SCENE III.-Changes to the inside of the house. Enter MARPLOT and servant. Ser. Sir, please to stay here; I'll send my master to you. [Exit. Mar. So, this was a good contrivance. If this be Charles now, he will wonder how I found him out. Enter servant and SIR JEALOUS. Sir Jeal. What is your earnest business, blockhead, that you must speak with me before the ceremony's past? Ha! who's this? Ser, Why, this gentleman, sir, wants another gentleman in a Spanish habit, he says. Sir Jeal. In a Spanish habit! 'tis some friend of signior Don Diego's, I warrant. Sir, your ser vant. Mar. Your servant, sir. Sir Jeal. I suppose you would speak with signior Babinetto. Mar. Sir! Sir Jeal. I say, I suppose you would speak with signior Babinetto. Mar. Hey day! What the devil does he say now? Sir, I don't understand you. Sir Jeal. Don't you understand Spanish, sir? Sir Jeal. I thought you had known signior Babinetto. Mar. Not I, upon my word, sir. Sir Jeal. What then, you'd speak with his Enter a servant of SIR JEALOUS's to him, out of friend, the English merchant, Mr Meanwell? the house. Hark'e, sir, do you belong to this house? Ser. Yes, sir, Mar. Isn't your name Richard! Ser. No, sir, Thomas. Mar. Neither, sir, not I; I don't mean any such thing. Sir Jeal. Why, who are you, then, sir? And what do you want? [In an angry tone. Mar. Nay, nothing at all; not I, sir. Pox on Mar. Oh, aye, Thomas-Well, Thomas, him! I wish I were out; he begins to exalt his there's a shilling for you. Ser. Thank you, sir. Mar. Pray, Thomas, can you tell if there be a gentleman in it in a Spanish habit? Ser. There's a Spanish gentleman within, that is just a-going to marry my young lady, sir. Mar. Are you sure he is a Spanish gentle man? Ser. I'm sure he speaks no English that I hear of. Mar. Then that cannot be him I want; for 'tis an English gentleman that I inquire after; he may be dressed like a Spaniard, for aught I know. Ser. Ha! Who knows but this may be an impostor? I'll inform my master; for, if he should be imposed upon, he'll beat us all round.-[Aside.] -Pray, come in, sir, and see if this be the person you inquire for. -Now for't. Mar. Aye, I'll follow you [Exeunt. voice; I shall be beaten again. Sir Jeal. Nothing at all, sir! Why, then, what business have you in my house? ha! Ser. You said you wanted a gentleman in a Spanish habit. Mar. Why, aye; but his name is neither Babinetto nor Meanwell. Sir Jeal. What is his name, then, sirrah? Ha! Now I look at you again, I believe you are the rogue that threatened me with half-a-dozen myrmidons Mar. Me, sir! I never saw your face in all my life, before. Sir Jeal. Speak, sir, who is it you look for? or, or Mar. A terrible old dog! Why, sir, only an honest young fellow of my acquaintance-I thought that here might be a ball, and that he might have been here in masquerade. "Tis Charles, sir Francis Gripe's son, because I knew he used to come hither sometimes. Sir Jeal. Did he so? not that I know of, I'm sure. Pray Heaven that this be Don Diego-If I should be tricked now-Ha! my heart misgives me plaguily-Within there! stop the marriageRun, sirrah; call all my servants! I'll be satisfied that this is signior Pedro's son, ere he has my daughter. Mar. Ha! Sir George! What have I done, now? Enter SIR GEORGE, with a drawn sword, between the scenes. Sir Geo. Ha! Marplot here-oh, the unlucky dog!-What's the matter, sir Jealous? Sir Jeal. Nay, I don't know the matter, Mr Meanwell. Mar. Upon my soul, sir George [Going up to SIR GEORGE. Sir Jeal. Nay, then, I'm betrayed, ruined, undone! Thieves, traitors, rogues!-[Offers to go in.-Stop the marriage, I say Sir Geo. I say, go on, Mr Tackum. Nay, no entering here; I guard this passage, old gentleman: the act and deed were both your own, and I'll see them signed, or die for't. Enter Serpant. Sir Jeal. A pox on the act and deed! Fall on, knock him down. Sir Geo. Aye, come on, scoundrels! I'll prick your jackets for you. Sir Jeal. Zounds! sirrah, I'll be revenged on you. [Beats MARPLOT. Sir Geo. Aye, there your vengeance is due. Ha, ha, ha! Mar. Why, what do you beat me for? I han't married your daughter. Sir Jeal. Rascals! Why don't you knock him down? Ser. We are afraid of his sword, sir; if you'll take that from him, we'll knock him down presently. Enter CHARLES and ISABINDA. Sir Jeal. Seize her, then! Cha. Rascals! retire; she's my wife; touch her if you dare; I'll make dog's meat of you. Mar. Aye, I'll make dog's meat of you, rascals! Sir Jeal. Ah! downright English---Oh, oh, oh, oh! Enter SIR FRANCIS GRIPE, MIRANDA, PATCH, SCENTWELL, and WHISPER. Sir Fran. Into the house of joy we enter, without knocking-Ha! I think 'tis the house of sorrow, sir Jealous. Sir Jeal. Oh, sir Francis, are you come? what! was this your contrivance, to abuse, trick, and chouse me out of my child? Sir Fran. My contrivance! What do you mean? Sir Jeal. No, you don't know your son, there, in a Spanish habit? Sir Fran. How! my son in a Spanish habit! Sirrah, you'll come to be hanged. Get out of sight, ye dog! get out of my sight! Sir Jeal. Get out of your sight, sir! get out with your bags. Let's see what you'll give him now, to maintain my daughter on. Sir Fran. Give him! he shall never be the better for a penny of mine-and you might have looked after your daughter better, sir Jealous.Tricked, quotha! Egad, I think you designed to trick me: but, look ye, gentlemen, I believe I shall trick you both. This lady is my wife, do you see, and my estate shall descend only to the heirs of her body. Sir Geo. Lawfully begotten by me--I shall be extremely obliged to you, sir Francis. Sir Fran. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Poor sir George! You see your prospect was of no use; does not your hundred pound stick in your stomach? Ha, ha, ha! Sir Geo. No, faith, sir Francis; this lady has given me a cordial for that. [Takes her by the hand. Sir Fran. Hold, sir, you have nothing to say to this lady. Sir Geo. Nor you nothing to do with my wife, sir. Sir Fran. Wife, sir? Mir. Aye, really, guardian, 'tis even so. I hope you'll forgive my first offence. Sir Fran. What! Have you choused me out of my consent, and your writings, then, mistress, ha? Mir. Out of nothing but my own, guardian. Sir Jeal. Ha, ha, ha! 'tis some comfort, at least, to see you are over-reached as well as myself. Will you settle your estate upon your son now? Sir Fran. He shall starve first. Mir. That I have taken care to prevent.— There, sir, are the writings of your uncle's estate, which have been your due these three years. [Gives CHARLES papers. Cha. I shall study to deserve this favour. Mar. Now, how the devil could she get those writings, and I know nothing of it! Sir Fran. What, have you robbed me too, mistress! Egad, I'll make you restore themhussy, I will so. Sir Jeal. Take care I don't make you pay the arrears, sir. Tis well 'tis no worse, since 'tis no better. Come, young man, seeing thou hast outwitted me, take her, and bless you both! Cha. I hope, sir, you'll bestow your blessing, too; 'tis all I ask. [Kneels. Mar. Do, Gardy, do. [Exit SIR FRANCIS. Charles; thou'lt thrive not one jot the worse for them. Since this gentleman is reconciled, we are all made happy. Sir Jeal. I always loved precaution, and took care to avoid dangers; but, when a thing was past, I ever had philosophy to be easy. Cha. Which is the true sign of a great soul. I loved your daughter, and she me; and you shall have no reason to repent her choice. Isa. You will not blame me, sir, for loving my own country best. Mar. So, here's every body happy, I find, but poor Pilgarlick. I wonder what satisfaction I shall have for being cuffed, kicked, and beaten in your service! Sir Jeal. I have been a little too familiar with you, as things are fallen out; but, since there's no help for't, you must forgive me. Mar. Egad, I think so-but, provided that you be not so familiar for the future. Sir Geo. Thou hast been an unlucky rogue. Cha. That I'll vouch for, and freely forgive thee. Sir Geo. And I'll do you one piece of service more, Marplot; I'll take care that sir Francis make you master of your estate. Mar. That will make me as happy as any of you, Patch. Your humble servant begs leave to remind you, madam. Isa. Sir, I hope you'll give me leave to take Patch into favour again. Sir Jeal. Nay, let your husband look to that; I have done with my care. Cha. Her own liberty shall always oblige me. Here's nobody but honest Whisper and Mrs Scentwell, to be provided for, now. It shall be left to their choice to marry, or keep their ser vices. Whis. Nay, then, I'll stick to my master. Scent. Coxcomb! and I prefer my lady before a footman. Sir Jeal. Hark! I hear the music; the fiddlers smell a wedding. What say you, young fellows, will you have a dance? Sir Geo. With all my heart; call them in. [A Dance.] Sir Jeal. Now, let us in, and refresh ourselves with a cheerful glass, in which we'll bury all animosities: and, By my example let all parents move, And never strive to cross their childrens' love. But still submit that care to Providence above. [Exeunt omnes, SCENE I-A Street. Enter DON LOPEZ, meeting FREDErick. Fred. My Lord, Don Lopez! Lop. How d'ye, Frederick? ACT I. Fred. At your Lordship's service. I am glad to see you look so well, my lord. I hope Antonio's out of danger? Lop. Quite contrary; his fever increases, they tell me; and the surgeons are of opinion his wound is mortal. Fred. Your son, Don Felix, is safe, I hope? Lop. I hope so, too; but they offer large rewards to apprehend him. Fred. When heard your lordship from him? Lop. Not since he went: I forbade him wri ting till the public news gave him an account of Antonio's health. Letters might be intercepted, and the place of his abode discovered. Fred. Your caution was good, my lord. Though I am impatient to hear from Felix, yet his safety is my chief concern. Fortune has maliciously struck a bar between us in the affairs of life, but she has done me the honour to unite our souls. Lop. I am not ignorant of the friendship between my son and you: I have heard him commend your morals, and lament your want of noble birth. Fred. That's nature's fault, my lord. It is some