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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.

" SCENE II:

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.

fortunate as to receive your consent, you will make completely happy,

Your ever affectionate daughter

LOUISA.

My consent? to be sure she shall have it !-'egad, I was never better pleased-I have fulfilled resolumy tion-I knew I should-Oh, there's nothing like obstinacy-Lewis!

Enter SERVANT.

Let the man, who brought the last letter, wait; and get me a pen and ink below. I am impatient to set poor Louisa's heart at rest-holloa! Lewis! Sancho!

Enter SERVANTS.

See, that there be a noble supper provided in the saloon to-night-serve up my best wines, and let me have music, d'ye hear?

Serv. Yes, sir.

[Exeunt. Jerome. And order all my doors to be thrown open -admit all guests, with masks or without masksI'faith, we'll have a night of it—And I'll let them see how merry an old man can be.

SONG.

Oh, the days when I was young,
When I laugh'd in fortune's spite,
Talk'd of love the whole day long,
And with nectar crown'd the night!
Then it was, old father Care,

Little reck'd Ï of thy frown,
Half thy malice youth could bear,
And the rest a bumper drown.

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.

" SCENE II:

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.

Isaac. So, I have her safe, and have only to find a 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. I'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.

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 out for her, and bring him to her.

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

Isaac. Zooks! where are we to go?

[Pulling him.

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?

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 Antonio 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 hePish! 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

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