d had I none to prove
My innocence? these deep-hewn scars received
While fighting in your cause, were these no proofs?
Your life twice saved by me! your very breath
My gift! your crown oft rescued by my valour!
Were these no proofs! My every word, thought, action,
My spotless life, my rank, my pride, my honour,
And, more than all, the love I ever bore thee,
Were these no proofs?--Oh! they had been conviction
In a friend's eyes, though they were none in thine!

_Alfon._ Your pride? 'twas that undid me! your reserve,
Your silence----

_Orsi._ What! Should I have stooped to chase
Your brawling lawyers through their flaws and quibbles?
To bear the sneers of saucy questioners--
Their jests, their lies--and, when they termed me villain,
Calmly to cry--"Good Sirs, I'm none!"--No, no:
I heard myself called traitor--saw you calmly
Hear me so called, nor strike the speaker dead!
Then why defend myself? What hope was left me?
Truth lost its value, since you thought me false!
Speech had been vain, since your heart spoke not for me.

_Alfon._ And it _did_ speak----Spite of the law's decision,
My love preserved your life----

_Orsi._ Oh! bounteous favour!
Oh! vast munificence! which, giving life,
Robbed me of every gem which made life precious!
Where is my wife? Distracted at my loss,
Sunk to her cold grave with a broken heart?
Where is my son? Or dead through want, or wandering
A friendless outcast! Where that health, that vigour,
Those iron nerves, once mine?--King, ask your dungeons!

_Alfon._ Oh! spare me!

_Orsi._ Give me these again, wife, son,
Health, strength, and ten most precious years of manhood,
And I'll perhaps forgive thee: till then, never!

_Alfon._ What could I do? thy son had been to me
Dear as my own, had not Victoria's pride,
Scorning all aid----

_Orsi._ 'Twas right!

_Alfon._ She fled, concealed
Herself and child----had it on me depended----
I cannot speak----My heart----Oh! yet have mercy,
Think I had other duties than a friend's----
Alas! I was a king!

_Orsi._ And are one still----
Have still your wealth, and pomp, and pride, and power,
And herd of cringing courtiers--still have children----
I had but one, and him I lost through thee.
I, I have nothing! Yon rude cave my palace,
These rocks my court, the wolf my fit companion--
Lost all life's blessings, wife, son, health! Oh! nothing
Is left me, save the right to hate that man
Who made me what I am!--And would'st thou rob me
E'en of