SCENE 3
A Street in Burgos.[Enter the COUNT OF LEON, followed by ORAN.]
III:3:1 LEON.He has been sighing like a SybariteThese six weeks past, and now he sends to meTo hire my bravo. Well, that smacks of manhood.He’ll pierce at least one heart, if not the right one.Murder and marriage! which the greater crimeA schoolman may decide. All arts exhausted,His death alone remains. A clumsy course.I care not. Truth, I hate this same Alarcos,I think it is the colour of his eyes,But I do hate him; and the royal earLists coldly to me since this same return.The King leans wholly on him. Sirrah Moor,All is prepared?III:3:2 ORAN.And prompt.III:3:3 LEON.‘Tis well; no boggling;Let it be cleanly done.III:3:4 ORAN.A stab or two,And the Arlanzon’s wave shall know the rest.III:3:5 LEON.I’ll have to kibe his heels at Court, if you fail.III:3:6 ORAN.There is no fear. We have the choicest spiritsIn Burgos.III:3:7 LEON.Goodly gentlemen! you waitTheir presence?III:3:8 ORAN.Here anon.III:3:9 LEON.Good night, dusk infidel,They’ll take me for an Alguazil. At homeYour news will reach me.III:3:10 ORAN.And were all your throats cut,I would not weep. O, Allah, let them spendTheir blood upon themselves! My life he shielded,And now exacts one at my hands; we’re quitsWhen this is closed. That thought will grace a deedOtherwise graceless. I would break the chainThat binds me to this man. His callous eyeRepels devotion, while his reckless veinDemands prompt sacrifice. Now is’t wise this?Methinks ‘twere wise to touch the humblest heartOf those that serve us? In maturest plansThere lacks that finish, which alone can flowFrom zealous instruments. But here are someThat have no hearts to touch.[Enter Four BRAVOs.]How now, good senors.I cannot call them comrades; you’re exact,As doubtless ye are brave. You know your duty?III:3:11 1ST BRAVO.And will perform it, or my name is changed,And I’m not Guzman Jaca.III:3:12 ORAN.You well knowThe arm you cross is potent?III:3:13 2ND BRAVO.All the steelOf Calatrava’s knights shall not protect it.III:3:14 3RD BRAVO.And all the knights to boot.III:3:15 4TH BRAVO.A river business.III:3:16 ORAN.The safest sepulchre.III:3:17 4TH BRAVO.A burial groundOf which we are the priests, and take our fees;I never cross a stream, but I do feelA sense of property.III:3:18 ORAN.You know the signal:And when I boast I’ve friends, they may appearTo prove I am no braggart.III:3:19 1ST BRAVO.To our postsIt shall be cleanly done, and brief.III:3:20 2ND BRAVO.No oaths,No swagger.III:3:21 3RD BRAVO.Not a word; but all as pleasantAs we were nobles like himself.III:3:22 4TH BRAVO.‘Tis true, sir;You deal with gentlemen.[Exeunt BRAVOs.][Enter COUNT ALARCOS.]III:3:23 ALAR.The moon’s a sluggard,I think, to-night. How now, the Moor that dodgedMy steps at vespers. Hem! I like not this.Friends beneath cloaks; they’re wanted. Save you, sir?III:3:24 ORAN.And you, sir?III:3:25 ALAR.Not the first time we have met,Or I’ve no eye for lurkers.III:3:26 ORAN.I have tastedOur common heritage, the air, to-day;And if the selfsame beam warmed both our bloods,What then?III:3:27 ALAR.Why nothing; but the sun has set,And honest men should seek their hearths.III:3:28 ORAN.I waitMy friends.