[33]move] creepRemorse.
move] creepRemorse.
[35]if] hadRemorse.
if] hadRemorse.
[37-9]Ordonio.Why, Isidore,I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled,I grant you, even a brave man for a moment—Remorse.
Ordonio.Why, Isidore,I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled,I grant you, even a brave man for a moment—
Ordonio.Why, Isidore,I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled,I grant you, even a brave man for a moment—
Remorse.
[41]thump] strikeCorr. in MS. III, Remorse.
thump] strikeCorr. in MS. III, Remorse.
[42]and] thenRemorse.
and] thenRemorse.
[44]Sunk with a faint splash in that groaningCorr. in MS. III.Sunk] SankRemorse.
Sunk with a faint splash in that groaningCorr. in MS. III.Sunk] SankRemorse.
[49]fellow-men] fellow manRemorse.
fellow-men] fellow manRemorse.
[52]laugh] smileRemorse.
laugh] smileRemorse.
Between54and57:O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared atBy forms so hideous that they mock remembrance—Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing,But only being afraid—stifled with fear!While every goodly or familiar formHad a strange power of breathing terror round me!I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;And I entreat your lordship to believe me,Remorse.
Between54and57:
O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared atBy forms so hideous that they mock remembrance—Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing,But only being afraid—stifled with fear!While every goodly or familiar formHad a strange power of breathing terror round me!I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;And I entreat your lordship to believe me,
O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared atBy forms so hideous that they mock remembrance—Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing,But only being afraid—stifled with fear!While every goodly or familiar formHad a strange power of breathing terror round me!I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;And I entreat your lordship to believe me,
Remorse.
[56]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[62]my] mineRemorse.
my] mineRemorse.
[64]Ord. (after a pause).I know not why it should be! yet it is—Remorse.
Ord. (after a pause).I know not why it should be! yet it is—
Ord. (after a pause).I know not why it should be! yet it is—
Remorse.
[65]Abhorrent from our nature,Remorse.
Abhorrent from our nature,Remorse.
[67-70]Ord.Why that's my case! and yet the soul recoils from it—'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,Have sterner feelings?Isid.Something troubles you.How shall I serve you?Remorse.
Ord.Why that's my case! and yet the soul recoils from it—'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,Have sterner feelings?Isid.Something troubles you.How shall I serve you?
Ord.Why that's my case! and yet the soul recoils from it—'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,Have sterner feelings?
Isid.Something troubles you.How shall I serve you?
Remorse.
[77]yards] stridesRemorse.
yards] stridesRemorse.
[80]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[82]the] thyRemorse.
the] thyRemorse.
Between84and88Isid. (aside).He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!I am on my guard however: no surprise[Then toOrdonio.Remorse.
Between84and88
Isid. (aside).He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!I am on my guard however: no surprise[Then toOrdonio.
Isid. (aside).He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!I am on my guard however: no surprise[Then toOrdonio.
Remorse.
[86-7]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[91-2]Isidore.Of himself he speaks.[Aside.Alas! poor wretch!Mad men, &c.Remorse.
Isidore.Of himself he speaks.[Aside.Alas! poor wretch!Mad men, &c.
Isidore.Of himself he speaks.[Aside.Alas! poor wretch!Mad men, &c.
Remorse.
[93]phantasies] phantom thoughtsRemorse.
phantasies] phantom thoughtsRemorse.
[104]go on] proceedRemorse.
go on] proceedRemorse.
[105]his] thisRemorse.
his] thisRemorse.
[106]being] substanceRemorse.
being] substanceRemorse.
[108]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[120]some] sameRemorse.
some] sameRemorse.
[121-2]He proved a traitor,Betrayed the mystery to a brother traitorRemorse.
He proved a traitor,Betrayed the mystery to a brother traitor
He proved a traitor,Betrayed the mystery to a brother traitor
Remorse.
[125-7]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[131]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Between143and145.With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeanceBeckons me onwards with a warrior's mien,And claims that life, my pity robb'd her of—Now will I kill thee, thankless slave, and count itRemorse.
Between143and145.
