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to the door, where the colonel is hid.] Sir, sir, you may appear.

Enter FELIX, following her.

Fel. May he so, madam? I had cause for my suspicion, I find. Treacherous woman! Vio. Ha, Felix here! Nay, then, all is discovered.

Fel. [Draws.] Villain! whoever thou art, come out, I charge thee, and take the reward of thy adulterous errand.

Vio. What shall I say?—Nothing but the secret, which I have sworn to keep, can reconcile this quarrel. [Aside. Fel. A coward! Nay, then, I'll fetch you out; think not to hide thyself: no; by St Anthony, an altar should not protect thee; even there, I'd reach thy heart, though all the saints were armed in thy defence. [Exit FEL.

Vio. Defend me, Heaven! what shall I do? I must discover Isabella, or here will be murder!

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Vio. Yes, trick! I knew you'd take the hint, and soon relapse into your wonted error. How easily your jealousy is fired! I shall have a blessed life with you.

Fel. Was there nothing in it, then, but only to try me?

Vio. Won't you believe your eyes?

Fel. My eyes! No, nor my ears, nor any of my senses, for they have all deceived me.Well, I am convinced that faith is as necessary in love as in religion; for, the moment a man lets a woman know her conquest, he resigns his senses, and sees nothing but what she would have him.

Vio. And as soon as that man finds his love returned, she becomes as errant a slave as if she had already said after the priest.

Fel. The priest, Violante, would dissipate those fears which cause those quarrels. When wilt thou make me happy?

Vio. To-morrow I will tell thee my father is gone for two or three days to my uncle's; we have time enough to finish our affairs.—But, prithee leave me now, lest some accident should bring my father.

Fel. To-morrow, then

Fly swift, ye hours, and bring to-morrow on!
But I must leave you now, my Violante.
Vio. You must, my Felix. We soon shall
meet to part no more!

Fel. Oh, rapturous sounds! Charming wo-
man!

Thy words and looks have filled my heart
With joy, and left no room for jealousy.
Do thou, like me, each doubt and fear re-

move,

And all to come be confidence and love. [Exit FEL.

Enter ISABElla.

Isa. I am glad my brother and you are reconciled, my dear; and the colonel escaped without his knowledge; I was frighted out of my wits when I heard him return. I know not how to express my thanks, woman, for what you suffered for my sake; my grateful acknowledgement shall ever wait you, and to the world proclaim the faith, truth, and honour of a woman.

Vio. Prithee, don't compliment thy friend, Isabella. You heard the colonel, I suppose?

Isa. Every syllable; and am pleased to find I do not love in vain.

Vio. Thou has caught his heart, it seems, and an hour hence may secure his person. Thou hast made hasty work on't, girl.

Isa. From thence I draw my happiness; we shall have no accounts to make up, after consummation.

She who for years protracts her lover's pain,
And makes him wish, and wait, and sigh in
vain,

To be his wife, when late she gives consent,
Finds half his passion was in courtship spent ;
Whilst they, who boldly all delays remove,
Find every hour a fresh supply of love.

[Exeunt.

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ACT V.

Fel. This hour has been propitious; I am reconciled to Violante, and you assure me Antonio is out of danger.

Fred. Your satisfaction is doubly mine.
Enter LISSARDO.

Fel. What haste you made, sirrah, to bring me word if Violante went home!

Lis. I can give you very good reasons for my stay, sir. Yes, sir, she went home.

Fred. Oh! your master knows that, for he has been there himself, Lissardo.

Lis. Sir, may I beg the favour of
Fel. What have you to say?

your ear ·?

[Whispers, and FELIX seems uneasy. Fred. Ha! Felix changes colour at Lissardo's news! What can it be?

Fel. A Scots footman, that belongs to colonel Briton, an acquaintance of Frederick's, say you? The devil! if she be false, by Heaven I'll trace her. Prithee, Frederick, do you know one colonel Briton, a Scotsman ?

