University of Virginia Library

Scene 3.

Enter Rosella, Alcinda, Leonella.
Rosel.
A ravisher! O strange and horrid Crime!

Alc.
'Tis a sad truth, if at that very time,
Heav'n had not sent that unexpected aid;
His Lust most fiercely rag'd, when most I pray'd.
Oh that Don Fenise would agen be kind!

Leon.
Madam! ne'r hope that he will change his mind;
You easily may guess at his intent,
By this fine song his worthy friend has sent.

Rosel.
Sing it Leonella—

Leonella
sings this Song.

Rosel.
Let not a rash despair invade thy heart,
Continue kind, and let me play my part.

Leon.
Madam! here's a messenger from Don Fenise.

Rosel.
My life on't he repents; withdraw a while,
When you return my news shall make ye smile.
[Exit Alcinda.
I'll punish him; go fetch my Vizard mask,
And tell him I'm Alcinda if he ask.
Now bring him in;
Enter Alonzo.
Reason protect my heart!
A sweeter shape was never feign'd by art.

Alin.
Must I discourse with masks? with sableshrouds?
I dare peruse your beauty free from clouds.
Could you outshine the morning, could your rayes
Obscure the glorious sun in clearest dayes;
Could your insinuating flames, inspire
A Stoicks flinty heart with loves soft fire:
To me your boasted Excellence is dim,
Those foolish toyes have pow'r on none but him,
Fenise, that lov'd you once, mark me Lady!
That lov'd you once, and such a Beauty made ye;
But he's converted, and he vows, no more
Your well mix'd paint and patches to adore.

Ros.
Pray hear me Sir!—

Alon.
Madam! I am not come
To feign sad stories of your servants death;
Your charming name fil'd up his latest breath,
He dy'd for love of you,—and when your tears
Witness repentance, Ease you of your fears.
No! I resolv'd some minutes to bestow,
To slight those charmes that had bewitch'd him so.
[Exit Alonzo.

Ros.
As you are truly Noble hear me speak;
Should he be cruel, sure my heart must break.
Is he gone? quickly call him back, run, fly—

Leon.
'Slife what ailes you Madam?

Ros.
Make no reply—
Perswade him back, or never see my face;
Ha! what have I done? in so short a space
To lose my heart?
This for Alcinda I did undertake,
Now she may do it for Rosellas sake.
A gallant man!

Enter Alonzo.
Alon.
What does your message mean?

Rosel.
Reallity, let Fenise love ag'en,
[She takes off her mask.
Alcinda shall be his; I give my hand,
A sign the contract shall most firmly stand.
Use all the interest that you can make
To stay him, for the sad Alcindas sake.

Alon.
Ha! what do I see?
Angel! or Saint! or whatsoe'r you be!
That take frail Womans shape, low on the ground,
I beg that pardon you from Heaven found.

Leon.
The gentleman's smitt'n, he's caught i'saith!
How he surveyes each beauty that she hath?
'Tis German clockwork sure, how its eyes roul?
Look ye the mouth on't moves; alas pretty Soul!
A very rare motion—
I long to see some tricks, his peirceing eye
Declares him Skilful in Astrologie;
Can you cast nativities Sir?

Alon.
Begone!
Let me and my nativity alone—
O happy friend!

Rosel.
Near night he'l find her at the Cypress grove;
He will not fail if he pretend to love.
Good thoughts attend you—

Alon.
Though you design
Your self for him, your picture may be mine—
Think me not rude, by your fair self I vow,
I ne'r beg'd favour from your Sex 'till now.
The Indies shall not buy it from my eyes—

Ros.
Though what you ask my modesty denies,
Nay though I've made a vow never to part
From this, but to the man that has my heart—
Yet y'have prevail'd; take it, and all content.

Alon.
As I would take aguift from Heaven sent.

Ros.
Oh my heart! farewel! Sir!—pray don't forget,
Fie, fie, Rosella! this once—he's there yet—

[Exeunt Alonzo and Rosella at several dores.
Enter presently Alonzo and Mingo.
Alon.
Mingo! why this disguise? what mak'st thou here?

Min.
I strive to live—y, are angry still I fear.
Pray pardon me; you alwayes found me just.
In your affairs, though led aside by lust.

Alon.
Pry'thee no more, lest Protestations raise
Suspition of thy faith, without a cause.

