hood pretence to reflect upon my conduct, I charge Fel. I understand my cue, mistress; my absence you instantly to be gone, or expect the treatment is necessary; I'll oblige you. you deserve. Col. B. [Without. I ask pardon, madam, and will obey: but when I left this house to-nightFel. Good! Vio. It is most certainly the stranger. [Aside.] You are mistaken in the house, suppose, sir. Fel. No, no; he's not mistaken.-Pray, madam, let the gentleman go on. Vio. Pray be gone, sir; I know of no business you have here. Col. B. [Without.] I wish I did not know it neither. But this house contains my soul; then can you blame my body for hovering about it? Fel. Excellent! Vio. I tell you again you are mistaken; however, for your own satisfaction, call to-morrow. Fel. Matchless impudence! An assignation before my face! No, he shall not live to meet your wishes. Takes out a pistol, and goes towards the window; she catches hold of him. Vio. Ah! [Shrieks.] Hold, I conjure you. Col. B. To-morrow's an age, madam! may I not be admitted to-night? Vio. If you be a gentleman, I command your absence. Unfortunate! what will my stars do with me! [Aside. Col. B. I have done-only this-be careful of my life, for it is in your keeping. [Exit from the window. [Going, she takes hold of him. Vio. 'Tis very possible, if I durst. Vio. Now it cannot be. Fel. Then it shall never be.-Thou most ungrate ful of thy sex, farewell. [Breaks from her, and ent Fio. Oh, exquisite trial of my friendship! Yet not even this shall draw the secret from me. That I'll preserve, let fortune frown or smile; ACT III. SCENE L-The Street. Enter Don LOPEZ. Lop. Was ever man thus plagued! Odsheart, I what to think: sure Frederick had no hand in her could swallow my dagger for madness! I know not escape. She must get out of the window, and she could not do that without a ladder; and who could bring it to her but him? Ay, it must be so! This graceless baggage! But I'll to Frederick immediFel. Pray observe the gentleman's request, ma-house; and if I find her, I'll use her-By St. Anately; I'll take the alguazil with me, and search the dam. [Walking off from her. (Brit Vio. I am all confusion! [Aside. thony, I don't know how I'll use her! Fel. You are all truth, all love, all faith! Oh, Enter Colonel BRITON, with a letter in his hand, and thou all woman! How have I been deceived! GIBBY following. 'Sdeath! could you not have imposed upon me for this one night? Could neither my faithful love, nor all the hazard I have run to see you, make me worthy to be cheated on?-Oh, thou Vio. Can I bear this from you? Col. B. Well, though I could not see my fair incognita, Fortune, to make me amends, has ung another intrigue in my way. Oh, how I love these pretty, kind, coming females, that won't give a man the trouble of racking his invention to deceive them! This letter I received from a lady in a veil-some duenna, some necessary implement of Cupid. I suppose the style is frank and easy, I hope like her that writ it.-[Reads.] Sir, I have seen your person, and like it very concise-and, if you will meet me at Vio. Yet I resolve to keep the secret. [Aside. four o'clock in the morning, upon the Terriers de Fel. [Repeats. Be careful of my life, for it is in Passa, half an hour's conversation will let me into your your keeping.-Damnation!-How ugly she ap-mind.-Ha, ha, ha! a philosophical wench! This pears! Fel. [Repeats.] When I left this house to-nightTo-night! the devil! return so soon! [Aside. Vio. Oh, Isabella! what hast thou involved me in! Fel. [Repeats.] This house contains my soul !Sweet soul! is the first time I ever knew a woman had any busiVio. Do not look so sternly on me: but believe ness with the mind of a man. If your intellects anme, Felix, I have not injured you, nor am I false. swer your outward appearance, the adventure may not Fel. Not false! not injured me! Oh, Violante, displease you. I expect you'll not attempt to see my lost and abandoned to thy vice! Not false! Oh, mon-face, nor offer anything unbecoming the gentleman i strous! Vio. Indeed I am not.-There is a cause which I must not reveal. Oh, think how far honour can oblige your sex-then, allow a woman may be bound by the same rule to keep a secret. Fel. Honour! what hast thou to do with honour? Thou, that canst admit plurality of lovers?