Albert.He doth believe himself an iron soul,And therefore puts he on an iron outwardAnd those same mock habiliments of strengthHide his own weakness from himself.Maurice.His weakness!165Come, come, speak out! Your brother is a villain!Yet all the wealth, power, influence, which is yoursYou suffer him to hold!Albert.Maurice! dear Maurice!That my return involved Osorio's deathI trust would give me an unmingl'd pang—170Yet bearable. But when I see my fatherStrewing his scant grey hairs even on the groundWhich soon must be his grave; and my Maria,Her husband proved a monster, and her infants[544]His infants—poor Maria!—all would perish,175All perish—all!—and I (nay bear with me!)Could not survive the complicated ruin!Maurice (much affected).Nay, now, if I have distress'd you—you well know,I ne'er will quit your fortunes! true, 'tis tiresome.You are a painter—one of many fancies—180You can call up past deeds, and make them liveOn the blank canvas, and each little herb,That grows on mountain bleak, or tangled forest,You've learnt to name—butI——Albert.Well, to the NetherlandsWe will return, the heroic Prince of Orange185Will grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past service.Maurice.Heard you not some steps?Albert.What if it were my brother coming onward!Not very wisely (but his creature teiz'd me)I sent a most mysterious message to him.190Maurice.Would he not know you?Albert.I unfearinglyTrust this disguise. Besides, he thinks me dead;And what the mind believes impossible,The bodily sense is slow to recognize.Add too my youth, when last we saw each other;195Manhood has swell'd my chest, and taught my voiceA hoarser note.Maurice.Most true! And Alva's DukeDid not improve it by the unwholesome viandsHe gave so scantily in that foul dungeon,During our long imprisonment.
Albert.He doth believe himself an iron soul,And therefore puts he on an iron outwardAnd those same mock habiliments of strengthHide his own weakness from himself.
Maurice.His weakness!165Come, come, speak out! Your brother is a villain!Yet all the wealth, power, influence, which is yoursYou suffer him to hold!
Albert.Maurice! dear Maurice!That my return involved Osorio's deathI trust would give me an unmingl'd pang—170Yet bearable. But when I see my fatherStrewing his scant grey hairs even on the groundWhich soon must be his grave; and my Maria,Her husband proved a monster, and her infants[544]His infants—poor Maria!—all would perish,175All perish—all!—and I (nay bear with me!)Could not survive the complicated ruin!
Maurice (much affected).Nay, now, if I have distress'd you—you well know,I ne'er will quit your fortunes! true, 'tis tiresome.You are a painter—one of many fancies—180You can call up past deeds, and make them liveOn the blank canvas, and each little herb,That grows on mountain bleak, or tangled forest,You've learnt to name—butI——
Albert.Well, to the NetherlandsWe will return, the heroic Prince of Orange185Will grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past service.
Maurice.Heard you not some steps?
Albert.What if it were my brother coming onward!Not very wisely (but his creature teiz'd me)I sent a most mysterious message to him.190
Maurice.Would he not know you?
Albert.I unfearinglyTrust this disguise. Besides, he thinks me dead;And what the mind believes impossible,The bodily sense is slow to recognize.Add too my youth, when last we saw each other;195Manhood has swell'd my chest, and taught my voiceA hoarser note.
Maurice.Most true! And Alva's DukeDid not improve it by the unwholesome viandsHe gave so scantily in that foul dungeon,During our long imprisonment.
EnterOsorio.
Albert.It is he!200Maurice.Make yourself talk; you'll feel the less. Come, speak.[545]How do you find yourself? Speak to me, Albert.Albert (placing his hand on his heart).A little fluttering here; but more of sorrow!Osorio.You know my name, perhaps, better than me.I am Osorio, son of the Lord Velez.205Albert (groaning aloud).The son of Velez!
Albert.It is he!200
Maurice.Make yourself talk; you'll feel the less. Come, speak.[545]How do you find yourself? Speak to me, Albert.
Albert (placing his hand on his heart).A little fluttering here; but more of sorrow!
Osorio.You know my name, perhaps, better than me.I am Osorio, son of the Lord Velez.205
Albert (groaning aloud).The son of Velez!
[Osoriowalks leisurely round the room, and looks attentively at the plants.
Maurice.Why, what ails you now?
Maurice.Why, what ails you now?
[AlbertgraspsMaurice'shand in agitation.
