[66] lurks] works Edition 1.
[68] Hath] Who Edition 1.
[89] _Alvar (solemnly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 94] [_Then with great bitterness._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[109] _Alvar (watching his agitation)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 110] [_Alvar retires to the back of the stage._ Edition 1.
[111] _Ordonio (having recovered himself)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[119] _Ordonio (hesitating)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[120] _Alvar (with eager vehemence)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[121] Teresa] TERESA Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[124] _Alvar (recollecting himself)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. Teresa]
_Teresa_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[After 124] [_ALVAR sits, and leaning on the table, hides his face._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[130] _Alvar (lifting up his head)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[134] _Alvar (sighing)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[140] _Ordonio (wounded and embarrassed)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[147] will] can Edition 1.
[148] _Alvar (after a pause)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[159] _Thee_ perjur'd, _thee_ a traitress Edition 1. _Thee_ perjur'd,
_thee_ a traitress! _Thee_ dishonoured Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[161] inarticulate] _inarticulate_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[162] infant . . . maiden] _Infant . . . Maiden_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[167-9] barter . . . Death-pang om. Edition 1.
[168] which with] with which Editions 2, 3.
[174] portrait] Image Edition 1.
[After 178] End of the Second Act. Editions 1, 2, 3.
ACT III
SCENE I
_A Hall of Armory, with an Altar at the back of the Stage. Soft Music
from an instrument of Glass or Steel._
_VALDEZ, ORDONIO, and ALVAR in a Sorcerer's robe, are discovered._
_Ordonio._ This was too melancholy, Father.
_Valdez._ Nay,
My Alvar lov'd sad music from a child.
Once he was lost; and after weary search
We found him in an open place in the wood.
To which spot he had followed a blind boy, 5
Who breath'd into a pipe of sycamore
Some strangely moving notes: and these, he said,
Were taught him in a dream. Him we first saw
Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank:
And lower down poor Alvar, fast asleep, 10
His head upon the blind boy's dog. It pleas'd me
To mark how he had fasten'd round the pipe
A silver toy his grandam had late given him.
Methinks I see him now as he then look'd--
Even so!--He had outgrown his infant dress, 15
Yet still he wore it.
_Alvar (aside)._ My tears must not flow!
I must not clasp his knees, and cry, My father!
_Enter TERESA and_ Attendants.
_Teresa._ Lord Valdez, you have asked my presence here,
And I submit; but (Heaven bear witness for me)
My heart approves it not! 'tis mockery. 20
_Ordonio._ Believe you then no preternatural influence:
Believe you not that spirits throng around us?
_Teresa._ Say rather that I have imagined it
A possible thing: and it has sooth'd my soul
As other fancies have; but ne'er seduced me 25
To traffic with the black and frenzied hope
That the dead hear the voice of witch or wizard. [_To ALVAR._
Stranger, I mourn and blush to see you here,
On such employment! With far other thoughts
I left you. 30
_Ordonio (aside)._ Ha! he has been tampering with her?
_Alvar._ O high-soul'd Maiden! and more dear to me
Than suits the stranger's name!--
I swear to thee
I will uncover all concealéd guilt.
Doubt, but decide not! Stand ye from the altar. 35
[_Here a strain of music is heard from behind the scene._
_Alvar._ With no irreverent voice or uncouth charm
I call up the departed!
Soul of Alvar!
Hear our soft suit, and heed my milder spell:
So may the gates of Paradise, unbarr'd,
Cease thy swift toils! Since haply thou art one 40
Of that innumerable company
Who in broad circle, lovelier than the rainbow,
Girdle this round earth in a dizzy motion,
With noise too vast and constant to be heard:
Fitliest unheard! For oh, ye numberless, 45
And rapid travellers! what ear unstunn'd,
What sense unmadden'd, might bear up against
The rushing of your congregated wings? [_Music._
Even now your living wheel turns o'er my head!
Ye, as ye pass, toss high the desart sands, 50
That roar and whiten, like a burst of waters,
A sweet appearance, but a dread illusion
To the parch'd caravan that roams by night!
And ye upbuild on the becalmed waves
That whirling pillar, which from earth to heaven 55
Stands vast, and moves in blackness! Ye too split
The ice mount! and with fragments many and huge
Tempest the new-thaw'd sea, whose sudden gulfs
Suck in, perchance, some Lapland wizard's skiff!
Then round and round the whirlpool's marge ye dance, 60
Till from the blue swoln corse the soul toils out,
And joins your mighty army.
[_Here behind the scenes a voice sings the three words,
'Hear, Sweet Spirit.'_
Soul of Alvar!
Hear the mild spell, and tempt no blacker charm!
By sighs unquiet, and the sickly pang
Of a half-dead, yet still undying hope, 65
Pass visible before our mortal sense!
So shall the Church's cleansing rites be thine,
Her knells and masses that redeem the dead!
SONG
_Behind the Scenes, accompanied by the same Instrument as
before._
Hear, sweet spirit, hear the spell,
Lest a blacker charm compel! 70
So shall the midnight breezes swell
With thy deep long-lingering knell.
And at evening evermore,
In a chapel on the shore,
Shall the chaunter, sad and saintly, 75
Yellow tapers burning faintly,
Doleful masses chaunt for thee,
Miserere Domine!
Hark! the cadence dies away
On the quiet moonlight sea: 80
The boatmen rest their oars and say,
Miserere Domine! [_A long pause._
_Ordonio._ The innocent obey nor charm nor spell!
My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spirit,
Burst on our sight, a passing visitant! 85
Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,
O 'twere a joy to me!
_Alvar._ A joy to thee!
What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit
Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee
With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard? 90
What if (his stedfast eye still beaming pity
And brother's love) he turn'd his head aside,
Lest he should look at thee, and with one look
Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?
_Valdez._ These are unholy fancies!
_Ordonio._ Yes, my father, 95
He is in Heaven!
_Alvar (still to Ordonio)._ But what if he had a brother,
Who had lived even so, that at his dying hour,
The name of Heaven would have convulsed his face,
More than the death-pang?
_Valdez._ Idly prating man!
Thou hast guess'd ill: Don Alvar's only brother 100
Stands here before thee--a father's blessing on him!
He is most virtuous.
_Alvar (still to Ordonio)._ What, if his very virtues
Had pampered his swoln heart and made him proud?
And what if pride had duped him into guilt?
Yet still he stalked a self-created god, 105
Not very bold, but exquisitely cunning;
And one that at his mother's looking-glass
Would force his features to a frowning sternness?
Young Lord! I tell thee, that there are such beings--
Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd, 110
To see these most proud men, that loath mankind,
At every stir and buzz of coward conscience,
Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites!
Away, away! Now let me hear more music. [_Music again._
_Teresa._ 'Tis strange, I tremble at my own conjectures! 115
But whatsoe'er it mean, I dare no longer
Be present at these lawless mysteries,
This dark provoking of the hidden Powers!
Already I affront--if not high Heaven--
Yet Alvar's memory!--Hark! I make appeal 120
Against the unholy rite, and hasten hence
To bend before a lawful shrine, and seek
That voice which whispers, when the still heart listens,
Comfort and faithful hope! Let us retire.
_Alvar (to Teresa)._ O full of faith and guileless love, thy
Spirit 125
Still prompts thee wisely. Let the pangs of guilt
Surprise the guilty: thou art innocent!
[_Exeunt TERESA and_ Attendant. _Music as before._
The spell is mutter'd--Come, thou wandering shape,
Who own'st no master in a human eye,
Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it, or foul, 130
If he be dead, O come! and bring with thee
That which he grasp'd in death! But if he live,
Some token of his obscure perilous life.
[_The whole Music dashes into a Chorus._
CHORUS
Wandering demons, hear the spell!
Lest a blacker charm compel-- 135
[_The incense on the altar takes fire suddenly, and an
illuminated picture of ALVAR'S assassination is
discovered, and having remained a few seconds is
then hidden by ascending flames._
_Ordonio (starting)._ Duped! duped! duped!--the traitor Isidore!
[_At this instant the doors are forced open, MONVIEDRO
and the_ Familiars of the Inquisition, Servants,
_&c., enter and fill the stage._
_Monviedro._ First seize the sorcerer! suffer him not to speak!
The holy judges of the Inquisition
Shall hear his first words.--Look you pale, Lord Valdez?
Plain evidence have we here of most foul sorcery. 140
There is a dungeon underneath this castle,
And as you hope for mild interpretation,
Surrender instantly the keys and charge of it.
_Ordonio (recovering himself as from stupor, to Servants)._ Why
haste you not? Off with him to the dungeon!
[_All rush out in tumult._
LINENOTES:
[16] _Alvar (aside)._ Stage-direction om. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[33] stranger's] _Stranger's_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[35] Doubt, but decide not! Stand from off the altar. Edition 1.
[After 49] [_Music expressive of the movements and images that follow._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[54] upbuild] build up Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[62] Stage-direction [_Here behind, &c._ om. Edition 1.
[75] chaunter] Chaunters Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[80] quiet] yellow Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[95] _Ordonio (struggling with his feelings)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[122] bend] kneel Edition 1.
[125] _Alvar (to Teresa anxiously)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[129] a human eye] an eye of flesh Edition 1.
[134] demons] demon Edition 1.
[136] _Ordonio (starting in great agitation)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[141] this] the Edition 1.
SCENE II
_Interior of a Chapel, with painted Windows._
_Enter TERESA._
_Teresa._ When first I entered this pure spot, forebodings
Press'd heavy on my heart: but as I knelt,
Such calm unwonted bliss possess'd my spirit,
A trance so cloudless, that those sounds, hard by,
Of trampling uproar fell upon mine ear 5
As alien and unnoticed as the rain-storm
Beats on the roof of some fair banquet-room,
While sweetest melodies are warbling----
_Enter VALDEZ._
_Valdez._ Ye pitying saints, forgive a father's blindness,
And extricate us from this net of peril! 10
_Teresa._ Who wakes anew my fears, and speaks of peril?
_Valdez._ O best Teresa, wisely wert thou prompted!
This was no feat of mortal agency!
That picture--Oh, that picture tells me all!
With a flash of light it came, in flames it vanished, 15
Self-kindled, self-consum'd: bright as thy life,
Sudden and unexpected as thy fate,
Alvar! My son! My son!--The Inquisitor--
_Teresa._ Torture me not! But Alvar--Oh of Alvar?
_Valdez._ How often would he plead for these Morescoes! 20
The brood accurst! remorseless, coward murderers!
_Teresa._ So? so?--I comprehend you--He is----
_Valdez._ He is no more!
_Teresa._ O sorrow! that a father's voice should say this,
A Father's Heart believe it!
_Valdez._ A worse sorrow
Are fancy's wild hopes to a heart despairing! 25
_Teresa._ These rays that slant in through those gorgeous windows,
From yon bright orb--though coloured as they pass,
Are they not light?--Even so that voice, Lord Valdez!
Which whispers to my soul, though haply varied
By many a fancy, many a wishful hope, 30
Speaks yet the truth: and Alvar lives for me!
_Valdez._ Yes, for three wasting years, thus and no other,
He has lived for thee--a spirit for thy spirit!
My child, we must not give religious faith
To every voice which makes the heart a listener 35
To its own wish.
_Teresa._ I breath'd to the Unerring
Permitted prayers. Must those remain unanswer'd,
Yet impious sorcery, that holds no commune
Save with the lying spirit, claim belief?
_Valdez._ O not to-day, not now for the first time 40
Was Alvar lost to thee--
Accurst assassins!
Disarmed, o'erpowered, despairing of defence,
At his bared breast he seem'd to grasp some relique
More dear than was his life----
_Teresa._ O Heavens! my portrait!
And he did grasp it in his death pang!
Off, false demon, 45
That beat'st thy black wings close above my head![853:1]
[_ORDONIO enters with the keys of the dungeon in his
hand._
Hush! who comes here? The wizard Moor's employer!
Moors were his murderers, you say? Saints shield us
From wicked thoughts----
[_VALDEZ moves towards the back of the stage to meet
ORDONIO, and during the concluding lines of
TERESA'S speech appears as eagerly conversing
with him._
Is Alvar dead? what then?
The nuptial rites and funeral shall be one! 50
Here's no abiding-place for thee, Teresa.--
Away! they see me not--Thou seest me, Alvar!
To thee I bend my course.--But first one question,
One question to Ordonio.--My limbs tremble--
There I may sit unmark'd--a moment will restore me. 55
[_Retires out of sight._
_Ordonio (as he advances with Valdez)._ These are the dungeon keys.
Monviedro knew not,
That I too had received the wizard's message,
'He that can bring the dead to life again.'
But now he is satisfied, I plann'd this scheme
To work a full conviction on the culprit, 60
And he entrusts him wholly to my keeping.
_Valdez._ 'Tis well, my son! But have you yet discovered
(Where is Teresa?) what those speeches meant--
Pride, and hypocrisy, and guilt, and cunning?
Then when the wizard fix'd his eye on you, 65
And you, I know not why, look'd pale and trembled--
Why--why, what ails you now?--
_Ordonio._ Me? what ails me?
A pricking of the blood--It might have happen'd
At any other time.--Why scan you me?
_Valdez._ His speech about the corse, and stabs and murderers, 70
Bore reference to the assassins----
_Ordonio._ Dup'd! dup'd! dup'd!
The traitor, Isidore! [_A pause, then wildly._
I tell thee, my dear father!
I am most glad of this.
_Valdez._ True--sorcery
Merits its doom; and this perchance may guide us
To the discovery of the murderers. 75
I have their statures and their several faces
So present to me, that but once to meet them
Would be to recognize.
_Ordonio._ Yes! yes! we recognize them.
I was benumb'd, and staggered up and down
Through darkness without light--dark--dark--dark! 80
My flesh crept chill, my limbs felt manacled
As had a snake coil'd round them!--Now 'tis sunshine,
And the blood dances freely through its channels!
[_Then to himself._
This is my virtuous, grateful Isidore!
