SCENE I.

[Sevil For tho' I've heard, that when he fled from To save his life (then forfeited to law For murdering don Pedro, my dear uncle), His extreme wants enforc'd him to take pay I' th' army, sat down then before Ostend; 'Twas never yet reported, by whose favour He durst presume to entertain a thought Of coming home with pardon.

Ana. 'Tis our nature

Or not to hear, or not to give belief
To what we wish far from our enemies.

Lam. Sir, 'tis most certain, the infanta's
letters,

Assisted by the arch-duke's, to king Philip, Have not alone secur'd him from the rigour Of our Castilian justice, but return'd him A free man, and in grace.

Vit. By what curs'd means [more Could such a fugitive arise unto The knowledge of their highnesses? Much (Though known), to stand but in the least de

you,

And truly; since, should I detract his worth, 'Twould argue want of merit in myself. Briefly to pass his tedious pilgrimage For sixteen years, a banishi'd guilty man, And to forget the storms, th' affrights, the horrors,

His constancy, not fortune overcame,

I bring him, with his little son, grown man (Tho' 'twas said here he took a daughter with him),

To Ostend's bloody siege, that stage of war, Wherein the flower of many nations acted, And the whole Christian world spectators were;

There by his son (or were he by adoption
Or Nature his) a brave scene was presented,
Which I make choice to speak of, since from

that

The good success of Alvarez had beginning.
Vit. So I love virtue in an enemy,
That I desire in the relation of [yourself
This young man's glorious deed, you'll keep
A friend to truth, and it.

Lum. Such was my purpose.
The town being oft assaulted, but in vain,
To dare the proud defendants to a sally,
Weary of ease, don Inigo Peralta,
Son to the general of our Castile forces,
All arm'd, advanc'd within shot of their walls,
From whence the musqueteers play'd thick
upon him;

[ger

Yet he, brave youth, as careless of the dan-
As careful of his honour, drew his sword,
And waving it about his head, as if,
He dar'd one spirited like himself to trial
Of single valour, he made his retreat,
With such a slow, and yet majestic pace,
As if he still call'd loud, "Dare none come
on?"

When suddenly, from a postern of the town
Two gallant horsemen issued, and o'ertook
The army looking on, yet not a man [hin,
That durst relieve the rash adventurer;
Which Lucio, son to Alvarez, then seeing,
As in the vant-guard he sat bravely mounted,
(Or were it pity of the youth's misfortune,
Care to preserve the honour of his country,
Or bold desire to get himself a name),
He made his brave horse like a whirlwind
bear him

Among the combatants; and in a moment
Discharg'd his petronel, with such sure aim,
That of the adverse party from his horse
One tumbled dead; then wheeling round,
and drawing

A falchion, swift as lightning he came on
Upon the other, and with one strong blow,
In view of the amazed town and camp,
He struck him dead, and brought Peralta off
With double honour to himself.

Vit. "Twas brave!

But the success of this?

Lum. The camp receiv'd him With acclamations of joy and welcome; And for addition to the fair reward (Being a massy chain of gold giv'n to him By young Peralta's father), he was brought To the infanta's presence, kiss'd her hand, And from that lady (greater in her goodness Than her high birth) had this encourage

ment:

« Go

And will; and not call his prerogative
In question, nor presume to limit it.
I know he is the master of his laws,
And may forgive the forfeits made to them,
But not the injury done to my honour:
And since (forgetting my brave uncle's merits,
And many services, under duke d'Alva)
He suffers him to fall, wresting from justice
The powerful sword, that would revenge his
death,

I'll fill with this Astrea's empty hand, [king's.
And in my just wreak make this arm the
My deadly hate to Alvarez, and his house,
Which as I grew in years hath still encreas'd
(As if it call'd on Time to make me man),
Slept while it had no object for her fury,
But a weak woman, and her talk'd-of daugh-
ter;
[sight 2,
But now, since there are quarries worth her
Both in the father and his hopeful son,
I'll boldly cast her off, and gorge her full
With both their hearts: to further which,
your friendship,
[deeds

And oaths! Will your assistance let your

Enter Bobadilla and Lucio.

Lucio. Go, fetch my work. This ruff was not well starch'd,

So tell the maid; 'thas too much blue in it: And look you that the partridge and the pul

len [ther Have clean meat and fresh water, or my moIs like to hear on't. [there ever

Bob. Oh, good St. Jaques, help me! Was Such an hermaphrodite heard of? Would any Wench living, that should hear and see what I do, [man lies Be wrought to believe, that the best of a Under this petticoat, and that a cod-piece Were far fitter here, than a pinn'd placket?

Lucio. You had best talk filthily, do; I have a tongue

To tell my mother, as well as ears to hear Your ribaldry.

Bob. Nay, you have ten women's tongues That way, I am sure! Why, my young master, Or mistress, madam, don, or what you will, What the devil have you to do with pullen or partridge?

