Act II Scene, Leonora’s Apartment
Enter Leonora, Isabella, and Jacinta.
Leon. Dear Isabella, come in: How I am plagu’d with this troublesome Wretch! Jacinta, have you shut the outer Gates?
Jacin. I have, Madam.
Leo. Shut the Window too; we shall have him get in there, by and bye.
Isab. What’s this you are in such Apprehensions of, pray?
Leo. Nothing worth naming.
Isab. You dissemble: Something of Love in the Case, I’ll warrant you.
Leo. The Reverse on’t; ’tis Aversion. My Impertinent Star has furnish’d me with a Lover for my Guard, who is never from my Window; he persecutes me to Distraction; I affront him fifty Times a day; which he receives with a Bow down to the Ground: In short, all I can do, is doing nothing at all: He still persists in loving me, as much as I hate him.
Isab. Have a Care he don’t get the better on’t, for all that; for when a Man loves a Woman well enough to persevere, ’tis odds but she at last loves him well enough to make him give it over. But I think I had as good take off my Scarf; for, since my Brother Don Guzman knows I’m with you, he won’t quarrel at my return, for the Length of my Visit.
Leo. If he shou’d, I shou’d quarrel with him, which few Things else wou’d make me do. But methinks, Isabella, you are a little melancholy.
Isab. And you a little thoughtful.
Leo. Pray, tell me your Affliction.
Isab. Pray don’t conceal yours.
Leo. Why, truly, my Heart is not at ease.
Isab. Mine, I fear, never will.
Leo. My Father’s marrying me against my Inclination.
Isab. My Brother is hind’ring me from marrying with mine.
Leo. You know I love your Brother, Don Guzman.
Isab. And you shall know, I’m uneasy for Don John de Alvarada.
Leo. Don John!
Isab. The same.
Leo. Have you any Reason to hope for a Return?
Isab. I think so.
Leo. I’m afraid, my Dear, you abuse yourself.
Isab. Why?
Leo. Because he is already in Love with——
Isab. Who?
Leo. Me.
Isab. I wou’d not have you too positive in that, Madam, for I am very sure that——
Leo. Madam, I am very sure that he’s the troublesome Guest I just now complain’d of: And you may believe——
Isab. Madam, I can never believe he’s troublesome to any Body.
Leo. O, dear Madam! But I’m sure I’m forc’d to keep my Windows shut, till I’m almost dead with Heat; and that, I think, is troublesome.
Isab. This Mistake is easily set right, Leonora; our Houses join, and when he looks at my Window, you fancy ’tis at your’s.
Leo. But, when he attacks my Door, Madam, and almost breaks it down, I don’t know how in the World to fancy ’tis your’s.
Isab. A Man may do that to disguise his real Inclination.
Leo. Nay, if you please, believe he’s dying for you. I wish he were; then I shou’d be troubled no more with him. Be sure, Jacinta, you don’t open a Window to-night.
Isab. Not while I’m here, at least; for if he knows that, he may chance to press in.
Leo. Look you, Isabella, ’tis entirely alike to me, who he’s fond of; but I’m so much your Friend, I can’t endure to see you deceiv’d.
Isab. And since I have the same Kindness for you, Leonora, know, in short, that my Brother is so alarm’d at his Passion for me, that he has forbid him the Street.
Leo. Bless my Soul! and don’t you plainly see by that, he’s jealous of him upon my Account?
Isa. [Smiling.] He’s jealous of his Honour, Madam, lest he shou’d debauch his Sister.
Leo. I say, he’s jealous of his Love, lest he shou’d corrupt his Mistress.
Isab. But why all this Heat? If you love my Brother, why are you concern’d Don John shou’d love me?
Leo. I’m not concern’d: I have no Designs upon him; I care not who he loves.
Isab. Why then are you angry?
Leo. Why do you say he does not care for me!
Isab. Well, to content you then, I know nothing certain, but that I love him.
Leo. And to content you; I know nothing so certain, as that I neither love him, nor ever can love him: And so I hope we are Friends again.
Isab. Kiss me, then, and let us never be otherwise.
Leo. Agreed: [They kiss.] And now, my Dear, as my Misfortune’s nearest, I am first to be pity’d; I am the most wretched Woman living. My Father every Moment expects a Gentleman from Flanders, to whom he has resolv’d to marry me. But neither Duty, nor Prudence, nor Danger, nor Resolution, nor all I can summon to my Aid, can drive your Brother from my Heart; but there he’s fix’d to ruin me.
