Cha. And can you then cruelly resolve to stay till that curs'd Don arrives, and suffer that youth, beauty, fire, and wit, to be sacrific'd to the arms of a dull Spaniard, to be immured, and forbid the sight of any thing that's human?

Isab. No; when it comes to that extremity, and no stratagem can relieve us, thou shalt list for a soldier, and I'll carry thy knapsack after thee.

Cha. Bravely resolv'd! the world cannot be more savage than our parents, and fortune generally assists the bold, therefore consent now: why should she put it to a future hazard? who knows when we shall have another opportunity?

Isab. Oh, you have your ladder of ropes, I suppose, and the closet window stands just where it did; and

if

you ha'n't forgot to write in characters, Patch will find a way for our assignations. Thus much of the Spanish contrivance my father's severity has taught me, I thank him: though I hate the nation, I admire their management in these affairs.

Enter PATCH.

Patch. Oh, madam! I see my master coming up

the street.

Cha. Oh, the devil! would I had my ladder now! -I thought you had not expected him till night. Why, why, why, why, what shall I do, madam ?

Isab. Oh for Heav'ns sake don't go that way; you'll meet him full in the teeth. "Oh, unlucky "moment!"

Cha.'Adsheart! can you shut me into no cupboard, nor ram me into a chest, ha?

Patch. Impossible, sir, he searches every hole in the house.

Isab. Undone for ever! if he sees you, I shall never see you more.

Patch. I have thought on it: run you to your chamber, madam; and, sir, come you along with me; I'm certain you may easily get down from the balcony. Cha. My life! adieu-Lead on, guide.

[Exeunt Patch and Charles.

Isab. Heav'n preserve him!

[Exit.

A

SCENE III.

Changes to the street.

Enter Sir JEALOUS, with MARPLOT behind him.

Sir Feal. I don't know what's the matter, but I have a strong suspicion all is not right within; that fellow's sauntering about my door, and his tale of a puppy, had the face of a lie, methought. By St. Iago, if I should find a man in the house I'd make mince meat of him-———————

Mar. Mince meat! Ah, poor Charles! how I sweat for thee! Egad he's old-I fancy I might bully him, and make Charles have an opinion of my courage. Egad I'll pluck up, and have a touch with him.

Sir Feal. My own key shall let me in; I'll give them no warning. [Feeling for his key.

Mar. What's that you say, sir? [Ġoing up to sir Jeal. Sir Jeal. What's that to you, sir?

[Turns quick upon him. Mar. Yes, 'tis to me, sir, for the gentleman you threaten is a very honest gentleman. Look to't, for if he comes not as safe out of your house as he went in. Sir Jeal. What, is be in then?

Mar. Yes, sir, he is then; and I say if he does not come out I have half a dozen myrmidons hard by shall beat your house about your ears.

-I'll myr

Sir Jeal. Ah! a combination to undo me— midon you, ye dog you-Thieves! thieves!

[Beats Marplot all the while he crics thieves. Mar. Murder, murder! I was not in your house,

sir.

Enter Servant.

Serv. What's the matter, sir?

Sir Jeal. The matter, rascal! you have let a man into my house, but I'll flea him alive. Follow me ; I'll not leave a mousehole unsearch'd. If I find him, by St. Iago I'll equip him for the opera.

Mar. A deuce of his cane! there's no trusting to age-What shall I do to relieve Charles egad, I'll raise the neighbourhood.- -Murder! murder![Charles drops down upon him from the balcony.] Charles! faith I'm glad to see thee safe out with all my heart! Cha. A pox of your bawling! how the devil came you here?

Mar. Egad, it's very well for you that I was here ;-I

have done you a piece of service: I told the old thunderbolt that the gentleman that was gone in wasCha. Was it you that told him, sir? [Laying hold of bim.] 'Sdeath! I could crush thee into atoms.

[Exit Charles. Mar. What! will you choke me for my kindness?

-Will my inquiring soul never leave searching into other people's affairs till it gets squeez'd out of my body? I dare not follow him now for my blood, he's in such a passion.- -I'll to Miranda; if I can discover aught that may oblige sir George, it may be a means to reconcile me again to Charles.

Sir Jeal. within.] Look about! search! find him out! Mir. Oh, the devil! there's old Crabstick again. [Ex.

Enter Sir JEALOUS and his Servants.

Sir Feal. Are you sure you have search'd every where ?

Serv. Yes, from the top of the house to the bottom.
Sir Jeal. Under the beds and over the beds?
Serv. Yes, and in them too, but found nobody, sir.
Sir Jeal. Why, what could this rogue mean ?

Enter ISABINDA and PATCH.

Patch. Take courage, madam, I saw him safe out.

[Aside to Isab.

Isab. Bless me what's the matter, sir?

Sir Jeal. You know best-Pray where's the man

that was here just now?

Isab. What man, sir? I saw none.

Patch. Nor I, by the trust you repose in me. Do you think I wou'd let a man come within these doors when you are absent ?

:

Sir Jeal. Ah, Patch! she may be too cunning for thy honesty the very scout that he had set to give warning discovered it to me-and threatened me with half-a-dozen myrmidons--but I think I maul'd the villain. These afflictions you draw upon me, mistress!

Isab. Pardon me, sir, 'tis your own ridiculous humour draws you into these vexations, and gives every fool pretence to banter you.

Sir Jeal. No, 'tis your idle conduct, your coquettish flirting into the balcony-Oh! with what joy shall I resign thee into the arms of Don Diego Babinetto! Isab. And with what industry shall I avoid him.

[Aside. Sir Jeal. Certainly that rogue had a message from somebody or other, but, being baulk'd by my coming, popp'd that sham upon me. Come along, ye sots,

let's see if we can find the dog again. Patch, lock

her up, d'ye hear?

Patch. Yes, sir-Ay,walk till your heels ache, you'll find nobody I promise you.

Isab. Who could that scout be which he talks of? Patch. Nay, I cann't imagine without it was Whisper.

Isab. Well, dear Patch! let's employ all our thoughts how to escape this horrid Don Diego; my very heart sinks at his terrible name.