Alvar. What! you kill'd him? hey? 105
Ordonio. I'll dash thee to the earth, if thou but think'st it!
Insolent slave! how dar'dst thou— [Turns abruptly from Alvar, and then to himself.
Why! what's this?
'Twas idiotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,
And wear a fool's cap—
Insolent slave! how dar'dst thou— [Turns abruptly from Alvar, and then to himself.
Why! what's this?
'Twas idiotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,
And wear a fool's cap—
Alvar. Fare thee well—[845:1]
I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish. [Alvar is retiring.
I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish. [Alvar is retiring.
Ordonio. Ho! [Calling to Alvar. 110
Alvar. Be brief, what wish you?
Ordonio. You are deep at bartering—You charge yourself
At a round sum. Come, come, I spake unwisely.
At a round sum. Come, come, I spake unwisely.
Alvar. I listen to you.
Alvar. Nay, speak out! 'twill ease your heart
To call him villain!—Why stand'st thou aghast?
Men think it natural to hate their rivals.
To call him villain!—Why stand'st thou aghast?
Men think it natural to hate their rivals.
Ordonio. Now, till she knows him dead, she will not wed me.
Alvar. Are you not wedded, then? Merciful Heaven! 120
Not wedded to Teresa?
Not wedded to Teresa?
Ordonio. Why, what ails thee?
What, art thou mad? why look'st thou upward so?
Dost pray to Lucifer, Prince of the Air?
What, art thou mad? why look'st thou upward so?
Dost pray to Lucifer, Prince of the Air?
Alvar. Proceed. I shall be silent.
Ordonio. To Teresa?
Politic wizard! ere you sent that message, 125
You had conn'd your lesson, made yourself proficient
In all my fortunes. Hah! you prophesied
A golden crop! Well, you have not mistaken—
[846] Be faithful to me and I'll pay thee nobly.
Politic wizard! ere you sent that message, 125
You had conn'd your lesson, made yourself proficient
In all my fortunes. Hah! you prophesied
A golden crop! Well, you have not mistaken—
[846] Be faithful to me and I'll pay thee nobly.
Alvar. Well! and this lady! 130
Ordonio. If we could make her certain of his death,
She needs must wed me. Ere her lover left her,
She tied a little portrait round his neck,
Entreating him to wear it.
She needs must wed me. Ere her lover left her,
She tied a little portrait round his neck,
Entreating him to wear it.
Alvar. Yes! he did so!
Ordonio. Why no: he was afraid of accidents, 135
Of robberies, and shipwrecks, and the like.
In secrecy he gave it me to keep,
Till his return.
Of robberies, and shipwrecks, and the like.
In secrecy he gave it me to keep,
Till his return.
Alvar. What! he was your friend then?
Ordonio. I was his friend.—
Now that he gave it me, 140
This lady knows not. You are a mighty wizard—
Can call the dead man up—he will not come.—
He is in heaven then—there you have no influence.
Still there are tokens—and your imps may bring you
Something he wore about him when he died. 145
And when the smoke of the incense on the altar
Is pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture.
What say you now?
Now that he gave it me, 140
This lady knows not. You are a mighty wizard—
Can call the dead man up—he will not come.—
He is in heaven then—there you have no influence.
Still there are tokens—and your imps may bring you
Something he wore about him when he died. 145
And when the smoke of the incense on the altar
Is pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture.
What say you now?
Alvar. Ordonio, I will do it.
Ordonio. We'll hazard no delay. Be it to-night,
In the early evening. Ask for the Lord Valdez. 150
I will prepare him. Music too, and incense,
(For I have arranged it—music, altar, incense)
All shall be ready. Here is this same picture,
And here, what you will value more, a purse.
Come early for your magic ceremonies. 155
In the early evening. Ask for the Lord Valdez. 150
I will prepare him. Music too, and incense,
(For I have arranged it—music, altar, incense)
All shall be ready. Here is this same picture,
And here, what you will value more, a purse.
