Chapter IX: Act THE FIRST: 519:1

SCENE--_The sea shore on the coast of Granada._

_VELEZ, MARIA._

_Maria._ I hold Osorio dear: he is your son,
And Albert's brother.

_Velez._ Love him for himself,
Nor make the living wretched for the dead.

_Maria._ I mourn that you should plead in vain, Lord Velez!
But Heaven hath heard my vow, and I remain 5
Faithful to Albert, be he dead or living.

_Velez._ Heaven knows with what delight I saw your loves;
And could my heart's blood give him back to thee
I would die smiling. But these are idle thoughts!
Thy dying father comes upon my soul 10
With that same look, with which he gave thee to me:
I held thee in mine arms, a powerless babe,
While thy poor mother with a mute entreaty
Fix'd her faint eyes on mine: ah, not for this,
That I should let thee feed thy soul with gloom, 15
And with slow anguish wear away thy life,
The victim of a useless constancy.
I must not see thee wretched.

_Maria._ There are woes
Ill-barter'd for the garishness of joy!
If it be wretched with an untired eye 20
To watch those skiey tints, and this green ocean;
Or in the sultry hour beneath some rock,
My hair dishevell'd by the pleasant sea-breeze,
To shape sweet visions, and live o'er again
All past hours of delight; if it be wretched 25
To watch some bark, and fancy Albert there;
To go through each minutest circumstance
Of the bless'd meeting, and to frame adventures
Most terrible and strange, and hear _him_ tell them:
(As once I knew a crazy Moorish maid, 30
Who dress'd her in her buried lover's cloaths,
And o'er the smooth spring in the mountain cleft
Hung with her lute, and play'd the selfsame tune
He used to play, and listen'd to the shadow
Herself had made); if this be wretchedness, 35
And if indeed it be a wretched thing
To trick out mine own death-bed, and imagine
That I had died--died, just ere his return;
Then see him listening to my constancy;
And hover round, as he at midnight ever 40
Sits on my grave and gazes at the moon;
Or haply in some more fantastic mood
To be in Paradise, and with choice flowers
Build up a bower where he and I might dwell,
And there to wait his coming! O my sire! 45
My Albert's sire! if this be wretchedness
That eats away the life, what were it, think you,
If in a most assur'd reality
He should return, and see a brother's infant
Smile at him from _my_ arms? [_Clasping her forehead._
O what a thought! 50
'Twas horrible! it pass'd my brain like lightning.

_Velez._ 'Twere horrible, if but one doubt remain'd
The very week he promised his return.

_Maria._ Ah, what a busy joy was ours--to see him
After his three years' travels! tho' that absence 55
His still-expected, never-failing letters
Almost endear'd to me! Even then what tumult!

_Velez._ O power of youth to feed on pleasant thoughts
Spite of conviction! I am old and heartless!
Yes, I am old--I have no pleasant dreams-- 60
Hectic and unrefresh'd with rest.

_Maria (with great tenderness)._ My father!

_Velez._ Aye, 'twas the morning thou didst try to cheer me
With a fond gaiety. My heart was bursting,
And yet I could not tell me, how my sleep
Was throng'd with swarthy faces, and I saw 65
The merchant-ship in which my son was captured--
Well, well, enough--captured in sight of land--
We might almost have seen it from our house-top!

_Maria (abruptly)._ He did not perish there!

_Velez (impatiently)._ Nay, nay--how aptly thou forgett'st a tale 70
Thou ne'er didst wish to learn--my brave Osorio
Saw them both founder in the storm that parted
Him and the pirate: both the vessels founder'd.
Gallant Osorio! [_Pauses, then tenderly._
O belov'd Maria,
Would'st thou best prove thy faith to generous Albert 75
And most delight his spirit, go and make
His brother happy, make his agéd father
Sink to the grave with joy!

_Maria._ For mercy's sake
Press me no more. I have no power to love him!
His proud forbidding eye, and his dark brow 80
Chill me, like dew-damps of the unwholesome night.
My love, a timorous and tender flower,
Closes beneath his touch.

