Is Alvar dead? what then?
The nuptial rites and funeral shall be one! 50
Here's no abiding-place for thee, Teresa.—
Away! they see me not—Thou seest me, Alvar!
To thee I bend my course.—But first one question,
One question to Ordonio.—My limbs tremble—
There I may sit unmark'd—a moment will restore me. 55
[Retires out of sight.
The nuptial rites and funeral shall be one! 50
Here's no abiding-place for thee, Teresa.—
Away! they see me not—Thou seest me, Alvar!
To thee I bend my course.—But first one question,
One question to Ordonio.—My limbs tremble—
There I may sit unmark'd—a moment will restore me. 55
[Retires out of sight.
Ordonio (as he advances with Valdez). These are the dungeon keys. Monviedro knew not,
That I too had received the wizard's message,
'He that can bring the dead to life again.'
But now he is satisfied, I plann'd this scheme
To work a full conviction on the culprit, 60
And he entrusts him wholly to my keeping.
That I too had received the wizard's message,
'He that can bring the dead to life again.'
But now he is satisfied, I plann'd this scheme
To work a full conviction on the culprit, 60
And he entrusts him wholly to my keeping.
Valdez. 'Tis well, my son! But have you yet discovered
(Where is Teresa?) what those speeches meant—
Pride, and hypocrisy, and guilt, and cunning?
Then when the wizard fix'd his eye on you, 65
And you, I know not why, look'd pale and trembled—
Why—why, what ails you now?—
(Where is Teresa?) what those speeches meant—
Pride, and hypocrisy, and guilt, and cunning?
Then when the wizard fix'd his eye on you, 65
And you, I know not why, look'd pale and trembled—
Why—why, what ails you now?—
Ordonio. Me? what ails me?
A pricking of the blood—It might have happen'd
At any other time.—Why scan you me?
A pricking of the blood—It might have happen'd
At any other time.—Why scan you me?
Valdez. His speech about the corse, and stabs and murderers, 70
Bore reference to the assassins——
Bore reference to the assassins——
Ordonio. Dup'd! dup'd! dup'd!
The traitor, Isidore! [A pause, then wildly.
I tell thee, my dear father!
I am most glad of this.
The traitor, Isidore! [A pause, then wildly.
I tell thee, my dear father!
I am most glad of this.
Valdez. True—sorcery
Merits its doom; and this perchance may guide us
To the discovery of the murderers. 75
I have their statures and their several faces
So present to me, that but once to meet them
Would be to recognize.
Merits its doom; and this perchance may guide us
To the discovery of the murderers. 75
I have their statures and their several faces
So present to me, that but once to meet them
Would be to recognize.
Ordonio. Yes! yes! we recognize them.
I was benumb'd, and staggered up and down
Through darkness without light—dark—dark—dark! 80
My flesh crept chill, my limbs felt manacled
As had a snake coil'd round them!—Now 'tis sunshine,
And the blood dances freely through its channels! [Then to himself.
This is my virtuous, grateful Isidore!
[Then mimicking Isidore's manner and voice.
'A common trick of gratitude, my lord!' 85
[855] Old Gratitude! a dagger would dissect
His 'own full heart'—'twere good to see its colour.
I was benumb'd, and staggered up and down
Through darkness without light—dark—dark—dark! 80
My flesh crept chill, my limbs felt manacled
As had a snake coil'd round them!—Now 'tis sunshine,
And the blood dances freely through its channels! [Then to himself.
This is my virtuous, grateful Isidore!
[Then mimicking Isidore's manner and voice.
'A common trick of gratitude, my lord!' 85
[855] Old Gratitude! a dagger would dissect
His 'own full heart'—'twere good to see its colour.
Valdez. These magic sights! O that I ne'er had yielded
To your entreaties! Neither had I yielded,
But that in spite of your own seeming faith 90
I held it for some innocent stratagem,
Which love had prompted, to remove the doubts
Of wild Teresa—by fancies quelling fancies!
To your entreaties! Neither had I yielded,
But that in spite of your own seeming faith 90
I held it for some innocent stratagem,
Which love had prompted, to remove the doubts
Of wild Teresa—by fancies quelling fancies!
Ordonio. Love! love! and then we hate! and what? and wherefore?
