EnterLeonora,Isabella, andJacinta.
Leon.DearIsabella, come in: How I am plagu'd with this troublesome Wretch!Jacinta, have you shut the outer Gates?
Jacin.I have, Madam.
Leo.Shut the Window too; we shall have him get in there, by and bye.
Isab.What's this you are in such Apprehensions of, pray?
Leo.Nothing worth naming.
Isab.You dissemble: Something of Love in the Case, I'll warrant you.
Leo.The Reverse on't; 'tis Aversion. My Impertinent Star has furnish'd me with a Lover for my Guard, who is never from my Window; he persecutes me to Distraction; I affront him fifty Times a day; which he receives with a Bow down to the Ground: In short, all I can do, is doing nothing at all: He still persists in loving me, as much as I hate him.
Isab.Have a Care he don't get the better on't, for all that; for when a Man loves a Woman well enoughto persevere, 'tis odds but she at last loves him well enough to make him give it over. But I think I had as good take off my Scarf; for, since my Brother DonGuzmanknows I'm with you, he won't quarrel at my return, for the Length of my Visit.
Leo.If he shou'd, I shou'd quarrel with him, which few Things else wou'd make me do. But methinks,Isabella, you are a little melancholy.
Isab.And you a little thoughtful.
Leo.Pray, tell me your Affliction.
Isab.Pray don't conceal yours.
Leo.Why, truly, my Heart is not at ease.
Isab.Mine, I fear, never will.
Leo.My Father's marrying me against my Inclination.
Isab.My Brother is hind'ring me from marrying with mine.
Leo.You know I love your Brother, DonGuzman.
Isab.And you shall know, I'm uneasy for DonJohn de Alvarada.
Leo.DonJohn!
Isab.The same.
Leo.Have you any Reason to hope for a Return?
Isab.I think so.
Leo.I'm afraid, my Dear, you abuse yourself.
Isab.Why?
Leo.Because he is already in Love with——
Isab.Who?
Leo.Me.
Isab.I wou'd not have you too positive in that, Madam, for I am very sure that——
Leo.Madam, I am very sure that he's the troublesome Guest I just now complain'd of: And you may believe——
Isab.Madam, I can never believe he's troublesome to any Body.
Leo.O, dear Madam! But I'm sure I'm forc'd to keep my Windows shut, till I'm almost dead with Heat; and that, I think, is troublesome.
Isab.This Mistake is easily set right,Leonora; ourHouses join, and when he looks at my Window, you fancy 'tis at your's.
Leo.But, when he attacks my Door, Madam, and almost breaks it down, I don't know how in the World to fancy 'tis your's.
Isab.A Man may do that to disguise his real Inclination.
Leo.Nay, if you please, believe he's dying for you. I wish he were; then I shou'd be troubled no more with him. Be sure,Jacinta, you don't open a Window to-night.
Isab.Not while I'm here, at least; for if he knows that, he may chance to press in.
Leo.Look you,Isabella, 'tis entirely alike to me, who he's fond of; but I'm so much your Friend, I can't endure to see you deceiv'd.
Isab.And since I have the same Kindness for you,Leonora, know, in short, that my Brother is so alarm'd at his Passion for me, that he has forbid him the Street.
Leo.Bless my Soul! and don't you plainly see by that, he's jealous of him upon my Account?
Isa.[Smiling.] He's jealous of his Honour, Madam, lest he shou'd debauch his Sister.
Leo.I say, he's jealous of his Love, lest he shou'd corrupt his Mistress.
Isab.But why all this Heat? If you love my Brother, why are you concern'd DonJohnshou'd love me?
Leo.I'm not concern'd: I have no Designs upon him; I care not who he loves.
Isab.Why then are you angry?
Leo.Why do you say he does not care for me!
Isab.Well, to content you then, I know nothing certain, but that I love him.
Leo.And to content you; I know nothing so certain, as that I neither love him, nor ever can love him: And so I hope we are Friends again.
Isab.Kiss me, then, and let us never be otherwise.
Leo.Agreed: [They kiss.] And now, my Dear, as my Misfortune's nearest, I am first to be pity'd; I am the most wretched Woman living. My Father every Moment expects a Gentleman fromFlanders, to whom he has resolv'd to marry me. But neither Duty, nor Prudence, nor Danger, nor Resolution, nor all I can summon to my Aid, can drive your Brother from my Heart; but there he's fix'd to ruin me.
