|

laid some wash-balls of my master's t'other day; and because I could not think where I had laid them, just when he asked for them, he very fairly broke my head, madam; and now it seems I can think of nothing else. Alas! he dance, madam! No, no, poor gentleman, he is as melancholy as an unbraced drum.

Vio. Poor Felix! There, wear that ring for your master's sake; and let him know I shall be ready to receive him. [Exit. Lis. I shall, madam. (Puts on the ring.) Methinks a diamond ring is a vast addition to the little finger of a gentleman. (Admires his hand.)

Flora. That ring must be mine. (Aside.) Well, Lissardo; what haste you make to pay off arrears, now. Look how the fellow stands!

Lis. 'Egad, methinks I have a pretty hand; and very white; and the shape! Faith, I never minded it so much before. In my opinion, it is a very fine shaped hand, and becomes a diamond ring as well as the first grandee's in Portugal.

Flora. The man's transported! Is this your love? This your impatience?

Lis. (Takes snuff.) Now, in my mind, I take snuff with a very jaunty air. Well, I am persuaded I want nothing but a coach and a title to make me a very fine gentleman.

Flora. Sweet Mr. Lissardo, (Curtseys.) if I may presume to speak to you, without affronting your Îittle finger

Lis. Odso, madam, I ask your pardon. Is it to me or to the ring, you direct your discourse, madam?

Flora. Madam, good lack! How much a diamond ring improves one!

Lis. Why, though I say it, I can carry myself as well as anybody. But what wert thou going to say, child?

Flora. Why, I was going to say, that I fancy you had best let me keep that ring; it will be a very pretty wedding ring, Lissardo; would it not?

Lis. Humph! ah! but-but-but-I believe I sha'nt marry yet awhile.

Flora. You sha'n't, you say? Very well! I suppose you design that ring for Inis!

Lis. No, no; I never bribe an old acquaintance. Perhaps I might let it sparkle in the eyes of a stranger a little, till we come to a right understanding; but, then, like all other mortal things, it would return from whence it came.

Flora. Insolent! Is that your manner of dealing? Lis. With all but thee. Kiss me, you little rogue, you. (Hugs her.)

Flora. Little rogue! Pr'ythee, fellow, don't be so familiar; (Pushes him away.) if I mayn't keep your ring, I can keep my kisses.

Lis. You can, you say? Spoke with the air of a chambermaid.

Flora. Replied with the spirit of a serving-man. Lis. Pr'ythee, Flora, don't let you and I fall out! I am in a merry humour, and shall certainly fall in somewhere.

Flora. What care I where you fall in.
Re-enter VIOLANTE.

Vio. Why do you keep Lissardo so long, Flora, when you don't know how soon my father may awake? His afternoon naps are never long.

Flora. Had Don Felix been with her, she would not have thought the time long. These ladies consider nobody's wants but their own. (Aside.)

Vio. Go, go, let him out. Flora. Yes, madam.

Lis. I fly, madam. [Exeunt Lissardo aud Flora. Vio. The day draws in, and night, the lover's

Flora. Oh, madam! as I was letting out Lissardo, a gentleman rushed between him and I, struck down my candle, and is bringing a dead person in his arms into our house.

Vio. Ha! a dead person! heaven grant it does not prove my Felix.

Flora. Here they are, madam.

Vio. I'll retire, till you discover the meaning of this accident.

[Exit. Enter COLONEL BRITON, with ISABELLA in his arms, whom he sets down in a chair, and addresses himself to Flora.

Col. B. Madam, the necessity this lady was under of being conveyed into some house with speed and secrecy, will, I hope, excuse any indecency I might be guilty of, in pressing so rudely into this. I am an entire stranger to her name and circumstances; would I were so to her beauty, too! (Aside.) I commit her, madam, to your care, and fly to make her retreat secure; if the street be clear, permit me to return, and learn from her own mouth if I can be further serviceable. Pray, madam, what is the lady of this house called?

Flora. Violante, seignior.
Col. B. Are you she, madam?
Flora. Only her woman, seignior.

Col. B. Your humble servant, mistress. Pray be careful of the lady.