Hatred and love! fancies opposed by fancies! 95
What? if one reptile sting another reptile?
Where is the crime? The goodly face of nature
Hath one disfeaturing stain the less upon it.
Are we not all predestined transiency,
And cold dishonour? Grant it, that this hand 100
Had given a morsel to the hungry worms
Somewhat too early—Where's the crime of this?
That this must needs bring on the idiotcy
Of moist-eyed penitence—'tis like a dream!
Hatred and love! fancies opposed by fancies! 95
What? if one reptile sting another reptile?
Where is the crime? The goodly face of nature
Hath one disfeaturing stain the less upon it.
Are we not all predestined transiency,
And cold dishonour? Grant it, that this hand 100
Had given a morsel to the hungry worms
Somewhat too early—Where's the crime of this?
That this must needs bring on the idiotcy
Of moist-eyed penitence—'tis like a dream!
Valdez. Wild talk, my son! But thy excess of feeling—— 105
Almost I fear it hath unhinged his brain.
Almost I fear it hath unhinged his brain.
Ordonio (Teresa reappears and advances slowly). Say, I had laid a body in the sun!
Well! in a month there swarm forth from the corse
A thousand, nay, ten thousand sentient beings
In place of that one man.—Say, I had kill'd him! 110
[Teresa stops listening.
Yet who shall tell me, that each one and all
Of these ten thousand lives is not as happy,
As that one life, which being push'd aside,
Made room for these unnumbered——
Well! in a month there swarm forth from the corse
A thousand, nay, ten thousand sentient beings
In place of that one man.—Say, I had kill'd him! 110
[Teresa stops listening.
Yet who shall tell me, that each one and all
Of these ten thousand lives is not as happy,
As that one life, which being push'd aside,
Made room for these unnumbered——
Valdez. O mere madness!
[Teresa moves hastily forwards, and places herself directly before
Ordonio.
Ordonio. Teresa? or the phantom of Teresa? 115
Teresa. Alas! the phantom only, if in truth
The substance of her being, her life's life,
Have ta'en its flight through Alvar's death-wound— [A pause.
Where—
(Even coward murder grants the dead a grave)
O tell me, Valdez!—answer me, Ordonio! 120
Where lies the corse of my betrothéd husband?
The substance of her being, her life's life,
Have ta'en its flight through Alvar's death-wound— [A pause.
Where—
(Even coward murder grants the dead a grave)
O tell me, Valdez!—answer me, Ordonio! 120
Where lies the corse of my betrothéd husband?
Ordonio. There, where Ordonio likewise would fain lie!
In the sleep-compelling earth, in unpierc'd darkness![856:1]
For while we live—
An inward day that never, never sets, 125
Glares round the soul, and mocks the closing eyelids!
In the sleep-compelling earth, in unpierc'd darkness![856:1]
For while we live—
An inward day that never, never sets, 125
Glares round the soul, and mocks the closing eyelids!
Over his rocky grave the fir-grove sighs
A lulling ceaseless dirge! 'Tis well with him.
[Strides off towards the altar, but returns as Valdez is speaking.
A lulling ceaseless dirge! 'Tis well with him.
[Strides off towards the altar, but returns as Valdez is speaking.
Teresa. The rock! the fir-grove! [To Valdez.
Did'st thou hear him say it?
Hush! I will ask him!
Did'st thou hear him say it?
Hush! I will ask him!
Valdez. Urge him not—not now! 130
This we beheld. Nor he nor I know more,
Than what the magic imagery revealed.
The assassin, who pressed foremost of the three——
This we beheld. Nor he nor I know more,
Than what the magic imagery revealed.
The assassin, who pressed foremost of the three——
Ordonio. A tender-hearted, scrupulous, grateful villain,
Whom I will strangle!
Whom I will strangle!
Valdez. While his two companions—— 135
Ordonio. Dead! dead already! what care we for the dead?
Valdez (to Teresa). Pity him! soothe him! disenchant his spirit!
[857] These supernatural shews, this strange disclosure,
And this too fond affection, which still broods
O'er Alvar's fate, and still burns to avenge it— 140
These, struggling with his hopeless love for you,
Distemper him, and give reality
To the creatures of his fancy.
