University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An Apartment at Don Guzman's.
Enter Don Guzman.
GUZMAN.
Fie on the tediousness of all these knaves!
We shall have Don Ramirez here, before
They've made half preparation. Gaspar! Gomez!
Where are ye all?

Enter Balthazar and other Servants.
BALTHAZAR.
An't please your lordship's honour,
Here is one Sancho Perez at the gate,
Who bad me tell your lordship he has brought
His daughter, widow of one Vincent Nunez,
To wait upon your lordship.

GUZMAN.
Shew them up.
[Exit Balthazar.
Hark you, take care, and mind that all is ready.
We must do honour to our son-in-law.
We'll shew him something, when he comes to Seville.

[Exeunt Servants.
Enter Donna Clara as a Duenna, Bertran and Beatrice, as her Father and Mother.
GUZMAN.
Welcome, my honest friend. Whom have we here?

BERTRAN.
By your permission, good my lord, I come
With my old dame here—

BEATRICE.
Aye, my lord, we're come
To wait on your good lordship.—We're poor people,
Though not so poor but we can keep our station—
Though to be sure, we cannot be expected
To entertain a troop—

BERTRAN.
Will you give o'er?
Come forward, daughter.

GUZMAN.
Od's my life! her looks
Would give her credit for a better station,
Than that she sues for.

BEATRICE.
There my lord's the point—
Says I to Sancho, she's too young and handsome,
The world's a wicked world, the men are naught,
Our house will be no better than a fair,
With all their comings in and goings out—
Says I, a nunn'ry is the fittest place!
But, would your lordship think it? At the word,
My madam flounc'd and frump'd, and plainly told us
She'd look for a condition.

GUZMAN.
She said well.
(To Clara)
So, you'd be a duenna?—Eh! is't so?

CLARA.
If you, my lord, should not object to try me,
I'll strive by zeal and diligence to merit
Your lordship's favour.

GUZMAN.
And, egad! you'll have it.
You know the duties of your place, I warrant?

CLARA.
I would not my professions should outrun
My future service; but, unless the voice
Of common fame hath magnified her virtues,
Your daughter wants but little of my aid.

GUZMAN.
She's a good girl in truth: you'll find her so,
And so will Don Ramirez.—Now for terms.
What is't you ask?

CLARA.
I have some little means,
Which place me 'bove dependence. To be honour'd
By your approval and my lady's favour
Will more than pay my feeble services.
I pray you, good my lord, speak not of terms.

GUZMAN.
Well, well, I won't. I'll take good care of you.
Come, you shall see my daughter. Who is't waits?
Enter Balthazar.
Tell Donna Laura I would see her here.
[Exit Balthazar.
We're in a monstrous bustle just at present,
For Don Ramirez is expected hourly,
The writings all are drawn, and the espousals
Will instantly take place.—Well, Master Sancho,
I am obliged to you. You may command me.
If there be any thing which you require,
Make free with me.

BERTRAN.
I thank your noble lordship.
I want for nothing—a good glass of sherris
Sometimes to glad my heart—

BEATRICE.
For shame, what mean you?
Are these your manners, in his lordship's presence
To talk of filthy sherris?

GUZMAN.
Nay, good dame,—
(to Beatrice.)
A glass of sherris does no harm.
Enter Donna Laura.
My Laura!
Come, dear!—You know we wanted a duenna,
T'attend you when you're married. Here she is.

LAURA.
This a duenna, sir?

GUZMAN.
Aye, girl—why not?

LAURA.
She's so unlike old Catherina, sir,
Who look'd so cross, and us'd to plague me so—

CLARA.
I hope I shall not plague you.

LAURA.
No, I think not—
You smile, and look as if you were good humour'd;
You're young too—and I'm sure you're very handsome.
Dear! I should like such a duenna vastly.

GUZMAN.
Should you?—Then you shall have her if you please.
There, talk the matter over—get acquainted.
We've so much bus'ness now—Some other time,
When we've more leisure, pray ye call again—

BERTRAN.
Good morrow to your lordship—Come, good dame.

