LEONORA. ISABELLA.

And I indulge my meditation here.
Woman, away! I choose to be alone.
[you;
Isa. I know you do, and therefore will not leave
Excuse me, Zanga, therefore dare not leave you.
(Thund r.)

Is this a night for walks of contemplation?
Something unusual hangs upon your heart,
And I will know it; by our loves I will.
To you I sacrificed my virgin fame;
Ask I too much to share in your distress?
Zan. In tears? Thou fool! then hear me, and be
In hell's abyss, if ever it escape thee.
To strike thee with astonishment at once,

I hate Alonzo. First recover that,

And then thou shalt hear farther.

Isa. Hate Alonzo!

I own, I thought Alonzo most your friend, And that he lost the master in that name.

[plung'd

Zan. Hear, then.. 'Tis twice three years since

that great man

Car, She looks like radiant Truth, Brought forward by the hand of hoary Time. You to the port with speed; 'tis possible [it bring Some vessel is arriv'd. [Exit Man.] Heav'n grant Tidings which Carlos may receive with joy!

Enter DON ALVAREZ and LEONORA.

Alv. Don Carlos, I am labouring in your favour With all a parent's soft authority,

When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt

For from that day, that day of my dishonour,
I from that day have curs'd the rising sun,
Which never fail'd to tell me of my shame.
I from that day have bless'd the coming night,
Which promis'd to conceal it! but in vain;
The blow return'd for ever in my dream.
Yet on I toil'd, and groan'd for an occasion
Of ample vengeance; none is yet arriy'd.
Howe'er, at present, I conceive warm hopes
Of what may wound him sore in his ambition,
Life of his life, and dearer than his soul.
By nightly march he purpos'd to surprise
The Moorish camp; but I have taken care
They shall be ready to receive his favour.
Failing in this, a cast of utmost moment,
Would darken all the conquests he has won.
Isa. Just as I enter'd, an express arriv'd.
Zan. To whom?

Isa. His friend, Don Carlos.

Zan. Be propitious,

O, Mahomet, on this important hour,

And give at length my famish'd soul revenge!
What is revenge, but courage to call in
Our honour's debts, and wisdom to convert
Others' self-love into our own protection?
But see, the morning ray breaks in upon us;
I'll seek Don Carlos, and inquire my fate. [Exeunt.

[thus:

Rather than come thus coldly, thas come thus
With absent eyes and alienated mien,
Suff'ring address, the victim of my love.
Love calls for love, Not all the pride of beauty,
that tell us what the sun is made of;
Those lips, whose touch is to be bought with life;
Those Hills of driven snow, which seen are felt;
All these possess'd, are nought, but as they are
The proof, the substance of an inward passion,
And the rich plunder of a taken heart.
Leon. I pray, my lord, no more.
Car. Must I despair, then? Do not shake me
Heavn's! what a proof I gave, but two nights past,
Of matchless love! To fling me at thy feet,
I slighted friendship, and I flew from fame;
Nor heard the summons of the next day's battle:
But, darting headlong to thy arms, I left
The promis'd fight; I left Alonzo, too,
To stand the war, and quell a world alone.
(Drums and trumpets.)
Leon. The victor comes. My
Car. And must you go? [draw-
Leon. Why should you wish me stay?
Your friend's arrival will bring comfort to you,
My presence none; it pains you and myself;

For both our sakes, permit me to withdraw. [Exit. Enter DON ALONZO, with Attendants.

Alon. Carlos!-I am whole again;
Clasp'd in thy arms, it makes my heart entire.

Car. Whom dare I thus embrace? The conqueror Of Afric?

Alon. Yes, much more; Don Carlos' friend.
The conquest of the world would cost me dear,
Should it beget one thought of distance in thee.
I rise in virtues to come nearer thee.
'Twas Carlos conquer'd, 'twas his cruel chains
Inflam'd me to a rage unknown till then,
And threw my former actions far behind.

Car. I love fair Leonora. How I love her!
AKASA TAYT

Yet still I find (I know not how it is)
Another heart, another soul for thee.
Thy friendship warms, it raises, it transports;
Like music, pure the joy, without alloy,
Whose very rapture is tranquility:

But love like wine, gives a tumultuous bliss,
Heighten'd indeed beyond all mortal pleasures;
But mingles pangs and madness in the bowl.
Enter ZANGA.

