University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Sweet before Don Juan's House.
DON JUAN DE PADILLA and DON FRANCIS.
Don Juan.
Friend of my early youth—my brave Don Francis—
Unlike the world—a friend in fortune's wane;
Thou hast a soul that dares to mix with grief,
And kindly seek'st thy wretched sister out
To sooth the anguish of extreme distress.
But how did'st thou escape thy gloomy cell?—
Or by what means elude the watchful guard?—

Francis.
In sables clad, my face bedew'd with tears,
The guards suppos'd I was thy noble sire,
Who had permission to embrace his son,
Ere death had seal'd an heirless father's woe.
But on parole, I have De Haro's leave
To fly to Charles, and in Velasco's name,
To sue for pardon from the emperor's hand,
And claim my bride by his Zelinda's ring:—
He gave me both his signet and command,
And bade me on the moment haste away;
The next he said perhaps betray'd to death.
I caught the letters with a rapturous hand,
And kiss'd the seals, and dropt a grateful tear;
I've waited but to bid my friend adieu,
But not to see thy wife till I return.

Don Juan.
Ah!—if thou can'st retrieve so brave a life,
Protect Maria, and her infant son;
Let them not languish in a servile land,
To watch the nod of some imperious lord.
Then tell the gazing citizens, who o'er
My breathless corpse, before the morrow close,
Will weep, and sigh, and curse my hapless fate,
That they have cherish'd many valiant sons,
Who amply may avenge my early death,
And teach the world that fortune ne'er stands still:—
In the routine of her uncertain wheel,
She soon may jilt her fondled, favour'd sons.
The sycophant and prince may both be taught,
A sceptre's but the plaything of a day.
Then let my father, noble Lopez, know
Don Juan died, as Lopez' son should die,
A dauntless martyr in his country's cause.

Francis.
Thy orders shall be punctually obey'd.
I with my blood will seal the sacred charge;
Though I could willing leave so base a world,
And share with thee, the glory of thy death;
Yet, for Louisa's sake, I wish to live.

Don Juan.
Thou must away—'tis death to linger here—
'Tis rashness in extreme—thou can't escape
The prying eyes that lurk for human blood:—
Thy mein and aspect cannot be conceal'd—
Thy soul shines through, and virtue's here a crime.

[Exeunt.