[857] These supernatural shews, this strange disclosure,
And this too fond affection, which still broods
O'er Alvar's fate, and still burns to avenge it— 140
These, struggling with his hopeless love for you,
Distemper him, and give reality
To the creatures of his fancy.
Ordonio. Is it so?
Yes! yes! even like a child, that too abruptly
Roused by a glare of light from deepest sleep 145
Starts up bewildered and talks idly.
Father!
What if the Moors that made my brother's grave,
Even now were digging ours? What if the bolt,
Though aim'd, I doubt not, at the son of Valdez,
Yet miss'd its true aim when it fell on Alvar? 150
Yes! yes! even like a child, that too abruptly
Roused by a glare of light from deepest sleep 145
Starts up bewildered and talks idly.
Father!
What if the Moors that made my brother's grave,
Even now were digging ours? What if the bolt,
Though aim'd, I doubt not, at the son of Valdez,
Yet miss'd its true aim when it fell on Alvar? 150
Valdez. Alvar ne'er fought against the Moors,—say rather,
He was their advocate; but you had march'd
With fire and desolation through their villages.—
Yet he by chance was captured.
He was their advocate; but you had march'd
With fire and desolation through their villages.—
Yet he by chance was captured.
Ordonio. Unknown, perhaps,
Captured, yet as the son of Valdez, murdered. 155
Leave all to me. Nay, whither, gentle lady?
Captured, yet as the son of Valdez, murdered. 155
Leave all to me. Nay, whither, gentle lady?
Valdez. What seek you now?
Teresa. A better, surer light
To guide me——
To guide me——
Both Valdez and Ordonio. Whither?
Teresa. To the only place
Where life yet dwells for me, and ease of heart.
These walls seem threatening to fall in upon me! 160
Detain me not! a dim power drives me hence,
And that will be my guide.
Where life yet dwells for me, and ease of heart.
These walls seem threatening to fall in upon me! 160
Detain me not! a dim power drives me hence,
And that will be my guide.
Valdez. To find a lover!
Suits that a high-born maiden's modesty?
O folly and shame! Tempt not my rage, Teresa!
Suits that a high-born maiden's modesty?
O folly and shame! Tempt not my rage, Teresa!
Teresa. Hopeless, I fear no human being's rage. 165
And am I hastening to the arms——O Heaven!
I haste but to the grave of my belov'd!
[Exit, Valdez following after her.
And am I hastening to the arms——O Heaven!
I haste but to the grave of my belov'd!
[Exit, Valdez following after her.
Ordonio. This, then, is my reward! and I must love her?
Scorn'd! shudder'd at! yet love her still? yes! yes!
[858] By the deep feelings of revenge and hate 170
I will still love her—woo her—win her too! [A pause.
Isidore safe and silent, and the portrait
Found on the wizard—he, belike, self-poison'd
To escape the crueller flames——My soul shouts triumph!
The mine is undermined! blood! blood! blood! 175
They thirst for thy blood! thy blood, Ordonio! [A pause.
The hunt is up! and in the midnight wood
With lights to dazzle and with nets they seek
A timid prey: and lo! the tiger's eye
Glares in the red flame of his hunter's torch! 180
Scorn'd! shudder'd at! yet love her still? yes! yes!
[858] By the deep feelings of revenge and hate 170
I will still love her—woo her—win her too! [A pause.
Isidore safe and silent, and the portrait
Found on the wizard—he, belike, self-poison'd
To escape the crueller flames——My soul shouts triumph!
The mine is undermined! blood! blood! blood! 175
They thirst for thy blood! thy blood, Ordonio! [A pause.
The hunt is up! and in the midnight wood
With lights to dazzle and with nets they seek
A timid prey: and lo! the tiger's eye
Glares in the red flame of his hunter's torch! 180
To Isidore I will dispatch a message,
And lure him to the cavern! aye, that cavern!
He cannot fail to find it. Thither I'll lure him,
Whence he shall never, never more return!
[Looks through the side window.
A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea, 185
And now 'tis gone! All shall be done to-night. [Exit.
And lure him to the cavern! aye, that cavern!
He cannot fail to find it. Thither I'll lure him,
Whence he shall never, never more return!
[Looks through the side window.
A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea, 185
And now 'tis gone! All shall be done to-night. [Exit.
