The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 291 : I prayed for the punishment that cleanses hearts: For still I loved her!_Alhadra._ And

I prayed for the punishment that cleanses hearts: For still I loved her!

_Alhadra._ And you dreamt all this? 320

_Teresa._ My soul is full of visions all as wild!

_Alhadra._ There is no room in this heart for puling love-tales.

_Teresa (lifts up her veil, and advances to Alvar)._ Stranger, farewell! I guess not who you are, Nor why you so addressed your tale to me.

Your mien is n.o.ble, and, I own, perplexed me, 325 With obscure memory of something past, Which still escaped my efforts, or presented Tricks of a fancy pampered with long wis.h.i.+ng.

If, as it sometimes happens, our rude startling, Whilst your full heart was shaping out its dream, 330 Drove you to this, your not ungentle, wildness-- You have my sympathy, and so farewell!

But if some undiscovered wrongs oppress you, And you need strength to drag them into light, The generous Valdez, and my Lord Ordonio, 335 Have arm and will to aid a n.o.ble sufferer, Nor shall you want my favourable pleading.[833:1]

[_Exeunt TERESA and ALHADRA._

_Alvar (alone)._ 'Tis strange! It cannot be! my Lord Ordonio!

Her Lord Ordonio! Nay, I will not do it!

I cursed him once--and one curse is enough! 340 How sad she looked, and pale! but not like guilt-- And her calm tones--sweet as a song of mercy!

If the bad spirit retain'd his angel's voice, h.e.l.l scarce were h.e.l.l. And why not innocent?

Who meant to murder me, might well cheat her? 345 But ere she married him, he had stained her honour; Ah! there I am hampered. What if this were a lie Framed by the a.s.sa.s.sin? Who should tell it him, If it were truth? Ordonio would not tell him.

Yet why one lie? all else, I know, was truth. 350 No start, no jealousy of stirring conscience!

And she referred to me--fondly, methought!

Could she walk here if she had been a traitress?

Here where we played together in our childhood?

Here where we plighted vows? where her cold cheek 355 Received my last kiss, when with suppressed feelings She had fainted in my arms? It cannot be!

'Tis not in nature! I will die believing, That I shall meet her where no evil is, No treachery, no cup dashed from the lips. 360 I'll haunt this scene no more! live she in peace!

Her husband--aye her husband! May this angel New mould his canker'd heart! a.s.sist me, heaven, That I may pray for my poor guilty brother! [_Exit._

FOOTNOTES:

[824:1] [Here Valdez bends back, and smiles at her wildness, which Teresa noticing, checks her enthusiasm, and in a soothing half-playful tone and manner, apologizes for her fancy, by the little tale in the parenthesis.] _Editions 2, 3, 1829._

Here Valdez bends back, with a smile of _wonder_ at the witness of the Fancy, which Teresa noting, she checks her enthusiasm, and in a persuasive half-pleading tone and action exemplifies her meaning in the little Tale included in the Parenthesis. _MS. Note to First Edition._

[830:1] 218-20. Compare Fragment.

[830:2] 229. Compare line 13 of the lines 'Addressed to a Young Man of Fortune', p. 157.

[833:1] (_then an half-pause and dropping the voice as hinted by the relaxation of the metre_--'Nor shall you,' &c.).--I mention this because it is one of the lines for which Mr. Gifford (whose ---- in the _Quarterly Rev._ drove M. L. _mad_ with a severer fit than she had ever had before) declared me at Murray's shop fit to be whipt as an idle Schoolboy--and, alas, I had conceited it to be a little beauty! _MS. H_.

LINENOTES:

[29] him] _him_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[50] my] _my_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.

[51] _After_

thought [_Clasping her forehead._

Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[54] _Teresa (abruptly)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[61] fancies] dreams Edition 1.

[62] _Teresa (with great tenderness)._ My, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[75] Gallant Ordonio! (_Pauses, then tenderly._) Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[77] And most delight his spirit, go, thou make Edition 1.

[94] Lord Valdez] my father Edition 1.

[103] _forward_] _forwards_ Editions 1, 2, 3.

[104] what] some Edition 1.

[105] _Monviedro (having first made his obeisance to Valdez and Teresa)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[After 106] [_Looking forward_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[112] his] their Edition 1.

[118] lessoned] lessened Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829, 1834.

[133] warranter] guarantee Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[136] Stage-direction om. Edition 1.

[142] murderers] _murderers_ Editions 2, 3, 1829.

[After 142] [_TERESA looks at MONVIEDRO with disgust and horror.

ORDONIO'S appearance to be collected from what follows._

[143] _Mon. (to VALDEZ, and pointing at ORDONIO)._ What, is he ill, &c.

Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[144] _Valdez (angrily)._ You, &c. Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. pressed upon]

started on Edition 1.

[146] _Ordonio (starting as in sudden agitation)._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829. I?--I] _I?_--_I_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[After 146: [_Then recovering himself._ Editions 1, 2, 3.

[147] doted] _doted_ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.

[After 147] _. . . follows soothing him._ Editions 1, 2, 3, 1829.