University of Virginia Library

ACT. III.

Enter Don Fernando and Fabio. As in the Room in the Inn.
D. Fer.
Are all things ready Tabio? in case
Don Julio when he comes conclude with me
That I should begon presently.

Tab.
Horses stand ready for you at the Posthouse.

Fer.
'Tis well, attend without.
(Exit Tabio
Enter Don Julio.
To Jul.
I see you sleep not in your friends concerns,
You are so early, and since so, the sooner
We fix a Resolution, certainly,
'Twill be the better. 'Twas no small Point gained,
To frustrate for a night Don Pedro's aims,
As Fabio tells me you have done, for he
Nere quitted him an inch last night, until
He had harboured him.

Jul.
What, has he left his lodging?

Fer.
—That he has,
And which is more considerable taken one
Close by your house, which evidences cleerly
Where his suspicions lie; That being so,
I'me confident, you'l be of my opinion
For my dislodging from Valencia
Immediately, For Elvira being
Already so well setled, nothing can
So much indanger her discovery,
As my remaining longer in these parts.

Jul.
W'ere I but free as yesterday Fernando,
To think of nothing but Elvira and your
Concernments, I must confess your absence
From hence were to be wished, but Cousin
Ther's fallen out this very night, a thing,
Which shews how little I beholding am
To fortune, That having so newly lent me
The means of serving handsomly my friend,
Calls back the debt already, and mak's me
As needing of your aide, as you of mine.

Fer.
Ho, Fabio forbid the horses presently.
(Fabio looks in.
To Jul.
The least appearance Julio of my being
Useful to you, by staying, puts an end
To all deliberation, for my self,
Say, what's the accident? You have me ready.

Jul.
Such, and of such a nature, my Fernando,
That as to be communicated to none
But you, another self, so I am sure
It will astonish you with the Surprisal.
Ah! could you think it possible? that Blanca,
Should raise disturbance in the heart of Julio,
As to the honour of his Family.

Fer.
Heavens forbid.

Jul.
Never was Brother so secure as I,
Or so unalterable in his perswasion
Of having a Sister, of unmatch't discretion,
Nor e're, could less, then evidence it self,
Have shaken such a confidence.

Fer.
—For Gods sake Julio,
Hold me no longer in such pain of mind;
But sure we shall be better there within,
Free from the noise of the Street.

Jul.
You say well.
(Exit Julio.

Fernando.
This is what Fabio told me he saw last night,
[as he follows him Aside.]
Discovered by some accident to Julio,
It can be nothing else, O Women! Women!
(Exit Fernando.

Enter Don Pedro and Fulvio, As in their new lodgings.
Don Ped.
I am glad you have lighted on so fit a place,
For all I intend, as this is, Fulvio,
I shall repair the last nights disappointment
By early care this morning, In the mean while,
Fail not of your part in the discovery
Where my Enemy dwells, and i'th' observation,
Of all his motion's, That's th'important part.

Ful.
Relie, Sir, on my care and Vigilance.

(Exeunt Don Pedro and Fulvio.
Enter Don Julio and Don Fernando, As in the outward Room of the Inn.
Jul.
—It is a Quarter,
Always reserv'd to my own privacy,
There lying unsuspected, if whil'st I
Continue late abroad under pretence
Of being at Violantes, You keep watch
Carefully within, he cannot scape us
So you be sure t'observe punctually
The sign agreed, and boulting of the doors,
When he is once within.

Fer.
Since you have so resolv'd and laid your business,
Dispose of me, and lead the way, whil'st I
Give Fabio his instructions what to do
During my absence.

(Exeunt Fernando and Julio.
Enter Dona Blanca and Francisca As in Blanca's Ante Chamber.
Fran.
Since the black Cloud, that threatn'd you last night
With such a storm, is luckely blown over,
Without a sprinkling; I hope Madam, you
Will imitate the fates, and grow Serene,
From all those Clouds which so much threatn'd others.

Blan.
Ah! Francisca cans't thou—
(She stops seeing Silvia coming.
Enter Silvia with a fine Bason of Flowers.
Aside
—But here's Silvia,
O the sharp thorns, she brings me at this time
With Flowers in her hand, by the Constraint
Her presence gives me.

Sil.
Madam, I wish the ranging of these Flowers
May be to your mind; but alass I fear
I am too dull for works of Phancy.

Blan.
'Tis me you find too dull to relish them,
(Dryly.
Anon they may be wellcomer.

Sil.
I'le wait that happy hour,
—She's in ill humor.
(Aside.
(Exit Silvia.

Blan.
But tell me now, didst ever see Francisca,
So false and bould a Creature? The Impudence
He had to cloath his Treachery with new Courtships,
Provokes me most of all.

Fran.
Last night indeed, incens't as you were, Madam,
I fain would know what air so soft and Gentle
He could have breath'd, would not have blown the flame
Higher and Higher! but me thinks your Pillow
Should in so many hours have had some power
T'allay and mollifie; I then complyed
(He present) with your anger, but now, Madam,
You must allow me to speak reason t'ee,
In his behalf, before you go too far,
And put things, in your passion, past Recall,
Which that once over, you would give your life,
To have again.

Blan.
—Pray think me not so tame.

Fran.
So tame say you? I think you wild I swear.
To take so much to heart, what at the most
Deserves but some such sparkling brisk resentment,
As once flash't out, in a few Cholerick words,
Ought to expire, in a next Visits Coyness.

Blan.
Make you so slight of Infidelity?

Fran.
Cupid forbid; I'de have men true to Love.
But, I'de have women too, true to themselves,
And not rebuke their Gallants, by requiring
More than the nature of frail flesh will bear.
I'de have men true as steel; but steel you know
(The purest and best pollish't steel) will ply,
Urg'd from it's Rectitude, (forsooth) But then
With a smart spring, come to it's place agen.

Blan.
Come leave your fooling, and speak soberly.

Fran.
Why then in sober sadness, y'are in the wrong,
I do not say, in being angry with him,
And netl'd at the thing, That's Natural,
We love no Partners, even in what we know
We cannot keep all to our selves; But, Madam,
To think the worse of him for it, or resolve
A breach of friendship for a slight excursion,
That were a greater fault then his, who has
For one excuse, long absence; And in truth
Another, you'd be sorry he wanted, youth.

Blan.
You talk as if—

(Francisca interrupting her.
Fran.
—Stay Madam I beseech you.
And let me make an end, I have not yet
Touch'd the main point in his excuse, A Sute
At Court, enough I trow for any dog trick.

Blan.
How like a Goose you talk, A Court protension,
What has that to do one way or other
With his faith to me?

Fran.
So, one displeased to find his Crafishes,
Shrivel'd within, and empty, said to his Cook,
(Who layd the fault upon the Wane o'th' Moon,)
What has the Moon, to do with Crafishes?
Marry she has, t'is she that governs shell Fish,
And t'is as true, in Courts, that love rules business
By as Preposterous an Influence.

Blan.
I prithy make an end, or come to the Point.

Fran.
Why then I'le tell you, and you may believe me,
(Having been train'd up in my youth you know,
In the best School, to learn Court Misteries;
An Aunt of mine being Mother of the Maids.)
Love holds the Rudder, and Steers all in Courts;
How oft, when great Affairs perplex't the Brains
Of mighty Politicians, to conjecture,
From whence sprung such designs, such revolutions,
Such Exaltations, Madam, such depressions,
Against the Rules of their Misterious Art,
And when, as in suprising works of Nature
Reason confounded, Men cry those are secrets
Of the high Powers above, that govern all,
Grave lookers on, stroking their beards would say,
What a transcendant fetch of State is this;
These are the things, that wisdom hides and hatches,
Under black Cap of weighty jobbernole
I mean Count Olivarez, All the while
We female Macchiavels, would smile to think,
How closely lurking lay the Nick of all,
Under our Daughter Doll's white Petticoat.