Jacin.Madam, here's DonGuzmanat the Chamber-Door; he begs so passionately to come in, sure you can't refuse him.
Leo.Heav'ns! But does he consider to what he exposes me?
Jacin.Madam, he considers nothing; if he did, I'd say he were an impudent Fellow, to pretend to be in Love with you.
Leo.Shall I venture,Isabella?
Isab.You know best.
Enter DonGuzman.
Jacin.Marry, methinks he knows best of us all, for here he comes.
DonGuz.Forgive me, lovelyLeonora; 'tis the last Time, perhaps, that I may beg your Pity. My Rival is not far off: Excess of Modesty is now our Ruin. Break through it, for this Moment you have left, and own, to your old Father, how you love. He once did so himself; our Scene of Sorrow may, perhaps, recall some small Remembrance of his tender Years, and melt him into Mercy.
Leo.Alas! DonGuzman——
Jacin.O Heavens! Madam——
Leo.What's the Matter?
Jacin.Y' are undone; here's your Father.
Isab.What an unlucky Accident!
Leo.Has he seen DonGuzman?
Jacin.Nay, the deuce knows.
Isab.Where shall he hide himself?
Jacin.In the Moon, if he can get thither.
Enter DonFelix.
DonGuz.I must e'en stand it now.
DonFel.Good News, my Daughter, good News;I come to acquaint you, that——How now? What's the Meaning of this? DonGuzmanin my Daughter's Chamber!
DonGuz.I see your Surprize, Sir, but you need not be disturb'd; 'twas some sudden Business with my Sister brought me here.
DonFel.'Tis enough, Sir: I'm glad to find you here; you shall be a Witness, that I know how to preserve the Honour of my Family.
DonGuz.What mean you, Sir?
DonFel.To marryLeonorathis Moment.
DonGuz.How say you?
DonFel.I say, you shall have nothing left to ask of me.
DonGuz.Is't possible? O Heavens! what Joy I feel!
DonFel.Leonora, prepare your Hand and Heart.
Leo.They both are ready, Sir; and in giving me the Man I love, you charge me with a Debt of Gratitude can never be repay'd.
DonGuz.[Kneeling.] Upon my Knees, I thank the best of Men, for blessing me with all that's blest in Woman.
Isab.How well that kind, that gentle Look becomes him!
Jacin.Now, methinks he looks like an old Rogue; I don't like his Looks.
[Aside.
EnterLopez.
Lop.To all whom it may concern, greeting, DonPedro Osorio, acknowledging himself most unworthy of the Honour intended him, in the Person of the fairLeonora, addresses himself, by me, his small Ambassador, to the Generosity of DonFelix, for leave to walk in and take Possession.
DonFel.I had already given Order for his Entrance.
DonGuz.What is't I hear?
Leo.Support me.
Isab.She faints.
DonGuz.Look, Tyrant, here, and, if thou can'st, be cruel!
[Holding her.
DonFel.Bring in DonPedro.
DonGuz.Barbarian!
Jacin.Look up, Madam, for Heaven's sake; since you must marry the Fellow, e'en make the most on't.
Leo.Hoh——
Enter DonPedroand DonJohn.
Jacin.So——How d'ye do now? Come, chear up. See, here he comes. By my Troth, and a pretty turn'd Fellow. [Aside.] He'll set all to rights by to-morrow Morning, I'll answer for him.
DonFel.DonPedro, you are welcome; let me embrace you.
DonPed.In what Terms, Sir, shall I express what I owe you for the Honour you do me? And with what Prospect of Return can I receive this inestimable Present? Your Picture, Madam, made what Impression Art cou'd stamp, but Nature has done more. What Wounds your Sex can give, or ours receive, I feel.
DonFel.Come, Son, (for I'm in haste to call you so)——But what's this I see?Alvaradahere! Whence, Sir, this Insolence; to come within my Doors, after you know what has past? Who brought you here?
DonPed.'Twas I, Sir.
DonFel.But do you know that he——
DonPed.Sir, he's the best of my Friends.
