Ordonio. Yes, I murdered him most foully. 235

Alvar and Teresa. O horrible!

Alhadra. Why did'st thou leave his children?
Demon, thou should'st have sent thy dogs of hell
To lap their blood. Then, then I might have hardened
My soul in misery, and have had comfort.
I would have stood far off, quiet though dark, [240]
And bade the race of men raise up a mourning
For a deep horror of desolation,
Too great to be one soul's particular lot!
Brother of Zagri! let me lean upon thee.
The time is not yet come for woman's anguish, [245]
[[879]] I have not seen his blood—Within an hour
Those little ones will crowd around and ask me,
Where is our father? I shall curse thee then!
Wert thou in heaven, my curse would pluck thee thence!

Teresa. He doth repent! See, see, I kneel to thee! [250]
O let him live! That agéd man, his father——

Alhadra. Why had he such a son?
[Shouts from the distance of Rescue! Rescue! Alvar! Alvar! and the voice of Valdez heard.
Rescue?—and Isidore's spirit unavenged?—
The deed be mine! [Suddenly stabs Ordonio.
Now take my life!

Ordonio (staggering from the wound). Atonement!

Alvar (while with Teresa supporting Ordonio). Arm of avenging Heaven [255]
[[880]] Thou hast snatched from me my most cherished hope—
But go! my word was pledged to thee.

Ordonio. Away!
Brave not my Father's rage! I thank thee! Thou—
[Then turning his eyes languidly to Alvar.
She hath avenged the blood of Isidore!
I stood in silence like a slave before her 260
That I might taste the wormwood and the gall,
And satiate this self-accusing heart
With bitterer agonies than death can give.
Forgive me, Alvar!
Oh!—could'st thou forget me! [Dies.

[Alvar and Teresa bend over the body of Ordonio.

Alhadra (to the Moors). I thank thee, Heaven! thou hast ordained it wisely, [265]
That still extremes bring their own cure. That point
In misery, which makes the oppressed Man
Regardless of his own life, makes him too
Lord of the Oppressor's—Knew I a hundred men
Despairing, but not palsied by despair, 270
This arm should shake the kingdoms of the world;
The deep foundations of iniquity
Should sink away, earth groaning from beneath them;
The strongholds of the cruel men should fall,
Their temples and their mountainous towers should fall; 275
Till desolation seemed a beautiful thing,
And all that were and had the spirit of life,
Sang a new song to her who had gone forth,
Conquering and still to conquer!