Maurice.How your hand trembles, Albert! Speak! what wish you?Albert.To fall upon his neck and weep in anguish!Osorio (returning).All very curious! from a ruin'd abbeyPluck'd in the moonlight. There's a strange power in weeds210When a few odd prayers have been mutter'd o'er them.Then they work miracles! I warrant you,There's not a leaf, but underneath it lurksSome serviceable imp. There's one of you,Who sent me a strange message.Albert.I am he!215Osorio.I will speak with you, and by yourself.
Maurice.How your hand trembles, Albert! Speak! what wish you?
Albert.To fall upon his neck and weep in anguish!
Osorio (returning).All very curious! from a ruin'd abbeyPluck'd in the moonlight. There's a strange power in weeds210When a few odd prayers have been mutter'd o'er them.Then they work miracles! I warrant you,There's not a leaf, but underneath it lurksSome serviceable imp. There's one of you,Who sent me a strange message.
Albert.I am he!215
Osorio.I will speak with you, and by yourself.
[ExitMaurice.
Osorio.'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!Albert.'Tis fabled there are fruits with tempting rinds220That are all dust and rottenness within.Would'st thou I should strip such?Osorio.Thou quibbling fool,What dost thou mean? Think'st thou I journey'd hitherTo sport with thee?Albert.No, no! my lord! to sport[546]Best fits the gaiety of innocence!225Osorio (draws back as if stung and embarrassed, then folding his arms).O what a thing is Man! the wisest heartA fool—a fool, that laughs at its own folly,Yet still a fool![Looks round the cottage.It strikes me you are poor!Albert.What follows thence?Osorio.That you would fain be richer.Besides, you do not love the rack, perhaps,230Nor a black dungeon, nor a fire of faggots.The Inquisition—hey? You understand me,And you are poor. Now I have wealth and power,Can quench the flames, and cure your poverty.And for this service, all I ask you is235That you should serve me—once—for a few hours.Albert (solemnly).Thou art the son of Velez! Would to HeavenThat I could truly and for ever serve thee!Osorio.The canting scoundrel softens.[Aside.You are my friend!'He that can bring the dead to life again.'240Nay, no defence to me. The holy brethrenBelieve these calumnies. I know thee better.[Then with great bitterness.Thou art a man, and as a man I'll trust thee!Albert.Alas, this hollow mirth! Declare your business!Osorio.I love a lady, and she would love me245But for an idle and fantastic scruple.Have you no servants round the house? no listeners?[Osoriosteps to the door.Albert.What! faithless too? false to his angel wife?To such a wife? Well might'st thou look so wan,Ill-starr'd Maria! Wretch! my softer soul250Is pass'd away! and I will probe his conscience.
Osorio.'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!
Albert.'Tis fabled there are fruits with tempting rinds220That are all dust and rottenness within.Would'st thou I should strip such?
Osorio.Thou quibbling fool,What dost thou mean? Think'st thou I journey'd hitherTo sport with thee?
Albert.No, no! my lord! to sport[546]Best fits the gaiety of innocence!225
Osorio (draws back as if stung and embarrassed, then folding his arms).O what a thing is Man! the wisest heartA fool—a fool, that laughs at its own folly,Yet still a fool![Looks round the cottage.It strikes me you are poor!
Albert.What follows thence?
Osorio.That you would fain be richer.Besides, you do not love the rack, perhaps,230Nor a black dungeon, nor a fire of faggots.The Inquisition—hey? You understand me,And you are poor. Now I have wealth and power,Can quench the flames, and cure your poverty.And for this service, all I ask you is235That you should serve me—once—for a few hours.
Albert (solemnly).Thou art the son of Velez! Would to HeavenThat I could truly and for ever serve thee!
Osorio.The canting scoundrel softens.[Aside.You are my friend!'He that can bring the dead to life again.'240Nay, no defence to me. The holy brethrenBelieve these calumnies. I know thee better.[Then with great bitterness.Thou art a man, and as a man I'll trust thee!
Albert.Alas, this hollow mirth! Declare your business!
Osorio.I love a lady, and she would love me245But for an idle and fantastic scruple.Have you no servants round the house? no listeners?[Osoriosteps to the door.
Albert.What! faithless too? false to his angel wife?To such a wife? Well might'st thou look so wan,Ill-starr'd Maria! Wretch! my softer soul250Is pass'd away! and I will probe his conscience.
