University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The Scene, Victoria's Chamber.
Enter Alphonso, with Musick.
A Song is Sung: when it is beginning, Victoria Enters.
Song of Jealousie.
[Exeunt Musicians.

Alphon.
'Tis true, my Tyrant Father has confin'd me;
But Love, who traverses the World at will,
Who knows not Awe, nor Law, nor Parentage,
Has broke my Tedder, and enlarg'd my bounds.

Vict.
Retire betimes, the Court is full of Eyes;
As Eagles sharp, fatal as Basilisques;
Who Live on Looking, and who See to Death.

Alphon.
I come but to depart, and go for ever:
Because denied the common Rights of Nature;
Which the First Brother, and First Sister had.
Why, were not you and I that Happy Pair?
But Nature doats with Age.

Vict.
What-e're it be, 'tis past redress, Alphonso.

Alphon.
But then, shall Garcia take thee in his Arms?
Glutted with Joys, which I wou'd dye to Tast:
No, let me stab the Wretch in every Vein;
And leave him dry of Pleasure, e're we part.

Vict.
Alphonso, no, you cannot Kill Don Garcia,
But you declare the Cause, and own your Love.

Alphon.
And what care I, what after Ages say
Alphonso did, to make Alphonso Happy?
But oh, you Love; and wou'd preserve his Life
To be for ever his.

Vict.
My Dearest Brother:
I Hate your Rival, and I Dye for you.
All but my Spotless Honour shall be yours.

Alphon.

By Heaven! but that word Heaven comes cross

my Thoughts—

Vict.
Beware; for by my own, I guess your Passion.
You wou'd I fear—

Alphon.
Enjoy my Heaven one moment.—

Vict.
And part with it for ever: Think on that.

Alphon.
That moment were Eternity in little:
A mighty Summ, but taken on content;
To save the tedious telling o're and o're.

Vict.
Oh, we are too long together.

Alphon.
Fear you that?

Vict.
I ought to fear it; but I trust my Virtue.
Depart, my Soul, I will not ask you whither;
For fear, I shou'd Repent of my Repentance;
And follow you to Death.

Alphon.
I go, Victoria:
But Love's cold Fit of Jealousie returns;
You must not be Don Garcia's; Swear, you will not.

Vict.
I Swear I will not, by my own consent.

Alphon.
You may be forc'd; oh, cursed Jealousie,
Thou Bastard Son of Love, unlike thy Father,
Why dost thou still Torment me?

Vict.
Trust my Honour.

Alphon.
That may be chaft into a warmth, Victoria.
Talk, Seeing, Touching, are Incendiaries.
And these may mount your Young Desires, like Straw
To meet the Jett that draws you.

Vict.
Trust my Love.

Alphon.
I Swear I trust it, but I fear your Beauty:
'Tis a fair Fruit that hangs upon the Bough:
Tempts and is Tempted.

Vict.
'Tis indeed a Fruit;
Seen and desir'd of all, while yet unpull'd,
But can be gathered by one only Hand.

Alphon.
That one, is Garcia; still the Fit returns;
I wish my Jealousie cou'd quench my Love.

Vict.
It cannot, if I measure yours by mine:
Or if extinguisht, like a trail of smoak
From a Wax Taper, soon wou'd light again.

Alphon.
'Tis so, for when I say I will not Love,
Then I Love most: Farewell my only Joy,
I go to hide me from the World and you.

Victo.
As when the Sun is down,
His Light is clipt into a thousand Stars,
So your sweet Image, tho you shine not on me,
Will guild the horrour of the Night, and make
A pleasing Scene of solitary Grief.

Enter Veramond and Ximena, he with an Ovid in his hand.
Vera.
How dar'st thou, Rebel, thus provoke my Patience,
Beyond all sufferance, and transgress thy Bounds?

Alphon.
When Kings and Fathers, on their Sons and Subjects
Exact intollerable things to bear,
Nature and Self-defence dispence with Duty.

Vera.
Oh Heaven, what horrid Sin have I committed!
That I was punish'd to beget this Son?

