_Zan._ You have convinc'd me 'tis a dreadful task. I find Alonzo's quitting her this morning For Carlos' sake, in tenderness to you, Betray'd me to believe it less severe Than I perceive it is. _Car._ Thou dost upbraid me. _Zan._ No, my good lord; but since you can't comply, 'Tis my misfortune that I mention'd it; For had I not, Alonzo would indeed Have died, as now, but not by your decree. _Car._ By my decree! Do I decree his death? I do--Shall I then lead her to his arms? Oh, which side shall I take? Be stabb'd, or--stab? 'Tis equal death! a choice of agonies!---- Ah, no!--all other agonies are ease To one--O Leonora!--never, never! Go, Zanga, go, defer the dreadful trial, Though but a day; something, perchance, may happen To soften all to friendship and to love. Go, stop my friend, let me not see him now; But save us from an interview of death. _Zan._ My lord, I'm bound in duty to obey you---- If I not bring him, may Alonzo prosper! [_aside, exit._ _Car._ What is this world?--Thy school, oh, misery! Our only lesson is to learn to suffer; And he who knows not that was born for nothing. But put it most severely--should I live-- Live long--alas, there is no length in time! Nor in thy time, oh, man!--What's fourscore years Nay, what, indeed, the age of time itself, Since cut from out eternity's wide round? Yet Leonora--she can make time long, Its nature alter, as she alter'd mine. While in the lustre of her charms I lay, Whole summer suns roll'd unperceiv'd away; I years for days, and days for moments, told, And was surpris'd to hear that I grew old. Now fate does rigidly its dues regain, And ev'ry moment is an age of pain. _Enter Zanga and Don Alonzo; Zanga stops Don Carlos._ _Zan._ Is this don Carlos? this the boasted friend? How can you turn your back upon his sadness? Look on him, and then leave him if you can. _Car._ I cannot yield; nor can I bear his griefs. Alonzo! [_goes to him, and takes his hand._ _Alon._ Oh, Carlos! _Car._ Pray, forbear. _Alon._ Art thou undone, and shall Alonzo smile? Alonzo, who, perhaps, in some degree Contributed to cause thy dreadful fate? I was deputed guardian of thy love; But, oh! I lov'd myself! Pour down, afflictions! On this devoted head; make me your mark; And be the world by my example taught, How sacred it should hold the name of friend. _Car._ You charge yourself unjustly: well I know The only cause of my severe affliction. Alvarez, curs'd Alvarez!--So much anguish Felt for so small a failure, is one merit Which faultless virtue wants. The crime was mine, Who plac'd thee there, where only thou couldst fail; Though well I knew that dreadful post of honour I gave thee to maintain. Ah! who could bear Those eyes unhurt? The wounds myself have felt (Which wounds alone should cause me to condemn thee,) They plead in thy excuse; for I too strove To shun those fires, and found 'twas not in man.