 | Love Triumphant ; or, Nature will Prevail |  |
ACT I.
SCENE I.
At the Drawing up of the Curtain, Veramond King of Aragon appears: Ximena the Queen by him: Victoria their eldest Daughter on the Right Hand; and Celidea their younger Daughter on the left: Courtiers stand attending in File on each side of the Stage. The Men on one hand, the Ladies on the other. Amongst the Men, Don Lopez, amongst the Women, Dalinda his Daughter.The Scene is suppos'd a Presence-Chamber.
Vera.
Now the long Wars betwixt Castile and Arragon
Are ended in the ruin of our Foes.
And fierce Ramirez, the Castilian King,
Who tugg'd for Empire, with our Warlike Son,
To the young Victor's Brow: Our tender Maids
And trembling Children, shall with Scorn behold
The haughty Captive, who had made his Vaunts
To lay their Dwellings level; and with Salt
To sow the place, where Sarragossa stood.
Xime.
Processions, Prayers, and Publick Thanks to Heav'n,
Were fit to be decreed.
Vera.
Your Sex is ever formost in Devotion.
But for our brave Confederate, young Navarre,
He shall receive the Prize reserv'd within
My Breast; and such a one,
His Youth and Valour have right-well deserv'd.
Xime.
I hear he comes along with our Alphonso,
And next our Son, did best.
Vera.
Perhaps as well:
Alphonso's Action was indeed more Glorious,
To buckle with a King in single Fight,
And take him Prisoner; but his fiery temper
Still hurries him to daring rash Attempts.
Xime.
Alphonso is Impetuous, but he's Noble;
He will not take one Atome from Navarre
Of what's his Right, nor needs he.
Vera.
If he shou'd—
Xime.
You take too bad Impressions of your Son.
Vera.
No more, Ximena, for I hear their Trumpets
Proclaim their Entry: And our own their Welcome.
[Trumpets from each side of the Stage.
Enter Alphonso and Garcia, hand in hand. After them, the Prisoner K. Ramirez alone: Then the two Colonels, Sancho and Carlos: After them, other Officers of the Army. Veramond advances to meet them: The Queen and the two Princesses follow him. Alphonso first kneels to his Father and Mother, and immediately runs to salute his Sister Victoria tenderly; then slightly salutes Celidea, and returns to Victoria. In the mean time Veramond embraces Don Garcia, who afterwards kisses the Queen's hand.
The Triumphs of this Day, auspicious Prince,
Proclaim themselves Your Gift, to us and Arragon:
From you they are deriv'd; to you return;
For what we are, you make us.
Gar.
May Heav'n and your brave Son, and, above all,
Your own prevailing Genius, guard your Age
From such another Day of doubtful Fate:
But if it comes, then Garcia will be proud
To be again the Foil of Great Alphonso.
Vera.
It might, and well it had become my Son
[Looking about for Alphonso.
To speak your words; But you are still before him,
As in the Fight you were.
Xime.
Turn to your Father, and present your Duty;
[Pulling Alphonso by the sleeve.
He thinks himself neglected, and observes ye.
Here Garcia, after bowing to the King and Queen, goes to the two Princesses and salutes them. After a little dumb Courtship, he leads out Victoria and Celidea, the Ladies follow; Alphonso observes it with discontent, and then turns to his Father.
Alphon.
I saw you, Sir, engag'd in Ceremonies,
And therefore thought I might defer this Office,
To give you time for decent Thanks to Garcia.
Vera.
You rather went where more affection call'd ye.
Alphon.
I may have been too slack in outward show.
But when your Service, and my Honour call'd,
None was more forward in the fighting part.
Vera.
The rugged Business of the War is o'er;
Softness and Sweetness, and a gentler Air
Wou'd make a mixture, that wou'd temper well
That inborn Fierceness of your boyling Mind.
Alph.
I stand corrected, Sir, and let me tell ye now,
That sweetness which so well you have advis'd,
Fortune has put in your own hand to practise
Upon this Royal Souldier; till we fought
[Showing Ramirez.
