Enter DonFelix, DonPedro,Leonora, andJacinta.
DonFel.How, Son! oblig'd to leave us immediately, say you?
DonPed.My ill Fortune, Sir, will have it so.
Leo.[Aside.] What can this be?
DonFel.Pray, what's the Matter? You surprise me.
DonPed.This Letter, Sir, will inform you.
DonFel.[Reads.]My dear Son,Bertrandhas brought me the welcome News of your Return, and has given me your Letter; which has in some Sort reviv'd my Spirits in the Extremity I am in. I daily expect my Exit from this World. 'Tis now six Years since I have seen you; I shou'd be glad to do it once again before I die: If you will give me that Satisfaction, you must be speedy. Heaven preserve you.
[To DonPed.] 'Tis enough: The Occasion I'm sorryfor, but since the Ties of Blood and Gratitude oblige you, far be it from me to hinder you. Farewel, my Son, may you have a happy Journey; and if it be Heaven's Will, may the sight of so good a Son revive so kind a Father. I leave you to bid your Wife adieu.
[ExitDonFel.
DonPed.I must leave you, my lovely Bride; but 'tis with bitter Pangs of Separation. Had I your Heart to chear me on my Way, I might with such a Cordial run my Course: But that Support you want the Power to give me.
Leo.Who tells you so?
DonPed.My Eyes and Ears, and all the Pains I bear.
Leo.When Eyes and Ears are much indulg'd, like favourite Servants they are apt to abuse the too much Trust their Master places in 'em.
DonPed.If I'm abus'd, assist me with some fair Interpretation of all that present Trouble and Disquiet, which is not in my Power to overlook, nor yours to hide.
Leo.You might methinks have spar'd my Modesty; and without forcing me to name your Absence, have laid my Trouble there.
DonPed.No, no, my Fair Deluder, that's a Veil too thin to cover what's so hard to hide; my Presence not my Absence is the Cause. Your cold Reception at my first Approach, prepar'd me for the Stroke; and 'twas not long before your Mouth confirmed my Doom: DonGuzman, I am yours.
Leo.Is't then possible the Mouth shou'd utter one Name for another?
DonPed.Not at all, when it follows the Dictates of the Heart.——
Leo.Were it even so, what Wrong is from that Heart receiv'd, where Duty and where Virtue are its Rulers?
DonPed.Where they preside, our Honour may be safe, yet our Minds be on the Rack.
Leo.This Discourse will scarce produce a Remedy; we'll end it, therefore, if you please, and leave the rest to Time: Besides, the Occasion of your Journey presses you.
DonPed.The Occasion of my Delay presses you, I fear, much more; you count the tedious Minutes I am with you, and are reduc'd to mind me of my Duty, to free yourself from my Sight.
Leo.You urge this thing too far, and do me wrong. The Sentiments I have for you are much more favourable than your Jealousy suffers 'em to appear. But if my Heart has seem'd to lean another way, before you had a Title to it, you ought not to conclude I shall suffer it to do so long.
DonPed.I know you have Virtue, Gratitude and Truth; and therefore 'tis I love you to my Ruin. Cou'd I believe you false, Contempt would soon release me from my Chains, which yet I can't but wish to wear for ever: therefore indulge at least your Pity to your Slave; 'tis the soft Path in which we tread to Love. I leave behind a tortur'd Heart to move you:
Weigh well its Pains, think on its Passion too,}Remember all its Torments spring from you;}And if you cannot love, at least be true.}
Weigh well its Pains, think on its Passion too,}Remember all its Torments spring from you;}And if you cannot love, at least be true.}
[Exit DonPedro.
Jacin.Now by my troth, Madam, I'm ready to cry. He's a pretty Fellow, and deserves better Luck.
Leo.I own he does: And his Behaviour wou'd engage any thing that were unengag'd. But, alas! I want his Pity more than he does mine.
Jacin.You do! Now I'm of another Mind. The Moment he sees your Picture, he's in love with you; the Moment he's in love with you, he imbarks; and, like Lightning, in a Moment more, he's here: Where you are pleas'd to receive him with a DonGuzman, I am yours. Ah——poor Man!
Leo.I own,Jacinta, he's unfortunate, but still I say my Fate is harder yet. The irresistible Passion I have forGuzman, renders DonPedro, with all his Merit, odious to me; yet I must in his favour, make eternal War against the Strength of Inclination and the Man I love.
Jac.[Aside.] Um——If I were in her Case, I cou'd find an Expedient for all this Matter. But she makes such a Bustle with her Virtue, I dare not propose it to her.
Leo.Besides, DonPedropossesses what he loves, but I must never think on poor DonGuzmanmore.