Jacin. Madam, here’s Don Guzman at the Chamber-Door; he begs so passionately to come in, sure you can’t refuse him.
Leo. Heav’ns! But does he consider to what he exposes me?
Jacin. Madam, he considers nothing; if he did, I’d say he were an impudent Fellow, to pretend to be in Love with you.
Leo. Shall I venture, Isabella?
Isab. You know best.
Enter Don Guzman.
Jacin. Marry, methinks he knows best of us all, for here he comes.
Don Guz. Forgive me, lovely Leonora; ’tis the last Time, perhaps, that I may beg your Pity. My Rival is not far off: Excess of Modesty is now our Ruin. Break through it, for this Moment you have left, and own, to your old Father, how you love. He once did so himself; our Scene of Sorrow may, perhaps, recall some small Remembrance of his tender Years, and melt him into Mercy.
Leo. Alas! Don Guzman——
Jacin. O Heavens! Madam——
Leo. What’s the Matter?
Jacin. Y’ are undone; here’s your Father.
Isab. What an unlucky Accident!
Leo. Has he seen Don Guzman?
Jacin. Nay, the deuce knows.
Isab. Where shall he hide himself?
Jacin. In the Moon, if he can get thither.
Enter Don Felix.
Don Guz. I must e’en stand it now.
Don Fel. Good News, my Daughter, good News; I come to acquaint you, that——How now? What’s the Meaning of this? Don Guzman in my Daughter’s Chamber!
Don Guz. I see your Surprize, Sir, but you need not be disturb’d; ’twas some sudden Business with my Sister brought me here.
Don Fel. ’Tis enough, Sir: I’m glad to find you here; you shall be a Witness, that I know how to preserve the Honour of my Family.
Don Guz. What mean you, Sir?
Don Fel. To marry Leonora this Moment.
Don Guz. How say you?
Don Fel. I say, you shall have nothing left to ask of me.
Don Guz. Is’t possible? O Heavens! what Joy I feel!
Don Fel. Leonora, prepare your Hand and Heart.
Leo. They both are ready, Sir; and in giving me the Man I love, you charge me with a Debt of Gratitude can never be repay’d.
Don Guz. [Kneeling.] Upon my Knees, I thank the best of Men, for blessing me with all that’s blest in Woman.
Isab. How well that kind, that gentle Look becomes him!
Jacin. Now, methinks he looks like an old Rogue; I don’t like his Looks.
[Aside.
Enter Lopez.
Lop. To all whom it may concern, greeting, Don Pedro Osorio, acknowledging himself most unworthy of the Honour intended him, in the Person of the fair Leonora, addresses himself, by me, his small Ambassador, to the Generosity of Don Felix, for leave to walk in and take Possession.
Don Fel. I had already given Order for his Entrance.
Don Guz. What is’t I hear?
Leo. Support me.
Isab. She faints.
Don Guz. Look, Tyrant, here, and, if thou can’st, be cruel!
[Holding her.
Don Fel. Bring in Don Pedro.
Don Guz. Barbarian!
Jacin. Look up, Madam, for Heaven’s sake; since you must marry the Fellow, e’en make the most on’t.
Leo. Hoh——
Enter Don Pedro and Don John.
Jacin. So——How d’ye do now? Come, chear up. See, here he comes. By my Troth, and a pretty turn’d Fellow. [Aside.] He’ll set all to rights by to-morrow Morning, I’ll answer for him.
Don Fel. Don Pedro, you are welcome; let me embrace you.
Don Ped. In what Terms, Sir, shall I express what I owe you for the Honour you do me? And with what Prospect of Return can I receive this inestimable Present? Your Picture, Madam, made what Impression Art cou’d stamp, but Nature has done more. What Wounds your Sex can give, or ours receive, I feel.
Don Fel. Come, Son, (for I’m in haste to call you so)——But what’s this I see? Alvarada here! Whence, Sir, this Insolence; to come within my Doors, after you know what has past? Who brought you here?
Don Ped. ’Twas I, Sir.
Don Fel. But do you know that he——
Don Ped. Sir, he’s the best of my Friends.