And once, (alas! that still it is not so)
The Partner of your Thoughts, and Bosom Friend.
Xime.
(aside.)
Heav'n that inspir'd thee with this Pious thought,
Add Vertue and Perswasion to thy words,
And bend my stubborn Lord.
Vera.
Say, have you more to speak on his behalf?
Alphon.
Much more, his fair Behaviour in the War,
Not plundering Towns, nor burning Villages;
His Bravery of Mind, his Dauntless Courage,
When Hand to Hand, he made me stoop beneath
His weighty blows, and often forc'd to doubt
The Fortune of my Youth, against his Age.
Vera.
Proceed, proceed, for this is but to say,
That thou wert almost worsted in the Combat.
Alphon.
I have already said much more, than needs
To move a Noble Mind,
Such as my Father's is, or ought to be.
Vera.
Come, let me hear my Duty from my Son.
Alphon.
If more be wanting on so plain a Theam,
Think on the slippery State of Humane Things,
The strange vicissitudes, and suddain turns
Of War, and Fate recoiling on the Proud,
To crush a Merciless and Cruel Victor.
Think there are bounds of Fortune, set above;
Periods of Time, and progress of Success,
Which none can stop before th'appointed limits,
And none can push beyond.
Ximena.
He Reasons justly, Sir.
Alphon.
Ramirez is an Honourable Foe,
Use him like what he is, and make him yours.
Vera.
By Heav'n I think,
That when you cop'd with him in single Fight,
You had so much ado to Conquer then,
You fear t'ingage him in a second Combat.
Alphon.
The World knows how I Fought:
But Old Men have Prerogative of Tongue,
And Kings of Power, and Parents that of Nature.
Vera.
I give it you;
Your Battel now is paid at the full price.
[Ximena whispers Alphonso for a moment.
Alphon.
Fear not, I curb my self.
[To Ximena.
Ramir.
(to Veram.)
Your Son has mention'd Honourable Terms.
Propose 'em Veramond, and for his sake
(So much his Valour and rare Courtesie,
Have wrought upon my Soul,) I will accept 'em.
Vera.
Who gave you leave.
To speak of Terms, or even to speak at all?
Ramir.
And who shou'd give me liberty of speaking,
But Heav'n, who gave me Speech?
Veram.
How dares my Captive
Assume this boldness to his Conqueror?
Ramir.
You have not Conquer'd me, you cou'd not, Veramond,
'Tis to Alphonso's Arms that I am Prisoner.
Veram.
Under my Auspices Alphonso fought,
He led my Forces.
Ramir.
Yes, and made 'em too
By his Example, else they ne're had Conquer'd.
Veram.
A Bargain! A plain Compact! A Confederacy!
Betwixt my Son and thee, to give me part,
Of what my better Stars, make all my own.
Alphon.
Sir, I must speak—
Veram.
Dare not, I charge thee, dare not.
Alphon.
Not vindicate my Honour?
By Heav'n I will, to all the World, to you;
My Honour is my own, and not deriv'd
From this frail Body, and this Earth you gave me;
But that Ætherial Spark, which Heav'n inspir'd,
And kindl'd in my New Created Soul.
You tell me, I have bargain'd with Ramirez,
To make his Ransome cheap.
Vera.
To make it nothing,
To rob thy Father of his Victory,
And, at my cost, oblige my Mortal Foe;
Fool, dost thou know the value of a Kingdom?
Alphon.
I think I do, because I won a Kingdom.
And know'st not how to keep it.
Ramirez.
What Claim have you? What Right to my Castile?
Veram.
The Right of Conquest, for when Kings make War;
No Law betwixt two Soveraigns can decide,
But that of Arms, where Fortune is the Judge,
Soldiers the Lawyers, and the Bar the Field.
Alphon.
But with what Conscience can ye keep that Crown,
To which, ye claim no Title but the Sword?
Vera.