Fred. Yes; why do you ask me? Fel. Nay, no great matter; but my man tells me that he has had some little differences with a servant of his, that's all.

Fred. He is a good, harmless, innocent fellow I am sorry for it. The colonel lodges in my house; I knew him formerly in England, and met him here by accident last night, and gave him an invitation home. He is a gentleman of good estate, besides his commission; of excellent principles, and strict honour, I assure you. Fel. Is he a man of intrigue?

Fred. Like other men, I suppose. Here he

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rank, I assure you; this nymph sleeps in a velvet bed, and lodgings every way agreeable.

Fel. Ha! a velvet bed! I thought you said but now, sir, you knew her not.

Col. No more I don't, sir.

Fel. How came you, then, so well acquainted with her bed?

Fred. Aye, aye, come, come, unfold.

Col. Why, then, you must know, gentlemen, that I was conveyed to her lodgings by one of Cupid's emissaries, called a chambermaid, in a chair, through fifty blind alleys, who, by the help of a key, let me into a garden.

Fel. 'Sdeath! a garden! this must be Violante's garden. [Aside.

Col. From thence conducted me into a spacious room, then dropt me a curtsey; told me her lady would wait on me presently; so, without unveiling, modestly withdrew. Fel. Damn her modesty! this was Flora.

[Aside.

Fred. Well, how then, colonel? Col. Then, sir, immediately from another door issued forth a lady, armed at both eyes, from whence such showers of darts fell around me, that had I not been covered with the shield of another beauty, I had infallibly fallen a martyr to her charms; for, you must know, I just saw her eyes-Eyes! did I say? no, no, hold; I saw but one eye, though I suppose it had a fellow equally as killing.

Fel. But how came you to see her bed, sir?'Sdeath! this expectation gives a thousand racks. [Aside.

Col. Why, upon her maid's giving notice her father was coming, she thrust me into the bedchamber.

Fel. Upon her father's coming!

Col. Aye, so she said; but putting my ear to the key-hole of the door, I found it was another lover.

Fel. Confound the jilt! 'twas she without dispute. [Aside.

Fred. Ah, poor colonel! Ha, ha, ha! Col. I discovered they had had a quarrel, but whether they were reconciled or not I can't tell; for the second alarm brought her father in good earnest, and had like to have made the gentleman and I acquainted, but she found some other stratagem to convey him out.

Fel. Contagion seize her, and make her body ugly as her soul! There is nothing left to doubt of now-'Tis plain 'twas she. Sure he knows me, and takes this method to insult me. 'Sdeath! I cannot bear it. [Aside.

Fred. So, when she had dispatched her old lover, she paid you a visit in her bed-chamberha! colonel?

Col. No, pox take the impertinent puppy! he spotted my diversion; I saw her no more. Fel. Very fine! Give me patience, Heaven, or I shall burst with rage! [Aside.

Fred. That was hard.

Col. Nay, what was worse-But, sir, dear sir,” do hearken to this: [To FELIX.] The nymph that introduced me, conveyed me out again over the top of a high wall, where I ran the danger of having my neck broke, for the father, it seems, had locked the door by which I entered.

Fel. That way I missed him. Damn her invention!-[Aside.]-Pray, colonel-Ha, ha, ha! 'tis very pleasant, ha, ha, ha! Was this the same lady you met upon the Terriero de Passa this morning?

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Col. What the devil have I been doing? now, blisters on my tongue by dozens! Aside. Fred. Prithee, Felix, don't quarrel till you know for what: this is all a mistake, I'm positive.

Col. Faith, I cannot tell, sir; I had a design to know who that lady was; but my dog of a Col. Look ye, sir; that I dare draw my sword, footman, whom I had ordered to watch her I think, will admit of no dispute. But, though home, fell fast asleep. I gave him a good beat-fighting's my trade, I'm not in love with it, and ing for his neglect, and I have never seen the rasthink it more honourable to decline this business, cai since. than pursue it. This may be a mistake: however, I'll give you my honour never to have any affair, directly or indirectly, with Violante, provided she is your Violante; but, if there should happen to be another of her name, I hope you would not engross all the Violante's in the kingdoin?

