Vil. Now, sir, you deserve a friend. [Exit VILETTA. Oct. Sure this letter must be but artifice, a humour to try how far my love can bear--and yet, methinks, she cannot but know the impudence of my young rival, and her father's importunity, are too pressing to allow her any time to fool away and, if she were really false, she could not take a pride in confessing it. Death! I know not what to think: the sex is all a riddle, and we are the fools that crack our brains to expound them. Re-enter VILETTA. Vil. Ah, dear sir, if you had but seen how the young gentleman laid about him, you'd ha' won-Now, dear Viletta! dered how she held out so long. Oct. Death! 'tis impossible! Vil. Common, sir, common. I have known a prouder lady as nimble as she. What will you Îay, that, before the moon changes, she is not false to your rival? Oct. Don't torture me, Viletta. Vil. Sir, she begs your pardon; they have just sent for the priest; but they will be glad to see you about an hour hence, as soon as the wedding's over. Oct. Viletta! Vil. Sir, she says, in short, she cannot possibly speak with you now, for she is just going to be Vil. Come, sir, take heart; my life on't, you'll married. be the happy man at last. Oct. Thou art mad. Does she not tell me she's to marry? Oct. What dost thou mean? Vil. Sir, to be free with you, my mistress is grown wise at last; my advice, I perceive, begins to work with her, and your business is done. Oct. What was thy advice? Vil. Why, to give the post of husband to your rival, and put you in for a deputy. You know the business of the place, sir, if you mind it by the help of a few good stars, and a little moonshine, there's many a fair perquisite may fall in your way. Oct. Thou ravest, Viletta! 'tis impossible she can fall so low. Vil. Ah, sir, you cannot think how love will humble a body! Oct. I'll believe nothing ill of her, till her own mouth confess it: she can never own this letter: she cannot but know I should stab her with reproaches: therefore, dear Viletta, ease me of my torments; go this moment, and tell her I'm upon the rack till I speak with her. Vil. Sir, I dare not for the world! the old gentleman's with her; he'll knock my brains out. Oct. I'll protect thee with my life. Vil. Sir, I would not venture to do it for for-for-yes, I would for a pistole. Oct. Confound her!-There, there 'tis: dear Viletta, be my friend this time, and I'll be thine for ever. Oct. Death! daggers! blood! confusion! and ten thousand furies! Vil. Hey-day! what's all this for? Vil. Aye, by my troth, so one would think, if one could but believe you had any at all: if you have three grains, I'm sure you cannot but know her compliance with this match must give her a little liberty; and can you suppose she'd desire to see you an hour hence, if she did not design to make use of it? Oct. Use of it! Death! When the wedding's over? Vil. Dear sir, but the bedding won't be over, and, I presume, that's the ceremony you have a mind to be master of. Oct. Don't flatter me, Viletta. Vil. Faith, sir, I'll be very plain: you are, to me, the dullest person I ever saw in my life; but, if you have a mind, I'll tell her you won't come. Oct. No, don't say So, Viletta. Vil. Then pray, sir, do as she bids you: don't stay here to spoil your own sport; you'll have the old gentleman come thundering down upon ye by-and-by, and then we shall have ye at your ten thousand furies again. Hist! Here's company; good-bye to ye. Oct. How now, [Exit VILETTA what's the meaning of this? Enter DON PHILIP, his sword drawn, and D. Phi. Come, sir, there's no retreating now; this you must justify. Trap. Sir, I will, and a great deal more; but, pray, sir, give me leave to recover my courage I protest, the keen looks of that instrument have quite frighted it away. Pray, put it up, sir. D. Phi. Nay, to let thee see I had rather be thy friend than enemy, I'll bribe thee to be honest. Discharge thy conscience like a man, and I'll engage to make these five ten pieces. Enter a Servant. Trap. Sir, your business will be done effectually. D. Phi. Here, friend, will ye tell your master I desire to speak with him? Oct. Don Philip! D. Phi. Octavio! this is fortunate indeed! the only place in