man's anger. Victorian storms off, already half-believing something that isn’t true.
SCENE IV. -- PRECIOSA'S chamber. She is sitting, with a book in her hand...
Preciosa recites a sorrowful poem about her restless, aching heart, likening herself to a caged bird—trapped yet tenderly cared for. Suddenly, the Count of Lara appears uninvited. With fierce dignity, she confronts him, drawing a dagger when he attempts to touch her. When he kneels and professes his love, she responds with a lengthy, measured speech that contrasts his selfish yearning with the essence of true love. At the worst possible moment, Victorian walks in, misinterpreting the situation, and in a flood of jealous accusations, brands her as false and tainted. Left alone, Preciosa feels abandoned by the one person she thought she could trust.
SCENE V. -- The COUNT OF LARA'S rooms. Enter the COUNT.
Lara reveals his true motive: he has been plotting Preciosa's downfall out of wounded pride, not love. He has hired men to sabotage her dance performance that night. This brief scene is crucial — it shows that all of Preciosa's fears about him are valid, and the disaster approaching her is entirely orchestrated by the man she turned away.
SCENE VI. -- A retired spot beyond the city gates. Enter VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO.
Victorian and Lara face off in a duel. Victorian emerges victorious but chooses to spare Lara's life. In retaliation, Lara poisons the well, claiming that Preciosa sought him out and instructed him on when to visit. He then produces the ring that Victorian gave her as supposed evidence. Victorian, convinced by Lara's words, crushes the ring underfoot and announces that he is leaving the city for good. Alone, Lara revels in his victory. The audience is aware that it’s all a deception, making Victorian's self-righteous exit truly painful to witness.
SCENE VII. -- A lane in the suburbs. Night. Enter CRUZADO and...
The scene in the provided text abruptly ends, but it begins with a dark suburban lane at night, hinting that the action is heading toward the street-level dangers Preciosa has been cautioned about all day. Cruzado's return indicates that the threats to Preciosa are coming together — the nobleman, the jealous lover, and the overbearing father figure are all on the move simultaneously.

Tone & mood

The tone shifts from scene to scene but remains tightly controlled throughout. In her scenes, Preciosa's urgency and emotional intensity shine through—she speaks with a quiet fire, particularly when defending her honor. The church scene carries a dry humor, leaning towards the farcical. In the Prado scene, we see the easy banter of male friendship that later turns sour with jealousy. The duel scene feels cold and bitter. Overall, the act gives off the sense of a trap gradually closing in, with Preciosa at the center, doing everything right yet still facing punishment.

Symbols & metaphors

  • The ringThe ring that Victorian gave to Preciosa symbolizes their bond and her loyalty. When Lara presents it as fake evidence of her betrayal and Victorian crushes it underfoot, the act of destroying the ring represents the breakdown of trust — and the tarnishing of Preciosa's reputation — all based on a falsehood.
  • The caged birdPreciosa likens herself to a bird singing in its cage: confined, observed, yet still able to create beauty. This metaphor perfectly reflects her reality—she enjoys more freedom than a street Gypsy but has less than a woman who is truly free, and her art serves as both her means of survival and her confinement.
  • The daggerWhen Preciosa draws a dagger on the Count of Lara, she experiences a rare moment of physical power. This act shows that her virtue isn't just passive; she's ready to defend it with force. It redefines her as an active agent instead of a helpless victim.
  • GoldGold threads through the act as a symbol of power and corruption. Cruzado seeks it, Lara attempts to use it to purchase Preciosa's honor, and Preciosa freely gives hers to Angelica. This contrast highlights those who view money as a tool for exploitation versus those who see it as a means of care.
  • The dancePreciosa's dancing is not only her art and her livelihood, but also how others choose to define and undermine her. The Archbishop scene captures its truly transcendent nature, while Lara's scheme to disrupt it treats it as something to be attacked. The dance becomes the space where her freedom and vulnerability are laid bare simultaneously.

Historical context

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow released *The Spanish Student* in 1843 after working on it since the late 1830s, inspired by his travels in Spain and extensive reading of Spanish literature, particularly Cervantes. Set in early modern Madrid, the play features the Gypsy dancer, a common romantic figure in European literature of that era. However, Longfellow imbues Preciosa with much more intelligence and moral clarity than typically seen. This verse drama is meant to be read rather than performed, following the tradition of closet drama. Longfellow was influenced by the popularity of Spanish-themed Romanticism in European literature during the 1820s and 1830s, as well as his own interests in social class, female virtue, and the differences between appearance and reality. While the play enjoyed popularity in its time, it is seldom read today outside of Longfellow studies.

FAQ

It follows Preciosa, a Gypsy dancer, through a day where nearly everything falls apart. A corrupt nobleman attempts to seduce her and then seeks to ruin her, her overbearing guardian threatens to force her back into a life of wandering, and her lover, Victorian, leaves her after being misled into thinking she has been unfaithful. By the end of the act, Preciosa finds herself alone, with her reputation deliberately tarnished — despite her innocence.

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