doubt, requires forgiveness. [ Looking out.] Surely, even SEN. Who's there! answer quickly! who's there? Enters, L. U. E., disguised as a Monk. ROL. (c.) Inform me, friend, is not Alonzo, the Spanish prisoner, confined in this dungeon? SEN. (c.) He is. ROL. I must speak with him. SEN. You must not. ROL. He is my friend. [Stopping him with his spear. SEN. Not if he were thy brother. ROL. Ha! Then I am come in time. ROL. I do entreat thee, but for one moment. SEN. Thou entreat'st in vain-my orders are most strict. ROL. Even now, I saw a messenger go hence. SEN. He brought a pass which we are all accustomed to obey. ROL. Look on this wedge of massive gold-look on these precious gems. In thy own land they will be wealth for thee and thine-beyond thy hope or wish. Take them— they are thine. Let me but pass one minute with Alonzo. SEN. Away!-wouldst thou corrupt me? Me! an old Castilian! I know my duty better. ROL. Soldier!-hast thou a wife? ROL. Hast thou children? SEN. Four-honest, lovely boys. ROL. Where didst thou leave them? SEN. In my native village; even in the cot where myself was born. ROL. Dost thou love thy children and thy wife? SEN. Do I love them! God knows my heart-I do. ROL. Soldier! imagine thou wert doomed to die a cruel death in this strange land. What would be thy last request? SEN. That some of my comrades should carry my dying blessing to my wife and children. ROL. Oh! but if that comrade was at thy prison gate, and should there be told thy fellow soldier dies at sunrise, yet thou shalt not for a moment see him, nor shalt thou bear his dying blessing to his poor children or his wretched wife, what wouldst thou think of him who thus could drive thy comrade from the door? SEN. HOW! ROL. Alonzo has a wife and child. I am come but to receive for her, and for her babe, the last blessing of my friend. SEN. Go in. [Shoulders his spear, and walks away to L. U. E. ROL. (c.) Oh, holy Nature! thou dost never plead in vain. There is not, of our earth, à creature bearing form, and life, human or savage--native of the forest wild, or giddy air-around whose parent bosom, thou hast not a cord entwined of power to tie them to their offspring's claims, and at thy will to draw them back to thee. On iron pinions borne, the blood-stained vulture-cleaves the storm, yet is the plumage closest to her breast, soft as the cygnet's down, and o'er her unshell'd brood the murm'ring ring-dove sits not more gently!-Yes, now he is beyond the porch, barring the outer gate! Alonzo! Alonzo! my friend! Ha! In gentle sleep! Alonzo—rise ! AL. How is my hour elapsed? Well, [Returning from the recess, R. U. E.] I am ready. ROL. Alonzo-know me. AL. What voice is that? ROL. 'Tis Rolla's. [Takes off his disguise. AL. Rolla! my friend! [Embraces him.] Heavens!- how couldst thou pass the guard? Did this habit—— ROL. There is not a moment to be lost in words; this disguise I tore from the dead body of a friar, as I pass'd our field of battle: it has gained me entrance to thy dungeon; now take it, thou, and fly. AL. And Rolla- ROL. Will remain here in thy place. AL. And die for me? No! Rather eternal tortures rack me. ROL. I shall not die, Alonzo. It is thy life Pizarro seeks, not Rolla's; and from my prison soon will thy arm deliver me; or, should it be otherwise, I am as a blighted plantain, standing alone amid the sandy desert. Nothing seeks or lives beneath my shelter. Thou art— a husband and a father-the being of a lovely wife and helpless infant hangs upon thy life. Go! go, Alonzo! Go, to save, not thyself, but Cora and thy child! AL. Urge me not thus, my friend; I had prepared to die in peace. ROL. To die in peace! devoting her thou'st sworn to live for, to madness, misery, and death! For be assured the state I left her in forbids all hope, but from thy quick re turn. AL. Oh God! ROL. If