Excerpt from La Favorita: With an English Version and the Music of the Principal Airs

Leonora DI guzman, a. Lady celebrated for her beauty and accomplishments, has attracted the attention of Alphonso XL, King of Castile, and so entirely has she become his Favourite, that he even contemplates repudiating the Queen, his wife, in order to marry her. The Roman Pontificate, however, not only opposes this step, but menaces excommunication, if the design be not abandoned. While matters are in this position, Leonora sees and is seen by a cavalier named Fernando, and ardent and mutual passion has ensued. At the Opening of the drama Fernando is introduced as a novice about to take monastic vows; but, distracted by his newly formed attachment, to the consternation of the monks, he declares his mind to be occupied solely with worldly passions and affections. He departs from the monastery; and in the next scene we find him being conducted, blindfolded, by a. Party of maidens, into the presence of Leonora, at a beautiful villa of the King's, on the Isle of Leon. At this time, war has broken out between the Castilians and the Moors, and Leonora, with the double object of severing him from a monastic life and enabling him to achieve distinction in the state, obtains for Fernando a commission in the King's army. Fernando departs - in due course returns victorious, and, in reply to the Kings desire to invest him with some signal distinction, demands the hand of Leonora. Half weary of her himself, and inflamed with jealousy when thus apprised of the existing attachment, the King not only consents, but loads Fernando with titles and honours. Leonora and Fernando are united, the former supposing that her attendant, Ines, had made Fernando acquainted with her position with regard to the King. Such, however, was not the case; but the nuptials are scarcely concluded before Fernando becomes cogni zant of it from the scorn with which he is on all sides received by the Courtiers. N o sooner does he learn that the King has foisted on him an unworthy match, than the newly-made noble dashes his order of nobility on the ground, and breaks his sword on his knee. He flies from the Court, overwhelmed with anguish.

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