АСТ II. SCENE I.-A room in DON PEDRO's house. Enter DONNA VIOLANTE, reading a letter, and FLORA following. Flo. WHAT, must that letter be read again? Vio. Yes, and again, and again, and again; a thousand times again; a letter from a faithful lover can ne'er be read too often; it speaks such kind, such soft, such tender things [Kisses it. an English colonel; but I should have rather lic all her lifetime-for she downed on her knees thought she had been bred a good Roman cathoto every stock and stone we came along by.My chops water for a kiss; they do, Flora. [Aside to FLORA. Flo. You'd make one believe you are wondrous fond now. Lis. Od, if I had you alone, housewife, I'd shew you how fond I would be- [Aside to FLO. Flo. But always the same language. Vio. Where did you leave your inaster? Vio. It does not charm the less for that. Lis. At a little farm-house, madam, about five Flo. In my opinion, nothing charms that does miles off. He'll be at Don Frederick's in the not change and any composition of the four-evening-Od, I will so revenge myself of those and-twenty-letters, after the first essay, from the same hand, must be dull, except a bank-note, or a bill of exchange. : Vio, Thy taste is my averson.-[Reads.] My 'all that's charming, since life's not life, exiled from thee, this night shall bring me to thy arms. "Frederick and thee are all I trust. These six 'weeks' absence, has been, in love's account, six 'hundred years. When it is dark, expect the 'wonted signal at thy window: till when, adieu. Thine, more than his own, FELIX.' Flo. Who would not have said as much to a lady of her beauty, and twenty thousand pounds? -Were I a man, methinks I could have said hundred finer things. Vio. What would you have said? Flo. I would have compared your eyes to the stars, your teeth to ivory, your lips to coral, your neck to alabaster, your shape to Vio. No more of your bombast; truth is the best eloquence in a lover.-What proof remains ungiven of his love? When his father threatened to disinherit him for refusing Don Antonio's sister, from whence sprung this unhappy quarrel, did it shake his love for me? and now, though strict inquiry runs through every place, with large rewards to apprehend him, does he not venture all for me? Flo. But you know, madam, your father, Don Pedro, designs you for a nun-to be sure, you look very like a nun !—and says your grandfather left you your fortune upon that condition. Vio. Not without my approbation, girl, when I come to one-and-twenty, as I am informed. But, however, I shall run the risk of that. Go, call in Lissardo. Flo. Yes, madam, Now for a thousand verbal questions! Re-enter with LISSARDO. [Exit. Vio. Well, and how do you do, Lissardo? Lis. Ah, very weary, madam.- -'Faith, thou look'st wondrous pretty, Flora. [Aside to FLORA. Vio. How came you? Lis. En chevalier, madam; upon a hackney jade, which, they told me, formerly belonged to lips of thine [To FLORA, Vio. Is he in health? Flo. Oh, you counterfeit wondrous well, [TO LISSARDO. Lis. No; every body knows I counterfeit very ill. [TO FLORA. Vio. How say you? Is Felix ill? 'What's his distemper? ha! Lis. A pox on't; I hate to be interrupted.Love, madam, love- In short, madam, I believe he has thought of nothing but your ladyship ever since he left Lisbon. I am sure he could not, if I may judge of his heart by my own. [Looking lovingly upon FLORA. Vio. How came you so well acquainted with your master's thoughts, Lissardo? Lis. By an infallible rule, madam; words are the pictures of the mind, you know: now, to prove he thinks of nothing but you, he talks of nothing but you.—For example, madam; coming from shooting t'other day with a brace of partridges, Lissardo, said he, go bid the cook roast me these Violantes.- -I new into the kitchen, full of thoughts of thee, cried, Here, cook, roast me these Floras. [TO FLORA. Flo. Ha, ha excellent!-You mimic your master, then, it seems? Lis. I can do every thing as well as my master, you little rogue.