Come near me, Zanga; For I dare open all my heart to thee. To talk to Leonora's heart, and make I thought him dead; for (by what fate I know not) ZANGA. [Aside.] Thanks to Zanga, Who thence contriv'd that evil which has happen'd. ALONZO. Yes, curs'd of heav'n! I lov'd myself; and now, In a late action rescu'd from the Moors, I have brought home my rival in ZANGA. We hear, my lord, that in that action too, ALONZO. It did with more than the expence of mine; Hadst thou a thousand lives, thy death would please me. My six years hope of vengeance quite expir'd! Enter LEONORA. ALONZO. death. When nature ends with anguish like to this, LEONORA. The mighty conqueror. Dismay'd! I thought you gave the foe your sorrows. ALONZO. O cruel insult! are those the tears you sport, Which nothing but a love for you could draw? LEONORA. That passion which you boast of, is your guilt; ALONZO. You, Madam, ought to thank those crimes you blame; 'Tis they permit you to be thus inhuman, Without the censure both of earth and heav'n- Farewell for ever!-Sweet to die!-O heav'n! ALONZO. O Leonora! What could I do? In duty to my friend, For Carlos did I plead, and most sincerely; ALONZO. Who suffers with me? LEONORA. Enjoy your ignorance, and let me go. ALONZO. Alas! what is there I can fear to know, Since I already know your hate? Your actions How? Flatter'd me! LEONORA. They flatter'd you. ALONZO. LEONORA. O search in fate no further! I hate thee, O Alonzo! How I hate thee! ALONZO. Indeed! and do you weep for hatred too? Ah, no! How sink into the depth of horrors! I weep by chance; nor have my tears a meaning But, O! when I first saw Alonzo's tears, I knew their meaning well. [Alonzo falls passionately on his knees, and takes her hand. ALONZO. Heavens, what is this? That excellence for which Desire was planted in the heart of man; Virtue's supreme reward on this side heav'n; The cordial of my soul! and this destroys meIndeed I flatter'd me that thou didst hate. LEONORA. Alonzo, pardon me the injury Of loving you: I struggled with my passion,. ALONZO. Unkind! 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: But O the curse of curses! O my friend! Was it for you, my lord, to be so quick, In finding out objections to our love? Think you so strong my love, or weak my virtue, It was unsafe to leave that part to me? ALONZO. Is not the day then fix'd for your espousals? LEONORA. Indeed, my father once had thought that way; But marking how the marriage pain'd my heart, Long he stood doubtful; but at last resolv'd Your counsel, which determines him in all, Should finish the debate. |