I serve, yet from all bonds but yours am free. For whilst his feigned rival I appear, I then another real rival fear. ISAB. This language has more mystery than mine. JOD. A real rival! That's I, or Don Lewis. A pox o' these intoxicating riddles; can any man stand still when charms make his head turn round? I'll hear no more of 'em. Avaunt, Jodelet! thou art a foolish conjurer! Presto, be gone! D. JOHN. Is your worship in earnest ? JOD. I've a thought in my head worth the weight of it in gold. Hah! now I have lost it. Sweet nosegay of my nose, when I remember you I always forget my self: or else 'tis that baggage, Bettris, which transports me; for, to say truth, she runs in my mind too. My serving-man, be gone! D. JOHN. I must obey you, sir. JOD. You'ld fain stay to sing "Loth to depart." Why when I say [D. John goes and stays close at the door.I will be left alone with my mistress. ISAB. How, sir, alone? what will the servants say? JOD. What can they say when I think fit to be private? ISAB. I'm sure Bettris will take notice of it. JOD. That's true, for Bettris likes me so well, that if she sees us making love it may cost her half her life. But that's all one: I love you only. ISAB. Yes, and Bettris also. JOD. Faith, lady, I am free of making my best parts known. What! I have made you jealous of me? That's another of my politic love tricks. I'm grown so subtle that the devil will be afraid of me. But let him shun me then for, take one time with another, he does me more hurt than good. ISAB. But, sir, what mean you? Why must we be alone? JOD. To shew my confidence: for let 'em say what they will, I dare trust myself with you. I have not seen the balcony yet. Let's go take the air. ISAB. There is no wind stirring. D. JOHN. What new firk of folly has enter'd into the rascal's head? I must observe him. JOD. Come along, sweet heart ! ISAB. You shall excuse me, sir. I'll not stir from hence. JOD. How! not stir? My dear, you must know I'm very choleric ISAB. What drawn by force? Y'are insolent! [He offers to reach her hand. JOD. My duck you are squeamish. Lord, what diff'rence there is in people! you see I am not SO ISAB. Rude wretch, forbear! wer't not for that patience which is ordain'd me by my father, I'd tear your eyes out with these hands. if Jon. With those hands? you'd please me more, you would let me kiss 'em. ISAB. Sir, you are mad, and would make me so too. Is this the brutish courtship of your province ? [Exit. D. JOHN. O villain! you would presume to kiss her hand? [D. John surprises him. JOD. 'Tis a strange thing to see how men may be mistaken. 'Twas she, sir, would presume to kiss mine. D. JOHN. Slave! you are in jeast then, and you think I'm so too. I'll make you repent your impudence[D. John strikes him. JOD. Sir! why master! pray sir! D. JOHN. Pattern of rogues! thou gallows climber! [D. John kicks him. JOD. Nay, pray, sir, do not punish behind! all that I said to her was face to face. Enter ISABELLA. ISAB. 'Tis anger, and grows loud. Pray heav'n, they have not found the mischievous Don Lewis! Ď. JOHN. Dog! you may be glad that my respect to her presence stops my fury. JOD. Now she's here, if I should strike him he dares not discover himself. [Jodelet assaults D. John. I'll teach you to speak ill of Isabella. Is she but reasonable handsome? Hah! ISAB. Ah, do not strike him, sir! Be not cruel to your servant. [Jod. speaks low and fast to Don John. JOD. Sir, I must counterfeit your person to the life; you use to kick too. I have a great mind to give you a taste of my foot, that I may resemble you thoroughly. D. JOHN. Be less in earnest when you counterfeit, or I'll cut your throat. ISAB. Rude man! what has he done to you ? JOD. These are choleric heats which pass away, lady. If I should kick him I could not hurt him ; he's all oak behind, mere wainscote-board. We who have tender toes are ill provided for tough bums. [D. John speaks softly to him again. D. JOHN. Sirrah! were not she here JOD. He sits too much on bare benches and joint-stools. I must buy cushions for him to make him softer. ISAB. But how has he deserved this usage? JOD. He said your beauty could not kill a man a mile off. ISAB. Was that all, sir? If he hates me, alas ! he knows not yet he is ingrateful. D. JOHN. I can no longer defer it. I must discover my self JOD. Sirrah, begone! Expect nothing from me but a cudgel to measure your bones. Lady, may I not strip him naked, and keep his clothes now I turn him away? ISAB. O no, sir, if I have any credit with you, turn him not away. D. JOHN (Aside). Did ever rogue use his master thus, or master so foolishly trust the discretion of his man? JOD. My lily white lamb! you are too merciful. I cannot stay near you upon such cowardly terms. I'll into the garden a while. We men of mettle use to walk a turn to cool our courage. [Exit. ISAB. (Aside). Iblush, and know not what to say. Is love a crime when it usurps a monarch's power In giving dignity to that which it esteems? You were ere while another person and [To Don John. Did represent Don John, and then I spoke Some words which you might misinterpret to Be love. But, you are now poor Jodelet, And ought to alter your opinion of my Passion since your person's chang'd. D. JOHN. Madam, if I had reason to believe That you esteem'd Don John, 1 should grow weary Of my being as I am, and represent again The person that I was. ISAB. Sure you esteem him much, since you Can take such pleasure in assuming of his love. D. JOHN. Next my desire of Heav'n I wish Don John Made happy by your love with Hymen's rites. A better destiny for me, that so I may Be taught to make an equal wish for you. D. JOHN. Her love does still grow darker, yet I see, By too much light, my cause of jealousy. Enter BETTRIS. [Exit. BET. Don John, your country-lover is gone into the town to learn civility. He needs not stay long, for he may be taught it in the street by every mule he meets. ISAB. Did you see him go out? BET. Madam, he is not found about the house ; and I may now release Don Lewis from his confinement. ISAB. Be sure you do it presently; and then make haste to find me in the garden. I would we were well [Exit. BET. I saw just now the weeping lady; she's unluckily broke loose too. rid of these foolish lovers. standing has left the world. meet privately but they must needs fall in love. Sure common underYoung people cannot Enter LUCILLA veil'd. [Exit.* Luc. 'Tis strange Don Ferdinand should use me thus. Is this protection when he strait abandons me? He told me he would return in a moment; and then, as if grown weary of civility, and of lending me his chamber for shelter, he went perhaps to divert himself in the town. I heard just now a noise like the confusion of a quarrel. This is an ill sign of my secure retreat. I must proceed * In the edition of 1775 from the entrance of Bettris down to this point is omitted. |