Tricks of a fancy pampered with long wishing.If, as it sometimes happens, our rude startling,
Whilst your full heart was shaping out its dream, 330
Drove you to this, your not ungentle, wildness —
You have my sympathy, and so farewell!
But if some undiscovered wrongs oppress you,
And you need strength to drag them into light,
The generous Valdez, and my Lord Ordonio, 335
Have arm and will to aid a noble sufferer,
Nor shall you want my favourable pleading.
[Exeunt TERESA and ALHADRA.
Alvar (alone). ‘Tis strange! It cannot be! my Lord Ordonio!
Her Lord Ordonio! Nay, I will not do it!
I cursed him once — and one curse is enough! 340
How sad she looked, and pale! but not like guilt —
And her calm tones — sweet as a song of mercy!
If the bad spirit retain’d his angel’s voice,
Hell scarce were Hell. And why not innocent?
Who meant to murder me, might well cheat her? 345
But ere she married him, he had stained her honour;
Ah! there I am hampered. What if this were a lie
Framed by the assassin? Who should tell it him,
If it were truth? Ordonio would not tell him.
Yet why one lie? all else, I know, was truth. 350
No start, no jealousy of stirring conscience!
And she referred to me — fondly, methought!
Could she walk here if she had been a traitress?
Here where we played together in our childhood?
Here where we plighted vows? where her cold cheek 355
Received my last kiss, when with suppressed feelings
She had fainted in my arms? It cannot be!
‘Tis not in nature! I will die believing,
That I shall meet her where no evil is,
No treachery, no cup dashed from the lips. 360
I’ll haunt this scene no more! live she in peace!
Her husband — aye her husband! May this angel
New mould his canker’d heart! Assist me, heaven,
That I may pray for my poor guilty brother! [Exit.
ORDONIO’S appearance to be collected from what follows.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
started on Edition 1.
1829. I? — I] I? — I Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 146: [Then recovering himself. Editions 1, 2, 3.
[After 147] … follows soothing him. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
A scathing curse! [Then, as if recollecting herself, and with
a timid look.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 184] Teresa (perceiving that Alhadra is conscious she has spoken
imprudently). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
1829.
In darkness I remained — counting the bell
Which haply told me, that the blessed Sun
Was rising on my garden.
Edition 1.
[After 267] [They advance to the front of the Stage. Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[After 278] [TERESA looks round uneasily, but gradually becomes
attentive as ALVAR proceeds in the next speech. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
As the gored lion’s bite!
Teresa (shuddering). A fearful curse!
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
would, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 364] End of the Act First. Editions 1, 2, 3.
ACT II
SCENE I
A wild and mountainous country. ORDONIO and ISIDORE are discovered,
supposed at a little distance from ISIDORE’S house.
Ordonio. Here we may stop: your house distinct in view,
Yet we secured from listeners.
Isidore. Now indeed
My house! and it looks cheerful as the clusters
Basking in sunshine on yon vine-clad rock,
That overbrows it! Patron! Friend! Preserver! 5
Thrice have you saved my life. Once in the battle
You gave it me: next rescued me from suicide
When for my follies I was made to wander,
With mouths to feed, and not a morsel for them:
Now but for you, a dungeon’s slimy stones 10
Had been my bed and pillow.
Ordonio. Good Isidore!
Why this to me? It is enough, you know it.
Isidore. A common trick of gratitude, my lord,
Seeking to ease her own full heart ——
Ordonio. Enough!
A debt repaid ceases to be a debt. 15
