worthy friend, Don Manuel Grimaldi, and, at the same time, gave me assurance of a kind recep tion. D. Man. Sir, you are thrice welcome; let me embrace ye. I'm overjoyed to see you-Your friend, sir? Hyp. Don Pedro Velada, my near relation, who has done me the honour of his company from Seville, sir, to assist at the solemnity of his friend's happiness. D. Man. Sir, you are welcome; I shall be proud to know you. Flo. You do me honour, sir. D. Man. I hope you are not hurt, gentlemen. Hyp. Not at all, sir; thanks to a little skill in the sword. D. Man. I am glad of it; however, give me leave to interrupt our business for a moment, till I have done you justice on the person that offered you this insolence at my gate. Hyp. Your pardon, sir; I understand he is a gentleman, and beg you would not let my honour suffer, by receiving a lame reparation from the law. D. Man. A pretty mettled fellow, faith!-I must not let him fight though, [Aside.] But, sir, you don't know, perhaps, how deeply this man is your enemy. Hyp. Sir, I know more of his spleen and folly than you imagine, which, if you please to discharge him, I'll acquaint you with. D. Man. Discharge him! Pray consider, sir— [They seem to talk. Enter VILETTA, and slips a note into OCTAVIO's hand. Vil. Send your answer to me. [Exit VIL. Oct. [Aside.] Now for a beam of hope in a tempest! [Reads.] I charge you, don't hazard my ruin and your own, by the madness of a quarrel: the closet window, where I am, is but a step to the ground: be at the back-door of the garden exactly at the close of the evening, 'where you will certainly find one that may put 'you in the best way of getting rid of a rival.' Dear, kind creature! Now if my little don's fit of honour does but hold out to bail me, I am the happiest dog in the universe. D. Man. Well, sir, since I find your honour is dipt so deep in the matter-here-release the gentleman. Flo. So, sir, you have your freedom; you may depend upon us. Hyp. You will find us punctual.—Sir, your servant. Oct. So, now, I have a very handsome occasion to put off the tilt, too. Gentlemen, I ask your pardon; I begin to be a little sensible of the rashness I committed; and, I confess, your manner of treating me has been so very much like men of honour, that I think myself obliged, from the same principle, to assure ye, that, though I love Rosara equal to my life, yet no consideration shall persuade me to be a rude enemy, even to my rival. I thank you for my freedom, and am your humble servant. [Exit OCT. Hyp. Your servant, sir- -I think we released my brother very handsomely; but I ha'n't done with him. [Aside to FLORA, D. Man. What can this sudden turn of civility mean? I'm afraid 'tis but a cloak to some new roguery he has in his head. Hyp. I don't know how old it may be, but my servant here has discovered a piece of villainy of his that exceeds any other he can be capable of. D. Man. Is it possible? Why would you let him go, then? sir. Hyp, Because I'm sure he can do me no harm, D. Man. Pray, be plain, sir; what is it? Hyp. This fellow can inform you-for, to say truth, he's much better at a lie. Aside. D. Man. Come hither, friend; pray, what is this business? Hyp. Ay, what was that you overheard between Octavio and another gentleman at the inn where we alighted? Trap. Why, sir, as I was unbuckling my portmanteau in the yard there, I observed Octavio and another spark very familiar with your honour's name; upon which, sir, I pricked up the ears of my curiosity, and took in all their dis Hyp. Poor Don Philip! Aside. [Aside. Trap. Says one of them, says he, No, damn him, the old rogue (meaning you, sir) will never let you have her by fair means; however, says Octavio, I'll try soft words; but, if those won't do, bully him, says t'other. D. Man. Ah, poor dog! but that would not do neither, sir; he has tried them both to-day to no purpose. Trap. Say you so, sir! then you'll find what I say is all of a piece. Well, and if neither of these will do, says he, you must e'en tilt the young prig, your rival, (meaning you, then, sir). [To HYP. D. Man. Ha, ha! that, I perceive, my spark did not greatly care for. Trap. No, sir; that, he found, was catching a Tartar. 