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