-Another time, madam, the priest came to make him a visit; he called out hastily, Lissardo, said he, bring a Violante for my father to sit down on. -Then he often mis took my name, madam, and called me Violante: in short, I heard it so often, that it became as familiar to me as my prayers. Vio. You live very merrily, then, it seems? and balls? Lis. Oh! yes, yes, madam, several. Flo. You are mad, Lissardo; you don't mind what my lady says to you. [Aside to LISSARDO. Vio. Ha! balls-Is he so merry in my absence? And did your master dance, Lissardo? Lis. Dance, madam! where, madam ? Vio. Why, at those balls you speak of. Lis. Balls! what balls, madam? Vio. Why, sure you are in love, Lissardo! did not you say, but now, you had balls where you have been? Lis. Balls, madam! Odslife, I ask your pardon, madam! I, I, I, had mislaid some washballs of my master's t'other day; and, because I could not think where I had laid them, just when he asked for them, he very fairly broke my head, madam; and now, it seems, I can think of nothing else. Alas! he dance, madam! No, no, poor gentleman! he is as melancholy as an unbraced drum. Vio. Poor Felix! There, wear that ring for your master's sake, and let him know I shall be ready to receive him. [Exit VIOLANTE. Lis. I shall, madam.- [Puts on the ring.] Methinks, a diamond ring is a vast addition to the little finger of a gentleman. [Admiring his hand. Flo. That ring must be mine.-Well, Lissardo, what haste you make to pay off arrears now! Look how the fellow stands! Lis. Egad, methinks I have a very pretty handand very white-and the shape !-Faith, I never minded it so much before-In my opinion, it is a very fine shaped hand-and becomes a diamond ring as well as the first grandee's in Portugal. Flo. The man's transported! Is this your love, this your impatience? Lis. [Takes snuff] Now, in my mind--I take snuff with a very jantee air-Well, I am persuaded I want nothing but a coach and a title to make me a very fine gentleman. [Struts about. Flo. Sweet Mr Lissardo! [Curtsying.] if I may presume to speak to you, without affronting your little finger Lis. Odso, madam, I ask your pardon-Is it to me, or to the ring- -you direct your discourse, madam ? Flo. Madam! Good lack! how much a diamond ring improves one! Lis. Why, though I say it—I can carry myself as well as any body--But what wert thou going to say, child? Flo. Why, I was going to say, that I fancy you had best let me keep that ring it will be a very pretty wedding-ring, Lissardo, would it not? Lis. Humph! ah! But-but-but-I believe I shan't marry yet awhile. Flo. You shan't, you say!-Very well! I suppose you design that ring for Inis? Lis. No, no; I never bribe an old acquaintance-Perhaps I might let it sparkle in the eyes of a stranger a little, till we come to a right understanding but, then, like all other mortal things, it would return from whence it came. Flo. Insolent!—is that your manner of dealing? Lis. With all but thee-Kiss me, you little rogue, you. [Hugging her. Flo. Little rogue! Prithee, fellow, don't be so familiar; [Pushing him away.] if I mayn't keep your ring, I can keep my kisses. Lis. You can, you say! spoke with the air of a chambermaid. Flo. Replied with the spirit of a serving man. Lis. Prithee, Flora, don't let you and I fall out; I am in a merry humour, and shall certainly fall in somewhere. Flo. What care I where you fall in! Enter VIOLANTE. Vio. Why do you keep Lissardo so long, Flora, when you don't know how soon my father may awake? his afternoon naps are never long. Flo. Had Don Felix been with her, she would not have thought the time long. These ladies consider nobody's wants but their own. [Aside. Vio. Go, go; let him out, and bring a candle. Flo. Yes, madam. Lis. I fly, madam. [Exeunt Lis. and FLORA. Vio. The day draws in, and night, the lover's friend, advances-night, more welcome than the sun to me, because it brings my love. Flo. [Shrieks within.] Ah, thieves, thieves! Murder, Murder! Vio. [Shrieks.] Ah! defend me, Heaven! What do I hear? Felix is certainly pursued, and will be taken. Enter FLORA, running. Vio. How now? why dost stare so? Answer me quickly; what's the matter? Flo. Oh, madam! as I was letting out Lissardo, a gentleman rushed between him and I, struck down my candle, and is bringing a dead person in his arms into our house. Vio. Ha! a dead person! Heaven grant it does not prove my Felix! Flo. Here they are, madam. Vio. I'll retire till you discover the meaning of this accident. [Exit. Enter COLONEL, with ISABELLA in his arms; sets her down in a chair, and addresses himself to FLORA. Col. Madam, the necessity this lady was under of being conveyed into some house with speed and secrecy, will, I hope, excuse any indecency I might be guilty of in pressing so rudely into this-I am an entire stranger to her name and circumstances would I were so to her beauty, too. [Aside.] I commit her, madam, to your care; and fly to make her retreat secure, if the