The Duenna: A Comic Opera Part 4

_Don. Clara_. Louisa's respect for her father is so great, she would not credit the unkindness of mine.

[DONNA LOUISA _turns and sees_ DONNA CLARA _and_ MAID.]

_Don. Louisa_. Ha! who are those? sure one is Clara--if it be, I'll trust her. Clara! [_Advances_.]

_Don. Clara_. Louisa! and in masquerade too!

_Don. Louisa_. You will be more surprised when I tell you, that I have run away from my father.

_Don. Clara_. Surprised indeed! and I should certainly chide you most horridly, only that I have just run away from mine.

_Don. Louisa_. My dear Clara! [_Embrace_.]

_Don. Clara_. Dear sister truant! and whither are you going?

_Don. Louisa_. To find the man I love, to be sure; and, I presume, you would have no aversion to meet with my brother?

_Don. Clara_. Indeed I should: he has behaved so ill to me, I don't believe I shall ever forgive him.

AIR.

When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

_Don. Louisa_. Well, for all this, I would have sent him to plead his pardon, but that I would not yet awhile have him know of my flight.

And where do you hope to find protection?

_Don. Clara_. The Lady Abbess of the convent of St. Catherine is a relation and kind friend of mine--I shall be secure with her, and you had best go thither with me.

_Don. Louisa_. No; I am determined to find Antonio first; and, as I live, here comes the very man I will employ to seek him for me.

_Don. Clara_. Who is he? he's a strange figure.

_Don. Louisa_. Yes; that sweet creature is the man whom my father has fixed on for my husband.

_Don. Clara_. And will you speak to him? are you mad?

_Don. Louisa_. He is the fittest man in the world for my purpose; for, though I was to have married him to-morrow, he is the only man in Seville who, I am sure, never saw me in his life.

_Don. Clara_. And how do you know him?

_Don. Louisa_. He arrived but yesterday, and he was shown to me from the window, as he visited my father.

_Don. Clara_. Well, I'll begone.

_Don. Louisa_. Hold, my dear Clara--a thought has struck me: will you give me leave to borrow your name, as I see occasion?

_Don. Clara_. It will but disgrace you; but use it as you please: I dare not stay.--[_Going_.]--But, Louisa, if you should see your brother, be sure you don't inform him that I have taken refuge with the Dame Prior of the convent of St. Catherine, on the left hand side of the piazza which leads to the church of St. Anthony.

_Don. Louisa_. Ha! ha! ha! I'll be very particular in my directions where he may not find you.--[_Exeunt_ DONNA CLARA _and_ MAID.]--So! My swain, yonder, has, done admiring himself, and draws nearer.

[_Retires_.]

_Enter_ ISAAC _and_ DON CARLOS.

_Isaac_. [_Looking in a pocket-gla.s.s_.] I tell you, friend Carlos, I will please myself in the habit of my chin.

_Don Car_. But, my dear friend, how can you think to please a lady with such a face?

_Isaac_. Why, what's the matter with the face? I think it is a very engaging face; and, I am sure, a lady must have very little taste who could dislike my beard.--[_Sees_ DONNA LOUISA.]--See now! I'll die if here is not a little damsel struck with it already.

_Don. Louisa_. Signor, are you disposed to oblige a lady who greatly wants your a.s.sistance? [_Unveils_.]

_Isaac_. Egad, a very pretty black-eyed girl! she has certainly taken a fancy to me, Carlos. First, ma'am, I must beg the favour of your name.

_Don. Louisa_. [_Aside_.] So! it's well I am provided.--[_Aloud_.]--My name, sir, is Donna Clara d'Almanza.

_Isaac_. What? Don Guzman's daughter? I'faith, I just now heard she was missing.

_Don. Louisa_. But sure, sir, you have too much gallantry and honour to betray me, whose fault is love?

_Isaac_. So! a pa.s.sion for me! poor girl! Why, ma'am, as for betraying you, I don't see how I could get anything by it; so, you may rely on my honour; but as for your love, I am sorry your case is so desperate.

_Don. Louisa_. Why so, signor?

_Isaac_. Because I am positively engaged to another--an't I, Carlos?

_Don. Louisa_. Nay, but hear me.

_Isaac_. No, no; what should I hear for? It is impossible for me to court you in an honourable way; and for anything else, if I were to comply now, I suppose you have some ungrateful brother, or cousin, who would want to cut my throat for my civility--so, truly, you had best go home again.

_Don. Louisa_. [_Aside_.] Odious wretch!--[_Aloud_.]--But, good signor, it is Antonio d'Ercilla, on whose account I have eloped.

_Isaac_. How! what! it is not with me, then, that you are in love?

_Don. Louisa_. No, indeed, it is not.

_Isaac_. Then you are a forward, impertinent simpleton! and I shall certainly acquaint your father.

_Don. Louisa_. Is this your gallantry?

_Isaac_. Yet hold--Antonio d'Ercilla, did you say? egad, I may make something of this--Antonio d'Ercilla?

_Don. Louisa_. Yes; and if ever you wish to prosper in love, you will bring me to him.

_Isaac_. By St. Iago and I will too!--Carlos, this Antonio is one who rivals me (as I have heard) with Louisa--now, if I could hamper him with this girl, I should have the field to myself; hey, Carlos! A lucky thought, isn't it?

_Don Car_. Yes, very good--very good!