The Revenge Part 3

_Zan._ Is Alvarez Determin'd to deny his daughter to him.

That treasure was on sh.o.r.e; must that too join The common wreck?

_Man._ Alvarez pleads, indeed, That Leonora's heart is disinclin'd, And pleads that only; so it was this morning, When he coucurr'd: the tempest broke the match; And sunk his favour, when it sunk the gold.

The love of gold is double in his heart; The vice of age, and of Alvarez too.

_Zan._ How does don Carlos bear it?

_Man._ Like a man Whose heart feels most a human heart can feel, And reasons best a human head can reason.

_Zan._ But is he then in absolute despair?

_Man._ Never to see his Leonora more.

And, quite to quench all future hope, Alvarez Urges Alonzo to espouse his daughter This very day; for he has learn'd their loves.

_Zan._ Ha! was not that receiv'd with ecstasy By don Alonzo?

_Man._ Yes, at first; but soon A damp came o'er him, it would kill his friend.

_Zan._ Not if his friend consented: and since now He can't himself espouse her--

_Man._ Yet, to ask it Has something shocking to a gen'rous mind; At least, Alonzo's spirit startles at it.

Wide is the distance between our despair, And giving up a mistress to another.

But I must leave you. Carlos wants support In his severe affliction. [_exit._

_Zan._ Ha, it dawns!-- It rises to me, like a new-found world To mariners long time distress'd at sea, Sore from a storm, and all their viands spent; Or like the sun just rising out of chaos, Some dregs of ancient night not quite purg'd off.

But shall I finish it?--Hoa, Isabella!

_Enter Isabella._

I thought of dying; better things come forward; Vengeance is still alive! from her dark covert, With all her snakes erect upon her crest, She stalks in view, and fires me with her charms.

When, Isabella, arriv'd don Carlos here?

_Isa._ Two nights ago.

_Zan._ That was the very night Before the battle--Mem'ry, set down that; It has the essence of a crocodile, Though yet but in the sh.e.l.l--I'll give it birth-- What time did he return?

_Isa._ At midnight.

_Zan._ So-- Say, did he see that night his Leonora?

_Isa._ No, my good lord.

_Zan._ No matter--tell me, woman, Is not Alonzo rather brave than cautious, Honest than subtle, above fraud himself, Slow, therefore, to suspect it in another?

_Isa._ You best can judge; but so the world thinks of him.

_Zan._ Why, that was well--go, fetch my tablets. .h.i.ther.

[_exit Isabella._ Two nights ago my father's sacred shade Thrice stalk'd around my bed, and smil'd upon me: He smil'd, a joy then little understood-- It must be so--and if so, it is vengeance Worth waking of the dead for.

_Re-enter Isabella, with the tablets; Zanga writes, then reads as to himself._

Thus it stands-- The father's fix'd--Don Carlos cannot wed-- Alonzo may--but that will hurt his friend-- Nor can he ask his leave--or, if he did, He might not gain it--It is hard to give Our own consent to ills, though we must bear them.

Were it not then a master-piece worth all The wisdom I can boast, first to persuade Alonzo to request it of his friend, His friend to grant--then from that very grant, The strongest proof of friends.h.i.+p man can give (And other motives), to work out a cause Of jealousy, to rack Alonzo's peace?

I have turn'd o'er the catalogue of human woes, Which sting the heart of man, and find none equal.

It is the hydra of calamities, The sev'nfold death; the jealous are the d.a.m.n'd.

Oh, jealousy, each other pa.s.sion's calm To thee, thou conflagration of the soul!

Thou king of torments, thou grand counterpoise For all the transports beauty can inspire!

_Isa._ Alonzo comes this way.

_Zan._ Most opportunely.-- Withdraw. [_exit Isabella._

_Enter Don Alonzo._

My lord, I give you joy.

_Alon._ Of what, good Zanga?

_Zan._ Is not the lovely Leonora yours?

_Alon._ What will become of Carlos?

_Zan._ He's your friend; And since he can't espouse the fair himself, Will take some comfort from Alonzo's fortune.

_Alon._ Alas, thou little know'st the force of love!

Love reigns a sultan with unrival'd sway; Puts all relations, friends.h.i.+p's self to death, If once he's jealous of it. I love Carlos; Yet well I know what pangs I felt this morning At his intended nuptials. For myself I then felt pains, which now for him I feel.

_Zan._ You will not wed her then?

_Alon._ Not instantly.

Insult his broken heart the very moment!

_Zan._ I understand you: but you'll wed hereafter, When your friend's gone, and his first pain a.s.suag'd.

_Alon._ Am I to blame in that?

_Zan._ My lord, I love Your very errors; they are born from virtue.

Your friends.h.i.+p (and what n.o.bler pa.s.sion claims The heart?) does lead you blindfold to your ruin.

Consider, wherefore did Alvarez break Don Carlos' match, and wherefore urge Alonzo's?

'Twas the same cause, the love of wealth. To-morrow May see Alonzo in don Carlos' fortune; A higher bidder is a better friend, And there are princes sigh for Leonora.

When your friend's gone, you'll wed; why, then the cause Which gives you Leonora now, will cease.

Carlos has lost her; should you lose her too, Why, then you heap new torments on your friend, By that respect which labour'd to relieve him-- '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!