University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Don Ramirez's Apartment.
Don Ramirez and Don Alonzo discovered seated.
ALONZO.
Come, one glass more to the fair Laura's health.

RAMIREZ.
A bumper to her fourscore thousand crowns!
There's magic in the sound!—But where's Diego?
Just at this moment, when my fancy teems
With images so blissful, thus to linger!

ALONZO.
Why how can his delay affect you thus?

RAMIREZ
(rising).
How, sir?—My all depends on his return.
I sent him to Don Guzman's to announce
My arrival here in Seville. 'Till he come,
I cannot venture to present myself.

ALONZO.
Nay, nay, be patient—he's perhaps return'd.
I'll step and ask.

[Exit.
RAMIREZ.
That is indeed most kind.
Delay is ruin to a heart like mine,
Which bitter recollection still must wound.
Oh! Clara! Clara! still thine image haunts me,
And damps the ardour which should fill my soul.

Enter Alonzo.
ALONZO.
'Tis as I thought—Diego is return'd,
But in a strange condition. I ne'er saw
A fellow so bewilder'd. I attempted
In vain to learn what had betided him,
For, 'stead of making me reply, he stood
Gaping and staring on me.—Here he is.

Enter Diego.
RAMIREZ.
Well, sir—what bring you?

DIEGO.
I have brought myself—
Though that's a lie—for, what with fright and running,
I'm sure I've melted half myself away.
Catch me at that old fellow's house again,
And give me what he promis'd me, a whipping

RAMIREZ.
What means the fool?

DIEGO.
The fool shew'd good discretion;
For, when they threaten'd him with jail and whipping,
He shew'd them a good pair of heels.

RAMIREZ.
Who threaten'd?

DIEGO.
Why, the old Don himself, and Pedro Lobo.

RAMIREZ.
Who's he?—

DIEGO.
You knew him well enough e'en now—
Th'apothecary, whom you chose to call
A tailor.

RAMIREZ.
What had he to do?

DIEGO.
I know not:
But they both fac'd me down he was your valet.

RAMIREZ.
Don Guzman fac'd you down, sir?

DIEGO.
Aye, Don Guzman—
A queer old blade—and as for Pedro Lobo—

RAMIREZ.
Pshaw! Nonsense! This is one of your old pranks.
Hark you me, sir—I'm going to Don Guzman's:
Do you repair to th'post office, and ask
For any letters which may come for me,
And bring them to Don Guzman's instantly.

DIEGO.
If Pedro Lobo should be there?

RAMIREZ.
Again?
Let's hear no more of this. Begone! I say.
Come, friend Alonzo!—Now let us set forward.

[Exit with Alonzo.
DIEGO.
Begone!—'Fore gad I know not where to go.
At ev'ry turn I pounce on Pedro Lobo.
Go where I will, still Pedro Lobo's there;
In house, in street, in church or in exchange,
He haunts me like a sprite! I do believe
My sins are doom'd to visit me in Seville,
And Pedro Lobo is the devil himself,
Who brings the catalogue to drive me mad!

[Exit.