Flo. Is this the gentleman, sir ?

D. Phi. Very well, sir; I may have better when I see you next.

Flo. The fellow really does it very well, sir. D. Man. Oh, to a miracle! [Aside. Hyp. Prithee, friend, how long dost thou expect thy impudence will keep thee out of gaol? Could not the coxcomb, that put thee upon this, inform thee, too, that this gentleman was a magistrate?

D. Man. Well said, my little champion.

D. Phi. Now, in my opinion, child, that might as well put thee in mind of thy own condition; for, suppose thy wit and impudence should so far succeed, as to let thee ruin this gentleman's fa- | mily, by really marrying his daughter, thou cans't not but know 'tis impossible thou shouldst enjoy her long; a very few days must unavoidably discover thee: in the mean time, if thou wilt spare me the trouble of exposing thee, and generously confess thy roguery, thus far I'll forgive thee; but, if thou still proceedest upon his credulity to a marriage with the lady, don't flatter thyself that all her fortune shall buy off my evidence; for I'm bound in honour, as well as law, to hang thee for the robbery.

Hyp. Sir, you are extremely kind.
Flo. Very civil, 'egad.

Hyp. But may not I presume, my dear friend, this wheedle was offered as a trial of this gentleman's credulity? Ha, ha, ha!

D. Man. Indeed, my friend, 'tis a very shallow one. Canst thou think I'm such a sot as to believe, that, if he knew 'twere in thy power to hang him, he would not have run away at the first sight of thee?

Trap. Aye, sir, he must be a dull rogue indeed, that would not run away from a halterHa, ha, ha!

[All laugh.

D. Phi. Sir, I ask your pardon; I begin now to be a little sensible of my folly-I perceive this gentleman has done his business with you effectually however, sir, the duty I owe my father obliges me not to leave your cause, though I'll leave your house immediately. When you see me next, you'll know Don Philip from a rascal.

D. Man. Ah, 'twill be the same if I know a rascal from Don Philip! But, if you please, sir, never give yourself any further trouble in this business; for what you have done, d'ye see, is so far from interrupting my daughter's marriage, that, with this gentleman's leave, I'm resolved to finish it this very hour; so that, when you see your friend the politician, you must tell him you had cursed luck; that's all. Ha, ha, ha!

ever, now at least you're warned; but be assured, your next attempt

D. Phi. Will startle you, my spark. I am afraid you'll be a little humbler when you are hand-cuffed. Though you won't take my word against him, sir, perhaps another magistrate may my oath, which, because I see his marriage is in haste, I am obliged to make immediately. If he can outface the law, too, I shall be content to be the coxcomb then you think me.

[Exit DON PHILIP. D. Man. Ah, poor fellow! he's resolved to carry it off with a good face, however. Ha, ha, ha!

Trap. Aye, sir, that's all he has for't, indeed. Hyp. Trappanti, follow him, and do as I di

rected.

Trap. I warrant ye, sir.

[Aside to TRAPPANTI.

[Exit TRAPPANTI. D. Man. Ha! my little champion, let me kiss thee; thou hast carried the day like a hero.-Man, nor woman, nothing can stand before thee. I'll make thee monarch of my daughter immediately.

Hyp. That's the Indies, sir.

D. Man. Well said, my lad-Ah, my heart's going to dance again! Prithee, let's in before it gets the better of me, and give the bride an account of thy victory.

Hyp. Sir, if you please to prepare the way, I'll march after you in form, and lay my laurels at her feet like a conqueror.

D. Man. Say'st thou so, my little soldier? Why, then, I'll send for the priest, and thou shalt be married in triumph.

Hyp. Now, Flora.

[Exit DON MANUEL.

Flo. Aye, now, madam, who says we are not politicians? I'd fain see any turn of state managed with half this dexterity. But pray, what is Trappanti detached for?

Hyp. Only to interrupt the motions of the enemy, girl, till we are safe in our trenches; for, should Don Philip chance to rally upon us with an Alguazil and a warrant, before I am fast tied to the lady, we may be routed, for all this.