-A secret! ha ha! ha!-His affairs are wondrous safe who trusts his secret in a woman's keeping. But you need give yourself no trouble about clearing this point, madam, for you are become so indifferent to me, that your truth and falsehood are the same. Enter FLORA. Flora. So, I have delivered my letter to the Colonel. Madam, your father bede me see what noise that was. For goodness sake, sir, [To FEL.] why do you speak so loud? Exit FLORA. take you for!-Humph! the gentleman she takes me for! I hope she takes me to be flesh and blood, and then I am sure I shall do nothing unbecoming a gentleman. Well, if I must not see her face, it shall go hard if I don't know where she livesGibby! Gibby. Here, an lik her honour. Col. B. Follow me at a good distance, do you hear, Gibby? Gibby. In troth dee I, weel enough, sir. Col. B. I am to meet a lady upon the Terriere de Passa. Gibby. The deel an mine eyn gin I ken her, sir. Col. B. But you will when you come there, sirrah. Gibby. Like enough, sir; I have as sharp an ee tull a bonny lass as e'er a lad in aw Scotland. And what mun Í dee wi' her, sir? Col. B. Why, if she and I part, you must watch her home, and bring me word where she lives. Gibby. In troth sal I, sir, gin the deel tak her not. Col. B. Come along, then; it is pretty near the time. I like a woman that rises early to pursue her inclination. Thus we improve the pleasure of the day, SCENE II.-Frederick's House. Enter INIS and LISSARDO. [Exeunt. Liss. Your lady run away, and you know not whither, say you? devil! do they take me for an acre of land, that they quarrel about right and title to me? Flora. Pray, what right have you, mistress, to ask that question? Inis. No matter for that: I can show a better title to him than you, I believe. Flora. What, has he given thee nine months' earnest for a living title? Ha, ha! Inis. Don't fling your flaunting jests at me, Mrs. Boldface, for I won't take them, I assure you. Liss. So now I'm as great as the famed Alexander. But, my dear Statira and Roxana, don't exert yourselves so much about me. Now, I fancy if you would agree lovingly together, [Gets between them, and takes a hand of each.] I might, in a modest Inis. She never greatly cared for me, after find-way, satisfy both your demands upon me. ing you and I together. But you are very grave, methinks, Lissardo. Liss. [Looking on the ring.] Not at all-I have some thoughts, indeed, of altering my course of living; there is a critical minute in every man's life, which, if he can but lay hold of, he may make his fortune. Inis. Ha! what do I see? A diamond ring! Where the deuce had he that ring ?-You have got a very pretty ring there, Lissardo. you. Liss. Ay, the trifle is pretty enough-but the lady who gave it to me is a bona roba in beauty, I assure [Cocks his hat and struts. Inis. I can't bear this-The lady! what lady, pray? Liss. Ofie! there's a question to ask a gentleman! Inis. A gentleman! why the fellow's spoil'd! Is this your love for me? Ungrateful man! you'll break my heart, so you will! [Bursts into tears. Liss. Poor tender-hearted fool! Inis. If I knew who gave you that ring, I'd tear her eyes out, so I would! [Sobs. Liss. So, now the jade wants a little coaxing.Why, what dost weep for now, my dear, ha? Inis. I suppose Flora gave you that ring, but I'll Liss. No, the devil take me if she did you make me swear now. So, they are all for the ring, but I shal! bob them.-I did but joke; the ring is none of mine, it is my master's; I am to give it to be new set, that's all; therefore, pr'ythee, dry thy eyes, and kiss me; come. Flora. Ha! how dares she name my name? [Aside. Flora. Did you so, villain? Inis. What's that for, ha? [Brushes up Flora. I shall tell you by and by, Mrs. Frippery, if you don't get about your business. Inis. Who do you call Frippery, Mrs. Trollop?— Pray, get about your business, if you go to that. I hope you pretend to no right and title here! Liss. [Walking about conceitedly.] What the satisfied so soon as you think, perhaps ! Inis. No, nor I neither.-What! do you make no difference between us! Flora. You pitiful fellow, you!-What! you fancy, I warrant, I gave myself the trouble of dogging you, out of love to your filthy person !-but you are mistaken, sirrah!