[Exit.

Zan. Manuel, my lord, returning from the port On business both of moment and of haste, Humbly begs leave to speak in private with you. Car. In private! Ha! Alonzo, I'll return; No business can detain me long from thee. Zan. My lord Alonzo, I obey'd your orders. Alon. Will the fair Leonora pass this way? Zan. She will, my lord, and soon. Alon. Come near me, Zanga; For I dare open all my heart to thee, Never was such a day of triumph known! There's not a wounded captive in my train, That slowly follow'd my proud chariot wheels, With half a life, and beggary, and chains, But is a god to me: I am most wretched. In his captivity, thou know'st Don Carlos, My friend, (and never was a friend more dear) Deputed me his advocate in love;

What did I do?-I lov'd myself. Indeed, One thing there is might lessen my offence, (If such offence admits of being lessen'd)

I thought him dead; for (by what fate I know not) His letters never reach'd me.

Zan. Thanks to Zanga, (Aside.) Who thence contriv'd that evil which has happen'd. Alon. Yes, curs'd of heaven! I lov'd myself; and In a late action, rescu'd from the Moors, [now, 1 have brought home my rival in my friend.

Zan. We hear, my lord, that in that action, too, Your interposing arm preserv'd his life. [mine, Alon. It did; with more than the expense of For, O! this day is mention'd for their nuptials. Zan. My lord, she comes.

Alon. I'll take my leave, and die.

[Exit.

Zan. Hadst thou a thousand lives, thy death would please me.

Unhappy fate! My country overcome!
My six years' hope of vengeance quite expir'd!
Would nature were-I would not fall alone:
But others' groans shall tell the world my death.
[Aside, and exit.

Enter LEONORA and ALONZO.
Alon When nature ends with anguish like to this,
Sinners shall take their last leave of the sun,
And bid his light adieu.

(Weeps.)

Leon. The mighty conqueror Dismay'd! I thought you gave the foe you sorrows. Alon. O, cruel insult! are those tears your sport, Which nothing but a love for you could draw? Afric I quell'd, in hope by that to purchase Your leave to sigh unscorn'd; but I complain not; 'Twas but a world, and you are-Leonora. Leon. That passion which you boast of, is your A treason to your friend.

Alon. O, Leonora!

[guilt,

What could I do? In duty to my friend,
I saw you: and to see is to admire.
For Carlos did I plead, and most sincerely;
You know I did. I sought but your esteem;
If that is guilt, an angel had been guilty. [self,
Leon. If, from your guilt, none suffer'd but your-
It might be so. Farewell.

(Going.)
Alon. Who suffers with me? (Takes her hand.)
Leon. Enjoy your ignorance, and let me go.
Alon, What mean these tears?

195 Leon. I weep by chance; nor have my tears a But, O! when first I saw Alonzo's tears, [meaning. I knew their meaning well.

Alon. Heavens! what is this?

Leon. Alonzo, pardon me the injury
Of loving you. I struggled with my passion,
And struggled long; let that be some excuse.
You well may wonder at such words as these;
I start at them myself, they fright my nature.
Great is my fault; but blame me not alone;
Give him a little blame, who took such pains
To make me guilty.

[blessing
Alon. Blame you! you know I think your love a
Beyond all human blessings! 'tis the price
Of sighs and groans, and a whole year of dying :
But, O, the curse of curses! O, my friend!-
Leon. Alas!

Alon. What says my love? Speak, Leonora. Leon. Was it for you, my lord, to be so quick In finding out objections to our love? Think you so strong my love, or weak my virtue, It was unsafe to leave that part to me? Alon. Is not the day then fix'd for your espou[way; Leon. Indeed, my father once had thought that But marking how the marriage pain'd my heart, Long he stood doubtful; but at last resolv'd, Your counsel, which determines him in all, Should finish the debate.

sals?

[quer'd.

