Car. No hopes. Alvarez has a heart of steel. 'Tis fixed-'tis past-'tis absolute despair! Zan. You wanted not to have your heart made tender, By your own pains, to feel a friend's distress. Zan. I dare be sworn you do. Car. What canst thou mean? Zan. Indeed he has; and fears to ask a favour He can't persuade his heart to wed the maid Cur. Ha! if he weds I am undone indeed; Car. Oh, cruel Heaven! and is it not enough That I must never, never see him more? Say, is it not enough that I must die; But 1 must be tormented in the grave?— Ask my consent!-Must I then give her to him? Lead to his nuptial sheets the blushing maid? Oh!- -Leonora! never, never, never! Zan. A storm of plagues upon him! he refuses. [Aside. Car. What, wed her?-and to-day? Car. Oh, torment! whither shall I turn? Car. Which is the way? Zan. His happiness is yours I dare not disbelieve you. Car. Kill my friend! Or worse-Alas! and can there be a worse? A worse there is; nor can my nature bear it. Zan. You have convinced me 'tis a dreadful task. I find Alonzo's quitting her this morning For Carlos' sake, in tenderness to you, Betrayed me to believe it less severe Than I perceive it is. Car. Thou dost upbraid me. Zan. No, my good lord; but since you cant comply, 'Tis my misfortune that I mentioned it; For had I not, Alonzo would indeed Have died, as now, but not by your decree. Car. By my decree! Do I decree his death? I do- -Shall I then lead her to his arms? Oh, which side shall I take? Be stabbed, or stab? 'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies?- To one- -Oh, Leonora! never, never! To soften all to friendship and to love. Zan. My lord, 1 am bound in duty to obey And gives a nearer prospect of the grave. Nay, what, indeed, the age of time itself, Yet Leonora she can make time long, As he is going out, enter Zanga and Don ALONzo. ZANGA stops Don CARLOS. Zan. Is this Don Carlos? this the boasted friend? How can you turn your back upon his sadness? Look on him, and then leave him if you can. Whose sorrows thus depress him? Not his own: This moment he could wed without your leave. Car. I cannot yield; nor can I bear his griefs. Alonzo! [Going to him, and taking his hand. Alon. Oh, Carlos! Car. Pray, forbear. Which, like a dæmon, writhes him to and fro; Alon. Art thou undone, and shall Alonzo And shall I pour in new? No, fond desire! smile? Alonzo, who, perhaps, in some degree But, Oh, I loved myself! Pour down afflictions The only cause of my severe affliction. Which faultless virtue wants. The crime was mine, Who placed thee there, where only thou couldst fail; Though well I knew that dreadful post of honour I gave thee to maintain. Ah! who could bear Those eyes unhurt? The wounds myself have felt, (Which wounds alone should cause me to condemn thee) They plead in thy excuse; for I too strove And soften all; but think not to deceive me; Car. Pardon for him, who but this morn- Fair Leonora from his heart, all bathed But 'twas in thee, through fondness for thy friend, For which, while this pulse beats, it beats to thee; While this blood flows, it flows for my Alonzo, And every wish is levelled at thy joy. Zan. [To Alonzo.] My lord, my lord, this is your time to speak. Alon. [To Zan.] Because he's kind? It there- For 'tis his kindness which I fear to hurt. Car. Now, now it comes! they are concert- The first word strikes me dead--Oh, Leonora ! And shall another taste her fragrant breath? Who knows what after-time may bring to pass? Fathers may change, and I may wed her still. [Aside. Alon. [To Zan.] Do I not see him quite possessed with anguish, No, love! one pang at parting, and farewell. Car. Alas! my friend, why with such eager Car. Alonzo, stay-he cannot speak [Holds him. Lest it should grieve me-Shall I be outdone? And lose in glory, as I lose in love? [Aside. I take it much unkindly, my Alonzo, You think so meanly of me, not to speak, When well I know your heart is near to bursting. Have you forgot how you have bound me to you? Your smallest friendship's liberty and life. Alon. There, there it is, my friend! it cuts me there. How dreadful is it to a generous mind Car. How greatly thought! In all he towers above me. [Aside. Then you confess you would ask something of me? Alon. No, on my soul. Zan. [To Alon.] Then lose her. Why what a pang has he run through for this! Strengthen like wine, and