University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

An Apartment in Don Guzman's House.
Enter Don Guzman.
GUZMAN.
This wedding is a glorious circumstance.
I feel that it revives me like a cordial,
And makes me think of old times.—Od's my life!
Old as I am, methinks I'm young enough
To be a principal in these affairs—

Enter Balthazar.
BALTHAZAR.
The gentlemen are come. I saw 'em stop
At the great gate.

GUZMAN.
Go, go, get you away;
See you conduct them in with proper state.
[Exit Balthazar.
Aye, aye, I hear 'em. If report speak true,
My future son-in-law's a sightly fellow.
I knew his grandfather.—Odso, they're coming—
Now for them—
Enter Don Ramirez and Don Alonzo, conducted by Servants.
Don Alonzo, my good friend!
You are most welcome. Is that gentleman—

ALONZO.
This, my good lord, is Don Ramirez—

GUZMAN
(to Ramirez).
Sir,
I'm honour'd by your presence; I rejoice
To see you here on this occasion.

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I'm yours.— (Looking round)
—A very noble house!

GUZMAN.
What did you say? I'm somewhat thick of hearing.

ALONZO.
My cousin spoke, my lord, about the honour
Your lordship does him.

GUZMAN.
Sir, the honour's mine.
(To Ramirez)
I was acquainted with your grandfather—
He was a worthy gentleman, who kept
An excellent good table, and was noted
For a receipt he had for stewing carp.
Pray have you got a copy of it?

RAMIREZ.
Sir!

GUZMAN.
They were most excellent. He often ask'd me
To dine with him; but we could never get him
To tell us how he dress'd 'em.—Worthy man!
He lov'd good eating—but he's gone! he's gone!

(Stands musing.
RAMIREZ
(to Alonzo).
Is this the house he has agreed to give us?

ALONZO.
The same.

GUZMAN
(musing).
He's gone! he lov'd a haunch of ven'son
With currant jelly sauce—but he is gone!—

(Still musing.
RAMIREZ
(to Alonzo).
Do'st see those hangings? I will have 'em chang'd;
They're out of fashion'd things—

ALONZO.
Hush! he'll o'erhear you.

GUZMAN
(to Ramirez).
I'll warrant me, that you young fellows now
Think yourselves far superior to us old ones.
Confess now—

RAMIREZ.
Why, my lord—

GUZMAN.
Nay, never mind—
There's no harm in't—

RAMIREZ.
As far as taste, my lord—
There we perhaps—when things are out of fashion—

GUZMAN.
Of fashion!—Pray then what may you like better?

RAMIREZ.
What do I like?
A partridge brown, my lord, sprinkled with silver—
'Tis now the only taste.

GUZMAN.
That must be curious.
Is't stew'd or roasted?

RAMIREZ.
Sir!— (to Alonzo)
—What is't he means

GUZMAN.
Well—give me the receipt—we'll have it tried—
It shall be serv'd up at your wedding dinner.
Odso! you have not seen my daughter yet—
You must be all impatience.—Who waits there?
Enter Balthazar.
Go and acquaint my daughter, Don Ramirez
Is just arrived, and beg her to come here.
[Exit Balthazar.
(To Ramirez)
Give me your hand, signor, I'm glad to see you:
You put me so in mind of your grandfather!
He was just such another as yourself,
Only, he limp'd a little in his gait,
And squinted with one eye.—You're vastly like him.

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I thank you for your compliment.
(To Alonzo)
A dev'lish queer old fellow this!

GUZMAN
(to Alonzo).
What says he?

ALONZO.
He says your lordship flatters him.

GUZMAN.
Not I—
The family resemblance is amazing.
Here comes my girl. Now tell me what you think.
Enter Donna Laura with Donna Clara veiled.
Laura, my love!—Here's Don Ramirez, child,
Who comes to see you.

RAMIREZ
(kneeling).
Suffer me to pay
My homage, madam, where 'tis justly due.
Thus let me kneel, and on your hand impress
A symbol of the vassalage I owe you.

LAURA.
I pray you rise, signor.— (To Clara)
—He's well enough!

CLARA
(to Laura).
I told you his appearance was engaging.
But mum!

GUZMAN.
Well, signor, how do you like her, hey?

RAMIREZ.
She is a constellation of perfections!

GUZMAN
(to Laura).
Well—what dost think of him?—Why dost not answer?

CLARA.
Your lordship flurries her—she's inexperienc'd,
And not accustom'd to these introductions.

GUZMAN.
Poor dear, I know she's bashful.

RAMIREZ.
Pray, my lord,
Who is that other lady, who, like night,
Shrouds her perfections in a sable veil?

GUZMAN.
Good—very good!—You'd have the moon shine, would you?
Faith! she's worth looking at!—Come, Mrs. Nunez,
Throw off that wrapper.—

CLARA.
Pardon me, my lord—
I know my station, and must wear it thus.

GUZMAN.
She is my girl's duenna, gentlemen,
But devilish handsome, I can promise you.
(To Ramirez)
—You'd be surpriz'd were you to see her face.
(To Clara)
—If you won't take it off, just open it,
And let us have a peep—there's no harm in't.

