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Ursula. I am acquainted with every ward of them.

Don Diego. You know, Ursula, when I took Leonora from her father and mother, she was to live in the house with me three months; at the expiration of which time, I entered into a bond of four thousand pistoles, either to return her to them spotless, with half that sum for a dowry, or make her my true and lawful wife.

Ursula. And I warrant you, they came secretly to enquire of me, whether they might venture to trust your worship;-Lord, said I, I have lived with the gentleman nine years and three quarters, come lammas, and never saw any thing uncivil by him in my life; nor, no more I ever did and to let your worship know, if I had, you would have mistaken your person; for, I bless Heaven, though I am poor, I'm honest, and would not live with any man alive, that should want to handle me unlawfully.

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Don Diego. Ursula, I do believe it; and you are particularly happy, that both your age and your person exempt you from any such tempta tion. But, be this as it will, Leonora's parents, after some difficulty, consented to comply with my proposal; and, being fully satisfied with their daughter's temper and conduct, which I wanted to be acquainted with, this day being the expiration of the term, I am resoved to fulfil my bond, by marrying her to-morrow.

Ursula. Heaven bless you together!

Don Diego. During the time she has lived with me, she has never been a moment out of my sight; and now, tell me, Ursula, what have you observed in her?

Ursula. All meekness and gentleness, your worship; and yet, I warrant you, shrewd and sensible; egad! when she pleases, she can be as sharp as a needle.

Don Diego. You have not been able to discover any particular attachments?

Ursula. Why, sir, of late I have observed-
Don Diego. Eh! how! what?

Ursula. That she has taken greatly to the young kitten.

Don Diego. O! is that all?

Ursula. Ay, by my faith! I don't think she is fond of any thing else.

Don Diego. Of me! Ursula?

Ursuia. Ay, ay, of the kitten and your worship, and her birds, and going to mass. I have taken notice of late, that she is mighty fond of going to mass, as your worship lets her early of a morning.

Don Diego. Well! I am now going to her parents, to let them know my resolution. I will not take her with me: because, having been used to confinement, and it being the life I am determined she shall lead, it will be only giving her a bad habit. I shall return with the good folks to-morrow morning; in the mean time, Ursula, I confide in your attention; and take care, as you would merit my favour.

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Leo. No, I don't, I am sure.

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 from being a slave, you are absolute mistress; and instead of wearing a mean stiff gown, look at yourself I beseech you; the dress you have on, is fit for a princess.

Leo. It is very fine, indeed.

Don Diego. Well, Leonora, you know in what manner you have been treated since you have been my companion; ask yourself again now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the specimen you

have had?

Leo. Specimen !

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Don Diego. Ay, according to the manner I have treated you—according

Leo. I'll do whatever you please.

Don Diego. Then, my dear, give me a kiss.
Leo. Good b'ye to you.
Don Diego. Here, Ursula !

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Leo. Heigho!--I think I'm sick- -He's very good to me to be sure, and its my duty to love him, because we ought not to be ungrateful; but I wish I was not to marry him for all that, though I am afraid to tell him so. Fine feathers, they say, make fine birds: but, I am

is

sure, they don't make happy ones; a sparrow
happier in the fields, than a goldfinch in a cage.
There is something makes me mighty uneasy.
While he was talking to me, I thought I never
saw any thing look so ugly in my life-0 dear
now! why did I forget to ask leave to
go to
mass to-morrow? I suppose, because he's abroad,
Ursula won't take me-I wish I had asked leave
to go to mass.

Was I a shepherd's maid, to keep
On yonder plains a flock of sheep,
Well pleas'd, I'd watch the live-long day,
My ewes at feed, my lambs at play.

Or wou'd some bird, that pity brings,
But for a moment lend its wings,
My parents then might rave and scold,
My guardian strive my will to hold:
Their words are harsh, his walls are high,
But, spite of all, away I'd fly.

SCENE II.-A Street in Salamanca.

LEANDER enters with Two Scholars; all in their
University Gowns.

Lean. His name is Don Diego; there's his his servants are an ancient duenna, and a negro house, like another monastery, or rather prison;

slave

bachelor, this old fellow has picked up a young 1st Scho. And after having lived fifty years a thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a balcony.

Lean. Yes; her parents are decayed gentry, that live about a mile or two from Salamanca, here; and he has made the most ridiculous agreement with them!

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 jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring convent, every morning before it was light, I went there, in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myself as near her as I could; I then varied my appearance, continuing to do so from time to time, till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked, and understood my meaning.

1st Scho. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more industrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferreted.

2d Scho. But, pr'ythee, tell us now, how did you get information?

Lean. First, from report, which raised my curiosity; and afterwards from the negro I just family was gone to bed, he often came to air now mentioned: I observed, that, when the himself at yonder grate. You know I am no bad chanter, nor a very scurvy minstrel; so,

taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my scraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon He adores my songs and sarabands, and, taking share of his allowance, which I accept, to avoid me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a

suspicion.

1st Scho. And so

Lean. And so, sir, he has told me all the secrets of his family, and one worth knowing; for he informed me last night, that his master will this evening take a short journey into the country, from whence he proposes not to return till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him.

2d Scho. Zounds! let's scale the wall! Lean. Fair and softly! I will this instant go and put on my disguise, watch for the Don's going out, attack my negro friend, and try if, by his means, I cannot come into the house, or, at least, get a sight of my charming angel,

1st Scho. Angel! Is she then so handsome? Lean. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you can desire.

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SCENE III-The Outside of DON DIEGO's House, which appears with Windows barred up, and an Iron Grate before an Entry.

