ACT THE THIRD

[200]AfterEnterOsorio.Be quickRemove these tablets—quick conceal it—Corr. in MS. III.

AfterEnterOsorio.

Be quickRemove these tablets—quick conceal it—

Corr. in MS. III.

[201-3]om. MS. III.

om. MS. III.

Stage-directions (groaning, &c.)before206, and (Albert, &c.)after206om. Remorse.

[206]Zul. (to Alvar).Why, &c.Remorse.

Zul. (to Alvar).Why, &c.Remorse.

[208]in anguish] forgivenessRemorse.

in anguish] forgivenessRemorse.

[209-10]Ord. (returning and aloud).Plucked in the moonlight from a ruin'd abbey—Those only, which the pale rays visited!O the unintelligible power of weeds,Remorse.

Ord. (returning and aloud).Plucked in the moonlight from a ruin'd abbey—Those only, which the pale rays visited!O the unintelligible power of weeds,

Ord. (returning and aloud).

Plucked in the moonlight from a ruin'd abbey—Those only, which the pale rays visited!O the unintelligible power of weeds,

Remorse.

[215]Who] HathRemorse.

Who] HathRemorse.

[216]Ord.With you, then, I am to speak.[Haughtily waving his hand toZulimez.And mark you, alone.[ExitZulimez.Remorse.

Ord.With you, then, I am to speak.[Haughtily waving his hand toZulimez.And mark you, alone.

[ExitZulimez.

Remorse.

[224]No, no!] O no!Remorse.

No, no!] O no!Remorse.

[225]fits] suitsRemorse.

fits] suitsRemorse.

Before226Ord. (aside).O what a, &c.Remorse.

[228]Yet still a fool![Looks round the cottage.You are poor!Remorse.

Yet still a fool![Looks round the cottage.You are poor!

Remorse.

[230-3]The Inquisition, too—You comprehend me?You are poor, in peril. I have wealth and powerRemorse.

The Inquisition, too—You comprehend me?You are poor, in peril. I have wealth and power

Remorse.

[235]And for the boon I ask of you but thisRemorse.

And for the boon I ask of you but thisRemorse.

[237]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[239]Ord.The slave begins to soften.[aside.You are my friendRemorse.

Ord.The slave begins to soften.[aside.You are my friend

Remorse.

After242Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[244]Alv. (aside).Alas! &c.Remorse.

Alv. (aside).Alas! &c.Remorse.

[247]Have you no servants here, &c.?Remorse.

Have you no servants here, &c.?Remorse.

[252]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[255-9]Insolent slave! how dar'dst thou—[Turns abruptly fromAlvar, and then to himself.Why! What's this?'Twas idiocy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,And wear a fool's cap—Alvar.Fare thee well—I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish.[Alvaris retiring.Ordonio.Ho![Calling toAlvar.Alvar.Be brief, &c.Remorse.

Insolent slave! how dar'dst thou—[Turns abruptly fromAlvar, and then to himself.Why! What's this?'Twas idiocy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,And wear a fool's cap—Alvar.Fare thee well—I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish.[Alvaris retiring.Ordonio.Ho![Calling toAlvar.Alvar.Be brief, &c.

Insolent slave! how dar'dst thou—[Turns abruptly fromAlvar, and then to himself.Why! What's this?'Twas idiocy! I'll tie myself to an aspen,And wear a fool's cap—

Alvar.Fare thee well—I pity thee, Ordonio, even to anguish.[Alvaris retiring.

Ordonio.Ho![Calling toAlvar.

Alvar.Be brief, &c.

Remorse.

[267]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[268]Stage-directionom. Remorse. God] HeavenRemorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse. God] HeavenRemorse.

[270]What, art thou mad? Why look'st thou upward so?Remorse.

What, art thou mad? Why look'st thou upward so?Remorse.

[272]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[278]Stage-directionom. Remorse. Well—and this lady! Pray, proceed my lordMS. III. erased.

Stage-directionom. Remorse. Well—and this lady! Pray, proceed my lordMS. III. erased.

[282]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Before and after287Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[290]this] theRemorse.

this] theRemorse.

[296]Stage-directionom. Remorse.

Stage-directionom. Remorse.

[297]Ordonio.We'll hazard no delay. Be it to-night,Remorse.

Ordonio.We'll hazard no delay. Be it to-night,Remorse.

