Traitor has racked them till they crack. To what a Plunge the
Villain's _Tour_ has brought me. _Pedro_'s Resentment must at last be
pointed here: But that's a Trifle; had he not ruin'd me with _Leonora_,
I easily had pass'd him by the rest.----What's to be done? Which Way
shall I convince her of my Innocence? The Blood of him who has dar'd
declare me Guilty, may satisfy my Vengeance, but not aid my Love. No;
I'm lost with her for ever----
_Enter ~Jacinta~._
Speak: is't not so, _Jacinta_? Am I not ruin'd with the virtuous
_Leonora_?
_Jacin._ One of you, I suppose, is.
Don _Guz._ Which dost thou think?
_Jacin._ Why he that came to spoil all; who shou'd it be?
Don _Guz._ Pr'ythee be serious with me if thou can'st, for one small
Moment, and advise me which Way I shall take to convince her of my
Innocence, that it was I that came to do her Service.
_Jacin._ Why, you both came to do her Service, did not you?
Don _Guz._ Still trifling.
_Jacin._ No, by my Troth, not I.
Don _Guz._ Then turn thy Thoughts to ease me in my Torment, and be my
faithful Witness to her, that Heaven and Hell and all their Wrath I
imprecate, if ever once I knew one fleeting Thought that durst propose
to me so impious an Attempt. No, _Jacinta_, I love her well; but love
with that Humility, whatever Misery I feel, my Torture ne'er shall urge
me on to seize more than her Bounty gives me leave to take.
_Jacin._ And the Murrain take such a Lover, and his Humility both, say
I. Why, sure, Sir, you are not in earnest in this Story; are you?
Don _Guz._ Why dost thou question it?
_Jacin._ Because I really and seriously thought you innocent.
Don _Guz._ Innocent! What dost thou mean?
_Jacin._ Mean! Why, what shou'd I mean? I mean that I concluded you
lov'd my Lady to that Degree, you cou'd not live without her: And that
the Thought of her being given up to another, made your Passion flame
out like Mount _Etna_: That upon this your Love got the Bridle in his
Teeth, and ran away with you into her Chamber, where that impertinent
Spy upon her and you, Don _John_, follow'd, and prevented farther
Proofs of your Affection.
Don _Guz._ Why, sure----
_Jacin._ Why, sure, thus I thought it was, and thus she thinks it is.
If you have a Mind in the Depth of your Discretion, to convince her of
your Innocence--May your Innocence be your Reward! I'm sure were I in
her Place, you shou'd never have any other from me.
Don _Guz._ Was there then no Merit in flying to her Assistance when I
heard her Cries?
_Jacin._ As much as the Constable and the Watch might have pretended
to--something to drink.
Don _Guz._ This is all Raillery; 'tis, impossible she can be pleas'd
with such an Attempt.
_Jacin._ 'Tis impossible she can be pleas'd with being reduc'd to make
the Attempt upon you.
Don _Guz._ But was this a proper Way to save her Blushes?
_Jacin._ 'Twas in the dark; that's one Way.
Don _Guz._ But it must look like downright Violation.
_Jacin._ If it did not feel like it, what did that signify? Come, Sir,
Waggery apart: You know I'm your Servant; I have given you Proofs on't.
Therefore, don't distrust me now, if I tell you, this Quarrel may be
made up with the Wife, tho' perhaps not with the Husband. In short, she
thinks you were first in her Chamber, and has not the worse Opinion of
you for it; she makes Allowance for your Sufferings, and has still Love
enough for you, not to be displeas'd with the utmost Proofs you can
give, that you have still a warm Remain for her.
Don _Guz._ If this be true, and that she thought 'twas me, why did me
cry out to expose me?
_Jacin._ Because at this Time she did not think 'twas you. Will that
content you? And now she does think 'twas you, your Business is to
let her think so on; for, in a Word, I can see she's concern'd at the
Danger she has brought you into, and, I believe, wou'd be heartily glad
to see you well out on't.
Don _Guz._----'Tis impossible she can forgive me.
_Jacin._ Oons--Now Heaven forgive me, for I had a great Oath upon the
very Tip of my Tongue; you'd make one mad with your Impossibles, and
your Innocence, and your Humilities. 'Sdeath, Sir, do you think a Woman
makes no Distinction between the Assaults of a Man she likes and one
she don't? My Lady hates Don _John_, and if she thought 'twas he had
done this Job, she'd hang him for't in her own Garters; she likes you,
and if you shou'd do such another, you might still die in your Bed like
a Bishop, for her.
