 | The Successfull Straingers |  |
The First ACT.
Enter Don Carlos, and his Man Guzman.SCENE I.
A Garden.Carlos.
Have I invented numerous pleasures for her?
Wasted my plenty to advance Her State?
Was I the first that set her up for shew?
Nourish'd her Emulation, still with presents
Which rais'd the Envy of the Spanish Dames,
Because their Lovers could not match my guifts?—
Guzm.
Good Sir, don't chafe so!—
Carl.
Arts have been puzl'd and Invention tir'd,
To humour her affected Luxury;
There's not a sence she has, but as it pall'd,
I still supply'd with change!
Guz.
Nay, you have had enough to do to please her,
For she has been as humour some, as Breeding Quality,
When the Family wants an Heir.
Carl.
Damn her foul feeding, on this course Plebeian,
For were he Noble he would own his Being,
It is some first Rate Servant to a Frenchman,
Whose Singing, Dancing, Tilting h'has been learn'd,
By his observance, when his Master practis'd.
Guz.
What a dull dog am I, without these Graces!
I have seen as much as any man;
Remember as little, and perform less!
If I get but a Horse-back,
They swear I look like a Monster on a Monster;
And quote me for a figure in St. Antony's Dream.
Carl.
O Love! thou woman in the man, and woman mans,
Ill Planet curse on ye both.
Guz.
Prettily describ'd, and heartily curst!
His Honour's as fancifull as a Dutch-Print.
Carl.
When yesterday I led her from the Church,
Amongst the Crowd this thing admiring stood,
She unconcern'd without return pass't by 'em;
I was amaz'd at this unusual Carriage;
But as I wondering stood to guess the Cause.
This upstart with a tedious grace Saluted,
Whilst she to satisfy him, 'twas approv'd,
With the like lazy movement, answer'd it.
Guz.
This comes of good breeding. Our Country's fam'd
For't: He that's mannerly here, Ten to one but
He's poyson'd, my Beaver's worn out with
My Serving man's Curtefy!
Carl.
Peace Fool! This Morning will I watch her!
For if he cherishes what last she gave him
He will be there again to covet more.
I will observe their Glances eagerly;
Eyes will sufficient Testimony give,
Then, if I am resolv'd of what I dread,
Her spruce Adorer I'le dispose of quickly.
Guz.
Sir! If your passion would abate a while,
To serve you: I'de discover something to you
Tho', 'tis not like a Man of Guzmans Honour,
To boast of what his Rhetorick has obtain'd.
Carl.
What says the Coxcomb?
Guz.
The Coxcomb has done Sir:
Carl.
Sirrah, restrain your Follies till you find my temper
Fitter to receive 'em.
Guz.
If your temper desires to be inform'd, whether
Your Mistrisses Inclinations bend more to another
Then your self, slight not my Intelligence.
Car.
Prethee—say any thing, for I am so wrackt
With my suspitions I could destroy the Sex.
Guz.
Know then: (oh secresy forgive me!) Her Maid,
(Pardon me, my frailty:) I have—
Carl.
What?
Guz.
Enjoy'd!
Car.
What then?
Guz.
Why then she's a Whore: But her sin is the less
Because that she pays for't.
Carl.
Prolixity! go on, what comfort must I hope from
this—Speak!
Guz.
Why you'r as hasty as an Heir for his Fathers
Death, or a Gamster for his Wive, when he has
Lost all.
Carl.
Slave!
This Damsell, I say, being fond of my parts,
And being the Closet of her Mistrisses thoughts
Will sincerely instruct me, in all her affairs, which
Being inform'd of, you'l the better contrive the ruine
Of him, you doubt will be yours.
Carl.
Is thy discovery Faithfull?
Guz.
As the love of Spaniels!
Carl.
O! thou hast given my longings vast delight
For to be certain is my Souls Ambition;
These secret-bearing Bawds are oft of use,
Money and Lust corrupt the Hearts of all:
Not Man the Judge of Honour can withstand 'em
Kingdoms have been betray'd by first and last,
And Families are still debauch't by Confidents.
