_Enter_ DON FERDINAND _and_ LOPEZ.
_Don Ferd_. What, could you gather no tidings of her? nor guess where
she was gone? O Clara! Clara!
_Lop_. In truth, sir, I could not. That she was run away from her
father, was in everybody's mouth; and that Don Guzman was in pursuit
of her, was also a very common report. Where she was gone, or what was
become of her, no one could take upon them to say.
_Don Ferd_. 'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead! she can't be out of
Seville.
_Lop_. So I said to myself, sir. 'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead, says
I, she can't be out of Seville. Then some said, she had hanged herself
for love; and others have it, Don Antonio had carried her off.
_Don Ferd_. 'Tis false, scoundrel! no one said that.
_Lop_. Then I misunderstood them, sir.
_Don Ferd_. Go, fool, get home! and never let me see you again till
you bring me news of her.--[_Exit_ LOPEZ.] Oh, how my fondness for
this ungrateful girl has hurt my disposition.
_Enter_ ISAAC.
_Isaac_. So, I have her safe, and have only to find a priest to marry
us. Antonio now may marry Clara, or not, if he pleases.
_Don Ferd_. What! what was that you said of Clara?
_Isaac_. Oh, Ferdinand! my brother-in-law that shall be, who thought
of meeting you?
_Don Ferd_. But what of Clara?
_Isaac_. I'faith, you shall hear. This morning, as I was coming down,
I met a pretty damsel, who told me her name was Clara d'Almanza, and
begged my protection.
_Don Ferd_. How!
_Isaac_. She said she had eloped from her father, Don Guzman, but that
love for a young gentleman in Seville was the cause.
_Don Ferd_. Oh, Heavens! did she confess it?
_Isaac_. Oh, yes, she confessed at once. But then, says she, my lover
is not informed of my flight, nor suspects my intention.
_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] Dear creature! no more I did indeed! Oh, I am
the happiest fellow!--[_Aloud_.] Well, Isaac?
_Isaac_. Why then she entreated me to find him out for her, and bring
him to her.
_Don Ferd_. Good Heavens, how lucky! Well, come along, let's lose no
time. [_Pulling him_.]
_Isaac_. Zooks! where are we to go?
_Don Ferd_. Why, did anything more pass?
_Isaac_. Anything more! yes; the end on't was, that I was moved with
her speeches, and complied with her desires.
_Don Ferd_. Well and where is she?
_Isaac_. Where is she? why, don't I tell you? I complied with her
request, and left her safe in the arms of her lover.
_Don Ferd_. 'Sdeath, you trifle with me!--I have never seen her.
_Isaac_. You! O Lud no! how the devil should you? 'Twas Antonio she
wanted; and with Antonio I left her.
_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] Hell and madness!--[_Aloud_.] What, Antonio
d'Ercilla?
_Isaac_. Ay, ay, the very man; and the best part of it was, he was shy
of taking her at first. He talked a good deal about honour, and
conscience, and deceiving some dear friend; but, Lord, we soon
overruled that!
_Don Ferd_. You did!
_Isaac_. Oh, yes, presently.--Such deceit! says he.--Pish! says the
lady, tricking is all fair in love. But then, my friend, says he.--
Psha! damn your friend, says I. So, poor wretch, he has no chance.--
No, no; he may hang himself as soon as he pleases.
_Don Ferd_. [_Aside_.] I must go, or I shall betray myself.
_Isaac_. But stay, Ferdinand, you han't heard the best of the joke.
_Don Ferd_. Curse on your joke!
_Isaac_. Good lack! what's the matter now? I thought to have diverted
you.
_Don Ferd_. Be racked! tortured! damned!
_Isaac_. Why, sure you are not the poor devil of a lover, are you?--
I'faith, as sure as can be, he is! This is a better joke than t'other.
Ha! ha! ha!
_Don Ferd_. What! do you laugh? you vile, mischievous varlet!--
[_Collars him_.] But that you're beneath my anger, I'd tear your heart
out! [_Throws him from him_.]
_Isaac_. O mercy! here's usage for a brother-in-law!
_Don Ferd_. But, hark ye, rascal! tell me directly where these false
friends are gone, or, by my soul----[_Draws_.]
_Isaac_. For Heaven's sake, now, my dear brother-in-law, don't be in a
rage! I'll recollect as well as I can.
_Don Ferd_. Be quick, then!
_Isaac_. I will, I will!--but people's memories differ; some have a
treacherous memory: now mine is a cowardly memory--it takes to its
heels at sight of a drawn sword--it does i'faith; and I could as soon
fight as recollect.
_Don Ferd_. Zounds! tell me the truth, and I won't hurt you.
_Isaac_. No, no, I know you won't, my dear brother-in-law; but that
ill-looking thing there----
_Don Ferd_. What, then, you won't tell me?
_Isaac_. Yes, yes, I will; I'll tell you all, upon my soul!--but why
need you listen, sword in hand?
_Don Ferd_. Why, there.--[_Puts up_.] Now.
_Isaac_. Why, then, I believe they are gone to--that is, my friend
Carlos told me he had left Donna Clara--dear Ferdinand, keep your
hands off--at the convent of St. Catherine.
_Don Ferd_. St. Catherine!
_Isaac_. Yes; and that Antonio was to come to her there.
_Don Ferd_. Is this the truth?
_Isaac_. It is indeed; and all I know, as I hope for life!
_Don Ferd_. Well, coward, take your life; 'tis that false,
dishonourable Antonio, who shall feel my vengeance.
_Isaac_. Ay, ay, kill him; cut his throat, and welcome.
_Don Ferd_. But, for Clara! infamy on her! she is not worth my
resentment.
_Isaac_. No more she is, my dear brother-in-law. I'faith I would not
be angry about her; she is not worth it, indeed.
_Don Ferd_. 'Tis false! she is worth the enmity of princes!
_Isaac_. True, true, so she is; and I pity you exceedingly for having
lost her.
_Don Ferd_. 'Sdeath, you rascal! how durst you talk of pitying me?
_Isaac_. Oh, dear brother-in-law, I beg pardon! I don't pity you in
the least, upon my soul!
_Don Ferd_. Get hence, fool, and provoke me no further; nothing but
your insignificance saves you!
_Isaac. [Aside_.] I'faith, then, my insignificance is the best friend
I have.--[_Aloud_.] I'm going, dear Ferdinand.--[_Aside_.] What a
curst hot hot-headed bully it is! [_Exeunt severally_.]