[Gives her two moidores, and Erit. Flora. Two moidores. Well, he is a generous fellow. This is the only way to make one careful. Re-enter VIOLANTE.

Vio. Was you distracted, Flora, to tell my name to a man you never saw? Unthinking wench! Who knows what this may turn to? What, is the lady dead? Ah, defend me, heaven! 'tis Isabella, sister to my Felix. What has befallen her? Pray heaven he's safe. Run and fetch some cold water. Stay, stay, Flora; Isabella, friend, speak to me; oh, speak to me, or I shall die with apprehension. Isa. Oh, hold, my dearest father, do not force me, indeed I cannot love him.

Vio. How wild she talks! Isa. Ha! Where am I?

Vio. With one as sensible of thy pain as thou thyself can'st be.

Isa. Violante! what kind star preserved and lodged me here?

Flora. It was a terrestrial star, called a man, madam; pray Jupiter he prove a lucky one.

Isa. Oh I remember now. Forgive me, dear Violante; my thoughts ran so much upon the danger I escaped, I forgot.

Vio. May I not know your story?

Isa. Thou art no stranger to one part of it. I have often told thee that my father designed to sacrifice me to Don Guzman, who, it seems, is just returned from Holland, and expected ashore to-morrow, the day that he has set to celebrate our nuptials. Upon my refusing to obey him, he locked me into my chamber, vowing to keep me there till he arrived; and force me to consent. I know my father to be positive, never to be won from his design; and

Vio. You have not hurt yourself, I hope ? Isa. No; a gentleman passing by, by accident, caught me in his arms: at first, my fright made me apprehend it was my father, till he assured me to the contrary.

Flora. He is a very fine gentleman, I promise you, madam; and a well-bred man I warrant him. I never saw a grandee put his hand into his pocket with a better air in my whole life-time; then he opened his purse with such a grace, that nothing but his manner of presenting me with the gold could equal.

Vio There is but one common road to the heart of a servant, and 'tis impossible for a generous person to mistake it. Go, leave us, Flora. (Exit Flora.) But how came you hither, Isabella?

Isa. I know not; I desired the stranger to conduct me to the next monastery; but ere I reached the door, I saw, or fancied that I saw, Lissardo, my brother's man; and the thought that his master might not be far off, flung me into a swoon, which is all that I can remember. Ha! what's here? (Takes up a letter.) "For Colonel Briton. This must To be left at the post-house in Lisbon" be dropped by the stranger which brought me hither.

Vio. Thou art fallen into the hands of a soldier; take care he does not lay thee under contribution, girl.

Isa. I find he is a gentleman; and if he is but unmarried, I would be content to follow him all the world over. But I shall never see him more I (Sighs and pauses.) Vio. What makes you sigh, Isabella? Isa. The fear of falling into my father's clutches again.

fear.

Vio. Can I be serviceable to you?

Isa. Yes, if you can conceal me two or three days.

since I have been in Donna Violante's service, yet I have not lost the theory of a chambermaid. Do you write the letter, and leave the rest to me: here here, here's pen, ink, and paper. Isa. I'll do it in a minute. (Sits down to write.) Flora. So! this is a business after my own heart; love always takes care to reward his labourers, and Great Britain seems to be his favourite country. Oh, I long to see the other two moidores with a British air. Methinks there's a grace peculiar to that nation, in making a present.

Isa. So, I have done; now if he does but find this house again.

Flora. If he should not, I warrant I'll find him, if he's in Lisbon; for I have a strong possession that he has two more moidores as good as ever were told. (Puts the letter into her bosom.) Re-enter VIOLANTE.

Vio. Flora, watch my papa; he's fast asleep in his study; if you find him stir, give me notice. (Felix taps at the window.) Hark, I hear Felix at the window, admit him instantly, and then to your post. [Exit Flora

Isa. What say you, Violante, is my brother. come?

Vio. It is his signal at the window.

the love thou bear'st to Felix, by thy own generous Isa. (Kneels.) Oh, Violante, I conjure thee by all nature, nay more, by that unspotted virtue, thou art mistress of, do not discover to my brother I am here.