[300-2](For I have arranged it—music, altar, incense)All shall be ready. Here is this same picture,And here, what you will value more, a purse.Come early for your magic ceremonies.Remorse.

(For I have arranged it—music, altar, incense)All shall be ready. Here is this same picture,And here, what you will value more, a purse.Come early for your magic ceremonies.

Remorse.

[303]ExitOrdonio.Alvar(alone, indignantly flings the purse away and gazes, &c.Remorse.

ExitOrdonio.Alvar(alone, indignantly flings the purse away and gazes, &c.Remorse.

[305]Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! Thee dishonour'd!Remorse.

Thee perjur'd, thee a traitress! Thee dishonour'd!Remorse.

Between312and313:Who spake pollution of thee! barter for lifeThis farewell pledge, which with impassioned vowI had sworn that I would grasp—ev'n in my death-pang!Remorse.

Between312and313:

Who spake pollution of thee! barter for lifeThis farewell pledge, which with impassioned vowI had sworn that I would grasp—ev'n in my death-pang!

Remorse.

Affixed to318-19omitted.(Ali re-enters).Ali! new Hope, new joy! A life thrills thro' meAs if renew'd from Heaven! Bring back that tabletRestor'd to me by a fortunate Star. This pictureOf my assassination will I leaveAs the token of my Fate:—Haste, for I yearn to tell thee what has pass'd[Exit Ali.MS. III.

Affixed to318-19omitted.

(Ali re-enters).

Ali! new Hope, new joy! A life thrills thro' meAs if renew'd from Heaven! Bring back that tabletRestor'd to me by a fortunate Star. This pictureOf my assassination will I leaveAs the token of my Fate:—Haste, for I yearn to tell thee what has pass'd[Exit Ali.

MS. III.

318-20and stage-directions [Maurice, &c.; (gazing, &c.)om. Remorse.

[321]image] portraitRemorse.

image] portraitRemorse.

[324]shall] willRemorse.

shall] willRemorse.

Scene the First.—A hall of armory, with an altar in the part farthest from the stage.

Velez, Osorio, Maria.

Maria.Lord Velez! you have ask'd my presence here,And I submit; but (Heaven bear witness for me!)My heart approves it not! 'tis mockery!

[HereAlbertenters in a sorcerer's robe.

Maria (to Albert).Stranger! I mourn and blush to seeyouhere[551]On such employments! With far other thoughts5I left you.Osorio (aside).Ha! he has been tampering with her!Albert.O high-soul'd maiden, and more dear to meThan suits the stranger's name, I swear to thee,I will uncover all concealed things!Doubt, but decide not!Stand from off the altar.10

Maria (to Albert).Stranger! I mourn and blush to seeyouhere[551]On such employments! With far other thoughts5I left you.

Osorio (aside).Ha! he has been tampering with her!

Albert.O high-soul'd maiden, and more dear to meThan suits the stranger's name, I swear to thee,I will uncover all concealed things!Doubt, but decide not!Stand from off the altar.10

[Here a strain of music is heard from behind the scenes, from an instrument of glass or steel—the harmonica or Celestina stop, or Clagget's metallic organ.

Albert.With no irreverent voice or uncouth charmI call up the departed. Soul of Albert!Hear our soft suit, and heed my milder spells:So may the gates of Paradise unbarr'dCease thy swift toils, since haply thou art one15Of that innumerable company,Who in broad circle, lovelier than the rainbow,Girdle this round earth in a dizzy motion,With noise too vast and constant to be heard—Fitliest unheard! For, O ye numberless20And rapid travellers! what ear unstun'd,What sense unmadden'd, might bear up againstThe rushing of your congregated wings?Even now your living wheel turns o'er my head!Ye, as ye pass, toss high the desart sands,25That roar and whiten, like a burst of waters,A sweet appearance, but a dread illusion,To the parch'd caravan that roams by night.And ye build up on the becalmed wavesThat whirling pillar, which from earth to heaven30Stands vast, and moves in blackness. Ye too splitThe ice-mount, and with fragments many and huge,Tempest the new-thaw'd sea, whose sudden gulphsSuck in, perchance, some Lapland wizard's skiff.Then round and round the whirlpool's marge ye dance,35Till from the blue-swoln corse the soul toils out,And joins your mighty army.Soul of Albert![552]Hear the mild spell and tempt no blacker charm.By sighs unquiet and the sickly pangOf an half dead yet still undying hope,40Pass visible before our mortal sense;So shall the Church's cleansing rites be thine,Her knells and masses that redeem the dead.