Don Fel. But do you know, I say, that he wou’d——
Don Ped. Hinder this Marriage, ’tis true.
Don Fel. Yes, because he design’d——
Don Ped. I know his Design, Sir; ’tis to hinder all his Friends from marrying. Pray forgive him.
Don Fel. Then to prevent for ever his Designs here, come hither, Leonora, and give Don Pedro your Hand.
Don John. Keep down, my kindling Jealousy: I’ve something tortures me I never felt but now.
[Aside.
Don Ped. [To Leo.] Why this Backwardness, Madam? Where a Father chooses, a Daughter may with Modesty approve. Pray, give me your Hand.
Don Guz. I cannot see it.
[Turning from ’em.
Don Fel. [To Leo. aside.] Are you distracted? Will you let him know your Folly? Give him your Hand, for Shame.
Leo. Hoh! Don Guzman, I am yours.
[Sighing, and giving carelesly her Hand.
Don Guz. Madam!
[Turning.
Don Fel. What a fatal Slip!
[Aside.
Leo. ’Twas not to you I spoke, Sir.
Don Ped. But him it was she nam’d, and thought on too, I fear. I’m much alarm’d.
Don Fel. [To Leo.] Repair what you have done, and look more chearful on him.
Leo. Repair what you have done, and kill me.
Don Fel. Fool.
Leo. Tyrant.
Jacin. A very hum-drum Marriage this.
[Aside.
Don Guz. Pray, Sister, let’s retire; for I can bear this Sight no longer.
Isab. My Dear, farewel; I pity you, indeed.
Leo. I am indeed an Object of your Pity.
[Exit Don Guz. and Isab.
Don Fel. Come, Daughter, come, my Son, let’s to the Church, and tie this happy Knot.
Don Ped. I’ll wait upon you, Sir.
[Exit Don Fel. leading Leo.
Don John. I love her, and I’ll love her still. Fate do thy worst, I’ll on.
[Aside.
Don Ped. To name another Man, in giving me her Hand!
Don John. [Aside.] How am I rackt and torn with Jealousy?
Don Ped. ’Tis doubtless so, Don Guzman has her Heart.
[Aside.
Don John. [Aside.] The Bridegroom’s thoughtful. The Lady’s Trip has furnish’d him with some Matrimonial Reflections: They’ll agree with him at this Time perhaps, better than my Company. I’ll leave him. Don Pedro, adieu, we shall meet again at Night.
Don Ped. Pray stay: I have need of a Friend’s Counsel.
Don John. What, already!
Don Ped. Already.
Don John. That’s to say, you have already enough of Matrimony.
Don Ped. I scarce know what I have, nor am I sure of what I am.
Enter Lopez.
Lop. An’t please your Honour, yonder’s your Man Bertrand just arriv’d; his Horse and he are so tired of one another, that they both came down upon the Pavement at the Stable-Door.
Don Ped. [To Don John.] He brings News from my Father.
Lop. I believe he does, and hasty News too; but if you stay till he brings it hither, I believe it will come but slowly. But here’s his Packet; I suppose that will do as well as his Company.
[Gives a Letter.
Don Ped. [Reads to himself.] My dear friend, here’s ill News.
Don John. What’s the Matter?
Don Ped. My poor old Father’s dying.
Don John. I’m mighty sorry for’t; ’tis a weighty Stroke I must confess; the Burden of his Estate will almost bear you down. But we must submit to Heaven’s good Will.
Don Ped. You talk, Alvarada, like a perfect Stranger to that Tenderness methinks every Son shou’d feel for a good Father: For my part, I’ve receiv’d such repeated Proofs of an uncommon Affection from mine, that the Loss of a Mistress could scarce touch me nearer. You’ll believe me, when you see me leave Leonora a Virgin, till I have seen the good old Man.
Don John. That will be a Proof, indeed; Heaven’s Blessing must needs fall upon so dutiful a Son; but I don’t know how its Judgments may deal with so indifferent a Lover.
