Ordonio (turning off from Isidore). Am not I a man ! 'Tis as it should be! tut-the deed itself Was idle, and these after-pangs still idler ! Isi. We met him in the very place you mention'd. Hard by a grove of firs Ord. Enough-enough Isi. He fought us valiantly, and wounded all; In fine, compell'd a parley. Ord. (sighing as if lost in thought). Alvar! bro ther! Isi. He offer'd me his purse Ord. (with eager suspicion). Isi. (indignantly) Yes? Yes I spurn'd it.— He promised us I know not what-in vain! Then with a look and voice that overawed me, He said, What mean you, friends? my life is dear Who make life dear to me-and if I fall, That brother will roam earth and hell for vengeance. I ask'd his brother's name: he said—Ordonio, He wore her portrait round his neck. He look'd back Ay, just as you look now-only less ghastly! At length, recovering from his trance, he threw Ord. And you kill'd him ? Oh blood-hounds! may eternal wrath flame round vou! He was his Maker's. Image undefaced! It siezes me- -by Hell, I will go on! A pause What wouldst thou stop, man? thy pale looks won't save thee! {A pause. Oh cold-cold-cold! shot through with icy cold! Isi. (aside). Were he alive, he had return'd ere now The consequence the same-dead through this plot ting! Ord. O this unutterable dying away-hereThis sickness of the heart! [A pause. What if I went And lived in a hollow tomb, and fed on weeds? Isi. You are disturb'd, my Lord! Ordonio (starts, looks at him wildly; then, after a pause, during which his features are forced into a smile.) A gust of the soul? i' faith, it overset me. O't was all folly-all! idle as laughter! Ord. What dost thou mutter of? Isi. Some of your servants know me, I am certain. Ord. There's some sense in that scruple; but we'll mask you. Isi. They'll know my gait: but stay: last night I watch'd A stranger near the ruin in the wood, Who as it seem'd was gathering herbs and wild flowers. Isi. To seek and sound the Moor; who now returning, Ord. A strange reply! Isi. Ay, all of him is strange. He call'd himself a Christian, yet he wears The Moorish robes, as if he courted death. Ord. Where does this wizard live? Isi. (pointing to the distance). You see that brooklet! Trace its course backward: through a narrow opening Isi. You cannot err. How shall I know it? Built all around with high off-sloping hills, Down in the water. At the further end And there, a curious sight! you see its shadow Ordonio (in retiring stops suddenly at the edge of the scene, and then turning round to Isidore). Ha!-Who lurks there? Have we been overheard? There, with the smooth high wall of slate-rock glit ters Isi. 'Neath those tall stones, which, propping each the other, Form a mock portal with their pointed arch! Ord. 'Tis well! and now for this same Wizard's Lair. Isi. Some three strides up the hill, a mountain ash Stretches its lower boughs and scarlet clusters O'er the old thatch. Ord. I shall not fail to find it. [Exeunt ORDONIO and ISIDORE. SCENE II.—The Inside of a Cottage, around which Flowers and Plants of various kinds are seen. Discovers ALVAR, Zulimez, and ALHADRA, ɑs on the point of leaving. Alhadra (addressing Alvar). Farewell, then! and though many thoughts perplex me, Suspect of thee! If what thou seem'st thou art, Of such a leader. Alv. Noble-minded woman! Long time against oppression have I fought, And for the native liberty of faith Have bled, and suffer'd bonds. Of this be certain : Time, as he courses onwards, still unrolls The volume of Concealment. In the Future, As in the optician's glassy cylinder, The indistinguishable blots and colours Of the dim Past collect and shape themselves, I sought the guilty, And what I sought I found: but ere the spear Whate'er betide, if aught my arm may aid, [Exit Alhadra. Yes, to the Belgic States We will return. These robes, this stain'd complexion, |