Come early for your magic ceremonies. 155
Alvar. I will not fail to meet you.
Ordonio. Till next we meet, farewell! [Exit Ordonio.
Alvar (alone, indignantly flings the purse away and gazes passionately
at the portrait). And I did curse thee!
At midnight! on my knees! and I believed
Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! thee dishonour'd!
O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of folly! 160
Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses,
[847] Thy infant loves—should not thy maiden vows
Have come upon my heart? And this sweet Image
Tied round my neck with many a chaste endearment,
And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble— 165
Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the miscreant,
Who spake pollution of thee! barter for life
This farewell pledge, which with impassioned vow
I had sworn that I would grasp—ev'n in my Death-pang!
at the portrait). And I did curse thee!
At midnight! on my knees! and I believed
Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! thee dishonour'd!
O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of folly! 160
Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses,
[847] Thy infant loves—should not thy maiden vows
Have come upon my heart? And this sweet Image
Tied round my neck with many a chaste endearment,
And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble— 165
Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the miscreant,
Who spake pollution of thee! barter for life
This farewell pledge, which with impassioned vow
I had sworn that I would grasp—ev'n in my Death-pang!
I am unworthy of thy love, Teresa, 170
Of that unearthly smile upon those lips,
Which ever smiled on me! Yet do not scorn me—
I lisp'd thy name, ere I had learnt my mother's.
Of that unearthly smile upon those lips,
Which ever smiled on me! Yet do not scorn me—
I lisp'd thy name, ere I had learnt my mother's.
Dear portrait! rescued from a traitor's keeping,
I will not now profane thee, holy image, 175
To a dark trick. That worst bad man shall find
A picture, which will wake the hell within him,
And rouse a fiery whirlwind in his conscience.
I will not now profane thee, holy image, 175
To a dark trick. That worst bad man shall find
A picture, which will wake the hell within him,
And rouse a fiery whirlwind in his conscience.
FOOTNOTES:
[842:1] The following lines I have preserved in this place, not so much as explanatory of the picture of the assassination, as (if I may say so without disrespect to the Public) to gratify my own feelings, the passage being no mere fancy portrait; but a slight, yet not unfaithful, profile of one[842:A], who still lives, nobilitate felix, arte clarior, vitâ colendissimus.
Zulimez (speaking of Alvar in the third person). Such was the noble Spaniard's own relation.
He told me, too, how in his early youth,
And his first travels, 'twas his choice or chance
To make long sojourn in sea-wedded Venice;
There won the love of that divine old man,
Courted by mightiest kings, the famous Titian!
Who, like a second and more lovely Nature,
By the sweet mystery of lines and colours
Changed the blank canvas to a magic mirror,
That made the absent present; and to shadows
Gave light, depth, substance, bloom, yea, thought and motion.
He loved the old man, and revered his art:
And though of noblest birth and ample fortune,
The young enthusiast thought it no scorn
But this inalienable ornament,
To be his pupil, and with filial zeal
By practice to appropriate the sage lessons,
Which the gay, smiling old man gladly gave.
The art, he honoured thus, requited him:
And in the following and calamitous years
Beguiled the hours of his captivity.
He told me, too, how in his early youth,
And his first travels, 'twas his choice or chance
To make long sojourn in sea-wedded Venice;
There won the love of that divine old man,
Courted by mightiest kings, the famous Titian!
Who, like a second and more lovely Nature,
By the sweet mystery of lines and colours
Changed the blank canvas to a magic mirror,
That made the absent present; and to shadows
Gave light, depth, substance, bloom, yea, thought and motion.
He loved the old man, and revered his art:
And though of noblest birth and ample fortune,
The young enthusiast thought it no scorn
But this inalienable ornament,
To be his pupil, and with filial zeal
By practice to appropriate the sage lessons,
Which the gay, smiling old man gladly gave.
The art, he honoured thus, requited him:
And in the following and calamitous years
Beguiled the hours of his captivity.
Alhadra. And then he framed this picture? and unaided
By arts unlawful, spell, or talisman!