Don Ped. O! I shall have Time enough to repair this seeming small Neglect: But before I go, pray a Word or two with you alone. Lopez, wait without. [Exit Lop.] You see, my dearest Friend, I am engag’d with Leonora; perhaps I have done wrong; but ’tis gone too far, to talk or think of a Retreat; I shall I go directly from this Place to the Altar, and there seal the eternal Contract. That done, I’ll take Post to see my Father, if I can, before he dies. I leave then here a young and beauteous Bride; but that which touches every String of Thought, I fear, I leave her wishing I were Guzman. If it be so, no doubt he knows it well; and he that knows he’s lov’d by Leonora, can let no fair Occasion pass to gain her; my Absence is his Friend, but you are mine, and so the Danger’s balanc’d. Into your Hands, my Dear, my faithful Alvarada, [Embracing him.] I put my Honour, I put my Life; for both depend on Leonora’s Truth. Observe her Lover, and——neglect not her. You are wise, you are active, you are brave and true. You have all the Qualities that Man shou’d have for such a Trust; and I by consequence have all the Assurance Man can have, you’ll, as you ought, discharge it.
Don John. A very hopeful Business you wou’d have me undertake, keep a Woman honest!—‘Sdeath, I’d as soon undertake to keep Portocarero honest. Look you, we are Friends, intimate Friends; you must not be angry if I talk freely. Women are naturally bent to Mischief, and their Actions run in one continued Torrent till they die. But the less a Torrent’s check’d, the less Mischief it does; let it alone, perhaps ’twill only kiss the Banks and pass; but stop it, ’tis insatiable.
Don Ped. I wou’d not stop it; but cou’d I gently turn its Course where it might run, and vent itself with Innocence, I wou’d. Leonora of herself is virtuous; her Birth, Religion, Modesty and Sense, will guide her Wishes where they ought to point. But yet, let Guards be what they Will, that Place is safest that is ne’er attack’d.
Don John. As far as I can serve you, in hind’ring Guzman’s Approaches, you may command me.
Don Ped. That’s all I ask.
Don John. Then all you ask is granted.
Don Ped. I am at ease, farewel.
Don John. Heaven bring you safe to us again.
[Exit Don Ped.
Don John solus.
Yes, I shall observe her, doubt it not. I wish no body may observe me, for I find I’m no more Master of myself. Don Guzman’s Passion for her adds to mine; but when I think on what Don Pedro will reap, I’m Fire and Flame. Something must be done: What, let Love direct, for I have nothing else to guide me.
Enter Lopez.
Lop. [Aside.] Don Pedro is mounting for his Journey, and leaves a young, warm, liquorish Hussy with a watry Mouth, behind him——Hum—If she falls handsomely in my Master’s Way, let her look to her——hist—there he is. Doing what? Thinking? That’s new. And if any Good comes on’t, that will be newer still.
Don John. [Aside.] How! Abuse the Trust a Friend reposes in me? And while he thinks me waking for his Peace, employ the stretch of Thought to make him wretched?
Lop. Not to interrupt your pious Meditations, Sir, pray have you seen——Seen what, Fool? Why he can’t see thee. I’gad, I believe the little blind Bastard has whipt him through the Heart in earnest.
Don John. [Aside.] Pedro wou’d never have done this by me——How do I know that?——Why——he swore he was my Friend——Well; and I swore I was his——Why then if I find I can break my Oath, why should not I conclude he will do as much by his?
Lop. [Aside.] His Countenance begins to clear up: I suppose Things may be drawing to a Conclusion.
Don John. [Aside.] Ay, ’tis just so: And I don’t believe he wou’d have debated the Matter half so long as I have done: I’gad I think I have put myself to a great Expence of Morality about it. I’m sure, at least, my Stock’s out. But I have a Fund of Love, I hope may last a little longer. O, are you there, Sir!
[Seeing Lop.
Lop. I think so, Sir; I won’t be positive in any thing.
Don John. Follow me: I have some Business to employ you in, you’ll like.
[Exit Don John.
Lop. I won’t be positive in that neither. I guess what you are going about—There’s Roguery a-foot: This is at Leonora, who I know hates him; nothing under a Rape will do’t——He’ll be hang’d——And then, what becomes of thee, my little Lopez?——Why, the Honour to a——dingle dangle by him. Which he’ll have the Good-nature to be mighty sorry for. But I may chance to be beforehand with him: If we are not taken in the Fact, they’ll perhaps do him the Honour to set a Reward upon his Head. Which if they do, Don, I shall go near to follow your moral Example, secure my Pardon, make my Fortune, and hang you up for the Good of your Country.
[Exit.