the world I would have wished to have found ye in. Oct. What's the matter? D. Phi. You'll see presently. But, prithee, how stands your affair with your mistress? Oct. The devil take me if I can tell ye!I don't know what to make of her; about an hour ago, she was for scaling walls to come at me; and this minute-whip, she's going to marry the stranger I told you of; nay, confesses, too, 'tis with her own consent; and yet begs, by all means, to see me as soon as her wedding's over. Is it not very pretty? D. Phi. Ay, I found an impudent young rascal here before me, that had taken my name upon him, robbed me of my portmanteau, and, by virtue of some papers there, knew all my concerns to a tittle: he has told a plausible tale to her father, faced him down that I'm an impostor, and, if I don't this minute prevent him, is going to marry the lady. Oct. Death and hell! [Aside.] What sort of fellow was this rascal? D. Phi. A little pert coxcomb: by his impudence and dress, I guess him to be some French page. Oct. A white wig, red coat D. Phi. Right; the very picture of the little Englishman we knew at Paris. Oct. Confusion! my friend at last my rival, too-Yet hold-my rival is my friend; he owns he has not seen her yet[Aside. D. Phi. You seem concerned. Oct. Undone for ever, unless dear Philip's still my friend. D. Phi. What's the matter? Oct. Be generous, and tell me, have I ever yet deserved your friendship? D. Phi. I hope my actions have confessed it. Oct. Forgive my fears, and, since 'tis impossible you can feel the pain of loving her you are engaged to marry, not having (as you own) yet ever seen her, let me conjure you, by all the ties of honour, friendship, and pity, never to attempt her more. D. Phi. You amaze me ! Oct. 'Tis the same dear creature I so passionately dote on. Ď. Phi. Is it possible? Nay, then, be easy in thy thoughts, Octavio; and now I dare confess the folly of my own: I'm not sorry thou art my rival here. In spite of all my weak philosophy, I must own, the secret wishes of my soul are still Hypolita's. I know not why; but yet, methinks, the unaccountable repulses I have met with here, look like an omen of some new, though far distant, hope of her. I can't help thinking, that my fortune still resolves, spite of her cruelty, to make me one day happy. Oct. Quit but Rosara, I'll engage she shall be yours. D. Phi. Not only that, but will assist you, with my life, to gain her: I shall easily excuse myself to my father for not marrying the mistress of my dearest friend. Oct. Dear Philip, let me embrace you! But how shall we manage the rascal of an impostor? Suppose you run immediately, and swear the robbery against him? D. Phi. I was just going about it; but, accidentally meeting with this fellow, has luckily prevented me, who, you must know, has been chief engineer in the contrivance against me; but, between threats, bribes, and promises, has confessed the whole roguery, and is now ready to swear it against him: so, because I understand the spark is very near his marriage, I thought this would be the best and soonest way to detect him. Oct. That's right; the least delay might have lost all besides, I am here to strengthen his evidence; for I can swear that you are the true Don Philip. D. Phi. Right. Trap. Sir, with humble submission, that will be quite wrong. Oct. Why so? Trap. Because, sir, the old gentleman is substantially convinced, that 'tis you who have put Don Philip upon laying this pretended claim to his daughter, purely to defer the marriage, that, in the mean time, you might get an opportunity to run away with her; for which reason, sir, you'll find your evidence will but fly in your face, and hasten the match with your rival. D. Phi. Ha! There's reason in that. All your endeavours will but confirm his jealousy of me. Oct. What would you have me do? Trap. Don't appear at the trial, sir. D. Phi. By no means! rather wait a little in | know how he deserves to be treated; and that the street: be within call, and leave the manage ment to me. Oct. Be careful, dear Philip. D. Phi. I always used to be more fortunate in serving my friend than myself. Oct. But, hark ye, here lives an Alguazil at the next house; suppose I