By arts unlawful, spell, or talisman!
Alvar. A potent spell, a mighty talisman!
The imperishable memory of the deed,
Sustained by love, and grief, and indignation!
So vivid were the forms within his brain,
His very eyes, when shut, made pictures of them!
The imperishable memory of the deed,
Sustained by love, and grief, and indignation!
So vivid were the forms within his brain,
His very eyes, when shut, made pictures of them!
[Note in Appendix to the second and later editions of Remorse.]
[842:A] Sir George Beaumont. [Written 1814.] Editions 1828, 1829.
[845:1] The line should run thus:
And wear a fool's cap.
Alvar. Fare thee well! (Oh! Brother!) (aside)
Then aloud]
I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish.
Then aloud]
I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish.
MS. H.
LINENOTES:
[9]
Time] Time Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[10]
future] Future Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[13]
past] Past Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[36]
her] her Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[37]
His] His Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[40]
Zulimez (much affected). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[49]
Alvar (starting). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[58]
Alvar (with deep emotion). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[66]
lurks] works Edition 1.
[68]
Hath] Who Edition 1.
[89]
Alvar (solemnly). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 94 [Then with great bitterness. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[109]
Alvar (watching his agitation). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 110 [Alvar retires to the back of the stage. Edition 1.
[111]
Ordonio (having recovered himself). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[119]
Ordonio (hesitating). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[120]
Alvar (with eager vehemence). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[121]
Teresa] Teresa Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 124 [Alvar sits, and leaning on the table, hides his face. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[130]
Alvar (lifting up his head). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[134]
Alvar (sighing). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[140]
Ordonio (wounded and embarrassed). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[147]
will] can Edition 1.
[148]
Alvar (after a pause). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[159]
Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress Edition 1. Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! Thee dishonoured Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[161]
inarticulate] inarticulate Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[162]
infant . . . maiden] Infant . . . Maiden Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[167-9]
barter . . . Death-pang om. Edition 1.
[168]
which with] with which Editions 2, 3.
[174]
portrait] Image Edition 1.
After 178 End of the Second Act. Editions 1, 2, 3.
ACT III
Scene I
A Hall of Armory, with an Altar at the back of the Stage. Soft Music from an instrument of Glass or Steel.
Valdez, Ordonio, and Alvar in a Sorcerer's robe, are discovered.
Ordonio. This was too melancholy, Father.
Valdez. Nay,
My Alvar lov'd sad music from a child.
Once he was lost; and after weary search
We found him in an open place in the wood.
To which spot he had followed a blind boy, 5
Who breath'd into a pipe of sycamore
Some strangely moving notes: and these, he said,
Were taught him in a dream. Him we first saw
Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank:
And lower down poor Alvar, fast asleep, 10
His head upon the blind boy's dog. It pleas'd me
To mark how he had fasten'd round the pipe
A silver toy his grandam had late given him.
Methinks I see him now as he then look'd—
[848] Even so!—He had outgrown his infant dress, 15
Yet still he wore it.
My Alvar lov'd sad music from a child.
Once he was lost; and after weary search
We found him in an open place in the wood.
To which spot he had followed a blind boy, 5
Who breath'd into a pipe of sycamore
Some strangely moving notes: and these, he said,
Were taught him in a dream. Him we first saw
Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank:
And lower down poor Alvar, fast asleep, 10
His head upon the blind boy's dog. It pleas'd me
To mark how he had fasten'd round the pipe
A silver toy his grandam had late given him.
Methinks I see him now as he then look'd—
[848] Even so!—He had outgrown his infant dress, 15
Yet still he wore it.
Alvar (aside). My tears must not flow!
I must not clasp his knees, and cry, My father!
I must not clasp his knees, and cry, My father!
Enter Teresa and Attendants.
Teresa. Lord Valdez, you have asked my presence here,
And I submit; but (Heaven bear witness for me)
My heart approves it not! 'tis mockery. 20
And I submit; but (Heaven bear witness for me)
My heart approves it not! 'tis mockery. 20
Ordonio. Believe you then no preternatural influence:
Believe you not that spirits throng around us?
