University of Virginia Library

SCENE FIRST.

The Antichamber to the Queen of Castile's Presence-Chamber, to which it opens by the Scene's dividing.
DONNA LEONORA, DONNA ELVIRA; (Enter opposite sides).
D. LEONORA.

D. ELVIRA.

D. LEONORA.
O my Elvira! wouldst thou fix thy choice,
And now select a partner of thy Throne;
From anxious care my mind would be reliev'd.
Troubles, from long misrule, will rise in Arragon;
And I am all thy counsel, or defence:
And can I on that Throne protect my Child,
Which all her Father's valour fail'd to guard?
A valiant Husband's arm would prop thy state;
Disperse the mutinous, and quell rebellion.
Let prudence plead the cause of love, Elvira!
Reward the godlike passion of Alvarez,
Who sought thy hand, whilst hopeless of a Crown.
Now emulate the worth thy soul esteems;
And generous in thy turn, be grateful too:
Let thy first act, as Queen, be nobly just,
Ascend thy Throne, and name Alvarez King.

D. ELVIRA.
Heaven well rewards his virtuous deeds to me.
A Throne, more splendid far than mine, now courts him,
With Isabella, in Castile to reign.
The brave Castilians name him of the Three
From whom they wish their Queen to chuse a Consort.
First, my dear Mother! let me mount my throne,
Before I fix with whom, that Throne to share.

D. LEONORA.
Ah! my foreboding fears! Your choice is made.
Reflect, my Child! whilst yet the power remains,
What grief, what dangers may await your love.
Resist this fatal impulse of your heart,
Which will embitter all your future life.
Could my maternal bosom yield consent,
Yet would the Nobles of your Realm submit
To bow the knee to one, plebeian born?
Too much, alas! the valiant Carlos charms you.
But what avails his matchless worth? His blood
Springs from some base, contaminated source,
Which he, through pride, with conscious shame, conceals.

D. ELVIRA.
Yet, though conceal'd, its source may be most pure.
For have not princes, men of high renown,
Disguis'd themselves, their names, and birth deny'd.
Whose swords alone have signaliz'd their fame;
Subduing kingdoms, and bestowing crowns:
Singly the fate of empires, and of kings.

D. LEONORA.
Is this the flattering hope your heart has cherish'd?
And the distinction which you pay to Carlos,
Is it then love, grafted on hope fallacious?
Ah! my dear Child! give not such room for censure,
Nor cherish sentiments, you must subdue.
Avoid the converse which destroys your peace,
And lends the venom'd tongue of slander, speech.

D. ELVIRA.
Such rare endowments, and such gallant worth,
As Carlos owns, in noble minds, excite
Esteem, complacent friendship, and urbanity.
I but that tribute of regard bestow,
Which his transcendent virtues justly claim;
Chaste as a sister's innocent affection.
Can this reflect upon my virgin fame,
Or draw the breath of calumny against me?

D. LEONORA.

D. ELVIRA.
That homage which queens claim, does Carlos offer;
He pays his court like others, who approach me;
Worth, such as his, knows no temerity.

D. LEONORA.
With you to Arragon does Carlos go,
Only to pay his court, as here he pays it?
The worth he owns may make his thoughts aspire;
And he, who guards your Throne, may hope your love.

D. ELVIRA.
War is the element of souls like his;
From victory to victory they fly;
Glory their idol, and their wish distinction.
Seville dismantled, and the Moors defeated,
Castile, triumphant, wants his arm no more.
His great ambition, thus without an object
Offers his sword against our Rebel, Garcia.
His valour will achieve, what, with success,
Our subjects have begun; chase this Usurper,
And bid fair peace, and safety, grace my Throne.

D. LEONORA.
But, when his conqu'ring sword has fix'd your reign,
Your subjugated Vassals at your feet,
Will Carlos quit your Realm, to seek fresh toils;
Nor hope that Crown, his valour may have sav'd?—

D. ELVIRA.
Madam! the Queen approaches to give audience.