_Orsi._ It does, youth, Oh! It does; But I'll not trust it; for if false its whispers So sweet, so painful sweet--Dear good youth tell me, Spare a poor broken heart, and tell me quickly Thy father's name. _Caesa._ My father! Oh! that was A man indeed, and model for all others! His country's sword, his country's shield, a hero, A demigod; and great as were his actions, So were his wrongs. _Orsi._ His name! his name! _Caesa._ (_rushing into his arms_) Orsino! _Orsi._ I have him! hold him here! Death alone parts us. My son! Victoria's son! Come, come, my boy, Kneel at this tomb with me; join thou my suit For the blest dust beneath, and read through tears Here sleeps thy mother. Wandering forth to seek her, Unknown her fate and thine, chance led me hither. I marked yon tablet, read yon piteous lines, Threw those now useless arms forever from me, Sank on Victoria's grave, nor left it more; Yet, yet I died not! Amelrosa's kindness, Which gave me freedom, traced me to this spot, And saved my life, my wretched life, which still I only use to mourn thy loss, Victoria. Know'st thou, my boy, when her eyes closed forever? Whose hand---- _Caesa._ Her son's-- _Orsi._ (_grasping_ Caesario's _hand_) Was't thine? _Caesa._ 'Twas mine too raised Yon rustic tomb, and 'twas this cave received her When, desperate at your loss, she fled the court. Here long she sorrowed, here at length she died, Died of a broken heart! Ay weep, my father; For know the king shall pay each tear thou shed'st With drops of blood. _Orsi._ The king? Boy, name him not. That sound is poison. I was once so happy; Was once so rich--and that one man stole all. My curse be on him! _Caesa._ Man, thy curse is heard. _Orsi._ Is heard! What mean'st thou? _Caesa._ Vengeance! Hark, Orsino-- Soon as my mother died (believed Caesario A young unknown) I sought the court, where chance Gave me from ruffian Moors to save the princess. This made Alfonso mine, and still I've used him To further mine own ends. Joy, joy, my father! My plots are ripe, the king's best troops corrupted, His son, too, through my arts, declared a rebel; And, ere two nights are past, I'll strip the tyrant Both of his throne and life. Rouse then, and aid ----Now, sir, why gaze you thus? _Orsi._ I fain would doubt it; Fain find some plea--No, no, each look, each feature, And my own heart----'Tis true thou art my son! _Caesa._ What mean you? _Orsi._ (_passionately_) Art my son, and yet a villain! _Caesa._ (_starting_) Villain! _Orsi._ Destroy Alfonso! What! Alfonso, The wise, the good? _Caesa._ With thee then was he either? Has he not wronged thee?