Believe you not that spirits throng around us?
Teresa. Say rather that I have imagined it
A possible thing: and it has sooth'd my soul
As other fancies have; but ne'er seduced me 25
To traffic with the black and frenzied hope
That the dead hear the voice of witch or wizard. [To Alvar.
Stranger, I mourn and blush to see you here,
On such employment! With far other thoughts
I left you. 30
A possible thing: and it has sooth'd my soul
As other fancies have; but ne'er seduced me 25
To traffic with the black and frenzied hope
That the dead hear the voice of witch or wizard. [To Alvar.
Stranger, I mourn and blush to see you here,
On such employment! With far other thoughts
I left you. 30
Ordonio (aside). Ha! he has been tampering with her?
Alvar. O high-soul'd Maiden! and more dear to me
Than suits the stranger's name!—
I swear to thee
I will uncover all concealéd guilt.
Doubt, but decide not! Stand ye from the altar. 35
Than suits the stranger's name!—
I swear to thee
I will uncover all concealéd guilt.
Doubt, but decide not! Stand ye from the altar. 35
[Here a strain of music is heard from behind the scene.
Alvar. With no irreverent voice or uncouth charm
I call up the departed!
Soul of Alvar!
Hear our soft suit, and heed my milder spell:
So may the gates of Paradise, unbarr'd,
Cease thy swift toils! Since haply thou art one 40
Of that innumerable company
Who in broad circle, lovelier than the rainbow,
Girdle this round earth in a dizzy motion,
With noise too vast and constant to be heard:
Fitliest unheard! For oh, ye numberless, 45
And rapid travellers! what ear unstunn'd,
What sense unmadden'd, might bear up against
The rushing of your congregated wings? [Music.
Even now your living wheel turns o'er my head!
[849] Ye, as ye pass, toss high the desart sands, 50
That roar and whiten, like a burst of waters,
A sweet appearance, but a dread illusion
To the parch'd caravan that roams by night!
And ye upbuild on the becalmed waves
That whirling pillar, which from earth to heaven 55
Stands vast, and moves in blackness! Ye too split
The ice mount! and with fragments many and huge
Tempest the new-thaw'd sea, whose sudden gulfs
Suck in, perchance, some Lapland wizard's skiff!
Then round and round the whirlpool's marge ye dance, 60
Till from the blue swoln corse the soul toils out,
And joins your mighty army.
[Here behind the scenes a voice sings the three words, 'Hear, Sweet Spirit.'
Soul of Alvar!
Hear the mild spell, and tempt no blacker charm!
By sighs unquiet, and the sickly pang
Of a half-dead, yet still undying hope, 65
Pass visible before our mortal sense!
So shall the Church's cleansing rites be thine,
Her knells and masses that redeem the dead!
I call up the departed!
Soul of Alvar!
Hear our soft suit, and heed my milder spell:
So may the gates of Paradise, unbarr'd,
Cease thy swift toils! Since haply thou art one 40
Of that innumerable company
Who in broad circle, lovelier than the rainbow,
Girdle this round earth in a dizzy motion,
With noise too vast and constant to be heard:
Fitliest unheard! For oh, ye numberless, 45
And rapid travellers! what ear unstunn'd,
What sense unmadden'd, might bear up against
The rushing of your congregated wings? [Music.
Even now your living wheel turns o'er my head!
[849] Ye, as ye pass, toss high the desart sands, 50
That roar and whiten, like a burst of waters,
A sweet appearance, but a dread illusion
To the parch'd caravan that roams by night!
And ye upbuild on the becalmed waves
That whirling pillar, which from earth to heaven 55
Stands vast, and moves in blackness! Ye too split
The ice mount! and with fragments many and huge
Tempest the new-thaw'd sea, whose sudden gulfs
Suck in, perchance, some Lapland wizard's skiff!
Then round and round the whirlpool's marge ye dance, 60
Till from the blue swoln corse the soul toils out,
And joins your mighty army.
