Olla Podrida Part 10

_Sup._ Thou canst not, Manuel, but I will confide What has been reveal'd to me alone.

Well thou know'st for years I have confess'd The Donna Inez. From her I late have learn'd She bore a child in wedlock, which she lost; And, by the notices which she has given, I find him in Anselmo.

_Man._ In Anselmo! Then he's the rightful heir To all the Guzman wealth.

_Sup._ 'Tis even so.

_Man._ Father, how long since you discover'd this?

_Sup._ But a few months before he took his vows.

_Man._ Why did you then permit them?

_Sup._ To serve our holy church; which either way Must gain by his belonging to our order.

The lady mourns her son. If I restore him, She must be grateful. Thus our convent will Become endow'd with acres of broad land.

And should he choose still to retain his vows, When he has learnt the story of his birth, Then will our monast'ry no doubt receive The wealth _he_ values not, but _we_ require.

_Man._ I do perceive--'twas prudently arranged-- What wait you for?

_Sup._ To see if he will turn his thoughts to Heav'n; But, look, he moves this way. Leave me with him.

[_Exit Manuel, and enter Anselmo._ Where hast thou been, my child?

_Ans._ Lending mine ear to those who would unload A conscience heavy with repeated sin-- Giving advice and absolution free To those who riot in a sinful world.

_Sup._ Yet still be lenient. We in holy bonds Expect not men exposed, to be so perfect.

Tell me, for lately thou hast not confess'd, How throbs thy heart? Do holy thoughts prevail?

Art thou at peace within, or does thy youth Regret its vow, and yield to vain repinings?

_Ans._ I am, most holy father, as Heav'n made me-- Content, and not content, as in their turns The good or evil thoughts will be ascendant.

When that the evil thoughts the mastery gain, I try to curb them. Man can do no more.

_Sup._ At thy rebelling age, 'tis doing much.

Now put my question to thy inmost soul And answer me:--could'st thou rejoin the world And all its pleasures, now so bright in fancy To youth's all ardent mind, tell me sincerely, Would'st thou reject them?

_Ans._ Why call in question that which ne'er can be?

My vows are ta'en, therefore no choice is mine.

_Sup._ Most things are possible to mother church, As would this be--a dispensation sought Might be obtain'd.

_Ans._ (_at first with joy in his countenance, then a.s.suming a mournful expression_). It would not be a kindness. Who, my father, In this wide glorious world is kindred to Anselmo?

I will confess, I sometimes have indulged Half dreaming thoughts (O say not they are sinful!) Of the sweet hours of those, who, lapp'd in bliss, See brothers, sisters, offspring, cl.u.s.t'ring round, Loving and loved; then have I wept to think That I have none, and sadly felt convinced 'Tis for my happiness that I am here.

_Sup._ True, my Anselmo, 'tis a dreary world, And still more dreary when we've nought to cling to, But say, if thou hadst found a doting mother, One that was n.o.bly born and rich, who hail'd In thee the foundling heir to large estates, What then?

_Ans._ (_starts, and after a pause_).

I cannot say--my thoughts ne'er stray'd so far.

Father, you oft the dangers have set forth Of dreaming fancies which may lead astray; Yet do you try to tempt me, by supposing that Which shakes my firmness, yet can never be.

_Sup._ We are but mortal. I did wish to know Thy secret thoughts, and thou withhold'st them still.

At night come to me, then shalt thou confess, For I would learn the workings of thy soul.

_Ans._ First let me strive to calm my troubled mind: I will confess to-morrow.

_Sup._ Then, be it so. [_Exit Superior._

_Ans._ 'Tis strange. He ne'er before essay'd me thus.

A doting mother, wealthy too, and n.o.ble!

O! if 'twere true, and I could gain my freedom!

But these are very dreamings. Hold, my brain!

For he has conjured up a vision wild, And beautiful as wild! Wealth, ancestry, A mother's love! But what are these to thee, Thou monk Anselmo? go--go and hang thy head Within the cowl, droop'd humbly on thy breast-- For know, thou art a monk, and vow'd to Heav'n!

Oh parents stern! to fling me thus on fate!

But vows more stern that thus debar me from The common rights of man! Why were we made With pa.s.sions strong, that even Nature laughs When we would fain control them? Lone to live And die are rebel acts, to Heav'n unpleasing.

Say I were humbly born of peasant race, I should have glided on the silent brook; Or highly bred and n.o.bly father'd, Dash'd proudly like the rapid flowing river.

But in these confines against Nature pent, I must remain a stagnant torpid lake; Or else marking my wild course with ruin, Till my force is spent and all is over, Burst forth a mad, ungovernable torrent.

_Enter Jacobo._

_Jac._ What Anselmo! not outside the convent gates, and service over this half hour! By St Dominic, it is as I expected--thou hast fallen in with the Superior, and hast been ordered home with penance.

_Ans._ Not so, Jacobo. The Superior and I roll on in different orbits.

Saturn and Venus are as like to jostle as we upon our travels.

_Jac._ Well, I've an idea that there's something wrong, and my news will not be very agreeable to you: the key is, in future, to be delivered to the Superior at nine o'clock, and, if required, it must be sent for.

_Ans._ Indeed! then he must suspect that we are not so regular. Still, I must out to-night, Jacobo--I must indeed!

_Jac._ Impossible!

_Ans._ (_giving him money_). I must, Jacobo. Here's for thy wine, much watching needs it.

_Jac._ The Superior calls me, brother; I only wish there was brotherhood in our drinking. The n.o.ble juice which mantles in his cup would cheer me in my vigils.

_Ans._ And that will purchase it. I must be out to-night. Let the Superior have the key, but do not lock the door. You understand, Jacobo?

_Jac._ I do; but there's danger in it. Holy Virgin! the Superior comes this way. Anselmo, you had better to your cell.

_Ans._ I detest it. Now must I play the hypocrite.

_Enter Superior followed by Jacobo._

_Sup._ (_observing Anselmo_). Thou here, my son! I thought thee at thy cell.

_Ans._ I wish'd to seek it; but till vesper chimes I must employ in teaching melody; But that the coffers of our holy church Receive the thrift, my mind were ill at ease Thus mixing with the world; for holy vigils Are better suited to my early years.

(_Kneeling._) O bless, my father, my untoward youth And teach my thoughts to find the path to Heav'n.

_Sup._ (_bending over Anselmo_). Bless thee, my child, may thy young heart Turn now to Heav'n, as Samuel's did of old!

May holy thoughts pervade thy youthful mind!

May holy dreams enrich thy peaceful sleep!

May heavenly choristers descend in visions, And point thee out the joys awaiting those Who dedicate on earth their lives to Heav'n.