Blan.
All this I grant you, may be true; And yet
N'ere make a jot, for his excuse; Francisca
His sute, had no Relation to such matters.

Fran.
What e're the thing be, 'tis all one, D'ee think,
Sutes be they what they will, can be obtain'd
By such as pass for Fopps, as all young men
Without a Mistriss or a Confidence
Are sure to do there; A sharp pointed Hat,
(Now that you see the Gallants all Flat headed,)
Appears not so ridiculous, as Yonker,
Without a love Intreegue, to Introduce,
And sparkefy him there; Madam, in short,
Allow me once to be Sententious;
It is a thing, that always was, and is,
And ever will be, true, to the worlds end;
That, as in Courts of Justice, none can Carry
On business well, without a Procurator,
So none in Princes Courts, their Sutes make surer,
Then those that work them, by the best Procurer.

Blanca.
Well, hast, adone Francisca?

[Smiling a little.]
Fran.
—Madam, I have.

D. Blan.
—Then letting pass,
Thy fine reflections Politique now vented,
To shew thy skill in Courts, I'le tell thee freely,
I'me not transported in my jealousie
So far, beyond the bounds of Reason, as
Not to know well, the difference, betwixt
Such Escapades of youth, as only spring
From warmth of blood, or Gales of Vanity,
And such engagements, as do carry with them
Dishonour unto those, whose quality,
And love have little to the serious Part,
Once Embark'd by them, in a Gallentry.

Fran.
I see the Clouds disperse, ther's no such Art,
(Aside.
Of compassing ones ends, with those above us,
As that of working them into good humour,
By things brought in by the by,
Why surely, Madam, unless anger lend you
[To her.
It's spectacles, to see things, I cannot think
You judge Don Zancho's fault to be any other,
Then of the first kind; so well stated by you.

Blan.
Francisca, were I otherwise perswaded,
I am not of an humor that could suffer
Such Parlies for him, much less Intercession;
But since upon reflection, I find cause
To think what he has done A sally only,
Of Youth and Vanity, when I shall find him
Sufficiently mortify'd, I may pardon him.

Fran.
Heavens bless so sweet a temper, But Madam,
Have a care I beseech you of one thing.

Blan.
What's that?

Fran.
—That whil'st your pride of heart
Prolongs his readmission, his dispair
Urge him not to some precipitate attempt,
That may expose your honour, safe as yet;
You see what danger the last nights distemper
Had like t'have brought you into; Transported Lovers,
Like Angels fallen from their bliss grow Devils.

D. Blan.
What would you have me appear so flexible?
—I'st not enough
I tell you I may pardon him in due time?

Fran.
Good Madam, be advis'd I do not press you
For his sake, but your own, Trust my experience,
To women nought's so fatal as suspence;
Whose smartest actions, ne're did cast such Blot,
On honor, as this, shall I? shall I not?

D. Blan.
I'de rather die, then have him think me Easie.

Fran.
Your spirit, never can be liable
To that suspicion, Madam leave to me
The conduct of this matter, I beseech you,
If e're you sleep, you do not see the Gallant
Sufficiently humbled at your feet,
Ne're trust Francisca more.

D. Blan.
You are so troublesome, do what you will.

(Blanca turns away and Exit as into her Closet.
Fran.
—What gone away?
I'le do what she would have; but dares not say.

Enter Don Julio and Silvia as in Blanca's Chamber.
Don Julio.
Where is my Sister Silvia?

[looking about him.]
Silv.
—In her Closet, Sir,
As yet not ready.

Jul.
—And wher's Francisca?

Silv.
She's with her, dressing her.

D. Jul.
—Why then Elvira,
Let me not Loose this opportunity,
Of telling you, how sad a man I am
To see you in this posture, and to assure you
How gladly I would lay down life, and fortune,
To serve you in Don Fernando's absence.

Silv.
Your generosity I make no doubt of:
But is Fernando gone?