With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeanceBeckons me onwards with a warrior's mien,And claims that life, my pity robb'd her of—Now will I kill thee, thankless slave, and count it
With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeanceBeckons me onwards with a warrior's mien,And claims that life, my pity robb'd her of—Now will I kill thee, thankless slave, and count it
Remorse.
Affixed to147.Ferdinand on hearing the threat of Osorio feels a momentary horror at the consequences of his being killed, and in tones of mingled fear and sorrow—And all my little ones fatherless!then bursting into indignation'Die thou first',MS. III.
Affixed to147.
Ferdinand on hearing the threat of Osorio feels a momentary horror at the consequences of his being killed, and in tones of mingled fear and sorrow—
And all my little ones fatherless!
And all my little ones fatherless!
then bursting into indignation'Die thou first',MS. III.
After147[They fight.OrdoniodisarmsIsidore, and in disarming him throws his sword up that recess opposite to which they were standing.Isidorehurries into the recess with his torch,Ordoniofollows him; a loud cry of 'Traitor! Monster!' is heard from the cavern, and in a momentOrdonioreturns alone.Ordonio.I have hurl'd him down the chasm! treason for treason.He dreamt of it, henceforward let him sleep,A dreamless sleep, from which no wife can wake him.His dream too is made out—Now for his friend.[Exit.Ordonio.Remorse.
After147
[They fight.OrdoniodisarmsIsidore, and in disarming him throws his sword up that recess opposite to which they were standing.Isidorehurries into the recess with his torch,Ordoniofollows him; a loud cry of 'Traitor! Monster!' is heard from the cavern, and in a momentOrdonioreturns alone.
Ordonio.I have hurl'd him down the chasm! treason for treason.He dreamt of it, henceforward let him sleep,A dreamless sleep, from which no wife can wake him.His dream too is made out—Now for his friend.[Exit.Ordonio.
Ordonio.I have hurl'd him down the chasm! treason for treason.He dreamt of it, henceforward let him sleep,A dreamless sleep, from which no wife can wake him.His dream too is made out—Now for his friend.[Exit.Ordonio.
Remorse.
[148-51]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[150]Now] SoMS. III.
Now] SoMS. III.
Affixed to150. 'Ferdinand's death is not sufficiently explained to the Audience. There should be a struggling behind the scene, as if Osorio had taken him unawares, and was hurrying him down the Precipice. An exclamation or even groans would add still more to the interest of the scene.'MS. III erased.
Affixed to150. 'Ferdinand's death is not sufficiently explained to the Audience. There should be a struggling behind the scene, as if Osorio had taken him unawares, and was hurrying him down the Precipice. An exclamation or even groans would add still more to the interest of the scene.'MS. III erased.
[152-234]om. Remorse. videanteThe Foster-Mother's Tale: a Dramatic Fragment, pp. 182-4.
om. Remorse. videanteThe Foster-Mother's Tale: a Dramatic Fragment, pp. 182-4.
Between152and246:Scene IIThe interior Court of a Saracenic or Gothic Castle with the iron gate of a dungeon visible.Teresa.Heart-chilling Superstition! thou canst glazeEv'n Pity's eye with her own frozen tear.In vain I urge the tortures that await him:Even Selma, reverend guardian of my childhood,My second mother, shuts her heart against me!Well, I have won from her what most importsThe present need, this secret of the dungeonKnown only to herself.—A Moor! a Sorcerer!No, I have faith, that nature ne'er permittedBaseness to wear a form so noble. True,I doubt not, that Ordonio had suborned himTo act some part in some unholy fraud;As little doubt, that for some unknown purposeHe hath baffled his suborner, terror-struck him,And that Ordonio meditates revenge!But my resolve is fixed! myself will rescue him,And learn if haply he knew aught of Alvar.EnterValdez.Valdez.Still sad?—and gazing at the massive doorOf that fell dungeon which thou ne'er had'st sight of,Save what, perchance, thy infant fancy shap'd itWhen the nurse still'd thy cries with unmeant threats.Now by my faith, girl! this same wizard haunts thee!A stately man, and eloquent and tender—Who then need wonder if a lady sighsEven at the thought of what these stern Dominicans—Teresa.The horror of their ghastly punishmentsDoth so o'ertop the height of all compassion,That I should feel too little for mine enemy,If it were possible I could feel more,Even though the dearest inmates of our householdWere doom'd to suffer them. That such things are—Remorse.