THE SONG

(Sung behind the scenes, accompanied by the same instrument as before.)

Hear, sweet spirit! hear the spellLest a blacker charm compel!45So shall the midnight breezes swellWith thy deep long-lingering knell.And at evening evermoreIn a chapel on the shoreShall the chanters sad and saintly,50Yellow tapers burning faintly,Doleful masses chant for thee,Miserere, Domine!Hark! the cadence dies awayOn the quiet moonlight sea,55The boatmen rest their oars, and say,Miserere, Domine![A long pause.

Hark! the cadence dies awayOn the quiet moonlight sea,55The boatmen rest their oars, and say,Miserere, Domine![A long pause.

Osorio.This was too melancholy, father!Velez.Nay!My Albert lov'd sad music from a child.Once he was lost; and after weary search60We found him in an open place of the wood,To which spot he had follow'd a blind boyWho breathed into a pipe of sycamoreSome strangely-moving notes, and these, he said,Were taught him in a dream; him we first saw65Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank;And, lower down, poor Albert fast asleep,His head upon the blind boy's dog—it pleased meTo mark, how he had fasten'd round the pipeA silver toy, his grandmother had given him.70[553]Methinks I see him now, as he then look'd.His infant dress was grown too short for him,Yet still he wore it.Albert (aside).My tears must not flow—I must not clasp his knees, and cry, my father!Osorio.The innocent obey nor charm nor spell.75My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spiritBurst on our sight, a passing visitant!Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,O 'twere a joy to me.Albert (abruptly).A joy to thee!What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit80Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee,With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard?What if, his steadfast eye still beaming pityAnd brother's love, he turn'd his head aside,Lest he should look at thee, and with one look85Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?Velez.These are unholy fancies!Osorio (struggling with his feelings).Yes, my father!He is in heaven!Albert (still to Osorio).But what if this same brotherHad lived even so, that at his dying hourThe name of heaven would have convuls'd his face90More than the death-pang?Maria.Idly-prating man!He was most virtuous.Albert (still to Osorio).What if his very virtuesHad pamper'd his swoln heart, and made him proud?And what if pride had duped him into guilt,Yet still he stalk'd, a self-created God,95Not very bold, but excellently cunning;And one that at his mother's looking-glass,Would force his features to a frowning sternness?Young lord! I tell thee, that there are such beings,—[554]Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd,100To see these most proud men, that loathe mankind,At every stir and buz of coward conscience,Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites!Away! away! Now let me hear more music.[Music as before.Albert.The spell is mutter'd—come, thou wandering shape,105Who own'st no master in an eye of flesh,Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it or foul,If he be dead, come quick, and bring with theeThat which he grasp'd in death; and if he lives,Some token of his obscure perilous life.110[The whole orchestra crashes into one chorus.Wandering demon! hear the spellLest a blacker charm compel!

Osorio.This was too melancholy, father!

Velez.Nay!My Albert lov'd sad music from a child.Once he was lost; and after weary search60We found him in an open place of the wood,To which spot he had follow'd a blind boyWho breathed into a pipe of sycamoreSome strangely-moving notes, and these, he said,Were taught him in a dream; him we first saw65Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank;And, lower down, poor Albert fast asleep,His head upon the blind boy's dog—it pleased meTo mark, how he had fasten'd round the pipeA silver toy, his grandmother had given him.70[553]Methinks I see him now, as he then look'd.His infant dress was grown too short for him,Yet still he wore it.

Albert (aside).My tears must not flow—I must not clasp his knees, and cry, my father!

Osorio.The innocent obey nor charm nor spell.75My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spiritBurst on our sight, a passing visitant!Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,O 'twere a joy to me.

Albert (abruptly).A joy to thee!What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit80Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee,With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard?What if, his steadfast eye still beaming pityAnd brother's love, he turn'd his head aside,Lest he should look at thee, and with one look85Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?

Velez.These are unholy fancies!

Osorio (struggling with his feelings).Yes, my father!He is in heaven!

Albert (still to Osorio).But what if this same brotherHad lived even so, that at his dying hourThe name of heaven would have convuls'd his face90More than the death-pang?

