Part 17 (2/2)

_Inez._ Is it you know not, or you will not tell?

_Gasp._ I do not know--and therefore cannot tell-- Though from this hour I date my misery, I am resign'd. You may dismiss me With stern remonstrance at my daring love-- Yet it is better. I am of those forsaken-- Who have no parents--owing to the state A nurture most unkind--a foundling child.

_Inez._ A foundling child? (_Aside._) His voice--his presence-- And those words make my heart leap in agony.

_Gasp._ Yes, and must live to curse the hearts of those Unnatural parents, who could thus renounce me.

Love conquer'd shame, and brought me into being, But in her turn shame triumph'd over love, And I was left to destiny.-- The b.l.o.o.d.y tigress parts not with her young:-- Her cruel nature, never known to pity, Is by maternal feeling changed to tenderness.

The eyes which fiercely gleam on all creation, Beam softly, as she views her snarling cubs.

But cruel man, unruly pa.s.sion sated, Leaves to neglect the offspring of his guilt.

I have no more to say. Dismiss me now, And when, henceforth, you rail at my presumption, Consider the perfection that has caused it.

I oft have made the healthy resolution To quit for ever her whom I adore.

Take my farewell to her--your lovely niece, Although I'm friendless, she will pity me.

_Inez._ (_aside_). How strange it is I feel not anger'd! Strange indeed, there is a pulse Which makes me lean to his presumptuous love.

[_Gaspar is going._ (_Aloud._) Yet stay awhile, for I would know your age?

_Gasp._ 'Twas at nine years I left the hospital, And now have been for ten a wanderer.

_Inez._ (_aside_). The age exact. O Heav'n! let not these hopes For ever springing, be for ever wither'd!

(_Aloud._) Youth, have you any mark, should you be sought, Might lend a clue to your discovery?

_Gasp._ I have; they who deserted me, if ever Their intention to reclaim my person, May safely challenge me among ten thousand.

(_Baring his wrist._) 'Tis here--a ruby band upon my wrist.

[_Inez goes towards him, catches his hand, and gazes on the wrist intently without speaking._

What can this mean? oh, speak, dear lady, speak!

_Inez._ (_throwing herself into his arms_). My child, my child!

_Gasp._ I, I your child! almighty Heaven, I thank thee!

My heart is bursting in its wild emotion, Till all be understood. Oh, speak again!

_Inez._ Thou art my son--he whom I've mourn'd so long, So long have sought. Features thou hast, my boy, Which in the memory of all save her, Who fondly loved, long, long have pa.s.s'd away.

_Gasp._ Who was my father?

_Inez._ One of most ancient name, Don Felipo.

_Gasp._ Then I am n.o.ble?

_Inez._ And by each descent.

_Gasp._ Pardon me, lady, if I seem more eager To know this fact, than render unto you My love and duty.--From the world's scorn I've suffer'd much; and my unbending pride Would rather that my birth remain'd in doubt, Than find a parentage which was obscure.

Now all is perfect, and to you I tender (_Kneeling_) My truth and love, still in their infancy, And therefore may they seem to you but feeble.

(_Rises._) Yet blame me not: this sudden change of state Hath left me so bewilder'd I scarce know Myself, or what I feel; like to the eyes Of one long plunged in gloom, on whom the sun, At length admitted, pours at once a flood Of glorious light--so are my senses dazzled.

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