Chapter 16

by twilight_.

_Enter Don_ MANUEL, _solus_.

_Man_. This is the time and place, where I expect My fugitive mistress; if I meet with her, I may forget the wrongs, her brother did me; If otherwise, his blood shall expiate them. I hope her woman keeps her ignorant How all things passed, according to her promise.

_A door opens,--Enter_ ANGELINA _in boy's clothes_. LEONORA _behind at the door_.

_Leon_. I had forgot to tell him of this habit She has put on; but sure he'll know her in it.

[_Aside_.

_Man_. Who goes there?

_Ang_. 'Tis Don Manuel's voice; I must run back: The door shut on me?--Leonora! where?--Does she not follow me? I am betrayed.

_Man_. What are you?

_Ang_. A poor boy.

_Man_. Do you belong to Rodorick?

_Ang_. Yes, I do.

_Man_. Here's money for you; tell me where's his sister?

_Ang_. Just now I met her coming down the stairs, Which lead into the garden.

_Man_. 'Tis well; leave me In silence.

_Ang_. With all my heart; was ever such a 'scape? [_Exit running_.

_Man_. She cannot now be long; sure by the moons shine I shall discover her:

_Enter_ RODORICK _and_ JULIA.

This must be she; I'll seize her.

_Jul_. Help me, Roderick.

_Rod_. Unhand the lady, villain.

_Man_. Roderick! I'm glad we meet alone; now is the time To end our difference.

_Rod_. I cannot stay.

_Man_. You must.

_Rod_. I will not.

_Man_. 'Tis base to injure any man; but yet Tis far more base, once done, not to defend it.

_Rod_. Is this an hour, for valiant men to fight? They love the sun should witness what they do; Cowards have courage, when they see not death; And fearful hares, that sculk in forms all day, Yet fight their feeble quarrels by the moonlight.

_Man_. No; light and darkness are but poor distinctions Of such, whose courage comes by fits and starts.

_Rod_. Thou urgest me above my patience; This minute of my life was not my own, But hers, I love beyond it. [_They draw, and fight_.

_Jul_. Help, help! none hear me! Heaven, I think, is deaf too: O Roderick! O brother!

_Enter_ GONSALVO, _and_ HIPPOLITO.

_Jul_. Whoe'er you are, if you have honour, part them! [MANUEL _stumbles, and falls_.

_Gons_. Hold, sir, you are too cruel; he, that kills At such advantage, fears to fight again.

[_Holds_ RODORICK.

_Man_. Cavalier, I may live to thank you for this favour. [_Rises_.

_Rod_. I will not quit you so.

_Man_. I'll breathe, and then--

_Jul_. Is there no way to save their lives?

_Hip_. Run out of sight, If 'tis concerning you they quarrel.

[JULIA _retires to a corner_.

_Hip_. Help, help, as you are cavaliers; the lady. For whom you thus contend, is seized by some Night-robbing villains.

_All_. Which way took they?

_Hip_. 'Twas so dark I could not see distinctly.

_Rod_. Let us divide; I this way. [_Exit_.

_Gons_. Down yonder street I'll take.

_Man_. And I down that. [_Exeunt severally_.

_Hip_. Now, madam, may we not lay by our fear? They are all gone.

_Jul_. Tis true; but we are here, Exposed to darkness, without guide or aid, But of ourselves.

_Hip_. And of ourselves afraid.

_Jul_. These dangers, while 'twas light, I could despise; Then I was bold, but watched by many eyes: Ah! could not heaven for lovers find a way, That prying people still might sleep by day?

_Enter_ ANGELINA.

_Hip_. Methinks I'm certain I discover some.

_Jul_. This was your speaking of them, made them come.

_Hip_. There is but one, perhaps he may go by.

_Ang_. Where had I courage for this bold disguise, Which more my nature than my sex belies? Alas! I am betrayed to darkness here; Darkness, which virtue hates, and maids most fear: Silence and solitude dwell every where: Dogs cease to bark; the waves more faintly roar, And roll themselves asleep upon the shore: No noise but what my footsteps make, and they Sound dreadfully, and louder than by day: They double too, and every step I take Sounds thick, methinks, and more than one could make. Ha! who are these? I wished for company, and now I fear. Who are you, gentle people, that go there?

_Jul_. His voice is soft as is the upper air, Or dying lovers' words: O pity us. Ang. O pity me! take freely as your own My gold, my jewels; spare my life alone.

_Hip_. Alas, he fears as much as we.

_Jul_. What say you, Sir, will you join with us?

_Ang_. Yes, madam; but If you would take my sword, you'll use it better.

_Hip_. Ay, but you are a man.

_Ang_. Why, so are you.

_Hip_. Truly my fear had made me quite forget it.

_Enter GONSALVO_.

_Gons_. Hippolito! how barbarous was I To leave my boy! Hippolito!

_Hip. _Here, here. Now, madam, fear not, you are safe.

_Jul_. What is become, sir, of those gentlemen?

_Gons_. Madam, they all went several ways; not like To meet.

_Jul_. What will become of me?

_Gons_. Tis late, And I a stranger in the town; yet all Your dangers shall be mine.

_Jul_. You're noble, sir.

_Gons_. I'll pawn the hopes of all my love, to see You safe.

_Jul_. Whoe'er your mistress be, she has My curses, if she prove not kind.

_Ang_. And mine.

_Hip_. My sister will repent her, when she knows For whom she makes that wish; but I'll say nothing, Till day discovers it. [_Aside_.] A door opens; I hope it is some inn.

[_A door opens, at which a Servant appears_.

_Ang_. Friend, can you lodge us here?

_Serv_. Yes, friend, we can.

_Jul_. How shall we be disposed?

_Serv_. As nature would; The gentleman and you: I have a rule, That, when a man and woman ask for lodging, They are ever husband and wife.

_Jul_. Rude and unmannered!

_Gons_. Sir, this lady must be lodged apart.

_Serv_. Then the two boys, that are good for nothing But one another, they shall go together.

_Ang_. Lie with a man! sweet heaven defend me!

_Hip_. Alas, friend, I ever lie alone.

_Serv_. Then to save trouble, sir, because 'tis late, One of the youths shall be disposed with you.

_Ang_. Who, I! not for the world.

_Hip_. Neither of us; for, though I would not lodge with you Myself, I never can endure he should.

_Ang_. Why then, to end the difference, if you please. I and that lady will be bed-fellows.

_Hip_. No, she and I will lodge together rather.

_Serv_. You are sweet youths indeed; not for the world You would not lodge with men! none but the lady Would serve your turn.

_Aug_. Alas, I had forgot I am a boy; I am so lately one. [_Aside_.

_Serv_. Well, well; all shall be lodged apart.

_Gons_. to Hip. I did not think you harboured wanton thoughts; So young, so bad?

_Hip_. I can make no defence, But must be shamed by my own innocence. [_Exeunt_.