Diego. Ursula! Enter URSULA. Urs. Here, an't please your worship. Urs. In her chamber, sir. Diego. There is the key of it; there the key of the best hall; there the key of the door upon the first flight of stairs; there the key of the door upon the second; this double locks the hatch below; and this the door that opens into the entry. Urs. I am acquainted with every ward of them. Diego. You know, Ursula, when I took Leonora from her father and mother, she was to live in the house with me three months; at the expiration of which time, I entered into a bond of four thousand pistoles, either to return her to them spotless, with half that sum for a dowry, or make her my true and lawful wife. Urs. And, I warrant you, they came secretly to inquire of me whether they might venture to trust your worship. "Lord!" said I," I have lived with the gentleman nine years and three-quarters, come Lammas, and never saw any thing uncivil by him in my life;" nor no more I ever did; and to let your worship know if I had, you would have mistaken your person; for I bless heaven, though I'm poor, I'm honest, and would not live with any man alive that should want to handle me unlawfully. Diego. Ursula, I do believe it: and you are particularly happy, that both your age and your person exempt you from any such temptation. But be this as it will, Leonora's parents, after some little difficulty, consented to comply with my proposal; and, being fully satisfied with their daughter's temper and conduct, which I wanted to be acquainted with, this day being the expiration of the term, I am resolved to fulfil my bond, by marrying her to-morrow. Urs. Heaven bless you together. Diego. During the time she has lived with me, she has never been a moment out of my sight: and now tell me, Ursula, what you have observed in her? Urs. All meekness and gentleness, your worship: and yet, I warrant you, shrewd and sensible; 'egad, when she pleases, she can be as sharp as a needle. Diego. You have not been able to discover any particular attachments? Urs. Why, sir, of late I have observed- Urs. That she has taken greatly to the young kitten. Urs. Ay, by my faith, I don't think she's fond of any thing else. Diego. Of me, Ursula? Urs. Ay, ay, of the kitten, and your worship, and her birds, and going to mass. I have taken notice of late, that she is mighty fond of going to mass, as your worship lets her early of a morning. Diego. Well! I am now going to her parents, to let them know my resolution; I will not take her with me, because having been used to confinement, and it being the life I am determined she shall lead, it will be only giving her a bad habit. I shall return with the good folks to-morrow morning; in the mean time, Ursula, I confide in your attention; and take care, as you would merit my favour. » Urs. I will, indeed, your worship; nay, if there is a widow gentlewoman in all Salamanca fitter to look after a young maiden— Diego. Go, and send Leonora to me. AIR URSULA. I know the world, sir, though I say't: I'm cautious and wise, Diego. I dreamt last night that I was going to church with Leonora to be married, and that we were met on the road by a drove of oxen- -Oxen-I don't like oxen! I wish it had been a flock of sheep.- [Retires. Enter LEONORA, with a Bird on her Finger, which she holds in the other Hand by a String. AIR. LEONORA. Say, little, foolish, fluttering thing, Stay here, and sing, Your mistress to delight. No, no 20, Sweet Robin, you shall not go: Where, you wanton, could you be, Half so happy as with me? Diego. [Coming forward] Leonora. Leon. [Putting the Bird into the Cage] Here I am. Diego. Look me in the face, and listen to me attentively. Leon. There. Diego. I am going this evening to your father and mother, and I suppose you are not ignorant of the cause of my journey. Are you willing to be my wife? Leon. I am willing to do whatever you and my father and mother please. Diego. But that's not the thing; do you like me? Leon. Y-es. Diego. What do you sigh for? Leon. I don't know. Diego. When you came hither, you were taken from a mean, little house, ill situated, and worse furnished ; you had no servants, and were obliged, with your mother, to do the work yourself. Leon. Yes; but when we had done, I could look out at the window, or go a walking in the fields. Diego. Perhaps you dislike confinement? Leon. No, I don't, I am sure. Diego. I say then, I took you from that mean habitation and hard labour, to a noble building and this fine garden; where, so far from being a slave, you are absolute mistress; and instead of wearing a mean stuff gown, look at yourself I beseech you, the dress you have on is fit for a princess. Leon. It's very fine indeed. Diego. Well, Leonora, you know in what manner you have been treated since you have been my companion; ask yourself again now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the specimen you have had? Leon. Specimen! Diego. Ay, according to the manner I have treated -according you Leon. I'll do whatever you please. Diego. Then, my dear, give me a kiss. Leon. Good bye to you. Diego. Here, Ursula. By some I am told AIR. That I'm wrinkled and old, But I will not believe what they say: I feel my blood mounting, Like streams in a fountain, That merrily sparkle and play. For love I have will And ability still; Odsbobs, I can scarcely refrain! Well, be a good girl, Until I come to you again. [Exit. Leon. Heigho! He's very good to me, to be sure, and it's my duty to love him, because we ought not to be ungrateful; but I wish I was not to marry him for all that, though I'm afraid to tell him so. Fine feathers, they say, make fine birds; but I'm sure they don't make happy ones; a sparrow is happier in the fields than a goldfinch in a cage. There is something makes me mighty uneasy. While he was talking to me, I thought I never saw any thing so ugly in my life-O dear now, why did I forget to ask leave to go to mass to-morrow? I suppose, because he's abroad, Ursula won't take me-I wish I had asked leave to go to mass. AIR. Was I a shepherd's maid, to keep My guardian strive my will to hold: SCENE 11. A Street in SALAMANCA. [Exit. Enter LEANDER and two Scholars, in their University Gowns. Leand. His name is don Diego; there's his house, like another monastery, or rather prison; his servants are an ancient dueuna, and a negro slave 1 Schol. And after having lived fifty years a bachelor, |