_Alon._ You cast in shades the failure of a friend, And soften all; but think not you deceive me; I know my guilt, and I implore your pardon, As the sole glimpse I can obtain of peace. _Car._ Pardon for him, who but this morning threw Fair Leonora from his heart, all bath'd In ceaseless tears, and blushing for her love! Who, like a rose-leaf wet with morning dew, Would have stuck close, and clung for ever there! But 'twas in thee, through fondness for thy friend, To shut thy bosom against ecstacies; For which, while this pulse beats, it beats to thee; While this blood flows, it flows for my Alonzo, And every wish is levell'd at thy joy. _Zan._ [_to Alon._] My lord, my lord, this is your time to speak. _Alon._ [_to Zan._] Because he's kind? It therefore is the worst; Do I not see him quite possess'd with anguish, And shall I pour in new? No, fond desire; No, love: one pang at parting, and farewell, I have no other love but Carlos now. _Car._ Alas! my friend, why with such eager grasp Dost press my hand, and weep upon my cheek? _Alon._ If, after death, our forms (as some believe) Shall be transparent, naked every thought, And friends meet friends, and read each other's hearts, Thou'lt know one day that thou wast held most dear, Farewell. _Car._ Alonzo, stop--he cannot speak-- [_holds him._ Lest it should grieve me--Shall I be outdone? And lose in glory, as I lose in love? [_aside._ I take it much unkindly, my Alonzo, You think so meanly of me not to speak, When well I know your heart is near to bursting. Have you forgot how you have bound me to you? Your smallest friendship's liberty and life. _Alon._ There, there it is, my friend; it cuts me there. How dreadful is it to a generous mind To ask, when sure it cannot be deny'd! _Car._ How greatly thought! In all he towers above me. [_aside._ Then you confess you would ask something of me? _Alon._ No, on my soul. _Zan._ [_to Alon._] Then lose her. _Car._ Glorious spirit! Why, what a pang has he run through for this! By heaven, I envy him his agonies. [_aside._ My Alonzo! Since thy great soul disdains to make request, Receive with favour that I make to thee. _Alon._ What means my Carlos? _Car._ Pray observe me well. Fate and Alvarez tore her from my heart, And, plucking up my love, they had well nigh Pluck'd up life too, for they were twin'd together. Of that no more--What now does reason bid? I cannot wed--Farewell, my happiness! But, O my soul, with care provide for hers! In life, how weak, how helpless, is a woman! Take then my heart in dowry with the fair, Be thou her guardian, and thou must be mine; Shut out the thousand pressing ills of life With thy surrounding arms--Do this, and then Set down the liberty and life thou gav'st me, As little things, as essays of thy goodness, And rudiments of friendship so divine. _Alon._ There is a grandeur in thy goodness to me, Which with thy foes would render thee ador'd. _Car._ I do not part with her, I give her thee.