Then ask that question of thy self, when thou
Thy self art King; I will retain my Conquest;
And if thou art so mean, so poor of Soul,
As to refuse thy Sword in keeping it;
Then Garcia's Aid;
Whose share of Honour, in that Glorious day,
Was more than thine; during my Life, shall Guard it,
And at my Death, shall Heir it.
Alphon.
Don Garcia is indeed a Valiant Prince,
But this large Courtesie, this over-praise
You give his Worth, in any other Mouth,
Were Villany to me.
Ximena.
That was too much Alphonso, shew the Reverence
That Sons shou'd bear to Fathers.
Alphon.
(to her.)
Did I not say in any other Mouth,
The King excepted still?
Ramir.
Had I a Son; a Son like your Alphonso,
The Pride of War, and Darling of the Field;
I shou'd not thus receive him, nor detract
From such High Actions: Let me tell you, Sir,
(For I who felt his Arm, can best report him;)
There lives not one, who breaths this Vital Air,
That e're cou'd boast, he made Ramirez bend,
Before Alphonso undertook the Task.
Veram.
Confederacy again! How they enhance
Their mutual worth, and bandy Fame betwixt 'em,
Into each other's hand.—
[Looks on Ramirez, and starts back.
What's this I see?
Nay, now I wonder not, the Captive prates
With so secure presumption to his King,
Sits as before, insulting on his side,
Who gave thee back that weapon?
Alphon.
I, who took it.
Vera.
A careful Son, to trust a Foe with Arms
So near his Father.
Haste, disarm the Prisoner.
Alphon.
E're you dishonour me, first hear me speak;
I took his Royal Word, to be my Prisoner;
And on his Honour, I restor'd his Sword,
Because I thought, that mark of Sovereign Justice
And Awful Power, shou'd not for one short moment
Be wanting to a Monarch.
Vera.
Then when he lost the Power, he lost the Claim,
And marks of Sovereign Right:
Nor without my Consent, cou'dst thou dispose
Of him, or of his Sword, or of his Life:
Once more disarm him: What, am I betray'd?
[Guards look amaz'd, but stir not.
Have I no Subject left?
Xime.
Submit, Alphonso.
I, who am partial to you, must condemn
This Carriage as undutious to your Father.
Ramir.
(to Alphon.)
Brave Prince, too warmly you assert my Cause,
Tho' 'tis indeed the common Cause of Kings:
But to prevent what ills on my account
May hence ensue betwixt a Son and Parent,
Take here the Sword, you trusted in my Hands,
Which you alone cou'd take—Now, Veramond,
[Presents his Sword to Alphonso.
Dispose of old Ramirez as thou pleasest;
[He presents it sullely to Veramond, who puts it into the hand of an Officer.
Secure thy Hate, Ambition, and thy Fear,
And give Ramirez Death, who scorns a Life
Which he must owe to thee.
Vera.
(to the Guards.)
Go bear him to the Castle; at more leisure
His Doom shall be decreed.
When e're it comes 'tis welcome, only this
(If Enemies be suffer'd to request)
Forgive th'Imprudent Zeal thy Son has shown
On my behalf, and take him to thy Bosom:
A noble Temper shines even through his faults,
And gilds them into Virtues.
Vera.
Take him hence—
[Ramirez is led off by Sancho and Carlos, and follow'd by the Guards. Alphonso looking frowningly. The rest stay.
Alphon.
(aside.)
How I abhor this base Inhumane Act!
But Patience! he's my Father.
Veram.
Thus all his Praises, are thy Accusations,
And even that very Sword,
Punish me Heav'n, if I believe not so,
Is far less dangerous in his Hand than thine.
Xime.
Forgive the hasty Sallies of his Youth.
Vera.
He never lov'd me.
Alphon.
You never gave me cause.
Xime.
(to Alphon.)
Come, you both lov'd,
But both were jealous of each other's kindness.
His silence shows, he longs to pardon you.
And did not you, my Lord, observe Alphonso,
[Turning to Veram.
How, tho' at first he cou'd not rule his Passion?