FOOTNOTES:
[853:1] 45-6. Compare The Death of Wallenstein, Act I, Sc. iv, ll. 48-9. See note by J. D. Campbell, P. W., 1893, p. 650.
[856:1] It was pleasing to observe, during the Rehearsal all the Actors and Actresses and even the Mechanics on the stage clustering round while these lines were repeating just as if it had been a favourite strain of Music. But from want of depth and volume of voice in Rae, they did not produce an equal effect on the Public till after the Publication—and then they (I understand) were applauded. I have never seen the Piece since the first Night. S. T. C.
LINENOTES:
Scene II] Scene III. Interior of a Chapel. Edition 1.
[20]
would he] wouldst thou Edition 1.
[22]
Teresa (wildly). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
Valdez (with averted countenance). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[24]
A worse sorrow] And how painful Edition 1.
[44]
Teresa (with faint shriek). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
my] my Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[45]
He grasp'd it in his death-pang! Edition 1. did] did Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[49]
Is] Is Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[52]
Thou] Thou Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 55 Stage-direction om. Edition 1.
[67]
Ordonio (confused). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[73]
Valdez (confused). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 83 [Turns off abruptly; then to himself. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[84]
grateful] grateful Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[94]
Ordonio (in a slow voice, as reasoning to himself). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[101]
Had] Had Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 105 [Averting himself. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[107]
Ordonio (now in soliloquy, and now addressing his father; and just after the speech has commenced, Teresa, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[110]
kill'd] kill'd Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 110 [Teresa starts and stops listening. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
Before 115 Ordonio (checking the feeling of surprise, and forcing his tones into an expression of playful courtesy). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[124]
live] live Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[128]
him] him Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 128 [Strides off in agitation towards the altar, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[129]
Teresa (recoiling with the expression appropriate to the passion). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
thou] thou Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[131]
beheld . . . he] beheld . . . He Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[134]
grateful] grateful Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[135]
Valdez (looking with anxious disquiet at his Son, yet attempting to proceed with his description). Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[158]
Both. Whither Edition 1.
[168]
must] must Editions 1, 2, 3.
[171]
win] win Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[176]
thy] thy Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
After 186 end of the Third Act. Editions 1, 2, 3.
ACT IV
Scene I
A cavern, dark, except where a gleam of moonlight is seen on one side at the further end of it; supposed to be cast on it from a crevice in a part of the cavern out of sight. Isidore alone, an extinguished torch in his hand.
Isidore. Faith 'twas a moving letter—very moving!
'His life in danger, no place safe but this!
'Twas his turn now to talk of gratitude.'
And yet—but no! there can't be such a villain.
It can not be!
Thanks to that little crevice, 5
Which lets the moonlight in! I'll go and sit by it.
To peep at a tree, or see a he-goat's beard,
Or hear a cow or two breathe loud in their sleep—
Any thing but this crash of water drops!
These dull abortive sounds that fret the silence 10
With puny thwartings and mock opposition!
[859] So beats the death-watch to a sick man's ear.
[He goes out of sight, opposite to the patch of moonlight: and returns.
A hellish pit! The very same I dreamt of!
I was just in—and those damn'd fingers of ice
Which clutch'd my hair up! Ha!—what's that—it mov'd. 15
'His life in danger, no place safe but this!
'Twas his turn now to talk of gratitude.'
And yet—but no! there can't be such a villain.
It can not be!
Thanks to that little crevice, 5
Which lets the moonlight in! I'll go and sit by it.
To peep at a tree, or see a he-goat's beard,
Or hear a cow or two breathe loud in their sleep—
Any thing but this crash of water drops!
These dull abortive sounds that fret the silence 10
With puny thwartings and mock opposition!
[859] So beats the death-watch to a sick man's ear.
[He goes out of sight, opposite to the patch of moonlight: and returns.
A hellish pit! The very same I dreamt of!
I was just in—and those damn'd fingers of ice
Which clutch'd my hair up! Ha!—what's that—it mov'd. 15
[Isidore stands staring at another recess in the cavern. In the mean time Ordonio enters with a torch, and halloes to Isidore.
Isidore. I swear that I saw something moving there!
The moonshine came and went like a flash of lightning——
I swear, I saw it move.
The moonshine came and went like a flash of lightning——
I swear, I saw it move.
Ordonio (goes into the recess, then returns).
