_Carl._ If you could undo it, Sancho, it were something; but, since you cannot, your only remedy is to do it again. _San._ That's true; but the memory of that damned Conde is enough to turn one's stomach to her. Do you remember what a devilish hunch back he had, when you and I played him? _Carl._ For that reason you may be sure she'll loath the thought of him. _San._ Do you think so, Carlos? _Dal._ How can I do otherwise, when I have in my arms so handsome, so sweet, and so charming a cavalier as you? _San._ Well, I am--I know not howish; she has a delicious tongue of her own, and I begin to mollify. _Carl._ Do, Sancho: Faith, you've held it out too long, in conscience, for so slight a quarrel; this is nothing among great ladies, man. How many fathers have I known, that have given their blessings to other men's children? Come, bless them, bless them, honest daddy--Kneel down, children. _Children._ [_Kneeling._] Your blessing, papa. [_Children cry._ _San._ It goes against the grain to give it them. _Carl._ For shame, Sancho, take them up; you'll break their pretty hearts else: 'twould grieve a man's soul to see them weep thus. _San._ Ay, they learnt that trick of their mother; but I cannot be obdurate, the fault was none of theirs, I'm sure. [_Crying._] Heaven e'en bless you, and I'll provide for you; nay, and it shall go hard but I'll get you some more play-fellows, if your mother be as fruitful as she used to be. _Lop._ Why this is as it should be. _Dal._ Heaven reward you; and I'll study obedience to you. _San._ They say, children are great blessings; if they are, I have two great blessings ready gotten to my hands. _Carl._ For your comfort, marriage, they say, is holy. _San._ Ay, and so is martyrdom, as they say; but both of them are good for just nothing, but to make an end of a man's life. _Lop._ Cheer up, son-in-law: your children are very towardly, you see they can ask blessing already. _Dal._ If he does not like them, he may get the next himself. _Carl._ I will not trouble the company with reading my letter from the dead count's sister; 'tis enough to tell you, that I loved her once, and forsook her, because she was then no fortune. But she has been kinder to me than I deserve; and has offered me her brother's estate in dowry with her. _Dal._ Which I hope you will accept. _Carl._ Yes, and release you of a certain promise to me, without explaining.--She only recommended to me her brother's children by Dalinda: and I think I have taken a decent care in providing them a rich father. _San._ I always loved a harlot, and, now I have one of my own, I'll e'en take up with her; for my youth is going, and my days of whoring, I mean emphatical whoring, are almost over. But for once, we'll have a frolick; come, offspring, can either of you two dance? _1 Child._ Yes, forsooth, father, and my sister can sing too, like an angel.