should send him to you to secure the spark in the mean time? D. Phi. Do so: we must not lose a moment. D. Phi. You'll soon hear of me: away. [Erit OCT. Trap. So, now I have divided the enemy, there can be no great danger if it should come to a battle-Basta! here comes our party. D. Phi. Stand aside till I call for you. [TRAP. retires. Enter DoN MANUEL. D. Man. Well, sir, what service have you to command me now, pray? we may have no hard words upon one another, if you please, sir, let me first talk with you in pri[They whisper. vate. Hyp. Undone! that fool Trappanti, or that villain, I know not which, has at least mistaken or betrayed me! Ruined past redemption! Flo. Our affairs, methinks, begin to look with a very indifferent face. Ha! the old Don seems surprised-I don't like that-What shall we do? Hyp. I am at my wit's end. [Aside. Flo. Then we must either confess, or to gaol, that's positive. Hyp. I'll rather starve there than be discovered. Should he at last marry with Rosara, the very shame of this attempt would kill me. Flo. Death! what d'ye mean? that hanging look were enough to confirm a suspicion: bear up, for shame! Hyp. Impossible! I am dashed, confounded: if thou hast any courage left, shew it quickly. Go, speak before my fears betray me. Aside. D. Man. If you can make this appear by any D. Phi. Now, sir, I hope my credit will stand a little fairer with you: all I beg is but your pa-witness, sir, I confess 'twill surprize me indeed. tient hearing. D. Man. Well, sir, you shall have it. But, then, I must beg one favour of you, too, which is, to make the business as short as you can; for to tell you the truth, I am not very willing to have any farther trouble about it. D. Phi. Sir, if I don't now convince you of your error, believe and use me like a villain; in the mean time, sir, I hope you'll think of a proper punishment for the merry gentleman that hath imposed upon you. D. Man. With all my heart; I'll leave him to thy mercy. Here he comes; bring him to trial as soon as you please. Enter FLORA and HYPOLITA, Flo. So! Trippanti has succeeded; he's come without the officers. [To HYP. Hyp. Hearing, sir, you were below, I did not care to disturb the family, by putting the officers to the trouble of a needless search: let me see your warrant; I'm ready to obey it. D. Man. Ay, where's your officer? Flo. I thought to have seen him march in state, with an Alguazil before him. D. Phi. I was afraid, sir, upon second thoughts, your business would not stay for a warrant, though 'tis possible I may provide for you, for I think this gentleman's a magistrate: in the mean time—O! here, I have prevailed with an alguazil to wait upon ye. Enter Alguazil. Alg. Did you send for me, sir? D. Phi. Ay, secure that gentleman. D. Man. Hold, hold, sir! all things in order: this gentleman is yet my guest; let me be first acquainted with his crime, and then I shall better Flo. Ay, sir, if you have any witnesses, we desire you'd produce them. D. Phi. Sir, I have a witness at your service, and a substantial one.- -Hey! Trappanti! Enter TRAPPANTI. Now, sir, what think ye? Hyp. Ha! the rogue winks-then there's life again. [Aside.] Is this your witness, sir? D. Phi. Yes, sir; this poor fellow, at last, it seems, happens to be honest enough to confess himself a rogue, and your accomplice. Hyp. Ha, ha! D. Phi. Ha, ha! you are very merry, sir. D. Man. Nay, there's a jest between ye, that's certain-But, come, friend, what say you to the business? have ye any proof to offer upon oath, that this gentleman is the true Don Philip, and consequently, this other an impostor? D. Phi. Speak boldly. Trap. Ay, sir; but shall I come to no harm, if I do speak? D. Man. Let it be the truth, and I'll protect thee. Trap. Are you sure I shall be safe, sir? D. Man. I'll give you my word of honour: speak boldly to the question. Trap. Well, sir, since I must speak, then, in the first place, I desire your honour would be pleased to command the officer to secure that gentleman. D. Man. How, friend! D. Phi. Secure me, rascal! Trap. Sir, if I can't be protected, I shall never be able to speak. D. Man. I warrant thee-What is it you say, friend? Trap. Sir, as I was just now crossing the