Or to sit pricking on a clout all day?
You have a better needle, I know, and might
Make better work, if you had grace to use it.
Lucio. Why, how dare you speak this be-
fore me, sirrah?
[what I speak?
Bob. Nay, rather, why dare not you do
Tho' my lady, your mother, for fear of
Vitelli and his faction, hath [kept you
Brought you up like her daughter, and has
These twenty years (which is ever since
You were born) a close prisoner within doors;
Yet since you are a man, and are as well
Provided as other men are, methinks [flesh
You should have the same motions of the
As other cavaliers of us are inclin'd unto.

Lucio. Indeed, you have cause to love those wanton motions,

They having holpe you to an excellent whipping+,

3

to further which, your friendship,

Sympson.

These gentlemen point,

Sympson.

Bob. Why, I but

was

Taught her a Spanish trick in charity, [live And holpe the king to a subject, that may To take grave Maurice prisoners, and that [as you More good to the state than a thousand such Are ever like to do. And I will tell you (In a fatherly care of the infant, I speak it) If he live (as bless the babe, in passion I Remember him!) to your years, shall he spend his time

In pinning, painting, purling, and perfuming, As you do? No; he shall to the wars, Use his Spanish pike, tho' with the danger of the lash, [vok'd,

As his father has done; and when he is pro-
As I am now, draw his toledo desperately,
As

Lucio. You will not kill me? Oh!
Bob I knew this

Would silence him. How he hides his eyes!
If he were a wench now, as he seems, what an
Advantage had I, drawing two toledos
When one can do this! But-Oh me, my
lady!
[jest.
I must put up.-Young master, I did but
Oh, Custom, what hast thou made of him!

Enter Eugenia and Servant,

Eug. For bringing this, be still my friend;

no more

A servant to me.

Bob. What's the matter?
Eug. Here,

E'en here, where I am happy to receive
Assurance of my Alvarez' return, [thoughts
I will kneel down; and may those holy
That now possess me wholly, make this place
A temple to me, where I may give thanks
For this unhop'd-for blessing, Heav'n's kind
Hath pour'd upon me!
[hand

Lucio. Let my duty, madam,
Presume, if you have cause of joy, to entreat
I may share in it.
[him yet.
Bob. "Tis well, he has forgot how I frighted

Eug. Thou shalt: but first kneel with me,
Lucio,

No more Posthumia now! thou hast a father,
A father living to take off that name, [dead,
Which my too-credulous fears, that he was
Bestow'd upon thee. Thou shalt see him,
Lucio,

And make him young again by seeing thee,
Who only hadst a being in my womb
When he went from me, Lucio. Oh, my joys
So far transport me, that I must forget
The ornaments of matrons, modesty,
And grave behaviour! But let all forgive me,
If in th' expression of my soul's best comfort,
Tho' old, I do a while forget mine age,
And play the wanton in the entertainment
Of those delights I have so long despair'd of!
Lucio. Shall I then see my father?
Eug. This hour, Lucio;

Which reckon the beginning of thy life,
I mean that life in which thou shalt appear
To be such as I brought thee forth, a man.
This womanish disguise, in which I have
So long conceal'd thee, thou shalt now cast
off,
[from me,
And change those qualities thou didst learn
For masculine virtues; for which seek no tutor,
But let thy father's actions be thy precepts.
And for thee, Zancho, now expect reward
For thy true service

[learn

Bob. Shall I?-You hear, fellow Stephano? To know me more respectively! How dost Thou think I shall become the steward's

chair? ha!

how I frighted him yet.

how I frighted him.

Eug. That thou shalt.

Eug.

Eug. Begone, I say! Why, sir, you can go faster? [practise Bob. I could, madam; but I am now to The steward's pace; that's the reward I look for.

Every man must fashion his gait according To his calling: you, fellow Stephano, may walk faster,

To overtake preferment; so, usher me. Lucio. Pray, madam, let the waistcoat I last wrought

Be made up for my father! I will have
A cap, and boot-hose, suitable to it.

Eug. Of that

[now

We'll think hereafter, Lucio; our thoughts Must have no object but thy father's welTo which, thy help!

[come;

Lucio. With humble gladness, madam.

SCENE III.

Enter Alvarez and Clara.

Alv. Where lost we Syavedra?

Clara. He was met,

[Exeunt.

(For Lucio is a name thou must forget, With Lucio's bold behaviour), tho' thy breeding [cuse

I' th' camp, may plead something in the exOf thy rough manners, custom having chang'd (Tho' not thy sex) the softness of thy nature, And Fortune, then a cruel step-dame to thee, Impos'd upon thy tender sweetness burdens Of hunger, cold, wounds, want, such as would crack

The sinews of a man, not born a soldier; Yet, now she smiles, and like a natʼral mother Looks gently on thee, Clara, entertain Her proffer'd bounties with a willing bosom: Thou shalt no more have need to use thy sword; [alter'd)

Thy beauty (which c'en Belgia hath not Shall be a stronger guard, to keep my Clara, Than that has been (tho' never us'd but noAnd know thus much-

Clara. Sir, I know only that

[bly):

It stands not with my duty to gain-say you

In any thing: I must and will put on [wish What fashion you think best, tho' I could I were what I appear.

Alv. Endeavour rather
[Musick.
To be what you are, Clara; entring here,
As you were born, a woman.