[Weeping.
Jac.Poor DonGuzman, indeed! We han't said a Word of the Pickle he's in yet. Hark! somebody knocks——at the old Rendezvous. It's he, on my Conscience.
Leo.Let's be gone; I must think of him no more.
Jac.Yes, let's be gone; but let's know whether 'tis he or not, first.
Leo.No,Jacinta; I must not speak with him any more. [Sighing.] I'm married to another.
Jac.Married to another! Well, Married to another; why, if one were married to twenty others, one may give a civil Gentleman an Answer.
Leo.Alas! what would'st thou have me to say to him?
Jac.Say to him! Why, one may find twenty Things to say to a Man: Say, that 'tis true you are married to another, and that 'twould be a—Sin to think of any Body but your Husband; and that——you are of a timorous Nature, and afraid of being damn'd; and that a——You wou'd not have him die neither: That a——Folks are mortal, and Things sometimes come strangely about, and a Widow's a Widow, and——
Leo.Peace, Levity [Sighing.] But see who 'tis knocks.
Jac.Who's there?
Isa.[Behind the Scenes.] 'Tis I,Isabella.
Leo.Isabella!What do you want, my Dear?
Isa.Your Succour, for Heaven's sake,Leonora. My Brother will destroy himself.
Leo.Alas! it is not in my power to save him.
Isa.Permit him but to speak to you; that possibly may do.
Leo.Why have not I the Force to refuse him?
DonGuz.[Behind the Scenes.] Is it you I hear, my poor lost Mistress? Am I so happy, once more to meet you, where I so often have been blest!
Jac.Courage, Madam, say a little something to him.
DonGuz.Not one kind Word to a distracted Lover? No Pity for a Wretch, you have made so miserable?
Leo.The only Way to end that Misery, is to forget we ever thought of Happiness!
DonGuz.And is that in your Power? Ah,Leonora, you ne'er lov'd like me.
Leo.How I have lov'd, to Heaven I appeal! But Heaven does now permit that Love no more.
DonGuz.Why does it then permit us Life and Thought? Are we deceiv'd in its Omnipotence? Is it reduc'd to find its Pleasures in its Creatures Pain?
Leo.In what, or where, the Joys of Heaven consist, lies deeper than a Woman's Line can fathom; but this we know, a Wife must in her Husband seek for hers, and, therefore, I must think of you no more.——Farewel.
[ExitLeo.
DonGuz.Yet hear me, cruelLeonora.
Jac.It must be another Time, then, for she's whipt off now. All the Comfort I can give you, is, that I see she durst not trust herself any longer in your Company. But hush, I hear a Noise, get you gone; we shall be catch'd.
Leo.[Within.]Jacinta!
Jac.I come, I come, Madam.
[ExitJac.
EnterLopez.
Lop.If I mistake not, there are a Brace of Lovers intend to take some Pains about Madam, in her Husband's Absence. Poor DonPedro! Well; methinks a Man's in a very merry Mood, that marries a handsome Wife: When I dispose of my Person, it shall be to an ugly one. They take it so kindly, and are so full of Acknowledgment; watch you, wait upon you, nurse you, humour you, are so fond, and so chaste. Or, if the Hussy has Presumption enough to think of being otherwise, away with her into the Mountains, fifty Leagues off; no Body opposes. If she's mutinous, give her Discipline; every Body approves on't. Hang her, says one, he's kinder than she deserves: Damn her, says another, why does not he starve her? But, if she's handsome, Ah, the Brute, cries one: Ah theTurk, cries t'other: Why don't she cuckold him, says this Fellow? Whydoes not she poison him, says that? and away comes a Pacquet of Epistles, to advise her to't. Ah poor DonPedro! But enough: 'Tis now Night, all's hush and still: every Body's a-bed, and what am I to do? Why, as other trusty Domesticks, sit up to let the Thief in. But I suppose he won't be here yet; with the help of a small Nap beforehand, I shall be in a better Condition to perform the Duty of a Centinel, when I go to my Post. This Corner will just fit me: Come,Lopez, lie thee down, short Prayers, and to sleep.
[He lies down.
EnterJacintawith a Candle in her Hand.
Jac.So, I have put my poor Lady to Bed, with nothing but Sobs, Tears, Sighs, Wishes, and a Pillow to mumble, instead of a Bridegroom, poor Heart.——I pity her; but every Body has their Afflictions, and by the Beads of my Grandmother, I have mine. Tell me, kind Gentlemen, if I have not something to excite you? Methinks I have a rogueish Eye, I'm sure I have a melting Heart. I'm soft, and warm, and sound, may it please ye. Whence comes it then, this RascalLopez, who now has been two Hours in the Family, has not yet thought it worth his while, to make one Motion towards me? Not that the Blockhead's Charms have moved me, but I'm angry mine han't been able to move him. I doubt, I must begin with the Lubber: my Reputation's at stake upon't, and I must rouze the Drone, somehow.