Flo. Trappanti knows his business, I hope. Hyp. You'll see presently-but hush! here comes my brother: poor gentleman! he's upon thorns, too; I have made Rosara write him a most provoking letter.

Flo. Nay, you have an admirable genius to mischief. But what has poor Octavio done to you, that he must be plagued, too?

Come,

Hyp. Well, dear Flora, don't chide; indeed this shall be the last day of my reign. now, let's in, keep up the old Don's humour, and laugh at him.

Flo. Aye, there, with all my heart!

Vil. Now, sir, you deserve a friend.

[Exit VILETTA,

Enter OCTAVIO with a letter, and VILETTA. Oct. Rosara false! distraction! Vil. Nay, don't be in such a passion. Oct. Confess it, too! so changed within an hour!

Vil. Ah, dear sir, if you had but seen how the young gentleman laid about him, you'd ha' wondered how she held out so long.

Oct. Death! 'tis impossible!

Vil. Common, sir, common. I have known a prouder lady as nimble as she. What will you lay, that, before the moon changes, she is not false to your rival?

Oct. Don't torture me, Viletta.

?

she's to marry Vil. Insult! is that the best you can make on't? Ah, you men have such heads!

Oct. What dost thou mean?

Vil. Sir, to be free with you, my mistress is grown wise at last; my advice, I perceive, begins to work with her, and your business is done.

Oct. What was thy advice?

Vil. Why, to give the post of husband to your rival, and put you in for a deputy. You know the business of the place, sir, if you mind it: by the help of a few good stars, and a little moonshine, there's many a fair perquisite may fall in

your way.

Oct. Thou ravest, Viletta! 'tis impossible she can fall so low.

Vil. Ah, sir, you cannot think how love will humble a body!

Oct. I'll believe nothing ill of her, till her own mouth confess it she can never own this letter: she cannot but know I should stab her with reproaches: therefore, dear Viletta, ease me of my torments; go this moment, and tell her I'm upon the rack till I speak with her.

Vil. Sir, I dare not for the world! the old gentleman's with her; he'll knock my brains

out.

Oct. I'll protect thee with my life. Vil. Sir, I would not venture to do it for for-for-yes, I would for a pistole.

Oct. Confound her!-There, there 'tis: dear Viletta, be my friend this time, and I'll be thine for ever.

Oct. Death! daggers! blood! confusion! and ten thousand furies!

Vil. Hey-day! what's all this for?
Oct. My brains are turned, Viletta.

Vil. Aye, by my troth, so one would think, if one could but believe you had any at all: if you have three grains, I'm sure you cannot but know her compliance with this match must give her a little liberty; and can you suppose she'd desire to see you an hour hence, if she did not design to make use of it?

Oct. Use of it! Death! When the wedding's over?

Vil. Dear sir, but the bedding won't be over, and, I presume, that's the ceremony you have a mind to be master of.

Oct. Don't flatter me, Viletta.

Vil. Faith, sir, I'll be very plain: you are, to me, the dullest person I ever saw in my life; but, if you have a mind, I'll tell her you won't come.

Oct. No, don't say so, Viletta.

:

Vil. Then pray, sir, do as she bids you don't stay here to spoil your own sport; you'll have the old gentleman come thundering down upon ye by-and-by, and then we shall have ye at your ten thousand furies again. Hist! Here's company; good-bye to ye.

[Erit VILETTA.

Oct. How now, what's the meaning of this? Enter DON PHILIP, his sword drawn, and TRAPPANTI.

D. Phi. Come, sir, there's no retreating now; this you must justify.

Trap. Sir, I will, and a great deal more; but, pray, sir, give me leave to recover my courageI protest, the keen looks of that instrument have quite frighted it away. Pray, put it up, sir.

D. Phi. Nay, to let thee see I had rather be thy friend than enemy, I'll bribe thee to be honest. Discharge thy conscience like a man, and I'll engage to make these five ten pieces.

