with Teresa supporting Ordonio). Arm of avengingHeaven 255
Thou hast snatched from me my most cherished hope —
But go! my word was pledged to thee.
Ordonio. Away!
Brave not my Father’s rage! I thank thee! Thou —
[Then turning his eyes languidly to ALVAR.
She hath avenged the blood of Isidore!
I stood in silence like a slave before her 260
That I might taste the wormwood and the gall,
And satiate this self-accusing heart
With bitterer agonies than death can give.
Forgive me, Alvar!
Oh! — could’st thou forget me! [Dies.
[ALVAR and TERESA bend over the body of ORDONIO.
Alhadra (to the Moors). I thank thee, Heaven! thou hast ordained
it wisely, 265
That still extremes bring their own cure. That point
In misery, which makes the oppressed Man
Regardless of his own life, makes him too
Lord of the Oppressor’s — Knew I a hundred men
Despairing, but not palsied by despair, 270
This arm should shake the kingdoms of the world;
The deep foundations of iniquity
Should sink away, earth groaning from beneath them;
The strongholds of the cruel men should fall,
Their temples and their mountainous towers should fall; 275
Till desolation seemed a beautiful thing,
And all that were and had the spirit of life,
Sang a new song to her who had gone forth,
Conquering and still to conquer!
[ALHADRA hurries off with the Moors; the stage fills
with armed Peasants, and Servants, ZULIMEZ and
VALDEZ at their head. VALDEZ rushes into ALVAR’S
arms.
Alvar. Turn not thy face that way, my father! hide, 280
Oh hide it from his eye! Oh let thy joy
Flow in unmingled stream through thy first blessing.
[Both kneel to VALDEZ.
Valdez. My Son! My Alvar! bless, Oh bless him, heaven!
Teresa. Me too, my Father?
Valdez. Bless, Oh bless my children!
[Both rise.
Alvar. Delights so full, if unalloyed with grief, 285
Were ominous. In these strange dread events
Just Heaven instructs us with an awful voice,
That Conscience rules us e’en against our choice.
Our inward Monitress to guide or warn,
If listened to; but if repelled with scorn, 290
At length as dire Remorse, she reappears,
Works in our guilty hopes, and selfish fears!
Still bids, Remember! and still cries, Too late!
And while she scares us, goads us to our fate.
[After 41] As in a dream I ask; if it be a dream Edition 1.
[After 46] [Shuddering. Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[After 48] [Faintly … recess, and moves hastily towards her.
Edition 1.
[After 55] Teresa (recovering, looks round wildly). Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
Teresa (retires from him, and feebly supports herself against a
pillar of the dungeon). Ha! who art thou?
Alvar (exceedingly affected). Suborned, &c.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
Teresa (wildly). Nay, nay, but tell me!
[A pause, then presses her forehead.
O ‘tis lost again!
This dull confused pain. [A pause, she gazes at ALVAR.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 103] [Retiring, she returns hastily and embracing ALVAR.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[Before 106] Ordonio (with affected gravity). Edition 1 (c) (?).
[After 115] [Waving his hand to ALVAR. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
Edition 1. [ALVAR … and throwing it to the ground, &c. Editions 2,
3, 1829.
1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 195] [ORDONIO with frantic wildness runs, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
at once awe and terror). Touch me not! Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
vacancy). Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[After 229] (Alvar presses on as if to defend Ordonio.) Edition 1.
[After 244] [Struggling to suppress her feelings. Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
The deed be mine! (Suddenly stabs ORDONIO.) Now take my life!
Alv. (while with TERESA supporting ORDONIO). Arm of avenging Heaven!
Thou hast snatch’d from me my most cherish’d hope
But go! my word was pledged to thee. Away!
Brave not my Father’s vengeance! [The Moors hurry off ALHADRA.
Ord. She hath aveng’d the blood of Isidore.
Edition 1.