[Exeunt Beatrice and Bertran.
GUZMAN.
So, so—you've got acquainted—You seem merry.

LAURA.
Dear father! how I am oblig'd to you!
I like her vastly. Pray, ma'am, what's your name?

CLARA.
My name is Nunez, madam.

LAURA.
Nunez? Nunez?
Well, Nunez, let us have no ceremony,
But call me Laura, and I'll call you Nunez.

GUZMAN.
That's right—But get along—we shan't be ready
For Don Ramirez.

LAURA.
Lord papa! I wish
You'd not insist upon my marrying him.
I dare say he's some cross, ill-looking creature—
I cannot bear the thoughts of him—

GUZMAN.
Why not?
Go! you're a simpleton.—Heyday! What's here?

(Clara veils herself.
Enter Pedrillo and Balthazar.
PEDRILLO.
I beg, good sir, you'd take no further trouble:
I can announce myself.—Is that your master?

BALTHAZAR.
Aye—and what then?

PEDRILLO.
Then, sir, I'm your obedient.
I beg, my lord, to pay my humble duty
To your good lordship—

GUZMAN.
What's your name? Who are you?

PEDRILLO.
My name is Lazarillo, good my lord;
And as to who I am, I am the valet
Of a Toledan signor—Don Ramirez.

GUZMAN.
Of Don Ramirez?—You are very welcome.
Well—what of Don Ramirez?

PEDRILLO
(to Balthazar).
You perceive
I can announce myself. You may retire.
[Exit Balthazar.
Please you, my lord, I'm charg'd by Don Ramirez
To present compliments, and to deliver
Into you lordship's hands a letter from him.

GUZMAN.
Where is it? Let me see it!—Stay awhile—
(Puts on his spectacles.
(Reads)
—Aye, aye—“To the most excellent Don Guzman.”
Now let me see what Don Ramirez says.

PEDRILLO.
I crave your lordship's pardon—here's another—

GUZMAN.
From Don Ramirez too?

PEDRILLO.
Aye, my good lord.

GUZMAN.
Wasn't one big enough to hold his meaning?

PEDRILLO.
Your lordship misconceives me. This is one,
In which my master ventures to present
His homage to the lovely Donna Laura.

(Offers it to Laura.
GUZMAN.
Hey?—Let me look at it—

PEDRILLO
(holding it).
You see, my lord,
The superscription is, for Donna Laura.

(Offers it to her.
GUZMAN.
I wish to see a little what he says.

(Snatches it from him.
PEDRILLO
(aside).
'Sdeath, if he open it our game is up!—
An't please your lordship, I forgot to mention,
My master charg'd me to deliver it
Into the lady's hands. “Look you,” said he,
“Acquaint Don Guzman, that I have presum'd
“To pave the way for my admission to her,
“By a few lines of merely compliments,
“Which may just serve to break the ice between us.”—

GUZMAN.
Did Don Ramirez say so?

PEDRILLO.
Yes, my lord—
“Perhaps,” said he, “you may persuade my lord
“To give it her himself; it will look better,”
Said he, “and seem much more respectful tow'rds him,
“Were you to pray him to deliver it:
“He'll not,” said he, “suspect that I should send
“What is improper for his daughter's view—
“I know my duty better than that comes to,”
Said he—

GUZMAN.
Enough!—Well, Laura—here's a letter,
Comes from your lover, child—open it—read—
Let's hear what he can say.

LAURA.
Indeed I shan't.

GUZMAN.
Nay, don't be foolish—read it—I should like
To know if your young fellows now adays
Make love as we were us'd to do.

PEDRILLO.
The lady
Seems bashful. If you were, my lord, to read
Your own, she might take courage.

GUZMAN.
Like enough—
Do as you please, my dearest.

(He reads his letter.
PEDRILLO
(aside to Laura).
Read it, madam—
'Tis from Don Carlos—I'm his valet—

GUZMAN
(Taking off his spectacles).
So!—
A very modest and well written letter.

Enter Diego, opposed by Balthazar.
BALTHAZAR.
Not quite so fast.

