Is that the face of curs'd hypocrisy?

If she is guilty, stars are made of darkness,
And beauty shall no more belong to heav'n-
Don Carlos did return at dead of night:
Proceed, good Zanga; so thy tale began.

ZANGA.

Don Carlos did return at dead of night;
That night, by chance (ill chance for me) did I
Command the watch that guards the palace gate:
He told me he had letters for the king,

Dispatch'd from you.

ALONZO.

The villain ly'd

ZANGA.

My lord,

I pray forbear-Transported at his sight,
After so long a bondage, and your friend,
(Who could suspect him of an artifice?)
No farther I enquir'd; but let him pass,
False to my trust; at least imprudent in it.
Our watch reliev'd, I went into the garden,
As is my custom when the night's serene,
And took a moon-light walk; when soon I heard
A rustling in an arbour that was near me :
I saw two lovers in each others arms,
Embracing and embrac'd: Anon the man
Arose; and, falling back some paces from her,

ALONZO.

Go, dig her grave.

ZANGA.

My lord!

ALONZO.

But that her blood's too hot, I would carouse it

Around my bridal-board.

ZANGA.

[Aside.]

And I would pledge thee.

ALONZO.

But I may talk too fast. Pray let me think,
And reason mildly.-Wedded and undone
Before one night descends-O hasty evil!
What friend to comfort me in this extreme!
Where's Carlos? Why is Carlos absent from me?
Does he know what has happen'd?

ZANGA.

My good lord!

ALONZO.

O depth of horrors !-He! my bosom friend!

ZANGA.

Alas! compose yourself, my lord.

ALONZO.

To death.

Gaze on her with both eyes so ardently!

Give them the vultures; tear them all in pieces! ZANGA. [Aside.]

Most excellent!

ALONZO.

Hark! you can keep a secret.

In yonder arbour bound with jessamin;

Who's that? What villain's that? Unhand her-Murder!
Tear them asunder-Murder !-How they grind
My heart betwixt them !-O Let
go my heart!
Yet let it go !-Embracing and embrac'd!
O pestilence !-Who let him in? A traitor.

[Goes to stab Zanga: he prevents him. Alas! my head turns round, and my limbs fail me.

My lord!

ZANGA.

ALONZO.

O villain, villain, most accurst!

If thou didst know it, why didst let me wed?

ZANGA.

Hear me, my lord; your anger will abate:
I knew it not; I saw them in the garden;
But saw no more than you might well expect
To see in lovers destin'd for each other:
By heav'n, I thought their meeting innocent.
Who could suspect fair Leonora's virtue,
Till after-proofs conspir'd to blacken it?

Sad proofs, which came too late; which broke not out (Eternal curses on Alvarez' haste!)

'Till holy rites made the wanton yours;

And then, I own, I labour'd to conceal it,

In duty, and compassion to your peace.

ALONZO.

Live now; be damn'd hereafter, for I want thee.
O night of ecstasy!-Ha! was't not so?

I will enjoy this murder-Let me think

The jess'min bow'r; 'tis secret and remote:
Go, wait me there, and take thy dagger with thee.
[Exit Zanga
How the sweet sound still sings within my ear!
When shall we meet again? To-night, in hell.

[As he is going out, Enter Leonora.
Ha! I'm surpriz'd; I stagger at her charms.
O angel-devil!-Shall I stab her now?
No, it shall be as I first determin'd:

To kill her now were half my vengeance lost,
Then I must now dissemble-if I can.

LEONORA.

My lord, excuse me: see, a second time
I come in embassy from all your friends,
Whose joys are languid, uninspir'd by you.

ALONZO.

This moment, Leonora, I was coming
To thee, and all-But sure, or I mistake,
Or thou canst well inspire my friends with joy.

Why sighs my lord?

LEONORA.

ALONZO.

I sigh'd not, Leonora.

LEONORA.

I thought you did: Your sighs are mine, my lord,
And I shall feel them all.

ALONZO.

Dost flatter me?

LEONORA.

If my regards for you are flattery,

Full far indeed I stretch'd the compliment
In this day's solemn rite.

ALONZO.

What rite?

LEONORA.

ALONZO.

Indeed I do; my heart is full of mirth.

LEONORA.

You sport me.

And so is mine-I look on chearfulness,

As on the health of virtue.

ALONZO.

Virtue !Damn

LEONORA.

What says my lord?

ALONZO.

Thou art exceeding fair.

LEONORA.

Beauty alone is but of little worth;

But when the soul and body of a piece,

Both shine alike; then they obtain a price,

And are a fit reward for gallant actions,

Heav'n's pay on earth for such great souls as yours: If fair and innocent, I am your due.

Innocent!

ALONZO. [Aside.]

LEONORA.

How!-my lord, I interrupt you.

ALONZO.

No, my best life; I must not part with thee:
This hand is mine. O! what a hand is here!
So soft, souls sink into it, and are lost!