No More Learning

The pessimistic coloring of the picture would be at times unendur-
ably oppressive, were it not relieved and lightened by the moral
dignity of the hero. Echegaray's pessimism is, so to say, altruistic,
never egoistic; and the compensating sense of righteousness vindi-
cated rarely fails to explain, if not to justify, his darkest scenes.
Judged by the canons of art, Echegaray's dramatic productions
will be found to have many imperfections. But their defects are the
defects of genius, not of mediocrity, and spring generally from an
excess of imagination, not from poverty of invention or faulty insight.
The plot is often overweighted with an accumulation of incidents,
off! .


## p. 5103 (#275) ###########################################

JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
5103
and the means employed to bring about the desired end are often
lacking in verisimilitude. Synthetic rather than analytic in his
methods, and a master in producing contrasts, Echegaray captivates
the imagination by arts which the cooler judgment not seldom con-
demns. His characters too are not always inhabitants of the real
world, and not infrequently act contrary to the laws which govern it.
The secondary characters are too often carelessly drawn, sometimes
being mere shadowy outlines, while an altogether disproportionate
part of the development of the plot is intrusted to them.
On the other hand, in the world of the passions Echegaray treads
with secure step. Its labyrinthine windings, its depths and its heights,
are all familiar to him. Here every accent uttered is the accent of
truth; every act is prompted by unerring instinct. Nothing is false;
nothing is trivial; nothing is strained. The elemental forces of nature
seem to be at work, and the catastrophe results as inevitably from
their action as if decreed by fate.
The genius of Echegaray, which in its irregular grandeur and its
ethical tendency has been not inaptly likened by a Spanish critic to
that of Victor Hugo, rarely descends from the tragic heights on
which it achieved its first and its greatest triumphs; but that its
range has been limited by choice, not nature, is abundantly proved in
the best of his lighter productions, 'Un Critico Incipiente (An Embryo
Critic). Of his achievement in tragedy the culminating point was
reached -- after a second series of noteworthy productions, among
them Lo Que no Puede Decirse (What Cannot be Told), Mar Sin
Orillas' (A Shoreless Sea), and En el Seno de la Muerte) (In the
Bosom of Death) – in El Gran Galeoto' (The Great Galeoto), repre-
sented in 1881 before an audience which hailed its author as
“prodigy of genius, a second Shakespeare. Other notable works
followed, —'Conflicto entre Dos Deberes) (Conflict between Two
Duties), Vida Alegre y Muerte Triste' (A Merry Life and a Sad
Death), Lo Sublime en lo Vulgar) (The Sublime in the Common-
place); but El Gran Galeoto' has remained thus far its author's
supreme dramatic achievement. In its title is personified the evil
speaking which not always with evil intent, sometimes even with
the best motives, slays, with a venom surer than that of the adder's
tongue, the reputation which it attacks; turning innocence itself by
its contaminating power into guilt.
a


## p. 5104 (#276) ###########################################

5104
JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
FROM (MADMAN OR SAINT? )
[Don Lorenzo, a man of wealth and position living in Madrid, has discovo
ered that he is the son, not as he and all the world had supposed, of the lady
whose wealth and name he has inherited, but of his nurse Juana, who dies
after she has revealed to him the secret of his birth. In consequence he
resolves publicly to renounce his name and his possessions, although by doing
so he will prevent the marriage of his daughter Inez to Edward, the son of
the Duchess of Almonte. The mother will consent to Don Lorenzo's renuncia-
tion of his possessions but not of his name, as this would throw a stigma on
Inez's origin. He refuses to listen either to the reasoning or to the entreaties
of his wife, the duchess, Edward, and Dr. Tomás. Finally they are per-
suaded that he is mad, and Dr. Tomás calls in a specialist to examine him.
The specialist, with two keepers, arrives at the house at the same time with
the notary, whom Don Lorenzo has sent for to make before him a formal act
of renunciation of his name and possessions. )
Don Lorenzo enters and stands listening to Inez
DºN
no
ON LORENZO [aside]—“Die,” she said !
Edward - You to die! No, Inez, not that; do not say
that.
Ines - And why not? If I do not die of grief — if happiness
could ever visit me again - I should die of remorse.
Lorenzo [asid) - "Of remorse! ” She! "If happiness could
ever visit her again! ” What new fatality floats in the air and
hangs threateningly above my head ? Remorse! I have surprised
another word in passing! I traverse rooms and halls, and I go
from one place to another, urged by intolerable anguish, and I
hear words that I do not understand, and I meet glances that I
do not understand, and tears greet me here and smiles there, and
one opposes me, and every one avoids me or watches me.
[Aloud. ) What is this? What is this?
Ines [hurrying to him and throwing herself into his arms] -
Father!
Lorenco - Inez! How pale you are! Why are your lips drawn
as if with pain? Why do you feign smiles that end in sighs! --
How lovely in her sorrow! And I am to blame for all!
Ines — No, father.
Lorenco - How cruel I am! Ah! you think it, although you
do not say it.
Edward - Inez is an angel. Rebellious thoughts can find no
place in her heart; but who that sees her can fail to think it and
to say it ?


