The Duenna: A Comic Opera Part 8

_Duen_. What is your friend saying, signor?

_Isaac_. Oh, ma'am, he is expressing his raptures at such charms as he never saw before. Eh, Carlos?

_Don Car_. Ay,--such as I never saw before, indeed!

_Duen_. You are a very obliging gentleman. Well, Signor Isaac, I believe we had better part for the present. Remember our plan.

_Isaac_. Oh, ma'am, it is written in my heart, fixed as the image of those divine beauties. Adieu, idol of my soul!--yet once more permit me----[_Kisses her_.]

_Duen_. Sweet, courteous sir, adieu!

_Isaac_. Your slave eternally! Come, Carlos, say something civil at taking leave.

_Don Car_. I'faith, Isaac, she is the hardest woman to compliment I ever saw; however, I'll try something I had studied for the occasion.

SONG.

Ah! sure a pair was never seen So justly form'd to meet by nature!

The youth excelling so in mien, The maid in ev'ry grace of feature.

Oh, how happy are such lovers, When kindred beauties each discovers; For surely she Was made for thee, And thou to bless this lovely creature!

So mild your looks, your children thence Will early learn the task of duty-- The boys with all their father's sense, The girls with all their mother's beauty!

Oh, how happy to inherit At once such graces and such spirit!

Thus while you live May fortune give Each blessing equal to your merit! [_Exeunt_.]

SCENE III.--_A Library in_ DON JEROME'S _House_.

DON JEROME _and_ DON FERDINAND _discovered_.

_Don Jer_. Object to Antonio! I have said it. His poverty, can you acquit him of that?

_Don Ferd_. Sir, I own he is not over rich; but he is of as ancient and honourable a family as any in the kingdom.

_Don Jer_. Yes, I know the beggars are a very ancient family in most kingdoms; but never in great repute, boy.

_Don Ferd_. Antonio, sir, has many amiable qualities.

_Don Jer_. But he is poor; can you clear him of that, I say? Is he not a gay, dissipated rake, who has squandered his patrimony?

_Don Ferd_. Sir, he inherited but little; and that his generosity, more than his profuseness, has stripped him of; but he has never sullied his honour, which, with his t.i.tle, has outlived his means.

_Don Jer_. Psha! you talk like a blockhead! n.o.bility, without an estate, is as ridiculous as gold lace on a frieze coat.

_Don Ferd_. This language, sir, would better become a Dutch or English trader than a Spaniard.

_Don Jer_. Yes; and those Dutch and English traders, as you call them, are the wiser people. Why, b.o.o.by, in England they were formerly as nice, as to birth and family, as we are: but they have long discovered what a wonderful purifier gold is; and now, no one there regards pedigree in anything but a horse. Oh, here comes Isaac! I hope he has prospered in his suit.

_Don Ferd_. Doubtless, that agreeable figure of his must have helped his suit surprisingly.

_Don Jer_. How now? [DON FERDINAND _walks aside_.]

_Enter_ ISAAC.

Well, my friend, have you softened her?

_Isaac_. Oh, yes; I have softened her.

_Don Jer_. What, does she come to?

_Isaac_. Why, truly, she was kinder than I expected to find her.

_Don Jer_. And the dear little angel was civil, eh?

_Isaac_. Yes, the pretty little angel was very civil.

_Don Jer_. I'm transported to hear it! Well, and you were astonished at her beauty, hey?

_Isaac_. I was astonished, indeed! Pray, how old is Miss?

_Don Jer_. How old? let me see--eight and twelve--she is twenty.

_Isaac_. Twenty?

_Don Jer_. Ay, to a month.

_Isaac_. Then, upon my soul, she is the oldest-looking girl of her age in Christendom!

_Don Jer_. Do you think so? But, I believe, you will not see a prettier girl.

_Isaac_. Here and there one.

_Don Jer_. Louisa has the family face.

_Isaac_. [_Aside_.] Yes, egad, I should have taken it for a family face, and one that has been in the family some time, too.

_Don Jer_. She has her father's eyes.

_Isaac_. [_Aside_.]Truly, I should have guessed them to have been so!

If she had her mother's spectacles, I believe she would not see the worse.

_Don Jer_. Her aunt Ursula's nose, and her grandmother's forehead, to a hair.

_Isaac_. [_Aside_.]Ay, 'faith, and her grandfather's chin, to a hair.