Don. F. This last dissimulation moves me more
Than all the rest; but yet it must not alter
What honour hath inspir'd. See, how she lies,
And how, scarce brought to life from her dismay,
She resumes scorn, to have been sav'd by me!
But multiply what injuries thou wilt,
Perfidious maid, thou shalt not disappoint
Fernando of the glory that he aims at:
Of making thy proud heart, Elvira, owe
Its happiness to him. But I hear again [He peeps
A noise without—It is Don Zancho,
And I see Blanca coming towards him.
This falls out luckily, that I may hear
What passes; for certainly their meeting
Avowedly thus can be no other subject,
But what Don Julio has proposed to Blanca. [Exit as to hearken.
Enter Don Julio and Don Pedro, as in the garden.
Don J. That's all the remedy, that in these cases
The wisest can propose unto themselves:
His fortune's strait, 'tis true.
Don P. That's what I least regard in this occasion,
So honour be but safe: the less they have,
The more will be her penance for her folly.
But should Don Zancho, upon any umbrage
From what has pass'd between them, prove so insolent
As to reject the marriage, then I trust—
Don J. O, say no more of that: rely upon't,
Should he be guilty of that horrid outrage,
This sword should pierce his heart, though th' only friend
I have i' the world should interpose his own.
And, sir, to let you see my frank proceeding,
Come along with me; I'll bring you to a place
Where, jointly overhearing all that passes
'Twixt him and Blanca, should he play the villain,
His life may pay for't, ere he stir from thence.
Don P. May heaven repay such generous acts of friendship! [Exeunt.
Enter Don Zoncho, and Fernando appears as behind
the door.
Don Z. For her so suddenly and so avowedly
To send for me hither, is very strange:
What can it mean?
Enter Blanca.
Blan. Now lend me temper, Heaven, but for a moment,
Till calmly I have drawn him to pronounce
The sentence of his own too noble death
For such a traitor— [Aside.
I think you come not without some surprise,
[To him with an affected cheerfulness.
Don Zancho, at my sending for you so:
But let's sit down, for I have much to say t' ye.
[She takes him by the hand and seats him in one
chair, and she sits herself in the other close
to him on his right hand, and fumbles in
her sleeve.
I'm so well plac'd I cannot miss the mark. [Aside.
Don Z. Good madam, what's the matter? for I see
Disorder in you: put me out of pain.
Blan. That I shall quickly do: [Aside.
Know then, Don Zancho,
In the first place, you must not interrupt me,
Whatever you shall hear; I'll take it ill else.
When I have done, then speak your mind at leisure.
I come not to argue, but conclude.
Don Z. Your will's a law to me;
But whither tends all this? [Aside.
Blan. I do for once allow you to remember
All that has pass'd between us:
The folly of my love, the falsehood of yours;
That done, and never to be thought on more—
Don Z. For Heaven's sake, madam—
Blan. Break not the rule was set:
Know I instructed am in all your story,
And am so far grown mistress of myself,
That I, who th' other day could scarce o'ercome
The sense of a slight failure at Madrid,
Can here at home suffer indignities,
And tell you calmly and with unconcern'dness,
Be you Elvira's and Elvira yours.
I come to do a part you little look'd for
From Blanca's spirit: I must make the marriage.
All things are ready, and her father here.
Now you may speak, Don Zancho; but the thing
Admits of no delay.
Don Z. But can this be in earnest? sure, it cannot.
What needs these trials of so firm a faith? [Pausing awhile.
Blan. Leave trifling; 'tis no longer time for tricks.
It is not in the pow'r of fate to alter
The resolution taken. [Don Zancho pauses.
Don. F. She has put it home. [Aside.
Don Z. Madam, you use me hardly; this demeanour
Passes my skill, to judge from whence it springs.
You say it is not in the pow'r of fate
To change your resolutions; but I'm sure,
If they be such, 'twill less be in its pow'r
To alter mine: but yet, before I die,
You must be left without excuse by knowing
The truth of all.
Don F. Here it imports indeed to be attentive. [Aside.
Don Z. Madam, 'tis true that, absent at Madrid,
The custom of the court and vanity
Embark'd me lightly in a gallantry
With the most fam'd of beauties there, Elvira:
Those and no other the true motives were
To all my first addresses, till her scorns,
Which should have stopp'd them, had engag'd me more,
And made a love in jest a point of honour.
I bore all her disdains without transportment,
Till, having gain'd her waiting-woman's kindness,
I learn'd from her that all Elvira's slightings
She would have thought had sprung from severe maxims
And preciousness of humour, were th' effects
Of deep engagement in another love
With a young gallant, Don Fernando Solis,
With whom the cruel dame was so far gone,
As to admit him almost[23] every night
Into her chamber.
Don F. Bless'd gods, what do I hear? [Aside.
Don Z. [continuing] I, scarce believing the thing possible,
Urg'd my intelligencer to do for me
That which her lady for another did,
And to admit me to her chamber where,
By being eye-witness of her lady's actions,
I might transfer my entire love to herself.
