ACT IV.

Scene changes to the room at Don Zancho's. Enter Don Zancho, and Chichon at another door, halting still with a staff.

Don Z. What, here again already! have you sped?
Chi. Lame as I am, you see I've made good speed
 In my return, whate'er I've had in my errand.
Don Z. Leave, fool, your quibbling, and deliver me
 From the disquiet of uncertainty.
Chi. That's quickly done. Set, sir, your heart at rest
 From the vain hopes of ever seeing Blanca—
 Now you are at ease, I trow?
Don Z. You'll be at little, unless you leave your jesting
 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.
Chi. Why, then, for fear—the devil a bit for love—
 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.
Don Z. As sweet methinks as short: such words imply
 Little less than a demi-assignation.
Chi. All puddings have two ends,[14] and most short sayings
 Two handles to their meaning.
Don Z. I'm sure I'll still lay hold upon the pleasing'st,
 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.
Chi. I thank you for it—
 I cannot go alone.

[Holding up his staff. Exeunt, Chichon halting.

Scene changes to Don Julio's private apartment. Enter Don Fernando and Julio.

Don J. All things are rightly laid, for Violante
 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.
Don F. Be assured I shall be punctual,
 As you direct. [Exeunt.

Scene changes to Don Pedro's lodging. Enter Don Pedro and his servant Fulvio.

Don P. Are you sure of what you say?
Fulv. As sure, sir,
 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.
Don P. We are well advanc'd then towards my just revenge.
 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.
Fulv. Doubt not my diligence. [Exeunt.

Scene changes to the garden. Enter Blanca and Francisca as in a fine garden with orange-trees and fountains.

Blan. You must have your will; but know, Francisca,
 If you expose me to his vanity,
 I never shall forgive you.
Fran. I tell you, madam, I will bring him t' ye
 So mortified, he shall an object be
 For pity, not for anger: you'll need employ
 Kindness to erect the poor dejected knight.
Blan. It fell out luckily, that Violante
 Came hither; for, my brother now engag'd
 With her, we're safe till ten o'clock at least.
Fran. But how shall we dispose of Silvia?
 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!
Blan. 'Twas an unluckiness; but Violante
 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.
Fran. Madam, take heed of that: whene'er you find
 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.

Blan. Come, Silvia, and take your part of this sweet place;
 This is a day indeed to taste its freshness.
Elv. Madam, I needs must say, within a town
 I never saw so fine a one.
Blan. In truth
 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.
Elv. How can I be so happy?
Blan. Francisca tells me she has overheard you
 Warbling alone such notes unto yourself,
 As have not only a good voice betray'd,
 But skill to manage it.
Elv. It is Francisca,
 That has betray'd a very ill one, madam.
Blan. Under yon palm-tree's shade, there is a seat
 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.
Elv. When you have heard that one, I shall not fear
 Your asking me another.

[They go and sit down under the palm-tree, and Elvira sings.

The Song.

See, O, see!
 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?
Hear, O, hear!
 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?
Blan. I thank you, Silvia; but I'll not allow
 One of your youth to nourish melancholy
 By tunes and words so flattering to that passion.
Elv. The happiness of serving you may fit me
 In time for gayer things.
Blan. I will not ask another for the present;
 Not for your reason, but because I'll be
 More moderate in my pleasures. Now, Silvia,
 I have a task to give you.
Elv. Whate'er it be, 'twill be a pleasing one,
 Of your imposing.
Blan. 'Tis to gather store of
 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.
Elv. I hope I shall not fail, so well instructed. [Exeunt.

Scene changes to the room at Don Zancho's. Enter Don Zancho and Chichon.

Chi. Y'are so impatient, sir, you will mar all:
 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.
Don Z. You must be governor, I see, to-night,
 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—

Elv. The task enjoin'd me is a sweet one, truly,
 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.

Don Z. Advance, Chichon, I'll follow at a distance.
 'Tis the right time—just light enough, you see,
 For warn'd expecters to know one another.
 I hope she will not fail you.
Chi. She fail us!
 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.

Fran. There comes the varlet; and I'm much deceived,
 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.

Chi. By that light, as little as 'tis, 'tis she:
 I'll to her.
Don Z. And I'll stand close the while—
 When you have broken the ice, I'll take my time.

[Chichon, going to Francisca, lays hold of her veil, and she turns about.

Chi. What signifies a veil to hide my doxy,
 When every motion of a leg or wing
 Darts round perfuming and informing airs?
 Thou art the very cauliflower of women.
Fran. And thou the very cabbage-stalk of men,
 That never stank to me, as does a blab.
Chi. Curse on thee, hold thy tongue! Dost thou not see,
 Who stands against that wall?
Fran. Away, sauce-box!

