Osorio. A rim of the sun lies yet upon the sea—
And now 'tis gone! all may be done this night!
Enter a Servant.
Osorio. There is a man, once a Moresco chieftain,
One Ferdinand.
Servant. He lives in the Alpuxarras,
Beneath a slate rock.
Osorio. Slate rock?
Servant. Yes, my lord! 250
If you had seen it, you must have remember'd
The flight of steps his children had worn up it
With often clambering.
Osorio. Well, it may be so.
Servant. Why, now I think on't, at this time of the year
'Tis hid by vines.
Osorio (in a muttering voice). The cavern—aye—the cavern.
He cannot fail to find it. [To the Servant. 255
Where art going?
You must deliver to this Ferdinand
A letter. Stay till I have written it. [Exit the Servant.
Osorio (alone). The tongue can't stir when the mouth is fill'd with mould.
A little earth stops up most eloquent mouths, 260
And a square stone with a few pious texts
Cut neatly on it, keeps the earth down tight.