DON DIEGO enters from the House, having first unlocked the Door, and removed two or three Bars which assisted in fastening it.

Don Diego. With the precautions I have taken, I think I run no risk in quitting my house for a short time. Leonora has never shewn the least inclination to deceive me; besides, my old woman is prudent and faithful; she has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself: but, suppose-suppose-by the rood and Saint Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do mischief. A woman's not having it in her power to deceive you, is the best security for her fidelity, and the only one a wise man will confide in; fast bind, safe find, is an excellent proverb: I'll even lock her up with the rest; there is a hasp to the door, and I have a padlook within, which shall be my guarantee. I will wait till the negro returns with provisions he is gone to purchase; and, clapping them all up together, make my mind easy, by having the key they are under in my pocket.

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Mungo. Nothing, massa; only me say you very good massa.

Don Diego. What do you leave your load down there for?

Mungo. Massa, me lilly tire. Don Diego, Take it up, rascal. Mungo. Yes, bless your heart, massa! Don Diego. No, lay it down:-now I think on't, come hither.

Mungo. What you say, massa?

Don Diego. Can you be honest?

Mungo. Me no savce, 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 me, do 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? Mungo. No, massa, you lick me every day with your rattan: I'm sure, massa, that's mischief enough for poor neger inan.

Don Diego. So, so.

Mungo, La, massa, how could you have a Thursday? heart to lick poor neger man, as you lick me last

Don Diego. If you have not a mind I should chastise you now, hold your tongue.

Mungo. Yes, massa, if you no lick me again. Don Dieo. Listen to me, I say.

Mungo. You know, massa, me very good ser

vant.

Don Diego. Then you will go on? Mungo. And ought to be use kineDon Diego. If you utter another syllable— Mungo. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny but I worky worky-I dress a victuals, and run a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, and scrub a shoes, and wait a table

Don Diego. Take that-Now will you listen to me?

Mungo. La, massa, if ever I saw

return till to-morrow morning-During this night Don Diego. I am going abroad, and shall not I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watchful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down the entry, that, if you hear the least noise, you may alarm the family.

Mungo. So I must be stay in a cold all night, and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither; then him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to tempt me.

Don Diego. Stay here, perverse animal, and take care, that nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a moment. [Exit.

Mungo. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I

led!

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Whate'er's to be done,
Poor black must run;
Mungo here, Mungo dere,
Mungo every where;
Above and below,

Sirrah come, sirruh go!,

Do so, and do so.

Oh, oh!

Mungo. Lewd you self, no lewd here; play away; never mind her.

Ursula. I shall come down, if you go on.

Mungo. Ay, come along, more merrier;— noting here but poor man; he sing for bit of bread.

near our

Ursula. I'll have no poor man door: Hark ye, fellow? can you play the For

Me wish to de Lord me was dead! [Exit. saken Maid's Delight, or Black Bess of Castile?

Enter DON DIEGO with URSULA, who after the Negro goes in, appears to bolt the Door on the Inside: Then DON DIEGO, unseen by them, puts on a large Padlock, and goes off. After which, LEANDER enters disguised, and MUNGO comes to the Grate.

Lean. So-my old Argus is departed, and the evening is as favourable for my design, as I could wish. Now to attract my friend Mungo; if he is within hearing of my guitar, I am sure he will quickly make his appearance.

Mungo. Who goes dere?-Hip, hollo! Lean. Heaven bless you, my worthy master, will your worship's honour have a little music this evening? and I have got a delicious bottle of cordial here, given me by a charitable monk of a convent hard by, if your grace will please to taste it.

Mongo. Give me sup, troo a grate; come closee, man; don't be fear; old massa gone out, as I say last night, and he no come back before to-morrow; come, trikee moosic, and give us song.

Lean. I'll give your worship a song I learned in Barbary, when I was a slave among the Moors.

Mungo. Ay, do.

Ah, Mungo, if you had heard me sing, when I was young

Mungo. Gad, I'm sure, I hear you voice often enough, now you old.

Ursula. I could quaver like any blackbird. Mungo. Come throw a poor soul a penny; he play a tune for you.

Ursula. How did you lose the use of your leg?

Lean. In the wars, my good dame; I was taken by a Barbary corsair, and carried into Sallee, where I lived eleven years and three quarters upon cold water and the roots of the earth, without having a coat on my back, or laying my head on a pillow; an infidel bought me for a slave; he gave me the strappádo on my shoulders, and the bastinado on the soles of my feet: now this infidel Turk had fifty-three wives, and one hundred and twelve concubines.

Ursula. Then he was an unreasonable vil

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Ursula. Od's my life, what's here to do! Go back, go back: fine work we shall have, indeed! good man, good bye.

Leo. I could not stay any longer by myself; pray let me take a little air at the grate?

Lean. Do, worthy madam ; let the young gentlewoman stay; I'll play her a love song for nothing.

Ursula. No, no, none of your love songs here; if you could play a saraband indeed, and there was room for one's motions

Lean. There was a cruel and malicious Turk, who was called Heli Abdallah Mahomet Scah. Now, this wicked Turk had a fair Christian slave named Jezabel, who, not consenting to his beastly desires, he draws out his sabre, and is going to cut off her head. Here's what he says to her. [Sings and plays.] Now you shall hear the slave's answer. [Sings and plays again.] Now you shall Lean. I am but a poor man, but if your ladyhear how the wicked Turk, being greatly enrag-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.

hear

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Ursula. Why, if it was not on my master's account, I should think no harm in a little inno

cent recreation.

Mungo. Do, and let us dance.
Lean. Has ma'am the keys, then?
Ursula. Yes, yes, I have the keys.

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 pri

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