Fred. Here he comes.

Enter GIBBY.

Col. Where have you been, sirrah?

Gib. Troth, Ise been seeking ye, an like yer honour, these twa hoors and mair. I bring ye glad teedings, sir.

Col. What! Have you found the lady?

Gib. Geud faith ha 1, sir-and she is called Donna Violante, and her parent Don Pedro de Mendosa; and, gin ye will gang wi' me, an like yer honour, Ise mak ye ken the hoose right weel. Fel. Oh, torture! torture! [Aside. Col. Ha! Violante! that's the lady's name of the house where my incognita is: sure, it could not be her; at least, it was not the same house, I'm confident.

Aside.

Fred. Violante! 'tis false; I would not have you credit him, colonel.

Fel. Your vanity has given me sufficient reasons to believe I'm not mistaken. I'll not be imposed upon, sir.

Col. Nor I be bullied, sir.

Fel. Bullied! 'Sdeath! such another word, and I'll nail thee to the wall. Col. Are you sure of that, Spaniard? [Draws. Gib. [Draws.]—Say na mair, mon. saul, here's twa to twa. Dinna fear, sir; Gibby stonds by ye, for the honour of Scotland.

O' my

Vapours about.

Fred. By St Anthony, you shan't fight—| Interposes.]-on bare suspicion: be certain of the in

Fel. That I will, this moment; and then, sirI hope you are to be found

Gib. The deel burst my bladder, sir, gin I lee.jury, and thenFel. Sirrah, I say you do lie, and I'll make you eat it, you dog;-[Kicks him.]—and, if your master will justify you

Col. Whenever you please, sir.

Col. Not I, faith, sir- -I answer for nobody's lies but my own: if you please, kick him again, Gib But gin he does, Ise na tak it, sir, gin heyet, that shamed to shew his face. was a thousand Spaniards.

[Exit FELIX. Gib. 'Sbleed, sir! there ne'er was a Scotsman

[Walks about in a passion. Col. I owed you a beating, sirrah, and I'm obliged to this gentleman for taking the trouble off my hands; therefore, say no more: d'ye hear, sir? [Aside to GIBBY.

Gib. Troth de I, sir, and feel tee. Fred. This must be a mistake, colonel; for I know Violante perfectly well, and I am certain she would not meet you upon the Terriero de

Passa.

[Strutting about. Fred. So, quarrels spring up like mushrooms, in a minute. Violante and he were but just reconciled, and you have furnished him with fresh matter for falling out again; and I am certain, colonel, Gibby is in the wrong.

Gib. Gin I be, sir, the mon that told me, leed; and, gin he did, the deel be my landlord, hell my winter-quarters, and a rape my winding-sheet, gin I dee not lick him as lang as I can hand a stick in my hond, now sce ye.

Col. Don't be too positive, Frederick : now I Col. I am sorry for what I have said, for the have some reasons to believe it was that very lady's sake: but who could divine that she was his mistress? Prithee, who is this warm spark?

Jady.

Fred. He is the son of one of our grandees, named Don Lopez de Pimentell, a very honest gentleman, but something passionate in what relates to his love. He is an only son, which may, perhaps, be one reason for indulging his passion. Col. When parents have but one child, they

either make a madman or a fool of him.

Fred. He is not the only child; he has a sister; but I think, through the severity of his father, who would have married her against her inclination, she has made her escape, and, notwithstanding he has offered five hundred pounds, he can get no tidings of her.

Col. Ha! How long has she been missing? Fred. Nay, but since last night, it seems. Col. Last night! The very time! How went she?

Fred. Nobody can tell; they conjecture through the window.

Col. I'm transported! This must be the lady I caught. What sort of a woman is she?

Fred. Middle-sized, a lovely brown, a fine pouting lip, eyes that roll and languish, and seem to speak the exquisite pleasure her arms could give.

