_Vict._ I love my brother, and avow that fire! His love to me has raised his noble thoughts To brave achievements for your crown and you: For love's the steel that strikes upon the flint; Gives coldness heat, exerts the hidden flame, And spreads the sparkles round, to warm the world. _Vera._ Oh, heavens, she makes a merit of her crime! Victoria, I would yet think better of thee, And therefore dare I not enquire too far, Willing to doubt the guilt I fear to find. Depart, and answer not.-- [_Exit_ VICT. For thee, whom I abhor to call my son, [_To_ ALPH. And wish thou wert a stranger to my blood-- _Xim._ That was a happy hint, I must improve it. [_Aside._ _Vera._ One way, and only one, remains to clear thee: If with a holy fire thou lov'st thy sister, Aspiring but to fame, not sinking down Into the abyss of lust unnatural, Consent that she may be Don Garcia's wife; Else give the lie to all thy fair pretences, And stand exposed a monster of mankind. Foul as the fiends which fell from heaven's high towers, Fall thou from empire so; and from my sight Depart, accursed for ever. _Alph._ Gladly I leave you, but shall go more lightly, If eased of this your dreadful imprecation: O let me go unloaded with your curse, And I will bless you for my banishment! _Vera._ So may that blessing or that curse o'ertake thee, As thou obeyest or disobeyest my will. _Alph._ Guiltless of sin, with conscience to my friend, I go, to shun that fatal hour, that shews me Victoria married, and Alphonso lost. [_He is going._ _Xim._ Stay yet, Alphonso, for one moment stay: For somewhat, if I durst, I have to speak, Which would at least take half thy load away, And free thy shoulders from the weight of sin. _Vera._ Ximena, darest thou hope to palliate incest, And gild so black a crime? _Xim._ I gild it not; but, if I prove it none, You may be kind, Alphonso may be happy, And these domestic jars for ever cease. _Vera._ Explain yourself. _Xim._ Afford me then your patience. A mighty secret labours in my soul, And, like a rushing stream, breaks down the dam; This day must give it vent. It rests in you To make it end in a tempestuous night, Or in a glorious evening. _Vera._ No more preface. _Xim._ You wonder at Alphonso's haughty carriage, His fiery temper, and his awless mind. _Vera._ Too true, Ximena. _Xim._ And he wonders more At your harsh nature, and your rugged usage, On each side unbecoming son and father; And yet the cause of both is to be found. But, ere I farther shall proceed to speak, Command your royal prisoner to be brought; For I must be confronted with Ramirez, And in his presence tell you wonderous things, Which if he vouch not, let Ximena die.