'Tis true I'd dispense with a throne on her back, Don Jer. You will change your note, my friend, when you've seen Louisa. Isaac. Oh, Don Jerome, the honour of your alliance Don Jer. Ay, but her beauty will affect you-she is, though I say it, who am her father, a very prodigy. There you will see features with an eye like mine—yes, i' faith, there is a kind of wicked sparkling-something of a roguish brightness, that shows her to be my own. Isaac. Pretty rogue! Don Jer. Then, when she smiles, you'll see a little dimple in one cheek only; a beauty it is certainly, yet you shall not say which is prettiest, the cheek with the dimple, or the cheek without. Isaac. Pretty rogue! Don Jer. Then the roses on those cheeks are shaded with a sort of velvet down, that gives a delicacy to the glow of health. Isaac. Pretty rogue! Don Jer. Her skin pure dimity, yet more fair, being spangled here and there with a golden freckle. Isaac. Charming pretty rogue! pray how is the tone of her voice? Don Jer. Remarkably pleasing-but if you could prevail on her to sing, you would be enchanted-she is a nightingale -a Virginia nightingale! But come, come; her maid shall conduct you to her antechamber. Isaac. Well, egad, I'll pluck up resolution, and meet her frowns intrepidly. Don Jer. Ay! woo her briskly-win her, and give me a proof of your address, my little Solomon. Isaac. But hold-I expect my friend Carlos to call on me here. If he comes, will you send him to me? Don Jer. I will. Lauretta! — [Calls.] — Come - she'll show you to the room. What do you droop? here's a mournful face to make love with! [Exeunt SCENE II.-DONNA LOUISA's Dressing Room Enter ISAAC and MAID Maid. Sir, my mistress will wait on you presently. [Goes to the door Isaac. When she's at leisure-don't hurry her.-[Exit MAID.]—I wish I had ever practised a love-scene-I doubt I shall make a poor figure-I couldn't be more afraid if I was going before the Inquisition. So, the door opensyes, she's coming-the very rustling of her silk has a disdainful sound. Enter DUENNA, dressed as DONNA LOUISA Now dar'n't I look round for the soul of me her beauty will certainly strike me dumb if I do. I wish she'd speak first. Duen. Sir, I attend your pleasure. Isaac. [Aside.] So the ice is broke, and a pretty civil beginning too -[Aloud.] Hem! madam-miss-I'm all attention. Duen. Nay, sir, 'tis I who should listen, and you propose. Isaac. [Aside.] Egad, this isn't so disdainful neither-I believe I may venture to look. No-I dar'n't-one glance of those roguish sparklers would fix me again. Duen. You seem thoughtful, sir. Let me persuade you to sit down. Isaac. [Aside.] So, so; she mollifies apace-she 's struck with my figure! this attitude has had its effect.. Duen. Come, sir, here's a chair. Isaac. Madam, the greatness of your goodness overpowers me that a lady so lovely should deign to turn her beauteous eyes on me so. (She takes his hand, he turns and sees her Duen. You seem surprised at my condescension. Isaac. Why, yes, madam, I am a little surprised at it.[Aside.] Zounds! this can never be Louisa-she's as old as my mother! Duen. But former prepossessions give way to my father's commands. Isaac. [Aside.] Her father! Yes, 'tis she then.-Lord, Lord; how blind some parents are! Duen. Signor Isaac ! Isaac. [Aside.] Truly, the little damsel was right—she has rather a matronly air, indeed! ah! 'tis well my affections are fixed on her fortune, and not her person. Duen. Signor, won't you sit ? [She sits Isaac. Pardon me, madam, I have scarce recovered my astonishment at-your condescension, madam.