A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15

ACT V.

Enter Don Julio talking to himself, and at another door Fernando who, perceiving it, stands close.

Don J. Bless'd be the gods that yet my honour's safe
Amidst such strange perplexities, from which
Fortune and wit (I think) together join'd,
With all their strength, could hardly an issue find.
To temper, comfort, or to serve my friend
What argument? what means? how to assist
Don Pedro in his aims, and to comply
With what I owe the duke, I see as little;
And less conceive, how to behave myself,
As ought a gentleman towards a lady,
With whose protection he hath charg'd himself,
And brought her to his house on that assurance;
Whom to expose cannot consist with honour,
However she may have expos'd her own;
And (least of all) how to repair to Blanca
The injury I have done her, whose high spirit,
I fear, will be implacable. O heavens!
What a condition's mine?

[He stands pausing, and startles, seeing Don Fernando.

Enter Don Fernando.

Don F. Pardon, dear cousin, if, to avoid one rudeness,
I have another unawares committed.
Whilst fearing t' interrupt, I have o'erheard;
Yet nothing, cousin, but the self-same things
My thoughts have been revolving all this night,
Concern'd for you, much more than for myself;
For I, upon reflection, find I am
Much easier than I was; by certainty
Freed from the sorest weight, perplexity.
In the first place you must forgive your friend
The high distemper of last night's transportments:
I hope you'll find me well recovered from them,
And that my morning resolutions are
Such as will make amends.

Don J. Make no excuses, dear friend: such provocations
Surprising are above philosophy;
And 'tis no small experiment of yours,
If after them you can have brought yourself
So soon to fix a judgment what to do.

Don F. I have fix'd on that, which I am sure will serve
All interests but my own, as heretofore
I understood my happiness; but now
I shall no longer place it in anything
Dependent on the wild caprice [17] of others.
No, Julio,
I will be happy even in spite of fate,
By carrying generosity up to th' height.
Elvira shall her dear bliss owe to me,
Not only by desisting, but by making
Her lov'd Don Zancho marry her: his refusal
Alone can make me kill him o'er again.

Don J. Since that unhappy maid, with all her beauty
And that high quality, hath made herself
Unworthy of your marriage, certainly
None but Fernando ever could have pitch'd
Upon so noble a thought: but think withal,
What difficulties are likely to obstruct it!

Don F. Say what occurs to you.

Don J. Don Zancho is a man of wit and courage;
And though his passion out of doubt be great,
Since it hath made him do so wild an action,
As that of coming twice into my house
After so strange a manner; yet, Fernando,
You cannot but imagine such a one
Likely to have quite different reflections
Upon Elvira's conduct for a wife,
From what he has upon it for a mistress:
They are two notions very differing.
Besides, should the proposal but appear
In the least kind to spring from your desire,
Whose former commerce with her's not unknown,
It were the only way to drive him off
Past all recal. I think few have accepted
Wives recommended to them by their rival.

Don F. In that y' have reason, I confess; but, Julio,
Think of the way; for marry her he must,
Or die, and by no other hand but mine.

Don J. [Pausing.] I am thinking of it, and, I hope, to purpose.[18]
What interposer can be found so fit
As Blanca in this business, since Don Zancho
Has long been her particular acquaintance?
And what can be more natural, than for her
To take to heart Elvira's chief concernment,
Whom he finds here retir'd in her misfortune,
As to her surest friends?

Don F. Y' have lighted, cousin, on the only way;
And lose no time, I beg you.

Don J. The least that may be; but you must consider
In what a predicament I am likely
To be with Blanca at present.

Don F. I understand you (since the jealousy
You expressed of her); but 'tis to be hoped
The peace will not be long a-making.

Don J. You little know her spirit, once inflam'd.
But as I'll lose no time, so I'll omit
No art to bring her to a temper fit
To hear and to advance the proposition.

Don F. Heaven give you good success!

Don J. [Turning back to Fernando.] I had forgot to tell you that I think
It will be necessary that, as soon
As I have weather'd Blanca's storm, I make
A visit to Don Pedro, to prevent
His coming hither to disorder us,
Before we have set [all] things right.

Don F. 'Twas not ill thought on: and till you return
I shall keep close in your apartment;
For Blanca has not seen me, and Elvira
Has too great cares upon her to be curious. [Exeunt.

Enter Blanca and Francisca; Blanca with a gay air, as in her antechamber.