street be clear: permit me to return, and learn, from her own mouth, if I can be further serviceable. Pray, madam, how is the lady of this house called? Flo. Violante, signior-He is a handsome cavalier, and promises well. [Aside. Col. Are you she, madam? Flo. Only her woman, signior, Col. Your humble servant, mistress. Pray, be careful of the lady. [Gives her two moidores, and exit. Flo. Two moidores! Well, he is a generous fellow. This is the only way to make one careful. I find all countries understand the constitution of a chambermaid. Enter VIOLANTE. Vio. Was you distracted, Flora! to tell my name to a man you never saw! Unthinking wench! who knows what this may turn to?What, is the lady dead? Ah! defend me, Heaven! 'tis Isabella, sister to my Felix. What has befallen her? Pray Heaven he's safe.-Run and fetch some cold water.-Stay, stay, Flora.—— Isabella, friend, speak to me; Oh! speak to me, or I shall die with apprehension! Flo. See, she revives! Isa. I know not; I desired the stranger to convey me to the next monastery; but, ere I reached the door, I saw, or fancied that I saw, Lissardo, my brother's man; and the thought that his master might not be far off, flung me into a swoon; which is all that I can remember.Ha! What's here? [Takes up a letter.] For 'Colonel Briton, to be left at the post-house in 'Lisbon.' This must be dropt by the stranger which brought me hither. Vio. Thou art fallen into the hands of a soldier; take care he does not lay thee under contribution, girl. Isa. I find he is a gentleman; and if he is but unmarried, I could be content to follow him all the world over.-But I shall never see him more, I fear. [Sighs and pauses. Vio. What makes you sigh, Isabella? Isa. Oh! hold, my dearest father! do not clutches again. force me; indeed, I cannot love him. Vio. How wild she talks! Isa. Ha! where am I? Vio. With one as sensible of thy pain, as thou thyself canst be. Isa. Violante! what kind star preserved and lodged me here? Flo. It was a terrestrial star, called a man, madam; pray Jupiter he proves a lucky one! Isa. Oh! I remember now. Forgive me, dear Violante! my thought ran so much upon the danger I escaped, I forgot. Vio. May I not know your story? Isab. Thou are no stranger to one part of it. I have often told thee, that my father designed to sacrifice me to Don Guzman, who, it seems, is just returned from Holland, and expected ashore to-morrow, the day that he has set to celebrate our nuptials. Upon my refusing to obey him, he locked me into my chamber, vowing to keep me there till he arrived, and force me to consent. I know my father to be positive, never to be won from his design; and having no hope left me to escape the marriage, I leaped from the window into the street. Vio. You have not hurt yourself, I hope? Isa. No; a gentleman, passing by accident, caught me in his arms: at first, my fright made me apprehend it was my father, till he assured me to the contrary. Flo. He is a very fine gentlemen, I promise you, madam, and a well-bred man I warrant him. I think I never saw a grandee put his hand into his pocket with a better air in my whole life-time; then he opened his purse with such a grace, that nothing but his manner of presenting me with the gold could equal. Vio. There is but one common road to the heart of a servant, and 'tis impossible for a generous person to mistake it.Go, leave us, Flora.-But how came you hither, Isabella? Vio. Can I be serviceable to you? Isa. Yes, if you conceal me two or three days. Vio. You command my house and secresy. Isa. I thank you,; Violante. I wish you would oblige me with Mrs Flora a while. Vio. I'll send her to you.-I must watch if dad be still asleep, or here will be no room for Felix. Flo. Does your ladyship want me, madam? Isa. Ay, Mrs Flora: I resolve to make you my confidante. Flo. I shall endeavour to discharge my duty, madam. Isa. I doubt it not, and desire you to accept this as a token of my gratitude. Flo. Oh, dear Seniora! I should have been your humble servant without a fee. Isa. I believe it-But to the purpose-Do you think, if you saw the gentleman who brought me hither, you should know him again? Flo. From a thousand, madam; I have an excellent memory, where a handsome man is concerned. When he went away, he said he would return again immediately. I admire he comes not. Isa. Here, did you say? You rejoice methough I'll not see him, if he comes. Could not you contrive to give him a letter? Flo. With the air of a duennaIsa. Not in this house-you must veil and follow him-He must not know it comes from me. Flo. What, do you take me for a novice in love affairs? Though I have not practised the art since I have been in Donna Violante's service, yet I have not lost the theory of a chambermaid-Do you write the letter and leave the rest to me. -Here, here, here's pen, ink, and Isa. I'll do it in a minute. paper. [Sits down to write. Flo. So this is a business after my own heart. Love always takes care to reward his labourers, and Great Britain seems to be his favourite country.