Chapter 13
A Chamber in the Palace of Alarcos.
The COUNTESS and SIDONIA.
IV:2:1 SIDO. Lady, you’re moved: nay, ‘twas an idle word.
IV:2:2 COUN. But was it true?
IV:2:3 SIDO. And yet might little mean.
IV:2:4 COUN. That I should live to doubt!
IV:2:5 SIDO. But do not doubt; Forget it, lady. You should know him well; Nay, do not credit it.
IV:2:6 COUN. He’s very changed. I would not own, no, not believe that change, I’ve given it every gloss that might confirm My sinking heart. Time and your tale agree; Alas! ‘tis true.
IV:2:7 SIDO. I hope not; still believe It is not true. Would that I had not spoken! It was unguarded prate.
IV:2:8 COUN. You have done me service: Condemned, the headsman is no enemy, Bat closes suffering.
IV:2:9 SIDO. Yet a bitter doom To torture those you’d bless. I have a thought. What if this eve you visit this same spot, That shrouds these meetings? If he’s wanting then, The rest might prove as false.
IV:2:10 COUN. He will be there, I feel he will be there.
IV:2:11 SIDO. We should not think so, Until our eyes defeat our hopes.
IV:2:12 COUN. O Burgos, My heart misgave me when I saw thy walls! To doubt is madness, yet ‘tis not despair, And that may be my lot.
IV:2:13 SIDO. The palace gardens Are closed, except to master-keys. Here’s one, My office gives it me, and it can count Few brethren. You will be alone.
IV:2:14 COUN. Alas! I dare not hope so.
IV:2:15 SIDO. Well, well, think of this; Yet take the key.
IV:2:16 COUN. O that it would unlock The heart now closed to me! To watch his ways Was once my being. Shall I prove the spy Of joys I may not share? I will not take That fatal key.
IV:2:17 SIDO. ‘Tis well; I pray you, pardon My ill-timed zeal.
IV:2:18 COUN. Indeed, I should be grateful That one should wish to serve me. Can it be? ‘Tis not two months, two little, little months, You crossed this threshold first; Ah! gentle air, And we were all so gay! What have I done? What is all this? so sudden and so strange? It is not true, I feel it is not true; ‘Tis factious care that clouds his brow, and calls For all this timed absence. His brain’s busy With the State. Is’t not so? I prithee speak, And say you think it.
IV:2:19 SIDO. You should know him well; And if you deem it so, why I should deem The inference just.
IV:2:20 COUN. Yet if he were not there, How happy I should sleep! there is no peril; The garden’s near; and is there shame? ‘Tis love Makes me a lawful spy. He’ll not be there, And then there is no prying.
IV:2:21 SIDO. Near at hand, Crossing the way that bounds your palace court, There is a private portal.
IV:2:22 COUN. If I go, He will not miss me. Ah, I would he might! So very near; no, no; I cannot go; And yet I’ll take the key.
[Takes the key.]
Would thou could’st speak, Thou little instrument, and tell me all The secrets of thy office! My heart beats; ‘Tis my first enterprise; I would it were To do him service. No, I cannot go; Farewell, kind sir; indeed I am so troubled, I must retire.
[Exit COUNTESS.]
IV:2:23 SIDO. Thy virtue makes me vile; And what should move my heart inflames my soul. O marvellous world, wherein I play the villain From very love of excellence! But for him, I’d be the rival of her stainless thoughts And mate her purity. Hah!
[Enter ORAN.]
IV:2:24 ORAN. My noble lord!
IV:2:25 SIDO. The Moor!
IV:2:26 ORAN. Your servant.
IV:2:27 SIDO. Here! ‘tis passing strange. How’s this?
IV:2:28 ORAN. The accident of war, my lord. I am a prisoner.
IV:2:29 SIDO. But at large, it seems. You have betrayed me
IV:2:30 ORAN. Had I chosen that, I had been free and you not here. I fought, And fell in single fight. Why spared I know not, But that the lion’s generous.
IV:2:31 SIDO. Will you prove Your faith
IV:2:32 ORAN. Nay, doubt it not.
IV:2:33 SIDO. You still can aid me.
IV:2:34 ORAN. I am no traitor, and my friends shall find I am not wanting.
IV:2:35 SIDO. Quit these liberal walls Where you’re not watched. In brief, I’ve coined a tale Has touched the Countess to the quick. She seeks, Alone or scantly tended, even now, The palace gardens; eager to discover A faithless husband, where she’ll chance to find One more devout. My steeds and servants wait At the right post; my distant castle soon Shall hold this peerless wife. Your resolute spirit May aid me much. How say you, is it well That we have met?
IV:2:36 ORAN. Right well. I will embark Most heartily in this.
IV:2:37 SIDO. With me at once.
IV:2:38 ORAN. At once?
IV:2:39 SIDO. No faltering. You have learned and know Too much to spare you from my sight, good Oran. With me at once.
IV:2:40 ORAN. ‘Tis urgent; well at once, And I will do good service, or I’ll die. For what is life unless to aid the life Has aided thine?
IV:2:41 SIDO. On then; with me no eye Will look with jealousy upon thy step.
[Exeunt both.]