_Velez._ You wrong him, maiden.
You wrong him, by my soul! Nor was it well
To character by such unkindly phrases 85
The stir and workings of that love for you
Which he has toil'd to smother. 'Twas not well--
Nor is it grateful in you to forget
His wounds and perilous voyages, and how
With an heroic fearlessness of danger 90
He roamed the coast of Afric for your Albert.
It was not well--you have moved me even to tears.

_Maria._ O pardon me, my father! pardon me.
It was a foolish and ungrateful speech,
A most ungrateful speech! But I am hurried 95
Beyond myself, if I but dream of one
Who aims to rival Albert. Were we not
Born on one day, like twins of the same parent?
Nursed in one cradle? Pardon me, my father!
A six years' absence is an heavy thing; 100
Yet still the hope survives----

_Velez (looking forwards)._ Hush--hush! Maria.

_Maria._ It is Francesco, our Inquisitor;
That busy man, gross, ignorant, and cruel!

_Enter FRANCESCO and ALHADRA._

_Francesco (to Velez)._ Where is your son, my lord? Oh! here he
comes.

_Enter OSORIO._

My Lord Osorio! this Moresco woman 105
(Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you.

_Osorio._ Hail, reverend father! What may be the business?

_Francesco._ O the old business--a Mohammedan!
The officers are in her husband's house,
And would have taken him, but that he mention'd 110
Your name, asserting that you were his friend,
Aye, and would warrant him a Catholic.
But I know well these children of perdition,
And all their idle fals[e]hoods to gain time;
So should have made the officers proceed, 115
But that this woman with most passionate outcries,
(Kneeling and holding forth her infants to me)
So work'd upon me, who (you know, my lord!)
Have human frailties, and am tender-hearted,
That I came with her.

_Osorio._ You are merciful. [_Looking at ALHADRA._ 120
I would that I could serve you; but in truth
Your face is new to me.

[_ALHADRA is about to speak, but is interrupted by_

_Francesco._ Aye, aye--I thought so;
And so I said to one of the familiars.
A likely story, said I, that Osorio,
The gallant nobleman, who fought so bravely 125
Some four years past against these rebel Moors;
Working so hard from out the garden of faith
To eradicate these weeds detestable;
That he should countenance this vile Moresco,
Nay, be his friend--and warrant him, forsooth! 130
Well, well, my lord! it is a warning to me;
Now I return.

_Alhadra._ My lord, my husband's name
Is Ferdinand: you may remember it.
Three years ago--three years this very week--
You left him at Almeria.

_Francesco (triumphantly)._ Palpably false! 135
This very week, three years ago, my lord!
(You needs must recollect it by your wound)
You were at sea, and fought the Moorish fiends
Who took and murder'd your poor brother Albert.

[_MARIA looks at FRANCESCO with disgust and horror.
OSORIO'S appearance to be collected from the
speech that follows._

_Francesco (to Velez and pointing to Osorio)._ What? is he ill, my
lord? How strange he looks! 140

_Velez (angrily)._ You started on him too abruptly, father!
The fate of one, on whom you know he doted.

_Osorio (starting as in a sudden agitation)._ O heavens! _I_
doted! [_Then, as if recovering himself._
Yes! I DOTED on him!

[_OSORIO walks to the end of the stage.
VELEZ follows soothing him._

_Maria (her eye following them)._ I do not, cannot love him. Is my
heart hard?
Is my heart hard? that even now the thought 145
Should force itself upon me--yet I feel it!

_Francesco._ The drops did start and stand upon his forehead!
I will return--in very truth I grieve
To have been the occasion. Ho! attend me, woman!

_Alhadra (to Maria)._ O gentle lady, make the father stay 150
Till that my lord recover. I am sure
That he will say he is my husband's friend.

_Maria._ Stay, father, stay--my lord will soon recover.

[_OSORIO and VELEZ returning._

_Osorio (to Velez as they return)._ Strange! that this Francesco
Should have the power so to distemper me. 155

_Velez._ Nay, 'twas an amiable weakness, son!

_Francesco (to Osorio)._ My lord, I truly grieve----

_Osorio._ Tut! name it
not.
A sudden seizure, father! think not of it.
As to this woman's husband, I _do_ know him:
I know him well, and that he is a Christian. 160

_Francesco._ I hope, my lord, your sensibility
Doth not prevail.

