XIII.

“Now hear me,” said Beltrán, while flashed his eye

With supernatural light, and instant flushed

His pale and haggard cheek. “My destiny

“Thou know’st is terrible as e’er hath hushed

The heart of man, or youthful spirit crushed.

I loved, and in a brother found, oh God!

A rival—all unconsciously I rushed

And stabbed him—then a cloister’s pavement trod,

And sought relief in prayer, in monkish fast, and rod.