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Hyp. My ruin has now caught me: my plots are yet unripe for execution; I must not, dare not, let him know me till I am sure at least he cannot be another's-This was the very spite of fortune. [Aside.

D. Phi. Come, sir, my time's but short.
Hyp. And mine's too precious to be lost on
any thing but love; besides, this is no proper
place.

D. Phi. O! we'll make shift with it.
Hyp. To-morrow, sir, I shall find a better.

D. Phi. No, now, sir, if you please-Draw, villain! or expect such usage as I'm sure Don Philip would not bear.

Hyp. A lover, sir, may bear any thing to make sure of his mistress-You know it is not fear that

D. Phi. No evasions, sir; either this moment confess your villany, your name and fortune, or expect no mercy.

Hyp. Nay, then--within there!

D. Phi. Move but a step, or dare to raise thy voice beyond a whisper, this minute is thy last. [Seizes her, and holds his sword to her breast. Hyp. Sir! [Trembling,

D. Phi. Villain! be quick, confess, orHyp. Hold, sir!I own I dare not fight with you.

D. Phi. No, I see thou art too poor a villain therefore, be speedy, as thou hopest I'll spare thy life.

Hyp. Give me but a moment's respite, sir.
D. Phi. Dog! do you trifle?
Hyp. Nay, then, sir-

Mercy, mercy!
[Throws herself at his feet.
And, since I must confess, have pity on my youth,
have pity on my love!

D. Phi. Thy love! what art thou, speak? Hyp. Unless your generous compassion spares me, sure the most wretched youth, that ever felt the pangs and torments of a successless passion.

D. Phi. Art thou indeed a lover, then ?-tell me thy condition?

passion still were vain; nor showers of tears, nor storms of sighs, could melt or move the frozen hardness of her dead compassion!

D. Phi. How very near my condition! [Aside. Hyp. But yet so subtle is the flame of love, spite of her cruelty, I nourished still a secret living hope, till hearing, sir, at last she was designed your bride, despair compelled me to this bold attempt of personating you. Her father knew not me, or my unhappy love; I knew, too, you ne'er had seen her face; and, therefore, hoped, when I should offer to repair, with twice the worth, the value, sir, I robbed you of, begging thus low for your forgiveness; I say, I hoped, at least, your generous heart, if ever it was touched like inine, would pity my distress, and pardon the necessitated wrong.

D. Phi. Is't possible? hast thou then loved to this unfortunate degree?

Hyp. Unfortunate, indeed, if you are still my rival, sir; but, were you not, I'm sure you'd pity

me.

D. Phi. Nay, then, I must forgive thee; [Raising her.] for I have known too well the misery, not to pity-any thing in love.

Hyp. Have you, sir, been unhappy there?

D. Phi. Oh! thou hast probed a wound that time or art can never heal.

Hop. O joyful sound!-[Aside.] Cherish that generous thought, and hope, from my success, your mistress, or your fate, may make you blest like me.

D. Phi. Yet, hold-nor flatter thy fond hopes too far; for, though I pity and forgive thee, yet I am bound in honour to assist thy love no farther than the justice of thy cause permits. Hyp. What mean you, sir?

D. Phi. You must defer your marriage with this lady.

Hup. Defer it, sir! I hope it is not her you love!

D. Phi. I have a nearest friend that is beloved, and loves her with an equal flame to yours; to him, my friendship will oblige me to be just; and, yet, in pity of thy fortune, thus far I'll be a friend to thee; give up thy title to the lady, and if her choice pronounces thee the man, I here assure thee, on my honour, to resign my claim, and, not more partial to my friend than thee, promote thy happiness.

Hyp. Alas, sir! this is no relief, but certain ruin. I am too well assured she loves your friend.

Hyp. Sir, I confess my fortune's much inferior to my pretences in this lady, though, indeed, I'm born a gentleman; and, bating this attempt against you, which even the last extremities of a ruined love have forced me to, ne'er yet was guilty of a deed, or thought, that could debase my birth: but, if you knew the torments I have borne from her disdainful pride, the anxious days, the long-watched winter nights I have endured, to gain of her, perhaps, at last a cold relentless look, indeed, you'd pity me. My heart was so entirely subdued, the more she slighted me, the more I loved; and, as my pains increased, grew farther Hyp. Alas, sir! women have fantastic tastes, from cure. Her beauty struck me with that sub-that love they know not what, and hate they missive awe, that, when I dared to speak, my know not why; else, sir, why are you unfortu words and looks were softer than an infant's nate? blushes; but, all these pangs of my persisting

D. Phi. Then, you confess his claim the fairer: her loving him is a proof that he deserves her; if so, you are bound in honour to resign her.

