to my castle, and my daughter Victoria shall welcome the preserver of her father. Don Fer. Your daughter Victoria! Then, perhaps, sir, you are Don Scipio, my intended father-in law? Don Scipio. Eh! why, zounds! is it possible that you can be my expected son, Fernando? Don Fer. The same, sir; and was on my journey to your castle, when benighted in the forest here. Don Scipio. Oh, my dear boy! [Embraces him.] Damned mean of him to take my purse though[Aside.] Ah, Fernando, you were resolved to touch some of your wife's fortune before-hand. Don Fer. Sir-I Don Scipio. Hush! You have the money, and keep it-ay, and the ring too; I'm glad it's not gone out of the family-Hey, it grows lighter-Come.Don Fer. My rascal Pedrillo is fallen asleep somewhere. Don Scipio. No, we are not safe here-Come then, my dear-brave, valiant-Cursed paltry to take my purse though. [Aside.-Exeunt. Spado. [Who had been listening, advances] So, then, our old gentleman is father to Victoria, my young banker, Alphonso's mistress, and the other is Fernando, his dreaded rival-this is the first time they ever saw each other too-He has a servant too, and his name Pedrillo-a thought strikes me, if I could by cross paths, but get to the castle before them, I'll raise a most delicious commotion-In troubled waters I throw my fishing hook-[Whistle without.]-Excuse me, gentlemen, I'm engaged. [Exit.-A distant Whistle heard without. SCENE IV. An Apartment in SCIPIO's Castle. Enter VICTORIA and CATILINA. Catil. Nay, dear madam, do not submit to go into the nunnery. Vict. Yes, Catilina, my father desires I shall take the veil, and a parent's voice is the call of Heaven! Catil. Heaven! Well, though the fellows swear I'm an angel, this world is good enough for me—1 -Dear ma'm, I wish I could but once see you in love. Vict. Heigho! Catilina, I wonder what sort of gentleman this Don Fernando is, who is contracted to me, and hourly expected at the castle, Catil. A beautiful man, I warrant-But, maa'm, you're not to have him. Hush! Dame Isabel, not content with making your father, by slights and ill usage, force your brother, poor Don Cæsar, to run about the world, in the Lord knows what wild courses, but she now has persuaded the old gentleman to pass her daughter on Don Fernando, for you-There, yonder she is, flaunting, so be-jewelled, and be-plumedWell, if I was you, they might take my birthrightbut my husband-take my man-the deuce shall take them first! Ah, no! if I ever do go to heaven, I'll have a smart lad in my company. Send you to a nunnery! Vict. Was my fond mother alive!-Catilina, my father will certainly marry this Dame Isabel; I'm now an alien to his affections, bereft of every joy and every hope, I shall quit the world without a sigh. AIR V. VICTORIA. Ah, solitude, take my distress, Yet peace from my sonnet may spring, Yet sorrow's the theme of my song. [Exit VICTORIA. Catil. I quit this castle as soon as ever Donna Victoria enters a nunnery-Shall I go with her? No, I was never made for a nun-Aye, I'll back to the vineyard, and if my sweetheart, Philippo, is as fond as ever, who knows-I was his queen of all the girls, though the charming youth was the guitar, flute, fiddle, and hautboy of our village. AIR VI. CATILINA. Like my dear swain, no youth you'd see In all our village, who but he To foot it up so featly- His lute to hear, From far and near, For every tune, To kiss 'em round so sweetly. While round him in the jocund ring, moment. He caught our ears so neatly. Such music rare, But touch his flute The crowd was mute, His only boon For every tune, To kiss us round so sweetly. [Exit. Enter VASQUEZ, introducing SPADO. Vas. I'll inform Dame Isabel, sir-please to wait a [Exit VASQUEZ. Spado. Sir! This Dame Isabel is, it seems, a widow-gentlewoman, whom Don Scipio has retained ever since the death of his lady, as supreme directress over his family, has such an ascendency, prevailed on him, even to drive his own son out of his house, and, ha ha ha! is now drawing the old don into a matrimonial noose, ha! ha! ha! Egad, I am told, rules the roast here in the castle-Yes, yes, she's my mark Hem! Now for my story, but my scheme is up, if I tell here a single truth-Ah, no fear of that.Oh, this way she moves— Enter DAME ISABEL and Vasquez. Isab. Don Scipio not returned! a foolish old man, rambling about at this time of night! Stay, Vasquez, where's this strange, ugly little fellow you said wanted to speak with me? Vas. [Confused.] Madam, I did not say- Isab. Well, sir, pray who are you? [Exit VASQUEZ. Spado. [Bowing obsequiously.] Madam, I have the honour to be confidential servant and secretary to Don Juan, father to Don Fernando de Zelva. Isab. Don Fernando! Heavens! is he arrived? Here, Vasquez, Lopez, Diego! [Calling Spado. Hold, madam! he's not arrived; Most sagacious lady, please to lend your attention for a few moments, to an affair of the highest importance to Don Scipio's family. My young master is coming Isab. Well, sir! Spado. Madam, you shall hear-[Aside.]—Now for a lie worth twenty pistoles-The morning before his departure, Don Fernando calls me into his closet, and shutting the door, "Spado," says he, "you know this obstinate father of mine, has engaged me to marry a lady I have never seen, and to-morrow, by his order, I set out for Don Scipio, her father's castle, for that purpose; but," says he, striking his breast with one hand, twisting his mustaches with the other, and turning up his eyes-" if, when I see her, she don't hit my fancy, I'll not marry her, by the--I shan't mention his oath before you, madam. Isab. No, pray don't sir. Spado. "Therefore," says he, "I design to dress Pedrillo, my arch dog of a valet, in a suit of my clothes, and he shall personate me at Don Scipio's castle, while I, in a livery, pass for him-If I like the lady, I resume my own character, and take her hand, if not, the deceit continues, and Pedrillo weds Donna Victoria, just to warn parental tyranny how it dares to clap up marriage, without consulting our inclinations." Isab. Here's a discovery! so then, it's my poor child that must have fallen into this snare—[Aside.] Well, good sir. |