Alph.
I cou'd ask Heaven another Question too;
But that 'tis not so decent: In few words,
Hither I came to take my latest leave
Of dear Victoria, then depart for ever.
And buried in some solitary Cave,
Forgetting and forgotten, end my Days.

Vera.
'Tis what thou hast deserv'd: perform thy Pennance.

Ximen.
So hard a Sentence for so small a Fault?
Are you a Father, Sir?

Vera.
Is he a Son?
Thou know'st not his Offence.
But mark the glowing Blood, the guilty Flush
Upon Victoria's Face, and read it there.

Ximen.
I know not what you mean.

Vera.
Victoria, speak
And clear your self—She answers not a word.
Nay then my fears are true, on both sides guilty.

Victo.
(aside.)
'Tis found; and we are lost.

Vera.
But what needs more Conviction: Know you this?
[Shewing the Ovid to Alphonso.
This Book the Tutor of Incestuous Love?
The Page is doubled down, and points thee to thy Crime.
I fear'd, before, from every rolling glance;
How quick they shot upon thy Sister's Face:
And she receiv'd them all, like smoaking Flax;
Confess'd the Fire, and answer'd to the Flame.

Vict.
I Love my Brother, and avow that Fire:
His Love to me, has rais'd his Noble Thoughts
To Brave Atchievements, for your Crown and you.
For Love's the Steel, that strikes upon the Flint:
Gives Coldness Heat, exerts the hidden Flame;
And spreads the Starkles round, to warm the World.

Vera.
Oh Heav'ns, she makes a Merit of her Crime.
Victoria, I wou'd yet think better of thee,
And therefore dare I not enquire too far;
Willing to doubt the Guilt I fear to find.
Depart, and Answer not.
[Exit Victoria.
For thee, whom I abhor to call my Son,
[To Alphonso.
And wish thou wert a Stranger to my Blood—

Ximena.
(aside.)
That was a happy hint; I must improve it.

Vera.
One way, and only one, remains to clear thee:
If, with a Holy Fire, thou Lov'st thy Sister,
Aspiring but to Fame, not sinking down
Into th'abyss of Lust unnatural,
Consent that she may be Don Garcia's Wife;
Else give the Lye to all thy fair Pretences;
And stand expos'd a Monster of Mankind:
Foul as the Fiends, which fell from Heaven's high Towers,
Fall thou from Empire so; and from my sight;
Depart, Accurst for ever.

Alph.
Gladly I leave you; but shall go more lightly,
If eas'd of this your dreadful Imprecation:
O! let me go unloaded with your Curse;
And I will bless you for my Banishment.

Vera.
So may that Blessing or that Curse o'retake thee,
As thou Obey'st or Disobey'st my Will.

Alph.
Guiltless of Sin, with Conscience to my Friend,
I go, to shun that fatal Hour, that shews me
Victoria Married, and Alphonso lost.

[He's going.
Ximena.
Stay yet, Alphonso; for one moment stay:
For somewhat, if I durst, I have to speak,
Which wou'd at least take half thy load away;
And free thy shoulders from the weight of Sin.

Vera.
Ximena, dar'st thou hope to palliate Incest,
And gild so black a Crime?

Ximena.
I gild it not; but if I prove it none,
You may be kind, Alphonso may be happy,
And these Domestick Jarrs, for ever cease.

Vera.
Explain your self.

Ximena.
Afford me then your Patience.
A mighty Secret labours in my Soul,
And like a rushing Stream breaks down the Dam;
This day must give it vent, it rests in you
To make it end in a Tempestuous Night,
Or in a Glorious Evening.

Vera.
No more Preface.

Ximena.
You wonder at Alphonso's haughty Carriage,
His fiery Temper, and his awless Mind.

Vera.
Too true, Ximena.

Ximena.
And he wonders more
At your harsh Nature, and your rugged usage,
On each side unbecoming Son and Father;
And yet the cause of both is to be found.
But e're I farther shall proceed to speak;
Command your Royal Prisoner to be brought;
For I must be confronted with Ramirez:
And in his Presence tell you wondrous things;
Which if he vouch not, let Ximena Dye.