'Sbud! my master fought like a lion, sir. Hyp. Truly, I did not spare him. Fio. No, faith-after he was knocked down. [Aside. Trap. But now, sir, comes the cream of the roguery. Hyp. Pray observe, sir. Trap. Well, says Slylooks, and if all these fail, I have a rare trick in my head, that will certainly defer the marriage for three or four days at least, and, in that time, the devil's in't if you don't find an opportunity to run away with her. D. Man. Would you so, Mr Dog? but he'll be hanged. Hyp. O, sir, you'll find we were mighty fortunate in this discovery. D. Man. Pray, sir, let's hear: what was this trick to be, friend? Trap. Why, sir, to alarm you, that my master was an impostor, and that Slylooks was the true Don Philip, sent by his father, from Seville, to marry your daughter; upon which (says he) the old put (meaning you again, sir), will be so bamboozled, that D. Man. But pray, sir, how did young Mr Coxcomb conclude that the old put was to believe all this? Had they no sham proofs that they proposed to bamboozle me with, as you call it? Trap. And, when he's down, I have a trick to keep him so. Flo. The devil's in it, if we don't maul this rascal among us. D. Man. A son of a whore-I am sorry we let him go so soon, faith. Flo. We might as well have held him a little. Hyp. Really, sir, upon second thoughts, I wish we had-his excusing the challenge so abruptly, makes me fancy he is in hopes of carrying his point some other way-did not you observe your daughter's woman whisper him! D. Man. Humh! Flo. They seem very busy, that's certain. Hyp. Where is your daughter at this time? Flo. 'Twill be no harm to look about ye, sir. Where's her woman? D. Man. I'll be upon her presently-she shall be searched for intelligence-you'll excuse me, gentlemen. Hyp. Sir, the occasion presses you. Trap. You shall hear, sir; (the plot was pretty well laid, too) I'll pretend, says he, that the rascal, your rival, (meaning you, then, sir), has robbed me of my portmanteau, where I had put D. Man. If I find all safe, I'll return immediall my jewels, money, and letters of recommen-ately; and then, if you please, we'll run over dation from my father: we are neither of us some old stories of my good friend Fernando.— known in Madrid, says he, so that a little impu- Your servant. dence, and a grave face, will certainly set those dogs a snarling, while you run away with the bone. That's all, sir. ! D. Man. Impudent rogue Hyp. What think ye, sir? Was not this business pretty handsomely laid? Flo. Faith, it might have wrought a very ridiculous consequence. D. Man. Why, truly, if we had not been forearmed by this discovery, for aught I know, Mr Dog might have ran away with the bone indeed; but, if you please, sir, since these ingenious géntlemen are so pert upon the matter, we'll e'en let them see, that you and I have wit enough to do our business, and e'en clap up the wedding tomorrow morning. Hyp. Sir, you are too obliging-but will your daughter, think ye, be prevailed with? [Exit DON MANUEL. Hyp. Sir, your most humble servant-Trappanti, thou art a rare fellow! thou hast an admirable face, and, when thou diest, I'll have thy whole statue cast all in the same metal. Flo. 'Twere pity the rogue was not bred to the law. Trap. So 'tis, indeed, sir—a man should not praise himself; but if I had been bred to the gown, I dare venture to say I become a lie as well as any man that wears it. Hyp. Nay, now, thou art modest-but, sirrah, we have more work for ye: you must get in with the servants, attack the lady's woman; there, there's ammunition, rogue!-[Gives him money.] -Now, try if you can make a breach into the secrets of the family. Trap. Ah, sir, I warrant you-I could never D. Man. Sir, I'll prepare her this minute- yet meet with a woman that was this sort of pisIt's pity, methinks, we relieved this bully, tho'-tol-proof-I have known a handful of these do Hyp. Not at all, sir; I don't suppose he can have the impudence to pursue his design; or, if he should, sir-now we know him beforehand. more than a barrel of gun-powder: the French charge all their cannon with them; the only weapon in the world, sir. I remember my old masD. Man. Nay, that's true, as you say-butter's father used to say, the best thing in the therefore, methinks, I'd have him come: I love Greek grammar was –Arguriois lonchasy mamightily to laugh in my sleeve at an impudent chou, kai panta crateseis. rogue, when I'm sure he can do me no harm.