D. Phi. I am unfortunate, but would rather

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D. Phi. Expect no more from me; either comply this moment, or my sword shall force thee.

Hyp. Consider, sir

D. Phi. Thou liest, villain! 'tis thy fear that holds thee.

I

Hyp. Ah! let me go, I say.

Trap. Help, ho! I'm not able to hold him. D. Man. Force him out of the room there ; call an officer; in the mean time, secure him in the cellar.

D. Phi. Hear me but one word, sir. D. Man. Stop his mouth-Out with him. [They hurry him off.

Come, dear son! be pacified.

Hyp. A villain!

[Walking in a heat. Flo. Why should he be concerned, now he's secure? such a rascal would but contaminate the

D. Phi. Nay, then, discover quick; tell me thy sword of a man of honour.

name and family.

Hyp. Hold, sir.

D. Phi. Speak, or thou diest.

[A noise at the door. Hyp. Sir, I will-Ha! they are entering―0, for a moment's courage! Come on, sir!

[She breaks from him, and draws, retiring,

till DON MANUEL, FLORA, and TRAPPANTI, with servants, rush in, and part them.]

D. Man. Knock him down.

Flo. Part them.

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D. Man. Ay, son, leave him to me and the Jaw.

Hyp. I am sorry, sir, such a fellow should have it in his power to disturb me— -But

Enter ROSARA.

D. Man. Look; here's my daughter in a fright to see for you.

Hyp. Then, I'm composed again.

[Runs to ROSARA. Ros. I heard fighting here; I hope you are not wounded, sir?

Hyp. I have no wound but what the priest can heal!

D. Man. Ay! well said, my little champion! Hyp. Oh, madam, I have such a terrible escape to tell you! [Aside. Ros. Truly, I began to be afraid I should lose my little husband! [Aside. Hyp. Husband, quotha! Get me but once safe out of these breeches, if ever I wear them again[Aside. D. Man. Come, come, children, the priest stays for us. [Exeunt

Hyp. Sir, we wait on you.

SCENE I-Continues.

Enter TRAPPANTI.

ACT V.

Trap. WHAT, in the name of roguery, can this new master of mine be? he's either a fool or bewitched, that's positive.-First, he gives me fifty pieces for helping him to marry the lady, and, as soon as the wedding is over, claps me twenty more into the other hand, to help him to get rid of her-Nay, not only that, but gives me a strict charge to observe his directions in being evidence against him as an impostor, to refund all the lies I have told in his service; to sweep him clear out of my conscience; and, now, to swear the robbery against him. What the bottom of this can be, I must confess, does a little puzzle my

wit-There's but one way in the world I can solve it He must certainly have some reason to hang himself, that he's ashamed to own; and so was resolved first to be married, that his friends might not wonder at the occasion! But, here he comes, with his noose in his hand.

Enter HYPOLITA and ROSARA. Hyp, Trappanti, go to Don Pedro; he has business with you. Trap. Yes, sir, [Exit TRAP. Ros. Who's Don Pedro, pray? Hyp. Flora, madam; he knows her yet by no other name.

Ros. Well, if Don Philip does not think you deserve him, I'm afraid he won't find another

woman that will have him in haste. But this last escape of yours was such a master-piece!

Hyp. Nay, I confess, between fear and shame, I would have given my life for a ducat.

Ros. Though I wonder, when you perceived him so sensibly touched with his old passion, how you had patience to conceal yourself any longer.

of them; the rest of your fortune shall be paid in the best Barbary gold to-morrow morning.

Hyp. Aye, sir, this is speaking like a father! this is encouragement, indeed!

D. Man. Much good may do thy heart and soul with them-and Heaven bless you together! I have had a great deal of care and trouble to bring it about, children; but thank my stars 'tis over-'tis over now-now, I may sleep with my doors open, and never have my slumbers broken with the fear of rogues and rivals.

Ros. Don't interrupt him, and see how far his humour will carry him.