Between152and246:
The interior Court of a Saracenic or Gothic Castle with the iron gate of a dungeon visible.
Teresa.Heart-chilling Superstition! thou canst glazeEv'n Pity's eye with her own frozen tear.In vain I urge the tortures that await him:Even Selma, reverend guardian of my childhood,My second mother, shuts her heart against me!Well, I have won from her what most importsThe present need, this secret of the dungeonKnown only to herself.—A Moor! a Sorcerer!No, I have faith, that nature ne'er permittedBaseness to wear a form so noble. True,I doubt not, that Ordonio had suborned himTo act some part in some unholy fraud;As little doubt, that for some unknown purposeHe hath baffled his suborner, terror-struck him,And that Ordonio meditates revenge!But my resolve is fixed! myself will rescue him,And learn if haply he knew aught of Alvar.
Teresa.Heart-chilling Superstition! thou canst glazeEv'n Pity's eye with her own frozen tear.In vain I urge the tortures that await him:Even Selma, reverend guardian of my childhood,My second mother, shuts her heart against me!Well, I have won from her what most importsThe present need, this secret of the dungeonKnown only to herself.—A Moor! a Sorcerer!No, I have faith, that nature ne'er permittedBaseness to wear a form so noble. True,I doubt not, that Ordonio had suborned himTo act some part in some unholy fraud;As little doubt, that for some unknown purposeHe hath baffled his suborner, terror-struck him,And that Ordonio meditates revenge!But my resolve is fixed! myself will rescue him,And learn if haply he knew aught of Alvar.
EnterValdez.
Valdez.Still sad?—and gazing at the massive doorOf that fell dungeon which thou ne'er had'st sight of,Save what, perchance, thy infant fancy shap'd itWhen the nurse still'd thy cries with unmeant threats.Now by my faith, girl! this same wizard haunts thee!A stately man, and eloquent and tender—Who then need wonder if a lady sighsEven at the thought of what these stern Dominicans—Teresa.The horror of their ghastly punishmentsDoth so o'ertop the height of all compassion,That I should feel too little for mine enemy,If it were possible I could feel more,Even though the dearest inmates of our householdWere doom'd to suffer them. That such things are—
Valdez.Still sad?—and gazing at the massive doorOf that fell dungeon which thou ne'er had'st sight of,Save what, perchance, thy infant fancy shap'd itWhen the nurse still'd thy cries with unmeant threats.Now by my faith, girl! this same wizard haunts thee!A stately man, and eloquent and tender—Who then need wonder if a lady sighsEven at the thought of what these stern Dominicans—
Teresa.The horror of their ghastly punishmentsDoth so o'ertop the height of all compassion,That I should feel too little for mine enemy,If it were possible I could feel more,Even though the dearest inmates of our householdWere doom'd to suffer them. That such things are—
Remorse.
[155]Maria.'Tis strange]Teresa.'Tis saidMS. III.
Maria.'Tis strange]Teresa.'Tis saidMS. III.
[157]Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
[165-6]O honor'd Selma! this strange man has left meWilder'd with stranger fancies than yon moonCorr. in MS. III.
O honor'd Selma! this strange man has left meWilder'd with stranger fancies than yon moon
O honor'd Selma! this strange man has left meWilder'd with stranger fancies than yon moon
Corr. in MS. III.
[169]She gazes idly!Ter.But that entrance, SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
She gazes idly!Ter.But that entrance, Selma
She gazes idly!
Ter.But that entrance, Selma
Corr. in MS. III.
[170]Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
[171]Maria]Teresa.Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
Maria]Teresa.Foster-Mother]SelmaCorr. in MS. III.
[172]Leoni] SesinaCorr. in MS. III.
Leoni] SesinaCorr. in MS. III.
[180]Velez] ValdezCorr. in MS. III.
Velez] ValdezCorr. in MS. III.
[201]Velez] ValdezCorr. in MS. III.
Velez] ValdezCorr. in MS. III.
