Classic Poem

A Room in don Carlos's House.

Enter LUYS and JACINTA .

Luys. How do you like Alberto, sister? is he not
A gallant gentleman?
Jac. For what, good brother?
I cannot judge his intellectuals,
But we have plenty of more proper men
In Spain.
Luys. He is an excellent scholar,
He was still emperor in the schools, and since
He studied logic and philosophy,
He was the flower of's time at Salamanca.
Jac. 'Tis pity he should be gather'd then?
Luys. What be gather'd?
Jac. The flower you talk on.
Luys. If you affect him, sister, he may grow,
And you may keep him still for seed, [so] please you.
Jac. And sell him out at sowing-time to gardeners.
Luys. Come, you must love him.
Jac. Has he the black art?
I know not how magic or philtres may
Prevail, and yet he looks suspiciously.
Luys. You think you're witty now; d'ye hear, you must
Affect him for my sake.
Jac. Now you speak reason;
I may for your sake doat upon him, brother;
This is a conjuration may do much.
Luys. Well said,
Thou art my sister, this good nature shews it.
And now I'll tell thee, I have promis'd him
As much as marriage comes to, and I lose
My honour, if my don receive the canvas.
He has a good estate, and I have borrow'd
Considerable monies of him, sister,
Pieces of eight, and transitory ducats.
Jac. Which must be paid.
Luys. Not if you marry him;
Conditions have been thought on.
Jac. How? conditions?
Luys. And some revenue was convenient
To do things like a gentleman. I may
Tell you, my father is a little costive,
Purse-bound, his pension cannot find me tooth-picks,
I must live till he die; 'tis fit, you know;
Alberto has an exchequer, which, upon
Thy smiles, will still be open.
Jac. Very good;
Then you, upon the matter, have sold me to him,
To find you spending money?
Luys. No, not sold,
We are at no certain price; sums have been lent
In expectation, or so, and may again.
Jac. You deserve, brother, I should hate you now.
Luys. It is all one to me, so you love him;
For my part, I desire but my expenses.
Jac. What if another man supply your wants
Upon the same conditions of my love?
Luys. I am indifferent, so I have my charges,
My necessary wine and women, paid for;
Love where you please yourself; I am but one,
I would not see him want, that's all, because
My father is not yet resolv'd about
His going to heaven.
Jac. Well, sir, for don Alberto,
You shall be his advocate no more, and there's
A fee to bribe your silence in his cause.
Luys. Why, thank you, sister, — will you die a virgin?
Jac. Why do you ask?
Luys. I would speak for somebody; tell me but whom
You have a mind to, and I'll plead for him,
And if he be a don, he will consider it;
You may give me what you will, besides.
Jac. When I
Resolve, you shall be acquainted.
Luys. But do you hear?
Until you do resolve, I would lose no time;
'Tis good keeping a friend, and a warm client;
You may look lovingly upon Alberto,
And let him hope, at all adventures; in
Two months you may be otherwise provided,
And he may hang himself; i' the mean time,
Some favours now and then to the poor gentleman,
Will do him good, and me no hurt; besides,
You'll please my father in't, whose vote is for him,
And that's a thing material. I am
To meet with don Alberto, and some gentlemen;
I will preserve his confidence, and tell him
I have talk'd with thee. Have you any more
Of this complexion? 'cause I know not what
Occasions I may have to keep my credit
With men of mark and honour, where I am going;
You are my father's darling, and command
His yellow ingots; t'other doblon d'oro .
Jac. So I may bring a rent-charge on myself.
Luys. The t'other drop of orient mercy; come.
Jac. You care not what accounts I give my father.
Luys. Thou hast twenty ways to cozen him; wedge it
Into the next bill, he wears spectacles,
And loves to read — Item, for pious uses . —
Can it be less to help a brother? — [ Jac. gives him more money. ] — well said.
Jac. Let not this feed your riot.
Luys. By no means.
I am for no Carthusians to-day.
Farewell, dear sister. —

Enter CARLOS , FERNANDO , FRANCISCO , and FELISARDA .