A jutting clay stone
Drops on the long lank weed, that grows beneath:
And the weed nods and drips.[859:1]
A jutting clay stone
Drops on the long lank weed, that grows beneath:
And the weed nods and drips.[859:1]
Isidore. A jest to laugh at! 20
It was not that which scar'd me, good my lord.
It was not that which scar'd me, good my lord.
Ordonio. What scar'd you, then?
Isidore. You see that little rift?
But first permit me!
[Lights his torch at Ordonio's, and while lighting it.
(A lighted torch in the hand
Is no unpleasant object here—one's breath
Floats round the flame, and makes as many colours 25
As the thin clouds that travel near the moon.)
You see that crevice there?
My torch extinguished by these water-drops,
And marking that the moonlight came from thence,
I stept in to it, meaning to sit there; 30
But scarcely had I measured twenty paces—
My body bending forward, yea, o'erbalanced
Almost beyond recoil, on the dim brink
Of a huge chasm I stept. The shadowy moonshine
Filling the void so counterfeited substance, 35
That my foot hung aslant adown the edge.
[860] Was it my own fear?
Fear too hath its instincts![860:1]
(And yet such dens as these are wildly told of,
And there are beings that live, yet not for the eye)
An arm of frost above and from behind me 40
Pluck'd up and snatched me backward. Merciful Heaven!
You smile! alas, even smiles look ghastly here!
My lord, I pray you, go yourself and view it.
But first permit me!
[Lights his torch at Ordonio's, and while lighting it.
(A lighted torch in the hand
Is no unpleasant object here—one's breath
Floats round the flame, and makes as many colours 25
As the thin clouds that travel near the moon.)
You see that crevice there?
My torch extinguished by these water-drops,
And marking that the moonlight came from thence,
I stept in to it, meaning to sit there; 30
But scarcely had I measured twenty paces—
My body bending forward, yea, o'erbalanced
Almost beyond recoil, on the dim brink
Of a huge chasm I stept. The shadowy moonshine
Filling the void so counterfeited substance, 35
That my foot hung aslant adown the edge.
[860] Was it my own fear?
Fear too hath its instincts![860:1]
(And yet such dens as these are wildly told of,
And there are beings that live, yet not for the eye)
An arm of frost above and from behind me 40
Pluck'd up and snatched me backward. Merciful Heaven!
You smile! alas, even smiles look ghastly here!
My lord, I pray you, go yourself and view it.
Ordonio. It must have shot some pleasant feelings through you.
Isidore. If every atom of a dead man's flesh 45
Should creep, each one with a particular life,
Yet all as cold as ever—'twas just so!
Or had it drizzled needle-points of frost
Upon a feverish head made suddenly bald—
Should creep, each one with a particular life,
Yet all as cold as ever—'twas just so!
Or had it drizzled needle-points of frost
Upon a feverish head made suddenly bald—
Ordonio. Why, Isidore,
I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled, 50
I grant you, even a brave man for a moment—
But such a panic—
I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled, 50
I grant you, even a brave man for a moment—
But such a panic—
Isidore. When a boy, my lord!
I could have sate whole hours beside that chasm,
Push'd in huge stones and heard them strike and rattle
Against its horrid sides: then hung my head 55
Low down, and listened till the heavy fragments
Sank with faint crash in that still groaning well,
Which never thirsty pilgrim blest, which never
A living thing came near—unless, perchance,
Some blind-worm battens on the ropy mould 60
Close at its edge.
I could have sate whole hours beside that chasm,
Push'd in huge stones and heard them strike and rattle
Against its horrid sides: then hung my head 55
Low down, and listened till the heavy fragments
Sank with faint crash in that still groaning well,
Which never thirsty pilgrim blest, which never
A living thing came near—unless, perchance,
Some blind-worm battens on the ropy mould 60
Close at its edge.
Ordonio. Art thou more coward now?
Isidore. Call him, that fears his fellow-man, a coward!
[861] I fear not man—but this inhuman cavern,
It were too bad a prison-house for goblins.
Beside, (you'll smile, my lord) but true it is, 65
My last night's sleep was very sorely haunted
By what had passed between us in the morning.
O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared at
By forms so hideous that they mock remembrance—
Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing, 70
But only being afraid—stifled with fear!