[212]And once as he was working near this dungeonCorr. in MS. III.
And once as he was working near this dungeonCorr. in MS. III.
[221]Maria]TeresaCorr. in MS. III.
Maria]TeresaCorr. in MS. III.
[226]Leoni's] Sesina'sCorr. in MS. III.
Leoni's] Sesina'sCorr. in MS. III.
[228]Leoni] SesinaCorr. in MS. III.
Leoni] SesinaCorr. in MS. III.
Between248and255:What if Monviedro or his creatures hear us!I dare not listen to you.Teresa.My honoured lord,These were my Alvar's lessons, and whene'erI bend me o'er his portrait, I repeat them,As if to give a voice to the mute image.Valdez.——We have mourned for Alvar.Of his sad fate there now remains no doubt.Have I no other son?Remorse.
Between248and255:
What if Monviedro or his creatures hear us!I dare not listen to you.Teresa.My honoured lord,These were my Alvar's lessons, and whene'erI bend me o'er his portrait, I repeat them,As if to give a voice to the mute image.Valdez.——We have mourned for Alvar.Of his sad fate there now remains no doubt.Have I no other son?
What if Monviedro or his creatures hear us!I dare not listen to you.
Teresa.My honoured lord,These were my Alvar's lessons, and whene'erI bend me o'er his portrait, I repeat them,As if to give a voice to the mute image.
Valdez.——We have mourned for Alvar.Of his sad fate there now remains no doubt.Have I no other son?
Remorse.
[256]That low imposture! That mysterious picture!Remorse. it] thisRemorse.
That low imposture! That mysterious picture!Remorse. it] thisRemorse.
Between262and268:O that I had indeed the sorcerer's power.—I would call up before thine eyes the imageOf my betrothed Alvar, of thy first-born!His own fair countenance, his kingly forehead,His tender smiles, love's day-dawn on his lips!That spiritual and almost heavenly lightIn his commanding eye—his mien heroic,Virtue's own native heraldry! to manGenial, and pleasant to his guardian angel.Whene'er he gladden'd, how the gladness spreadWide round him! and when oft with swelling tears,Flash'd through by indignation, he bewail'dThe wrongs of Belgium's martyr'd patriots,Oh, what a grief was there—for joy to envy,Or gaze upon enamour'd!O my father!Recall that morning when we knelt together,And thou didst bless our loves! O even now,Even now, my sire! to thy mind's eye present him,As at that moment he rose up before thee,Stately, with beaming look! Place, place beside himOrdonio's dark perturbed countenance!Then bid me (Oh thou could'st not) bid me turnFrom him, the joy, the triumph of our kind!To take in exchange that brooding man, who neverLifts up his eye from the earth, unless to scowl.Remorse.
Between262and268:
O that I had indeed the sorcerer's power.—I would call up before thine eyes the imageOf my betrothed Alvar, of thy first-born!His own fair countenance, his kingly forehead,His tender smiles, love's day-dawn on his lips!That spiritual and almost heavenly lightIn his commanding eye—his mien heroic,Virtue's own native heraldry! to manGenial, and pleasant to his guardian angel.Whene'er he gladden'd, how the gladness spreadWide round him! and when oft with swelling tears,Flash'd through by indignation, he bewail'dThe wrongs of Belgium's martyr'd patriots,Oh, what a grief was there—for joy to envy,Or gaze upon enamour'd!O my father!Recall that morning when we knelt together,And thou didst bless our loves! O even now,Even now, my sire! to thy mind's eye present him,As at that moment he rose up before thee,Stately, with beaming look! Place, place beside himOrdonio's dark perturbed countenance!Then bid me (Oh thou could'st not) bid me turnFrom him, the joy, the triumph of our kind!To take in exchange that brooding man, who neverLifts up his eye from the earth, unless to scowl.