Vio. Contrary to your desire, be assured I never shall. But where's the danger?

tion? He'll think his honour blemished by my disIsa. Art thou born in Lisbon, and ask that quesobedience; and would restore me to my father, or kill me; therefore, dear, dear girl

Felix.

Isa. Well, I don't know what ails me; methinks I wish I could find this stranger out.

Re-enter FLORA.

Flora. Does your ladyship want me, madam? Isa. Ay, Mrs. Flora, I resolved to make you my confidant.

Flora. I shall endeavour to discharge my duty, madam.

Isa. I doubt it not, and desire you to accept this as a token of my gratitude.

Flora. O dear signora, I should have been your humble servant without a fee.

Isa. I believe it. But to the purpose; do you think, if you saw the gentleman which brought me hither, you should know him again?

Flora. From a thousand, madam: I have an excellent memory where a handsome man is concerned. When he went away, he said he would return again immediately. I admire he

comes not.

Isa. Here, did you say? You rejoice me; though I'll not see him if he comes. Could you not contrive to give him a letter?

Flora. With the air of a duenna.

Isa. Not in this house; you must veil and follow him. He must not know it comes from me.

Flora. What, do you take me for a novice in love

Vio. Depend upon my friendship; nothing shall draw the secret from these lips; not even Felix, I hear him coming; retire into that closet. Isa. Remember, Violante, upon thy promise my [Exit. very life depends. Vio. When I betray thee, may I share thy fate!

Enter FELIX.

My Felix! my everlasting love!

(Runs into his arms.) Fel. My life! my soul! Violante ! Vio. What hazards dost thou run for me? Oh, how shall I requite thee?

Fel. If, during this tedious, painful exile, thy thoughts have never wandered from thy Felix, thou hast made me more than satisfaction.

Vio. Can there be room within this heart for any but thyself? No, if the god of love were lost to all the rest of humankind, thy image would secure him in my breast; I am all truth, all love, all faith, and know no jealous fears.

Fel. My heart's the proper sphere where love resides; could he quit that, he would be no where found; and yet, Violante, I'm in doubt.

Vio. Did I ever give thee cause to doubt, my

Felix?

Fel. True love has many fears, and fears as many eyes as fame; yet sure I think they see no fault in thee. (Colonel Briton taps at the window.) What's that? (Taps again.)

Vio. What? I hear nothing. (Again.)

Fel. Ha! what means this signal at your window?

Vio. Somewhat, perhaps, in passing by, might accidentally hit it; it can be nothing else.

No, he shall not live to meet your

Col. B. (Within.) Hist, hist! Donna Violante! Donna Violante!

Fel. They use your name by accident, too, do they, madam?

Re-enter FLORA.

Flora. There is a gentleman at the window, madam, which I fancy to be the same who brought Isabella hither. Shall I admit him? (Aside to Violante.)

Vio. Admit distraction rather! Thou art the cause of this, unthinking wretch!

(Aside.) Fel. What, has Mrs. Scout brought you fresh intelligence? Death, I'll know the bottom of this immediately. (Offers to go.)

Flora. Scout! I scorn your words, seignior. Vio. Nay, nay, nay, you must not leave me. (Runs and catches hold of him.)

fore my face. wishes.

(Takes out a pistol and goes towards the window; she catches hold of him.)

Vio. Ah! (Shrieks.) Hold, I conjure you. Col. B. To-morrow's an age, madam. May I not be admitted to-night?

Vio. If you be a gentleman, I command your absence. Unfortunate, what will my stars do with me? (Aside.)

Col. B. I have done-Only this: Be careful of my life, for it is in your keeping.

[Exit from the window. Fel. Pray observe the gentleman's request, madam. (Walks from her.)

Vio. I am all confusion.

Flora. It must be the Colonel; now to deliver my letter to him.

[Aside and exit. The Colonel taps louder. Fel. Hark, he grows impatient at your delay. Why do you hold the man whose absence would oblige you? Pray, let me go, madam. Consider, the gentleman wants you at the window. Confusion! (Struggles.)

Vio. It is not me he wants.