[_Then mimicking ISIDORE'S manner and voice._
'A common trick of gratitude, my lord!' 85
Old Gratitude! a dagger would dissect
His 'own full heart'--'twere good to see its colour.
_Valdez._ 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 90
I held it for some innocent stratagem,
Which love had prompted, to remove the doubts
Of wild Teresa--by fancies quelling fancies!
_Ordonio._ Love! love! and then we hate! and what? and wherefore?
Hatred and love! fancies opposed by fancies! 95
What? if one reptile sting another reptile?
Where is the crime? The goodly face of nature
Hath one disfeaturing stain the less upon it.
Are we not all predestined transiency,
And cold dishonour? Grant it, that this hand 100
Had given a morsel to the hungry worms
Somewhat too early--Where's the crime of this?
That this must needs bring on the idiotcy
Of moist-eyed penitence--'tis like a dream!
_Valdez._ Wild talk, my son! But thy excess of feeling---- 105
Almost I fear it hath unhinged his brain.
_Ordonio (Teresa reappears and advances slowly)._ Say, I had laid
a body in the sun!
Well! in a month there swarm forth from the corse
A thousand, nay, ten thousand sentient beings
In place of that one man.--Say, I had kill'd him! 110
[_TERESA stops listening._
Yet who shall tell me, that each one and all
Of these ten thousand lives is not as happy,
As that one life, which being push'd aside,
Made room for these unnumbered----
_Valdez._ O mere madness!
[_TERESA moves hastily forwards, and places herself
directly before ORDONIO._
_Ordonio._ Teresa? or the phantom of Teresa? 115
_Teresa._ Alas! the phantom only, if in truth
The substance of her being, her life's life,
Have ta'en its flight through Alvar's death-wound--
[_A pause._
Where--
(Even coward murder grants the dead a grave)
O tell me, Valdez!--answer me, Ordonio! 120
Where lies the corse of my betrothéd husband?
_Ordonio._ There, where Ordonio likewise would fain lie!
In the sleep-compelling earth, in unpierc'd darkness![856:1]
For while we live--
An inward day that never, never sets, 125
Glares round the soul, and mocks the closing eyelids!
Over his rocky grave the fir-grove sighs
A lulling ceaseless dirge! 'Tis well with him.
[_Strides off towards the altar, but returns as VALDEZ
is speaking._
_Teresa._ The rock! the fir-grove! [_To VALDEZ._
Did'st thou hear him say it?
Hush! I will ask him!
_Valdez._ Urge him not--not now! 130
This we beheld. Nor he nor I know more,
Than what the magic imagery revealed.
The assassin, who pressed foremost of the three----
_Ordonio._ A tender-hearted, scrupulous, grateful villain,
Whom I will strangle!
_Valdez._ While his two companions---- 135
_Ordonio._ Dead! dead already! what care we for the dead?
_Valdez (to Teresa)._ Pity him! soothe him! disenchant his spirit!
These supernatural shews, this strange disclosure,
And this too fond affection, which still broods
O'er Alvar's fate, and still burns to avenge it-- 140
These, struggling with his hopeless love for you,
Distemper him, and give reality
To the creatures of his fancy.
_Ordonio._ Is it so?
Yes! yes! even like a child, that too abruptly
Roused by a glare of light from deepest sleep 145
Starts up bewildered and talks idly.
Father!
What if the Moors that made my brother's grave,
Even now were digging ours? What if the bolt,
Though aim'd, I doubt not, at the son of Valdez,
Yet miss'd its true aim when it fell on Alvar? 150
_Valdez._ Alvar ne'er fought against the Moors,--say rather,
He was their advocate; but you had march'd
With fire and desolation through their villages.--
Yet he by chance was captured.
_Ordonio._ Unknown, perhaps,
Captured, yet as the son of Valdez, murdered. 155
Leave all to me. Nay, whither, gentle lady?
_Valdez._ What seek you now?
_Teresa._ A better, surer light
To guide me----
_Both Valdez and Ordonio._ Whither?
_Teresa._ To the only place
Where life yet dwells for me, and ease of heart.
These walls seem threatening to fall in upon me! 160
Detain me not! a dim power drives me hence,
And that will be my guide.
_Valdez._ To find a lover!
Suits that a high-born maiden's modesty?
O folly and shame! Tempt not my rage, Teresa!
_Teresa._ Hopeless, I fear no human being's rage. 165
And am I hastening to the arms----O Heaven!
I haste but to the grave of my belov'd!
[_Exit, VALDEZ following after her._
_Ordonio._ 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 170
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-poison'd
To escape the crueller flames----My soul shouts triumph!
The mine is undermined! blood! blood! blood! 175
They thirst for thy blood! thy blood, Ordonio! [_A pause._
The hunt is up! and in the midnight wood
With lights to dazzle and with nets they seek
A timid prey: and lo! the tiger's eye
Glares in the red flame of his hunter's torch! 180
To Isidore I will dispatch a message,
And lure him to the cavern! aye, that cavern!
He cannot fail to find it. Thither I'll lure him,
Whence he shall never, never more return!
[_Looks through the side window._
A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea, 185
And now 'tis gone! All shall be done to-night. [_Exit._
FOOTNOTES:
[853:1] 45-6. Compare _The Death of Wallenstein_, Act I, Sc. IV, ll.
48-9. See note by J. D. Campbell, _P. W._, 1893, p. 650.
[856:1] It was pleasing to observe, during the Rehearsal all the Actors
and Actresses and even the Mechanics on the stage clustering round while
these lines were repeating just as if it had been a favourite strain of
Music. But from want of depth and volume of voice in Rae, they did not
produce an equal effect on the Public till after the Publication--and
_then_ they (I understand) were applauded. I have never seen the Piece
since the first Night. _S. T. C._
LINENOTES:
SCENE II] SCENE III. _Interior of a Chapel._ Edition 1.
[20] would he] wouldst thou Edition 1.
[22] _Teresa (wildly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. _Valdez (with averted
countenance)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[24] A worse sorrow] And how painful Edition 1.
[41]
Was Alvar lost to thee-- [_Turning off, aloud, but yet as to
himself._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[44] _Teresa (with faint shriek)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. my] _my_
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[45] He grasp'd it in his death-pang! Edition 1. did] _did_ Editions 2,
3, 1829.
[49] Is] _Is_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[52] Thou] _Thou_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 55] Stage-direction om. Edition 1.
[67] _Ordonio (confused)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[73] _Valdez (confused)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 83] [_Turns off abruptly; then to himself._ Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[84] grateful] _grateful_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[94] _Ordonio (in a slow voice, as reasoning to himself)._ Editions 1,
2, 3, 1829.
[101] Had] _Had_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 105] [_Averting himself._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[107] _Ordonio (now in soliloquy, and now addressing his father; and
just after the speech has commenced, Teresa_, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[110] kill'd] _kill'd_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 110] [_TERESA starts and stops listening._ Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[Before 115] _Ordonio (checking the feeling of surprise, and forcing his
tones into an expression of playful courtesy)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[124] live] LIVE Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[128] him] HIM Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 128] [_Strides off in agitation towards the altar_, &c. Editions
1, 2, 3, 1829.
[129] _Teresa (recoiling with the expression appropriate to the
passion)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. thou] _thou_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[131] beheld . . . he] _beheld . . . He_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[134] grateful] _grateful_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[135] _Valdez (looking with anxious disquiet at his Son, yet attempting
to proceed with his description)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[146]
Starts up bewildered and talks idly. [_Then mysteriously._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[158] _Both._ Whither Edition 1.
[168] must] _must_ Editions 1, 2, 3.
[171] win] _win_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[176] thy] _thy_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 186] end of the Third Act. Editions 1, 2, 3.
ACT IV
SCENE I
_A cavern, dark, except where a gleam of moonlight is seen on one side
at the further 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._
_Isidore._ Faith 'twas a moving letter--very moving!
'His life in danger, no place safe but this!
'Twas his turn now to talk of gratitude.'
And yet--but no! there can't be such a villain.
It can not be!
Thanks to that little crevice, 5
Which lets the moonlight in! I'll go and sit by it.
To peep at a tree, or see a he-goat's beard,
Or hear a cow or two breathe loud in their sleep--
Any thing but this crash of water drops!
These dull abortive sounds that fret the silence 10
With puny thwartings and mock opposition!
So beats the death-watch to a sick man's ear.
[_He goes out of sight, opposite to the patch of
moonlight: and returns._
A hellish pit! The very same I dreamt of!
I was just in--and those damn'd fingers of ice
Which clutch'd my hair up! Ha!--what's that--it mov'd. 15
[_ISIDORE stands staring at another recess in the
cavern. In the mean time ORDONIO enters with
a torch, and halloes to ISIDORE._
_Isidore._ I swear that I saw something moving there!
The moonshine came and went like a flash of lightning----
I swear, I saw it move.
_Ordonio (goes into the recess, then returns)._
A jutting clay stone
Drops on the long lank weed, that grows beneath:
And the weed nods and drips.[859:1]
_Isidore._ A jest to laugh at! 20
It was not that which scar'd me, good my lord.
_Ordonio._ What scar'd you, then?
_Isidore._ You see that little rift?
But first permit me!
[_Lights his torch at ORDONIO'S, and while lighting it._
(A lighted torch in the hand
Is no unpleasant object here--one's breath
Floats round the flame, and makes as many colours 25
As the thin clouds that travel near the moon.)
You see that crevice there?
My torch extinguished by these water-drops,
And marking that the moonlight came from thence,
I stept in to it, meaning to sit there; 30
But scarcely had I measured twenty paces--
My body bending forward, yea, o'erbalanced
Almost beyond recoil, on the dim brink
Of a huge chasm I stept. The shadowy moonshine
Filling the void so counterfeited substance, 35
That my foot hung aslant adown the edge.
Was it my own fear?
Fear too hath its instincts![860:1]
(And yet such dens as these are wildly told of,
And there are beings that live, yet not for the eye)
An arm of frost above and from behind me 40
Pluck'd up and snatched me backward. Merciful Heaven!
You smile! alas, even smiles look ghastly here!
My lord, I pray you, go yourself and view it.
_Ordonio._ It must have shot some pleasant feelings through you.
_Isidore._ If every atom of a dead man's flesh 45
Should creep, each one with a particular life,
Yet all as cold as ever--'twas just so!
Or had it drizzled needle-points of frost
Upon a feverish head made suddenly bald--
_Ordonio._ Why, Isidore,
I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled, 50
I grant you, even a brave man for a moment--
But such a panic--
_Isidore._ When a boy, my lord!
I could have sate whole hours beside that chasm,
Push'd in huge stones and heard them strike and rattle
Against its horrid sides: then hung my head 55
Low down, and listened till the heavy fragments
Sank with faint crash in that still groaning well,
Which never thirsty pilgrim blest, which never
A living thing came near--unless, perchance,
Some blind-worm battens on the ropy mould 60
Close at its edge.
_Ordonio._ Art thou more coward now?
_Isidore._ Call him, that fears his fellow-man, a coward!
I fear not man--but this inhuman cavern,
It were too bad a prison-house for goblins.
Beside, (you'll smile, my lord) but true it is, 65
My last night's sleep was very sorely haunted
By what had passed between us in the morning.
O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared at
By forms so hideous that they mock remembrance--
Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing, 70
But only being afraid--stifled with fear!
While every goodly or familiar form
Had a strange power of breathing terror round me![861:1]
I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes;
And, I entreat your lordship to believe me, 75
In my last dream----
_Ordonio._ Well?
_Isidore._ I was in the act
Of falling down that chasm, when Alhadra
Wak'd me: she heard my heart beat.
_Ordonio._ Strange enough!
Had you been here before?
_Isidore._ Never, my lord!
But mine eyes do not see it now more clearly, 80
Than in my dream I saw--that very chasm.
_Ordonio (after a pause)._ I know not why it should be! yet it is--
_Isidore._ What is, my lord?
_Ordonio._ Abhorrent from our nature
To kill a man.--
_Isidore._ Except in self-defence.
_Ordonio._ Why that's my case; and yet the soul recoils from it-- 85
'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps,
Have sterner feelings?
_Isidore._ Something troubles you.
How shall I serve you? By the life you gave me,
By all that makes that life of value to me,
My wife, my babes, my honour, I swear to you, 90
Name it, and I will toil to do the thing,
If it be innocent! But this, my lord!
Is not a place where you could perpetrate,
No, nor propose a wicked thing. The darkness,
When ten strides off we know 'tis cheerful moonlight, 95
Collects the guilt, and crowds it round the heart.
It must be innocent.
_Ordonio._ Thyself be judge.
One of our family knew this place well.
_Isidore._ Who? when? my lord?
_Ordonio._ What boots it, who or when?
Hang up thy torch--I'll tell his tale to thee. 100
[_They hang up their torches on some ridge in the cavern._
He was a man different from other men,
And he despised them, yet revered himself.
_Isidore (aside)._ He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!
I am on my guard, however: no surprise. [_Then to ORDONIO._
What, he was mad?
_Ordonio._ All men seemed mad to him! 105
Nature had made him for some other planet,
And pressed his soul into a human shape
By accident or malice. In this world
He found no fit companion.
_Isidore._ Of himself he speaks. [_Aside._
Alas! poor wretch! 110
Mad men are mostly proud.
_Ordonio._ He walked alone,
And phantom thoughts unsought-for troubled him.
Something within would still be shadowing out
All possibilities; and with these shadows
His mind held dalliance. Once, as so it happened, 115
A fancy crossed him wilder than the rest:
To this in moody murmur and low voice
He yielded utterance, as some talk in sleep:
The man who heard him.--
Why did'st thou look round?
_Isidore._ I have a prattler three years old, my lord! 120
In truth he is my darling. As I went
From forth my door, he made a moan in sleep--
But I am talking idly--pray proceed!
And what did this man?
_Ordonio._ With this human hand
He gave a substance and reality 125
To that wild fancy of a possible thing.--
Well it was done!
Why babblest thou of guilt?
The deed was done, and it passed fairly off.
And he whose tale I tell thee--dost thou listen?
_Isidore._ I would, my lord, you were by my fire-side, 130
I'd listen to you with an eager eye,
Though you began this cloudy tale at midnight,
But I do listen--pray proceed, my lord.
_Ordonio._ Where was I?
_Isidore._ He of whom you tell the tale--
_Ordonio._ Surveying all things with a quiet scorn, 135
Tamed himself down to living purposes,
The occupations and the semblances
Of ordinary men--and such he seemed!
But that same over ready agent--he--
_Isidore._ Ah! what of him, my lord?
_Ordonio._ He proved a traitor, 140
Betrayed the mystery to a brother-traitor,
And they between them hatch'd a damnéd plot
To hunt him down to infamy and death.
What did the Valdez? I am proud of the name
Since he dared do it.--
[_ORDONIO grasps his sword, and turns off from ISIDORE,
then after a pause returns._
Our links burn dimly. 145
_Isidore._ A dark tale darkly finished! Nay, my lord!
Tell what he did.
_Ordonio._ That which his wisdom prompted--
He made the traitor meet him in this cavern,
And here he kill'd the traitor.
_Isidore._ No! the fool! 150
He had not wit enough to be a traitor.
Poor thick-eyed beetle! not to have foreseen
That he who gulled thee with a whimpered lie
To murder his own brother, would not scruple
To murder thee, if e'er his guilt grew jealous, 155
And he could steal upon thee in the dark!
_Ordonio._ Thou would'st not then have come, if--
_Isidore._ Oh yes, my lord!
I would have met him arm'd, and scar'd the coward.
[_ISIDORE throws off his robe; shews himself armed, and
draws his sword._
_Ordonio._ Now this is excellent and warms the blood! 160
My heart was drawing back, drawing me back
With weak and womanish scruples. Now my vengeance
Beckons 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 165
Among my comfortable thoughts hereafter.
_Isidore._ And all my little ones fatherless--
Die thou first.
[_They fight, ORDONIO disarms ISIDORE, and in disarming
him throws his sword up that recess opposite to
which they were standing. ISIDORE hurries into the
recess with his torch, ORDONIO follows him; a loud
cry of 'Traitor! Monster!' is heard from the
cavern, and in a moment ORDONIO returns 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. 170
His dream too is made out--Now for his friend.
[_Exit ORDONIO._
FOOTNOTES:
[859:1] 18-20. Compare _This Lime-Tree Bower my Prison_, ll. 17-20, p.
179. See note by J. D. Campbell, _P. W._, 1893, p. 651.
[860:1] 38-9. These two lines uttered in an under-voice, and timidly, as
anticipating Ordonio's sneer, and yet not able to disguise his own
superstition. (_Marginal Note to First Edition._)
What trouble had I not, and at last almost fruitless, to teach De Camp
the hurried under-voice with which Isidore should utter these two lines,
as anticipating Ordonio's scorn, and yet unable to suppress his own
superstition--and yet De Camp, spite of voice, person, and inappropriate
protrusion of the chest, understood and realised his part better than
all the rest--to the man of sense, I mean. _MS. H_.
[861:1] 72-3. In the _Biographia Literaria_, 1817, ii. 73 Coleridge puts
these lines into another shape:--
The simplest and the most familiar things
Gain a strange power of spreading awe around them.
See note by J. D. Campbell, _P. W._, 1893, p. 651.
LINENOTES:
[After 12] [_He goes . . . moonlight: returns after a minute's elapse,
in an extasy of fear._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[13] pit] _pit_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[18] _Ordonio (goes . . . returns, and with great scorn)._ Editions 1,
2, 3, 1829.
[20] _Isidore (forcing a laugh faintly.)_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[47] ever] eve Edition 1.
[49] _Ordonio (interrupting him)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[51] brave] _brave_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[60] battens] fattens Edition 1.
[68-73] om. Edition 1.
[71] afraid] _afraid_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[82] _Ordonio (stands lost in thought, then after a pause)._ Editions 1,
2, 3, 1829. is] _is_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[97]
It must be innocent. [_ORDONIO darkly, and in the feeling of
self-justification, tells what he
conceives of his own character and
actions, speaking of himself in
the third person._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[103] He? He] He? _He_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[124] this] _his_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[127]
Well it was done! [_Then very wildly._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[140] him . . . He] _him . . . He_, Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[155] thee] _thee_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 167] [_They fight . . . standing._ (The rest of the
stage-direction is here omitted.)
_Isid. (springing wildly towards Ordonio)._ Still I can strangle thee!
_Ord._ Nay fool, stand off!
I'll kill thee, but not so. Go fetch thy sword.
[_ISIDORE hurries into the recess with his torch,
ORDONIO follows him . . . returns alone._
Edition 1.
[169] dreamt] _dreamt_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[171] dream] _dream_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
SCENE II
_The interior Court of a Saracenic or Gothic Castle, with the Iron Gate
of a Dungeon visible._
_Teresa._ Heart-chilling superstition! thou canst glaze
Ev'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! 5
Well, I have won from her what most imports
The present need, this secret of the dungeon
Known only to herself.--A Moor! a Sorcerer!
No, I have faith, that Nature ne'er permitted
Baseness to wear a form so noble. True, 10
I doubt not that Ordonio had suborned him
To act some part in some unholy fraud;
As little doubt, that for some unknown purpose
He hath baffled his suborner, terror-struck him,
And that Ordonio meditates revenge! 15
But my resolve is fixed! myself will rescue him,
And learn if haply he knew aught of Alvar.
_Enter VALDEZ._
_Valdez._ Still sad?--and gazing at the massive door
Of that fell dungeon which thou ne'er had'st sight of,
Save what, perchance, thy infant fancy shap'd it 20
When 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 sighs
Even at the thought of what these stern Dominicans-- 25
_Teresa._ The horror of their ghastly punishments
Doth 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 household 30
Were doom'd to suffer them. That such things are--
_Valdez._ Hush, thoughtless woman!
_Teresa._ Nay, it wakes within me
More than a woman's spirit.
_Valdez._ No more of this--
What if Monviedro or his creatures hear us!
I dare not listen to you.
_Teresa._ My honoured lord, 35
These were my Alvar's lessons, and whene'er
I 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. 40
Have I no other son?
_Teresa._ Speak not of him!
That low imposture! That mysterious picture!
If this be madness, must I wed a madman?
And if not madness, there is mystery,
And guilt doth lurk behind it.
_Valdez._ Is this well? 45
_Teresa._ Yes, it is truth: saw you his countenance?
How rage, remorse, and scorn, and stupid fear
Displaced each other with swift interchanges?
O that I had indeed the sorcerer's power.----
I would call up before thine eyes the image 50
Of my betrothed Alvar, of thy first-born![866:1]
His own fair countenance, his kingly forehead,
His tender smiles, love's day-dawn on his lips!
That spiritual and almost heavenly light
In his commanding eye--his mien heroic, 55
Virtue's own native heraldry! to man
Genial, and pleasant to his guardian angel.
Whene'er he gladden'd, how the gladness spread
Wide round him! and when oft with swelling tears,
Flash'd through by indignation, he bewail'd 60
The 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, 65
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 him
Ordonio's dark perturbéd countenance!
Then bid me (Oh thou could'st not) bid me turn 70
From him, the joy, the triumph of our kind!
To take in exchange that brooding man, who never
Lifts up his eye from the earth, unless to scowl.
_Valdez._ Ungrateful woman! I have tried to stifle
An old man's passion! was it not enough, 75
That thou hast made my son a restless man,
Banish'd his health, and half unhing'd his reason;
But that thou wilt insult him with suspicion?
And toil to blast his honour? I am old,
A comfortless old man!
_Teresa._ O grief! to hear 80
Hateful entreaties from a voice we love!
_Enter a_ Peasant _and presents a letter to VALDEZ._
_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 delay 85
I hasten to him--for my own sake entreats me
To guard from danger him I hold imprison'd--
He will reveal a secret, the joy of which
Will even outweigh the sorrow.'--Why what can this be?
Perchance it is some Moorish stratagem, 90
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. [_Exit VALDEZ._
_Teresa (alone)._ The moon is high in heaven, and all is hush'd.
Yet anxious listener! I have seem'd to hear 95
A low dead thunder mutter thro' the night,
As 'twere a giant angry in his sleep.
O Alvar! Alvar! that they could return,
Those blessed days that imitated heaven,
When we two wont to walk at eventide; 100
When we saw nought but beauty; when we heard
The voice of that Almighty One who loved us
In every gale that breathed, and wave that murmur'd!
O we have listen'd, even till high-wrought pleasure
Hath half assumed the countenance of grief, 105
And the deep sigh seemed to heave up a weight
Of bliss, that pressed too heavy on the heart. [_A pause._
And this majestic Moor, seems he not one
Who oft and long communing with my Alvar
Hath drunk in kindred lustre from his presence, 110
And guides me to him with reflected light?
What if in yon dark dungeon coward treachery
Be groping for him with envenomed poniard--
Hence, womanish fears, traitors to love and duty--
I'll free him. [_Exit TERESA._
FOOTNOTES:
[866:1] 52-63. Compare Fragment No. 39, p. 1005.
LINENOTES:
[Before 1] stage-direction _om._ Scene II is headed '_The Sea-Coast_'
Edition 1. _The interior . . . of Dungeon visible._ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[17] know] knew Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[18] _Valdez._ Still sad, Teresa! This same wizard haunts you Edition 1.
[19-22] om. Edition 1.
[After 23] [_With a sneer._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[26] _Teresa (with solemn indignation)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[33] woman's] woman Edition 1.
[62] _there_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[80, 81] _Teresa._ O Grief . . . we love! om. Edition 1.
SCENE III
_The mountains by moonlight. ALHADRA alone in a Moorish dress._
_Alhadra._ Yon hanging woods, that touch'd by autumn seem
As they were blossoming hues of fire and gold
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, 5
(Strange! very strange!) the screech-owl only wakes!
Sole voice, sole eye of all this world of beauty!
Unless, perhaps, she sing her screeching song
To a herd of wolves, that skulk athirst for blood.
Why such a thing am I?--Where are these men? 10
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 appointed
To bring me food! or rather that my soul 15
Could 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.
And think myself the only being alive! 20
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 round ALHADRA, and remain silent till
NAOMI enters_.
_Naomi._ Woman! May Alla and the Prophet bless thee! 25
We have obeyed thy call. Where is our chief?
And why didst thou enjoin these Moorish garments?
_Alhadra (raising her eyes, and looking round on the circle)._
Warriors of Mahomet! faithful in the battle!
My countrymen! Come ye prepared to work
An honourable deed? And would ye work it 30
In the slave's garb? Curse on those Christian robes!
They are spell-blasted: and whoever wears them,
His arm shrinks wither'd, his heart melts away,
And his bones soften.
_Naomi._ Where is Isidore?
_Alhadra._ This night I went from forth my house, and left 35
His children all asleep: and he was living!
And I return'd and found them still asleep,
But he had perished----
_All Morescoes._ Perished?
_Alhadra._ He had perished!
Sleep on, poor babes! not one of you doth know
That he is fatherless--a desolate orphan! 40
Why should we wake them? Can an infant's arm
Revenge his murder?
_One Moresco (to another)._ Did she say his murder?
_Naomi._ Murder? Not murdered?
_Alhadra._ Murdered by a Christian!
[_They all at once draw their sabres._
_Alhadra (to Naomi, who advances from the circle)._ Brother of
Zagri! fling away thy sword;
This is thy chieftain's! [_He steps forward to take it._
Dost thou dare receive it? 45
For I have sworn by Alla and the Prophet,
No tear shall dim these eyes, this woman's heart
Shall heave no groan, till I have seen that sword
Wet with the life-blood of the son of Valdez! [_A pause._
Ordonio was your chieftain's murderer! 50
_Naomi._ He dies, by Alla!
_All (kneeling)._ By Alla!
_Alhadra._ This night your chieftain armed himself,
And hurried from me. But I followed him
At distance, till I saw him enter--there!
_Naomi._ The cavern?
_Alhadra._ Yes, the mouth of yonder cavern 55
After a while I saw the son of Valdez
Rush by with flaring torch; he likewise entered.
There was another and a longer pause;
And once, methought I heard the clash of swords!
And soon the son of Valdez re-appeared: 60
He flung his torch towards the moon in sport,
And seemed as he were mirthful! I stood listening,
Impatient for the footsteps of my husband!
_Naomi._ Thou called'st him?
_Alhadra._ I crept into the cavern--
'Twas dark and very silent.
What said'st thou? 65
No! no! I did not dare call, Isidore,
Lest I should hear no answer! A brief while,
Belike, I lost all thought and memory
Of that for which I came! After that pause,
O Heaven! I heard a groan, and followed it: 70
And yet another groan, which guided me
Into a strange recess--and there was light,
A hideous light! his torch lay on the ground;
Its flame burnt dimly o'er a chasm's brink:
I spake; and whilst I spake, a feeble groan 75
Came from that chasm! it was his last! his death-groan!
_Naomi._ Comfort her, Alla!
_Alhadra._ I stood in unimaginable trance
And agony that cannot be remembered,
Listening with horrid hope to hear a groan! 80
But I had heard his last: my husband's death-groan!
_Naomi._ Haste! let us onward.
_Alhadra._ I looked far down the pit--
My sight was bounded by a jutting fragment:
And it was stained with blood. Then first I shrieked,
My eye-balls burnt, my brain grew hot as fire, 85
And all the hanging drops of the wet roof
Turned into blood--I saw them turn to blood!
And I was leaping wildly down the chasm,
When on the farther brink I saw his sword,
And it said, Vengeance!--Curses on my tongue! 90
The moon hath moved in Heaven, and I am here,
And he hath not had vengeance! Isidore!
Spirit of Isidore! thy murderer lives!
Away! away!
_All._ Away! away!
[_She rushes off, all following her._
LINENOTES:
[1-24] om. Edition 1.
[Before 25]
_The mountains by moonlight. ALHADRA alone in a Moorish dress; her eye
fixed on the earth. Then drop in one after another, from different parts
of the stage, a considerable number of Morescoes, all in Moorish
garments. They form a circle at a distance round ALHADRA._
_A Moresco, NAOMI, advances from out the circle._
_Naomi._ Woman! may Alla, &c.
Edition 1.
Stage-direction after 24 [_She fixes . . . and remain silent till the
Second in Command, NAOMI, enters, distinguished by his dress and armour,
and by the silent obeisance paid to him on his entrance by the other_
Moors. Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[Before 28] _Alhadra (lifting up eyes, and looking, &c.)._ Edition 1.
[35] _Alhadra (in a deep low voice)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[54] _there_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[65]
'Twas dark and very silent. [_Then wildly._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[72] _light_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 77] _All._ Haste, let us seek the murderer. Edition 1.
ACT V
SCENE I
_A Dungeon._
_ALVAR (alone) rises slowly from a bed of reeds._
_Alvar._ And this place my forefathers made for man!
This is the process of our love and wisdom
To each poor brother who offends against us--
Most innocent, perhaps--and what if guilty?
Is this the only cure? Merciful God! 5
Each pore and natural outlet shrivelled up
By ignorance and parching poverty,
His energies roll back upon his heart,
And stagnate and corrupt, till, chang'd to poison,
They break out on him, like a loathsome plague-spot! 10
Then we call in our pampered mountebanks:
And this is their best cure! uncomforted
And friendless solitude, groaning and tears,
And savage faces, at the clanking hour,
Seen through the steam and vapours of his dungeon 15
By the lamp's dismal twilight! So he lies
Circled with evil, till his very soul
Unmoulds its essence, hopelessly deformed
By sights of evermore deformity!
With other ministrations thou, O Nature! 20
Healest thy wandering and distempered child:
Thou pourest on him thy soft influences,
Thy sunny hues, fair forms, and breathing sweets;
Thy melodies of woods, and winds, and waters!
Till he relent, and can no more endure 25
To be a jarring and a dissonant thing
Amid this general dance and minstrelsy;
But, bursting into tears, wins back his way,
His angry spirit healed and harmonized
By the benignant touch of love and beauty. 30
I am chill and weary! Yon rude bench of stone,
In that dark angle, the sole resting-place!
But the self-approving mind is its own light
And life's best warmth still radiates from the heart
Where love sits brooding, and an honest purpose. 35
[_Retires out of sight._
_Enter TERESA with a taper._
_Teresa._ It has chilled my very life----my own voice scares me;
Yet when I hear it not I seem to lose
The substance of my being--my strongest grasp
Sends inwards but weak witness that I am.
I seek to cheat the echo.--How the half sounds 40
Blend with this strangled light! Is he not here--
[_Looking round._
O for one human face here--but to see
One human face here to sustain me.--Courage!
It is but my own fear! The life within me,
It sinks and wavers like this cone of flame, 45
Beyond which I scarce dare look onward! Oh!
If I faint? If this inhuman den should be
At once my death-bed and my burial vault?
[_Faintly screams as ALVAR emerges from the recess._
_Alvar (rushes towards her, and catches her as she is falling)._
O gracious heaven! it is, it is Teresa!
Shall I reveal myself? The sudden shock 50
Of rapture will blow out this spark of life,
And joy complete what terror has begun.
O ye impetuous beatings here, be still!
Teresa, best beloved! pale, pale, and cold!
Her pulse doth flutter! Teresa! my Teresa! 55
_Teresa (recovering)._ I heard a voice; but often in my dreams
I hear that voice! and wake and try--and try--
To hear it waking! but I never could--
And 'tis so now--even so! Well! he is dead--
Murdered perhaps! and I am faint, and feel 60
As if it were no painful thing to die!
_Alvar._ Believe it not, sweet maid! Believe it not,
Belovéd woman! 'Twas a low imposture
Framed by a guilty wretch.
_Teresa._ Ha! Who art thou?
_Alvar._ Suborned by his brother--
_Teresa_. Didst thou murder him? 65
And dost thou now repent? Poor troubled man,
I do forgive thee, and may Heaven forgive thee!
_Alvar._ Ordonio--he--
_Teresa._ If thou didst murder him--
His spirit ever at the throne of God
Asks mercy for thee: prays for mercy for thee, 70
With tears in Heaven!
_Alvar._ Alvar was not murdered.
Be calm! Be calm, sweet maid!
_Teresa._ Nay, nay, but tell me! [_A pause._
O 'tis lost again!
This dull confuséd pain-- [_A pause._
Mysterious man!
Methinks I can not fear thee: for thine eye 75
Doth swim with love and pity--Well! Ordonio--
Oh my foreboding heart! And he suborned thee,
And thou didst spare his life? Blessings shower on thee,
As many as the drops twice counted o'er
In the fond faithful heart of his Teresa! 80
_Alvar._ I can endure no more. The Moorish sorcerer
Exists but in the stain upon his face.
That picture--
_Teresa._ Ha! speak on!
_Alvar._ Beloved Teresa!
It told but half the truth. O let this portrait
Tell all--that Alvar lives--that he is here! 85
Thy much deceived but ever faithful Alvar.
[_Takes her portrait from his neck, and gives it her._
_Teresa (receiving the portrait)._ The same--it is the same! Ah!
Who art thou?
Nay, I will call thee, Alvar! [_She falls on his neck._
_Alvar._ O joy unutterable!
But hark! a sound as of removing bars
At the dungeon's outer door. A brief, brief while 90
Conceal thyself, my love! It is Ordonio.
For the honour of our race, for our dear father;
O for himself too (he is still my brother)
Let me recall him to his nobler nature,
That he may wake as from a dream of murder! 95
O let me reconcile him to himself,
Open the sacred source of penitent tears,
And be once more his own beloved Alvar.
_Teresa._ O my all virtuous love! I fear to leave thee
With that obdurate man.
_Alvar._ Thou dost not leave me! 100
But a brief while retire into the darkness:
O that my joy could spread its sunshine round thee!
_Teresa._ The sound of thy voice shall be my music!
Alvar! my Alvar! am I sure I hold thee?
Is it no dream? thee in my arms, my Alvar! [_Exit._ 105
[_A noise at the Dungeon door. It opens, and ORDONIO
enters, with a goblet in his hand._
_Ordonio._ Hail, potent wizard! in my gayer mood
I poured forth a libation to old Pluto,
And as I brimmed the bowl, I thought on thee.
Thou hast conspired against my life and honour,
Hast tricked me foully; yet I hate thee not. 110
Why should I hate thee? this same world of ours,
'Tis but a pool amid a storm of rain,
And we the air-bladders that course up and down,
And joust and tilt in merry tournament;
And when one bubble runs foul of another, 115
The weaker needs must break.
_Alvar._ I see thy heart!
There is a frightful glitter in thine eye
Which doth betray thee. Inly-tortured man,
This is the revelry of a drunken anguish,
Which fain would scoff away the pang of guilt, 120
And quell each human feeling.
_Ordonio._ Feeling! feeling!
The death of a man--the breaking of a bubble--
'Tis true I cannot sob for such misfortunes;
But faintness, cold and hunger--curses on me
If willingly I e'er inflicted them! 125
Come, take the beverage; this chill place demands it.
[_ORDONIO proffers the goblet._
_Alvar._ Yon insect on the wall,
Which moves this way and that its hundred limbs,
Were it a toy of mere mechanic craft,
It were an infinitely curious thing! 130
But it has life, Ordonio! life, enjoyment!
And by the power of its miraculous will
Wields all the complex movements of its frame
Unerringly to pleasurable ends!
Saw I that insect on this goblet's brim 135
I would remove it with an anxious pity!
_Ordonio._ What meanest thou?
_Alvar._ There's poison in the wine.
_Ordonio._ Thou hast guessed right; there's poison in the wine.
There's poison in't--which of us two shall drink it?
For one of us must die!
_Alvar._ Whom dost thou think me? 140
_Ordonio._ The accomplice and sworn friend of Isidore.
_Alvar._ I know him not.
And yet methinks, I have heard the name but lately.
Means he the husband of the Moorish woman?
Isidore? Isidore? 145
_Ordonio._ Good! good! that lie! by heaven it has restored me.
Now I am thy master!--Villain! thou shalt drink it,
Or die a bitterer death.
_Alvar._ What strange solution
Hast thou found out to satisfy thy fears,
And drug them to unnatural sleep?
[_ALVAR takes the goblet, and throws it to the ground._
My master! 150
_Ordonio._ Thou mountebank!
_Alvar._ Mountebank and villain!
What then art thou? For shame, put up thy sword!
What boots a weapon in a withered arm?
I fix mine eye upon thee, and thou tremblest!
I speak, and fear and wonder crush thy rage, 155
And turn it to a motionless distraction!
Thou blind self-worshipper! thy pride, thy cunning,
Thy faith in universal villainy,
Thy shallow sophisms, thy pretended scorn
For all thy human brethren--out upon them! 160
What have they done for thee? have they given thee peace?
Cured thee of starting in thy sleep? or made
The darkness pleasant when thou wak'st at midnight?
Art happy when alone? Can'st walk by thyself
With even step and quiet cheerfulness? 165
Yet, yet thou may'st be saved----
_Ordonio._ Saved? saved?
_Alvar._ One pang!
Could I call up one pang of true remorse!
_Ordonio._ He told me of the babes that prattled to him.
His fatherless little ones! remorse! remorse!
Where got'st thou that fool's word? Curse on remorse! 170
Can it give up the dead, or recompact
A mangled body? mangled--dashed to atoms!
Not all the blessings of a host of angels
Can blow away a desolate widow's curse!
And though thou spill thy heart's blood for atonement, 175
It will not weigh against an orphan's tear!
_Alvar._ But Alvar----
_Ordonio._ Ha! it chokes thee in the throat,
Even thee; and yet I pray thee speak it out.
Still Alvar!--Alvar!--howl it in mine ear!
Heap it like coals of fire upon my heart, 180
And shoot it hissing through my brain!
_Alvar._ Alas!
That day when thou didst leap from off the rock
Into the waves, and grasped thy sinking brother,
And bore him to the strand; then, son of Valdez,
How sweet and musical the name of Alvar! 185
Then, then, Ordonio, he was dear to thee,
And thou wert dear to him: heaven only knows
How very dear thou wert! Why did'st thou hate him!
O heaven! how he would fall upon thy neck,
And weep forgiveness!
_Ordonio._ Spirit of the dead! 190
Methinks I know thee! ha! my brain turns wild
At its own dreams!--off--off, fantastic shadow!
_Alvar._ I fain would tell thee what I am, but dare not!
_Ordonio._ Cheat! villain! traitor! whatsoever thou be--
I fear thee, man!
_Teresa (rushing out and falling on Alvar's neck)._ Ordonio! 'tis
thy brother! 195
[_ORDONIO runs upon ALVAR with his sword. TERESA flings
herself on ORDONIO and arrests his arm._
Stop, madman, stop!
_Alvar._ Does then this thin disguise impenetrably
Hide Alvar from thee? Toil and painful wounds
And long imprisonment in unwholesome dungeons,
Have marred perhaps all trait and lineament 200
Of what I was! But chiefly, chiefly, brother,
My anguish for thy guilt!
Ordonio--Brother!
Nay, nay, thou shalt embrace me.
_Ordonio (drawing back, and gazing at Alvar)._ Touch me not!
Touch not pollution, Alvar! I will die.
[_He attempts to fall on his sword, ALVAR and TERESA
prevent him._
_Alvar._ We will find means to save your honour. Live, 205
Oh live, Ordonio! for our father's sake!
Spare his grey hairs!
_Teresa._ And you may yet be happy.
_Ordonio._ O horror! not a thousand years in heaven
Could recompose this miserable heart,
Or make it capable of one brief joy! 210
Live! live! Why yes! 'Twere well to live with you:
For is it fit a villain should be proud?
My brother! I will kneel to you, my brother! [_Kneeling._
Forgive me, Alvar!----Curse me with forgiveness!
_Alvar._ Call back thy soul, Ordonio, and look round thee! 215
Now is the time for greatness! Think that heaven--
_Teresa._ O mark his eye! he hears not what you say.
_Ordonio._ Yes, mark his eye! there's fascination in it!
Thou said'st thou did'st not know him--That is he!
He comes upon me!
_Alvar._ Heal, O heal him, heaven! 220
_Ordonio._ Nearer and nearer! and I can not stir!
Will no one hear these stifled groans, and wake me?
He would have died to save me, and I killed him--
A husband and a father!--
_Teresa._ Some secret poison
Drinks up his spirits!
_Ordonio._ Let the eternal justice 225
Prepare my punishment in the obscure world--
I will not bear to live--to live--O agony!
And be myself alone my own sore torment!
[_The doors of the dungeon are broken open, and in rush
ALHADRA, and the band of_ Morescoes.
_Alhadra._ Seize first that man!
[_ALVAR presses onward to defend ORDONIO._
_Ordonio._ Off, ruffians! I have flung away my sword. 230
Woman, my life is thine! to thee I give it!
Off! he that touches me with his hand of flesh,
I'll rend his limbs asunder! I have strength
With this bare arm to scatter you like ashes.
_Alhadra._ My husband--
_Ordonio_. Yes, I murdered him most foully. 235
_Alvar and Teresa._ O horrible!
_Alhadra._ Why did'st thou leave his children?
Demon, thou should'st have sent thy dogs of hell
To lap their blood. Then, then I might have hardened
My soul in misery, and have had comfort.
I would have stood far off, quiet though dark, 240
And bade the race of men raise up a mourning
For a deep horror of desolation,
Too great to be one soul's particular lot!
Brother of Zagri! let me lean upon thee.
