_Osorio._ He told me of the babe, that prattled to him, His fatherless little ones! Remorse! remorse! Where gott'st thou that fool's word? Curse on remorse! 200 Can it give up the dead, or recompact A mangled body--mangled, dash'd to atoms! Not all the blessings of an host of angels Can blow away a desolate widow's curse; And tho' thou spill thy heart's blood for atonement, 205 It will not weigh against an orphan's tear. _Albert (almost overcome by his feelings)._ But Albert---- _Osorio._ Ha! it chokes thee in the throat, Even thee! and yet, I pray thee, speak it out. Still Albert! Albert! Howl it in mine ear! Heap it, like coals of fire, upon my heart! 210 And shoot it hissing through my brain! _Albert._ Alas-- That day, when thou didst leap from off the rock Into the waves, and grasp'd thy sinking brother, And bore him to the strand, then, son of Velez! How sweet and musical the name of Albert! 215 Then, then, Osorio! he was dear to thee, And thou wert dear to him. Heaven only knows How very dear thou wert! Why didst thou hate him? O Heaven! how he would fall upon thy neck, And weep forgiveness! _Osorio._ Spirit of the dead! 220 Methinks I know thee! Ha!--my brain turns wild At its own dreams--off--off, fantastic shadow! _Albert (seizing his hand)._ I fain would tell thee what I am, but dare not! _Osorio (retiring from him)._ Cheat, villain, traitor! whatsoe'er thou be I fear thee, man! [_He starts, and stands in the attitude of listening._ And is _this_ too my madness? 225 _Albert._ It is the step of one that treads in fear Seeking 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!