Volume Iii Part 37 (1/2)

_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_.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _Don_ Carlos' _house_.

_Enter Don_ Carlos _in his Night-gown_, Antonio, _and_ Guzman _with Clothes_.

_Car_. All night with _Clara_ say'st thou? that was lucky; But was she kind, my friend?

_Ant_. As I desir'd, or Honour wou'd permit her; Nor wou'd I press her farther.

_Car_. A very moderate Lover.