While every goodly or familiar form
Had a strange power of breathing terror round me![861:1]
I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;
And, I entreat your lordship to believe me, 75
In my last dream——
[861] I fear not man—but this inhuman cavern,
It were too bad a prison-house for goblins.
Beside, (you'll smile, my lord) but true it is, 65
My last night's sleep was very sorely haunted
By what had passed between us in the morning.
O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared at
By forms so hideous that they mock remembrance—
Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing, 70
But only being afraid—stifled with fear!
While every goodly or familiar form
Had a strange power of breathing terror round me![861:1]
I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;
And, I entreat your lordship to believe me, 75
In my last dream——
Ordonio. Well?
Isidore. I was in the act
Of falling down that chasm, when Alhadra
Wak'd me: she heard my heart beat.
Of falling down that chasm, when Alhadra
Wak'd me: she heard my heart beat.
Ordonio. Strange enough!
Had you been here before?
Had you been here before?
Isidore. Never, my lord!
But mine eyes do not see it now more clearly, 80
Than in my dream I saw—that very chasm.
But mine eyes do not see it now more clearly, 80
Than in my dream I saw—that very chasm.
Ordonio (after a pause). I know not why it should be! yet it is—
Isidore. What is, my lord?
Ordonio. Abhorrent from our nature
To kill a man.—
To kill a man.—
Isidore. Except in self-defence.
Ordonio. Why that's my case; and yet the soul recoils from it— 85
'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,
Have sterner feelings?
'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,
Have sterner feelings?
Isidore. Something troubles you.
How shall I serve you? By the life you gave me,
By all that makes that life of value to me,
[862] My wife, my babes, my honour, I swear to you, 90
Name it, and I will toil to do the thing,
If it be innocent! But this, my lord!
Is not a place where you could perpetrate,
No, nor propose a wicked thing. The darkness,
When ten strides off we know 'tis cheerful moonlight, 95
Collects the guilt, and crowds it round the heart.
It must be innocent.
How shall I serve you? By the life you gave me,
By all that makes that life of value to me,
[862] My wife, my babes, my honour, I swear to you, 90
Name it, and I will toil to do the thing,
If it be innocent! But this, my lord!
Is not a place where you could perpetrate,
No, nor propose a wicked thing. The darkness,
When ten strides off we know 'tis cheerful moonlight, 95
Collects the guilt, and crowds it round the heart.
It must be innocent.
Ordonio. Thyself be judge.
One of our family knew this place well.
One of our family knew this place well.
Isidore. Who? when? my lord?
Ordonio. What boots it, who or when?
Hang up thy torch—I'll tell his tale to thee. 100
[They hang up their torches on some ridge in the cavern.
He was a man different from other men,
And he despised them, yet revered himself.
Hang up thy torch—I'll tell his tale to thee. 100
[They hang up their torches on some ridge in the cavern.
He was a man different from other men,
And he despised them, yet revered himself.
Isidore (aside). He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!
I am on my guard, however: no surprise. [Then to Ordonio.
What, he was mad?
I am on my guard, however: no surprise. [Then to Ordonio.
What, he was mad?
Ordonio. All men seemed mad to him! 105
Nature had made him for some other planet,
And pressed his soul into a human shape
By accident or malice. In this world
He found no fit companion.
Nature had made him for some other planet,
And pressed his soul into a human shape
By accident or malice. In this world
He found no fit companion.
Isidore. Of himself he speaks. [Aside.
Alas! poor wretch! 110
Mad men are mostly proud.
Alas! poor wretch! 110
Mad men are mostly proud.
Ordonio. He walked alone,
And phantom thoughts unsought-for troubled him.
Something within would still be shadowing out
All possibilities; and with these shadows
His mind held dalliance. Once, as so it happened, 115
A fancy crossed him wilder than the rest:
To this in moody murmur and low voice
He yielded utterance, as some talk in sleep:
The man who heard him.—
Why did'st thou look round?
And phantom thoughts unsought-for troubled him.
Something within would still be shadowing out
All possibilities; and with these shadows
His mind held dalliance. Once, as so it happened, 115
A fancy crossed him wilder than the rest:
To this in moody murmur and low voice
He yielded utterance, as some talk in sleep:
The man who heard him.—
Why did'st thou look round?
