 | Elvira |  |
SCENE IV.
ALONZO, DON PEDRO, the QUEEN, ELVIRA.ALONZO.
This rebel
Resists me to my face, and shews unveil'd
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Durst not foresee. By this determin'd insult
To your Castile, he covers me and you,
And your Almeyda, with one common shame:
And doubt I still to punish him?—But, tell me,
Say, is there not some partner of his guilt,
Some dark accomplice, whose pernicious counsel
Thus hardens him in guilt?
QUEEN.
You see her there,
Th'accomplice you would find!
ALONZO.
Elvira!
ELVIRA.
Me!
QUEEN.
Drawn from his duty by her feeble charms,
Aided, no doubt, with all th'ensnaring skill
Of female arts, to this degenerate passion
He poorly offers up Almeyda's worth,
And feeds a subject's vanity by boasting,
How rich a victim bleeds before her shrine!
ALONZO.
Amazement! Can it be?
QUEEN.
It is not now
I first discover whence his coldness grows.
Day after day have I beheld his eye
Of love and softness ever hung on hers:
Nay, when alone, when I the dreadful truth
Try'd to explore, the starting tear, that stole
Down her flush'd cheek, discover'd all I fear'd,
Even now—I scarce had reach'd my own apartment—
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Conversing, parted, each with streaming eyes.
And see, my Lord, read on their guilty cheeks
Disorder and alarm!
ELVIRA.
I am accus'd—
But 'tis in vain—Suspicions are not proofs—
Th'imputed crime—
DON PEDRO.
Elvira, we are born
Above dissimulation. Yes—I love;
And dare, without a blush, avow my passion;
The object makes it glory—But, on me,
On my devoted head fall your full vengeance:
Elvira, Sir, is guiltless. She—
ALONZO.
Be dumb!
Ungrateful! cruel!
ELVIRA.
Hear Elvira speak.
Make her, untry'd, unjudg'd, the sacrifice!
If so fair peace betwixt you and the prince
Might be restor'd, a death so justly due
Would be my dearest wish!
ALONZO.
What? what remains?
Let her own chamber henceforth be her prison,
Till she her conduct justifies at full.
Madam, with you I trust her: be it yours
To keep her person safe.
DON PEDRO.
Good angels guard it!
With whom, my gracious Lord—Ah! in what hands
Do you entrust her tender frame?
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Peace! peace!
Nor farther urge my fury—I suspend
Thy fate some moments: this last day is given thee
Yet to reflect; yet to efface thy crime
By prompt obedience. Should it pass in vain—
Thou art no more my son! Away.
DON PEDRO
, aside.
Too soon
I may return—more guilty than I go!
| Elvira | |