'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? Zan. I know it would.

Alon. But then the cruelty

To ask it, and for me to ask it of him!

Zan. Methinks you are severe upon your friend. Who was it gave him liberty and life?

Alon. That is the very reason which forbids it. Were I a stranger, I could freely speak; In me it so resembles a demand, Exacting of a debt, it shocks my nature. Zan. My lord, you know the sad alternative. Is Leonora worth one pang or not? Warmly as you I wish Don Carlos well; But I am likewise Don Alonzo's friend; There all the difference lies between us two. In me, my lord, you hear another self; And, give me leave to add, a better too, Clear'd from those errors, which, though caused by virtue,

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?
I'll to Don Carlos, if my heart will let me.
I have not seen him since his sore affliction;
But shunn'd it, as too terrible to bear.
How shall I bear it now? I am struck already.

[Exit.

Zan. Half of my work is done. I must secure Don Carlos, ere Alonzo speak with him.

[He gives a message to MANUEL, who enters; and exit MANUEL.

Proud hated Spain, oft drench'd in Moorish blood! Dost thou not feel a deadly foe within thee?

Alon. Mine eye just touch'd it, and could bear no

more.

Zan. Thus perish all that gives Alonzo pain!

Alon. Why didst thou tear it?

Zan. Think of it no more.

[Tears the Letter.

'Twas your mistake, and groundless are your fears.
Alon. And didst thou tremble then for my mistake?
Or give the whole contents, or,
by the pangs
That feed upon my heart, thy life's in danger. [Draws.
Zan. Is this Alonzo's language to his Zanga?
Draw forth your sword, and find the secret here.
For whose sake is it, think you, I conceal it?
Wherefore this rage? Because I seek your peace?
I have no interest in suppressing it,

But what good-natured tenderness for you
Obliges me to have. Not mine the heart

That will be rent in two. Not mine the fame
That will be damn'd, though all the world should
know it.

Alon. Then my worst fears are true, and life is past.

Zan. What has the rashness of my passion utter'd? I know not what- -but grant I did confess, What is a letter? letters may be forged.

For Heaven's sweet sake, my lord, lift up your heart. Some foe to your repose

Alon. So Heaven look on me,

As I can't find the man I have offended.

Zan. Indeed! [Aside.]-Our innocence is not our shield:

They take offence, who have not been offended;
They seek our ruin too, who speak us fair,
And death is often ambush'd in their smiles.
We know not whom we have to fear. 'Tis certain
A letter may be forged, and, in a point

Of such a dreadful consequence as this,

One would rely on nought that might be false

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 urged 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 steel; 'Tis fix'd, 'tis past, 'tis absolute despair.

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.

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;

[Aside

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 convinced me 'tis a dreadful task. I find Alonzo's quitting her this morning

For Carlos' sake, in tenderness to you,

Betray'd me to believe it less severe
Than I perceive it is.

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?
O, which side shall I take? Be stabbed, or-stab?
'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies!

Go, Zanga, go, defer the dreadful trial,
Though but a day; something, perchance, may hap-

pen

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 Mi

sery!

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 I oad that's on me,

Temptation! One night gain'd! O stings and death!
And am I then undone? Alas, my Zanga!

And dost thou own it too? Deny it still,
And rescue me one moment from distraction.
Zan. My lord, I hope the best.

Alon. False, foolish hope,

And insolent to me! thou know'st it false;
It is as glaring as the noontide sun.

Devil! This morning, after three years coldness,
To rush at once into a passion for me!

'Twas time to feign, 'twas time to get another,
When her first fool was sated with her beauties.
Zan. What says my lord? Did Leonora then
Never before disclose her passion for you?
Alon. Never.

Zan. Throughout the whole three years?
Alon. O never! never!

Why, Zanga, shouldst thou strive? 'Tis all in vain:
Though thy soul labours, it can find no reed
For hope to catch at. Ah! I'm plunging down
Ten thousand thousand fathoms in despair.

Zan. Hold, sir, I'll break your fall-Waive ev'ry
fear,

And be a man again-Had he enjoy'd her,
Be most assured, he had resign'd her to you
With less reluctance.

Alon. Ha! Resign her to me !

Resign her! Who resign'd her?-Double death!
How could I doubt so long? My heart is broke.
First love her to distraction! then resign her!
Zan. But was it not with utmost agony?
Alon. Grant that, he still resign'd her; that's
enough.

Would he pluck out his eye to give it me?

Tear out his heart?She was his heart no moreNor was it with reluctance he resign'd her;

By Heav'n, he ask'd, he courted me to wed.