The wisdom I can boast, first to persuade
Alonzo to request it of his friend,

His friend to grant-then, from that very grant,
The strongest proof of friendship man can give,
(And other motives) to work out a cause

Of jealousy, to rack Alonzo's peace?

I have turn'd o'er the catalogue of woes,

Which sting the heart of man, and find none equal:
It is the Hydra of calamities;

The seven-fold death: The jealous are the damn'd
O jealousy, each other passion's calm

To thee, thou conflagration of the soul!

Thou king of torments! thou grand counterpoize
For all the transports beauty can inspire!

In courts, and do your work with bows and smiles,

That little engin❜ry, more mischievous

Than fleets and armies, and the cannon's murder,
Teach me to look a lye; give me your maze

Of gloomy thought, and intricate design,
To catch the man I hate, and then devour.

My lord, I give you joy.

[Enter Alonzo.

ALONZO.

Of what, good Zanga?

ZANGA.

Is not the lovely Leonora yours?

ALONZO.

What will become of Carlos?

ZANGA.

your friend;

He's your

And since he can't espouse the fair himself,
Will take some comfort from Alonzo's fortune.

ALONZO.

Alas! thou little know'st the force of love;
Love reigns a sultan with unrivall'd sway,
Puts all relations, friendship's self to death,
If once he's jealous of it. I love Carlos;
Yet well I know what pangs I felt this morning
At his intended nuptials: For myself

I then felt pains, which now for him I feel..

ZANGA.

You will not wed her then?

ALONZO.

Not instantly:

Insult his broken heart the very moment!

ZANGA.

I understand you; But you'll wed hereafter,

When

your friend's gone, and his first pain assuag'd?

ALONZO,

Am I to blame for that?

ZANGA.

My lord I love

Your very errors; they are born from virtue:

Your friendship (and what nobler passion claims
The heart?) does lead your blindness to your ruin.
Consider, wherefore did Alvarez break

Don Carlos' match, and wherefore urge Alonzo's?
'Twas the same cause; the love of wealth: To-morrow
May see Alonzo in Don Carlos' fortune;

A higher bidder is a better friend

;

And there are princes sigh for Leonora.

When your friend's gone, you'll wed; why then the

cause,

Which gives you Leonora now, will cease.

Carlos has lost her; should you lose her too,

Why then you heap new torments on your friend,
By that respect which labour'd to relieve him.

'Tis well; he is disturb'd; it makes him pause. [Aside.

ALONZO.

Think'st thou, my Zanga, should I ask Don Carlos, His goodness will consent that I should wed her?

I know it would.

ZANGA.

ALONZO.

But then the cruelty

To ask it; and for me to ask it of him!

ZANGA.

friend :

Methinks, you are severe upon your
Who was it gave him liberty and life?

ALONZO.

That is the very reason which forbids it:
Were I a stranger, I could freely speak:

In me, it so resembles a demand,
Exacting of a debt, it shocks my nature.

ZANGA.

My lord you know the sad alternative.
Is Leonora worth one pang or not?

It hurts not me, my lord, but as I love you;
Warmly as you, I wish Don Carlos well;
But I am likewise Don Alonzo's friend:
There all the difference lies between us two:
In me, my lord, you hear another self,

And, give me leave to add, a better too,

Clear'd from those errors, which, tho' caus'd by virtue,

Are such as may hereafter give you pain.

Don Lopez of Castile would not demur thus.

ALONZO.

Perish the name! What! sacrifice the fair

Το age and illness, because set in gold?
I'll to Don Carlos, if my heart will let me :
I have not seen him since his sore affliction;
But shunn'd it, as too terrible to bear:

How shall I bear it now? I'm struck already.

ZANGA.

Half my work is done. I must secure

Don Carlos, ere Alonzo speaks with him.

[Exit Al.

[He gives a message to a servant, then returns.

Proud, hated Spain! oft drench'd in Moorish blood;

Dost thou not feel a deadly foe within thee?
Shake not thy tow'rs where'er I pass along,
Conscious of ruin, and their great destroyer?

Shake to the centre, if Alonzo's dear.
Look down, O holy prophet! see me torture
This Christian dog, this infidel, which dares
To smite thy votaries and spurn thy law;
And yet hopes pleasure from two radiant eyes,
Which look as they were lighted up for thee!
Shall he enjoy thy paradise below?

Blast the bold thought, and curse him with her charms.

But see the melancholy Lover comes.

Enter Don CARLOS.

CARLOS.

Hope, thou hast told me lies from day to day,
For more than twenty years; vile promiser !

None here are happy, but the

very

fool,

Or very wise; and I want fool enough,

To smile in vanities, and hug a shadow;

Nor have I wisdom to elaborate

An artificial happiness from pains:

Ev'n joys are pains, because they cannot last. [Sighs.
Yet much is talk'd of bliss; it is the art

Of such as have the world in their possession,
To give it a good name, that fools may envy;
For envy to small minds is flattery.
How many lift the head, look gay and smile,
Against their consciences; and this we know;
Yet, knowing, disbelieve; and try again

What we have try'd, and struggle with conviction :
Each new experience gives the former credit,