She granted my request, and late one night,
Somewhat before the gallant's usual hour,
She brought me a back-way up to[24] her chamber,
Within Elvira's. My stay had not been long,
When, having found the truth of what she'd told me,
Converting rage into appearing kindness
To my informer, and expressing it
Uncautiously, we made a sudden noise,
With which Elvira alarm'd, and coming in,
Follow'd by Don Fernando, that fell out,
Which you have heard before.
[Don Julio beckoning Don Pedro after him,
passing over one corner of the stage.
Don J. By this time, I suppose, she will have made
The proposition to the full, and we
Shall come at the just time to hear his answer.
[Exeunt Don Pedro and Don Julio.
Don Z. [Continuing.] If since that hour I have ever seen
Or thought upon her, till last night's surprise,
May I for ever perish: and methinks
The use of that to your advantage
Might challenge from you a more just construction.
Blan. I told you at first, I came not here to argue,
But to conclude. Say, will you marry her?
[Don Julio and Don Pedro peep out as from
behind the hanging.
Don J. W'are come, you see, just as we could have wish'd. [Aside.
Don P. His fate hangs on his lips. [Aside.
Don Z. You are mistress of your words and actions, madam,
And may use me as you please; but this hand
Shall sooner pierce this heart than e'er be given
In marriage to Elvira.
[Don Pedro and Don Julio rush in with
their swords and daggers drawn, and Don
Zancho draws too.
Don P. Then, villain, die! Heav'n is too weak to save thee
By any other means. [Don Fernando draws, and rushing out.
Don F. But here is one that shall—
Or all by his side.
Don P. O heavens! what's this?
Don Fernando Solis protecting him!
Nay, then the whole world conspires against my honour.
Blan. For heaven's sake, gentlemen! [Blanca runs in between.
Chi. Now, by my grandame's pantable,[25] 'tis pretty!
[From behind.
I'll brush their coats, if once it come to fighting.
Fernando's of our side.
Francisca, and Chichon with a long broom,
run out also from behind the hanging.
Don J. What frenzy's this, Fernando? was't not you
Engaged me to effect the marriage? Sure, w'are all
Bewitch'd.
Don F. Stay, my Don Julio, stay,
And let Don Pedro have patience but to hear me—
'Tis true; but you know well upon what grounds:
Those are quite chang'd by my having overheard
All that hath pass'd; for my Elvira, Julio,
Proves spotless in her faith, as in her beauty,
And I the only guilty, to have doubted.
What have I then to do, but here to prostrate
Myself at her offended father's feet,
And beg his pardon? that obtain'd, t' implore
His help to gain me hers, as to a person
In whom respect for him hath always held
Proportion with my passion for his daughter.
Don P. You know, Don Julio, when I spake with you,
The terms of estimation and respect,
Wherewith I mention'd t' ye this gentleman;
And, therefore, since in his address t' Elvira
There was no other fault, but making it
Unknown to me, and that I see his thoughts
Are truly noble, honour thus engaged,
That ought to be forgot, and I to think
Myself most happy in such a son-in-law.
But where's Elvira?
Don F. She's there within, where I dare not appear
Before her, knowing now such guilt upon me.
If Blanca would employ her interest
And eloquence, perhaps she might prevail
To get her hither, when she shall have told her
What changes a few minutes' time have wrought.
Blan. I never went on a more pleasing errand. [Exit Blanca.
Fran. I am struck dumb with wonder. [Exit.
Don F. Now Blanca is away, I'll take this time
To spare her blushes, Julio, and tell you,
Though I have broke one marriage for Don Zancho,
You needs must give me leave to make another;
To which, unless I'm very much deceiv'd,
You'll find on neither part repugnancy.
Don J. I understand you; and I thank the gods
They did not make me understand the wrong,
Till they have made it none, since I observe
Don Zancho's looks joining in your desires.
Don Z. A heart so full of love, as mine for Blanca,
Does best express itself when it speaks least.
Enter Donna Blanca, Donna Elvira, and
Francisa. Elvira casts herself at her
father's feet.
Elv. Now that the justice of the gods at length
Hath clear'd me from suspicions derogatory
To th' honour of your blood, I hope a cloister
May expiate my fault as to a father.
Don P. Rise, child. The enclosure I condemn you to [Raising her.
Is Don Fernando's arms: give him your hand.
Elv. 'Tis yours, sir, to dispose of, I confess,
And if it be your will, I must submit;
But let him know, who could suspect Elvira,
She never could be his but by obedience.
Don F. I am thunderstruck. [Elvira giving him her hand.
Elv. Be not dismay'd, Fernando,
Since I profess this a mere act of duty;
Another duty may Elvira move
To reinflame on better grounds her love.
Don J. [ironically.] Blanca, I fear you'll hardly be persuaded
To give yours to Don Zancho; but a brother
For once may play the tyrant. Give it him:
It must be so. [They join hands.
Don F. I now renounce old maxims: having you,
Elvira, I am sure the very best proves true.
Chi. Hold there, I beg you, sir: that will appear
By that time you have married been a year. [Exeunt.