'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. [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? Shake not thy towers where'er I pass along, Look down, O 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, Even joys are pains, because they cannot last. What we have tried, 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 By your own pains, to feel a friend's distress. Zan. I dare be sworn you do; Yet he has other thoughts. Car. 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 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 Ask my consent!-Must I then give her to him? 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. O torment! whither shall I turn ? Zan. To peace. Car. Which is the way? Zan. His happiness is yoursI dare not disbelieve you. Car. Kill my friend! Or worse- Alas! and can there be a worse? Zan. You have convinced 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 ply, 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? 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 happen To soften all to friendship and to love. Go, stop my friend, let me not see him now; 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. A grain, at least, from the dead I oad that's on me, Leon. If, from your guilt, none suffer'd but your. self, It might be so Farewell. Alon. Who suffers with me? [Going. [Takes her hand. [Weeps. Leon. Enjoy your ignorance, and let me go. Alon. What mean these tears? Leon. I weep by chance; nor have my tears a But, O, when first I saw Alonzo's tears, Alon. Heavens! what is this? Leon. Alonzo, pardon me the injury Alon. Blame you! you know I think your love a blessing Beyond all human blessings! 'tis the price Of sighs and groans, and a whole year of dying. Leon. Alas! my friend! Alon. What says my love? Speak, Leonora. Think you so strong my love, or weak my virtue, Alon. Is not the day then fixed for your espou sals? Leon. Indeed my father once had thought that way; But marking how the marriage pain'd my heart, |