[She, thrusting him off, goes on. Don Zancho sets himself just in her way, and makes as if he would lie down in it.

Don Z. Pass, trample on me, do, trample—but hear me!
Fran. These shoes have been my lady's, and she'd ne'er
 Forgive it, should they do you so much honour. [Showing her foot.
 'Tis thou hast caus'd all this. [Aside, turning to Chichon.
Chi. Fire on thy tongue!
Don Z. Ah, my Francisca, if there be no hopes
 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:

Fran. Guarda! that's a thing
 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.

Don. Z. Spoke like an angel.
Fran. This is, you know, superfluous with me,
 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.

Chi. I'll bring you no ill-luck a second time.
 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.

Blan. How true it is that nature cheats mankind,
 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.

Fran. It now imports you have affected rage
 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.

Blan. What insolence is this? Think not, Francisca,
 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!
Fran. For heaven's sake, madam, be not so unjust [Whining.
 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?
Blan. It is well, Don Zancho; [Severely and scornfully.
 Blanca may be thus used; but he that does it
 Shall find——

[She turns away as going out, he holds her by the sleeve.

Don Z. Pardon this rudeness, madam, but a man
 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.
Blan. Since to be rid of him, Francisca, I see

[Turning to Francisca.

I must the penance undergo of hearing him,
 Keep careful watch to prevent accidents.
Fran. Madam, your closet will be much more proper
 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.
Don Z. And I know perfectly the passage thorough
 Th' entry; I've come up more than once that way
 During my happy days.
Blan. I think y' have reason; since I must have patience,
 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.

Don J. The light was in the farther window; therefore
 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.

Chi. 'Slight! 'tis Don Julio that I saw go in!
 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.

Blan. As fine a story as may be! No, Don Zancho,
 I, Blanca Rocca, am not carta blanca,[16]
 Fit to receive whate'er impression
 Your art——

Enter Francisca hastily.

Fran. Your brother's in the hall already;
 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.

Don J. Blanca, I thought you had been abed ere this.
 Have you had company to entertain you,
 And keep you up beyond your usual hour?
Blan. What company can I have, you abroad,
 At this time of the night?
Don J. I fain would find out some such as might please you.

[Ironically.

Francisca, take a candle and light me in
 To Blanca's closet.
Blan. Good brother, what's the matter?
 You were not wont to be so curious,
 As thus to pry into my privacies.
Don J. That you shall know anon. Do as I bid you,
 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.

These tropes are lost on me. [Exit.
Fran. Let him go, now we have gain'd time
 enough.
Blan. Thanks to thy timely fall!
Fran. Persons employ'd
 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.
Blan. Let me alone for that.
 But let us follow him in, that we may mark
 His whole demeanour. [Exeunt.

Enter Don Zancho in disorder.

Don Z. Curse on't, the entry-door's bolted within,
 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.

Don J. He must be gone this way, there is no other;
 The entry-door was bolted.

Enter Donna Blanca and Francisca, who pass over the stage, as if stealing after Don Julio.

Fran. All's safe: he takes that way. Let him, a God's name,
 Follow his nose to the perfuming-room.
Blan. He'll fright poor Silvia out of her wits;
 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.

Don Z. O heavens! what is't I see? 'Tis mere illusion,
 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.
Elv. Good gods! Don Zancho here! it cannot be!
 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—

Don J. Think not (whoe'er thou art), by flying thus
 From room to room, to 'scape my just revenge.
 Shouldst thou retire to th' centre of the earth,
 This sword should find thee there, and pierce thy heart.

[Throwing down the candle, he makes towards Don Zancho; but upon his turning about towards him, he makes a little stop, and says—

Nay then, if it be you, I'm happy yet
 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.

Don F. I hear an outcry and [a] clattering of swords.
 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.

Don F. They are parleying: let's hear. [Aside.

[Blanca and Francisca passing over the stage.

Blan. 'Twas Silvia's voice: my heart misgives me somewhat.
Fran. 'Tis some new accident or some mistake;
 Don Zancho cannot but be safe long since.
Blan. However let us in, and see.

[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.

Blan. We are all undone, I fear.
Fran. A little patience. [Chichon stealing over the stage.
Chi. The noise is towards the perfuming-room,
 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.

Don Z. Wit must repair the disadvantages
 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.

Since, by this lady's interposing thus,
 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.
Don J. Good gods, what an adventure's here!
 Yet all
 Is well, so Blanca's honour be but safe. [Aside.
 Sir, you surprise me much; can this be true?

[To Don Zancho.