SCENE THE FIRST.--_A cavern, dark except where a gleam of moonlight is seen on one side of the further end of it, supposed to be cast on it from a cranny_ [_crevice_ Remorse] _in a part of the cavern out of sight._ [_FERDINAND alone, an extinguished torch in his hand._ _Ferdinand._ Drip! drip! drip! drip!--in such a place as this It has nothing else to do but drip! drip! drip! I wish it had not dripp'd upon my torch. Faith 'twas a moving letter--very moving! His life in danger--no place safe but this. 5 'Twas his turn now to talk of gratitude! And yet--but no! there can't be such a villain. It cannot be! Thanks to that little cranny Which lets the moonlight in! I'll go and sit by it. To peep at a tree, or see a he-goat's beard, 10 Or hear a cow or two breathe loud in their sleep, 'Twere better than this dreary noise of water-drops! [_He goes out of sight, opposite to the patch of moonlight,_ [_and returns_. Remorse] _returns after a minute's elapse in an ecstasy of fear._ A hellish pit! O God--'tis like my night-mair! I was just in!--and those damn'd fingers of ice Which clutch'd my hair up! Ha! what's that? it moved! 15 [_FERDINAND stands_ [_motionless_ _MS. III erased_] _staring at another recess in the cavern. In the mean time OSORIO enters with a torch and hollas to him_ [_halloes to ISIDORE_ Remorse]. _Ferdinand._ I swear, I saw a something moving there! The moonshine came and went, like a flash of lightning. I swear, I saw it move! [_OSORIO goes into the recess, then returns, and with great scorn._ _Osorio._ A jutting clay-stone Drips on the long lank weed that grows beneath; And the weed nods and drips. _Ferdinand (forcing a faint laugh)._ A joke to laugh at! 20 It was not that which frighten'd me, my lord! _Osorio._ What frighten'd you? _Ferdinand._ You see that little cranny? But first permit me, [_Lights his torch at OSORIO'S, and while lighting it._ (A lighted torch in the hand Is no unpleasant object here--one's breath Floats round the flame, and makes as many colours 25 As the thin clouds that travel near the moon.)[564:1] You see that cranny there? _Osorio._ Well, what of that? _Ferdinand._ I walk'd up to it, meaning to sit there. When I had reach'd it within twenty paces---- [_FERDINAND starts as if he felt the terror over again._ Merciful Heaven! Do go, my lord! and look. 30 [_OSORIO goes and returns._ _Osorio._ It must have shot some pleasant feelings thro' you?