DonFel.But do you know, I say, that he wou'd——
DonPed.Hinder this Marriage, 'tis true.
DonFel.Yes, because he design'd——
DonPed.I know his Design, Sir; 'tis to hinder all his Friends from marrying. Pray forgive him.
DonFel.Then to prevent for ever his Designs here, come hither,Leonora, and give DonPedroyour Hand.
DonJohn.Keep down, my kindling Jealousy: I've something tortures me I never felt but now.
[Aside.
DonPed.[ToLeo.] Why this Backwardness, Madam? Where a Father chooses, a Daughter may with Modesty approve. Pray, give me your Hand.
DonGuz.I cannot see it.
[Turning from 'em.
DonFel.[ToLeo.aside.] Are you distracted? Will you let him know your Folly? Give him your Hand, for Shame.
Leo.Hoh! DonGuzman, I am yours.
[Sighing, and giving carelesly her Hand.
DonGuz.Madam!
[Turning.
DonFel.What a fatal Slip!
[Aside.
Leo.'Twas not to you I spoke, Sir.
DonPed.But him it was she nam'd, and thought on too, I fear. I'm much alarm'd.
DonFel.[ToLeo.] Repair what you have done, and look more chearful on him.
Leo.Repair what you have done, and kill me.
DonFel.Fool.
Leo.Tyrant.
Jacin.A very hum-drum Marriage this.
[Aside.
DonGuz.Pray, Sister, let's retire; for I can bear this Sight no longer.
Isab.My Dear, farewel; I pity you, indeed.
Leo.I am indeed an Object of your Pity.
[Exit DonGuz.andIsab.
DonFel.Come, Daughter, come, my Son, let's to the Church, and tie this happy Knot.
DonPed.I'll wait upon you, Sir.
[Exit DonFel.leadingLeo.
DonJohn.I love her, and I'll love her still. Fate do thy worst, I'll on.
[Aside.
DonPed.To name another Man, in giving me her Hand!
DonJohn.[Aside.] How am I rackt and torn with Jealousy?
DonPed.'Tis doubtless so, Don Guzman has her Heart.
[Aside.
DonJohn.[Aside.] The Bridegroom's thoughtful. The Lady's Trip has furnish'd him with some Matrimonial Reflections: They'll agree with him at this Time perhaps, better than my Company. I'll leave him. DonPedro, adieu, we shall meet again at Night.
DonPed.Pray stay: I have need of a Friend's Counsel.
DonJohn.What, already!
DonPed.Already.
DonJohn.That's to say, you have already enough of Matrimony.
DonPed.I scarce know what I have, nor am I sure of what I am.
EnterLopez.
Lop.An't please your Honour, yonder's your ManBertrandjust arriv'd; his Horse and he are so tired of one another, that they both came down upon the Pavement at the Stable-Door.
DonPed.[To DonJohn.] He brings News from my Father.
Lop.I believe he does, and hasty News too; but if you stay till he brings it hither, I believe it will come but slowly. But here's his Packet; I suppose that will do as well as his Company.
[Gives a Letter.
DonPed.[Reads to himself.] My dear friend, here's ill News.
DonJohn.What's the Matter?
DonPed.My poor old Father's dying.
DonJohn.I'm mighty sorry for't; 'tis a weighty Stroke I must confess; the Burden of his Estate will almost bear you down. But we must submit to Heaven's good Will.
DonPed.You talk,Alvarada, like a perfect Stranger to that Tenderness methinks every Son shou'd feel for a good Father: For my part, I've receiv'd such repeated Proofs of an uncommon Affection from mine, that the Loss of a Mistress could scarce touch me nearer. You'll believe me, when you see me leaveLeonoraa Virgin, till I have seen the good old Man.
DonJohn.That will be a Proof, indeed; Heaven's Blessing must needs fall upon so dutiful a Son; but I don't know how its Judgments may deal with so indifferent a Lover.