_Osorio._ Nay, nay--you know me better.
You hear what I have said. But 'tis a trifle.
I had something here of more importance.

[_Touching his forehead as if in the act of recollection._

Hah!
The Count Mondejar, our great general, 165
Writes, that the bishop we were talking of
Has sicken'd dangerously.

_Francesco._ Even so.

_Osorio._ I must return my answer.

_Francesco._ When, my lord?

_Osorio._ To-morrow morning, and shall not forget
How bright and strong your zeal for the Catholic faith. 170

_Francesco._ You are too kind, my lord! You overwhelm me.

_Osorio._ Nay, say not so. As for this Ferdinand,
'Tis certain that he _was_ a Catholic.
What changes may have happen'd in three years,
I cannot say, but grant me this, good father! 175
I'll go and sift him: if I find him sound,
You'll grant me your authority and name
To liberate his house.

_Francesco._ My lord you have it.

_Osorio (to Alhadra)._ I will attend you home within an hour.
Meantime return with us, and take refreshment. 180

_Alhadra._ Not till my husband's free, I may not do it.
I will stay here.

_Maria (aside)._ Who is this Ferdinand?

_Velez._ Daughter!

_Maria._ With your permission, my dear lord,
I'll loiter a few minutes, and then join you.

[_Exeunt VELEZ, FRANCESCO, and OSORIO._

_Alhadra._ Hah! there he goes. A bitter curse go with him. 185
A scathing curse! [_ALHADRA had been betrayed by the warmth
of her feelings into an imprudence.
She checks herself, yet recollecting
MARIA'S manner towards FRANCESCO,
says in a shy and distrustful
manner_
You hate him, don't you, lady!

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

_Alhadra._ These fell Inquisitors, these sons of blood!
As I came on, his face so madden'd me
That ever and anon I clutch'd my dagger 190
And half unsheathed it.

_Maria._ Be more calm, I pray you.

_Alhadra._ And as he stalk'd along the narrow path
Close on the mountain's edge, my soul grew eager.
'Twas with hard toil I made myself remember
That his foul officers held my babes and husband. 195
To have leapt upon him with a Tyger's plunge
And hurl'd him down the ragged precipice,
O--it had been most sweet!

_Maria._ Hush, hush! for shame.
Where is your woman's heart?

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

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

_Alhadra._ I know that man; 'tis well he knows not me!
Five years ago, and he was the prime agent. 205
Five years ago the Holy Brethren seized me.

_Maria._ What might your crime be?

_Alhadra._ Solely my complexion.
They cast me, then a young and nursing mother,
Into a dungeon of their prison house.
There was no bed, no fire, no ray of light, 210
No touch, no sound of comfort! The black air,
It was a toil to breathe it! I have seen
The gaoler's lamp, the moment that he enter'd,
How the flame sunk at once down to the socket.
O miserable, by that lamp to see 215
My infant quarrelling with the coarse hard bread
Brought daily: for the little wretch was sickly--
My rage had dry'd away its natural food!
In darkness I remain'd, counting the clocks[528:1]
Which haply told me that the blessed sun 220
Was rising on my garden. When I dozed,
My infant's moanings mingled with my dreams
And wak'd me. If you were a mother, Lady,
I should scarce dare to tell you, that its noises
And peevish cries so fretted on my brain 225
That I have struck the innocent babe in anger!

_Maria._ O God! it is too horrible to hear!

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

_Maria._ You were at length deliver'd?

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

_Maria._ But your husband? 240

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

_Maria._ Alas, poor man!

_Alhadra._ He hath a lion's courage,
But is not stern enough for fortitude.
Unfit for boisterous times, with gentle heart
He worships Nature in the hill and valley, 245
Not knowing what he loves, but loves it all!

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

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

_Maria._ Know you that man?

_Alhadra._ His person, not his name. 250
I doubt not, he is some Moresco chieftain
Who hides himself among the Alpuxarras.
A week has scarcely pass'd since first I saw him;
He has new-roof'd the desolate old cottage
Where Zagri lived--who dared avow the prophet 255
And died like one of the faithful! There he lives,
And a friend with him.

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

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

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

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

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

_Alhadra (to Maria)._ He deems that we are plotting to ensnare him.
Speak to him, lady! none can hear you speak 265
And not believe you innocent of guile.