The time is not yet come for woman's anguish, 245
I have not seen his blood--Within an hour
Those little ones will crowd around and ask me,
Where is our father? I shall curse thee then!
Wert thou in heaven, my curse would pluck thee thence!
_Teresa._ He doth repent! See, see, I kneel to thee! 250
O let him live! That agéd man, his father----
_Alhadra._ Why had he such a son?
[_Shouts from the distance of_ Rescue! Rescue! Alvar!
Alvar! _and the voice of VALDEZ heard._
Rescue?--and Isidore's spirit unavenged?--
The deed be mine! [_Suddenly stabs ORDONIO._
Now take my life!
_Ordonio (staggering from the wound)._ Atonement!
_Alvar (while with Teresa supporting Ordonio)._ Arm of avenging
Heaven 255
Thou hast snatched from me my most cherished hope--
But go! my word was pledged to thee.
_Ordonio._ Away!
Brave not my Father's rage! I thank thee! Thou--
[_Then turning his eyes languidly to ALVAR._
She hath avenged the blood of Isidore!
I stood in silence like a slave before her 260
That I might taste the wormwood and the gall,
And satiate this self-accusing heart
With bitterer agonies than death can give.
Forgive me, Alvar!
Oh!--could'st thou forget me! [_Dies._
[_ALVAR and TERESA bend over the body of ORDONIO._
_Alhadra (to the Moors)._ I thank thee, Heaven! thou hast ordained
it wisely, 265
That still extremes bring their own cure. That point
In misery, which makes the oppressed Man
Regardless of his own life, makes him too
Lord of the Oppressor's--Knew I a hundred men
Despairing, but not palsied by despair, 270
This arm should shake the kingdoms of the world;
The deep foundations of iniquity
Should sink away, earth groaning from beneath them;
The strongholds of the cruel men should fall,
Their temples and their mountainous towers should fall; 275
Till desolation seemed a beautiful thing,
And all that were and had the spirit of life,
Sang a new song to her who had gone forth,
Conquering and still to conquer!
[_ALHADRA hurries off with the_ Moors; _the stage fills
with armed_ Peasants, _and_ Servants, _ZULIMEZ and
VALDEZ at their head. VALDEZ rushes into ALVAR'S
arms._
_Alvar._ Turn not thy face that way, my father! hide, 280
Oh hide it from his eye! Oh let thy joy
Flow in unmingled stream through thy first blessing.
[_Both kneel to VALDEZ._
_Valdez._ My Son! My Alvar! bless, Oh bless him, heaven!
_Teresa._ Me too, my Father?
_Valdez._ Bless, Oh bless my children!
[_Both rise._
_Alvar._ Delights so full, if unalloyed with grief, 285
Were ominous. In these strange dread events
Just Heaven instructs us with an awful voice,
That Conscience rules us e'en against our choice.
Our inward Monitress to guide or warn,
If listened to; but if repelled with scorn, 290
At length as dire Remorse, she reappears,
Works in our guilty hopes, and selfish fears!
Still bids, Remember! and still cries, Too late!
And while she scares us, goads us to our fate.
LINENOTES:
[30] touch] torch Edition 1.
[36] life] life-blood Edition 1.
[After 41] As in a dream I ask; if it be a dream Edition 1.
[46] Beyond which I scarce dare to look! (_shudders_) Edition 1.
[After 46] [_Shuddering._ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[After 48] [_Faintly . . . recess, and moves hastily towards her._
Edition 1.
[After 55] _Teresa (recovering, looks round wildly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[62] _Alvar (eagerly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[64]
_Teresa (retires from him, and feebly supports herself against a
pillar of the dungeon)._ Ha! who art thou?
_Alvar (exceedingly affected)._ Suborned, &c.
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[65] _thou_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[72]
_Teresa (wildly)._ Nay, nay, but tell me!
[_A pause, then presses her forehead._
O 'tis lost again!
This dull confused pain. [_A pause, she gazes at ALVAR._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[77] _he_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[83] _Teresa (advances towards him)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[98] own om. Edition 1.
[After 103] [_Retiring, she returns hastily and embracing ALVAR._
Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[Before 106] _Ordonio (with affected gravity)._ Edition 1 (c) (?).
[107] old Pluto] oblivion Edition 1.
[After 115] [_Waving his hand to ALVAR._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[150] [_ALVAR . . . and throws it to the ground with stern contempt._
Edition 1. [_ALVAR . . . and throwing it to the ground, &c._ Editions 2,
3, 1829.
[166] _Ordonio (vacantly repeating the words)._ Saved? Saved? Editions
1, 2, 3, 1829.
[177] _Alvar (almost overcome by his feelings)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[193] _Alvar (seizing his hand)._ Edition 1.
[After 195] [_ORDONIO with frantic wildness runs, &c._ Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[203] _Ordonio (drawing back and gazing at Alvar with a countenance of
at once awe and terror)._ Touch me not! Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[207] And] Oh Edition 1.
[214] _Curse_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[218] _Ordonio (pointing at vacancy)._ Edition 1. (_pointing at the
vacancy_). Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[225] _Ordonio (fiercely recollecting himself)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[After 229] (_Alvar presses on as if to defend Ordonio._) Edition 1.
[243] one] one's 1829.
[After 244] [_Struggling to suppress her feelings._ Editions 1, 2, 3,
1829.
[246] _his_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.
[252] _Alhadra (sternly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[254] _my_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.
[254-9]
The deed be mine! (_Suddenly stabs ORDONIO._) Now take _my_ life!
_Alv. (while with TERESA supporting ORDONIO)._ Arm of avenging Heaven!
Thou hast snatch'd from me my most cherish'd hope
But go! my word was pledged to thee. Away!
Brave not my Father's vengeance! [_The Moors hurry off ALHADRA._
_Ord._ She hath aveng'd the blood of Isidore.
Edition 1.
[255] _Ordonio (with great majesty)._ 'Tis well thou hast avenged
thyself, O Woman! Edition 1 (b).
[_Note._--In his collation of _Remorse_ with _Osorio_, the Editor of _P.
W._ 1877-1880, iv. 154 affixes to lines 289-303 of the Fifth Act of
_Osorio_ the following variant, said to be derived from the First
Edition of _Remorse_:--After the cry of 'No mercy' (_Osorio_, Act V, l.
300), '_NAOMI advances with the sword and ALHADRA snatches it from him
and suddenly stabs ORDONIO. ALVAR rushes through the Moors and catches
him in his arms._' After Ordonio's dying speech [ll. 304-307], there are
'_shouts of Alvar! Alvar! behind the scenes. A Moor rushes in_'--
_Moor._ We are surprised! away! away! this instant!
The country is in arms! Lord Valdez heads them,
And still cries out, 'My son! my Alvar lives!'
Haste to the shore! they come the opposite road.
Your wives and children are already safe.
The boat is on the shore--the vessel waits.
_Alhadra._ Thou then art Alvar! to my aid and safety
Thy word stands pledged.
_Alvar._ Arm of avenging Heaven!
I had two cherish'd hopes--the one remains,
The other thou hast snatch'd from me: but my word
Is pledged to thee; nor shall it be retracted--
Edition 1 (c) (?).
[For MS. version of this variant see note on p. 597.]]
[257] But go!] Yet, yet MS. H.
[After 259] (_ORDONIO follows ALHADRA with his eye which then
raising languidly to ALVAR he compleats his meaning_, but substituting
'_the_' for '_Thee_'). Marginal stage-direction inserted in MS. R.]
Stage-direction preceding 265 and 265-79: om. Edition 1.
[Before 280] [_The stage fills with armed peasants . . . ALVAR'S arms._
Edition 1.
APPENDIX
The following Scene, as unfit for the stage, was taken from the tragedy,
in the year 1797, and published in the Lyrical Ballads. [1798, pp.
28-31: _vide ante_, pp. 182-4.]
_Enter Teresa and Selma._
_Teresa._ 'Tis said, he spake of you familiarly,
As mine and Alvar's common foster-mother.
_Selma._ Now blessings on the man, whoe'er he be
That joined your names with mine! O my sweet Lady,
As often as I think of those dear times, 5
When you two little ones would stand, at eve,
On each side of my chair, and make me learn
All you had learnt in the day; and how to talk
In gentle phrase; then bid me sing to you----
'Tis more like heaven to come, than what has been! 10
_Teresa._ But that entrance, Selma?
_Selma._ Can no one hear? It is a perilous
tale!
_Teresa._ No one.
_Selma._ My husband's father told it me,
Poor old Sesina--angels rest his soul;
He was a woodman, and could fell and saw
With lusty arm. You know that huge round beam 15
Which props the hanging wall of the old chapel?
Beneath that tree, while yet it was a tree,
He found a baby wrapt in mosses, lined
With thistle-beards, and such small locks of wool
As hang on brambles. Well, he brought him home, 20
And reared him at the then Lord Valdez' cost.
And so the babe grew up a pretty boy,
A pretty boy, but most unteachable----
And never learn'd a prayer, nor told a bead,
But knew the names of birds, and mocked their notes, 25
And whistled, as he were a bird himself.
And all the autumn 'twas his only play
To gather seeds of wild flowers, and to plant them
With earth and water on the stumps of trees.
A Friar, who gathered simples in the wood, 30
A grey-haired man, he loved this little boy:
The boy loved him, and, when the friar taught him,
He soon could write with the pen; and from that time
Lived chiefly at the convent or the castle.
So he became a rare and learned youth: 35
But O! poor wretch! he read, and read, and read,
Till his brain turned; and ere his twentieth year
He had unlawful thoughts of many things:
And though he prayed, he never loved to pray
With holy men, nor in a holy place. 40
But yet his speech, it was so soft and sweet,
The late Lord Valdez ne'er was wearied with him.
And once, as by the north side of the chapel
They stood together chained in deep discourse,
The earth heaved under them with such a groan, 45
That the wall tottered, and had well nigh fallen
Right on their heads. My Lord was sorely frightened;
A fever seized him, and he made confession
Of all the heretical and lawless talk
Which brought this judgment: so the youth was seized, 50
And cast into that hole. My husband's father
Sobbed like a child--it almost broke his heart:
And once he was working near this dungeon,
He heard a voice distinctly; 'twas the youth's,
Who sung a doleful song about green fields, 55
How sweet it were on lake or wide savanna
To hunt for food, and be a naked man,
And wander up and down at liberty.
He always doted on the youth, and now
His love grew desperate; and defying death, 60
He made that cunning entrance I described,
And the young man escaped.
_Teresa._ 'Tis a sweet tale:
Such as would lull a listening child to sleep,
His rosy face besoiled with unwiped tears.
And what became of him?
_Selma._ He went on shipboard 65
With those bold voyagers who made discovery
Of golden lands. Sesina's younger brother
Went likewise, and when he returned to Spain,
He told Sesina, that the poor mad youth,
Soon after they arrived in that new world, 70
In spite of his dissuasion, seized a boat,
And all alone set sail by silent moonlight
Up a great river, great as any sea,
And ne'er was heard of more: but 'tis supposed,
He lived and died among the savage men. 75
ZAPOLYA[883:1]
A CHRISTMAS TALE
IN TWO PARTS[883:2]
Πὰρ πυρὶ χρὴ τοιαῦτα λέγειν χειμῶνος ἐν ὥρᾳ.
APUD ATHENAEUM.
ADVERTISEMENT
The form of the following dramatic poem is in humble imitation of the
_Winter's Tale_ of Shakspeare, except that I have called the first part
a Prelude instead of a first Act, as a somewhat nearer resemblance to
the plan of the ancients, of which one specimen is left us in the
Æschylean Trilogy of the _Agamemnon_, the _Orestes_, and the
_Eumenides_. Though a matter of form merely, yet two plays, on different
periods of the same tale, might seem less bold, than an interval of
twenty years between a first and second act. This is, however, in mere
obedience to custom. The effect does not, in reality, at all depend on
the Time of the interval; but on a very different principle. There are
cases in which an interval of twenty hours between the acts would have a
worse effect (_i. e._ render the imagination less disposed to take the
position required) than twenty years in other cases. For the rest, I
shall be well content if my readers will take it up, read and judge it,
as a Christmas tale.
FOOTNOTES:
[883:1] First published in 1817: included in 1828, 1829 and 1834.
_Zapolya_ was written at Calne, in Wiltshire, in 1815. It was offered to
the Committee of Management of Drury Lane Theatre, and rejected, in
March, 1816.
[883:2] Title Zapolya, &c. The Prelude entitled 'The Usurper's
Fortune'; and The Sequel entitled 'The Usurper's Fate'. By S. T.
Coleridge, Esq. _1817_.
LINENOTES:
_Orestes_] _Choephoroe_ MS. S. T. C.
PART I
THE PRELUDE, ENTITLED 'THE USURPER'S
FORTUNE'
CHARACTERS
_EMERICK, Usurping King of Illyria._
_RAAB KIUPRILI, an Illyrian Chieftain._
_CASIMIR, Son of KIUPRILI._
_CHEF RAGOZZI, a Military Commander._
_ZAPOLYA, Queen of Illyria._
SCENE I
_Front of the Palace with a magnificent Colonnade. On one side a
military Guard-house. Sentries pacing backward and forward before the
Palace. CHEF RAGOZZI, at the door of the Guard-house, as looking
forwards at some object in the distance._
_Chef Ragozzi._ My eyes deceive me not, it must be he.
Who but our chief, my more than father, who
But Raab Kiuprili moves with such a gait?
Lo! e'en this eager and unwonted haste
But agitates, not quells, its majesty. 5
My patron! my commander! yes, 'tis he!
Call out the guards. The Lord Kiuprili comes.
[_Drums beat, &c., the_ Guard _turns out._
_Enter RAAB KIUPRILI._
_Raab Kiuprili (making a signal to stop the drums, &c.)._ Silence!
enough! This is no time, young friend,
For ceremonious dues. The summoning drum,
Th' air-shattering trumpet, and the horseman's clatter, 10
Are insults to a dying sovereign's ear.
