University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Enter Zanga.
ZANGA.
Whether first Nature, or long want of Peace
Has wrought my Mind to this, I cannot tell;
But Horrors now are not displeasing to me:
I like this Rocking of the Battlements.
Rage on, ye Winds, burst Clouds, and Waters roar!
You bear a just Resemblance to my Fortune,
And suit the gloomy Habit of my Soul.
Enter Isabella.
Who's there? My Love!

Isab.
Why have you left my Bed?
Your Absence more affrights me than the Storm.

Zan.
The Dead alone in such a Night can rest,
And I indulge my Meditation here.
Woman, away. I chuse to be alone.

Isab.
I know you do, and therefore will not leave you;
Excuse me, Zanga, therefore dare not leave you.
Is this a Night for Walks of Contemplation?
Something unusual hangs upon your Heart,
And I will know it: By our Loves, I will.
To you I sacrific'd my Virgin Fame;
Ask I too much, to share in your Distress?

Zan.
In Tears? Thou Fool! then hear me, and be plung'd
In Hell's Abyss, if ever it escape thee.
To strike thee with Astonishment at once,
I hate Alonzo. First recover that,
And then thou shalt hear farther.

Isab.
Hate Alonzo!
I own I thought Alonzo most your Friend,
And that he lost the Master in that Name.

Zan.
Hear then. 'Tis twice three Years since that Great Man,
(Great let me call him; for he conquer'd Me,)
Made me the Captive of his Arm in Fight.
He slew my Father, and threw Chains o'er me,
While I with pious Rage pursu'd Revenge.
I then was young, he plac'd me near his Person,
And thought me not dishonour'd by his Service.
One Day (may that returning Day be Night,
The Stain, the Curse of each succeeding Year)
For something, or for nothing, in his Pride
He struck me. While I tell it, do I live?
He smote me on the Cheek—I did not stab him;
For that were poor Revenge—E'er since, his Folly
Has strove to bury it beneath a heap
Of Kindnesses, and thinks it is forgot.
Insolent Thought! and like a second Blow!
Affronts are innocent, where Men are worthless;
And such alone can wisely drop Revenge.

Isab.
But with more Temper, Zanga, tell your Story:
To see your strong Emotions startles me.

Zan.
Yes, Woman, with the Temper that befits it.
Has the dark Adder Venom? So have I
When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel me!
For from that Day, that Day of my Dishonour,
I from that Day have curs'd the rising Sun;
Which never fail'd to tell me of my Shame.
I from that Day have blest the coming Night,
Which promis'd to conceal it; but in vain;
The Blow return'd for ever in my Dream.
Yet on I toil'd, and groan'd for an Occasion
Of ample Vengeance; none is yet arriv'd.
Howe'er at present I conceive warm Hopes
Of what may wound him sore in his Ambition,
Life of his Life, and dearer than his Soul.
By nightly March he purpos'd to surprize
The Moorish Camp; but I have taken Care
They shall be ready to receive his Favour.
Failing in this, a Cast of utmost Moment,
Would darken all the Conquests he has won.

Isab.
Just as I enter'd an Express arriv'd.

Zan.
To whom?

Isab.
His Friend Don Carlos.

Zan.
Be Propitious,
O Mahomet, on this important Hour,
And give at length my famish'd Soul Revenge!
What is Revenge, but Courage to call in
Our Honour's Debts, and Wisdom to convert
Other's Self-love, into our own Protection.
But see, the Morning Ray breaks in upon us,
I'll seek Don Carlos, and enquire my Fate.

[Exeunt.
Enter Manuel and Don Carlos.
Man.
My Lord Don Carlos, what brings your Express?

Car.
Alonzo's Glory, and the Moors Defeat.
The Field is strow'd with twice ten thousand slain,
Tho' he suspects his Measures were betray'd.
He'll soon arrive. O, how I long to embrace
The first of Heroes, and the best of Friends!—
I lov'd fair Leonora long before
The Chance of Battel gave me to the Moors,
From whom so late Alonzo set me Free;
And while I groan'd in Bondage, I deputed
This Great Alonzo, whom her Father honours,
To be my gentle Advocate in Love,
To stir her Heart, and fan its Fires for me.

