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Affronts are innocent, where men are worthless
And such alone can wisely drop revenge.

ISABELLA.

But with more temper, Zanga, tell your story:
To see your strong emotions startles me.

ZANGA.

Yes, woman, with a temper that befits it.
Has the dark adder venom? So have I,

When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel me
For from that day, that day of my dishonour,
I from that day have curs'd the rising sun,
Which never fail'd to tell me of my shame :
I from that day have blest the coming night,
Which promis'd to conceal it; but in vain;
The blow return'd for ever in my dream :
Yet on I toil'd, and groan'd for an occasion
Of ample vengeance: None is yet arriv'd.
Howe'er, at present I conceive warm hopes
Of what may wound him sore, in his ambition;
Life of his life, and dearer than his soul.
By nightly march he purpos'd to surprize
The Moorish camp; but I have taken care
They shall be ready to receive his favour.
Failing in this, a cast of utmost moment,
Would darken all the conquests he has won.

ISABELLA.

Just as I enter'd an express arriv'd.

ZANGA.

To whom?

8

ISABELLA.

His friend, Don Carlos.

ZANGA.

Be propitious,

O Mahomet, on this important hour,

And give at length my famish'd soul revenge!
What is revenge, but courage to call in
Our honour's debts, and wisdom to convert
Others' self-love into our own protection?
But see the morning ray breaks in upon us;
I'll seek Don Carlos, and enquire my fate.

Enter MANUEL and Don CARLOS.

MANUEL.

[Exeunt.

My lord Don Carlos, what brings your express?

CARLOS.

Alonzo's glory, and the Moors defeat.

The field is strew'd with twice ten thousand slain,
Though he suspects his measures were betray'd.
He'll soon arrive. O how I long t'embrace
The first of heroes, and the best of friends!-
I lov'd fair Leonora long before

The chance of battle gave me to the Moors,
From whom so late Alonzo set me free;
And while I groan'd in bondage, I deputed
This great Alonzo, whom her father honours,
To be my gentle advocate in love,

To stir her heart, and fan its fires, for me.

And what success?

MANUEL.

CARLOS.

Alas! the cruel maid

Indeed, her father, who, though high at court, And powerful with the king has wealth at heart, To heal his devastations from the Moors, Knowing I'm richly freighted from the East, My fleet now sailing in the sight of Spain, (Heav'n guard it safe through such a dreadful storm!) her to wed.

Caresses me,

and urges

MANUEL.

Her aged father, see! leads her this way.

CARLOS.

She looks like radiant youth

Brought forward by the hand of hoary time-
You to the port with speed; 'tis possible
Some vessel is arriv'd: Heav'n grant it bring
Tidings, which Carlos may receive with joy!

Enter ALVAREZ and LEONora.

ALVAREZ.

Don Carlos, I am labouring in your favour
With all a parent's soft authority,

And earnest counsel.

CARLOS.

Angels second you!

For all my bliss or misery hangs on it.

ALVAREZ.

Daughter, the happiness of life depends
On our discretion, and a prudent choice;

Look into those they call unfortunate,
And closer view'd, you'll find they are unwise:
Some flaw in their own conduct lies beneath,
And 'tis the trick of fools to save their credit,
Which brought another language into use.
Don Carlos is of antient, noble blood;

And then his wealth might mend a prince's fortune:
For him the sun is labouring in the mines,

A faithful slave, and turning earth to gold:

His keels are freighted with that sacred pow'r,
By which ev'n kings and emperors are made.

Sir, you have my good wishes: and I hope [To Carlos.
My daughter is not indispos'd to hear you. [Exit Alv.

CARLOS.

O Leonora ! why art thou in tears?

Because I am less wretched than I was?

Before your father gave me leave to woo you,
Hush'd was your bosom, and your eye serene.
Will you for ever help me to new pains,
And keep reserves of torment in your hand,
To let them loose on every dawn of joy?

Think you my

LEONORA.

father too indulgent to me, That he claims no dominion o'er my tears?

A daughter sure may be right dutiful,

Whose tears alone are free from a restraint

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CARLOS.

Disobey him,

Rather than come thus coldly; than come thus
With absent eyes, and alienated mien,
Suff'ring address, the victim of my love.
O let me be undone the common way,
And have the common comfort to be pity'd,
And not be ruin'd in the mask of bliss,
And so be envy'd, and be wretched too!
Love calls for love. Not all the pride of beauty;
Those eyes, that tell us what the sun is made of;
Those lips, whose touch is to be bought with life;
Those hills of driven snow, which seen are felt:
All these possest are nought, but as they are
The proof, the substance of an inward passion,
And the rich: plunder of a taken heart.

LEONORA.

Alas! my lord, we are too delicate;

And when we grasp the happiness we wish'd,
We call on wit to argue it away:

A plainer man would not feel half your pains ;
But some have too much wisdom to be happy.

CARLOS.

Had I known this before, it had been well:

I had not then solicited your father
To add to my distress; as you behave,
Your father's kindness stabs me to the heart.
Give me your hand-Nay, give it, Leonora :
You give it not ;-nay, yet you give it not-
I ravish it.

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