Hark! the cadence dies away
On the quiet moonlight sea, [55]
The boatmen rest their oars, and say,
Miserere, Domine! [A long pause.

Osorio. This was too melancholy, father!

Velez. Nay!
My Albert lov'd sad music from a child.
Once he was lost; and after weary search [60]
We found him in an open place of the wood,
To which spot he had follow'd a blind boy
Who breathed into a pipe of sycamore
Some strangely-moving notes, and these, he said,
Were taught him in a dream; him we first saw 65
Stretch'd on the broad top of a sunny heath-bank;
And, lower down, poor Albert fast asleep,
His head upon the blind boy's dog—it pleased me
To mark, how he had fasten'd round the pipe
A silver toy, his grandmother had given him. [70]
[[553]] Methinks I see him now, as he then look'd.
His infant dress was grown too short for him,
Yet still he wore it.

Albert (aside). My tears must not flow—
I must not clasp his knees, and cry, my father!

Osorio. The innocent obey nor charm nor spell. [75]
My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted spirit
Burst on our sight, a passing visitant!
Once more to hear thy voice, once more to see thee,
O 'twere a joy to me.

Albert (abruptly). A joy to thee!
What if thou heard'st him now? What if his spirit 80
Re-enter'd its cold corse, and came upon thee,
With many a stab from many a murderer's poniard?
What if, his steadfast eye still beaming pity
And brother's love, he turn'd his head aside,
Lest he should look at thee, and with one look [85]
Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence?

Velez. These are unholy fancies!

Osorio (struggling with his feelings). Yes, my father!
He is in heaven!

Albert (still to Osorio). But what if this same brother
Had lived even so, that at his dying hour
The name of heaven would have convuls'd his face [90]
More than the death-pang?

Maria. Idly-prating man!
He was most virtuous.