Osorio (returned).In truth this lady loved another man,But he has perish'd.Albert.What? you kill'd him? hey?Osorio.I'll dash thee to the earth, if thou but think'st it,Thou slave! thou galley-slave! thou mountebank!255I leave thee to the hangman!Albert.Fare you well!I pity you, Osorio! even to anguish![Albertretires off the stage.Osorio (recovering himself).'Twas ideotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,And wear a Fool's Cap. Ho![Calling afterAlbert.Albert (returning).Be brief, what wish you?Osorio.You are deep at bartering—you charge yourself260At a round sum. Come, come, I spake unwisely.Albert.I listen to you.Osorio.In a sudden tempestDid Albert perish—he, I mean, the lover—The fellow——Albert.Nay, speak out, 'twill ease your heartTo call him villain! Why stand'st thou aghast?265Men think it natural to hate their rivals!Osorio (hesitating and half doubting whether he should proceed).Now till she knows him dead she will not wed me!Albert (with eager vehemence).Are you not wedded, then? Merciful God!Not wedded to Maria?Osorio.Why, what ails thee?Art mad or drunk? Why look'st thou upward so?270Dost pray to Lucifer, prince of the air?
Osorio (returned).In truth this lady loved another man,But he has perish'd.
Albert.What? you kill'd him? hey?
Osorio.I'll dash thee to the earth, if thou but think'st it,Thou slave! thou galley-slave! thou mountebank!255I leave thee to the hangman!
Albert.Fare you well!I pity you, Osorio! even to anguish![Albertretires off the stage.
Osorio (recovering himself).'Twas ideotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,And wear a Fool's Cap. Ho![Calling afterAlbert.
Albert (returning).Be brief, what wish you?
Osorio.You are deep at bartering—you charge yourself260At a round sum. Come, come, I spake unwisely.
Albert.I listen to you.
Osorio.In a sudden tempestDid Albert perish—he, I mean, the lover—The fellow——
Albert.Nay, speak out, 'twill ease your heartTo call him villain! Why stand'st thou aghast?265Men think it natural to hate their rivals!
Osorio (hesitating and half doubting whether he should proceed).Now till she knows him dead she will not wed me!
Albert (with eager vehemence).Are you not wedded, then? Merciful God!Not wedded to Maria?
Osorio.Why, what ails thee?Art mad or drunk? Why look'st thou upward so?270Dost pray to Lucifer, prince of the air?
Albert.Proceed. I shall be silent.[Albertsits, and leaning on the table hides his face.Osorio.To Maria!Politic wizard! ere you sent that message,You had conn'd your lesson, made yourself proficientIn all my fortunes! Hah! you prophesied275A golden crop!—well, you have not mistaken—Be faithful to me, and I'll pay thee nobly.Albert (lifting up his head).Well—and this lady!Osorio.If we could make her certain of his death,She needs must wed me. Ere her lover left her,280She tied a little portrait round his neckEntreating him to wear it.Albert (sighing).Yes! he did so!Osorio.Why, no! he was afraid of accidents,Of robberies and shipwrecks, and the like.In secrecy he gave it me to keep285Till his return.Albert.What, he was your friend then?Osorio (wounded and embarrassed).I was his friend.[A pause.Now that he gave it meThis lady knows not. You are a mighty wizard—Can call this dead man up—he will not come—290He is in heaven then!—there you have no influence—Still there are tokens; and your imps may bring youSomething he wore about him when he died.And when the smoke of the incense on the altarIs pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture.295What say you now?Albert (after a long pause).Osorio, I will do it.Osorio.Delays are dangerous. It shall be to-morrowIn the early evening. Ask for the Lord Velez.I will prepare him. Music, too, and incense,All shall be ready. Here is this same picture—300And here what you will value more, a purse.Before the dusk——Albert.I will not fail to meet you.
Albert.Proceed. I shall be silent.[Albertsits, and leaning on the table hides his face.
Osorio.To Maria!Politic wizard! ere you sent that message,You had conn'd your lesson, made yourself proficientIn all my fortunes! Hah! you prophesied275A golden crop!—well, you have not mistaken—Be faithful to me, and I'll pay thee nobly.
Albert (lifting up his head).Well—and this lady!
Osorio.If we could make her certain of his death,She needs must wed me. Ere her lover left her,280She tied a little portrait round his neckEntreating him to wear it.
Albert (sighing).Yes! he did so!
Osorio.Why, no! he was afraid of accidents,Of robberies and shipwrecks, and the like.In secrecy he gave it me to keep285Till his return.
Albert.What, he was your friend then?
Osorio (wounded and embarrassed).I was his friend.[A pause.Now that he gave it meThis lady knows not. You are a mighty wizard—Can call this dead man up—he will not come—290He is in heaven then!—there you have no influence—Still there are tokens; and your imps may bring youSomething he wore about him when he died.And when the smoke of the incense on the altarIs pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture.295What say you now?
Albert (after a long pause).Osorio, I will do it.