Who is that?
Jac. My father.
Luys. I cannot endure that old man's company.
Car. I am past compliment, and must acknowledge
Your fair intentions honour us; she is no goddess
Of beauty, sir, but let me, without pride,
Boast myself blest, Fernando, in her virtues,
And that which crowns 'em all, obedience. —
Jacinta, entertain this gentleman
With all becoming thoughts of love; his merit
(Out of no rash, but mature judgment,) hath
Prevail'd with me, to name him to the first
And noblest place within your heart.
Fer. Until this hour I never had the confidence
More than to think of love, and hide a flame
That almost hath consumed me. You may think
It worth a smile, and that I only flourish
To shew my vanity of wit or language;
But when you understand that I bring hither
No young affection, but a love took in
Long since at my ambitious eye, it may
Beget your gentle thought, or will, to cure me.
Jac. Pardon me, if the more you strive to print
A truth on this short story of your passion,
The more I find myself inclined to wonder,
Since you seem to infer, you took in the
Disease at sight of me, I cannot be
So ignorant, as not to have receiv'd
Your name and character, but never knew
Before, when you did grace us with a visit;
And how then, at such distance, you contracted
A danger so consuming, is above
My knowledge, not my pity, if you could
Direct me to the cure with virgin honour.
Car. So, so; I leave you to the amorous dialogue;
Presume you have my voice.
Jac. Sir, with your pardon,
You lead me to a wilderness, and take
Yourself away, that should be guide; do you
Engage me to affect this don Fernando
In earnest?
Car. Yes
Jac. You did direct my love
To don Alberto.
Car. I dispense with that
Command; you may, by fair degrees, and honour,
Quit his addresses, and dispose yourself
Mistress and bride to don Ramyres' heir.
Fel. [ to Francisco. ] — It does not thus become you, sir, to mock
A virgin never injur'd you: he is
Your elder brother, I am here beneath
The level of his thoughts, i' the nature of
A servant to my cousin, and depend
Upon my uncle's charity.
Fran. May I be
Curst in my own affections, if I
Delude thee, though to achieve our best desires
We seem to dissemble thus before don Carlos.
This is a secret yet to poor Jacinta.
Car. You have my will; obey it.
Jac. Hath Francisco
Broken his faith already?
Car. May you both joy, where you have placed your loves!
You apply close, Francisco.
Fran. With your good favour,
I fairly hope
Fer. Your father's gone, Jacinta.
Jac. I should be
Equally pleas'd if you would leave me, too.
Fel. This is a change.
Jac. Unkind Francisco, hear me
Fran. 'Tis my meaning. — Brother, I have prepar'd
Your story there with Felisarda; lose
No time.
Fer. Jacinta, clear your thoughts again,
And pardon that I took a shape to fright you;
I shall not grieve to see Francisco prosper,
And merit all your favours, since my hopes
Must thrive, or have their funeral here.
Jac. Are we
So blest, Francisco? That's a noble brother!
Fer. I may suppose my brother, Felisarda,
Hath made it now no secret, that I love you;
And since our stars have so contriv'd, that we
Have means to assist our mutual ambitions,
Do not you make their influence unprofitable;
'Tis the first boldness I ere took to visit you,
Although my eyes have often, with delight
And satisfaction to my heart, observ'd you.
Fel. You seem a noble gentleman, and can take
But little glory to undo a maid,
Whose fortunes cannot bring you any triumph.
Fer. How mean you, fairest?
Fel. Not to be flatter'd, sir.
Into a sin, to cure my poverty;
For men, whose expectations are like your's,
Come not with honour to court such as I am,
(Lost to the world for want of portion,)
But with some untam'd heat of blood.
Fer. I dare,
With conscience of my pure intent, try what
Rudeness you find upon my lip, 'tis chaste
As the desires that breathe upon my language.
I began, Felisarda, to affect thee
By seeing thee at prayers; thy virtue wing'd
Love's arrow first, and 'twere a sacrilege
To choose thee now for sin, that hast a power
To make this place a temple by thy innocence.
I know thy poverty, and came not to
Bribe it against thy chastity; if thou
Vouchsafe thy fair and honest love, it shall
Adorn my fortunes, which shall stoop to serve it,
In spite of friends or destiny.
Fran. [ to Jacinta .] — My brother
Knows my whole interest in thee, to whom
My father's care directed him; but we
Thus mutually resolve to aid each other.
Jac. This must be wisely manag'd of all sides;
Parents have narrow eyes.
Fran. Our meeting thus
Will happily secure us from their jealousy;
Our fathers must not know this countermarch.