Not at the very first, for that's impossible
To hasty blood, like his and yours, my Lord;
Yet in the second moment, he repented,
As soon as Thought had leisure to be born.
Veram.
For ought I see, you do him better Office
Than he desires, Ximena.
Alphon.
(kneeling.)
Sir, your Pardon;
And if you please, your Love.
Vera.
Receive the first,
The last as you deserve.
Vera.
This had not been thus easily o're-past,
But that I see Don Garcia with your Sisters;
A fair occasion offers you this hour
To cancel your Offences; mark, and take it.
The K. Q. and Alphonso entertain Garcia in dumb show, while Victoria and Celidea speak at a distance.
Celid.
What think you, Sister, of this Youthful Hero?
Victo.
Our dear Alphonso?
Celid.
No; I mean Navarre.
Victo.
As of a Valiant Prince; what wou'd you more?
Celid.
Methinks you give him a short Commendation;
Yet all his Applications were to you.
Victo.
I minded not his words.
Celid.
He made a warm beginning of a Love.
Victo.
It seems my thoughts were otherwise employ'd.
Celid.
Neither your thoughts, nor eyes cou'd be employ'd
Upon a Nobler Object.
Victo.
That's your Judgment.
Celid.
His every Action, nay, his every Motion
Were graceful, and becoming his high Birth.
Victo.
All of a piece, and all like other Men:
He seems to me a common kind of Creature,
One that may pass among a crowd of Courtiers
And not be known for King.
Celid.
Sure you forget the Troops he brought our Father,
Besides his Personal Valour in the Fight.
Victo.
You more forget Alphonso's greater Actions,
When the young Hero, yet unfledg'd in Arms,
Made the tough Age of bold Ramirez bend:
He fought like Mars, descending from the Skies,
And look'd like Venus rising from the Waves.
Celid.
Navarre had done the same; 'twas Fortune's fault
Victo.
You are too young to judge of Men or Merits;
You praise the Vulgar Flight a Faulcon makes,
When Jove's Imperial Bird, that bears the Thunder,
Is tow'ring far above him.
Re-enter Carlos, Sancho, and the rest of the Officers.
Vera.
Are my Commands perform'd?
Carlos.
With all exactness.
Vera.
Approach Victoria, and you Celidea,
That in your presence I may pay some part
Of what I owe your brave Deliverer.
Celid.
We cannot show too much of Gratitude.
Vera.
Victoria, what say you?
Victo.
He did the Duty of a brave Allie:
I do not know the War, nor dare I load
His modesty with larger Commendations.
Garci.
Even those are much too large, when giv'n by you,
To whom my Soul, with all my future Service,
Are with Devotion offer'd.
Vera.
I have indeed disclos'd to her alone
Th'important Secret of th'intended Match.
And that perhaps has made her fear to praise
A Prince who shortly is to be her own.
Alphon.
(aside.)
Oh Heav'ns! what bode these words?
[The Queen and Celidea shew amazement, Alphonso and Victoria discontent.
Vera.
Now therefore I declare the wisht alliance;
Ximena, you may give your Daughter joy;
And you your Sister, of th'Imperial Crown
[To Celid.
Which Garcia puts on our Victoria's Head.
Your share, Alphonso, in this happy day.
[To Alphon.
Is not the least, nor will you be the last
T'applaud my worthy choice of such a Son.
Alphon.
A sudden damp has seiz'd my Vital Spirits;
I see but through a mist, and hear far off:
Nay, trouble not your selves, a little time
Will mend my health, till when excuse my presence.
[Exit Alphonso, and looks back on Victoria.
Xime.
(aside.)
He's much disturb'd, a sickness of the Soul;
Or I mistake, he does not like this Marriage.
Assist us, Heav'n,, if I divine aright,
And prosper thy own work.
Vera.
(aside.)
I like not this,
But must dissemble, till I clear my doubts.
Fortune, brave Prince, has given us this allay;
[To Garci.
Our Joys were else too full:
An hour of sleep will bring him back restor'd;
Mean time we may withdraw.
Garci.
(to Victo.)
