The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 207 : _Alvar._ I can endure no more. The Moorish sorcerer Exists but in the stain upon his f

_Alvar._ I can endure no more. The Moorish sorcerer Exists but in the stain upon his face.

That picture----

_Teresa._ Ha! speak on!

_Alvar._ Beloved Teresa!

It told but half the truth. O let this portrait Tell all--that Alvar lives--that he is here!

Thy much deceived but ever faithful Alvar.

[_Takes her portrait from his neck, and gives it her._

_Teresa (receiving the portrait)._ The same--it is the same. Ah! Who art thou?

Nay, I will call thee, Alvar! [_She falls on his neck._

_Alvar._ O joy unutterable!

But hark! a sound as of removing bars At the dungeon's outer door. A brief, brief while Conceal thyself, my love! It is Ordonio.

For the honour of our race, for our dear father; O for himself too (he is still my brother) Let me recall him to his n.o.bler nature, That he may wake as from a dream of murder!

O let me reconcile him to himself, Open the sacred source of penitent tears, And be once more his own beloved Alvar.

_Teresa._ O my all virtuous love! I fear to leave thee With that obdurate man.

_Alvar._ Thou dost not leave me!

But a brief while retire into the darkness: O that my joy could spread its suns.h.i.+ne round thee!

_Teresa._ The sound of thy voice shall be my music!

Alvar! my Alvar! am I sure I hold thee?

Is it no dream? thee in my arms, my Alvar! [_Exit._

[_A noise at the dungeon door. It opens, and ORDONIO enters, with a goblet in his hand._

Remorse.

[139] of] on Remorse.

[140-1] and stage-direction before 142 om. Remorse.

[145] 'Tis but a pool amid a storm of rain Remorse.

[148] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[149] lesser must needs] weaker needs must Remorse.

[151-2]

Inly-tortured man, This is the revelry of a drunken anguish

Remorse.

[Before 160] [_ORDONIO proffers the goblet._ Remorse.

[160] Friends.h.i.+p and wine om. Remorse.

[161] legs] limbs Remorse.

[164] life and thought] life, enjoyment Remorse.

[168] brink] brim Remorse.

[169] I would remove it with an anxious pity Remorse.

[171-2]

Thou hast guessed right; there's poison in the wine.

There's poison in't--which of us two shall drink it?

Remorse.

[Between 174 and 176:]

_Alvar._ I know him not.

And yet methinks, I have heard the name but lately.

Means he the husband of the Moorish woman?

Isidore? Isidore?

Remorse.

[175] om. Remorse.

[180] Stage-direction [_ALVAR takes the goblet, and throws it to the ground._ Remorse. _My_] My Remorse.

[196] Stage-direction om. Remorse.]

[198] babe] babes Remorse.

[207] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[223] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[224] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[225-35] om. Remorse.

[Between 225 and 235]

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

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

Stop, madman, stop!