Alhadra. Hah! there he goes. A bitter curse go with him. 185
A scathing curse!
[Alhadra had been betrayed by the warmth of her feelings into an
imprudence. She checks herself, yet recollecting Maria's manner
towards Francesco, says in a shy and distrustful manner
You hate him, don't you, lady!
[527]Maria. Nay, fear me not! my heart is sad for you.
Alhadra. These fell Inquisitors, these sons of blood!
As I came on, his face so madden'd me
That ever and anon I clutch'd my dagger 190
And half unsheathed it.
Maria. Be more calm, I pray you.
Alhadra. And as he stalk'd along the narrow path
Close on the mountain's edge, my soul grew eager.
'Twas with hard toil I made myself remember
That his foul officers held my babes and husband. 195
To have leapt upon him with a Tyger's plunge
And hurl'd him down the ragged precipice,
O—it had been most sweet!
Maria. Hush, hush! for shame.
Where is your woman's heart?
Alhadra. O gentle lady!
You have no skill to guess my many wrongs, 200
Many and strange. Besides I am a Christian,
And they do never pardon, 'tis their faith!
Maria. Shame fall on those who so have shown it to thee!
Alhadra. I know that man; 'tis well he knows not me!
Five years ago, and he was the prime agent. 205
Five years ago the Holy Brethren seized me.
Maria. What might your crime be?
Alhadra. Solely my complexion.
They cast me, then a young and nursing mother,
Into a dungeon of their prison house.
There was no bed, no fire, no ray of light, 210
No touch, no sound of comfort! The black air,
[528]
It was a toil to breathe it! I have seen
The gaoler's lamp, the moment that he enter'd,
How the flame sunk at once down to the socket.
O miserable, by that lamp to see 215
My infant quarrelling with the coarse hard bread
Brought daily: for the little wretch was sickly—
My rage had dry'd away its natural food!
In darkness I remain'd, counting the clocks[528:1]
Which haply told me that the blessed sun 220
Was rising on my garden. When I dozed,
My infant's moanings mingled with my dreams
And wak'd me. If you were a mother, Lady,
I should scarce dare to tell you, that its noises
And peevish cries so fretted on my brain 225
That I have struck the innocent babe in anger!
Maria. O God! it is too horrible to hear!
Alhadra. What was it then to suffer? 'Tis most right
That such as you should hear it. Know you not
What Nature makes you mourn, she bids you heal? 230
Great evils ask great passions to redress them,
And whirlwinds fitliest scatter pestilence.
Maria. You were at length deliver'd?
Alhadra. Yes, at length
I saw the blessed arch of the whole heaven.
'Twas the first time my infant smiled! No more. 235
For if I dwell upon that moment, lady,
A fit comes on, which makes me o'er again
All I then was, my knees hang loose and drag,
And my lip falls with such an ideot laugh
That you would start and shudder!
Maria. But your husband? 240
Alhadra. A month's imprisonment would kill him, lady!
Maria. Alas, poor man!
Alhadra. He hath a lion's courage,
[529]
But is not stern enough for fortitude.
Unfit for boisterous times, with gentle heart
He worships Nature in the hill and valley, 245
Not knowing what he loves, but loves it all!
[Enter Albert disguised as a Moresco, and in Moorish garments.
Albert (not observing Maria and Alhadra). Three weeks have I been loitering here, nor ever
Have summon'd up my heart to ask one question,
Or stop one peasant passing on this way.
Maria. Know you that man?
Alhadra. His person, not his name. 250
I doubt not, he is some Moresco chieftain
Who hides himself among the Alpuxarras.
A week has scarcely pass'd since first I saw him;
He has new-roof'd the desolate old cottage
Where Zagri lived—who dared avow the prophet 255
And died like one of the faithful! There he lives,
And a friend with him.
Maria. Does he know his danger
So near this seat?
Alhadra. He wears the Moorish robes too,
[530]
As in defiance of the royal edict.
[Alhadra advances to Albert, who has walked to the back
of the stage near the rocks. Maria drops her veil.
Alhadra. Gallant Moresco! you are near the castle 260
Of the Lord Velez, and hard by does dwell
A priest, the creature of the Inquisition.
Albert (retiring). You have mistaken me—I am a Christian.
Alhadra (to Maria). He deems that we are plotting to ensnare him.
Speak to him, lady! none can hear you speak 265
And not believe you innocent of guile.
[Albert, on hearing this, pauses and turns round.
Maria. If aught enforce you to concealment, sir!
Alhadra. He trembles strangely.
[Albert sinks down and hides his face in his garment [robe Remorse].
Maria. See—we have disturb'd him.
[Approaches nearer to him.
I pray you, think us friends—uncowl your face,
For you seem faint, and the night-breeze blows healing. 270
I pray you, think us friends!
Albert (raising his head). Calm—very calm;
'Tis all too tranquil for reality!
And she spoke to me with her innocent voice.
That voice! that innocent voice! She is no traitress!
It was a dream, a phantom of my sleep, 275
A lying dream. [He starts up, and abruptly addresses her.
Maria! you are not wedded?