[The BRAVOs rush in, and assault COUNT ALARCOS, who,dropping his Cloak, shows his Sword already drawn, and keeps them at bay.]So, so! who plays with princes’ blood?No sport for varlets. Thus and thus, I’ll teach yeTo know your station.III:3:29 1ST BRAVO.Ah!III:3:30 2ND BRAVO.Away!III:3:31 3RD BRAVO.Fly, fly!III:3:32 4TH BRAVO.No place for quiet men.[The BRAVOs run off.]III:3:33 ALAR.A little breathIs all they have cost me, tho’ their blood has stainedMy damask blade. And still the Moor! What ho!Why fliest not like thy mates?III:3:34 ORAN.Because I waitTo fight.III:3:35 ALAR.Rash caitiff! knowest thou who I am?III:3:36 ORAN.One who I heard was brave, and now has proved it.III:3:37 ALAR.Am I thy foe?III:3:38 ORAN.No more than all thy race.III:3:39 ALAR.Go, save thy life.III:3:40 ORAN.Look to thine own, proud lord.III:3:41 ALAR.Perdition catch thy base-born insolence.[They fight: after a long and severe encounter,ALARCOS disarms ORAN, who falls wounded.]III:3:42 ORAN.Be brief, dispatch me.III:3:43 ALAR.Not a word for mercy?III:3:44 ORAN.Why should’st thou give it?III:3:45 ALAR.‘Tis not merited,Yet might be gained. Who set thee on to this?My sword is at thy throat. Give me his name,And thine shall live.III:3:46 ORAN.I cannot.III:3:47 ALAR.What, is lifeSo light a boon? It hangs upon this point.Bold Moor, is’t then thy love to him who fees theeMakes thee so faithful?III:3:48 ORAN.No; I hate him.III:3:49 ALAR.WhatRestrains thee, then?III:3:50 ORAN.The feeling that restrainedMy arm from joining stabbers—Honour.III:3:51 ALAR.Humph!An overseer of stabbers for some ducats.And is that honour?III:3:52 ORAN.Once he screened my life,And this was my return.III:3:53 ALAR.What if I spareThy life even now? Wilt thou accord to meThe same devotion?III:3:54 ORAN.Yea; the life thou givestThou shouldst command.III:3:55 ALAR.If I, too, have a foeCrossing my path and blighting all my life?III:3:56 ORAN.This sword should strive to reach him.III:3:57 ALAR.Him! thy bondShall know no sex or nation. LimitlessShall be thy pledge. I’ll claim from thee a lifeFor that I spare. How now, wilt live?III:3:58 ORAN.To payA life for that now spared.III:3:59 ALAR.Swear to thy truth;Swear by Mahound, and swear by all thy gods,If thou hast any; swear it by the stars,In which we all believe; and by thy hopesOf thy false paradise; swear it by thy soul,And by thy sword!III:3:60 ORAN.I swear.III:3:61 ALAR.Arise and live.
THE END OF THE THIRD ACT.
SCENE 1
Interior of a Posada frequented by BRAVOs, in an obscure quarter ofBurgos. FLIX at the fire, frying eggs. Men seated at small tablesdrinking; others lying on benches. At the side, but in the front of theScene, some Beggars squatted on the ground, thrumming a Mandolin; aGipsy Girl dancing.
