Volume I Part 81 (1/2)

[Gives him Letters.

_Car._ I remember amongst his other Faults, my Son writ me word he had Courage: If so, I shall consider what to do. [Reads.] Sir, I find by these your Father's Letters, you are not yet arriv'd.

_Alon._ I know that, Sir, but I was told I should express my Love in my haste; therefore outsailing the Pacquet, I was the welcome Messenger my self; and since I am so forward, I beseech you, Sir-- [_Carlo_ coming to imbrace him.

Now dare not I proceed, he has so credulous a consenting Face.

[Aside.

_Car._ Spare your Words, I understand their meaning; a prudent Man speaks least, as the _Spaniard_ has it: and since you are so forward, as you were saying, I shall not be backward; but as your Father adviseth here, hasten the uniting of our Families, with all celerity; for delay in these Affairs is but to prolong time, as the wise Man says.

_Alon._ You are much in the right, Sir. But my Wife, I desire to be better acquainted with her.

_Car._ She shall be forth-coming, Sir. Had you a good Pa.s.sage? for the Seas and Winds regard no Man's necessity.

_Alon._ No, no, a very ill one; your Daughter, Sir.

_Car._ Pray, how long were you at Sea?

_Alon._ _Euphemia_, Sir, _Euphemia_, your Daughter. This Don's fuller of Questions than of Proverbs, and that's a Wonder.

[Aside.

_Car._ They say _Flanders_ is a very fine Country, I never saw it; but--

_Alon._ Nor 'tis no matter, Sir, if you never do, so I saw your Daughter. He'll catechize me home to my _Dutch_ Parents by and by, of which I can give him no more account than-- [Aside.

_Car._ Are they as dissatisfied with their new Governour, as they were with Don _John_? for they love change.

_Alon._ A Pox of their Government, I tell you I love your Daughter.

_Car._ I fear 'tis so, he's valiant; and what a dangerous Quality is that in _Spain_! 'tis well he's rich.

[Aside.

_Lov._ Pray, Sir, keep him not long in Discourse, the Sea has made him unfit for--

_Alon._ Any thing but seeing my Mistress.

_Lov._ I'll have mercy upon thee, and fetch her to thee.

[Ex. _Lovis_.

_Car._ Sir, you must know, that we suffer not our Women in Spain to converse so frequently with your s.e.x, and that thro a cautious-- well consider'd prudent-- Consideration.

_Alon._ But, Sir, do you consider what an impatient thing a young Lover is? Or is it so long since you were one your self, you have forgot it?

'Tis well he wanted Words. [Enter _Euphemia_ and _Lovis_.] But yonder's _Euphemia_, whose Beauty is sufficient to excuse every Defect in the whole Family, tho each were a mortal sin; and now 'tis impossible to guard my self longer from those fair Eyes.

[Aside.

_Car._ I must not urge him to speak much before _Euphemia_, lest she discover he wants Wit by his much Tongue: [Aside.

There's my Daughter, Sir, go and salute her.

_Alon._ Oh, I thank you for that, Sir.