Fel. Oh, torture, torture! (Aside.) Col. B. Ha! Violante! That's the lady's name of the house where my incognita is: sure, it could not be her; at least, it was not the same house, I am confident. (Aside.) Fred. Violante? 'Tis false; I would not have you credit him, Colonel. Gibby. The deel burst my bladder, sir, gin I lee. Fel. Sirrah, I say you do fie, and I'll make you eat it, you dog; (kicks him) and if your master will justify you Col. B. Not I, faith, sir! I answer for nobody's lies but my own. If you please, kick him again. Gibby. But gin he does, Ise na tak it, sir, gin he was a thousand Spaniards. (Walks about in a passion.) Col. B. I owed you a beating, sirrah, and I am obliged to this gentleman for taking the trouble off my hands; therefore, say no more, d'ye hear, sir? (Apart to Gibby.) Gibby. Troth de I, sir, and feel tee. Fred. This must be a mistake, Colonel; for I know Violante perfectly well, and I am certain she would not meet you upon the Terriero de Passa. Col. B. Don't be too positive, Frederick. Now I have some reasons to believe it was that very lady. Fel. You'll very much oblige me, sir, if you'd let me know these reasons. Col. B. Sir! Fel. Sir, I say I have a right to inquire into these reasons you speak of. Col. B. Ha, ha! really, sir, I cannot conceive how you, or any man, can have a right to inquire into my thoughts. Fel. Sir, I have a right to everything that relates to Violante. And he that traduces her fame, and refuses to give his reason for it, is a villain. (Draws.) Col. B. What the devil have I been doing? Now blisters on my tongue by dozens! (Aside.) Fred. Pr'ythee, Felix, don't quarrel till you know for what: this is all a mistake, I'm positive. Col. B. Look you, sir, that I dare draw my sword, I think will admit of no dispute. But though fighting's my trade, I'm not in love with it, and think it more honourable to decline this business than pursue it. This may be a mistake; however, I'll give you my honour never to have any affair, directly or indirectly, with Violante, provided she is your Violante; but if there should happen to be another of that name, I hope you will not engross all the Violantes in the kingdom. Fel. Your vanity has given me sufficient reason to believe I'm not mistaken. I'll not be imposed upon, sir. Col. B. Nor I be bullied, sir. Fel. Bullied! 'Sdeath! such another word, and I'll nail thee to the wall. Col. B. Are you sure of that, Spaniard? (Draws.) Gibby. (Draws.) Say na mair, mon. O'my saul, here's twa to twa. Dinna fear, sir, Gibby stonds by ye for the honour of Scotland. (Vapours about.) Fred. (Interposes.) By St. Anthony! you sha'n't fight on bare suspicion: be certain of the injury, and then Fel. That I will this moment; and then, sir, I hope you are to be found. Col. B. Whenever you please, sir. [Exit Felix. Gibby. 'Sdeath! sir, there ne'er was a Scotsman yet that sham'd to shew his face. (Struts about.) Fred. So, quarrels spring up like mushrooms, in a minute. Violante and he were but just reconciled, and you have furnished him with fresh matter of falling out again; and I am certain, Colonel, Gibby is in the wrong. Gibby. Gin I be, sir, the mon that tauld me leed; and gin he did, the deel be my landlord, hell my winter-quarters, and a rope my winding-sheet, gin I dee not lick him as long as I can haud a stick in my hond, now see ye. Col. B. I am sorry for what I have said, for the lady's sake: but who could divine that she was his mistress? Pr'ythee, who is this warm spark? Fred. He is the son of one of our grandees, named Don Lopez de Pimentell, a very honest gentleman; but something passionate in what relates to his love. He is an only son, which may, perhaps, be one reason for indulging his passion. Col. B. When parents have but one child, they either make a madman or a fool of him. Fred. He is not the only child; he has a sister; but I think, through the severity of his father, who would have married her against her inclination, she has made her escape; and, notwithstanding he has offered five hundred pounds, he can get no tidings of her. Col. B. Ha! how long has she been missing? Fred. Nay, but since last night, it seems. Col. B. Last night? The very time! (Aside.) How went she? Fred. Nobody can tell; they conjecture, through the window. Col. B. I'm transported! This must be the lady I caught. (Aside.) What sort of a woman is she? Fred. Middle-sized, a lovely brown, a fine pouting lip, eyes that roll and languish, and seem to speak the exquisite pleasure her arms could give. Col. B. Oh! I am fired with the description! 