Don _Guz._ Well, I'll dispute no farther. I put myself into thy Hands.
What am I to do next?
_Jacin._ Why, do as she bids you; be in the Way at the old Rendezvous,
she'll take the first Occasion she can to speak to you; and when you
meet, do as I bid you, and instead of your Innocent and Humble, be
Guilty and Resolute. Your Mistress is now marry'd, Sir; consider that.
She has chang'd her Situation, and so must you your Battery. Attack a
Maid gently, a Wife warmly, and be as rugged with a Widow as you can.
Good bye t'ye, Sir.
[_Exeunt several Ways._
+SCENE+, _Don_ Felix's _House_.
_Enter Don ~Pedro~ solus._
In what Distraction have I past this Night! Sure I shall never close my
Eyes again! No Rack can equal what I feel. Wounded in both my Honour
and my Love; they have pierc'd me in two tender Parts. Yet cou'd I take
my just Revenge, it wou'd in some Degree assuage my Smart. O! guide me
Heaven to that Cordial drop.----Hold! A Glance of Light I think begins
to----Yes----Right. When Yesterday I brought Don _John_ hither, was not
Don _Felix_ much disturb'd?----He was; and why?----That may be worth
enquiring. But something more occurs. At my Arrival in this City, was
I not told that two Cavaliers were warm in the Pursuit of _Leonora_?
One I remember well, they nam'd, 'twas _Guzman_: The other, I am yet a
Stranger to. I fear I shall not be so long----'Tis _Alvarada_! O the
Traitor! yet I may wrong him much. I have _Guzman_'s own Confession
that he past the Wall to come to _Leonora_----O! but 'twas to her
Assistance----And so it might, and he a Villain still.--There are
Assistances of various Sorts----What were her Wants?--That's dark--But
whatsoe'er they were, he came to her Assistance. Death be his Portion,
for his ready Service.
_Enter Don ~Felix~._
Don _Fel._ You avoid me, Don _Pedro_; 'tis not well. Am I not your
Father, have you not Reason to believe I am your Friend?
Don _Ped._ I have.
Don _Fel._ Why do you not then treat me like a Father and a Friend? The
Mystery you make to me of last Night's Disturbance, I take unkindly
from you.--Come, tell me your Grief, that if I can I may assuage it.
Don _Ped._ Nothing but Vengeance can give me ease.
Don _Fel._ If I desire to know your Wrongs, 'tis to assist you in
revenging 'em.
Don _Ped._ Know then, that last Night in this Apartment I found Don
_Guzman_ and Don _John_.
Don _Fel._ _Guzman_ and _Alvarada_?
Don _Ped._ Yes; and _Leonora_ almost naked between them, crying out for
Aid.
Don _Fel._ Were they both guilty?
Don _Ped._ One was come to force her, t'other to rescue her.
Don _Fel._ Which was the Criminal?
Don _Ped._ Of that I am yet ignorant. They accuse each other.
Don _Fel._ Can't your Wife determine it?
Don _Ped._ The Darkness of the Night put it out of her Power.
Don _Fel._ But I perhaps may bring some Light to aid you. I have Part
in the Affront: And tho' my Arm's too old and weak to serve you, my
Counsel may be useful to your Vengeance. Know then, that Don _Guzman_
has a long Time pursu'd my Daughter; and I as resolutely refus'd his
Suit; which, however, has not hindered him from searching all Occasions
to see and speak to her. Don _John_, on his Side----
Don _Ped._ Don _John_'s my Friend, and I am confident----
Don _Fel._ That Confidence destroys you. Hear my Charge, and be
yourself his Judge. He too has been a pressing Suitor to my Daughter.
Don _Ped._ Impossible!
Don _Fel._ To me myself, he has own'd his Love to her.
Don _Ped._. Good Gods! Yet still this leaves the Mystery where it was;
this Charge is equal.
Don _Fel._ 'Tis true; but yonder's one (if you can make her speak) I
have Reason, to believe can tell us more.----Ho, _Jacinta_!
_Enter ~Jacinta~._
_Jacin._ Do you call me, Sir?
Don _Fel._ Yes; Don _Pedro_ wou'd speak with you. [_To Don ~Pedro~
aside._] I'll leave you with her; press her; press her both by Threats
and Promises, and if you find your Wife in Fault, old as I am, her
Father too, I'll raise my Arm to plunge this Dagger in her Breast, and
by that Firmness convince the world, my Honour's dearer to me than my
Child.