O that I had indeed the sorcerer's power.—I would call up before thine eyes the imageOf my betrothed Alvar, of thy first-born!His own fair countenance, his kingly forehead,His tender smiles, love's day-dawn on his lips!That spiritual and almost heavenly lightIn his commanding eye—his mien heroic,Virtue's own native heraldry! to manGenial, and pleasant to his guardian angel.Whene'er he gladden'd, how the gladness spreadWide round him! and when oft with swelling tears,Flash'd through by indignation, he bewail'dThe wrongs of Belgium's martyr'd patriots,Oh, what a grief was there—for joy to envy,Or gaze upon enamour'd!O my father!Recall that morning when we knelt together,And thou didst bless our loves! O even now,Even now, my sire! to thy mind's eye present him,As at that moment he rose up before thee,Stately, with beaming look! Place, place beside himOrdonio's dark perturbed countenance!Then bid me (Oh thou could'st not) bid me turnFrom him, the joy, the triumph of our kind!To take in exchange that brooding man, who neverLifts up his eye from the earth, unless to scowl.
Remorse.
[274-86](Thou shalt not stay . . . companion)om. Remorse.
(Thou shalt not stay . . . companion)om. Remorse.
Between274-87:Teresa.O grief! to hearHateful intreaties from a voice we love!Enter aPeasantand presents a letter toValdez.Valdez (reading it).'He dares not venture hither!' Why what can this mean?'Lest the Familiars of the Inquisition,That watch around my gates, should intercept him;But he conjures me, that without delayI hasten to him—for my own sake entreats meTo guard from danger him I hold imprison'd—He will reveal a secret, the joy of whichWill even outweigh the sorrow.'—Why what can this be?Perchance it is some Moorish stratagem,To have in me a hostage for his safety.Nay, that they dare not! Ho! collect my servants!I will go thither—let them arm themselves.[ExitValdez.Teresa (alone).The moon is high in heaven, and all is hush'd.Yet anxious listener! I have seem'd to hearA low dead thunder mutter thro' the night,As 'twere a giant angry in his sleep.O Alvar! Alvar! &c.Remorse.
Between274-87:
Teresa.O grief! to hearHateful intreaties from a voice we love!
Teresa.O grief! to hearHateful intreaties from a voice we love!
Enter aPeasantand presents a letter toValdez.
Valdez (reading it).'He dares not venture hither!' Why what can this mean?'Lest the Familiars of the Inquisition,That watch around my gates, should intercept him;But he conjures me, that without delayI hasten to him—for my own sake entreats meTo guard from danger him I hold imprison'd—He will reveal a secret, the joy of whichWill even outweigh the sorrow.'—Why what can this be?Perchance it is some Moorish stratagem,To have in me a hostage for his safety.Nay, that they dare not! Ho! collect my servants!I will go thither—let them arm themselves.[ExitValdez.Teresa (alone).The moon is high in heaven, and all is hush'd.Yet anxious listener! I have seem'd to hearA low dead thunder mutter thro' the night,As 'twere a giant angry in his sleep.O Alvar! Alvar! &c.
Valdez (reading it).'He dares not venture hither!' Why what can this mean?'Lest the Familiars of the Inquisition,That watch around my gates, should intercept him;But he conjures me, that without delayI hasten to him—for my own sake entreats meTo guard from danger him I hold imprison'd—He will reveal a secret, the joy of whichWill even outweigh the sorrow.'—Why what can this be?Perchance it is some Moorish stratagem,To have in me a hostage for his safety.Nay, that they dare not! Ho! collect my servants!I will go thither—let them arm themselves.[ExitValdez.
Teresa (alone).The moon is high in heaven, and all is hush'd.Yet anxious listener! I have seem'd to hearA low dead thunder mutter thro' the night,As 'twere a giant angry in his sleep.O Alvar! Alvar! &c.
Remorse.
After276And all his wealth perhaps come to the ChurchMS. III. erased.
After276And all his wealth perhaps come to the ChurchMS. III. erased.
[289]evening-tide] eventideRemorse.
evening-tide] eventideRemorse.
