The wisdom I can boast, first to persuade His friend to grant-then, from that very grant, 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: The seven-fold death: The jealous are the damn'd To thee, thou conflagration of the soul! Thou king of torments! thou grand counterpoize 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, Of gloomy thought, and intricate design, 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, ALONZO. Alas! thou little know'st the force of love; 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 Don Carlos' match, and wherefore urge Alonzo's? 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, '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 ALONZO. That is the very reason which forbids it: In me, it so resembles a demand, ZANGA. My lord you know the sad alternative. It hurts not me, my lord, but as I love you; 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? 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 to the centre, if Alonzo's dear. 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, 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. Of such as have the world in their possession, What we have try'd, and struggle with conviction : |