OLAVIGO : A THAGEDV. 325 



it does not depend upon me to redress an injury of so depraved a character. 

 Whether I can redress it? that depends on the heart of your excellent 

 sister, whether she will condescend again to look on a wretch who does 

 not deserve to behold the light of day. But it is your duty, Sir, to consult 

 her wish, and act accordingly, if you would have your conduct construed 

 otherwise than the excess of youthful impetuosity. If Donna Maria is in- 

 flexibleOh ! I know her heart ! Oh ! her generous angelic soul hovers 

 in full perfection before me ! If she is inexorable, then it will be time 

 enough, Sir 



Beau. I wait for the declaration. 



Clav. (Going to the table.} But if I have recourse to my sword ! 



Beau. (Going.} Very well, Sir ! Beautiful, Sir! 



Clav. (Detaining him.} One word more. You have a just cause. Allow 

 that I possess some skill. Think on what you are doing. In either case we 

 are inevitably lost. Should I not sink with pain and anguish if your blood 

 stained my sword, and I were to rob Maria of her brother, too, in the 

 midst of all her unhappiness ; and then the murderer of Clavigo would 

 not measure back the Pyrenees. 



Beau. The declaration, Sir, the declaration! 



Clav. Beit so, then. I will do every thing to convince you of the sincerity 

 of my intentions, which your presence has inspired. I will write the de- 

 claration. I will write it from your dictation; only promise not to make 

 use of it until I have had an opportunity of convincing Donna Maria of 

 my changed, repentant heart. Till I have spoken with her sister till she 

 has kindly interceded for me with my beloved wait till then, Sir. 



Beau. I am going to Aranjuez. 



Clav. Well, then, you will keep the declaration in your portfolio till you 

 return; if by that time I have not obtained forgiveness, let your ven- 

 geance take its course. This proposition appears to me just, proper, 

 moderate ; and if you will not agree to it, then let the game between us be 

 for life or death; but whoever falls, the victims of your precipitancy are 

 still yourself and your poor sister. 



Beau. It becomes you to pity those you have made unhappy. 



Clav. Does my proposal satisfy you ? 



Beau. Well, I consent ! But riot one moment longer. At my return 

 from Aranjuez I shall inquire learn ! and if they have not forgiven you 

 to my satisfaction, I immediately send the paper to the press. 



Clav. (Taking paper.} How do you desire it? 



Beau. Sir ! in the presence of your domestics. 



Clav. Why so ? 



Beau. You order them into the adjoining gallery. It shall not be said 

 I forced you to do it. 



Clav. What scrupulousness ! 



Beau. I am in Spain, and have to deal with you. 



r Clav. Now then ! (Rings. Enter Servant.} Call my household together, 

 and assemble here in the gallery. (Exit Servant. The Domestics come and 

 seat themselves in the Gallery.') You leave it to me to word the repa- 

 ration ? 



Beau. No, Sir! write, I beg write as I dictate. (Clavigo writes.) e( I, 

 the undersigned Joseph Clavigo, keeper of the Royal Archives " 



Clav. Archives 



Beau. " Acknowledge that I, after having been most cordially received 

 into the house of Madame Guilbert " 



Clav. Madame Guilbert 



Beau. " Have deceived her sister, Mademoiselle von Beaumarchais, 

 with reiterated promises of marriage." Have you written that? 



Clav. Sir! 



M.M. No. 105. 2 U 