Soldiers, 'tis well! Retire! your General greets you,
His loyal fellow-warriors. [_Guards retire._
_Chef Ragozzi._ Pardon my surprise.
Thus sudden from the camp, and unattended!
What may these wonders prophesy?
_Raab Kiuprili._ Tell me first, 15
How fares the king? His majesty still lives?
_Chef Ragozzi._ We know no otherwise; but Emerick's friends
(And none but they approach him) scoff at hope.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Ragozzi! I have reared thee from a child,
And as a child I have reared thee. Whence this air 20
Of mystery? That face was wont to open
Clear as the morning to me, shewing all things.
Hide nothing from me.
_Chef Ragozzi._ O most loved, most honoured,
The mystery that struggles in my looks
Betrayed my whole tale to thee, if it told thee 25
That I am ignorant; but fear the worst.
And mystery is contagious. All things here
Are full of motion: and yet all is silent:
And bad men's hopes infect the good with fears.
_Raab Kiuprili._ I have trembling proof within how true thou
speakest. 30
_Chef Ragozzi._ That the prince Emerick feasts the soldiery,
Gives splendid arms, pays the commanders' debts,
And (it is whispered) by sworn promises
Makes himself debtor--hearing this, thou hast heard
All---- 35
But what my lord will learn too soon himself.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Ha!--Well then, let it come! Worse scarce can come.
This letter written by the trembling hand
Of royal Andreas calls me from the camp
To his immediate presence. It appoints me, 40
The Queen, and Emerick, guardians of the realm,
And of the royal infant. Day by day,
Robbed of Zapolya's soothing cares, the king
Yearns only to behold one precious boon,
And with his life breathe forth a father's blessing. 45
_Chef Ragozzi._ Remember you, my lord! that Hebrew leech
Whose face so much distempered you?
_Raab Kiuprili._ Barzoni?
I held him for a spy; but the proof failing
(More courteously, I own, than pleased myself),
I sent him from the camp.
_Chef Ragozzi._ To him, in chief, 50
Prince Emerick trusts his royal brother's health.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Hide nothing, I conjure you! What of him?
_Chef Ragozzi._ With pomp of words beyond a soldier's cunning,
And shrugs and wrinkled brow, he smiles and whispers!
Talks in dark words of women's fancies; hints 55
That 'twere a useless and a cruel zeal
To rob a dying man of any hope,
However vain, that soothes him: and, in fine,
Denies all chance of offspring from the Queen.
_Raab Kiuprili._ The venomous snake! My heel was on its head, 60
And (fool!) I did not crush it!
_Chef Ragozzi._ Nay, he fears
Zapolya will not long survive her husband.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Manifest treason! Even this brief delay
Half makes me an accomplice----(If he live,)
[_Is moving toward the palace._
If he but live and know me, all may----
_Chef Ragozzi._ Halt! [_Stops him._ 65
On pain of death, my Lord! am I commanded
To stop all ingress to the palace.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Thou!
_Chef Ragozzi._ No place, no name, no rank excepted--
_Raab Kiuprili._ Thou!
_Chef Ragozzi._ This life of mine, O take it, Lord Kiuprili!
I give it as a weapon to thy hands, 70
Mine own no longer. Guardian of Illyria,
Useless to thee, 'tis worthless to myself.
Thou art the framer of my nobler being;
Nor does there live one virtue in my soul,
One honourable hope, but calls thee father. 75
Yet ere thou dost resolve, know that yon palace
Is guarded from within, that each access
Is thronged by armed conspirators, watched by ruffians
Pampered with gifts, and hot upon the spoil
Which that false promiser still trails before them. 80
I ask but this one boon--reserve my life
Till I can lose it for the realm and thee!
_Raab Kiuprili._ My heart is rent asunder. O my country,
O fallen Illyria, stand I here spell-bound?
Did my King love me? Did I earn his love? 85
Have we embraced as brothers would embrace?
Was I his arm, his thunder-bolt? And now
Must I, hag-ridden, pant as in a dream?
Or, like an eagle, whose strong wings press up
Against a coiling serpent's folds, can I 90
Strike but for mockery, and with restless beak
Gore my own breast?--Ragozzi, thou art faithful?
_Chef Ragozzi._ Here before Heaven I dedicate my faith
To the royal line of Andreas.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Hark, Ragozzi!
Guilt is a timorous thing ere perpetration: 95
Despair alone makes wicked men be bold.
Come thou with me! They have heard my voice in flight,
Have faced round, terror-struck, and feared no longer
The whistling javelins of their fell pursuers.
Ha! what is this?
[_Black flag displayed from the Tower of the Palace: a
death-bell tolls, &c._
Vengeance of Heaven! He is dead. 100
_Chef Ragozzi._ At length then 'tis announced. Alas! I fear,
That these black death-flags are but treason's signals.
_Raab Kiuprili._ A prophecy too soon fulfilled! See yonder!
O rank and ravenous wolves! the death-bell echoes
Still in the doleful air--and see! they come. 105
_Chef Ragozzi._ Precise and faithful in their villainy
Even to the moment, that the master traitor
Had pre-ordained them.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Was it over-haste,
Or is it scorn, that in this race of treason
Their guilt thus drops its mask, and blazons forth 110
Their infamous plot even to an idiot's sense?
_Chef Ragozzi._ Doubtless they deem Heaven too usurp'd! Heaven's
justice
Bought like themselves!
Being equal all in crime,
Do you press on, ye spotted parricides!
For the one sole pre-eminence yet doubtful, 115
The prize of foremost impudence in guilt?
_Raab Kiuprili._ The bad man's cunning still prepares the way
For its own outwitting. I applaud, Ragozzi!
Ragozzi! I applaud,
In thee, the virtuous hope that dares look onward
And keeps the life-spark warm of future action 120
Beneath the cloak of patient sufferance.
Act and appear, as time and prudence prompt thee:
I shall not misconceive the part thou playest.
Mine is an easier part--to brave the usurper.
[_Enter a procession of EMERICK'S Adherents_, Nobles,
Chieftains, _and_ Soldiers, _with Music. They
advance toward the front of the stage. KIUPRILI
makes the signal for them to stop.--The Music
ceases._
_Leader of the Procession._ The Lord Kiuprili!--Welcome from the
camp. 125
_Raab Kiuprili._ Grave magistrates and chieftains of Illyria,
In good time come ye hither, if ye come
As loyal men with honourable purpose
To mourn what can alone be mourned; but chiefly
To enforce the last commands of royal Andreas 130
And shield the Queen, Zapolya: haply making
The mother's joy light up the widow's tears.
_Leader._ Our purpose demands speed. Grace our procession;
A warrior best will greet a warlike king.
_Raab Kiuprili._ This patent written by your lawful king, 135
(Lo! his own seal and signature attesting)
Appoints as guardians of his realm and offspring,
The Queen, and the Prince Emerick, and myself.
[_Voices of_ Live KING EMERICK! an EMERICK! an EMERICK!
What means this clamour? Are these madmen's voices?
Or is some knot of riotous slanderers leagued 140
To infamize the name of the king's brother
With a lie black as Hell? unmanly cruelty,
Ingratitude, and most unnatural treason? [_Murmurs._
What mean these murmurs? Dare then any here
Proclaim Prince Emerick a spotted traitor? 145
One that has taken from you your sworn faith,
And given you in return a Judas' bribe,
Infamy now, oppression in reversion,
And Heaven's inevitable curse hereafter?
[_Loud murmurs, followed by cries_--EMERICK! No Baby
Prince! No Changelings!
Yet bear with me awhile! Have I for this 150
Bled for your safety, conquered for your honour?
Was it for this, Illyrians! that I forded
Your thaw-swoln torrents, when the shouldering ice
Fought with the foe, and stained its jagged points
With gore from wounds I felt not? Did the blast 155
Beat on this body, frost-and-famine-numbed,
Till my hard flesh distinguished not itself
From the insensate mail, its fellow warrior?
And have I brought home with me Victory,
And with her, hand in hand, firm-footed Peace, 160
Her countenance twice lighted up with glory,
As if I had charmed a goddess down from Heaven?
But these will flee abhorrent from the throne
Of usurpation!
[_Murmurs increase--and cries of_ Onward! Onward!
Have you then thrown off shame,
And shall not a dear friend, a loyal subject, 165
Throw off all fear? I tell ye, the fair trophies
Valiantly wrested from a valiant foe,
Love's natural offerings to a rightful king,
Will hang as ill on this usurping traitor,
This brother-blight, this Emerick, as robes 170
Of gold plucked from the images of gods
Upon a sacrilegious robber's back. [_Enter LORD CASIMIR._
_Casimir._ Who is this factious insolent, that dares brand
The elected King, our chosen Emerick?
My father!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Casimir! He, he a traitor! 175
Too soon indeed, Ragozzi! have I learnt it. [_Aside._
_Casimir._ My father and my lord!
_Raab Kiuprili._ I know thee not!
_Leader._ Yet the remembrancing did sound right filial.
_Raab Kiuprili._ A holy name and words of natural duty
Are blasted by a thankless traitor's utterance. 180
_Casimir._ O hear me, Sire! not lightly have I sworn
Homage to Emerick. Illyria's sceptre
Demands a manly hand, a warrior's grasp.
The queen Zapolya's self-expected offspring
At least is doubtful: and of all our nobles, 185
The king, inheriting his brother's heart,
Hath honoured us the most. Your rank, my lord!
Already eminent, is--all it can be--
Confirmed: and me the king's grace hath appointed
Chief of his council and the lord high steward. 190
_Raab Kiuprili._ (Bought by a bribe!) I know thee now still less.
_Casimir._ So much of Raab Kiuprili's blood flows here,
That no power, save that holy name of father,
Could shield the man who so dishonoured me.
_Raab Kiuprili._ The son of Raab Kiuprili a bought bond-slave, 195
Guilt's pander, treason's mouth-piece, a gay parrot,
School'd to shrill forth his feeder's usurp'd titles.
And scream, Long live King Emerick!
_Leaders._ Aye, King Emerick!
Stand back, my lord! Lead us, or let us pass.
_Soldier._ Nay, let the general speak!
_Soldiers._ Hear him! hear him!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Hear
me, 200
Assembled lords and warriors of Illyria,
Hear, and avenge me! Twice ten years have I
Stood in your presence, honoured by the king:
Beloved and trusted. Is there one among you
Accuses Raab Kiuprili of a bribe? 205
Or one false whisper in his sovereign's ear?
Who here dares charge me with an orphan's rights
Outfaced, or widow's plea left undefended?
And shall I now be branded by a traitor,
A bought, bribed wretch, who, being called my son, 210
Doth libel a chaste matron's name, and plant
Hensbane and aconite on a mother's grave?
The underling accomplice of a robber,
That from a widow and a widow's offspring
Would steal their heritage? To God a rebel, 215
And to the common father of his country
A recreant ingrate!
_Casimir._ Sire! your words grow dangerous.
High-flown romantic fancies ill-beseem
Your age and wisdom. 'Tis a statesman's virtue,
To guard his country's safety by what means 220
It best may be protected--come what will
Of these monk's morals!
_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ Ha! the elder Brutus
Made his soul iron, though his sons repented.
They boasted not their baseness. [_Draws his sword._
Infamous changeling!
Recant this instant, and swear loyalty, 225
And strict obedience to thy sovereign's will;
Or, by the spirit of departed Andreas,
Thou diest----
[Chiefs, _&c., rush to interpose; during the tumult
enter EMERICK, alarmed._
_Emerick._ Call out the guard! Ragozzi! seize the assassin.----
Kiuprili? Ha!---- [_Making signs to the guard to retire._
Pass on, friends! to the palace. 230
[_Music recommences.--The Procession passes into the
Palace._
_Emerick._ What? Raab Kiuprili? What? a father's sword
Against his own son's breast?
_Raab Kiuprili._ 'Twould best excuse him,
Were he thy son, Prince Emerick. I abjure him.
_Emerick._ This is my thanks, then, that I have commenced
A reign to which the free voice of the nobles 235
Hath called me, and the people, by regards
Of love and grace to Raab Kiuprili's house?
_Raab Kiuprili._ What right hadst thou, Prince Emerick, to bestow
them?
_Emerick._ By what right dares Kiuprili question me?
_Raab Kiuprili._ By a right common to all loyal subjects-- 240
To me a duty! As the realm's co-regent,
Appointed by our sovereign's last free act,
Writ by himself.-- [_Grasping the Patent._
_Emerick._ Aye!--Writ in a delirium!
_Raab Kiuprili._ I likewise ask, by whose authority
The access to the sovereign was refused me? 245
_Emerick._ By whose authority dared the general leave
His camp and army, like a fugitive?
_Raab Kiuprili._ A fugitive, who, with victory for his comrade,
Ran, open-eyed, upon the face of death!
A fugitive, with no other fear, than bodements 250
To be belated in a loyal purpose--
At the command, Prince! of my king and thine,
Hither I came; and now again require
Audience of Queen Zapolya; and (the States
Forthwith convened) that thou dost shew at large, 255
On what ground of defect thou'st dared annul
This thy King's last and solemn act--hast dared
Ascend the throne, of which the law had named,
And conscience should have made thee, a protector.
_Emerick._ A sovereign's ear ill brooks a subject's questioning! 260
Yet for thy past well-doing--and because
'Tis hard to erase at once the fond belief
Long cherished, that Illyria had in thee
No dreaming priest's slave, but a Roman lover
Of her true weal and freedom--and for this, too, 265
That, hoping to call forth to the broad day-light
And fostering breeze of glory all deservings,
I still had placed thee foremost.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Prince! I listen.
_Emerick._ Unwillingly I tell thee, that Zapolya,
Maddened with grief, her erring hopes proved idle-- 270
_Casimir._ Sire! speak the whole truth! Say, her fraud detected!
_Emerick._ According to the sworn attests in council
Of her physician----
_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ Yes! the Jew, Barzoni!
