The Duenna: A Comic Opera Part 12

Let the man who brought the last letter, wait; and get me a pen and ink below.--[_Exit_ SERVANT.] I am impatient to set poor Louisa's heart at rest. [_Calls_.]Holloa! Lewis! Sancho!

_Enter_ SERVANTS.

See that there be a n.o.ble supper provided in the saloon to-night; serve up my best wines, and let me have music, d'ye hear?

_Ser_. Yes, sir.

_Don Jer_. And order all my doors to be thrown open; admit all guests, with masks or without masks.--[_Exeunt_ SERVANTS.] I'faith, we'll have a night of it! and I'll let them see how merry an old man can be.

SONG.

Oh, the days when I was young.

When I laugh'd in fortune's spite; Talk'd of love the whole day long, And with nectar crown'd the night!

Then it was, old Father Care, Little reck'd I of thy frown; Half thy malice youth could bear, And the rest a b.u.mper drown.

Truth, they say, lies in a well, Why, I vow I ne'er could see; Let the water-drinkers tell, There it always lay for me.

For when sparkling wine went round, Never saw I falsehood's mask; But still honest truth I found In the bottom of each flask.

True, at length my vigour's flown, I have years to bring decay; Few the locks that now I own, And the few I have are grey.

Yet, old Jerome, thou mayst boast, While thy spirits do not tire; Still beneath thy age's frost Glows a spark of youthful fire. [_Exit_.]

SCENE II.--_The New Piazza_.

_Enter_ DON FERDINAND _and_ LOPEZ.

_Don Ferd_. What, could you gather no tidings of her? nor guess where she was gone? O Clara! Clara!

_Lop_. In truth, sir, I could not. That she was run away from her father, was in everybody's mouth; and that Don Guzman was in pursuit of her, was also a very common report. Where she was gone, or what was become of her, no one could take upon them to say.

_Don Ferd_. 'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead! she can't be out of Seville.

_Lop_. So I said to myself, sir. 'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead, says I, she can't be out of Seville. Then some said, she had hanged herself for love; and others have it, Don Antonio had carried her off.

_Don Ferd_. 'Tis false, scoundrel! no one said that.

_Lop_. Then I misunderstood them, sir.

_Don Ferd_. Go, fool, get home! and never let me see you again till you bring me news of her.--[_Exit_ LOPEZ.] Oh, how my fondness for this ungrateful girl has hurt my disposition.

_Enter_ ISAAC.

_Isaac_. So, I have her safe, and have only to find a priest to marry us. Antonio now may marry Clara, or not, if he pleases.

_Don Ferd_. What! what was that you said of Clara?

_Isaac_. Oh, Ferdinand! my brother-in-law that shall be, who thought of meeting you?

_Don Ferd_. But what of Clara?

_Isaac_. I'faith, you shall hear. This morning, as I was coming down, I met a pretty damsel, who told me her name was Clara d'Almanza, and begged my protection.

_Don Ferd_. How!

_Isaac_. She said she had eloped from her father, Don Guzman, but that love for a young gentleman in Seville was the cause.

_Don Ferd_. Oh, Heavens! did she confess it?

_Isaac_. Oh, yes, she confessed at once. But then, says she, my lover is not informed of my flight, nor suspects my intention.

_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] Dear creature! no more I did indeed! Oh, I am the happiest fellow!--[_Aloud_.] Well, Isaac?

_Isaac_. Why then she entreated me to find him out for her, and bring him to her.

_Don Ferd_. Good Heavens, how lucky! Well, come along, let's lose no time. [_Pulling him_.]

_Isaac_. Zooks! where are we to go?

_Don Ferd_. Why, did anything more pa.s.s?

_Isaac_. Anything more! yes; the end on't was, that I was moved with her speeches, and complied with her desires.

_Don Ferd_. Well and where is she?

_Isaac_. Where is she? why, don't I tell you? I complied with her request, and left her safe in the arms of her lover.

_Don Ferd_. 'Sdeath, you trifle with me!--I have never seen her.

_Isaac_. You! O Lud no! how the devil should you? 'Twas Antonio she wanted; and with Antonio I left her.

_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] h.e.l.l and madness!--[_Aloud_.] What, Antonio d'Ercilla?

_Isaac_. Ay, ay, the very man; and the best part of it was, he was shy of taking her at first. He talked a good deal about honour, and conscience, and deceiving some dear friend; but, Lord, we soon overruled that!

_Don Ferd_. You did!

_Isaac_. Oh, yes, presently.--Such deceit! says he.--Pish! says the lady, tricking is all fair in love. But then, my friend, says he.-- Psha! d.a.m.n your friend, says I. So, poor wretch, he has no chance.-- No, no; he may hang himself as soon as he pleases.

_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] I must go, or I shall betray myself.

_Isaac_. But stay, Ferdinand, you han't heard the best of the joke.

_Don Ferd_. Curse on your joke!