Chapter 6

_Enter Alonzo, meeting Zanga._

_Alon._ Is Carlos murder'd?

_Zan._ I obey'd your order. Six ruffians overtook him on the road; He fought as he was wont, and four he slew. Then sunk beneath an hundred wounds to death. His last breath blest Alonzo, and desir'd His bones might rest near yours.

_Alon._ Oh, Zanga! Zanga! But I'll not think: for I must act, and thinking Would ruin me for action. Where's Leonora then? Quick, answer me: I'm deep in horrors, I'll be deeper still. I find thy artifice did take effect, And she forgives my late deportment to her.

_Zan._ I told her, from your childhood you was wont, On any great surprise, but chiefly then When cause of sorrow bore it company, To have your passion shake the seat of reason; A momentary ill, which soon blew o'er: Then did I tell her of don Carlos' death (Wisely suppressing by what means he fell), And laid the blame on that. At first she doubted; But such the honest artifice I us'd, And such her ardent wish it should be true, That she, at length, was fully satisfied. But what design you, sir, and how?

_Alon._ I'll tell thee. Thus I've ordain'd it. In the jess'mine bow'r, The place which she dishonour'd with her guilt, There will I meet her; the appointment's made; And calmly spread (for I can do it now) The blackness of her crime before her sight; And then, with all the cool solemnity Of public justice, give her to the grave. [_exit._

_Zan._ Why, get thee gone! horror and night go with thee. Sisters of Acheron, go hand in hand, Go dance around the bow'r, and close them; And tell them, that I sent you to salute them Profane the ground; and for th' ambrosial rose, And breath of jess'mine, let hemlock blacken, And deadly nightshade poison, all the air. For the sweet nightingale, may ravens croak, Toads pant, and adders rustle through the leaves; May serpents winding up the trees let fall Their hissing necks upon them from above, And mingle kisses--such as I would give them. [_exit._