Maria.Idly-prating man!He was most virtuous.

Albert (still to Osorio).What if his very virtuesHad pamper'd his swoln heart, and made him proud?And what if pride had duped him into guilt,Yet still he stalk'd, a self-created God,95Not very bold, but excellently cunning;And one that at his mother's looking-glass,Would force his features to a frowning sternness?Young lord! I tell thee, that there are such beings,—[554]Yea, and it gives fierce merriment to the damn'd,100To see these most proud men, that loathe mankind,At every stir and buz of coward conscience,Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites!Away! away! Now let me hear more music.[Music as before.

Albert.The spell is mutter'd—come, thou wandering shape,105Who own'st no master in an eye of flesh,Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it or foul,If he be dead, come quick, and bring with theeThat which he grasp'd in death; and if he lives,Some token of his obscure perilous life.110[The whole orchestra crashes into one chorus.

Wandering demon! hear the spellLest a blacker charm compel!

[A thunder-clap. The incense on the altar takes fire suddenly.

Maria.This is some trick—I know, it is a trick.[555]Yet my weak fancy, and these bodily creepings,Would fain give substance to the shadow.[555:1]Velez (advancing to the altar).Hah!115A picture!Maria.O God!mypicture?Albert (gazing at Maria with wild impatient distressfulness).Pale—pale—deadly pale!Maria.He grasp'd it when he died.[She swoons.Albertrushes to her and supports her.Albert.My love! my wife!Pale—pale, and cold! My love! my wife! Maria!

Maria.This is some trick—I know, it is a trick.[555]Yet my weak fancy, and these bodily creepings,Would fain give substance to the shadow.[555:1]

Velez (advancing to the altar).Hah!115A picture!

Maria.O God!mypicture?

Albert (gazing at Maria with wild impatient distressfulness).Pale—pale—deadly pale!

Maria.He grasp'd it when he died.[She swoons.Albertrushes to her and supports her.

Albert.My love! my wife!Pale—pale, and cold! My love! my wife! Maria!

[Velezis at the altar.Osorioremains near him in a state of stupor.

Osorio (rousing himself).Where am I? 'Twas a lazy chilliness.120Velez (takes and conceals the picture in his robe).This way, my son! She must not see this picture.Go, call the attendants! Life will soon ebb back!

Osorio (rousing himself).Where am I? 'Twas a lazy chilliness.120

Velez (takes and conceals the picture in his robe).This way, my son! She must not see this picture.Go, call the attendants! Life will soon ebb back!

[VelezandOsorioleave the stage.

Albert.Her pulse doth flutter. Maria! my Maria!Maria (recovering—looks round).I heard a voice—but often in my dreams,I hear that voice, and wake; and try, and try,125To hear it waking—but I never could!And 'tis so now—even so! Well, he is dead,Murder'd perhaps! and I am faint, and feelAs if it were no painful thing to die!Albert (eagerly).Believe it not, sweet maid! believe it not,130Beloved woman! 'Twas a low impostureFramed by a guilty wretch.Maria.Ha! who art thou?Albert (exceedingly agitated).My heart bursts over thee!Maria.Didstthoumurder him?[556]And dost thou now repent? Poor troubled man!I do forgive thee, and may Heaven forgive thee!135Albert (aside).Let me be gone.Maria.If thou didst murder him,His spirit ever, at the throne of God,Asks mercy for thee, prays for mercy for thee,With tears in heaven!Albert.Albert was not murder'd.Your foster-mother——Maria.And doth she know aught?140Albert.She knows not aught—but haste thou to her cottageTo-morrow early—bring Lord Velez with thee.There ye must meet me—but your servants come.Maria (wildly).Nay—nay—but tell me![A pause—then presses her forehead.Ah! 'tis lost again!This dead confused pain![A pause—she gazes atAlbert.Mysterious man!145Methinks, I cannot fear thee—for thine eyeDoth swim with pity—I will lean on thee.[ExeuntAlbertandMaria.

Albert.Her pulse doth flutter. Maria! my Maria!

Maria (recovering—looks round).I heard a voice—but often in my dreams,I hear that voice, and wake; and try, and try,125To hear it waking—but I never could!And 'tis so now—even so! Well, he is dead,Murder'd perhaps! and I am faint, and feelAs if it were no painful thing to die!

