Don Juan
1
PROLOGUE
2
The tale they tell of Don
Juan, immortal lover and
doubter of women, is bold
with life and color - - a
merry, insolent tale slashed
with intrigue - - yet its
beginning is as gray as
the old Spanish castle of
Juan's earliest memory.
3
Don Juan de Marana.
4
Don Jose de Marana -
father of Don Juan.
- - - John Barrymore.
5
His beautiful and
beloved lady - - the
Donna Isobel.
6
From the shadows of
this Gothic world
strange creatures
emerged - souls curiously
warped with hate.
7
"Not long will you suffer
loneliness - the King shall
have his treasure, and
I'll return straight to -
mine."
8
"If you have lied -"
9
"I find I have left
unguarded, the thing
I valued most."
10
"In the haste of departure, the
wall was left unmended."
11
"Think you of any reason
why they should not seal
the wall?"
12
"There is nothing of value
there - now - is there?"
13
"Snivel, you lying wretch -
you betrayer of men and
the honor of men!"
14
"Out - before I kill you!"
15
"Yonder goes your mother -
and with her goes my
faith in women!"
16
In the years that followed,
Don Jose kept his
bitterness alive after a
curiously sardonic fashion
- - and banquet torches
flared nightly in the
gaunt halls of the
Marana castle.
17
The jealous Donna
Elvira had enjoyed
the unique honor of
Don Jose's exclusive
favor for two months -
18
"Is not one member of
the family enough to
contaminate?"
19
"My three-fold debt to
woman is now complete
- life - disillusionment -
death!"
20
"This is my legacy to
you - beware of giving
your love to woman."
21
"Go out into the world and
take their love when it
please you -- smile -- and
forget!"
22
THE STORY
23
Rome - - - the mighty
Vatican towering heavenward
above a seethe of
corruption-scented velvets
brushing against the plague
sores of the wretched
- incense - purple wine - gold -
24
"God help us -
The Borgia!"
25
The Borgia tyranny over
Rome and its subjects,
was one of ceaseless
cruelty - torturing and
crushing those who
opposed their regime.
26
Head of the House of
the Crimson Bull - -
and the secret ruler of
Rome - - Cesare Borgia.
27
His sister - the inspiration
of his vicious crimes -
beauty without pity -
ambition without remorse
- - Lucrezia Borgia.
28
Count Giano Donati -
a kinsman of the Borgia -
with a roving eye as
keen as his sword.
29
"It is the daughter of the
Duke della Varnese - a
follower of our enemy,
the Orsini."
30
"Giano dear, your little
whims must be gratified.
We will include the Duke
and his daughter among
our guests tonight."
31
"It is the home of Don
Juan - a young Spanish
grandee, lately arrived
from the University
of Pisa."
32
"He is handsome and rich,
illustrious lady, and of
most exquisite manners."
33
"And if rumor does not lie -
half the fair ones of Rome
have already succumbed to
his charm."
34
"Ah, he is the one they
call the great lover!"
35
"The great forgetful
lover!"
36
"There might be one
he could not forget."
37
"Only your illustrious
highness would dare
such a challenge."
38
"See that a messenger is
dispatched to this Don
Juan - our evening ball
will be more interesting
for his presence."
39
Don Juan's home - where
innocence might enter -
but never depart.
40
Don Juan's faithful
attendant and imitator -
- Pedrillo.
41
Little Trusia had
managed to elude her
watchful uncle, the
Duke Margoni - and
awaited the tardy Don Juan.
42
"A sick friend doubtless
detains him, Milady."
43
"A woman?"
44
"Madonna, you are the
one love of his life."
45
Imperia, a famous
frailty, had managed
to elude her jealous
admirer, the Duke
Margoni.
46
"Why wait? It may be
a matter of hours."
47
"Where is he? For an hour
I have awaited your master
in the blistering sun on
the Palatine Hill!"
48
"A sick friend doubtless
detains him, Milady."
49
"A woman?"
50
"Madonna, you are the
one love of his life."
51
"Why wait? It may be
a matter of hours."
52
Don Juan de Marana.
53
"Love lent my feet wings."
54
"Love lent my feet wings."
55
The Duchess Margoni
had also managed to
elude her vigilant husband,
the Duke Margoni.
56
"You must hasten! Your
uncle Margoni suspects -
he is coming here!"
57
"Tomorrow?"
58
"You must hasten! Your
admirer Margoni suspects -
he is coming here!"
59
"Tomorrow?"
60
"Is there a woman on earth
who knows just when to
leave?"
