_Jac._ One who inquires for thee, Anselmo, Who would confess. _Gasp._ (_Takes a confessional chair._) I know the man: Jacobo, leave us. [_Exit Jacobo._ My son, we are alone; now thou may'st profit By holy rite, and on thy bended knees Pour out thy soul to me in deep contrition. Hast thou perform'd the penance I enjoin'd For the sad stumblings thou did'st last confess? _Ant._ I have, most holy father, to my belief Obey'd thy strict injunction. I have so much to think of for my master, My thoughts are scarce mine own; Still do I often call upon the saints. _Gasp._ I trust thou dost--and not as I have heard That worldlings do, invoke them in mere blasphemy. _Ant._ Nay, father, when I call, I am sincere. _Gasp._ Thou dost evade, I fear, with double meaning. But to the purpose--by what sins hast thou, Since last we met, endanger'd thy poor soul? _Ant._ Father, my mind is ill at ease. I serve A master most equivocal--a false one In all he says and does; in love--in everything. I know not what to think. He's here and there-- In fact, I do believe he is--the devil. _Gasp._ Give me the grounds for this thy strange suspicion. _Ant._ He keeps his chamber lock'd, his haunts unknown. He comes when least expected. How he comes I cannot tell. He goes, and Heaven knows where. I ne'er can make him out with all my prying. _Gasp._ It would appear thy master doth not trust thee. Why should'st thou watch, and seek to find out that He would conceal? This base prying nature Is a dark sin, and must be check'd by penance. Hast thou no more? _Ant._ Yes, father, I've a grievous fault to tell; One that I'm fearful thou wilt much abhor-- An accident, 'tis true, and most unlucky-- I have two wives in Seville. _Gasp._ Two wives! Thou hast profaned the holy rite! What! wedded twice! and say 'twas accident! _Ant._ An accident--they both have come to Seville. _Gasp._ It is a heinous sin--one that demands Justice on earth; scarce pardon claims from Heaven. Two wives! How long hast thou thus lived in sin? _Ant._ 'Tis now three years since I did wed the second! I had forgot, my memory is so bad, I wedded was before--till yesterday, I chanced to meet with both of them in Seville. _Gasp._ Thy memory's most convenient, but the law Will not o'erlook thy crime when it is known. _Ant._ We'll leave it to the law, then, please thee, father. The sin is one that carries its own penance. _Gasp._ How could'st thou venture on so foul a deed? _Ant._ Example, holy father! bad example. It is our masters who do ruin us. My present one, for instance, loves two ladies, And woos them both. Sad reprobate he is! _Gasp._ Another's fault can't sanctify thine own, Else all th' ordinances of our church were useless; Thou art more knave than fool, Antonio, And yet made up of both. For this thy crime I have no absolution. Haste thee hence, And tremble at thy state of sad perdition! [_Exit Gaspar._