A most ungrateful speech! But I am hurriedBeyond myself, if I but hear of one
Who aims to rival Alvar. Were we not
Born in one day, like twins of the same parent?
Nursed in one cradle? Pardon me, my father! 100
A six years’ absence is a heavy thing,
Yet still the hope survives ——
Valdez (looking forward). Hush! ‘tis Monviedro.
Teresa. The Inquisitor! on what new scent of blood?
Enter MONVIEDRO with ALHADRA.
Monviedro. Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord, 105
My present need is with your son.
We have hit the time. Here comes he! Yes, ‘tis he.
[Enter from the opposite side DON ORDONIO.
My Lord Ordonio, this Moresco woman
(Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you.
Ordonio. Hail, reverend father! what may be the business? 110
Monviedro. My lord, on strong suspicion of relapse
To his false creed, so recently abjured,
The secret servants of the Inquisition
Have seized her husband, and at my command
To the supreme tribunal would have led him, 115
But that he made appeal to you, my lord,
As surety for his soundness in the faith.
Though lessoned by experience what small trust
The asseverations of these Moors deserve,
Yet still the deference to Ordonio’s name, 120
Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour
The Holy Church regards her faithful soldiers,
Thus far prevailed with me that ——
Ordonio. Reverend father,
I am much beholden to your high opinion,
Which so o’erprizes my light services. [Then to ALHADRA. 125
I would that I could serve you; but in truth
Your face is new to me.
Monviedro. My mind foretold me
That such would be the event. In truth, Lord Valdez,
‘Twas little probable, that Don Ordonio,
That your illustrious son, who fought so bravely 130
Some four years since to quell these rebel Moors,
Should prove the patron of this infidel!
The warranter of a Moresco’s faith!
Now I return.
Alhadra. My Lord, my husband’s name 135
Is Isidore. (ORDONIO starts.) You may remember it:
Three years ago, three years this very week,
You left him at Almeria.
Monviedro. Palpably false!
This very week, three years ago, my lord,
(You needs must recollect it by your wound) 140
You were at sea, and there engaged the pirates,
The murderers doubtless of your brother Alvar!
What, is he ill, my Lord? how strange he looks!
Valdez. You pressed upon him too abruptly, father!
The fate of one, on whom, you know, he doted. 145
Ordonio. O Heavens! I? — I doted?
Yes! I doted on him.
[ORDONIO walks to the end of the stage, VALDEZ follows.
Teresa. I do not, can not, love him. Is my heart hard?
Is my heart hard? that even now the thought
Should force itself upon me? — Yet I feel it! 150
Monviedro. The drops did start and stand upon his forehead!
I will return. In very truth, I grieve
To have been the occasion. Ho! attend me, woman!
Alhadra (to Teresa). O gentle lady! make the father stay,
Until my lord recover. I am sure, 155
That he will say he is my husband’s friend.
Teresa. Stay, father! stay! my lord will soon recover.
Ordonio (as they return, to Valdez). Strange, that this Monviedro
Should have the power so to distemper me!
Valdez. Nay, ‘twas an amiable weakness, son! 160
Monviedro. My lord, I truly grieve ——
Ordonio. Tut! name it not.
A sudden seizure, father! think not of it.
As to this woman’s husband, I do know him.
I know him well, and that he is a Christian.
Monviedro. I hope, my lord, your merely human pity 165
Doth not prevail ——
Ordonio. ‘Tis certain that he was a catholic;
What changes may have happened in three years,
I can not say; but grant me this, good father:
Myself I’ll sift him: if I find him sound, 170
You’ll grant me your authority and name
To liberate his house.
Monviedro. Your zeal, my lord,
And your late merits in this holy warfare
Would authorize an ampler trust — you have it.
Ordonio. I will attend you home within an hour. 175
Valdez.