-it was to detect your treachery. How often have you sworn to me that you hated Inis, and only carried fair for the good cheer she gave you, but that you could never like a woman with crooked legs, you said! Inis. How, how, sirrah! crooked legs! Odds, I could find in my heart— [Snatches up her petticoat a little. Liss. My master!-So, so! ever. Liss. [To INIS.] Art thou really so foolish to mind what an enraged woman says? Don't you see she does it on purpose to part you and I? [Runs to FLORA.] Could not you find the joke without putting yourself in a passion, you silly girl, you? Why, I saw you follow us plain enough, mun, and said all this, that you might not go back with only your labour for your pains. But you are a revengeful young slut, though, I tell you that; but come, kiss and be friends. Flora. Don't think to coax me: hang your kisses. Liss. Ods heart, here's my master! The devil take both these jades for me; what shall I do with them? Inis. Ha! 'tis Don Felix's voice; I would not have him find me here with his footman for the world! | Aside. Fel. [Within.] Why, Lissardo! Lissardo! Liss. Coming, sir.-What a plague will you do? Flora. Bless me, which way shall I get out? Liss. Nay, nay, you must e'en set your quarrel aside, and be content to be mewed up in the clothes press together, or stay where you are, and face it out-there's no help for it. Flora. Put me anywhere rather than that; come, come, let me in. [LISSARDO opens the press, and FLORA goes in. Inis. I'll see her hanged before I'll go into the place where she is.-I'll trust Fortune with my deliverance.-Here used to be a pair of back stairs I'll try to find them out [Exit Enter Don FELIX and FREDERICK. hear me call? Liss. I did hear you, and answered you I was coming, sir. Fel. Go, get the horses ready! I'll leave Lisbon to-night, never to see it more. Liss. Hey-day! what's the matter now? [Erit. Fred. Pray tell me, Don Felix, what has ruffled your temper thus? Fel. A woman-Oh, friend! who can name woman, and forget inconstancy! Fred. This from a person of mean education were excusable; such low suspicions have their source from vulgar conversation; men of your politer taste never rashly censure. Come, this is some groundless jealousy. Love raises many 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. 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? Fred. This is insulting me, my lord, when I assure you I have neither seen, nor know anything of your daughter; if she is gone, the contrivance was her own, and you may thank your rigour for it. Lop. Very well, sir; however, my rigour shall make bold to search your house. Here, call in the alguazil. Flora. [Peeping.] The alguazil! What in the name of wonder will become of me? Fred. The alguazil! My lord, you'll repent this. 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. [Goes 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. Aly. How, sir! dare you presume to draw your Liss. Oh, sir, here's your father, Don Lopez, sword upon the representative of majesty? I am, coming up! Fel. Does he know that I am here? sir, I am his majesty's alguazıl, and the very quintessence of authority; therefore, put your sword up, Liss. I can't tell, sir-he ask'd for Don Frederick.or I shall order you to be knocked down; for know, Fred. Did he see you? Liss. No, sir; for as soon as I heard him, I ran to give my master notice. Fel. Keep out of his sight then. [Exit LISSARDO.] 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. Fred. Quick, quick, begone! he is here! Lop. [Speaking as he enters.] Mr. Alguazil, wait you without till I call for you. Frederick, an affair brings me here which requires privacy-so that if you have anybody 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. Fred. 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. 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. 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. Fred. You are misinformed, my lord! Upon my reputation, I have not seen Donna Isabella since the absence of Don Felix. sir, the breath of an alguazil is as dangerous as the breath of a demi-culverin. Lop. She is certainly in that room, by his guarding the door-if he disputes your authority, knock him down, I say. Fred. 