## p. 5105 (#277) ###########################################

JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
5105
Lorenzo— No one; you are right.
Edward [with energy] - If I am right, then you are wrong.
Lorenzo - I am right also. There is something more pallid
than the pallid brow of a lovesick maiden; there is something
sadder than the sad tears that fall from her beautiful eyes; some-
thing more bitter than the smile that contracts her lips; some-
thing more tragic than the death of her beloved.
Edward (with scornful vchemence] — And what is that pallor,
what are those tears, and what the tragedies you speak of?
Lorenso — Insensate! [Seising him by the arm. ] The pallor
of crime, the tears of remorse, the consciousness of our own vile-
ness.
Edward — And it would be vile, and criminal, and a source of
remorse, to make Inez happy ?
Lorenso [despairingly] – It ought not to be so — but it would!
[Pause. ] And this it is that tortures me. This is the thought
that is driving me mad!
Ines — No, father, do not say that! Follow the path you have
marked out for yourself, without thought of me. What does it
matter whether I live or die ?
Lorenso— Inez!
Ines But do not vacillate — and above all, let no one see
that you vacillate; let your speech be clear and convincing as it
let not anger blind you. Be calm, be calm, father; I
implore it of you in the name of God.
Lorenzo What do you mean by those words ? I do not un-
derstand you.
Inez – Do I rightly know myself what I mean? There - I
am going. I do not wish to pain you.
Edward [to Lorenzo] -- Ah, if you would but listen to your
heart; if you would but silence the cavilings of your conscience.
Ines [to Edward] - Leave him in peace - come with me; do
not anger him, or you will make him hate you.
Lorenzo — Poor girl! She too struggles, but she too will con-
quer! [With an outburst of pride. ] She will show that she is
indeed my daughter!
is now;
[Inez and Edward go up the stage; passing the study door, Inez sces the
keepers and gives a start of horror. 1
Ines - What sinister vision affrights my gaze! -- No, father, do
not enter there.
IX--320


