SCENE IV.

_An Apartment in SCIPIO's Castle._

_Enter VICTORIA and CATILINA._

_Catil._ Nay, dear madam, do not submit to go into the nunnery.

_Vic._ Yes, Catilina, my father desires I shall take the veil, and a parent's voice is the call of Heaven!

_Catil._ Heaven! Well, though the fellows swear I'm an angel, this world is good enough for me--Dear ma'am, I wish I could but once see you in love.

_Vic._ Heigho! Catilina, I wonder what sort of gentleman this Don Fernando is, who is contracted to me, and hourly expected at the castle.

_Catil._ A beautiful man, I warrant--But, ma'am, you're not to have him. Hush! Dame Isabel, not content with making your father, by slights and ill usage, force your brother, poor Don Caesar, to run about the world, in the Lord knows what wild courses, but she now has persuaded the old gentleman to pass her daughter on Don Fernando, for you--There, yonder she is, flaunting, so be-jewelled and be-plumed--Well, if I was you, they might take my birthright--but my husband--take my man--the deuce shall take them first! Ah, no! if ever I do go to heaven, I'll have a smart lad in my company.--Send you to a nunnery!

_Vic._ Was my fond mother alive!--Catilina, my father will certainly marry this Dame Isabel; I'm now an alien to his affections, bereft of every joy and every hope, I shall quit the world without a sigh.

AIR V.--VICTORIA.

_Ah, solitude, take my distress,_ _My griefs I'll unbosom to thee,_ _Each sigh thou canst gently repress,_ _Thy silence is music to me._

_Yet peace from my sonnet may spring,_ _For peace let me fly the gay throng,_ _To soften my sorrows I sing,_ _Yet sorrow's the theme of my song._

[_Exit VICTORIA._

_Catil._ I quit this castle as soon as ever Donna Victoria enters a nunnery--Shall I go with her? No, I was never made for a nun--Ay, I'll back to the vineyard, and if my sweetheart, Philippo, is as fond as ever, who knows--I was his queen of all the girls, though the charming youth was the guitar, flute, fiddle, and hautboy of our village.

AIR VI.--CATILINA.

_Like my dear swain, no youth you'd see_ _So blithe, so gay, so full of glee,_ _In all our village, who but he_ _To foot it up so featly--_ _His lute to hear,_ _From far and near,_ _Each female came,_ _Both girl and dame,_ _And all his boon_ _For every tune,_ _To kiss 'em round so sweetly._

_While round him in the jocund ring,_ _We nimbly danced, he'd play or sing,_ _Of May the youth was chosen king,_ _He caught our ears so neatly._ _Such music rare_ _In his guitar,_ _But touch his flute_ _The crowd was mute,_ _His only boon,_ _For every tune,_ _To kiss us round so sweetly._

[Exit.

_Enter VASQUEZ, introducing SPADO._

_Vas._ I'll inform Dame Isabel, sir--please to wait a moment.

[_Exit VASQUEZ._

_Spado._ Sir!--This Dame Isabel is, it seems, a widow-gentlewoman, whom Don Scipio has retained ever since the death of his lady, as supreme directress over his family, has such an ascendancy, prevailed on him even to drive his own son out of his house, and, ha! ha! ha! is now drawing the old don into a matrimonial noose, ha! ha! ha! Egad, I am told, rules the roast here in the castle--Yes, yes, she's my mark--Hem! Now for my story, but my scheme is up, if I tell her a single truth--Ah, no fear of that.--Oh, this way she moves--

_Enter DAME ISABEL and VASQUEZ._

_Isab._ Don Scipio not returned! a foolish old man, rambling about at this time of night! Stay, Vasquez, where's this strange, ugly little fellow you said wanted to speak with me?

_Vas._ [_Confused._] Madam, I did not say--

_Spado._ No matter, young man--Hem!

[_Exit VASQUEZ._

_Isab._ Well, sir, pray who are you?

_Spado._ [_Bowing obsequiously._] Madam, I have the honour to be confidential servant and secretary to Don Juan, father to Don Fernando de Zelva.

_Isab._ Don Fernando! Heavens! is he arrived? Here, Vasquez, Lopez, Diego!

[_Calling._

_Spado._ Hold, madam! he's not arrived: Most sagacious lady, please to lend your attention for a few moments to an affair of the highest importance to Don Scipio's family. My young master is coming--

_Isab._ Well, sir!

_Spado._ Incog.

_Isab._ Incog!

_Spado._ Madam, you shall hear--[_Aside._]--Now for a lie worth twenty pistoles--The morning before his departure, Don Fernando calls me into his closet, and shutting the door, "Spado," says he, "you know this obstinate father of mine has engaged me to marry a lady I have never seen, and to-morrow, by his order, I set out for Don Scipio, her father's castle, for that purpose; but," says he, striking his breast with one hand, twisting his mustaches with the other, and turning up his eyes--"if, when I see her, she don't hit my fancy, I'll not marry her, by the----"--I sha'n't mention his oath before you, madam.

_Isab._ No, pray don't, sir.

