University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter Leonora and Carlos by opposite sides.
Car.
Madam, I have obey'd your summons; say
Whate'er my humble service may perform.
How fare you after this most dismal shock?

Leo.
As one who hath a friend and husband both
In one dire tempest lost. And, noble Carlos,
Grief triumphs over pride, when even to thee,
Though knowing well thy friendly worth, I own it.
He was—I mean Henriquez—Oh! he was
To me most strangely alter'd ere this stroke.

Car.
You are deceived; expecting to retain
The undiminish'd empire of his heart
Beyond the usual term of bridegroom weakness.
It could not be.

Leo.
No; I am not deceived.
Sickness did yesterday for many hours
Confine him to his chamber; yet in vain
Did I entreat admittance—I, who used
To soothe his saddest hours, if any sad
Could pass when I was near him.—
And now again he is shut up alone,
And has refused to see me. Worthy Carlos,
Do me a kindness: go thou to his door,
And beg admittance; then in my behalf,
Since by another's influence I must move him,
Crave audience even for a few short moments.

Car.
Nay, charming Leonora, urge him not:
He will admit thee when he is disposed
For soothing sympathy; to press it sooner
Were useless—were unwise.

Leo.
Yet go to him; he will, perhaps, to thee,
So long his fellow-soldier and his friend,
Unburthen his sad heart.

Car.
You are in this deceived. His fellow-soldier
I long have been. In the same fields we've fought;
Slept in one tent, or on the rugged heath,
Wrapt in our soldier's cloaks, have, side by side,
Stretch'd out our weary length like savage beasts
In the same cheerless lair; and many a time,
When the dim twilight of our evening camp
Has by my foolish minstrelsy been cheer'd,
He has bent o'er me, pleased with the old strains
That pleased him when a boy; therefore I may,
As common phrase permits, be call'd his friend.
But there existed one, and only one,
To whom his mind, with all its nice reserve
Above the sympathies of common men,
He freely could unfold; and having lost him,
Can I intrude upon his private thoughts
Like one who would supply a vacant place?
His heart, I know it well, would from such boldness
Revolt, even with disgust.

Leo.
Yet Juan's death did seem to move him less
Than such dear friendship might have warranted.

Car.
It was his custom to restrain his looks
When strongly moved, or shun all observation.

Leo.
And I am now become that humble thing,—
A wife shut out from equal confidence!

Car.
Have patience, madam, take it not so deeply.

Leo.
I would have patience,—

Car.
Hush! we're interrupted.

Enter Blas.
Blas
(to Leonora).
Don Juan's secretary is arrived,
Who brings with him—so has he bid me say—
Papers of great importance, which he begs
May, and without delay, to Don Henriquez,
In presence of due witnesses, be read.

Leo.
It is a happy thing; this call will rouse him;
Be thou the bearer of this message, Carlos;
He cannot think thee an intruder now.

Car.
I will obey you.

Leo.
And be sure immediately
To give me notice how he has received it.

Car.
I will not fail.

[Exeunt severally.