IV:1:1 A BRAVO.Come, mother, dost take us for Saracens? I say we are trueChristians, and so must drink wine.IV:1:2 ANOTHER BRAVO.Mother Flix is sour to-night. Keep the evil eye from the olla!IV:1:3 3RD BRAVO.[advancing to her]Thou beauty of Burgos, what are dimples unless seen? Smile! wench.IV:1:4 FLIX.A frying egg will not wait for the King of Cordova.IV:1:5 1ST BRAVO.Will have her way. Graus knows a pretty wife’s worth. A handsomehostess is bad for the guest’s purse.IV:1:6 1ST BRAVO.[rising]Good companions make good company. Graus, Graus! another flagon.IV:1:7 2ND BRAVO.Of the right Catalan.IV:1:8 3RD BRAVO.Nay, for my omelette.IV:1:9 FLIX.Hungry men think the cook lazy.[Enter GRAUS with a Flagon of wine.]IV:1:10 1ST BRAVO.‘Tis mine.IV:1:11 2ND BRAVO.No, mine.IV:1:12 1ST BRAVO.We’ll share.IV:1:13 2ND BRAVO.No, each man his own beaker; he who shares has the worst half.IV:1:14 3RD BRAVO.[to FLIX, who brings the omelette]An egg and to bed.IV:1:15 GRAUS.Who drinks, first chinks.IV:1:16 1ST BRAVO.The debtor is stoned every day. There will be water-work to-morrow,and that will wash it out. You know me?IV:1:17 GRAUS.In a long journey and a small inn, one knows one’s company.IV:1:18 2ND BRAVO.Come, I’ll give, but I won’t share. Fill up.IV:1:19 GRAUS.That’s liberal; my way; full measure but prompt pezos;I loathe your niggards.IV:1:20 1ST BRAVO.As the little tailor of Campillo said, who worked for nothing,and found thread.[To the other BRAVO.]Nay, I’ll not refuse; we know each other.IV:1:21 2ND BRAVO.We’ve seen the stars together.IV:1:22 AN OLD MAN.Burgos is not what it was.IV:1:23 5TH BRAVO.[waking]Sleep ends and supper begins. The olla, the olla, Mother Flix;[shaking a purse]there’s the dinner bell.IV:1:24 2ND BRAVO.That will bring courses.IV:1:25 1ST BRAVO.An ass covered with gold has more respect than a horse with apack-saddle.IV:1:26 5TH BRAVO.How for that ass?IV:1:27 2ND BRAVO.Nay, the sheep should have his belly full who quarrels with his mate.IV:1:28 5TH BRAVO.But how for that ass?IV:1:29 A FRIAR.[advancing]Peace be with ye, brethren! A meal in God’s name.IV:1:30 5TH BRAVO.Who asks in God’s name, asks for two. But how for that ass?IV:1:31 FLIX.[bringing the olla]Nay, an ye must brawl, go fight the Moors. ‘Tis a peaceable house,and we sleep quiet o’ nights.IV:1:32 5TH BRAVO.Am I an ass?IV:1:33 FLIX.He is an ass who talks when he might eat.IV:1:34 5TH BRAVO.A Secadon sausage! Come, mother, I’m all peace; thou’rt a rare hand.As in thy teeth, comrade, and no more on’tIV:1:35 1ST BRAVO.When I will not, two cannot quarrel.IV:1:36 OLD MAN.Everything is changed for the worse.IV:1:37 FRIAR.For the love of St. Jago, senors; for the love of St. Jago!IV:1:38 5TH BRAVO.When it pleases not God, the saint can do little.IV:1:39 2ND BRAVO.Nay, supper for all, and drink’s the best meat. Some have sungfor it, some danced. There is no fishing for trout in dry breeches.You shall preach.IV:1:40 FRIAR.Benedicite, brethren—IV:1:41 1ST BRAVO.Nay, no Latin, for the devil’s not here.IV:1:42 2ND BRAVO.And prithee let it be as full of meat as an egg; for we do manydeeds, love not many words.IV:1:43 FRIAR.Thou shalt not steal.IV:1:44 1ST BRAVO.He blasphemes.IV:1:45 FRIAR.But what is theft?IV:1:46 2ND BRAVO.Ay! there it is.IV:1:47 FRIAR.The tailor he steals the cloth, and the miller he steals the meal;is either a thief? ‘tis the way of trade. But what if our tradebe to steal? Why then our work is to cut purses; to cut purses isto follow our business; and to follow our business is to obey theKing; and so thieving is no theft. And that’s probatum, and so, amen.IV:1:48 5TH BRAVO.Shall put thy spoon in the olla for that.IV:1:49 2ND BRAVO.And drink this health to our honest fraternity.IV:1:50 OLD MAN.I have heard sermons by the hour; this is brief; every thing falls off.[Enter a PERSONAGE masked and cloaked.]IV:1:51 1ST BRAVO.[to his Companions]See’st yon mask?IV:1:52 2ND BRAVO.‘Tis strange.IV:1:53 GRAUS.[to FLIX]Who is this?IV:1:54 FLIX.The fool wonders, the wise man asks. Must have no masks here.IV:1:55 GRAUS.An obedient wife commands her husband. Business with a stranger,title enough.