61
"You must hasten! Your
husband Margoni suspects -
he is coming here!"
62
"Tomorrow?"
63
"My husband!"
64
"Margoni - without knowing
it - served us well!"
65
"Pompous old ass!"
66
"I have been told that
the Duchess, my wife,
is here!"
67
"Do not let her see you!"
68
"Your lovely wife suspects
your affair with Imperia -
and sent you messages to bring
you both here -"
69
"- she came herself to catch
you together - I've done my
poor best to protect you!"
70
"Splendid! Some day I may
be of service to you!"
71
"I'm sure of it!"
72
"From the Borgia!"
73
"Borgia parchment is
oftimes poisoned!"
74
"What are my engagements
tonight?"
75
The glory of the
Borgia -- the Palazzo
Santa Maria.
76
"The Duke della Varnese -
the Lady Adriana della
Varnese."
77
"A little flat, perhaps, but
you'll console yourself
with the ample figure
of her father's fortune -
marry her by all means,
Giano."
78
"Why did we come, father,
when we know how they
hate us and all the Orsini?"
79
"The invitation was a
command. It is death to
defy the Borgia, even
though it may be fatal
to obey."
80
"My kinsman, Count
Donati - a true Borgia
and our closest friend."
81
"Inform me the instant
Don Juan arrives."
82
"Quickly, Excellency! Her
Highness awaits you!"
83
"If her face matches her
feet - God help us both!"
84
"It does!"
85
"A bird in the hand,
Pedrillo -"
86
"While the mistress waits -
our Spaniard dallies with
the maid."
87
"We shall see if the Lady
Lucrezia's sense of humor,
is equal to this occasion!"
88
"You are very sure of
yourself - but you will
believe the tale when
all Rome laughs."
89
"We are lost, Master!
Lady Lucrezia herself
is coming!"
90
"My apologies for the wretch,
gracious lady - I had hoped
to improve his morals by
my own example."
91
"May a simple Spaniard
pay his respects to the
illustrious flower of
Europe?"
92
"Your beauty was known to
me in Seville, Madonna."
93
"Your reputation is not
unknown to me, Don
Juan."
94
"Perhaps you are not aware
that Donati is our best
swordsman. He may resent
your interest in his lady."
95
None so dreaded as
Neri, the sorcerer,
whose rare and subtle
poisons were distilled
in a secret room of
the Borgia palace.
96
"A pity that the Duke della
Varnese - worthy gentleman! -
will suffer a heart attack
before dawn."
97
"To commemorate the first
visit of an Orsini to a
Borgia - a little wine?"
98
"To your devastating
charm!"
99
"Let your lips perfume
the wine."
100
"We Borgia do not share
with another."
101
"Let no man scorn so
wise an example,
sweet teacher!"
102
"The rose is richer by a
great experience."
103
"We Borgia approve of
cleverness in our
friends - we have no
clever enemies!"
104
"Your balcony - at
midnight?"
105
"This Spaniard, sweet
sister, is yours to win -
or mine to slay!"
106
"In that case, dear brother -
he shall live!"
107
"Tonight you saved my
father's life - what can I
do to prove my heart's
gratitude?"
108
"You have but to name
it - I pledge my word."
109
"Later!"
110
"At any time!"
111
Midnight.
112
"Highness, your Don Juan
is late."
113
"Perhaps he stays away
because of the Lady
Adriana."
114
"Go to bed - I would sit
alone awhile."
115
"I, too, think the Spaniard
most handsome."
116
"Why are you here - at
such an hour?"
117
"If I am late - a thousand
pardons!"
118
"You promised to reward
me - but perhaps you fear
Donati, your swordsman
friend."
119
"You are a charming
actress, Madonna."
120
Days passed slowly
for Juan.
121
"For three days at this
same hour I have
waited here."
122
"My soul has been asleep -
you have awakened it -"
123
"You have given me a new
faith - faith in the goodness
of women - teach me - help
me - so that I may never
lose that faith again!"
124
"What did I tell you,
milady? The chapel
garden holds more
allure for him than
your grace's balcony."
125
Before night Rome was
in a tumult and terror
stalked with dripping
sword - - all this to
appease the outraged
vanity of a Borgia and
snare a defenceless girl.
126
The home of the
Duke della Varnese - -
the secret object of the
Borgia's unprovoked
attack on the Orsini -
127
"You are under arrest -
as an Orsini you know
your fate."
128
"But a Borgia is nothing
if not merciful - a pardon
is still possible."
