WHETHER first nature, or long want of peace,
Has wrought my mind to this, I cannot tell;
But horrors now are not displeasing to me;
I like this rocking of the battlements.
Rage on, ye winds; burst, clouds, and waters roar ! You bear a just resemblance of my fortune,
And suit the gloomy habit of my soul.
The dead alone, in such a night can rest;
And I indulge my meditation here.
Woman, away: I choose to be alone.
I know you do, and therefore will not leave you;
Excuse me, Zanga, therefore dare not leave you,
Is this night for walks of contemplation?
Something unusual hangs upon your heart,
And I will know it; by our loves, I will.
Το you I sacrific'd my virgin fame;
Ask I too much to share in your distress?
In tears? Thou fool! Then hear me, and be plung'd In hell's abyss, if ever it escape thee,
To strike thee with astonishment at once,
I hate Alonzo. First recover that,
And then thou shalt hear farther.
I own, I thought Alonzo most your friend;
And that he lost the master in that name.
Hear then: 'Tis twice three years since that great man
(Great let me call him, for he conquer'd me)
Made me the captive of his arm in fight:
He slew my father, and threw chains o'er me,
While I, with pious rage, pursu'd revenge:
I then was young; he plac'd me near his person,
And thought me not dishonour'd by his service.
One day (may that returning day be night,
The stain, the curse of each succeeding year!)
For something, or for nothing, in his pride
He struck me; (While I tell it, do I live?)
He smote me on the cheek-I did not stab him;
For that were poor revenge-E'er since his folly
Has strove to bury it beneath a heap
Of kindnesses, and thinks it is forgot.
Insolent thought! and like a second blow!
Affronts are innocent, where men are worthless;
And such alone can wisely drop revenge.
But with more temper, Zanga, tell your story:
To see your strong emotions startles me.
Yes, woman, with a temper that befits it.
Has the dark adder venom? So have I,
When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel me
For from that day, that day of my dishonour,
I from that day have curs'd the rising sun,
Which never fail'd to tell me of my shame :
I from that day have blest the coming night,
Which promis'd to conceal it; but in vain;
The blow return'd for ever in my dream:
Yet on I toil'd, and groan'd for an occasion
Of ample vengeance: None is yet arriv'd.
Howe'er, at present I conceive warm hopes
Of what may wound him sore, in his ambition;
Life of his life, and dearer than his soul.
By nightly march he purpos'd to surprize
The Moorish camp; but I have taken care
They shall be ready to receive his favour.
Failing in this, a cast of utmost moment,
Would darken all the conquests he has won.
Just as I enter'd an express arriv'd.
O Mahomet, on this important hour,
And give at length my famish'd soul revenge!
What is revenge, but courage to call in
Our honour's debts, and wisdom to convert
Others' self-love into our own protection?
But see the morning ray breaks in upon us;
I'll seek Don Carlos, and enquire my fate.
Enter MANUEL and Don CARLOS.
My lord Don Carlos, what brings your express?
Alonzo's glory, and the Moors defeat.
The field is strew'd with twice ten thousand slain,
Though he suspects his measures were betray'd.
He'll soon arrive. O how I long t'embrace
The first of heroes, and the best of friends!-
I lov'd fair Leonora long before
The chance of battle gave me to the Moors,
From whom so late Alonzo set me free;
And while I groan'd in bondage, I deputed
This great Alonzo, whom her father honours,
To be my gentle advocate in love,
To stir her heart, and fan its fires, for me.
Indeed, her father, who, though high at court,
And powerful with the king has wealth at heart,
To heal his devastations from the Moors,
Knowing I'm richly freighted from the East,
My fleet now sailing in the sight of Spain,
(Heav'n guard it safe through such a dreadful storm!)
Caresses me, and urges her to wed.
Her aged father, see! leads her this way.
She looks like radiant youth
Brought forward by the hand of hoary time-
You to the port with speed; 'tis possible
Some vessel is arriv'd: Heav'n grant it bring
Tidings, which Carlos may receive with joy!
Enter ALVAREZ and LEONOra.
Don Carlos, I am labouring in your favour
With all a parent's soft authority,
Angels second you!
For all my bliss or misery hangs on it.
Daughter, the happiness of life depends
On our discretion, and a prudent choice ;
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