Min.
Now Sir! I am from all my faults reclaim'd,
And blush with anger when I hear them nam'd.
Pray let me serve you here Sir! my great care
Shall testifie, what my intentions are.

Alon.
I'll think upon't; there's earnest of my love.

[gives him mony.
Min.
May you receive this bounty from above,
[Exit Alonzo.
In ten thousand—Curses; and when Heavens store
Exausted is, I'll coyn as many more.
This was a happy disguise—
I've gain'd so much upon Don Manuel's wife,
She has discover'd to me all his life.
He's mine, to gain Alcinda by my Ayd;
And my pretended Love has gain'd the maid.
From her I'll learn what brought Alonzo on,
And then I'll do your work, my angry Don!
Here she comes—
Enter Leonella.
Enter Don Manuel observing them.
O my dear Rogue! what dangers have I trod?
How many weary steps? how often rode
Ore hill and dale? through fire and frost.
Through frights and foes? what Wives? what fortunes lost?

Leon.
Time has not chang'd thee, thou art Mingo still.

Mingo.
Thy slave my Sultaness! both heart and will:
O let me ever hold thee thus—

Man.
Here's sport!—
An Eunuch? a Stalion! I'll spoyl your Court.
D'ee hear Sirrah! Villain! Rogue! what are you?

[Exit Leonella.
Min.
Thy evil Angel, Gorzell! nay tis true:
Gorzell I say! hast thou forgot thy name?
Thy Cheats, thy Murthers too, I can proclame,

Man.
Mercy, sweet Devil mercy! pity me!

Min.
Rise mortal, and give ear to my decree;
One beauty shall be mine, the other thine,
And equally we'll share the pilfer'd coyn;
Dispatch thy answer quick; consent, and live—

Man.
Y'are merciful, take all that I can give.

Min.
Then I'm thy friend, and Mingo.

[Discovers himself.
Man.
Catch'd agen?
'Sdeath how didst thou discover, me or when?

Min.
O never question that, let it suffice,
I know you now, and all your Subtleties.
Hold to your bargain, we'll go hand in hand,
And raise such plots Fate shall not countermand.
That wench will tell me news if you retire—

Man.
Th'art my good Angel, take thy own desire.

Min.
You must not see it, though I seem too kind
To your Teresa—

Man.
No! no! use thy mind—
[Exit Manuel.

Min.
Yes, and thy soft pate, long prosperity
Has lull'd the rascal in security.
Here comes his fellow trader—

Enter Teresa.
Ter.
Dear Eunuch! this has been a tedious day.

Min.
How eagerly this Creature longs for prey?
Time's lazy grown, 'tis yet an hour to night.

Ter.
That hour's eternity—let's lose our sight,
And make it ever night—

Min.
O hold! you prophesie your death I fear.

Ter.
Death! prythee let's go in—and meet it there.

Min.
Know then in short,
I'm hir'd to murther you; here's earnest for't:
[Shews the money Alonzo gave him.
Your husband loves Alcinda—

Ter.
O base slave!
Villain! I'll to him strait; I'll tear the knave—

Min.
Stay! you'l undo us both; but if you will,
You may preserve us both, and Manuel kill.
Dispatch him roundly, if you love me then
I'll marry you—

Ter.
I'll doe't! thou best of men!
[Exit Teresa.

Leonella peeps in and Enters.
Min.
Nay she's gone;
My best saint! my wise Medea! what spell
Wilt thou invent, old Manuel's rage to quell?

Leon.
A powerful charm which he can ne'r withstand.

Min.
Teresa doats, doats on me, by this hand!
She's so jealous of thee too, we shall ne'r
Enjoy in quiet while we tarry here.

Leon.
Come, come, there's Villany on foot; my ear
Gave me intellgence, though none appear.
They look like saints; for all their pious show,
There may be Murthers, Whores, and Rogues, or so.

Min.
I understand, therefore 'tis our best way,
To make a handsome pack, and march away.

Leon.
Our Ladies do prepare to meet their Loves,
I must along too—

Min.
Mark well how it proves;
And let me know, it may produce a light,
To guide us on in our intended flight.

Leon.
I'll observe, adieu!—

Min.
Ioy of my life, farewell! thus far I thrive;
I must be suddain, lest so many Eyes
As I imploy, may find my Subtilties.
I'm stor'd with Wives, and with a helping friend,
I'll make true use o'm; to my propper end.
On fair Rosella lyes my aim, though here
Is my circumference, my centre's there.
[Exit. Mingo.