street, this gentleman, with a sneer in his face, takes me by the hands, claps five pistoles in my palm, (here they are) shuts my fist close upon them; iny dear friend, says he, you must do me a piece of service; upon which, sir, I bows me to the ground, and desired him to open his case. D. Phi. What means the rascal? D. Man. Sir, I am as much amazed as you; but pray let's hear him, that we may know his meaning. Trap. So, sir, upon this he runs me over a long story of a sham and a flam he had just contrived, he said, to defer my master's marriage only for two days. D. Man. Nay, nay, nay, one at a time; you shall be heard presently. Go on, friend. Trap. Having me at this advantage, sir, I began to think my wit would do me more service than my courage; so, prudently pretended, out of fear, to comply with his threats, and swallow the perjury; but, now, sir, being under protection, and at liberty of conscience, I have honesty enough, you see, to tell you the whole truth of the matter. D. Man. Ay, this is evidence, indeed! D. Phi. Dog! villain! did not you confess to me that this gentleman picked you up, not three hours ago, at the same inn where I alighted? that he had owned his stealing my portmanteau at Toledo? that, if he succeeded to marry the lady, you were to have a considerable sun for your pains; and these two were to share the rest of her fortune between them? Trap. O lud! O lud! Sir, as I hope to die in my bed, these are the very words he threatened to stab me if I would not swear against my master I told him at first, sir, I was not fit for kis business; I was never good at a lie in my life. VOL. II. Alg. Nay, sir, I saw this gentleman's sword at his breast, out of my window. Trap. Look ye there, sir! D. Phi. Damnation ! Omn. Ha, ha, ha! D. Man. Really, my friend, thou art almost turned fool in this business: if thou hadst prevailed upon this wretch to perjure himself, couldst thou think I should not have detected him? But, poor man! you were a little hard put to it, indeed; any shift was better than none, it seems: you knew 'twould not be long to the wedding. You may go, friend. [Exit ALGUAZIL. Flo. Ha, ha! D. Phi. Sir, by my eternal hopes of peace and happiness, you're imposed on! If you proceed thus rashly, your daughter is inevitably ruined. If what I have said be not true in fact, as hell or he is false, may Heaven brand me with the severest marks of perjury! Defer the marriage but an hour. D. Man. Ay, and in half that time, I suppose, you are in hopes to defer it for altogether. D. Phi. Perdition seize me, if I have any hope or thought but that of serving you! D. Man. Nay, now, thou art a downright distracted man--Dost thou expect I should take thy bare word, when here were two honest fellows that have just proved thee in a lie to thy face? Enter a Servant. Ser. Sir, the priest is come. D. Man. Is he so? then, sir, if you please, since you see you can do me no farther service, I believe it may be time for you to go.—Come, son, now let's wait upon the bride, and put an end to this gentleman's trouble altogether. [Exit DON MANUEL. Hyp. Sir, I'll wait on ye. D. Phi. Confusion! I've undone my friend. [Walks about. Flo. [Aside.] Trappanti! rogue, this was a master-piece. Trap. [Aside.] Sir, I believe it won't be mended in haste. [Exeunt FLO. and TRAP. Hyp. Sir. D. Phi. Ha! alone! If I were not prevented now -Well, sir. Hyp. I suppose you don't think the favours you have designed me are to be put up without satisfaction; therefore, I shall expect to see you early to-morrow, near the Prado, with your sword in your hand; in the mean time, sir, I'm a little more in haste to be the lady's humble servant than your's. [Going. D. Phi. Hold, sir!-you and I can't part upon such easy terms. Hyp. Sir! D. Phi. You are not so near the lady, sir, perhaps, as you imagine. [D. PHI. locks the door. Hyp. What d'ye mean? D. Phi. Speak softly. 