comfort not to owe one's misfortunes to one's self; yet it is impossible not to regret the want of noble birth. Lop. Tis a pity, indeed, such excellent parts, as you are master of, should be eclipsed by mean extraction. Fred. Such commendation would make me vain, my lord, did you not cast in the allay of my extraction. Lop. There is no condition of life without its cares; and it is the perfection of a man to wear them as easy as he can: this unfortunate duel of my son's does not pass without impression; but since it is past prevention, all my concern is now how he may escape the punishment. If Antonio dies, Felix shall for England. You have been there; what sort of people are the English? Fred. My lord, the English are, by nature, what the ancient Romans were by discipline, courageous, bold, hardy, and in love with liberty. Liberty is the idol of the English, under whose banner all the nation lists: give but the word for liberty, and straight more armed legions would appear, than France and Philip keep in constant pay. Lop. I like their principles: who does not wish for freedom in all degrees of life? though common prudence sometimes makes us act a gainst it, as I am now obliged to do; for, I intend to marry my daughter to Don Guzman, whom I expect from Holland every day, whither he went to take possession of a large estate left him by his uncle. Fred. You will not surely sacrifice the lovely Isabella to age, avarice, and a fool? Pardon the expression, my lord; but my concern for your beauteous daughter transports me beyond that good manners which I ought to pay your lordship's presence. Lop. I can't deny the justness of the character, Frederick; but you are not insensible what I have suffered by these wars; and he has two things which render him very agreeable to me for a son-in-law-he is rich and well born: as for his being a fool, I don't conceive how that can be any blot in a husband, who is already possessed of a good estate. A poor fool, indeed, is a very scandalous thing, and so are your poor wits, in my opinion, who have nothing to be vain of but the inside of their sculls. Now, for Don Guzman, I know I can rule him as I think fit.— This is acting the politic part, Frederick, without which, it is impossible to keep up the port of this life. Fred. But have you no consideration for your daughter's welfare, my lord? Lop. Is a husband of twenty thousand crowns a-year no consideration? Now, I think it a very good consideration. Fred. One way, my lord. But what will the world say of such a match? Lop. Sir, I value not the world a button. Fred. I cannot think your daughter can have any inclination for such a husband. Lop. There, I believe, you are pretty much | in the right, though it is a secret which I never had the curiosity to enquire into, nor, I believe, ever shall. Inclination, quotha! Parents would have a fine time on't, if they consulted their children's inclinations! I'll venture you a wager, that in all the garrison towns in Spain and Portugal during the late war, there was not three women who have not had an inclination for every officer in the whole army; does it, therefore, follow, that their fathers ought to pimp for them? No, no, sir; it is not a father's business to follow his children's inclinations till he makes himself a beggar. Fred. But this is of another nature, my lord. Lop. Look ye, sir; I resolve she shall marry Don Guzman the moment he arrives. Though I could not govern my son, I will my daughter, I assure you. Fred. This match, my lord, is more preposterous than that which you proposed to your son, from whence arose this fatal quarrel. Don Antonio's sister, Elvira, wanted beauty only; but Guzman every thing but Lop. Money and that will purchase every thing; and so adieu. [Exit. Fred. Monstrous! these are the resolutions which destroy the comforts of matrimony. He is rich and well-born; powerful arguments, indeed! could I but add them to the friendship of Don Felix, what might I not hope? But a merchant and a grandee of Spain are inconsistent names. Lissardo! from whence came you? Enter LISSARDO in a riding-habit. Lis. This letter will inform you, sir. Fred. I hope your master's safe? Lis. I left him so; I have another to deliver which requires haste. Your most humble servant, sir. [Bowing. Fred. To Violante, I suppose? [Erit. Fred. [Reads.] 'Dear Frederick! the two 'chief blessings of this life, are a friend and a mistress; to be debarred the sight of those, is 'not to live. I hear nothing of Antonio's death, and therefore resolve to venture to thy house this evening, impatient to see Violante, and embrace my friend. Your's. FELIX.' Pray Heaven he comes undiscovered! Ha! Colonel Briton! Enter COLONEL BRITON in a riding-habit. Col. Frederick, I rejoice to see thee. Fred. What brought you to Lisbon, colonel? Col. La fortune de la guerre, as the French say. I have commanded these three last years in Spain, but my country has thought fit to strike up a peace, and give us good Protestants leave to hope for christian burial; so I resolved to take Lisbon in my way home. |