The Revenge Part 4

_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?

It hurts not me, my lord, but as I love you: Warmly as you I wish don Carlos well; But I am likewise don Alonzo's friend: There all the diff'rence 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 caus'd 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'm 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 a Servant, then returns._

Proud, hated Spain, oft drench'd in Moorish blood!

Dost thou not feel a deadly foe within thee?

Shake not the tow'rs where'er I pa.s.s along, Conscious of ruin, and their great destroyer?

Shake to the centre, if Alonzo's dear.

Look down, oh, holy prophet! see me torture This Christian dog, this infidel, who dares To smite thy votaries, and spurn thy law; And yet hopes pleasure from two radiant eyes, Which look as they were lighted up for thee!

Shall he enjoy thy paradise below?

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, For more than twenty years; vile promiser!

None here are happy, but the very fool, Or very wise: I am not fool enough To smile in vanities, and hug a shadow; Nor have I wisdom to elaborate An artificial happiness from pains: Ev'n joys are pains, because they cannot last. [_sighs._ How many lift the head, look gay and smile, Against their consciences? And this we know, Yet, knowing, disbelieve, and try again What we have try'd, and struggle with conviction.

Each new experience gives the former credit; And rev'rend grey threescore is but a voucher, That thirty told us true.

_Zan._ My n.o.ble 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 tender, By your own pains, to feel a friend's distress.

_Car._ I understand you well. Alonzo loves; I pity him.

_Zan._ I dare be sworn you do.

Yet he has other thoughts.

_Car._ What canst 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 wis.h.i.+ng 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 urg'd 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 fixed, 'tis past, 'tis absolute despair."

_Car._ Oh, cruel heav'n! and is it not enough That I must never, never see her more?

Say, is it not enough that I must die; But I must be tormented in the grave?-- Ask my consent!--Must I then give her to him?

Lead to his nuptial sheets the blus.h.i.+ng maid?

Oh!--Leonora! never, never, never!

_Zan._ A storm of plagues upon him! he refuses. [_aside._

_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: Then whom shall he condemn for his misfortune?

Carlos is an Alvarez to his love.

_Car._ Oh, 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 convinc'd 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?

Oh, which side shall I take? Be stabb'd, or--stab?

'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies!---- Ah, no!--all other agonies are ease To one--O Leonora!--never, never!

Go, Zanga, go, defer the dreadful trial, Though but a day; something, perchance, may happen To soften all to friends.h.i.+p and to love.

Go, stop my friend, let me not see him now; But save us from an interview of death.