Volume Iii Part 30 (1/2)

_Car_. This Fellow's of a quick Wit and good Apprehension, though possibly he cannot act the Don so well, yet that which makes up the best part of our young Gallants now a-days, he shall not want; that is, good Clothes, Money, and an Equipage,--and a little Instruction will serve turn.

_Ant_. I'm ravisht with the Fancy;--let me see--he shall be an _English_ Lord, or a _French_ Count.

_Car_. Either, we'll furnish him with Bills on Signior Don _Francisco_, --Men and Baggage, and the business is done--he shall make Love to her.

_Ant_. Most excellent.

_Car_. _Guzman_, have you not observ'd this Fellow I am speaking of.

_Guz_. Observ'd him, Sir! I know him particularly, I'll fetch him to you now, Sir; he always stands for new Imployment with the rest of his Gang under St. _Jago's_ Church-wall.

_Car_. Bring him anon to my Lodgings, where we'll prepare him for the Adventure.

_Ant_. And if the proud _Isabella_ bite not at so gay a bait, I'll be bound to be married to her.

_Car_. And if she do not, possibly that may be your Fate--but in return, you must let _Clara_ know the Design I have, and, undeceiving her opinion of my Love, make her of our Party.

_Ant_. Trust my Friends.h.i.+p, Sir, and Management. I'll to her instantly, that is, make a visit to _Isabella_, and get an opportunity to speak with _Clara_.

_Car_. And I must write a Letter to _Julia_, to undeceive her Fears too, could I but get it to her.

_Guz_. For that let me alone.

[_Exeunt severally, bowing_.

SCENE II. _A Chamber_.

_Enter_ Julia _and_ Jacinta.

_Jac_. Lord, Madam, you are as melancholy as a sick Parrot.

_Jul_. And can you blame me, _Jacinta_? have I not many Reasons to be sad? first have I not lost the only Man on earth in Don _Carlos_, that I cou'd love? and worse than that, am married to a Thing, fit only for his Tomb; a Brute, who wanting sense to value me, treats me more like a Prisoner than a Wife?--and his Pretence is, because I should not see nor hear from Don _Carlos_.

_Jac_. Wou'd I were in your room, Madam, I'd cut him out work enough, I'd warrant him; and if he durst impose on me, i'faith, I'd transform both his Shape and his Manners; in short, I'd try what Woman-hood cou'd do. And indeed, the Revenge wou'd be so pleasant, I wou'd not be without a jealous Husband for all the World; and really, Madam, Don _Carlos_ is so sweet a Gentleman.

_Jul_. Ay, but the Sin, _Jacinta_!

_Jac_. O' my Conscience, Heav'n wou'd forgive it; for this match of yours, with old _Francisco_, was never made there.

_Jul_. Then if I wou'd, alas, what opportunities have I, for I confess since his first Vows made him mine--

_Jac_. Right--that lying with old _Francisco_ is flat Adultery.

_Jul_. I might, with some excuse, give my self away to _Carlos_--But oh, he's false, he takes unjustly all the Vows he paid me, and gives 'em to my Sister _Clara_ now.

_Jac_. Indeed that's something uncivil, Madam, if it be true.

_Jul_. True! my Father has with joy consented to it, and he has leave to visit her; and can I live to see't? No, Mischief will ensue, my Love's too high, too nicely true to brook Affronts like that.