Come, my fair Mistress, by your Father's leave
I seize this precious Gage.
Victo.
Then thank my Father;
He may dispose of all things but my Heart,
And that's my own— (aside.)
—Alas! I wish it were.
[Exeunt Vara. Xime. Celid. Garci. Victo. and all the Courtiers. Men and Women. The Guards follow: San. and Carl. remain.
San.
Good news, Carlos, the old Jew is dead.
Carl.
What Jew?
Sanch.
Why the rich Jew, my Father.
He's gone to the Bosom of Abraham his Father, and I, his
Christian Son, am left sole Heir. Now do I intend to be
monstrously in love.
Carl.
With whom, Colonel?
Sanch.
That's not yet resolv'd, Colonel; but with one of
the Court Ladies. You may stand a Man's Friend, Carlos,
in such a business.
Carl.
You may depend on me, Sancho, because my dependance
is on you: You got Plunder in the Battel; while I was
hack'd and hew'd, and almost laid asleep in the damn'd Bed
of Honour.
Sanch.
Nay, I confess I am a lucky Rogue, for I was
born with a Caul upon my Head.
Carl.
I'm sure I came bare enough into the World, and
live as barely in it.
Make me but lustily in love, and I'll adopt thee
into my Fortune; but thou stand'st shall I, shall I, till all the
Ladies are out of sight: Here, take that Billet Doux which I
have pull'd out by chance from amongst twenty, that I always
wear about me for such occasions.
Carl.
But to which of 'em shall I deliver it?
Sanch.
Even to her thou can'st first overtake.
Nay, do not lose thy time in looking on't, there's no particular
Direction, Man; Fortune ever superscribes my Letters to
the Fair Sex; I let her alone to find me out a handsome Mistress;
and let me alone to make her kind afterwards.
Carl.
But suppose I shou'd happen to deliver it to my own.
Mistress, for she was in the presence, with her Father.
Sanch.
Then I suppose thou wilt be the first that shalt repent
it, she will certainly fall in Love with me.
[Lopez and Dalinda re-enter, and walk softly over the Stage.
Look, there's one of 'em already; my Heart beats at the very
sight of her; this must and shall be she, by Cupid.
Carl.
And by Venus the very she I love.
Sanch.
Prithee no more words then, for Fate will have it so.
Carl.
(aside.)
I know it's impossible for her Father to receive him,
or her to love him, and yet his good Fortune, and
my Rascally three penny Planet, make me suspicious without
Reason: But hang Superstition, I'll draw such a Picture of
him, as shall do his business.
Sanch.
Now will I stand by Incognito, like some mighty
Potentate, and see my own Embassy deliver'd.
[Carlos overtakes Lopez and Dalinda just going off, and salutes them.
Lop.
Cozen Carlos, you are welcome from the Wars; I
think I saw you in the Show to day.
Carl.
The Ceremony hinder'd me from paying my respects;
but I made haste, you see—
Lop.
I hope you'll no more be a Stranger to my House,
than you have been formerly: Your Mistress here will be
proud to entertain you; and then you shall tell me the whole
Expedition: I love Battels wonderfully, when a Man may
hear 'em without Peril of his Person.
(aside.)
Nothing of my Letter all this while;
Why, when Carlos?
[Whispering aloud to him.
Carlos.
(aside.)
Now I dare not but deliver it, because her sees me.
Don Lopez, I have a foolish kind of Petition to you.
[To Lopez.
Lop.
Why do you call it a foolish Petition?
Carl.
Because I bring it from a Fool. There's a Friend of
mine, of a plentiful Fortune, that's desperately in Love
with your Fair Daughter, Dalinda; and has Commanded me,
by your permission, to deliver this Letter to her.
Lopez.
A Rich Man's Letter may be deliver'd.
[Carlos gives her the Letter.
Dalinda.
What's here? A Note without a Superscription.
[She seems to Read.
As I Live, a Bill of Exchange for 200 Pistols,
Charg'd upon a Banker, and payable to the Bearer;
An accomplisht Cavalier, I warrant him; He writes finely,
and in the best manner.