Fel, Death! not you? Is there another of your name in the house? But come on, convince me of the truth of what you say; open the window. If his business does not lie with you, your conversation may be heard. This, and only this, can take off my suspicion. What, do you pause? Oh, guilt, guilt! have I caught you? Nay, then, I'll leap the balcony. If I remember, this way leads to it. (Breaks from her, and goes to the door.)

Vio. Hold, hold, hold, hold! not for the world you enter there. Which way shall I preserve his sister from his knowledge?

(Aside.) Fel. What, have I touch'd you? Do you fear your lover's life?

be cheated on. Oh thou

Vio. Can I bear th from you? (Weeps.) Fel. (Repeats.) "When I left this house to-night." To-night, the devil! returned so soon!

Vio. Oh, Isabella! what hast thou involved me in? (Aside.) "This house contains my soul."

Fel. (Repeats.) Oh, sweet soul!

Vio. Yet I resolve to keep the secret. (Aside.) Fel. (Repea's.) "Be careful of my life, for 'tis in your keeping." Damnation!-How ugly she appears! (Looks at her.)

Vio. Do not look so sternly on me, but believe me, Felix, I have not injured you, nor am I false. Fel. Not false, not injured me? Oh, Violante, lost and abandoned to thy vice! Not false! Oh, monstrous!

Vio. Indeed, I am not. There is a cause which I must not reveal. Ob, think how far honour can oblige your sex; then allow a woman may be bound by the same rule to keep a secret.

Fel. Honour! What hast thou to do with honour, thou, that canst admit plurality of lovers? A secret! ha, ha, ha! his affairs are wondrous safe, who trusts his secret to a woman's keeping; but you need give yourself no trouble about clearing this point, madam, for you are become so indifferent to me, that your truth and falsehood are the same.

Vio. My love!
Fel. My torment!

Fel. Good.

Re-enter FLORA. Flora. So I have delivered my letter to the Coand received my fee. Madam, your father bade me see what noise that was. For goodness sake, sir, why do you speak so loud? Fel. I understand my cue, mistress; my absence is necessary, I'll oblige you.

(Going, Violante takes hold of him.) Vio. Oh, let me undeceive you first. Fel. Impossible.

Vio. 'Tis very possible, if I durst.

Fel. Durst! ha, ha, ha! durst, quotha?
Vio. But another time I'll tell thee all.

Fel. Nay, now or never.

Vio. Now it cannot be.

Fel. Then it shall never be. Thou most ungrateful of thy sex, farewell.

[Breaks from her and exit. Vio. Oh, exquisite trial of my friendship! Yet not even this shall draw the secret from me. That I'll preserve, let fortune frown or smile; And trust to love, my love to reconcile.

(Exit

ACT III.

SCENE I-A Street.

Enter DON LOPEZ.

Lop. Was ever man thus plagued? Odsheart! I could swallow my dagger for madness; I know not what to think; sure Frederick had no hand in her escape. She must get out of the window; and she could not do that without a ladder; and who could bring it her but him? Ay, it must be so. This graceless baggage,-but I'll to Frederick immediately; I'll take the alguazil with me, and search his house; and if I find her, I'll use her, by St. Anthony, I don't know how I'll use her. [Exit. Enter COLONEL BRITON, with ISABELLA'S letter in his hand; GIBBY following.

Col. B. Well, though I could not see my fair incognita, fortune, to make me amends, has flung another intrigue in my way. Oh! how I love these pretty, kind, coming females, that won't give a man the trouble of racking his invention to deceive them. This letter I received from a lady in a veil, some duenna, some necessary implement of Cupid. I suppose the style is frank and easy, I hope like her that writ it. (Reads.) Sir, I have seen your person and like it"-very concise-"and if you'll meet me at four o'clock in the morning upon the Terriero de Passa, half an hour's conversation will let me into your mind;" ha, ha, ha! a philosophical wench; this is the first time I ever knew a woman had any business with the mind of a man-" if your intellects answer your outward appearance, the adventure may not displease you. I expect you'll not attempt to see my face, nor offer anything unbecoming the gentleman I take you for." Humph! the gentleman she takes me for. I hope she takes me to be flesh and blood, and then I'm sure I shall do nothing unbecoming a gentleman. Well, if I must not see her face, it shall go hard if I don't know where she lives. Gibby!

