University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

An Apartment in Don Guzman's House.
Don Guzman, Don Ramirez, Don Alonzo, Cuchillo, and Donna Laura, discovered at a Table with Writings, &c.
GUZMAN.
I hope you find it right?

RAMIREZ.
Quite right, my lord.—
Master Cuchillo! pray, good sir, go on.

CUCHILLO
(reading).
“Item, the said Don Guzman doth engage
“On the said day of marriage to pay down
“To the said Don Ramirez”—

RAMIREZ.
Gently now—
A little slower if you please.

CUCHILLO.
Ahem!—
“The sum of fourscore thousand—hem—pistoles”—

RAMIREZ.
Aye, fourscore thousand.

GUZMAN.
That is right, you know.
Such was our bargain.

RAMIREZ.
Fourscore thousand pistoles—
Go on, sir.

CUCHILLO.
“Item, the said Don Ramirez
“Doth for himself, his heirs, and his assigns,
“Promise and covenant, and by these presents
“Doth bind himself, his heirs and his assigns,
“That he the said”—

Enter Clara.
CLARA.
I ask your lordship's pardon—

GUZMAN.
Well, Mrs. Nunez—

CLARA.
Here are certain letters
Addressed to Don Ramirez—

RAMIREZ.
Burn the letters!
Put 'em down there—I'm not at leisure now
To look at 'em.— (To Cuchillo)
Where did you leave off, sir?

CLARA
(to Laura).
There's one of them, I'm sure, is from a woman.
If it should be from poor Lucretia, madam!

RAMIREZ
(to Clara).
Why can't you put 'em down? (To Cuchillo)
Pray, sir, go on.

LAURA
(to Clara).
How I should like to know what it contains!

CLARA
(to Laura).
Pretend you're jealous, madam.

RAMIREZ
(to Cuchillo).
Go on, sir.

CUCHILLO.
They interrupt me so, I've lost my place.

RAMIREZ
(to Clara).
Will you be pleas'd to put those letters down?

CLARA.
There, sir, they are—

(throws them before Laura).
LAURA
(taking up one).
Hey day! What letter's this?
This is a woman's hand.

RAMIREZ.
A woman's hand?

LAURA.
Aye, sir, and for a seal a bleeding heart.
I'm sure it is a woman's.

GUZMAN.
Let me see—
It is a woman's hand beyond dispute—
A kind of scrawling up and down.—So, sir!
You've female secret correspondents then?—

RAMIREZ.
Not I, my lord.

GUZMAN.
I'll lay a hundred ducats
It is a woman's hand. There's no mistaking.

CUCHILLO.
Oh! it's a woman's hand, a very woman's.

LAURA
(to Clara).
Look, Nunez—

CLARA.
Why—the hand is like a woman's.
There is, perhaps, no harm in't, after all.
Young gentlemen may be a little wild,
And there are women too, fond of intrigue;
But I would not infer that this is one.

GUZMAN.
Egad! there's something though in what you say.

ALONZO.
You'd better open it, my friend, at once.
You can have no objection.

RAMIREZ.
Not the slightest—
You are at liberty to open it;
Or, if you please, my lord, you've my free leave
To read it here to all this good assembly.

GUZMAN.
Aye, give it me—
(puts on his spectacles and reads)
“My dear, though false Ramirez—

RAMIREZ.
What's that?

GUZMAN.
Nay, silence.—“Though your perfidy,
“Your base ingratitude, and cruel breach
“Of your oft' plighted faith”—Heyday! the lady
Begins her letter well—

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I beg—

GUZMAN.
Nay, sir, we'll give it a fair hearing—stay—
Oh aye!—“your plighted faith might warrant me
“To let my brother's vengeance take its course,
“Yet since you are my husband”—Fire and fury!
What is't you mean, sir?—Give me leave to tell you—

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I'm overwhelm'd with consternation—

LAURA.
No wonder. You! a married man, to think
Of treating me in this outrageous manner!

ALONZO.
Ramirez! I've a right to know the truth.

RAMIREZ.
By heav'n! I know no more of it than you.

ALONZO.
What is her name?

RAMIREZ.
I know not.

GUZMAN.
Then I'll tell you—
(Puts on his spectacles again.)
Here 'tis in black and white, sign'd at full length—
(Reads)
“Your injur'd wife, Lucretia de Monsalvo!”
The evidence is full.

