_Maria._ 'Tis a sweet tale: Such as would lull a list'ning child to sleep, His rosy face besoil'd with unwiped tears. And what became of him? _Foster-Mother._ He went on shipboard With those bold voyagers, who made discovery 225 Of golden lands; Leoni's younger brother Went likewise, and when he return'd to Spain, He told Leoni that the poor mad youth, Soon after they arrived in that new world, In spite of his dissuasion seized a boat, 230 And all alone set sail by silent moonlight, Up a great river, great as any sea, And ne'er was heard of more; but 'tis supposed He liv'd and died among the savage men. _Enter VELEZ._ _Velez._ Still sad, Maria? This same wizard haunts you. 235 _Maria._ O Christ! the tortures that hang o'er his head, If ye betray him to these holy brethren! _Velez (with a kind of sneer)._ A portly man, and eloquent, and tender! In truth, I shall not wonder if you mourn That their rude grasp should seize on _such_ a victim. 240 _Maria._ The horror of their ghastly punishments Doth so o'ertop the height of sympathy, That I should feel too little for mine enemy-- Ah! far too little--if 'twere possible, I could feel more, even tho' my child or husband 245 Were doom'd to suffer them! That such things are---- _Velez._ Hush! thoughtless woman! _Maria._ Nay--it wakes within me More than a woman's spirit. _Velez (angrily)._ No more of this-- I can endure no more. _Foster-Mother._ My honour'd master! Lord Albert used to talk so. _Maria._ Yes! my mother! 250 These are my Albert's lessons, and I con them With more delight than, in my fondest hour, I bend me o'er his portrait. _Velez (to the Foster-Mother)._ My good woman, You may retire. [_Exit the FOSTER-MOTHER._ _Velez._ We have mourn'd for Albert. Have I no living son? _Maria._ Speak not of him! 255 That low imposture--my heart sickens at it, If it be madness, must I wed a madman? And if not madness, there is mystery, And guilt doth lurk behind it! _Valdez._ Is this well? _Maria._ Yes! it is truth. Saw you his countenance? 260 How rage, remorse, and scorn, and stupid fear, Displac'd each other with swift interchanges? If this were all assumed, as you believe, He must needs be a most consummate actor; And hath so vast a power to deceive me, 265 I never could be safe. And why assume The semblance of such execrable feelings?