Gibby. Here and lik yer honour.

Inis. Ha! what do I see? a diamond ring! where the deuse had he that ring? (Aside.) You have got a very pretty ring there, Lissardo.

Lis. Ay, the trifle is pretty enough; but the lady who gave it to me is a bona roba ir beauty, I assure you. (Cocks his hat and struts.)

Inis. I can't bear this-the lady! (Aside.) What lady, pray?

Lis. O fle! there's a question to ask a gentle

I

Lis. So, the devil take me if she did! you make me swear now. So, they are all for the ring; but shall bob 'em. (Aside.) I did but joke; the ring is none of mine, it is my master's; I am going to give it to be new set, that's all; therefore pr'ythee dry thy eyes, and kiss me, come.

Enter FLORA, unobserved.

Inis. And do you really speak truth now?
Lis. Why, do you doubt it?

Flora. So, so, very well; I thought there was an intrigue between him and Inis, for all he has forsworn it so often. (Aside.) Inis. Nor ha'n't you seen Flora since you came to town?

Flora. Ha! how dares she mention my name?

Gibby. In troth dee I, weel enough, sir.

Col. B. I am to meet a lady on the Terriero de Passa.

Gibby. The deel an mine eyn gin I ken her, sir. Col. B. But you will when you come there, sirrah? Gibby. Like enough, sir; I have as sharp an eyn tul a bonny lass as ere a lad in aw Scotland, and what mun I dee wi'her, sir?

Col. B. Why, if she and I part, you must watch her home, and bring me word where she lives. Gibhy. In troth, sall I, sir, gin the deil tak her

Flora. Did you so, villain. (Gives him a box on the ear.)

Lis. Zounds, she's here! I have made a fine piece of work on't.

(Aside)

Inis. What's that for, ha? (Goes up to her.) Flora. I shall tell you by-and-by, Mrs. Frippery, if you don't get about your business.

Inis. Who do you call Frippery, Mrs. Trollop? Pray get about your business, if you go to that; I hope you pretend to no right and title here.

Lis. What the devil, do they take me for an acre of land, that they quarrel about right and title to me? (Aside.) Flora. Pray what right have you, mistress, tu ask that question?

Inis. No matter for that, I can shew a better title to him than you, I believe.

Flora. What, has he given thee nine months earnest for a living title? ha, ha!

Inis. Don't fling your flaunting jests at me, Mrs. Boldface, for I won't take 'em. I assure you.

Lis. So, now I am as great as the famed Alexander. But my dear Statira and Roxana, don't exert yourselves so much about me; now I fancy if you would agree lovingly together, I might, in a modest way, satisfy both your demands upon me

Flora. You satisfy! No, sirrah, I am not to be satisfied so soon as you think, perhaps.

Inis. No, nor I neither. What, do you make no difference between us?

Flora. You pitiful fellow, you! What! you fancy, I warrant, that I gave myself the trouble of dogging you out of love to your filthy person; but you are mistaken, sirrah; it was to detect your treachery. How often have you sworn to me that you hated Inis, and only carried fair for the good cheer, she gave you; but that you could never like a woman with crooked legs, you said.

Inis. How, how, sirrah, crooked legs! Ods, I could find in my heart-(Snatches up her petticoat a little.)

Lis. Here's a lying young jade, now. Pr'ythee, my dear, moderate thy passion (Coaringly.)

Inis. I'd have you to know, sirrah, my legs were never Your master, I hope, understands legs better than you do, sirrah. (Passionately.)

Lis. My master, so. (Shakes his head and winks.) Flora. I am glad I have done some mischief, however. (Aside.) Lis. (To Inis.) Art thou really so foolish to mind what an enraged woman says? Don't you see she does it on purpose to part you and I? (Runs to Flora.) Could not you find the joke without putting yourself in a passion? you silly girl, you. Why I saw you follow us plain enough, and said all this that you might not go back with only your labour for your pains; but you are a revengeful young slut, though, I tell you that; but come, kiss and be friends.

Flora. Don't think to coax me, hang your kisses. Fel. (Without.) Lissardo!