[296-334]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
After296[A pause.And this majestic Moor, seems he not oneWho oft and long communing with my Alvar,Hath drunk in kindred lustre from his presence,And guides me to him with reflected light?What if in yon dark dungeon coward treacheryBe groping for him with envenomed poniard—Hence womanish fears, traitors to love and duty—I'll free him.[ExitTeresa.Scene IIIThe mountains by moonlight.Alhadraalone in a Moorish dress.Alhadra.Yon hanging woods, that touch'd by autumn seemAs they were blossoming hues of fire and gold;The hanging Act V, l. 41.The flower-like woods, most lovely in decay,The many clouds, the sea, the rock, the sands,Lie in the silent moonshine: and the owl,(Strange! very strange!) the scritch-owl only wakes!Sole voice, sole eye of all this world of beauty!Unless, perhaps, she sing her screeching songTo a herd of wolves, that skulk athirst for blood.Why such a thing am I?—Where are these men?I need the sympathy of human faces,To beat away this deep contempt for all things,Which quenches my revenge. O! would to Alla,The raven, or the sea-mew, were appointedTo bring me food! or rather that my soulCould drink in life from the universal air!It were a lot divine in some small skiffAlong some Ocean's boundless solitude,To float for ever with a careless course,And think myself the only being alive.[Vide post Osorio, Act V, ll.39-56.]My children!—Isidore's children!—Son of Valdez,This hath new strung mine arm. Thou coward tyrant!To stupify a woman's heart with anguish,Till she forgot—even that she was a mother![She fixes her eye on the earth. Then drop in one after another, from different parts of the stage, a considerable number of Morescoes, all in Moorish garments and Moorish armour. They form a circle at a distance roundAlhadra, and remain silent tillNaomienters.Remorse.
After296
[A pause.And this majestic Moor, seems he not oneWho oft and long communing with my Alvar,Hath drunk in kindred lustre from his presence,And guides me to him with reflected light?What if in yon dark dungeon coward treacheryBe groping for him with envenomed poniard—Hence womanish fears, traitors to love and duty—I'll free him.[ExitTeresa.
[A pause.And this majestic Moor, seems he not oneWho oft and long communing with my Alvar,Hath drunk in kindred lustre from his presence,And guides me to him with reflected light?What if in yon dark dungeon coward treacheryBe groping for him with envenomed poniard—Hence womanish fears, traitors to love and duty—I'll free him.[ExitTeresa.
The mountains by moonlight.Alhadraalone in a Moorish dress.
[She fixes her eye on the earth. Then drop in one after another, from different parts of the stage, a considerable number of Morescoes, all in Moorish garments and Moorish armour. They form a circle at a distance roundAlhadra, and remain silent tillNaomienters.
Remorse.
[337]the] theseRemorse.
the] theseRemorse.
[342]spell-blasted] spell-blastedRemorse.
spell-blasted] spell-blastedRemorse.
[345]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[348]All]All Morescoes.Remorse.
All]All Morescoes.Remorse.
[352]One to Another]One Morescoe (to another).Remorse.
One to Another]One Morescoe (to another).Remorse.
[353]Murder? Not murder'd?Remorse.
Murder? Not murder'd?Remorse.
After353[Stage-direction]Alhadra (to Naomi, who advances from the circle).Remorse.
After353[Stage-direction]Alhadra (to Naomi, who advances from the circle).Remorse.
[359]house] sonsMS. III. Wet with the life-blood of the son of ValdezRemorse.
house] sonsMS. III. Wet with the life-blood of the son of ValdezRemorse.
After359EnterWarville.MS. III.[A pause.Ordonio was your chieftain's murdererRemorse.
After359
EnterWarville.MS. III.
[A pause.Ordonio was your chieftain's murderer
[A pause.Ordonio was your chieftain's murderer
Remorse.
[360-70]Erased MS. III.
Erased MS. III.
[360-75]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[373-80]Erased MS. III.
Erased MS. III.
[375]Stage-directionAll (kneeling).Remorse.
Stage-directionAll (kneeling).Remorse.
After375Alhadra.This night your chieftain armed himselfRemorse.
After375Alhadra.This night your chieftain armed himselfRemorse.
Affixed to375(not in S. T. C.'s handwriting) and erased:Naomi.Proceed, proceed, Alhadra.Alhadra.YestermorningHe stood before our house, startful and gloomy,And stirr'd up fierce dispute with Ferdinand,I saw him when the vehement Gripe of ConscienceHad wrenched his features to a visible agony.When he was gone Ferdinand sighed out 'Villain'And spake no other word.Warville (mournfully).The brother of Albert.MS. III erased.[Note.—Warville was a character introduced into the deleted passage 360-70, the name being always altered by S. T. C. to 'Maurice'.]
