The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 7

_Maria._ Nay, fear me not! my heart is sad for you.

_Alhadra._ These fell Inquisitors, these sons of blood!

As I came on, his face so madden'd me That ever and anon I clutch'd my dagger 190 And half unsheathed it.

_Maria._ Be more calm, I pray you.

_Alhadra._ And as he stalk'd along the narrow path Close on the mountain's edge, my soul grew eager.

'Twas with hard toil I made myself remember That his foul officers held my babes and husband. 195 To have leapt upon him with a Tyger's plunge And hurl'd him down the ragged precipice, O--it had been most sweet!

_Maria._ Hush, hush! for shame.

Where is your woman's heart?

_Alhadra._ O gentle lady!

You have no skill to guess my many wrongs, 200 Many and strange. Besides I am a Christian, And they do never pardon, 'tis their faith!

_Maria._ Shame fall on those who so have shown it to thee!

_Alhadra._ I know that man; 'tis well he knows not me!

Five years ago, and he was the prime agent. 205 Five years ago the Holy Brethren seized me.

_Maria._ What might your crime be?

_Alhadra._ Solely my complexion.

They cast me, then a young and nursing mother, Into a dungeon of their prison house.

There was no bed, no fire, no ray of light, 210 No touch, no sound of comfort! The black air, It was a toil to breathe it! I have seen The gaoler's lamp, the moment that he enter'd, How the flame sunk at once down to the socket.

O miserable, by that lamp to see 215 My infant quarrelling with the coa.r.s.e hard bread Brought daily: for the little wretch was sickly-- My rage had dry'd away its natural food!

In darkness I remain'd, counting the clocks[528:1]

Which haply told me that the blessed sun 220 Was rising on my garden. When I dozed, My infant's moanings mingled with my dreams And wak'd me. If you were a mother, Lady, I should scarce dare to tell you, that its noises And peevish cries so fretted on my brain 225 That I have struck the innocent babe in anger!

_Maria._ O G.o.d! it is too horrible to hear!

_Alhadra._ What was it then to suffer? 'Tis most right That such as you should hear it. Know you not What Nature makes you mourn, she bids you heal? 230 Great evils ask great pa.s.sions to redress them, And whirlwinds fitliest scatter pestilence.

_Maria._ You were at length deliver'd?

_Alhadra._ Yes, at length I saw the blessed arch of the whole heaven.

'Twas the first time my infant smiled! No more. 235 For if I dwell upon that moment, lady, A fit comes on, which makes me o'er again All I then was, my knees hang loose and drag, And my lip falls with such an ideot laugh That you would start and shudder!

_Maria._ But your husband? 240

_Alhadra._ A month's imprisonment would kill him, lady!

_Maria._ Alas, poor man!

_Alhadra._ He hath a lion's courage, But is not stern enough for fort.i.tude.

Unfit for boisterous times, with gentle heart He worships Nature in the hill and valley, 245 Not knowing what he loves, but loves it all!

[_Enter ALBERT disguised as a Moresco, and in Moorish garments._

_Albert (not observing Maria and Alhadra)._ Three weeks have I been loitering here, nor ever Have summon'd up my heart to ask one question, Or stop one peasant pa.s.sing on this way.

_Maria._ Know you that man?

_Alhadra._ His person, not his name. 250 I doubt not, he is some Moresco chieftain Who hides himself among the Alpuxarras.

A week has scarcely pa.s.s'd since first I saw him; He has new-roof'd the desolate old cottage Where Zagri lived--who dared avow the prophet 255 And died like one of the faithful! There he lives, And a friend with him.

_Maria._ Does he know his danger So near this seat?

_Alhadra._ He wears the Moorish robes too, As in defiance of the royal edict.

[_ALHADRA advances to ALBERT, who has walked to the back of the stage near the rocks. MARIA drops her veil._

_Alhadra._ Gallant Moresco! you are near the castle 260 Of the Lord Velez, and hard by does dwell A priest, the creature of the Inquisition.

_Albert (retiring)._ You have mistaken me--I am a Christian.

_Alhadra (to Maria)._ He deems that we are plotting to ensnare him.

Speak to him, lady! none can hear you speak 265 And not believe you innocent of guile.

[_ALBERT, on hearing this, pauses and turns round._

_Maria._ If aught enforce you to concealment, sir!

_Alhadra._ He trembles strangely.

[_ALBERT sinks down and hides his face in his garment_ [_robe_ Remorse].

_Maria._ See--we have disturb'd him.

[_Approaches nearer to him._

I pray you, think us friends--uncowl your face, For you seem faint, and the night-breeze blows healing. 270 I pray you, think us friends!

_Albert (raising his head)._ Calm--very calm; 'Tis all too tranquil for reality!

And she spoke to me with her innocent voice.

That voice! that innocent voice! She is no traitress!

It was a dream, a phantom of my sleep, 275 A lying dream. [_He starts up, and abruptly addresses her._ Maria! you are not wedded?

_Maria (haughtily to Alhadra)._ Let us retire.

[_They advance to the front of the stage._

_Alhadra._ He is indeed a Christian.

Some stray Sir Knight, that falls in love of a sudden.

_Maria._ What can this mean? How should he know my name?

It seems all shadowy.

_Alhadra._ Here he comes again. 280