_Car_. And would you do it home and handsomly, and have a good occasion
of being disengaged from her, and make her self the instrument?
_Ant_. Ay, such a Plot were worth the Prosecution.
_Car_. And such a one I have in my head: _Guzman_, my Servant, knows a
fellow here in _Cadiz_, whom for his pleasant humour I have oft
observ’d, as I have past the Streets, but too mean to be convers’d with,
by almost any human thing, by Trade a Chimney-Sweeper.
_Ant_. On, Sir, I beseech you.
_Car_. This Fellow’s of a quick Wit and good Apprehension, though
possibly he cannot act the Don so well, yet that which makes up the
best part of our young Gallants now a-days, he shall not want; that is,
good Clothes, Money, and an Equipage,--and a little Instruction will
serve turn.
_Ant_. I’m ravisht with the Fancy;--let me see--he shall be an _English_
Lord, or a _French_ Count.
_Car_. Either, we’ll furnish him with Bills on Signior Don _Francisco_,
--Men and Baggage, and the business is done--he shall make Love to her.
_Ant_. Most excellent.
_Car_. _Guzman_, have you not observ’d this Fellow I am speaking of.
_Guz_. Observ’d him, Sir! I know him particularly, I’ll fetch him to you
now, Sir; he always stands for new Imployment with the rest of his Gang
under St. _Jago’s_ Church-wall.
_Car_. Bring him anon to my Lodgings, where we’ll prepare him for the
Adventure.
_Ant_. And if the proud _Isabella_ bite not at so gay a bait, I’ll be
bound to be married to her.
_Car_. And if she do not, possibly that may be your Fate--but in
return, you must let _Clara_ know the Design I have, and, undeceiving
her opinion of my Love, make her of our Party.
_Ant_. Trust my Friendship, Sir, and Management. I’ll to her instantly,
that is, make a visit to _Isabella_, and get an opportunity to speak
with _Clara_.
_Car_. And I must write a Letter to _Julia_, to undeceive her Fears too,
could I but get it to her.
_Guz_. For that let me alone.
[_Exeunt severally, bowing_.
SCENE II. _A Chamber_.
_Enter_ Julia _and_ Jacinta.
_Jac_. Lord, Madam, you are as melancholy as a sick Parrot.
_Jul_. And can you blame me, _Jacinta_? have I not many Reasons to be
sad? first have I not lost the only Man on earth in Don _Carlos_, that I
cou’d love? and worse than that, am married to a Thing, fit only for his
Tomb; a Brute, who wanting sense to value me, treats me more like a
Prisoner than a Wife?--and his Pretence is, because I should not see nor
hear from Don _Carlos_.
_Jac_. Wou’d I were in your room, Madam, I’d cut him out work enough,
I’d warrant him; and if he durst impose on me, i’faith, I’d transform
both his Shape and his Manners; in short, I’d try what Woman-hood cou’d
do. And indeed, the Revenge wou’d be so pleasant, I wou’d not be without
a jealous Husband for all the World; and really, Madam, Don _Carlos_ is
so sweet a Gentleman.
_Jul_. Ay, but the Sin, _Jacinta_!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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