DonPed.O! I shall have Time enough to repair this seeming small Neglect: But before I go, pray a Word or two with you alone.Lopez, wait without. [ExitLop.] You see, my dearest Friend, I am engag'd withLeonora; perhaps I have done wrong; but 'tis gone too far, to talk or think of a Retreat; I shall I go directly from this Place to the Altar, and there seal the eternal Contract.That done, I'll take Post to see my Father, if I can, before he dies. I leave then here a young and beauteous Bride; but that which touches every String of Thought, I fear, I leave her wishing I wereGuzman. If it be so, no doubt he knows it well; and he that knows he's lov'd byLeonora, can let no fair Occasion pass to gain her; my Absence is his Friend, but you are mine, and so the Danger's balanc'd. Into your Hands, my Dear, my faithfulAlvarada, [Embracing him.] I put my Honour, I put my Life; for both depend onLeonora's Truth. Observe her Lover, and——neglect not her. You are wise, you are active, you are brave and true. You have all the Qualities that Man shou'd have for such a Trust; and I by consequence have all the Assurance Man can have, you'll, as you ought, discharge it.
DonJohn.A very hopeful Business you wou'd have me undertake, keep a Woman honest!—'Sdeath, I'd as soon undertake to keepPortocarerohonest. Look you, we are Friends, intimate Friends; you must not be angry if I talk freely. Women are naturally bent to Mischief, and their Actions run in one continued Torrent till they die. But the less a Torrent's check'd, the less Mischief it does; let it alone, perhaps 'twill only kiss the Banks and pass; but stop it, 'tis insatiable.
DonPed.I wou'd not stop it; but cou'd I gently turn its Course where it might run, and vent itself with Innocence, I wou'd.Leonoraof herself is virtuous; her Birth, Religion, Modesty and Sense, will guide her Wishes where they ought to point. But yet, let Guards be what they Will, that Place is safest that is ne'er attack'd.
DonJohn.As far as I can serve you, in hind'ringGuzman's Approaches, you may command me.
DonPed.That's all I ask.
DonJohn.Then all you ask is granted.
DonPed.I am at ease, farewel.
DonJohn.Heaven bring you safe to us again.
[Exit DonPed.
DonJohnsolus.
Yes, I shall observe her, doubt it not. I wish no body may observe me, for I find I'm no more Master of myself. DonGuzman's Passion for her adds to mine; but when I think on what DonPedrowill reap, I'm Fire and Flame. Something must be done: What, let Love direct, for I have nothing else to guide me.
EnterLopez.
Lop.[Aside.] DonPedrois mounting for his Journey, and leaves a young, warm, liquorish Hussy with a watry Mouth, behind him——Hum—If she falls handsomely in my Master's Way, let her look to her——hist—there he is. Doing what? Thinking? That's new. And if any Good comes on't, that will be newer still.
DonJohn.[Aside.] How! Abuse the Trust a Friend reposes in me? And while he thinks me waking for his Peace, employ the stretch of Thought to make him wretched?
Lop.Not to interrupt your pious Meditations, Sir, pray have you seen——Seen what, Fool? Why he can't see thee. I'gad, I believe the little blind Bastard has whipt him through the Heart in earnest.
DonJohn.[Aside.]Pedrowou'd never have done this by me——How do I know that?——Why——he swore he was my Friend——Well; and I swore I was his——Why then if I find I can break my Oath, why should not I conclude he will do as much by his?
Lop.[Aside.] His Countenance begins to clear up: I suppose Things may be drawing to a Conclusion.
DonJohn.[Aside.] Ay, 'tis just so: And I don't believe he wou'd have debated the Matter half so long as I have done: I'gad I think I have put myself to a great Expence of Morality about it. I'm sure, at least, my Stock's out. But I have a Fund of Love, I hope may last a little longer. O, are you there, Sir!
[SeeingLop.
Lop.I think so, Sir; I won't be positive in any thing.
DonJohn.Follow me: I have some Business to employ you in, you'll like.
[Exit DonJohn.
Lop.I won't be positive in that neither. I guess what you are going about—There's Roguery a-foot: This is atLeonora, who I know hates him; nothing under a Rape will do't——He'll be hang'd——And then, what becomes of thee, my littleLopez?——Why, the Honour to a——dingle dangle by him. Which he'll have the Good-nature to be mighty sorry for. But I may chance to be beforehand with him: If we are not taken in the Fact, they'll perhaps do him the Honour to set a Reward upon his Head. Which if they do, Don, I shall go near to follow your moral Example, secure my Pardon, make my Fortune, and hang you up for the Good of your Country.
[Exit.