CUCHILLO.
Aye, luce clarius!

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I must and will have this explain'd.

GUZMAN.
It wants no explanation— (to Laura)
—Come, my love,
Let's leave the gentleman to his reflections.
(To Ramirez)
I wish you, sir, good day.

[Exeunt Guzman and Laura.
RAMIREZ.
One word, Alonzo!

ALONZO.
Aye two, sir!—You shall hear from me anon.

[Exit.
RAMIREZ.
Was ever man so us'd!—Master Cuchillo!

CUCHILLO.
The clearest nonsuit that I ever saw!

[Exit.
RAMIREZ.
Distraction, fire, and fury! I could bite
My fingers off for madness! No one hear me!
(He sees Clara).
Oh! Mrs. Nunez! you're a worthy woman;
You've had experience in the world—

CLARA.
Good lack!
I have indeed.

RAMIREZ.
I knew it, Mrs. Nunez—
Now, Mrs. Nunez, if you'll stand my friend,
And try to set this matter right—

CLARA.
Who! I?
What is't you think of me, signor, to fancy
That I should interfere in such a business,
When you've a wife already?

RAMIREZ.
Heav'n and earth!
I tell you I have none.

CLARA.
Well, that is strange!
No previous contract?

RAMIREZ.
No.

CLARA.
No promise neither—
No plighted vows, no maiden left to weep
Your falsehood and inconstancy?

RAMIREZ.
On mine honour,
I know not this Lucretia de Monsalvo.
You'll be my friend now?

CLARA.
Prove yourself deserving,
And you'll find me your friend.—Look at me, signor!
Lay your right hand upon your heart, and say
If that accord with your assurances.
If but a spark of honour harbour there,
'Twill beat responsive to your touch, and gift you
With pow'r at once to satisfy my doubts.

RAMIREZ
(confusedly).
Why, certainly your observation's just—
A man of honour—When you know me better,
You'll find how falsely I have been accus'd.

CLARA.
Well, sir, I willingly would take your word.
Dare you appear once more before my lady,
And in her presence ratify your truth?

RAMIREZ.
Madam, you'll find me ready—I would clear
My character at once. I'll follow you.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Another Apartment in Don Guzman's House.
Enter Don Guzman, Don Alonzo, Cuchillo, and Donna Laura.
ALONZO.
My lord, there's no one has more cause than I
To take offence at Don Ramirez' conduct:
And yet I own it puzzles me to guess,
Why, were he thus engag'd, he should have press'd me
To introduce him as your daughter's suitor.

GUZMAN.
'Tis beyond all belief.

ALONZO.
I almost think
There must be some mistake.

GUZMAN.
Why, as you say,
There may be a mistake.

ALONZO.
And yet that letter—

GUZMAN.
Aye, there's no getting over that.

ALONZO.
I know not—
His character has always been esteem'd
Most excellent.

GUZMAN.
That's strongly in his favour.

ALONZO.
Right, my good lord, it is the only test,
By which a doubtful matter can be tried.

CUCHILLO.
You'll give me leave to say, sir, character
Can never weigh against plain evidence.

GUZMAN.
That's true—no more it can.
Enter Ramirez and Clara.
What! here again?

RAMIREZ.
I have no reason to avoid you.

GUZMAN.
No?

RAMIREZ.
No. I've already said, and say again,
I know not that Lucretia de Monsalvo.

GUZMAN.
How comes her letter then directed to you?

RAMIREZ.
I know no more than you—or Mrs. Nunez.

CLARA.
Nay, then, you know but little.

RAMIREZ.
On mine honour!—

CLARA.
You still persist in your denial, sir?

RAMIREZ.
I do, most resolutely.

CLARA.
Who knows then,
If this same letter may not, after all,
Prove a mere forgery?

GUZMAN.
What's that you say?

CLARA.
There is no doubting Don Ramirez' honour;
And he, you hear, denies it.

RAMIREZ.
Certainly.

CLARA.
As for the letter, any one might write it,
Either to gratify some private pique,
Or else from love of mischief, or, what's worse,
From a desire to interrupt his nuptials.

RAMIREZ.
Nothing more likely.—Nay—I pray you hear.
Go on, good Mrs. Nunez.

CLARA.
I've known people,
Who took delight in these malicious jokes.
This may be some of their performances.

RAMIREZ.
It's ten to one.

