I Clara. No, her notions of filial duty are so severe, she would certainly betray me. Louisa. Clara is of a cold temper, and would think this step of mine highly forward. Clara. Louisa's respect for her father is so great, she would not credit the unkindness of mine. [Louisa turns, and sees Clara and Maid. Louisa. Ha! who are those? sure one is Clara-if it be, I'll trust her.-Clara. [Advances. tell you, that I have run away from my father. Clara. Surprised indeed! and I should certainly chide you must horridly, only that I Enter Louisa, dressed as the DUENNA, with Cardinal and Feil, seeming to cry, Jerome. This way, mistress, this way-have just run away from mine. what, I warrant, a tender parting; sob! tears Louisa. My dear Clara! [Embrace. of turpentine down those deal cheeks-Ay, you may well hide your head-yes, whine till you going? your heart breaks; but I'll not hear one word of excuse-so you are right to be dumb, this -And, I presume, you would have no averway, this way. [Exeunt. sion to meet my brother? Enter DUENNA.. Clara, Dear sister truant! and whither are Louisa. To find the man I love, to be sure Clara. Indeed I should-be has behaved se ill to me, I don't believe I shall ever forgive AIR. storing, Duenna. So speed you well, sagacious Don him. Jerome! Oh, rare effects of passion and obstinacy-now, shall I try whether I can't play When sable night, each drooping plant rethe fine lady as well as my mistress, and if I succeed, I may be a fine lady for the rest of Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, my life-I'll lose no time to equip myself. As some sad widow o'er ber babe deploring. Wakes its beauty with a tear; SCENE IV.-The court before DON JEROME'S When all did sleep, whose weary hearts did House. Enter DON JEROME and LOUISA. [Exit. Jerome. Come, mistress, there is your way The world lies before you, so troop, thou antiquated Eve, thou original sin-hold, yonder is some fellow skulking; perhaps it is 'Antonio-go to him, d'ye hear, and tell him to make you amends, and as he has got you turned away, tell him I say it is but just he should take you himself; go. [Exit Louisa Soh! I am rid of her, thank Heaven! and now I shall be able to keep my oath, and confine my daughter with better security. [Exit. SCENE V. The Piazza., - Enter CLARA and her MAID.. Maid. But where, madam, is it you intend -to go? Clara. Any where to avoid the selfish violence of my mother-in-law, and Ferdinand's insolent importunity. borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Obtain'd one favour then, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant Louisa. Well, for all this, I would have sent him to plead his pardon, but that I would not yet a while have him know of my flight. And where do you hope to find protection? Clara, The Lady Abbess of the convent of St. Catherine is a relation and kind friend of and you Maid. Indeed, ma'am, since we have pro- mine-I shall be secure with her, fited by Don Ferdinand's key, in making our had best go thither with me. I think we had best find him, if it Louisa. No; I am determined to find At escape, were only to thank him. tonio first; and, as I live,- here comes the very man I will employ to seek him for me Clara. Who is he? he's a strange figure! Louisa. Yes; that sweet creature is the man whom my father has fixed on for my Clara. No-he has offended me exceedingly. [Retire. Enter Louisa. Louisa. So I have succeeded in being turn-husband. ed out of doors-but how shall I find Anto Clara. And will you speak to him? are nio? I dare not inque for him, for fear of you mad? being discovered; I would send to my friend Louisa. He is the fittest man in the warld Clara, but that I doubt her prudery would for my purpose-for, though I was to have be is the only man married him to-morrow, in Seville, who, I am sure, never saw me to his life. condemn me. Maid. Then suppose, ma'am, you were to try if your friend Donna Louisa would no receive you. Clara. And how do you know him? Louisa. He arrived but yesterday, and he was shown to me from the window, as he visited my