Gons. It was that dismal night
Which tore my anchor up, and tossed my ship,
Past hope of safety, many days together,
Until at length it threw me on this port.
Hip. I will not tell you what my sorrows
were,
To find you gone; but there was now no help.
Go back again, I durst not; but, in fine,
Thought best, as fast as my weak legs would bear me,
To come to Alicant, and find my sister,
Unknown to any else: But, being near
The city, I was seized upon by thieves,
From whom you rescued me.—The rest you
know.
Gons. I know too much indeed for my repose.
Enter Captain.
Capt. Do you know me?
Gons. Now I look better on thee, Thou seemest a greater villain than I thought thee.
Jul ’Tis he!
Hip. That bloody wretch, that robbed us in The woods.
Gons. Slave! darest thou lift thy hand
against me?
Darest thou touch any one whom he protects,
Who gave thee life? But I accuse myself,
Not thee: The death of all these guiltless persons
Became my crime, that minute when I spared thee.
Capt. It is not all your threats can alter me From what I have resolved.
Gons. Begin, then, first With me.
Capt. I will, by laying here my sword. [Lays his sword at Gonsalvo’s feet.
All. What means this sudden change?
Capt. Tis neither new, nor sudden.—From
that time
You gave me life, I watched how to repay it;
And Roderick’s servant gave me speedy means
To effect my wish: For, telling me, his master
Meant a revenge on you, and on Don Manuel,
And then to seize on Julia, and depart,
I proffered him my aid to seize a vessel;
And having, by enquiry, found out yours,
Acquainted first the captain with my purpose,
To make a seeming mastery of the ship.
Man. How durst he take your word?
Capt. That I secured,
By letting him give notice to the ships
That lay about: This done, knowing the place
You were to fight on was behind the rock,
Not far from thence, I, and some chosen men,
Lay out of sight, that, if foul play were offered,
We might prevent it:
But came not in; because, when there was need,
Don Manuel, who was nearer, stepped before me.
Gons. Then the boat, which seemed To lie by chance, hulling not far from shore, Was placed by your direction there?
Capt. It was.
Gons. You’re truly noble; and I owe much more Than my own life and fortunes to your worth.
Capt. ’Tis time I should restore their liberty To such of yours, as yet are seeming prisoners. I’ll wait on you again. [Exit Captain.
Rod. My enemies are happy; and the storm, Prepared for them, must break upon my head.