And then Alonzo is thrown out like you; Then whom shall he condemn for his misfortune? Carlos is an Alvarez to his love. Kill my friend! Or worse! Alas! and can there be a worse? ZANGA. You have convinc'd me 'tis a dreadful task. Than I perceive it is. CARLOS. Thou dost upbraid me. ZANGA. No, my good lord; but since you can't comply, 'Tis my misfortune that I mention'd it; For had I not, Alonzo would indeed Have dy'd, as now; but not by your decree. CARLOS. By my decree! Do I decree his death? I do -Shall I then lead her to his arms? O! which side shall I take? be stabb'd? or-stab? 'Tis equal death, a choice of agonies. Ah! no! all other agonies are ease To one-O Leonora !-Never, never! Tho' but a day; something perchance may happen ZANGA. My lord, I'm bound in duty to obey you. CARLOS. [Aside. [Exit Zanga. What is this world?-Thy school, O misery! Our only lesson is to learn to suffer; And he who knows not that, was born for nothing. A grain at least from the dead load that's on me, But put it most severely-should I live Live long-Alas! there is no length in time; Nay, what indeed the age of time itself, Since cut from out eternity's wide round? Away then. To a mind resolv'd and wise, There is an impotence in misery, Which makes me smile, when all its shafts are in me. Yet Leonora-She can make time long; Its nature alter, as she alter'd mine: While in the lustre of her charms I lay, old; As he is going out, Enter ZANGA, and ALONZO, ZANGA stops CARLOS. ZANGA. Is this Don Carlos? This the boasted friend? How can you turn your back upon his sadness? CARLOS. I cannot yield, nor can I bear his griefs. Alonzo! O Carlos! [Going to him, and taking his hand. ALONZO. CARLOS. Pray, forbear. ALONZO. Art thou undone, and shall Alonzo smile? Alonzo! who perhaps in some degree But, O! I lov'd myself. Pour down Afflictions! How sacred it should hold the name of friend! CARLOS. You charge yourself unjustly; well I know Which faultless virtue wants. The crime was mine, thee to maintain. Ah! who could bear Those eyes unhurt? The wounds myself have felt, Which wounds alone should cause me to condemn thee; They plead in thy excuse; for I too strove To shun those fires, and found 'twas not in man. ALONZO. You cast in shades the failures of a friend, And soften all; but think not you deceive me: CARLOS. peace. Pardon for him who, but this morning, threw For which, whilst this pulse beats, it beats to thee; While this blood flows, it flows for my Alonzo; And every wish is levell'd at thy joy. ZANGA. [To Alonzo.] time to speak. ALONZO. [To Zanga.] Because he's kind? It therefore is the worst; Now, now it comes! they are concerting it; ALONZO. [To Zanga.] CARLOS. Alas, my friend! why, with such eager grasps, Dost press my hand, and weep upon my cheek? ALONZO. If, after death, our forms (as some believe) |