Albert (eagerly).Believe it not, sweet maid! believe it not,130Beloved woman! 'Twas a low impostureFramed by a guilty wretch.

Maria.Ha! who art thou?

Albert (exceedingly agitated).My heart bursts over thee!

Maria.Didstthoumurder him?[556]And dost thou now repent? Poor troubled man!I do forgive thee, and may Heaven forgive thee!135

Albert (aside).Let me be gone.

Maria.If thou didst murder him,His spirit ever, at the throne of God,Asks mercy for thee, prays for mercy for thee,With tears in heaven!

Albert.Albert was not murder'd.Your foster-mother——

Maria.And doth she know aught?140

Albert.She knows not aught—but haste thou to her cottageTo-morrow early—bring Lord Velez with thee.There ye must meet me—but your servants come.

Maria (wildly).Nay—nay—but tell me![A pause—then presses her forehead.Ah! 'tis lost again!This dead confused pain![A pause—she gazes atAlbert.Mysterious man!145Methinks, I cannot fear thee—for thine eyeDoth swim with pity—I will lean on thee.[ExeuntAlbertandMaria.

Re-enterVelezandOsorio.

Velez (sportively).You shall not see the picture, till you own it.[556:1]Osorio.This mirth and raillery, sir! beseem your age.I am content to be more serious.[556:2]150

Velez (sportively).You shall not see the picture, till you own it.[556:1]

Osorio.This mirth and raillery, sir! beseem your age.I am content to be more serious.[556:2]150

Velez.Do you think I did not scent it from the first?An excellent scheme, and excellently managed.'Twill blow away her doubts, and now she'll wed you,I'faith, the likeness is most admirable.I saw the trick—yet these old eyes grew dimmer155With very foolish tears, it look'd so like him!Osorio.Where should I get her portrait?Velez.Get her portrait?Portrait? You mean the picture! At the painter's—No difficulty then—but that you lit uponA fellow that could play the sorcerer,160With such a grace and terrible majesty,It was most rare good fortune. And how deeplyHe seem'd to suffer when Maria swoon'd,And half made love to her! I suppose you'll ask meWhy did he so?Osorio (with deep tones of suppressed agitation).Ay, wherefore did he so?165Velez.Because you bade him—and an excellent thought!A mighty man, and gentle as he is mighty.He'll wind into her confidence, and routA host of scruples—come, confess, Osorio!Osorio.You pierce through mysteries with a lynx's eye,170In this, your merry mood! you see it all!Velez.Why, no!—not all. I have not yet discover'd,At least, not wholly, what his speeches meant.Pride and hypocrisy, and guilt and cunning—Then when he fix'd his obstinate eye on you,175And you pretended to look strange and tremble.Why—why—what ails you now?Osorio (with a stupid stare).Me? why? what ails me?A pricking of the blood—it might have happen'dAt any other time. Why scan you me?Velez (clapping him on the shoulder).'Twon't do—'twon't do—I have lived too long in the world.180His speech about the corse and stabs and murderers,Had reference to the assassins in the picture:That I made out.Osorio (with a frantic eagerness).Assassins! what assassins!Velez.Well-acted, on my life! Your curiosityRuns open-mouth'd, ravenous as winter wolf.185I dare not stand in its way.[He showsOsoriothe picture.Osorio.Dup'd—dup'd—dup'd![558]That villain Ferdinand! (aside).Velez.Dup'd—dup'd—not I.As he swept by me——Osorio.Ha!whatdid he say?Velez.He caught his garment up and hid his face.It seem'd as he were struggling to suppress——190Osorio.A laugh! a laugh! O hell! he laughs at me!Velez.It heaved his chest more like a violent sob.Osorio.A choking laugh![A pause—then very wildly.I tell thee, my dear father!I am most glad of this!Velez.Glad!—aye—to be sure.Osorio.I was benumb'd, and stagger'd up and down195Thro' darkness without light—dark—dark—dark—And every inch of this my flesh did feelAs if a cold toad touch'd it! Now 'tis sunshine,And the blood dances freely thro' its channels![He turns off—then (to himself) mimickingFerdinand'smanner.[558:1]'A common trick of gratitude, my lord!200Old Gratitude! a dagger would dissectHis own full heart,' 'twere good to see its colour!Velez (looking intently at the picture).Calm, yet commanding! how he bares his breast,Yet still they stand with dim uncertain looks,As penitence had run before their crime.205A crime too black for aught to follow itSave blasphemous despair! Seethisman's face—With what a difficult toil he drags his soulTo do the deed.[Then toOsorio.O this was delicate flatteryTo poor Maria, and I love thee for it!210Osorio (in a slow voice with a reasoning laugh).Love—love—and then we hate—and what? and wherefore?Hatred and love. Strange things! both strange alike!What if one reptile sting another reptile,Where is the crime? The goodly face of NatureHath one trail less of slimy filth upon it.215[559]Are we not all predestined rottennessAnd cold dishonor? Grant it that this handHad given a morsel to the hungry wormsSomewhat too early. Where's the guilt of this?That this must needs bring on the idiotcy220Of moist-eyed penitence—'tis like a dream!Velez.Wild talk, my child! but thy excess of feeling[Turns off fromOsorio.Sometimes, I fear, it will unhinge his brain!Osorio.I kill a man and lay him in the sun,And in a month there swarm from his dead body225A thousand—nay, ten thousand sentient beingsIn place of that one man whom I had kill'd.Now who shall tell me, that each one and all,Of these ten thousand lives, is not as happyAs that one life, which being shov'd aside230Made room for these ten thousand?[559:1]Velez.Wild as madness!Osorio.Come, father! you have taught me to be merry,And merrily we'll pore upon this picture.Velez (holding the picture before Osorio).That Moor, who points his sword at Albert's breast——Osorio (abruptly).A tender-hearted, scrupulous, grateful villain,235Whom I will strangle!Velez.And these other two——Osorio.Dead—dead already!—what care I for the dead?Velez.The heat of brain and your too strong affectionFor Albert, fighting with your other passion,Unsettle you, and give reality240To these your own contrivings.Osorio.Is it so?You see through all things withyourpenetration.[560]Now I am calm. How fares it with Maria?My heart doth ache to see her.Velez.Nay—defer it!Defer it, dear Osorio! I will go.[ExitVelez.245Osorio.A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea—And now 'tis gone! all may be done this night!