Affixed to375(not in S. T. C.'s handwriting) and erased:
Naomi.
Proceed, proceed, Alhadra.
Proceed, proceed, Alhadra.
Alhadra.
YestermorningHe stood before our house, startful and gloomy,And stirr'd up fierce dispute with Ferdinand,I saw him when the vehement Gripe of ConscienceHad wrenched his features to a visible agony.When he was gone Ferdinand sighed out 'Villain'And spake no other word.
YestermorningHe stood before our house, startful and gloomy,And stirr'd up fierce dispute with Ferdinand,I saw him when the vehement Gripe of ConscienceHad wrenched his features to a visible agony.When he was gone Ferdinand sighed out 'Villain'And spake no other word.
Warville (mournfully).
The brother of Albert.
The brother of Albert.
MS. III erased.
[Note.—Warville was a character introduced into the deleted passage 360-70, the name being always altered by S. T. C. to 'Maurice'.]
[376-84]om. Remorse.
om. Remorse.
[384]its] theirCorr. in MS. III.
its] theirCorr. in MS. III.
[386]there] thereRemorse.
there] thereRemorse.
[388]a pause] a whileRemorse.
a pause] a whileRemorse.
[397]Stage-directionom. Remorse.
Stage-directionom. Remorse.
[399]A brief while] A little whileCorr. in MS. III erased.
A brief while] A little whileCorr. in MS. III erased.
[402]God] HeavenRemorse.
God] HeavenRemorse.
[404]light] lightRemorse.
light] lightRemorse.
[405]hideous] hideousRemorse.
hideous] hideousRemorse.
[407]while] whilstRemorse.
while] whilstRemorse.
[409]Erased MS. III.Naomi.Comfort her, Alla!Remorse.
Erased MS. III.Naomi.Comfort her, Alla!Remorse.
[414]go] onwardRemorse.
go] onwardRemorse.
[421]his] theMS. III.
his] theMS. III.
After425All.Away! away![She rushes off, all following her.Remorse.
After425
All.Away! away![She rushes off, all following her.
All.Away! away![She rushes off, all following her.
Remorse.
Naomiand aMoresco.
Moresco.This was no time for freaks of useless vengeance.Naomi.True! but Francesco, the Inquisitor,Thou know'st the bloodhound—'twas a strong temptation.And when they pass'd within a mile of his house,We could not curb them in. They swore by Mahomet,5It were a deed of treachery to their brethrenTo sail from Spain and leave that man alive.Moresco.Where is Alhadra?Naomi.She moved steadily onUnswerving from the path of her resolve.Yet each strange object fix'd her eye: for grief10Doth love to dally with fantastic shapes,And smiling, like a sickly moralist,Gives some resemblance of her own concernsTo the straws of chance, and things inanimate.I seek her here; stand thou upon the watch.15
Moresco.This was no time for freaks of useless vengeance.
Naomi.True! but Francesco, the Inquisitor,Thou know'st the bloodhound—'twas a strong temptation.And when they pass'd within a mile of his house,We could not curb them in. They swore by Mahomet,5It were a deed of treachery to their brethrenTo sail from Spain and leave that man alive.
Moresco.Where is Alhadra?
Naomi.She moved steadily onUnswerving from the path of her resolve.Yet each strange object fix'd her eye: for grief10Doth love to dally with fantastic shapes,And smiling, like a sickly moralist,Gives some resemblance of her own concernsTo the straws of chance, and things inanimate.I seek her here; stand thou upon the watch.15
[ExitMoresco.
Naomi (looking wistfully to the distance).Stretch'd on the rock! It must be she—Alhadra!
Naomi (looking wistfully to the distance).Stretch'd on the rock! It must be she—Alhadra!
[Alhadrarises from the rock, and advances slowly, as if musing.