3 D Hyp. Ha! D. Phi. Come, sir-draw. Hyp. My ruin has now caught me: my plots are yet unripe for execution; I must not, dare not, let him know me till I am sure at least he cannot be another's-This was the very spite of fortune. [Aside. D. Phi. Come, sir, my time's but short. D. Phi. O! we'll make shift with it. Hyp. A lover, sir, may bear any thing to make sure of his mistress-You know it is not fear that D. Phi. No evasions, sir; either this moment confess your villany, your name and fortune, or expect no mercy. Hyp. Nay, then-within there! D. Phi. Move but a step, or dare to raise thy voice beyond a whisper, this minute is thy last. [Seizes her, and holds his sword to her breast. Hyp. Sir! [Trembling, D. Phi. Villain! be quick, confess, or―― Hyp. Hold, sir!- -I own I dare not fight with you. D. Phi. No, I see thou art too poor a villain therefore, be speedy, as thou hopest I'll spare thy life. Hyp. Give me but a moment's respite, sir. Hyp. Nay, then, sir-Mercy, mercy! D. Phi. Thy love! what art thou, speak? Hup. Unless your generous compassion spares me, sure the most wretched youth, that ever felt the pangs and torments of a successless passion. D. Phi. Art thou indeed a lover, then?-tell me thy condition? passion still were vain; nor showers of tears, nor storms of sighs, could melt or move the frozen hardness of her dead compassion! D. Phi. How very near my condition! [Aside. Hyp. But yet so subtle is the flame of love, spite of her cruelty, I nourished still a secret living hope, till hearing, sir, at last she was designed your bride, despair compelled me to this bold attempt of personating you. Her father knew not me, or my unhappy love; I knew, too, you ne'er had seen her face; and, therefore, hoped, when I should offer to repair, with twice the worth, the value, sir, I robbed you of, begging thus low for your forgiveness; I say, I hoped, at least, your generous heart, if ever it was touched like mine, would pity my distress, and pardon the necessitated wrong. D. Phi. Is't possible? hast thou then loved to this unfortunate degree? Hyp. Unfortunate, indeed, if you are still my rival, sir; but, were you not, I'm sure you'd pity c. D. Phi. Nay, then, I must forgive thee; [Raising her.] for I have known too well the misery, not to pity-any thing in love. Hyp. Have you, sir, been unhappy there? D. Phi. Oh! thou hast probed a wound that time or art can never heal. Hyp. O joyful sound!--[Aside.] Cherish that generous thought, and hope, from ny success, your mistress, or your fate, inay make you blest like me. D. Phi. Yet, hold-nor flatter thy fond hopes too far; for, though I pity and forgive thee, yet I am bound in honour to assist thy love no farther than the justice of thy cause permits. Hyp. What mean you, sir? D. Phi. You must defer your marriage with this lady. Hyp. Defer it, sir! I hope it is not her you love! D. Phi. I have a nearest friend that is beloved, and loves her with an equal flame to yours; to him, my friendship will oblige me to be just; and, yet, in pity of thy fortune, thus far I'll be a friend to thee; give up thy title to the lady, and if her choice pronounces thee the man, "I here assure thee, on my honour, to resign my claim, and, not more partial to my friend than thee, promote thy happiness. Hyp. Alas, sir! this is no relief, but certain ruin. I am too well assured she loves your friend. Hyp. Sir, I confess my fortune's much inferior to my pretences in this lady, though, indeed, I'm born a gentleman; and, bating this attempt against you, which even the last extremities of a ruined love have forced me to, ne'er yet was guilty of a deed, or thought, that could debase my birth: but, if you knew the torments I have borne from her disdainful pride, the anxious days, the long-watched winter nights I have endured, to gain of her, perhaps, at last a cold relentless look, indeed, you'd pity me. My heart was so entirely subdued, the more she slighted me, the more I loved; and, as my pains increased, grew farther Hyp. Alas, sir! women have fantastic tastes, from cure. Her beauty struck me with that sub-that love they know not what, and hate they missive awe, that, when I dared to speak, my know not why; else, sir, why are you unfortuwords and looks were softer than an infant's nate? blushes; but, all these pangs of my persisting : D. Phi. Then, you confess his claim the fairer her loving him is a proof that he deserves her; if so, you are bound in honour to resign her. D. Phi, I am unfortunate, but would rather |