The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 308 : And though thou spill thy heart's blood for atonement, 175 It will not weigh agai

And though thou spill thy heart's blood for atonement, 175 It will not weigh against an orphan's tear!

_Alvar._ But Alvar----

_Ordonio._ Ha! it chokes thee in the throat, Even thee; and yet I pray thee speak it out.

Still Alvar!--Alvar!--howl it in mine ear!

Heap it like coals of fire upon my heart, 180 And shoot it hissing through my brain!

_Alvar._ Alas!

That day when thou didst leap from off the rock Into the waves, and grasped thy sinking brother, And bore him to the strand; then, son of Valdez, How sweet and musical the name of Alvar! 185 Then, then, Ordonio, he was dear to thee, And thou wert dear to him: heaven only knows How very dear thou wert! Why did'st thou hate him!

O heaven! how he would fall upon thy neck, And weep forgiveness!

_Ordonio._ Spirit of the dead! 190 Methinks I know thee! ha! my brain turns wild At its own dreams!--off--off, fantastic shadow!

_Alvar._ I fain would tell thee what I am, but dare not!

_Ordonio._ Cheat! villain! traitor! whatsoever thou be-- I fear thee, man!

_Teresa (rus.h.i.+ng out and falling on Alvar's neck)._ Ordonio! 'tis thy brother! 195

[_ORDONIO runs upon ALVAR with his sword. TERESA flings herself on ORDONIO and arrests his arm._

Stop, madman, stop!

_Alvar._ Does then this thin disguise impenetrably Hide Alvar from thee? Toil and painful wounds And long imprisonment in unwholesome dungeons, Have marred perhaps all trait and lineament 200 Of what I was! But chiefly, chiefly, brother, My anguish for thy guilt!

Ordonio--Brother!

Nay, nay, thou shalt embrace me.

_Ordonio (drawing back, and gazing at Alvar)._ Touch me not!

Touch not pollution, Alvar! I will die.

[_He attempts to fall on his sword, ALVAR and TERESA prevent him._

_Alvar._ We will find means to save your honour. Live, 205 Oh live, Ordonio! for our father's sake!

Spare his grey hairs!

_Teresa._ And you may yet be happy.

_Ordonio._ O horror! not a thousand years in heaven Could recompose this miserable heart, Or make it capable of one brief joy! 210 Live! live! Why yes! 'Twere well to live with you: For is it fit a villain should be proud?

My brother! I will kneel to you, my brother! [_Kneeling._ Forgive me, Alvar!----Curse me with forgiveness!

_Alvar._ Call back thy soul, Ordonio, and look round thee! 215 Now is the time for greatness! Think that heaven--

_Teresa._ O mark his eye! he hears not what you say.

_Ordonio._ Yes, mark his eye! there's fascination in it!

Thou said'st thou did'st not know him--That is he!

He comes upon me!

_Alvar._ Heal, O heal him, heaven! 220

_Ordonio._ Nearer and nearer! and I can not stir!

Will no one hear these stifled groans, and wake me?

He would have died to save me, and I killed him-- A husband and a father!--

_Teresa._ Some secret poison Drinks up his spirits!

_Ordonio._ Let the eternal justice 225 Prepare my punishment in the obscure world-- I will not bear to live--to live--O agony!

And be myself alone my own sore torment!

[_The doors of the dungeon are broken open, and in rush ALHADRA, and the band of_ Morescoes.

_Alhadra._ Seize first that man!

[_ALVAR presses onward to defend ORDONIO._

_Ordonio._ Off, ruffians! I have flung away my sword. 230 Woman, my life is thine! to thee I give it!

Off! he that touches me with his hand of flesh, I'll rend his limbs asunder! I have strength With this bare arm to scatter you like ashes.

_Alhadra._ My husband--

_Ordonio_. Yes, I murdered him most foully. 235

_Alvar and Teresa._ O horrible!

_Alhadra._ Why did'st thou leave his children?

Demon, thou should'st have sent thy dogs of h.e.l.l To lap their blood. Then, then I might have hardened My soul in misery, and have had comfort.

I would have stood far off, quiet though dark, 240 And bade the race of men raise up a mourning For a deep horror of desolation, Too great to be one soul's particular lot!

Brother of Zagri! let me lean upon thee.

The time is not yet come for woman's anguish, 245 I have not seen his blood--Within an hour Those little ones will crowd around and ask me, Where is our father? I shall curse thee then!

Wert thou in heaven, my curse would pluck thee thence!

_Teresa._ He doth repent! See, see, I kneel to thee! 250 O let him live! That aged man, his father----

_Alhadra._ Why had he such a son?

[_Shouts from the distance of_ Rescue! Rescue! Alvar!

Alvar! _and the voice of VALDEZ heard._

Rescue?--and Isidore's spirit unavenged?-- The deed be mine! [_Suddenly stabs ORDONIO._ Now take my life!

_Ordonio (staggering from the wound)._ Atonement!

_Alvar (while with Teresa supporting Ordonio)._ Arm of avenging Heaven 255 Thou hast s.n.a.t.c.hed from me my most cherished hope-- But go! my word was pledged to thee.

_Ordonio._ Away!

Brave not my Father's rage! I thank thee! Thou--

[_Then turning his eyes languidly to ALVAR._