University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A public Place in Seville.
Enter Don Carlos.
CARLOS.
Would I could learn if the report be true
That Laura's hand is promis'd to another!—
Who's this Ramirez?—What are his pretensions?
Can her affection then be fix'd on him?
If so, I'll shew myself deserving of her,
And sacrifice to her my fondest wishes.

Enter Pedrillo.
PEDRILLO.
I'm glad I've found you—there's such news abroad—
I've brought you such intelligence. He's come—

CARLOS.
Who?—

PEDRILLO.
Don Ramirez.

CARLOS.
What already?

PEDRILLO.
Aye—
Within this hour he landed from his mule
At the Green Dragon, where he now is hous'd.
Birlady! he's a sightly cavalier,
A young, well-timber'd blade, to all appearance
Not overstock'd with diffidence, and likely
To make advances in a lady's favour.

CARLOS.
What can be done, Pedrillo?

PEDRILLO.
Truly, matters
Do look a little crooked. Yet, I know not—
I have some hopes.—As yet, I've form'd no plan;
But, if I can depend upon my skill
In physiognomy, a certain Diego,
Who waits on Don Ramirez as his lackey,
Is made of clay, which my fine wits may mould
Into a shape subservient to our purpose.
I watch'd him closely even now i'th' inn yard,
As he stood centry o'er his master's cloak-bag,
And took full measure of him.—As I live,
He comes this way.—Now judge of him yourself.

Enter Diego.
DIEGO.
I know not how it is—but there is something
In a strange place that makes one lose one's way.
The people at the inn appear'd to give me
A plain direction—but I cannot find it.
If I could see some civil gentleman,
Of whom I could enquire the road—Odso!
There's two together, decent looking persons—
Pray, gentlemen, may I make bold to ask—

PEDRILLO
(turning to him).
You may.—Who are you?—What d'ye want with me?

DIEGO.
I would enquire—But hold!—Aye, you are he—

PEDRILLO.
Am he!—Am who?

DIEGO.
Why one of those same quality,
Who look'd so sharply at my master's cloak bag,
As if you long'd to be familiar with it.
I know you well enough.

PEDRILLO.
Why, friend, you're mad.
I'm an apothecary.

DIEGO.
That's a good one!

PEDRILLO.
Who keep a shop in St. Jago Street;
Where, if you want galenicals or drugs,
Cupping, blood-letting, or tooth-drawing, sir,
I shall be honor'd by your worship's favors.

DIEGO.
And so you're an apothecary?

PEDRILLO.
Yes—
And what of that?—

DIEGO.
Mayhap then you've a brother,
Or it may be a cousin who is like you.

PEDRILLO.
I have no brother—nor no cousin either,
Nor uncle, aunt, nor sister, father or mother.

DIEGO.
That's strange!

PEDRILLO.
Not strange at all. It is a way
That we have in our family.

DIEGO.
Well, sir,
Since it is so, I would make free to ask
Where I may find Don Guzman de Pacheco?

PEDRILLO.
What is't you want with him?

DIEGO.
Faith, I want nought;
But I've a little message to deliver.

PEDRILLO.
Then, friend, you'll lose your labour.

DIEGO.
Eh?—Why so?—

PEDRILLO.
Hast thou not heard he is about to marry
His daughter to a brave young gentleman,
One Don Ramirez?

DIEGO.
I have heard it said.

PEDRILLO.
Then know, his time and thoughts are so engag'd,
He will hear nought but what relates to him.

DIEGO.
Then he'll hear me, for I am charg'd to bear
That Don Ramirez' compliments.

PEDRILLO.
Oh, ho!—
You are his valet then?— (Bowing)
—I humbly pray
You'll recommend me to his honor's custom.
My name is Pedro Lobo.

DIEGO.
Pedro Lobo?—

PEDRILLO.
Aye, Pedro Lobo. You shall find me, sir,
Most thankful—I will shave you, sir, for nothing.

DIEGO.
That's kind—I'll do't—

PEDRILLO.
Well, I am glad we've met.
I like your looks—you seem a pleasant fellow—

DIEGO.
Oh! yes—I'm very pleasant.—I like you too.

PEDRILLO.
That's well—And so you're going to Don Guzman's?
Have you no other message?

DIEGO.
Yes, I've one.
Only to say my master will wait on him,
As soon as his new suit comes home.

PEDRILLO.
His suit?
Who is his tailor?

DIEGO.
Gil Baptista.

PEDRILLO.
Oh!
I know him—lives not far from Puerta Nova.

DIEGO.
The same. I'll thank you, sir, if you'll direct me
To him and to Don Guzman's.

PEDRILLO.
Look you, friend,
I'll put you in the way. Don Guzman's house
And Gil Baptista's are not far apart.—
And does your master mean to go alone
To pay his visit at Don Guzman's?

DIEGO.
No—
One Don Alonzo, who made up the marriage,
Has settled to go with him.

PEDRILLO
(aside).
That's unlucky.—
Who is your master's banker here in Seville?

DIEGO.
Faith, I know not.—But prythee, civil sir,
Be pleas'd to point me out the way to go.

PEDRILLO.
Well, honest friend, you must go down yon street—
Not quite to the bottom, but, at the third turning,
Go to the right—

DIEGO.
The right?

PEDRILLO.
Aye, to the right.
Then take the second turning to the left,
And you will find yourself in the great square.
Then cross it, and you'll see two streets before you—

DIEGO.
But which am I to take?

PEDRILLO.
That to the right.
Then turn to the left hand, which will bring you close
To Gil Baptista's.

DIEGO.
'Tis a plaguy distance,
And somewhat difficult I fear to find.

PEDRILLO.
Not in the least.—You'll come and see me, won't you?
We'll drink a glass together—

DIEGO.
That I will.

PEDRILLO.
And recommend me to your master's custom?

DIEGO.
Basta!—'tis done. Good day to you, kind sir.
A mighty civil worthy gentleman!

[Exit.
PEDRILLO.
I'll keep my word!—I'll follow you up close,
And shave you close too ere I've done with you.

CARLOS.
And so, sir, you are an apothecary.

PEDRILLO.
I'm any thing your service may require.

CARLOS.
What is your project now?

PEDRILLO.
I've sent that novice
A wild-goose chace, which, I'll engage for't, will
Employ him for some time: meanwhile, my lord,
Go home and write a letter to your love.
My bus'ness leads me to this young spark's tailor.
He's an old friend of mine, who will perhaps
Indulge me with the loan of this same habit
Made for his introduction. If I get it,
Trust to my skill for keeping him at home.

[Exeunt.