_Emerick._ Under the imminent risk of death she lies,
Or irrecoverable loss of reason, 275
If known friend's face or voice renew the frenzy.
_Casimir (to Kiuprili)._ Trust me, my lord! a woman's trick has
duped you--
Us too--but most of all, the sainted Andreas.
Even for his own fair fame, his grace prays hourly
For her recovery, that (the States convened) 280
She may take counsel of her friends.
_Emerick._ Right, Casimir!
Receive my pledge, lord general. It shall stand
In her own will to appear and voice her claims;
Or (which in truth I hold the wiser course)
With all the past passed by, as family quarrels, 285
Let the Queen Dowager, with unblenched honours,
Resume her state, our first Illyrian matron.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Prince Emerick! you speak fairly, and your pledge
too
Is such, as well would suit an honest meaning.
_Casimir._ My lord! you scarce know half his grace's goodness. 290
The wealthy heiress, high-born fair Sarolta,
Bred in the convent of our noble ladies,
Her relative, the venerable abbess,
Hath, at his grace's urgence, wooed and won for me.
_Emerick._ Long may the race, and long may that name flourish, 295
Which your heroic deeds, brave chief, have rendered
Dear and illustrious to all true Illyrians.
_Raab Kiuprili._ The longest line that ever tracing herald
Or found or feigned, placed by a beggar's soul
Hath but a mushroom's date in the comparison: 300
And with the soul, the conscience is coeval,
Yea, the soul's essence.
_Emerick._ Conscience, good my lord,
Is but the pulse of reason. Is it conscience,
That a free nation should be handed down,
Like the dull clods beneath our feet, by chance 305
And the blind law of lineage? That whether infant,
Or man matured, a wise man or an idiot,
Hero or natural coward, shall have guidance
Of a free people's destiny, should fall out
In the mere lottery of a reckless nature, 310
Where few the prizes and the blanks are countless?
Or haply that a nation's fate should hang
On the bald accident of a midwife's handling
The unclosed sutures of an infant's skull?
_Casimir._ What better claim can sovereign wish or need 315
Than the free voice of men who love their country?
Those chiefly who have fought for't? Who by right,
Claim for their monarch one, who having obeyed,
So hath best learnt to govern; who, having suffered,
Can feel for each brave sufferer and reward him? 320
Whence sprang the name of Emperor? Was it not
By Nature's fiat? In the storm of triumph,
'Mid warriors' shouts, did her oracular voice
Make itself heard: Let the commanding spirit
Possess the station of command!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Prince Emerick, 325
Your cause will prosper best in your own pleading.
_Emerick (aside to Casimir)._ Ragozzi was thy school-mate--a bold
spirit!
Bind him to us!--Thy father thaws apace! [_Then aloud._
Leave us awhile, my lord!--Your friend, Ragozzi,
Whom you have not yet seen since his return, 330
Commands the guard to-day.
[_CASIMIR retires to the Guard-house; and after a time
appears before it with CHEF RAGOZZI._
We are alone.
What further pledge or proof desires Kiuprili?
Then, with your assent----
_Raab Kiuprili._ Mistake not for assent
The unquiet silence of a stern resolve
Throttling the impatient voice. I have heard thee, Prince! 335
And I have watched thee, too; but have small faith in
A plausible tale told with a flitting eye.
[_EMERICK turns as about to call for the Guard._
In the next moment I am in thy power,
In this thou art in mine. Stir but a step,
Or make one sign--I swear by this good sword, 340
Thou diest that instant.
_Emerick._ Ha, ha!--Well, Sir!--Conclude your homily.
_Raab Kiuprili._ A tale which, whether true or false, comes guarded
Against all means of proof, detects itself.
The Queen mew'd up--this too from anxious care 345
And love brought forth of a sudden, a twin birth
With thy discovery of her plot to rob thee
Of a rightful throne!--Mark how the scorpion, falsehood,
Coils round in its own perplexity, and fixes
Its sting in its own head!
_Emerick._ Aye! to the mark! 350
_Raab Kiuprili._ Had'st thou believed thine own tale, had'st thou
fancied
Thyself the rightful successor of Andreas,
Would'st thou have pilfered from our school-boys' themes
These shallow sophisms of a popular choice?
What people? How convened? or, if convened, 355
Must not the magic power that charms together
Millions of men in council, needs have power
To win or wield them? Better, O far better
Shout forth thy titles to yon circling mountains,
And with a thousand-fold reverberation 360
Make the rocks flatter thee, and the volleying air,
Unbribed, shout back to thee, King Emerick!
By wholesome laws to embank the sovereign power,
To deepen by restraint, and by prevention
Of lawless will to amass and guide the flood 365
In its majestic channel, is man's task
And the true patriot's glory! In all else
Men safelier trust to Heaven, than to themselves
When least themselves in the mad whirl of crowds
Where folly is contagious, and too oft 370
Even wise men leave their better sense at home
To chide and wonder at them when returned.
_Emerick (aloud)._ Is't thus thou scoff'st the people? most of all,
The soldiers, the defenders of the people?
_Raab Kiuprili._ O most of all, most miserable nation, 375
For whom the imperial power, enormous bubble!
Is blown and kept aloft, or burst and shattered
By the bribed breath of a lewd soldiery!
Chiefly of such, as from the frontiers far,
(Which is the noblest station of true warriors) 380
In rank licentious idleness beleaguer
City and Court, a venomed thorn i'the side
Of virtuous kings, the tyrant's slave and tyrant,
Still ravening for fresh largess! But with such
What title claim'st thou, save thy birth? What merits 385
Which many a liegeman may not plead as well,
Brave though I grant thee? If a life outlaboured
Head, heart, and fortunate arm, in watch and war,
For the land's fame and weal; if large acquests,
Made honest by the aggression of the foe, 390
And whose best praise is, that they bring us safety;
If victory, doubly-wreathed, whose under-garland
Of laurel-leaves looks greener and more sparkling
Thro' the grey olive-branch; if these, Prince Emerick!
Give the true title to the throne, not thou-- 395
No! (let Illyria, let the infidel enemy
Be judge and arbiter between us!) I,
I were the rightful sovereign!
_Emerick._ I have faith
That thou both think'st and hop'st it. Fair Zapolya,
A provident lady--
_Raab Kiuprili._ Wretch beneath all answer! 400
_Emerick._ Offers at once the royal bed and throne!
_Raab Kiuprili._ To be a kingdom's bulwark, a king's glory,
Yet loved by both, and trusted, and trust-worthy,
Is more than to be king; but see! thy rage
Fights with thy fear. I will relieve thee!
Ho! [_To the_ Guard. 405
_Emerick._ Not for thy sword, but to entrap thee, ruffian!
Thus long I have listened--Guard--ho! from the Palace.
[_The_ Guard _post from the Guard-house with CHEF RAGOZZI
at their head, and then a number from the
Palace--CHEF RAGOZZI demands KIUPRILI'S sword, and
apprehends him._
_Casimir._ O agony! [_To EMERICK._
Sire, hear me!
[_To KIUPRILI, who turns from him._
Hear me, father!
_Emerick._ Take in arrest that traitor and assassin!
Who pleads for his life, strikes at mine, his sovereign's. 410
_Raab Kiuprili._ As the Co-regent of the Realm, I stand
Amenable to none save to the States
Met in due course of law. But ye are bond-slaves,
Yet witness ye that before God and man
I here impeach Lord Emerick of foul treason, 415
And on strong grounds attaint him with suspicion
Of murder--
_Emerick._ Hence with the madman!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Your Queen's murder,
The royal orphan's murder: and to the death
Defy him, as a tyrant and usurper.
[_Hurried off by RAGOZZI and the_ Guard.
_Emerick._ Ere twice the sun hath risen, by my sceptre 420
This insolence shall be avenged.
_Casimir._ O banish him!
This infamy will crush me. O for my sake,
Banish him, my liege lord!
_Emerick._ What? to the army?
Be calm, young friend! Nought shall be done in anger.
The child o'erpowers the man. In this emergence 425
I must take counsel for us both. Retire. [_Exit CASIMIR._
_Emerick (alone, looks at a Calendar)._ The changeful planet, now
in her decay,
Dips down at midnight, to be seen no more.
With her shall sink the enemies of Emerick,
Cursed by the last look of the waning moon: 430
And my bright destiny, with sharpened horns,
Shall greet me fearless in the new-born crescent. [_Exit._
_Scene changes to the back of the Palace--a Wooded Park, and Mountains.
Enter ZAPOLYA, with an infant in arms._
_Zapolya._ Hush, dear one! hush! My trembling arm disturbs thee!
Thou, the protector of the helpless! Thou,
The widow's husband and the orphan's father, 435
Direct my steps! Ah whither? O send down
Thy angel to a houseless babe and mother,
Driven forth into the cruel wilderness!
Hush, sweet one! Thou art no Hagar's offspring: thou art
The rightful heir of an anointed king! 440
What sounds are those? It is the vesper chaunt
Of labouring men returning to their home!
Their queen has no home! Hear me, heavenly Father!
And let this darkness----
Be as the shadow of thy outspread wings 445
To hide and shield us! Start'st thou in thy slumbers?
Thou canst not dream of savage Emerick. Hush!
Betray not thy poor mother! For if they seize thee
I shall grow mad indeed, and they'll believe
Thy wicked uncle's lie. Ha! what? A soldier? 450
[_Enter CHEF RAGOZZI._
_Chef Ragozzi._ Sure Heaven befriends us. Well! he hath escaped!
O rare tune of a tyrant's promises
That can enchant the serpent treachery
From forth its lurking hole in the heart. 'Ragozzi!
O brave Ragozzi! Count! Commander! What not?' 455
And all this too for nothing! a poor nothing!
Merely to play the underling in the murder
Of my best friend Kiuprili! His own son--monstrous!
Tyrant! I owe thee thanks, and in good hour
Will I repay thee, for that thou thought'st me too 460
A serviceable villain. Could I now
But gain some sure intelligence of the queen:
Heaven bless and guard her!
_Zapolya (coming forward)._ Art thou not Ragozzi?
_Chef Ragozzi._ The Queen! Now then the miracle is full! 465
I see heaven's wisdom is an over-match
For the devil's cunning. This way, madam, haste!
_Zapolya._ Stay! Oh, no! Forgive me if I wrong thee!
This is thy sovereign's child: Oh, pity us,
And be not treacherous! [_Kneeling._
_Chef Ragozzi (raising her)._ Madam! For mercy's sake! 470
_Zapolya._ But tyrants have a hundred eyes and arms!
_Chef Ragozzi._ Take courage, madam! 'Twere too horrible,
(I can not do't) to swear I'm not a monster!--
Scarce had I barr'd the door on Raab Kiuprili--
_Zapolya._ Kiuprili! How?
_Chef Ragozzi._ There is not time to tell it,-- 475
The tyrant called me to him, praised my zeal--
(And be assured I overtopt his cunning
And seemed right zealous.) But time wastes: In fine,
Bids me dispatch my trustiest friends, as couriers
With letters to the army. The thought at once 480
Flashed on me. I disguised my prisoner--
_Zapolya._ What, Raab Kiuprili?
_Chef Ragozzi._ Yes! my noble general!
I sent him off, with Emerick's own pacquet,
Haste, and post haste--Prepared to follow him----
_Zapolya._ Ah, how? Is it joy or fear? My limbs seem sinking!-- 485
_Chef Ragozzi (supporting her)._ Heaven still befriends us. I have
left my charger,
A gentle beast and fleet, and my boy's mule,
One that can shoot a precipice like a bird,
Just where the wood begins to climb the mountains.
The course we'll thread will mock the tyrant's guesses, 490
Or scare the followers. Ere we reach the main road
The Lord Kiuprili will have sent a troop
To escort me. Oh, thrice happy when he finds
The treasure which I convoy!
_Zapolya._ One brief moment,
That praying for strength I may have strength. This babe, 495
Heaven's eye is on it, and its innocence
Is, as a prophet's prayer, strong and prevailing!
Through thee, dear babe, the inspiring thought possessed me,
When the loud clamor rose, and all the palace
Emptied itself--(They sought my life, Ragozzi!) 500
Like a swift shadow gliding, I made way
To the deserted chamber of my lord.-- [_Then to the infant._
And thou didst kiss thy father's lifeless lips,
And in thy helpless hand, sweet slumberer!
Still clasp'st the signet of thy royalty. 505
As I removed the seal, the heavy arm
Dropt from the couch aslant, and the stiff finger
Seemed pointing at my feet. Provident Heaven!
Lo, I was standing on the secret door,
Which, through a long descent where all sound perishes, 510
Led out beyond the palace. Well I knew it----
But Andreas framed it not! He was no tyrant!
_Chef Ragozzi._ Haste, madam! Let me take this precious burden!
[_He kneels as he takes the child._
_Zapolya._ Take him! And if we be pursued, I charge thee,
Flee thou and leave me! Flee and save thy king! 515
[_Then as going off, she looks back on the palace._
Thou tyrant's den, be called no more a palace!
The orphan's angel at the throne of heaven
Stands up against thee, and there hover o'er thee
A Queen's, a Mother's, and a Widow's curse.
Henceforth a dragon's haunt, fear and suspicion 520
Stand sentry at thy portals! Faith and honour,
Driven from the throne, shall leave the attainted nation:
And, for the iniquity that houses in thee,
False glory, thirst of blood, and lust of rapine,
(Fateful conjunction of malignant planets) 525
Shall shoot their blastments on the land. The fathers
Henceforth shall have no joy in their young men,
And when they cry: Lo! a male child is born!
The mother shall make answer with a groan.
For bloody usurpation, like a vulture, 530
Shall clog its beak within Illyria's heart.