CLARA.
Now, if you weigh the matter,
You have in one scale this disputed letter,
In th' other, Don Ramirez' solemn word.

ALONZO.
In truth, my lord, there's much in what she says.
I am afraid we've acted hastily.

GUZMAN.
D'ye think so?—Nay—it may be so indeed.
(To Ramirez)
—If we have been mistaken, Don Ramirez!
I know not what apology to make.
Come, Laura, tell me, are you satisfied?

LAURA.
I'm only much surpriz'd that Mrs. Nunez—

CLARA.
Let me but say a word in private, madam—

[They talk apart.
ALONZO.
Ramirez, there's my hand—I ask your pardon,
For doubting your good faith.

GUZMAN.
And here is mine.
But you must own the circumstance was strong.

CUCHILLO.
I've known a man hang'd before now on weaker.

RAMIREZ.
My lord, and you my worthy friend, and you
Master Cuchillo, give me all your hands;
I heartily forgive you. On my soul
There's something so absurd in the whole story,
So monstrously ridiculous—ha! ha!
I can't help laughing—

GUZMAN.
And you look'd so queer,
And fum'd and fretted—when I think of it,
I can't help laughing too—Eh! Don Alonzo?
Master Cuchillo?—'Twas a pleasant joke.—

(All laugh.)
Enter Balthazar.
BALTHAZAR.
My lord, there are some persons at the gate,
Who ask to see your lordship.

GUZMAN
(still laughing).
Who are they?

BALTHAZAR.
One calls herself Lucretia de Monsalvo—

GUZMAN.
The deuce she does!

LAURA.
Now, what d'ye think, my lord?

GUZMAN.
I know not what to think— (to Balthazar)
—Bid her come up.
[Exit Balthazar.
Why, Don Ramirez, what's the matter with you?
You stand aghast.

RAMIREZ.
I'm so amazed, my lord—

GUZMAN.
I do not doubt it in the least.—Odslife!
Here they all come—Now we shall find it out.
Enter Beatrice as Lucretia, and Bertran as a Notary.
Well, madam, what are your commands with us?

BEATRICE.
I come for justice against Don Ramirez,
Who here is come a suitor to your daughter,
While all the time he is my wedded husband.

RAMIREZ.
My lord, this grows a very serious matter.
'Tis a conspiracy to blast my fame.

BERTRAN.
You'd best not say so—We are honest people,
Well look'd on in Toledo, and, 'till you
Seduc'd my girl, consorting with the best.
Will you pretend to say you know me not,
Miguel Monsalvo?—Who have here the bond
You gave her, promising to marry her
Under the penalty of—

GUZMAN.
Pray let me see it.
Master Cuchillo, look at it.

CUCHILLO.
Hum! ha!
The bond's a good and most sufficient bond.

BEATRICE
(to Ramirez).
Turn, turn those stern forbidding eyes upon me!
Let me again embrace you!

RAMIREZ.
'Sdeath! keep off!
My lord—Alonzo—I appeal to you—

ALONZO.
Make no appeal to me, sir, I renounce
Your friendship! Never speak to me again!

RAMIREZ.
Are you all mad? My lord, you shall repent this,
(To Alonzo)
And so shall you, sir!—You are all combin'd
With these impostors; but I will have justice—
Keep off, thou crocodile!—Away—away—
By heav'n! I'll make examples of you all!

[Exit.
ALONZO.
My lord, I'm petrified. I hope your lordship
Will not conceive I knew ought of the matter—

GUZMAN.
Sir, I acquit you fully. But your friend—

ALONZO.
He is no more a friend of mine, my lord.

GUZMAN.
To treat my daughter thus!— (To Laura.)
—Come, my poor love,
(To Alonzo)
And you, good sir—and you, Master Cuchillo,
Let's talk the matter over.—Mrs. Nunez!
Let these poor people here have hearty welcome.
I'll speak to them again before they go.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

A Garden. On one Side an Arbour, on the other a Summer-house.
Enter Pedrillo, and a female Servant.
PEDRILLO.
Now, Flora! place yourself behind yon clump.
Be ready when I call.—Mind what I told you.
[Exit Flora.
Well, I'm a lucky dog!—I cannot chuse
But laugh at my success— (puts a purse in his pocket)

There—lie thou there—
Thou'lt soon have a twin-brother, if Don Carlos—
Ha!—Who comes here?
Enter Ramirez.
Oh! sir—I'm glad you're come.
If it may please your honour to retire
Into yon summer house, the lady Laura
Will join you speedily.

