_Valdez._ How often would he plead for these Morescoes! 20 The brood accurst! remorseless, coward murderers! _Teresa._ So? so?--I comprehend you--He is---- _Valdez._ He is no more! _Teresa._ O sorrow! that a father's voice should say this, A Father's Heart believe it! _Valdez._ A worse sorrow Are fancy's wild hopes to a heart despairing! 25 _Teresa._ These rays that slant in through those gorgeous windows, From yon bright orb--though coloured as they pass, Are they not light?--Even so that voice, Lord Valdez! Which whispers to my soul, though haply varied By many a fancy, many a wishful hope, 30 Speaks yet the truth: and Alvar lives for me! _Valdez._ Yes, for three wasting years, thus and no other, He has lived for thee--a spirit for thy spirit! My child, we must not give religious faith To every voice which makes the heart a listener 35 To its own wish. _Teresa._ I breath'd to the Unerring Permitted prayers. Must those remain unanswer'd, Yet impious sorcery, that holds no commune Save with the lying spirit, claim belief? _Valdez._ O not to-day, not now for the first time 40 Was Alvar lost to thee-- Accurst assassins! Disarmed, o'erpowered, despairing of defence, At his bared breast he seem'd to grasp some relique More dear than was his life---- _Teresa._ O Heavens! my portrait! And he did grasp it in his death pang! Off, false demon, 45 That beat'st thy black wings close above my head![853:1] [_ORDONIO enters with the keys of the dungeon in his hand._ Hush! who comes here? The wizard Moor's employer! Moors were his murderers, you say? Saints shield us From wicked thoughts---- [_VALDEZ moves towards the back of the stage to meet ORDONIO, and during the concluding lines of TERESA'S speech appears as eagerly conversing with him._ Is Alvar dead? what then? The nuptial rites and funeral shall be one! 50 Here's no abiding-place for thee, Teresa.-- Away! they see me not--Thou seest me, Alvar! To thee I bend my course.--But first one question, One question to Ordonio.--My limbs tremble-- There I may sit unmark'd--a moment will restore me. 55 [_Retires out of sight._