father. Clara. Well, I'll begone. Louisa. Hold, my dear Clara-a thought has struck me-will you give me leave to borrow your name, as I see occasion? Louisa. Is this your gallantry? Isaac. Yet hold Antonio d'Ercilla, did you say? egad, I may make something of this -Antonio d'Ercilla?' Louisa. Yes; and, if ever you hope to prosper in love, you will bring me to him. Isaac. By St. Iago and I will too-Carlos, Clara. It will but disgrace you-but use it this Antonio is one who rivals me (as I have heard) with Louisa-now, if I could hamper as you please I dare not stay-[Going] but, Louisa, if you should see your brother, be sure you don't inform him, that I have taken refuge with the Dame Prior of the convent of St. Catherine, on the lefthand side) of the piazza, which leads to the church of loss-cunning Isaac! cunning rogue! Doma St. Anthony. Clara, will you trust yourself a while to my friend's direction? Louisa. May I rely on you, good signior? Louisa. Ha ha ha! I' be very particular in my directions where he may not find you. [Exeunt Clara and Maid] So! my swain, yonder, has done admiring himself, and draws ceive you. [Retires. Enter ISAAC and CARLOS; ISAAC with a Pocket Glass. nearer. Isaac. [Looking in the Glass] I tell you, friend Carlos, I will please myself in the habit of my chin. Carlos. But, my dear friend, how can you think to please a lady with such a face? AIR. Had I a heart for falsehood framed, Your charms would make me true. Isaac. Why, what's the matter with the And lovers in the young. who could dislike my beard. [Sees Louisa] They'll bid aspiring passion rest, See now! I'll die if here is not a little dam-And act a brother's part: sel struck with it already. Then, lady, dread not here deceit, Louisa. Signior, are you disposed to oblige Nor fear to suffer wrong; a lady, who greatly wants your assistance? For friends in all the aged you'll meet. [Unveils. And brothers in the young. Isaac. Egad, a very pretty black-eyed girl! Isaac. I'll conduct the lady to my lodgings, she has certainly taken a fancy to me, Carlos-Carlos; I must haste to Don Jerome.-Perfirst, ma'am, I must beg the favour of your name. haps you know Louisa, ma'am. She is diLouisa. So! it's well I am provided [Aside] vinely handsome-isn't she? Louisa. You must excuse me in not joining with you. My name, sir, is Donna Clara d'Almanza. Isaac. What!-Don Gusman's daughter? 'faith, I just now heard she was missing. Isaac. Why, I have heard it on all hands. Louisa. But sure, sir, you have too much Louisa. Her father is uncommonly partial gallantry and honour to betray me, whose to her; but I believe you will find she has fault is love? rather a matronly air. Isaac. So! a passion for me! poor girl! Isaac. Carlos, this is all envy-you pretty Why, ma'am, as for betraying you, I don't girls never speak well of one another-bark see how I could get any thing by it; so you ye, find out Antonio, and I'll saddle him with may rely on my honour; but as for your this scrape, I warrant! Oh, 'twas the luckiest, love, I am sorry your case is so desperate. thought!-Donna Clara, your very obedient Louisa. Why so, signior? -Carlos, to your post. Isane. Because I am positively engaged to another-an't I, Carlos? Louisa. Nay, but hear me. DUET. Isaac. My mistress expects me, and I must Isaac. No, no; what should I hear for? It Louisa. Soon may you return a prosper ous wooer, want to cut my throat for my civility-so, truly, you had best go home again. strangers I'm forced to confide. Alone, and away from the man whom I love Isaac. Dear lady, my friend you may trust. and he'll prove Louisa. Odious wretch! [Aside] But, good signior, it is Antonio d'Ercilla, on whose ac- Your servant, proctector, and guide. count I have eloped. Isaac. How! what! it is not with me, then, that you are in love? Louisa. No, indeed, it is not. AIR CARLOS. Gentle maid, ah! why suspect me? Let me serve thee-then reject me. Isaac. Then you are a forward, imperti- Canst thou trust, and I deceive thee? nent simpleton! and I shall certainly acquaint Art thou sad, and shall I grieve thee? vour father. Gentle maid, ah! why suspect me? civil beginning too. Hem! madam-miss-I'm Isaac. O, dear lady, may I thank those all attention. dear lips for this goodness. [Kisses her] Why, Duenna. Nay, sir, 'tis I who should listen, she has a pretty sort of velvet down, that's and you propose. the truth on't! Isaac. 