Osorio.Where should I get her portrait?

Velez.Get her portrait?Portrait? You mean the picture! At the painter's—No difficulty then—but that you lit uponA fellow that could play the sorcerer,160With such a grace and terrible majesty,It was most rare good fortune. And how deeplyHe seem'd to suffer when Maria swoon'd,And half made love to her! I suppose you'll ask meWhy did he so?

Osorio (with deep tones of suppressed agitation).Ay, wherefore did he so?165

Velez.Because you bade him—and an excellent thought!A mighty man, and gentle as he is mighty.He'll wind into her confidence, and routA host of scruples—come, confess, Osorio!

Osorio.You pierce through mysteries with a lynx's eye,170In this, your merry mood! you see it all!

Velez.Why, no!—not all. I have not yet discover'd,At least, not wholly, what his speeches meant.Pride and hypocrisy, and guilt and cunning—Then when he fix'd his obstinate eye on you,175And you pretended to look strange and tremble.Why—why—what ails you now?

Osorio (with a stupid stare).Me? why? what ails me?A pricking of the blood—it might have happen'dAt any other time. Why scan you me?

Velez (clapping him on the shoulder).'Twon't do—'twon't do—I have lived too long in the world.180His speech about the corse and stabs and murderers,Had reference to the assassins in the picture:That I made out.

Osorio (with a frantic eagerness).Assassins! what assassins!

Velez.Well-acted, on my life! Your curiosityRuns open-mouth'd, ravenous as winter wolf.185I dare not stand in its way.[He showsOsoriothe picture.

Osorio.Dup'd—dup'd—dup'd![558]That villain Ferdinand! (aside).

Velez.Dup'd—dup'd—not I.As he swept by me——

Osorio.Ha!whatdid he say?

Velez.He caught his garment up and hid his face.It seem'd as he were struggling to suppress——190

Osorio.A laugh! a laugh! O hell! he laughs at me!

Velez.It heaved his chest more like a violent sob.

Osorio.A choking laugh![A pause—then very wildly.I tell thee, my dear father!I am most glad of this!

Velez.Glad!—aye—to be sure.

