Ordonio. Thou quibbling fool,
What dost thou mean? Think'st thou I journeyed hither
To sport with thee?
Alvar. O no, my lord! to sport
Best suits the gaiety of innocence.
Ordonio (aside). O what a thing is man! the wisest heart 80
A fool! a fool that laughs at its own folly,
Yet still a fool! [Looks round the cottage.
You are poor!
Alvar. What follows thence?
Ordonio. That you would fain be richer.
The inquisition, too—You comprehend me?
You are poor, in peril. I have wealth and power, [85]
Can quench the flames, and cure your poverty:
And for the boon I ask of you but this,
That you should serve me—once—for a few hours.
Alvar. Thou art the son of Valdez! would to Heaven
That I could truly and for ever serve thee. [90]
Ordonio. The slave begins to soften. [Aside.
You are my friend,
'He that can bring the dead to life again,'
Nay, no defence to me! The holy brethren
Believe these calumnies—I know thee better.
Thou art a man, and as a man I'll trust thee! 95
Alvar (aside). Alas! this hollow mirth—Declare your business.
Ordonio. I love a lady, and she would love me
But for an idle and fantastic scruple.
Have you no servants here, no listeners? [Ordonio steps to the door.
Alvar. What, faithless too? False to his angel wife? 100
To such a wife? Well might'st thou look so wan,
Ill-starr'd Teresa!—--Wretch! my softer soul
Is pass'd away, and I will probe his conscience!