-Udsflesh! if he comes, the dog shan't know whether I believe him or not-I'll try if the old put | can bamboozle him or no. [Exit TRAPPANTI. Hyp. Well, dear Flora, let me kiss thee: thou hast done thy part to a miracle. Flo. 'Egad, I think so: didn't I bear up brisk Hyp. 'Egad, sir, you're in the right on't; knockly? Now, if Don Philip should come while my him down with his own weapon. blood's up, let him look to himself. Hyp. We shall find him a little tough, I believe: for, poor gentleman! he is like to meet with a very odd reception from his father-in law. Flo. Nay, we have done his business there, I believe. Hyp. How glibly the old gentleman swallowed Trappanti's lie! Flo. And how rarely the rogue told it! Hyp. And how soon it worked with him! for, if you please, says he, we'll let him see that we have wit enough to do our business, and clap up the wedding to-morrow morning. Flo. Ah, we have it all the way-well, what must we do next? Hyp. Why, now for the lady-I'll be a little brisk upon her, and thenFlo. Victoria! [Exeunt. ACT III. 4 SCENE I.-Continued. Enter VILETTA hastily, DON MANUEL, and TRAPPANTI behind, observing her. Vil. So, with much ado, I have given the old Don the slip; he has dangled with me through every room in the house, high and low, up stairs and down, as close to my tail as a great boy hankering after one of his mother's maids. Wellnow we will see what monsieur Octavio says. [Takes a letter from her bosom. Trap. Hist! there she is, and alone. When the devil has any thing to do with a woman, sir, that's his time to take her. Stand close. D. Man. Ah, he's at work already-there's a letter. Trap. Leave her to me, sir; I'll read it. Vil. Ha, two pistoles! well, I'll say that for him, the man knows his business; his letters always come post-paid. [While she is reading, TRAPPANTI steals behind, and looks over her shoulder.] 'Dear Viletta, convey the inclosed immediately to your mistress, and, as you prize my life, ' use all possible means to keep the old gentleman from the closet, till you are sure she is 'safe out of the window. Your real friend.' Trap. Octavio! Vil. You're very impertinent, methinks, to look over other people's letters. Trap. Why, I never read a letter in my life without looking it over. Vil. I don't know any business you had to look upon this. Trap. There's the thing-your not knowing that, has put you into this passion. Vil. You may chance to have your bones broke, Mr Coxcomb. Trap. Sweet honeycomb! don't be so waspish; or, if I keep your counsel, d'ye see, I don't know why my bones may'nt keep their places; but if I peach, whose bones will pay for it, then? Vil. Ha! the fool says true; I had better wheedle him. [Aside. Trap. My dear queen! don't be frighted-I come as a friend; now, be serious. Vil. Well, what would you have? Trap. Don't you love money above any thing in the world-except one? Vil. I except nothing. Trap. Very good-and pray, how many letters do you expect to be paid for when Octavio has married your mistress, and has no occasion to write to her? Look you, child, though you are of counsel for him, use him like a lawyer; make difficulties where there are none, that he may fee you where he needs not. Dispatch is out of practice; delay makes long bills: stick to it; once get him his cause, there's no more advice to be paid for. Vil. What do you mean? Trap. Why, that, for the same reason, I have no mind to put an end to my own fees by marrying my master: while they are lovers, they will always have occasion for a confidant and a pimp; but when they marry-serviteur-good night vails; our harvest is over. What d'ye think of me, now? Vil. Why, I like what you say very well; but I don't know, my friend-to me that same face of yours looks like the title-page to a whole volume of roguery-what is it you drive at? Trap. Money, money, money! Don't you let your mistress marry Octavio: I'll do my best to hinder my master. Let you and I lay our heads together to keep them asunder, and so make a penny of them all three. Vil. Look you, seignior, I'll meet you half way, and confess to you I had made a rough draught of this project myself: but say I should