politer taste never rashly censure.-Come, this | my reputation, I have not seen Donna Isabella is some groundless jealousy.-Love raises many since the absence of Don Felix. fears. Fel. No, no; my ears conveyed the truth into my heart, and reason justifies my anger. Oh, my friend! Violante's false, and I have nothing left but thee in Lisbon which can make me wish ever to see it more, except revenge upon my rival, of whom I'm ignorant. Oh, that some miracle would reveal him to me, that I might, through his heart, punish her infidelity! Enter LISSARDO. Lop. Then pray, sir-if I am not too inquisitive, what motive had you for those objections you made against her marriage with don Guzman yesterday? Fred. The disagreeableness of such a match, I feared, would give your daughter cause to curse her duty, if she complied with your demands; that was all, my lord. Lop. And so you helped her through the window, to make her disobey? Fel. Ha, my sister gone! Oh, scandal to our Lis. Oh, sir! here's your father, Don Lopez, blood! coming up. Fel. Does he know that I am here? Fred. This is insulting me, my lord, when I assure I have neither seen nor know any you Lis. I can't tell, sir: he ask'd for Don Frede- thing of your daughter.If she is gone, the rick. contrivance was her own, and you may thank Fred. Did he see you? your rigour for it. Lis. I believe not, sir; for as soon as I saw him I ran back to give my master notice. Fel. Keep out of his sight then-and dear Frederick, permit me to retire into the next room; for I know the old gentleman will be very much displeased at my return without his leave. [Exit FELIX. Fred. Quick, quick; begone, he is here. Enter Don LOPEZ, speaking as he enters. Lop. Mr Alguazil, wait you without, till I call for you. Frederick, an affair brings me herewhich-requires privacy-so that, if you have any body within ear-shot, pray order them to retire. Fred. We are private, my lord; speak freely. Lop. Why then, sir, I must tell you, that you had better have pitched upon any man in Portugal to have injured than myself. Fel. [Peeping.] What means my father? Fred. I understand you not, my lord.. Lop. Though I am old, I have a son- -Alas! why name I him? He knows not the dishonour of my house. Fel. I am confounded! The dishonour of his house! Fred. Explain yourself, my lord: I am not conscious of any dishonourable action to any man, much less to your lordship. Lop. 'Tis false; you have debauched my daughter. Fel. Debauched my sister! impossible! he could not, durst not, be that villain. Fred. My lord, I scorn so foul a charge. Lop. You have debauched her duty at least; therefore, instantly restore her to me, or, by St Anthony, I'll make you. Fred. Restore her, my lord! where shall I find her? Lop. I have those that will swear she is here in your house. Fel. Ha! in this house? Lop. Very well, sir; however, my rigour shall make bold to search your house. Here, call in the Alguazil Flo. [Peeping.] The Alguazil! What, in the name of wonder, will become of me? Fred. The Alguazil! My lord, you'll repent this. Enter ALGUAZIL, and Attendants. Lop. No, sir; 'tis you that will.repent it. I charge you in the king's name to assist me in finding my daughter.. Be sure you leave no part of the house unsearched. Come, follow me." [Gets towards the door where FELIX is: FREDERICK draws, and plants himself before the door. Fred. Sir, I must first know by what authority you pretend to search my house before you enter here. Alg. How, sir! dare you presume to draw your sword upon the representative of majesty? I am, sir, I am his majesty's alguazil, and the very quintessence of authority-therefore, put up your sword, or I shall order you to be knocked down-for know, sir, the breath of an alguazil is as dangerous as the breath of a demiculverin. Lop. She is certainly in that room, by his guarding the door. If he disputes your authority, knock him down, I say. Fred. I shall shew you some sport first. The woman you look for is not here; but there is something in this room which I'll preserve from your sight at the hazard of my