_Alhadra._ I was a Moresco! 205 They cast me, then a young and nursing mother, Into a dungeon of their prison house, Where was no bed, no fire, no ray of light, No touch, no sound of comfort! The black air, It was a toil to breathe it! when the door, 210 Slow opening at the appointed hour, disclosed One human countenance, the lamp's red flame Cowered as it entered, and at once sank down. Oh miserable! by that lamp to see My infant quarrelling with the coarse hard bread 215 Brought daily; for the little wretch was sickly-- My rage had dried away its natural food.[830:1] In darkness I remained--the dull bell counting, Which haply told me, that the all-cheering sun Was rising on our garden. When I dozed, 220 My infant's moanings mingled with my slumbers And waked me.--If you were a mother, lady, I should scarce dare to tell you, that its noises And peevish cries so fretted on my brain That I have struck the innocent babe in anger. 225 _Teresa._ O Heaven! it is too horrible to hear. _Alhadra._ What was it then to suffer? 'Tis most right That such as you should hear it.--Know you not, What nature makes you mourn, she bids you heal?[830:2] Great evils ask great passions to redress them, 230 And whirlwinds fitliest scatter pestilence. _Teresa._ You were at length released? _Alhadra._ Yes, at length I saw the blessed arch of the whole heaven! 'Twas the first time my infant smiled. No more-- For if I dwell upon that moment, Lady, 235 A trance comes on which makes me o'er again All I then was--my knees hang loose and drag, And my lip falls with such an idiot laugh, That you would start and shudder! _Teresa._ But your husband-- _Alhadra._ A month's imprisonment would kill him, Lady. 240 _Teresa._ Alas, poor man! _Alhadra._ He hath a lion's courage, Fearless in act, but feeble in endurance; Unfit for boisterous times, with gentle heart He worships nature in the hill and valley, Not knowing what he loves, but loves it all-- 245 _Enter ALVAR disguised as a Moresco, and in Moorish garments._ _Teresa._ Know you that stately Moor? _Alhadra._ I know him not: But doubt not he is some Moresco chieftain, Who hides himself among the Alpujarras. _Teresa._ The Alpujarras? Does he know his danger, So near this seat? _Alhadra._ He wears the Moorish robes too, 250 As in defiance of the royal edict. [_ALHADRA advances to ALVAR, who has walked to the back of the stage, near the rocks. TERESA drops her veil._ _Alhadra._ Gallant Moresco! An inquisitor, Monviedro, of known hatred to our race----