Vera.
I sent for him to hear his final Doom:
And think he waits without.
Admit the Prisoner.
[He goes to the Door and speaks.
Enter Ramirez, Guarded.
Now, Sir, is yet your Haughty Soul resolv'd
To quit your empty Title for your Freedom?

Ximena.
Ramirez, answer not, to raise his Passion.
For now th'important Secret of our Lives
Must come to Publick view; and on that hinge
Depends thy Crown, thy Liberty, and Life,
My Honour and thy Son's.

Alpho.
(aside.)
What means my Mother?

Vera.
A Son, Ramirez?

Ram.
Yes, a Son I had.

Vera.
He Dyed an Infant here in Saragossa.

Ram.
A living Son I have; and since the Queen
Is pleas'd t'expose my Life,
Before a Judge so prejudic'd as you:
Undaunted in the Face of Death I speak
And claim Alphonso mine.

Vera.
There needs no more; I spare thee all the rest:
My Wife's Adultery, thy foul Interloping;
My own Dishonour, and that Bastard's Birth.

Ximena.
Injurious words, unfitting you to speak;
And me, my Lord, and those concern'd to hear.

Alph.
(to Vera.)
Tho' I wou'd give what e're the Sun beholds
Not to be yours; yet, when my Mother's Fame
Is question'd, none shall wrong her Innocence:
Nor shall Ramirez go
Unpunisht for that Infamous Aspersion.

Ramir.
Alphonso, Peace, your Father bids you Peace.

Vera.
Then, what am I?

Ramir.
His Foster-Father.

Vera.
Impudently said:
And yet I hope 'tis true; so much I hate him,
That I cou'd buy the Publick Scorn, to be
An Alien to his Blood.

Ximena.
Have patience, Sir;
And you shall have your wish; on cheaper Terms,
But hear me speak.

Vera.
Good Heav'n, then give me patience.

Ximena.
When you and brave Ramirez, then your Friend,
Me and my Sister Married, four full Years
We pass'd in Barren Wedlock, Childless both;
Ramirez, you remember, brought his Queen
To Saragossa on a friendly Visit:
Then as we both were Married on one day;
We both Conceiv'd together.

Vera.
I observe it:
That when Ramirez came, you both Conceiv'd.
Mark that; and if thou hast the Face, proceed.

Ximena.
My Lord, I dare;
You took me once aside; and as your Rage
Inspir'd your Soul, spoke thus; Ximena, know
That if the Fruit thou bear'st, be not a Son,
Henceforth, no more my Queen, we part for ever.
The word was hard, I bore it as I cou'd;
I Pray'd, and Heav'n in pity heard my Vows:
Two Boys in one fair Morning were disclos'd;
By me, and by my Sister.
And both the Fathers equally were Blest.

Vera.
Say one was Blest with two; and speak more truly.

Ximena.
Forbear this Language, Sir; or I am Dumb;
It seems that you deserv'd not him you had:
For, in sev'n days, Heav'n Ravisht your Alphonso;
My Sister's little Veramond surviv'd,
And she's a Living Witness of this Truth.
Great was my Grief; but greater was my Fear,
From your (alas) too much experienc'd Anger.
Thus low reduc'd, and urg'd by anxious Thoughts,
Of what I might expect from your unkindness.
Now speak, Ramirez; and relate the rest;
For my Tongue falters, and denies its Office;
So much I fear my Lord shou'd take offence.

Ramir.
Then like, or disapprove it, thus it was.
She told my Wife and me this mournful Story,
Her Fears for thy Resentment for thy loss,
If by misfortune it shou'd reach thy Ears:
Begg'd Secresie, and then Implor'd our Aid,
To substitute the Living for the Dead;
And make our Veramond pass for thy Alphonso.
A hard Request, but with compassion mov'd,
At length, 'twas granted.

Vera.
Is this true, Ximena?

Ximen.
So Heav'n and you forgive my Pious Fraud,
As what he says is certain.