Here's Gold for thee—pay her in other Coin,
Sift out the Truth and all I have—
Guz.
I'le hav't Sir.
Carl.
Away then,
I must to Church, wait on my wav'ring Love,
Take heed she knows not that I set thee on;
For if this Stranger has presented Her,
As 'tis the Trade to make such Trulls our friends,
He that the largest guifts does still bestow,
Must be her Chapman: Therefore do't secretly.
Guz.
As Bankers break Sir—She Sleeps in Ignorance:
For I have read a Proverb heretofore—
Learn Secrets from, but trust none with your Whore.
[Exit.
Carl.
O Jealousy—Thou evill fruit in
Lovers Paradice; which tasted, forfeits
All our Happiness.
Enter Don Francisco.
Fran.
For shame boy don't loiter so! why, the Sun
Has took leave of his Mistriss these four hours,
And thou hast not visited thine yet.
Carl.
I am ready Sir.
Fran.
And I'le warrant she's ready for thee boy, or the Woman has
fail'd her, thy Mother was ready for me at all times, nay sometimes
readier then I; but not till I was Five and Forty by the Champion of
Spain.
Carl.
Are you for Church Sir?
Fran.
No I leave the Church for such young Fellows as you are, you
have debauch'd it so among you that Heav'n has forsook it.
Forsook Church Sir, why where does it inhabit then?
Fran.
Where? why in Sanctified thoughts, Holy and Private Closets,
Strict and devout living.
Carl.
Why is not the Church Sanctifyed, holy, strict, and devout?
Fran.
The Church, ay Sir, but what are the Congregations watchers
of Eyes, Dressing admirers, Insinuating Leerers, Hypocritical Fawners,
Debauching Gallants, bribe-taking Servants, promising bawds, Mothers
that sell their Childrens, Children that cheat their Mothers, Fluttering
Courtiers, Strutting Merchants, Affected Gay-Fops, Baboones of fifty
mimiking Apes of five and twenty, proud Heiresses, Fortune-Plundering
Soldiers, Hectoring Bravo's, Coy-seeming Maids, Leud wives, Painted
Widdows, and pocky Whores by St. Iago.
Carl.
I'le take my Mistress Sir from such ill Company as soon as I can.
Fran.
Well said, do boy, marry her quickly, the sooner the better;
thou may'st loose her yet, she may be Stole in the mumbling of a Pater-Noster,
or the humming of an Amen; there are perking, prinking, Dancing
Finicall Rogues a purpose for such business.
Carl.
O my Spleen stifles me at his chance saying.
[knocks within.
Franc.
By St. Iago there's the Father of thy Mistriss, he's come about
the Agreement for the Marriage; Here let him in, take the Key of the
Garden door with thee.
Carl.
O for a key to unlock his Daughters Soul: If she be false,
this Justice I will have to see the curst occasion in his Grave.
[Exit.
Fran.
Now concerning this match, I have a Confounded old Rogue
to deal with; He has no more Conscience then a Soldier in free Quarter;
And as fond of his money as a Priest of a fresh Convert; As proud
as a Darling Statesman, as Positive as an Affected Wit, as Sullen as neglected
merit, and more troublesome, if possible, then the Civil Law. It
has cost me the Devill and all to maintain this Amour: A confounded
Extravagant Rogue of a Son too, has presented her profusely—A Pox
of her pride, It has cost me 5000 Crowns the wooing of her. By St.
Iago, in England a Man might have layn with the whole Nation for half
the money.
Signior Lopez good day to you.
Lop.
The like to you Signior Francisco.
Fran.
Will you walk Signior Lopez, or shall we sit down on this banck?
Lop.
I am indifferent warm with walking hither, if it please you
let's sit.
Fran.
With all my heart—within there?
[Enter Servants.
our Children.
[Exeunt.
Lop.
Why truly the charge of Children is of great concern, of mighty
moment Brother, and Girles more chargeable, more dangerous, and
much more troublesome then Boys: you I think have but ore Son;
ah happy man, you're in no fear for his miscarriage, he can't Scandalize
a Family so much as a Daughter.
