the step of one that treads in fearSeeking to cheat the echo.
Osorio. It approaches —
This nook shall hide me.
[MARIA enters from a plank which slips to and fro.
Maria. I have put aside
The customs and the terrors of a woman,
To work out thy escape. Stranger! begone, 230
And only tell me what thou know’st of Albert.
[ALBERT takes her portrait from his neck, and gives it
her with unutterable tenderness.
Albert. Maria! my Maria!
Maria. Do not mock me.
This is my face — and thou — ha! who art thou?
Nay, I will call thee Albert!
[She falls upon his neck. OSORIO leaps out from the
nook with frantic wildness, and rushes towards
ALBERT with his sword. MARIA gapes at him, as
one helpless with terror, then leaves ALBERT,
and flings herself upon OSORIO, arresting his
arm.
Maria. Madman, stop!
Albert (with majesty and tenderness). Does then this thin
disguise impenetrably 235
Hide Albert from thee? Toil and painful wounds,
And long imprisonment in unwholesome dungeons,
Have marr’d perhaps all trace and lineament
Of what I was! But chiefly, chiefly, brother!
My anguish for thy guilt. Spotless Maria, 240
I thought thee guilty too! Osorio, brother!
Nay, nay, thou shalt embrace me!
Osorio (drawing back and gazing at Albert with a countenance
expressive at once of awe and terror). Touch me not!
Touch not pollution, Albert! — I will die!
[He attempts to fall on his sword. ALBERT and MARIA
struggle with him.
Albert. We will invent some tale to save your honour.
Live, live, Osorio!
Maria. You may yet be happy. 245
Osorio (looking at Maria). O horror! Not a thousand years in
heaven
Could recompose this miserable heart,
Or make it capable of one brief joy.
Live! live! — why yes! ‘Twere well to live with you —
For is it fit a villain should be proud? 250
My brother! I will kneel to you, my brother!
[Throws himself at ALBERT’S feet.
Forgive me, Albert! — Curse me with forgiveness!
Albert. Call back thy soul, my brother! and look round thee.
Now is the time for greatness. Think that Heaven ——
Maria. O mark his eye! he hears not what you say. 255
Osorio (pointing at vacancy). Yes, mark his eye! there’s
fascination in it.
Thou said’st thou didst not know him. That is he!
He comes upon me!
Albert (lifting his eye to heaven). Heal, O heal him, Heaven!
Osorio. Nearer and nearer! And I cannot stir!
Will no one hear these stifled groans, and wake me? 260
He would have died to save me, and I kill’d him —
A husband and a father!
Maria. Some secret poison
Drinks up his spirit!
Osorio (fiercely recollecting himself). Let the eternal Justice
Prepare my punishment in the obscure world.
I will not bear to live — to live! O agony! 265
And be myself alone, my own sore torment!
[The doors of the dungeon are burst open with a crash.
ALHADRA, MAURICE, and the band of Morescoes
enter.
Alhadra (pointing at Osorio). Seize first that man!
[The Moors press round.
Albert (rushing in among them). Draw thy sword, Maurice, and
defend my brother.
[A scuffle, during which they disarm MAURICE.
Osorio. Off, ruffians! I have flung away my sword.
Woman, my life is thine! to thee I give it. 270
Off! he that touches me with his hand of flesh,
I’ll rend his limbs asunder! I have strength
With this bare arm to scatter you like ashes!
Alhadra. My husband ——
Osorio. Yes! I murder’d him most foully.
Albert (throws himself on the earth). O horrible!
Alhadra. Why didst thou
leave his children? 275
Demon! thou shouldst have sent thy dogs of hell
To lap their blood. Then, then, I might have harden’d
My soul in misery, and have had comfort.
I would have stood far off, quiet tho’ dark,
And bade the race of men raise up a mourning 280
For the deep horror of a desolation
Too great
