ACT IV.
Scene changes to the room at Don Zancho's. Enter Don Zancho, and Chichon at another door, halting still with a staff.
In my return, whate'er I've had in my errand.
From the disquiet of uncertainty.
From the vain hopes of ever seeing Blanca—
Now you are at ease, I trow?
With such edge-tools. Is banishment from her
Matter of raillery? Say, sirrah, and say
Quickly, what hopes?——
Prythee, if thou lov'st me, [Kindly.
Hold me no longer in suspense, Chichon.
I'll tell you, sir, that luckily I met
The drab Francisca at the capuchin's,
Lodging behind her lady, I think on purpose;
For I perceiv'd her eager sparrowhawk's eye,
With her veil down (ne'er stirs a twinkling-while
From its sly peeping-hole) had found me straight—
took my time i' th' nick, but she outnick'd me;
For trudging on, her face another way,
With such a voice, as some you have seen have had
The trick to draw from caverns of their belly,
And make one think it came from a mile off,
She made me hear these words: About twilight
Fail not to pass by our door, and ask no more
At this time, varlet. And thus, sir, you see,
That neither she nor I have been prolix,
For this is all. You have leave to make your comment
On a brief text.
Little less than a demi-assignation.
Two handles to their meaning.
Till it be wrested from me: i' th' meanwhile,
If any visitants come this afternoon,
Be sure to tell them I am gone abroad,
That nothing else embark us at the time.
You shall not go alone.
I cannot go alone.
[Holding up his staff. Exeunt, Chichon halting.
Scene changes to Don Julio's private apartment. Enter Don Fernando and Julio.
Will pass the afternoon with Blanca, and then,
I waiting on her home in th' evening, Blanca
Will be secure from me till late at night.
I shall be where I told you, in full view
Of those two windows. If the gallant come
Up the great stairs, he must pass through that room,
And cannot 'scape your knowledge; if up the back one,
You needs must see him passing through the entry,
Close by that door. If this latter way,
Be sure to set the candle in that window: [Pointing.
If up the other, in that: and in either case,
As soon as he's within, fail not to bolt,
On th' inside, th' entry-door, and so he may
Find no retreat that way, I coming up
The other.
As you direct. [Exeunt.
Scene changes to Don Pedro's lodging. Enter Don Pedro and his servant Fulvio.
As my own eyes can make me of what I saw.
You cannot doubt my knowing him, since 'twas I
(You may remember) fetch'd the surgeon to him,
And saw his wounds dress'd more than once or twice.
The tavern, where I was, looks into his garden,
And there I left him walking to come tell you.
I found Don Julio as ready to comply
With all the duke's desires as I could wish;
And my great fear is over, that Don Zancho
Might possibly have been some near relation
Of his own: so that now, Fulvio, if you
Keep but a careful eye upon his motions,
And give me notice, he can hardly 'scape us.
Scene changes to the garden. Enter Blanca and Francisca as in a fine garden with orange-trees and fountains.
If you expose me to his vanity,
I never shall forgive you.
So mortified, he shall an object be
For pity, not for anger: you'll need employ
Kindness to erect the poor dejected knight.
Came hither; for, my brother now engag'd
With her, we're safe till ten o'clock at least.
It will be hard to 'scape her observation,
For she has wit, and of the dangerous kind—
A melancholy wit. O the unlucky star,
That leads a lady, engaged in love-intrigues,
To take a new attendant near her person!
Could not be denied, I having told her
So often that I wanted one; besides,
Who could have thought sh' had one ready at hand?
But we must make the best on't for this night:
'Twill not be hard to busy her, till 't be late,
In the perfuming-room. This near occasion
Well o'er, I think it will not be amiss,
Against another, to say somewhat to her,
That may, in case she have perceiv'd anything,
Persuade her she is not distrusted.
It necessary to say anything,
Be sure to say that, that she may think all.
Take one rule more from my experience:
Nothing so fatal as a confidence
By halves in amorous transactions.