Hup. Indeed, I could not easily have resisted it, but that I knew, if I had been discovered before my marriage with you, your father, to be sure, would have insisted then upon his contract with him, which I did not know how far Don Philip might be carried in point of honour to [TO HYPOLITA. keep; I knew, too, his refusing it would but the D. Man. But there is no joy lasting in this more incense the old gentleman against my bro-world; we must all die, when we have done our ther's happiness with you; and I found myself obliged, in gratitude, not to build my own upon the ruin of yours.

Ros. This is an obligation I never could de

serve.

Hyp. Your assistance, madam, in my affair has overpaid it.

Ros. What's become of Don Philip? I hope you have not kept him prisoner all this while?

Hyp. Oh, he'll be released presently; Flora has her orders. Where's your father, madam?

Ros. I saw him go towards his closet; I believe he's gone to fetch you part of my fortune; he seemed in mighty good humour.

Hyp. We must be sure to keep it up as high as we can, that he may be the more stunned when he falls.

Ros. With all my heart: methinks, I am possessed with the spirit of disobedience-Now, could I, in the humour I am in, consent to any mischief that would but heartily plague my old gentleman, for daring to be better than his word to Octavio.

Hyp. And if we don't plague him- -But here

he comes.

Enter DoN MANUEL.

D. Man. Ah, my little conqueror! let me embrace thee!- -That ever I should see this day! this most triumphant day! this day of all days in my life!

Hyp. Aye, and of my life, too, sir.

[Embracing him. D. Man. Aye, and my cares are over-now, I have nothing to do but to think of the other world, for I've done all my business in this; got as many children as I could; and, now I'm grown old, have set a young couple to work that will do it better.

Hyp. I warrant ye, sir, you'll soon see whether your daughter has married a man or no.

D. Man. Ah, well said! and that you may never be out of humour with your business, look you here, children, I have brought you some baubles that will make you merry as long as you live; twelve thousand pistoles are the least value

best, sooner or later; old or young, prince or
peasant, high or low, kings, lords and-common
whores must die! nothing certain; we are for-
ced to buy one comfort with the loss of another.
Now I have married my child, I have lost my
companion-I have parted with my girl-her
heart's gone another way now-She'll forget her old
father-I shall never have her wake me more, like
a cheerful lark, with her pretty songs in a morn-
ing—I shall have nobody to chat at dinner with
me now, or take up a godly book, and read me
to sleep in an afternoon. Ah! these comforters
are all gone now!
[Weeps.

Hyp. How very near the extreme of one passion is to another! Now he is tired with joy, till he is downright melancholy.

Ros. What's the matter, sir?

D. Man. Ay, my child! now it comes to the test, methinks, I don't know how to part with thee.

Ros. Oh, sir! we shall be better friends than ever.

D. Man. Uh, uh! shall we? wilt thou come and see the old man, now and then? Well, Heaven bless thee! give me a kiss-I must kiss thee at parting: be a good girl, use thy husband well, make an obedient wife, and I shall die contented.

Hyp. Die, sir! Come, come, you have a great while to live-Hang these melancholy thoughts! they are the worst company in the world at a wedding-Consider, sir, we are young; if you would oblige us, let us have a little life and mirth, a jubilee to-day at least; stir your servants; call in your neighbours; let me see your whole family mad for joy, sir.

D. Man. Ha! shall we shall we be merry, then?

Hyp. Merry, sir! aye, as beggars at a feast. What! shall a dull Spanish custom tell me, when I am the happiest man in the kingdom, I shan't be as mad as I have a mind to? Let me see the face of nothing to-day but revels, friends, feasts, and music, sir.

D. Man. Ah! thou shalt have thy humour— thou shalt have thy humour! Hey, within there!

rogues! dogs! slaves! where are my rascals? | he made his escape; I saw him very busy in the Ah, my joy flows again-I can't bear it.

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street with Octavio and another gentleman;
Trappanti dogged them, and brings me word they
just now went into the Corrigidore's in the next
street-therefore, what we do, we must do quick-
ly. Come, come, put on your fighting face, and
I'll be with them presently.
[Aside.

Hyp. [Aloud.] Sir, I have offered you very fair; if you don't think so, I have married the lady, and take your course.

Flo. Sir, our contract was a full third; a third part's my right, and I'll have it, sir.

