you? SCENE I.-- A Garden belonging to Don My peace, should I venture to try Diego's House. My doors shall be lock'd, Enter Don Diego, musing ; followed by My windows be block'd; No male in my house, Not so much as a mouse : Then horns, horns, I defy you! Don Diego. Ursula! Ursula. Mere, an't please your worship. Don Diego. Where is Leonora? Ursula. In her chamher, sir. Don Diego. There is the key of it; there the key of the best hall: there the key of the door upon the first flight of stairs; there the key of But fear makes the danger seem dou- the door upon the second; this double locks the ble. hatch below; and this the door, that opens into Say, Hymen, what mischief can trou- the entry. ile Yes, yes, oxen Ursula. I am acquainted with every ward of Ursula. I will, indeed, your worship; nay, if them. there is a widow gentlewoman in all Salamanca, Don Diego. You know, Ursula, when I took fitter to look after a young maidenLeonora from her father and mother, she was to Don Diego. Go, and send Leonora to me. live in the house with me three months ; at the expiration of which time, I entered into a bond Ursula. I know the world, sir, though I say't: of four thousand pistoles, either to return her to I'm cautious, and wise ; them spotless, with half that sum for a dowry, or make her my true and lawful wife. And they, who surprise Ursula. And I warrant you, they came se My prudence nodding, cretly to enquire of me, whether ihey; might Must sit up late. venture to trust your worship ;-Lord, said I, I have lived with the gentleman nine years Never fear, sir, and three quarters, come lammas, and never Your safety's here, sir ; saw any thing uncivil by him in my life; nor, no more I ever did : and to let your worship I'll answer for miss : know, if I had, you would have mistaken Let me alone ; your person; for, I bless Heaven, though I I warrant my care am poor, I'm honest, and would not live with Shall weigh to a hair, any man alive, that should want to handle me As much as your own. [Exit. unlawfully. Don Diego. Ursula, I do believe it ; and you Don Diego. I dream't last night, that I was are particularly happy, that both your age and your person exempt you from any such tempta- that we were met on the road by a drove of going to church with Leonora to be married, and tion. But, be this as it will, Leonora's parents, -Oxen—I don't like oxen; I wish it after some difficulty, consented' to comply with my proposal; and, being fully satisfied with their had been a flock of sheep. daughter's temper and conduct, wbich I wanted to be acquainted with, this day being the expira- Enter Leonora with a Bird on her Finger, which tion of the term, I am resoved to fulfil my bond, she holds in the other Hand by a String. by marrying her to-morrow. Ursula. Heaven bless you together! Leo. Say, little, foolish, slutt'ring thing, Don Diego. During the time she has lived with Whither, ah! whither would you me, she has never been a moment out of my winy sight; and now, tell me, Ursula, what have you Your airy flight; observed in her? Stay here, and sing, Ursula. All meekness and gentleness, your Your mistress to delight. worship; and yet, I warrant you, shrewd and No, no, no, sensible; egad! when she pleases, she can be as Sweet Robin, you shall not go : sharp as a needle. Where, you wanton, could you be, Don Diego. You have not been able to disco Half so happy as with me ver any particular attachments? Ursula. Why, sir, of late I have observed Don Diego. Leonora ! Leo, Here I am. young kitten. Don Diego. Look me in the face, and listen Don Diego. O ! is that all? to me attentively. Ursula. Ay, by my faith! I don't think she is Leo, There. fond of any thing else. Don Diego. I am going this evening to your Don Diego. Of me! Ursula? father and mother, and I suppose you are not Ursuia. Ăy, ay, of the kitten and your wor- ignorant of the cause of my journey? Are you ship, and her birds, and going to mass. I have willing to become my wife? taken notice of late, that she is mighty fond of Leo. I am willing to do whatever you, and my going to mass, as your worship lets her early of a father and mother, please. morning. Don Diego. But that's not the thing; do you Don Diego. Well! I am now going to ber pa- like me? rents, to let them know my resolution. I will not Leo, Ytake her with me: because, having been used to Don Diego. What do you sigh for? confinement, and it being the life I am deter Leo, I don't know. mined she shall lead, it will be only giving her Don Diego. When you came bitber, you were a bad habit. I shall return with the good folks taken from a mean liitle house, ill situated, and to-morrow morning; in the mean time, Ursula, I worse furnished; you had no servants, and were confide in your attention; and take care, as you obliged, with your mother, to do the work yourwould merit my favour. self. es. gown, look Leo. Yes, but when we had done, I could Or wou'd some bird, that pity brings, look out at the window, or go a walking in the But for a moment lend its wings, fields. My parents then might rave and scold, Don Diego. Perhaps, you dislike confine My guardian stride my will to hold : ment? Their words are harsh, his walls are high, Leo. No, I don't, I am sure. But, spite of all, away I'd fly. Don Diego. I say, then, I took you from that mean habitation, and hard labour, to a noble building, and this fine garden; where, so far SCENE II.