Lopezrubbing his Eyes, and coming on.
Lop.What a damn'd Condition is that of a Valet! No sooner do I, in comfortable Slumber, close my Eyes, but methinks my Master's upon me, with fifty Slaps o' th' Back, for making him wait in the Street. I have his Orders to let him in here to-night, and so I had e'en——Who's that?——Jacinta!——Yes, a-caterwauling!—like enough.
Jac.The Fellow's there; I had best not lose the Occasion.
Lop.The Slut's handsome. I begin to kindle: But if my master shou'd be at the Door——Why there let him be, till the Matter's over.
[Aside.
Jac.Shall I advance?
[Aside.
Lop.Shall I venture?
[Aside.
Jac.How severe a Look he has!
[Aside.
Lop.She seems very reserv'd.
[Aside.
Jac.If he shou'd put the Negative upon me.
[Aside.
Lop.She seems a Woman of great Discretion; I tremble.
[Aside.
Jac.Hang it, I must venture.
[Aside.
Lop.Faint Heart never won fair Lady.
[Aside.
Jac.Lopez!
Lop.Jacinta!
Jac.O dear Heart! Is't you?
Lop.CharmingJacinta, fear me not.
Jac.O ho! he begins to talk soft——then let us take upon us again.
[Aside.
Lop.CruelJacinta, whose Mouth (small as it is) has made but one Morsel of my Heart.
Jac.It's well he prevents me. I was going to leap about the Rascal's Neck.
[Aside.
Lop.BarbareJacinta, cast your Eyes On your poorLopez, ere he dies.
Jac.Poetry too! Nay then I have done his Business.
[Aside.
Lop.Feel how I burn with hot desire, Ah! pity me, and quench my Fire. Deaf, my fair Tyrant, deaf to my Woes! Nay, then, Barbarian, in it goes.
[Drawing a Knife.
Jac.Why, how now, Jack Sauce? why, how now, Presumption? What Encouragement have I given you, Jack-a-lent, to attack me with your Tenders? I cou'd tear your Eyes out, Sirrah, for thinking I'm such a one. What Indecency have you seen in my Behaviour, Impudence, that you shou'd think me for your beastly Turn, you Goat, you?
Lop.Patience, my much offended Goddess, 'tis honourably I wou'd share your Bed.
Jac.Peace, I say—Mr.Liquorish. I, for whom the most successful Cavaliers employ their Sighs in vain, shall I look down upon a crawling Worm? Pha—Seethat Crop Ear there, that Vermin that wants to eat at a Table, would set his Master's Mouth a-watering.
Lop.May I presume to make an humble Meal upon what savoury Remnants he may leave?
Jac.No.
Lop.'Tis hard! 'tis wondrous hard!
Jac.Leave me.
Lop.'Tis pitiful, 'tis wondrous pitiful!
Jac.Begone, I say. Thus, Ladies 'tis, perhaps, sometimes with you; With Scorn you fly the Thing, which you pursue.
[ExitJac.
Lop.[Solus.] 'Tis very well, Mrs. Flipflap, 'tis very well; but do you hear——Tawdry, you are not so alluring as you think you are——Comb-brush, nor I so much in love——your Maidenhead may chance to grow mouldy with your Airs—the Pox be your Bedfellow; there's that for you. Come, let's think no more on't. Sailors must meet with Storms; my Master's going to Sea, too. He may chance to fare no better with the Lady, than I have done with herAbigail: There may be foul Weather there, too. I reckon, at present, he may be lying by under a Mizen, at the Street-Door; I think it rains too, for his Comfort. What if I shou'd leave him there an Hour or two, in fresco, and try to work off the Amour that Way? No; People will be physick'd their own Way. But, perhaps, I might save his Life by't——yes, and have my Bones broke, for being so officious; therefore, if you are at the Door, Don John, walk in, and take your Fortune.
[Opens the Door.
Enter DonJohn.
DonJohn.Hist! hist!
Lop.Hist! hist!
DonJohn.Lopez!
Lop.[Aside.] The Devil—Tread softly.
DonJohn.Are they all asleep?
Lop.Dead.
DonJohn.Enough; shut the Door.
Lop.'Tis done.
DonJohn.Now, begone.
Lop.What! Shut the Door first, and then begone! Now, methinks, I might as well have gone first, and then shut the Door.