Col. Oh! I am 'tis the very she. Fred. Isabella.

nel.

fired with this descriptionWhat's her name?

-You are transported, colo

Col. I have a natural tendency in me to the flesh, thou knowest, and who can hear of charms so exquisite, and yet remain unmoved?-Oh, how I long for the appointed hour! I'll to the Terriero de Passa, and wait my happiness: if she fails to meet me, I'll once more attempt to find her at Violante's, in spite of her brother's jealousy.-[Aside.]-Dear Frederick! I beg your pardon; but I had forgot I was to meet a gentleman upon business, at five: I'll endeavour to dispatch him, and wait on you again as soon as possible.

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Enter FELIX, in a surly humour. Felix, what brings you home so soon? Did I not say to-morrow?

Fel. My passion chokes me; I cannot speak. -Oh, I shall burst!

[Aside. Throws himself into a chair. Vio. Bless me! Are you not well, my Felix? Fel. Yes-no-I don't know what I am. Vio. Hey-day! What's the matter, now? Another jealous whim!

Fel. With what an air she carries it! I sweat at her impudence. [Aside.

Vio. If I were in your place, Felix, I'd choose to stay at home when these fits of spleen are upon me, and not trouble such persons as are not obliged to bear with them.

[Here he affects to be careless of her. Fel. I am very sensible, madam, of what you mean: I disturb you, no doubt; but, were I in a better humour, I should not incommode you less: I am too well convinced you could easily dispense with my visit.

Vio. When you behave yourself as you ought to do, no company so welcome-but when you reserve me for your ill-nature, I wave your merit, and consider what's due to myself.—And Í must be free to tell you, Felix, that these humours of yours will abate, if not absolutely destroy, the very principles of love.

Fel. [Rising.] And I must be so free to tell you, madam, that since you have made such ill returns to the respect that I have paid you, all you do shall be indifferent to me for the future; and you shall find me abandon your empire with so little difficulty, that I'll convince the world your chains are not so hard to break as your vanity would tempt you to believe. I cannot brook the provocation you give.

Fred. Your humble servant, colonel. [Exit FREDERICK. Col. Gibby, I have no business with you at present. [Exit COLONEL. Gib. That's weel. Now will I gang and seek this loon, and gar him gang with me to Don Pe- Vio. This is not to be borne- -insolent! you dro's house. Gin he'll no gang of himself, Ise abandon! you! whom I have so often forbad gar him gang by the lug, sir. Godswarbit! Gib-ever to see me more! Have you not fallen at by hate's a leer.

[Exit.

SCENE II.-Changes to VIOLANTE's lodgings.

Enter VIOLANTE and ISABElla.

Isa. The hour draws on, Violante, and now my heart begins to fail me; but I resolve to venture for all that.

Vio. What, does your courage sink, Isabella? Isa. Only the force of resolution a little retreated; but I'll rally it again, for all that.

my feet? implored my favour and forgiveness? did you not trembling wait, and wish, and sigh, and swear yourself into my heart? Ungrateful man! if my chains are so easily broke as you pretend, then you are the silliest coxcomb living, you did not break them long ago; and I must think him capable of brooking any thing, on whom such usage could make no impression.

Isa. [Peeping.] A deuce take your quarrels! she'll never think on me.

Fel. I always believed, madam, my weakness was the greatest addition to your power; you would be less imperious had my inclination been

-and the

less forward to oblige you. You have indeed forbad me your sight, but your vanity, even then, assured you I would return, and I was fool enough to feed your pride.-Your eyes, with all their boasted charms, have acquired their greatest glory in conquering mebrightest passage of your life is wounding this heart with such arms as pierce but few persons of my rank. [Walks about in a great pet. Vio. Matchless arrogance! True, sir, I should have kept measures better with you, if the conquest had been worth preserving; but we easily hazard what gives us no pain to lose.- -As for my eyes, you are mistaken if you think they have vanquished none but you: there are men, above your boasted rank, who have confessed their power, when their misfortune in pleasing you made them obtain such a disgraceful victory.

