The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 138

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 (rus.h.i.+ng 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 h.e.l.l 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 aged 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 s.n.a.t.c.hed 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._