DON GARCIA, _Prince of Navarre, in love with Elvira_. [Footnote: In the inventory taken after Molière's death mention is made of "Spanish dress, breeches, cloth cloak, and a satin doublet, the whole adorned with silk embroideries." This is probably the dress in which Molière played _Don Garcia_.] DON ALPHONSO, _Prince of Leon, thought to be Prince of Castile, under the name of Don Silvio_. DON ALVAREZ, _confidant of Don Garcia, in love with Eliza_. DON LOPEZ, _another confidant of Don Garcia, in love with Eliza_. DON PEDRO, _gentleman usher to Inez_. A PAGE. DONNA ELVIRA, _Princess of Leon_. DONNA INEZ, _a Countess, in love with Don Silvio, beloved by Mauregat, the usurper of the Kingdom of Leon_. ELIZA, _confidant to Elvira_. _Scene_.--ASTORGA, _a city of Spain, in the kingdom of Leon_. DON GARCIA OF NAVARRE; OR, THE JEALOUS PRINCE. (_DON GARCIE DE NAVARRE, OU LE PRINCE JALOUX_.) * * * * * ACT I. SCENE I.--DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA. ELVIRA. No, the hidden feelings of my heart were not regulated by choice: whatever the Prince may be, there is nothing in him to make me prefer his love. Don Silvio shows, as well as he, all the qualities of a renowned hero. The same noble virtues and the same high birth made me hesitate whom to prefer. If aught but merit could gain my heart, the conqueror were yet to be named; but these chains, with which Heaven keeps our souls enslaved, decide me, and, though I esteem both equally, my love is given to Don Garcia. ELIZA. The love which you feel for him, seems to have very little influenced your actions, since I, myself, madam, could not for a long time discover which of the two rivals was the favoured one. ELV. Their noble rivalry in love, Eliza, caused a severe struggle in my breast. When I looked on the one, I felt no pangs, because I followed my own tender inclination; but when I thought I sacrificed the other, I considered I acted very unjustly; and was of opinion, that Don Silvio's passion, after all, deserved a happier destiny. I also reflected that a daughter of the late King of Leon owed some obligation to the house of Castile; that an intimate friendship had long knit together the interests of his father and mine. Thus, the more the one made progress in my heart, the more I lamented the ill success of the other. Full of pity, I listened to his ardent sighs, and received his vows politely; thus in a slight degree I tried to make amends for the opposition his love met with in my heart. EL. But since you have been informed he previously loved another, your mind ought to be at rest. Before he loved you, Donna Inez had received the homage of his heart. As she is your most intimate friend, and has told you this secret, you are free to bestow your love upon whom you wish, and cover your refusal to listen to him under the guise of friendship for her.