Son of Lord Valdez! I had well-nigh fainted. Ay, just as you look now-only less ghastly! ORDONIO. And you kill'd him? Oh blood-hounds! may eternal wrath flame round you! ORDONIO. Doubtless you question'd him? ISIDORE. "Twas my intention, To seek and sound the Moor; who now returning, I, dreading fresh suspicion if found near him Yet within hearing. So the Moor was question'd, [A pause. A strange reply! He was his Maker's Image undefaced! Were he alive, he had return'd ere now- ORDONIO. O this unutterable dying away-here— [A pause. ORDONIO. ISIDORE. Ay, all of him is strange. ISIDORE (pointing to the distance). ORDONIO. How shall I know it? ISIDORE. You cannot err. It is a small green dell If good were meant, why were we made these Be- The Giant's Cradle. There's a lake in the midst, And round its banks tall wood that branches over, ters ISIDORE. 'Neath those tall stones, which, propping each the Form a mock portal with their pointed arch! Who as it seem'd was gathering herbs and wild flow-See-saws his voice in inarticulate noises! SCENE II. The Inside of a Cottage, around which Flowers and Plants of various kinds are seen. Discovers ALVAR, ZULIMEZ, and ALHADRA, as on the point of leaving. ALHADRA (addressing ALVAR). Farewell, then! and though many thoughts perplex me, Aught evil or ignoble never can I Suspect of thee! If what thou seem'st thou art, The oppressed brethren of thy blood have need Of such a leader. ALVAR. Noble-minded woman! Long time against oppression have I fought, And for the native liberty of faith Have bled, and suffer'd bonds. Of this be certain : Time, as he courses onwards, still unrolls The volume of Concealment. In the Future, As in the optician's glassy cylinder, Of the dim Past collect and shape themselves, I sought the guilty, And what I sought I found: but ere the spear Whate'er betide, if aught my arm may aid, [Exit ALHADRA. Yes, to the Belgic states We will return. These robes, this stain'd complexion, With you, then, I am to speak: [Haughtily waving his hand to ZULIMEZ. And, mark you, alone. [Exit ZULIMEZ. "He that can bring the dead to life again!"— Such was your message, Sir! You are no dullard, But one that strips the outward rind of things! ALVAR. "Tis fabled there are fruits with tempting rinds, That are all dust and rottenness within. Wouldst thou I should strip such? ORDONIO. Thou quibbling fool, What dost thou mean? Think'st thou I journey'd hither, To sport with thee? ALVAR. O no, my Lord! to sport O what a thing is man! the wisest heart You are poor! Hark! heard you not some footsteps? What follows thence? Vide Appendix, Note 1. ALVAR. ORDONIO. That you would fain be richer. Did Alvar perish-he, I mean-the lover- 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. ORDONIO (hesitating). ORDONIO. Why, what ails thee? Proceed, I shall be silent. [ALVAR sits, and leaning on the table, hides his face. ORDONIO. To Teresa? Politic wizard! ere you sent that message, Well! and this lady? ORDONIO. If we could make her certain of his death, ALVAR (alone, indignantly flings the purse away, and Now, till she knows him dead, she will not wed me. Should not thy inarticulate Fondnesses, ALVAR (with eager vehemence). Are you not wedded then? Merciful Heaven! Not wedded to Teresa? Thy Infant Loves-should not thy Maiden Vows 92 And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble-On such employment! With far other thoughts This farewell Pledge, which with impassion'd Vow I left you. ORDONIO (aside). I had sworn that I would grasp-ev'n in my death- Ha! he has been tampering with her? pang! I am unworthy of thy love, Teresa, Which ever smiled on me! Yet do not scorn me- Dear Portrait! rescued from a traitor's keeping, I will not now profane thee, holy Image, 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. АСТ III. SCENE I. A Hall of Armory, with an Altar at the back of the Stage. Soft Music from an instrument of Glass ALVAR. O high-soul'd maiden! and more dear to me I swear to thee 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: Who in broad circle, lovelier than the rainbow, or Steel. VALDEZ, ORDONIO, and ALVAR in a Sorcerer's robe, What sense unmadden'd, might bear up against are discovered. ORDONIO. This was too melancholy, father. VALDEZ. Nay, My Alvar loved sad music from a child. Some strangely moving notes: and these, he said, His head upon the blind boy's dog. It pleased me The rushing of your congregated wings? [Music. Even now your living wheel turns o'er my head! Ye, as ye pass, toss high the desert sands, Till from the blue swoln Corse the Soul toils out, [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, 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, And at evening evermore, In a Chapel on the shore, Had pamper'd his swoln heart and made him proud? Yet still he stalk'd a self-created God, Not very bold, but exquisitely cunning; And one that at his Mother's looking-glass Would force his features to a frowning sternness? Still prompts thee wisely. Let the pangs of guilt [Exeunt TERESA and Attendant. (Music as before). The spell is mutter'd-Come, thou wandering Shape, If he be dead, O come! and bring with thee [The whole Music clashes into a Chorus CHORUS. Wandering Demons, hear the spell! [The incense on the altar takes fire suddenly, and ORDONIO (starting in great agitation). MONVIEDRO. First seize the sorcerer! suffer him not to speak! Shall hear his first words.-Look you pale, Lord Plain evidence have we here of most foul sorcery. Why haste you not? Off with him to the dungeon! SCENE II. Interior of a Chapel, with painted Windows. Enter TERESA. TERESA. When first I enter'd this pure spot, forebodings Young Lord! I tell thee, that there are such Beings-Press'd heavy on my heart: but as I knelt, Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd, TERESA. [Music again. "Tis strange, I tremble at my own conjectures! Such calm unwonted bliss possess'd my spirit, Enter VALDEZ. VALDEZ. Ye pitying saints, forgive a father's blindness, TERESA. Who wakes anew my fears, and speaks of peril? VALDEZ. O best Teresa, wisely wert thou prompted! That voice which whispers, when the still heart That picture-Oh, that picture tells me all! listens, Comfort and faithful Hope! Let us retire. O full of faith and guileless love, thy Spint With a flash of light it came, in flames it vanish'd, Alvar! My son! My son!-The Inquisitor |