D. Man. Hey!

Hyp. Then, I must tell you, sir, since you are pleased to call it your right, you shall not have it. Flo. Not, sir!

Hyp. No, sir! Look ye, don't put on your pert airs to me-'egad I shall use you very scur

D. Man. Ah, there shall be nothing wanting this day, if I were sure to beg for it all my life after Here, sirrah, cook! look into the Roman history; see what Mark Antony had for supper when Cleopatra first treated him cher en-vily. tire rogue, let me have a repast that will be six times as expensive and provoking—Go.

2d Ser. It shall be done, sir.

D. Man. And d'ye hear? one of you step to Monsieur Vendevin, the king's butler, for the same wine that his majesty reserves for his own drinking; tell him he shall have his price for it. 1st Ser. How much will you please to have, sir?

Flo. Use me! You little son of a whore, draw.
Hyp. Oh, sir, I am for you.

[They fight, DoN MANUEL interposes.
Ros. Ah, help! murder! [Runs out.
D. Man. Within there! help! murder!-
Why, gentlemen, are ye mad? pray, put up.
Hyp. A rascal!

D. Man. Friends, and quarrel? for shame! Flo. Friends! I scorn his friendship; and since he does not know how to use a gentleman; I'll do a public piece of justice, and use him like villain.

D. Man. Too much, sir: I'll have every thing on the outside of enough to day. Go you, sirrah, run to the theatre, and detach me a regi-a ment of fiddlers, and singers, and dancers; and you, sir, to my nephew, Don Lewis; give my service, and bring all his family along with him.

Hup. Aye, sir, this is as it should be; now, it begins to look like a wedding.

D. Man. Ah, we'll make all the hair in the world stand an end at our joy. Hyp. Here comes Floraserve your cue.

-Now, madam, ob

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Hyp. Let me go.

D. Man. Better words, sir. [TO FLORA. Flo. Why, sir, d'ye take this fellow for Don Philip?

D. Man. What do you mean, sir? Flo. That he has cheated me as well as youbut I'll have my revenge immediately.

[Exit FLORA. [HYPOLITA walks about, and DoN MANUEL stares.]

D. Man. Hey! what's all this? what is itmy heart misgives me.

Hyp. Hey! who waits there? Here you![To a servant.] bid my servant run, and hire me a coach and four horses immediately. Ser. Yes, sir.

D. Man. A coach!

Enter VILETta.

[Exit Servant.

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Ros. I hope you are not hurt, sir. [To HYP. who minds her not.] What's the matter with him, sir? he won't speak to me. [To D. MAN.

D. Man. A speak !-a-go to him againtry what fair words will do, and see if you can pick out the meaning of all this.

Ros. Dear sir! what's the matter? [To HYP. D. Man. Ay, sir, pray what's the matter? Hyp. I'm a little vexed at my servant's being out of the way, and the insolence of this other rascal.

D. Man. But what occasion have you for post-horses, sir?

Hyp. Something happens a little cross, sir.
D. Man. Pray, what is it?

Hyp. I'll tell you another time, sir.

D. Man. Another time, sir!-pray, satisfy

me now.

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Enter DoN LOUIS.

D. Lou. Uncle, I am your humble servant. D. Man. I am glad to see you, nephew. D. Lou. I received your invitation, and am come to pay my duty: but here I met with the most surprizing news.

D. Man. Pray what is it?

D. Lou. Why, first your servant told me my young cousin was to be married to-day to Don Philip de las Torres; and, just as I was entering your doors, who should I meet but Don Philip, with the Corrigidore and several witnesses, to prove, it seems, that the person whom you were just going to marry my cousin to, has usurped his name, betrayed you, robbed him, and is, in short, a rank impostor!

Hyp. So, now, its come home to him.

D. Man. Dear nephew! don't torture me. Are you sure you know Don Philip when you see him? D. Lou. Know him, sir! were we not schoolfellows, fellow-collegians, and fellow-travellers? D. Man. But are you sure you may not have forgot him, neither?

D. Lou. You might as well ask me if I had not forgot you, sir.

D. Man. But one question more, and I am dumb for ever-is that he?

D. Lou. That, sir! no, nor in the least like him-But, pray, why this concern? I hope we are not come too late to prevent the marriage? D. Man. Oh, oh, oh, oh! my poor child! Ros. Oh!

Enter VILETTA.

[Seems to faint.

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