RAMIREZ.
Thanks, my good fellow—
I will reward thee amply.

PEDRILLO.
This way, sir.

(They go into the summer-house.
Enter Don Carlos.
CARLOS.
The gate left open, as it were t'invite
My free access! I'll in—What! no one here?—
Surely no accident has interven'd
To keep my Laura. Since I grew a lover,
I am become a child; my froward humour
Tinges each trifle with misfortune's hue,
And makes me start at shadows. I'm asham'd
Of mine own weakness. Surely I have proofs
Of Laura's love; then why should I despond?

Enter Pedrillo.
PEDRILLO.
You're come in time.

CARLOS.
Is Donna Laura here?
'Tis past the hour, I think.

PEDRILLO.
I would exhort
Your lordship to be patient; but I know
A lover's calculation far outruns
The tardy foot of time.

CARLOS.
To one like me,
On whom a dawn of hope begins to break,
Each moment seems an hour.—But hark!—Who comes?
Perhaps 'tis she—Is it? It is my Laura!

Enter Clara richly dressed and veiled—Laura and her maid.
LAURA.
Yes, I believe so—But I am so frighten'd,
I hardly know if I'm myself or not.

CARLOS.
To what propitious pow'r am I oblig'd
For this unlook'd for happiness?

LAURA.
To none,
But this mad-headed, friendly, dear duenna,
Who chaparon'd me here to visit you.—
But I've a thousand things to say to you—

CLARA.
You'd better say them then in yonder arbour,
For here you'll chance to meet with interruptions.

LAURA.
Why, you strange creature, would you shut me up
In private with a cavalier like him?

PEDRILLO.
Why make objection, when there's no occasion?
Your maid here, Margaretta, will be with you.

LAURA.
What would Don Guzman say?

CLARA.
A pretty question!
You'd best go home again, my tim'rous dear,
And ask his leave.

LAURA.
You'll make me hate you, Nunez!

CARLOS.
Let her persuade you—you may safely trust me.

CLARA.
You hear him.—Well, unless you soon decide,
You'll lose your opportunity—D'ye hear?

GUZMAN
(without).
Let my attendants wait!

LAURA.
Who's that?

CLARA.
I'll open
The gate, and ascertain—

LAURA.
Oh no!—Stay, stay—
Well, if I must, I must—'tis all your doing.

(Don Carlos, Laura and Maid go into the arbour.
CLARA.
So far we've made advance. Hark ye, Pedrillo!
Who's at the gate?

PEDRILLO.
I guess it is Don Guzman.

CLARA.
Then we've no business here—

(Goes into the summer house.
PEDRILLO.
Here Flora! hasten—
Enter Clara's Maid.
Follow your lady into the summer house.
(Puts her in.
My wise Don Guzman! You're before your time—
I must get rid of you at all events,
And keep you off 'till the young folks are tack'd.

(Retires.
Don Guzman (without).
GUZMAN.
Oons! the gate fast? That's not what I expected—
Oh ho! 'tis open.— (Enters)
—What can all this mean?
A billet doux, fixing an assignation
With one who signs herself Incognita!
I've not of late been us'd to such appointments—

Pedrillo advances.
PEDRILLO.
Oh, my good lord! It's lucky I have found you!

GUZMAN.
You're Don Ramirez' valet, are you not?

PEDRILLO.
I was, my lord—but I have turn'd him off.

GUZMAN.
How's that?—You turn'd him off?—What is't you mean?

PEDRILLO.
Aye, my good lord. I bore him while I could,
But he became too bad for me at last;
For I'm an honest lad, my lord, I have
A character to keep—

GUZMAN.
I'll take care of you.
I like your looks, you seem an honest fellow—

PEDRILLO.
You'll find I am so. Stay not here, my lord—
The wolf is ready to bear off your lamb.
I know it all.—My lord, that Mrs. Nunez—
You know she took his part before your lordship.

GUZMAN.
Well, what of her?

PEDRILLO.
She has contriv'd it so,
That Donna Laura has agreed to marry—

GUZMAN.
Whom?

PEDRILLO.
Don Ramirez.

GUZMAN.
'Sdeath! it cannot be.