life. Lop. Enter, I say; nothing but my daughter can be there. Force his sword from him. [FELIX comes out, and joins FREDERICK. Fel. Villains, stand off! assassinate a man in his own house! Lop. Oh, oh, misericordia! what do I see? my son! Alg. Ha, his son! Here's five hundred pounds Fred. You are misinformed, my lord! Upon good, my brethren, if Antonio dies; and that's in the surgeon's power-and he's in love with my daughter, you know—so seize him-Don Felix, I command you to surrender yourself into the hands of justice, in order to raise me and my posterity; and, in consideration you lose your head to gain me five hundred pounds, I'll have your generosity recorded on your tombstone--at my own proper cost and charge-I hate to be ungrateful. Lop. Hold, hold! Oh that ever I was born! Fred. Did I not tell you, you would repent, my lord? What, hoa! within there. Enter Servants. Arm yourselves, and let not a man in nor out but Felix. Fel. Generous Frederick! Fred. Look ye, alguazil, when you would betray my friend for filthy lucre, I shall no more regard you as an officer of justice, but, as a thief and robber, thus resist you. Fel. Come on, sir; we'll shew you play for the five hundred pounds. watch my rival, and pursue my sister. Prithee, Frederick, inform thyself of the truth of this report. Fred. I will, this minute. Do you hear? let nobody in to Don Felix till my return. [Exit FRED. Vas. I'll observe, sir. [Exit VAS Flo. [Peeping.] They have almost frighted me out of my wits, I'm sure. Now Felix is alone, I have a good mind to pretend I came with a message from my lady; but how then shall I say I came into the cupboard? Enter VASQUEZ, seeming to oppose the entrance of somebody. Vas. I tell you, madam, Don Felix is not here. Vio. [Within.] I tell you, sir, he is here, and I will see him. Fel. What noise is that? Vio. [Breaking in.] You are as difficult of access, sir, as a first minister of state. Flo. My stars, my lady here ! [Shuts the press close. Fel. If your visit was designed for Frederick, madam, he is abroad. Vio. No, sir, the visit is to you. Alg. Fall on; seize the money, right or wrong, ye rogues. [They fight. Lop. Hold, hold, alguazil! I'll give you the five hundred pounds, that is, my bond to pay upon Antonio's death, and twenty pistoles, how-nies, madam. ever things go, for you and these honest fellows to drink my health. Alg. Say you so, my lord? Why look ye, my lord; I bear the young gentleman no ill will, my lord. If I get but the five hundred pounds, my lord why look ye, my lord; 'tis the same thing to me, whether your son be hanged or not, my lord. Fel. Scoundrels! Lop. Aye, well, thou art a good-natured fellow, that's the truth on't. Come, then, we'll to the tavern, and sign and seal this minute. Oh, Felix! why wouldst thou serve me thus? But I cannot upbraid thee now, nor have I time to talk. Be careful of thyself, or thou wilt break my heart. [Exeunt LOPEZ, alguazil, and attendants. Fel. Now, Frederick, though I ought to thank you for your care of me, yet till I am satisfied as to my father's accusation, for I overheard it all, I can't return the acknowledgments I owe you. Know you aught relating to my sister? Fred I hope my faith and truth are known to you-and here, by both I swear, I am ignorant of every thing relating to your father's charge. Fel. Enough, I do believe thee. Oh Fortune! where will thy malice end? Enter VASQUEZ. Vas. Sir, I bring you joyful news. Vas. I am told that Don Antonio is out of danger, and now in the palace. Fel. I wish it be true; then I'm at liberty to Fel. You are very punctual in your ceremo Vio. Though I did not come to return your visit, but to take that which your civility ought to have brought me. Fel. If my eyes, my ears, and my understanding lied, then I am in your debt; else not, madam. Vio. I will not charge them with a term so gross, to say they lied; but call it a mistake; nay, call it any thing to excuse my FelixCould I, think ye, could I put off my pride so far, poorly to dissemble a passion which I did not feel, or seek a reconciliation with what I did not love? Do but consider, if I had entertained another, should I not rather embrace this quarrel, pleased with the occasion that rid me of your visits, and gave me freedom to enjoy the choice which you think I have made? Have I any interest in thee but my love? or am I bound by aught but inclination to submit and follow thee?