'Tis the very she. (Aside.) What's her name? Fred. Isabella. You are transported, Colonel. Col. B. I have a natural tendency in me to the flesh, thou know'st; and who can hear of charms so exquisite, and yet remain unmoved? Oh! how I long for the appointed hour! I'll to the Terriero de Passa, and wait my happiness; if she fails to meet me, I'll once more attempt to find her at Violante's, in spite of her brother's jealousy. (Aside.) Dear Frederick, I beg your pardon, but I had forgot I was to meet a gentleman upon business at five; I'll endeavour to dispatch him, and wait on you again as soon as possible. Fred. Your humble servant, Colonel. [Exit. Col. B. Gibby, I have no business with you at present. Exit. Gibby. That's weel. Now will I gang and seek this loon, and gar him gang wi' me to Don Pedro's hoose. Gin he'll no gang of himself, I'se gar him gang by the lug, sir. Gods warbit! Gibby hates a Tee. [Exit. SCENE II.-Violante's Lodgings. Isa. The hour draws on, Violante, and now my heart begins to fail me; but I resolve to venture, for all that. Vio. What, does your courage sink, Isabella? Isa. Only the force of resolution a little retreated; but I'll rally it again, for all that. Fel. My passion chokes me; I cannot speak: Oh! I shall burst! (Aside. Throws himself into a chair.) Vio. Bless me! are you not well, my Felix? Fel. With what an air she carries it! I sweat at her impudence. (Aside.) Vio. If I were in your place, Felix, I'd choose to stay at home when these fits of spleen are upon me, and not trouble such persons as are not obliged to bear with them. (Here he affects to be careless of her.) Fel. I am very sensible, madam, of what you mean: I disturb you, no doubt; but were I in a better humour, I should not incommode you less; I am but too well convinced you could easily dispense with my visit. Vio. When you behave yourself as you ought to do, no company so welcome: but when you reserve me for your ill-nature, I waive your merit, and consider what's due to myself. And I must be so free to tell you, Felix, that these humours of your's will abate, if not absolutely destroy, the very principle of love. Fel. (Rises.) And I must be so free to tell you, madam, that since you have made such ill returns to the respect that I have paid you, all you do shall be indifferent to me for the future; and you shall find me abandon your empire with so little difficulty, that I'll convince the world your chains are not so hard to break, as your vanity would tempt you to believe. I cannot brook the provocation you give. Vio. This is not to be borne. Insolent! You abandon! You! whom I have so often forbade ever to see me more! Have you not fallen at my feet? Implored my favour and forgiveness? Did you not trembling wait, and wish, and sigh, and swear yourself into my heart? Ungrateful man! if my chains are so easily broken, as you pretend, then you are the silliest coxcomb living, you did not break them long ago; and I must think him capable of brooking any thing, on whom such usage could tuake no impression. Fel. I always believed, madam, my weakness was the greatest addition to your power; you would be less imperious, had my inclination been less forward to oblige you. You have, indeed, forbade me your sight, but your vanity, even then, assured you I would return, and I was fool enough to feed that vanity. Your eyes, with all their boasted charms, have acquired the greatest glory in conquering me. And the brightest passage of your life is, wounding this heart with such arms as pierce but few persons of my rank. (Walks about in a great passion.) Vio. Matchless arrogance! True, sir, I should have kept measures better with you, if the conquest had been worth preserving; but we easily hazard what gives us no pain to lose. As for my eyes, you are mistaken if you think they have vanquished none but you; there are men, above your boasted rank, who have confessed their power, when their misfortune in pleasing you made them obtain such a disgraceful victory. Fel. Yes, madam, I am no stranger to your victories. Vio. And what you call the brightest passage of my life, is not the least glorious part of your's. Fel. Ha, ha! don't put yourself in a