-Oh! I long to see the other two moidores with a British air-Methinks there's a grace peculiar to that nation in making a present. Isa. So, I have done. Now, if he does but find this house again! Flo. If he should nott-I warrant I'll find him, if he's in Lisbon; for I have a strong prepossession that he has two moidores as good as ever was told. [Puts the letter into her bosom. Enter VIOLANTE. Vio. Flora, watch my papa; he's fast asleep in his study: if you find him stir, give me notice. [Colonel taps at the window.] Hark, I hear Felix at the window! admit him instantly, and then to your post. Exit FLORA. Isa. What say you, Violante! is my brother come? Vio. It is his signal at the window. Isa. [Kneels.] Oh, Violante! I conjure you by all the love thou bearest to Felix, by thy own gencrous nature, nay, more, by that unspotted virtue thou art mistress of, do not discover to my brother I am here. Vio. Contrary to your desire, be assured I never shall. But where's the danger? Isa. Art thou born in Lisbon, and ask that question! He'll think his honour blemished by my disobedience, and would restore me to my father, or kill me; therefore, dear, dear girl! Vio. Depend upon my friendship; nothing shall draw the secret from these lips; not even Felix, though at the hazard of his love. I hear him coming; retire into that closet. Isa. Remember, Violante, upon thy promise my very life depends. [Exit. Vio. When I betray thee, may I share thy fate! Enter FELIX. My Felix, my everlasting love! [Runs into his arms. Fel. My life! soul! my my Violante ! Vio. What hazards dost thou run for me? Oh, how shall I requite thee? Fel. If during this tedious painful exile, thy thoughts have never wandered from thy Felix, thou hast made me more than satisfaction. Vio. Can there be room within this heart for any but thyself? No; if the god of love were lost to all the rest of human-kind, thy image would secure him in my breast: I am all truth, all love, all faith, and know no jealous fears. Fel. My heart's the proper sphere where love resides: could he quit that, he would be no where found; and yet, Violante, I'm in doubt. Vio. Did I ever give thee cause to doubt, my Felix? Fel. True love has many fears, and Fear as many eyes as Fame; yet sure, I think they see no fault in thee. [Colonel taps again.] What's that? [Taps again. Vio. What? I heard nothing. [Again. Fel. Ha! What means this signal at your window? Vio. Somewhat perhaps, in passing by, might accidentally hit it; it can be nothing else. Col. [Within.] Hist, hist! Donna Violante! Donna Violante! Fel. They use your name by accident too, do they, madam? Flo. There is madam, whom I Isabella hither. Enter FLORA. a gentleman at the window, fancy to be him who brought Shall I admit him? [Aside to VIOLANTE. Vio. Admit distraction rather! Thou art the cause of this, unthinking wretch! [Aside to FLORA, Fel. What, has Mrs Scout brought you fresh intelligence? Death! I'll know the bottom of this immediately. [Offers to go. Flo. Scout! I scorn your words, senior. Vio. Nay, nay, nay! you must not leave me. [Runs and catches hold of him, Fel. Oh! 'tis not fair not to answer the gentleman, madam; it is none of his fault that his visit proves unseasonable. Pray let me go; my presence is but a restraint upon you. [Struggles to get from her. The Col. pats again.] Vio. Was ever accident so mischievous! [Aside. Flo. It must be the colonel-Now to deliver my letter to him! [Exit. The CoL. taps louder, Fel. Hark! he grows impatient at your delay. Why do you hold the man whose absence would oblige you? Pray, let me go, madam. Consider the gentleman wants you at the window. Confusion ! [Struggles still. Vio. It is not me he wants. Fel. Death! not you! Is there another of your name in the house? But come on, convince me of the truth of what you say; open the window; if his business does not lie with you, your conversation may be heard. This, and only this, can take off my suspicion.