Albert. No, no! my lord! to sport Best fits the gaiety of Innocence! Osorio (draws back as if stung and em barrassed, then folding his arms). O what a thing is Man! the wisest heart A fool-a fool, that laughs at its own folly, Yet still a fool! [Looks round the cottage. It strikes me you are poor! Albert. What follows thence? Osorio. That you would fain be richer. Besides, you do not love the rack, perhaps, Nor a black dungeon, nor a fire of faggots. The Inquisition-hey? You understand 232 me, And you are poor. Now I have wealth and power, Can quench the flames, and cure your poverty. And for this service, all I ask you is That you should serve me-once--for a few hours. Albert (solemnly). Thou art the son of Velez! Would to Heaven That I could truly and for ever serve thee! Osorio. The canting scoundrel softens. [Aside. You are my friend! He that can bring the dead to life again.' There's a Nay, no defence to me. The holy brethren Believe these calumnies. I know thee 210 strange power in weeds When a few odd prayers have been mut ter'd o'er them. Is pass'd away! and I will probe his conscience. Osorio (returned). In truth this lady loved another man, But he has perish'd. Albert. What? you kill'd him? hey? Osorio. I'll dash thee to the earth, if thou but think'st it, Thou slave thou galley - slave ! thou mountebank! I leave thee to the hangman! Albert. Fare you well! I pity you, Osorio ! even to anguish ! [ALBERT retires off the stage. Osorio (recovering himself). "Twas ideotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen, And wear a Fool's Cap. Ho! [Calling after ALBERT. Albert (returning). Be brief, what wish you? Osorio. You are deep at bartering-you 260 Osorio (wounded and embarrassed). I was his friend. [A pause. Now that he gave it me At a round sum. Come, come, I spake This lady knows not. You are a mighty charge yourself Albert. I listen to you. In a sudden tempest Can call this dead man up-he will not come Osorio. 290 Did Albert perish-he, I mean, the lover- He is in heaven then!--there you have no The fellow influence Still there are tokens; and your imps may bring you Something he wore about him when he died. And when the smoke of the incense on the altar Is pass'd, your spirits will have left this picture. What say you now? Albert (after a long pause). Osorio, I will do it. Osorio. Delays are dangerous. It shall be to-morrow In the early e 'ening. Velez. I will prepare him. incense, Ask for the Lord Music, too, and All shall be ready. Here is this same picture 300 And here what you will value more, a purse. Before the dusk- Albert. I will not fail to meet you. Osorio. Till next we meet, farewell! Albert (alone, gazes passionately at the portrait). And I did curse thee? At midnight? on my knees? believed And I My heart approves it not! 'tis mockery! Thee perjured, thee polluted, thee a murderess? O blind and credulous fool! O guilt of Should not thy inarticulate fondnesses, Vows, Have come upon my heart? And this sweet image Tied round my neck with many a chaste endearment 310 And thrilling hands, that made me weep and tremble. Osorio (aside). Ha! he has been tampering with her! Albert. O high-soul'd maiden, and more dear to me Than suits the stranger's name, I swear to thee, I will uncover all concealed things! Ah, coward dupe! to yield it to the mis- Doubt, but decide not ! 9 Her knells and masses that redeem the My brother is in heaven. Thou sainted dead. 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 Hurl thee beyond all power of penitence? 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 He was most virtuous. 90 Idly-prating man! Albert (still to Osorio). What if his very virtues To see these most proud men, that loathe mankind, At every stir and buz of coward conscience, Trick, cant, and lie, most whining hypocrites! Away! away! Now let me hear more music. [Music as before. Albert. The spell is mutter'd-come, thou wandering shape, Who own'st no master in an eye of flesh, Whate'er be this man's doom, fair be it or foul, If he be dead, come quick, and bring with thee That which he grasp'd in death; and if he lives, 109 Yet my weak fancy, and these bodily creepings, [Would fain give substance to the shadow.]1 1 In MS. II. this speech is crossed out, and on the blank page opposite, the following is written in Coleridge's hand : 'Instead of Maria's portrait, Albert places on the altar a small picture of his attempted assassination. The scene is not wholly without poetical merit, but it is miserably undramatic, or rather untragic. A scene of magic is introduced ir which no single person on the stage has the least faith-all, though in different ways, think or know it to be a trick consequently, etc.'-ED. Velez (takes and conceals the picture in his robe). This way, my son! She must not see this picture. Go, call the attendants! Life will soon ebb back! [VELEZ and OSORIO leave the stage. Albert. Her pulse doth flutter. Maria! my Maria! Maria (recovering - looks round). I heard a voice- but often in my dreams, I hear that voice, and wake; and try, and try, To hear it waking-but I never could! And 'tis so now-even so! Well, he is dead, Murder'd perhaps and I am faint, and feel As if it were no painful thing to die! Albert (eagerly). Believe it not, sweet maid! believe it not, 130 Beloved woman! 'Twas a low imposture Framed by a guilty wretch. |