D. Jul.
—I cannot say,
That he is gon, for he was not himself,
With the thought of leaving you, And yet less
Himself, when e're he thought of staying near you,
Tortur'd by two such contrary passions,
As love, and sharp resentment.

Silv.
He is gone then?
(She pawses.
—Ah! generous Don Julio?
[Putting her Handkercher to her Eyes.]
You needs must be Indulgent, to a weakness
Which whilst that he was present Indignation,
And a just Sence of what I am, had power
To keep within my self, but now I find
That check remov'd, Nature will have it's tribute,
And you must pardon my withdrawing, where
[She weeps.
Such grief, may pay it, with unwitness't tears.
(Exit Silvia.

Jul.
Can a demeanour, so composed, so Noble,
And yet so tender, want true Innocence?
It cannot be, It grieves my heart I swear,
T'have given her new affliction, but the Secret
Of Don Fernando's close concealment here
Is so important, it necessitated
My saying what I did, since secrets are
E'ver kept best, by those that know them least.

Enter Blanca and Francisca.
Jul.
Now high dissimulation, play thy Part.
[To her]
Good Morrow Sister have you rested well?
And do you rise Serene, as does the Sun,
Free from distemper, as the day from Clouds,
Your looks perswade it me, they are so clear,
And fresh this morning.

Blan.
The pleasure of seeing you, puts life into them,
Else they'd be dull enough, this ugly Head-ache
Having tormented me all night, you might
Have heard me call Francisca up at midnight,

Fran.
That was well thought on, for 'tis possible
(Aside.
He may have heard some Noise.

Jul.
—How cunning she's!
(Aside.
Faith now you put me in mind of it I think
T'wixt sleep and waking, I once heard some stirring.

Blan.
The worst of my indispotion is,
That t'will I fear hinder me again, to day,
From visiting Violante, to thank her
For Silvia.

Jul.
I charge myself with all your Complements,
For this whole after-noon till late at night
I needs must pass with her, to make amends
For yesterdays failings, caus'd as you know
By Don Fernando's being in Town.

Blan.
I must not hope to see you then again
To day, when once gone out.

Jul.
Hardly, unless to wait on Violante
In case she come to see you, as 'tis likely,
When I shall tell her, you are indisposed;
And so farewell.
(Exit Julio

Blan.
All's well I see Francisca as to him,
I wish my heart, were but as much at rest
In what concerns Don Zancho.

Fran.
—It shall be
Your own fault, if it be not quickly so,
As I'le order the matter.

Blan.
Take heed, you make him not grow insolent
By discovering to him my facility.

Fran.
I'me too well vers't, to need instructions.

Blan.
I leave all t'ee, But how does Silvia
This morning?

Fran.
—I think she has been crying
She looks so dull and moped.

Blan.
I'le in and see her.

[Exeunt.
Scene Changes to Don Zancho's house.
Enter Don Zancho and Chichon limping.
Don Zan.
What not yet gone, thou lazy trifling Rascal?

Chic.
What juster excuse Sir, for not going
Then is a broken Legg?

D. Zanc.
If you find not your own Legg quickly Sirrah,
I shall find you a wooden one.

Chic.
Be as angry as you will Sir, I'le not go
Till I have maid my conditions; The true time
For servants to stand upon points, is when
Their Masters stand upon Thorns.

D. Zanc.
What are they, Owls face?

Chic.
Assurance Sir, but of free air within,
With fair retreat, upon an even Floor,
And that it shall not be in a sluts power,
After having kept me in a nasty place,
To empt' me out at window.

Don Zan.
—Prithy Chichon
Adone and miss not th'oppertunity
By fooling, unless you take Francisca
Just as she comes from Mass, this day is lost,
And I lost with it.

Chic.
—Come, I'le hobble to her,
Expect a sorry account, but yet a true one;
Truth always comes, by the lame Messenger.