-[Aside.] She has the devil's own dimples, to be sure! Duen. I do not wonder, sir, that you are surprised at my affability I own, signor, that I was vastly prepossessed against you, and, being teased by my father, I did give some encouragement to Antonio; but then, sir, you were described to me as quite a different person. Isaac. Ay, and so you were to me, upon my soul, madam. Duen. But when I saw you I was never more struck in my life. Isaac. That was just my case too, madam; was struck all on a heap, for my part. Duen. Well, sir, I see our misapprehension has been mutual-you expected to find me haughty and averse, and I was taught to believe you a little black, snub-nosed fellow, without person, manners, or address. Isaac. Egad, I wish she had answered her picture as well! [Aside Duen. But, sir, your air is noble-something so liberal in your carriage, with so penetrating an eye and so bewitching a smile! Isaac. Egad, now I look at her again, I don't think she is so ugly! [Aside Duen. So little like a Jew, and so much like a gentleman! Isaac. Well, certainly, there is something pleasing in the tone of her voice. [Aside Duen. You will pardon this breach of decorum in praising you thus, but my joy at being so agreeably deceived has given me such a flow of spirits! Isaac. Oh, dear lady, may I thank those dear lips for this goodness ?-[Kisses her.] Why she has a pretty sort of velvet down, that's the truth on 't. [Aside Duen. O sir, you have the most insinuating manner, but indeed you should get rid of that odious beard-one might as well kiss a hedgehog. Isaac. [Aside.] Yes, ma'am, the razor wouldn't be amiss -for either of us.-[Aloud.] Could you favour me with a song? Duen. Willingly, sir, though I am rather hoarse-ahem! [Begins to sing Isaac. [Aside.] Very like a Virginia nightingale !— [Aloud.] Ma'am, I perceive you 're hoarse-I beg you will not distress Duen. Oh, not in the least distressed. Now, sir. SONG When a tender maid By some admiring swain, While he unfolds his pain! If he takes her hand, she trembles quite ! Her heart avows her fright. But in time appear Or her bosom clasp, No mantling blush ensues! Then to church well pleased the lovers move, And a-pit-a-pat, &c., Her heart avows her love. Isaac. Charming, maʼam! enchanting! and, truly, your notes put me in mind of one that's very dear to me—a lady, indeed, whom you greatly resemble ! Duen. How is there, then, another so dear to you? Isaac. Oh no, ma'am, you mistake; it was my mother I meant. Duen. Come, sir, I see you are amazed and confounded at my condescension, and know not what to say. Isaac. It is very true, indeed, ma'am; but it is a judgment, I look on it as a judgment on me, for delaying to urge the time when you'll permit me to complete my happiness, by acquainting Don Jerome with your condescension. Duen. Sir, I must frankly own to you, that I can never be yours with my father's consent. Isaac. Good lack! how so? Duen. When my father, in his passion, swore he would never see me again till I acquiesced in his will, I also made a vow, that I would never take a husband from his hand; nothing shall make me break that oath: but, if you have spirit and contrivance enough to carry me off without his knowledge, I'm yours. Isaac. Hum! Duen. Nay, sir, if you hesitate Isaac. [Aside.] I' faith, no bad whim, this !-If I take her at her word, I shall secure her fortune, and avoid making any settlement in return; thus I shall not only cheat the lover, but the father too. Oh, cunning rogue, Isaac ay, ay, let this little brain alone! Egad, I'll take her in the mind! Duen. Well, sir, what's your determination ? Isaac. Madam, I was dumb only from rapture- -I applaud your spirit, and joyfully close with your proposal; for which thus let me, on this lily hand, express my gratitude. Duen. Well, sir, you must get my father's consent to walk with me in the garden. But by no means inform him of my kindness to you. Isaac. No, to be sure, that would spoil all; but trust me, when tricking is the word-let me alone for a piece of cunning; this very day you shall be out of his power. Duen. Well, I leave the management of it all to you; I perceive plainly, sir, that you are not one that can be easily outwitted. Isaac. Egad, you 're right, madam-you 're right, i' faith. Re-enter MAID Maid. Here's a gentleman at the door, who begs permission to speak with Signor Isaac. Isaac. A friend of mine, maʼam, and a trusty friend-let him come in-[Exit MAID.] He is one to be depended on, ma'am. Enter DON CARLOS So, coz. [Talks apart with DON CARLOS Don Car. I have left Donna Clara at your lodgings, but can nowhere find Antonio. Isaac. Well, I will search him out myself. rogue, I thrive, I prosper ! Don Car. Where is your mistress? Isaac. There, you booby, there she stands. Carlos, you |
