Leon. Hark! 160 The distant shouts proclaim your father's triumph. Alm. And joy he brings to ev'ry other heart, No, it shall never be; for I will die First, die ten thousand deaths-Look down, look down, Alphonso, hear the sacred vow I make; [Kneels. "One moment, cease to gaze on perfect bliss, To that bright Heav'n, where my Alphonso reigns, If ever I do yield, or give consent, 180 Another lord; may then just Heav'n show'r down Unheard of curses on me, greater far [Rising. (If such there be in angry Heaven's vengeance) Leon. My heart, my life, and will, are only yours. Alm. I thank thee. 'Tis but this: anon, when all Are wrapp'd and busied in the general joy, Thou wilt withdraw, and privately with me Steal forth, to visit good Anselmo's tomb. Leon. Alas! I fear some fatal resolution. Alm. No, on my life, my faith, I mean no ill, Nor violence-I feel myself more light, And more at large, since I have made this vow. Perhaps I would repeat it there more solemnly. 'Tis that, or some such melancholy thought, Upon my word, no more. Leon. I will attend you. Enter ALONZO. 200 Alon. The lord Gonsalez comes to tell your high ness The king is just arriv'd. Alm. Conduct him in. [Exit Alon. That's his pretence; his errand is, I know, Enter GONSALEZ. Gon. Be ev'ry day of your long life like this. The sun, bright conquest, and your brighter eyes, Have all conspir'd to blaze promiscuous light, And bless this day with most unequal'd lustre. Your royal father, my victorious lord, Loaden with spoils, and ever-living laurel, That bound and foam, and champ the golden bit, And captains of the noblest blood of Afric “And cling, as if with claws they did enforce "As if they were all eyes, and every limb The gilded trophies of exterior honours. Or pompous phrase, the pageantry of souls. But that my father is return'd in safety, I bend to Heav'n with thanks. Gon. Excellent princess! 240 But 'tis a task unfit for my weak age With dying words to offer at your praise. Alm. I doubt not of the worth of Garcia's deeds, Which had been brave, though I had ne'er been born. Leon. Madam, the king. [Flourish. "Alm. My women. I wou'd meet him." [Attendants to Almeria enter in mourning. Symphony of warlike music. Enter the KING, attended by GARCIA and several officers. Files of prisoners in chains, and guards, who are ranged in order round the stage. ALMERIA meets the KING, and kneels: afterwards GONSALEZ kneels and kisses the KING'S hand, while GARCIA does the same to the princess. King. Almeria, rise-My best Gonsalez, rise. What, tears! my good old friend Gon. But tears of joy. Believe me, Sir, to see you thus, has fill'd Mine eyes with more delight than they can hold. thou dost; Take it for thanks, old man, that I rejoice 260 And yours are all like daughters of affliction. King. Your zeal to Heav'n is great, so is your debt: Yet something too is due to me, who gave That life, which Heav'n preserv'd. A day bestow'd In filial duty, had atton'd and given A dispensation to your vow-No more! 'Twas weak and wilful-and a woman's error. One pointed hour should be Alphonso's loss, 280 King. I tell thee she's to blame, not to have feasted When my first foe was laid in earth, such enmity, Such detestation bears my blood to his ; My daughter should have revell'd at his death, She should have made these palace walls to shake, And all this high and ample roof to ring |