Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 27

The Moor!

IV:2:26 ORAN.

Your servant.

IV:2:27 SIDO.

Here! 'tis pa.s.sing strange.

How's this?

IV:2:28 ORAN.

The accident of war, my lord.

I am a prisoner.

IV:2:29 SIDO.

But at large, it seems.

You have betrayed me

IV:2:30 ORAN.

Had I chosen that, I had been free and you not here. I fought, And fell in single fight. Why spared I know not, But that the lion's generous.

IV:2:31 SIDO.

Will you prove Your faith

IV:2:32 ORAN.

Nay, doubt it not.

IV:2:33 SIDO.

You still can aid me.

IV:2:34 ORAN.

I am no traitor, and my friends shall find I am not wanting.

IV:2:35 SIDO.

Quit these liberal walls Where you're not watched. In brief, I've coined a tale Has touched the Countess to the quick. She seeks, Alone or scantly tended, even now, The palace gardens; eager to discover A faithless husband, where she'll chance to find One more devout. My steeds and servants wait At the right post; my distant castle soon Shall hold this peerless wife. Your resolute spirit May aid me much. How say you, is it well That we have met?

IV:2:36 ORAN.

Right well. I will embark Most heartily in this.

IV:2:37 SIDO.

With me at once.

IV:2:38 ORAN.

At once?

IV:2:39 SIDO.

No faltering. You have learned and know Too much to spare you from my sight, good Oran.

With me at once.

IV:2:40 ORAN.

'Tis urgent; well at once, And I will do good service, or I'll die.

For what is life unless to aid the life Has aided thine?

IV:2:41 SIDO.

On then; with me no eye Will look with jealousy upon thy step.

[Exeunt both.]

SCENE 3

A retired spot in the Gardens of the Palace.

[Enter the COUNTESS.]

IV:3:1 COUN.

Is't guilt, that I thus tremble? Why should I Feel like a sinner? I'll not dare to meet His flas.h.i.+ng eye. O, with what scorn, what hate His lightning glance will wither me. Away, I will away. I care not whom he meets.

What if he love me not, he shall not loathe The form he once embraced. I'll be content To live upon the past, and dream again It may return. Alas! were I the false one, I could not feel more humbled. Ah, he comes!

I'll lie, I'll vow I'm vile, that I came here To meet another, anything but that I dared to doubt him. What, my Lord Sidonia!

[Enter SIDONIA.]

IV:3:2 SIDO.

Thy servant and thy friend. Ah! gentle lady, I deemed this unused scene and ill-timed hour might render solace welcome. He'll not come; Ho crossed the mountains, ere the set of sun, Towards Briviesca.

IV:3:3 COUN.

Holy Virgin, thanks!

Home, home!

IV:3:4 SIDO.

And can a hearth neglected cause Such raptures?

IV:3:5 COUN.

I, and only I, neglect it; My cheek is fire, that I should ever dare To do this stealthy deed.

IV:3:6 SIDO.

And yet I feel I could do one as secret and more bold.

A moment, lady; do not turn away With that cold look.

IV:3:7 COUN.

My children wait me, sir; Yet I would thank you, for you meant me kindness.

IV:3:8 SIDO.

And mean it yet. Ah! beauteous Florimonde, It is the twilight hour, when hearts are soft, And mine is like the quivering light of eve; I love thee!

IV:3:9 COUN.

And for this I'm here, and he, He is not false! O happiness!