Blan. Say, my Francisca, can romances equal
Our last night's adventure? was there ever
Such a come-off! Our sex has us'd to boast
Presence of mind in exigents of love;
But I believe none of us ever match'd
Don Zancho's readiness in an occasion
So sudden and so critical.

Fran. Ever give me the man of ready parts.

Blan. But prythee, whilst we give Don Zancho 's dues,
Let us be just, too, to poor Silvia's merit;
Was ever anything so generous
Or so obliging to a mistress!

Fran. So it appears, madam, I must confess;
But the excess of it makes it suspicious.

Blan. Fie, leave this humour of detracting still,
And call her to me, that I may embrace,
And thank her; that done, consider how
To bring her off, who's brought us off so well. [Offers to go out.

Enter Don Julio.

Fran. Stay, I beseech you, and compose yourself
To act a part quite of another nature;
Here comes Don Julio, towards whom I hope
You'll tune yourself to a far differing key
From that of thanks and kindness.

Blan. Let me alone for that: I'll play the dragon.

[As Don Julio advances, Blanca turns from him with a furious countenance, and flies out of the room, Don Julio following her.

Don J. Dear sister, stay, and hear me.

Blan. Detested brother, leave me.

[She makes as if she were going, and he holds her.

Don J. Hear me but, Blanca, and then vent your passion
Against a brother that condemns himself
As much as you can do; but hear me speak.

Blan. Your actions, Julio, have spoke loud enough
To echo through the world your shame and mine.
Has all the tenor of my life been such,
With such exactness of unblemish'd conduct,
That malice might have stain'd the noonday sun
More easily than tarnish'd Blanca's honour,
And must that honour now be prostitute
By the caprice of an unworthy brother?
Should any other have invaded it,
Had not you righted her, she has a heart
Would have found ways to right herself; but you
Th' aggressor, what remedy but rage?

[She flings from him and exit.

Fran. She acts it rarely. [Aside.

Don. J. Was ever man so unfortunate as I? [To Francisca.
I must confess she has reason, and the sense
She thus expresses of my fault becomes her;
But it must be your work, my dear Francisca,
To pacify. When once you shall but know
All that has pass'd these nights, I am certain
You'll say no human confidence could e'er
Be proof against such circumstances.

Fran. Alas! my offices can signify
But little. But I'm sure the occasion
Gives me a sad heart. O my dear lady! [As if she were crying.

Don J. I love good-nature; but I prythee, leave,
And come in with me, that I may tell thee all. [Exeunt.

Enter Don Pedro and Fulvio, as in his lodging.

Don P. A' God's name, Fulvio, what has been thy meaning,
To make me sit up almost all last night
Expecting thee, when such impatience held me?
Thou wert not wont to be so negligent
In things of so great weight.

Fulv. Nor have I been it now: 'tis overcare
Of your commands hath held me so long from you.
You know the orders that you gave me, sir,
To watch Don Zancho's motions? accordingly
I sat all day in my observing-place,
Till about twilight I saw him and 's man
Steal as it were abroad: I as warily
Dogg'd them from street to street, till, sir, at length
He made a stand up close against a wall,
Whilst that his servant entertain'd a woman
Close-veil'd, who was come out, I think, on purpose,
From an adjacent house; soon after, he
Accosted her himself. Their conference
Lasted but little; she made haste away
To th' house from whence she came, and he as much
To follow her in.

Don P. Where was't? and why cam'st thou not presently,
To give me notice, as you were directed?

Fulv. At that you will not wonder, when you know
Whose house he enter'd; but at this you'll wonder—
It was Don Julio's.

Don P. [Starting.] Ha! Don Julio's, say'st thou?— [He pauses.
But, now I think on't, 'tis no marvel, Fulvio,
Since newly come to town; for I remember
Don Julio told me, that Don Zancho and he
Had always liv'd in friendly correspondence.

Fulv. Visits, sir, only of fair civility,
After long absence, are not usually
Begun by twilight in such cautious manner;
Nor usher'd in by female veil'd conductors.
But pray, sir, hear the rest.

Don P. What can this be? [Aside.] Say on then quickly.

[To Fulvio.