Fel. Yes, madam, I am no stranger to your victories.

Vio. And what you call the brightest passage of my life, is not the least glorious part of yours. Fel. Ha, ha! don't put yourself in a passion, madam; for, I assure you, after this day, I shall give you no trouble.——You may meet your sparks on the Terriero de Passa at four in the morning, without the least regard to me--for, when I quit your chamber, the world shan't bring me back.

Vio. I am so well pleased with your resolution, I don't care how soon you take your leave. -But what you mean by the Terriero de Passa at four in the morning, I can't guess.

Fel. No, no, no! not you.

-You was not upon the Terriero de Passa at four this morning!

Vio. No, I was not; but if I were, I hope I may walk where I please, and at what hour I please, without asking your leave.

Fel. Oh, doubtless, madam! and you might meet colonel Briton there, and afterwards send your emissary to fetch him to your house-and, upon your father's coming in, thrust him into your bed-chamber-without asking my leave. Tis no business of mine, if you are exposed among all the footmen in town-uay, if they ballad you, and cry you about at a halfpenny a piece-they may, without my leave.

Vio. Audacious! don't provoke me-don't: my reputation is not to be sported with [Going up to him.] at this rate -no, sir, it is not. [Bursts into tears.] Inhuman Felix!- -Oh, Isabella! what a train of ills hast thou brought on me! [Aside.

Fel. Ha! I cannot bear to see her weep-a woman's tears are far more fatal than our swords. [Aside.] Oh, Violante-'Sdeath! what a dog am I! Now have I no power to stir.Dost not thou know such a person as colonel Briton? Prithee tell me, didst not thou meet him at four this morning upon the Terriero de Passa?

Vio. Were it not to clear my fame, I would not answer thee, thou black ingrate!—but I cannot bear to be reproached with what I even blush to think of---much less to act. By Heaven, I have not seen the Terriero de Passa this day. Fel. Did not a Scotch footman attack you in the street neither, Violante?

Vio. Yes; but he mistook me for another-or he was drunk, I know not which.

Fel. And do not you know this Scotch colonel?

Vio. Pray, ask me no more questions: this night shall clear my reputation, and leave you without excuse for your base suspicions. More than this I shall not satisfy you; therefore, pray leave me.

Fel. Didst thou ever love me, Violante?

Vio. I'll answer nothing-You was in haste to be gone just now; I should be very well pleased to be alone, sir. [She sits down, and turns aside. Fel. I shall not long interrupt your contemplation.- -Stubborn to the last! [Aside. Vio. Did ever woman involve herself as I have done!

Fel. Now would I give one of my eyes to be friends with her, for something whispers to my soul, she is not guilty.[He pauses, then pulls a chair, and sits by her at a little distance, looking at her some time without speaking, then draws a little nearer to her.] Give me your hand at parting however, Violante, won't you[He lays his hand upon her knee several times.] won't you- won't you won't you!

Vio. [Half regarding him.] Won't I do what? Fel. You know what I would have, Violante. Oh, my heart!

Vio. [Smiling.] I thought my chains were easily broke. [Lays her hand into his. Fel. [Draws his chair close to her, and kisses her hand in a rapture.] Too well thou knowest thy strength.- Oh, my charming angel! my heart is all thy own. Forgive my hasty passion 'tis the transport of a love sincere, Oh, Violante, Violante!

DON PEDRO, within.

Ped. Bid Sancho get a new wheel to my chariot presently.

Vio. Bless me, my father returned! What shall we do now, Felix? we are ruined past redemption.

Fel. No, no, no, my love; I can leap from the closet window.

[Runs to the door where ISABELLA is, who claps to the door, and bolts it withinside. Isa. [Peeping.] Say you so? But I shall prevent you.

Fel. Confusion! Somebody bolts the door withinside. I'll see who you have concealed here, if I die for it. Oh, Violante! hast thou again sacrificed me to my rival?

[Draws

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