DIEGO.
I tell you I must see him—
I'm Don Ramirez' lackey—

PEDRILLO
(aside).
He again!
One of us must decamp—so brass assist me.
(To Diego)
—What's that you say, sir?—Don Ramirez' lackey?

DIEGO.
Aye, Don Ramirez—Heyday! Pedro Lobo!
What brings you here?

PEDRILLO.
Lobo? What is't you mean?
I'm Don Ramirez' valet.

DIEGO.
Heav'n defend me!
You're an apothecary—

GUZMAN.
What's all this?

PEDRILLO.
My lord, I know not—Here is a rude fellow,
Who calls himself lackey of Don Ramirez.
I know him not.

DIEGO.
'Tis false!—He knows me well.

PEDRILLO.
Do I?—Let's look at you.—Oh! now I know him—
My lord, he is the greatest rogue in Seville—
(To Diego)
—Ay, I remember you; when we arrived,
I saw you in the court yard of the inn,
With a companion, peeping at our cloakbag.
I notic'd you. The people told me then
What pretty characters you bore, and bad me
Look well to the baggage.

DIEGO.
You're a lying knave,
And I'll come round you—

GUZMAN
(to Pedrillo).
You remember him?

PEDRILLO.
He's not so easily forgot—An't please you,
Ask him, my lord, if he has brought a letter.
You'll have him there—

GUZMAN.
I will.— (To Diego.)
—Have you a letter?

DIEGO.
A letter, hey?—From whom?—Not I, indeed.

PEDRILLO.
I told you so. Pray question him, my lord,
Who is his master's banker here in Seville?

GUZMAN
(to Diego).
Dost hear?

DIEGO.
His banker? Faith I never heard.

PEDRILLO.
There, there my lord; you see he's ignorant.

GUZMAN.
You give a bad account, sir, of yourself.
I have a mind to lay you by the heels.

DIEGO.
Why, what the deuce—send me to jail!

PEDRILLO.
Aye, sirrah!
And treat you with a cat-o'-nine-tails, varlet!
I'll firk and ferret you!—I'll teach you how
To play your rogue's tricks here—

DIEGO.
Odso! keep off—
Why what's the matter with you, Pedro Lobo?

PEDRILLO.
I'll Pedro Lobo you! Let me come at him!—

DIEGO.
I tell you I'm Diego—

GUZMAN.
Here! Balthazar!

PEDRILLO.
Leave him to me!— (Catches Diego by the throat).


DIEGO.
W—w—what d'ye mean to throttle me?—
Why, Pedro Lobo—

PEDRILLO.
Out! you scurvy knave!
[Exit Diego.
I've done his business for him.

GUZMAN.
Is he gone?
I would have giv'n him to an Alguazil,
And made him an example! Paltry knave!
To palm himself.—I'll have the rogue brought back.

PEDRILLO.
I'll find him out—I'll take good care of him—

GUZMAN.
There'll be an end of justice if he 'scape.
An impudent impostor!

(Walks about.)
CLARA
(to Pedrillo).
Hark! a word—
In some half hour be sure you come again—
Ask for the widow Nunez—

PEDRILLO.
Hush, enough—

GUZMAN.
Be sure you overtake him—

PEDRILLO.
Has your lordship
No further orders for your humble servant?

GUZMAN.
None, but my best respects, and earnest hope
We shall soon see your master Don Ramirez.

PEDRILLO.
Your lordship may be certain of his coming.
I pay my humble duty to your lordship.

(As if going.)
GUZMAN
(to Laura and Clara).
A clever fellow that! Come, follow me.

[Exit with Laura, Clara following.
PEDRILLO
(to Clara).
Hist!

CLARA
(returning).
Don't detain me, pray—

PEDRILLO.
When I come back,
You'll have a little billet—a small word
Of comfort for a poor despairing lover—

CLARA.
I'll do my best to serve you—there—begone—
I'm ruin'd if I stay—

PEDRILLO.
Good luck go with you!
You're a kind hearted creature—

CLARA.
You're a rogue!—

[Exeunt severally.