-No law, whilst single, binds us to obeybut your sex are, by nature and education, obliged to pay a deference to all womankind. Fel. These are fruitless arguments. 'Tis most certain thou wert dearer to these eyes than all that Heaven e'er gave to charm the sense of man; but I would rather tear them out than suffer them to delude my reason and enslave my peace. Vio. Can you love without esteem? and where is the esteem for her you still suspect? Oh, Felix, there is a delicacy in love, which equals even a religious faith! True love never doubts the object it adores, and sceptics there will disbelieve their sight. Fel. Your notions are too refined for mine, I not leave me! No, she is not false at least madam. Enter VASQUEZ. How now, sirrah, what do you want ? my love now represents her true, because I fear to lose her. Ha! villain, art thou here?-[Turns upon LISSARDO.]-Tell me, this moment, who this woman was, and for what intent she was here Vas. Only my master's cloak out of this press, concealed-orsir; that's all. Fel. Make haste, then. Vas. [Opens the press, sees FLORA, and roars out.] Oh, the devil, the devil! lix. Flo. Discovered! nay, then, legs befriend me. [Exit. [Runs out. Lis. Aye, good sir! you the whole truth. Fel. Out with it, then forgive me, and I'll tell [Falls on his knees. Lis. It, it, it was Mrs Flora, sir, Donna Violante's woman. You must know, sir, we have had a sneaking kindness for one another a great Vio. Ha! a woman concealed! very well, Fe-while-She was not willing you should know it; Fel. A woman in the press! Enter LISSARDO, How the devil came a woman there, sirrah? Vio. Now, Lissardo, shew your wit to bring your master off. Lis. Off, madam- -Nay, nay, nay-there, there needs no great wit to, to, to bring them off, madam; for she did, and she did not come, as, as, as, a, a, a, man may say directly to, to, to, to, to speak with my master, madam. Vio. I see by your stammering, Lissardo, that your invention is at a very low ebb. Fel. 'Sdeath! rascal, speak without hesitation, and the truth, too, or I shall stick my spado in your guts. Vio. No, no; your master mistakes; he would not have you speak the truth. Fel. Madam, my sincerity wants no excuse. Lis. I am so confounded between one and the other, that I cannot think of a lie. [Aside. Fel. Sirrah, fetch me this woman back instantly-I'll know what business she has here. Vio. Not a step; your master shall not be put to the blush. Come, a truce, Felix. Do you ask me no more questions about the window, and I'll forgive this. Fel. I scorn forgiveness, where I own no crime; but your soul, conscious of its guilt, would fain lay hold of this occasion, to blend your treason with my innocence. Vio. Insolent! Nay, if, instead of owning your fault, you endeavour to insult my patience, I must tell you, sir, you don't behave yourself like that man of honour you would be taken for; you ground your quarrel with me upon your own inconstancy; 'tis plain you are false yourself, and would make me the aggressor. It was not for nothing the fellow opposed my entrance. This last usage has given me back my liberty; and now my father's will shall be obeyed, without the least reluctance; and so your servant. [Erit VIOLANTE. Fel. Oh, stubborn, stubborn heart! what wilt thou do? Her father's will shall be obeyed! Ha! that carries her to a cloister, and cuts off all my hopes at once. By Heaven, she shall not, must SCENE IV.-The Terriero de Passa. Enter COLONEL, and ISABELLA veiled. GIBBY at a distance. Col. Then you say it is impossible for me to wait on you home, madam? Isa. I say it is inconsistent with my circumstances, colonel--and, that way, impossible for me to admit of it. Col. Consent to go with me, then. I lodge at one Don Frederick's, a merchant, just by here.