Re-enter CARLOS , behind .

Car . Ha!
I like not this: Fernando at busy courtship
With Felisarda, and Francisco so
Close with my daughter!
Jac. Alas! we are betray'd.
Fel. My uncle.
Fer. You are her kinswoman, and of her bosom,
I prithee, in my absence, plead to fair
Jacinta for me; as an earnest of
My gratitude, accept this trifle from me.
Car. Ha! 'tis a jewel.
Fel. Without this reward
I should solicit, sir, your cause, and do
My duty to don Carlos, who desires it.
Fer. I take my leave.
Fran. Madam, I shall be proud
To call you sister, but you will prepare
Another happiness if you vouchsafe
To speak for me to pretty Felisarda;
She's bound to hear your counsel and obey it;
If I may owe this favour to your charity.
Jac. Your goodness will deserve more.
Fran. I must follow him.
Car. Do you take notice, Felisarda, that
You live here on the bounty of an uncle?
Your father had but ill news from the Indies.
Fel. Sir, as your goodness wants no testimony,
I shall attend it with all humble services.
Car. How durst you, in the presence of my daughter,
Maintain such whispers with Fernando, eh?
Fel. Sir, he was pleas'd —
Car. No more; I here discharge you. —
Jacinta, I'll provide one to attend you
With less relation to your blood — I'll hear
Of no defence; away! out of my doors!
Go to your father, signior Theodoro:
His ships may rise again were sunk byth' Hollander,
And's fleet from St. Thomas; he may prefer you
To some rich don; or, who knows but you may,
Borne on the plumes of his estate, be made
In time a proud condessa, so, a Dios ,
Muy illustre senora Felisarda!
Jac. Thus have I heard a tall ship has been wreck'd
By some strange gust within the bay: his passion
Admits of no dispute. — Oh, my poor coz,
I fear my turn is next to be an exile;
Thy absence must deprive me of Francisco,
Who can no more glad his Jacinta's eyes,
With a pretence to visit thee.
Fel. 'Tis not
My fear to suffer want so much afflicts me,
As that I must lose you. — But he returns.

Re-enter CARLOS with a letter, and a Servant.

Car. Don Pedro de Fuente Calada coming hither,
With don Alberto, and my son?
Serv. Yes, sir; the count desires to see Jacinta,
Whom your son has so commended, and sent me
To give you notice.
Car. Ha! Jacinta! retire
To your closet, and put on your richest jewels,
A count is come to visit you. — Felisarda,
There may be some more art us'd in her dress,
To take the eyes of greatness.
Jac. Sir, you speak
As I were meant for sacrifice, or sale;
The count don Pedro —
Car. No reply; be careful,
And humble in your office, Felisarda,
And you may live and eat here, till Jacinta
Provide another servant to attend her,
Which may be three whole days; my anger is
Not everlasting. — Bid my wife come to me.

Enter ALSIMIRA .

I expect an honourable guest, the count don Pedro,
To see our daughter, whom I have commanded
To appear with all her riches, to attract him.
Als. If his intents be honourable; I have heard
Don Pedro loves a handsome donna.
Car. He had better cool his hot blood i' the frozen
Sea, and rise thence a rock of adamant,
To draw more wonder to the north, than but
Attempt to wrong her chastity. —

Enter don Pedro , LUYS , and ALBERTO .