Enter Eugenia, Lucio, and Servants.
Eug. Let choice musick,

In the best voice that e'er touch'd human ear (For joy hath tied my tongue up), speak your welcome!

Alv. My soul (for thou giv'st new life to my spirit) [Embraces her. Myriads of joy, though short in number of Thy virtues, fall on thee! Oh, my Eugenia, Th'assurance that I do embrace thee, makes My twenty years of sorrow but a dream; And by the nectar which I take from these, I feel my age restor'd, and, like old Æson, Grow young again.

Eug. My lord, long wish'd-for, welcome!
'Tis a sweet briefness! yet in that short word
All pleasures which I may call mine begin,
And may they long encrease, before they find
A second period! Let mine eyes now surfeit
On this so wish'd-for object, and my lips
Yet modestly pay back the parting kiss
You trusted with them, when you fled from
Sevil,
[she?

With little Clara, my sweet daughter! Lives
Yet I could chide myself, having you here,
For being so covetous of all joys at once,
T'enquire for her; you being, alone, to me
My Clara, Lucio, my lord, myself,
Nay, more than all the world!

Alo. As you to me are.

the

[safety!

Eug. Sit down, and let ine feed upon
story
Of your past dangers, now you're here in
It will give relish, and fresh appetite
To my delights, if such delights can cloy me.
Yet do not, Alvarez! let me first yield you
Account of my life in your absence, and
Make you acquainted how I have preserv'd
The jewel left lock'd up within my womb,
When you, in being forc'd to leave your
Suffer'd a civil death.
[country,

Alo. Do, my Eugenia;
'Tis that I most desire to hear.
Eug. Then know——
Alt. What noise is that?

[Within clashing of swords. Syao. [within] If you are noble enemies, Oppress me not with odds, but kill me fairly! Vit. [within] Stand off! I am too many of myself.

Enter Bobadilla.

Clara. Follow him!

Leave me to keep these off.

Alv. Assault my friend,

So near my house?

Vit. Nor in it will spare thee,

Tho' 'twere a temple; and I'll make it one, I being the priest, and thou the sacrifice, I'll offer to my uncle.

Alv. Haste thou to him, And say I sent thee!

Clara. 'Twas put bravely by

And that; yet he comes on, and boldly; rare
I' th' wars, where emulation and example
Join to encrease the courage, and make less
The danger! valour, and true resolution
Never appear'd so lovely-brave again!
Sure he is more than man; and if he fall,
The best of virtue, fortitude, would die with
And can I suffer it? forgive me, duty! [him`:
So I love valour, as I will protect it
Against my father, and redeem it, tho'
Tis forfeited by one I hate.

Vit. Come on!

Thy worth has took me prisoner, and my
For this time knows thee only for a friend,
And to all else I turn the point of it.
Syav. Defend your father's enemy?
Alv. Art thou mad?
[lour, which
Clara. Are ye men rather? Shall that va-
Begot you lawful honour in the wars, [tard
Prove now the parent of an infamous bas-
So foul, yet so long-liv'd, as murder will
Be to your shames? Have each of you, alone,
With your own dangers only, purchas'd glory
From multitudes of enemies, not allowing
Those nearest to you to have part in it,
And do you now join, and lend mutual help
Against a single opposite? Hath the mercy
Of the great king, but newly wash'd away
The blood, that with the forfeit of your life
Cleav'd to your name and family, like an
In this again to set a deeper dye upon [ulcer,
Your infamy? You'll say he is your foe,
And by his rashness call'd on his own ruin;
Remember yet, he was first wrong'd, and
honour
[place

Spurr'd him to what he did; and next the
Where now he is, your house, which by the
Of hospitable duty should protect him;[laws
Have you been twenty years a stranger to't,

All danger is blown over: I have letters
To th' governor, i' th' king's name, to secure us
From such attempts hereafter; yet we need
[dread others;

not

That have such strong guards of our own, And, to encrease thy comfort, know, this young man,

Whom with such fervent earnestness you eye,
Is not what he appears, but such a one
As thou with joy wilt bless, thy daughter
Clara.

Eug. A thousand blessings in that word!
Alv. The reason

Why I have bred her up thus, at more leisure
I will impart unto you: wonder not

At what you've seen her do, it being the least
Of many great and valiant undertakings
She hath made good with honour.

Eug. I'll return

The joy I have in her, with one as great
To you, my Alvarez: you, in a man,
Have giv'n to me a daughter; in a woman,
I give to you a son: this was the pledge
You left here with me, whom I have brought
up

Diff'rent from what he was, as you did Clara,
And with the like success; as she appears
Alter'd by custom, more than woman, he,
Transform'd by his soft life, is less than man.
Alo. Fortune in this gives ample satisfaction
For all our sorrows past.

Lucio. My dearest sister!
Clara. Kind brother!

Alv. Now our mutual care must be
Employ'd to help wrong'd Nature, to recover
Her right in either of them, lost by custom:
To you I give my Clara, and receive
My Lucio to my charge; and we'll contend,
With loving industry, who soonest can
Turn this man woman, or this woman man,

[Exeunt. ACT