[_Goes out with the_ Turk.
_Enter_ Antonio, _and_ Clara _to_ Jacinta.
_Jac_. Madam, the rarest sport--Ha, ha, ha.
_Ant_. You need not tell us, we have been witness to all. But to our own Affairs, my dearest _Clara_, Let us not lose this blessed opportunity, Which Art nor Industry can give again if this be idly lost.
_Cla_. Nay, hang me if it be my fault, _Antonio_: Charge it to the number of your own Sins; it shall not lie at my door.
_Ant_. "Tis generously said, and take notice, my little dear Virago, _Guzman_ has a Priest ready to tie you to your word.
_Cla_. As fast as you please; hang her that fears the conjuring knot for me: But what will our Fathers say--mine who expects me to be the Governor"s Lady; and yours, who designs _Isabella_ for a Daughter-in-Law?
_Ant_. Mine will be glad of the Change; and, for yours, if he be not pleased, let him keep his Portion to himself--that"s the greatest mischief he can do us: and for my Friend, the Governor, he"s above their Anger.
_Cla_. Why do we lose precious time? I long to be at--I _Clara_ take thee _Antonio_,--the very Ceremony will be tedious, so much I wish thee mine; and each delay gives me a fear something will s.n.a.t.c.h me from thee.
_Ant_. No power of Man can do"t, thou art so guarded; but now the Priest is employed in clapping up the honourable Marriage between the False Count and Isabella.
_Jac_. Lord, what a jest "twill be to see "em coupled, ha, ha.
_Cla_. Unmerciful _Antonio_, to drive the Jest so far; "tis too unconscionable!
_Ant_. By Heaven, I"m so proud I cannot think my Revenge sufficient for Affronts, nor does her Birth, her Breeding and her Vanity--deserve a better Fortune; besides,--he has enough to set up for a modern Spark-- the Fool has just Wit and good Manners to pa.s.s for a Fop of Fashion; and, where he is not known, will gain the Reputation of a fine accomplish"d Gentleman,--yet I"m resolved she shall see him in his Geers, in his original Filthiness, that my Revenge may be home upon the foolish Jilt.
_Cla_. Cruel _Antonio_, come, lets go give "em Joy.
_Ant_. And finish our Affair with Mr. Vicar.
_Enter_ Isabella, _her Train borne by the great_ Page, Guiliom, _with the other great_ Page, _and_ Francisco _bare_.
--Joy to my n.o.ble Lord, and you, fair _Isabella_!
_Isa_. Thank thee, Fellow,--but, surely, I deserved my t.i.tles from thee.
_Cla_. Your Honour I hope will pardon him.
_Isa_. How now, _Clara_! [_Nodding to her_.
_Jac_. I give your Honour joy.
_Isa_. Thank thee, poor Creature.--
_Fran_. My Lord, this Honour you have done my Daughter is so signal, that whereas I designed her but five thousand Pound, I will this happy day settle on her ten.
_Guil_. d.a.m.n dirty trash, your Beauty is sufficient--hum --Signior Don _Antonio_, get the Writings ready. [_Aside_.
Money--hang Money.
_Fran_. How generous these Lords are; nay, my Lord, you must not refuse a Father"s Love, if I may presume to call you Son--I shall find enough besides for my Ransom, if the Tyrant be so unmerciful to ask more than my Wife pays him.
_Guil_. Nay, if you will force it upon me.
_Isa_. Ay, take it, the trifling sum will serve to buy our Honour Pins.
_Ant_. Well, Sir, since you will force it on him, my Cashier shall draw the Writings.
_Guil_. And have "em signed by a publick Notary. [_Aside_.
_Fran_. With all my Soul, Sir, I"ll go to give him order, and subscribe.
[_Ex_. Francisco.
_Guil_. Let him make "em strong and sure--you shall go halves. [_Aside_.
_Ant_. No, you will deserve it dearly, who have the plague of such a Wife with it;--but harkye, Count--these goods of Fortune are not to be afforded you, without Conditions.
_Guil_. Shaw, Conditions, any Conditions, n.o.ble _Antonio_.
_Ant_. You must disrobe anon, and do"n your native Habiliments--and in the Equipage give that fair Viscountess to understand the true quality of her Husband.
_Guil_. Hum--I"m afraid, "tis a harder task to leap from a Lord to a Rogue, than "tis from a Rogue to a Lord.
_Ant_. Not at all, we have examples of both daily.
_Guil_. Well, Sir, I"ll show you my agility--but, Sir, I desire I may consummate, d"ye see,--consummate--a little like a Lord, to make the Marriage sure.
_Ant_. You have the Freedom to do so--the Writings I"ll provide.
_Guil_. I"ll about it then, the Priest waits within for you, and _Guzman_ for you, _Jacinta_,--haste, for he is to arrive anon Amba.s.sador from _Cadiz_.
_Jac_. I know not, this noise of Weddings has set me agog, and I"ll e"en in, and try what "tis.
[_Ex_. Antonio, Clara, _and_ Jacinta.
_Guil_. Come, Madam, your Honour and I have something else to do, before I have fully dub"d you a Viscountess.
_Isa_. Ah, Heav"ns, what"s that?
_Guil_. Why a certain Ceremony, which must be performed between a pair of Sheets,--but we"ll let it alone till Night.
_Isa_. Till Night, no; whate"er it be, I wou"d not be without an Inch of that Ceremony, that may compleat my Honour for the World; no, for Heaven"s sake, let"s retire, and dub me presently.
_Guil_. Time enough, time enough.
_Isa_. You love me not, that can deny me this.
_Guil_. Love--no, we are married now, and People of our Quality never Love after Marriage; "tis not great.
_Isa_. Nay, let"s retire, and compleat my Quality, and you will find me a Wife of the Mode, I"ll warrant you.