Lis. Odsheart, here's my master; the devil take both these jades for me, what shall I do with them? (Aside.)

Inis. Ha! 'tis Don Felix's voice; I would not have him find me here with his footman for the world. (Aside.)

Fel. (Without.) Why, Lissardo, Lissardo! Lis. Coming, sir. What a plague will you do? Flora. Bless me, which way shall I get out? Lis. Nay, nay, you must é'en set your quarrel aside, and be content to be mew'd up in this clothespress together, or stay where you are, and face it out; there is no help for it.

Flora. Put me anywhere, rather than that; come, come, let me in.

(He opens the press and she goes in. Inis. I'll see her hang'd before I'll go into the place where she is. I'll trust fortune with my deliverance. Here used to be a pair of back stairs, I'll try to find them out. [Exit.

Enter DON FELIX and FREDERICK. Fel. Was you asleep, sirrah, that you did not hear me call?

Lis. I did hear you, and answered you I was coming, sir.

Fel. Go, get the horses ready; I'll leave Lisbon to-night, never to see it more.

Lis. Heyday, what's the matter now? [Erit. Fred. Pray tell me, Don Felix, what has ruffled your temper thus?

Fel. A woman. Oh, friend, who can name woman, and forget inconstancy?

Fred. This from a person of mean education were excusable; such low suspicions have their source from vulgar conversation; men of your politer taste never rashly censure. Come, this is some groundless jealousy. Love raises many fears.

Fel. No, no; my ears conveyed the truth into my heart, and reason justifies my anger. Oh, my friend, Violante's false, and I have nothing left but thee, in Lisbon, which can make me wish ever to see it more; except revenge upon my rival, of

whom I am ignorant. Oh, that some miracle would reveal him to me, that I might through his heart punish her infidelity. Re-enter LISSARDO.

Lis. Oh, sir! here's your father, Don Lopez, coming up.

Fel. Does he know that I am here?

Lis. I can't tell, sir; he asked for Don Frederick. Fred. Did he see you?

Lis. I believe not, sir; for as soor as I saw him, I ran back to give my master notice

Fel. Keep out of his sight, then. [Exit Lissardo.] And dear Frederick, permit me to retire into the next room, for I know the old gentleman will be very much displeased at my return without his leave. [Exit.

Fred. Quick, quick, be gone; he is here. Enter DON LOPEZ, speaking as he enters. Lop. Mr. Alguazil, wait you without till I call for you. Frederick, an affair brings me herewhich-requires privacy-so that if you have anybody within ear-shot, pray order them to retire.

Fred. We are private, my lord; speak freely. Lop. Why, then, sir, i must tell you that you had better have pitched upon any man in Portugal to have injured than myself.

Fred. I understand you not, my lord.

Lop. Though I am old, I have a son-Alas, why name I him? he knows not the dishonour of my house.

Fred. Explain yourself, my lord; I am not conscious of any dishonourable action to any man, much less to your lordship.

Lop. 'Tis false! you have debauched my daugh

Lop. I have those that will swear she is here in your house.

Fred. You are misinformed, my lord; upon my reputation, I have not seen Donna Isabella since the absence of Don Felix.

Lop. Then pray, sir, if I am not too inquisitive, what motive had you for those objections you made against her marriage with Don Guzman yesterday?

Fred. The disagreeableness of such a match, I fear'd would give your daughter cause to curse her duty, if she complied with your demands; that was all, my lord.

Lop. And so you helped her through the window, to make her disobey.

Fred. This is insulting me, my lord, when I assure you, I have neither seen nor know anything of your daughter: if she is gone, the contrivance was her own, and you may thank your rigour for it.

Lop. Very well, sir; however, my rigour shall make bold to search your house. Here, call in the alguazil.

Flora. (Peeps.) The alguazil! What, in the name of wonder, will become of me?

Fred. The alguazil! My lord, you'll repent this. Enter Alguazil and Attendants. Lop. No, sir, 'tis you that will repent it. I charge you, in the king's name, to assist me in finding my daughter. Be sure you leave no part of the house unsearched. Come, follow me. (Gets towards the door where Felix is; Frederick draws, and plants himself before it.)

Fred. Sir, I must first know by what authority