Osorio.Delays are dangerous. It shall be to-morrowIn the early evening. Ask for the Lord Velez.I will prepare him. Music, too, and incense,All shall be ready. Here is this same picture—300And here what you will value more, a purse.Before the dusk——
Albert.I will not fail to meet you.
Osorio.Till next we meet, farewell!Albert (alone, gazes passionately at the portrait).And I did curse thee?At midnight? on my knees? And I believedTheeperjured,theepolluted, thee a murderess?305O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of folly!Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses,Thy infant loves—should not thy maiden vows,Have come upon my heart? And this sweet imageTied round my neck with many a chaste endearment310And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble.Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the miscreantWho spake pollutions of thee!I am unworthy of thy love, Maria!Of that unearthly smile upon those lips,315Which ever smil'd on me! Yet do not scorn me.I lisp'd thy name ere I had learnt my mother's!
Osorio.Till next we meet, farewell!
Albert (alone, gazes passionately at the portrait).And I did curse thee?At midnight? on my knees? And I believedTheeperjured,theepolluted, thee a murderess?305O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of folly!Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses,Thy infant loves—should not thy maiden vows,Have come upon my heart? And this sweet imageTied round my neck with many a chaste endearment310And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble.Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the miscreantWho spake pollutions of thee!I am unworthy of thy love, Maria!Of that unearthly smile upon those lips,315Which ever smil'd on me! Yet do not scorn me.I lisp'd thy name ere I had learnt my mother's!
EnterMaurice.
Albert.Maurice! that picture, which I painted for thee,Of my assassination.Maurice.I'll go fetch it.Albert.Haste! for I yearn to tell thee what has pass'd.320
Albert.Maurice! that picture, which I painted for thee,Of my assassination.
Maurice.I'll go fetch it.
Albert.Haste! for I yearn to tell thee what has pass'd.320
[Mauricegoes out.
Albert (gazing at the portrait).Dear image! rescued from a traitor's keeping,I will not now prophane thee, holy image!To a dark trick! That worst bad man shall findA picture which shall wake the hell within him,And rouse a fiery whirlwind in his conscience!325
Albert (gazing at the portrait).Dear image! rescued from a traitor's keeping,I will not now prophane thee, holy image!To a dark trick! That worst bad man shall findA picture which shall wake the hell within him,And rouse a fiery whirlwind in his conscience!325
END OF ACT THE SECOND.
Before1A wild and mountainous Country.OrdonioandIsidoreare 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.Isid.Now indeedMy house! and it looks cheerful as the clustersBasking in sunshine on yon vine-clad rockThat overbrows it! Patron! Friend! Preserver!Thrice have you sav'd my life.Remorse.
Before1
A wild and mountainous Country.OrdonioandIsidoreare 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.Isid.Now indeedMy house! and it looks cheerful as the clustersBasking in sunshine on yon vine-clad rockThat overbrows it! Patron! Friend! Preserver!Thrice have you sav'd my life.
Ord.Here we may stop: your house distinct in view,Yet we secured from listeners.
Isid.Now indeedMy house! and it looks cheerful as the clustersBasking in sunshine on yon vine-clad rockThat overbrows it! Patron! Friend! Preserver!Thrice have you sav'd my life.
Remorse.
[6]Had been my bed and pillowRemorse.
Had been my bed and pillowRemorse.
[12]And how, my Lord, I pray you to nameRemorse.
And how, my Lord, I pray you to nameRemorse.
[14]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[17]this world] mankindRemorse.
this world] mankindRemorse.
[19]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Between24and26Why you can utter with a solemn gestureOracular sentences of deep no-meaningRemorse.
Between24and26
Why you can utter with a solemn gestureOracular sentences of deep no-meaning
Why you can utter with a solemn gestureOracular sentences of deep no-meaning
Remorse.
[27-8]The words in square brackets are interpolated in MS. I. They are in their place, as here, in MSS. II, III, and in Remorse.
The words in square brackets are interpolated in MS. I. They are in their place, as here, in MSS. II, III, and in Remorse.
[31]on] uponRemorse.
on] uponRemorse.
[34-5]And such do love the marvellous too wellNot to believe it. We will wind up her fancyRemorse.
And such do love the marvellous too wellNot to believe it. We will wind up her fancy
And such do love the marvellous too wellNot to believe it. We will wind up her fancy
Remorse.
