Don. Louisa. He is a Jew. Don Jer. Another mistake: these six weeks. he has been a Christian Don Ferd. Ay, he left his old religion for an estate, and has not had time to get a new one. Don. Louisa. But stands like a dead wall between church and synagogue, or like the blank leaves between the Old and New Testament. Don Jer. Anything more? Don Ferd. But the most remarkable part of his character is his passion for deceit and tricks of cunning. Don. Louisa. Though at the same time the fool predominates so much over the knave, that I am told he is generally the dupe of his own art. Don Ferd. True; like an unskilful gunner, he usually misses his aim, and is hurt by the recoil of his own piece. Don Jer. Anything more? Don. Louisa. To sum up all, he has the worst fault husband can have-he's not my choice. Don Jer. But you are his; and choice on one side is sufficient-two lovers should never meet in marriage— be you sour as you please, he is sweet-tempered; and for your good fruit, there's nothing like ingrafting on a crab. Don. Louisa. I detest him as a lover, and shall ten times more as a husband. Don Jer. I don't know that-marriage generally makes a great change-but, to cut the matter short, will you have him or not? Don. Louisa. There is nothing else I could disobey you in. Don Jer. Do you value your father's peace ? Don. Louisa. So much, that I will not fasten on him the regret of making an only daughter wretched. Don Jer. Very well, ma'am, then mark me-never more will I see or converse with you till you return to your duty— no reply this and your chamber shall be your apartments ; I never will stir out without leaving you under lock and key, and when I'm at home no creature can approach you but through my library : we'll try who can be most obstinate. Out of my sight !-there remain till you know your duty. [Pushes her out Don Ferd. Surely, sir, my sister's inclinations should be consulted in a matter of this kind, and some regard paid to Don Antonio, being my particular friend. Don Jer. That, doubtless, is a very great recommendation -I certainly have not paid sufficient respect to it. Don Ferd. There is not a man living I would sooner choose for a brother-in-law. Don Jer. Very possible; and if you happen to have e'er a sister, who is not at the same time a daughter of mine, I'm sure I shall have no objection to the relationship; but at present, if you please we'll drop the subject. Don Ferd. Nay, sir, 'tis only my regard for my sister makes me speak. Don Jer. Then, pray, sir, in future, let your regard for your father make you hold your tongue. Don Ferd. I have done, sir. I shall only add a wish that you would reflect what at our age you would have felt, had you been crossed in your affection for the mother of her you are so severe to. Don Jer. Why, I must confess I had a great affection for your mother's ducats, but that was all, boy. I married her for her fortune, and she took me in obedience to her father, and a very happy couple we were. We never expected any love from one another, and so we were never disappointed. If we grumbled a little now and then, it was soon over, for we were never fond enough to quarrel; and when the good woman died, why, why, I had as lieve she had lived, and I wish every widower in Seville could say the same. I shall now go and get the key of this dressing-room-so, good son, if you have any lecture in support of disobedience to give your sister, it must be brief; so make the best of your time, d'ye hear? [Exit Don Ferd. I fear, indeed, my friend Antonio has little to hope for; however, Louisa has firmness, and my father's anger will probably only increase her affection.-In our intercourse with the world, it is natural for us to dislike those who are innocently the cause of our distress; but in the heart's attachment a woman never likes a man with ardour till she has suffered for his sake-[Noise.] so! What bustle is here? between my father and the Duenna too -I'll e'en get out of the way. [Exit Re-enter DON JEROME with a letter, pulling in DUENNA Don Jer. I'm astonished! I'm thunder-struck! here's treachery and conspiracy with a vengeance! You, Antonio's creature, and chief manager of this plot for my daughter's eloping !