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! A LONZO. O Leonora! What could I do? In duty to my friend, For Carlos did I plead, and most sincerely; But grant my crime was great, I'm greatly curs'd. LEONORA. [Going.] If from your guilt none suffer'd but yourself, VOL. II. 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 LEONORA. They flatter'd you. ALONZO. How? Flatter'd me! 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 Virtue's supreme reward on this side heav'n; LEONORA. Alonzo, pardon me the injury Of loving you: I struggled with my passion, ALONZO. Unkind! You know I think your love a blessing Of sighs and groans, and a whole year of dying: I Alas! LEONORA. ALONZO. What says my love?-Speak, Leonora. LEONORA. 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, ALONZO. Is not the day then fix'd for your espousals? LEONORA. Indeed, my father once had thought that way; ALONZO. O agony ! Must I not only lose her, but be made LEONORA. What! do you tremble lest you should be mine? ALONZO. What's in my power? O yes, to stab my friend! | LEONORA. To stab your friend were barbarous indeed! ALONZO. Torment! [After a pause, Leonora speaks. LEONORA. O my shame! I sue, and sue in vain; it is most just: First perish all. ALONZO. LEONORA. Say: what have you resolv'd My father comes; what answer will you give him? ALONZO. What answer? Let me look upon that face, LEONORA. And why undo you? Is it then, my lord, Which you was conscious you must break with parting. No, Leonora; I am thine for ever, In spite of Carlos.-Ha! Who's that? My friend! [Starts wide from her. Alas! I see him pale; I hear his groans: He foams, he tears his hair, he raves, he bleeds; (I know him by myself) he dies distracted. LEONORA. How dreadful to be cut from what we love! Ah! speak no more. ALONZO. LEONORA. And ty'd to what we hate! |