PEDRILLO.
He told me all the plot of it himself.
This very evening, she and Mrs. Nunez
Are to steal out, and meet Ramirez here.
This is a very noted place.

GUZMAN.
I'll steal 'em!
I'll teach 'em how to carry on their plots!
Ho!—Gasper! Gomez!—Thank you, honest friend—
Do you stay here to watch—I'll hasten home,
And catch 'em ere they're ready.

[Exit.
PEDRILLO.
He's dispos'd of!
Beatrice!—

[Enter Beatrice and Bertran.
BEATRICE.
I'm here—Where is Ramirez plac'd?

PEDRILLO.
He's in yon summer-house. Where is Diego?

BEATRICE.
He's safe enough. The cook has him in charge.
He's hard at work with a cold pigeon pye.

PEDRILLO.
Now have we got the whole covey in our net,
Except the old cock bird—
[DON GUZMAN (without)—This way, scoundrels!]
And, as I live,
He comes—He seems in a most pelting passion.
Now, girl, bear up—the storm is at it's height.

Enter Don Guzman, Don Alonzo, Cuchillo and Servants, with torches.
GUZMAN.
Don't talk to me of being calm and cool!
I tell you she is gone!—my girl is flown—
She's ruin'd—lost!—My family's dishonour'd!—
If I can meet the villain who seduc'd her—

ALONZO.
My lord, I'll follow him through all the world,
But he shall give you satisfaction.

GUZMAN.
Sir,
He shall. This old arm can do something yet.
(Seeing Pedrillo)
—Oh, Lazarillo! What you said is true.

PEDRILLO.
I knew it was. She must be somewhere here.

CUCHILLO.
Had we not better search for the young lady?

GUZMAN.
We had—But where?— (To Beatrice)
—Pray who are you, good dame?

BEATRICE.
Pray who am I, indeed!—Pray who are you?
What's here to do?—D'ye know I'm mistress here?

GUZMAN.
Oh ho! you know it all then, I suppose.

BEATRICE.
Know what?

GUZMAN.
My daughter—

BEATRICE.
I! I scorn your words!
I know your daughter!

GUZMAN.
Yes, you cockatrice!
Tell me directly where she is?

BEATRICE.
Not I!

PEDRILLO.
That summer—house perhaps—

GUZMAN.
Here it goes, faith!
Now we shall see.
(He kicks open the door of the summer-house.)
Oh! have I caught you, madam!
(He pulls out Clara veiled.)
I'll teach you how to run away again!
A pretty comrade you've selected too.
Come, sir, or I'll compel you to appear.

Enter Don Ramirez.
RAMIREZ.
My lord, I'm ready here to justify
What I have done.

GUZMAN.
I doubt not your assurance.
But, sir—

RAMIREZ.
From you, my lord, I can bear much:
But know, my lord, this lady has seen through
Your flimsy artifice; she does me justice:
She has chosen me, my lord, as her protector;
Her faith is plighted to me, mine to her.

GUZMAN.
She plight her faith to such a one as thou!

RAMIREZ.
Things more improbable ere now have happen'd.
But, let her answer for herself. Speak, madam—
Is it not true that we have interchang'd
Our mutual faith?

CLARA.
It is most true indeed!

GUZMAN.
Why, you young reprobate—

RAMIREZ.
Obdurate still!
(To Clara)
Let not his anger daunt you, madam.—Come,
Unite with me to move his flinty heart.
Cast off that envious veil—break forth at once
With all your dazzling charms.

CLARA.
Thus I obey!—

(Unveils.)
RAMIREZ.
Confusion! Clara!

CLARA.
Yes, 'tis I, your Clara,
To whom your vows of constancy were pledg'd,
Who, when her unsuspecting heart confess'd
You its sole lord, was cruelly abandon'd,
And left to mourn her fond credulity.
Nay, turn not thus away—look on me, sir—

RAMIREZ.
I pray you spare me—I cannot look on you:
Your eyes, like basilisks, would pierce my brain,
And drive me to distraction!—Think no more
Of a lost wretch like me—Let me go hence,
And hide myself for ever from your presence!

GUZMAN.
So, so—here's a discovery! Don Ramirez
Contracted to my daughter's poor duenna!
Pray, Mrs. Nunez, do explain a little.

CLARA.
My lord, 'tis time that all disguise should end.
Grant me your pardon for a stratagem,
Devis'd at once to vindicate myself,
And save you and your daughter.

