The Works of Henry MacKenzie, Esq Volume . 8 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1808 Excerpt: ...oft before we met, I tried to find him. He was not there, but infamy was there; The face of nature seemed to sadden round me; Each silent witness of my former purity Lowered on my steps, and told me of my crime. Aim. Thy crime was love to him. If he but knew The native worth of my Ruzalla's soul, He would not judge it by a single error.I trust he loves thee still. Ruz. Inhuman sex That ruin where they love Alm. The power is his To save thee yet;--to wed thee. Ruz. Such was once The hope I fondly cherished; such was once The hope he gave; but fallen as I am----Even hateful to myself --Aim. Still art thou more, Midst all thy wrongs, than common souls can reach. Merit like thine disdains the aid of birth; Or, should it borrow lustre thence, thy name Is such as monarchs might not blush to own. Rodriguez, fierce and haughty as he is, Will fear to wrong the daughter of Alphonzo. Ruz. And should Rodriguez on such terms be mine F Should I accept the leavings of his fear, Without his love? No, we are both above it: He will not give, methinks I would not take, The hand that was not offered by his heart.--' Protect me, my Almeyda; see, he comes Let me not wait his coming. Preparing to go. Alm. Be thyself; I Stopping her. And meet him, not unworthy of his love.--I leave thee to the interview. Exit ALMEYDA, I Enter RonmoUuz. Rod. Health to my love, my beautiful Ruzalla May joy like that which now Rodriguez feels, Be ever her's --Ha dost thou tur n and weep? What should this mean? why for a tedious week Have not these eyes beheld thee?--Through the scenes, Sacred to love and to Ruzalla's steps, Her fond Rodriguez wandered, but in vain. She shunned him then; and now his passion meets With those unhallowed tears. Ruz. Those tears, my Lord, ' Are the ...