University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

An Apartment in De Silva Castle.
Enter Donna Victoria.
VICTORIA.
An hour and more are past, since Margaret
Left me to visit this mysterious stranger;
And still she comes not. Why thus palpitates
My woe-worn heart? Is it because a ray
Of hope breaks forth, to dissipate the gloom
Which long each flatt'ring prospect has obscur'd?
Howe'er delusive it may prove, I'll court
It's cheering influence—

Enter Donna Clara.
CLARA.
Who d'you think's arriv'd?
I'm sure I should have just as soon expected
The Grand Inquisitor himself—

VICTORIA.
As whom?

CLARA.
He liv'd at such a monstrous distance from us—
He has such a name too—'tis Don something—

VICTORIA.
Prithee
Speak out at once, nor keep me in suspense.

CLARA.
Stay—Don—Don—now I have it—'tis Don Lopez,
Lopez de Gongora, from Barcelona.
Ar'n't you surpriz'd?

VICTORIA.
There's nothing sure surprising,
That one I've known so long should visit me.
I thought at first it might have been another.

CLARA.
I wish it had been; for I ne'er saw one
Whom I felt less dispos'd to like than him.
I met him in the entrance, and before
I could effect my escape, he rudely stopt me,
And stunn'd me with a flood of fulsome nonsense
About my brilliant eyes and my complection,
Gloating and staring on me with a look
So forward that I shudder'd. Still he held me,
'Till Ferdinand came up to my relief,
And made him quit me.—As I live, he comes.

Enter Don Lopez and Ferdinand.
LOPEZ
(to Ferdinand).
You'll give me leave to tell you, young Signor,
You have no right to meddle— (seeing Victoria)
Ah my queen!
Queen of De Silva! see your faithful servant
From Barcelona comes to pay his court.

VICTORIA.
You're welcome, sir.

LOPEZ.
I'faith! I should be so,
For I've sustain'd more perilous adventures
Than any of your heroes in romance,
O'er hill and dale, by water and by land—
(Seeing Clara)
Ah my sweet little rose-bud! have I caught you?

CLARA.
Pray, sir, keep off—

VICTORIA.
Nay, Clara, don't be shy—

LOPEZ.
There, do you hear? Come, we shall be good friends.
So, now, your hand—

CLARA.
Protect me, Ferdinand!

LOPEZ.
Oh ho! Is that the case?— (to Ferdinand)
—Stand aside, boy!
A little more respect would best become you.

FERDINAND.
'Twould more become you, sir, to leave her quiet,
Nor thus forget the rev'rence of your age.

LOPEZ.
Why thus it ever is. These smooth-fac'd boys,
Who think they're men because they're whipt no longer,
Conclude that lusty manhood must be old.

FERDINAND.
If you dispute it, sir, I apprehend
Your mirror or your feelings may convince you
You bear about you symptoms strong of age.

LOPEZ.
I tell thee I am young, and stout to boot.
Symptoms of age indeed! A puling child
Like thee to tutor me! Od'slife, young sir,
If thou once anger me—

FERDINAND.
Stop, sir, in time;
I may be else provok'd. This lady's presence
Prevents me from replying.—Come, my Clara,
Let us retire—

LOPEZ.
Nay, an you quit me thus—

[Exeunt Clara and Ferdinand.
VICTORIA.
Now, sir, perhaps, you will vouchsafe to tell me
What urgent bus'ness makes you visit me.

LOPEZ.
What urgent business, say you? You shall know.
I'faith, madonna! I am glad to see you
With such a countenance, so fresh and blooming.
By good St. Anthony, you look not older,
Than when that runnagate, beshrew him for it!
That wild Montalban play'd you such a trick.

VICTORIA.
That is a subject, sir, I would avoid.

LOPEZ.
Nay, 'twas a foul one. What could he discover
In that far southern world to equal you?
Yet, strange as 'tis, I find he still doats on her,
And on her swarthy brood.