Between40and41Isid.Will that be a sure sign?Ord.Beyond suspicion.Fondly caressing him, her favour'd lover,(By some base spell he had bewitched her senses.)She whisper'd such dark fears of me forsooth,As made this heart pour gall into my veins,And as she coyly bound it round his neck,She made him promise silence; and now holdsThe secret of the existence of this portraitKnown only to her lover and herself.But I had traced her, stolen unnotic'd on them,And unsuspected saw and heard the whole.Remorse.
Between40and41
Isid.Will that be a sure sign?Ord.Beyond suspicion.Fondly caressing him, her favour'd lover,(By some base spell he had bewitched her senses.)She whisper'd such dark fears of me forsooth,As made this heart pour gall into my veins,And as she coyly bound it round his neck,She made him promise silence; and now holdsThe secret of the existence of this portraitKnown only to her lover and herself.But I had traced her, stolen unnotic'd on them,And unsuspected saw and heard the whole.
Isid.Will that be a sure sign?
Ord.Beyond suspicion.Fondly caressing him, her favour'd lover,(By some base spell he had bewitched her senses.)She whisper'd such dark fears of me forsooth,As made this heart pour gall into my veins,And as she coyly bound it round his neck,She made him promise silence; and now holdsThe secret of the existence of this portraitKnown only to her lover and herself.But I had traced her, stolen unnotic'd on them,And unsuspected saw and heard the whole.
Remorse.
[41]Isid.But now, &c.Remorse.
Isid.But now, &c.Remorse.
[44-7]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[47]Isidore.Why—why, my lord!Remorse.
Isidore.Why—why, my lord!Remorse.
Between50and53Return'd, yourself, and she, and the honour of bothMust perish. Now though with no tenderer scruplesThan those which being native to the heart,Than those, my lord, which merely being a man—Remorse.
Between50and53
Return'd, yourself, and she, and the honour of bothMust perish. Now though with no tenderer scruplesThan those which being native to the heart,Than those, my lord, which merely being a man—
Return'd, yourself, and she, and the honour of bothMust perish. Now though with no tenderer scruplesThan those which being native to the heart,Than those, my lord, which merely being a man—
Remorse.
Stage-directionbefore53om. Remorse.
Stage-directionbefore53om. Remorse.
[55-6]These doubts, these fears, thy whine, thy stammering—Pish, fool! thou blund'rest through the book of guiltRemorse.
These doubts, these fears, thy whine, thy stammering—Pish, fool! thou blund'rest through the book of guilt
These doubts, these fears, thy whine, thy stammering—Pish, fool! thou blund'rest through the book of guilt
Remorse.
After63Ord.Virtue—Remorse.
After63Ord.Virtue—Remorse.
[64]Isid.Tries to o'erreach me, &c.Remorse.
Isid.Tries to o'erreach me, &c.Remorse.
[66]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[68]And those, the two Morescoes who were with you?Remorse.
And those, the two Morescoes who were with you?Remorse.
[75]Am not I a man?Remorse.
Am not I a man?Remorse.
[81]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[84]which] thatRemorse.
which] thatRemorse.
[93]his] itsRemorse.
his] itsRemorse.
[94]That woman is dishonouredRemorse.
That woman is dishonouredRemorse.
[98]him] hisRemorse.
him] hisRemorse.
[100]last] lengthRemorse.
last] lengthRemorse.
[103]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[104]He was his Maker's image undefac'dRemorse.
He was his Maker's image undefac'dRemorse.
[106]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[111]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[113]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[117]Isidore.You are disturb'd, my lordRemorse.
Isidore.You are disturb'd, my lordRemorse.
After117Ord. (starts).A gust, &c.Remorse.
After117Ord. (starts).A gust, &c.Remorse.
[121-3]Shame . . . dogom. Remorse.
Shame . . . dogom. Remorse.
Between125and140.Isidore.They'll know my gait: but stay! last night I watchedA stranger near the ruin in the wood,Who as it seemed was gathering herbs and wild flowers.I had followed him at distance, seen him scaleIts western wall, and by an easier entranceStole after him unnoticed. There I marked,That mid the chequer work of light and shade,With curious choice he plucked no other flowers,But those on which the moonlight fell: and onceI heard him muttering o'er the plant. A wizard—Some gaunt slave prowling here for dark employment.Ordonio.Doubtless you question'd him?Isidore.'Twas my intention,Having first traced him homeward to his haunt.But lo! the stern Dominican, whose spiesLurk everywhere, already (as it seemed)Had given commission to his apt familiarTo seek and sound the Moor; who now returning,Was by this trusty agent stopped midway.I, dreading fresh suspicion if found near himIn that lone place, again concealed myself;Yet within hearing. So the Moor was question'd,And in your name, as lord of this domain,Proudly he answered, 'Say to the Lord Ordonio,Remorse.
