A Challenge

Un desafío by Mariano José de Larra a drama in three acts and prose adapted to Spanish theater.

Act I

The first act takes place at Windsor Palace in London.

The theatre represents a Windsor hall; doors in the background; on the left the King’s chamber, on the right that of the Queen.

Scene I

Sidney, seated, with a bill in his hand; Williams, standing in front of him.

Williams: I have been told that the Lord Chancellor is still unwell; However, I have not been able to see him.

Sidney: That’s right.

Williams: Three days ago no one has come forward from the King to inquire about the Duke of Buckingham’s health, and this sudden indifference of Her Majesty has greatly shocked the Lord Chancellor’s palace.

Sidney: What does it matter?

Williams: As the last interview of the King and His Excellency was very heated, there are those who begin to fear its downfall, and there are those who attribute it to the Earl of Warwick.

Sidney: Me? Stop it.

Williams: To prevent no doubt the blow that threatens him, the Lord Chancellor has entered into negotiations with the Queen.

Sidney: With the Queen?

Williams: When I entered Buckingham Palace there was his first lady Lady Elizabeth Howard, widow of the Lord Treasurer, Earl of Salisbury.

Sydney: Lady Howard? It’s possible? Let me.

Williams: Will the Lord Earl attend the Queen’s ball?

Sidney: I don’t know: yes: don’t wait for me until too late.

(Williams comes out in the background.)

Scene II

Sydney: Elizabeth at the Chancellor’s Palace! What cause can lead her there? And what secret can you have to trust me?

(Read the bill in your hand.)

Do not go hunting with the king today; before His Majesty returns I will come through the secret door of the Queen’s Chamber.” I still seem to feel his trembling hand as I slip this bill into mine. To move so suddenly Elizabeth, that for the space of a whole year she has not reciprocated my love but with a reserve, a calculated seriousness… Ah, am I unfair to her! Have I not seen myself, whenever I threw away my gifts, tears rush to his eyes? Yes, he loves me! However, no favor of yours can justify in me this flattering hope. But time is passing; The king cannot delay in returning. She’s!

Fragment of the work