[Advancing and addressing the Mask.]Most noble Senor Mask.IV:1:56 THE UNKNOWN.Well, fellow!IV:1:57 GRAUS.Hem; as it may be. D’ye see, most noble Senor Mask, that ‘tis anorderly house this, frequented by certain honest gentlemen, thattake their siesta, and eat a fried egg after their day’s work,and so are not ashamed to show their faces. Ahem!IV:1:58 THE UNKNOWN.As in truth I am in such villanous company.IV:1:59 GRAUS.Wheugh! but ‘tis not the first ill word that brings a blow.Would’st sup indifferently well here at a moderate rate, we arethy servants. My Flix hath reputation at the frying-pan, and mywine hath made lips smack; but here, senor, faces must be uncovered.IV:1:60 THE UNKNOWN.Poh! poh!IV:1:61 GRAUS.Nay, then, I will send some to you shall gain softer words.IV:1:62 1ST BRAVO.Why, what’s this?IV:1:63 2ND BRAVO.Our host is an honest man, and has friends.IV:1:64 5TH BRAVO.Let me finish my olla, and I will discourse with him.IV:1:65 THE UNKNOWN.Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke. I come here on business,and with you all.IV:1:66 1ST BRAVO.Carraho! and who’s this?IV:1:67 THE UNKNOWN.One who knows you, though you know not him. One whom you have neverseen, yet all fear. And who walks at night, and where he likes.IV:1:68 2ND BRAVO.The devil himself!IV:1:69 THE UNKNOWN.It may be so.IV:1:70 2ND BRAVO.Sit by me, Friar, and speak Latin.IV:1:71 THE UNKNOWN.There is a man missing in Burgos, and I will know where he is.IV:1:72 OLD MAN.There were many men missing in my time.IV:1:73 THE UNKNOWN.Dead or alive, I care not; but land or water, river or turf, I willknow where the body is stowed. See[shaking a purse]here is eno’ to point all the poniards of the city. You shallhave it to drink his health.IV:1:74 A BRAVO.How call you him?IV:1:75 THE UNKNOWN.Oran, the Moor.IV:1:76 1ST BRAVO.[Jumping from his seat and approaching the Stranger.]My name is Guzman Jaca; my hand was in that business.IV:1:77 THE UNKNOWN.With the Moor and three of your comrades?IV:1:78 1ST BRAVO.The same.IV:1:79 THE UNKNOWN.And how came your quarry to fly next day?IV:1:80 1ST BRAVO.Very true; ‘twas a bad business for all of us. I fought likea lion; see, my arm is still bound up; but he had advice ofour visit; and no sooner had we saluted him, than theresuddenly appeared a goodly company of twelve serving-men,or say twelve to fifteen—IV:1:81 THE UNKNOWN.You lie; he walked alone.IV:1:82 1ST BRAVO.Very true; and if I am forced to speak the whole truth, it was thus.I fought like a lion; see, my arm is still bound up; but I was notquite his match alone, for I had let blood the day before, and mycomrades were taken with a panic, and so left me in the lurch.And now you have it all.IV:1:83 THE UNKNOWN.And Oran?IV:1:84 1ST BRAVO.He fled at once.IV:1:85 THE UNKNOWN.Come, come, Oran did not fly.IV:1:86 1ST BRAVO.Very true. We left him alone with the Count.And now you have it all.IV:1:87 THE UNKNOWN.Had he slain him, the body would have been found.IV:1:88 1ST BRAVO.Very true. That’s the difference between us professionalperformers, and you mere amateurs; we never leave the bodies.IV:1:89 THE UNKNOWN.And you can tell me nothing of him?IV:1:90 1ST BRAVO.No, but I engage to finish the Count, any night you like now,for I have found out his lure.IV:1:91 THE UNKNOWN.How’s that?IV:1:92 1ST BRAVO.Every evening, about an hour after sunset, he enters by a privateway the citadel.IV:1:93 THE UNKNOWN.Hah! what more?IV:1:94 1ST BRAVO.He is stagged; there is a game playing, but what I know not.IV:1:95 THE UNKNOWN.Your name is Guzman Jaca?IV:1:96 1ST BRAVO.The same.IV:1:97 THE UNKNOWN.Honest fellow! there’s gold for you. You know nothing of Oran?IV:1:98 1ST BRAVO.Maybe he has crawled to some place wounded.IV:1:99 THE UNKNOWN.To die like a bird. Look after him. If I wish more, I knowwhere to find you. What ho, Master Host! I cannot wait totry your mistress’s art to-night; but here’s my scot for ournext supper.[Exit THE UNKNOWN.]