[Here behind the scenes a voice sings the three words, 'Hear, Sweet Spirit.'
Soul of Alvar!
Hear the mild spell, and tempt no blacker charm!
By sighs unquiet, and the sickly pang
Of a half-dead, yet still undying hope, 65
Pass visible before our mortal sense!
So shall the Church's cleansing rites be thine,
Her knells and masses that redeem the dead!
SONG
Behind the Scenes, accompanied by the same Instrument as before.
Hear, sweet spirit, hear the spell,
Lest a blacker charm compel! 70
So shall the midnight breezes swell
With thy deep long-lingering knell.
Lest a blacker charm compel! 70
So shall the midnight breezes swell
With thy deep long-lingering knell.
And at evening evermore,
In a chapel on the shore,
Shall the chaunter, sad and saintly, 75
Yellow tapers burning faintly,
Doleful masses chaunt for thee,
Miserere Domine!
In a chapel on the shore,
Shall the chaunter, sad and saintly, 75
Yellow tapers burning faintly,
Doleful masses chaunt for thee,
Miserere Domine!
Hark! the cadence dies away
On the quiet moonlight sea: 80
The boatmen rest their oars and say,
Miserere Domine! [A long pause.
On the quiet moonlight sea: 80
The boatmen rest their oars and say,
Miserere Domine! [A long pause.
Ordonio. The innocent obey nor charm nor spell!
My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spirit,
Burst on our sight, a passing visitant! 85
Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,
O 'twere a joy to me!
My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spirit,
Burst on our sight, a passing visitant! 85
Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,
O 'twere a joy to me!
Alvar. A joy to thee!
What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit
Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee
With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard? 90
What if (his stedfast eye still beaming pity
And brother's love) he turn'd his head aside,
Lest he should look at thee, and with one look
Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?
What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit
Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee
With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard? 90
What if (his stedfast eye still beaming pity
And brother's love) he turn'd his head aside,
Lest he should look at thee, and with one look
Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?
Valdez. These are unholy fancies!
Ordonio. Yes, my father, 95
He is in Heaven!
He is in Heaven!
Alvar (still to Ordonio). But what if he had a brother,
Who had lived even so, that at his dying hour,
The name of Heaven would have convulsed his face,
More than the death-pang?
Who had lived even so, that at his dying hour,
The name of Heaven would have convulsed his face,
More than the death-pang?
Valdez. Idly prating man!
Thou hast guess'd ill: Don Alvar's only brother 100
Stands here before thee—a father's blessing on him!
He is most virtuous.
Thou hast guess'd ill: Don Alvar's only brother 100
Stands here before thee—a father's blessing on him!
He is most virtuous.
Alvar (still to Ordonio). What, if his very virtues
Had pampered his swoln heart and made him proud?
And what if pride had duped him into guilt?
Yet still he stalked a self-created god, 105
Not very bold, but exquisitely cunning;
And one that at his mother's looking-glass
Would force his features to a frowning sternness?
Young Lord! I tell thee, that there are such beings—
Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd, 110
To see these most proud men, that loath mankind,
At every stir and buzz of coward conscience,
Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites!
Away, away! Now let me hear more music. [Music again.
Had pampered his swoln heart and made him proud?
And what if pride had duped him into guilt?
Yet still he stalked a self-created god, 105
Not very bold, but exquisitely cunning;
And one that at his mother's looking-glass
Would force his features to a frowning sternness?
Young Lord! I tell thee, that there are such beings—
Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd, 110
To see these most proud men, that loath mankind,
At every stir and buzz of coward conscience,
Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites!
Away, away! Now let me hear more music. [Music again.
Teresa. 'Tis strange, I tremble at my own conjectures! 115
But whatsoe'er it mean, I dare no longer
Be present at these lawless mysteries,
This dark provoking of the hidden Powers!
[851] Already I affront—if not high Heaven—
Yet Alvar's memory!—Hark! I make appeal 120
Against the unholy rite, and hasten hence
To bend before a lawful shrine, and seek
That voice which whispers, when the still heart listens,
Comfort and faithful hope! Let us retire.
