English city fashion, content to a degree. Now, here in Spain, child, we have such things as back rooms, barred windows, hard fare, poison, daggers, bolts, chains, and so forth.

Ros. Ay, sir; and there are such things as bribes, plots, shams, letters, lies, walls, ladders, keys, confidants, and so forth.

Hyp. Hey! a very complete regiment indeed! what a world of service might these do in a quarter of an hour, with a woman's courage at the head of them! Really, madam, your dress and humour have the prettiest loose French air, something so quality, that, let me die, madam, I believe in a month I should be apt to poison ye. Ros. So, it takes! [Aside.] And, let me die, sir, I believe I should be apt to deserve it of ye. Hyp. I shall certainly do it.

Ros. It must be in my breakfast, then—for I should certainly run away before the weddingdinner came up.

Hyp. That's over-acted; but I'll startle her. [Aside.] Then I must tell you, madam, a Spanish husband may be provoked as well as a wife.

Ros. My life on't, his revenge is not half so sweet! and if she's provoked, 'tis a thousand to one but she licks her lips before she's nailed in her coffin!

Hyp. You are very gay, madam.

Ros. I see nothing to fright me, sir, for I cannot believe you'll marry me now- -I have told you my humour: if you like it, you have a good stomach.

Hyp. Why, truly, you may probably lie a little heavy upon it, but I can better digest you than poverty: As for your inclination, I'll keep your body honest, however; that shall be locked up; and if you don't love me, then-I'll stab you.

Ros. With what? your words? it must be those you say after the priest, then-You'll be able to do very little that will reach my heart, I assure ye.

Hyp. Well, well, madam, you need not give yourself half this trouble; I am heartily convinced you will make the damned'st wife that ever poor dog of a husband wished at the devil: but really, madam, you are very unfortunate; for, notwithstanding all the mighty pains you have taken, you have met with a positive coxcomb, that's still just fool and stout enough to marry

-What does he mean?

might have been suspected: your shewing me what a man of sense should hate, convinces me you know, too, what he ought to love; and she, that's once so well acquainted with the charms of virtue, never can forsake it. I both admire and love you now; you have made, what only was my interest, my happiness. At my first view, I woo'd you only to secure a sordid fortune, which now I, overjoyed, could part with, nay, with my life, with any thing, to purchase your unrivalled heart.

Ros. Now I am plunged indeed! [Aside.] Well, sir, I own you have discovered me; and, since you have obliged me to be serious, I now, from my sincerity, protest my heart's already given, from whence no power nor interest shall recall it.

Hyp. I hate my interest, and would owe no power or title, but to love.

Ros. If, as you say, you think I find a charm in virtue, you'll know, too, there's a charm in constancy. You ought to scorn me, should I flatter you with hope, since now you are assured I must be false before I can be yours. If what I have said seems cold, or too neglectful of your merit, call it not ingratitude or scorn, but faith unmoved, and justice to the man I love.

Hyp. Death! I have fooled away my hopes: she must consent, and soon, or yet I'm lost.

[4side.

Ros. He seems a little thoughtful; if he has honour, there may yet be hopes.

[Aside.

Hyp. It must-it can be only so; that way I make her sure, and serve my brother, too. [Aside.] Well, madam, to let you see I'm a friend to love, though love's an enemy to me, give me but a seeming proof that Octavio is the undisputed master of your heart, and I'll forego the power your father's obligations give me, and throw my hopes into his arms with you.

Ros. Sir, you confound me with this goodness! A proof! is it possible? will that content ye? Command me to what proof you please; or, if you'll trust to my sincerity, let these tears of joy convince you. Here, on my knees, by all my hopes of peace, I swear————

Hyp. Hold! swear never to make a husband, but Octavio.

Ros. I swear, and Heaven befriend me as I keep this vow inviolate!

Hyp. Rise, madam; and now receive a secret which I need not charge you to be careful of, since, as well your quiet as my own depends upon it. A little common prudence between us, in all probability, before night, may make us happy in our secret wishes.

Ros. What mean you, sir? sure you are some angel sent to my deliverance.