SCENE 2
A Chamber in the Palace of Alarcos.The COUNTESS and SIDONIA.
IV:2:1 SIDO.Lady, you’re moved: nay, ‘twas an idle word.IV:2:2 COUN.But was it true?IV:2:3 SIDO.And yet might little mean.IV:2:4 COUN.That I should live to doubt!IV:2:5 SIDO.But do not doubt;Forget it, lady. You should know him well;Nay, do not credit it.IV:2:6 COUN.He’s very changed.I would not own, no, not believe that change,I’ve given it every gloss that might confirmMy sinking heart. Time and your tale agree;Alas! ‘tis true.IV:2:7 SIDO.I hope not; still believeIt is not true. Would that I had not spoken!It was unguarded prate.IV:2:8 COUN.You have done me service:Condemned, the headsman is no enemy,Bat closes suffering.IV:2:9 SIDO.Yet a bitter doomTo torture those you’d bless. I have a thought.What if this eve you visit this same spot,That shrouds these meetings? If he’s wanting then,The rest might prove as false.IV:2:10 COUN.He will be there,I feel he will be there.IV:2:11 SIDO.We should not think so,Until our eyes defeat our hopes.IV:2:12 COUN.O Burgos,My heart misgave me when I saw thy walls!To doubt is madness, yet ‘tis not despair,And that may be my lot.IV:2:13 SIDO.The palace gardensAre closed, except to master-keys. Here’s one,My office gives it me, and it can countFew brethren. You will be alone.IV:2:14 COUN.Alas!I dare not hope so.IV:2:15 SIDO.Well, well, think of this;Yet take the key.IV:2:16 COUN.O that it would unlockThe heart now closed to me! To watch his waysWas once my being. Shall I prove the spyOf joys I may not share? I will not takeThat fatal key.IV:2:17 SIDO.‘Tis well; I pray you, pardonMy ill-timed zeal.IV:2:18 COUN.Indeed, I should be gratefulThat one should wish to serve me. Can it be?‘Tis not two months, two little, little months,You crossed this threshold first; Ah! gentle air,And we were all so gay! What have I done?What is all this? so sudden and so strange?It is not true, I feel it is not true;‘Tis factious care that clouds his brow, and callsFor all this timed absence. His brain’s busyWith the State. Is’t not so? I prithee speak,And say you think it.IV:2:19 SIDO.You should know him well;And if you deem it so, why I should deemThe inference just.IV:2:20 COUN.Yet if he were not there,How happy I should sleep! there is no peril;The garden’s near; and is there shame? ‘Tis loveMakes me a lawful spy. He’ll not be there,And then there is no prying.IV:2:21 SIDO.Near at hand,Crossing the way that bounds your palace court,There is a private portal.IV:2:22 COUN.If I go,He will not miss me. Ah, I would he might!So very near; no, no; I cannot go;And yet I’ll take the key.[Takes the key.]Would thou could’st speak,Thou little instrument, and tell me allThe secrets of thy office! My heart beats;‘Tis my first enterprise; I would it wereTo do him service. No, I cannot go;Farewell, kind sir; indeed I am so troubled,I must retire.