Ha! I'm surprised! I stagger at her charms! Oh, angel-devil!--Shall I stab her now? No--It shall be as I at first determin'd. To kill her now were half my vengeance lost. Then I must now dissemble--if I can. _Leon._ My lord, excuse me; see, a second time I come in embassy from all your friends, Whose joys are languid, uninspir'd by you. _Alon._ This moment, Leonora, I was coming To thee, and all--but sure, or I mistake, Or thou canst well inspire my friends with joy. _Leon._ What says my lord? _Alon._ Thou art exceeding fair. _Leon._ Beauty alone is but of little worth; But when the soul and body of a piece, Both shine alike; then they obtain a price, And are a fit reward for gallant actions, Heaven's pay on earth for such great souls as yours;-- If fair and innocent, I am your due. _Alon._ Innocent! [_aside._ _Leon._ How, my lord! I interrupt you. _Alon._ No, my best life! I must not part with thee-- This hand is mine--Oh, what a hand is here! So soft, souls sink into it, and are lost! _Leon._ In tears, my lord? _Alon._ What less can speak my joy? Why, I could gaze upon thy looks for ever, And drink in all my being from thine eyes; And I could snatch a flaming thunderbolt, And hurl destruction!-- _Leon._ My lord, you fright me. Is this the fondness of your nuptial hour? Why, when I woo your hand, is it deny'd me? Your very eyes, why are they taught to shun me?-- Nay, my good lord, I have a title here, [_takes his hand._ And I will have it. Am I not your wife? Have I not just authority to know That heart which I have purchas'd with my own? Tell me the secret; I conjure you, tell me. Speak then, I charge you speak, or I expire, And load you with my death. My lord, my lord! _Alon._ Ha, ha, ha! [_he breaks from her, and she sinks upon the floor._ _Leon._ Are these the joys which fondly I conceiv'd? And is it thus a wedded life begins? What did I part with, when I gave my heart? I knew not that all happiness went with it. Why did I leave my tender father's wing, And venture into love? The maid that loves, Goes out to sea upon a shatter'd plank, And puts her trust in miracles for safety. Where shall I sigh?--where pour out my complaint? He that should hear, should succour, should redress, He is the source of all. _Alon._ Go to thy chamber; I soon will follow; that which now disturbs thee Shall be clear'd up, and thou shalt not condemn me. [_exit Leonora._ Oh, how like innocence she looks!--What, stab her! And rush into her blood? How then? why thus--no more; it is determin'd. _Re-enter Zanga._ _Zan._ I fear, his heart has fail'd him. She must die. Can I not rouse the snake that's in his bosom, To sting out human nature, and effect it? [_aside._