And hear a maid, whom doubly thou hast con-
I love thy virtue as I love thy person,
And adore thee for the pains it gave me;
But, as i felt the pains, I'll reap the fruit;
I'll shine out in my turn, and shew the world
Thy great example was not lost upon me.
Thus, then, I tear me from thy hopes for ever.
Shall I contribute to Alonzo's crimes?
No, though the life-blood gushes from my heart,
You shall not be asham'd of Leonora.
Nay, never shrink: take back the bright example
You lately lent; O, take it while you may;
While I can give it you, and be immortal!

[Exit.

Alon. She's gone, and I shall see that face no But pine in absence, and till death adore. [more; When with cold dew my fainting brow is hung, And my eyes darken, from my falt'ring tongue Her name will tremble with a feeble moan, And love with fate divide my dying groan.

[Exit.

Proud, hated Spain, oft drench'd in Moorish blood!
Dost thou not feel a deadly foe within thee?
Shake not thy towers where'er I pass along,
Conscious of ruin, and their great destroyer?
Shake to the centre if Alonzo's dear.
Look down, O holy prophet; see me torture
This Christian dog, this infidel, which dares
To smite thy votaries, and spurn thy law;
And yet hopes pleasure from two radiant eyes,
Which look as they were lighted up for thee!
Shall he enjoy thy paradise below?
Blast the bold thought, and curse him with her
But see, the melancholy lover comes.

Enter DON CARLOS.

[charms!

Car. O cruel heaven! and is it not enough That I must never, never see her more? 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?
Zan. To-day, or never.

To-morrow may some wealthier lover bring,
And then Alonzo is thrown out like you;
Then whom shall he condemn for his misfortune?
Carlos is an Alvarez to his love.

Car. O torment? whither shall I turn?
Zan. To peace.

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 convinc'd me 'tis a dreadful task.
I found Alonzo's quitting her this morning
For Carlos' sake, in tenderness to you,
Betray'd me to believe it less severe

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:

Even joys are pains, because they cannot last.
How many lift the head, look gay, and smile
Against their conscience? And this we know,
Yet knowing, disbelieve, and try again

What we have tried, and struggled with conviction.
Each new experience gives the former credit;
And reverend grey threescore is but a voucher,
That thirty told us true.

Zar. 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.

Can. What can'st 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, For nothing more than wishing your friend well. Car. I pray be plain; his happiness is mine. Zan. He loves to death; but so reveres his friend, He can't persuade his heart to wed the maid Without your leave, and that he fears to ask. In perfect tenderness I urg'd him to it. Knowing the deadly sickness of his heart, Your overflowing goodness to your friend, Your wisdom, and despair yourself to wed her, I wrung a promise from him he would try; And now I come, a mutual friend to both, Without his privacy, to let you know it, And to prepare you kindly to receive him.

Car. Ha! if he weds, I am undone indeed; Not Don Alvarez' self can then relieve me. Zan. Alas! my lord, you know his heart is stecl; 'Tis fix'd, 'tis past, 'tis absolute despair,

Car. Thou dost upbraid me.

[ply,

Zan. No, my good lord, but since you can t com'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?

[lhappen

O, which side shall I take! Be stabb'd, or-stab?
'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies!
Go, Zanga, go, defer the dreadful trial,
Though but a day, something, perchance, may
To soften all to friendship and to love.
Go, stop my friend, let me not see him now;
But save us from an interview of death.
Zan. My Lord, I'm bound in duty to obey you-
If I not bring him, may Alonzo prosper!

[Aside and exit. Car. What is this world? Thy school, O misery! Our only lesson is to learn to suffer!

| And he who knows not that, was born for nothing. Though deep my pangs, and heavy at my heart, My comfort is, each moment takes away

A grain, at least, from the dead load that's on me,
And gives a nearer prospect of the grave.
But put it most severely-should I live-
Live long-Alas! there is no length in time!

Not in thy time, O man!-What's fourscore years?
Nay, what, indeed, the age of time itself,
Since cut from out eternity's wide round?
Yet, Leonora-she can make time long,
Its nature alter, as she alter'd mine.
While in the lustre of her charms I lay,
Wi ole summer suns roll'd unperceiv'd away;
I years for days, and days for moments told,
And was surpris'd to hear that I grew old.
Now fate does rigidly its dues regain,
And every moment is on age of pain

Enter ZANGA and DON ALONZO.
Zan. (Stops Don Carlos.) Is this Don Carlos, this