Between125and140.
Isidore.They'll know my gait: but stay! last night I watchedA stranger near the ruin in the wood,Who as it seemed was gathering herbs and wild flowers.I had followed him at distance, seen him scaleIts western wall, and by an easier entranceStole after him unnoticed. There I marked,That mid the chequer work of light and shade,With curious choice he plucked no other flowers,But those on which the moonlight fell: and onceI heard him muttering o'er the plant. A wizard—Some gaunt slave prowling here for dark employment.Ordonio.Doubtless you question'd him?Isidore.'Twas my intention,Having first traced him homeward to his haunt.But lo! the stern Dominican, whose spiesLurk everywhere, already (as it seemed)Had given commission to his apt familiarTo seek and sound the Moor; who now returning,Was by this trusty agent stopped midway.I, dreading fresh suspicion if found near himIn that lone place, again concealed myself;Yet within hearing. So the Moor was question'd,And in your name, as lord of this domain,Proudly he answered, 'Say to the Lord Ordonio,
Isidore.They'll know my gait: but stay! last night I watchedA stranger near the ruin in the wood,Who as it seemed was gathering herbs and wild flowers.I had followed him at distance, seen him scaleIts western wall, and by an easier entranceStole after him unnoticed. There I marked,That mid the chequer work of light and shade,With curious choice he plucked no other flowers,But those on which the moonlight fell: and onceI heard him muttering o'er the plant. A wizard—Some gaunt slave prowling here for dark employment.
Ordonio.Doubtless you question'd him?
Isidore.'Twas my intention,Having first traced him homeward to his haunt.But lo! the stern Dominican, whose spiesLurk everywhere, already (as it seemed)Had given commission to his apt familiarTo seek and sound the Moor; who now returning,Was by this trusty agent stopped midway.I, dreading fresh suspicion if found near himIn that lone place, again concealed myself;Yet within hearing. So the Moor was question'd,And in your name, as lord of this domain,Proudly he answered, 'Say to the Lord Ordonio,
Remorse.
[143]robe] robesRemorse.
robe] robesRemorse.
[144]Stage-direction,a]theRemorse.
Stage-direction,a]theRemorse.
[147]You cannot err. It is a small green dellRemorse.
You cannot err. It is a small green dellRemorse.
Between158and205:Ordonio (in retiring stops suddenly at the edge of the scene, and then turning round toIsidore).Ha! Who lurks there! Have we been overheard?There where the smooth high wall of slate-rock glitters——Isidore.'Neath those tall stones, which propping each the other,Form a mock portal with their pointed arch?Pardon my smiles! 'Tis a poor idiot boy,Who sits in the sun, and twirls a bough about,His weak eyes seeth'd in most unmeaning tears.And so he sits, swaying his cone-like head,And, staring at his bough from morn to sun-set,See-saws his voice in inarticulate noises.Ordonio.'Tis well! and now for this same wizard's lair.Isidore.Some three strides up the hill, a mountain ashStretches its lower boughs and scarlet clustersO'er the old thatch.Ordonio.I shall not fail to find it.[ExeuntOrdonioandIsidore.Scene II.The inside of a Cottage, around which flowers and plants of various kinds are seen. DiscoversAlvar, ZulimezandAlhadra, as on the point of leaving.Alhadra (addressingAlvar).Farewell then! and though many thoughts perplex me,Aught evil or ignoble never can ISuspect of thee! If what thou seem'st thou art,The oppressed brethren of thy blood have needOf such a leader.Alvar.Nobly minded woman!Long time against oppression have I fought,And for the native liberty of faithHave bled and suffered bonds. Of this be certain:Time, as he courses onward, still unrollsThe volume of concealment. In the future,As in the optician's glassy cylinder,The indistinguishable blots and coloursOf the dim past collect and shape themselves,Upstarting in their own completed imageTo scare or to reward.I sought the guilty,And what I sought I found: but ere the spearFlew from my hand, there rose an angel formBetwixt me and my aim. With baffled purposeTo the Avenger I leave Vengeance, and depart!Whate'er betide, if aught my arm may aid,Or power protect, my word is pledged to thee:For many are thy wrongs, and thy soul noble.Once more, farewell.[ExitAlhadra.Yes, to the Belgic statesWe will return. These robes, this stained complexion,Akin to falsehood, weigh upon my spirit.Whate'er befall us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past services.Zulimez.And all the wealth, power, influence which is yours,You let a murderer hold?Alvar.O faithful Zulimez!That my return involved Ordonio's death,I trust, would give me an unmingled pang,Yet bearable:—but when I see my fatherStrewing his scant grey hairs, e'en on the ground,Which soon must be his grave, and my Teresa—Her husband proved a murderer, and her infantsHis infants—poor Teresa!—all would perish,All perish—all; and I (nay bear with me)Could not survive the complicated ruin!Zulimez.Nay now! I have distress'd you—you well know,I ne'er will quit your fortunes. True, 'tis tiresome:You are a painter, one of many fancies!You can call up past deeds, and make them liveOn the blank canvass! and each little herb,That grows on mountain bleak, or tangled forest,You have learnt to name—Hark! heard you not some footsteps?Alvar.What if it were my brother coming onwards?I sent a most mysterious message to him.EnterOrdonio.Alvar.It is he!Ordonio (to himself as he enters).If I distinguished right her gait and stature,It was the Moorish woman, Isidore's wife,That passed me as I entered. A lit taper,In the night air, doth not more naturallyAttract the night flies round it, than a conjurorDraws round him the whole female neighbourhood.[AddressingAlvar.You know my name, I guess, if not my person.Remorse.[For lines 31-46 ofRemorse, Act II, Scene II, videsupraOsorio, Act II, Scene II, lines169-84.]