But here she comes—
Enter ELVIRA.
This is a day indeed to taste its freshness.
I never saw so fine a one.
I think not many sweeter. Those fountains,
Playing among the orange-trees and myrtles,
Have a fine mix'd effect on all the senses,
But think not, Silvia, to enjoy the pleasure
Without contributing to make it more.
Warbling alone such notes unto yourself,
As have not only a good voice betray'd,
But skill to manage it.
That has betray'd a very ill one, madam.
That yields to none in the advantages
It lends to music: let's go sit down there.
For this first time, one song shall satisfy.
Your asking me another.
[They go and sit down under the palm-tree, and Elvira sings.
The Song.
How every tree,
Every bower,
Every flower,
A new life gives to others' joys;
Whilst that I,
Grief-stricken, lie,
Nor can meet
With any sweet,
But what faster mine destroys.
What are all the senses' pleasures,
When the mind has lost all measures?
How sweet and clear
The nightingale
And waters'-fall
In concert join for others' ears;
Whilst to me
For harmony
Every air
Echoes despair,
And every drop provokes a tear.
What are all the senses' pleasures,
When the mind has lost all measures?
One of your youth to nourish melancholy
By tunes and words so flattering to that passion.
In time for gayer things.
Not for your reason, but because I'll be
More moderate in my pleasures. Now, Silvia,
I have a task to give you.
Of your imposing.
Fresh orange-flowers, and then carefully
To shift the oils in the perfuming-room,
As in the several ranges you shall see
The old begin to wither. To do it well
Will take you up some hours; but 'tis a work
I oft perform myself; and that you may
Be sure not to mistake, I'll go thither
With you, and show you the manner of it.
Scene changes to the room at Don Zancho's. Enter Don Zancho and Chichon.
I tell you that 'tis yet too light by half,
The sun is hardly set: pray fetch a turn
Or two more in the garden, ere you go.
You are so proud o' th' service you have done.
Come away. [Exeunt.
Scene changes to the garden again. Elvira appears in the garden, as gathering flowers from the orange-trees, and then (with her apron full) going away, says—
But I smell somewhat more in the imposal.
So far I am happy yet in my misfortune,
That I am lighted into a lady's service
Of an obliging humour; but (most of all)
One that, as kind as she is, I see 's as glad
To leave me alone, as I to be it. Somewhat
There is mysterious in her looks and conduct:
Such motions just, such inequalities,
Such flatteries to those I trusted least,
Such pretty employments found to busy those
I would be rid of, and such arts are these
To single out her confidant (unnoted),
I well remember would Elvira use,
Whilst the unquiet joys of love possess'd her,
How innocent soever. And, besides,
Francisca's sitting up so late last night,
And going up and down so warily,
Whilst others slept, is evidence enough
What god reigns here, as well as at the court.
But I forget myself. Let descants cease,
Who serves, though she observes, must hold her peace.
[Exit Elvira.
Scene changes to the prospect of Valencia. Enter Don Zancho, with his cloak over his face, and Chichon.
'Tis the right time—just light enough, you see,
For warn'd expecters to know one another.
I hope she will not fail you.
No sentinel perdu is half so alert
As she in these occasions.
Enter Francisca veiled, peeping as out of the portal of Don Julio's house.
Or that's his master lagging at a distance—
I'll give them a go-by, cover'd with my veil.
[She passes by them heedlessly.
I'll to her.
When you have broken the ice, I'll take my time.
[Chichon, going to Francisca, lays hold of her veil, and she turns about.
When every motion of a leg or wing
Darts round perfuming and informing airs?
Thou art the very cauliflower of women.
That never stank to me, as does a blab.
Who stands against that wall?
[She, thrusting him off, goes on. Don Zancho sets himself just in her way, and makes as if he would lie down in it.
Forgive it, should they do you so much honour. [Showing her foot.
'Tis thou hast caus'd all this. [Aside, turning to Chichon.