—What, do you pause? Oh, guilt, guilt!-Have I caught you? Nay, then, I'l leap the balcony. If I remember, this way leads to it. [Breaks from her, and goes to the door where ISABLLLA is. Vio. Oh, heaven! what shall I do now! Hold, hold, hold, hold; not for the world-you enter there. Which way shall I preserve his sister] ceived?from his knowledge? Fel. What, have I touched you? Do you fear your lover's life? -'Sdeath! could you not have im[Aside. posed upon me for this one night? Could neither my faithful love, nor the hazard I have run to see you, make me worthy to be cheated on? Oh, thou[Weeps. Vio. I fear for none but you.-For goodness' sake, do not speak so loud, my Felix! If my father hear you, I am lost for ever; that door opens into his apartment.- -What shall I do, if he enters? There he finds his sister.-If he goes out, he'll quarrel with the stranger-Felix, Felix! -Nay, do not struggle to be gone, my Felix-If I open the window, he may discover the whole intrigue; and yet, of all evils, we ought to chuse the least.- -Your curiosity shall he satisfied. [Goes to the window, and throws up the sash.] Whoe'er you are, that, with such insolence, dare use my name, and give the neighbourhood pretence to reflect upon my conduct, I charge you instantly to be gone; or expect the treatment you deserve. Col. I ask pardon, madam, and will obey: but when I left this house to-night Fel. Good! Vio. It is, most certainly, the stranger. What will be the event of this, Heaven knows! [Aside.] You are mistaken in the house, I suppose, sir? Fel. No, no; he's not mistaken.-—Pray, madam, let the gentleman go on. Vio. Wretched misfortune! Pray, begone, sir; I know of no business you have here. Col. I wish I did not know it neither- -But this house contains my soul; then, can you blame my body for hovering about it? Fel. Excellent! Vio. Distraction! he will infallibly discover Isabella. I tell you again you are mistaken; however, for your own satisfaction, call to-mor row. Fel. Matchless impudence! an assignation before my face!-'o, he shall not live to meet your wishes. [Takes out a pistol, and goes towards the window. She catches hold of him. Vio. Ah! [Shrieks.] Hold, I conjure you! Col. To-morrow's an age, madam! may I not be admitted to-night? Vio. If you be a gentleman, I command your absence. Unfortunate! what will my stars do with me? [Aside. Col. I have done-only this- -be careful of my life; for it is in your keeping. [Exit from the window. Fel. Pray, observe the gentleman's request, [Walking off from her. madam. Vio. I am all confusion. [Aside. Fel. You are all truth, all love, all faith! oh, thou all woman!-How have I been de Vio. Can I bear this from you! Fel. [Repeats.] When I left this house tonight-To-night! the devil! return so soon! Vio. Oh, Isabella! what hast thou involved me in! [Aside. Fel. [Repeats. This house contains my soul. Vio. Yet I resolve to keep the secret. [Aside. Fel. [Repeats.] Be careful of my life; for it is in your keeping. -Damnation! she appears! How ugly [Looking at her. Vio. Do not look so sternly on me; but believe me, Felix, I have not injured you; nor am I false. Fel. Not false! not injured me! Oh, Violante! lost and abandoned to thy vice! Not false! Oh, monstrous! Vio. Indeed, I am not.-There is a cause which I must not reveal.can oblige your sex-then allow a woman may -Oh, think, how far honour be bound by the same rule to keep a secret. Fel. Honour! what hast thou to do with honour, thou that canst admit plurality of lovers? A secret! ha, ha, ha! his affairs are wondrous safe, who trusts his secret to a woman's keeping. But you need give yourself no trouble about clearing this point, madam; for you are become so indifferent to me, that your truth and falsehood are the same. Vio. My love! [Offers to take his hand. Fel. My torment! [Turns from her. Flo. So, I have delivered my letter to the colonel, and received my fee. [Aside.] Madam, your father bade me see what noise that was.-For goodness sake, sir, why do you speak so loud? Fel. I understand my cue, mistress; my absence is necessary; I'll oblige you. [Going, she takes hold of him. Vio. Tis very possible, if I durst. Vio. Now it cannot be. Fel. Then it shall never be-Thou most ungrateful of thy sex, farewell! [Breaks from her, and exit. Vio. Oh, exquisite trial of my friendship! Yet, not even this shall draw the secret from me. That I'll preserve, let fortune frown or smile; |