[_Exit Don ~Fel~._
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] Heaven grant me Power to stifle my Rage, till
'tis Time to let my Vengeance fly. _Jacinta_, come near: I have some
Business with you.
_Jacin._ [_Aside._] His Business with me at this Time can be good for
nothing, I doubt.
_Jacin._ [_To Don ~Ped~._] What Commands have you, Sir, for me? I'm not
very well.
Don _Ped._ What's your Disorder?
_Jacin._ A little Sort of a something towards an Ague, I think.
Don _Ped._ You don't seem so ill, but you may tell me--
_Jacin._ O, I can tell you nothing, Sir, I assure you.
Don _Ped._ You answer me before yon hear my Question. That looks as if
you knew----
_Jacin._ I know that what you are going to ask me, is a Secret I'm out
at.
Don _Ped._ [_Offering her a Purse._] Then this shall let thee into it.
_Jacin._ I know nothing of the Matter.
Don _Ped._ Come, tell me all, and take thy Reward.
_Jacin._ I know nothing of the Matter, I say.
Don _Ped._ [_Drawing his Sword._] Speak; or by all the Flame and Fire
of Hell Eternal--
_Jacin._ O Lard, O Lard, O Lard!
Don _Ped._ Speak, or th'art dead.
_Jacin._ But if I do speak, shan't I be dead for all that?
Don _Ped._ Speak, and thou art safe.
_Jacin._ Well--O Lard--I'm so frighted--But if I must speak then--O
dear Heart--give me the Purse.
Don _Ped._ There.
_Jacin._ Why truly, between a Purse in one's Hand--and--a Sword in
one's Guts, I think there's little room left for Debate.
Don _Ped._ Come begin, I'm impatient.
_Jacin._ Begin! let me see, where shall I begin? At Don _Guzman_, I
think.
Don _Ped._ What of him?
_Jacin._ Why he has been in love with my Lady these six Years.
Don _Ped._ I know it; but how has she received him?
_Jacin._ Receive him! Why--as young Maids use to receive handsome
Fellows; at first ill, afterwards better.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] Furies! Did they ever meet?
_Jacin._ A little.
Don _Ped._ By Day or Night?
_Jacin._ Both.
Don _Ped._ Distraction! Where was their Rendezvous?
_Jacin._ Where they cou'd not do one another much good.
Don _Ped._ As how?
_Jacin._ As through a Hole in a Wall.
Don _Ped._ The Strumpet banters me: Be serious, Insolence, or I shall
spoil your Gaiety; I'm not dispos'd to Mirth.
_Jacin._ Why I am serious, if you like my Story the better for't.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] How miserable a Wretch am I!
_Jacin._ I tell you there's a Wall parts their two Houses, and in that
Wall there's a Hole. How the Wall came by the Hole, I can't tell;
mayhap by chance, mayhap by no chance; but there 'tis, and there they
use to prattle.
Don _Ped._ And this is Truth?
_Jacin._ I can't bate you a Word on't, Sir.
Don _Ped._ When did they meet there last?
_Jacin._ Yesterday; I suppose 'twas only to bid one another adieu.
Don _Ped._ Ah, _Jacinta_, thou hast pierced my Soul!
_Jacin._ [_Aside._] And yet I han't told you half I cou'd tell you, my
Don.
Don _Ped._ Where is this Place you speak of?
_Jacin._ There 'tis, if you are curious.
Don _Ped._ When they wou'd speak with one another; what's the Call?
_Jacin._ Tinkle, Tinkle.
Don _Ped._ A Bell?
_Jacin._ It is.
Don _Ped._ Ring.
_Jacin._ What do you mean, Sir?
Don _Ped._ [_Hastily._] Ring.
_Jacin._ 'Tis done.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] I'll make use of her to examine him. Does he come?
_Jacin._ Not yet.
Don _Ped._ Pull again.
_Jacin._ You must give him Time, Sir: My Lady always does so.
Don _Ped._ I hear something.
_Jacin._ 'Tis he.
Don _Guz._ [_Within._] Who's there?
Don _Ped._.. [_Softly._] Say you are _Leonora_.
[_Dumb Shew of her Unwillingness and his Threatning._
_Jacin._ [_Softly._] 'Tis _Leonora_.
Don _Guz._ What are your Commands, Madam? Is it possible so unfortunate
a Wretch as I can be capable of serving you?
