D.Ah! you have seen it?2010R.No.D.Then I am assured there is no other pictureThan that I saw. His servant guessed the truth:’Twas part of a pretence, for which I thinkThere may be a cause. There is no lady at all.R.Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hathTo outwit himself.D.What then do you believe?R.I see the stroke your ladyship preparedWas excellent: the merest chance in the worldEnabled him to escape.D.Impossible.2020This is a dream. Besides, how could he dareDeceive me again, and wish me to believeThat he is a fool?R.A false opinion wrongsThe holder most.D.Never! I cannot think it.R.You do not wish to think it.D.And what dost thou, sir,Think that I wish?R.One thing at least is clear....D.(aside). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself—Well, sir!R.You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love.D.How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that?2030R.The fear to lose so good a secretary.D.So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo,I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.—I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry—I do not wish to believe it: I thought at firstHis lady, whoever she was, might be in the town:Or, if the affair had sprung within my court,It might be one of my guests: but now it happensWe have no visitors. If last night he keptAn appointment here in the court,—who can it beBut one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed?I thought well of him, and still would think the best:I’ll not believe it.2041R.(aside). I shall not act this out.I almost dare to tell her all: she torturesHerself for nothing.—I cannot....D.What say you, sir?R.’Tis out of the question, madam.D.Nay, tell not me.I know what men will do.R.If you believe it,There’s but one plan.D.And that?R.To send him away.D.To send him away? Of course I might; I’ll do it:To-night, Ricardo.2049R.(aside).Now we go too fast—The sooner he goes the better: and yet your planWas good, to watch to-night. Now that he thinksSuspicion lulled too, he will be more rash.Let Lady Laura watch the garden, and IHis room: even if that fail, ’tis time enoughTo send him off to-morrow.D.... I thought when I came in here, Ricardo,I had come to the end of the matter: I find instead’Tis ten times more involved, doubtful, and difficult.For after this exposure, if Frederick stayed,Our mutual trust is sapped: and if, as you urge,2060I send him away, there’s none to take his place.Nor can I do without him. In two days henceThe wedding is fixed, for which a host of guestsAre bid to the house. Sir Gregory being so deafWould be overwhelmed: Frederick cannot be spared.Yet would he stay if I asked him? Did you hear himThreaten he would not take his papers back?He sees, no doubt, how necessary he is.R.No doubt, my lady, he sees that when he is goneHe cannot be here to help you.D.Who can help me?What is your counsel?2070R.Not to ask a favourOf one whom you so hotly have charged with wrong.D.I would not.R.Sir Gregory then must do his best.D.’Tis no solution that.R.Then what, my lady,If I should take the place awhile? I offerMy service, I would do my best.D.I thank you,Ricardo. I hardly like to accept; and yetYou have come to know much that I could not tellTo another.R.(aside). I win. But she must ask me herself.D.I think I might accept.—What say you?R.My lady,2080I see one difficulty,—I have offered moreThan is quite my own: for being the Duke’s servantI cannot without his leave give pledge to another.D.Cannot you get his leave?R.Yes. I will ask it.And what if Frederick be our messenger?Send him again to Milan; the very missionThat he played false in: so your dignityIs salved and explanation saved.D.’Tis good.To-morrow he goes. If you will act in his place—For some ten days, say?R.Longer, if it should please you.2090D.I thank you, I shall not need it.R.But if....D.If what?R.If Frederick should resign, and if the DukeGave me permission, might I keep my place?D.I thank you, sir; I hope there’ll be no need.R.But may I hope?D.In truth I know of noneI’d rather see in his place.R.A thousand thanks!D.Why thank me so, sir? I am here the obliged.R.Your ladyship knows not the great desireI have felt to serve her.D.I am happy to have inspired it.It comes to me as a sort of consolationIn my distress—2100R.Agreed then that to-nightWe watch. If nothing come of that, to-morrowFrederick is sent to Milan with my letter.Only your ladyship must be preparedTo lose him. Whoever it is he loves, I am sureWhen we discover her, we shall find a passionWorthy and deep, from which he’ll not be moved:Therefore....D.O, you are mistaken. I know him better.I know he is cold. Well, well: I thank you. I wish youGood-evening, sir.—To-morrow speak we of this—But I have been much deceived.—Be not concerned,’Tis nothing.[Faints.2111R.(supporting her to a chair). Flora!—Here is a chair, my lady,You are over-wrought. (Aside.) By heaven, what brutes we are!’Twere kinder far to tell her at once—Diana!Dearest Diana! (Aside.) What am I doing?—Flora! Flora!Re-enter Flora.Fl.My lady in one of her fits!R.What is it? Look at her, Flora!Fl.To fan her face,—that’s all.She will come to herself. See, see!R.(aside). This lump 's not fit to touch her.—My lady!—Diana!D.(awakening). Who’s there? Ah, Flora!Fl.My ladyHas fainted again.2120D.Ricardo!—yes, I remember.How foolish.Fl.All’s well, my lady.D.(to Fl.).Give me an arm.I’ll go within.R.Cannot I help you?D.Oh, no.’Tis nothing,—a silly habit I wish I were rid of.I thank you. Good evening, sir.R.Good evening, madam.I promise to bring this all to a happy end.D.I thank you, sir: I would you might. So, Flora.[Exit with Fl.R.Now, by my soul, Frederick’s atrocious!’Tis brutal of him. He has let this go too far.She loves him much too well. Good heaven! to thinkHe might have had her. I owe him everythingFor being so blind, and eager for his marriage2132With Lady Laura. Yes, and thanks to herFor being so ready; and to St. NicholasFor setting her on: for he in the end appearsAs my good genius, tho’he little dreams it.So far, all prospers—all is in good train.To-morrow will decide my fate.
D.Ah! you have seen it?2010R.No.D.Then I am assured there is no other pictureThan that I saw. His servant guessed the truth:’Twas part of a pretence, for which I thinkThere may be a cause. There is no lady at all.R.Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hathTo outwit himself.D.What then do you believe?R.I see the stroke your ladyship preparedWas excellent: the merest chance in the worldEnabled him to escape.D.Impossible.2020This is a dream. Besides, how could he dareDeceive me again, and wish me to believeThat he is a fool?R.A false opinion wrongsThe holder most.D.Never! I cannot think it.R.You do not wish to think it.D.And what dost thou, sir,Think that I wish?R.One thing at least is clear....D.(aside). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself—Well, sir!R.You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love.D.How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that?2030R.The fear to lose so good a secretary.D.So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo,I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.—I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry—I do not wish to believe it: I thought at firstHis lady, whoever she was, might be in the town:Or, if the affair had sprung within my court,It might be one of my guests: but now it happensWe have no visitors. If last night he keptAn appointment here in the court,—who can it beBut one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed?I thought well of him, and still would think the best:I’ll not believe it.2041R.(aside). I shall not act this out.I almost dare to tell her all: she torturesHerself for nothing.—I cannot....D.What say you, sir?R.’Tis out of the question, madam.D.Nay, tell not me.I know what men will do.R.If you believe it,There’s but one plan.D.And that?R.To send him away.D.To send him away? Of course I might; I’ll do it:To-night, Ricardo.2049R.(aside).Now we go too fast—The sooner he goes the better: and yet your planWas good, to watch to-night. Now that he thinksSuspicion lulled too, he will be more rash.Let Lady Laura watch the garden, and IHis room: even if that fail, ’tis time enoughTo send him off to-morrow.D.... I thought when I came in here, Ricardo,I had come to the end of the matter: I find instead’Tis ten times more involved, doubtful, and difficult.For after this exposure, if Frederick stayed,Our mutual trust is sapped: and if, as you urge,2060I send him away, there’s none to take his place.Nor can I do without him. In two days henceThe wedding is fixed, for which a host of guestsAre bid to the house. Sir Gregory being so deafWould be overwhelmed: Frederick cannot be spared.Yet would he stay if I asked him? Did you hear himThreaten he would not take his papers back?He sees, no doubt, how necessary he is.R.No doubt, my lady, he sees that when he is goneHe cannot be here to help you.D.Who can help me?What is your counsel?2070R.Not to ask a favourOf one whom you so hotly have charged with wrong.D.I would not.R.Sir Gregory then must do his best.D.’Tis no solution that.R.Then what, my lady,If I should take the place awhile? I offerMy service, I would do my best.D.I thank you,Ricardo. I hardly like to accept; and yetYou have come to know much that I could not tellTo another.R.(aside). I win. But she must ask me herself.D.I think I might accept.—What say you?R.My lady,2080I see one difficulty,—I have offered moreThan is quite my own: for being the Duke’s servantI cannot without his leave give pledge to another.D.Cannot you get his leave?R.Yes. I will ask it.And what if Frederick be our messenger?Send him again to Milan; the very missionThat he played false in: so your dignityIs salved and explanation saved.D.’Tis good.To-morrow he goes. If you will act in his place—For some ten days, say?R.Longer, if it should please you.2090D.I thank you, I shall not need it.R.But if....D.If what?R.If Frederick should resign, and if the DukeGave me permission, might I keep my place?D.I thank you, sir; I hope there’ll be no need.R.But may I hope?D.In truth I know of noneI’d rather see in his place.R.A thousand thanks!D.Why thank me so, sir? I am here the obliged.R.Your ladyship knows not the great desireI have felt to serve her.D.I am happy to have inspired it.It comes to me as a sort of consolationIn my distress—2100R.Agreed then that to-nightWe watch. If nothing come of that, to-morrowFrederick is sent to Milan with my letter.Only your ladyship must be preparedTo lose him. Whoever it is he loves, I am sureWhen we discover her, we shall find a passionWorthy and deep, from which he’ll not be moved:Therefore....D.O, you are mistaken. I know him better.I know he is cold. Well, well: I thank you. I wish youGood-evening, sir.—To-morrow speak we of this—But I have been much deceived.—Be not concerned,’Tis nothing.[Faints.2111R.(supporting her to a chair). Flora!—Here is a chair, my lady,You are over-wrought. (Aside.) By heaven, what brutes we are!’Twere kinder far to tell her at once—Diana!Dearest Diana! (Aside.) What am I doing?—Flora! Flora!Re-enter Flora.Fl.My lady in one of her fits!R.What is it? Look at her, Flora!Fl.To fan her face,—that’s all.She will come to herself. See, see!R.(aside). This lump 's not fit to touch her.—My lady!—Diana!D.(awakening). Who’s there? Ah, Flora!Fl.My ladyHas fainted again.2120D.Ricardo!—yes, I remember.How foolish.Fl.All’s well, my lady.D.(to Fl.).Give me an arm.I’ll go within.R.Cannot I help you?D.Oh, no.’Tis nothing,—a silly habit I wish I were rid of.I thank you. Good evening, sir.R.Good evening, madam.I promise to bring this all to a happy end.D.I thank you, sir: I would you might. So, Flora.[Exit with Fl.R.Now, by my soul, Frederick’s atrocious!’Tis brutal of him. He has let this go too far.She loves him much too well. Good heaven! to thinkHe might have had her. I owe him everythingFor being so blind, and eager for his marriage2132With Lady Laura. Yes, and thanks to herFor being so ready; and to St. NicholasFor setting her on: for he in the end appearsAs my good genius, tho’he little dreams it.So far, all prospers—all is in good train.To-morrow will decide my fate.