Fran.
He can't be got with Child indeed, but for every thing else,
I think boys are full as troublesome: they're either given to Fighting,
Drinking, Gaming, or Whoring; If they're given to Fighting, Fifty
to one but they're kill'd, and a hundred to one but in a Whores quarrell;
then probable the name of a Family is lost by it; if to Drinking,
why, if 'tis bad Wine it flings 'em into a feaver, which is damnable expensive,
there's Doctors and Apothecaries, Rogues that get a Livelyhood
by destroying of others; and kill or cure, they must be paid: which
is very hard upon the Subject; If to Gaming, why, If he has Indulgent
Parents he's undone for ever, and if to Whoring, he may rot with the
Pox.
Lop.
Ah! That Pox Brother, is almost Epedemicall; They say 'twas
begot by an Italian on a French Woman, sent to Nurse into England, and
brought hither by some Cavaliers in the time of the late Civil Wars.
Fran.
Why 'tis a burning shame, a Crying Sin Brother, and they dye
(they say) in greater numbers then they recover.
Lop.
Why 'tis great pitty there is not an Order Instituted by the Government
here among Physitians, No Cure, No Money.
Fran.
By Esculapius they'd starve in a month then, you'd see a greater
havock amongst them then ever they made among us.
Lop.
Why, ay Seignior, to come to the Point. You know I have two
Daughters, they must both be provided for, indeed if my daughter Filly
had dyed of her disaster, I could have made your Sons Mistriss a much
better Fortune.
Fran.
Why Feliciana is the youngest, is she not?
Lop.
Yes, yes.
Fran.
Why, I tell you what I design'd by my young Son, whom I lost
at Sea, Octavio; had he liv'd, and I dy'd before him, I would never have
robb'd the Eldest; For I think it a Sin unpardonable: I would have
left him Sole Governour of his Brother, and natural honour would have
made him provide for him.
Lop.
Ay, but natural honour will not do in my Case: A Sister can't
do like a Brother; For when once she's Married, the Power is lost, and
tho' she has Inclinations to be Gen'rous, the Husband does often deny it.
Fran.
I dare swear for my boy Carlos, my dear boy Carlos would let
her want nothing.
That might send her out of the World.
[aside.
If you will settle 2000 Crowns per Annum on your Son; and make my
Daughter a Joynture of 500 Crowns per annum, I will give him 20000
Crowns with her.
Fran.
20000. Why my Son has presented her to the vallue of 5000
Crowns in one thing or another.
Lop.
Ay but that will be his again you know.
Fran.
His again, but with your leave, you give but 15000 Crowns
with her at that rate.
Enter Servants with Chocolate, who place themselves of each side of Lop. and Fran.
Serv.
Here's Chocolate, Sir.
Fra.
Fill, fill therefore Brother, I think your oblig'd in honour to
give her 5 and 20000 and then—
Lop.
In honour Seignior
[rises]
Fran.
Ay in honour Seignior
Lop.
Why, I know what belongs to honour as well as you.
Fra.
You don't practise it tho'.
Lop.
Think better of your Countrys Constitution, and provoke not,
with such Indecent Insolencies; Consider who I am.
Fra.
Who you are.
Lop.
Ay:
Fra.
Ay:
Lop.
Ay.
Fra.
Why you are,
Lop.
What?
Fra.
What?
Lop.
Ay, what?
Fra.
Why, you are an old Fellow as old as my self, nor better nor
Stouter.
Lop.
Ignominious Comparison, think of what House I come from:
Fra.
From home for ought I know, and thither you may return.
Lop.
Expect to answer this.
Fra.
I will.
Lop.
You shall, This for thy Son.
[beats down Chocolate]
Fra.
This for thy Daughter.
[strikes down
Lob.
O! I've Scalded my hand,
Fra.
O my Leg, damn'd careless Dogs
[beats hopping.]
Lop.
'Tis Lam'd for ever, Oh revenge!
Fra.
Hang thy self;
Lop.
