So present to me, that but once to meet them Ord. Yes! yes! we recognize them I was benumb'd, and stagger'd up and down As had a snake coil'd round them!-Now 't is sun shine, And the blood dances freely through its channels! [Turns off abruptly; then to himself This is my virtuous, grateful Isidore ! [Then mimicking Isidore's manner and voice. "A common trick of gratitude, my lord!" Oh Gratitude! a dagger would dissect His 66 own full heart"—'t were good to see its colour. Val. These magic sights! O that I ne'er had yielded To your entreaties! Neither had I yielded But that, in spite of your own seeming faith, I held it for some innocent stratagem, Which Love had prompted to remove the doubts Ord. (in a slow voice, as reasoning to himself). Love! love! and then we hate! and what? and wherefore? Hatred and love! Fancies opposed by fancies! What, if one reptile sting another reptile! Where is the crime? The goodly face of Nature Yal. Wild talk, my son! But thy excess of feel ing [Averting himself. Ahnost, I fear, it hath unhinged his brain. Ord. (now in soliloquy, and now addressing his father: and just after the speech has com menced, Teresa reappears and advances slowly). Say, I had laid a body in the sun! Well! in a month there swarm forth from the corse Yet who shall tell me, that each one and all Val. O mere madness! [Teresa moves hastily forwards, and places herself directly before Ordonio. Ord. (checking the feeling of surprize, and forcing his tones into an expression of playful courtesy.) Teresa? or e Phantom of Teresa? Ter. Alas! the Phantom only, if in truth The substance of her Being, her Life's life, Have ta'en it's flight through Alvar's death-woundWhere (A pause.) (Even coward Murder grants the dead a grave) O tell me, Valdez !-answer me, Ordonio! Where lies the corse of my betrothed husband? Ord. There, where Ordonio likewise would fain lie! In the sleep-compelling earth, in unpierced darkness. For while we LIVE An inward day that never, never sets, Glares round the soul, and mocks the closing eye lids! Over his rocky grave the Fir-grove sighs A lulling ceaseless dirge! "T is well with HIM. [Strides off in agitation towards the altar, but returns as Valdez is speaking. Ter. (recoiling with the expression appropriate to the passsion). The rock! the fir-grove! Hush! I will ask him. [To Valdez. Didst thou hear him say it? Val. Urge him not-not now This we beheld. Nor He nor I know more, The assassin, who press'd foremost of the three Ord. A tender-hearted, scrupulous, grateful villain, Whom I will strangle! Val. (looking with anxious disquiet ar his Son, yet attempting to proceed with his description.) While his two companions—— Ord. Dead! dead already! what care we for the dead? Val. (To Teresa). Pity him! soothe him! disenchant his spirit! These supernatural shows, this strange disclosure, To the creatures of his fancy Ord. Is it so? Yes! yes! even like a child, that, too abruptly (Then mysteriously.) What if the Moors that made my Father! brother's grave, Even now were digging ours? What if the bolt, Though aim'd, I doubt not, at the son of Vardez, Val. Alvar ne'er fought against the Moors,-say rather, He was their advocate; but you had march'd Ord. Unknown, perhaps, Captured, yet, as the son of Valdez, murder'd. Leave all to me. Nay, whither, gentle Lady? Val. What seek you now? Ter. To guide me A better, surer light Both Val. and Ord. Whither? Ter. To the only place Where life yet dwells for me, and ease of heart. These walls seem threatening to fall in upon me! Detain me not! a dim Power drives me hence, And that will be my guide. Val. To find a lover! Suits that a high-born maiden's modesty ? O folly and shame! Tempt not my rage, Teresa! Ter. Hopeless, I fear no human being's rage. And am I hastening to the arms -O Heaven! I haste but to the grave of my beloved! [Exit, Valdez following after her. Ord. This, then, is my reward! and I must love her? Scorn'd! shudder'd at! yet love her still? yes! yes! By the deep feelings of Revenge and Hate I will still love her-woo her-win her too! (A pause) Isidore safe and silent, and the portrait Found on the wizard-he, belike, self-poisoned To escape the crueller flames--My soul shouts triumph! The mine is undermined! Blood! blood! blood! They thirst for thy blood! thy blood, Ordonio! The hunt is up! and in the midnight wood, [Looks through the side window. A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea, And now 't is gone! All shall be done to-night. [Exit. ACT IV. SCENE I.-A cavern, dark, except where a gleam of moonlight is seen on one side at the farther end of it; supposed to be cast on it from a crevice in a part of the cavern out of sight. Isidore alone, an extinguished torch in his hand. Isi. Faith 't was a moving letter-very moving "His life in danger, no place safe but this! "T was his turn now to talk of gratitude.” And yet but no! there can't be such a villain. It cannot be ! Thanks to that little crevice, Or hear a cow or two breathe loud in their sleep— These dull abortive sounds that fret the silence |