[_~Don~ Ped. whispers ~Jacinta~, who seems backwards to
speak._
_Jacin._ I come to ask you, how cou'd you so far forget that infinite
Regard you have professed, as to make an Attempt so dangerous both to
yourself and me; and which, with all the Esteem and Love I have ever
borne you, you scarce cou'd hope I ever shou'd forgive you.
Don _Guz._ Alas! my Hopes and Fears were vanish'd too. My Counsel was
my Love and my Despair. If they advis'd me wrong, of them complain, for
it was you who made 'em my Directors.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] The Villain owns the Fact. It seems he thinks he
has not so much to fear from her Resentment.----O Torture!
_Enter ~Leonora~._
_Jacin._ [_Aside._] So, she's here; that's as I expected: now we are
blown up.
_Leo._ [_Aside, not seeing them._] If I don't mistake, I heard Don
_Guzman_'s Call. I can't refuse to answer it. Forgive me, Gods, and let
my Woman's Weakness plead my Cause.--How! my Husband here! Nay then----
Don _Ped._ You seem disorder'd, Madam; pray, what may be the Cause?
_Leo._ [_Confus'd._] I don't know, really; I'm not----I don't know
that----
Don _Ped._ You did not know that I was here, I guess?
_Leo._ Yes, I did, and----came to speak with you.
Don _Ped._ I'm not at present in a talking Humour, but if your Tongue
is set to Conversation, there's one behind the Wall will entertain you.
Don _Guz._ But is it possible, fair _Leonora_, that you can pardon my
Attempt?
Don _Ped._ [_To Leo._] You hear him, Madam; he dares own it to you.
_Leo._ [_Aside._] _Jacinta_ winks; I guess what Scene they have been
acting here. My Part is now to play.
[_To Don ~Ped~._] I see, Sir, he dares own it: Nor is he the first
lover has pressum'd beyond the Countenance he ever has receiv'd. Pray
draw near, and hear what he has more to say: It is my Interest you
shou'd know the Depth of all has ever passed between us.
_Leo._ [_To Don ~Guz~._] I fain wou'd know, Don _Guzman_, whether in
the whole Conduct of my Life, you have known one step, that cou'd
encourage you to hope I ever cou'd be yours, but on the Terms of Honour
which you sought me?
Don _Guz._ Not one.
_Leo._ Why then should you believe I cou'd forgive the taking that by
Force, which you already were convinc'd I valu'd more the keeping, than
my Life?
Don _Guz._ Had my Love been as temperate as yours, I with your Reason
had perhaps debated. But not in Reason, but in Flames, I flew to
_Leonora_.
_Leo._ If strong Temptation be allow'd a Plea, Vice, in the worst
of Shapes, has much to urge:--No, cou'd any Thing have shaken me in
Virtue, it must have been the Strength of it in you. Had you shone
bright enough to dazzle me, I blindly might have missed the Path
I meant to tread: But now you have clear'd my Sight for ever. If,
therefore, from this Moment more you dare to let me know one Thought of
Love, though in the humblest Stile, expect to be a Sacrifice to him you
attempt to wrong.----Farewel!
[_She retires from him._
Don _Guz._ O stay and hear me!--I have wrong'd myself; I'm
innocent!----By all that's sacred, just and good, I'm innocent!
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] What does he mean?
Don _Guz._ I have own'd a Fact I am not guilty of! _Jacinta_ can inform
you; she knows I never----
_Jacin._ I know! The Man's mad: Pray, begone, Sir, my Lady will hear no
more; I'll shut him out, Madam, shan't I?
[_She shuts the Hole._
_Leo._ I have no farther Business with him.
_Enter ~Isabella~ hastily._
_Isab._ O Heavens, _Leonora_, where are you? Don _Pedro_, you can
assist me better.
_Leo._ What's the Matter?
Don _Ped._ What is it, Madam, I can serve you in?
_Isab._ In what the Peace of my whole Life consists; the Safety of my
Brother! Don _John_'s Servant has this Moment left me a Letter for him,
which I have open'd, knowing there is an Animosity of some Time between
'em.
Don _Ped._ Well, Madam!
_Isab._ O dear, it is a Challenge, and what to do I know not; if I
shew it my Brother, he'll immediately fly to the Place appointed; and
if I don't, he'll be accus'd of Cowardice. One way I risque his Life,
t'other I ruin his Honour.
Don _Ped._ What wou'd you have me do, Madam?