Man.
And what Success?

Car.
Alas, the Cruel Maid—
Indeed, her Father, who tho' high at Court,
And powerful with the King, has Wealth at Heart,
To heal his Devastations from the Moors,
Knowing I'm richly freighted from the East,
My Fleet now sailing in the sight of Spain,
(Heav'n guard it safe thro' such a dreadful Storm)
Caresses me, and urges her to Wed.

Man.
Her aged Father
Leads her this way.

Car.
She looks like radiant Truth
Brought forward by the Hand of hoary Time.—
You to the Port with speed, 'tis possible
Some Vessel is arriv'd, Heav'n grant it bring
Tydings, which Carlos may receive with Joy.

Enter Alvarez and Leonora.
Alv.
Don Carlos, I am labouring in your Favour
With all a Parent's soft Authority,
And earnest Counsel.

Car.
Angels second you;
For all my Bliss or Misery hangs on it.

Alv.
Daughter, the Happiness of Life depends
On our Discretion, and a prudent Choice;
Look into those they call Unfortunate,
And closer view'd, you'll find they are Unwise:
Some Flaw in their own Conduct lies beneath,
And 'tis the Trick of Fools to save their Credit,
Which brought another Language into Use.
Don Carlos is of Antient, Noble Blood,
And then his Wealth might mend a Prince's Fortune.
For him the Sun is labouring in the Mines,
A Faithful Slave, and turning Earth to Gold.
His Keels are Freighted with that sacred Pow'r,
By which ev'n Kings and Emperors are made.
Sir, you have my good Wishes, and I hope
[To Car.
My Daughter is not indispos'd to hear you.
[Ex. Alv.

Car.
O Leonora! why art Thou in Tears?
Because I am less wretched than I was?
Before your Father gave me leave to woo you,
Hush'd was your Bosom, and your Eye serene.
Will you for ever help me to new Pains,
And keep Reserves of Torment in your Hand,
To let them loose on every Dawn of Joy?

Leon.
Think you my Father too indulgent to me,
That he claims no Dominion o'er my Tears?
A Daughter sure may be right dutiful,
Whose Tears alone are free from a Restraint.—

Car.
Ah my torn Heart!

Leon.
Regard not me, my Lord,
I shall obey my Father.

Car.
Disobey him,
Rather than come thus coldly, than come Thus
With absent Eyes, and alienated Mien,
Suff'ring Address, the Victim of my Love.
O let me be undone the common Way,
And have the common Comfort to be pity'd,
And not be ruin'd in the Mask of Bliss,
And so be envy'd, and be wretched too!
Love calls for Love. Not all the Pride of Beauty,
Those Eyes that tell us what the Sun is made of,
Those Lips, whose Touch is to be bought with Life,
Those Hills of driven Snow, which seen are felt;
All these possest, are nought, but as they are
The Proof, the Substance of an inward Passion,
And the rich Plunder of a taken Heart.

Leon.
Alas! my Lord, we are too delicate;
And when we grasp the Happiness we wish'd,
We call on Wit to argue it away:
A plainer Man would not feel half your Pains;
But some have too much Wisdom to be happy.

Car.
Had I known this before, it had been well:
I had not then sollicited your Father
To add to my Distress; as you behave,
Your Father's Kindness stabs me to the Heart.
Give me your Hand—Nay, give it, Leonora,
You give it not—nay; yet you give it not—
I ravish it.—

Zan.
I pray, my Lord, no more.

Car.
Ah, why so sad? You know each Sign does shake me;
Sighs there are Tempests here.—
I've heard bad Men would be unblest in Heav'n:
What is my Guilt, that makes me so with you?
Have I not languish'd prostrate at thy Feet?
Have I not liv'd whole Days upon thy Sight?
Have I not seen thee where thou hast not been?
And mad with the Idea, clasp'd the Wind,
And doated upon Nothing?