Osorio.I was benumb'd, and stagger'd up and down195Thro' darkness without light—dark—dark—dark—And every inch of this my flesh did feelAs if a cold toad touch'd it! Now 'tis sunshine,And the blood dances freely thro' its channels![He turns off—then (to himself) mimickingFerdinand'smanner.[558:1]'A common trick of gratitude, my lord!200Old Gratitude! a dagger would dissectHis own full heart,' 'twere good to see its colour!

Velez (looking intently at the picture).Calm, yet commanding! how he bares his breast,Yet still they stand with dim uncertain looks,As penitence had run before their crime.205A crime too black for aught to follow itSave blasphemous despair! Seethisman's face—With what a difficult toil he drags his soulTo do the deed.[Then toOsorio.O this was delicate flatteryTo poor Maria, and I love thee for it!210

Osorio (in a slow voice with a reasoning laugh).Love—love—and then we hate—and what? and wherefore?Hatred and love. Strange things! both strange alike!What if one reptile sting another reptile,Where is the crime? The goodly face of NatureHath one trail less of slimy filth upon it.215[559]Are we not all predestined rottennessAnd cold dishonor? Grant it that this handHad given a morsel to the hungry wormsSomewhat too early. Where's the guilt of this?That this must needs bring on the idiotcy220Of moist-eyed penitence—'tis like a dream!

Velez.Wild talk, my child! but thy excess of feeling[Turns off fromOsorio.Sometimes, I fear, it will unhinge his brain!

Osorio.I kill a man and lay him in the sun,And in a month there swarm from his dead body225A thousand—nay, ten thousand sentient beingsIn place of that one man whom I had kill'd.Now who shall tell me, that each one and all,Of these ten thousand lives, is not as happyAs that one life, which being shov'd aside230Made room for these ten thousand?[559:1]

Velez.Wild as madness!

Osorio.Come, father! you have taught me to be merry,And merrily we'll pore upon this picture.

Velez (holding the picture before Osorio).That Moor, who points his sword at Albert's breast——

Osorio (abruptly).A tender-hearted, scrupulous, grateful villain,235Whom I will strangle!

Velez.And these other two——

Osorio.Dead—dead already!—what care I for the dead?

Velez.The heat of brain and your too strong affectionFor Albert, fighting with your other passion,Unsettle you, and give reality240To these your own contrivings.

Osorio.Is it so?You see through all things withyourpenetration.[560]Now I am calm. How fares it with Maria?My heart doth ache to see her.

Velez.Nay—defer it!Defer it, dear Osorio! I will go.[ExitVelez.245

Osorio.A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea—And now 'tis gone! all may be done this night!

Enter aServant.

Osorio.There is a man, once a Moresco chieftain,One Ferdinand.Servant.He lives in the Alpuxarras,Beneath a slate rock.Osorio.Slate rock?Servant.Yes, my lord!250If you had seen it, you must have remember'dThe flight of steps his children had worn up itWith often clambering.Osorio.Well, it may be so.Servant.Why, now I think on't, at this time of the year'Tis hid by vines.Osorio (in a muttering voice).The cavern—aye—the cavern.He cannot fail to find it.[To theServant.255Where art going?You must deliver to this FerdinandA letter. Stay till I have written it.[Exit theServant.Osorio (alone).The tongue can't stir when the mouth is fill'd with mould.A little earth stops up most eloquent mouths,260And a square stone with a few pious textsCut neatly on it, keeps the earth down tight.

Osorio.There is a man, once a Moresco chieftain,One Ferdinand.

Servant.He lives in the Alpuxarras,Beneath a slate rock.

Osorio.Slate rock?

Servant.Yes, my lord!250If you had seen it, you must have remember'dThe flight of steps his children had worn up itWith often clambering.

Osorio.Well, it may be so.

Servant.Why, now I think on't, at this time of the year'Tis hid by vines.

Osorio (in a muttering voice).The cavern—aye—the cavern.He cannot fail to find it.[To theServant.255Where art going?You must deliver to this FerdinandA letter. Stay till I have written it.[Exit theServant.

Osorio (alone).The tongue can't stir when the mouth is fill'd with mould.A little earth stops up most eloquent mouths,260And a square stone with a few pious textsCut neatly on it, keeps the earth down tight.

Scene changes to the space before the castle.

Francescoand aSpy.

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