University of Virginia Library

Scene 1.

Enter Roderiguez, Varina, and Corinna.
Rod.
Thy Uncle, Love, holds still a jealous eye
On all my actions: and I am advis'd
By my friend Gaspar, that's suspicious ears
Are still behind the hangings: that the servants
Have from him in commands to watch who visits
Your self, or Mariana, 'twill be best,
And safest in my judgement, in his presence
That thou forbear to cast a smile upon me:
And that like old December I should look,
With an unpleasant and contracted brow:

Var.
Why? canst thou change thy heart, my Dear, that heart
Of flesh (thou gav'st me) into Adamant,
Or rigid Marble? canst thou frown on me?

Rod.
You do mistake me, sweet, I mean not so
To change my heart: I'll change my countenance,
But keep my heart as loyal, as before.

Var.
In troth I cannnot credit it, that thou
Canst cast a frown on me: I prithee try.

Rod.
Then thus!—

(He tries and cannot, they smile on each other.)
Var.
I prithee, sweet, betake thy self to schoole,
This Lesson thou must learn, in troth thou'rt out.

Rod.
Well! I must learn and practise it, or we
Shall blast our budding hopes.

Var.
Come! try again!

Rod.
But if I try, and prove a good proficient:
If I do act my part discreetly, you
Must take it as a Play, not as a truth,
Think it a formall, not a reall frown?

Var.
I shall.

Rod.
Then once more thus,

(He frowns, and saith, I' faith Mynion I'll look to you: she swounds.)
Cor.
My Mistress hath
The falling-sickness of us maids! help Sir!

Rod.
Why how now, sweet? I did distrust thy weakness:
Now I have learnt my part, you are to seek.

Var.
Faith! 'twas my weakness, when I did perceive
A cloud of rage condensed on thy brow,
My heart began to melt: but pardon, sweet!
'Twas an effeminate infirmity.

Rod.
This must be left: the world must be deluded,
With outward species; we must blind their eyes
With mists and shadows: Faith! thou must disclaim
Thy childishness, and arm thy self with valour:
Grow masculine my dear, an El'zabeth,
An English Eliz'beth, whose grave aspect
Though woman may decline thee almost man.

Var.
It must be so, or my effeminat heart
Will prove our ruine.

Enter Gastper.
Gas.
What? you're always billing?
Measuring your lips together? All the house
Is in an uproar: and your Uncles eye
Rolls up and down in every corner: haste,
Or you'll be taken: Don Præpontio came
To visit you, Varina: is enraged
To finde you absent: all your nuptiall robes
(He saies) are fitted, and your bridall bed:
Next Thursday is design'd to knit your hands:
The Priest will then in readiness attend:
This was the substance of his errand.

Var.
Gaspar!
I've thought thee still my friend: and thy advise
(I know) is sound: Contrive, which way I may
Shun Don Præpontio's bed; and keep my honour
Reserv'd for Roderiguez.

Rod.
Honest Gaspar!
Modell some way: 'tis not an armed Legion
Shall stop my passage, till I do efect it:
Gaspar, thy Counsell.

Gas.
Sir, your obligations
Have beam'd so freely on me, that my brain
Is wholly at your service: and this Lady
May likewise challenge, as her just desert,
What lies within the verge of my small power.
My counsell deems it best, that when the Church
Expects their near approach, in some disguise
You Roderiguez with some other blades,
Lay Don Præpontio breathless, and in haste
Convey your prize, Varina, to some Cottage
Which lies sequestred from the Cities eye:
There's the best safety, till the Inquisition
Is out of breath: and smiling fortune offer
A time, when you may marry her in peace.

Rod.
Your policy is orthodox, my hand
Shall ratifie it with a bloudy seal.

Exeunt.