e as
he said,--

"Spain's proud heart swelleth."

The selections have been chosen from Shelley's 'Scenes,' and from Mr.
MacCarthy's translation of 'The Secret in Words.' 'The Secret in Words'
is light comedy of intricate plot. Fabio is an example of the attendant
_gracioso_, half servant, half confidant, who appears often in the
Spanish drama. The Spanish playwright did not confine himself to one
form of verse; and Mr. MacCarthy, in his adequate translation, has
followed the various forms of Calderon, only not attempting the assonant
vowel, so hard to escape in Spanish, and still harder to reproduce in
English. These selections give no impression of the amazing invention of
Calderon. This can only be appreciated through reading 'The Constant
Prince,' 'The Physician of His Own Honor,' or a comedy like 'The Secret
in Words.'

[Illustration: Signature: Maurice Francis Egan]

THE LOVERS

From 'The Secret in Words'

[Flerida, the Duchess of Parma, is in love with her secretary Frederick.
He loves her lady, Laura. Both Frederick and Laura are trying to keep
their secret from the Duchess.]

FREDERICK--Has Flerida questioned you
Aught about my love?

FABIO-- No, surely;
But I have made up my mind
That you are the prince of dunces,
Not to understand her wish.

FREDERICK--Said she something, then, about me?

FABIO--Ay, enough.

FREDERICK-- Thou liest, knave!
Wouldst thou make me think her beauty,
Proud and gentle though it be,
Which might soar e'en like the heron
To the sovereign sun itself,
Could descend with coward pinions
At a lowly falcon's call?

FABIO--Well, my lord, just make the trial
For a day or two; pretend
That you love her, and--

FREDERICK-- Supposing
That there were the slightest ground
For this false, malicious fancy
You have formed, there's not a chink
In my heart where it might enter,--
Since a love, if not more blest.
Far more equal than the other
Holds entire possession there.

FABIO--Then you never loved this woman
At one time?

FREDERICK-- No!

FABIO-- Then avow--

FREDERICK--What?

FABIO-- That you were very lazy.

FREDERICK--That is falsehood, and not love.

FABIO--The more the merrier!

FREDERICK-- In two places
How could one man love?

FABIO--