Fulv. I presently concluded with myself
That, since Don Julio was the friend on whose
Assistance you relied against Don Zancho,
You ne'er would think, sir, of attacking him,
As he came out from thence: I judg'd it, therefore,
My wisest course to stay, and mark the issue.
And stay I did, till it was after midnight;
About which time, walking from side to side,
That I might see both issues of the house,
It being as light almost as day, I saw
The gallant and his man leap from the wall
Of Julio's garden, and from thence in haste
Make home.

Don P. 'Sdeath, man, thou dream'st! Don Zancho from Don Julio's
In that manner? Awake, fool, and speak sense.

Fulv. I say but what I saw, as I see you.

Don P. O, the devil! what, the same villain
Found the affronter of my friend too here
In the same kind! Give me my cloak and sword,
I must know the bottom of this. [Exeunt.

Enter Blanca and Francisca, as in her antechamber.

Blan. I come from seeing and caressing Silvia;
But with most strange surprise at her comportment
Towards me.

Fran. How, madam!

Blan. My words and actions both expressing to her,
Not only highest gratitude and kindness,
But a solicitude in the concerns
Of her honour, equal to what she had shown
In mine, they were receiv'd with such a coldness,
With such an air of melancholy pride,
With half replies, and those not half to th' purpose,
As make me with amazement to conclude,
That either she has lost her understanding,
Or that there's somewhat in't we understand not.

Fran. She is a maid of an odd composition;
And besides that, I needs must tell you, madam,
That having had my observation freer
Than you, perhaps, during last night's adventure,
I remark'd somewhat, both in her demeanour
And in Don Zancho's, makes me confident
They met not there strangers to one another,
As you imagine. But there's time enough
To think and talk of that: what presses now,
Is your right ordering of Don Julio:
You have begun as well as can be wish'd.

Blan. Say, did I not do my part? [Jollily.

Fran. Beyond imagination;
But take heed now of overdoing it,
'Tis time to tack about to reconcilement,
And thought of drawing those advantages
From the embroilment, as may for the future
Secure you from like accidents.

Blan. You say well; but how?

Fran. The first step must atonement be between you,
Of which he hath so earnestly conjur'd me
To be an instrument that, you consenting
To give him a hearing through my mediation,
I am made for ever, and settled in the power
Of serving you by better cosening him:
Besides, he tells me, he hath that to say
And to propose unto you, as shall not only
Excuse him with you, but prevent all danger
Of prejudicial rumours, which might rise
From last night's accident.

Blan. Agreed; let's in,
And play the second part. [Exeunt.

Enter Don Zancho and Chichon, as in his own house.

Don Z. Were we not born with cauls upon our heads?[19] [Jollily.
Think'st thou, Chichon, to come off twice a-row
Thus rarely from such dangerous adventures?

Chi. Rather, I think, with combs, so oft to venture.

Don Z. Thou coxcomb, say, had I not my wits about me?

Chi. 'Twere too uncomplaisant to deny that.
You know I love not to talk seriously,
But tell me now in earnest, are you satisfied
To have come off so? is there no qualm remaining
Upon your gentle heart for leaving i' th' suds
A poor distressed virgin? Who she is,
I neither know nor care; but I am sure,
Had generous Chichon, to save his life,
Play'd a sweet innocent lady such a trick,
He would have pass'd but for a recreant knight;
And much the more, she having shown herself
So gallant as, to save her lady's honour,
T' expose her own. Say, true Don Galor,[20] say,
Were your part found in a romance or play,
Whose character would it not dislustre?

Don Z. How soon a fool's bolt's shot without distinction?
Of what's the mark! Thou censur'st without knowing,
Who th' exposed lady is. Know, then, Chichon,
And wonder! 'tis Elvira!—that Elvira
For whom I sighed like to have sigh'd my last,
On her score at Madrid—Don Pedro's daughter.

Chi. You raise enchanted castles in the air;
But were it as you say, that makes the thing
More inexcusable. You had been to blame
T' have us'd a stranger so; but so t' have serv'd
A lady [21] you had once profess'd to love,
Raises the fault above all heightening.

Don Z. Nay, then, I see I must once play the fool,
In answering a fool seriously.
The things thou say'st are heightenings indeed,
Not of my fault, but merit in the action,
Towards my Blanca; since, to save her honour,
I did not only sacrifice Elvira's,
But thus expose mine own. Time may recover
Elvira's fame, and mine this quickly shall.

[Clapping his hand on his sword.

Here, take this letter, and employ your wit
In finding out the means with secrecy
To give it Don Fernando unobserv'd.
I shall not stir from home, till I've his answer.