VOL. II.

Ros. A woman! are not you Don Philip? Hyp. His shadow, madam, no more; I just run before him-nay, and after him, too.

Ros. I am confounded-a woman!

Hyp. As arrant a woman, from top to toe, as ever man run mad for.

Ros. Nay, then, you are an angel.

Hyp. Perhaps, you'll think me little a kin to one at least. Octavio, madam, your lover, is my brother; my name Hypolita; my story you shall know at leisure.

Ros. Hypolita! nay, then, from what you've said, and what I have heard Octavio say of you, I guess your story: but this was so extravagant a thought.

Hyp. That's true, madam, it-it-it was a little round about, indeed; I might have found a nearer way to Don Philip; but these men are such testy things, they can never stay one's time; always in haste, just as they please; now we are to look kind, then grave; now soft, then sincere-Fiddlestick! when, may be, a woman has a new suit of knots on her head-so, if we happen not to be in their humour, forsooth, then we coquette, and are proud and vain, and then they are to turn to fools, and tell us so; then, one pouts and the other huffs; and you see there is such a plague, that—I don't knowdoes not care to be rid of them neither. Ros. A very generous confession! Hyp. Well, madam, now you know me thoroughly, I hope you'll think me as fit for a husband as another woman.

Ros. Then I must marry ye?

-one

Hyp. Aye, and speedily, too; for I expect Don Philip every moment, and, if we don't look about us, he will be apt to forbid the banns.

Ros. If he comes, what shall we do?

Hyp. I am provided for him-Here comes your father-he's secure. Come, put on a dumb, consenting air, and leave the rest to me.

Ros. Well, this getting the better of my wise papa won't be the least part of my satisfaction.

Enter DON MANUEL.

D. Man. So, son, how does the battle go now? Have you cannonaded stoutly? Does she cry quarter?

Hyp. My dear father! let me embrace your knees; my life's too poor to make you a return; you have given me an empire, sir; I would not change to be grand signior.

D. Man. Ah, rogue! he has done it, he has done it; he has her! ha! is't not so, my little champion?

Hyp. Victoria, sir! the town's my own. Look here! and here, sir! thus have I been plundering this half hour; and thus, and thus, and thus, till my lips ache again. [Kisses her. D. Man. Ah! give me the great chaircannot bear my joy--You rampant rogue!

could not ye give the poor girl a quarter of an hour's warning?

Hyp. My charmer!

[Embracing Rosara.

D. Man. Ah, my cares are over! Hyp. Oh, I told you, sir; hearts and towns are never too strong for a surprise.

D. Man. Prithee, be quiet, I hate the sight of ye-Rosara! come hither, you wicked thing; come hither, I say.

Ros. I am glad to see you well pleased, sir. D. Man. Oh, I cannot live- I cannot live it; it pours upon me like a torrent; I am as full as a bumper- -it runs over at my eyes; I shall choke- -Answer me two questions, and kill me outright.

Ros Any thing that will make you more pleased, sir.

D. Man. Are you positively resolved to marry this gentleman?

Ros. Sir, I am convinced 'tis the first match that can make me happy.

D. Man. I am the miserablest dog alive and I warrant you are willing to marry him tomorrow morning, if I should ask you?"

Ros. Sooner, sir, if you think it necessary. D. Man. Oh, this malicious jade has a mind to destroy me all at once- -Ye cursed toad! how did you do to get in with her so?

[TO HYPOLITA. Ros. Come, sir, take heart; your joy won't be always so troublesome.

D. Man. You lie, hussy, I shall be plagued with it as long as I live.

Hyp. You must not live above two hours, then.

[Aside

D. Man. I warrant this raking rogue will get her with child, too-I shall have a young squab Spaniard upon my lap, that will so grandpapa me! Well, what want you, gloomy face?

D. Man. Very likely.

Enter TRAPPANTI,

Trap. Sir, sir-News, news!

D. Man. Aye, this fellow has a good merry face, now- -I like him. Well, what dost thou say, lad? But, hold, sirrah! has any body

told thee how it is with me? Trap. Sir?