GUZMAN.
And pray, madam,
What is your real character?

CLARA.
My lord,
My family is not unknown to you.
You've heard of Don Henriquez de Mendoza?

GUZMAN.
I knew him well—my brother officer,
In the same regiment—

CLARA.
He was my father.

GUZMAN.
Your father?—I remember to have heard
He had a daughter, and her name was Clara.

CLARA.
I'm she.

GUZMAN.
Nay, then you are deserving of him.
Eh?—What is your opinion, Don Alonzo?
Master Cuchillo, what say you to it?

ALONZO.
This is a most surprising turn indeed.

CUCHILLO.
I never knew a clearer alibi!
But where is Donna Laura all this time?

GUZMAN.
Odso! that's true.— (To Beatrice)
Where is my daughter, beldam?

BEATRICE.
You may come out, ma'am—Here she is, my lord.

Enter Donna Laura followed by Don Carlos.
GUZMAN.
Oh, you young baggage!—Hey!—Whom have we here?
What right have you, sir!—Who the deuce are you?

CARLOS.
My lord, your pardon, if I have presum'd
To aim at such perfection—

GUZMAN.
What's your name?

CARLOS.
Carlos, my lord; the eldest son of him
Who bears Medina's dukedom.

GUZMAN.
I'm your lordship's
Most humble servant! but I wish to know
How you became acquainted with my daughter.

CARLOS.
I saw her in the public walk, my lord,
And the first glance of her bewitching eye,
Made me her willing slave. I trac'd her home,
Wrote her fond letters, often pass'd the night
Beneath her windows; 'till, at length, my vows
Made an impression on her yielding heart.

GUZMAN.
My lord, no one can disapprove of you.
I'm flatter'd by your preference. (To Laura)
Well, child,
What say you to his lordship?

LAURA.
Dear papa—
To ask that question when you found us here!

GUZMAN.
Ah! toad!—I understand you. (To Carlos)
Well, my lord,
She's your's.

CARLOS
(kneeling to Laura).
Thus let me sanction that blest word.

GUZMAN.
So—bless you both!—How fares it, Don Ramirez?
Come, cheer up, man! You've made a small mistake,
But you have better luck than you deserve.

RAMIREZ.
My lord, I own that I've deserv'd but little.
I'm overwhelm'd with shame, and know not how
To look that much wrong'd lady in the face.
If she can pardon me—

CLARA.
I've given a proof
I'm not inexorable—But for pardon,
I fear that I must ask for your forgiveness.
I've ta'en some freedoms with you, which perhaps
You may not readily excuse.

RAMIREZ.
With me?
Whate'er they are, I have deserv'd them all.

CLARA.
Call my first witness, Mrs. Nunez, here!
Won't she appear?—Why then I'll answer for her.
“Now, Mrs. Nunez, if you'll stand my friend,
“And try—”

RAMIREZ.
So, so; you then was the duenna?

BEATRICE.
And, sir, you may remember one Lucretia.
I give you back your promise, sir; your children
Won't tax you heavily for their support.

BERTRAN.
When all are at confession, give me leave
To lay aside my double character
Of schoolmaster, and not'ry of Toledo.

PEDRILLO.
I've yet a longer catalogue of sins.
(To Guzman)
—I was your lordship's trusty Lazarillo—
(To Ramirez)
—Your tailor, sir—and if your man Diego—

Enter Diego.
DIEGO.
What! Pedro Lobo again!

PEDRILLO.
Aye, Pedro Lobo!

DIEGO.
I pray you make me room—I cannot stay.

PEDRILLO.
You need not be alarm'd—we're good friends now.
You promis'd me to call and drink a glass.
I am not Pedro Lobo now.

DIEGO.
Art sure on't?

GUZMAN.
I see you've been too cunning for us all.
But that is past. You all shall home with me.
'Twill serve us as a merry jest.— (To Carlos)
—My lord,
Take your bride's hand.— (To Clara)
—For you, my pretty plotter,
If you'll give your's to that repentant sinner—

RAMIREZ.
I hardly dare to sue for't—

CLARA.
Thus I give it.
But, should you feel inclin'd again to stray,
I mayn't so easily forgive you.

RAMIREZ.
No!
I am too conscious of my past offences,
Ever to hazard your displeasure more.
Each moment of my future life shall prove
How true I am to Clara, and to love!