VICTORIA.
Have you then heard
Aught new respecting him?

LOPEZ.
Aye, marry, have I;
But nothing likely to afford you pleasure.

VICTORIA.
That may be, sir; but I should wish to hear it.

LOPEZ.
An you will know—A vessel from Peru,
Which touch'd at Barcelona lately, brought me
A letter from himself. Unless your heart
Hath ceas'd to feel for him as it was wont,
You'd best not ask its purport.

VICTORIA.
Speak it boldly:
I am prepar'd for all.

LOPEZ.
Thus then it is.
After detailing all his present comforts,
He talk'd about his wife, sung forth her praises
With all the ardour of a doating husband,
And prattled of his children—he has six of 'em—
As if I felt an int'rest in the brats.
But this was a mere trifle to what follow'd.

VICTORIA.
What can be worse?

LOPEZ.
Nay, so I thought you'd say.
But you will know it—Thus then he went on.
I owe, says he, a duty to my children,
And wish to bring them and my wife to Spain;
But, while she lives who has a tie upon me—
Meaning yourself no doubt—you know I cannot
Adventure to produce them: tell me therefore,
Adds he with earnestness, if fav'ring fortune
Hath disencumber'd me from that dead weight.

VICTORIA.
That soon will be! I wanted only this
To break my suff'ring heart. To be despis'd!
Treated as a mere drawback on his pleasures!

LOPEZ.
From what he adds of his wife's wish to come,
I should not marvel, if her strong intreaties
O'ercame his scruples, and prevail'd on him
To hasten home—

VICTORIA
(aside).
It is, it must be so!
That vessel bore them!—They are lost!—Oh heav'n!

[She throws herself on a sofa, weeping.
LOPEZ
(aside).
So, so, it works—the bait went glibly down.
Go to—all favours me. Montalban's safe
In the strong clutches of his Moorish master,
And ne'er will come to claim from me his wealth,
Or give the lie to my ingenious fictions.
I sail before the wind. Now's the fit time
To broach the purpose of my visit here.

VICTORIA
(starting up).
Who waits?
Enter Page.
Send Roderigo hither.
[Exit Page.

LOPEZ.
Nay,
Now we are private you had better hear me.
What I've to say is pleasanter than that
On which we have convers'd.

VICTORIA.
Excuse me now
I pray. Whatever be your cause of coming,
Think yourself welcome—
Enter Roderigo.
Mark me, Roderigo,
Wait on this gentleman, provide him all
He may require or wish.— (To Lopez)
—Use your good pleasure
While here you sojourn, and take some repose
After your journey.
[Exit Victoria.

LOPEZ.
Take repose, quotha!
I will take that, and some refreshment too.
(To Roderigo)
What station hold you in your lady's service?

RODERIGO.
That which may haply best your purpose suit.
Her steward.

LOPEZ.
What! thou bear'st the household keys,
Presidest o'er the butt'ry and the kitchen,
Sole governor of all the ample butts
Of gen'rous sherry and rich malvoisie?
Give me thine hand. I reverence thy functions.

RODERIGO.
Would'st take a nap first, to refresh thyself,
Or have a slight repast, to stay thy stomach
'Till dinner comes?

LOPEZ.
Let dogs sleep, an they will:
I'm hungry, monstrous hungry.

RODERIGO.
They shall bring thee
Some delicate conserves.

LOPEZ.
A steward thou!
Think'st thou this bulk is nourish'd on conserves?
I tell thee—What's thy name?

RODERIGO.
'Tis Roderigo.

LOPEZ.
Then, master Roderigo, you mistake me.
Such puny cates suit not my constitution.
An thou would'st prove my friend indeed, conduct me
To thine own regions, to the land of plenty,
The fragrant kitchen, and the well stor'd cellar.

RODERIGO.
Take thine own pleasure. We have store enough.

LOPEZ.
I'm glad to hear on't.—Lead the way, brave steward!

[Exeunt.