shadowHerself had made); if this be wretchedness, 35
And if indeed it be a wretched thing
To trick out mine own deathbed, and imagine
That I had died — died, just ere his return;
Then see him listening to my constancy;
And hover round, as he at midnight ever 40
Sits on my grave and gazes at the moon;
Or haply in some more fantastic mood
To be in Paradise, and with choice flowers
Build up a bower where he and I might dwell,
And there to wait his coming! O my sire! 45
My Albert’s sire! if this be wretchedness
That eats away the life, what were it, think you,
If in a most assur’d reality
He should return, and see a brother’s infant
Smile at him from my arms? [Clasping her forehead.
O what a thought! 50
‘Twas horrible! it pass’d my brain like lightning.
Velez. ‘Twere horrible, if but one doubt remain’d
The very week he promised his return.
Maria. Ah, what a busy joy was ours — to see him
After his three years’ travels! tho’ that absence 55
His still-expected, never-failing letters
Almost endear’d to me! Even then what tumult!
Velez. O power of youth to feed on pleasant thoughts
Spite of conviction! I am old and heartless!
Yes, I am old — I have no pleasant dreams — 60
Hectic and unrefresh’d with rest.
Maria (with great tenderness). My father!
Velez. Aye, ‘twas the morning thou didst try to cheer me
With a fond gaiety. My heart was bursting,
And yet I could not tell me, how my sleep
Was throng’d with swarthy faces, and I saw 65
The merchant-ship in which my son was captured —
Well, well, enough — captured in sight of land —
We might almost have seen it from our house-top!
Maria (abruptly). He did not perish there!
Velez (impatiently). Nay, nay — how aptly thou forgett’st a tale 70
Thou ne’er didst wish to learn — my brave Osorio
Saw them both founder in the storm that parted
Him and the pirate: both the vessels founder’d.
Gallant Osorio! [Pauses, then tenderly.
O belov’d Maria,
Would’st thou best prove thy faith to generous Albert 75
And most delight his spirit, go and make
His brother happy, make his agéd father
Sink to the grave with joy!
Maria. For mercy’s sake
Press me no more. I have no power to love him!
His proud forbidding eye, and his dark brow 80
Chill me, like dew-damps of the unwholesome night.
My love, a timorous and tender flower,
Closes beneath his touch.
Velez. You wrong him, maiden.
You wrong him, by my soul! Nor was it well
To character by such unkindly phrases 85
The stir and workings of that love for you
Which he has toil’d to smother. ‘Twas not well —
Nor is it grateful in you to forget
His wounds and perilous voyages, and how
With an heroic fearlessness of danger 90
He roamed the coast of Afric for your Albert.
It was not well — you have moved me even to tears.
Maria. O pardon me, my father! pardon me.
It was a foolish and ungrateful speech,
A most ungrateful speech! But I am hurried 95
Beyond myself, if I but dream of one
Who aims to rival Albert. Were we not
Born on one day, like twins of the same parent?
Nursed in one cradle? Pardon me, my father!
A six years’ absence is an heavy thing; 100
Yet still the hope survives ——
Velez (looking forwards). Hush — hush! Maria.
Maria. It is Francesco, our Inquisitor;
That busy man, gross, ignorant, and cruel!
Enter FRANCESCO and ALHADRA.
Francesco (to Velez). Where is your son, my lord? Oh! here he
comes.
Enter OSORIO.
My Lord Osorio! this Moresco woman 105
(Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you.
Osorio. Hail, reverend father! What may be the business?
Francesco. O the old business — a Mohammedan!
The officers are in her husband’s house,
And would have taken him, but that he mention’d 110
Your name, asserting that you were his friend,
Aye, and would warrant him a Catholic.
But I know well these children of perdition,
And all their idle
