University of Virginia Library

SCENE FOURTH.

DONNA ELVIRA, DON CARLOS.
D. ELVIRA.
Ah! Carlos! scarcely can I call you Marquis,
(Although you merit your exalted rank,
But then I wish'd myself to raise you to it);
Why have the charms of glory, thus seduc'd
Your wavering honour, to desert that cause,
To which your faith was pledg'd, your sword devote?
Your valour should compel the rebel Garcia
To yield obedience to my sovereign sway:
Your sword held ready till I bade it strike,
To place my long-lost sceptre in my hand.
Yet, Count! and with that self-same sword, your faith
To me engag'd, you undertake to fight
Three single combats, which are not for me.
You have forgotten, Count! what Carlos promis'd.
Back to the Queen resign Penafiel,
Burgos, and Santillane. For, trust me, Arragon
Shall grateful give you more than you refuse.

D. CARLOS.
Either as Carlos, or as Marquis, Madam!
I, nor forget, nor will desert your rights;
The traitor Garcia shall your victim fall.
Yet, though this sacrifice I owe to you,
The Queen, in gratitude, first claims my sword;
And highly it behoves the favour'd Marquis,
To pay the mighty debt of humble Carlos,
And to resent the outrage done the Queen.

D. ELVIRA.
Did she intrust her ring with that intent?

D. CARLOS.
When your bright Sex, insulted, wants a champion,
Forbid it honour, glory, courage, manhood,
That they should need to stoop to ask for aid;
Or intimate the means to right their cause.

D. ELVIRA.
I think these combats might have been avoided,
Unless the Counts had challeng'd you in arms.

D. CARLOS.
Then had I been ungrateful, and dishonour'd.
Could disrespect assume an air more taunting,
Than to assert, with scornful insolence,
That her high heart indulg'd a secret passion,
Unworthy of herself? Manrique averr'd it;
And infamy would blot my name with cowardice,
Not to stand forth in her most sacred cause,
When duty, honour, gratitude, command it.
My royal Mistress, in protecting me,
Incurr'd this insult by her noble spirit;
Sdeigning submission still the Count defy'd her,
Forcing her new restrictions to invent,
Or tamely shrink, insulted on her throne.
I must protect her rights, assert her power,
Maintain her cause, her injuries avenge;
That done, my sword, with heartfelt zeal, is yours.

D. ELVIRA.
Carlos! I comprehend, from this excuse,
That the Queen's service is preferr'd to mine;
Because her subject, you break faith with me.

D. CARLOS.
For her, or you, I feel an equal zeal;
Your cause, or hers, is mine. Nor have I seen
Aught yet, of sleepless toil, or perilous hazard,
But what for either I would wish to encounter.
Nay, though engag'd to fight for her to-morrow,
Sustain'd you wrong, which this day call'd for vengeance,
Instant would I expose my breast, to more
Than Three such combats in your cause, Elvira!
Without reflecting what I ow'd the Queen.
Misconstrue not the conduct which I hold,
Nor wound my soul by undeserv'd reproaches.
Know the high rank to which the Queen has rais'd me,
Has but One charm for Me. But as your champion,
Donna Elvira! are those honours priz'd,
Which, in the eye of undiscerning crowds,
Will give respect to him who fights your battles,
Beyond what unplum'd courage ever meets.

D. ELVIRA.
To grace my cause, I wanted but your valour;
I can invest you with still higher honours,
Them, Marquis! you disdain, and me betray.

D. CARLOS.
I wish'd but one reward from bright Elvira;
I thought it mine;—but find myself deceiv'd.

D. ELVIRA.
Deceiv'd, my Lord! by whom?

D. CARLOS.
My own vain thoughts;—
For, from your gentle manners, I presum'd,
That in esteem you held the humble Carlos;
That in your breast such hallow'd friendship dwelt,
As pure Religion, with all-healing balm,
Tells us the blest, in the next world, enjoy;
Where all distinctions cease of earthly rank.
But I was mock'd with visionary joy;
The Queen of Arragon suspects my zeal,
Changes the sweet complacence of her temper,
For dark distrust, anger, and keen reproach.
My mind feels anguish, all unknown before;
A comfortless dismay subdues my spirit;
Joyless, forlorn, and desolate I seem;
As if my Guardian Angel left his charge,
And ev'ry cheering passion join'd his flight.

D. ELVIRA.

D. CARLOS.
Over Alvarez' soul I know your power;
His virtues make him worthy of your heart.

D. ELVIRA.
When you fight with him, think of whom I love;
And be his blood respected as your own.

D. CARLOS.
Do you command me then to make him King?

D. ELVIRA.
I only ask, that you would think of me.
I go, in hopes of justice from the Queen;
And, if I can, these combats to prevent.

(Exeunt severally.)