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

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

_Alhadra._ He trembles strangely.

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

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

[_Approaches nearer to him._

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

_Albert (raising his head)._ Calm--very calm;
'Tis all too tranquil for reality!
And she spoke to me with her innocent voice.
That voice! that innocent voice! She is no traitress!
It was a dream, a phantom of my sleep, 275
A lying dream. [_He starts up, and abruptly addresses her._
Maria! you are not wedded?

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

[_They advance to the front of the stage._

_Alhadra._ He is indeed a
Christian.
Some stray Sir Knight, that falls in love of a sudden.

_Maria._ What can this mean? How should he know my name?
It seems all shadowy.

_Alhadra._ Here he comes again. 280

_Albert (aside)._ She deems me dead, and yet no mourning garment!
Why should my brother's wife wear mourning garments?
God of all mercy, make me, make me quiet! [_To MARIA._
Your pardon, gentle maid! that I disturb'd you.
I had just started from a frightful dream. 285

_Alhadra._ These renegado Moors--how soon they learn
The crimes and follies of their Christian tyrants!

_Albert._ I dreamt I had a friend, on whom I lean'd
With blindest trust, and a betrothéd maid
Whom I was wont to call not mine, but me, 290
For mine own self seem'd nothing, lacking her!
This maid so idoliz'd, that trusted friend,
Polluted in my absence soul and body!
And she with him and he with her conspired
To have me murder'd in a wood of the mountains: 295
But by my looks and most impassion'd words
I roused the virtues, that are dead in no man,
Even in the assassins' hearts. They made their terms,
And thank'd me for redeeming them from murder.

_Alhadra (to Maria)._ You are lost in thought. Hear him no more,
sweet lady! 300

_Maria._ From morn to night I am myself a dreamer,
And slight things bring on me the idle mood.
Well, sir, what happen'd then?

_Albert._ On a rude rock,
A rock, methought, fast by a grove of firs
Whose threaddy leaves to the low breathing gale 305
Made a soft sound most like the distant ocean,
I stay'd as tho' the hour of death were past,
And I were sitting in the world of spirits,
For all things seem'd unreal! There I sate.
The dews fell clammy, and the night descended, 310
Black, sultry, close! and ere the midnight hour
A storm came on, mingling all sounds of fear
That woods and sky and mountains seem'd one havock!
The second flash of lightning show'd a tree
Hard by me, newly-scathed. I rose tumultuous: 315
My soul work'd high: I bared my head to the storm,
And with loud voice and clamorous agony
Kneeling I pray'd to the great Spirit that made me,
Pray'd that Remorse might fasten on their hearts,
And cling, with poisonous tooth, inextricable 320
As the gored lion's bite!

_Maria._ A fearful curse!

_Alhadra._ But dreamt you not that you return'd and kill'd him?
Dreamt you of no revenge?

_Albert (his voice trembling, and in tones of deep distress)._ She
would have died,
Died in her sins--perchance, by her own hands!
And bending o'er her self-inflicted wounds 325
I might have met the evil glance of frenzy
And leapt myself into an unblest grave!
I pray'd for the punishment that cleanses hearts,
For still I loved her!

_Alhadra._ And you dreamt all this?

_Maria._ My soul is full of visions, all is wild! 330

_Alhadra._ There is no room in this heart for puling love-tales.
Lady! your servants there seem seeking us.

_Maria (lifts up her veil and advances to Albert)._ Stranger,
farewell! I guess not who you are,
Nor why you so address'd your tale to me.
Your mien is noble, and, I own, perplex'd me 335
With obscure memory of something past,
Which still escap'd my efforts, or presented
Tricks of a fancy pamper'd with long-wishing.
If (as it sometimes happens) our rude startling,
While your full heart was shaping out its dream, 340
Drove you to this, your not ungentle wildness,
You have my sympathy, and so farewell!
But if some undiscover'd wrongs oppress you,
And you need strength to drag them into light,
The generous Velez, and my Lord Osorio 345
Have arm and will to aid a noble sufferer,
Nor shall you want my favourable pleading.

