he was his, my friend's, and he (O horror!)
Confided all in me. O sacred faith!
How dearly I abide thy violation!

_Zan._ Were then their loves far gone?

_Alon._ The father's will
There bore a total sway; and he, as soon
As news arriv'd that Carlos' fleet was seen
From off our coast, fir'd with the love of gold,
Determin'd that the very sun which saw
Carlos' return, should see his daughter wed.

_Zan._ Indeed, my lord; then you must pardon me,
If I presume to mitigate the crime.
Consider, strong allurements soften guilt;
Long was his absence, ardent was his love,
At midnight his return, the next day destin'd
For his espousals--'twas a strong temptation.

_Alon._ Temptation!

_Zan._ 'Twas but gaining of one night.

_Alon._ One night!

_Zan._ That crime could ne'er return again.

_Alon._ Again! By heaven, thou dost insult thy lord.
Temptation! One night gain'd! O stings and death!
And am I then undone? Alas, my Zanga!
And dost thou own it too? Deny it still,
And rescue me one moment from distraction.

_Zan._ My lord, I hope the best.

_Alon._ False, foolish hope, thou know'st it false;
It is as glaring as the noon-tide sun.
Devil!--This morning, after three years' coldness,
To rush at once into a passion for me!
'Twas time to feign, 'twas time to get another,
When her first fool was sated with her beauties.

_Zan._ What says my lord? Did Leonora then
Never before disclose her passion for you?

_Alon._ Never.

_Zan._ Throughout the whole three years?

_Alon._ O never! never!
Why, Zanga, shouldst thou strive? 'Tis all in vain:
Though thy soul labours, it can find no reed
For hope to catch at. Ah! I'm plunging down
Ten thousand thousand fathoms in despair.

_Zan._ Hold, sir, I'll break your fall--wave ev'ry fear,
And be a man again--Had he enjoy'd her,
Be most assur'd, he had resign'd her to you
With less reluctance.

_Alon._ Ha! Resign'd her to me!--
Resign her!--Who resign'd her?--Double death!
How could I doubt so long? My heart is broke.
First love her to distraction! then resign her!

_Zan._ But was it not with utmost agony?

_Alon._ Grant that, he still resign'd her; that's enough.
Would he pluck out his eye to give it me?
Tear out his heart?--She was his heart no more--
Nor was it with reluctance he resign'd her;
By heav'n, he ask'd, he courted, me to wed.
I thought it strange; 'tis now no longer so.

_Zan._ Was't his request? Are you right sure of that?
I fear the letter was no