The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 23

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 23

_Val._ Nay, My Alvar lov'd sad music from a child.

Once he was lost; and after weary search We found him in an open place in [of _Osor._] the wood, To which spot he had followed a blind boy, Who breath'd into a pipe of sycamore Some strangely-moving notes: and these, he said, Were taught him in a dream. Him we first saw Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank; And lower down poor Alvar, fast asleep, His head upon the blind boy's dog. It pleas'd me To mark how he had fasten'd round the pipe A silver toy his {grandmother had _Osor._ {grandam had late given him.

Methinks I see him now as he then look'd-- { His infant dress was grown too short for him, _Osor._ { Even so!--He had outgrown his infant dress, Yet still he wore it.

_Alv. (aside)._ My tears must not flow!

I must not clasp his knees, and cry, My father!

_Enter TERESA and attendants._

Remorse.

[These lines with the variants as noted above are included in Osorio, Act III, lines 58-74.]

[After 3] stage-direction om. Remorse.

[Between 3 and 4]

_Ordonio._ Believe you then no preternatural influence?

{ Believe you not that spirits throng around us?

{ I thought you held that spirits throng'd around us?

Corr. in MS. III.

_Ter._ Say rather that I have imagined it A possible thing; and it has sooth'd my soul As other fancies have; but ne'er seduced me To traffic with the black and frenzied hope, That the dead hear the voice of witch or wizard.

Remorse.

[4] _you_] you Remorse.

[5] employments] employment Remorse.

[9] things] guilt Remorse.

[10] Stand ye from the altar Remorse.

[After 10] [_Here_, &c. . . . scene Remorse.

[13] spells] spell Remorse.

[21] unstun'd] unstunn'd Remorse.

[After 23] [_Music_ Remorse.

[29] build up] upbuild Remorse.

[37] [_Here behind the scenes a voice sings the three words, 'Hear, sweet Spirit.'_ Remorse.

[After 43] SONG.--_Behind the scenes_, &c. Remorse.

[50] chanters] chaunter Remorse.

[58-74] are printed as ll. 1-17, Act III, Sc. I Remorse.

[61] of] in Remorse.

[70-72]

A silver toy his grandam had late given him, Methinks I see him now as he then look'd-- Even so!--He had outgrown his infant dress,

Remorse, Act III, ll. 13-15.

[79] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[87] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[88-9]

But what if he had a brother, Who had lived even so

Remorse.

[91-2]

_Valdez._ Idly prating man!

Thou hast guess'd ill: Don Alvar's only brother Stands here before thee--a father's blessing on him!

He is most virtuous.

Remorse.

[96] excellently] exquisitely Remorse.

[Between 104 and 105]

[_Music again._

_Teresa._ 'Tis strange, I tremble at my own conjectures!

But whatso'er it mean, I dare no longer Be present at these lawless mysteries, This dark provoking of the hidden Powers!

Already I affront--if not high Heaven-- Yet Alvar's memory!--Hark! I make appeal Against the unholy rite, and hasten hence To bend before a lawful shrine, and seek That voice which whispers, when the still heart listens, Comfort and faithful hope! Let us retire.

_Alv. (to TERESA)._ O full of faith and guileless love, thy spirit Still prompts thee wisely. Let the pangs of guilt Surprise the guilty: thou art innocent!

[_Exeunt TERESA and Attendant. Music as before._

Remorse.

[106] an eye of flesh] a human eye Remorse.

[108] come quick] O come Remorse.