Enter a Servant.

Trap. Sir, your business will be done effectually.

D. Phi. Here, friend, will ye tell your master I desire to speak with him?

Oct. Don Philip!

D. Phi. Octavio! this is fortunate indeed! the only place in the world I would have wished to have found ye in.

Oct. What's the matter?

D. Phi. You'll see presently. But, prithee, how stands your affair with your mistress?

Oct. The devil take me if I can tell ye!- -I don't know what to make of her; about an hour ago, she was for scaling walls to come at me; and this minute-whip, she's going to marry the stranger I told you of; nay, confesses, too, 'tis with her own consent; and yet begs, by all means, to see me as soon as her wedding's over. Is it not very pretty?

Re-enter a Servant.

D. Phi. Something gay, indeed. Ser. Sir, my master will wait on you presently. Oct. But the plague on't is, my love cannot bear this jesting. Well, now, how stands your affair? have you seen your mistress yet?

D. Phi. No, I can't get admittance to her.
Oct. How so?

D. Phi. When I came to pay my duty here to the old gentleman

Oct. Here!

D. Phi. Ay, I found an impudent young rascal here before me, that had taken my name upon him, robbed me of my portmanteau, and, by virtue of some papers there, knew all my concerns to a tittle: he has told a plausible tale to her father, faced him down that I'm an impostor, and, if I don't this minute prevent him, is going to marry the lady.

Oct. Death and hell! [Aside.] What sort of fellow was this rascal?

D. Phi. A little pert coxcomb: by his impudence and dress, I guess him to be some French page.

Oct. A white wig, red coat

D. Phi. Right; the very picture of the little Englishman we knew at Paris.

Oct. Confusion! my friend at last my rival, too-Yet hold-my rival is my friend; he owns he has not seen her yet[Aside.

D. Phi. You seem concerned. Oct. Undone for ever, unless dear Philip's still my_friend.

D. Phi. What's the matter?

D. Phi. You amaze me!

Oct. 'Tis the same dear creature I so passionately dote on.

Ď. Phi. Is it possible? Nay, then, be easy in thy thoughts, Octavio; and now I dare confess the folly of my own: I'm not sorry thou art my rival here. In spite of all my weak philosophy, I must own, the secret wishes of my soul are still Hypolita's. I know not why; but yet, methinks, the unaccountable repulses I have met with here, look like an omen of some new, though far distant, hope of her. I can't help thinking, that my fortune still resolves, spite of her cruelty, to make me one day happy.

Oct. Quit but Rosara, I'll engage she shall be yours.

D. Phi. Not only that, but will assist you, with my life, to gain her: I shall easily excuse myself to my father for not marrying the mistress of my dearest friend.

Oct. Dear Philip, let me embrace you! But how shall we manage the rascal of an impostor? Suppose you run immediately, and swear the rob❤ bery against him?

D. Phi. I was just going about it; but, accidentally meeting with this fellow, has luckily prevented me, who, you must know, has been chief engineer in the contrivance against me; but, between threats, bribes, and promises, has confessed the whole roguery, and is now ready to swear it against him: so, because I understand the spark is very near his marriage, I thought this would be the best and soonest way to detect him.

Oct. That's right; the least delay might have lost all besides, I am here to strengthen his evidence; for I can swear that you are the true Don Philip..

D. Phi. Right.

Trap. Sir, with humble submission, that will be quite wrong.

Oct. Why so?

Trap. Because, sir, the old gentleman is substantially convinced, that 'tis you who have put Don Philip upon laying this pretended claim to his daughter, purely to defer the marriage, that, in the mean time, you might get an opportunity to run away with her; for which reason, sir, you'll find your evidence will but fly in your face, and hasten the match with your rival.

D. Phi. Ha! There's reason in that. All your endeavours will but confirm his jealousy of me. Oct. What would you have me do? Trap. Don't appear at the trial, sir.

D. Phi. By no means! rather wait a little in the street: be within call, and leave the manage

ment to me.

