Which gives you Leonora now will cease. "Tis well, he is disturb'd; it makes him pause. [Aside. Alon. Think'st thou, my Zanga, should I ask don Carlos, His goodness would consent that I should wed her? Alon. But then the cruelty To ask it, and for me to ask it of him! Zan. Methinks you are severe upon your friend. Alon. That is the very reason which forbids it. It hurts not me, my lord, but as I love you: Clear'd from those errors, which, though caus'd by vir Are such as may hereafter give you pain Don Lopez of Castile would not demur thus. Alon. Perish the name! What, sacrifice the fair To age and ugliness, because set in gold? [tue, How shall I bear it now? I'm struck already. [Exit. [He gives a Message to a Servant, then returns. Conscious of ruin, and their great destroyer? Look down, ob, holy prophet! see me torture Blast the bold thought, and curse him with her charms! But see, the melancholy lover comes. Enter DON CARLOS. Car. Hope, thou hast told me lies from day to day, For more than twenty years; vile promiser! None here are happy, but the very fool, Or very wise; and I wasn't fool enough To smile in vanities, and hug a shadow; Nor have I wisdom to elaborate An artificial happiness from pains: Ev'n joys are pains, because they cannot last. [Sighs. What we have try'd, and struggle with conviction. Zan. My noble lord, I mourn your fate: but are no hopes surviving? Car. No hopes. Alvarez has a heart of steel. "Tis fix'd-'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. Car. I understand you well. Alonzo loves; I pity him. Zan. I dare be sworn you do. Yet he has other thoughts. Car. What canst thou mean? Zan. Indeed he has; and fears to ask a favour A stranger from a stranger might request; What costs you nothing, yet is all to him: Nay, what indeed will to your glory add, Zan. He loves to death; but so reveres his friend, Zan. A storm of plagues upon him! he refuses. Car. What, wed her-and to-day? To-morrow may some wealthier lover bring, [Aside. Then whom shall he condemn for his misfortune? Carlos is an Alvarez to his love. Car. Oh, torment! whither shall I turn? Zan. To peace. Car. Which is the way? Zan. His happiness is I dare not disbelieve you. Car. Kill my friend! yours Or worse-Alas! and can there be a worse? Zun. You have convinc'd me 'tis a dreadful task. I find Alonzo's quitting her this morning For Carlos' sake, in tenderness to you, Car. Thou dost upbraid me. Zan. No, my good lord; but since you can't comply, "Tis my misfortune that I mention'd 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 stabb'd, or-stab? 'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies! Ah, no!-all other agonies are ease To oneOh, Leonora!-never, never! Though but a day; something, perchance, may happen Go, stop my friend, let me not see him now; Zan. My lord, I'm bound in duty to obey you- [Aside, and exit. Car. What is this world?-Thy school, oh, misery! Our only lesson is to learn to suffer; And he who knows not that was born for nothing. Live long-alas, there is no length in time! Nor in thy time, oh, man!-What's fourscore years? While in the lustre of her charms I lay, grew old. 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. Car. I cannot yield; nor can I bear his griefs. Alonzo! [Goes to him, and takes his Hand. Alon. Oh, Carlos! Car. Pray forbear. Alon. Art thou undone, and shall Alonzo smile? I was deputed guardian of thy love; But, oh! I lov'd myself! Pour down afflictions Alvarez, curs'd Alvarez!-So much anguish Which faultless virtue wants. The crime was mine, To shun those fires, and found 'twas not in man. Cur. Pardon for him, who but this morning threw |