Alph.
Oh Joyful News, Oh Happy Day; too good
To end in Night,—My Father, and my King.
[Runs to Ramirez, kneels to him, and kisses his Hand.
My Soul foreknew you with a sure presage
Of Native Duty, and Instinctive Love.

Ramir.
Arise, my Son.

Vera.
You own him then?

Ramir.
I do.

Vera.
A welcome riddance;
Mean time, in prospect of a double Crown,
You gave the Sparrow leave to brood upon
The Cuckoo's Egg.

Ramir.
The advantage was to you;
He prov'd his Blood upon me when we fought.
Fierce Eagles never procreate fearful Doves:
I sent him word he was my Son, before
The Battel, but the Hand of Fate was in it:
The Note miscarried, and we blindly met.

Ximena.
Past Accidents imbitter both your Minds.
Think forwards on your mutual Interests;
Alphonso Loves Victoria:
I saw it in the Seeds, before disclos'd
To other Eyes; conniv'd at it, approv'd it.

Vera.
A most commodious Mother!

Ximena.
Blame me not;
Guilt there was none, but in their apprehension:
And both their Virtues bar'd ill consequences.
Now take the blest occasion by the foretop;
And, on their Marriage found a lasting Peace.

Ramir.
A trivial Accident begot this War.
Some paltry bounds of ill distinguisht Earth;
A clod that lay betwixt us unascertain'd;
And Royal Pride, on both sides, drew our Swords:
Thus Monarchs quarrel, and their Subjects bleed.
Remove your Land-marks, set 'em where you please:
Stretch out your Arragon on my Castile;
And be once more my Brother.

Alph.
I implore it:
And prostrate, beg your Pardon, and your Grace;
I have offended in my Proud Behaviour;
But make Victoria mine, and what your Son
In Duty wanted, by your Son-in-Law
Shall doubly be supply'd.

Ximena.
What, wou'd you more?

Vera.
(to her.)
Are you the Mediatrix of this Peace?

Ximen.
It well becomes the softness of my Sex;
To mediate for sweet Peace, the best of Blessings,
And like a Sabine Wife, to run betwixt
Relations lifted Swords.

Vera.
A rare Chaste Sabine, you!
To save th'Adulterer of thy Husband's Bed:
See there Alphonso's Father, that Old Goat,
Who on, Two Sisters propagated Lust:
And Got two Children, for himself and me.
Suppose thee Chaste, a favourable Guess
To any of thy Sex, these are my Foes.
(To Ramirez.)
Thou first, the former sharer of my Sheets:
A King without a Kingdom, thine is Conquer'd;
And Garcia with Victoria shall enjoy it.

Ramirez.
So monstrously you wrong your Wife and me—

Vera.
No more, my Will is Law.

Ramir.
So Tyrants say.

Vera.
I will not hear thee speak, conduct him hence;
And stew him in the Dungeon's depth with Toads.
[The Guards carry off Ramirez.
(To Alphon.)
For thee the worthy Son of such a Father—

[Walks by himself.
Ximen.
(to Alphon.)
'Tis desp'rate now; and I with ill-tim'd zeal,
Have hastn'd your destruction.

Alphonso.
(to her.)
You have Sav'd me.

Vera.
(aside.)
Say I shou'd put th'ungrateful Wretch to Death,
He's thought my Son, and whilst so thought, 'tis dangerous.
Imprison him; the People might Rebel:
He's Popular, and I am ill-Belov'd.
Then Banish him, that's best, but yet unsafe:
He may with Foreign Aid Reconquer all.
I'll venture that, with Garcia to my Friend;
He shall recall his Troops, mine are at hand
And ready prest for Service.

[He comes to Alph. and Ximena.
Ximen.
Now the storm—

Vera.
(To Alph.)
Thy Doom's resolv'd: too gentle for thy Crimes:
I spare thy Life, depart to Banishment;
To morrow leave the Realm, this day the Town:
And like the Scape-Goat driv'n into the Desart,
Bear all ill Omens with thee.

Alph.
Proud of my Exile, with erected Face,
I leave your Court, your Town, and your Dominions.
Pleas'd that I Love, at least without a Crime;
Lighter by what I lost: I tread in Air
Unhappy, but Triumphant in despair.
[Exit Alphonso.