Oct. Be careful, dear Philip.

D. Phi. I always used to be more fortunate in serving my friend than myself.

Oct. But, hark ye, here lives an Alguazil at the next house; suppose I should send him to you to secure the spark in the mean time?

D. Phi. Do so: we must not lose a moment. Oct. I won't stir from the door.

D. Phi. You'll soon hear of me: away.

[Erit OCT. Trap. So, now I have divided the enemy, there can be no great danger if it should come to a battle-Basta! here comes our party. D. Phi. Stand aside till I call for you.

[TRAP. retires.

Enter DON MANUEL.

D. Man. Well, sir, what service have you to command me now, pray?

D. Phi. Now, sir, I hope my credit will stand a little fairer with you: all I beg is but your patient hearing.

D. Man. Well, sir, you shall have it. But, then, I must beg one favour of you, too, which is, to make the business as short as you can; for to tell you the truth, I am not very willing to have any farther trouble about it.

D. Phi. Sir, if I don't now convince you of your error, believe and use me like a villain; in the mean time, sir, I hope you'll think of a proper punishment for the merry gentleman that hath imposed upon you.

D. Man. With all my heart; I'll leave him to thy mercy. Here he comes; bring him to trial as soon as you please.

Enter FLORA and HYPOLITA.

Flo. So! Trippanti has succeeded; he's come without the officers. [To HYP. Hyp. Hearing, sir, you were below, I did not care to disturb the family, by putting the officers to the trouble of a needless search: let me see your warrant; I'm ready to obey it.

know how he deserves to be treated; and that we may have no hard words upon one another, if you please, sir, let me first talk with you in pri[They whisper.

vate.

Hyp. Undone! that fool Trappanti, or that villain, I know not which, has at least mistaken or betrayed me! Ruined past redemption!

Flo. Our affairs, methinks, begin to look with a very indifferent face. Ha! the old Don seems surprised-I don't like that-What shall we do? Hyp. I am at my wit's end. [Aside.

Flo. Then we must either confess, or to gaol, that's positive.

Hyp. I'll rather starve there than be discovered. Should he at last marry with Rosara, the very shame of this attempt would kill me.

Flo. Death! what d'ye mean? that hanging look were enough to confirm a suspicion: bear up, for shame!

Hyp. Impossible! I am dashed, confounded: if thou hast any courage left, shew it quickly. Go, speak before my fears betray me. [Aside.

D'Man. If you can make this appear by any witness, sir, I confess 'twill surprize me indeed. Flo. Ay, sir, if you have any witnesses, we desire you'd produce them.

D. Phi. Sir, I have a witness at your service, and a substantial one.-Hey! Trappanti! Enter TRAPPANTI.

Now, sir, what think ye?

Hyp. Ha! the rogue winks-then there's life again. [Aside.] Is this your witness, sir?

D. Phi. Yes, sir; this poor fellow, at last, it seems, happens to be honest enough to confess himself a rogue, and your accomplice. Hyp. Ha, ha!

D. Phi. Ha, ha! you are very merry, sir.

D. Man. Nay, there's a jest between ye, that's certain-But, come, friend, what say you to the business? have ye any proof to offer upon oath, that this gentleman is the true Don Philip, and consequently, this other an impostor?

D. Phi. Speak boldly.

Trap. Ay, sir; but shall I come to no harm, if I do speak?

D. Man. Let it be the truth, and I'll protect

Enter Alguazil.

Alg. Did you send for me, sir?

D. Phi. Ay, secure that gentleman. D. Man. Hold, hold, sir! all things in order: this gentleman is yet my guest; let me be first acquainted with his crime, and then I shall better

Trap. Are you sure I shall be safe, sir? D. Man. I'll give you my word of honour: speak boldly to the question.

Trap. Well, sir, since I must speak, then, in the first place, I desire your honour would be pleased to command the officer to secure that gentleman.

D. Man. How, friend!

D. Phi. Secure me, rascal!

Trap. Sir, if I can't be protected, I shall never be able to speak.

