Don H. Sure, Don Antonio, having long ere this
Found out th' infamous flight of my vile sister,
Will be retir'd to meditate revenge
Upon us both. Ah, curse! he is there still. [He sees him.
I'll slip away. But it is now too late;
He has perceiv'd me.
Don A. How, Don Henrique! avoid your friend that's come
So long a journey t' embrace you, and cast
Himself at the feet of your fair sister?
Don H. Noble Antonio, you may well imagine
The trouble I am in, that you should find
My house in such disorder, so unfit
To receive th' honour of so brave a guest.
Don A. 'Tis true, Don Henrique, I am much surpris'd
With what I find: I little did expect
Your sister Porcia should have been——
Don H. O heavens! I'm lost, he has discover'd all. [Aside.
'Tis not, Antonio, in a brother's power
To make a sister of a better paste
Than heav'n has made her.
Don A. In your case 'specially; for without doubt
Heaven never made a more accomplish'd creature.
Don H. What means the man? [Aside.
Don A. I come just now from entertaining her,
Whose wit and beauty so excel all those
Of her fair sex whom I have ever known,
That my description of her would appear
Rather detraction than a just report
Of her perfections.
Don H. Certainly he mocks me: he never could
Have chosen a worse sufferer of scorn;
But I will yet contain myself awhile,
To see how far he'll drive it. [Aside.] Say you, sir,
That you have seen and entertain'd my sister?
Don A. Yes, Don Henrique; and with such full contentment,
So rais'd above expression, that I think
The pains and care of all my former life
Rewarded with excess in the delight
Of those few minutes of her conversation.
Tis true that satisfaction was abridg'd
By her well-weigh'd severity to give me
A greater pleasure in the contemplation
Of her discreet observance of the rules
Of decency, not suffering me, though now
Her husband, any longer to enjoy
So great a happiness, you not being by.
Don H. I am confounded; but I must dissemble
My astonishment till I can unfold
The mystery. [Aside.] She might have spared that caution:
But I suppose you'll easily forgive
An error on the better side.
Don A. Sir, I have seen so much of her perfection
In that short visit, I shall sooner doubt
Our definitions in morality
Than once suppose her capable of error.
Don H. This exposition makes it more obscure,
I must get him away. [Aside.] Sir, is't not time
To wait on you to your chamber? It's late,
And I believe [that] you have need of rest.
Don A. I should accept your offer, sir, with thanks,
If I were not oblig'd, as late as 'tis,
To see a friend before I go to bed.
Don H. I'll bear you company, if you'll give me leave.
Don A. I humbly thank you, sir, but can't consent
To give you so much trouble; I'll return
Within an hour at farthest.
Don H. Whene'er you please; y' are wholly master here.
Don A. I never saw a man so discompos'd,
Whate'er the matter is. [Aside.
Ernesto, I must make a step to see
A friend near-hand; bid Sancho follow me,
And stay you in my chamber till I come.
Don C. Ho! Don Henrique! come away, all's prepar'd.
Our kinsman the corregidor is ready
With a strong band of serjeants, and stays for you.
Don H. Speak softly, Don Antonio is arriv'd,
And some of his may overhear us.
Don C. That's very unlucky; but does he know
Your sister's missing?
Don H. I think not yet.
Don C. Come, let's away; we have no time to lose.
Don H. Pray, stay awhile. I labour with a doubt
Will burst me, if not clear'd before I go.
Don C. What, cousin, will you lose an opportunity
Never to be recover'd? Are you mad?
Will you permit the villains to escape,
And laugh at us for ever? Come away. [He pulls him.
Don H. Well, I must go, and let him make it out;
The worst estate of human life is doubt. [Exeunt.