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, oh, misericordia! what do I see? my son! Alg. Ha, his son! Here's five hundred pistoles 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 upon him. Lop. Hold, hold! Oh that I ever was born! Fred. Did I not tell you, you would repent, my lord? What, hoa! within there! 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 show you play for the five hundred pistoles. They fight. Lop. Hold, hold, Alguazil; I'll give you the five hundred pistoles-that is, my bond to pay upon Antonio's death, and twenty pistoles, however things go, for you and these honest fellows to drink my health. Lop Then pray, sir-if I am not too inquisitive, what motive had you for those objections you made Alg. Say you so, my lord? Why, look ye, my against her marriage with Don Gusman yesterday? lord, I bear the young gentleman no ill-will, my Fred. The disagreeableness of such a match, I lord. If I get but the five hundred pistoles, my lord-why, look ye, my lord, 'tis the same thing to Lop. Ay, well, thou art a good-natured fellow, that's the truth on't.-Come, then, we'll away, and sign and seal this minute. Oh, Felix! why wouldst thou serve me thus? But I cannot upraid 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 cannot return the acknowledgements 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. Vasq. Sir, I bring you joyful news. Vasq. I am told that Don Antonio is out of danger, and now in the palace. Exit. Fel. I wish it be true; then I'm at liberty to watch my rival, and pursue my sister. Pr'ythee, 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. Vasq. I'll observe, sir. Flora. 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? Vasq. [Within.] 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? Liss. That is, she did not come, as-as-as-a-a man may say directly to-to-to-to speak with iny master, madam. a 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. Liss. Retiring. I am so confounded between one and the other, that I cannot think of a lie. Fel. Sirrah, fetch me this woman back instantly Flora. [From the closet.] My stars! my lady here! —I'll know what business she has here. [Shuts the press close. Enter VIOLANTE, Vio. You are as difficult of access, sir, as a first minister of state. Fel. If your visit was designed for Frederick, madan, he is abroad. Vio. No, sir, the visit is to you. madam. 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, them 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 Felix. Could 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? And no law, whilst single, binds us to obey; but your sex are, by nature and education, obliged to pay a deference 10 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. 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. Madam, 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. [Exit. Fel. Oh, stubborn, stubborn heart! what wilt thou do?-Her father's will shall be obeyed!-Ha! that carries her to a clois.er, and cuts off all my hopes at once!-By heaven she shall not, must not leave me !-No, she is not false.-Ha, villain! art thou here? [To LISSARDO, who is going.] Tell me this moment who this woman was, and for what intent she was here concealed, or-———— Liss. Ah, good sir, forgive me, and I'll tell you the whole truth. [Falls on his knees. Fel. Out with it, then. Liss. It-it-it was Flora, sir, Donna Violante's woman. You must know, sir, we have had a sneaking kindness for one another a great while; she was not willing you should know it; so, when she heard your voice, she ran into the clothes-press. I would have told you this at first, but I was afraid of her lady's knowing it. This is the whole truth, as I hope for a whole skin, sir. Fel. If it be not, I'll not leave you a whole bone in it, sirrah.-Fly, [Liss. rises.] and observe if Violante goes directly home. Liss. Yes, sir, yes. Fel. Fly, you dog, fly. [Exit LISSARDO.] I must convince her of my faith. Oh, how irresolute is a lover's heart!-how absolute is a woman's power! In vain we strive their tyranny to quit, In vain we struggle, for we must submit. SCENE III.-The Terriero de Passa. [Exit. Enter Colonel BRITON, and ISABELLA veiled.