Vera.
Behold how haughtily he strides away,
Lofty and bold; as if not Banisht hence,
But seeking for some other place to Reign.
I think he cannot hope; but left he shou'd,
Victoria soon shall be Don Garcia's Bride.
(To Ximen.)
Go, Madam, for I know you are in haste,
To greet your Daughter with this goodly News.
Tell her, Alphonso is no more my Son.
But tell her too, he shall not be her Husband.
Bid her prepare her self to Wed Navarr:
Whether by force or by consent, I care not:
To morrow shall determine that Affair.
Nor shall my Will be frustrate, or delay'd:
Kings are not Kings, unless they be obey'd.

[Exeunt Ambo.
The Scene is in the Street, before Lopez's House.
Enter Sancho, Habited like Don Alonzo de Cardona. Dalinda meeting him.
Dalin.

I watch'd your coming at the Window, and told
my Father: He's coming out to welcome you.

Sanch.

But if I chance to break out into a little Wit sometimes,
you'll excuse my frailty.

Dalin.

Pugh, you are so suspicious of your self, and have
so little reason for't: be as witty as you can; I fear you
not.

Enter Don Lopez, and salutes him.
Lop.

Noble Conde, you are welcome from the Wars:
and who did best in the Battel, I beseech your Honour?

Sanch.

Why, next my Honour, one Colonel Sancho did
best.

Lop.

Who, Sancho? he's little better than a Coxcomb.

Sanch.

Nay, he has too much Wit; if he had as much
Grace, 'twou'd be better for him.

Lop.

But he's your Lordship's Rival in my Daughter.

Sanch.

Is he so? then make much of him, Old Gentleman.

Lop.

You wou'd not have me prefer him to your Excellency?

Sanch.

Faith, you can hardly chuse amiss betwixt us two;
he's my other self, Man.

Lop.

I make a vast difference betwixt you.

Sanch.

That shall be a very good Jest between you and
me another time.

Dalin.
(aside.)

The Fool's too much a Fool, he's going to
discover himself, if I prevent it not. (To Lopez.)
Make

haste, Father, and put him upon the Point, or he'll give
me up to Sancho.

Lop.

Let Sancho be no Fool, since your Lordship pleases,
for he is not bound to make my Daughter any satisfaction,
as you are.

Sanch.

And satisfaction she shall have: What, I hope
you don't think I am an Eunuch?

Dal.
(aside.)

Oh Heaven! I shall be ruin'd between them,
I forgot to instruct my Father not to meddle with that Point.
(To Lopez.)
Say no more of it, I beseech you, Sir.

Lop.
(to her.)

'Tis for thy good; let me alone: You know
you have injur'd the poor Girl, my Lord.

Sanch.

Not to my Remembrance, Sennor; You and I
may have quarrel'd, I confess, and I think I may have
given you some hard words to day.

Dal.
(aside.)

Now has he forgotten he's my Lord, and is
harping upon the Quarrel he had with him as Sancho: this
must end in my Destruction.

Lop.

Your Lordship and I can have had no Quarrel to
day, for I have not seen you this Twelve-month.

Sanch.

That's true; now I remember my self, you have
not.

Lop.

But that you have wrong'd my Daughter is manifest.

Dal.
(to Sanch.)

Sir, I must needs speak a word with you
in private; if you love me, confess you have enjoy'd me;
for I told my Father so on purpose to make him the more
condescending to the Match.

San.
(to her.)

A word to the Wife, I understand you;
Now you shall see me top upon the old Fellow.

(To Lopez.

Well, Sennor, I won't stand with you for a
Night's Lodging with your Daughter; I acknowledge I
have been a little familiar with her, or so: but to make her
amends I will marry her, and consummate with her most
abundantly.

Lop.

Then all shall be set right, and the Man shall have
his Mare again.

Enter Carlos habited like Sancho.
Lop.

What, another Don Alonzo? this is Prodigious!

Carl.
(aside, seeing Sancho.)

