DON ALONZO.

DON CARLOS.

DON ALVAREZ.

ACT I.

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!

[plung'd

G

(Great let me call him, for he conquer'd me)
Made me the captive of his arm in fight.
He slew my father, and threw chains o'er me,
While I, with pious rage, pursued revenge.

I then was young: he placed me near his person,
And thought me not dishonour'd by his service.
One day, (may that returning day be night,
The stain, the curse, of each succeeding year!)
For something, or for nothing, in his pride
He struck me. (While I tell it, do I live?)
He smote me on the cheek.- I did not stab him,
For that were poor revenge.-E'er since, his folly
Has strove to bury it beneath a heap

Of kindness, and thinks it is forgot.
Insolent thought! and like a second blow!
Affronts are innocent, where men are worthless;
And such alone can wisely drop revenge.

Isa. But with more temper, Zanga, tell your
To see your strong emotion startles me. [story
Zan. Yes, woman, with the temper that befits it.
Has the dark adder venom? So have I, [me!
When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel
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 arriv'd.
Howe'er, at present, I conceive warm bopes
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 east 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.
SCENE IL-The Palace.

Enter DON CARLOS and DON MANUEL. Man. My lord Don Carlos, what brings your express?

Car. Alonzo's glory, and the Moor's defeat.
The field is strew'd with twice ten thousand slain,
Though he suspects his measures were betray'd.
He'll soon arrive. Oh, how I long to embrace
The first of heroes, and the best of friends!
I lov'd fair Leonora long before

The chance of battle gave me to the Moors;
And while I groan'd in bondage, I deputed
This great Alonzo, whom her father honours,
To be my gentle advocate in love.

Man. And what success?

Leads her this way.

Love calls for love. Not all the pride of beauty,
Those eyes, 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; 1 left Alonzo, too,
To stand the war, and quell a world alone.
(Drums and trumpets.)
Leon. The victor comes. My lord, I must with.
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.
Car. Alonzo!

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, orada '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!

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!.

What could I do? In duty to my friend,

I saw you and to see is to admire.

[guilt,

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;

sals?

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.

Leon. Hold, Alonzo!

[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!
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.

[Exit.

ACT II.-SCENE I.-The Palace. Enter DON MANUEL and ZANGA. Zan. If this be true, I cannot blame your pain For wretched Carlos; 'tis but human in you. But when arriv'd your dismal news?

Man. This hour.

Zan. What, not a vessel sav'd! And is Alvarez Determin'd to deny his daughter to him? That treasure was on shore; must that, too, join