Burn thy self;
Fra.
Damn'd villains, blind villains:
I'le heale my hand in thy hearts blood.
Fra.
I'le bury my Legs in thy Guts, Doggs, hell-hounds, Sacrilegious,
Impious:
[Beats 'em off hopping.]
Lop.
O! I shan't be able to push this month.
Exit.
SCENE II.
A Street.Enter Silvio.
Silvio.
Here she must pass, here throngs admiring Spain,
To Gaze upon the Excellence it boasts of:
It Smil'd upon me yesterday, and with a Comfortable glance,
Gave me a promise of a Blooming hope:
Particularly she return'd my Complement,
The Haughty Don that led her Look'd disturb'd,
Grudging the mighty favour she bestow'd;
In all the Publick Entertainments too,
She has seem'd pleas'd with what I still perform'd;
And by her eyes has given me often notice,
She would discourse me if she knew but how;
Sure She'l be angry with my fix'd observance,
For I shall gaze with such amazement on her;
My Strict admiring may appear Idolatrous.
Enter Severall Dons.
How the Crowd Swells and like Encreasing waves
Each backward Gallant presses his foregoer.
Enter Carlos leading Dorothea, Feliciana after her, the Gallants all bow in their turn: Dorothea drops her Glove, Silvio takes it up.
Madam your Glove.
Dor.
Nay, keep it Sir, and this, you have made 'em both your own
by touching one, I scorn to wear what
[She pulls off her Glove and flings it down.
Car.
Stranger, you're sawcy.
Sil.
Spaniard, you're happy.
Car.
Madam, you are too much i'th' Sun:
Sil.
If this be not Encouragement, I'm Stupid,
Design'd by Heav'n purely design'd, I saw it,
Perceiv'd how her disdain was Counterfeited,
And how my Sullen Rival Interpos'd betwixt
Me and her Eyes; up you Blessed present, here
In 'em, it sticks; A Letter by my Soul directed to me,
Sure the Contents contains Felicity.
[opens it and reads.
Sir,
You
have Committed an Error dangerous, tho' unwillingly, and your Ignorance
may prove as fatall to us, as your self. Therefore be at the Porch
of St. Gregory at Eight this Evening, from whence you shall be Conducted
to one who will inform you better—if you dare venture—fail not—
Oh Love, be Just in what thou seem'st to incline.
And this bless'd day shall be for ever thine.
[Exit.
SCENE. III.
Don Lopez House.Enter Carlos, and Dorothea.
Car.
Madam, this Strangers most amazing Insolence
My Honour must Correct, or else be Censured;
Spain's Custom pleads against such Liberty,
If we allow it now 'twill grow upon us.
Dor.
Your Honour ought to let him pass neglected,
To question him would argue a suspition,
Let the thing unregarded sleep in Silence.
Car.
Unpunish'd the Insulter may presume,
His Arrogance is Cherish'd.
Dor.
If the conceit can give him satisfaction,
Let him Enjoy it since 'tis all he'le meet with.
Carl.
How this affected carlessness betrays her;
Madam, with leave he must return your Gloves.
Dor.
Why, are they such a Fortune?
Carl.
Great Fortune, and great favour to a Stranger
The Splendid'st Dons that strut in shining Spain
Would Worship 'em above their Popular Saint.
Dor.
I should be Guilty then o'th Superstition,
If Bigotted admirers so esteem me;
I'm safer far in his Indifference,
Which can't affect such a Blaspheming zeal.
Carl.
But Madam, I must urge again,
Our Countreys Custom is enchroacht upon.
Dor.
The Custom of our Country none can match,
Nor is there any Nation under Heav'n
Guilty of such Barbaritys as this:
What is but decent Curtesy elswhere,
Falsly pretending honour prompts you to't,
As honour were a Countenance for baseness,
No, 'tis the just mistrust upon your usage
In your Confining of us every way;
And If Suspition ne're so poor but catch you,
Never ask why, but mischief must ensue.
Carl.