—you, that I placed here as a scarecrow? Duen. What? Don Jer. A scarecrow-to prove a decoy-duck! What have you to say for yourself? Duen. Well, sir, since you have forced that letter from me, and discovered my real sentiments, I scorn to renounce them. I am Antonio's friend, and it was my intention that your daughter should have served you as all such old tyrannical sots should be served—I delight in the tender passions, and would befriend all under their influence. Don Jer. The tender passions yes, they would become those impenetrable features! Why, thou deceitful hag ! I placed thee as a guard to the rich blossoms of my daughter's beauty. I thought that dragon's front of thine would cry aloof to the sons of gallantry: steel traps and spring guns seemed writ in every wrinkle of it.-But you shall quit my house this instant. The tender passions, indeed! go, thou wanton sibyl, thou amorous woman of Endor, go! Duen. You base, scurrilous, old-but I won't demean myself by naming what you are. Yes, savage, I'll leave your den; but I suppose you don't mean to detain my apparel-I may have my things, I presume? Don Jer. I took you, mistress, with your wardrobe onwhat have you pilfered, eh? Duen. Sir, I must take leave of my mistress; she has valuables of mine: besides, my cardinal and veil are in her room. Don Jer. Your veil, forsooth! what, do you dread being gazed at ? or are you afraid of your complexion? Well, go take your leave, and get your veil and cardinal! so you quit the house within these five minutes.-In-inquick-Exit DUENNA.] Here was a precious plot of mischief!—these are the comforts daughters bring us! AIR If a daughter you have, she's the plague of your life, Dying and pining, Oh, what a plague is an obstinate daughter! When scarce in their teens, they have wit to perplex us, While each still rejects the fair suitor you've brought her; Oh, what a plague is an obstinate daughter! Re-enter DONNA LOUISA, dressed as DUENNA, with cardinal and veil, seeming to cry This way, mistress, this way.-What, I warrant, a tender parting; so tears of turpentine down those deal cheeks. -Ay, you may well hide your head-yes, whine till your heart breaks; but I'll not hear one word of excuse-so you are right to be dumb. This way, this way. [Exeunt Re-enter DUENNA Duen. So, speed you well, sagacious Don Jerome! Oh, rare effects of passion and obstinacy! Now shall I try whether I can't play the fine lady as well as my mistress, and if I succeed, I may be a fine lady for the rest of my life-I'll lose no time to equip myself. [Exit SCENE IV.-The Court before DON JEROME'S House Enter DON JEROME and DONNA LOUISA Don Jer. Come, mistress, there is your way—the world lies before you, so troop, thou antiquated Eve, thou original sin! Hold, yonder is some fellow skulking; perhaps it is Antonio-go to him, d 'ye hear, and tell him to make you amends, and as he has got you turned away, tell him I say it is but just he should take you himself; go.-[Exit DONNA LOUISA.] So! I am rid of her, thank heaven! and now I shall be able to keep my oath, and confine my daughter with better security. [Exit SCENE V.-The Piazza Enter DONNA CLARA and MAID Maid. But where, madam, is it you intend to go? of my mother-in-law, and Ferdinand's insolent importunity. Maid. Indeed, ma'am, since we have profited by Don Ferdinand's key, in making our escape, I think we had best find him, if it were only to thank him. Don. Clara. No-he has offended me exceedingly. Enter DONNA LOUISA [Retires Don. Louisa. So I have succeeded in being turned out of doors-but how shall I find Antonio? I dare not inquire for him, for fear of being discovered; I would send to my friend Clara, but that I doubt her prudery would condemn me. Maid. Then suppose, ma'am, you were to try if your friend Donna Louisa would not receive you? Don. Clara. No, her notions of filial duty are so severe, she would certainly betray me. Don. Louisa. Clara is of a cold temper, and would think this step of mine highly forward. Don. Clara. Louisa's respect for her father is so great, she would not credit the unkindness of mine. [Advances [DONNA LOUISA turns, and sees DONNA CLARA and MAID Don. Louisa. Ha! who are those? sure one is Claraif it be, I'll trust her. Clara ! Don. Clara. Louisa! and in masquerade too! Don. Louisa. You will be more surprised when I tell you that I have run away from my father. Don. Clara. Surprised indeed! and I should certainly chide you most horridly, only that I have just run away from mine. Don. Louisa. My dear Clara ! [Embrace Don. Clara. Dear sister truant! and whither are you going? Don. Louisa. To find the man I love, to be sure: and, I presume, you would have no aversion to meet with my brother? Don. Clara. Indeed I should: he has behaved so ill to me, I don't believe I shall ever forgive him. AIR When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, |