University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—Before a Tavern, in Frankfort.
Alonzo enters and meets Roland.
Roland.
Good day, Alonzo! what's the news?

Alon.
None!

Rol.
Why look so sad? are you in love?

Alon.
In love?
Do you suppose a man of sense would love?
Because he loved, look sad?

Rol.
Lord Byron loved until it broke his heart!
You'd better take a Sappho's leap from Leucate.
Tasso, Petrarch—Dante went mad for love!
The Poets, all, run mad, at run-mad love!

Alon.
He never “loved but one, and that loved one
Could ne'er be his!”

Rol.
Is that the way with you?
Frankfort is sleeping in the sultry sun,
And nothing now is going on! see here,—
Will you not legislate for us again?

Alon.
Is my election sure?

Rol.
I think it is.

Alon.
Well, I will never offer more!

Rol.
Why not?
I have my reasons, which you ne'er shall know!
You may, in time, propose some other man.

Rol.
Hast thou not seen the beautiful Eudora?

Alon.
Who is she?

Rol.
Deny it not—you know we're friends!
[Points at him.
If you have seen her not, the neighbours lie!
Eudora, daughter of Elvira.

Alon.
Ah?

Rol.
Perhaps your Angeline may love another?

Alon.
Perchance she may,—but who is this Eudora?

Rol.
Ah! not know the beautiful valley maid?
Who, born upon a rose-bed, without thorns,
Is, of the fairest, fairest one herself!
If you love Angeline, love not Eudora!
Love well, Eudora! but not Angeline!

[Strikes his shoulder.
Alon.
Who is she, of whom thou hast spoken so highly?

Rol.
She is not rich, but she is much the more!
But mark!—I tell you, not to give you pain—
A schoolboy friend of mine was sick of love;
But he is gone—your only chance is now.

Alon.
Where is he gone?

Rol.
To Mexico!—the sun!
He has been gone some time; he may be savage
E'er he comes again—you'd better mind your eye!
He means to marry her on his return.

Alon.
But, I have all her legacy in hand—
Yes, I have seen her—she is beautiful!

Rol.
Ah ha! I knew it—saw it in your face.
Good luck attend you: may you always prosper.

[Exeunt omnes.