-A Street in Salamanca. from being a slave, you are absolute mistress; and instead of wearing a mean stiff at yourself I beseech you ; the dress you have Leander enters with Two Scholars; all in their on, is fit for a princess. University Gowns. Lean. His name is Don Diego; there's his what manner you have been treated since you his servants are an ancient duenna, and a negro house, like another monastery, or rather prison ; have been my companion; ask yourself again slave now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the specimen you bachelor, this old fellow has picked up a young 1st Scho. And after having lived fifty years a have had? Leo. Specimen ! thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a Don Diego. Ay, according to the manner Ibalcony. have treated -according Lean. Yes; her parents are decayed gentry, youLeo. I'll do whatever you please. that live about a mile or two from Salamanca, Don Diego. Then, my dear, give me a kiss. here, and he has made the most ridiculous Leo. Good b’ye to you. agreement with them! Don Diego. Here, Ursula ! 2d Scho. And you are in love with the girl? Lean. To desperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for finding, that her By some I am told, jealous guardian tonk her to the chapel of a That I'm wrinkled and old ; neighbouring convent, every morning before it But I will not believe what they say: was light, I went there, in the habit of a pilI feel my blood mounting, grim, planting myself as near her as I could; I Like streams in a fountain, then varied my appearance, continuing to do so That merrily sparkle und play. from time to time, till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked, and understood my meanFor love I hare will, ing. And ability still ; 1st Scho. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, Odsbobs, I can scarcely refrain ! there is not a more industrious lad in the uniMy diumond, my pearl versity of Salamanca, when a wench is to be Well, be a good girl, ferreted. Until I come to you again. (Exit. 2d Scho. But, pr’ythee, tell us now, how did you get information? Lean. First, from report, which raised my Leo. Heigho! -I think I'm sick -He's curiosity; and afterwards from the negro I just very good to me to be sure, and its my duty to love him, because we ouglit not to be ungrate, family was gone to bed, be often came to air now mentioned : I observed, that, when the ful; but I wish I was not to marry him for all himself at yonder grate. You know I am no that, though I am afraid to tell him so. Fine bad chanter, nor a very scurvy miastrel; so, feathers, they say, make fine birds : but, I am taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my sure, they don't make happy ones; a sparrow is happier in the fields, than a goldfinch in a cage eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon There is soinething makes ine mighty uneasy. He adores my songs and sarabands, and, taking scraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. While he was talking to me, I thought I never saw any thing look so ugly in my lifc0 dear share of his allowance, which I accept, to avoid me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a now! why did I forget to ask leave to go to suspicion. mass to-morrow? I suppose, because he's abroad, ist Scho. And so Ursula won't take me-I wish I had asked leave Lean. And so, sir, he has told me all the to go to mass. secrets of his family, and one worth knowing ; for he informed me last night, that his master Was I a shepherd's maid, to keep will this evening take a short journey into the On yonder plains a flock of sheep, country, from whence he proposes not to return Well pleas'd, I'd watch the live-long day, till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to Mly ewes at feed, my lambs at play, be, behind him. me, do I say. 2d Scho. Zounds! let's scale the wall ! Mungo. Nothing, massa ; only me say you Leun. Fair and softly! I will this instant go very good massa. and put on my disguise, watch for the Don's Don Diego. What do you leave your load going out, attack my negro friend, and try if, by down there for? hiş means, I cannot come into the house, or, at Mungo. Massa, me lilly tire. least, get a sight of my charming angel, Don Diego, Take it up, rascal. 1st Scho. Angel! Is she then so handsome ? Mungo. Yes, bless your heart, massa ! Lean. It is time for us to withdraw : come to Don Diego. No, lay it down :-now I think my chambers, and there you shall know all you on't, come hither. can desire. Mungo. What you say, massa ? Don Diego. Can you be honest? Mungo. Me no savee, massa; you never ax me before. Don Diego. Can you tell truth? Mungo. What you give me, massa? Don Diego. There's a pistreen for you; now tell Oh, could I but, like Jode of old, you know of any ill going on in my house? Mungo. Ah, massa, a damn deal ! Don Diego. How ! that I'm a stranger to? What locks, whut bars should then impede, Mungo. No, massa, you lick me every day Or keep me from my charming maid! with your rattan : I'm sure, massa, that's mise chief enough for poor neger inan. [Exeunt. Don Diego. So, so. Mungo. La, massa, how could you hare a SCENE III.-The Outside of Don Diego's Thursday? heart to lick poor neger man, as you lick me last House, which appears with Windows barred Don Diego. If you have not a mind I should up, and an Iron Grate before an Entry. chastise you now, hold your tongue, Don Diego enters from the House, having first Mungo. Yes, wassa, if you no lick me again. Don Dieo. Listen to me, unlocked the Door, and removed two or three Mungo. You know, massa, me very good serBurs which assisted in fastening it. Don Diego. Then you will go on? Don Diego. With the precautions I have Mungo. And ought to be use kinetaken, I think I run no risk in quitting my house Don Diego. If you utter another syllable for a short time. Leonora has never shewn the Mungo. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny least inclination to deceive me; besides, my old but I worky worky—I dress a victuals, and run woman is prudent and faithful; she has all the a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, keys, and will not part with them from herself : and scrub a shoes, and wait a tablebut, suppose--suppose by the rood and Saint Don Diego. Take that—Now will you listen Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do to me? mischief. A woman's not having it in her power Mungo. La, massa, if ever I sawto deceive you, is the best security for her fideli Don Diego. I am going abroad, and shall not ty, and the only one a wise man will confide in; return till to-morrow morning-During this night fást bind, safe find, is an excellent proverb : I'll I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watcheven lock her up with the rest; there is a hasp ful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down to the door, and I have a padlook within, which the entry, that, if you hear the least noise, you shall be my guarantee. I will wait till the negro may alarm the family. returns with provisions he is gone to purchase; Mungo. So I must be stay in a cold all night, and, clapping them all up together, make my and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither ; mind easy, by having the key they are under in then him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to my pocket. tempt me. Don Diego. Stay here, perverse animal, and Enter Mungo, with a Hamper, take care, that nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a moment. Mungo. Go, get you down, you damn hamper, you carry me now. Curse my old massa, sending me always here and dere for one something Mungo. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I to make me tire like a mule-curse him imper led! ance--and him damn insurance ! A dog has a better, that's sheltered and Don Diego. How now? fed : Mungo. Ab, massa, bless heart! Night and day'tis de same, Don Diego. What's that you are muttering, My pain is dere game ; sirrah? Me wish to de Lord me was dead! vant. [Erit. your near our was Whate'er's to done, Mungo. Lewd you self, no lewd here; play Poor black must run ; away; never mind her. Ursula. I shall come down, if you go on. Mungo. Ay, come along, more merrier;- noting here but poor man; be sing for bit of Sirrah come, sirruh go!, bread. Ursula. I'll have no poor man door : Hark ye, fellow can you play the ForMe wish to de Lord me was dead! (Exit. saken Maid's Delight, or Black Bess of Castile ? Ab, Mungo, if you had heard me sing, when I was young Enter Don Diego with URSULA, who after the Mungo. Gad, I'm sure, I hear you voice often Negro goes in, appears to bolt the Door on the enough, now you old. Inside : Then Don Diego, unseen by them, Ursula. I could quaver like any blackbird. puts on a large Padlock, and goes off. After Mungo. Come throw a poor soul a penny; he which, LEANDER enters disguised, and Munco play a tune for you. comes to the Grate. Ursula. How did you lose the use of your leg? Lean. So—my old Argus is departed, and the Lean. In the wars, my good dame; I wa evening is as favourable for my design, as I could taken by a Barbary corsair, and carried into wish. Now to attract my friend Mungo; if he is Sallee, where I lived eleven years and three within hearing of my guitar, I am sure he will quarters upon cold water and the roots of quickly make his appearance. the earth, without having a coat on my back, Mungo. Who goes dere?- Hip, hollo! or laying my head on a pillow; an infidel Lean. Heaven bless you, my worthy master, bought me for a slave; he gave me the strapwill your worship’s honour have a little music pádo on my shoulders, and the bastinado on this evening and I have got a delicious bottle ihe soles of my feet: now this infidel Turk had of cordial here, given me by a charitable monk fifty-three wives, and one hundred and twelve of a convent hard by, if your grace will please to concubines. taste it. Ursula. Then he was an unreasonable vilMongo. Give me sup, troo a grate; come lain. closee, man; don't be fear; old massa gone out, as I say last night, and he no come back before LEONORA above. to-morrow; come, trikee moosic, and give us song. Leo. Ursula ! Lean. I'll give your worship a song I learn Ursula. Od's my life, what's here to do! Go ed in Barbary, when I was a slave among the back, go back: fine work we shall have, indeed! Moors. good man, good bye. Mungo. Ay, do. Leo. I could not stay any longer by myself ; Lean. There was a cruel and malicious Turk, pray let me take a little air at the grate? who was called Heli Abdallah Mahomet Scah. Lean. Do, worthy madam ; let the young genNow, this wicked Turk had a fair Christian slave tlewoman stay; I'll play her a love song for nonamed Jezabel, who, not consenting to his beast- thing. ly desires, he draws out bis sabre, and is going Ursula. No, no, none of your love songs here; to cut off her head. Here's what he says to her. if you could play a saraband indeed, and there [Sings and plays.] Now you shall hear the slave's was room for one's motionsanswer. [Sings and plays again.] Now you shall Lean. I am but a poor man, but if your ladybear how the wicked Turk, being greatly enray-ship, will let me in as far as the hall, or the ed, is again going to cut off the fair slave's kitchen, you may all dance, and I shan't ask any head. (Sings and plays again.] Now you shall thing. bear Ursula. Why, if it was not on my master's Mungo. What signify me bear?–Me no un account, I should think no harm in a little innoderstand. cent recreation, Lean. Has ma'am the keys, then? Lean. Have you the key of this padlock too, madam ? Here's a padlock upon the door, Heaven help us, large enough for a state priUrsula. Mungo, Mungo! Mungo. Some one call dere Ursula. Eh-how-what, a padlock! Ursula. Mungo, I say! Mungo. Here it is, I feel it-adod its a tumMungo. What devil you want? Ursula. What lewd noise is that? Ursula. He was afraid to trust me, then?-- son. per ! |