## p. 5106 (#278) ###########################################

5106
JOSE ECHEGARAY
Edward - Come, come, my Inez!
Ines [to her father] — No, no, I entreat you'
Lorenzo [approaching her] - Inez!
Ines — Those men there — look!
[Inez stretches out her hand toward the study; Don Lorenzo stands and fol-
lows her gaze.
At this moment the keepers, hearing her cry, show
themselves between the curtains. ]
Edward [leading Ines away] — At last!
Lorenso— Now I am more tranquil! The wound is mortal!
I feel it here in my heart! I thank thee, merciful God!
Dr. Tomás and Dr. Bermúdez enter and stop to observe Don Lorenzo.
Dr. Tomás -- There he is— sitting in the arm-chair.
Dr. Bermúde: — Unfortunate man!
Lorenzo [rising, aside] - Ah, miserable being! Still cherishing
impossible hopes. Impossible ? And what if they honestly be-
lieve that I – [Despairingly] Ah! If they loved me they would
not believe it. [Pause. ) Did I not hear Inez- the child of my
heart — speak of remorse? Why should she speak of remorse?
[Aloud, with increasing agitation. ] They are all wretches! They
would almost be glad that I should die. But no: I will not die
until I have fulfilled my duty as an honorable man; until I have
put the climax to my madness.
Dr. Tomás [laying his hand on Don Lorenzo's shoulder] -
Lorenzo
Lorenzo [turning, recognizes him and draws back angrily] –
He!
Dr. Tomás - Let me present to you Dr. Bermúdez, one of
my best friends. [Pause. Don Lorenzo regards both strangely. ]
Dr. Bermúdez [to Dr. Tomás, in a low voice] - See the effort
he makes to control himself; he is vaguely conscious of his con-
dition—there is not a doubt left on my mind.
Lorenzo—One of your best friends, one of your best friends —
Dr. Bermúdez [aside to Dr. Tomás] — The idea is escaping
him, and he is striving to retain it.
Lorenzo [ironically] - If he is one of your best friends, then
your loyalty is a guarantee for his.


## p. 5107 (#279) ###########################################

JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
5107
Dr. Bermides [aside, to Dr. Tomás] — At last he has found
the word. But notice how unnatural is the tone of his voice.
[Aloud. ] I have come to be a witness, according to what Dr.
Tomás tells me, of a very noble action.
Lorenzo — And of an act of base treachery also.
Dr. Tomás - Lorenzo!
Dr. Bermúdez [aside, to Dr. Tomás) — Let him go on talking.
Lorenzo — And of an exemplary punishment.
Dr. Bermúdez [aside to Dr. Tomás] - A serious case, my
friend, a serious case.
Lorenzo [to Dr. Tomos] — Call everybody: those of the house-
hold and strangers alike. Let them assemble here, and here
await my orders, while I go to fulfill my duty yonder. What are
you waiting for?
Dr. Bermúdes [aside, to Dr. Tomás] - Let him have his way;
call them.
[Dr. Tomás rings a bell; a servant enters, to whom he speaks in a low
voice and who then goes out. ]
Lorenzo — It is the final trial; I could almost feel pity for the
traitors. Ah! I am sustained by the certainty of my triumph.
Be still, my heart. There they are - there they are.
I do not
wish to see them. To treat me thus who loved them so dearly!
- I do not wish, and yet my eyes turn toward them — seeking
them — seeking them!
no, no.
It cannot be!
Lorenzo — Inez! It cannot be! She!
My child!
(Hurries towards her with outstretched arms.
Inez runs to him. ]
Innes
Father!
[Dr. Bermúdez hastens to interpose, and separates them forcibly. ]
Dr. Bermudes — Come, come, Don Lorenzo; you might hurt
your daughter seriously.
Lorenzo (seizing him by the arm and shaking him violently] –
Wretch! Who are you to part me from my child ?
Dr. Tomás - Lorenzo!
Edward — Don Lorenzo!
Angela — My God!


## p. 5108 (#280) ###########################################

5108
JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
(The women group themselves instinctively together, Inez in her mother's
arms, the duchess beside them. Dr. Tomás and Edward hasten to
free Bermúdez from Don Lorenzo's grasp. )
Lorenco [aside, controlling himself]-So! The imbeciles think
it is another access of madness! Ha, ha, ha! (Laughing with
suppressed laughter. All watch him. ]
Dr.
Bermúdes [aside to Dr. Tomás]— It is quite clear.
Angela [aside]— Oh, my poor Lorenzo!
Ines [aside] - My poor father!
Lorenzo [aside]-Now you shall see how my madness will
end. Before I leave this house, with what pleasure will I turn
that doctor out of it. Courage! The coming struggle inspires
me with new strength. What! Is a man to be declared mad
because he is resolved to do his duty ? Ah, it cannot be!
Humanity is neither so blind nor so base as that. Enough! I
must be calm. Treachery has begun its work; then let the pun-
ishment begin too. [Aloud. ] The hour has come for me to per-
form a sacred duty, though a most painful one. It would be
useless to ask you to witness formalities which the law requires,
but which you would only find irksome. The representative of
the law awaits me in yonder room; and in obedience to another
and a higher law, I am going now to renounce a fortune which
is not mine, and a name which neither I nor my family can con-
scientiously bear longer. After this is done I will return here,
and with my wife, and - and my daughter — and let no one
seek to dissuade me from my purpose, for it would be in vain
I will leave this house which has been for me in the past the
abode of love and happiness, but which is to-day the abode of
treachery and baseness. Gentlemen [to Dr. Tomás and Dr. Ber-
múde), lead the way; I beg you to do so.
[All slowly enter the study. On the threshold Lorenzo casts a last look at
Inez. ]
Translation made for (A Library of the World's Best Literature,' by Mary J.
Serrano