passion, madam, for I assure you, after this day, I shall give you no trouble. You may meet your sparks on the Terriero de Passa, at four in the morning, without the least regard to me; for when I quit your chamber, the world sha'n't bring me back. Vio. I am so well pleased with your resolution, I don't care how soon you take your leave. But what you mean by the Terriero de Passa, at four in the morning, I can't guess. Fel. No, no, no; not you. You were not upon the Terriero de Passa, at four this morning? Vio. No, I was not; but if I were, I hope I may walk where I please, and at what hour I please, without asking your leave. Fel. Oh, doubtless, madam! and you might meet Colonel Briton there, and afterwards send your emissary to fetch him to your house; and, upon your father's coming in, thrust him into your bed-chamber-without asking my leave. "Tis no business of mine, if you are exposed among all the footmen in town; nay, if they ballad you, and cry you about at a halfpenny a-piece-they may, without my leave. Vio. Audacious! Don't provoke me, don't; my reputation is not to be sported with (going up to him) at this rate. No, sir, it is not. (Bursts into tears.) Inhuman Felix! Oh, Isabella! what a train of ills thou hast brought on me! (Aside.) Fel. Ha! I cannot bear to see her weep. A woman's tears are far more fatal than our swords. (Aside.) Oh, Violante !-'Sdeath! What a dog am I! Now have I no power to stir.-Dost thou not know such a person as Colonel Briton? Pr'ythee tell me, didst not thou meet him at four this morning, upon the Terriero de Passa? Vio. Were it not to clear my fame, I would not answer thee, thou black ingrate! But I cannot bear to be reproached with what I even blush to think of, much less to act. By heaven! I have not seen the Terriero de Passa this day. Fel. Did not a Scotch footman attack you in the street neither, Violante? Vio. Yes; but he mistook me for another, or he was drunk, I know not which. Fel. And do you not know this Scotch colonel? Vio. Pray ask me no more questions; this night shall clear my reputation, and leave you without excuse for your base suspicions. More than this I shall not satisfy you; therefore, pray leave me. Fel. Didst thou ever love me, Violante? Vio. I'll answer nothing. You were in haste to be gone just now; I should be very well pleased to be alone, sir. (She sits down, and turns aside.) Fel. I shall not long interrupt your contemplation. Stubborn to the last. (Aside.) Vio. Did ever woman involve herself as I have done? (Aside.) Fel. Now would I give one of my eyes to be friends with her; for something whispers to my soul she is not guilty. (Aside. He pauses; then pulls a chair, and sits by her at a little distance, looking at her some time without speaking, then draws a little nearer to her.) Give me your hand at parting, however, Violante, won't you? (He lays his hand upon her knee several times.) Won't youwon't you-won't you? Vio. (Half regarding him.) Won't I do what? Fel. You know what I would have, Violante. Oh! my heart! Vio. (Smiles.) I thought my chains were easily broke. (Lays her hand in his.) Fel. (Draws his chair close to her, and kisses her hand in a rapture.) Too well thou knowest thy strength. Oh, my charming angel! my heart is all thy own! Forgive my hasty passion, 'tis the transport of a love sincere. Oh! Violante, Violante! Ped. (Within.) Bid Sancho get a new wheel to the chariot presently. Vio. Bless me, my father returned! What shall we do now, Felix? We are ruined past redemp tion. Fel. No, no, no, my love; I can leap from the closet-window. (Runs to the door where Isabella is, who closes it, and bolts herself in.) Confusion! somebody bolts the door within-side. I'll see who you have concealed here, if I die for't. Oh! Violante, hast thou again sacrificed me to my rival? (Draws.) Vio. By heaven! thou hast no rival in my heart : let that suffice. Nay, sure, you will not let my father find you here. Distraction! Fel. Indeed but I shall, except you command this door to be opened, and that way conceal me from his sight. (He struggles with her to come at the door.) Vio. Hear me, Felix: though I were sure the refusing what you ask would separate us for ever, by all that's powerful you shall not enter here. Either you do love me, or you do not. Convince me by your obedience. Fel. That's not the matter in debate: I will know who is in this