D.Ah! you have seen it?2010R.No.D.Then I am assured there is no other pictureThan that I saw. His servant guessed the truth:’Twas part of a pretence, for which I thinkThere may be a cause. There is no lady at all.R.Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hathTo outwit himself.D.What then do you believe?R.I see the stroke your ladyship preparedWas excellent: the merest chance in the worldEnabled him to escape.D.Impossible.2020This is a dream. Besides, how could he dareDeceive me again, and wish me to believeThat he is a fool?R.A false opinion wrongsThe holder most.D.Never! I cannot think it.R.You do not wish to think it.D.And what dost thou, sir,Think that I wish?R.One thing at least is clear....D.(aside). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself—Well, sir!R.You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love.D.How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that?2030R.The fear to lose so good a secretary.D.So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo,I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.—I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry—I do not wish to believe it: I thought at firstHis lady, whoever she was, might be in the town:Or, if the affair had sprung within my court,It might be one of my guests: but now it happensWe have no visitors. If last night he keptAn appointment here in the court,—who can it beBut one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed?I thought well of him, and still would think the best:I’ll not believe it.2041R.(aside). I shall not act this out.I almost dare to tell her all: she torturesHerself for nothing.—I cannot....D.What say you, sir?R.’Tis out of the question, madam.D.Nay, tell not me.I know what men will do.R.If you believe it,There’s but one plan.D.And that?R.To send him away.D.To send him away? Of course I might; I’ll do it:To-night, Ricardo.2049R.(aside).Now we go too fast—The sooner he goes the better: and yet your planWas good, to watch to-night. Now that he thinksSuspicion lulled too, he will be more rash.Let Lady Laura watch the garden, and IHis room: even if that fail, ’tis time enoughTo send him off to-morrow.D.... I thought when I came in here, Ricardo,I had come to the end of the matter: I find instead’Tis ten times more involved, doubtful, and difficult.For after this exposure, if Frederick stayed,Our mutual trust is sapped: and if, as you urge,2060I send him away, there’s none to take his place.Nor can I do without him. In two days henceThe wedding is fixed, for which a host of guestsAre bid to the house. Sir Gregory being so deafWould be overwhelmed: Frederick cannot be spared.Yet would he stay if I asked him? Did you hear himThreaten he would not take his papers back?He sees, no doubt, how necessary he is.R.No doubt, my lady, he sees that when he is goneHe cannot be here to help you.D.Who can help me?What is your counsel?2070R.Not to ask a favourOf one whom you so hotly have charged with wrong.D.I would not.R.Sir Gregory then must do his best.D.’Tis no solution that.R.Then what, my lady,If I should take the place awhile? I offerMy service, I would do my best.D.I thank you,Ricardo. I hardly like to accept; and yetYou have come to know much that I could not tellTo another.R.(aside). I win. But she must ask me herself.D.I think I might accept.—What say you?R.My lady,2080I see one difficulty,—I have offered moreThan is quite my own: for being the Duke’s servantI cannot without his leave give pledge to another.D.Cannot you get his leave?R.Yes. I will ask it.And what if Frederick be our messenger?Send him again to Milan; the very missionThat he played false in: so your dignityIs salved and explanation saved.D.’Tis good.To-morrow he goes. If you will act in his place—For some ten days, say?R.Longer, if it should please you.2090D.I thank you, I shall not need it.R.But if....D.If what?R.If Frederick should resign, and if the DukeGave me permission, might I keep my place?D.I thank you, sir; I hope there’ll be no need.R.But may I hope?D.In truth I know of noneI’d rather see in his place.R.A thousand thanks!D.Why thank me so, sir? I am here the obliged.R.Your ladyship knows not the great desireI have felt to serve her.D.I am happy to have inspired it.It comes to me as a sort of consolationIn my distress—2100R.Agreed then that to-nightWe watch. If nothing come of that, to-morrowFrederick is sent to Milan with my letter.Only your ladyship must be preparedTo lose him. Whoever it is he loves, I am sureWhen we discover her, we shall find a passionWorthy and deep, from which he’ll not be moved:Therefore....D.O, you are mistaken. I know him better.I know he is cold. Well, well: I thank you. I wish youGood-evening, sir.—To-morrow speak we of this—But I have been much deceived.—Be not concerned,’Tis nothing.[Faints.2111R.(supporting her to a chair). Flora!—Here is a chair, my lady,You are over-wrought. (Aside.) By heaven, what brutes we are!’Twere kinder far to tell her at once—Diana!Dearest Diana! (Aside.) What am I doing?—Flora! Flora!Re-enter Flora.Fl.My lady in one of her fits!R.What is it? Look at her, Flora!Fl.To fan her face,—that’s all.She will come to herself. See, see!R.(aside). This lump 's not fit to touch her.—My lady!—Diana!D.(awakening). Who’s there? Ah, Flora!Fl.My ladyHas fainted again.2120D.Ricardo!—yes, I remember.How foolish.Fl.All’s well, my lady.D.(to Fl.).Give me an arm.I’ll go within.R.Cannot I help you?D.Oh, no.’Tis nothing,—a silly habit I wish I were rid of.I thank you. Good evening, sir.R.Good evening, madam.I promise to bring this all to a happy end.D.I thank you, sir: I would you might. So, Flora.[Exit with Fl.R.Now, by my soul, Frederick’s atrocious!’Tis brutal of him. He has let this go too far.She loves him much too well. Good heaven! to thinkHe might have had her. I owe him everythingFor being so blind, and eager for his marriage2132With Lady Laura. Yes, and thanks to herFor being so ready; and to St. NicholasFor setting her on: for he in the end appearsAs my good genius, tho’he little dreams it.So far, all prospers—all is in good train.To-morrow will decide my fate.