Madam your Argument has sure been Study'd,
That thus you shew our Country all at once;
Me thinks you argue with more tenderness
For this same Stranger then your virtue ought.
Dor.
There peeps the nature of your Souls again.
You'd make us leave the world before we're wives;
Were I but Mistress of my self, I would not
Be a Nun out of a Cloyster, That Free-born
Woman that a Spaniard weds, may she be
Kept from what she marrys for.
Carl.
'Tis well you have a Father to Controle you Lady.
Dor.
That's my Jail-keeper whilst I am single,
You'l shortly take the Office off his hands:
Oh happy England, Holland, France, where women
Have the freedom of the Light.
Carl.
The Sun is not so fierce upon 'em there,
Our Climate heats our blood and makes us wanton.
Dor.
I never yet heard any of our Wives
Complain o'th heat, o'th Climate in their Husbands:
Carl.
Madam,
Lop.
within.
—Why Dory, Dory,
Dorothea my Darling.
Dor.
Seignior.
Enter Don Lopez who starts at Don Carlos.
Carl.
Seignior, Good day, I am glad to see you well.
Lop.
Signior yours.
Do you love my Daughter Don Carlos?
Carl.
D'you doubt it Sir?
Lop.
I hope I need not.
Dor.
What means he?
Lop.
Answer me one thing: say she should dye, or should be forc'd
from thee, or any accident should rob thee of her, would it not much
torment thee?
Carl.
Wretches in boyling Lead, or steep'd in Snow,
Not all the Plagues I could Invent for him
Should rob me of her, could match the
Torment such a Loss would bring.
Better and better.
Carl.
I am glad it pleases you.
Lop.
And I am glad she pleases you.
Carl.
Good Sir, what ails your Arm?
Lop.
No matter for my Arm, since thou lov'st my
[Dor. weeps
Daughter: why Dory Dory, Fathers none Joy why dost thou weep?
prithee be good Company with me; For my part I am so pleas'd with
what he has assured me, that my Arm that has Pain'd me, did pain me,
does pain me, shall pain me, neither has, does, or did, or ever shall more,
Call up my Servants.
Carl.
Are you then agreed?
Lop.
Ay, ay, call up my Servants, you'r sure you love her:
Carl.
By all that's holy.
Lop.
Enough, enough, why where are my Servants? Certain you
love her.
Carl.
Do I live Sir.
Lop.
Why Dorothea, love none but her?
Carl.
None Sir.
Lop.
Why, my hearts delight Dory little Dory, nor will you ever love
any but her?
Carl.
Never, Oh blessing!
Dor.
Oh Curse!
Lop.
Swear it and witness it.
[Enter Servants
Carl.
May Heav'n for ever Curse me
[To his Servants
Both here and hereafter if ever
[kneels.
I Love ought but Dorothea.
Lop.
And may Heav'n for ever Curse me here and hereafter, if ever
thou seest her more.
[pulls her veil down
Carl.
What said you Sir?
[Rises
Lop.
Lord Sir, I can hear without that noise, and you shall hear it
again that you shall, never see her more: So either Boyl thy self, or
Starve thy self, Shoot, Broyl, Fry, Drown, Hang or Damn thy self,
As the Devil and you shall think fit.
Car.
Impossible.
Lop.
Nay I believe you'l scarce do any of 'em.
Carl.
You mock me sure.
Lop.
Yes, yes, as your Father did me.
Carl.
My Father.
Lop.
Ay, think upon pains to torture him, for he has rob'd thee of
her; go out of my house; the next time my doors inclose thee, the
building is thy Monument.
Carl.
Thinkst thou that I will bear this tamely?
I tell thee Lopez thou shalt smart for this.
Lop.
I tell thee Carlos, I do smart for this Daughter,
Dor.
Good buy to you Sir.
[walks up to Carlos and Smiles
Exit.
Carl.
Damnation.
Lop.
That be your Doom.
For if you lov'd my Child your Hell's to come.
Carl.
If I am Damn'd I'le not alone be lost,
Lopez thy Family attends my Ghost.
[Exeunt Severally.
| The Successfull Straingers | |