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Truth, they say, lies in a well,
Why, I vow, I ne'er could see,
Let the water-drinkers tell,
There it always lay for me.
For when sparkling wine went round,
Never saw I falsehood's mask,
But still honest truth I found,
In the bottom of each flask.

True, at length my vigour's flown,
I have years to bring decay;
Few the locks, that now I own,
And the few I have are grey.
Yet, old Jerome, thou may'st boast,
While thy spirits do not tire,
Still beneath thy age's frost
Glows a spark of youthful fire.

[Exit.

4

" SCENE 11:

The New Piazza.

Enter FERDINAND and LOPEZ.

Ferd. What, could you gather no tidings of her? Nor guess where she was gone? O Clara! Clara!

Lopez. In truth, sir, I could not. That she was run away from her father, was in every body's mouth, and that Don Guzman was in pursuit of her was also a very common report-where she was gone, or what was become of her, no one could take upon them to say.

Ferd. 'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead! she can't be out of Seville.

Lopez. So I said to myself, sir-'Sdeath and fury, you blockhead, says I, she can't be out of SevilleThen some said, she had hanged herself for love; and others have it, Don Antonio had carried her off.

Ferd. 'Tis false, scoundrel! no one said that.
Lopez. Then I misunderstood them, sir.

Ferd. Go, fool, get home, and never let me see you again, till you bring me news of her. [Exit LOPEZ.] Oh, how my fondness for this ungrateful girl has hurt my disposition!

Enter ISAAC.

a

Isaac. So, I have her safe, and have only to find priest to marry us. Antonio now may marry Clara, or not, if he pleases!

Ferd. What? what was that you said of Clara? Isaac. Oh, Ferdinand! my brother-in-law, that shall be, who thought of meeting you!

Ferd. But what of Clara?

Isaac. l'faith, you shall hear.This morning, as I was coming down, I met a pretty damsel, who told me her name was Clara d'Almanza, and begged my protection.

Ferd. How?

Isaac. She said she had eloped from her father, Don Guzman, but that love for a young gentleman in Seville was the cause.

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Ferd. Oh, Heavens! did she confess it?

Isaac. Oh, yes, she confessed at once-but then, says she, my lover is not informed of my flight, nor

suspects my intention.

Ferd. Dear creature! no more I did indeed! Oh, I am the happiest fellow !-[Aside.] Well, Isaac ! Isaac. Why, then she entreated me to find him ●ut for her, and bring him to her.

Ferd. Good Heavens, how lucky!-Well, come along, let's lose no time.

[Pulling him.

Isaac. Zooks! where are we to go?
Ferd. Why, did any thing more pass?

Isaac. Any thing more! yes; the end on't was, that I was moved with her speeches, and complied with her desires.

Ferd. Well, and where is she?

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Isaac. Where is she? why, don't I tell you, I complied with her request, and left her safe in the arms of her lover.

Ferd. 'Sdeath, you trifle with me!-I have never seen her.

Isaac. You! O lud, no!-How the devil should you? 'Twas Antonio she wanted: and with Anto. nio I left her.

Ferd. Hell and madness! [Aside.] What, Antonio d'Ercilla?

Isaac. Ay, ay, the very man; and the best part of it was, he was shy of taking her at first-He talked a good deal about honour, and conscience, and deceiving some dear friend; but, lord, we soon overruled that.

Ferd. You did?\

Isaac. Oh, yes, presently-such deceit, says he― Pish! says the lady, tricking is all fair in love-but then, my friend, says he-Pshaw! damn your friend, says I.-So, poor wretch, he has no chance-no, no ; he may hang himself as soon as he pleases.

Ferd. I must go, or I shall betray myself.

Isaac. But stay, Ferdinand, you ha'n't heard the best of the joke.

Ferd. Curse on your joke.

Isaac. Good lack! what's the matter now? I thought to have diverted you.

Ferd. Be rack'd! tortured! damn'd

Isaac. Why, sure you are not the poor devil of a

lover, are you? I'faith, as sure as can be, he isThis is a better joke than t'other, ha! ha! ha!

Ferd. What, do you laugh? you vile, mischievous varlet! [Collars him.] But that you're beneath my anger, I'd tear your heart out. [Throws him from him. Isaac. O mercy! here's usage for a brother-in-law! Ferd. But, hark ye, rascal! tell me directly where these false friends are gone, or, by my soul

[Draws. Isaac. For Heaven's sake, now, my dear brother-inlaw, don't be in a rage-I'll recollect as well as I can. Ferd. Be quick then!

Isaac. I will, I will-but people's memories differ --some have a treacherous memory-now mine is a cowardly memory-it takes to its heels, at sight of a drawn sword, it does, i'faith; and I could as soon fight as recollect.

Ferd. Zounds! tell me the truth, and I won't hurt

you.

Isaac. No, no, I know dear brotheryou won't, my in-law-but that ill-looking thing there

Ferd. What, then, you won't tell me?

Isaac. Yes, yes, I will; I'll tell you all, upon my soul-but why need you listen sword in hand? Ferd. Why, there. [Puts up.] Now.

Isaac. Why then, I believe they are gone to--that is, my friend Carlos told me, he had left Donna Clara -dear Ferdinand, keep your hands off-at the convent of St Catharine.

Ferd. St Catharine!

Isaac. Yes; and that Antonio was to come to her there.

Ferd. Is this the truth?

Isaac. It is indeed-and all I know, as I hope for life.

Ferd. Well, coward, take your life-'Tis that false, dishonourable Antonio, who shall feel my vengeance.

Isaac. Ay, ay, kill him-cut his throat, and wel

come.

Ferd. But, for Clara-infamy on her! she is not worth my resentment.

Isaac. No more she is, my dear brother-in-law. I'faith, I would not be angry about her she is not worth it, indeed.

Ferd. 'Tis false! she is worth the enmity of princes. Isaac. True, true, so she is; and I pity you exceedingly for having lost her.

Ferd. 'Sdeath, you rascal! how durst you talk of pitying me!

Isaac. Oh, dear brother-in-law, I beg pardon, I don't pity you in the least, upon my soul.

Ferd. Get hence, fool, and provoke me no further; nothing but your insignificance saves you.

Isaac. I'faith, then my insignificance is the best friend I have.-I'm going, dear Ferdinand-What a curst hot-headed bully it is! [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Garden of the Convent.

Enter LOUISA and CLARA.

Louisa. And you really wish my brother may not find you out?

Clara. Why else have I concealed myself under this disguise?

Louisa. Why, perhaps, because the dress becomes you; for you certainly don't intend to be a nun for

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