Harlan: Moreto’s “El desden” 
89 
there is horseplay about the foolish servant of Teodoro, 
Gomecio. 
Floristan, in the third act, goes to Teodoro and confesses, 
saying that he had contracted a clandestine marriage with 
Serafina before marrying Orfea, and, to right things, the only 
way out is to kill Orfea, for, if he were to kill himself, both 
she and Serafina would die of grief. Teodoro points out the 
sin in this, but Floristan does not agree with him. Bruneta 
comes with word from Orfea that she is worried at her hus- 
band’s absence, and for him to return to her. He sends word 
that he cannot go to her. She appears and learns that she is 
to die, and after a prayer for forgiveness of Floristan, she 
goes with Teodoro to confess before her death. The act closes 
with Floristan reviling himself, but sure this deed must be 
done. 
In the fourth act, Lenicio is hunting for Floristan and 
Teodoro, who, he is sure, has deceived him in the matter of 
helping his master out of his difficulties. He comes on 
Gomecio, whom he tells that Dorosia is in love with him, and 
then plays a trick on him when Teodoro appears. Lenicio 
decides to tell Serafina that Orfea is dead, since he has no 
news to give her. She believes it, and when Floristan comes, 
she is very angry with him and says she will have nothing to 
do with him, for having committed such a crime. 
In the last act, Lenicio is looking for Floristan, to tell him 
that the latter’s brother, Policiano, has returned after three 
years. Teodoro tells Floristan that since his marriage with 
Orfea has not been duly consummated, he can marry Serafina, 
and that Orfea and Policiano, who has always loved Orfea, can 
be married. When Policiano first comes, he is very downcast, 
having been told that the one he loved is married to another., 
but it soon turns out that this one is Orfea, and the play ends 
happily, Serafina now willing to accept Floristan, assured that 
he did not commit murder. 
Lenicio’s more serious side, devoid of the vulgarity found 
in much of his horseplay, is shown in the following lines : On 
the return of Policiano, he says : 
Solo aquel meresce el pan 
Que por sus manos se vale; 
Quien de su tierra no sale 
Que nunca d’el saiga afan 
Muy pocos en su ciudad 
