Hey, who comes here? this is the smart little girl who seems so much attached to the beautiful novice--No harm to speak with her--

_Enter CATILINA._

So my pretty primrose!

_Catil._ How do you do, Mr--[_Pert and familiar._] I don't know your name.

_Don Fer._ Not know my name! You must know who I am though, and my business here, child?

_Catil._ Lord, man, what signifies your going about to sift me, when the whole family knows you're Don Fernando's footman.

_Don Fer._ Am I faith? Ha! ha! ha! I'll humour this--Well then, my dear, you know that I am only Don Fernando's footman?

_Catil._ Yes, yes, we know that, notwithstanding your fine clothes.

_Don Fer._ But where's my master?

_Catil._ Don Fernando! he's parading the gallery yonder, in his sham livery and morning gown.

_Don Fer._ Oh, this accounts for twelve covers at supper and the embroider'd bed; but who could have set such a jest going? I'll carry it on though--[_Aside._] So then after all I am known here?

_Catil._ Ay, and if all the impostors in the castle were as well known, we shou'd have no wedding to-morrow night.

_Don Fer._ Something else will out--I'll seem to be in the secret, and perhaps may come at it--[_Aside._] Ay, ay, that piece of deceit is much worse than ours.

_Catil._ That! what, then you know that this Italian lady is not Don Scipio's daughter, but Dame Isabel's, and her true name Lorenza?

_Don Fer._ Here's a discovery! [_Aside._] O yes, I know that.

_Catil._ You do! Perhaps you know too, that the young lady you saw me speak with just now is the real Donna Victoria?

_Don Fer._ Is it possible! Here's a piece of villany! [_Aside._] Charming!

let me kiss you, my dear girl.

[_Kisses her._

_Catil._ Lord! he's a delightful man!

_Don Fer._ My little angel, a thousand thanks for this precious discovery.

_Catil._ Discovery!--Well, if you did not know it before, marry hang your a.s.surance, I say--but I must about my business, can't play the lady as you played the gentleman, I've something else to do; so I desire you won't keep kissing me here all day.

[_Exit._

_Don Fer._ Why what a villain is this Don Scipio! ungrateful to--but I scorn to think of the services I rendered him last night in the forest; a false friend to my father, an unnatural parent to his amiable daughter! here my charmer comes.

[_Retires._

_Enter VICTORIA._

_Vict._ Yes, Catilina must be mistaken, it is impossible he can be the servant,--no, no; that dignity of deportment, and native elegance of manner, can never be a.s.sumed; yonder he walks, and my fluttering heart tells me this is really the amiable Fernando, that I must resign to Dame Isabel's daughter.

_Don Fer._ Stay, lovely Victoria!

_Vict._ Did you call me, sir?--Heavens, what have I said! [_Confused._]

I mean, signor, would you wish to speak with Donna Victoria? I'll inform her, sir.

[_Going._

_Don Fer._ Oh, I could speak to her for ever, for ever gaze upon her charms, thus transfixed with wonder and delight.

_Vict._ Pray, signor, suffer me to withdraw.

_Don Fer._ For worlds I would not offend! but think not, lady, 'tis the knowledge of your quality that attracts my admiration.

_Vict._ Nay, signor.

_Don Fer._ I know you to be Don Scipio's daughter, the innocent victim of injustice and oppression; therefore I acknowledge to you, and you alone, that, whatever you may have heard to the contrary, I really am Fernando de Zelva.

_Vict._ Signor, how you became acquainted with the secret of my birth I know not; but, from an acquaintance so recent, your compliment I receive as a mode of polite gallantry without a purpose.

_Don Fer._ What your modesty regards as cold compliments, are sentiments warm with the dearest purpose; I came hither to ratify a contract with Don Scipio's daughter; you are she, the beautiful Victoria, destined for the happy Fernando.

_Vict._ Pray rise, signor:--My father perhaps, even to himself, cannot justify his conduct to me: But to censure that, or to pervert his intentions, would, in me, be a breach of filial duty.

AIR XII.--VICTORIA.

_By woes thus surrounded, how vain the gay smile_ _Of the little blind archer, those woes to beguile!_ _Though skilful, he misses, his aim it is cross'd,_ _His quiver exhausted, his arrows are lost._ _Your love, though sincere, on the object you lose,_ [Aside] _How sweet is the pa.s.sion! Ah, must I refuse?_ _If filial affection that pa.s.sion should sway,_ _Then love's gentle dictates I cannot obey._

_Don Fer._ And do you, can you, wish me to espouse Donna Lorenza, Isabella's daughter?--Say, you do not, do but satisfy me so far.

_Vict._ Signor, do not despise me if I own, that, before I saw in you the husband of Don Scipio's daughter, I did not once regret that I had lost that t.i.tle.

_Don Fer._ A thousand thanks for this generous, this amiable condescension.--Oh, my Victoria! if fortune but favours my design, you shall yet triumph over the malice of your enemies.

_Vict._ Yonder is Dame Isabel, if she sees you speaking to me, she'll be early to frustrate whatever you may purpose for my advantage. Signor, farewell!

_Don Fer._ My life, my love, adieu!

AIR XIII. DUET.--VICTORIA _and_ FERNANDO.

Don Fer. _So faithful to my fair I'll prove,_ Vict. _So kind and constant to my love,_ Don Fer. _I'd never range,_ Vict. _I'd never change,_ Both. _Nor time, nor chance, my faith shall move._

Vict. _No ruby cl.u.s.ters grace the vine,_ Don Fer. _Ye sparkling stars forget to shine,_ Vict. _Sweet flowers to spring,_ Don Fer. _Gay birds to sing,_ Both. _Those hearts then part that love shall join._