-He is a very honest fellow, and I dare confide in his secrecy. Isa. Ha! does he lodge there? Pray Heaven I am not discovered! [Aside. Col. What say you, my charmer? Shall we breakfast together? I have some of the best tea in the universe. Isa. Puh! tea! is that the best treat you can give a lady at your lodgings, colonel? Col. Well hinted—No, no, no; I have other things at thy service, child. Isa. What are those things, pray? Col. My heart, soul, and body, into the bary gain. upon it? can Isa. Has the last no incumbrance you make a clear title, coloncl? Col. All freehold, child, and I'll afford thee a very good bargain. [Embraces her. Gib. O'my saul, they mak muckle words about 1 it. Ise sare weary with standing-Ise e'en tak a sleep. [Lies down. Isa. If I take a lease, it must be for life, colonel. Col. Thou shalt have me as long, or as little time, as thou wilt, my dear. Come, let's to my lodgings, and we'll sign and seal this minute. Isa. Oh, not so fast, colonel-There are many things to be adjusted before the lawyer and the parson come. Col. The lawyer and parson! No, no, you little rogue; we can finish our affairs without the help of the law-or the gospel. Isa. Indeed but we cannot, colonel. Col. Indeed! Why, hast thou then trepanned me out of my warm bed this morning, for nothing? Why, this is shewing a man half famished, a well-furnished larder, then clapping a padlock on the door, till you starve him quite. Isa. If you can find in your heart to say grace, colonel, you shall keep the key. Col. I love to see my meat before I give thanks, madam; therefore, uncover thy face, child, and I'll tell thee more of my mind- -If I like youIsa. I dare not risk my reputation upon your ifs, colonel; and so adieu! [Going. Col. Nay, nay, nay; we must not part. Isa. As you ever hope to see me more, suspend your curiosity now; one step farther loses me for ever. Shew yourself a man of honour, and you shall find me a woman of honour. [Exit ISABELLA. Col. Well, for once I'll trust to a blind bargain, madam-[Kisses her hand, and parts.]— But I shall be too cunning for your ladyship, if Gibby observes my orders. Methinks, these intrigues, which relate to the mind, are very insipid. The conversation of bodies is much more diverting. Ha! What do I see? My rascal asleep! Sirrah, did not I charge you to watch the lady? And is it thus ye observe my orders, ye dog? [Kicks him all this while, and he shrugs, and rubs his eyes, and yawns.] Gib. That's true, an like yer honour; but I thought, that when yence ye had her in yer ane hands, ye might a' ordered her yer sel weel eneugh without me, en ye ken, an like yer ho nour. Col. Sirrah, hold your impertinent tongue, and make haste after her. If you don't bring me some account of her, never dare to see my face again. [Erit. Gib. Aye, this is bony wark indeed! To run three hundred mile to this wicked town, and before I can weel fill my weam, to be sent a whorehunting after this black she devil. What gate sal I gang to speer for this wutch now? Ah, for a ruling elder-or the kirk's treasurer-or his mon-I'd gar my master mak twa o' this-But I am sure there's na sick honest people here, or there wud na be sa mickle sculdudrie. Enter an English soldier, passing along. Gib. Geud mon, did you see a woman, a lady, ony gate hereawa e'en now? Eng. Yes, a great many. What kind of a woman is it you inquire after? Gib. Geud troth, she's na kenspeckle; she's aw in a cloud Eng. What! 