Chapter 21

_Enter_ Clara, Julia, Antonio, Jacinta _running to ‘em_.

_Jac_. He has seen Don _Carlos_, and they have been in great discourse together, I cou’d not hear one word, but you’ll have it at both ears anon, I’ll warrant you. Ha, he’s coming.

_Enter_ Francisco.

_Cla_. Heavens, he must not see you here. [_To_ Ant.

_Jac_. Here, step into _Clara’s_ Bed-chamber. [_He goes in_.

_Fran_. So the Plot’s at last discover’d,--he was a Cavalier of his Parole.

_Jul_. Who speak you of?

_Fran_. Only the Governor, the fine young Governor, I deliver’d him the message, told him my mind and the like.

_Jul_. So kind to visit us, and have you sent him away already?

_Fran_. Ah, Witch; already! why, have I any lodging for him?

_Jul_. But I am glad you brought him not in, I being so unready.

_Fran_. But you are always ready for him, my dear victorious Man-slayer.

_Jul_. What means he, sure he has a Gad-bee in his Brain.

_Fran_. Satan’s she Advocate--peace, I say;--so, you look as innocently now, as a little Devil of two years old, I’ll warrant;--come, come, look me full in the face--thus,--turn your nose just to mine--so--now tell me whose damnable Plot this was, to send your Gallant with his Eloquence, Querks and Conundrums, to tutor me into better manners?

_Jul_. Send him! I’ll answer no such idle questions.

_Fran_. He has taken a world of pains about your particular Chapter, and no doubt but he preach’d according to instructions;--what say you for your self, that Judgment may not pass?

_Jul_. I say you’re an old jealous Fool; have I seen Don _Carlos_, or heard from Don _Carlos_, or sent to Don _Carlos_? here’s a-do indeed.

_Fran_. What made you at the door against my positive commands,--the very Street-door,--in the night,--alone,--and undrest,--this is a matter of Fact, Gentlewoman; you hastened me away,--a plain case,--and presently, after Don _Carlos_ comes to the door,--positive proof,--sees me and falls right down upon my Jealousy,--clear conviction,--’twas pity but I had follow’d his counsel, yes, when the Devil turns student in Divinity;--but no matter, I’ll see your back fairly turn’d upon this Town to morrow; I’ll marry my Daughter in the morning to _Antonio_, and a fair wind or not, we’ll home; the Gally lies ready in the Harbour-- therefore prepare, pack up your tools, for you are no woman of this world.

_Ant_. How! marry me to morrow to his daughter;--and carry his Wife from my Friend; this misfortune must be prevented. [_Aside peeping_.

_Fran_. And so, Mistress, come your ways to your Chamber.

_Jul_. And study how to prevent this cruel separation. [_Aside, goes out with him and_ Jacinta.

_Cla_. Ah, _Antonio_, I find by that sad look of yours, you have over-heard our hasty Doom.

_Ant_. I have, and am a little surpriz’d at the suddenness of it; and I my self am the unlucky occasion of it,--to break it off, I told my Father how scurvily _Isabella_ treated me,--he thereupon sends for old _Francisco_, tells him of my complaint, and instead of disengaging my self, I find my self more undone.

_Cla_. What shall we do? I’m sure thou wilt not marry her, thou canst not do’t and hope to go to Heaven.

_Ant_. No, I have one prevention left, and if that fail, I’ll utterly refuse to marry her, a thing so vainly proud; no Laws of Nature or Religion, sure, can bind me to say yes; and for my Fortune, ‘tis my own, no Father can command it.

_Cla_. I know thou wilt be true, and I’ll not doubt it.

_Enter_ Jacinta.

_Jac_. Ah! Madam, the saddest news--

_Cla_. Hah! what?

_Jac_. Poor Gentleman, I pity you of all things in the World,--you must be forc’d--how can I utter it,--to the most lamentable torment that ever Lover endur’d--to remain all night in your Mistress’s Chamber.

_Ant_. Alas, how shall I endure so great an Affliction?

_Cla_. And I.

_Jac_. Ha, ha, ha, how I am griev’d to think on it; ha, ha, ha, that you shou’d both be so hardly put to it; ha, ha, ha, for the old Gentleman has lock’d all the doors, and took the keys to bed to him,--go, get you in,--ha, ha, ha.--

_Ant_. Oh, my dear _Clara_, this is a blessing I could not hope.

_Cla_. _So large a Freedom shall my Virtue prove, I’ll trust my Honour with_ Antonio’s _Love_.

[_They go in_.

[_Ex_. Jacinta _laughing_.