D.Ah! you have seen it?
D.Ah! you have seen it?
2010R.No.
R.No.
D.Then I am assured there is no other pictureThan that I saw. His servant guessed the truth:’Twas part of a pretence, for which I thinkThere may be a cause. There is no lady at all.
D.Then I am assured there is no other picture
Than that I saw. His servant guessed the truth:
’Twas part of a pretence, for which I think
There may be a cause. There is no lady at all.
R.Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hathTo outwit himself.
R.Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hath
To outwit himself.
D.What then do you believe?
D.What then do you believe?
R.I see the stroke your ladyship preparedWas excellent: the merest chance in the worldEnabled him to escape.
R.I see the stroke your ladyship prepared
Was excellent: the merest chance in the world
Enabled him to escape.
D.Impossible.2020This is a dream. Besides, how could he dareDeceive me again, and wish me to believeThat he is a fool?
D.Impossible.
This is a dream. Besides, how could he dare
Deceive me again, and wish me to believe
That he is a fool?
R.A false opinion wrongsThe holder most.
R.A false opinion wrongs
The holder most.
D.Never! I cannot think it.
D.Never! I cannot think it.
R.You do not wish to think it.
R.You do not wish to think it.
D.And what dost thou, sir,Think that I wish?
D.And what dost thou, sir,
Think that I wish?
R.One thing at least is clear....
R.One thing at least is clear....
D.(aside). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself—Well, sir!
D.(aside). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself—
Well, sir!
R.You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love.
R.You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love.
D.How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that?
D.How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that?
2030R.The fear to lose so good a secretary.
R.The fear to lose so good a secretary.
D.So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo,I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.—I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry—I do not wish to believe it: I thought at firstHis lady, whoever she was, might be in the town:Or, if the affair had sprung within my court,It might be one of my guests: but now it happensWe have no visitors. If last night he keptAn appointment here in the court,—who can it beBut one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed?I thought well of him, and still would think the best:I’ll not believe it.
D.So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo,
I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.—
I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry—
I do not wish to believe it: I thought at first
His lady, whoever she was, might be in the town:
Or, if the affair had sprung within my court,
It might be one of my guests: but now it happens
We have no visitors. If last night he kept
An appointment here in the court,—who can it be
But one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed?
I thought well of him, and still would think the best:
I’ll not believe it.
2041R.(aside). I shall not act this out.I almost dare to tell her all: she torturesHerself for nothing.—I cannot....
R.(aside). I shall not act this out.
I almost dare to tell her all: she tortures
Herself for nothing.—I cannot....
D.What say you, sir?
D.What say you, sir?
R.’Tis out of the question, madam.
R.’Tis out of the question, madam.
D.Nay, tell not me.I know what men will do.
D.Nay, tell not me.
I know what men will do.
R.If you believe it,There’s but one plan.
R.If you believe it,
There’s but one plan.
D.And that?
D.And that?
R.To send him away.
R.To send him away.
D.To send him away? Of course I might; I’ll do it:To-night, Ricardo.
D.To send him away? Of course I might; I’ll do it:
To-night, Ricardo.
2049R.(aside).Now we go too fast—The sooner he goes the better: and yet your planWas good, to watch to-night. Now that he thinksSuspicion lulled too, he will be more rash.Let Lady Laura watch the garden, and IHis room: even if that fail, ’tis time enoughTo send him off to-morrow.
R.(aside).Now we go too fast—
The sooner he goes the better: and yet your plan
Was good, to watch to-night. Now that he thinks
Suspicion lulled too, he will be more rash.
Let Lady Laura watch the garden, and I
His room: even if that fail, ’tis time enough
To send him off to-morrow.