closet, let the consequence be what it will. Nay, nay, nay, you strive in vain; I will go in. Vio. You shall not go in. Vio. I heard a loud knocking at my door, mixed with a woman's voice, which seemed to imply she was in danger. I flew to the door with the utmost speed, where a lady, veiled, rushed in upon me, who, falling on her knees, begged my protection from a gentleman, who, she said, pursued her. I took compassion on her tears, and locked her in this closet; but, in the surprise, having left open the door, this very person whom you see, with his sword drawn, ran in, protesting, if I refused to give her up to his revenge, he'd force the door. Fel. What, in the name of goodness, does she mean to do? hang me! (Aside.) Vio. I strove with him till I was out of breath, and bad you not come as you did, he must have entered. But he's in drink, I suppose, or he could not have been guilty of such an indecorum. (Signs to Felix.) Ped. I'm amazed! Fel. The devil never failed a woman at a pinch: what a tale has she formed in a minute! In drink, quotha! a good hint: I'll lay hold on't to bring myself off. (Aside.) Ped. Fie, Don Felix! No sooner rid of one broil, but you are commencing another. To assault a lady with a naked sword derogates much from the character of a gentleman, I assure you. Fel. (Counterfeits drunkenness.) Who? I assault a lady? Upon honour, the lady assaulted me, sir; and would have seized this body politic upon the king's highway. Let her come out, and deny it if she can. Pray, sir, command the door to be opened, and let her prove me a liar, if she knows how. Ped. Ay, ay! who doubts it, sir? Open the door, Violante, and let the lady come out. Come, I war rant thee he sha'n't hurt her. Fel. No, no, I won't hurt the dear creature. Now which way will she come off? (Aside.) Vio. (Unlocks the door.) Come forth, madam; none shall dare to touch your veil. I'll convey you out with safety, or lose my life. I hope she understands me. (Aside.) Re-enter ISABELLA, veiled, who crosses the Stage. Isa. Excellent girl! [Exit. Fel. The devil! a woman! I'll see if she be really so. (Aside.) Vio. Get clear of my father, and follow me to the Terriero de Passa, when all mistakes shall be rectified. (Apart to Felix, and exit; Felix offers to follow her.) Ped. (Draws his sword.) Not a step, sir, till the lady be past your recovery; I never suffer the laws of hospitality to be violated in my house, sir. Come, sir, you and I will take a pipe and bottle together. Fel. D-n your pipe, and d-n your bottle. I hate drinking and smoking: and how will you help yourself, old Whiskers? Ped. As to smoking or drinking, you have your liberty; but you shall stay, sir. Fel. But I won't stay; for I don't like your company: besides, I have the best reason in the world for my not staying. Ped. Ay! What's that? Fel. Why, I am going to be married; and so good bye. Ped. To be married! it can't be! Why you are drunk, Felix! Fel. Drunk! Ay, to be sure! You don't think I'd go to be married if I was sober. But drunk or sober, I am going to be married, for all that; and if you won't believe me, to convince you, I'll shew you the contract, old gentleman. Ped. Ay, do! come, let's see this contract, then. Fel. Yes, yes; I'll shew you the contract; I'll shew you the contract. Here, sir; here's the contract. (Draws a pistol.) Ped. (Starts.) Well, well, I'm convinced; go, go-pray go and be married, sir. Fel. Yes, yes, I'll go; I'll go and be married; but sha'n't we take a bottle first? Ped. No, no; pray, dear sir, go and be married. Fel. Very well, very well; (going) but I insist upon your taking one glass, though. Ped. No, not now; some other time. Consider, the lady waits. Fel. What a cross old fool! First he will, and then he won't; and then he will, and then he won't. [Exit. Enter a Servant. Serv. Here's Don Lopez de Pimentell, to wait on you, seignior. Ped. What the devil does he want? He is not going to be married, too. Bring him up; [Exit Serv.] he's in pursuit of his son, I suppose. Enter DON Lopez. Lop. I am glad to find you at home, Don Pedro; I was told that you was seen upon the road to—— this afternoon. Ped. That might be, my lord; I had the misfortune to break the wheel of my chariot, which obliged me to return. What is your pleasure with me, my lord? Lop. I am informed that my daughter is in your house. Ped. That's more than I know, my lord; but