SCENE II.—_The River-side.

_Enter JUANA and MANUEL._

_Jua._ Oh never did I owe more to your love, Than for this quick return.

_Man._ O my Juana, The love such beauty as your own inspires, Surmounts impossibilities. However, I needed not go on to Salvatierra, Lighting on what I look’d for by the way, Among the mountains; where my friend Gil Perez (Whose honour I insult if I declare it) Has pitcht his tent, with hospitality Prophetic of our coming; So peaceably our love may fold its wings Under the shadow of my friend’s.

_Jua._ Oh, Manuel, She who has left home, country, friends, and fame, And would contentedly leave life, for you, Desires no other temple of her love Than a bleak rock, whose unchanged stedfastness Shall not out-wear her own.

_Alon._ (_within_). I can no more!

_Jua._ Listen! What noise is that?

_Man._ A cavalier Still with his sword in his exhausted hand. He falls!

_Enter ALONZO, who falls at the side._

_Alon._ They e’en must have me.

_Man._ Courage, sir. Wounded? (_Voices within._)

_Alon._ Hark! the bloodhounds are close by; And worse, they must have slain Gil Perez first. Who else—

_Enter GIL._

_Gil._ Confound the rogues, they’ve got the bridge And the way to ’t, and heav’n itself, I think, To fight upon their side.

_Man._ Gil, what is this?

_Gil._ Trying to help a friend out of a ditch, I’ve tumbled in myself.

_Man._ Come, we are two In hand, and one in heart; at least can fight And die together.

_Alon._ Nay, add me; The cause—

_Gil._ There’s but a moment. Manuel, I charge you by your friendship, Draw not your sword to-day.

_Man._ Not I my sword When theirs are on you?

_Jua._ (_clinging to MANUEL_). Heav’ns!

_Voices, within._ This way! This way!

_Man._ They’re coming.

_Gil_ (_to ALONSO_). Listen! you can swim?

_Alon._ Alas—

_Gil._ I mean upon my shoulders. Manuel, We two shall cross to Portugal, Where follow us they may, but cannot seize us. Meanwhile I leave you master of my house And honour, centred (no time to say more) In Isabel, my sister. Swear to me That you will see to this.

_Man._ I swear it, Gil.

_Gil._ Enough, your hand! Adieu! Now courage, sir!

(_Takes ALONSO on his shoulders and plunges into the river._)

_Jua._ The man swims like a dolphin.

_Gil_ (_within_). Manuel, Remember!

_Man._ How he wrestles with the flood! And now is half-way over.

_Gil_ (_within_). Manuel, Remember! I have trusted all to you.

_Man._ Waste not your breath. I’ll do ’t.

_Gil_ (_within_). Adieu!

_Man._ Adieu!

[_Exit MANUEL with JUANA._