complain not;
| 'Twas but a world, and you are—Leonora. |
| |
| Leon. That passion which you boast of is your guilt, |
| A treason to your friend. You think mean of me, |
| To plead your crimes as motives of my love. |
| |
| Alon. You, madam, ought to thank those crimes you blame! |
| 'Tis they permit you to be thus inhuman, |
| Without the censure both of earth and heav'n— |
| I fondly thought a last look might be kind. |
| Farewell for ever.—This severe behaviour |
| Has, to my comfort, made it sweet to die. |
| |
| Leon. Farewell for ever! Sweet to die! Oh, heav'n! |
| Alonzo, stay; you must not thus escape me; |
| But hear your guilt at large. |
| |
| Alon. Oh, Leonora! |
| What could I do?—In duty to my friend, |
| I saw you; and to see is to admire. |
| For Carlos did I plead, and most sincerely. |
| Witness the thousand agonies it cost me. |
| You know I did; I sought but your esteem; |
| If that is guilt, an angel had been guilty. |
| |
| Leon. If from your guilt none suffer'd but yourself, |
| It might be so—Farewell.[going. |
| |
| Alon. Who suffers with me? |
| |
| Leon. Enjoy your ignorance, and let me go. |
| |
| Alon. What mean these tears? |
| |
| Leon. I weep by chance; nor have my tears a meaning. |
| But, oh, when first I saw Alonzo's tears, |
| I knew their meaning well! |
| |
| [Alonzo falls on his knees, and takes her hand. |
| |
| Alon. Heav'ns! what is this? that excellence, for which |
| Desire was planted in the heart of man; |
| Virtue's supreme reward on this side heav'n; |
| The cordial of my soul—and this destroys me— |
| Indeed, I flatter'd me that thou didst hate. |
| |
| Leon. Alonzo, pardon me the injury |
| Of loving you. I struggled with my passion, |
| And struggled long: let that be some excuse. |
| |
| Alon. Unkind! you know I think your love a blessing |
| Beyond all human blessings! 'tis the price |
| Of sighs and groans, and a whole year of dying. |
| But, oh, the curse of curses!—Oh, my friend!— |
| |
| Leon. Alas! |
| |
| Alon. What says my love? speak, Leonora. |
| |
| Leon. Was it for you, my lord, to be so quick |
| In finding out objections to our love? |
| Think you so strong my love, or weak my virtue, |
| It was unsafe to leave that part to me? |
| |
| Alon. Is not the day then fix'd for your espousals? |
| |
| Leon. Indeed, my father once had thought that way; |
| But marking how the marriage pain'd my heart, |
| Long he stood doubtful; but at last resolv'd |
| Your counsel, which determines him in all, |
| Should finish the debate. |
| |
| Alon. Oh, agony! |
| Must I not only lose her, but be made |
| Myself the instrument? not only die, |
| But plunge the dagger in my heart myself? |
| This is refining on calamity. |
| |
| Leon. What, do you tremble lest you should be mine? |
| For what else can you tremble? not for that |
| My father places in your power to alter. |
| |
| Alon. What's in my pow'r? oh, yes, to stab my friend! |
| |
| Leon. To stab your friend were barbarous indeed! |
| Spare him—and murder me. |
| |
| Alon. First perish all! |
| No, Leonora, I am thine for ever.[embraces her. |
| |
| Leon. Hold, Alonzo, |
| And hear a maid whom doubly thou hast conquer'd. |
| I love thy virtue as I love thy person, |
| And I adore thee for the pains it gave me; |
| But as I felt the pains, I'll reap the fruit; |
| I'll shine out in my turn, and show the world |
| Thy great example was not lost upon me. |
| Nay, never shrink; take back the bright example |
| You lately lent; Oh, take it while you may, |
| While I can give it you, and be immortal