But whatsoe'er it mean, I dare no longer
Be present at these lawless mysteries,
This dark provoking of the hidden Powers!
[851] Already I affront—if not high Heaven—
Yet Alvar's memory!—Hark! I make appeal 120
Against the unholy rite, and hasten hence
To bend before a lawful shrine, and seek
That voice which whispers, when the still heart listens,
Comfort and faithful hope! Let us retire.
Alvar (to Teresa). O full of faith and guileless love, thy Spirit 125
Still prompts thee wisely. Let the pangs of guilt
Surprise the guilty: thou art innocent!
[Exeunt Teresa and Attendant. Music as before.
The spell is mutter'd—Come, thou wandering shape,
Who own'st no master in a human eye,
Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it, or foul, 130
If he be dead, O come! and bring with thee
That which he grasp'd in death! But if he live,
Some token of his obscure perilous life.
[The whole Music dashes into a Chorus.
Still prompts thee wisely. Let the pangs of guilt
Surprise the guilty: thou art innocent!
[Exeunt Teresa and Attendant. Music as before.
The spell is mutter'd—Come, thou wandering shape,
Who own'st no master in a human eye,
Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it, or foul, 130
If he be dead, O come! and bring with thee
That which he grasp'd in death! But if he live,
Some token of his obscure perilous life.
[The whole Music dashes into a Chorus.
CHORUS
Wandering demons, hear the spell!
Lest a blacker charm compel— 135
Lest a blacker charm compel— 135
[The incense on the altar takes fire suddenly, and an illuminated picture of Alvar's assassination is discovered, and having remained a few seconds is then hidden by ascending flames.
Ordonio (starting). Duped! duped! duped!—the traitor Isidore!
[At this instant the doors are forced open, Monviedro and the Familiars of the Inquisition, Servants, &c., enter and fill the stage.
Monviedro. First seize the sorcerer! suffer him not to speak!
The holy judges of the Inquisition
Shall hear his first words.—Look you pale, Lord Valdez?
Plain evidence have we here of most foul sorcery. 140
There is a dungeon underneath this castle,
And as you hope for mild interpretation,
Surrender instantly the keys and charge of it.
The holy judges of the Inquisition
Shall hear his first words.—Look you pale, Lord Valdez?
Plain evidence have we here of most foul sorcery. 140
There is a dungeon underneath this castle,
And as you hope for mild interpretation,
Surrender instantly the keys and charge of it.
Ordonio (recovering himself as from stupor, to Servants). Why
haste you not? Off with him to the dungeon!
haste you not? Off with him to the dungeon!
[All rush out in tumult.
LINENOTES:
[16]
Alvar (aside). Stage-direction om. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[33]
stranger's] Stranger's Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[35]
Doubt, but decide not! Stand from off the altar. Edition 1.
After 49 [Music expressive of the movements and images that follow. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[54]
upbuild] build up Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[62]
Stage-direction [Here behind, &c. om. Edition 1.
[75]
chaunter] Chaunters Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[80]
quiet] yellow Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[95]
Ordonio (struggling with his feelings). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[122]
bend] kneel Edition 1.
[125]
Alvar (to Teresa anxiously). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[129]
a human eye] an eye of flesh Edition 1.
[134]
demons] demon Edition 1.
[136]
Ordonio (starting in great agitation). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[141]
this] the Edition 1.
Scene II
Interior of a Chapel, with painted Windows.
Enter Teresa.
Teresa. When first I entered this pure spot, forebodings
Press'd heavy on my heart: but as I knelt,
Such calm unwonted bliss possess'd my spirit,
A trance so cloudless, that those sounds, hard by,
Of trampling uproar fell upon mine ear 5
As alien and unnoticed as the rain-storm
Beats on the roof of some fair banquet-room,
While sweetest melodies are warbling——
Press'd heavy on my heart: but as I knelt,
Such calm unwonted bliss possess'd my spirit,
A trance so cloudless, that those sounds, hard by,
Of trampling uproar fell upon mine ear 5
As alien and unnoticed as the rain-storm
Beats on the roof of some fair banquet-room,
While sweetest melodies are warbling——
Enter Valdez.
