The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 6

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, a.s.serting 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 pa.s.sionate 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 n.o.bleman, 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!