_Spado._ "Therefore," says he, "I design to dress Pedrillo, my arch dog of a valet, in a suit of my clothes, and he shall personate me at Don Scipio's castle, while I, in a livery, pass for him--If I like the lady, I resume my own character, and take her hand; if not, the deceit continues, and Pedrillo weds Donna Victoria, just to warn parental tyranny how it dares to clap up marriage, without consulting our inclinations."

_Isab._ Here's a discovery! so then, it's my poor child that must have fallen into this snare--[_Aside._] Well, good sir.

_Spado._ "And, (continued he) Spado, I appoint you my trusty spy in this Don Scipio's family; to cover our designs, let it be a secret that you belong to me, and I sha'n't seem even to know you--You'll easily get a footing in the family (says he) by imposing some lie or other upon a foolish woman, I'm told, is in the castle. Dame Isabel I think they call her."

_Isab._ He shall find I am not so easily imposed upon.

_Spado._ I said so, madam; says I, a lady of Dame Isabel's wisdom must soon find me out, was I to tell her a lie.

_Isab._ Ay, that I should, sir.

_Enter VASQUEZ._

_Vas._ Oh, madam! my master is returned, and Don Fernando de Zelva with him.

[_Exit VASQUEZ._

_Isab._ Don Fernando! Oh, then, this is the rascally valet, but I'll give him a welcome with a vengeance!

_Spado._ Hold, madam! Suppose, for a little sport, you seem to humour the deceit, only to see how the fellow acts his part; he'll play the gentleman very well, I'll warrant; the dog is an excellent mimic; for, you must know, ma'am, this Pedrillo's mother was a gipsy, his father a merry andrew to a mountebank, and he himself five years trumpeter to a company of strolling players.

_Isab._ So, I was likely to have a hopeful son-in-law! Good sir, we are eternally indebted to you for this timely notice of the imposition.

_Spado._ Madam, I've done the common duties of an honest man--I have been long in the family, and can't see my master making such a fool of himself, without endeavouring to prevent any mischance in consequence.

_Isab._ Dear sir, I beseech you be at home under this roof; pray be free, and want for nothing the house affords.

_Spado._ [_Bows._] Good madam! I'll want for nothing I can lay my fingers on. [_Aside._]

[_Exit SPADO._

_Isab._ Heavens! what an honest soul it is! what a lucky discovery! Oh, here comes my darling girl!

_Enter LORENZA, magnificently dressed._

_Lor._ Oh, cara Madre! See, behold!--Can I fail of captivating Don Fernando? Don't I look charming?

_Isab._ Why, Lorenza, I must say the toilet has done its duty; I'm glad to see you in such spirits, my dear child!

_Lor._ Spirits! ever gay, ever sprightly, cheerful as a lark--but how shall I forget my Florence lover, my dear Ramirez?

_Isab._ I request, my dear, you'll not think of this Ramirez--even from your own account of him, he must be a person of most dissolute principles--fortunately he knows you only by your name of Lorenza. I hope he won't find you out here.

_Lor._ Then farewell, beloved Ramirez! In obedience to your commands, madam, I shall accept of this Don Fernando; and as a husband, I will love him if I can--

AIR VII.--LORENZA.

_Love! gay illusion!_ _Pleasing delusion,_ _With sweet intrusion,_ _Possesses the mind._

_Love with love meeting,_ _Passion is fleeting;_ _Vows in repeating_ _We trust to the wind._

_Faith to faith plighted,_ _Love may be blighted;_ _Hearts often slighted_ _Will cease to be kind._

_Enter VASQUEZ._

_Vas._ Madam--my master and Don Fernando.

_Isab._ Has Don Fernando a servant with him?

_Vas._ No, madam.

_Isab._ Oh, when he comes, take notice of him.

_Enter DON SCIPIO and FERNANDO._

_Don Scipio._ Oh, my darling dame, and my delicate daughter, bless your stars that you see poor old Scipio alive again--Behold my son-in-law and the preserver of my life--Don Fernando, there's your spouse, and this is Donna Isabella, a lady of vast merit, of which my heart is sensible.

_Don Fer._ Madam!

[_Salutes._

_Isab._ What an impudent fellow!

[_Aside._

_Don Scipio._ Dear Fernando, you are as welcome to this castle as flattery to a lady, but there she is--bill and coo--embrace--caress her.

[_FERNANDO salutes LORENZA._

_Lor._ If I had never seen Ramirez, I should think the man tolerable enough!

[_Aside._

_Don Scipio._ Ha! ha! this shall be the happy night--Eh, Dame Isabel, by our agreement, before the lark sings, I take possession of this noble tenement.

_Don Fer._ Don Scipio, I hoped to have the honour of seeing your son.

_Don Scipio._ My son! Who, Caesar? Oh, lord! He's--He was a--turned out a profligate--Sent him to Italy--got into bad company--don't know what's become of him--My dear friend, if you would not offend me, never mention Don Caesar in my hearing. Egad--Eh, my dainty dame, is not Don Fernando a fine fellow?

_Isab._ Yes, he's well enough for a trumpeter.