Between158and205:
Ordonio (in retiring stops suddenly at the edge of the scene, and then turning round toIsidore).Ha! Who lurks there! Have we been overheard?There where the smooth high wall of slate-rock glitters——Isidore.'Neath those tall stones, which propping each the other,Form a mock portal with their pointed arch?Pardon my smiles! 'Tis a poor idiot boy,Who sits in the sun, and twirls a bough about,His weak eyes seeth'd in most unmeaning tears.And so he sits, swaying his cone-like head,And, staring at his bough from morn to sun-set,See-saws his voice in inarticulate noises.Ordonio.'Tis well! and now for this same wizard's lair.Isidore.Some three strides up the hill, a mountain ashStretches its lower boughs and scarlet clustersO'er the old thatch.Ordonio.I shall not fail to find it.[ExeuntOrdonioandIsidore.
Ordonio (in retiring stops suddenly at the edge of the scene, and then turning round toIsidore).Ha! Who lurks there! Have we been overheard?There where the smooth high wall of slate-rock glitters——
Isidore.'Neath those tall stones, which propping each the other,Form a mock portal with their pointed arch?Pardon my smiles! 'Tis a poor idiot boy,Who sits in the sun, and twirls a bough about,His weak eyes seeth'd in most unmeaning tears.And so he sits, swaying his cone-like head,And, staring at his bough from morn to sun-set,See-saws his voice in inarticulate noises.
Ordonio.'Tis well! and now for this same wizard's lair.
Isidore.Some three strides up the hill, a mountain ashStretches its lower boughs and scarlet clustersO'er the old thatch.
Ordonio.I shall not fail to find it.[ExeuntOrdonioandIsidore.
The inside of a Cottage, around which flowers and plants of various kinds are seen. DiscoversAlvar, ZulimezandAlhadra, as on the point of leaving.
Alhadra (addressingAlvar).Farewell then! and though many thoughts perplex me,Aught evil or ignoble never can ISuspect of thee! If what thou seem'st thou art,The oppressed brethren of thy blood have needOf such a leader.Alvar.Nobly minded woman!Long time against oppression have I fought,And for the native liberty of faithHave bled and suffered bonds. Of this be certain:Time, as he courses onward, still unrollsThe volume of concealment. In the future,As in the optician's glassy cylinder,The indistinguishable blots and coloursOf the dim past collect and shape themselves,Upstarting in their own completed imageTo scare or to reward.I sought the guilty,And what I sought I found: but ere the spearFlew from my hand, there rose an angel formBetwixt me and my aim. With baffled purposeTo the Avenger I leave Vengeance, and depart!Whate'er betide, if aught my arm may aid,Or power protect, my word is pledged to thee:For many are thy wrongs, and thy soul noble.Once more, farewell.[ExitAlhadra.Yes, to the Belgic statesWe will return. These robes, this stained complexion,Akin to falsehood, weigh upon my spirit.Whate'er befall us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past services.Zulimez.And all the wealth, power, influence which is yours,You let a murderer hold?Alvar.O faithful Zulimez!That my return involved Ordonio's death,I trust, would give me an unmingled pang,Yet bearable:—but when I see my fatherStrewing his scant grey hairs, e'en on the ground,Which soon must be his grave, and my Teresa—Her husband proved a murderer, and her infantsHis infants—poor Teresa!—all would perish,All perish—all; and I (nay bear with me)Could not survive the complicated ruin!Zulimez.Nay now! I have distress'd you—you well know,I ne'er will quit your fortunes. True, 'tis tiresome:You are a painter, one of many fancies!You can call up past deeds, and make them liveOn the blank canvass! and each little herb,That grows on mountain bleak, or tangled forest,You have learnt to name—Hark! heard you not some footsteps?Alvar.What if it were my brother coming onwards?I sent a most mysterious message to him.
