street: be within call, and leave the management to

me.

Oa. Be careful, dear Philip.

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

08. 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. Ph. Do so: we must not lose a moment.

Od. I won't stir from the door.

D. Ph. You'll soon hear of me: away. [Exit O&t. Trap. So, now I have divided the enemy, there can be no great danger if it should come to a battleBasta! here comes our party.

D. Ph. 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. Ph. 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.

your

"D. Ph. Sir, If I don't now convince you of "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 im"posed 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. Sol Trappanti has succeeded; he's come with out 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.

D. Man. Ay, where's your officer ?

Flo. I thought to have seen him march in state, with an Alguazil before him.

D. Ph. I was afraid, sir, upon second thoughts, your business would not stay for a warrant, though 'tis possible I may provide for you, for I think this gentleman's a magistrate in the mean time-0! here, I have prevailed with an Alguazil to wait upon

ye.

Enter Alguazil.

Alg. Did you send for me, sir?

D. Ph. 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 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 private. [They whisper.

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

"Flo. Our affairs, methinks, begin to look with a 66 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 dash'd, 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 surprise me indeed.

Flo. Ay, sir, if you have any witnesses, we desire you'd produce them.

D. Ph. 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. Ph. 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. Ph. 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. Ph. Speak boldly.

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

D. Man. Let it be the truth and I'll protect thee. 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. Ph. Secure me, rascal!

Trap. Sir, if I cann'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 'em, my dear friend, says he, you must do me a piece of service; upon which, sir, I bows me him to the ground, and desired him to open his case.

D. Ph. 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. Ph. Confusion!

Flo. Nay, pray, sir, let's hear the evidence.

Trap. Upon the close of the matter, sir, I found at last, by his eloquence, that the whole business depended upon my bearing a little false witness against my master.

Hyp. Oh, ho!

Trap. Upon this, sir, I began to demur: sir, says I, this business will never hold water; don't let me undertake it; I must beg your pardon; gave him the negative shrug, and was for sneaking off with the fees in my pocket.

D. Man. Very well!

D. Ph. Villain !

Flo. and Hyp. Ha, ha, ha!

Trap. Upon this, sir, he catches me fast hold by the collar, whips out his poker, claps it within half an inch of my guts; now, dog! says he, you shall do it, or within two hours stink upon the dunghill you came from.