Osorio. Ha! it chokes thee in the throat,
[[592]]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.