here was your son, just now, as drunk as an emperor. Lop. My son drunk! I never saw him in drink in my life. Where is he, pray, sir? Ped. Gone to be married. Lop. Married! To whom? he courted anybody. I don't know that Ped. Nay, I know nothing of that; but I'm sure Within there! he shewed me the contract. honour, command her to come out, and answer for herself now, and either justify or disprove what this cheeld told me this morn. Lis. So, here will be a fine piece of work. (Aside.) Ped. Why, what did he tell you, ha? Gibby. By my sol, sir, Ise tell you aw the truth; my master got a pratty lady upon the how-de-call't Passa, here, at five this morn, and he gar me watch her heam: and, in truth, I lodged her here; and meeting this ill-favoured thief, se ye me, I speered who she was, and he told me her name was Donna Violante, Don Pedro de Mendoza's daughter. Ped. Ha! My daughter with a man abroad at five in the morning! Death, hell, and furies! By St. Anthony, I'm undone. Gibby. Wounds, sir! ye put yer saint intul bony company. Ped. Who is your master, you dog you? names. me now. Ped. And who are you, rascal, that know my daughter so well? Ha! (To Lissardo, and holding up his cane.) Lis. What shall I say to make him give this Scotch dog a good beating? (Aside.) I know your daughter, seignior? Not I; I never saw your daughter in all my life. Gibby. (Knocks him down with his fist.) Deel ha my saul, sar, gin ye get no your carich for that lee now. Ped. What, hoa! Where are all my servants? Enter COLONEL BRITON, FELIX, ISABELLA, and VIOLANTE. Raise the house in pursuit of my daughter. Fel. This is a day of jubilee, Lissardo; no quarrelling with him this day. Lis. A plague take his fists! Egad! these Britons are but a word and a blow. Enter DON Lopez. Lop. So, have I found you, daughter? Then you have not hanged yourself yet, I see. Col. B. But she is married, my lord. Lop. Married! Zounds! To whom? Col. B. Even to your humble servant, my lord. If you please to give us your blessing. (Kneels.) Lop. Why, harkye, mistress, are you really married? (To Isabella.) Isa. Really so, my lord. Lop. And who are you, sir? (To Colonel Briton.) Col. B. An honest North Briton, by birth, and a colonel, by commission, my lord. Lop. An heretic! the devil! (Holds up his hands.) Ped. She has played you a slippery trick, indeed, my lord. Well, my girl, thou hast been to see thy friend married. Next week thou shalt have a better husband, my dear. (To Violante.) Fel. Next week is a little too soon, sir; I hope to live longer than that. Ped. What do you mean, sir? You have not made a rib of my daughter too, have you? Vio. Indeed, but he has, sir, I know not how; but he took me in an unguarded minute; when my thoughts were not over-strong for a nunnery, father. Lop. Your daughter has played you a slippery trick too, seignior. Ped. But your son shall never be the better for it, my lord; her twenty thousand pounds were left on certain conditions, and I'll not part with a shilling. Lop. But we have a certain thing called law, shall make you do justice, sir. Ped. Well, we'll try that: my lord, much good may it do you with your daughter-in-law. Lop. I wish you much joy of your rib. [Exeunt Pedro and Lopez. Enter FREDERICK. Fel. Frederick, welcome! I sent for thee to be partaker of my happiness; and pray give me leave to introduce you to the cause of it. Fred. Your messenger has told me all, and I sincerely share in all your happiness. Col. B. To the right-about, Frederick; wish thy friend joy. Fred. I do, with all my soul; and, madam congratulate your deliverance. (To Isabella.) Your suspicions are cleared now, I hope, Felix? Fel. They are; and I heartily ask the Colonel pardon, and wish him happy with my sister; for love has taught me to know, that every man's happiness consists in choosing for himself. Lis. After that rule, I fix here. (To Flora.) Flora. That's your mistake; I prefer my lady's service, and turn you over to her that pleaded right and title to you to-day. Lis. Choose, proud fool; I sha'n't ask you twice. Gibby. What say ye now, lass; will ye ge yer hand to poor Gibby? (To Inis.) Inis. That I may not leave my lady, I take you at your word. And though our wooing has been short, I'll, by her example, love you dearly. Fel. Now, my Violante, I shall proclaim thy virtues to the world. Let us no more thy sex's conduct blame, [Exeunt. |