Dieg. During the time fhe has lived with me, fhe has never been a moment out of my fight: and now, tel me, Urfula, what you have observed in her. Urf. All meeknefs and gentlenefs, your worship; and yet, I warrant you, fhrewd and fenfible; egad, when she pleafes, fhe can be as fharp as a needle. Dieg. You have not been able to discover any particular attachments? Urf. Why, Sir, of late I have observed Dieg. Eh! how! what? Urf. That he has taken greatly to the young kitten. Dieg. O! is that all? Urf. Ay, by my faith, I don't think she is fond of any thing elfe. Dieg. Of me, Urfula? Urf. Ay, ay, of the kitten and your worship, and her birds, and going to mafs. I have taken notice of late, that he is mighty fond of going to mass as your worship lets her, early of a morning. Dieg. Well! I am now going to her parents, to let them know my refolution; I will not take her with mẻ, becaufe, having been used to confinement, and it being the life I am determined the fhall lead, it will be only giving her a bad habit. I fhall return with the good folks to-morrow morning; in the mean time, Urfula, I confide in your attention; and take care, as you would merit my favour. Urf. I will indeed, your worship; nay, if there is a widow gentlewoman in all Salamanca fitter to look after a young maiden Dieg. Go, and fend Leonora to me. Urf. I know the world, Sir, tho' I fay't: I'm cautious and wife; And they who furprise My prudence nodding, Never fear, Sir, Yes, yes, I'll anfwer for Mifs: Let me alone, I warrant my care Shall Shall weigh to a hair As much as your own. (Exit Urfula. Dieg. I dreamt laft night that I was going to church with Leonora to be married, and that we were met on the road by a drove of oxen -Oxen I don't like oxen! I wish it had been a flock of sheep. Enter Leonora with a bird on her finger, which she holds in the other hand by a firing. ly. Leon. Say, little, foolish, fluttering thing, Stay here and fing, Your mistress to delight. No, no, no, Sweet Robin, you shall not go: Where, you wanton, could you be, Half fo happy as with me? Dieg. Leonora! Leon. Here I am. Dieg. Look me in the face, and liften to me attentive] Leon. There. Dieg. I am going this evening to your father and mother, and I fuppofe you are not ignorant of the cause of my journey. Are you willing to be my wife? Leon. I am willing to do whatever you and my father and my mother please. Dieg. But that's not the thing; do you like me? Dieg. What do you figh for? Leon. I don't know. Dieg. When you came hither, you were taken from a mean little houfe, ill fituated, and worse furnished; you had no fervants, and were obliged, with your mother, to do the work yourself. Leon. Yes; but when we had done, I could look out at the window, or go a-walking in the fields. Dieg. Perhaps you diflike confinement? Leon. No, I don't, I am fure. Dieg. I fay, then, I took you from that mean habi tation and hard labour, to a noble building, and this fine garden; where, fo far from being a flave, you are Z3 abfolute abfolute mistress; and inftead of wearing a mean ftuff gown, look at yourself, I beseech you; the dress you have on is fit for a princess. Leon. 'Tis very fine, indeed. Dieg. Well, Leonora, you know in what manner you have been treated fince you have been my companion; ask yourself again now, whether you can be content to lead a life with me according to the fpecimen you have had? Leon. Specimen! Dieg. Ay, according to the manner I have treated you according. Leon. I'll do whatever you please. Dieg. Then, my dear, give me a kiss. Leon. Good b'ye to you. Dieg. Here, Urfula." By fome I am told, That I'm wrinkled and old; But I will not believe what they say: I feel my blood mounting, Like ftreams in a fountain, That merrily fparkle and play. And ability ftill; Odfbobs, I can fcarcely refrain! My diamond, my pearl Well, be a good girl, Until I come to you again. [Exit Don Diego. Leon. Heigho!-I think I am fick.-He's very good to me, to be fure; and 'tis my duty to love him, because we ought not to be ungrateful; but I wish I was not to marry him for all that, though I'm afraid to tell him fo. Fine feathers, they fay, make fine birds; but I am fure they don't make happy ones; a fparrow is happier in the fields than a goldfinch in a cage. There is fomething makes me mighty uneafy. While he was talking to me, I thought I never faw any thing look fo ugly in my life -O dear now, why did I forget to afk leave to go to mass to-morrow? I fuppofe, because he's abroad, Urfula won't take me-1 wish I had asked leave to go to mafs. Was Was I a fhepherd's maid, to keep SCENE changes to a Street in Salamanca. Leander enters with two fcholars; all in their univerfity gowns. Leand. His name is Don Diego; there's his house, like another monaftery, or rather prifon; his fervants are an ancient duenna, and a negro flave 1 Schol. And after having lived fifty years a bachelor, this old fellow has pick'd up a young thing of fixteen, whom he by chance faw in a balcony! 2 Schol. And you are in love with the girl? Leand. To defperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for finding that her jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring convent every morning before it was light, I went there in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myfelf as near her as I could: I then varied my appearance; continuing to do fo from time to time, till I was convinced she had füfficiently remarked and understood my meaning. 1 Schol. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more induftrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferreted. 2 Schol. But prithee, tell us now, how did you get information? Leand. Firft from report, which raifed my curiofity; and afterwards from the negro I just now mentioned: I obferved that when the family was gone to bed, he often came to air himself at yonder grate; you know I am no bad chanter, nor a very fcurvy minstrel; so taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I foon fcraped acquaintance with my friend Mungo. He adores my fongs and farabands; and taking me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a fhare of his allowance; which I accept to avoid fufpi cion. 1 Schol. And fo Leand. And fo, Sir, he hath told me all the fecrets of his family; and one worth knowing; for he informed me laft night; that his master will this evening take a fhort journey into the country, from whence he propofes not to return till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him. 2 Schol. Zounds! let's fcale the wall. Leand. Fair and foftly; I will this inftant go and put on my difguife, watch for the Don's going out, attack my negro afresh, and try if by his means I cannot come into the house, or at leaft get a fight of my charming angel. Schol. Angel! is fhe then fo handfome? Leand. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you can defire. [Exit Scholars. Hither, Venus, with your doves; Hither, all ye little loves; Round me light, your wings difplay, Oh, could I but, like Jove of old, Or wrap it in an orient cloud; What locks, what bars, fhould then impede, [Exit Leander. SCENE changes to the outfide of Don Diego's houfe, which appears with windows barr'd up, and an iron grate before an entry. Don Diego enters from the house, having firft unlocked the door, and remov'd two or three bars which affifted in faftening it. With the precautions I have taken, I think I run no rifk in quitting my house for a fhort time; Leonora has never shown the leaft inclination to deceive me; befides, my old woman is prudent and faithful, fhe has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself. But fuppofefuppofe-by the rood and St Francis, I will not |