This heart, Alphonso, shall be firmly thine;

This hand shall never with another join:

Or if, by force, my father makes me wed,

Then Death shall be the bridegroom of my bed.

Now let us both our shares of sorrow take;

And both be wretched for each other's sake.

Alph. By those relentless powers that rule the skies,

And by a greater power, Victoria's eyes,

No love but yours shall touch Alphonso's heart;

Nor time, nor death, my vowed affections part: