THE PADLOCK: A COMIC OPERA, IN TWO ACTS. BY ISAAC BICKERSTAFF. REMARKS THIS pleasing entertainment was set to music by the late Mr. Charles Dibdin, who also played the part of Mungo, in so capital and original a style, as to contribute greatly to the very uncommon success of this piece, which was acted fifty-three nights during its first season. The plot is principally taken from a Spanish novel, by Cervantes, called, "The Jealous Husband." Enter DON DIEGO, musing. AIR.-DIEGO. Thoughts to council-let me see- A husband, is the question. Say what men will, But fear makes the danger seem double: Then horns, horns I defy you. 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 upun 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 belive 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 have you 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. Diego. O! is that all? Diego. When you came hither, you were taken from a mean little house, ill situated, Urs. Ay, by my faith, I don't think she's and worse furnished; you had no servants, 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 meantime, 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 maidenDiego. Go, and send Leonora to me. Enter LEONORA, with a Bird on her finger, Say, little, foolish, fluttering thing, Stay here, and sing, Your mistress to delight. No, no, no, Sweet Robin, you shall not go: Where, you wanton, could you be, Diego. [Coming forward.] Leonora. 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 into the fields. Diego. Perhaps, you dislike confinement? 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 you according Leon. I'll do whatever you please. Diego. Then, my dear, give me a kiss. Diego. Here, Ursula. 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 tomorrow? I suppose, because he's abroad, Leon. [Putting the Bird into the cage.] Here Ursula wont take me-I wish I had asked 1 am. leave to go to mass. SCENE II-A Street in Salamanca. 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 duenna, and a negro slave 1 Schol. And after having lived fifty years a bachelor, this old fellow has picked up a young thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a balcony ! 2 Schol. And are you in love with the girl? Leand. To desperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for, finding that her jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring convent every morning before it was light, I went there in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myself as near her as I could ; then varied my appearance, continuing to do so from time to time, till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked, and understood my meaning. 1 Schol. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more industrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferreted. 2 Schol. But pr'ythee, tell us now how did you get information? Leand. First from report, which raised my curiosity; and afterwards from the negro I just now mentioned; I observed that, when the family was gone to bed, he often came to air himself at yonder grate; you know I am no bad chanter, nor a very scurvy minstrel ; so, taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon scraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. He adores my songs and sarabands; and, taking me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a share of his allowance; which I accept, to avoid suspicion. i Schol. And so Leand. And so, Sir, he hath told me all the secrets of his family; and one worth knowing; for he informed me last night, that his master will this evening take a short journey into the country, from whence he proposes not to return till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him. 2 Schol. Zounds! let's scale the wall. Leand. Fair and softly; I will this instant go and put on my disguise, watch for the Don's going out, attack my negro afresh, and try if, by his means, I cannot come into the house, or at least get a sight of my charming angel. I Schol. Angel! is she then so handsome? Leand. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you can desire. | SCENE III-The outside of DON DIEGO'S House; which appears with windows barred up, and an iron grate before an entry. Enter DON DIEGO from the house, having first unlocked the door, and removed two or three bars which assisted in justening it. Diego. With the precautions I have taken, I think I run no risk in quitting my house for a sort time; Leonora has never shown the least inclination to deceive me; besides, my old woman is prudent and faithful; she has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself; but suppose-suppose-by the rood of St. Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do mischief; a woman's not having it in her power to deceive you, is the best security for her fidelity, and the only one a wise man will confide in; fast bind, safe find, is an excellent proverb. I'll e'en lock her up with the rest; there is a hasp to the door, and I have a padlock within. which shall be my guarantee; I will wait till the negro returns with the provisions he is gone to purchase; and clapping them all up together, make my mind easy by having the key they are under in my pocket. [Retires. Enter MUNGO, with a hamper. Mun. Go, get you down, you damn hamper, you carry me now. Curse my old massa, sending me always here and dere for one something to make me tire like a mule-curse him imperance-and him damn insurance. Diego. How now? Mun. Ah, massa! bless your heart. Diego. What's that you are muttering, sirrah? Mun. Noting, massa, only me say you very good massa. Diego. What do you leave your load down there for? Mun. Massa, me lily tire. Diego. Take it up, rascal. Mun. Yes, bless your heart, massa. Diego. No, lay it down : now I think on't, come hither. Mun. What you say, massa? Diego. Can you be honest? Mun. Me no savee, massa, you never ax me before. Diego. Can you tell truth? Mun. What you give me, massa? Diego. There's a pistreen for you; now tell me, do you know of any ill going on in my house? Mun. Ah, massa, a damn deal. Diego. How! that I'm a stranger to? Mun. No, massa, you lick me every day with your rattan'; I'm sure, massa, that's mischief enough for poor neger man. Diego. So, so. Mun. La, massa, how could you have a heart to lick poor neger man, as you lick me last Thursday? Diego. If you have not a mind I should chastise you now, hold your tongue. Mun. Yes, massa, if you no lick me again. Diego. Listen to me, say. Mun. You know, massa, me very good servant Diego. Then you will go on? Mun. And ought to be use kine Mun. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny but I worky worky-I dress a victuals, and run a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, and scrub a shoes, and wait a table. Diego. Take that. [Strikes him.] Now will you listen to me? here's what he says to her. [Sings and plays.] Now you shall hear the slave's answer. [Sings and plays.] Now you shall hear how the wicked Turk, being greatly enraged, is again going to cut off the fair slave's head. [Sings and Mun. La, massa, if ever I sawDiego. I am going abroad, and shall not re-plays again.] Now you shall hearturn till to-morrow morning. During this night I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watchful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down the entry, that if you hear the least noise you may alarm the family. Stay here, perverse animal, take care that nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a moment. [Exit. Mun. What signify me hear?-Me no understand. Mun. So, I must be stay in a cold all night, and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither; then him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to tempt me. AIR. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I led! Me wish to de Lord me was dead. Whate'er's to be done, Me wish to de Lord me was dead. [Exit. Re-enter DON DIEGO, with URSULA, who, after the Negro goes in, appears to bolt the door on the inside: then DoN DIEGO, unseen by them, puts on a large Padlock and goes off. After which, LEANDER enters disguised. Leand. So-my old Argus is departed, and the evening is as favourable for my design as I could wish. Now to attract my friend Mungo; if he is within hearing of my guitar, I am sure he will quickly make his appear ance. Mun. [Appears at the window.] Who goes dere?-Hip! hollo! Leand. Heaven bless you, my worthy master, will your worship's honour have a little music this evening? Mun. Stay you little-I come down. [Comes down to the grate. Leand. I have got a bottle of delicious cordial here, given me by a charitable monk of a convent hard by, if your grace will please to taste it. Mun. Give me a sup tro a grate; come closee, man, don't be fear, old massa gone out, as I say last night, and he no come back before to-morrow; come, trike moosic, and give us song. Leand. I'll give your worship a song I learned in Barbary, when I was a slave among the Moors. Leand. Oh, you want something you under- Mun. Some one call dere- Mun. What devil you want? Urs. I shall come down, if you go on. Urs. I'll have no poor man near our door: harkye, fellow, can you play the Forsaken Maid's Delight, or Black Bess of Castile? Ah, Mungo, if you had heard me sing when I was young. Mun. 'Gad, I am sure I hear your voice often enough now you old. Urs. I could quaver like any blackbird. Mun. And now you halloo like a screechowl.-Come, throw a poor soul a penny, he play a tune for you. Urs How did you lose the use of your leg? Leand. In the wars, my good dame: I was taken by a Barbary corsair, and carried into quarters upon cold water and the roots of the Sallee, where I lived eleven years and threelaying my head on a pillow: an infidel bought earth, without having a coat on my back, or me for a slave: he gave me the strappado on my shoulders, and the bastinado on the soles of my feet: now, as I said before, this infidel Turk had fifty-three wives, and one hundred and twelve concubines. Urs. Then he was an unreasonable villain. Leon. [Appears at another window.] Ursula! Urs. Odds my life, what's here to do! Go back, go back; fine work we shall have indeed! good man, good bye. Leon. I could not stay any longer by myself; pray let me take a little air at the grate. Leand. Do, worthy Madam, let the young gentlewoman stay; I'll play her a love-song for nothing. Urs. No, no, none of your love-songs here; if you could play a saraband indeed, and there was room for one's motion Leand. I am but a poor man, but if your ladyship will let me in as far as the hall or the kitchen, you may all dance, and I sha'n't ask any thing. Urs. Why, if it was not on my master's account, I should think no harm in a little innocent recreation. Mun. Do, and let us dance. Leand. Have you the key of this padlock too, Leand. Well, Madam, not to disappoint you and the young lady, I know the back of your garden wall, and I'll undertake to get up at the outside of it, if you can let me down on the other. Urs. Do you think you could with your lame leg? Leand. O yes, Madam, I am very sure. [MUNGO and URSULA going off, LEANDER Leon. Ob, Lord! I'm frightened out of my wits! Leand. Have you not taken notice, beauteous Leonora, of the pilgrim who has so often am that pilgrim; one met you at church? who would change shapes as often as Proteus, to be blessed with a sight of you. QUARTETT.-LEANDER, LEONORA, Ursula, and MUNGO. so contrived, that a bottle and glass, two candles, a guitar, and LEANDER's disguise, muy be placed upon it. Enter URSULA, followed by LEANDER in a rich habit. Urs. Oh, shame! out upon't, Sir, talk to me no more; I that have been famed throughout all Spain, as I may say, for virtue and discretion; the very flower and quintessence of duennas! you have cast a blot upon me, a blot upon my reputation, that was as fair as a piece of white paper; and now I shall be reviled, pointed at ; nay, men will call me filthy names upon your account. Leand. What filthy names will they call you? Urs. They'll say I'm an old procuress. Leand. Fie, fie, men know better thingsbesides, though I have got admittance into your house, be assured I shall commit no outrage here; and if I have been guilty of any indiscretion, let love be my excuse. Urs. Well, as I live, he's a pretty young fellow. Leand. You, my sweet Ursula, have known what it is to be in love, and I warrant have had admirers often at your feet; your eyes still retain fire enough to tell me that. Urs. They tell you no lie; for, to be sure, Leand. O thou, whose charms enslave my when I was a young woman, I was greatly heart! In pity hear a youth complain : Leon. I must not hear-dear youth, depart- Distracting thought! must happy be, Mun. And so have I. I'm sure the wall is not too high. You'll mount with ease. Leand. Can you to aid my bliss deny ? sought after; nay, it was reported that a youth died for love of me; one Joseph Perez, a tailor by trade, of the grayhound make, lank; and, if my memory fail me not, his right shoul der about the breadth of my hand higher than his left: but he was upright as an arrow, and, by all accounts, one of the finest workmen at a button-hole. Leand. But where is Leonora ? Urs. Where is she? by my troth, I have shut her up in her chamber, under three bolts and a double lock. Leand. And will you not bring us together? Urs. Who, I?-How can you ask me such a question? Really, Sir, I take it extremely unkind. Leand. Well, but you misapprehend Urs. I told you just now, that if you mentioned that to me again, it would make me sick; and so it has, turned me upside down as it were. Leand. Indeed, my best friend Urs. Oh, oh, hold me, or I shall fall. Urs. And do you feel any compassion for me? Leand. I do. Urs. Why truly you have a great deal to answer for, to bring tears into my eyes at this time o' day; I am sure they are the first I have shed since my poor husband's death. Leand. Nay, don't think of that now. Urs. For you must understand, Sir, to play a trick upon a grave, discreet matron-Aud yet, after all, by my faith, I don't wonder you should love the young thing under my care; for it is one of the sweetest conditioned souls that ever I was acquainted with; and between ourselves, our donnee is too old for such a babe. Leand. Ursula, take this gold. Leand. Only for the love of me. Urs. Nay, if that be all, I went refuse it; for I love you, I assure you; you put me so much in mind of my dear husband; he was S s |