In  the  anonymous  Farfa  a  manera  de  tragedia,  printed  at
Valencia  in  1537,  the  tragical  consequences  of  love  are  pre-
sented. We  are  told  in  the  prologue  that  the  play  is  based
upon  an  actual  occurrence,  and  the  author  is  successful  in
portraying  vividly  the  ardent  passion  of  Torcato  for  Liria,
and  her  timid  acceptance  of  his  love.  But  their  golden  dreams
of  happiness  are  frustrated  by  'Carlino,  Liria's  brother,  who
spies  upon  her  movements  and  convinces  himself  of  her  in-

1  Menendez  y  Pelayo,  Origenes  de  la  novela,  vol.  iii,  p.  cxlix,  mentioned
a  Comedia  Rosabella  (1550)  by  Martin  de  Santander  which,  from  the
Tubric,  appears  to  resemble  somewhat  the  Comedia  Radiana.
SPANISH  DRAMA  BEFORE  LOPE  DE  VEGA

fidelity.  Her  husband,  the  complacent  Gazardo,  refuses  to
give  credence  to  Carlino's  charges,  but  finally  consents  to  set
a  trap  for  her  in  the  form  of  a  forged  letter.  When  Torcato
receives  this  letter,  apparently  signed  by  Liria,  in  which  she
tells  him  that  the  secret  of  their  relations  has  been  discovered
and  that  she  no  longer  cares  for  him,  his  joy  is  turned  to  des-
pair. With  his  own  blood,  he  writes  Liria  a  letter,  blaming
herself  for  his  death,  and  stabs  himself.  Liria  receives  the
missive,  finds  the  body  of  Torcato,  and  kills  herself  after
lamenting  his  death  and  his  lack  of  faith.
The  influence  of  Torres  Naharro  is  evident  in  the  division
of  the  play  into  five  acts,  and  the  passion  of  the  two  lovers,
thwarted  by  the  lady's  brother,  recalls  the  Comedia  Himenea.
