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Enter FERDINAND.

Ferd. Yes, those were certainly they-my information was right. [Going. Clara. [Stops him.] Pray, signor, what is your bu

siness here?

Ferd. No matter-no matter-Oh, they stop[Looks out.] Yes, that is the perfidious Clara indeed! Clara. So, a jealous error-I'm glad to see him so moved.

[Aside. Ferd. Her disguise can't conceal her-No, no, I know her too well.

Clara. Wonderful discernment! but, signorFerd. Be quiet, good nun, don't tease mee-By Heavens, she leans upon his arm, hangs fondly on it! O woman! woman!

Clara. But, signor, who is it you want?

Ferd. Not you, not you, so pr'ythee don't tease me. Yet pray stay-gentle nun, was it not Donna Clara d'Almanza just parted from you?

Clara. Clara d'Almanza, signor, is not yet out of the garden.

Ferd. Ay, ay, I knew I was right-And pray is not that gentleman, now at the porch with her, Antonio d'Ercilla?

Cara. It is indeed, signor.

Ferd. So, so; now but one question more--can you inform me for what purpose they have gone away? Clara. They are gone to be married, I believe. Ferd. Very well-enough-now if I don't mar their wedding!

[Exit. Clara. [Unveils. I thought jealousy had made lovers quick-sighted, but it has made mine blind-Louisa's story accounts to me for this error, and I am glad to find I have power enough over him to make him so unhappy. But why should not I be present at his surprise when undeceived? When he's through the porch

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I'll follow him; and, perhaps, Louisa shall not singly be a bride.

SONG.

Adieu, thou dreary pile, where never dies
The sullen echo of repentant sighs :
Ye sister mourners of each lonely cell,
Inured to hymns and sorrow, fare ye well;
For happier scenes I fly this darksome grove,
To saints a prison, but a tomb to love.
(Exit.

SCENE IV.

A Court before the Priory.

Enter ISAAC, crossing the Stage.

Enter ANTONIO.

Ant. What, my friend Isaac !

Isaac. What, Antonio! wish me joy! I have Louisa safe.

Ant. Have you?—I wish you joy with all my soul.

Isaac. Yes, I am come here to procure a priest to marry us.

Ant. So, then we are both on the same errand, I am come to look for Father Paul.

Isaac. Hah! I am glad on't-but, i'faith, he must tack me first, my love is waiting.

Ant. So is mine.-I left her in the porch.

Isaac. Ay, but I am in haste to get back to Don Jerome.

Ant. And so am I too.

Isaac. Well, perhaps he'll save time, and marry us both together or I'll be your father, and you shall be mine. Come along-but you're obliged to me for all this.

Ant. Yes, yes.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Room in the Priory.-FRIARS at the Table,

drinking.

GLEE AND CHORUS.

This bottle's the sun of our table,
His beams are rosy wine;
We, planets, that are not able,
Without his help to shine.
Let mirth and glee abound,
You'll soon grow bright,
With borrow'd light,
And shine as he goes round.

Paul. Brother Francis, toss the bottle about, and give me your toast.

Francis. Have we drank the abbess of St Ursuline? Paul. Yes, yes; she was the last.

Francis. Then I'll give you the blue-eyed nun of St Catharine's.

Paul. With all my heart. [Drinks.] Pray, brother Augustine, were there any benefactions left in my absence?

Francis. Don Juan Corduba has left a hundred ducats, to remember him in our masses.

Paul. Has he! let them be paid to our wine mer

F

chant, and we'll remember him in our cups, which will do just as well. Any thing more?

Aug. Yes; Baptista, the rich miser, who died last week, has bequeathed us a thousand pistoles, and the silver lamp, he used in his own chamber, to burn before the image of St Anthony.

Paul. 'Twas well meant, but we'll employ his money better-Baptista's bounty shall light the living, not the dead. St Anthony is not afraid to be left in the dark, though he was -See who's there. [A Knocking, FRANCIS goes to the Door, and opens it.

Enter PORTER.

Porter. Here's one without in pressing haste to speak with Father Paul.

Francis. Brother Paul!

[PAUL comes from behind a Curtain, with a Glass of Wine, and in his Hand a Piece of Cake. Paul. Here! how durst you, fellow, thus abruptly break in upon our devotions?

Porter. I thought they were finished.

Paul. No, they were not-were they, Brother Francis?

Francis. Not by a bottle each.

Paul. But neither you nor your fellows mark how the hours go-no, you mind nothing but the gratifying of your appetites; ye eat and swill, and sleep, and gormandize, and thrive, while we are wasting in mortification.

Porter. We ask no more than nature craves.

Paul. 'Tis false, ye have more appetites than hairs! and your flushed, sleek, and pampered appearance, is the disgrace of our order-out on't-If you are hungry, can't you be content with the wholesome roots of the earth; and if you are dry, isn't there he crystal spring? [Drinks.] Put this away, [Gives®

Glass.] and show me where I'm wanted. [PORTER draws the Glass.-PAUL, going, turns.] So, you would have drank it, if there had been any left. Ah, glutton! glutton! Exeunt

SCENE VI.

The Court before the Priory.

Enter ISAAC and ANTONIO.

Isaac. A plaguy while coming, this same Father Paul-He's detained at vespers, I suppose, poor fellow.

Ant. No, here he comes.

Enter PAUL.

Good Father Paul, I crave your blessing.

Isaac. Yes, good Father Paul, we are come to beg a favour.

Paul. What is it, pray?

Isaac. To marry us, good Father Paul; and in truth thou dost look the very priest of Hymen.

Paul. In short, I may be called so; for I deal in repentance and mortification.

Isaac. No, no, thou seemest an officer of Hymen, because thy presence speaks content and good hu

mour.

Paul. Alas! my appearence is deceitful. Bloated I am, indeed! for fasting is a windy recreation, and it hath swoln me like a bladder.

Ant. But thou hast a good fresh colour in thy face, father; rosy, i'faith.

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