Ter. For mercy's sake, Press me no more! I have no power to love him. Closes beneath his touch. Val. You wrong him, maiden! You wrong him, by my soul! Nor was it well The stir and workings of that love for you Which he has toil'd to smother. "T was not well, His wounds and perilous voyages, and how, He roam'd the coast of Afric for your Alvar. It was not well-You have moved me even to tears. I Ter. Oh pardon me, Lord Valdez ! pardon me! It was a foolish and ungrateful speech, A most ungrateful speech! But I am hurried Who aims to rival Alvar. Were we not Born in one day, like twins of the same parent? Yet still the hope survives Val. (looking forward). Hush! 't is Monviedro. Ter. The Inquisitor! on what new scent of blood? Enter MONVIEDRO with ALHADRA. Monviedro (having first made his obeisance to Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord, [Looking forward. We have hit the time. Here comes he! Yes, 't is he Enter from the opposite side Don ORDONIO. My Lord Ordonio, this Moresco woman (Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you. Ord. Hail, reverend father! what may be the business? Monv. 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 Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour Órd. Reverend father, I am much beholden to your high opinion, [Then to Alhadra. I would that I could serve you; but in truth Your face is new to me. Monv. My mind foretold me, That such would be the event. In truth, Lord Valdez, "T was little probable, that Don Ordonio, That your illustrious son, who fought so bravely Should prove the patron of this infidel! The guarantee of a Moresco's faith! Now I return. Alh. My Lord, my husband's name Is Isidore. (Ordonio starts.)—You may remember it. Three years ago, three years this very week, Monv. Palpably false ! This very week, three years ago, my Lord [Teresa looks at Monviedro with disgust and horror. Ordonio's appearance to be collected from what follows. Monviedro (to Valdez, and pointing at Ordonio). What is he ill, my Lord? how strange he looks! Val. (angrily). You press'd upon him too abruptly, father, The fate of one, on whom, you know, he doted. Ordonio (starting as in sudden agitation). O Heavens? I? I-doted? (then recovering himself). Yes! I doted on him. [Ordonio walks to the end of the stage, Valdez follows, soothing him. Teresa (her eye following Ordonio). I do not, can not, love him. Is my heart hard? Is my heart hard? that even now the thought Should force itself upon me?--Yet I feel it! Monv. The drops did start and stand upon his forehead! I will return. In very truth, I grieve To have been the occasion. Ho! attend me, woman! Alhadra (to Teresa). O gentle lady! make the father stay Until my Lord recover. I am sure That he will say he is my husband's friend. Ter. Stay, father! stay! my Lord will soon recover. Ordonio (as they return, to Valdez). Strange, that this Monviedro Should have the power so to distemper me! Ord. A sudden seizure, father! think not of it, As to this woman's husband, I do know him. Monv. I hope, my Lord, your merely human pity Doth not prevail Ord. 'T is certain that he was a Catholic; What changes may have happen'd in three years Monv. Your zeal, my Lord, And your late merits in this holy warfare, Would authorise an ampler trust-you have it. Ord. I will attend you home within an hour. Val. Meantime, return with us and take refresh ment. Alh. Not till my husband's free! I may not do it. I will stay here. Ter. (aside). Val. Who is this Isidore? Daughter! Ter. With your permission, my dear Lord, I'll loiter yet awhile t' enjoy the sea breeze. [Exeunt Valdez, Monviedro, and Ordonio. Alh. Hah! there he goes! a bitter curse go with him, A scathing curse! (Then as if recollecting herself, and with a timid look). You hate him, don't you, lady! Teresa (perceiving that Alhadra is conscious she has spoken imprudently). Oh fear not me! my heart is sad for you. Alh. 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 And half unsheathed it Ter. Be more calm, I pray you. Alh. And as he walked along the narrow path Close by the mountain's edge, my soul grew eager; 'T was with hard toil I made myself remember That his Familiars held my babes and husband. To have leapt upon him with a tiger's plunge, And hurl'd him down the rugged precipice, O, it had been most sweet! Ter. Where is your woman's heart? Alh. Hush! hush for shame! O gentle lady! You have no skill to guess my many wrongs, tian, And Christians never pardon-'t is their faith! Ter. Shame fall on those who so have shown it to thee! Alh. I know that man: 't is well he knows not me. Five years ago (and he was the prime agent), Five years ago the holy brethren seized me. Ter. What might your crime be? Ath. I was a Moresco! They cast me, then a young and nursing mother, Into a dungeon of their prison-house, Where was no bed, no fire, no ray of light, No touch, no sound of comfort! The black air, It was a toil to breathe it! when the door, Slow opening at the appointed hour, disclosed One human countenance, the lamp's red flame Cower'd as it enter'd, and at once sunk down. |