_Lo._ I have often heard of some such thing, but durst not ask the Truth of it.
_Alon._ "Tis so, all that I know of my self is, that a _Spanish_ Souldier, who brought me up in the Army, dying, confest I was not his Son, (which till then I believ"d) and at the Age of twelve left me to shift for my self: the Fortune he inrich"d me with, was his Horse and Arms, with a few Doc.u.ments how to use them, as I had seen him do with good success: This Servant, [Points to _Pedro_] and a Crucifix of Value. And from one Degree to another, I arriv"d to what you knew me, Colonel of the Prince"s Regiment, and the Glory of his Favour.
_Lo._ Honour is the Child of Virtue, and finds an Owner every where.
_Alon._ Oh, Sir, you are a Courtier, and have much the odds of a Souldier in Parleys of this nature: but hither I am come--
_Lo._ To be undone-- Faith, thou look"st ill upon"t.
_Alon._ I confess I am not altogether so brisk as I should have been upon another Occasion; you know, _Lovis_, I have been us"d to Christian Liberty, and hate this formal Courtship. Pox on"t, wou"d "twere over.
_Lo._ Where all Parties are agreed, there"s little need of that; and the Ladies of _Spain_, whatever Gravity they a.s.sume, are as ready as any you ever met withal.
_Alon._ But there"s a d.a.m.n"d Custom that does not at all agree with Men so frank and gay as thou and I; there"s a deal of Danger in the Atchievement, which some say heightens the Pleasure, but I am of another Opinion.
_Ped._ Sir, there is a Female in a Veil has follow"d us ever since we came from Church.
_Alon._ Some amorous Adventure: See [_Enter _Olinda.] she advances: Prithee retire, there may be danger in it.
[Puts _Lovis_ back.
_Lo._ Oh then, I must by no means leave you. [_Lovis_ advances.
_Olin._ Which of these two shall I chuse? [She looks on both.
Sir, you appear a Stranger. [To _Lovis_.
_Alon._ We are both so, Lady.
_Olin._ I shall spoil all, and bring [She looks again on both.] the wrong. Sir, you should be a Cavalier, that--
_Alon._ Would gladly obey your Orders.
_Lo._ Nay, I find "tis all one to you which you chuse, so you have one of us: but would not both do better?
_Olin._ No, Sir, my Commission"s but to one.
_Alon._ Fix and proceed then, let me be the Man.
_Olin._ What shall I do? they are both well: [Aside.
but I"ll e"en chuse, as "twere, for my self; and hang me if I know which that shall be, [looks on both.] Sir, there is a Lady of Quality and Beauty, who guessing you to be Men of Honour, has sent me to one of you.
_Alon._ Me, I am sure.
_Lo._ Me, me, he"s engag"d already.
_Alon._ That"s foul Play, _Lovis_.
_Alon._ Well, I must have but one, and therefore I"ll wink and chuse.
_Lo._ I"ll not trust blind Fortune.
_Alon._ Prithee, _Lovis_, let thee and I agree upon the matter, and I find the Lady will be reasonable; cross or pile who shall go.
_Lo._ Go, Sir, whither?
_Alon._ To the Lady that--
_Lo._ Sent for neither of us that I can hear of yet.
_Alon._ You will not hear me out, but I"ll end the Difference by chusing you, Sir; and if you"ll follow me [To _Alonzo_.] at a Distance, I will conduct you where this Lady is.
_Alon._ Fair Guide, march on, I"ll follow thee. [Offers to go.
_Lo._ You are not mad, Sir, "tis some abuse, and dangerous.
[Pulls him back.
_Alon._ Be not envious of my Happiness: Forbear a Wench, for fear of Danger!
_Lo._ Have a care, "tis some Plot. [Holds him.] Where did this Lady see us? we are both Strangers in the City.
_Alon._ No matter where.
_Olin._ At Church, Sir, just now.
_Alon._ Ay, ay, at Church, at Church, enough.
_Lo._ What"s her Name?
_Alon._ Away, thou art fuller of Questions than a Fortune-teller: Come, let"s be gone.
_Lo._ Sure you do not mean to keep your Word, Sir?
_Alon._ Not keep my Word, _Lovis_? What wicked Life hast thou known me lead, should make thee suspect I should not? When I have made an Interest in her, and find her worth communicating, I will be just upon Honour-- Go, go.
_Lo._ Well, go your ways; if Marriage do not tame you, you are past all Hopes: but pray, Sir, let me see you at my Lodgings, the _Golden Fleece_ here at the Gate.
_Alon._ I"ll attend thee here, and tell thee my Adventure: Farewel.
[Exit _Lovis_.] _Pedro_, go you and inquire for the House of Don _Ambrosio_, and tell him I will wait on him in the Evening, by that time I shall get my self in Order.
[Ex. _Alonzo_ and _Olinda_; _Pedro_ the other way.
SCENE II. _Ambrosio"s_ House.
Enter _Silvio_, melancholy.
_Silv._ I must remove _Marcel_, for his nice Honour Will ne"er permit that I should court my Sister; My Pa.s.sion will admit of no Restraint, "Tis grown so violent; and fair _Cleonte"s_ Charms Each Day increase to such a killing Number, That I must speak or die.
Enter _Francisca_.