Honoré Balzac - The Resources of Quinola - A Comedy in a Prologue and Five Acts

Grand Inquisitor

Count Sarpi, secretary to the Viceroy

Don Ramon, a savant

Avaloros, a banker

Mathieu Magis, a Lombard

Lothundiaz, a burgess

Alfonso Fontanares, an inventor

Lavradi, known as Quinola, servant to Fontanares

Monipodio, a retired bandit

Coppolus, a metal merchant

Carpano, a locksmith

Esteban, workman

Girone, workman

The host of the "Golden Sun"

A bailiff

An alcalde

Faustine Brancadori

Marie Lothundiaz, daughter to Lothundiaz

Dona Lopez, duenna to Marie Lothundiaz

Paquita, maid to Faustine

SCENE: Spain – Valladolid and Barcelona

TIME: 1588-89

(The scene is laid at Valladolid, in the palace of the King of Spain. The stage represents the gallery which leads to the chapel. The entrance to the chapel is on the spectators' left, that to the royal apartment on the right. The principal entrance is in the centre. On each side of the principal door stand two halberdiers. At the rise of the curtain the Captain of the Guards and two lords are on the stage. An alcalde of the palace stands in the centre of the gallery. Several courtiers are walking up and down in the hall that leads to the gallery.)

The Captain of the Guards, Quinola (wrapped in his mantle) and a halberdier.

The halberdier (barring the way to Quinola)

No one passes this way, unless he has the right to do so. Who are you?

Quinola (lifting up the halberd)

An ambassador.

(All look at him.)

Halberdier

From what state?

Quinola (passing in)

From what state? From a state of misery.

The Captain of the Guards Go and bring the major-domo of the palace, that he may render to this ambassador the honors that are due him. (To the halberdier) Three days' imprisonment.

Quinola (to the Captain)

You are a very droll rascal.

Quinola (taking him aside)

Are not you the cousin of the Marchioness of Mondejar?

The Captain

What if I am?

Quinola Although she is high in favor, she is on the brink of an abyss, into which she may fall and lose her head in falling.

The Captain All people of your class trump up these stories! – Listen, you are the twenty-second person, and we have only reached the tenth of the month, who has made an attempt to be introduced to the favorite, for the purpose of squeezing a few pistoles from her. Take yourself off or else —

Quinola My lord, it is better to be misled by twenty-two poor devils, twenty-two times, than once to miss the opportunity of heeding him who is sent by your good angel; and you see, I may also say (he opens his mantle) I am wearing her wings.

The Captain

Let us end this, and tell me what proof of your errand you can give?

Quinola (handing him a letter) This little message you must return to me so that the secret remains in our possession, and hang me if you do not see the marchioness swoon when she reads it. Believe moreover that I profess, in common with an immense majority of Spaniards, a deep-seated aversion for – the gallows.

The Captain And suppose that some ambitious woman has paid for your life, that she give it in exchange for another's?

Quinola Should I be in rags? My life is as good as Caesar's. Look here, my lord. (He unseals the letter, smells it, folds it up again, and gives it to him) Are you satisfied?

The Captain (aside)

I have yet time. (To Quinola) Remain where you are, I am going to her.

Quinola (alone, in the front of the stage, looking at the departing captain) That is all right! O my dear master, if the torture chamber has not broken your bones, you are likely to get out of the cells of the holy – the thrice holy Inquisition – saved by your poor cur Quinola! Poor? – why should I say poor? My master once free, we will end by cashing our hopes. To live at Valladolid for six months without money, and without being nabbed by the alguazils, argues the possession of certain small talents, which, if applied to – other ends, might bring a man to – something different in fact! If we knew where we were going no one would stir a step – I purpose speaking to the king, I, Quinola. God of the rapscallions, give me the eloquence – of – a pretty woman, of the Marchioness of Mondejar —

Quinola and the Captain.

The Captain (to Quinola) Here are fifty doubloons which the marchioness sends you, that you may be enabled to make your appearance here in decent guise.

Quinola (pouring the gold from one hand into the other) Ah, this burst of sunshine has been long expected! I will return, my lord, radiant as that amorous valet, whose name I have assumed; Quinola at your service, Quinola soon to be lord of wide domains, where I shall administer justice, from the time – (aside) I cease to fear its ministers.

The Courtiers and the Captain.

The Captain (alone at the front of the stage) What secret has this miserable creature discovered? My cousin almost fainted away. She told me that it concerned all my friends. The king must have something to do in the matter. (To a lord) Duke of Lerma, is there anything new in Valladolid?

The Duke of Lerma (whispering) It is said that the Duke of Olmedo was murdered this morning, at three o'clock, just before dawn. It happened a few paces from the Mondejar palace.

The Captain It is quite likely he should be assassinated for prejudicing the king's mind against my cousin; the king, like all great statesmen, esteems as true everything that appears to be probable.

The Duke It is said that enmity between the duke and the marchioness was only a pretence, and that the assassin is not to be prosecuted.

The Captain Duke, this ought not to be repeated unless it can be proved, and even then could not be written excepting with a sword dipped in my blood.

The Duke

You asked me the news.

(The duke retires.)

The same persons, and the Marchioness of Mondejar.

The Captain Ah! here is my cousin! (To the marchioness) Dear marchioness, you are still very much agitated. In the name of our common salvation, control yourself; you will attract attention.

The Marchioness

Has that man come back?

The Captain Now, how can a man of such base condition as he is throw you into such terror?

The Marchioness He holds my life in his hands; more than my life, indeed; for he holds in his power the life also of another, who, in spite of the most scrupulous precautions, cannot avoid exciting the jealousy —

The Captain Of the king! – Did he cause the assassination of the Duke of Olmedo, as is rumored?

The Marchioness Alas! I do not know what to think. – Here I am alone, helpless – and perhaps soon to be abandoned.

The Captain You may rely upon me – I shall constantly be in the midst of all our enemies like a hunter on the watch.

The same persons and Quinola.

Quinola

I have only thirty doubloons left, but I have had the worth of sixty.

– Ah! what a lovely scent! The marchioness can now talk to me without fear.

The Marchioness (pointing out Quinola)

Is this our man?

The Captain

Yes.

The Marchioness Keep watch, my cousin, so that I may be able to talk without being overheard. (To Quinola) Who are you, my friend?

Quinola (aside)

Her friend! As soon as you have a woman's secret, you are her friend.

(Aloud) Madame, I am a man superior to all considerations and all circumstances.

The Marchioness

You have reached a pretty good height, at any rate.