D. Man. I warrant thee-What is it you say,

friend?

Trap. Sir, as I was just now crossing the street,

this gentleman, with a sneer in his face, takes me by the hands, claps five pistoles in my palm, (here they are) shuts my fist close upon them; my dear friend, says he, you must do me a piece of service; upon which, sir, I bows me to the ground, and desired him to open his case.

D. Phi. What means the rascal?

D. Man. Sir, I am as much amazed as you; but pray let's hear him, that we may know his meaning.

Trap. So, sir, upon this he runs me over a long story of a sham and a flam he had just contrived, he said, to defer my master's marriage only for two days.

D. Man. Nay, nay, nay, one at a time; you shall be heard presently. Go on, friend.

Trap. Having me at this advantage, sir, I began to think my wit would do me more service than my courage; so, prudently pretended, out of fear, to comply with his threats, and swallow the perjury; but, now, sir, being under protection, and at liberty of conscience, I have honesty enough, you see, to tell you the whole truth of

the matter.

D. Man. Ay, this is evidence, indeed!
Omn. Ha, ha, ha!

D. Phi. Dog! villain! did not you confess to me that this gentleman picked you up, not three hours ago, at the same inn where I alighted? that he had owned his stealing my portmanteau at Toledo? that, if he succeeded to marry the lady, you were to have a considerable sun for your pains; and these two were to share the rest of her fortune between them?

Trap. O iud! O lud! Sir, as I hope to die in my bed, these are the very words he threatened to stab me if I would not swear against my master-I told him at first, sir, I was not fit for his business; I was never good at a lie in my

life.

VOL. II.

Alg. Nay, sir, I saw this gentleman's sword at his breast, out of my window. Trap. Look ye there, sir! D. Phi. Damnation! Omn. Ha, ha, ha!

D. Man. Really, my friend, thou art almost turned fool in this business: if thou hadst prevailed upon this wretch to perjure himself, couldst thou think I should not have detected him? But, poor man! you were a little hard put to it, indeed; any shift was better than none, it seems: you knew 'twould not be long to the wedding. You may go, friend. [Exit ALGUAZIL.

Flo. Ha, ha!

D. Phi. Sir, by my eternal hopes of peace and happiness, you're imposed on! If you proceed thus rashly, your daughter is inevitably ruined. If what I have said be not true in fact, as hell or he is false, may Heaven brand me with the severest marks of perjury! Defer the marriage but an hour.

D. Man. Ay, and in half that time, I suppose, you are in hopes to defer it for altogether. D. Phi. Perdition seize me, if I have any hope or thought but that of serving you!

D. Man. Nay, now, thou art a downright distracted man-Dost thou expect I should take thy bare word, when here were two honest fellows that have just proved thee in a lie to thy face? Enter a Servant.

Ser. Sir, the priest is come.

D. Man. Is he so? then, sir, if you please, since you see you can do me no farther service, I believe it may be time for you to go.-Come, son, now let's wait upon the bride, and put an end to this gentleman's trouble altogether.

[Exit DON MANUEL.

Hyp. Sir, I'll wait on ye.
D. Phi. Confusion! I've undone

my

friend. [Walks about.

Flo. [Aside.] Trappanti! rogue, this was a master-piece.

Trap. [Aside.] Sir, I believe it won't be mended in haste. [Exeunt FLO. and TRAP. Hyp. Sir. D. Phi. Ha! alone! If I were not prevented now- -Well, sir.

Hyp. I suppose you don't think the favours you have designed me are to be put up without satisfaction; therefore, I shall expect to see you early to-morrow, near the Prado, with your sword in your hand; in the mean time, sir, I'm a little more in haste to be the lady's humble servant than your's. [Going.

D. Phi. Hold, sir !—you and I can't part upon such easy terms. Hyp. Sir!

D. Phi. You are not so near the lady, sir, perhaps, as you imagine. [D. PHI. locks the door. Hyp. What d'ye mean?

D. Phi. Speak softly.

3 D