The Duenna | Page 6

[Advances.]
_Don. Clara_. Louisa! and in masquerade too!
_Don. Louisa_. You will be more surprised when I tell you, that I have
run away from my father.
_Don. Clara_. Surprised indeed! and I should certainly chide you most
horridly, only that I have just run away from mine.
_Don. Louisa_. My dear Clara! [Embrace.]
_Don. Clara_. Dear sister truant! and whither are you going?
_Don. Louisa_. To find the man I love, to be sure; and, I presume, you
would have no aversion to meet with my brother?
_Don. Clara_. Indeed I should: he has behaved so ill to me, I don't
believe I shall ever forgive him.

AIR.
When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers
her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring,
Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts
did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my
couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast! He vow'd he
came to save me From those who would enslave me! Then kneeling,
Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For
had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd
again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.
_Don. Louisa_. Well, for all this, I would have sent him to plead his
pardon, but that I would not yet awhile have him know of my flight.
And where do you hope to find protection?
_Don. Clara_. The Lady Abbess of the convent of St. Catherine is a
relation and kind friend of mine--I shall be secure with her, and you
had best go thither with me.
_Don. Louisa_. No; I am determined to find Antonio first; and, as I live,
here comes the very man I will employ to seek him for me.
_Don. Clara_. Who is he? he's a strange figure.
_Don. Louisa_. Yes; that sweet creature is the man whom my father
has fixed on for my husband.
_Don. Clara_. And will you speak to him? are you mad?
_Don. Louisa_. He is the fittest man in the world for my purpose; for,
though I was to have married him to-morrow, he is the only man in
Seville who, I am sure, never saw me in his life.
_Don. Clara_. And how do you know him?
_Don. Louisa_. He arrived but yesterday, and he was shown to me from
the window, as he visited my father.

_Don. Clara_. Well, I'll begone.
_Don. Louisa_. Hold, my dear Clara--a thought has struck me: will you
give me leave to borrow your name, as I see occasion?
_Don. Clara_. It will but disgrace you; but use it as you please: I dare
not stay.--[Going.]--But, Louisa, if you should see your brother, be sure
you don't inform him that I have taken refuge with the Dame Prior of
the convent of St. Catherine, on the left hand side of the piazza which
leads to the church of St. Anthony.
_Don. Louisa_. Ha! ha! ha! I'll be very particular in my directions
where he may not find you.--[Exeunt DONNA CLARA and
MAID.]--So! My swain, yonder, has, done admiring himself, and draws
nearer. [Retires.]
Enter ISAAC and DON CARLOS.
Isaac. [_Looking in a pocket-glass_.] I tell you, friend Carlos, I will
please myself in the habit of my chin.
Don Car. But, my dear friend, how can you think to please a lady with
such a face?
Isaac. Why, what's the matter with the face? I think it is a very
engaging face; and, I am sure, a lady must have very little taste who
could dislike my beard.--[Sees DONNA LOUISA.]--See now! I'll die if
here is not a little damsel struck with it already.
_Don. Louisa_. Signor, are you disposed to oblige a lady who greatly
wants your assistance? [Unveils.]
Isaac. Egad, a very pretty black-eyed girl! she has certainly taken a
fancy to me, Carlos. First, ma'am, I must beg the favour of your name.
_Don. Louisa_. [Aside.] So! it's well I am provided.--[Aloud.]--My
name, sir, is Donna Clara d'Almanza.
Isaac. What? Don Guzman's daughter? I'faith, I just now heard she was

missing.
_Don. Louisa_. But sure, sir, you have too much gallantry and honour
to betray me, whose fault is love?
Isaac. So! a passion for me! poor girl! Why, ma'am, as for betraying
you, I don't see how I could get anything by it; so, you may rely on my
honour; but as for your love, I am sorry your case is so desperate.
_Don. Louisa_. Why so, signor?
Isaac. Because I am positively engaged to another--an't I, Carlos?
_Don. Louisa_. Nay, but hear me.
Isaac. No, no; what should I hear for? It is impossible for me to court