[Exit COUNTESS.]IV:2:23 SIDO.Thy virtue makes me vile;And what should move my heart inflames my soul.O marvellous world, wherein I play the villainFrom very love of excellence! But for him,I’d be the rival of her stainless thoughtsAnd mate her purity. Hah![Enter ORAN.]IV:2:24 ORAN.My noble lord!IV:2:25 SIDO.The Moor!IV:2:26 ORAN.Your servant.IV:2:27 SIDO.Here! ‘tis passing strange.How’s this?IV:2:28 ORAN.The accident of war, my lord.I am a prisoner.IV:2:29 SIDO.But at large, it seems.You have betrayed meIV:2:30 ORAN.Had I chosen that,I had been free and you not here. I fought,And fell in single fight. Why spared I know not,But that the lion’s generous.IV:2:31 SIDO.Will you proveYour faithIV:2:32 ORAN.Nay, doubt it not.IV:2:33 SIDO.You still can aid me.IV:2:34 ORAN.I am no traitor, and my friends shall findI am not wanting.IV:2:35 SIDO.Quit these liberal wallsWhere you’re not watched. In brief, I’ve coined a taleHas touched the Countess to the quick. She seeks,Alone or scantly tended, even now,The palace gardens; eager to discoverA faithless husband, where she’ll chance to findOne more devout. My steeds and servants waitAt the right post; my distant castle soonShall hold this peerless wife. Your resolute spiritMay aid me much. How say you, is it wellThat we have met?IV:2:36 ORAN.Right well. I will embarkMost heartily in this.IV:2:37 SIDO.With me at once.IV:2:38 ORAN.At once?IV:2:39 SIDO.No faltering. You have learned and knowToo much to spare you from my sight, good Oran.With me at once.IV:2:40 ORAN.‘Tis urgent; well at once,And I will do good service, or I’ll die.For what is life unless to aid the lifeHas aided thine?IV:2:41 SIDO.On then; with me no eyeWill look with jealousy upon thy step.[Exeunt both.]
SCENE 3
A retired spot in the Gardens of the Palace.[Enter the COUNTESS.]
IV:3:1 COUN.Is’t guilt, that I thus tremble? Why should IFeel like a sinner? I’ll not dare to meetHis flashing eye. O, with what scorn, what hateHis lightning glance will wither me. Away,I will away. I care not whom he meets.What if he love me not, he shall not loatheThe form he once embraced. I’ll be contentTo live upon the past, and dream againIt may return. Alas! were I the false one,I could not feel more humbled. Ah, he comes!I’ll lie, I’ll vow I’m vile, that I came hereTo meet another, anything but thatI dared to doubt him. What, my Lord Sidonia![Enter SIDONIA.]IV:3:2 SIDO.Thy servant and thy friend. Ah! gentle lady,I deemed this unused scene and ill-timed hourmight render solace welcome. He’ll not come;Ho crossed the mountains, ere the set of sun,Towards Briviesca.IV:3:3 COUN.Holy Virgin, thanks!Home, home!IV:3:4 SIDO.And can a hearth neglected causeSuch raptures?IV:3:5 COUN.I, and only I, neglect it;My cheek is fire, that I should ever dareTo do this stealthy deed.IV:3:6 SIDO.And yet I feelI could do one as secret and more bold.A moment, lady; do not turn awayWith that cold look.IV:3:7 COUN.My children wait me, sir;Yet I would thank you, for you meant me kindness.IV:3:8 SIDO.And mean it yet. Ah! beauteous Florimonde,It is the twilight hour, when hearts are soft,And mine is like the quivering light of eve;I love thee!IV:3:9 COUN.And for this I’m here, and he,He is not false! O happiness!IV:3:10 SIDO.Sweet lady—IV:3:11 COUN.My Lord Sidonia, I can pardon thee,I am so joyful.IV:3:12 SIDO.Nay, then.IV:3:13 COUN.Unhand me, Sir!IV:3:14 SIDO.But to embrace this delicate waist. Thou art mine:I’ve sighed and thou hast spurned. What is not yieldedIn war we capture. Ere a flying hour,Thy hated Burgos vanishes. That voice;What, must I stifle it, who fain would listenFor ever to its song? In vain thy cry,For none are here but mine.[Enter ORAN.]IV:3:15 ORAN.Turn, robber, turn—IV:3:16 SIDO.Ah! treason in the camp! Thus to thy heart.