[_Exeunt MARIA and ALHADRA._

_Albert (alone)._ 'Tis strange! it cannot be! my Lord Osorio!
Her Lord Osorio! Nay, I will not do it.
I curs'd him once, and one curse is enough. 350
How sad she look'd and pale! but not like guilt,
And her calm tones--sweet as a song of mercy!
If the bad spirit retain'd his angel's voice,
Hell scarce were hell. And why not innocent?
Who meant to murder me might well cheat her. 355
But ere she married him, he had stain'd her honour.
Ah! there I am hamper'd. What if this were a lie
Fram'd by the assassin? who should tell it him
If it were truth? Osorio would not tell him.
Yet why one lie? All else, I know, was truth. 360
No start! no jealousy of stirring conscience!
And she referr'd to me--fondly, methought!
Could she walk here, if that she were a traitress?
Here where we play'd together in our childhood?
Here where we plighted vows? Where her cold cheek 365
Received my last kiss, when with suppress'd feelings
She had fainted in my arms? It cannot be!
'Tis not in nature! I will die, believing
That I shall meet her where no evil is,
No treachery, no cup dash'd from the lips! 370
I'll haunt this scene no more--live she in peace!
Her husband--ay, her husband! May this Angel
New-mould his canker'd heart! Assist me, Heaven!
That I may pray for my poor guilty brother!

END OF ACT THE FIRST.

FOOTNOTES:

[519:1] For Act I, Scene 1 (ll. 1-118) of _Remorse_, vide _post_, pp. 820-3.

[528:1] With lines 219-21 compare _Fragments from a Notebook_, No. 17, p. 990.

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] ACT THE FIRST (The Portrait and the Picture). Corr. in MS. III.

Scene--_The sea shore, &c._] Scene--The Sea shore on the coast of Granada, in the Seigniory of the Marquis Valdez. _Valdez_ _Teresa_ corr. in MS. III. [For _Velez_, _Maria_, _Osorio_, _Albert_, _Francesco_, read _Valdez_, _Teresa_, _Ordonio_, _Alvar_, _Isidore_ throughout, Remorse.

[Before 1] SCENE II. _Enter_ Teresa _and_ Valdez. Remorse. Osorio] Ordoño] corr. in MS. II.

[2] Albert's] Garcia's corr. in MS. III.

[12] mine] my Remorse, 1813.

[29] _him_] him Remorse.

[40] Or hover round, as he at midnight oft Remorse.

[50] _my_] my Remorse. Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[51-2] _Erased MS. III._

[52-3]

_Valdez._ A thought? even so! mere thought! an empty thought.
The very week he promised his return--

Remorse.

an empty thought
That boasts no neighbourhood with Hope or Reason

Corr. in MS. III.

[54-7]

_Ter._ Was it not then a busy joy? to see him,
After those three years' travels! we had no fears--
The frequent tidings, the ne'er failing letter,
Almost endeared his absence! yet the gladness,
The tumult of our joy! What then, if now--

Marginal correction in MS. III, Remorse.

[60] dreams] fancies Remorse.

[61] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[62-8] Erased MS. III.

[62-73]

_Vald._ The sober truth is all too much for me!
I see no sail which brings not to my mind
The home-bound bark, in which my son was captured
By the Algerine--to perish with his captors!

_Ter._ Oh no! he did not!

_Vald._ Captured in sight of land!
From yon Hill-point, nay, from our castle watch-tower
We might have seen--

_Ter._ His capture, not his death.

_Vald._ Alas! how aptly thou forgett'st a tale
Thou ne'er didst wish to learn! my brave Ordonio
Saw both the pirate and his prize go down,
In the same storm that baffled his own valour,
And thus twice snatched a brother from his hopes.

Marginal correction in MS. III, Remorse.

[74] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[76] And most delight his spirit, go, make thou Remorse.

[78] with] in Remorse.

[93] my father] Lord Valdez Remorse.

[96] dream] hear Remorse.

[101-5] Erased MS. III.

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

_Ter._ The Inquisitor--on what new scent of blood?

_Enter_ Monviedro _with_ Alhadra.

_Mon._ Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord.
My present need is with your son.
We have hit the time. Here comes he! Yes, 'tis he.

_Enter from the opposite side_ Don Ordonio

My Lord Ordonio, this Moresco woman

MS. III, Remorse.