(Exeunt.
Scene changes to a fine pleasant Apartment.
Enter D. Julio and knocks as at the Door of his private Apartment; Fernando opens the door and lets him in.
Fer.
Y'have given me here a very pleasant Prison:
But what news my Julio? Are things disposed
For clearing of your doubts? My own concerns
I cannot think on, during your disquiet.

Jul.
And I come now so strangely moved with yours,
I scarce have sence or memory of my own,
A heart of Adamant could not be hindred
I think, from liquifaction into tears:
I'have seen, and heard Elvira as I have done,
Upon th'occasion of my telling her
That you were gone,
A sence so gallant, and so tender both,
I never saw in Woman.

Fer.
Can that high heart, descend to tenderness?

Jul.
Not, (whilst you present) Noble pride upheld it;
But Nature once set free from that constraint,
O how pathetique was her very silence!
And the restraint of tears, in her swolen Eyes,
More eloquent in grief, then others torrents:
If she be guilty, all her Sex are Devils.

Fer.
O say no more, For were there Room but left
For self deceit, I might be happy yet;
Ah Evidence, too cruell, to deny me that.

[A noise without.
Jul.
But what can be the noise, I hear without
In the next Room.

(Fernando peeps through the Key-hole.
Fer.
—S'life I see Don Pedro
Elvira's father, ther's no avoding him,
H'eed not a come up so, without being sure
You are within.

Jul.
Further put oft, would be of little use,
Since first or last, he must be satisfy'd,
Being come hither upon such an Arrant,
The sooner now we see what 'tis, he drives at,
The sooner we shall take from thence our measures;
I'le therefore go out to him, and be sure
To entertain him still, so near the door
That you may hear what passes.

Fer.
I shall be attentive, and expect the Issue
With much impatience.

(Exit Julio.
And the Scene changes to Don Julio's Ante-Chamber.
Enter Don Pedro and his servant, and Don Julio and a Page.
Don Ped.
My business, Sir, is to Don Julio Rocca,
[Adressing himself to D. Julio.]
If you be he I shall desire the favour
Of some few words with you in Private.

Don Jul.
Sir, I am he to serve you, Page set Chairs.

He points to the Page, and makes him set the chairs by the door where Don Fernando is, and then the Page and Don Pedro's man retire.
[They sit down.]
D. Ped.

He gives Don Julio the letter, which he receives with great respect; And going a little aside reads it.
(Don Julio giving the Letter to Don Pedro and he taking it.
Don Jul.
Sir, it is fit you see how heartily
The Duke hath recommended your concernments,
Whose will's a Law to me.

(Don Pedro having read it, and restoring it.
Don Ped.
He told me indeed how very sure he was
Of your Friendship and dependance.
—I am proud to find he makes,
So obliging use of it to my advantage.

D. Jul.
I do avow my self his Creature Sir;
Therefore the sooner you shall let me know
In what I may be useful t'ee, the sooner
You'l see my readiness to serve you.

Don Pedro.
Your personal reputation Sir, as well
As your relation to the Duke, assured me
Before hand, of what I find, and therefore
As hard a part as it is for a Gentleman
Of my blood and temper, to become
Relator of his own shame, unreveng'd
On the Authour of it, I shall tell you in short;
I live under an affront of th'highest Nature
To the Honour of my Family; And the Person
Who did it, makes Valencia his retreat,
'Tis against him, Don Julio,
That your assistance must support me here,
I have already got some notice of him,
And when I shall be acertain'd, I'le repair
Again unto you for your friendly aide,
And for the present trouble you no farther.

(Don Pedro offers to rise as going away.
Don Jul.
A little patience I beseech you Sir,
I have express'd my readiness, and be sure
I am a man never to fail, where once
I have engaged my word; but Sir, withall,
You must must consider with a fair reflexion
That in this place are all my chief Relations,
Of blood and friendship; and though neither shall
Have power t'exempt me from the serving you
In any just pretension; yet you know,
That men of Honour, ever ought to seek,
How to comply with one duty, without
Violating another.