Alhadra (addressingAlvar).Farewell then! and though many thoughts perplex me,Aught evil or ignoble never can ISuspect of thee! If what thou seem'st thou art,The oppressed brethren of thy blood have needOf such a leader.
Alvar.Nobly minded woman!Long time against oppression have I fought,And for the native liberty of faithHave bled and suffered bonds. Of this be certain:Time, as he courses onward, still unrollsThe volume of concealment. In the future,As in the optician's glassy cylinder,The indistinguishable blots and coloursOf the dim past collect and shape themselves,Upstarting in their own completed imageTo scare or to reward.I sought the guilty,And what I sought I found: but ere the spearFlew from my hand, there rose an angel formBetwixt me and my aim. With baffled purposeTo the Avenger I leave Vengeance, and depart!
Whate'er betide, if aught my arm may aid,Or power protect, my word is pledged to thee:For many are thy wrongs, and thy soul noble.Once more, farewell.[ExitAlhadra.Yes, to the Belgic statesWe will return. These robes, this stained complexion,Akin to falsehood, weigh upon my spirit.Whate'er befall us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past services.
Zulimez.And all the wealth, power, influence which is yours,You let a murderer hold?
Alvar.O faithful Zulimez!That my return involved Ordonio's death,I trust, would give me an unmingled pang,Yet bearable:—but when I see my fatherStrewing his scant grey hairs, e'en on the ground,Which soon must be his grave, and my Teresa—Her husband proved a murderer, and her infantsHis infants—poor Teresa!—all would perish,All perish—all; and I (nay bear with me)Could not survive the complicated ruin!
Zulimez.Nay now! I have distress'd you—you well know,I ne'er will quit your fortunes. True, 'tis tiresome:You are a painter, one of many fancies!You can call up past deeds, and make them liveOn the blank canvass! and each little herb,That grows on mountain bleak, or tangled forest,You have learnt to name—Hark! heard you not some footsteps?
Alvar.What if it were my brother coming onwards?I sent a most mysterious message to him.
EnterOrdonio.
Alvar.It is he!Ordonio (to himself as he enters).If I distinguished right her gait and stature,It was the Moorish woman, Isidore's wife,That passed me as I entered. A lit taper,In the night air, doth not more naturallyAttract the night flies round it, than a conjurorDraws round him the whole female neighbourhood.[AddressingAlvar.You know my name, I guess, if not my person.
Alvar.It is he!
Ordonio (to himself as he enters).If I distinguished right her gait and stature,It was the Moorish woman, Isidore's wife,That passed me as I entered. A lit taper,In the night air, doth not more naturallyAttract the night flies round it, than a conjurorDraws round him the whole female neighbourhood.[AddressingAlvar.You know my name, I guess, if not my person.
Remorse.
[For lines 31-46 ofRemorse, Act II, Scene II, videsupraOsorio, Act II, Scene II, lines169-84.]
Stage-direction preceding162:Albert and an old servant both drest as Morescoes.Corr. in MS. III.
Stage-direction preceding162:
Albert and an old servant both drest as Morescoes.Corr. in MS. III.
[162-6]MS. III erased.
MS. III erased.
[167-8]And all the wealth, power, influence, which is yoursYou let a murderer hold!Albert.O faithful AliCorr. in MS. III.
And all the wealth, power, influence, which is yoursYou let a murderer hold!Albert.O faithful Ali
And all the wealth, power, influence, which is yoursYou let a murderer hold!
Albert.O faithful Ali
Corr. in MS. III.
[184-7]Albert.Yes to the NetherlandsWe will return, these robes this stained complexionAkin to Falsehood, weigh upon my spiritWhat e'er befal us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past service.Corr. in MS. III.
Albert.Yes to the NetherlandsWe will return, these robes this stained complexionAkin to Falsehood, weigh upon my spiritWhat e'er befal us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past service.
Albert.Yes to the NetherlandsWe will return, these robes this stained complexionAkin to Falsehood, weigh upon my spiritWhat e'er befal us, the heroic MauriceWill grant us an asylum, in remembranceOf our past service.
Corr. in MS. III.