clodio gives his letter to auristella, and is killed by the younger antonio in a mistake.
our history goes on to relate, that the insolence, or rather one should say, the shamelessness of clodio, rose to such a height that he had the boldness to place the letter he had written in auristella's hands, deceiving her into the belief that it contained some devout verses, worthy of her perusal and admiration. she opened the letter, and curiosity impelled her to read it to the end. as she was about to close it, her eyes fell upon clodio, but instead of the love-darting beams that they usually emitted, they now shot forth sparks of angry fire, as she exclaimed, "hence, and quit my presence, accursed and shameless man, and if i could believe this madness on thy part had been caused by any conduct of mine—if it had been produced by any incautious act or word of mine derogatory to my honour and character, i would chastise myself for this thy insolence, which will not go unpunished, unless i should take pity and treat thee as a madman."
clodio was surprised, and would now have given half his life not to have been so daring. a thousand terrors oppressed his spirit, and he saw that his life would not be worth much, if arnoldo or periander came to know what he had done. he cast down his eyes, and quite crestfallen, he turned his back upon auristella, and left her alone to conjure up a new and not unreasonable fear, which was that clodio, rendered desperate, might turn traitor, and profit by the intentions of polycarp, if he should chance to learn what they were. she resolved, therefore, to make arnoldo and periander acquainted with the whole story.
in the meanwhile it happened that the boy antonio, being in his room alone, a woman entered. she was about forty years of age, but there was a vivacity in her air that might make her pass for ten years younger. she was drest, not according to the fashion of the country they were in, but after the spanish mode; and antonio, although he was ignorant of any customs but those of the barbarous isle, saw at once she was a stranger in this place. he arose from his seat to receive her courteously, for though a barbarian he had been well brought up. the lady, after fixing her eyes intently on his countenance for some time, spoke thus—"it probably may seem strange to thee, o young man, to see me here, since thou art doubtless unaccustomed to receive visits from ladies, having as i am told been educated in a barbarous island, not amongst barbarians but amongst rocks and stones, from whence, as thou hast derived thy beauty, so also mayst thou have imbibed from them hardness of heart, which may, i dread, prove contrary to my wishes. fear not, have no suspicions, and do not be alarmed; i am not saying anything very monstrous, but that which accords with our human nature. thou dost perceive that i speak the spanish tongue, the language which thou speakest, which similarity should engender friendship between us. i am called zenotia, and am a native of spain, born and bred in alhama, a city of the kingdom of grenada; my name is well-known there, and throughout all spain, for my renown is so great that it cannot remain in obscurity. it is four years since i left my native land, flying from the vigilance of those watchful mastiff dogs, who there keep guard over the catholic flock. my race is descended from hagar, my religion is that of zoroaster. behold yonder sun, now shining upon us; if thou wouldst desire to see a sign of the power i possess, wish that those beams may be obscured, and i will instantly command thick clouds to cover them and a dark night to succeed to this brightness; or wouldst thou see the earth tremble, the winds blow, the ocean rage, mountains bow down, and wild beasts howl, or any other terrible signs representing the primæval chaos; only speak the word and it shall be done. further, know, that in the city of alhama there has always lived a woman of my race, who with the name of zenotia has inherited the knowledge which makes us witches, as men call us, but we are in truth enchantresses or magicians, names more appropriate; witches never do anything that is of use or profit, and they exercise their tricks upon small trifles. they play with that they understand not; and if sometimes things turn out as they pretend, it is not by virtue of their art, but that god permits the evil one to deceive them as their punishment; but we who bear the name of enchantresses and magicians are persons of a higher quality. we read the stars, contemplate the position of the heavens, know the virtue of all plants and herbs, of stones and words, and, joining the active to the passive, we seem to work miracles whereat men wonder—and hence our good and evil fame; good, if we work for good; evil, if we do ill with our knowledge; and as human nature is more prone to evil than to good, we do not always restrain our inclinations within proper bounds; who shall say that the angry spirit will not be led sometimes to avenge an affront? who will say that slighted lovers would not if it were possible, make themselves beloved where they were abhorred? for as to changing the natural disposition, and oversetting or counteracting the free-will, this is what no science can do, no virtue of herb or drug effect."
antonio listened to all the spanish lady said with wonder and curiosity to know how it would end. she went on thus, "finally, o most discreet barbarian, i would have thee understand that it was the persecution of those who are called inquisitors in spain that tore me from my native land; for when one is driven away by force one may call it being as it were torn up by the roots. i came to this island through many perils and strange adventures, i became known to the predecessor of king polycarp, performed some wonderful deeds, whereby i greatly amazed the people, and so well did my art avail me, that i became the possessor of great wealth; contented with my gains, i have lived a chaste and virtuous life, and might have continued to do so, had not my good, or it may be evil fortune brought thee hither. my destiny is in thy hands, if i am not fair in thine eyes, i will so contrive that thou shalt think me so. if the gold i offer thee be too little, thou hast but to say what thou wouldst desire, and i will satisfy thee. for thy use i will fetch the pearls of the ocean; the birds of the air i will tame to come at thy bidding. from the secret abysses of the earth i will bring the most precious things for thee. i will make thee invincible; feared in war, mild in peace. thou shalt be the envy of all, and have nothing to wish for. in return for all this, i ask not to be thy wife, but thy slave; so shall i be most happy. be pleased, o noble youth, to give me thy hand, in token that thou wilt agree to my desire." so saying, she rose and advanced as if to embrace him; antonio, seeing this, confused and alarmed, hastily retreated a step or two, and snatched the bow that never was far from him; fitting an arrow to it, he aimed straight at zenotia, who, on perceiving the threatening attitude of the boy, bent her body quickly, and avoided the dart that was directed at her heart. it flew, however, and not in vain; for at that instant the unfortunate clodio entered the room, it pierced through mouth and tongue; thus fearfully punishing the very member with which he had most offended. he died without uttering a word. zenotia turned her head, and saw the mortal blow struck; in terror lest a second arrow should follow, she fled precipitately without staying to avail herself of her boasted power, with, however, a full intention of revenging herself upon the cruel and hard-hearted boy.
