And she referr'd to me-fondly, methought! No treachery, no cup dash'd from the lips. ACT II. SCENE I.-A wild and mountainous country. Ordonio and Isidore are discovered, supposed at a little distance from Isidore's house. Ord. Here we may stop: your house distinct in view, Yet we secured from listeners. 1si. Now indeed My house! and it looks cheerful as the clusters Now, but for you, a dungeon's slimy stones Ord. Good Isidore Why this to me? It is enough, you know it. Isi. A common trick of Gratitude, my Lord, Seeking to ease her own full heart Ord. A debt repaid ceases to be a debt. Enough, You have it in your power to serve me greatly. Isi. And how, my Lord? I pray you to name the thing. I would climb up an ice-glaz'd precipice To pluck a weed you fancied! Ordonio (with embarrassment and hesitation). Why -that-Lady Isi. 'Tis now three years, my Lord, since last J saw you. Have you a son, my Lord? Ord. O miserable [Aside Isidore! you are a man, and know mankind. Isidore (looking as suddenly alarmed). You jest, my Lord! Ord. And till his death is proved, she will not wed me. Isi. You sport with me, my Lord! Ord. Come, come! this foolery Lives only in thy looks: thy heart disowns it! Isi. I can bear this, and any thing more grievous From you, my Lord-but how can I serve you here? Ord. Why, you can utter with a solemn gesture Oracular sentences of deep no-meaning, Wear a quaint garment, make mysterious antics— Isi. I am dull, my Lord! I do not comprehend you. Ord. In blunt terms, you can play the sorcerer. Yet still a tale of spirits works upon her. Shivers, and cannot keep the tears in her eye: Not to believe it. We will wind up her fancy Ord. Beyond suspicion. (By some base spell he had bewitch'd her senses), Known only to her lover and herself. But I had traced her, stolen unnoticed on them, Isi. But now I should have cursed the man who told me You could ask aught, my Lord, and I refuse But this I cannot do. Ord. Where lies your scruple? Isi. (with stammering). Why-why, my Lord! You know you told me that the lady loved you, Than those, my Lord, which merely being a man- Ordonio (aloud, though to express his contempt he speaks in the third person). This fellow is a Man-he kill'd for hire One whom he knew not, yet has tender scruples! [Then turning to Isidore. These doubts, these fears, thy whine, thy stammer ing Pish, fool! thou blunder'st through the book of guilt, Spelling thy villany. Isi. My Lord-my Lord, I can bear much—yes, very much from you! But there's a point where sufferance is meanness : I am no villain-never kill'd for hire My gratitude Ord. O ay-your gratitude! 'Twas a well-sounding word-what have you done with it? Isi. Who proffers his past favours for my virtue Virtue ! Ord. (with bitter scorn). Isi. Tries to o'erreach me-is a very sharper, And should not speak of gratitude, my Lord. I knew not 't was your brother! Ord. (ularmed). Isi. He himself told me. Ord. And who told you? Ha! you talked with him! And those, the two Morescoes who were with you? Isi. Both fell in a night-brawl at Malaga. Ord. (in a low voice). My brother Isi. Yes, my Lord. I could not teli you! Ord. Villain! no more! I'll hear no more of it. Isi. My Lord, it much imports your future safety That you should hear it. Ordonio (turning off from Isidore). Am ʻʼnot I a man ! 'Tis as it should be! tut-the deed itself Was idle, and these after-pangs still idler ! Isi. We met him in the very place you mention'd. Hard by a grove of firs Ord. Enough-enough Isi. He fought us valiantly, and wounded all; In fine, compell'd a parley. Ord. (sighing as if lost in thought). Alvar! bro ther! Isi. He offer'd me his purse Ord. (with eager suspicion). Yes? Isi. (indignantly) Yes-I spurn'd it.— He promised us I know not what—in vain! Then with a look and voice that overawed me, He said, What mean you, friends? my life is dear I have a brother and a promised wife, Who make life dear to me--and if I fall, That brother will roam earth and hell for vengeance. I ask'd his brother's name: he said—Ordonio, He wore her portrait round his neck. He look'd back Ay, just as you look now-only less ghastly! At length, recovering from his trance, he threw His sword away, and bade us take his life, |