Maria (haughtily to Alhadra). Let us retire.
[They advance to the front of the stage.
Alhadra. He is indeed a Christian.
[531]
Some stray Sir Knight, that falls in love of a sudden.
Maria. What can this mean? How should he know my name?
It seems all shadowy.
Alhadra. Here he comes again. 280
Albert (aside). She deems me dead, and yet no mourning garment!
Why should my brother's wife wear mourning garments?
God of all mercy, make me, make me quiet! [To Maria.
Your pardon, gentle maid! that I disturb'd you.
I had just started from a frightful dream. 285
Alhadra. These renegado Moors—how soon they learn
The crimes and follies of their Christian tyrants!
Albert. I dreamt I had a friend, on whom I lean'd
With blindest trust, and a betrothéd maid
Whom I was wont to call not mine, but me, 290
For mine own self seem'd nothing, lacking her!
This maid so idoliz'd, that trusted friend,
Polluted in my absence soul and body!
And she with him and he with her conspired
[532]
To have me murder'd in a wood of the mountains: 295
But by my looks and most impassion'd words
I roused the virtues, that are dead in no man,
Even in the assassins' hearts. They made their terms,
And thank'd me for redeeming them from murder.
Alhadra (to Maria). You are lost in thought. Hear him no more, sweet lady! 300
Maria. From morn to night I am myself a dreamer,
And slight things bring on me the idle mood.
Well, sir, what happen'd then?
Albert. On a rude rock,
A rock, methought, fast by a grove of firs
Whose threaddy leaves to the low breathing gale 305
Made a soft sound most like the distant ocean,
I stay'd as tho' the hour of death were past,
And I were sitting in the world of spirits,
For all things seem'd unreal! There I sate.
The dews fell clammy, and the night descended, 310
Black, sultry, close! and ere the midnight hour
A storm came on, mingling all sounds of fear
That woods and sky and mountains seem'd one havock!
The second flash of lightning show'd a tree
Hard by me, newly-scathed. I rose tumultuous: 315
My soul work'd high: I bared my head to the storm,
And with loud voice and clamorous agony
Kneeling I pray'd to the great Spirit that made me,
Pray'd that Remorse might fasten on their hearts,
And cling, with poisonous tooth, inextricable 320
As the gored lion's bite!
Maria. A fearful curse!
Alhadra. But dreamt you not that you return'd and kill'd him?
Dreamt you of no revenge?
Albert (his voice trembling, and in tones of deep distress). She would have died,
Died in her sins—perchance, by her own hands!
[533]
And bending o'er her self-inflicted wounds 325
I might have met the evil glance of frenzy
And leapt myself into an unblest grave!
I pray'd for the punishment that cleanses hearts,
For still I loved her!
Alhadra. And you dreamt all this?
Maria. My soul is full of visions, all is wild! 330
Alhadra. There is no room in this heart for puling love-tales.
Lady! your servants there seem seeking us.
Maria (lifts up her veil and advances to Albert). Stranger, farewell! I guess not who you are,
Nor why you so address'd your tale to me.
Your mien is noble, and, I own, perplex'd me 335
With obscure memory of something past,
Which still escap'd my efforts, or presented
Tricks of a fancy pamper'd with long-wishing.
If (as it sometimes happens) our rude startling,
While your full heart was shaping out its dream, 340
Drove you to this, your not ungentle wildness,
You have my sympathy, and so farewell!
But if some undiscover'd wrongs oppress you,
And you need strength to drag them into light,
The generous Velez, and my Lord Osorio 345
Have arm and will to aid a noble sufferer,
Nor shall you want my favourable pleading.
[Exeunt Maria and Alhadra.
Albert (alone). 'Tis strange! it cannot be! my Lord Osorio!
Her Lord Osorio! Nay, I will not do it.
I curs'd him once, and one curse is enough. 350
[534]How sad she look'd 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. 355
But ere she married him, he had stain'd her honour.
Ah! there I am hamper'd. What if this were a lie
Fram'd by the assassin? who should tell it him
If it were truth? Osorio would not tell him.
Yet why one lie? All else, I know, was truth. 360
No start! no jealousy of stirring conscience!
And she referr'd to me—fondly, methought!
Could she walk here, if that she were a traitress?
Here where we play'd together in our childhood?
Here where we plighted vows? Where her cold cheek 365
Received my last kiss, when with suppress'd 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 dash'd from the lips! 370
I'll haunt this scene no more—live she in peace!
Her husband—ay, her husband! May this Angel
New-mould his canker'd heart! Assist me, Heaven!
That I may pray for my poor guilty brother!
END OF ACT THE FIRST.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Before 1: ACT THE FIRST (The Portrait and the Picture).
Corr. in MS. III.
Scene—The sea shore, &c.] Scene—The Sea shore on the
coast of Granada, in the Seigniory of the Marquis Valdez. Valdez
Teresa corr. in MS. III. [For Velez, Maria, Osorio, Albert,
Francesco, read Valdez, Teresa, Ordonio, Alvar, Isidore
throughout, Remorse.
Before 1, Scene II.: Enter Teresa and Valdez.