Bless me, the Post is taken up
already, and the true Count is here before me.

Dal.
(aside.)

This is not my Conde: but some other Counterfeit.

(To Sancho.)
You are as true a Count as he:
Stand to your Likeness.

Sanch.

Wou'd I were out of my Likeness.

[Sneaking back.
Dal.

Put forward, Man, I'll second you.

Sanch.

But what a Devilish high Back he has gotten too,
he'll carry me away a pick a pack, that's certain.

Carl.
(aside.)

I find him now: by their whispering,
and by his aukwardness, this must be Sancho, and I'll out-face
him.

(To Lopez.)

Sennor Don Lopez, I am come by your Permission,
to renew my Addresses to your fair Daughter.

Lop.

Your Lordship is most welcome.

Sanch.

Whose Lordship?

Lop.

Why, one of your Lordships; I know not which;
for by your Backs you are both my Lords: That's as you
two can agree the matter.

Sanch.
(to Carlos.)

Sirrah, where did you steal that Back
of mine?

Carl.

Sirrah, I was born with it; but what He Cammel
has your Mother been dealing withal, that you are begotten
in my Resemblance?

Sanch.

What, I hope you won't pretend to pass for the
true Conde?

Carl.

I am Don Alonzo de Cardona.

Sanch.

And so am I.

Carl.

If you stay a little longer, I'll stretch your Bones
till you are as streight as an Arrow.

Sanch.

Do not provoke me; I am mischievously bent.

Carl.

Nay, you are bent enough in Conscience, but I have
a bent Fist for Boxing.

Sanch.

And I have a streight Foot for Kicking.

[They come up to each other.
Lop.

Here will be Blood-shed immediately; hold Noblemen
both; will ye be content that I should examine ye;
and then stand to my award which is the true Conde.

Sanch.

Well, to save Christian Blood, I will.

Carl.

And to save Jewish Blood, that's your Blood, Sirrah,
I am contented too.

Lop.
(to Carlos.)

What Command had you, my Lord, in
the last Battel?

Carl.

I had none; I was a Volunteer, and Charg'd with
Honourable Colonel Carlos in the Fight.

Lop.
(to Sancho.)

And what Command had your Lordship
there?

Sanch.

I had none neither; and I charg'd with that Rogue,
Carlos.

Lop.
(aside.)
So far they are both right, as I have heard.
(To Sancho.)
And what became of you afterwards?

Sanch.

Now I am pos'd; for Carlos told me he knew nothing
of the Count afterwards: Sennor, I do not well remember
what became of me, for I was in a very great
Passion; but I did prodigious things, that's certain.

Carl.
(to Lop.)

Sennor, you may see he's a Counterfeit,
because he knows nothing of himself; but I, the true Conde,
was trodden under the Horses Feet, and lay for dead above
half an hour.

Sanch.

Well; and now I remember my self, I was laid
for dead too for just about half a year.

Lop.
(to Dalind.)

This is the wrong Lord, he can say
nothing but what the other Lord has said before him.

Dalin.

Then he's the likelier to be the true Conde, for he's
a Fool, Father.

Carl.

You see, Sennor, he does not remember what became
of him, as I said before.

Sanch.

How wou'd you have a Man remember, when he
was laid for dead?

Carl.

But I recover'd, Rogue, and pursu'd the Enemy.

Sanch.

And I recover'd, and pursu'd 'em too, for above
an hundred miles together, at full speed.

Lop.

That's farther than you needed by threescore miles;
for 'tis but forty from the place of Battel to the City.

Carl.

Yes, at full speed upon the same Horse, and never
drew Bit neither.

Sanch.
(to Dalin.)

Help me, dear Dalinda! I am Bogg'd,
you see.

Dalin.
(to him.)

That's with pursuing your Enemies too
far; but I'll help you out again— (To Lopez.)
Pray, Sir,
let me examine 'em a little.

Lop.

You'll make nothing of that first Conde.

Dalin.
Yes, a Son-in-Law, I warrant you.
(To them.)
Which of you two promis'd me Marriage?

Both.
I did.