'Tis some Highland monster which you brought over with you, I suppose: I see no such, not I. Kenspeckle, quotha! Gib. Huly, huly, mon; the deel pike out yer een, and then ye'll see the better, ye Portigise tike. Eng. What says the fellow? [Turning to GIBBY. Gib. Say! I say I am a better fallow than e'er stude upon yer shanks-and gin I heer mair o' yer din, deel o' my saul, sir, but Ise crack yer [Lays hold of him, strikes up his heels, and gets astride over him.] Here VIOLANTE crosses the stage, GIBBY jumps up from the man, and brushes up to VIOLANTE. Gib. I vow, madam, but I am glad that ye and I are foregathered. Vio. What would the fellow have? Gib. Nothing: away, madam! wo worth yer heart, what a muckle deal o' mischief had you like to bring upon poor Gibby! Vio. The man's drunkGib. In troth, am I not- -And gin I had na found ye, madam, the laird knows when I should; for my maister bad me ne'er gang hame without tidings of ye, madam. Vio. Sirrah! get about your business, or I'll have your bones drubbed. Gib. Geud faith! my maister has e'en done that t' yer honds, madam. Vio. Who is your master, sir? Gib. Mony a ane speers the gate they ken right weel it is no sa lang sen ye parted wi' him. I wish he ken ye half as weel as ye ken him. Vio. Pugh the creature's mad, or mistakes me for somebody else; and I should be as mad as he to talk to him any longer. [VIOLANTE enters DON PEDRO's house. Enter LISSARDO at the upper end of the stage, Lis. So, she's gone home, I see. What did that Scots fellow want with her? I'll try to find it out; perhaps I may discover something that may make my master friends with me again. Gib. Are ye gone, madam? a deel scope in yer company, for I'm as wise as I was. But I'll Lis. Don Pedro de Mendosa. Lis. Yes, I did. Gib. And d' ye ken her tee? Gib. In troth, very weel, sir. Lis. You seem an honest fellow; prithee, let's drink to our better acquaintance. Gib. Wi' aw my heart, sir; gang your get to the next house, and Ise follow ye. Lis. Come along, then. [Exit. Gib. Don Pedro de Mendosa !-Donna Violante, his daughter!-that's as reight as my leg now- -Ise need na mare; I'll tak a drink, and then to my maister Ise bring him news will mak his heart full blee; Gin he rewards it not, deel pimp for me. [Exit. SCENE I-VIOLANTE's lodgings. ACT IV. Enter ISABELLA in a gay temper, and VIOLANTE out of humour. Isa. My dear! I have been seeking you this half hour, to tell you the most lucky adventure! Vio. And you have pitched upon the most unlucky hour for it, that you could possibly have found in the whole four-and-twenty. Isa. Hang unlucky hours! I won't think of them; I hope all my misfortunes are past. Vio. And mine all to come. Isa. I have seen the man I like. Vio. And I have seen the man that I could him? wish to hate. Isa. And you must assist me in discovering whether he can like me or not. Vio. You have assisted me in such a discovery already, I thank ye. Isa. What say you, my dear? Vio. I say I am very unlucky at discoveries, Vio. Most true. Isa. Some villain has traduced him to you. Vio. No, Isabella; I love too well to trust the eyes of others: I never credit the ill-judging world, or form suspicions upon vulgar censures; no, I had ocular proof of his ingratitude. Isa. Then I am most unhappy. My brother was the only pledge of faith betwixt us; if he has forfeited your favour, I have no title to your friendship. Vio. You wrong my friendship, Isabella; your own merit entitles you to every thing within my power. Isa. Generous maid! But may I not know what grounds you have to think my brother false? Isa. No, Violante, you must do that for me. Vio. I thank you for the favour you design me, but desire to be excused; I manage my own affairs too ill to be trusted with those of other people; besides, if my father should find a stranger here, it might make him hurry me into a monastery immediately. I can't, for my life, admire your conduct, to encourage a person altogether unknown to you.-Twas very imprudent to meet him this morning, but much more so to send for him hither, knowing what inconveniency you have already drawn upon me. Isa. I am not insensible how far my misfortunes have embarrassed you; and, if you please, sacrifice my quiet to your own. Vio. Unkindly urged! Have I not preferred your happiness to every thing that's dear to me? Isa. I know thou hast-then, do not deny me this last request, when a few hours, perhaps, may render my condition able to clear thy fame, and bring my brother to thy feet for pardon. Vio. I wish you don't repent of this intrigue. I suppose he knows you are the same woman that he brought in here last night? Isa. Not a syllable of that; I met him veiled, |