[108] Erased MS. III.

[109] The] Our MS. III.

[108-31]

_Mon._ My lord, on strong suspicion of relapse
To his false creed, so recently abjured,
The secret servants of the Inquisition
Have seized her husband, and at my command
To the supreme tribunal would have led him,
But that he made appeal to you, my lord,
As surety for his soundness in the faith.
Tho' lesson'd by experience what small trust
The asseverations of these Moors deserve,
Yet still the deference to Ordonio's name,
Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour
The Holy Church regards her faithful soldiers,
Thus far prevailed with me that--

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

_Mon._ My mind foretold me
That such would be the event. In truth, Lord Valdez,
'Twas little probable, that Don Ordonio,
That your illustrious son, who fought so bravely
Some four years since to quell these rebel Moors,
Should prove the patron of this infidel!
The warranter of a Moresco's faith!

Remorse.

[114] Have learnt by heart their falsehoods to gain time. Corr. in MS. III.

[118-20] who (you know, &c., . . . with her Erased MS. III. The stage-direction (_Alhadra here advances towards Ordonio_) is inserted at the end of Francesco's speech.

[127-8] om. MS. III.

[133] Is Isidore. (_Ordonio starts_) Remorse.

[135] Stage-direction (_triumphantly_) om. Remorse.

[138-9]

You were at sea, and there engaged the pirates,
The murderers doubtless of your brother Alvar!

Remorse.

[139] The stage-direction _Maria looks, &c._, om. Remorse.

[140] _Francesco (. . . Osorio)_ om. Remorse.

[141] _Val._ You pressed upon him too abruptly father Remorse.

[143] _Ord._ O heavens! I?--I doted?-- Remorse. Stage-directions (_starting, &c._), (_Then, as, &c._) om. Remorse.

[Before 144] stage direction ends at '_follows_' Remorse.

[144] Stage-direction (_her eye, &c._) om. Remorse.

[151] Till that] Until Remorse.

Stage-direction before 154 om. Remorse.

[154] Ordonio (_as they return to Valdez_). Remorse.

[157] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[159] _do_] do Remorse.

[161] I hope, my lord, your merely human pity MS. III, Remorse.

[162-72] Nay, nay . . . Ferdinand om. Remorse.

[173] _was_] was Remorse.

[176] Myself I'll sift him Remorse.

[178] [_Francesco's speech_ 'My lord you have it' _is thus expanded_]:--

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

Remorse.

[179] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[180] Attributed to Valdez in Remorse.

[184] I'll loiter yet awhile t'enjoy the sea breeze. Remorse.

[186] The stage-direction, _Alhadra had been, &c._, was interpolated by _S. T. C._ in MS. III, and 'distrustful' is written 'mistrustful'. It is omitted in Remorse.

[187] The line was originally written:--

Nay, nay, not hate him. I try not to do it;

and in this form it stands in the Poole MS. MSS. II, III have the line as amended, but have also this stage-direction '(_perceiving that Alhadra is conscious she has spoken imprudently_)'; and MS. II has the word _me_ underlined.

Oh fear not me! my heart is sad for you

Remorse.

[188] In Poole MS. this line was originally--

These wolfish Priests! these lappers-up of Blood.

[192] stalk'd] walk'd Remorse.

[193] on] by Remorse.

[195] Interpolated by S. T. C.

That his vile Slaves, his pitiless officers
Held in their custody my babes and husband.

MS. III.

[195] foul officers] familiars Remorse.

[197] ragged] rugged Remorse.

[201] '(_ironically_)' only in MS. II.

[202] And they do] And Christians Remorse.

[207] Solely my complexion] I was a Moresco Remorse.

[210] There] Where Remorse.

[212-14]

It was a toil to breathe it! When the door,
Slow opening at the appointed hour, disclosed
One human countenance, the lamp's red flame
Cowered as it entered, and at once sank down

Remorse.

[219] the dull bell counting Remorse.

[220] blessed] all-cheering. Remorse.

[221] my] our Remorse.

[222] dreams] slumbers Remorse.

[227] God] Heaven Remorse.

[233] deliver'd] released Corr. in MS. III, Remorse.

[237] fit] trance Remorse.

