_Cla_. And to see the Governor his Man?
_Jac_. Ah, what a Jest that would be too--Ha, ha, ha! but here comes
_Isabella_; let’s puff up her Pride with Flatteries on her Beauty.
_Enter_ Isabella _looking in a Glass, and seeing her Face_.
_Isa_. Ah, Heavens, those Eyes--that Look,--that pretty Leer,--that my
Father shou’d be so doating an old Fool to think these Beauties fit for
a little Merchandize; a Marchioness wou’d so much better become me.
[Looks again.
--Ah, what a Smile’s there--and then that scornful Look--’tis great--
Heavens, who’s here?
[Sees them.
_Cla_. Only those Friends that wish you better Fortune than this day
promises.
_Jac_. Look on that Face; are there not Lines that foretel a world of
Greatness, and promise much Honour?
_Cla_. Her Face, her Shape, her Mein, her every part declares her
Lady--or something more.
_Isa_. Why, so, and yet this little Creature of a Father, ridiculously
and unambitious, would spoil this Lady, to make up a simple Citizen’s
Wife--in good time.
_Jac_. That very look had some presaging Grandeur.
_Isa_. Do you think so, _Jacinta_? Ha, ha, ha.
_Jac_. That Laugh again, oh Heavens, how it charms!
_Cla_. And how graceful ‘tis!
_Jac_. Ah, nothing but a great gilt Coach will become it.
_Cla_. With six _Spanish_ Mares.--
_Jac_. And embroidered Trappings.
_Cla_. With four Lackeys.
_Jac_. And a Page at the tail on’t.
_Cla_. She’s evidently design’d for a Person of Quality.
_Isa_. Besides I have so natural an Inclination for a Don, that if my
Father do force me to marry this small Creature of a Merchant, I shall
make an Intrigue with some body of Quality.
_Cla_. Cou’d you but manage it well, and keep it from _Antonio_.
_Isa_. Keep it from _Antonio_,--is it think you for a little silly Cit,
to complain when a Don does him the Honour to visit his Lady? Marry,
that were pretty.
_Enter_ Francisco, _and_ Lopez.
_Fran_. How, a Count to speak with me! with me, I say,--here at _Cadiz_.
_Lop_. A Count, Sir, and to speak with you.
_Fran_. Art sure ‘tis not the Governor?--I’ll go lock up my Wife.
_Lop_. Governor, Sir! No, no, ‘tis a mere Stranger, Sir, a rare Count
whom I never saw all days of my life before.
_Fran_. And with me wou’d he speak? I hope he comes not to my Wife.
_Enter_ Julia.
_Jul_. Oh Husband, the delicatest fine Person of Quality, just alighted
at the Door, Husband.
_Fran_. What, have you seen him then? the Devil’s in these Women, and
there be but a Loop-hole to peep out of they’ll spy a man,--I’m resolved
to see this thing,--go, retire, you Women, here’s Men coming up.
_Isa_. And will Men eat us?
_Fran_. No, but they may do worse, they may look on ye, and Looking
breeds Liking; and Liking, Love; and Love a damn’d thing, call’d Desire;
and Desire begets the Devil and all of Mischief to young Wenches--Get ye
gone in, I say--here’s a Lord coming--and Lords are plaguy things
to Women.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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