thou art yet irresolute, Alonzo, now heed me well. I think thou hast not known that Rolla ever pledg'd his word, and shrunk from its fulfilment. And by the heart of truth I swear, if thou art proudly obstinate to deny thy friend the transport of preserving Cora's life, in thee, no power that sways the will of man shall stir me hence; and thou'lt but have the desperate triumph of seeing Rolla perish by thy side, with the assured conviction that Cora and thy child-are lost for ever! AL. Oh, Rolla! thou distractest me! ROL. Begone! A moment's further pause, and all is lost. The dawn approaches. Fear not for me; I will treat with Pizarro, as for surrender and submission; I shall gain time, doubt not, while thou, with a chosen band, passing the secret way, mayst at night return, release thy friend, and bear him back in triumph. Yes, hasten, dear Alonzo. Even now I hear the frantic Cora call thee. Haste, Alonzo!-Haste!-Haste! AL. Rolla, I fear thy friendship drives me from honour, and from right. ROL. Did Rolla ever counsel dishonour to his friend! AL. Oh! my preserver! [Embracing him. ROL. I feel thy warm tears dropping on my cheek.-Go! I am rewarded. [Throws the Friar's garment over Alonzo.] There, conceal thy face; and, that they may not clank, hold fast thy chains. Now, God be with thee! AL. At night we meet again. Then, so aid me Heaven! I return to save, or perish with thee! [Exit, L. U. E. ROL. [Looking after him.] He has passed the outer porch he is safe! he will soon embrace his wife and child! Now, Cora, didst thou not wrong me? This is the first time throughout my life, I ever deceived man. Forgive me, God of Truth! if I am wrong. Alonzo flatters himself that we shall meet again! Yes-there!-[Lifting his hands to heaven.]-Assuredly we shall meet again; there possess, in peace, the joys of everlasting love and friendship-on earth, imperfect and embitter'd. I will retire, lest the guard return before. Alonzo may have passed their lines. [Retires into the Cavern, R. V. E. Enter ELVIRA, L. U. E ELV. (L. C.) No, not Pizarro's brutal taunts, not the glowing admiration which I feel for this noble youth, shall raise an interest in my harassed bosom, which honour would not sanction. If he reject the vengeance my heart has sworn against the tyrant, whose death alone can save this land, yet shall the delight be mine, to restore him to his Cora's arms, to his dear child, and to the unoffending people, whom his virtues guide, and valour guards. Alonzo, come forth! Enter ROLLA, R. U. E. Ha! (c.) who art thou? Where is Alonzo? ROL. (R. C.) Alonzo's fled. ELV. Fled! ROL. (c.) Yes; and he must not be pursued. Pardon his roughness, [Seizing herd, hand] but a moment's precious to Alonzo's flight. ELV. What if I call the guard? ROL. Do so; Alonzo still gains time. [Shows a dagger. RoL. Strike it to my heart! Still with the convulsive grasp of death I'll hold thee fast. ELV. Release me! I give my faith, I never will alarm. the guard, nor cause pursuit. ROL. At once, I trust thy word. A feeling holdness in those eyes assures me that thy soul is noble. ELV. What is thy name? speak freely; by my order the guard is remov'd beyond the outer porch. ROL. My name is Rolla. ELV. The Peruvian leader? ROL. I was so yesterday, To-day, the Spaniard's captive. ELV. And friendship for Alonzo moved thee to this act? ROL. Alonzo is my friend. I am prepared to die for him. Yet is the cause a motive stronger far than friendship. ELV. One only passion else could urge.such generous rashness. ROL. And that is- ROL. True! ELV. Gallant, ingenuous Rolla! Know that my purpose here was thine; and were I to save thy friend— ROL. How! a woman blessed with gentleness and courage, and yet not Cora? ELV. Does Rolla think so meanly of all female hearts? - ELV, Were I to savo thee, Rolla, from the tyrant's ven |