Dalin.
(to Carl.)
And did you enjoy me?

Carl.
Heaven forbid, Madam: what, before Marriage?

Dalin.
(to Sanch.)
And what did you?

Sanch.

I did enjoy her, so I did: and there I was before
you, for a false Conde as you are.

Carl.

Speak for your self, Madam, and clear your Reputation,
from that scandalous Companion.

Dalin.
(with her Fan before her face.)

I must confess the true
Conde has enjoy'd me; the more my Frailty.

Lop.

The matter mends on that side.

Sanch.

Now Good man Goose-cap, who's the most a Man
of Honour, he who has enjoy'd a fair Lady, or he who has
only lickt his Lips, and gone without her?

Carl.
(aside.)

I see she takes his part; this is all a Lye
contriv'd betwixt 'em.

Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
(to Dalind.)

Madam, I am sent to you on a sad
Errand from the late Conde Don Alonzo, who was kill'd in
the last Battel.

Lop.

You are mistaken, Friend; for here he stands alive,
and well.
[Pointing to Sancho.
And for fear of failing, here's a Counterpart of him.

[Pointing to Carlos.
Mess.

Do not abuse your self, Sennor; neither of these is
the true Conde: I took him from under the Horses Feet, and
he had only life enough to say, Remember me to my fair
Dalinda.

Lop.
(to Sanch.)

What does your Lordship say to this?

Sanch.

He was fairly kill'd, I must confess: but I can
give you a better account of his Lordship afterwards.

Lop.

You? why, who are you?

Sanch.

Nay, I am he too.

Mess.

You see he's a Counterfeit; and so is the other.

Lop.

'Tis too true.

Dal.

Did the Conde leave me nothing in his Will?

Mess.

Not a Cross, Madam.

Dalin.

There's the same Payment for your News; be
gone, poor Fellow.

[Exit Messenger.
Carl.

At least I have the satisfaction that he's discover'd
as well as I am.
[Throwing off some part of his Disguise.
Now, Sancho, you are welcome to the discovery of your fine
Intrigue.

Lop.

Then, Sancho, I make good my word to you; since
the Conde is dead, you stand fairest for my Daughter; and
you, Cousin Carlos, with your Wit and your Poverty, are
in Statu Quo: Come away, Son-in-Law, and leave the forsaken
Lover to make himself a Willow Garland.

[Exeunt Sancho, Lopez, and Dalinda.
Carl.

Yet if I cou'd hinder Sancho from marrying her, I
shou'd make my self some satisfaction. I'll think on't farther;
and something comes into my head already.

[Stands musing.
Enter Alphonso.
Alph.

Now Carlos, what make you here in this Disguise?
I have been looking for you at least half an hour.

Carl.

Only a Masquerade, Sir, an innocent Diversion in
times of Peace.

Alph.

No, Carlos, these are times of War, not Peace:
I must abruptly tell you what is past:

I am Ramirez Son, not Veramond's.
I love Victoria, and for her am banisht.

Carl.

Just my own condition: I have had a Revolution
in my small Affairs too; I am banisht, and going to look
for the next commodious Tree to make a wry Face upon it.

Alph.
I know you Brave; and if you love me still,
Follow my Fortune; yours shall be my Care,
Our Army lies Encamp'd without the Walls:
Your Regiment is Quarter'd in the Town:
I think I can with ease Revolt the Troops,
Because they love me; and with their Assistance,
Release my Father; and redeem my Mistress:
While you and yours, at an appointed Signal,
Procure me Entrance.

Carl.
Right; and force the Gate.—

Alph.
That's all I ask: I think my self as worthy
To wed Victoria, as this Foreign Prince:
But if you find Reluctance to this Action,
Now speak, that I may seek some other Friend.

Carl.

No, Sir; I shall never break with you for so small
a matter as a Rebellion, I warrant you for my Souldiers,
they'll never flinch, when there's a Town to Plunder.

Alph.
The Signal and the Time shall be concerted:
Victoria be the Word—
That happy Name our bold Attempt shall bless;
And give an Omen of assur'd Success.

[Exeunt severally.