Carlos.
(aside.)
There's the Covetous Sex, at the first Syllable,
The Fool's good Planet begins to work already;
but I shall stop its Influence.
Lop.
Good Cozen Colonel; what manner of Man is my
Son-in-Law, that may be?
Carl.
D'ye see that sneaking Fellow yonder?
Lop.
Who, that Gallant Cavalier?
Dalind.
I wish it were no worse.
Carl.
Plague, ye make me mad betwixt ye. His outside's
Tawdry, and his inside's Fool. He's an Usurer's Son, and
his Father was a Jew.
Dalind.
No matter for all that, he's Rich.
Carlos.
He was begot upon the Wife of a desperate Debtor,
Out of pure good Husbandry, to save something: He's Covetous
by the Father's side; A Blockhead by the Mother's; And
a Knave by both.
Lopez.
I see nothing like your description of him, at this
distance.
Carl.
Come hither, Don Sancho, and make good the Character
I have given of you.
[Sancho comes up, and salutes 'em awkwardly.
Lop.
Cavalier, I shall be glad to be better known to you.
Sanch.
(to Carlos.)
You see I have Luck in a Bag, Carlos.
Carlos.
(aside.)
Ay, in a Bag of Money, I see it to my sorrow.
Try his Wit, Signior, you'll find him as heavy
as Lead.
[Aside to Lopez.
Lop.
(to Sanch.)
So his Mony be Silver, I care not.
Come Cavalier, what say you to my Daughter?
Sanch.
Why, I say, I was resolv'd to Love the first Fair
Lady that I met.
Dalind.
Oh Lord, Sir!
Carlos.
(to Lopez.)
Do but mark his Breeding.
Lop.
I like him never the worse for his Plain-Dealing.
Dalin.
Bluntness, methinks, becomes a Souldier.
Carlos.
(aside.)
How Naturally Old Men take to Riches, and
Women to Fools.
Lopez.
(to Sanch.)
You have made a Noble Declaration of your
Love, Sir,
With a handsome Present of two hundred Pistols.
Sanch.
What, I hope I have not mistaken Papers, and sent
you my Letter of Exchange for 200 Pistols, charg'd upon the
Banker Porto Carrero: Pray return that Letter, Madam;
and I'll look out for another, that shall Treat only of dry
Love, without those terrible Appendixes.
Dalind.
Why, did not ye intend this for me, Cavalier?
Sanch.
No, you shall hear me rap out all the Oaths in
Christendom, that I am wholly Innocent of this Accusation.
Dalind.
Come, you bely your Noble Nature; look upon
me agen Cavalier,
And then Examine your own Heart,
If you meant it not to me.
Sanch.
Nay, I confess my Heart beats a charge towards ye:
(To Carl.)
And yet Two Hundred Pistols, is a swinging
Summ for one kind Look, Carlos!
(to him.)
A Damnable hard Penny-worth! hold you
there, Don Sancho.
[Dalinda looks upon him agen, more sweetly.
Sanch.
She has two Devils in her Eyes, that last Ogle was
a lick-penny. Well, Madam, I Dedicate those fair Two
Hundred Pistols, to your more fair Hand: and now you have
Receiv'd 'em, I meant 'em to you.
Dalind.
And, in requital, I receive you for my Servant,
Cavalier.
Carlos.
(aside.)
Damn him for his awkward Liberality, he's
always Covetous,
Lopez.
(to Dalind.)
He's come on again, my Heart was almost at
my Mouth:
[Draws her aside a little.
What hope have you, of the Conde Don Alonzo De Cardona?
Dalind.
Little or none; a bare possibility. You know what
has pass'd betwixt us.
Lop.
But suppose he shou'd renew his Love; had you rather
Marry that Rich Old Conde; or, this poor Young Rogue,
Don Carlos?
Dalind
This Poor Young Rogue, if you please, Father.
Lop.