Of pardon, nor of pity, yet at least
Let Blanca, for her own sake, be so just
As not to give me cruel death unheard:
Do you your part at least, and do but give her
This letter from me—
[He offers her a letter, and she starting back:
She has forbidden with such menaces,
I dare as well become another Porcia,[15]
And eat red burning coals. I had much rather
Consent that, now she's all alone at home,
You should transportedly rush in upon her,
As following me: so possibly you might
Attain your end without exposing me
Who, in that case, know how to act my part
So smartly against you, as shall keep her clear
From all suspicion. But I am to blame
Thus to forget my duty: I'll stay no longer.
[He stops her, and, pulling out a purse of money, puts it into her hand. Francisca offers to restore the purse, but yet holding it fast.
And shocks my humour; but anything from you!
Be sure you follow boisterously.
[She trudges away, and goes in hastily, as at Julio's house, and Don Zancho follows her in. Chichon stops at the door.
If for sport's sake you have projected me
Another summersault from the balcony,
Make your account that 'tis already done,
Here you will find me halting in the street. [Exit Chichon.
Scene changes to Donna Blanca's antechamber. Enter Blanca.
And makes us think ourselves the only tasters
Of pure delight and bliss; when as indeed,
Oppressing us with pains and griefs, she makes
Deliv'rance from them pass for solid pleasure!
Witness in me those images of joy,
Wherewith she flatters now my expectation:
What will its highest satisfaction be
At most, but ease from what tormented me?
Enter FRANCISCA hastily.
As ready at hand as usually you have
Anger in earnest. But, above all, be sure
You discharge it smartly upon me; for here
He presses at my heels.
Enter Don Zancho, and goes to cast himself at Donna Blanca's feet, and she starting back from him.
That I am to be fool'd! This is your work:
You shall not stay an hour within these walls—
By all that's good, you shall not!
To an old servant, always full of duty.
But can I govern madmen? Would y' have had me
Make all the street take notice? There he attack'd me
With such transportment, the whole town had rung on't,
Had I not run away. Could I imagine
A man so wild as to pursue me hither
Into your presence?
Blanca may be thus used; but he that does it
Shall find——
[She turns away as going out, he holds her by the sleeve.
Made desperate hath nothing more to manage.
Hither I come to give you satisfaction,
And if my reasons can't, my heart-blood shall;
But you must hear me, or here see me dead.
[Turning to Francisca.
Keep careful watch to prevent accidents.
For such a conference; for in case your brother
Should come, Don Zancho has a safe retreat
From thence down the back-stairs. I shall be sure
To give you timely notice.
Th' entry; I've come up more than once that way
During my happy days.
Light us in thither.
[Francisca takes the lights, and going before them, exeunt omnes.
Scene changes to the prospect of Valencia. Enter Don Julio, as in the portal of his own house.
He went up this way: now, if Fernando
Have not forgot to bolt the entry-door,
He cannot 'scape us, sure, whoe'er he be.
'Tis the only comfort,
In such misfortunes, when a man hath means
To right his honour, without other help
Than such a friend as is another self,
And that the shame's even from domestics hid,
Until it be reveng'd.
[Exit Don Julio, as going into his own house.
Enter Chichon, as coming out of the porch before Don Julio's house.
My master's like to pass his time but ill;
I'll steal in after, and observe: although
My courage cannot stead him, my wit may,
As things may possibly fall out.
[Exit Chichon, as stealing after Don Julio into his house.
Scene changes to Donna Blanca's closet. Enter Don Zancho and Donna Blanca, as in her closet.
I, Blanca Rocca, am not carta blanca,[16]
Fit to receive whate'er impression
Your art——
Enter Francisca hastily.
Quick, quick, and let him find you in your chamber
Before your glass, I have set it ready there,
Whilst he retires the way it was resolv'd.
[Pointing to Don Zancho.
[Francisca takes the candle, and exeunt she and Donna Blanca; Don Zancho, another way.
