Alvar. One pang!
Could I call up one pang of true remorse!

Ordonio. He told me of the babes that prattled to him.
His fatherless little ones! remorse! remorse!
Where got'st thou that fool's word? Curse on remorse! 170
Can it give up the dead, or recompact
A mangled body? mangled—dashed to atoms!
Not all the blessings of a host of angels
Can blow away a desolate widow's curse!
And though thou spill thy heart's blood for atonement, [175]
It will not weigh against an orphan's tear!

Alvar. But Alvar——

Ordonio. Ha! it chokes thee in the throat,
Even thee; and yet I pray thee speak it out.
Still Alvar!—Alvar!—howl it in mine ear!
Heap it like coals of fire upon my heart, 180
And shoot it hissing through my brain!

Alvar. Alas!
That day when thou didst leap from off the rock
Into the waves, and grasped thy sinking brother,
And bore him to the strand; then, son of Valdez,
How sweet and musical the name of Alvar! 185
Then, then, Ordonio, he was dear to thee,
[[877]] And thou wert dear to him: heaven only knows
How very dear thou wert! Why did'st thou hate him!
O heaven! how he would fall upon thy neck,
And weep forgiveness!

Ordonio. Spirit of the dead! [190]
Methinks I know thee! ha! my brain turns wild
At its own dreams!—off—off, fantastic shadow!

Alvar. I fain would tell thee what I am, but dare not!

Ordonio. Cheat! villain! traitor! whatsoever thou be—
I fear thee, man!

Teresa (rushing out and falling on Alvar's neck). Ordonio!
'tis thy brother! [195]

[Ordonio runs upon Alvar with his sword. Teresa flings herself on Ordonio and arrests his arm.