Chi. You found him, sir, a man of quick dispatch,
In your last business with him at Madrid! [Exit Don Zancho.
How honourable 'tis to serve a Don!
What petty Basque on t' other side the mountains
Durst have aspir'd to the high dignity
Of carrying a cartel? A monsieur
Would sooner have put up a twinge by the nose,
Than sent a challenge by a serving-man. [Exit.

Enter Blanca furiously, and, running to the cabinet, takes out thence a stiletto; and Francisca earnestly after her, as in Blanca's closet.

Blan. Villains shall find I am not unprovided
Wrongs to revenge, that cannot be forgiven.

Fran. I thought the strange constraint upon herself,
Wherewith she heard her brother, would serve in the end
But to make rage break out with greater fury;
Yet it is well she kept it in so long
As to get rid of him. [Aside.
Good madam, moderate yourself a little.

Blan. Preach temper to the damned souls in hell,
That they may teach the traitor moderation,
When I have sent him thither with his devil.

Fran. I do confess the provocation such,
As more than justifies all these transportments;
And therefore I beseech you think not, madam,
In what I say, I can the least aim have
Of saving him from the extremest fury
Of your resentment, or preserving her,
Who has had the impudence to abuse you so,
Under pretence of serving. May they perish!
But let it be in such a way, as may not
Draw a more dismal ruin on yourself:
Let swift destruction seize them; yet let not,
Madam, your hand, but head dispense their fate.
What can the issue be of such an action,
As that of which I see that shining steel
And flaming eyes of yours the threat'ning comets?
I beg but the reflection of a moment!

[Blanca walking upon the stage with enraged gestures pauses, at length sheathing and putting her stiletto in her sleeve with a sober, composed, tone:

Blan. Francisca, I thank you for recalling me
Thus to myself: I will be temperate,
[Aside.] But it shall be to make revenge the surer.

Fran. Her tone nor gestures cannot cosen me,
They both seem to disguise a black design;
But I shall watch you: 'tis a half-gain'd cause
In fury's course to have begot a pause. [Aside.

Blan. Do what I bid you presently, Francisca.
Send to Don Zancho, and let him know from me,
I earnestly desire to speak with him.

Fran. Lord, madam, what d'ye mean?

Blan. To make the pleasing proposition to him,
As I told my brother I would. Say, am I not moderate?
But do without reply, what I command.

Fran. Madam, I shall obey. But [aside] observe you so withal,
As to prevent the mischief, if I can. [Exit Francisca.

Blan. Ye gods, assist me in my just revenge,
Or you will make an atheist. My first work
Must be, before Don Zancho comes, to speak
With his sweet mistress; and with words and looks,
As false as hers have been, so to delude her
With hopes of what she wishes, that they both
May jointly fall my honour's sacrifice. [Exit.

Enter Don Fernando, as in Don Julio's private apartment.

Don F. Since generosity hath so far got
The mastery, as to have made me fix
Upon a resolution so unheard of,
I long to see it executed. But stay:
I think I hear Elvira's voice without,
And Blanca's too. Here curiosity
To overhear is pardonable.

[He makes as if he hearkened, and then exit, as to go where he may better hear.

Enter Elvira and Blanca as in the antechamber, and Fernando peeping as from behind a door.

Don F. Here not a word can 'scape me.

Elv. Madam, you wrong my zeal in serving you,
Whilst you attribute to any other motive
My yesterday's behaviour.

Blan. Such niceties, Elvira, are, out of season.

[In a tone that may show what she says to be forced.

I seek your satisfaction in a love,
Wherein it seems you have been long engag'd.

[Elvira looking round, and Fernando starting back.

Don F. I hope she did not see me. [Aside.

Elv. My satisfaction, say you, in my love?
Of whom, for heaven's sake? If you mean Don Zancho,
Y'are very far from guessing at my thoughts.

Don F. By heaven, sh' has seen me, and plays the devil still.

[Aside.

Elv. By all that's good, I am far from loving him—
I say not worse [aside], because I know she loves him.

Don F. Ah, Elvira! this is too much, yet not enough
To change in me a noble resolution. [Aside.

[A noise is heard, as of people coming up stairs.

Blan. I hear some coming up stairs: should it be Don Zancho, I am not yet ready for him.—

[Aside.

I see we are likely to be interrupted here, [To Elvira.
Elvira, we shall be better in my closet. [Exit Blanca.

