University of Virginia Library

Scene 6.

Enter Don Fenise alone in his own House.
Fen.
How sweet are all my Sorrows now! how dear
My Suffrings are, now Happiness draws near!
Though in my Love I met with so much trouble,
My Pleasure will be, as my Care was, double.
Alonzo may have doubts, and jealous fears,
My long experience all suspition clears.
Rosella's Heart, like parched Straw, took fire,
And did as swiftly blaze into desire:
Such flames are soonest quench'd, and have least heat;
My Happiness as constant is as great;
Like noble Metal, which doth long repel
Assaulting Flames, that round about it dwell,
But once made hot, does long retain the fire,
So did my dear Alcinda meet desire;
Her Love came slowly, but will sure remain;
She will be constant, though I change again.
Most happy Fenise!
[Enter Leonella, and passing by him, carelesly drops a Letter.
Ha! sure it was she;
What makes she here? Why should she fly from me?
This may inform me, (to my hearts delight
The brave Alonzo) pray Heav'n all is right!
Friendship allows me liberty to see.
He reads the Letter.
Fail not to meet me, as we did agree;
The hour precisely Twelve, the place you know,
Blind Fenise still, no sign of Friendship show.
He may observe you with a Lovers Eye,
The time seems lazy now our joyes are nigh.
My dear Alonzo! haste, you have my heart;
When once we meet again, we'll never part.

Thine ever Alcinda.

Alcinda! Alcinda! Alcinda!
It cannot be, sure my distemper'd Joy
Distracts my thoughts, and does my sense destroy:
Or her fair shape which in my fancy lyes,
Sends bright reflections to abuse my Eyes.
Ha! 'tis, by Heav'n 'tis so! And if it be,
[Leonella peeps into to observe him.
O that I wanted Faith, or could not see.
Thine-ever-Alcinda! my Tongue speaks this,
To cheat my Heart; or else I hear amiss.
Alcinda false! it cannot, shall not be;
Yet who can doubt, what they so plainly see?
O shameless Woman! to destroy so soon
A happiness I have so hardly won.
The wild Hibernian Waves, and Winter Air,
Are constanter than these frail Women are:
Like thin Cameleons still they change their hue,
And take fresh flames from ev'ry sight that's new.

Leon.
The Fish is caught, I must allow him line.

Fen.
Hell upon Earth! I'll spoil their damn'd design.

Leon.
Now I'll upon him while he looks this way—

Fen.
What, can you run so well? I'll make you stay.

Leon.
Mercy dear Sir! Oh Heavens! I'm undone;
I see my Sentence in your hand,—I'm gone—
Ah noble Sir! you know I must obey,
Punish not me, if they have gone astray.
Gentle Sir pity me!—

Fen.
Hear me, thou dismal Messenger of Fate!
Here, take your Charm, giv't to Alonzo strait:
If thou betray'st me, with one look, or word,
Thy Sex shall not protect thee from my Sword:
Wipe your dissembling eyes, and get you gone,
Look undisturb'd as if it were unknown.
Come Fiend! along, see here he comes, take heed:
I'll watch you—

[Alonzo enters.
Leon.
Fear me not. I'll do the deed.

Fen.
This may be yet a damn'd malicious plot,
'Till he confirm it, I believe it not

[Fenise hides himself.
Alon.
Ha! welcome Loves pretty Envoy!
Must this Night make us happy? Must we go?

Leon.
There's my bus'ness, if that inform you so.

[She gives him another Letter.
Alon.
I will not fail, let this engage thee mine.
My Service to my Mistriss—

[Exeunt Alonzo and Leonella severally.
Fen.
So, to thine,
That is, Alcinda; Ah false perjur'd Friend!
Thy heart shall bleed for this e'r this Night end.
I'll watch thee to thy Saint, before her Eyes,
Thou shalt be punish'd for thy Perjuries.
[Exit Fenise.