[243] Fearless in act, but feeble in endurance Corr. in MS. III, Remorse.

[247-9] MS. III erased: om. Remorse.

[Between 249-50]

_Teresa. (starting)._ This sure must be the man (_to ALHADRA_)
Know you that man?

Corr. in MS. III.

[Between 250 and 263]

_Ter._ Know you that stately Moor?

_Alhad._ I know him not:
But doubt not he is some Moresco chieftain,
Who hides himself among the Alpujarras.

_Ter._ The Alpujarras? Does he know his danger,
So near this seat?

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

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

_Alhad._ Gallant Moresco! An inquisitor,
Monviedro, of known hatred to our race--

Remorse.

[254-7]

His ends, his motives, why he shrinks from notice
And spurns all commune with the Moorish chieftain,
Baffles conjecture--

Corr. in MS. III.

Before stage-direction affixed to 259.

_Teresa._ Ask of him whence he came? if he bear tidings
Of any Christian Captive--if he knows--

Corr. in MS. III.

[259] _Philip the Second had forbidden under pain of death the Moorish Robes_ MS. II: _Phillip (sic) the Second had prohibited under pain of death all the Moorish customs and garments_ MS. III.

[262] the creature] a brother Corr. in MS. III.

[263] _Albert (retiring)_] _advancing as if to pass them_ Corr. in MS. III. Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[264] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[266] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[275-6] om. Remorse.

[277] Stage-direction _They advance . . . followed by Alvar_ Corr. in MS. III: om. Remorse.

[277] _Alhadra (with bitter scorn)._ Corr. in MS. III.

[278-80] om. Remorse.

[Prefixed to 279.] _Alhadra walks away to the back of the stage, to the part where Alvar had first placed himself, stoops in the act of taking up a small Picture, looks at it and in dumb show appears as talking to herself._ Corr. in MS. III.

[279-80]

_Maria._ This cannot be the Moor the Peasant spoke of
Nor face, nor stature squares with his description.

_Alhadra._ A painted tablet which he held and por'd on
Caught my eye strangely, and as I disturb'd him
He hid it hastily within his sash,
Yet when he started up (if my sight err'd not)
It slipt unnotic'd by him on the Sand.

Corr. in MS. III.

[281] She deems me dead yet wears no mourning garments Remorse.

[283] om. Remorse.

[284] gentle maid] noble dame Remorse.

[286-7] om. Remorse.

[Between 285 and 288]

_Ter._ Dreams tell but of the past, and yet, 'tis said
They prophesy--

_Alv._ The Past lives o'er again
In its effects, and to the guilty spirit,
The ever frowning [guilty _MS. III_] Present is its image.

_Ter._ Traitress! [guilty _MS. III_] (_then aside_)
What sudden spell o'er-masters me?
Why seeks he me, shunning the Moorish woman.

Corr. in MS. III: Remorse.

[293] Polluted] Dishonour'd MS. III, Remorse. [In MS. III S. T. C. substituted 'Polluted' for 'Dishonoured.']

[294-5]

Fear, following guilt, tempted to blacker guilt,
And murderers were suborned against my life

Remorse.

[Affixed to 296] _During this speech Alhadra returns, and unobserved by Alvar and Teresa scans the picture, and in dumb show compares it with the countenance of Alvar. Then conceals it in her robe._ MS. III.

[300] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[305] threaddy] thready Remorse.

[322] him] them Remorse.

[323] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[324] sins] guilt Remorse.

[330] all is] all as MS. III, Remorse.

[332] MS. III erased.

[332 foll.]

ALHADRA (_aside_).
I must reserve all knowledge of this Table
Till I can pierce the mystery of the slander--
Form, Look, Features,--the scar below the Temple
All, all are Isidore's--and the whole Picture-- (_then to ALVAR._)
On matter of concerning Import . .
. . . I would discourse with you:
Thou hast ta'en up thy sojourn in the Dell,
Where Zagri liv'd--who dar'd avow the Prophet,
And died like one of the Faithful--there expect me.

Addition on margin of MS. III.

[332] om. Remorse.

[340] While] Whilst Remorse.

[359] Interpolated by S. T. C. MS. III.

[363] Could she walk here, if she had been a traitress Remorse.