Leon.
Court me not,
Good Carlos, by recounting of my Faults,
And telling how ungrateful I have been.
Alas! My Lord, if talking wou'd prevail,
I cou'd suggest much better Arguments,
Than those Regards you threw away on me;
Your Valour, Honour, Wisdom, prais'd by all.
But bid Physicians talk our Veins to Temper,
And with an Argument new-set a Pulse;
Then, think, my Lord, of reasoning into Love.

Car.
Must I despair then? Do not shake me thus:
My Tempest-beaten Heart is cold to Death.
Ah! turn, and let me warm me in thy Beauties.
Heav'ns! what a Proof I gave but two Nights past
Of matchless Love! To fling me at thy Feet,
I slighted Friendship, and I flew from Fame;
Nor heard the Summons of the next Day's Battel:
But darting headlong to thy Arms, I left
The promis'd Fight, I left Alonzo too
To stand the War, and quell a World alone.

[Trumpets.
Leon.
The Victor comes. My Lord, I must withdraw.

Car.
And must you go?

Leon.
Why shou'd you wish me stay?
Your Friend's Arrival will bring Comfort to you,
My Presence none; it Pains you and my self;
For both our sakes, permit me to withdraw.
[Ex. Leon.

Car.
Sure, there's no Peril but in Love. Oh! how
My Foes wou'd boast to see me look so pale!

Enter Alonzo.
Car.
Alonzo!

Alon.
Carlos!—I am whole again
Claspt in thy Arms, it makes my Heart entire.

Car.
Whom dare I thus embrace, The Conqueror of Africk?

Alon.
Yes, much more, Don Carlos' Friend.
The Conquest of the World would cost me dear,
Should it beget one Thought of Distance in thee.
I rise in Virtues to come nearer thee.
I conquer with Don Carlos in my Eye,
And thus I claim my Victory's Reward.

[Embracing him.
Car.
A Victory indeed! Your godlike Arm
Has made one Spot the Grave of Africa,
Such Numbers fell! and the Survivors fled
As frighted Passengers from off the Strand,
When the tempestuous Sea comes roaring on them.

Alon.
'Twas Carlos conquer'd, 'twas his cruel Chains
Inflam'd me to a Rage unknown before,
And threw my former Actions far behind.

Car.
I love fair Leonora. How I love her!
Yet still I find (I know not how it is)
Another Heart, another Soul for thee.
Thy Friendship warms, it raises, it transports
Like Musick, pure the Joy, without Allay,
Whose very Rapture is Tranquillity:
But Love, like Wine, gives a tumultuous Bliss,
Heighten'd indeed beyond all Mortal Pleasures;
But mingles Pangs and Madness in the Bowl.

Enter Zanga.
Zan.
Manuel, my Lord, returning from the Port,
On Business, both of Moment, and of Haste,
Humbly begs leave to speak in private with you.

Car.
In private.—Ha!—Alonzo, I'll return;
No Business can detain me long from thee.
[Ex. Car.

Zan.
My Lord Alonzo, I obey'd your Orders.

Alon.
Will the fair Leonora pass this way?

Zan.
She will, my Lord, and soon.

Alon.
Come near me, Zanga;
For I dare open all my Heart to thee.
Never was such a Day of Triumph known:
There's not a wounded Captive in my Train,
That slowly followed my proud Chariot Wheels,
With half a Life, and Beggary, and Chains,
But is a God to me: I am most wretched.
In his Captivity, thou know'st, Don Carlos,
My Friend (and never was a Friend more dear)
Deputed me his Advocate in Love,
To talk to Leonora's Heart, and make
A tender Party in her Thoughts for him.
What did I do? I lov'd my self. Indeed,
One thing there is might lessen my Offence,
(If such Offence admits of being lessen'd)
I thought him dead; for (by what Fate I know not)
His Letters never reach'd me.

Zan.
[Aside.]
Thanks to Zanga,
Who thence contriv'd that Evil which has happen'd.

Alon.
Yes, curs'd of Heav'n! I lov'd my self, and now
In a late Action, rescu'd from the Moors,
I have brought Home my Rival in my Friend.

