Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 28

IV:3:10 SIDO.

Sweet lady--

IV:3:11 COUN.

My Lord Sidonia, I can pardon thee, I am so joyful.

IV:3:12 SIDO.

Nay, then.

IV:3:13 COUN.

Unhand me, Sir!

IV:3:14 SIDO.

But to embrace this delicate waist. Thou art mine: I've sighed and thou hast spurned. What is not yielded In war we capture. Ere a flying hour, Thy hated Burgos vanishes. That voice; What, must I stifle it, who fain would listen For ever to its song? In vain thy cry, For none are here but mine.

[Enter ORAN.]

IV:3:15 ORAN.

Turn, robber, turn--

IV:3:16 SIDO.

Ah! treason in the camp! Thus to thy heart.

[They fight. ORAN beats off SIDONIA, they leave the scene fighting; the COUNTESS swoons.]

[Enter a procession with lighted torches, attending the Infanta SOLISA from Ma.s.s.]

IV:3:17 1ST USH.

A woman!

IV:3:18 2ND USH.

Does she live

IV:3:19 SOL.

What stops our course?

[The Train ranging themselves on each side, the Infanta approaches the COUNTESS.]

IV:3:20 SOL.

Most strange and lovely vision! Does she breathe?

I'll not believe 'tis death. Her hand is cold, And her brow damp; Griselda, Julia, maidens. .h.i.ther, and yet stand off; give her free air.

How shall we bear her home? Now, good Lorenzo, You, and Sir Miguel, raise her; gently, gently.

Still gently, sirs. By heavens, the fairest face I yet did gaze on! Some one here should know her.

'Tis one that must be known. That's well; relieve That kerchief from her neck; mind not our state; I'll by her side; a swoon, methinks; no more, Let's hope and pray!

[They raise the body of the COUNTESS, and bear her away.]

[Enter Count of LEON.]

IV:3:21 LEON.

I'll fathom this same mystery, If there be wit in Burgos. I have heard, Before I knew the Court, old Nunez Leon Whisper strange things--and what if they prove true?

It is not exile twice would cure that scar.

I'll reach him yet. 'Tis likely he may pa.s.s This way; 'tis lonely, and well suits a step Would not be noticed. Ha! a man approaches; I'll stand awhile aside.

[Re-enter ORAN.]

IV:3:22 ORAN.

Gone, is she gone!

Yet safe I feel. O Allah! thou art great!

The arm she bound, and tended with that glance Of sweet solicitude, has saved her life, And more than life. The dark and reckless villains!

O! I could curse them, but my heart is soft With holy triumph. I'm no more an outcast.

And when she calls me, I'd not change my lot To be an Emir. In their hall to-night There will be joy, and Oran will have smiles.

This house has knit me to their fate by ties Stronger than gyves of iron.

IV:3:23 LEON.

Do I see The man I seek? Oran!

[ORAN turns, and recognising Leon, rushes and seizes him.]

IV:3:24 ORAN.

Incarnate fiend, Give her me, give her me!

IV:3:25 LEON.

Off, ruffian, off!

IV:3:26 ORAN.

I have thee and I'll hold thee. If I spare Thy d.a.m.ned life, and do not dash thee down, And trample on thee, fiend, it is because Thou art the gaoler of a pearl of price I cannot gain without thee. Now, where is she?

Now by thy life!

IV:3:27 LEON.

Why, thou outrageous Moor, Hast broken thy false prophet's rule, and so Fell into unused drink, that thus thou darest To flout me with thy cloudy menaces?

What mean'st thou, sir? And what have I withheld From thy vile touch? By heavens, I pa.s.s my days In seeking thy dusk corpse, I deemed well drilled Ere this, but it awaits my vengeance.

IV:3:28 ORAN.

Boy!

Licentious boy! Where is she? Now, by Allah!

This poniard to thy heart, unless thou tell'st me.

IV:3:29 LEON.

Whom dost thou mean?

IV:3:30 ORAN.

Thy comrade and thy crew They all have fled. I left the Countess here.

She's gone. Thou fill'st her place.

IV:3:31 LEON.

What Countess? Speak.

IV:3:32 ORAN.