My fame, my friendship, 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:
But-and no more-set nature in a blaze;
Give her a fit of jealousy-away-

To think on't is the torment of the damn'd;
And not to think on't is impossible.
How fair the cheek, that first alarm'd my soul!
How bright the eye, shat sets it on a flame!
How soft the breast, on which I laid my peace
For years to slumber, unawak'd by care!
How fierce the transport! how sublime the bliss!—
How deep, how black, the horror and despair!

He dy'd in th' arbour; he was murder'd there:
I am his dæmon, though-my wife! my wife!-

Alas! he weeps.

VOL. II.

ZANGA.

ALONZO.

Go, dig her grave.

ZANGA.

My lord!

ALONZO.

But that her blood's too hot, I would carouse it

Around my bridal-board.

ZANGA.

[Aside.]

And I would pledge thee.

ALONZO.

But I may talk too fast. Pray let me think,
And reason mildly.-Wedded and undone
Before one night descends-O hasty evil!
What friend to comfort me in this extreme!
Where's Carlos? Why is Carlos absent from me?
Does he know what has happen'd?

ZANGA.

My good lord!

ALONZO.

O depth of horrors!-He! my bosom friend!

ZANGA.

Alas! compose yourself, my lord.

ALONZO.

To death.

Gaze on her with both eyes so ardently!

Give them the vultures; tear them all in pieces! ZANGA. [Aside.]

Most excellent!

ALONZO.

Hark!

you can keep a secret.

In yonder arbour bound with jessamin;

Who's that? What villain's that? Unhand her-Murder!
Tear them asunder-Murder!-How they grind
My heart betwixt them!-O Let go my heart!
Yet let it go Embracing and embrac'd!
O pestilence!Who let him in? A traitor.

[Goes to stab Zanga: he prevents him.

Alas! my head turns round, and my limbs fail me.

ZANGA.

My lord!

ALONZO.

O villain, villain, most accurst!

If thou didst know it, why didst let me wed?

ZANGA.

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 made the wanton yours;

And then, I own, I labour'd to conceal it,
In duty, and compassion to your peace.

ALONZO.

Live now; be damn'd hereafter, for I want thee.
O night of ecstasy!-Ha! was't not so?

I will enjoy this murder-Let me think

The jess'min bow'r; 'tis secret and remote:
Go, wait me there, and take thy dagger with thee.
[Exit Zanga
How the sweet sound still sings within my ear!
When shall we meet again? To-night, in hell.

[As he is going out, Enter Leonora.
Ha! I'm surpriz'd; I stagger at her charms.
O angel-devil!-Shall I stab her now?
No, it shall be as I first determin'd:

To kill her now were half my vengeance lost,
Then I must now dissemble-if I can.

LEONORA.

My lord, excuse me: see, a second time
I come in embassy from all your friends,
Whose joys are languid, uninspir'd by you.

ALONZO.

This moment, Leonora, I was coming
To thee, and all-But sure, or I mistake,
Or thou canst well inspire my friends with joy.

Why sighs my lord?

LEONORA.

ALONZO.

I sigh'd not, Leonora.

LEONORA.

I thought you did: Your sighs are mine, my lord,
And I shall feel them all.

ALONZO.

Dost flatter me?

LEONORA.

If my regards for you are flattery,

Full far indeed I stretch'd the compliment
In this day's solemn rite.

ALONZO.

What rite?

LEONORA.

ALONZO.

Indeed I do; my heart is full of mirth.

LEONORA.

You sport me.

And so is mine-I look on chearfulness,
As on the health of virtue.

ALONZO.

Virtue !Damn

LEONORA.

What says my lord?

ALONZO.

Thou art exceeding fair,

LEONORA.

Beauty alone is but of little worth;

But when the soul and body of a piece,

Both shine alike; then they obtain a price,
And are a fit reward for gallant actions,

Heav'n's pay on earth for such great souls as yours:
If fair and innocent, I am your due.

Innocent!

ALONZO, [Aside.]

LEONORA.

How!-my lord, I interrupt you.

ALONZO.

No, my best life; I must not part with thee:
This hand is mine. O! what a hand is here!
So soft, souls sink into it, and are lost!