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Vas. Chocolate, ha ha! ha!

Ped. Chocolate, ha! ha! ha!

[With a sneer.

Don Fer. I'll teach you to laugh, sirrah!

[Beats PEDRIllo. Ped. Teach me to laugh! you may be a good mas ter, but you've a very bad method-But, hey for chocolate and the ladies.

[Exeunt PEDRILLO and VASQUEZ. Don Fer. Don Scipio shall render me an account for this treatment; bear his contempt, and become the butt for the jests of his insolent servants! As I don't like his daughter, I have now a fair excuse, and indeed a just cause to break my contract, and quit his castle; but then, I leave behind the mistress of my soul-Suppose I make her a tender of my heartbut that might offend, as she must know my hand is engaged to another-When I looked, she turned her lovely eyes averted-Doom'd to a nunnery!

AIR XI.-FERNANDO,

My fair one, like the blushing rose,
Can sweets to every sense disclose:
Those sweets I'd gather, but her scorn
Then wounds me like the sharpest thorn.

With sighs each grace and charm I see
Thus doom'd to wither on the tree,
Till age shall chide the thoughtless maid,
When all those blooming beauties fade.

Hey, who comes here? this is the smart little girl who seems so much attached to the beautiful novice -no harm to speak with her

Enter CATILINA.

So, my pretty primrose!

Catil. How do you do, Mt-[Pert and familiar.] I don't know your name.

Don Fer. Not know my name You must know who I am though, and my business here, child?

Catil. Lord, man, what signifies your going about to sift me, when the whole family knows you're Don Fernando's footman.

Don Fer. Am I, faith? Ha! ha! ha! I'll humour this- Well then, my dear, you know that I am only Don Fernando's footman?

Catil. Yes, yes, we know that, notwithstanding your fine clothes.

Don Fer. But where's my master ?

Catil. Don Fernando! he's parading the gallery yonder, in his sham livery and morning-gown.

Don Fer. Oh, this accounts for twelve covers at supper, and the embroider'd bed: but who could have set such a jest going? I'll carry it on though -[Aside.] So then, after all, I am known here?

Catil. Ay, and if all the impostors in the castle were as well known, we should have no wedding tomorrow night.

Don Fer. Something else will out--I'll seem to be in the secret, and perhaps may come at it-[Aside.] Ay, ay, that piece of deceit is much worse than ours.

Catil. That! what then you know that this Italian lady is not Don Scipio's daughter, but Dame Isabel's, and her true name Lorenza?

Don Fer. Here's a discovery! [Aside.] O yes, I

know that.

Catil. You do? Perhaps you know too, that the young lady you saw me speak with just now is the real Donna Victoria

Don Fer. Is it possible! Here's a piece of villainy ! [Aside.] Charming! let me kiss you, my dear girl. [Kisses her

Catil. Lord! he's a delightful man!

Don Fer. My little angel, a thousand thanks for this precious discovery.

Catil. Discovery !-Well, if you did not know it before, marry hang your assurance, I say but I must about my business, can't play the lady as you played the gentleman, I've something else to do; so I'desire you won't keep kissing me here all day. [Exit.

Don Fer. Why what villain is this Don Scipio! ungrateful to but I scorn to think of the services I rendered him last night in the forest, a false friend to my father, an unnatural parent to his amiable daughter! here my charmer comes. [Retires.

Enter VICTORIA.

Vict. Yes, Catilina must be mistaken, it is impossible he can be the servant,-no, no; that dignity of deportment, and native elegance of manner, can never be assumed; yonder he walks, and my fluttering heart tells me, this is really the amiable Fernando, that I must resign to Dame Isabel's daughter.

.

Don Fer. Stay, lovely Victoria!

Vict. Did you call me, sir?—Heavens, what have I said! [Confused.] I mean, signor, would you wish to speak with Donna Victoria? I'll inform her, sir. [Going Don Fer. Oh, I could speak to her for ever, for ever gaze upon her charms, thus transfixed with wonder and delight.

Vict. Pray, signor, suffer me to withdraw.

Don Fer. For worlds I would not offend; but think not, lady, 'tis the knowledge of your quality that attracts my admiration.

Vict. Nay, signor.

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Don Fer. I know you to be Don Scipio's daughter, the innocent victim of injustice and oppression; therefore I acknowledge to you, and you alone, that, whatever you may have heard to the contrary, I really am Fernando de Zelva.

Vict. Signor, how you became acquainted with the secret of my birth I know not; but from an acquaintance so recent, your compliment I receive as a mode of polite gallantry without a purpose.

Don Fer. What your modesty regards as cold com-. pliments, are sentiments warm with the dearest purpose; I came hither to ratify a contract with Don Scipio's daughter; you are she, the beautiful Victoria, destined for the happy Fernando.

Vict. Pray rise, signor ;-my father perhaps, even to himself, cannot justify his conduct to me; but to censure that, or to pervert his intentions, would, in me, be a breach of filial duty.

AIR XII. VICTORIA.

By woes thus surrounded, how vain the gay smile Of the little blind archer, those woes to beguile! Though skilful, he misses, his aim it is cross'd,. His quiver exhausted, his arrows are lost. Your love though sincere, on the object you lose, [Aside.] How sweet is the passion! Ah, must I refuse? If filial affection that passion should sway, Then love's gentle dictates I cannot obey.

Don Fer. And do you, can you, wish me to espouse Donna Lorenza, Isabella's daughter?-Say, you do not, do but satisfy me so far.

Vict. Signor, do not despise me if I own, that, before I saw in you the husband of Don Scipio's daughter, I did not once regret that I had lost that title.

Don Fer. A thousand thanks, for this generous, this amiable condescension.-Oh, my Victoria! If fortune but favours my design, you shall yet triumph over the malice of your enemies.

Vict. Yonder is Dame Isabel; if she sees you speaking to me, she'll be early to frustrate whatever

you may purpose for my advantage. Signor, farewell!

Don Fer. My life, my love, adieu!

AIR XIV.

DUETT.-VICTORIA and FERNANDO.

Don Fer. So faithful to my fair I'll prove,

Vict.

Don Fer.

Vict.

Both.

Vict.

So kind and constant to my love,

I'd never range,

I'd never change,

Nor time, nor chance, my faith shall move.

No ruby clusters grace the vine,

Don Fer. Ye sparkling stars forget to shine,

Vict.

Don Fer.

Both.

Sweet flowers to spring,
Gay birds to sing,

Those hearts than part that love shall join:

Enter FERNANDO:

[Exeunt.

Don Fer. This is fortunate; the whole family, except Victoria, are firmly possessed with the idea, that I am but the servant.-Well, since they will have me an impostor, they shall find me one; in Heaven's name, let them continue in their mistake, and bestow their mock Victoria upon my sham Fernando. I shall have a pleasant and just revenge for their perfidy; and, perhaps, obtain Don Scipio's real, lovely daughter, the sum of my wishes.-Here comes Don Scipio-Now to begin my operations.

Enter DON SCIFIO.

[As wishing DoN SCIPIO to overhear him.] I'm quite weary of playing the gentleman, I long to get into my livery again.

Don Scipio. Get into his livery!

[Aside.

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