_Vera._ 'Tis what thou hast deserved: perform thy penance.
_Xim._ So hard a sentence for so small a fault? Are you a father, sir!
_Vera._ Is he a son? Thou knowest not his offence. But mark the glowing blood, the guilty flush Upon Victoria's face, and read it there.
_Vera_ Victoria, speak, And clear yourself:--she answers not a word. Nay, then my fears are true, on both sides guilty.
_Vict._ 'Tis found, and we are lost. [_Aside._
_Vera._ But what needs more conviction? know you this? [_Shewing the Ovid to_ ALPH. This book, the tutor of incestuous love? The page is doubled down, and points thee to thy crime. I feared, before, from every rolling glance, How quick they shot upon thy sister's face; And she received them all, like smoking flax; Confessed the fire, and answered to the flame.
_Vict._ I love my brother, and avow that fire! His love to me has raised his noble thoughts To brave achievements for your crown and you: For love's the steel that strikes upon the flint; Gives coldness heat, exerts the hidden flame, And spreads the sparkles round, to warm the world.
_Vera._ Oh, heavens, she makes a merit of her crime! Victoria, I would yet think better of thee, And therefore dare I not enquire too far, Willing to doubt the guilt I fear to find. Depart, and answer not.-- [_Exit_ VICT. For thee, whom I abhor to call my son, [_To_ ALPH. And wish thou wert a stranger to my blood--
_Xim._ That was a happy hint, I must improve it. [_Aside._
_Vera._ One way, and only one, remains to clear thee: If with a holy fire thou lov'st thy sister, Aspiring but to fame, not sinking down Into the abyss of lust unnatural, Consent that she may be Don Garcia's wife; Else give the lie to all thy fair pretences, And stand exposed a monster of mankind. Foul as the fiends which fell from heaven's high towers, Fall thou from empire so; and from my sight Depart, accursed for ever.
_Alph._ Gladly I leave you, but shall go more lightly, If eased of this your dreadful imprecation: O let me go unloaded with your curse, And I will bless you for my banishment!
_Vera._ So may that blessing or that curse o'ertake thee, As thou obeyest or disobeyest my will.
_Alph._ Guiltless of sin, with conscience to my friend, I go, to shun that fatal hour, that shews me Victoria married, and Alphonso lost. [_He is going._