Don Ped.
I understand you Sir, and as 'tis that
Which well becomes a person of your worth,
To have reflected on; so it becomes me,
To satisfie before I engage you further,
Then give me leave to ask you, whither or no
Don Zancho de Menezes be of the number
Of those, towards whom y'are under obligation,
Either of blood, or friendship?

[Don Julio shewing some little surprise but presently recovering.
Don Jul.
Don Zancho de Meneses say you?

Don Ped.
—Sir, the same,
He startled at his Name.

[Aside.
D. Jul.
He is a person I have always liv'd
In friendly correspondance with, without
Any such tye upon me towards him,
As ought to hinder my frank serving you.

Don Ped.
You have reviv'd me; and since I have now nam'd
My Enemy, I can conceal no longer
The Grounds on which he is so; That Don Zancho
About a fourtnight since, was late at night
Found in my house, run newly through the body,
And weltring in his blood, ready to expire;
I by the outcry brought upon the place,
Surpriz'd as you may imagine, and enraged,
Was yet so far Master of my passion,
As to disdain the owing my revenge
To an unknown hand, perhaps as guilty
Towards me, as was the sufferer; I made
Him straight be carried to a Surgeon, where,
I thought it generous to give him life
Then dead, that living I might give him death;
Recover'd sooner then I thought, he Fled,
And with him, as I have reason to believe,
My only Daughter, who the very night
Of the accident was missing; O the Curse
Of men to have their Honours Subjected,
To the extravagance of such vile Creatures!

Jul.
[sighing.]
'Tis our hard fate indeed.

D. Ped.
I presently employ'd all diligence
To know what way he took, and having Learn't
'Twas towards this place, hither I have pursued him;
Confirm'd in my pursuit, by information
Along the Road, that an unknown Gallant
Had with his Servant, guarded all the way
A conceal'd Lady in a Coach: And thus Sir,
You have the story of my injury,
Whereof I doubt not but your generous heart,
Will wed the just revenge.

Jul.
You may rely on't Sir, without reserves,
To th'utmost of my power.

Don Ped.
—May the gods reward you,
The life that you Renue to these gray heirs;
I'le take my leave at present, and return t'ee
As soon as from the diligences used
I shall have Clearer lights.

Don Jul.
Here you shall find me waiting your Commands.

[Exit Don Pedro, and Don Julio waiting on him out.
Scene changes, and Enter Don Julio, and Don Fernando as in the private Apartment.
Don Jul.
I hope you over heard us.

Fer.
—All distinctly,
And with surprizing joy at his mistake;
Did ever blood-hound, in a hot pursute,
Run on so readyly upon the change?

Jul.
I hope it boads good fortune in the Rest.

Fer.
Were e're two friends engag'd in an adventure
So intricate as we, and so Capricious?

Jul.
Sure never in this world, me thinks it merits
A special recapitulation.
You at the height of all your happiness
Supplanted with your Mistriss by a Rival,
You neither knew nor dream't of; Evidence
Anticipating jealousie.

Fer.
And when that Rival, fallen by my Sword
In her own presance, is by miracle
Revived, and fitter to serve her then I,
That faithless Mistriss, with the same assurance
She could have done, had she been true, as fair,
And for my sake exposed to fatall hazards,
Flys to my Arms for her Protection.

Jul.
And whil'st that you, refining point of Honour,
In spite of Rage expose your self to serve her,
She asks, and takes, with a vowed indignation,
To be beholding t'ee, new obligations,

Fer.
I have recourse unto my only Friend,
To help me in protecting my false Mistress,
And he, at the same time, by heighest Powers
Impos'd upon, to be her persecutor.

Jul.
Whil'st the same friend, and by the self-same Powers,
Is urg'd to Act, in their revenge, against
The man, on whom you most desire to take it;
And then, to heighten all beyond invention,
That very friend, is forst, even in that instant,
To a dependance on your only Aide,
In his Honours nearest and most nice concerns.

Fer.
Heaven sure delights t'involve us in a kind
Of Laberinth, will pose it self to unwind.

(Exeunt.