Valdez. Ye pitying saints, forgive a father's blindness,
And extricate us from this net of peril! 10
And extricate us from this net of peril! 10
Teresa. Who wakes anew my fears, and speaks of peril?
Valdez. O best Teresa, wisely wert thou prompted!
This was no feat of mortal agency!
That picture—Oh, that picture tells me all!
With a flash of light it came, in flames it vanished, 15
Self-kindled, self-consum'd: bright as thy life,
Sudden and unexpected as thy fate,
Alvar! My son! My son!—The Inquisitor—
This was no feat of mortal agency!
That picture—Oh, that picture tells me all!
With a flash of light it came, in flames it vanished, 15
Self-kindled, self-consum'd: bright as thy life,
Sudden and unexpected as thy fate,
Alvar! My son! My son!—The Inquisitor—
Teresa. Torture me not! But Alvar—Oh of Alvar?
Valdez. How often would he plead for these Morescoes! 20
The brood accurst! remorseless, coward murderers!
The brood accurst! remorseless, coward murderers!
Teresa. So? so?—I comprehend you—He is——
Valdez. He is no more!
Teresa. O sorrow! that a father's voice should say this,
A Father's Heart believe it!
A Father's Heart believe it!
Valdez. A worse sorrow
Are fancy's wild hopes to a heart despairing! 25
Are fancy's wild hopes to a heart despairing! 25
Teresa. These rays that slant in through those gorgeous windows,
From yon bright orb—though coloured as they pass,
Are they not light?—Even so that voice, Lord Valdez!
Which whispers to my soul, though haply varied
By many a fancy, many a wishful hope, 30
[853] Speaks yet the truth: and Alvar lives for me!
From yon bright orb—though coloured as they pass,
Are they not light?—Even so that voice, Lord Valdez!
Which whispers to my soul, though haply varied
By many a fancy, many a wishful hope, 30
[853] Speaks yet the truth: and Alvar lives for me!
Valdez. Yes, for three wasting years, thus and no other,
He has lived for thee—a spirit for thy spirit!
My child, we must not give religious faith
To every voice which makes the heart a listener 35
To its own wish.
He has lived for thee—a spirit for thy spirit!
My child, we must not give religious faith
To every voice which makes the heart a listener 35
To its own wish.
Teresa. I breath'd to the Unerring
Permitted prayers. Must those remain unanswer'd,
Yet impious sorcery, that holds no commune
Save with the lying spirit, claim belief?
Permitted prayers. Must those remain unanswer'd,
Yet impious sorcery, that holds no commune
Save with the lying spirit, claim belief?
Valdez. O not to-day, not now for the first time 40
Was Alvar lost to thee—
Accurst assassins!
Disarmed, o'erpowered, despairing of defence,
At his bared breast he seem'd to grasp some relique
More dear than was his life——
Was Alvar lost to thee—
Accurst assassins!
Disarmed, o'erpowered, despairing of defence,
At his bared breast he seem'd to grasp some relique
More dear than was his life——
Teresa. O Heavens! my portrait!
And he did grasp it in his death pang!
Off, false demon, 45
That beat'st thy black wings close above my head![853:1]
[Ordonio enters with the keys of the dungeon in his hand.
Hush! who comes here? The wizard Moor's employer!
Moors were his murderers, you say? Saints shield us
From wicked thoughts——
And he did grasp it in his death pang!
Off, false demon, 45
That beat'st thy black wings close above my head![853:1]
[Ordonio enters with the keys of the dungeon in his hand.
Hush! who comes here? The wizard Moor's employer!
Moors were his murderers, you say? Saints shield us
From wicked thoughts——
[Valdez moves towards the back of the stage to meet Ordonio, and during the concluding lines of Teresa's speech appears as eagerly conversing with him.