_Ferdinand._ If every atom of a dead man's flesh Should move, each one with a particular life, Yet all as cold as ever--'twas just so! Or if it drizzled needle-points of frost 35 Upon a feverish head made suddenly bald-- _Osorio (interrupting him)._ Why, Ferdinand! I blush for thy cowardice. It would have startled any man, I grant thee. But such a panic. _Ferdinand._ When a boy, my lord! I could have sat whole hours beside that chasm, 40 Push'd in huge stones and heard them thump and rattle Against its horrid sides; and hung my head Low down, and listen'd till the heavy fragments Sunk, with faint crash, in that still groaning well, Which never thirsty pilgrim blest, which never 45 A living thing came near; unless, perchance, Some blind-worm battens on the ropy mould, Close at its edge. _Osorio._ Art thou more coward now? _Ferdinand._ Call him that fears his fellow-men a coward. I fear not man. But this inhuman cavern 50 It were too bad a prison-house for goblins. Besides (you'll laugh, my lord!) but true it is, My last night's sleep was very sorely haunted[565:1] By what had pass'd between us in the morning. I saw you in a thousand hideous ways, 55 And doz'd and started, doz'd again and started. I do entreat your lordship to believe me, In my last dream---- _Osorio._ Well? _Ferdinand._ I was in the act Of falling down that chasm, when Alhadra Waked me. She heard my heart beat! _Osorio._ Strange enough! 60 Had you been here before? _Ferdinand._ Never, my lord! But my eyes do not see it now more clearly Than in my dream I saw that very chasm. [_OSORIO stands in a deep study--then, after a pause._ _Osorio._ There is no reason why it should be so. And yet it is. _Ferdinand._ What is, my lord? _Osorio._ Unpleasant 65 To kill a man! _Ferdinand._ Except in self-defence. _Osorio._ Why that's my case: and yet 'tis still unpleasant. At least I find it so! But you, perhaps, Have stronger nerves? _Ferdinand._ Something doth trouble you. How can I serve you? By the life you gave me, 70 By all that makes that life of value to me, My wife, my babes, my honour, I swear to you, Name it, and I will toil to do the thing, If it be innocent! But this, my lord! Is not a place where you could perpetrate, 75 No, nor propose a wicked thing. The darkness (When ten yards off, we know, 'tis chearful moonlight) Collects the guilt and crowds it round the heart. It must be innocent. _Osorio._ Thyself be judge. [_OSORIO walks round the cavern--then looking round it._