I thought as much, good Madam; but to come closer
to the present Business, betwixt Don Carlos and Don Sancho,
That is to say, a Poor Young Wit, and a Rich Young Fool;
put the Case Gentlewoman, which of 'em wou'd you chuse?
Dalind.
If it were not from meer Necessity, I have a kind of
a loathing to a Fool.
Lopez.
The more Fool you, Madam.
Dalind.
Wou'd you have a Race of Booby Grandsons?
Lopez.
That's as your Conscience serves ye; I say only,
that your Husband shall be a Fool I say, not your Childrens
Father shall be one.
Sancho.
(to Carlos.)
This is a plaguy long whisper, I do not like it.
And yet now I think on't, my left Eye itches,
some good luck is coming towards me.
(to them.)
I'll be short and pithy with ye, Don Sancho, I
think they call ye? If out of my abundant Love,
I shou'd bestow my Dutiful Daughter on you, what kind of
Husband wou'd you make?
Sanch.
Husband, Sennor? Why, none at all. None of
my Predecessors were ever Marry'd: My Father and my
Mother never were, and I will not be the first of my Family
that shall degenerate; I thought my 200 Pistols would have
done my business with Dalinda, and a little winking Mony
with you.
Lop.
What, wou'd you make me a Pimp to my own
Daughter?
Dalind.
And imagine my Chastity cou'd be corrupted with
a petty Bribe.
Sanch.
Nay, I am not so obstinate neither, against Marriage;
Carlos gave me this wicked Counsel, on purpose to
banish me; and in revenge to him, I will Marry.
Lop.
I hope you'll ask her leave first?
Sanch.
Phoo! I take that for granted; no Woman has
the power to resist my Courtship.
Lop.
Suppose then, as before suppos'd; what kind of
Husband wou'd you make?
Sanch.
Then to deal roundly with you; I wou'd run a
rambling my self, and leave the drudgery of my House to her
management: All things shou'd go at Sixes and Sevens, for
Sancho; In short, Sennor, I will be as Absolute, as the
Great Turk, and take as little care of my People, as a
Heathen God.
Lop.
Now, Don Carlos, what say you?
Carlos.
(aside.)
I'll fit 'em for a Husband:
(To Lopez)
Why, Sennor, I wou'd be the most careful
Creature of her Business; I wou'd inspect every thing, wou'd
manage the whole Estate to save her the trouble; I wou'd be
careful of her Health, by keeping her within doors; she
shou'd neither give nor receive Visits; nor kneel at Church
among the Fops, that Look one way, and Pray another.
Dalind.
Oh abominable!
Why, thou ungrateful Fellow! wou'dst thou make
a Slave of my Daughter? And leave her no Business; that is
to say, no Authority in her own House?
Dalind.
Ay, and to call Fine Young Gentlemen Fops too?
To lock me up from Visitants, which are the only Comfort
of a Disconsolate, Miserable, Married Woman!
Lopez.
And 'twere not for fear thou shou'dst beat me, I
cou'd find in my Heart to beat thee. Don Sancho I have an
Olla at home, and you shall be welcome to it. Farewel
Kinsman.
[To Carlos.
[Exeunt Lopez, and Sancho, leading out Dalinda.
Carlos.
Now, If I had another Head, I cou'd find in my
Heart, to run this Head against that wall. Nature has given
me my Portion in Sense, with a Pox to her, and turn'd me
out into the wide World to starve upon it. She has given
Sancho an empty Noddle; but Fortune in revenge has fill'd
his Pockets: just a Lord's Estate in Land and Wit. Well,
I have lost Dalinda; and something must be done to undermine
Sancho in her good Opinion: Some pernicious Counsel
must be given him: He is my Prince, and I am his States-Man;
and when our two Interests come to clash, I hope to
make a meer Monarch of him: And my Hunger is somewhat
in my way to quicken my Invention.
With Fortune's Aid, makes Beggars at the best.
Wit is not fed, but sharpn'd with Applause,
For Wealth is solid Food, and Wit but hungry Sause.
Exit.
| Love Triumphant ; or, Nature will Prevail | |