Zan.
We hear, my Lord, that in that Action too,
Your interposing Arm preserv'd his Life.

Alon.
It did—with more than the Expence of Mine;
For oh! this Day is mention'd for their Nuptials.
But see, she comes! I'll take my leave, and die.

Zan.
[Aside.]
Hadst thou a thousand Lives, thy Death would please me.
Unhappy Fate! My Country overcome!
My six Years Hope of Vengeance quite expir'd!—
Would Nature were—I will not fall alone:
But other's Groans shall tell the World my Death.

Enter Leonora.
Alon.
When Nature ends with Anguish like to this,
Sinners shall take their last leave of the Sun,
And bid his Light adieu.

Leon.
The mighty Conqueror
Dismay'd? I thought you gave the Foe your Sorrows.

Alon.
Oh cruel Insult! are those Tears your Sport,
Which nothing but a Love for you could draw?
Africk I quell'd, in hope by that to purchace
Your leave to sigh unscorn'd; but I complain not;
'Twas but a World, and you are—Leonora.

Leon.
That Passion, which you boast of, is your Guilt,
A Treason to your Friend. You think mean of me,
To plead your Crimes as Motives of my Love.

Alon.
You, Madam, ought to thank those Crimes you blame;
'Tis they permit you to be thus inhuman,
Without the Censure both of Earth and Heav'n—
I fondly thought a last Look might be kind.
Farewell for ever.—This severe Behaviour
Has, to my Comfort, made it sweet to die.

Leon.
Farewell for ever!—Sweet to Die!—O Heav'n!
[Aside.
Alonzo, stay, you must not thus escape me;
But hear your Guilt at large.

Alon.
O Leonora!
What could I do? In Duty to my Friend,
I saw you; and to see, is to admire.
For Carlos did I plead, and most sincerely.
Witness the thousand Agonies it cost me.
You know I did, I sought but your Esteem,
If that is Guilt, an Angel had been guilty.
I often sigh'd, nay, wept; but could not help it;
And sure it is no Crime to be in Pain.
But grant my Crime was great, I'm greatly curs'd.
What would you more? Am I not most undone?
This Usage is like stamping on the Murder'd,
When Life is fled. Most barbarous and unjust.

Leon.
If from your Guilt none suffer'd but your self,
It might be so—Farewell.

[Going.
Alon.
Who suffers with me?

Leon.
Enjoy your Ignorance, and let me go.

Alon.
Alas! What is there I can fear to know,
Since I already know your Hate? Your Actions
Have long since told me that.

Leon.
They flatter'd you.

Alon.
How? flatter'd me!

Leon.
O search in Fate no farther!
I Hate thee, O Alonzo! How I hate thee!

Alon.
Indeed? and do you weep for Hatred too?
O what a doubtful Torment heaves my Heart!
I hope it most—and yet I dread it more!
Shou'd it be so! Should her Tears flow from thence!
How wou'd my Soul blaze up in Ecstasy?
Ah! no: How sink into the Depth of Horrors?

Leon.
Why would you force my Stay?

Alon.
What mean these Tears?

Leon.
I weep by Chance; nor have my Tears a Meaning—
But Oh! when first I saw Alonzo's Tears,
I knew their Meaning well.

[Alon. falls passionately on his Knees, and takes her Hand.
Alon.
Heav'ns! what is This? That Excellence for which
Desire was planted in the Heart of Man;
Virtue's supreme Reward on this side Heav'n;
The Cordial of my Soul!—and This Destroys me—
Indeed I Flatter'd me that thou didst Hate.

Leon.
Alonzo, pardon me the Injury
Of loving you. I struggled with my Passion,
And struggled long; let that be some Excuse.

Alon.
Unkind! You know I think your Love a Blessing
Beyond all Human Blessings, 'tis the Price
Of Sighs and Groans, and a whole Year of dying:
But oh the Curse of Curses!—O my Friend!—

Leon.
Alas!

Alon.
What says my Love?—Speak, Leonora.