## p. 5109 (#281) ###########################################

JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
5109
FROM THE GREAT GALEOTO)
[In the scenes which are here cited the poison of slander begins to work.
Don Severo, uttering the anonymous gossip of the world, has implanted in the
mind of his middle-aged brother Don Julian the first suspicion of the honor
of his young wife Teodora and the loyalty of his adopted son Ernest. Teo-
dora, who has been warned by Mercedes, Don Severo's wife, overhears the
accusing words of her brother-in-law, who is talking with her husband in an
inner apartment; and horror-struck, is about to fly from the room. ]
Julian [inside] - Let me go!
Mercedes (inside] - No, for Heaven's sake!
Julian — It is they. I will go!
Teodora (to Ernest] - Go! go!
Severo [to Ernest] - You shall give me satisfaction for this!
Ernest - I will not refuse it.
Enter Julian, pale and disordered; wounded and seemingly in a dying
condition, supported by Mercedes. Don Severo stations himself at the
right, Teodora and Ernest remain in the background.
Julian — Together! Where are they going? — Stop them!
They shun my presence! Traitors!
[He makes a movement as if to rush toward them, but his strength fails
him and he totters. ]
Severo [hurrying to his assistance] — No, no.
Julian — They deceived me — they lied to me! Wretches!
[ While he is speaking, Mercedes and Severo lead him to the arm-
chair on the right. ] There— look at them - she and Ernest!
Why are they together ?
Teodora and Ernest (separating] — No!
Julian - Why do they not come to me? Teodora!
Teodora (stretching out her arms, but without advancing] -
My Julian!
Julian - Here, on my heart ! [Teodora runs to Julian and
throws herself into his arms. He presses her convulsively to his
breast. Pause. ] You see! - You see! [To his brother. ] I know
that she deceives me! I press her in my arms
I press her in my arms- I right kill her
if I would — and she would deserve it - but I look at her - I
look at her and I cannot!
Teodora — Julian!
Julian - And he ? [Pointing to Ernest. ]
Ernest - Sir!


## p. 5110 (#282) ###########################################

5110
JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
Julian — And I loved him! Be silent and come hither. [Ernest
advances. ] You see she is still mine. [Presses her closer. ]
Teodora - Yours - yours!
Julian - Do not act a part! Do not lie to me!
Mercedes - For God's sake! [Trying to calm him. ]
Severo - Julian!
Julian [to both] - Peace. Be silent. [To Teodora. ]
[To Teodora. ] I di-
vined your secret. I know that you love him. [Teodora and
Ernest try to protest, but he will not let them. ] Madrid knows it
too — all Madrid!
Ernest - No, father.
Teodora - No.
Julian — They would still deny it! When it is patent to all!
When I feel it in every fibre of my being, for the fever that
consumes me has illuminated my mind with its flame!
Ernest - All these fancied wrongs are the offspring of a fe-
vered imagination, of delirium! Hear me, sir -
Julian – You will lie to me again!
Ernest - She is innocent! [Pointing to Teodora. ]
Julian - I do not believe you.
Ernest — By my father's memory I swear it!
Julian - You profane his name and his memory by the oath.
Ernest — By my mother's last kiss —
Julian -- It is no longer on your brow.
Ernest — By all you hold most sacred, father, I swear it, I
swear it!
Julian — Let there be no oaths, no deceitful words, no pro-
tests.
Ernest — Well, then, what do you wish ?
Teodora — What do you wish ?
Julian - Deeds!
Ernest — What does he desire, Teodora ? What would he
have us do ?
Teodora — I do not know. What can we do, what can we do,
Ernest ?
Julian [watching them with instinctive distrust) - Ah, would
you deceive me to my very face? You are laying your plans
together, wretches! Do I not see it?
Ernest - These are the imaginings of fever.
Julian — Fever, yes! The fire of fever has consumed the
bandage with which you both blindfolded me, and at last I see


