Elvira A Tragedy |
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 | Elvira |  |
SCENE IX.
ALMEYDA, ELVIRA.ALMEYDA.
Alas!
Don Pedro is found guilty!
ELVIRA.
O despair!
O death to all my hopes!
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Elvira, now,
On this important, this deciding moment
Our mutual fate depends. You long have mark'd
My passion for the prince; that, in despite
Of scorn in him, of jealousy in me,
Beyond whatever nature else can boast
I hold him dear—
ELVIRA.
I have with heart-felt grief,
And flowing eyes beheld it—and even now
They stream afresh!
ALMEYDA.
The Queen is gone to try
Her tenderest influence on a husband's heart.
I too will clasp his knees, and beg for mercy:
But will these arts, these little aids prevail
Against his dread severity of nature?
If you have thought, or if inventive Love
Can prompt your breast with more successful means,
Advise, Elvira; for your counsels here
Shall be my law. Whatever you suggest,
At peril of my life I will perform.
ELVIRA.
Ah! how reply? What equal answer find
To such exalted worth? All that my thought
Is big with, your true virtue, my distress,
All press me with confusion. In your sight
The Prince must seem ungrateful and unjust;
And I a worthless rival, cast beneath
Your least regard.
ALMEYDA.
Let virtue make us equal.
The Prince to both is dear: let both unite,
Without a farther thought, to save his life.
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O amiable goodness! Wonder fills
And joy again attempts to chear my bosom!
There rises to my eye one glimpse of light,
One ray of hope: but you, and only you
Can make it real. Closely here confin'd,
Alas! I have no means—Go then—and heaven
Suceed your purpose! from the King intreat,
Obtain a moment's audience for Elvira—
I yet may calm his anger; yet prolong
Don Pedro's threaten'd days—perhaps for you!
ALMEYDA.
It would be cruel, as 'tis most unjust,
To think such hopes could animate my zeal.
Elvira, no: the fire that warms this breast
Is of a purer beam. I go to find
Th'unhappy King; with prayers and tears to try
If he is yet a parent, or a man!
ELVIRA.
O may the fair attempt successful prove!
May stern Alonzo hear the voice of love!
O may we both preserve, what both adore!
So he but lives—I ask of heaven no more!
The guards conduct her back.
| Elvira | |