129
"My kinsman, Count Donati,
desires your daughter in
marriage -- consent and
become our loyal follower."
130
"Take him to St. Angelo -
and behead him!"
131
"What chance have we?
If I refuse it means death
to you - and a worse fate
for me."
132
"My father accepts."
133
"It is true, Master - the Orsini
are attacked without provo-
cation - their followers killed
or imprisoned in St. Angelo -
and the Duke della Varnese
is threatened!"
134
"Twice I summoned you
and you ignored me -
tonight I lay aside my
pride and come to you."
135
"I am going to the Palazzo
della Varnese - may I arrive
in time!"
136
"You fool! Do you think
Donati will allow any
harm to come to - her?"
137
"Do you think for a
moment that I believe
you?"
138
"The wisest man is the
easiest to deceive."
139
"Rome is laughing at you!
When you have learned
what we all knew long
ago - come to me, and
perhaps I shall teach you
wisdom."
140
"No outcries if you would
protect the lives in this
household!"
141
"Adriana della Varnese is
safe with her father - at
the Vatican."
142
"If you betray me by a look
or a sign - I will run this
intruder through!"
143
"There is no one here -
please go!"
144
"Your pardon, signor -
for trespassing ever so
slightly in your garden."
145
Rome celebrated, on a
certain evening a month
later, the marriage of
Adriana della Varnese to
the Count Donati -- and
drunken shouts took up
the refrain of the
cathedral bells.
146
"Close the window, you
fools! Those bells are
driving me mad!"
147
"You do not love me
any more."
148
"Your repetition forces
me to believe you."
149
"Get the lady's cloak."
150
"My husband suspects -
I rushed here to warn
you!"
151
"Help me, Juan! If he
finds me out it will
end everything for me -
honor - happiness - my
very life!"
152
"If my husband finds me
here - I'll kill myself."
153
"Betrayer of women -
destroyer of men's
faith!"
154
"I call down the wrath
of God upon you!"
155
"Hush - my lady sleeps!"
156
"A tragedy, gentlemen,
in place of the usual
comedy! The husband -
as it happens - has killed
his wife."
157
"Look - his hands drip
with blood!"
158
"Be lenient - the man
is mad."
159
"Will those bells never
stop?"
160
"Not until the banquet is
over and Donati escorts
his bride to their nuptial
chamber."
161
"Go - prepare yourself
for the nuptials."
162
"The Lady Adriana defies
your command."
163
"You are too impetuous, my
Giano - - a haughty bride
makes a stubborn wife. She
must come to you."
164
"Your bride is here -
come and get her!"
165
"You must believe in me,
Juan - my marriage was
plotted by the Borgia.
I swear I am innocent."
166
"Your bride is still here!"
167
"With your permission,
sire, we fight to the
death!"
168
"Arrest him for the murder
of Count Donati!"
169
"Throw him into the
dungeon of St. Angelo!"
170
"Arrest her as an accomplice
in the murder of her
husband!"
171
"Neri will be delighted.
Take her to the tower."
172
When the gates of
St. Angelo clanged shut
upon a prisoner he was
never heard of again --
for certain death
awaited him in a slimy
cell below the level of
the River Tiber.
173
"Your quarters, rash
Spaniard, are none
too tidy."
174
"They will serve, I
think - for the brief
time I remain here."
175
"Your freedom shall be
a gift from me - if
you are capable of
appreciating it."
176
"I prefer the scaffold,
Madame - it is less
dangerous."
177
"Before midnight you
will regret this insult
to a Borgia!"
178
"As this is your last hour it
will comfort you to know
that Adriana was faithful to
you. It served our purpose to
have you believe otherwise."
179
"It will amuse to place
Adriana at Neri's disposal -
on the rack."
180
"Prepare the block - in
an hour I shall return
to see how a Spaniard
dies."
181
"Thou! God is just!"
182
"Hell gapes wide for
thee - my hands shall
send thee thither!"
183
"I see! God's will is deeper
than a river - He would
have thee live, for He
has shown a way - !"
184
"My wronged wife agonizes
in hell - thou shalt not
join her there!"
185
"Go - and begin thy
living hell!"
186
The tower of the Borgia
Palace - - A room of
horrors - Neri's workshop.
187
"Such a lovely subject
should give us an amusing
transformation. Prolong our
diversion to the utmost!"
188
"Don Juan shall be disposed
of - then we shall return -
to watch --"
189
"Before us, beloved,
is Spain - - and
happiness -"
The End
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