The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 119

_Valdez (looking forward)._ Hush! 'tis Monviedro.

_Teresa._ The Inquisitor! on what new scent of blood?

_Enter MONVIEDRO with ALHADRA._

_Monviedro._ Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord, 105 My present need is with your son.

We have hit the time. Here comes he! Yes, 'tis he.

[_Enter from the opposite side DON ORDONIO._

My Lord Ordonio, this Moresco woman (Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you.

_Ordonio._ Hail, reverend father! what may be the business? 110

_Monviedro._ My lord, on strong suspicion of relapse To his false creed, so recently abjured, The secret servants of the Inquisition Have seized her husband, and at my command To the supreme tribunal would have led him, 115 But that he made appeal to you, my lord, As surety for his soundness in the faith.

Though lessoned by experience what small trust The a.s.severations of these Moors deserve, Yet still the deference to Ordonio's name, 120 Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour The Holy Church regards her faithful soldiers, Thus far prevailed with me that----

_Ordonio._ Reverend father, I am much beholden to your high opinion, Which so o'erprizes my light services. [_Then to ALHADRA._ 125 I would that I could serve you; but in truth Your face is new to me.

_Monviedro._ My mind foretold me That such would be the event. In truth, Lord Valdez, 'Twas little probable, that Don Ordonio, That your ill.u.s.trious son, who fought so bravely 130 Some four years since to quell these rebel Moors, Should prove the patron of this infidel!

The warranter of a Moresco's faith!

Now I return.

_Alhadra._ My Lord, my husband's name 135 Is Isidore. (_ORDONIO starts._) You may remember it: Three years ago, three years this very week, You left him at Almeria.

_Monviedro._ Palpably false!

This very week, three years ago, my lord, (You needs must recollect it by your wound) 140 You were at sea, and there engaged the pirates, The murderers doubtless of your brother Alvar!

What, is he ill, my Lord? how strange he looks!

_Valdez._ You pressed upon him too abruptly, father!

The fate of one, on whom, you know, he doted. 145

_Ordonio._ O Heavens! I?--I doted?

Yes! I doted on him.

[_ORDONIO walks to the end of the stage, VALDEZ follows._

_Teresa._ I do not, can not, love him. Is my heart hard?

Is my heart hard? that even now the thought Should force itself upon me?--Yet I feel it! 150

_Monviedro._ The drops did start and stand upon his forehead!

I will return. In very truth, I grieve To have been the occasion. Ho! attend me, woman!

_Alhadra (to Teresa)._ O gentle lady! make the father stay, Until my lord recover. I am sure, 155 That he will say he is my husband's friend.

_Teresa._ Stay, father! stay! my lord will soon recover.

_Ordonio (as they return, to Valdez)._ Strange, that this Monviedro Should have the power so to distemper me!

_Valdez._ Nay, 'twas an amiable weakness, son! 160

_Monviedro._ My lord, I truly grieve----

_Ordonio._ Tut! name it not.

A sudden seizure, father! think not of it.

As to this woman's husband, I do know him.

I know him well, and that he is a Christian.

_Monviedro._ I hope, my lord, your merely human pity 165 Doth not prevail----

_Ordonio._ 'Tis certain that he was a catholic; What changes may have happened in three years, I can not say; but grant me this, good father: Myself I'll sift him: if I find him sound, 170 You'll grant me your authority and name To liberate his house.

_Monviedro._ Your zeal, my lord, And your late merits in this holy warfare Would authorize an ampler trust--you have it.

_Ordonio._ I will attend you home within an hour. 175

_Valdez._ Meantime return with us and take refreshment.

_Alhadra_. Not till my husband's free! I may not do it.

I will stay here.

_Teresa (aside)._ Who is this Isidore?

_Valdez._ Daughter!

_Teresa._ With your permission, my dear lord, 180 I'll loiter yet awhile t' enjoy the sea breeze.

[_Exeunt VALDEZ, MONVIEDRO and ORDONIO._

_Alhadra._ Hah! there he goes! a bitter curse go with him, A scathing curse!

You hate him, don't you, lady?

_Teresa._ Oh fear not me! my heart is sad for you. 185

_Alhadra._ These fell inquisitors! these sons of blood!

As I came on, his face so maddened me, That ever and anon I clutched my dagger And half unsheathed it----

_Teresa._ Be more calm, I pray you.

_Alhadra._ And as he walked along the narrow path 190 Close by the mountain's edge, my soul grew eager; 'Twas with hard toil I made myself remember That his Familiars held my babes and husband.

To have leapt upon him with a tiger's plunge, And hurl'd him down the rugged precipice, 195 O, it had been most sweet!

_Teresa._ Hush! hush for shame!

Where is your woman's heart?

_Alhadra._ O gentle lady!

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

_Teresa._ Shame fall on those who so have shewn it to thee!