Ordonio. I was his friend.—
Now that he gave it me, [140]
This lady knows not. You are a mighty wizard—
Can call the dead man up—he will not come.—
He is in heaven then—there you have no influence.
Still there are tokens—and your imps may bring you
Something he wore about him when he died. [145]
And when the smoke of the incense on the altar
Is pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture.
What say you now?

Alvar. Ordonio, I will do it.

Ordonio. We'll hazard no delay. Be it to-night,
In the early evening. Ask for the Lord Valdez. 150
I will prepare him. Music too, and incense,
(For I have arranged it—music, altar, incense)
All shall be ready. Here is this same picture,
And here, what you will value more, a purse.
Come early for your magic ceremonies. [155]

Alvar. I will not fail to meet you.

Ordonio. Till next we meet, farewell! [Exit Ordonio.

Alvar (alone, indignantly flings the purse away and gazes passionately
at the portrait). And I did curse thee!
At midnight! on my knees! and I believed
Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! thee dishonour'd!
O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of folly! [160]
Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses,
[[847]] Thy infant loves—should not thy maiden vows
Have come upon my heart? And this sweet Image
Tied round my neck with many a chaste endearment,
And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble— [165]
Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the miscreant,
Who spake pollution of thee! barter for life
This farewell pledge, which with impassioned vow
I had sworn that I would grasp—ev'n in my Death-pang!

I am unworthy of thy love, Teresa, [170]
Of that unearthly smile upon those lips,
Which ever smiled on me! Yet do not scorn me—
I lisp'd thy name, ere I had learnt my mother's.

Dear portrait! rescued from a traitor's keeping,
I will not now profane thee, holy image, [175]
To a dark trick. That worst bad man shall find
A picture, which will wake the hell within him,
And rouse a fiery whirlwind in his conscience.

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