terfeits the character. This insinuation the reader, if he pleases, may trust-but the man who would venture to marry a good impostor of this kind, could not excite much pity, if his helpmate was often induced to act the part which she had heretofore, with so much spirit, assumed.

The impropriety of making fraud and imposition necessary evils, to counteract tyranny and injustice, is the fault of all Spanish dramas-and perhaps the only one which attaches to the present comedy.

A.

BOLD STROKE FOR A HUSBAND.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

A Street in Madrid.

Enter SANCHA from a House; she advances, then runs back, and beckons to PEDRO within.

San. Hist! Pedro! Pedro !

Enter PEDRO.

There he is: dost see him? just turning by St. Antony in the corner. Now, do you tell him that your mistress is not at home; and if his jealous donship should insist on searching the house, as he did yesterday, say that somebody is ill-the black has got a fever, or that

Ped. Pho, pho, get you in. Don't I know that the duty of a lacquey in Madrid is to lie with a good grace? I have been studying it now for a whole week, and I'll defy don or devil to surprise me into a truth. Get you in, I say-here he comes. [Exit SANCHA.

Enter CARLOS.

[PEDRO struts up to him.] Donna Laura is not at home, sir.

Car. Not at home !—come, sir, what have ceived for telling that lie?

Ped. Lie!-Lie!-Signior!

you re

Car. It must be a lie, by your promptness in delivering it. What a fool does your mistress trust!A clever rascal would have waited my approach, and, delivering the message with easy coolness, deceived me-thou hast been on the watch, and runnest towards me with a face of stupid importance, bawling, that she may hear through the lattice how well thou obeyest her," Donna Laura is not at home, sir."

Ped. Hear through the lattice-hah! by'r lady, she must have long ears, to reach from the grotto in the garden to the street.

Car. Hah! [Seizes him.] Now, sir, your ears shall be longer, if you do not tell me who is with her in the grotto.

Ped. In the grotto, sir!-did I say any thing about the grotto? I-I only meant that

her?

Car. Fool!-dost thou trifle with me? who is with [Pinching his Ear. Ped. Oh!-why, nobody, sir-only the pretty young gentleman's valet, waiting for an answer to a letter he brought. There! I have saved my ears at the expense of my place. I have worn this fine coat but a week, and I shall be sent back to Segovia for not being able to lie, though I have been learning the art six days and nights.

Car. Well-come this way if thou wilt promise to be faithful to me, I will not betray thee: nor at present enter the house.

Ped. Oh, sir, blessings on you!

Car. How often does the pretty young gentleman visit her?

Ped. Every day, sir-If he misses, madam's stark wild.

Car. Where does he live?

Ped. Truly, I know not, sir.

Car. How!

[Menacing.

Ped. By the honesty of my mother, I cannot tell, sir. She calls him Florio ;-that's his christian name -his heathen name I never heard.

Car. You must acquaint me when they are next together.

Ped. Lord, sir, if there should be any blood spilt ! Car. Promise, or I'll lead thee by the ears to the grotto.

Ped. I promise, I promise.

Car. There, take that, [Gives Money.] and if thou art faithful, I'll treble it. Now go in, and be a good lad-and, d'ye hear?-you may tell lies to every body else, but remember you must always speak truth to

me.

Ped. I will, sir,—I will.

[Exit, looking at the Money. Car. 'Tis well my passion is extinguished, for I can now act with coolness; I'll wait patiently for the hour of their security, and take them in the softest moments of their love. But if ever I trust to woman more-may every-

Enter Two WOMEN, veiled, followed by JULIO.

Julio. Fie, ladies! keep your curtains drawn so late! The sun is up-'tis time to look abroad-[Tries to remove the Veils. Nay, if you are determined on night and silence, I take my leave. A woman without prattle, is like burgundy without spirit.-Bright eyes, to touch me, must belong to sweet tongues.

Car. Sure 'tis Julio. Hey!

[Going.