- Col. B. Nay, nay, nay, we must not part. Isab. As you ever hope to see me more, suspend your curiosity now: one step farther loses me for ever. Show yourself a man of honour, and you shall find me a woman of honour. (Erit. Col. B. Well, for once I'll trust to a blind bargain, madam-Kisses her hand, and parts.] But I shail be too cunning for your ladyship, if Gibby observes my orders. Ha! what do I see? my rascal asleep! Sirrah, did not I charge you to watch the lady? And is it thus you observe my orders, ye dog? [Kicks him, he shrugs, rubs his eyes, and yawns. Gibby. [Rising.] That's true, an like your honour: but I thought, that when ance ye had her in yer ane hands, ye might a' ordered her yersel weel enough without me, en ye ken, en like yer honour. Col. B. 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. [Exit Gibby. Ay, this is bonny wark, indeed! to run three hundred miles to this wicked town, and before Col. B. Then you say it is impossible for me to I can weel fill my weam, to be sent a whore-hunting wait on you at home, madam? Isab. I say it is inconsistent with my circum-to stances, Colonel-and that way impossible for me to admit of it. Col. B. 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. Isab. Ha! does he lodge there ?-'Pray heaven I am not discovered! Aside. Col. B. What say you, my charmer?-shall we breakfast together?-I have some of the best tea in the universe. Isab. Puh! Tea! Is that the best treat you can give a lady at your lodgings, colonel? Col. B. Well hinted-No, no, no, I have other things at thy service, child. Isab. What are those things, pray? Col. B. My heart, soul, and body, into the bargain. Isab. Has the last no incumbrance upon it? Can you make a clear title, colonel ? Col. B. All freehold, child, and I'll afford thee a very good bargain. [Embraces her. Gibby. O' my saul, they mak muckle words about it-Ise sare weary with standing, Ise e'en tak a sleep. [Lies down to sleep. Isab. If I take a lease, it must be for life, colonel. Col. B. 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. Isab. Oh, not so fast, colonel; there are many things to be adjusted before the lawyer and the parson come. Col. B. The lawyer and parson-No, no, you little rogue, we can finish our affairs without the help of the law-or the gospel. Isab. Indeed but we can't, colonel. Col. B. Indeed!-Why, hast thou then trepanned me out of my warm bed this morning for nothing? Why, this is showing a man, half famished, a wellfurnished larder, then clapping a padlock on the door, till you starve him quite. Isab. If you can find in your heart to say grace, colonel, you shall keep the key. Col. B. I love to see my meat before I give thanks, madam; therefore, uncover thy face, child, and I'i tell thee more of my mind-if I like you. Isab. I dare not risk my reputation on your ifs, after this black she devil.-What gate sall I gang speer for this watch now? Ah, for a ruling elder or the kirk-treasurer-or his mon-I'd gar my master mak twa o' this: but I am sure there's no sic honest folk here, or there wud na be sa mickle sculdudrie. [VIOLANTE crosses GIBBY goes up to VIOLANTE. Gibby. I vow, madam, but I am glad that ye and I are foregathered. Vio. What would the fellow have? heart, what a muckle deal o'mischief had you like Gibby. Nothing.-Away, madam! wo worthy ver to bring upon poor Gibby. Vio. The man's drunk. Gibby. In troth I am not-And gin I had na found ye, madam, the Lord know when I should; for my maister bade me ne'er gang hame without tidings of ye, madam. Vio. Sirrah, get about your business, or I'll have your bones drubbed! Gibby. Gude faith, my meister has e'en done that t'yer honds, madam. Vio. Who is your master, sir? Gibby. Money a ane speers the gate they ken right weel it is na sa lang sen ye parted wi' him. I wish he ken'd ye half as weel as ye ken him. Vio. Puh! the creature's mad, or mistakes me for somebody else; and I should be as mad as he to Enter LISSARDO. Liss. So, she's gone home, I see-What did that Scots fellow want with her? I'll try to find it outperhaps I may discover something that may make my master friends with me again. Gibby. Are ye gone, madam? a deel scope in yer Liss. Don Pedro de Mendosa. Gibby. And d'ye ken her tee? Liss. It was Donna Violante, his daughter. What the devil makes him so inquisitive? Here is something in it, that is certain. [Aside.] 'Tis a cold morning, brother, what think you of a dram? Gibby. In troth, very weel, sir. |