D.... I thought when I came in here, Ricardo,I had come to the end of the matter: I find instead’Tis ten times more involved, doubtful, and difficult.For after this exposure, if Frederick stayed,Our mutual trust is sapped: and if, as you urge,2060I send him away, there’s none to take his place.Nor can I do without him. In two days henceThe wedding is fixed, for which a host of guestsAre bid to the house. Sir Gregory being so deafWould be overwhelmed: Frederick cannot be spared.Yet would he stay if I asked him? Did you hear himThreaten he would not take his papers back?He sees, no doubt, how necessary he is.
D.... I thought when I came in here, Ricardo,
I had come to the end of the matter: I find instead
’Tis ten times more involved, doubtful, and difficult.
For after this exposure, if Frederick stayed,
Our mutual trust is sapped: and if, as you urge,
I send him away, there’s none to take his place.
Nor can I do without him. In two days hence
The wedding is fixed, for which a host of guests
Are bid to the house. Sir Gregory being so deaf
Would be overwhelmed: Frederick cannot be spared.
Yet would he stay if I asked him? Did you hear him
Threaten he would not take his papers back?
He sees, no doubt, how necessary he is.
R.No doubt, my lady, he sees that when he is goneHe cannot be here to help you.
R.No doubt, my lady, he sees that when he is gone
He cannot be here to help you.
D.Who can help me?What is your counsel?
D.Who can help me?
What is your counsel?
2070R.Not to ask a favourOf one whom you so hotly have charged with wrong.
R.Not to ask a favour
Of one whom you so hotly have charged with wrong.
D.I would not.
D.I would not.
R.Sir Gregory then must do his best.
R.Sir Gregory then must do his best.
D.’Tis no solution that.
D.’Tis no solution that.
R.Then what, my lady,If I should take the place awhile? I offerMy service, I would do my best.
R.Then what, my lady,
If I should take the place awhile? I offer
My service, I would do my best.
D.I thank you,Ricardo. I hardly like to accept; and yetYou have come to know much that I could not tellTo another.
D.I thank you,
Ricardo. I hardly like to accept; and yet
You have come to know much that I could not tell
To another.
R.(aside). I win. But she must ask me herself.
R.(aside). I win. But she must ask me herself.
D.I think I might accept.—What say you?
D.I think I might accept.—What say you?
R.My lady,2080I see one difficulty,—I have offered moreThan is quite my own: for being the Duke’s servantI cannot without his leave give pledge to another.
R.My lady,
I see one difficulty,—I have offered more
Than is quite my own: for being the Duke’s servant
I cannot without his leave give pledge to another.
D.Cannot you get his leave?
D.Cannot you get his leave?
R.Yes. I will ask it.And what if Frederick be our messenger?Send him again to Milan; the very missionThat he played false in: so your dignityIs salved and explanation saved.
R.Yes. I will ask it.
And what if Frederick be our messenger?
Send him again to Milan; the very mission
That he played false in: so your dignity
Is salved and explanation saved.
D.’Tis good.To-morrow he goes. If you will act in his place—For some ten days, say?
D.’Tis good.
To-morrow he goes. If you will act in his place—
For some ten days, say?
R.Longer, if it should please you.
R.Longer, if it should please you.
2090D.I thank you, I shall not need it.
D.I thank you, I shall not need it.
R.But if....
R.But if....
D.If what?
D.If what?
R.If Frederick should resign, and if the DukeGave me permission, might I keep my place?
R.If Frederick should resign, and if the Duke
Gave me permission, might I keep my place?
D.I thank you, sir; I hope there’ll be no need.
D.I thank you, sir; I hope there’ll be no need.
R.But may I hope?
R.But may I hope?
D.In truth I know of noneI’d rather see in his place.
D.In truth I know of none
I’d rather see in his place.
R.A thousand thanks!
R.A thousand thanks!
D.Why thank me so, sir? I am here the obliged.
D.Why thank me so, sir? I am here the obliged.
R.Your ladyship knows not the great desireI have felt to serve her.
R.Your ladyship knows not the great desire
I have felt to serve her.
D.I am happy to have inspired it.It comes to me as a sort of consolationIn my distress—
D.I am happy to have inspired it.