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. Duenna. You seem thoughtful, sir-let me persuade you to sit down. Isaac. So, so; she mollifies apace-she's struck with my figure! this attitude has had its effect. [Aside. Duenna. O, sir, you have the most insinuating manner, but indeed you should get rid of that odious beard-one might as well kiss an hedgehog. Isaac. Yes, ma'am, the razor wouldn't be amiss-for either of us. [Aside] Could you favour me with a song? Duenna. Willingly, sir, though I am rather hoarse-abem! [Begins to sing. Duenna, Come, sir, here's a chair. Isaac. Very like a Virginia nightingale!Isaac. Madam, the greatness of your good-ma'am, I perceive you're hoarse-I beg you ness overpowers me that a lady so lovely will not distress should deign to turn her beauteous eyes on Duenna. Ob, not in the least distressed;me so. [She takes his hand, he turns and now, sir, sees her. Duenna. You seem surprised at my condescension. Isaac. Why, yes, madam, I am a little surprised at it.-Zounds! this can never be Louisa she's as old as my mother! [Aside. Duenna. But former prepossessions give way to my father's commands. Isaac. [Aside] Her father! Yes, 'tis she then-Lord, lord; bow blind some parents are! Duenna. Signior Isaac. Isaac. Truly, the little damsel was rightshe has rather a matronly air indeed! ah! 'tis well my affections are fixed on her fortune, and not her person. Duenna. Signior, won't you sit? [She sits. SONG, When a tender maid By some admiring swain, While he unfolds his pain! If he takes her hand-she trembles quite! The youth she boldly views; Or her bosom clasp, Isaac. Pardon me, madam, I have scarce Then to church well pleased the lovers move, recovered my astonishment at-your condes-While her smiles her contentment prove; cension, madam-she has the devil's own dimples to be sure! [Aside. Duenna. I do not wonder, sir, that you are surprised at my affability-I own, signior, 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 a quite different person, Isaac. Ay, and so you were to me, upon my soul, madam. Duenna. But when I saw you, I was never more struck in my life. And a pit-a-pat, etc. Her heart avows her love. Isauc. Charming, ma'am ! enchanting! and, truly, your notes put me in mind of one that's very dear to me; a lady, indeed, whom you greatly resemble! Duenna. How! is there, then, another so dear to you? Isaac. O, no, ma'am, you mistake; it was my mother I meant. Duenna. Come, sir, I see you are amazed and confounded at my condescension, and know not what to say. Isaac. That was just my case too, madam: I was struck all on a heap, for my part. Isaac, It is very true, indeed, ma'am; but Duenna. Well, sir, I see our misapprehen- it is a judgment, I look on it as a judgment sion has been mutual-you expected to find on me, for delaying to urge the time when me haughty and averse, and I was taught to you'll permit me to complete my happiness, believe you a little, black, snub-nosed fellow, by acquainting Don Jerome with your conwithout person, manners, or address. descension. Isaac. Egad, I wish she had answer'd her picture as well. Duenna. 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. Duenna. Sir, I must frankly own to you, that I can never be yours with my father's consent, Isaac. Good lack! how so? Duenna, When my father, in his passion, swore he would never see me again till I acquiesced in his will, I also made a vow, Duenna. So little like a Jew, and so much that I would never take a husband from his like a gentleman! Isaac. Well, certainly there is something pleasing in the tone of her voice. Duenna. 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! band; 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! Duenna. Nay, sir, if you hestitate- |