_Don Scipio._ Trumpeter! [_With surprise._] what the devil do you mean by that? Oh, because I sound his praise; but, madam, he's a cavalier of noble birth, title, fortune, and valour--

_Isab._ Don Scipio, a word if you please.

[_Takes him aside._

_Lor._ [_To FERNANDO._] Si--Signor, our castle here is rather a gloomy mansion, when compared to the beautiful cassinos on the banks of the Arno.

_Don Fer._ Arno! true, Don Scipio said in his letter, that his daughter had been bred at Florence.

_Lor._ You have had an unpleasant journey, signor?

_Don Fer._ I have encountered some difficulties by the way, it is true, madam; but am amply repaid by the honour and happiness I now enjoy.

[_Bows._

_Lor._ Sir!--I swear he's a polite cavalier! [_Aside._] Won't you please to sit, sir? I fancy you must be somewhat weary.

[_Sits._

_Don Scipio._ What the devil! Eh, sure--what this fellow only Don Fernando's footman! how! it can't be!

_Isab._ A fact; and presently you'll see Don Fernando himself in livery.

_Don Scipio._ Look at the impudent son of a gipsy--Sat himself down--Zounds! I'll--

_Isab._ Hold! let him play off a few of his airs.

_Don Scipio._ A footman! Ay, this accounts for his behaviour in the forest--Don Fernando would never have accepted my purse--[_Taps his Shoulder._]--Hey, what, you've got there!

_Don Fer._ Will you please to sit, sir?

[_Rises._

_Don Scipio._ Yes, he looks like a trumpeter. [_Aside._] You may sit down, friend.

[_With contempt._

_Don Fer._ A strange old gentleman!

_Enter VASQUEZ._

_Vas._ Sir, your servant Pedrillo is arrived.

[_Exit VASQUEZ._

_Isab._ Servant Pedrillo! Ay, this is Fernando himself.

[_Apart, joyfully to SCIPIO._

_Don Fer._ Oh, then the fellow has found his way at last. Don Scipio--Ladies--excuse me a moment.

[_Exit FERNANDO._

_Lor._ What a charming fellow!

_Don Scipio._ What an impudent rascal!

_Ped._ [_Without._] Is my master this way?

_Don Scipio._ Master! ay, this is Fernando.

_Enter PEDRILLO, with a Portmanteau._

_Ped._ Oh dear! I've got among the gentlefolks--I ask pardon.

_Isab._ How well he does look and act the servant!

_Don Scipio._ Admirable; yet I perceive the grandee under the livery.

_Isab._ Please to sit, sir.

[_With great respect._

_Lor._ A livery servant sit down by me!

_Don Scipio._ Pray sit down, sir.

[_Ceremoniously._

_Ped._ Sit down! [_Sits._] Oh, these must be the upper servants of the family--her ladyship here is the housekeeper, I suppose--the young tawdry tit, lady's maid--(Hey, her mistress throws off good clothes,) and Old Whiskers, Don Scipio's butler.

[_Aside._

_Enter DON FERNANDO._

_Don Fer._ Pedrillo! how! seated! what means this disrespect?

_Ped._ Sir, [_Rises to him._] Old Whiskers, the butler there, asked me to sit down by Signora the waiting-maid here.

_Don Fer._ Sirrah!

_Ped._ Yes, sir.

_Don Scipio._ Sir and sirrah! how rarely they act their parts! I'll give them an item, though, that I understand the plot of their comedy.

[_Aside._

AIR VIII.--QUINTETTO.

D. Scipio. _Signor!_ [To PEDRILLO.] _Your wits must be keener,_ _Our prudence to elude,_ _Your fine plot,_ _Tho' so pat,_ _Will do you little good._

Ped. _My fine plot!_ _I'm a sot,_ _If I know what_ _These gentlefolks are at._

Fer. _Past the perils of the night,_ _Tempests, darkness, rude alarms;_ _Phoebus rises clear and bright,_ _In the lustre of your charms._

Lor. _O, charming, I declare,_ _So polite a cavalier!_ _He understands the duty_ _And homage due to beauty._

D. Scipio. _Bravo! O bravissimo!_

Lor. _Caro! O carissimo!_ _How sweet his honey words,_ _How noble is his mien!_

D. Scipio. _Fine feathers make fine birds,_ _The footman's to be seen._ _But both deserve a basting!_

Ped. _Since morning I've been fasting._

D. Scipio. _Yet I could laugh for anger._

Ped. _Oh, I could cry for hunger._

D. Scipio. _I could laugh._

Ped. _I could cry._

D. Scipio. _I could quaff._

Ped. _So could I._

D. Scipio. _Ha! ha! ha! I'm in a fit._

Ped. _Oh, I could pick a little bit._

D. Scipio. _Ha! ha! ha!_

Ped. _Oh! oh! oh!_

Lor. _A very pleasant party!_

D. Fer. _A whimsical reception!_

D. Scipio. _A whimsical deception!_ _But master and man, accept a welcome hearty._

D. Fer.} _Accept our thanks sincere, for such a welcome hearty._ Ped. }

ACT THE SECOND.