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_Alon._ Oh!
_Zan._ You cannot bear it.
_Alon._ Go on, I'll have it, though it blast mankind; I'll have it all, and instantly. Go on.
_Zan._ Don Carlos did return at dead of night-- That night, by chance (ill chance for me) did I Command the watch that guards the palace gate.
He told me he had letters for the king, Despatch'd from you.
_Alon._ The villain lied!
_Zan._ My lord, I pray, forbear--Transported at his sight, After so long a bondage, and your friend, (Who could suspect him of an artifice?) No farther I inquir'd, but let him pa.s.s, False to my trust, at least imprudent in it.
Our watch reliev'd, I went into the garden, As is my custom, when the night's serene, And took a moon-light walk: when soon I heard A rustling in an arbour that was near me.
I saw two lovers in each other's arms, Embracing and embrac'd. Anon the man Arose; and, falling back some paces from her, Gaz'd ardently awhile, then rush'd at once, And, throwing all himself into her bosom, There softly sigh'd, "Oh, night of ecstasy!
When shall we meet again?"--Don Carlos then Led Leonora forth.
_Alon._ Oh, oh, my heart! [_he sinks into a chair._
_Zan._ Groan on, and with the sound refresh my soul!
'Tis through his heart; his knees smite one another: 'Tis through his brain; his eye-b.a.l.l.s roll in anguish. [_aside._ My lord, my lord, why will you rack my soul?
_Alon._ Oh, she was all!
My fame, my friends.h.i.+p, and my love of arms, All stoop'd to her; my blood was her possession.
Deep in the secret foldings of my heart She liv'd with life, and far the dearer she: To think on't is the torment of the d.a.m.n'd, And not to think on't is impossible.
_Zan._ You said you'd bear it like a man.
_Alon._ I do.
Am I not most distracted?
_Zan._ Pray, be calm.
_Alon._ As hurricanes:--be thou a.s.sur'd of that.
_Zan._ Is this the wise Alonzo?
_Alon._ Villain, no: He died in the arbour--he was murder'd there!--
_Zan._ Alas! he weeps.
_Alon._ Go, dig her grave!
_Zan._ My lord!
_Alon._ But that her blood's too hot, I would carouse it Around my bridal board!
_Zan._ And I would pledge thee. [_aside._
_Alon._ But I may talk too fast. Pray let me think, And reason mildly.--Wedded and undone Before one night descends.--Oh, hasty evil!
What friend to comfort me in my extreme!
Where's Carlos? why is Carlos absent from me?
Does he know what has happen'd?
_Zan._ My lord!
_Alon._ Oh, villain, villain, most accurst!
If thou didst know it, why didst let me wed?
_Zan._ Hear me, my lord; your anger will abate.
I knew it not:--I saw them in the garden; But saw no more than you might well expect To see in lovers destin'd for each other.
By heav'n, I thought their meeting innocent.
Who could suspect fair Leonora's virtue, 'Till after-proofs conspir'd to blacken it?
Sad proofs, which came too late, which broke not out, (Eternal curses on Alvarez' haste!) 'Till holy rites had made the wanton yours; And then, I own, I labour'd to conceal it, In duty and compa.s.sion to your peace.
_Alon._ Live now, be d.a.m.n'd hereafter--for I want thee.
Let me think-- The jess'mine bower--'tis secret and remote: Go, wait me there, and take thy dagger with thee. [_exit Zanga._ How sweet the sound still sings within my ear!
When shall we meet again?--To-night, in h.e.l.l. [_going._
_Enter Leonora._
Ha! I'm surprised! I stagger at her charms!
Oh, angel-devil!--Shall I stab her now?
No--It shall be as I at first determin'd.
To kill her now were half my vengeance lost.
Then I must now dissemble--if I can.
_Leon._ My lord, excuse me; see, a second time I come in emba.s.sy from all your friends, Whose joys are languid, uninspir'd by you.
_Alon._ This moment, Leonora, I was coming To thee, and all--but sure, or I mistake, Or thou canst well inspire my friends with joy.
_Leon._ What says my lord?
_Alon._ Thou art exceeding fair.
_Leon._ Beauty alone is but of little worth; But when the soul and body of a piece, Both s.h.i.+ne alike; then they obtain a price, And are a fit reward for gallant actions, Heaven's pay on earth for such great souls as yours;-- If fair and innocent, I am your due.
_Alon._ Innocent! [_aside._
_Leon._ How, my lord! I interrupt you.
_Alon._ No, my best life! I must not part with thee-- This hand is mine--Oh, what a hand is here!
So soft, souls sink into it, and are lost!
_Leon._ In tears, my lord?
_Alon._ What less can speak my joy?
Why, I could gaze upon thy looks for ever, And drink in all my being from thine eyes; And I could s.n.a.t.c.h a flaming thunderbolt, And hurl destruction!--
_Leon._ My lord, you fright me.
Is this the fondness of your nuptial hour?