animate the soul, Alonzo ! Since thy great soul disdains to make request, Car. Pray observe me well. Fate and Alvarez tore her from my heart, gether. Of that no more-What now does reason bid ? That Heaven is pleased to make distress become | For such occasions. Silence, tears, embraces, her, ACT III. SCENE I. Enter ZANGA. Scarce had the pricst the holy rite performed, Zan. O Joy, thou welcome stranger! twice That letter, which, in glowing terms, conveys, three years I have not felt thy vital beam; but now It warms my veins, and plays around my heart: From happy Carlos to fair Leonora, The most profound acknowledgments of heart, For wondrous transports which he never knew. This is a good subservient artifice, To aid the nobler workings of my brain. Isa. I quickly dropt it in the bride's apartment, As you commanded. Żan. With a lucky hand; For soon Alonzo found it; I observed him Then rubbed his brow, and took it up again. Isa. But if he read it not, it cannot sting him, At least not mortally. Zan. At first I thought so; But farther thought informs me otherwise, And turns this disappointment to account. Isa. That would indeed commend my Zanga's Zan. This, Isabella, is Don Carlos' picture; Take it, and so dispose of it, that, found, It may raise up a witness of her love; Under her pillow, in her cabinet, Or elsewhere, as shall best promote our end. Isa. I'll weigh it as its consequence requires, Then do my utmost to deserve your smile. [Exit. Zan. Is that Alonzo prostrate on the ground? -Now he starts up, like flame from sleeping embers, And wild distraction glares from either eye! If thus a slight surmise can work his soul, How will the fulness of the tempest tear him? Alon. Shut close the doors, That not a spirit find an entrance here. Zan. My lord's obeyed. Alon. I see that thou art frighted. If thou dost love me, I shall fill thy heart With scorpions' stings. Zan. If I do love, my lord? [Aside. know not where I am. Alon. Think, think no more! It ne'er can enter in an honest heart. Zun. Speak, ease your heart; its throbs will burst your bosom! Alon. I am most happy: mine is victory, Mine the king's favour, mine the nation's shout, And great men make their fortunes of my smiles. O curse of curses! in the lap of blessing To be most curst!My Leonora's false ! Zan. Save me, my lord! Alon. My Leonora's false ! [Gives him the letter. Zan. Then Heaven has lost its image here on earth. [While Zanga reads the letter, he trembles, and shews the utmost concern. Alon. Good-natured man! he makes my pains his own! I durst not read it; but I read it now Zan. Did you not read it then? Alon. Mine eye just touched it, and could bear peace? I have no interest in suppressing it, Alon. Come near me, let me rest upon thy That will be rent in two. bosom; (What pillow like the bosom of a friend?) For I am sick at heart. Zan. Speak, sir, O speak, And take me from the rack! Alon. And is there need Of words? Behold a wonder! See my tears! Zan. I feel them too. Heaven grant my senses fail me! I rather would lose them, than have this real. Alon. Go, take a round through all things in thy thought, And find that one-for there is only one Zan. Sorrow can think but ill- -I am bewil- That will be damned, should know it. Not mine the fame though all the world They take offence, who have not been offended; | The eternal law of things declares it true, For who would credit that, which, credited, Zan. No more, my lord, for you condemn yourself. What is absurdity, but to believe Against appearance!You can't yet, I find, Alon. What indiscretions? Zan. Come, you must bear to hear your faults from me. Had you not sent Don Carlos to the court, Had wanted footing for his villany. Alon. I sent him not. Which calls for judgment on distinguished guilt, Zan. Were, then, their loves far gone? There bore a total sway; and he, as soon me, If I presume to mitigate the crime. Zan. 'Twas but gaining of one night. Zan. That crime could ne'er return again. Temptation! One night gained! O stings and death! And am I then undone! Alas, my Zanga! And insolent to me! Thou know'st it false; Zan. Throughout the whole three years? Why, Zanga, shouldst thou strive? 'Tis all in vain: Though thy soul labours, it can find no reed Zan. Hold, sir, I'll break your fall-wave every And be a man again-Had he enjoyed her, Alon. Ha! Resign her to me!- |