_Isab._ I'll tell you, Sir: I only beg you'll go to the Place where
Don _John_ expects him; tell him I have intercepted his Letter, and
make him promise you he'll send no more: By this generous Charity you
may hinder two Men (whose, Piques are on a frivolous Occasion) from
murdering one another! And by this good Office, you'll repay the small
Debt you owe my Brother, for flying last Night to _Leonora_'s Succour;
and doubly pay the Obligation you have to me, upon the same Occasion.
Don _Ped._ What Obligation, Madam? I am ignorant; pray inform me.
_Isab._ 'Twas I, Sir, that first heard _Leonora_'s Cries, and rais'd my
Brother to her Aid. Pray let me receive the same Assistance from your
Prudence, which you have had from my Care, and my Brother's Generosity.
But, pray lose no Time. Don _John_ is perhaps already on the Spot, and
not meeting my Brother, may send a second Message, which may be fatal.
Don _Ped._ Madam, be at rest; you shall be satisfy'd, I'll go this
Moment. I'll only ask you first whether you are sure you heard my Wife
call out for Succour, before your Brother past the Wall?
_Isab._ I did; why do you ask that Question?
Don _Ped._ I have a Reason, you may be sure. [_Aside._] Just Heaven,
I adore thee! The Truth at last shines clear, and by that Villain
_Alvarada_ I'm betray'd. But enough; I'll make Use of this Occasion for
my Vengeance. [_To ~Isab~._] Where, Madam, is it, Don _John_ is waiting?
_Isab._ But here, in a small Field, behind the Garden.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] His Blood shall do me Reason for his Treachery.
_Isab._ Will you go there directly?
Don _Ped._ I will. Be satisfy'd.
[_Ex. ~Don Ped~._
_Leo._ You weep, _Isabella_?
_Isab._ You see my Trouble for a Brother for whom I wou'd die, and a
Lover for whom I wou'd live. They both are Authors of my Grief.
_Leo._ They both are Instruments of my Misfortune.
[_Exeunt._
[Illustration]
+ACT+ V.
_Enter ~Lopez~._
Oho! my good Signior Don _John_, you are mistaken in your Man; I am
your humble Valet, 'tis true, and I am to obey you; but when you have
got the Devil in your Body, and are upon your Rantipole Adventures, you
shall _Quixote_ it by yourself, for _Lopez_. Yonder he is, waiting for
poor _Guzman_, with a Sword of a Fathom and a Half; a Dagger for close
engagement; and (if I don't mistake) a Pocket-pistol for extraordinary
Occasions. I think I am not in the wrong to keep a little out of the
Way: These Matters will end in a Court of Justice, or I'm wrong in my
Foresight: Now that being a Place where I am pretty well known, and not
over-much reputed, I believe 'tis best, neither to come in for Prisoner
nor Evidence. But hold; yonder comes another _Toledo_! Don _Guzman_ I
presume, but I presume wrong, it is--who is it? Don _Pedro_, by all the
Powers! What the Pox does he here, or what the Pox do I here? I'm sure
as Matters stand, I ought to fly him like a Creditor; but he sees me,
'tis too late to slip him.
_Enter Don ~Pedro~._
Don _Ped._ How now, _Lopez_; where are you going?
_Lop._ I'm going, Sir, I----I'm going--if you please----I'm going about
my Business.
Don _Ped._ From whence do you come?
_Lop._ Only, only, Sir, from--taking the Air a little, I'm mightily
muddled with a Whur----round about in my Head, for this Day or two; I'm
going home to be let Blood, as fast as I can, Sir.
Don _Ped._ Hold, Sir; I'll let you Blood here.
This Rascal may have borne some Part in this late Adventure: He's a
Coward; I'll try to frighten it out of him.
[_Seizing him by the Collar, and drawing his Poniard._
You Traitor, you, y' are dead.
_Lop._ Mercy, Don _Pedro_!
Don _Ped._ Are you not a Villain?
[_~Lop.~ kneeling._
_Lop._ Yes; if you please.
Don _Ped._ Is there so great a one upon Earth?
_Lop._ With respect to my Master----No.
Don _Ped._ Prepare then to die!
_Lop._ Give me but Time, and I will. But, noble Don _Pedro_, just Don
_Pedro_, generous Don _Pedro_, what is it I have done?
Don _Ped._ What, if thou dar'st deny, I'll plunge this Dagger deep into
thy Throat, and drive the Falsehood to thy Heart again. Therefore, take
heed, and on thy Life declare, didst thou not this last night open my
Doors to let Don _Guzman_ in?
