The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 25

_Ferdinand._ I was in the act Of falling down that chasm, when Alhadra Waked me. She heard my heart beat!

_Osorio._ Strange enough! 60 Had you been here before?

_Ferdinand._ Never, my lord!

But my eyes do not see it now more clearly Than in my dream I saw that very chasm.

[_OSORIO stands in a deep study--then, after a pause._

_Osorio._ There is no reason why it should be so.

And yet it is.

_Ferdinand._ What is, my lord?

_Osorio._ Unpleasant 65 To kill a man!

_Ferdinand._ Except in self-defence.

_Osorio._ Why that's my case: and yet 'tis still unpleasant.

At least I find it so! But you, perhaps, Have stronger nerves?

_Ferdinand._ Something doth trouble you.

How can I serve you? By the life you gave me, 70 By all that makes that life of value to me, My wife, my babes, my honour, I swear to you, Name it, and I will toil to do the thing, If it be innocent! But this, my lord!

Is not a place where you could perpetrate, 75 No, nor propose a wicked thing. The darkness (When ten yards off, we know, 'tis chearful moonlight) Collects the guilt and crowds it round the heart.

It must be innocent.

_Osorio._ Thyself be judge.

[_OSORIO walks round the cavern--then looking round it._

One of our family knew this place well. 80

_Ferdinand._ Who? when? my lord.

_Osorio._ What boots it who or when?

Hang up the torch. I'll tell his tale to thee.

[_They hang [up] their torches in some shelf of_ [_on some ridge in_ Remorse] _the cavern._

_Osorio._ He was a man different from other men, And he despised them, yet revered himself.[567:1]

_Ferdinand._ What? he was mad?

_Osorio._ All men seem'd mad to him, 85 Their actions noisome folly, and their talk-- A goose's gabble was more musical.

Nature had made him for some other planet, And press'd his soul into a human shape By accident or malice. In this world 90 He found no fit companion!

_Ferdinand._ Ah, poor wretch!

Madmen are mostly proud.

_Osorio._ He walk'd alone, And phantasies, unsought for, troubled him.

Something within would still be shadowing out All possibilities, and with these shadows 95 His mind held dalliance. Once, as so it happen'd, A fancy cross'd him wilder than the rest: To this in moody murmur, and low voice, He yielded utterance as some talk in sleep.

The man who heard him---- Why didst thou look round? 100

_Ferdinand._ I have a prattler three years old, my lord!

In truth he is my darling. As I went From forth my door, he made a moan in sleep-- But I am talking idly--pray go on!

And what did this man?

_Osorio._ With his human hand 105 He gave a being and reality To that wild fancy of a possible thing.

Well it was done. [_Then very wildly._ Why babblest thou of guilt?

The deed was done, and it pa.s.s'd fairly off.

And he, whose tale I tell thee--dost thou listen? 110

_Ferdinand._ I would, my lord, you were by _my_ fireside!

I'd listen to you with an eager eye, Tho' you began this cloudy tale at midnight.

But I do listen--pray proceed, my lord!

_Osorio._ Where was I?

_Ferdinand._ He of whom you tell the tale-- 115

_Osorio._ Surveying all things with a quiet scorn Tamed himself down to living purposes, The occupations and the semblances Of ordinary men--and such he seem'd.

But that some over-ready agent--he---- 120

_Ferdinand._ Ah! what of him, my lord?

_Osorio._ He proved a villain; Betray'd the mystery to a brother villain; And they between them hatch'd a d.a.m.ned plot To hunt him down to infamy and death To share the wealth of a most n.o.ble family, 125 And stain the honour of an orphan lady With barbarous mixture and unnatural union.

What did the Velez? I am proud of the name, Since he dared do it.

[_OSORIO grasps his sword and turns off from FERDINAND, then, after a pause, returns._

_Osorio._ Our links burn dimly.

_Ferdinand._ A dark tale darkly finish'd! Nay, my lord! 130 Tell what he did.

_Osorio (fiercely)._ That which his wisdom prompted.

He made the traitor meet him in this cavern, And here he kill'd the traitor.

_Ferdinand._ No!--the fool.

He had not wit enough to be a traitor.

Poor thick-eyed beetle! not to have foreseen 135 That he, who gull'd thee with a whimper'd lie To murder _his own brother_, would not scruple To murder _thee_, if e'er his guilt grew jealous And he could steal upon thee in the dark!

_Osorio._ Thou would'st not then have come, if----

_Ferdinand._ O yes, my lord! 140 I would have met him arm'd, and scared the coward!

[_FERDINAND throws off his robe, shows himself armed, and draws his sword._

_Osorio._ Now this is excellent, and warms the blood!

My heart was drawing back, drawing me back With womanish pulls of pity. Dusky slave, Now I will kill thee pleasantly, and count it 145 Among my comfortable thoughts hereafter.