agree with you to go on upon't, what security can you give me for performance of articles? Trap. More than bond or judgment—my person in custody. Vil. Ah, that won't do. Trap. No, my love! why, there's many a sweet bit in it-taste it. [Offering to kiss her, she puts him away. Vil. No. Trap. Faith, you must give me one. Vil, Indeed, my friend, you are too ugly for | do to me-make a friend of me-you see, sir, I me; though I am not handsome myself, I love dare be an enemy. to play with those that are. Trap. And yet, methinks, an honest fellow, of my size and complexion, in a careless posture, playing the fool thus with his money [Tosses a purse, she catches it, and he kisses her. Vil. Pshaw! Well, if I must, come, thento see how a woman may be deceived at first sight of a man! Trap. Nay, then, take a second thought of me, child. [Again. D. Man. Ha! this is laying their heads together indeed! D. Man. Nay, thou dost not want courage; I'll say that for thee; but is it possible any thing can make thee honest ? Vil. What do you suppose would make me otherwise? D. Man. Money. Vil. You have nicked it. D. Man. And would the same sum make thee surely one as t'other? Vil. That I cannot say, neither; one must be heavier than t'other, or else the scale cannot turn. D. Man. Say it be so, would that turn thec [Behind. into my interest? Vil. Well, now get you gone; have a letter Vil. The very minute you turn into mine, sir: to give to my mistress. Slip into the garden-judge yourself-here stands Octavio with a letI'll come t'ye presently. Trap. Is't from Octavio? Trap. Hist! [Snatches the letter. [TRAPPANTI beckons DON MANUEL, who goes softly behind. Vil. Madam! madam! ha! D. Man. Now, strumpet, give me the other letter, or I'll murder you. Vil. Ah lud! oh lud! there! [Draws. [Squeaking. D. Man. Now, we shall see what my gentleman would be at-[Reads.]— My dear angel!' -Ha! soft and impudent!- Depend upon me at the garden door, by seven this evening: pity my impatience, and believe you can never come too soon to the arms of your 'OCTAVIO.' Ah! now would this rampant rogue make no more of debauching my gentlewoman, than the gentlewoman would of him, if he were to debauch her. Hold-let's see; what does he say here-um-um ! [Reads to himself. Vil. What a sot was I to believe this old fool durst, do me any harm! but a fright's the devil. Would I had my letters again!-though 'tis no great matter: for, as my friend Trappanti says, delaying Octavio's business is doing my own. ter, and two pieces to give it to my mistressthere stand you with a hem! and four pieceswhere would the letter go, d'ye think? D. Man. There needs no more-I'm convinced, and will trust thee-there's to encourage thee before-hand, and, when thou bringest me a letter of Octavio's, I'll double the sum. Vil. Sir, I'll do it-and will take care he shall write presently. [Aside. D. Man. Now, as you expect I should believe you, begone, and take no notice of what I have discovered. Enter ROSARA. Ros. Did you call me, sir? D. Man. Ay, child. Come, be cheerful; what I have to say to you, I'm sure ought to make you so. Ros. He has certainly made some discovery ; D. Man. In one word, set your heart at rest, for you shall marry Don Philip this very evening. Ros. That's but short warning for the gentleman, as well as myself; for I don't know that we ever saw one another. How are you sure he will like me? D. Man. [Reading.] Um-um! sure she is safe out of the window. Oh, there the mine is to be sprung, then! The gentleman makes a warm siege on't, in troth, and, one would think, was in a fair way of carrying the place, while he has such an admirable spy in the middle of the town. Now, were I to act like a true Spaniard, I ought to rip up this jade for more intelligence; but I'll be wise; a bribe and a lie will do my bu-off your clothes, and go siness a great deal better. Now, gentlewoman, what do ye think, in your conscience, I ought to do to ye? Vil. What I think in my conscience, you'll not D. Man. Oh, as for that matter, he shall see you presently; and I have made it his interest to like you-but if you are still positively resolved upon Octavio, I'll make but few words-pull to him. Ros. My clothes, sir! D. Man. Ay, for the gentleman shan't have a rag with you. Ros. I am not in haste to be starved, sir. D. Man. Then let me see you put on your best airs, and receive Don Philip as you should do. Ros. When do you expect him, sir? Ros. The gentleman's very well, sir; but, methinks, he is a little too young for a husband. D. Man. Young! a fiddle! you'll find him old enough for a wife, I warrant ye. Sir, I must beg D. Man. Expect him, sir!