Elvi. Madam, I'll follow you.
What can she mean? since that she needs must think
I know the passion she herself [22] has for him.

[Elvira having stayed awhile behind, as she is going to follow Blanca, enter her father Don Pedro and Fulvio: she starts, and stands confounded; he, seeing her, draws out his dagger, and makes at her.

Don P. Vile stainer of my blood, have I here found thee?

[Elvira perceiving the door a little open, where Don Fernando is, flies thither, and gets in.

Don F. This makes it clear she saw me.

[Aside, as Elvira thrusts in.

[Don Pedro seizes the door, before it be quite shut, and they struggle, he to pull it open, and Don Fernando to shut it: after some contest, Don Fernando gets it close, and bolts it within: Don Pedro, as an enraged person, pulls and bounces at the door.

Don P. In vain should mountains interpose between
Her and her punishment.

[He bounces still, as to break down the door.

Enter Blanca.

Blan. What Bedlam have we here, and where's Elvira?

Don P. You have one here will know how to revenge
Conspiracies t' affront him: and you, lady,
Whoe'er you are, that seem to take upon you,
Y' had best produce the wicked thing you've named,
Or by this steel— [Blanca cries out.

Blan. Ho! brother, brother! help against a madman!

Enter Don Julio.

Don J. Peace, Blanca, peace, you know not what you say:
Don Pedro is master here.

Blan. I know not your Don Pedro; but I'm sure
One to be tied in chains could do no more,
That he has done.

Don J. Have patience, sister: 'tis Elvira's father,
With cares enough upon him to justify
Any distemper.

Blan. Precious! Elvira's father?—
Nay, then I leave you. [Blanca flings out of the room.

Don F. O the unluckiness of his coming
So unseasonably! 'Twas to prevent that,
I went abroad to seek him. [Aside.

Don P. What's this, Don Julio? can a gentleman
Of blood and honour use another thus?
What, after such engagements to the Duke
And to myself to be my friend and helper,
To prove the shelter of my shame's chief author?
I do not wonder now Don Zancho himself
Should have been here at midnight.

Don J. I am hard put to't: help, wit, to bring us off. [Aside.
Be as distemper'd as you please, Don Pedro,
It shall not alter me! but yet methinks
It would not ill become your gravity,
To think a while, before you make a judgment,
And rashly frame injurious conclusions
From things, wherein a friend has merited from you.
Do but consider, and then say, what Julio
Could do of more advance to what you wish,
Than, having found your daughter, to have brought her
To his own house, where she might be with honour
Accompanied, and serv'd as such by Blanca,
Until such time as, things maturely weigh'd,
You should a final resolution take.
And since Don Zancho's being here last night,
I see 's no secret t' ye, methinks you ought
T' have been so just to me, as to believe
That, since I admitted him within these walls,
It was in order to the serving you.

Don P. Noble Don Julio, you must pity have
Of an old man's distemper in affliction.
I see I was in the wrong; pray, pardon it.

Don J. O, this is more than needs. And now, good sir,
If you'll be pleas'd to walk a turn or two
I' the garden, I'll there give you a full account
How I have laid things for your satisfaction.

Don P. I'll wait on you.

Don J. Go, sir, there lies your way;
And you, boy, fail not, when Don Zancho comes,

[Turning to the Page.

To give me notice of it in the garden. [Exeunt.

Enter Don Zancho, and passes over the stage with Chichon after him: and enter Francisca, and pulling Chichon, stays him.

Fran. Stay, stay, Chichon, a word w' ye: it imports—

[She whispers with him.

Chi. I hope you are not in earnest.

Fran. By my soul, I am—
There is no other way, but for us both
To get up the back-way, and there to watch
The time to interpose.

Chi. Can she be such a fury? her looks are
All milk and honey.

Fran. You cannot fancy anything so tragic,
But she is capable of executing,
When once provok'd in point of love and honour
Beyond her bounds of temper.

Chi. Lead the way—
I'll have the pleasure to bold up the fright [Aside.
She's in, since I am sure there is no danger,
Knowing, as I do, my master's mind towards Blanca:
Besides, 'tis to be hop'd, that these disorders
May produce somewhat that may put an end
To my master's quarrel, or afford me means
To give Fernando his letter. [Exeunt.

Enter Don Fernando, Elvira lying upon the couch in the private apartment.

A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15

About This Book

ACT V.