University of Virginia Library

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.