Naomi.Once more, well met! what ponder'st thou so deeply?Alhadra.I scarce can tell thee! For my many thoughtsTroubled me, till with blank and naked mindI only listen'd to the dashing billows.20It seems to me, I could have closed my eyesAnd wak'd without a dream of what has pass'd;So well it counterfeited quietness,This wearied heart of mine!Naomi.'Tis thus by natureWisely ordain'd, that so excess of sorrow25Might bring its own cure with it.Alhadra.Would to Heaven[584]That it had brought its last and certain cure!That ruin in the wood.Naomi.It is a placeOf ominous fame; but 'twas the shortest road,Nor could we else have kept clear of the village.30Yet some among us, as they scal'd the wall,Mutter'd old rhyming prayers.Alhadra.On that broad wallI saw a skull; a poppy grew beside it,There was a ghastly solace in the sight!Naomi.I mark'd it not, and in good truth the night-bird35Curdled my blood, even till it prick'd the heart.Its note comes dreariest in the fall of the year:[Looking round impatiently.Why don't they come? I will go forth and meet them.[ExitNaomi.Alhadra (alone).The hanging woods, that touch'd by autumn seem'dAs they were blossoming hues of fire and gold,40The hanging woods, most lovely in decay,The many clouds, the sea, the rock, the sands,Lay in the silent moonshine; and the owl,(Strange! very strange!) the scritch owl only wak'd,Sole voice, sole eye of all that world of beauty!45Why such a thing am I! Where are these men?I need the sympathy of human facesTo beat away this deep contempt for all thingsWhich quenches my revenge. Oh!—would to AllaThe raven and the sea-mew were appointed50To bring me food, or rather that my soulCould drink in life from the universal air!It were a lot divine in some small skiff,Along some ocean's boundless solitude,To float for ever with a careless course,55And think myself the only being alive![Naomire-enters.Naomi.Thy children——Alhadra.Children?Whosechildren?[A pause—then fiercely.Son of Velez,[585]This hath new-strung my arm! Thou coward tyrant,To stupify a woman's heart with anguish,60Till she forgot even that she was a mother!
Naomi.Once more, well met! what ponder'st thou so deeply?
Alhadra.I scarce can tell thee! For my many thoughtsTroubled me, till with blank and naked mindI only listen'd to the dashing billows.20It seems to me, I could have closed my eyesAnd wak'd without a dream of what has pass'd;So well it counterfeited quietness,This wearied heart of mine!
Naomi.'Tis thus by natureWisely ordain'd, that so excess of sorrow25Might bring its own cure with it.
Alhadra.Would to Heaven[584]That it had brought its last and certain cure!That ruin in the wood.
Naomi.It is a placeOf ominous fame; but 'twas the shortest road,Nor could we else have kept clear of the village.30Yet some among us, as they scal'd the wall,Mutter'd old rhyming prayers.
Alhadra.On that broad wallI saw a skull; a poppy grew beside it,There was a ghastly solace in the sight!
Naomi.I mark'd it not, and in good truth the night-bird35Curdled my blood, even till it prick'd the heart.Its note comes dreariest in the fall of the year:[Looking round impatiently.Why don't they come? I will go forth and meet them.[ExitNaomi.
Alhadra (alone).The hanging woods, that touch'd by autumn seem'dAs they were blossoming hues of fire and gold,40The hanging woods, most lovely in decay,The many clouds, the sea, the rock, the sands,Lay in the silent moonshine; and the owl,(Strange! very strange!) the scritch owl only wak'd,Sole voice, sole eye of all that world of beauty!45Why such a thing am I! Where are these men?I need the sympathy of human facesTo beat away this deep contempt for all thingsWhich quenches my revenge. Oh!—would to AllaThe raven and the sea-mew were appointed50To bring me food, or rather that my soulCould drink in life from the universal air!It were a lot divine in some small skiff,Along some ocean's boundless solitude,To float for ever with a careless course,55And think myself the only being alive![Naomire-enters.
Naomi.Thy children——
Alhadra.Children?Whosechildren?[A pause—then fiercely.Son of Velez,[585]This hath new-strung my arm! Thou coward tyrant,To stupify a woman's heart with anguish,60Till she forgot even that she was a mother!
[A noise—enter a part of theMorescoes;and from the opposite side of the stage aMoorish Seaman.