[They fight. ORAN beats off SIDONIA, they leave the scene fighting;the COUNTESS swoons.][Enter a procession with lighted torches, attending the Infanta SOLISAfrom Mass.]IV:3:17 1ST USH.A woman!IV:3:18 2ND USH.Does she liveIV:3:19 SOL.What stops our course?[The Train ranging themselves on each side, the Infanta approachesthe COUNTESS.]IV:3:20 SOL.Most strange and lovely vision! Does she breathe?I’ll not believe ‘tis death. Her hand is cold,And her brow damp; Griselda, Julia, maidensHither, and yet stand off; give her free air.How shall we bear her home? Now, good Lorenzo,You, and Sir Miguel, raise her; gently, gently.Still gently, sirs. By heavens, the fairest faceI yet did gaze on! Some one here should know her.‘Tis one that must be known. That’s well; relieveThat kerchief from her neck; mind not our state;I’ll by her side; a swoon, methinks; no more,Let’s hope and pray![They raise the body of the COUNTESS, and bear her away.][Enter Count of LEON.]IV:3:21 LEON.I’ll fathom this same mystery,If there be wit in Burgos. I have heard,Before I knew the Court, old Nunez LeonWhisper strange things—and what if they prove true?It is not exile twice would cure that scar.I’ll reach him yet. ‘Tis likely he may passThis way; ‘tis lonely, and well suits a stepWould not be noticed. Ha! a man approaches;I’ll stand awhile aside.[Re-enter ORAN.]IV:3:22 ORAN.Gone, is she gone!Yet safe I feel. O Allah! thou art great!The arm she bound, and tended with that glanceOf sweet solicitude, has saved her life,And more than life. The dark and reckless villains!O! I could curse them, but my heart is softWith holy triumph. I’m no more an outcast.And when she calls me, I’d not change my lotTo be an Emir. In their hall to-nightThere will be joy, and Oran will have smiles.This house has knit me to their fate by tiesStronger than gyves of iron.IV:3:23 LEON.Do I seeThe man I seek? Oran![ORAN turns, and recognising Leon, rushes and seizes him.]IV:3:24 ORAN.Incarnate fiend,Give her me, give her me!IV:3:25 LEON.Off, ruffian, off!IV:3:26 ORAN.I have thee and I’ll hold thee. If I spareThy damned life, and do not dash thee down,And trample on thee, fiend, it is becauseThou art the gaoler of a pearl of priceI cannot gain without thee. Now, where is she?Now by thy life!IV:3:27 LEON.Why, thou outrageous Moor,Hast broken thy false prophet’s rule, and soFell into unused drink, that thus thou darestTo flout me with thy cloudy menaces?What mean’st thou, sir? And what have I withheldFrom thy vile touch? By heavens, I pass my daysIn seeking thy dusk corpse, I deemed well drilledEre this, but it awaits my vengeance.IV:3:28 ORAN.Boy!Licentious boy! Where is she? Now, by Allah!This poniard to thy heart, unless thou tell’st me.IV:3:29 LEON.Whom dost thou mean?IV:3:30 ORAN.Thy comrade and thy crewThey all have fled. I left the Countess here.She’s gone. Thou fill’st her place.IV:3:31 LEON.What Countess? Speak.IV:3:32 ORAN.The Count Alarcos’ wife.IV:3:33 LEON.The Count Alarcos!I’d be right glad to see him; but his wifeConcerns the Lord Sidonia. If he have playedSome Pranks here ‘tis a fool, and he has marredMore than he’ll ever make. My time’s worth gems;My knightly word, dusk Moor, I tell thee truth.I will forget these jest, but we must meetThis night at my palace.IV:3:34 ORAN.I’ll see her first.[Exit ORAN.]IV:3:35 LEON.Is it the Carnival? What mummery’s this?What have I heard? One thing alone is clear.We must be rid of Oran.