University of Virginia Library

Scene 2.

Enter Don Manuel and Alcinda, in Don Manuel's House.
Man.
Your Genius fair Alcinda! takes a flight,
Above the common reach of Womens sight.
You are discreet, and can instruct me best,
How to resolve a doubt which breaks my rest.

Alc.
Good Sir spare my blushes: What is my crime?

Man.
Lay by-such thoughts, for I would lose no time—
Pray hear me!
Suppose a harmless child were left alone,
Wandring and lost upon some pathless down.
Forsaken by her Parents, and expos'd
To fortunes mercy; this is but suppos'd—

Alc.
No parents could possess such flinty minds.

Man.
A gentleman this little wand'rer finds,
Dejected, weary, hopeless, starv'd, and weak,
Where none could see her weep, or hear her speak.

Alc.
O Heavens! would he not relieve the child?

Man.
Necessity already made her wild:
He kindly takes her up, and brings her home.

Alc.
A noble pious man, Ages to come
Will bless his Charity—

Man.
Pray hear the rest!
She with his daughter shares his equal brest:
Their cloathes alike, alike their breeding is,
Onely his thoughts distinguish'd that from this.
Suppose my self the man, and you were she,
Imagine it; how would you answer me?

Alc.
As Heaven Sir! and justice do command,
My heart would not permit you to demand,
But I should freely offer what you gave;
To buy your liberty, become a slave.

Man.
Then know, that you are she: that child whom I
Found so cast off to want, and miserie:
'Twas I preserv'd you; what has since befel,
How I have lov'd you, your own self can tell.

Alc.
You tell me wonders Sir! why did you name
Your self my guardian?

Man,
Thy spotless fame
Had else been blasted, with the busie air
Of envious tongues, which nothing can repair.
Besides, Rosella justly might repine,
To see her welfare pris'd no more then thine.

Alc.
Good Sir! informe me who my Parents were,
Whose hopeless state forc'd them to leave me there
With bended knees, low as the humble earth,
I'd pay that duty which I owe my birth.

Man.
Some Oracle must answer your request,
But if that tenderness I have exprest,
Deserve your grateful thoughts, if ought be due,
Restore me back that life I then gave you.

Alc.
Explain your secret language Sir! from me
You may command my life, and liberty!
With careful duty I'll your care repay,
My narrow fate permits no other way.

Man.
In short, Love has so far posses't my mind,
I cannot live unless you will be kind.

Alc.
Heavens! what do I hear? excess of care
Desturbs your sense, you are not well I fear.

Man.
Nourish no more this idle misbelief,
Let your reply be positive, and brief;
I love you, to enjoy you, come be wise,
My closet's private from the Worlds eyes;
None dares disturb our joyes, and what's unknown,
Untold by babling fame, is still undone.

Alc.
O Sir! can you find out a privacy,
Shut from the sight of Heavens peircing eye?
That will behold us, and though justice stayes,
'Twill grow the more severe by those delayes.
Divine revenge will seize you, in a time
When y'are pursuing this unhappy crime;
Nor can it be unknown, the dazling sun
Will write upon my forehead what is done.
Thus low I beg your pity—O forbear!
Your guilt will like a gnawing Vultur, tear
Your fright'ned Conscience; and the action past,
The beastly pleasure dies: the guilt will last.

Man.
Fairly accept my love and my estate,
Or I'll enjoy you at a cheaper rate.
I'll force your stubborn wilfulness, and then
Return you to your vagrant life ag'en.

Alc.

Man.
I'll talk no more, so cruel and so young!
Force shall supply the weakness of my tongue.

[Alcinda runs out at one dore, and Mingo enters hastily at another, disguis'd.
Alc.
Help! help! help!

Man.
Cross luck! speak what art thou?

Min.
It is the same; dear mischief help me now!

Man.
Whether would'st go? what do'st seek? what do'st fear?

Min.
Most noble Sir! afford your curteous ear,
The chance of War, guided by fates decree,
Made me a slave to Turkish tyranie.
I serv'd a'prentiship in chayns, became
An Eunuch to assist their beastly flames:
Kind Heav'n at last appeas'd, did freedom grant,
But in my flight I was surpris'd by want.
Some envious females having known my case,
And all my losses, had me strait in Chase.
I took this Sanctuary, and from you
Entreat protection from this rageing crew.
By all you value most, by all that's dear;
And by your Innocence preserve me here.
On your sweet mercies Altar I lay hold,
No disrespect but danger makes me bold.

Man.
But art thou a very Eunuch indeed?

Min.
As I tell true, so may you help my need.

Man.
I'll entertain thee, if thou wilt be mine,
Thy bus'ness shall be easie.

Min.
I resigne,
My life t'ee, and if I've done ill in ought,
My diligence shall expiate my fault.
I have him fast; He's full of thoughts, plot on
Projecting Sot! thou fool! thou cheating Don!
[Aside.
Blest saints reward you, you have sav'd my life.

Man.
This Eunuchs help will soon conclude the strife,
I'll in and teach him how to play his part,
Her body's mine, although I lose her heart.
Follow me in—

[Exeunt Manuel and Mingo.