## p. 5111 (#283) ###########################################

JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
5111
clearly! And now why do you gaze on each other? why, trai-
tors ? Why do your eyes shine, Ernest ? Speak. Their bright-
ness is not the brightness of tears. Come nearer
nearer still.
[Draws Ernest to him, bends his head, and so forces him to his knees.
Don Julian thus remains between Teodora, who stands at his side,
and Ernest, who kneels at his feet. Don Julian passes his hand
over Ernest's eyes. ]
Julian - I was right - It is not with tears! They are dry!
Ernest - Pardon! — Pardon!
Julian — You ask my pardon? Then you confess your guilt.
Ernest --- No!
Julian - Yes!
Ernest — It is not that!
Julian — Then look into each other's eyes before me.
Severo— Julian!
Mercedes - Sir!
Julian [to Teodora and Ernest] - You are afraid, then ? You
do not love each other like brother and sister, then? If you do,
prove it! Let your souls rise to your eyes and in my presence
mingle their reflection there, that so I may see, watching them
closely, if that brightness is the brightness of light or of fire.
You too, Teodora — I will have it so. Come — both; nearer still!
[Forces Teodora to kneel before him, draws their faces together, and com-
pels them to look at each other. )
Teodora (freeing herself by a violent effort] - Oh no!
Ernest [also tries to release himself, but Julian holds him in
his grasp] - I cannot!
Julian You love each other! You love each other! I see it
clearly! [To Ernest. Your life!
Ernest - Yes.
Julian— Your blood!
Ernest — All!
Julian [keeping him on his knees] — Remain there.
Teodora - Julian! [Restraining him. ]
Julian — Ah, you defend him, you defend him.
Teodora - Not for his sake.
Severo — In Heaven's name -
Julian [to Severo] - Silence! Bad friend! bad son! [Holding
him at his feet. ]


## p. 5112 (#284) ###########################################

5112
JOSÉ ECHEGARAY
Ernest - Father!
Julian — Disloyal! Treacherous!
Ernest — No, father.
Julian — Thus do I brand you as a traitor on the cheek
now with my hand, soon with my sword! [With a supreme effort
he raises himself and strikes Ernest on the face. ]
Ernest [rises to his feet with a terrible cry and retreats, cover-
ing his face with his hands] – Ah!
Severo – Justice! [Stretching out his hand toward Ernest. ]
Teodora — My God! [Hides her face with her hands and falls
into a chair. ]
Mercedes [to Ernest, exculpating Julian]— It was delirium!
[These four exclamations in rapid succession. A moment of stupor; Julian
still standing and regarding Ernest, Mercedes and Serero trying to
calm him.
Julian — It was not delirium, it was chastisement, by Heaven!
What! Did you think your treachery would go unpunished, in-
grate!
Mercedes — Let us go, let us go!
Severo— Come, Julian.
Julian —Yes, I am going.
(Walks with difficulty toward his room, supported by Severo and Mercedes,
stopping from time to time to look back at Ernest and Teodora. ]
Mercedes - Quick, Severo!
Julian — Look at them, the traitors! It was justice! Was it
not justice ? So I believe.
Severo — For God's sake, Julian! For my sake!
Julian —You, you alone, of all the world, have loved me truly.
[Embraces him. ]
Severo-Yes, I alone!
Julian [stops near the door and looks at them again]— She
weeps for him
and does not follow me. She does not even
look at me; she does not see that I am dying - yes, dying!
Scvcro – Julian!
Julian - Wait, wait!