It comes to me as a sort of consolation
In my distress—
2100R.Agreed then that to-nightWe watch. If nothing come of that, to-morrowFrederick is sent to Milan with my letter.Only your ladyship must be preparedTo lose him. Whoever it is he loves, I am sureWhen we discover her, we shall find a passionWorthy and deep, from which he’ll not be moved:Therefore....
R.Agreed then that to-night
We watch. If nothing come of that, to-morrow
Frederick is sent to Milan with my letter.
Only your ladyship must be prepared
To lose him. Whoever it is he loves, I am sure
When we discover her, we shall find a passion
Worthy and deep, from which he’ll not be moved:
Therefore....
D.O, you are mistaken. I know him better.I know he is cold. Well, well: I thank you. I wish youGood-evening, sir.—To-morrow speak we of this—But I have been much deceived.—Be not concerned,’Tis nothing.[Faints.
D.O, you are mistaken. I know him better.
I know he is cold. Well, well: I thank you. I wish you
Good-evening, sir.—To-morrow speak we of this—
But I have been much deceived.—Be not concerned,
’Tis nothing.[Faints.
2111R.(supporting her to a chair). Flora!—Here is a chair, my lady,You are over-wrought. (Aside.) By heaven, what brutes we are!’Twere kinder far to tell her at once—Diana!Dearest Diana! (Aside.) What am I doing?—Flora! Flora!
R.(supporting her to a chair). Flora!—Here is a chair, my lady,
You are over-wrought. (Aside.) By heaven, what brutes we are!
’Twere kinder far to tell her at once—Diana!
Dearest Diana! (Aside.) What am I doing?—Flora! Flora!
Re-enter Flora.
Re-enter Flora.
Fl.My lady in one of her fits!
Fl.My lady in one of her fits!
R.What is it? Look at her, Flora!
R.What is it? Look at her, Flora!
Fl.To fan her face,—that’s all.She will come to herself. See, see!
Fl.To fan her face,—that’s all.
She will come to herself. See, see!
R.(aside). This lump 's not fit to touch her.—My lady!—Diana!
R.(aside). This lump 's not fit to touch her.—
My lady!—Diana!
D.(awakening). Who’s there? Ah, Flora!
D.(awakening). Who’s there? Ah, Flora!
Fl.My ladyHas fainted again.
Fl.My lady
Has fainted again.
2120D.Ricardo!—yes, I remember.How foolish.
D.Ricardo!—yes, I remember.
How foolish.
Fl.All’s well, my lady.
Fl.All’s well, my lady.
D.(to Fl.).Give me an arm.I’ll go within.
D.(to Fl.).Give me an arm.
I’ll go within.
R.Cannot I help you?
R.Cannot I help you?
D.Oh, no.’Tis nothing,—a silly habit I wish I were rid of.I thank you. Good evening, sir.
D.Oh, no.
’Tis nothing,—a silly habit I wish I were rid of.
I thank you. Good evening, sir.
R.Good evening, madam.I promise to bring this all to a happy end.
R.Good evening, madam.
I promise to bring this all to a happy end.
D.I thank you, sir: I would you might. So, Flora.
D.I thank you, sir: I would you might. So, Flora.
[Exit with Fl.
[Exit with Fl.
R.Now, by my soul, Frederick’s atrocious!’Tis brutal of him. He has let this go too far.She loves him much too well. Good heaven! to thinkHe might have had her. I owe him everythingFor being so blind, and eager for his marriage2132With Lady Laura. Yes, and thanks to herFor being so ready; and to St. NicholasFor setting her on: for he in the end appearsAs my good genius, tho’he little dreams it.So far, all prospers—all is in good train.To-morrow will decide my fate.
R.Now, by my soul, Frederick’s atrocious!
’Tis brutal of him. He has let this go too far.
She loves him much too well. Good heaven! to think
He might have had her. I owe him everything
For being so blind, and eager for his marriage
With Lady Laura. Yes, and thanks to her
For being so ready; and to St. Nicholas
For setting her on: for he in the end appears
As my good genius, tho’he little dreams it.
So far, all prospers—all is in good train.
To-morrow will decide my fate.