DonJohn.I bid you begone, you Dog, you, do you find the way.
Lop.[Aside.] Stark mad, and always so when a Woman's in chace. But, Sir, will you keep your chief Minister out of the Secrets of your State? Pray, let me know what this Night's Work is to be.
DonJohn.No Questions, but march.
[Lop.goes to the Door, and returns.
Lop.Very well—— But, Sir, shall I stay for you in the Street?
DonJohn.No, nor stir out of the House.
Lop.So: well, Sir, I'll do just as you have order'd me; I'll be gone, and I'll stay; and I'll march, and I won't stir, and—just as you say, Sir.
DonJohn.I see you are afraid, you Rascal, you.
Lop.Possibly.
DonJohn. Well, be it so; but you shan't leave the House, Sir; therefore, begone to your Hogstye, and wait further Orders.
Lop.[Aside.] But, first, I'll know how you intend to dispose of yourself.
[Lop.hides behind the Door.
DonJohnsolus.
DonJohn.All's hush and still; and I am at the Point of being a happy——Villain. That Thought comes uninvited——Then, like an uninvited Guest, let it be treated: Begone, Intruder.Leonora's Charms turn Vice to Virtue, Treason into Truth; Nature, who has made her the supreme Object of our Desires, must needs have designed her the Regulator of our Morals. Whatever points at her, is pointed right. We are all her due, Mankind's the Dower which Heaven has settled on her; and he's the Villain that would rob her of her Tribute. I, therefore, as in Duty bound, will in, and pay her mine.
Lop.[Aside.] There he goes, i'faith; he seem'd asif he had a Qualm just now; but he never goes without a Dram of Conscience-Water about him, to set Matters right again.
DonJohn.[Aside.] This is her Door, 'tis lock'd; but I have a Smith about me will make her Staple fly.
[Pulls out some Irons, and forces the Lock.
Lop.[Aside.] Hark! hark! if he is not equipt for a Housebreaker, too. Very well, he has provided two Strings to his Bow; if he 'scapes the Rape, he may be hang'd upon the Burglary.
DonJohn.[Aside.] There, 'tis done, so: No Watch-Light burning? [Peeping into her Chamber.] All in darkness? So much the better, 'twill save a great deal of blushing on both Sides. Methinks I feel myself mighty modest, I tremble too; that's not proper at this Time. Be firm, my Courage, I have Business for thee—So—How am I now? Pretty well. Then by your Leave, DonPedro, I must supply your Neglect. You should not have married till you were ready for Consummation; a Maidenhead ought no more to lie upon a handsome Bride, than an Impeachment upon an innocent Minister.
[DonJohn enters the Chamber.
Lop.[Coming forwards.] Well done, well done; God-a-mercy, my littleJudas. Unfortunate DonPedro! thou hast left thy Purse in the Hands of a Robber; and while thou art galloping to pay the last Duty to thy Father, he's at least upon the Trot to pay the first to thy Wife. Ah the Traitor! What aCapilotadeof Damnation will there be cook'd up for him! But softly: Let's lay our Ear to the Door, and pick up some Curiosities——I hear no Noise——There's no Light; we shall have him blunder where he should not do, by and by——commit a Rape upon her Tea-Table, perhaps, break all her China, and then she'll be sure to hang him. But hark—now I hear—nothing; she does not say a Word; she sleeps curiously. How if she shou'd take it all for a Dream, now? Or her Virtue shou'd be fallen into an Apoplexy? Where the Pox will all this end?
Leo.[Within.]Jacinta!Beatrix!Fernandez! Murder! Murder! help! help! help!
Lop.Now the Play begins, it opens finely.
Leo.[Within.] Father!Alphonso!Save me, O save me!
Lop.Comedy or Tragedy, for a Ducat! for fear of the latter, decampLopez.
[ExitLopez.
Leo.Whoever you are, Villain, you shan't escape me; and tho' your Efforts have been in vain, you shan't fail to receive the Recompence of your Attempt: Help, ho, help there! help!
[DonJohnbreaks from her, but can't find the Door.
DonJohn.[Aside.] S'death, I shall be undone! Where is this damn'd Door?
Leo.He'll get away: a Light there, quickly.
Enter DonGuzmanwith his Sword drawn.
DonGuz.Where are you, fair Angel? I come to lose my Life in your Defence.
DonJohn.[Aside.] That'sGuzman's Voice? The Devil has sent him: But we are still in the dark; I have oneTouryet—Impudence, be my Aid. Light there, ho! Where is the Villain that durst attempt the virtuousLeonora.
DonGuz.His Life shall make her Satisfaction.
DonJohn.Or mine shall fall in his pursuit.