--he has been here your pardon for a moment: but if you please, this hour-I only staid to get you out of the sul-in the mean time, I'll leave you my daughter, -He's none of your hum-drums-all life and so pray make your best of her. and mettle! 'Odzooks, he has the courage of a cock! a duel's but a dance to him: he has been at sa! sa!-sa! for you already. lens Ros. Well, sir, I shan't be afraid of his courage, since I see you are resolved he shall be the man-He shall find me a woman, sir; let him win me and wear me as soon as you please. D. Man. Ah, now, thou art my own girl! hold but in this humour one quarter of an hour, and I'll toss thee t'other bushel of doubloons into thy portion-Here, bid a-Come, I'll fetch him myself-She's in a rare cue i'faith! ah, if he does but nick her now! [Exit DoN MAN. Ros. Now, I have but one card to play--if that don't hit, my hopes are crushed indeed: if this young spark be not a downright coxcomb, I may have a trick to turn all yet-Dear fortune! give him but common sense, I'll make it impossible for him to like me- -Here they come [Walks carelessly, and sings. [Exit DoN MANUEL. Hyp. I thank ye, sir. [HYPOLITA stands some time mute, looks carelessly at ROSARA, and she smiles as in contempt of him.] Why, now, methinks, madam, you had as good put on a real smile, for I am doomed to be the happy man, Hyp. Whether he will or no? Ros. Because he has promised you, you shall marry me; and he has always promised me, I should marry the man I could love. Hyp. Ay-that is, he would oblige you to love the man you should marry. Ros. The man that I marry will be sure of my love; but for the man that marries memer cy on him! Hyp. No matter for that; I'll marry you. I'll rove and I'll rangeEnter DON MANUEL and HYPOLITA. Hyp. I'll love and I'll change-[Sings with her. D. Man. Ah, he has her, he has her! Hyp. Madam, I kiss your ladyship's hands: find, by your gaiety, you are no stranger to my business. Perhaps you expected I should have come in, with a grave bow and a long speech; but my affairs are in a little more haste; therefore, if you please, madam, we'll cut the work short; be thoroughly intimate at the first sight, and see one another's humours in a quarter of an hour, as well as if we had been weary of them this twelvemonth. D. Man. Ah! Ros. Troth, sir, I think you are very much in the right. The sooner I see you, the sooner I shall know whether I like you or not. Hyp. Psha! as for that matter, you'll find me a very fashionable husband; I shan't expect my wife to be very fond of me. Ros. But I love to be in the fashion too, sir, in taking the man I have a mind to. Hyp. Say you so? why, then, take me as soon as you please. Ros. I only stay for my mind, sir: as soon as ever that comes to me, upon my word I'm ready. to wait upon you. Hyp. Well, madam, a quarter of an hour shall break no squares-Sir, if you'll find an occasion to leave us alone, I see we shall come to a right understanding presently. D. Man. I'll do it, sir. Well, child, speak in thy conscience, is not he a pretty fellow? Hyp. Why, dost thou not like me, child? Ros. I don't like you. Hyp. That's hard the rest? Ros. Why, then, in short, I like another:— another man, sir, has got into my head, and has made such work there, you'll never be able to set me to rights as long as you live-What d'ye think of me now, sir? Won't this serve for a reason why you should not marry me? Hyp. Um-the reason is a pretty smart sort of a reason, truly: but it won't do-To be short with ye, madam, I have reason to believe I shall be disinherited if I don't marry you. Ros. And what have you reason to believe you shall be, if you do marry me? Hyp. In the Spanish fashion, I suppose, jealous to a degree. Ros. You may be in the English fashion, and something else to a degree. Hyp. Oh, if I have not courage enough to prevent that, madam, let the world think me, in the |