A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Don F.+ The offer's kind, but nowise practicable,
And might prove hazardous to Blanca's honour,
When it should once break out (as needs it must)
From servants seeing such a guest so treated.
+Don J.+ That, I confess, I know not how to answer:
But, could Elvira's mind submit unto it,
I could propose a course without objection.
+Don F.+ That she can soon resolve; what is it, Julio?
+Don J.+ A gentlewoman, who waited on my sister,
Hath newly left her service for a husband,
And it is known she means to take another:
I have a ready way to recommend one--
By Violante, of whose love and mine
You are not ignorant, since that ere this
We had been married, had not kindred forc'd us
To wait a dispensation for 't from Rome.
Blanca (I am sure) will readily
Embrace any occasion of obliging her.
+Don F.+ That were a right expedient indeed,
Could but Elvira's spirit brook it.
_Enter +Elvira+ as from the closet._
+Elv.+ You have ill measures of Elvira's spirit,
Mistaken Don Fernando. Till Heaven's justice
Shall her entirely to herself restore,
The lowlier shape her fate shall hide her under,
The more 'twill fit her humour.
[_+Don Julio+ starts back as it were amazed._
+Don J.+ [_Aside._] O heavens! can guilt with such perfection dwell,
And put on such assurance? It cannot be.
+Don J.+ [_Addressing himself to her, and beginning; she
holding out her hand and interrupting him._] Madam----
+Elv.+ Spare compliments, and let your actions speak:
Those may oblige both him and me; your words
Cannot comply with both.
+Don J.+ [_Aside._] Did ever yet
Such majesty with misery combine,
But in this woman? [_To her._] Madam, I obey,
And, since you're pleas'd t' approve what I proposed,
No moment shall be lost in th' execution.
[_Exit +Julio+, +Fernando+ accompanying him,
and +Fabio+._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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