Mother. Sir, I am so highly your obligèe for the manner of your inquiries, and you have grounded your determinations upon so just a basis, that I shall not be ashamed to own myself a votary to all your commands. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Street. Enter Second CONSTANTÍA. 2 Con. So, thanks to my youth and my heels, I am once more free from Antonio !-What an escape! and yet, what a misfortune! I have no great reason to rejoice-for, though I have got clear from the old fellow, I have lost the young one too. I did not wish to out-run them both-but whither to go now? that's the question-I wish my spirited young Spaniard was here to answer it--but that this wild spark, whom I liked so well, and who swore he liked me, should send that old piece of mischief to distress me, and drive me out of the house, puzzles me exceedingly! I wish I could see him once more, to explain this matter to me.-May I never be married if he is not coming this way!-Should he prove false, my poor heart will have a terrible time of it-now for the proof[Walks aside. Enter DON JOHN, holding PETER. John. Did you run after her, as I ordered you, sirrah? Peter. Like any greyhound, sir. John. And have you found her, rascal? John. Not quite, sir!-You are drunk, fellow! John. Have you seen her? speak quickly, or speak [Shaking him. no more. I have seen her. Peter. Yes, yes, Peter. There! there! John. Where's there, sirrah? Peter. There where I saw her--in the street! Peter. I was overtaken myself, sir, and-hic-fell down. John. Then she is gone! irrecoverably gone! and I shall run distracted! [Second CONSTANTIA taps him on the Shoulder; he turns, and they gaze on each other.] Heigho! Peter. Never was so near death in all my life! [Exit. John. Oh, my dear soul, take pity on me, and give me comfort; for I'm e'en dead for want of thee, 2 Con. O, you're a fine gentleman, indeed, to shut me up in your house, and send another man to me. John. Pray hear me. 2 Con. No, I will never hear you more, after such an injury; what would you have done, if I had been kind to you, that you could use me thus before? John. By my troth, that's shrewdly urged. 2 Con. Besides, you basely broke your word. John. But will you hear nothing? nor did you hear nothing? I had three men upon me at once, and had I not consented to let that old fellow up, who came to my rescue, they had all broken in whether I would or no. 2 Con. It may be so, for I remember I heard a noise; but suppose it was not so, what then? why, then, I'll love him, however. Harkye, sir, I ought now to use you very scurvily; but I can't find in my heart to do so. John. Then Heaven's blessing on thy heart for it. 2 Con. But a John. What? 2 Con. I would fain know John. What, what? I'll tell thee any thing, every thing. 2 Con. I would fain know, whether you can be kind to me. John, Look in your glass, my charmer, and answer for me. 2 Con. You think me very vain. John. I think you devilish handsome. 2 Con. I shall find you a rogue at last. John. Then you shall hang me for a fool; take your garters, and do it now, if [Sighing. 2 Con. You are no fool. John. O yes, a loving fool. you will. 2 Con. Will you love me for ever? John. I'll be bound to you for ever-you can't desire better security. 2 Con. I have better security. John. What's that, my angel? 2 Con. The tenderest affection for you now, and the kindest behaviour to you, for evermore. John. And I, upon my knees, will swear, that, that what shall I swear? 2 Con. Nay, use what words you please, so they be but hearty. John. I swear, then, by thy fair self, that looks so like a deity, and art the only thing I now can think of, that I'll adore you to my dying day.. 2 Con. And here I vow, the minute thou dost leave me, I'll leave the world-that's, kill myself. John. Oh, my dear heavenly creature! we'll love as long as we live, and then we'll die together-and there's an end of both of us.-But who is this my old new friend has got there? Enter First CONSTANTIA and ANTONIO, who seizes her. Ant. Oh, have I caught you, gentlewoman, at last! -Come, give me my gold. 1 Con. I hope he takes me for another; I won't answer, for I had rather you should take me for any one, than who I am. John. Pray, sir, who is that you have there by the hand! Ant. A person of honour-that has broke open my trunks, and run away with all my gold; yet I'll hold ten pounds I'll have it whipped out of her again. 2 Con. Done, I'll hold you ten pounds of that now! Ant. Ha! by my troth, you have reason; and, lady, I ask your pardon; but I'll have it whipped out of you, then, gossip. [Going to her, John. Hold, sir, you must not meddle with my goods. [Stopping him. Ant. Your goods! how came she to be yours? I'm sure I bought her of her mother, for five hundred good pieces in gold. John. Ay, sir, but that bargain won't hold good in our court: besides, sir, as I told you before, she's mine, Don. Ant. Yours, sir! by what right? John. The right of possession, sir, the law of love, and consent of the parties. Ant. And is this so, young lady? -2 Con. Yes, young gentleman, it is.-You pur chase me! And could you imagine, you old fol you, that I would take up with you, while there was a young fellow to be had for love or money.-Purchase yourself a little wit, and a great deal of flan nel, against the cold weather, or, on my word, you'll make a melancholy figure. Ha! ha! ha! John. He does make a melancholy figure! ha! ha! You had better let her alone, Don; why, she's too hard for me Ant. Indeed, I think so-But, pray, sir, by your leave, I hope you will allow me the speech of one word to your goods here, as you call her; 'tis but a small request. John. Ay, sir, with all my heart-how, Constantia!-Madam, now you have seen that lady, I hope will pardon the haste you met me in a little while ago; if I committed a fault, you must thank her for it. you 1 Con. Sir, I do know too well the power of love, by my own experience, not to pardon all the effects of it in another. Ant. Well, then, I'll promise you, if you will but help me to recover my gold again, that I'll never trouble you more. 2 Con. A match; and 'tis the best that you and I could ever make. John. Pray, madam, fear nothing; by my love, I'll stand by you, and see that your brother shall do you no harm. 1 2 Con. Harkye, sir, a word: how dare you talk of love to any lady but me, sir? John. By my troth, that was a fault, but I meant it only civilly. 2 Con. Ay, but if you are so very civil a gentleman, we shall not be long friends: I scorn to share your love with any one whatsoever; and, for my part, I'm resolved either to have all or none. John. Well, well, my dear, little, covetous rogue, |