Isidore. I have a prattler three years old, my lord! 120
[863] In truth he is my darling. As I went
From forth my door, he made a moan in sleep—
But I am talking idly—pray proceed!
And what did this man?
[863] In truth he is my darling. As I went
From forth my door, he made a moan in sleep—
But I am talking idly—pray proceed!
And what did this man?
Ordonio. With this human hand
He gave a substance and reality 125
To that wild fancy of a possible thing.—
Well it was done!
Why babblest thou of guilt?
The deed was done, and it passed fairly off.
And he whose tale I tell thee—dost thou listen?
He gave a substance and reality 125
To that wild fancy of a possible thing.—
Well it was done!
Why babblest thou of guilt?
The deed was done, and it passed fairly off.
And he whose tale I tell thee—dost thou listen?
Isidore. I would, my lord, you were by my fire-side, 130
I'd listen to you with an eager eye,
Though you began this cloudy tale at midnight,
But I do listen—pray proceed, my lord.
I'd listen to you with an eager eye,
Though you began this cloudy tale at midnight,
But I do listen—pray proceed, my lord.
Ordonio. Where was I?
Isidore. He of whom you tell the tale—
Ordonio. Surveying all things with a quiet scorn, 135
Tamed himself down to living purposes,
The occupations and the semblances
Of ordinary men—and such he seemed!
But that same over ready agent—he—
Tamed himself down to living purposes,
The occupations and the semblances
Of ordinary men—and such he seemed!
But that same over ready agent—he—
Isidore. Ah! what of him, my lord?
Ordonio. He proved a traitor, 140
Betrayed the mystery to a brother-traitor,
And they between them hatch'd a damnéd plot
To hunt him down to infamy and death.
What did the Valdez? I am proud of the name
Since he dared do it.—
[Ordonio grasps his sword, and turns off from Isidore, then after a pause returns.
Our links burn dimly. 145
Betrayed the mystery to a brother-traitor,
And they between them hatch'd a damnéd plot
To hunt him down to infamy and death.
What did the Valdez? I am proud of the name
Since he dared do it.—
[Ordonio grasps his sword, and turns off from Isidore, then after a pause returns.
Our links burn dimly. 145
Isidore. A dark tale darkly finished! Nay, my lord!
Tell what he did.
Tell what he did.
Ordonio. That which his wisdom prompted—
He made the traitor meet him in this cavern,
And here he kill'd the traitor.
He made the traitor meet him in this cavern,
And here he kill'd the traitor.
Isidore. No! the fool! 150
He had not wit enough to be a traitor.
Poor thick-eyed beetle! not to have foreseen
That he who gulled thee with a whimpered lie
[864] To murder his own brother, would not scruple
To murder thee, if e'er his guilt grew jealous, 155
And he could steal upon thee in the dark!
He had not wit enough to be a traitor.
Poor thick-eyed beetle! not to have foreseen
That he who gulled thee with a whimpered lie
[864] To murder his own brother, would not scruple
To murder thee, if e'er his guilt grew jealous, 155
And he could steal upon thee in the dark!
Ordonio. Thou would'st not then have come, if—
Isidore. Oh yes, my lord!
I would have met him arm'd, and scar'd the coward.
[Isidore throws off his robe; shews himself armed, and draws his sword.
I would have met him arm'd, and scar'd the coward.
[Isidore throws off his robe; shews himself armed, and draws his sword.
Ordonio. Now this is excellent and warms the blood! 160
My heart was drawing back, drawing me back
With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeance
Beckons me onwards with a warrior's mien,
And claims that life, my pity robb'd her of—
Now will I kill thee, thankless slave, and count it 165
Among my comfortable thoughts hereafter.
My heart was drawing back, drawing me back
With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeance
Beckons me onwards with a warrior's mien,
And claims that life, my pity robb'd her of—
Now will I kill thee, thankless slave, and count it 165
Among my comfortable thoughts hereafter.
Isidore. And all my little ones fatherless—
Die thou first.
Die thou first.
[They fight, Ordonio disarms Isidore, and in disarming him throws his sword up that recess opposite to which they were standing. Isidore hurries into the recess with his torch, Ordonio follows him; a loud cry of 'Traitor! Monster!' is heard from the cavern, and in a moment Ordonio returns alone.