CLARA.
Excuse me, pray; I know my duty better.

GUZMAN.
There is the lawyer in another room,
Putting the last hand to the settlements.
We'll go and read them over, if you please.
Signor Ramirez! take my daughter's hand.

[Exeunt.
Manet Clara.
CLARA.
With what confirm'd assurance he bears up!
Alas! Ramirez! is it come to this?
Are all the protestations, vows and oaths
Of endless truth you utter'd, gone for ever?
Is Clara's image blotted from your soul,
And all her tenderness, her confidence,
Her faith, too rashly plighted, thus forgotten?

Enter Diego.
DIEGO.
So far all's well—I'm terribly alarm'd,
And quake from head to foot—I'd give ten ducats
I were safe back again.—Where'er I turn,
It seems to me I'm meeting Pedro Lobo—
Who's that?—Oh! nobody but an old woman.

CLARA.
What can he want?

DIEGO.
I've met with no one yet,
But Pedro Lobo's ghost, that haunts me still
With jails and whipping-posts. Would I could learn
Whether he's here—Perhaps th' old woman knows.—
Hark you, old lady!

CLARA.
Do you call me, sir?

DIEGO.
I wish you'd tell me, if one Pedro Lobo
Be here or not?

CLARA.
One Pedro Lobo, sir?

DIEGO.
Aye, Pedro Lobo:—He's a royst'ring blade—

CLARA
(aside).
I'll feign to know him—it may drive him hence.
Oh, yes, I know him—he comes often here.

DIEGO.
The deuce he does!

CLARA.
He may be here just now.
There is no answ'ring for him.

DIEGO.
You don't say so!
Pray tell me, is my master, Don Ramirez,
Here in your house?

CLARA.
He is—what want you with him?

DIEGO.
I've been to th' post office, and—here they are—
Have brought him sundry letters from Toledo.
I pray thee tell me where he may be found,
That I may go ere Pedro Lobo come.

CLARA.
He's closetted at present with my lord:
But if you'll trust 'em to my charge, good friend,
I'll carefully deliver 'em.

DIEGO.
That's kind—
You will be certain now to let him have 'em?

CLARA.
You may depend on me. You'd better go—
I'm sure I hear him—Pedro Lobo's coming—

DIEGO.
Oh lord! oh lord! I'm off!—Good bye, old dame—

[Exit.
CLARA.
These letters from Toledo—Let me think—
Cannot I make some use of them?—I have it!—
Now Don Ramirez, I'll be even with you:
You shall have letters more than you expect.
[Sits down and writes.
“Your perfidy”—Ay, that's no bad beginning—
Hum—“your ingratitude—your plighted faith”—
Hum;—“Brother—vengeance—husband”—that's enough—
Now to conclude—“your injured wife, Lucretia.”—
(Folds up the letter.
Where have I put my seal—a bleeding heart?
Oh! here it is— (Seals it.)
—So,—go there with the rest.

(Mixes it with the others.
Enter Pedrillo.
PEDRILLO.
Is the coast clear?

CLARA.
Aye, you may venture in.

PEDRILLO.
I come, good madam, as you order'd me,
To know your pleasure—

CLARA.
Signor Lazarillo,
You're punctual to your assignation, sir.

PEDRILLO.
I'm always punctual in a lady's service.
(Aside)
—My assignation—'tis a phrase of meaning.
Have you, good madam, thought of any project
T'assist our cause?—'Tis desperate without you—

CLARA.
I have—my lady has prepar'd a letter
For your good master.—Tarry here awhile,
I'll fetch it for you, good kind Lazarillo!

[Exit.
PEDRILLO.
Ho!—good—kind—punctual to your assignation!
Why how if this duenna be attracted
By my good parts—'Twould not be so surprizing—
'Tis not the first time I've done execution—

Re-enter Clara.
CLARA.
Well, Lazarillo—here's an answer for you.
I hope you've form'd a good opinion of me.

PEDRILLO.
You are the queen and empress of duennas!

CLARA.
Be quiet—hush!—Whom have we here?—Oh! friends—
Enter Beatrice and Bertran.
Come hither—We have got a new associate.
He'll tell you his own story at more leisure.
Now we are friends, and part'ners in one cause,
I'll use disguise no longer—You shall see me.—

(Unveils.
PEDRILLO.
Oh! my dear madam!— (Aside)
—Gad! if I had guess'd
The shell held such a kernel—

CLARA.
Hark ye, Beatrice—
Have you prepar'd all things as I directed?

BEATRICE.
All's ready—not a tittle is forgotten.

CLARA.
Have you dispatch'd the note to Don Ramirez?

BERTRAN.
'Tis lying ready for him at his lodging.

CLARA
(to Pedrillo).
Now, sir, if you're as well dispos'd to break
This match as I am—

PEDRILLO.
Try me—what's your plan?

CLARA.
I've one now ripe for execution,
In which, so please you, you may bear a part.

PEDRILLO.
If I don't top it, figo on my talents!
Trust me for putting tricks on travellers!

[Exeunt severally.