Remorse.
Osorio] Ordoño] corr. in MS. II.
[2] Albert's] Garcia's corr. in MS. III.
[12] mine] my Remorse, 1813.
[40] Or hover round, as he at midnight oft Remorse.
[50] my] my Remorse. Stage-direction om. Remorse.
[52-3]
Valdez. A thought? even so! mere thought! an empty thought.
The very week he promised his return—
Remorse.
an empty thought
That boasts no neighbourhood with Hope or Reason
Corr. in MS. III.
[54-7]
Ter. Was it not then a busy joy? to see him,
After those three years' travels! we had no fears—
The frequent tidings, the ne'er failing letter,
Almost endeared his absence! yet the gladness,
The tumult of our joy! What then, if now—
Marginal correction in MS. III, Remorse.
[60] dreams] fancies Remorse.
[61] Stage-direction om. Remorse.
[62-73]
Vald. The sober truth is all too much for me!
I see no sail which brings not to my mind
The home-bound bark, in which my son was captured
By the Algerine—to perish with his captors!
Ter. Oh no! he did not!
Vald. Captured in sight of land!
From yon Hill-point, nay, from our castle watch-tower
We might have seen—
Ter. His capture, not his death.
Vald. Alas! how aptly thou forgett'st a tale
Thou ne'er didst wish to learn! my brave Ordonio
Saw both the pirate and his prize go down,
In the same storm that baffled his own valour,
And thus twice snatched a brother from his hopes.
Marginal correction in MS. III, Remorse.
[74] Stage-direction om. Remorse.
[76] And most delight his spirit, go, make thou Remorse.
[93] my father] Lord Valdez Remorse.
[96] dream] hear Remorse.
[101-5] Erased MS. III.
Vald. (looking forward). Hush! 'tis Monviedro.
Ter. The Inquisitor—on what new scent of blood?
Enter Monviedro with Alhadra.
Mon. Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord.
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
MS. III, Remorse.
[108-31]
Mon. 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,
But that he made appeal to you, my lord,
As surety for his soundness in the faith.
Tho' lesson'd by experience what small trust
The asseverations of these Moors deserve,
Yet still the deference to Ordonio's name,
Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour
The Holy Church regards her faithful soldiers,
Thus far prevailed with me that—
Ord. Reverend father,
I am much beholden to your high opinion,
Which so o'erprizes my light services. [then to Alhadra
I would that I could serve you; but in truth
Your face is new to me.
Mon. 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
Some four years since to quell these rebel Moors,
Should prove the patron of this infidel!
The warranter of a Moresco's faith!
Remorse.
[114] Have learnt by heart their falsehoods to gain time.
Corr. in MS. III.
[118-20] who (you know, &c., . . . with her Erased MS. III. The
stage-direction (Alhadra here advances towards Ordonio) is inserted at
the end of Francesco's speech.
[133] Is Isidore. (Ordonio starts) Remorse.
[135] Stage-direction (triumphantly) om. Remorse.
[138-9]
You were at sea, and there engaged the pirates,
The murderers doubtless of your brother Alvar!
Remorse.
[139] The stage-direction Maria looks, &c., om. Remorse.
[140] Francesco (. . . Osorio) om. Remorse.
[141] Val. You pressed upon him too abruptly father
Remorse.
[143] Ord. O heavens! I?—I doted?—Remorse.
Stage-directions (starting, &c.), (Then, as, &c.) om. Remorse.
Before 144 stage direction ends at 'follows' Remorse.
[144] Stage-direction (her eye, &c.) om. Remorse.
[151] Till that] Until Remorse.
Stage-direction before 154 om. Remorse.
[154] Ordonio (as they return to Valdez). Remorse.
[157] Stage-direction om. Remorse.
[161] I hope, my lord, your merely human pity MS. III,
Remorse.
[162-72] Nay, nay . . . Ferdinand om. Remorse.
[176] Myself I'll sift him Remorse.
[178] [Francesco's speech 'My lord you have it' is thus
expanded]:—
Monviedro. Your zeal, my lord,
And your late merits in this holy warfare
Would authorize an ampler trust—you have it.
Remorse.
[179] Stage-direction om. Remorse.
[180] Attributed to Valdez in Remorse.
[184] I'll loiter yet awhile t'enjoy the sea breeze.
Remorse.
[186] The stage-direction, Alhadra had been, &c., was
interpolated by S. T. C. in MS. III, and 'distrustful' is written
'mistrustful'. It is omitted in Remorse.
[187] The line was originally written:—
Nay, nay, not hate him. I try not to do it;
and in this form it stands in the Poole MS. MSS. II, III have the
line as amended, but have also this stage-direction '(perceiving that
Alhadra is conscious she has spoken imprudently)'; and MS. II has the
word me underlined.
Oh fear not me! my heart is sad for you
Remorse.
[188] In Poole MS. this line was originally—
These wolfish Priests! these lappers-up of Blood.
[192] stalk'd] walk'd Remorse.
[195] Interpolated by S. T. C.
That his vile Slaves, his pitiless officers
Held in their custody my babes and husband.
MS. III.