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??n de la Barca, Pedro, 1600-1681

"The Purgatory of St. Patrick"

The name of the King of
Montalvan. "Era Rey de aquella, y de otras islas comarcanas
Leogardo, hijo de Neil." -- Cap. I., p. 19, ed. 1628. Calderon had
to invent names for the king's daughters, as he did not find them in
Montalvan. In the Book of Armagh they are called "Ethne the fair"
and "Fedelm the ruddy." -- Todd, p. 451. Miss Cusack gives the names
"Ethna" and "Fethlema." -- "Life of St. Patrick", p. 291. Of their
baptism, the distinguished poet to whom this drama is dedicated, has
thus sung:--
"They knelt: on their heads the wave he poured
Thrice, in the name of the Triune Lord:
And their foreheads he signed with the Sign adored.
On Fedelm the 'Red Rose,' on Ethna 'The Fair,'
God's dew shone bright in that morning air."
- AUBREY DE VERE'S "Legends of St. Patrick".

* * * * *

SCENE III.
PATRICK and LUIS.
PATRICK. Luis, though a low position
Mine is here, and I observe thee
Raised to fortune's highest summit,
Yet I feel more grief than envy
At thy rise. Thou art a Christian;
Show thyself one now in earnest.
LUIS. Patrick, let me now enjoy
The first favours fate has sent me
After so much sad misfortune.
PATRICK. One word, then (if thou wilt let me
So presume), I ask of thee.
LUIS. What is that?
PATRICK. Upon this earth here,
Once again, alive or dead,
That we two shall meet together.


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