_Lop._ Don _Guzman_!
Don _Ped._ Don _Guzman_! Yes, Don _Guzman_, Traitor; him.
_Lop._ Now may the Sky crush me, if I let in Don _Guzman_.
Don _Ped._ Who did let you in then? It was not your Master, sure! If it
was him, you did your Duty; I have no more to say.
_Lop._ Why then, if I let in any Body else, I'm a Son of a Whore.
[_Rising._
Don _Ped._ Did he order you beforehand, or did you do it upon his
knocking?
_Lop._ Why he--I'll tell you, Sir, he----pray put up that Brilliant, it
sparkles so in my Eyes, it almost blinds me--thank you, Sir.
[_Don ~Ped.~ puts it up._
Why, Sir, I'll tell you just how the Matter was, but I hope you won't
consider me as a Party.
Don _Ped._ Go on; thou art safe.
_Lop._ Why then, Sir, when (for our Sins) you had left us, says my
Master to me, _Lopez_, says he, go and stay at old Don _Felix_'s House,
till Don _Pedro_ returns; they'll pass thee for his Servant, and think
he has order'd thee to stay there. And then, says he, dost hear, open
me the Door by _Leonora_'s Apartment to-night, for I have a little
Business, says he, to do there.
Don _Ped._ [_Aside._] Perfidious Wretch!
_Lop._ Indeed, I was at first a little resty, and stood off; being
suspicious (for I knew the Man) that there might be some ill
Intentions. But he knew me too, takes me upon the weak Side, whips out
a long Sword, and by the same Means makes me do the Thing, as you have
made me discover it.--[_Aside._] There's neither Liberty nor Property
in this Land, since the Blood of the _Bourbons_ came amongst us.
Don _Ped._ Then you let him in, as he bid you?
_Lop._ I did: If I had not, I had never lived to tell you the Story.
Yes, I let him in.
Don _Ped._ And what follow'd?
_Lop._ Why, he follow'd.
Don _Ped._ What?
_Lop._ His Inclinations.
Don _Ped._ Which Way?
_Lop._ The old Way:--To a Woman.
Don _Ped._. Confound him!
_Lop._ In short, he got to Madam's Chamber, and before he had been
there long, (tho' you know, Sir, a little Time goes a great Way in some
Matters) I heard such a clutter of small Shot, Murder, Murder, Murder,
Rape, Fire, Help, and so forth--But hold, here he comes himself, and
can give you a more circumstantial Account of the Skirmish.
_Don Ped._ I thank thee, Heaven, at last, for having pointed me to the
Victim I am to sacrifice.
[_Ex. ~Lop.~_
_Enter Don ~John~._
[_Drawing._] Villain, defend thyself.
Don _John._ What do you mean?
Don _Ped._ To punish a Traitor.
Don _John._ Where is he?
Don _Ped._ In the Heart of a sworn Friend.
Don _John._ [_Aside._] I saw _Lopez_, go from him, without doubt he has
told him all.
[_To Don ~Ped~._
Of what am I suspected?
Don _Ped._ Of betraying the greatest Trust that Man cou'd place in Man.
Don _John._ And by whom am I accus'd?
Don _Ped._ By me: Have at thy Traitor's Heart!
Don _John._ Hold! And be not quite a Madman.--_Pedro_, you know me
well: You know I am not backward upon these Occasions, nor shall I
refuse you any Satisfaction you'll demand; but first, I will be heard,
and tell you, That for a Man of Sense, you are pleas'd to make very odd
Conclusions.
Don _Ped._ Why, what is it possible thou canst invent to clear thyself?
Don _John._ To clear myself! Of what? I'm to be thank'd for what I
have done, and not reproach'd. I find I have been an Ass, and push'd
my Friendship to that Point, you find not Virtue in yourself enough to
conceive it in another. But henceforward, I shall be a better Husband
of it.
_Don Ped._ I shou'd be loth to find Ingratitude cou'd e'er be justly
charg'd upon me: But after what your Servant has confess'd----
Don _John._ My Servant! Right, my Servant! The very Thing I guess'd.
Fye, fye, Don _Pedro_; is it from a Servant's Mouth a Friend condemns
a Friend? Or can Servants always judge at what their Master's outward
Actions point? But some Allowances I shou'd make for the wild
Agitation you must needs be in. I'm therefore calm, and thus far pass
all by.
Don _Ped._ If you are innocent, Heaven be my Aid, that I may find you
so. But still----