DonGuz.'Tis by my Hands that she shall see him die.
DonJohn.My Sword shall lay him bleeding at her Feet.
Leo.[Aside.] What can this mean? But here's Light at last, thank the just bounteous Heaven.
DonJohn.Enter with the Light there; but secure the Door, lest the Traitor 'scape my Vengeance.
Enter DonPedro, with a Light, he findsLeonorabetween them; both their Swords drawn.
Leo.O Heavens! what is't I see?
DonJohn.DonPedrohere!
DonPed.What monstrous Scene is this?
[Aside.
DonGuz.What Accident has brought him here?
[Aside.
DonJohn.How I'm intrigu'd, indeed.
[Aside.
[DonPedrosteps back and shuts the Door.
DonPed.[Aside.] This Mystery must unfold before we part. What Torments has my Fate provided me? Is this the Comfort I'm to reap, to dry my Tears, for my poor Father's death? [ToLeo.] AhLeonora!
Leo.[Aside.] Alas! where will this end!
[Falling into a Chair.
DonPed.[Aside.] Naked! and thus attended at the dead of Night! My Soul is froze at what I see. Confusion sits in all their Faces, and in large Characters I read the Ruin of my Honour and my Love.
[To the Men.] Speak, Statues, if you yet have Power to speak, why at this Time of Night you are found withLeonora?——None speak! DonJohn, it is from you I ought to know.
DonJohn.My Silence may inform you.
DonPed.Your Silence does inform me of my Shame, but I must have some Information more; explain the whole.
DonJohn.I shall. You remember, DonPedro——
DonPed.Be quick.
DonJohn.You remember you charged me before you went——
DonPed.I remember well; go on.
DonJohn.With the Care of your Honour.
DonPed.I did; dispatch.
DonJohn.Very well; you see DonGuzmanin this Apartment, you see your Wife naked, and you see me, my Sword in my Hand;—that's all.
DonPed.[Drawing upon DonGuz.] 'Tis here, then, I am to revenge my Wrongs.
DonGuz.Hold.
DonPed.Villain, defend thyself.
Leo.O Heaven!
DonGuz.Yet hear me.
DonPed.What canst thou say?
DonGuz.The Truth, as holy Heaven itself is Truth! I heard the Shrieks and Cries ofLeonora; what the Occasion was I knew not; but she repeated them with so much Vehemence, I found, whatever her Distress might be, her Succour must be sudden; so leapt the Wall that parts our Houses, and flew to her Assistance. DonJohncan, if he please, inform you more.
DonPed.[Aside.] Mankind's a Villain, and this may be true; yet 'tis too monstrous for a quick Conception. I shou'd be cautious how I wrong DonJohn. Sure 'tis not right to balance. I yet have but their Words against their Words; I know DonJohnfor my Friend, andGuzmanfor my Rival. What can be clearer? Yet hold! IfLeonora's innocent, she may untangle all. Madam, I shou'd be glad to know (if I have so much Interest left) which Way your Evidence will point my Sword.
Leo.My Lord, I'm in the same Perplexity with you: All I can say is this; one of them came to force me, t'other to save me: but the Night confounding the Villainy of the Guilty with the Generosity of the Innocent, I still am ignorant to which I owe my Gratitude, or my Resentment.
DonGuz.But, Madam, did you not hear me cry, I came to help you?
Leo.I own it.
DonJohn.And did you not hear me threaten to destroy the Author of your Fears?
Leo.I can't deny it.
DonGuz.What can there be more to clear me?
DonJohn.Or me?
DonPed.Yet one's a Villain still.
[Aside.] My Confusion but increases; yet why confus'd? It is, it must beGuzman. But how came DonJohnhere? Right.Guzmanhas said how he came toher Aid, butAlvaradacou'd not enter but by Treason. Then perish——
DonGuz.. Who?
DonJohn.Who?
DonPed.Just Gods, instruct me who!
Don.Felixknocks.
DonFel.[Within.] Let me in, open the Door.
Leo.'Tis my Father.
DonPed.No Matter; keep the Door fast. [Aside.] I'll have this Matter go no further, till I can reach the Depth on't. DonGuzman, leave the House; I must suspend my Vengeance for a Time.
DonGuz.I obey you; but I'll lose my Life, or shew my Innocence.
[Exit DonGuz.
DonFel.[Within.] Open the Door; why am I kept out?
DonPed.DonJohn, follow me by this back Way. And you,Leonora, retire.
[ExitLeonora.
DonJohn.[Aside, following DonPed.] If DonGuzman's Throat were cut, would not this Bustle end?—Yes——Why then, if his Throat be not cut, may this Bustle end me!