D. Man. Do you know, puppy, that I am rea dy to cry?

Trap. Cry, sir! for what?

D. Man. Joy! joy! you whelp; my cares

Trap. He, sir, he.

-Oh

D. Man. I'm glad of it, faith-now I shall have a little diversion to moderate my joy-I'll wait on the gentleman myself-Don't you be out of the way, son; I'll be with ye presentlymy jaws! this fit will carry me off. Ye dear toad! good-bye. [Exit. Hyp. Ha, ha, ha! the old gentleman's as merry as a fiddle; how he'll start when a string snaps in the middle of his tune!

Ros. At least, we shall make him change it, I believe.

Hyp. That we shall; and here comes one that's to play upon him.

Enter FLORA, hastily.

Flo. Don Philip, where are you? I must needs speak with ye. Begging your ladyship's pardon, madam. [Whispers HYPOLITA.] Stand to your arms; the enemy's at the gate, faithbut I've just thought of a sure card to win the lady into our party.

Ros. Who can this youth be she is so familiar with? he must certainly know her business here, and she is reduced to trust him. What odd things we women are! never to know our own

SCENE I.-Continues.

minds. How very humble now has her pride

made her!

Hyp. [To FLORA.] I like your advice so well, that, to tell you the truth, I have made bold to take it before you gave it me.

Flo. Is it possible?

Hyp. Come, I'll introduce ye.
Flo. Then, the business is done.

Hyp. Madam, if your ladyship pleases.

[To ROSARA Ros. Is this gentleman your friend, sir? Hyp. This friend, madam, is my gentlewoman, at your service.

Ros. Gentlewoman! What, are we all going into breeches, then?

Flo. That used to be my post, madam, when I wore a needle; but, now I have got a sword by my side, I shall be proud to be your ladyship's

humble servant.

Ros. Troth, I think it's a pity you should either of you ever part with your swords: I never saw a prettier couple of adroit cavaliers in my life.

Flo. Egad, I don't know how it is, madam; but, methinks, these breeches give me such a mettled air, I cannot help fancying but that I left my sex at home in my petticoats.

Hyp. Why, faith, for aught I know, hadst thou been born to breeches instead of a fille de chambre, fortune might have made thee a beau garçon at the head of a regiment-But hush! there's Don Philip and the old gentleman: we must not be seen yet. If you please to retire, madam, I'll tell you how we intend to deal with them.

Ros. With all my heart-Come, ladiesGentlemen--I beg your pardon.

Enter DoN MANUEL and DON PHILIP. D. Man. WELL, sir; and so you were robbed of your portmanteau, you say, at Toledo, in which are all your letters and writings relating to your marriage with my daughter, and that's the reason you are come without them.

D. Phi. I thought, sir, you might reasonably take it ill I should have lain a week or two in town, without paying you my duty. I was not robbed of the regard I owe my father's friend; that, sir, I have brought with me, and 'twould have been ill manners not to have paid it at my first arrival.

D. Man. Ah, how smooth the spark is! [Aside.] Well, sir, I am pretty considerably glad to see you; but, I hope, you'll excuse me if, in a matter of this consequence, I seem a little cautious.

[Exeunt.

D. Phi. Sir, I sha'nt propose any immediate progress in my affair, till you receive fresh advice from my father; in the mean time, I shall think myself obliged by the bare freedom of your house, and such entertainment as you'd, at least, afford a common stranger.

D. Man. Impudent rogue! the freedom of my house! yes, that he may be always at hand to secure the main chance for my friend Octa vio-But now I'll have a touch of the bamboozle with him. [Aside.] Look ye, sir, while I see nothing to contradict what you say you are, d'ye see, you shall find me a gentleman.

D. Phi. So my father told me, sir.

D. Man. But, then, on the other hand, d'ye see, a man's honesty is not always written in his face; and (begging your pardon) if you should prove a damned rogue now, d'ye sec?

D. Phi. Sir, I cannot, in reason, take any thing ill, that proceeds only from your caution. D. Man. Civil rascal! [Aside.] No, no, as