Leon.
Was it for you, my Lord, to be so quick
In finding out Objections to our Love!
Think you so strong my Love, or weak my Virtue,
It was unsafe to leave that Part to me?

Alon.
Is not the Day then fix'd for your Espousals?

Leon.
Indeed, my Father once had Thought that way;
But marking how the Marriage pain'd my Heart,
Long he stood doubtful; but at last resolv'd,
Your Counsel, which determines him in all,
Should finish the Debate.

Alon.
O Agony!
Must I not only lose her? but be made,
My self the Instrument! Not only Die;
But plunge the Dagger in my Heart my self?
This is refining on Calamity.

Leon.
What! do you tremble, lest you should be mine?
For what else can you tremble? not for that
My Father places in your Pow'r to alter.

Alon.
What's in my Pow'r?—O yes, to stab my Friend?

Leon.
To stab your Friend were barbarous indeed!
Spare him—and murder me—I own, Alonzo,
You well may wonder at such Words as these,
I start at them my self, they fright my Nature.
Great is my Fault; but blame not me alone,
Give him a little Blame, who took such Pains
To make me Guilty.

Alon.
Torment!

[After a Pause, Leon. speaks.
Leon.
O my Shame!
I sue, and sue in vain; it is most just.
When Women sue, they sue to be deny'd.
You hate me, you despise me, you do well;
For what I've done, I hate and scorn my self.
O Night, fall on me! I shall blush to Death.

Alon.
First perish all.

Leon.
Say, what have you resolv'd?
My Father comes, what Answer will you give him?

Alon.
What Answer! Let me look upon that Face,
And read it there—Devote thee to another!
Not to be born! A second Look undoes me.

Leon.
And why undo you? Is it then, my Lord,
So terrible to yield to your own Wishes,
Because they happen to concur with mine?
Cruel! to take such Pains to win an Heart,
Which you was conscious you must break with parting.

Alon.
No, Leonora, I am thine for ever,
[Runs and embraces her.
In spight of Carlos—Ha! Who's that? My Friend?
[Starts wide from her.
Alas! I see him pale, I hear his Groan;
He foams, he tears his Hair, he raves, he bleeds.
(I know him by my self) He dies distracted.

Leon.
How dreadful to be cut from what we love!

Alon.
Ah! Speak no more.

Leon.
And ty'd to what we hate!

Alon.
Oh!

Leon.
Is it possible?

Alon.
Death!

Leon.
Can you?

Alon.
Oh—
Yes take a Limb; but let my Virtue 'scape.
Alas! My Soul, this Moment I die for thee.

[Breaks away.
Leon.
And are you perjur'd then for Virtue's sake?
How often have you sworn? but go for ever!

[Swoons.
Alon.
Heart of my Heart! and Essence of my Joy!
Where art Thou?—O I'm thine, and thine for ever!
The Groans of Friendship shall be heard no more.
For whatsoever Crimes I can commit,
I've felt the Pains already.

Leon.
Hold, Alonzo,
And hear a Maid, whom doubly thou hast conquer'd.
I love thy Virtue, as I love thy Person,
And I adore thee for the Pains it gave me;
But as I felt the Pains, I'll reap the Fruit,
I'll shine out in my Turn, and shew the World
Thy great Example was not lost upon me.
Be it enough that I have once been guilty;
In Sight of such a Pattern to persist,
Ill suits a Person honour'd with your Love.
My other Titles to that Bliss are weak,
I must deserve it, by refusing it.
Thus then I tear me from thy Hopes for ever.
Shall I contribute to Alonzo's Crimes?
No, tho' the Life-Blood gushes from my Heart.
You shall not be asham'd of Leonora,
Or that late Time may put our Names together.
Nay, never shrink; take back the bright Example
You lately lent, O take it while you may,
While I can give it you, and be Immortal.

[Exit.
Alon.
She's gone, and I shall see that Face no more;
But pine in Absence, and till Death adore.
When with cold Dew my fainting Brow is hung,
And my Eyes darken, from my fault'ring Tongue
Her Name will tremble in a feeble Moan,
And Love with Fate divide my dying Groan.