Remorseless slaves of a remorseless tyrant,
They shall be mocked with sounds of liberty,
And liberty shall be proclaimed alone
To thee, O Fire! O Pestilence! O Sword! 535
Till Vengeance hath her fill.--And thou, snatched hence,
Poor friendless fugitive! with mother's wailing,
Offspring of Royal Andreas, shalt return,
With trump and timbrel-clang, and popular shout,
In triumph to the palace of thy fathers! [_Exeunt._
LINENOTES:
[3] _such_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[20] And _as_ a child have reared thee _1817_. And _as_ a child I, &c.
1828, 1829.
[22] to] on 1817.
[Before 30] _Raab Kiuprili (his hand to his heart)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[32] commanders'] commander's 1817, 1828, 1829.
[35]
All---- [_Then, in a subdued and saddened voice._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[39] ANDREAS 1817, 1828, 1829.
[43] ZAPOLYA 1817, 1828, 1829.
[70] _thy_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 103] _Raab Kiuprili (looking forwards anxiously)._ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[113]
Bought like themselves! [_During this conversation music is heard,
first solemn and funereal, and then
changing to spirited and triumphal._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[118]
. . . I applaud, Ragozzi! [_Musing to himself--then--_
1817, 1828, 1829.
[135] _lawful_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[159] VICTORY 1817, 1828, 1829.
[160] PEACE 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 172] [_During the last four lines, enter LORD CASIMIR, with
expressions of anger and alarm._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 174] [_Starts--then approaching with timid respect._ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[175] My father! _Raab Kiuprili (turning away)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 177] _Casimir (with reverence)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[187] _Your_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 192] _Casimir (struggling with his passion)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[210] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[223] _his_ 1817.
[224]
_They BOASTED_ not _their baseness._ [_Starts, and draws his sword._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[230.]
Kiuprili? Ha!---- [_With lowered voice, at the same time with one
hand making, &c._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 230] [_Music . . . Palace.--During which time EMERICK and
KIUPRILI regard each other stedfastly._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[233] _thy--I_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[234] thanks] thank 1817.
[240] _me_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[243] _Emerick (with a contemptuous sneer)._ Aye!--Writ, &c. 1817, 1828,
1829.
[252] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[268] _thee_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[271] fraud] _frauds_ 1817: fraud's 1828, 1829.
[288] _speak_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 298] _Raab Kiuprili (sternly)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 343] _Raab Kiuprili (in a somewhat suppressed voice)._ 1817,
1828, 1829.
[349] Coils round its perplexity 1817.
[Before 351] _Raab Kiuprili (aloud: he and Emerick standing at
equi-distance from the Palace and the Guard-house)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[351] _fancied_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[354] _popular choice_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 375] _Raab Kiuprili (aloud)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[395] _thou_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[410] _his_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[423] _Emerick (scornfully)._ What? &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 426] [_Exit CASIMIR in agitation._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 433] _Scene changes to another view, namely the back, &c._ 1817,
1828, 1829.
[447] _Thou_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 451] [_She starts back--and enter, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[454-5] 'Ragozzi . . . What not?'] _Ragozzi . . . What not?_ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[460] _me_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 464] _Zapolya (coming fearfully forward)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[483] _him_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[495] _have_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[512] _Andreas_: _He_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[524] rapine] ravine 1817.
[528] _Lo! . . . borne!_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[533] _sounds_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 536] [_Again to the infant._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 540] END OF THE PRELUDE. 1817.
PART II
THE SEQUEL, ENTITLED 'THE USURPER'S FATE'
ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS
_OLD BATHORY, a Mountaineer._
_BETHLEN BATHORY, the young Prince Andreas, supposed son of Old
BATHORY._
_LORD RUDOLPH, a Courtier, but friend to the Queen's party._
_LASKA, Steward to CASIMIR, betrothed to GLYCINE._
_PESTALUTZ, an Assassin, in EMERICK'S employ._
_LADY SAROLTA, Wife of LORD CASIMIR._
_GLYCINE, Orphan Daughter of CHEF RAGOZZI._
_Between the flight of the Queen, and the civil war which immediately
followed, and in which EMERICK remained the victor, a space of twenty
years is supposed to have elapsed._
USURPATION ENDED; OR, SHE COMES AGAIN
ACT I
SCENE I
_A Mountainous Country. BATHORY'S Dwelling at the end of the Stage.
Enter LADY SAROLTA and GLYCINE._
_Glycine._ Well then! our round of charity is finished.
Rest, Madam! You breathe quick.
_Sarolta._ What, tired, Glycine?
No delicate court-dame, but a mountaineer
By choice no less than birth, I gladly use
The good strength Nature gave me.
_Glycine._ That last cottage 5
Is built as if an eagle or a raven
Had chosen it for her nest.
_Sarolta._ So many are
The sufferings which no human aid can reach,
It needs must be a duty doubly sweet
To heal the few we can. Well! let us rest. 10
_Glycine._ There? [_Pointing to BATHORY'S dwelling._
_Sarolta._ Here! For on this spot Lord Casimir
Took his last leave. On yonder mountain-ridge
I lost the misty image which so long
Lingered, or seemed at least to linger on it.
_Glycine._ And what if even now, on that same ridge, 15
A speck should rise, and still enlarging, lengthening,
As it clomb downwards, shape itself at last
To a numerous cavalcade, and spurring foremost,
Who but Sarolta's own dear lord returned
From his high embassy?
_Sarolta._ Thou hast hit my thought! 20
All the long day, from yester-morn to evening,
The restless hope fluttered about my heart.
Oh we are querulous creatures! Little less
Than all things can suffice to make us happy;
And little more than nothing is enough 25
To discontent us.--Were he come, then should I
Repine he had not arrived just one day earlier
To keep his birth-day here, in his own birth-place.
_Glycine._ But our best sports belike, and gay processions
Would to my lord have seemed but work-day sights 30
Compared with those the royal court affords.
_Sarolta._ I have small wish to see them. A spring morning
With its wild gladsome minstrelsy of birds
And its bright jewelry of flowers and dew-drops
(Each orbéd drop an orb of glory in it) 35
Would put them all in eclipse. This sweet retirement
Lord Casimir's wish alone would have made sacred:
But, in good truth, his loving jealousy
Did but command, what I had else entreated.
_Glycine._ And yet had I been born Lady Sarolta, 40
Been wedded to the noblest of the realm,
So beautiful besides, and yet so stately----
_Sarolta._ Hush! Innocent flatterer!
_Glycine._ Nay! to my poor fancy
The royal court would seem an earthly heaven,
Made for such stars to shine in, and be gracious. 45
_Sarolta._ So doth the ignorant distance still delude us!
Thy fancied heaven, dear girl, like that above thee,
In its mere self cold, drear, colourless void,
Seen from below and in the large, becomes
The bright blue ether, and the seat of gods! 50
Well! but this broil that scared you from the dance?
And was not Laska there: he, your betrothed?
_Glycine._ Yes, madam! he was there. So was the maypole,
For we danced round it.
_Sarolta._ Ah, Glycine! why,
Why did you then betroth yourself?
_Glycine._ Because 55
My own dear lady wished it! 'twas you asked me!
_Sarolta._ Yes, at my lord's request, but never wished,
My poor affectionate girl, to see thee wretched.
Thou knowest not yet the duties of a wife.
_Glycine._ Oh, yes! It is a wife's chief duty, madam! 60
To stand in awe of her husband, and obey him,
And, I am sure, I never shall see Laska
But I shall tremble.
_Sarolta._ Not with fear, I think,
For you still mock him. Bring a seat from the cottage.
[_Exit GLYCINE into the cottage, SAROLTA continues her
speech looking after her._
Something above thy rank there hangs about thee, 65
And in thy countenance, thy voice, and motion,
Yea, e'en in thy simplicity, Glycine,
A fine and feminine grace, that makes me feel
More as a mother than a mistress to thee!
Thou art a soldier's orphan! that--the courage, 70
Which rising in thine eye, seems oft to give
A new soul to its gentleness, doth prove thee!
Thou art sprung too of no ignoble blood,
Or there's no faith in instinct!
[_Angry voices and clamour within._
_Re-enter GLYCINE._
_Glycine._ Oh, madam! there's a party of your servants, 75
And my lord's steward, Laska, at their head,
Have come to search for old Bathory's son,
Bethlen, that brave young man! 'twas he, my lady,
That took our parts, and beat off the intruders,
And in mere spite and malice, now they charge him 80
With bad words of Lord Casimir and the king.
Pray don't believe them, madam! This way! This way!
Lady Sarolta's here.-- [_Calling without._
_Sarolta._ Be calm, Glycine.
_Enter LASKA and_ Servants _with OLD BATHORY._
_Laska (to Bathory)._ We have no concern with you! What needs your
presence?
_Old Bathory._ What! Do you think I'll suffer my brave boy 85
To be slandered by a set of coward-ruffians,
And leave it to their malice,--yes, mere malice!--
To tell its own tale?
[_LASKA and_ Servants _bow to Lady SAROLTA._
_Sarolta._ Laska! What may this mean?
_Laska._ Madam! and may it please your ladyship!
This old man's son, by name Bethlen Bathory, 90
Stands charged, on weighty evidence, that he,
On yester-eve, being his lordship's birth-day,
Did traitorously defame Lord Casimir:
The lord high steward of the realm, moreover----
_Sarolta._ Be brief! We know his titles!
_Laska._ And moreover 95
Raved like a traitor at our liege King Emerick.
And furthermore, said witnesses make oath,
Led on the assault upon his lordship's servants;
Yea, insolently tore, from this, your huntsman,
His badge of livery of your noble house, 100
And trampled it in scorn.
_Sarolta (to the Servants who offer to speak)._ You have had your
spokesman!
Where is the young man thus accused?
_Old Bathory._ I know not:
But if no ill betide him on the mountains,
He will not long be absent!
_Sarolta._ Thou art his father? 105
_Old Bathory._ None ever with more reason prized a son;
Yet I hate falsehood more than I love him.
But more than one, now in my lady's presence,
Witnessed the affray, besides these men of malice;
And if I swerve from truth----
_Glycine._ Yes! good old man! 110
My lady! pray believe him!
_Sarolta._ Hush, Glycine
Be silent, I command you. [_Then to BATHORY._
Speak! we hear you!
_Old Bathory._ My tale is brief. During our festive dance,
Your servants, the accusers of my son,
Offered gross insults, in unmanly sort, 115
To our village maidens. He (could he do less?)
Rose in defence of outraged modesty,
And so persuasive did his cudgel prove,
(Your hectoring sparks so over-brave to women
Are always cowards) that they soon took flight, 120
And now in mere revenge, like baffled boasters,
Have framed this tale, out of some hasty words
Which their own threats provoked.
_Sarolta._ Old man! you talk
Too bluntly! Did your son owe no respect
To the livery of our house?
_Old Bathory._ Even such respect 125
As the sheep's skin should gain for the hot wolf
That hath begun to worry the poor lambs!
_Laska._ Old insolent ruffian!
_Glycine._ Pardon! pardon, madam!
I saw the whole affray. The good old man
Means no offence, sweet lady!--You, yourself, 130
Laska! know well, that these men were the ruffians!
Shame on you!
_Sarolta._ What! Glycine? Go, retire! [_Exit GLYCINE._
Be it then that these men faulted. Yet yourself,
Or better still belike the maidens' parents,
Might have complained to us. Was ever access 135
Denied you? Or free audience? Or are we
Weak and unfit to punish our own servants?
_Old Bathory._ So then! So then! Heaven grant an old man patience!
And must the gardener leave his seedling plants,
Leave his young roses to the rooting swine 140
While he goes ask their master, if perchance
His leisure serve to scourge them from their ravage?
_Laska._ Ho! Take the rude clown from your lady's presence!
I will report her further will!
_Sarolta._ Wait then,
Till thou hast learnt it! Fervent good old man! 145
Forgive me that, to try thee, I put on
A face of sternness, alien to my meaning!
[_Then speaks to the_ Servants.
Hence! leave my presence! and you, Laska! mark me!
Those rioters are no longer of my household!
If we but shake a dewdrop from a rose 150
In vain would we replace it, and as vainly
Restore the tear of wounded modesty
To a maiden's eye familiarized to licence.--
But these men, Laska--
_Laska (aside)._ Yes, now 'tis coming.
_Sarolta._ Brutal aggressors first, then baffled dastards, 155
That they have sought to piece out their revenge
With a tale of words lured from the lips of anger
Stamps them most dangerous; and till I want
Fit means for wicked ends, we shall not need
Their services. Discharge them! You, Bathory! 160
Are henceforth of my household! I shall place you
Near my own person. When your son returns,
Present him to us!
_Old Bathory._ Ha! what strangers here!
[906:1]What business have they in an old man's eye?
Your goodness, lady--and it came so sudden-- 165
I can not--must not--let you be deceived.
I have yet another tale, but-- [_Then to SAROLTA aside._
not for all ears!
_Sarolta._ I oft have passed your cottage, and still praised
Its beauty, and that trim orchard-plot, whose blossoms
The gusts of April showered aslant its thatch. 170
Come, you shall show it me! And, while you bid it
Farewell, be not ashamed that I should witness
The oil of gladness glittering on the water
Of an ebbing grief. [_BATHORY shows her into his cottage._
_Laska (alone)._ Vexation! baffled! school'd!
Ho! Laska! wake! why? what can all this mean? 175
She sent away that cockatrice in anger!
Oh the false witch! It is too plain, she loves him.
And now, the old man near my lady's person,
She'll see this Bethlen hourly!
[_LASKA flings himself into the seat. GLYCINE peeps in._
_Glycine._ Laska! Laska!
Is my lady gone?
_Laska._ Gone.
_Glycine._ Have you yet seen him? 180
Is he returned? [_LASKA starts up._
Has the seat stung you, Laska?
_Laska._ No, serpent! no; 'tis you that sting me; you!
What! you would cling to him again?
_Glycine._ Whom?
_Laska._ Bethlen! Bethlen!
Yes; gaze as if your very eyes embraced him! 185
Ha! you forget the scene of yesterday!
Mute ere he came, but then--Out on your screams,
And your pretended fears!