Leon. Y-es. Diego. What do you sigh for ? Leon. I don't know. Diego. When you came hither, you were taken from a mean little house, ill situated, and worse furnished; you had no servants, and were obliged, with your mother, to do the work yourself. Leon. Yes, but when we had done, I could look out at the window, or go a walking in the fields. Diego. Perhaps you dislike confinement? Leon. No, I don't, I am sure. Diego. I say, then, I took you from that mean habitation and hard labour, to a noble building, and this fine garden; where, so far from being a slave, you are absolute mistress; and instead of wearing a mean stuff gown, look at yourself, I beseech you; the dress you have on is fit for a princess. Leon. It's very fine, indeed. Deigo. Well, Leonora, you know in what manner you have been treated since you have been my companion; ask yourself again now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the specimen you have had? Leon. Specimen! Diego. Ay, according to the manner I have treated you-according Leon. I'll do whatever you please. Diego. Then, my dear, give me a kiss. Diego. Here, Úrsula. SONG. DIEGO. By some I am told That I'm wrinkled and old, But I will not believe what they say: I feel my blood mounting, Like streams in a fountain, That merrily sparkle and play. For love I have will And ability still; Odsbobs, I can scarcely refrain ! My diamond, my pearl Well, be a good girl, Until I come unto you again. [Exit, L. Leon. (L. C.) Heigho!-I think I am sick. He's very good to me, to be sure, and it's my duty to love him, because we ought not to be ungrateful; but I wish I was not to marry him for all that, though I'm afraid to tell him so. Fine feathers, they say, make fine birds; but I am sure they don't make happy ones; a sparrow is happier in the fields than a goldfinch in a cage. There is something makes me mighty uneasy. While he was talking to me, I thought I never saw any thing look so ugly in my life. O dear now, why did I forget to ask leave to go to mass to-morrow? I suppose, because he's abroad, Ursula wont take me-I wish I had asked leave to go to mass. SONG.-LEONORA. Was I a shepherd's maid to keep [Exil, L. SCENE II.-A Street in Salamanca. Enter LEANDER, and two SCHOLARS, R. in their University gowns, over dresses of crimson and gold. Leand. (c.) His name is Don Diego; there's his house, like another monastery, or rather prison; his servants are an ancient duenna, and a negro slave 1 Schol. And after having lived fifty years a bachelor, this old fellow has picked up a young thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a balcony ! 2 Schol. (R. C.) And you are in love with the girl? Leand. To desperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for finding that her jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring convent every morning before it was light, I went there in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myself as near as I could; I then varied my appearance, continuing to do so from time to time, till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked and understood my meaning. 1 Schol. (L.C.) Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more industrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferrited. 2 Schol. But prithee, tell us now, how did you get information? Leand. First, from report, which raised my curiosity and afterwards from the negro I just now mentioned; I observed that when the family was gone to bed, he often came to air himself at yonder grate; you know I am no bad chanter, nor a very scurvy minstrel; so taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon scraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. He adores my songs and sarabands, and taking me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a share of his allowance; which I accept to avoid suspicion. 1 Schol. And so : Leand. And so, sir, he hath told me all the secrets of his family and one worth knowing: for he informed me last night, that his master will this evening take a short journey into the country, from whence he proposes not to return till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him. 2 Schol. Zounds! let's scale the wall. Leand. Fair and softly; I will this instant go and put on my disguise, watch for the don's going out, attack my negro afresh, and try if, by his means, I cannot come into the house, or at least, get a sight of my charming angel. 1 Schol. Angel! is she then so handsome? Leand. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you can desire. [Exeunt two Scholars, L. SONG.-Leander. Hither, Venus, with your doves, Round me light your wings display, Oh, could I but, like Jove of old, What locks, what bars should then impede, [Exit, L, SCENE III.-Exterior of Don Diego's House, with Gothic windows barred up, and an iron grate before the entrance. Enter DON DIEGO from M. D. Dieg. (R.) With the precautions I have taken, I think I run no risk in quitting my house for a short time; Leonora has never shewn the least inclination to deceive me; besides, my old woman is prudent and faithful, she has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself: but suppose-suppose-by the rood and St. Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do mischief; a woman's not having it in her power to deceive you is the best security for her fidelity, and the only one a wise man will confide in; fast bind, safe find, is an excellent proverb. I'll e'en lock her up with the rest; there is a hasp to the door, and I have a padlock within which shall be my guarantee; I will wait till the negro returns with the provisions he is gone to purchase; and clapping them all up together, make my mind easy by having the key they are under, in my pocket. [Retires L. Enter MUNGO, R. (singing) with a hamper on his shoulders. Mungo. (Sits on the hamper.) Go, get you down, you damn hamper, you carry me now. Curse my old massa, sending me always here and dere for one someting to make me tire like a mule-curse him imperanceand him damn insurance. DON DIEGO, Softly coming forward, L. Diego. How now? Mungo. (Rising.) Ah, massa, bless your heart. Mungo. Noting, massa, only me say, you very good massa. Diego. What do you leave your load down there for? Mungo. Massa, me lily tire. Diego. Take it up, rascal. Mungo. Yes, bless your heart, massa. Diego. No, lay it down: now I think on't, come hither. Mungo. What you say, massa ? Diego. Can you be honest ? Mungo. Me no savee, massa, you never ax me before. Diego. Can you tell truth? Mungo. What you give me, massa? Diego. There's a pisteen for you; now tell me, do you know of any ill going on in my house? Mungo. Ah, massa, a damn deal. Diego. How! that I'm a stranger to? Mungo. No, massa, you lick me every day with your rattan ; I'm sure, massa, that's mischief enough for poor Neger man. Diego. So, so. Mungo. La, massa, how could you have a heart to lick poor Neger man, as you lick me last Thursday! Diego. If you have not a mind I should chastise you now, hold your tongue. Mungo. Yes, massa, if you no lick me again. Mungo. You know, massa, me very good servant- Mungo. And ought to be use kine Diego. If you utter another syllable Mungo. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny but I worky worky-I dress a victuals, and run a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, and scrub a shoes, and wait a table. Diego. [Beats him.] Take that.-Now will you listen to me! Mungo. La, massa, if ever I saw— Diego. I am going abroad, and shall not return till tomorrow morning. Mungo. Verra well. Diego. During this night I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watchful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down the entry, that if you hear the least noise you may alarm the family. Stay here, perverse animal, and take care that nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a moment. [Exit into house in centre. Mungo. So I must be stay in a cold all night, and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither; then him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to tempt me. SONG.-MUNGO. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I led! My pain is dere game: Me wish to de Lord me was dead. |