Scene changes to Donna Blanca's bed-chamber. Re-enter Donna Blanca and Francisca, as in Blanca's chamber, she newly seated at her toilet, and beginning to unpin.
Enter Don Julio.
Have you had company to entertain you,
And keep you up beyond your usual hour?
At this time of the night?
[Ironically.
To Blanca's closet.
You were not wont to be so curious,
As thus to pry into my privacies.
Francisca.
[Francisca takes one of the candles, and going before him stumbles, and falling puts out the light. Don Julio, taking it up, lights it again at the other on the table, and going with it himself towards Donna Blanca's closet.
enough.
In such trusts must have their wits about them.
'Tis clear that he suspects, but know—he cannot.
When once you see all safe, 'twill then import you
To play the tyrant over him, with reproaches
For this his jealousy.
But let us follow him in, that we may mark
His whole demeanour. [Exeunt.
Enter Don Zancho in disorder.
What shall I do? [He pauses.] I must seek a way,
Through the perfuming-room into the garden. [Exit.
Enter Don Julio, with a candle in his hand, and passing hastily over the stage.
The entry-door was bolted.
Enter Donna Blanca and Francisca, who pass over the stage, as if stealing after Don Julio.
Follow his nose to the perfuming-room.
But I'll come to her succour with a peal
Will ring him. [Exeunt Donna Blanca and Francisca.
Scene changes to the laboratory. Here is to open a curious scene of a laboratory in perspective, with a fountain in it, some stills, many shelves, with pots of porcelain and glasses, with pictures above them: the room paved with black and white marble, with a prospect through pillars at the end, discovering the full moon, and by its light a perspective of orange-trees, and towards that farther end Elvira appears at a table, shifting flowers, her back turned.
Enter Don Zancho hastily: Elvira turning about, they both startle, and stand awhile as it were amazed.
Or 'tis the devil in that angel's form,
Come here to finish by another hand
The fatal work that she began upon me
By Don Fernando's.
Or 'tis his ghost, come to revenge his death
On its occasioner; for, were he alive,
He could not but have more humanity
Than (having been my ruin at Madrid,
And robb'd me of my home and honour there)
To envy me an obscure shelter here.
[Whilst they amazed step back from one another, enter Don Julio, who, seeing Don Zancho with his back towards him, drawing his sword, says—
[Throwing down the candle, he makes towards Don Zancho; but upon his turning about towards him, he makes a little stop, and says—
In my misfortune, since the gods thus give me
The means at once, and by the self-same stroke,
To right my honour, and revenge my friend;
And, by that action, fully to comply
With what the Duke requires in the behalf
Of wrong'd Don Pedro.
[Don Julio makes at Don Zancho: he draws, and they begin to fight; Elvira crying out, Help! help! runs to part them, and they stop upon her interposing.
Enter Don Fernando hastily over the stage, as coming from the private apartment.
My friend (engag'd) must find me by his side.
[Exit, and re-enters at another door.
[As Fernando comes to the door of the perfuming-room, seeing them at a stand, he stops and stands close.
[Blanca and Francisca passing over the stage.
[Exeunt Blanca and Francisca, and re-enter as at another door of the perfuming-room, and make a stand, as surprised with what they see.
I know the back-way to it through the garden.
[Exit Chichon, and re-enters at the farther end of the laboratory, and stands close.
I'm under here, and save my Blanca's honour.
That once secur'd, there will be time enough
To save Elvira's. [Aside.
[Whilst this passes, Elvira holds Julio by the arm, he striving to get from her.
You have thought fit our swords should pause awhile,
It may (I think) consist enough with honour
So far to seek your satisfaction, sir,
As to remove mistakes. Know then, Don Julio,
That, though I have presum'd upon your house,
I have not wrong'd your honour: it is she,
With whom you find me, that hath brought me hither;
Her I have long ador'd, and, having got
Intelligence that she was here conceal'd,
My passion (I confess) transported me
Beyond that circumspection and regard,
Which men of quality use, and ought t' observe
Towards one another's dwellings.
[To Don Zancho.