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65

       The merchant-ship in which my son was captured —

       Well, well, enough — captured in sight of land —

       We might almost have seen it from our house-top!

      Maria (abruptly). He did not perish there!

      Velez (impatiently). Nay, nay — how aptly thou forgett’st a tale 70

       Thou ne’er didst wish to learn — my brave Osorio

       Saw them both founder in the storm that parted

       Him and the pirate: both the vessels founder’d.

       Gallant Osorio! [Pauses, then tenderly.

       O belov’d Maria,

       Would’st thou best prove thy faith to generous Albert 75

       And most delight his spirit, go and make

       His brother happy, make his agéd father

       Sink to the grave with joy!

      Maria. For mercy’s sake

       Press me no more. I have no power to love him!

       His proud forbidding eye, and his dark brow 80

       Chill me, like dew-damps of the unwholesome night.

       My love, a timorous and tender flower,

       Closes beneath his touch.

      Velez. You wrong him, maiden.

       You wrong him, by my soul! Nor was it well

       To character by such unkindly phrases 85

       The stir and workings of that love for you

       Which he has toil’d to smother. ‘Twas not well —

       Nor is it grateful in you to forget

       His wounds and perilous voyages, and how

       With an heroic fearlessness of danger 90

       He roamed the coast of Afric for your Albert.

       It was not well — you have moved me even to tears.

      Maria. O pardon me, my father! pardon me.

       It was a foolish and ungrateful speech,

       A most ungrateful speech! But I am hurried 95

       Beyond myself, if I but dream of one

       Who aims to rival Albert. Were we not

       Born on one day, like twins of the same parent?

       Nursed in one cradle? Pardon me, my father!

       A six years’ absence is an heavy thing; 100

       Yet still the hope survives ——

      Velez (looking forwards). Hush — hush! Maria.

      Maria. It is Francesco, our Inquisitor;

       That busy man, gross, ignorant, and cruel!

      Enter FRANCESCO and ALHADRA.

      Francesco (to Velez). Where is your son, my lord? Oh! here he

       comes.

      Enter OSORIO.

      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, asserting 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 passionate 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 nobleman, 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

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