This from don Pedro is an honour binds
The service of our lives.
Ped. Noble don Carlos.
Als. If we had been prepar'd, we should have met
This grace with more becoming entertainment.
Ped. 'Tis fair, and equal to my wishes. — [ he kisses Alsimira .] — She
Does smell of roasted garlick. [ aside .] — This your sister?

Re-enter JACINTA and FELISARDA .

Luys . That is my mother, sir; here is Jacinta.
Ped. She has a tempting shape; I now am pleas'd.
I use to kiss all. — Hum, a pretty thing!
Car. I like not his busy eyes on Felisarda.
Alb. You will be faithful to me?
Luys . Who, I faithful? how shall I live else?
Car. Son Luys.
Alb. Madam.
Ped. Will you be pleas'd [t'] admit don Pedro, by
The title of your servant, to presume
Sometime to wait upon you.
Jac. It were pride,
And saucy ambition, sir, in me, to think
You can descend so much from your great birth,
To own a name and office so much beneath you.
Ped. I, that before thought women easy trifles,
And things which nature meant only to quench
High flames in man, am taken with this lady.
Luigi, thou hast wrong'd the fair Jacinta,
Thy praise was thin, and cold: Spain is not rich
Enough to boast her equal: and I love her.
Luys . Oh, she will be too proud to know it, sir.
Ped. Proud she must be, whose eyes have such command.
She has a pretty servant too, Luigi;
I like 'em both.
Luys . How! both?
Ped. They will do well,
One for a wife, the other for a concubine,
Luys . It will become your high blood.
Ped. Say I kiss
Her white hand, and present her with these pearls?
Luys . Your honour shall command.
Ped. Your daughter has a most magnetic face,
And I pronounce her happy; your consent
Confirms her mine.
Car. There's nothing in my blood or fortune, but
Don Pedro shall command. — I was prophetical. —
Come hither, Alsimira; wouldst imagine?
He's taken with Jacinta, and hath pray'd
Already my consent.
Als. Believe not all
That great men speak are oracles, our daughter —
Car. If she be stubborn, uncreates herself:
Be you wise, and counsel her to this ambition,
Or thus I loose you all, — Ha! turn away
That fairy, she's a witch, the count talks with her.
Alb. I hope you hold me not, sir, less deserving
Than when you gave me free access to plead
My service to your daughter? — If that don —
Car. Sir, you too much prejudicate my thoughts;
I must give due respects to men of honour,
Nor is it fit I should impose upon
The freedom of Jacinta's love.
Alb. You are noble.
Car. My lord.
Alb. I do not like this don.
Luys . Thou'rt of my mind; I do not like him neither;
And yet the blackbird's in the bush; see what
A present he would give my sister.
Alb. Did she refuse it?
Luys . I never mean she shall; what! wrong my friend?
Yet, I'll take all, and let him hang himself.
If he would send his eyes, I would undertake
To carry 'em to the jeweller, they would off
For pretty toadstones. Have no fear, my mother
Is for you, too; you must fee both your advocates.
Car. Jacinta!
Jac. Sir.
Luys . She takes herself much honour'd.
Ped. You oblige.
Luys . Let me alone to carry things.
Be confident to trust me with your honour —
If it would pawn for any thing.
Jac. I'm not perfect
How to neglect Alberto yet, and must I
Throw off Fernando, but new entertain'd
By your command? the world will censure strangely.
Car. The world will praise thy wisdom, and my care;
Or, if some giddy tongues condemn what's good,
Must we be servile to that fear, and lose
That which will make us judges of their folly,
And damn it with a frown of state? they're fools
That doat upon those shadows, idle talk,
The slime of earth-worms, that doth shine to cozen
Infants! 'tis fit we raise our thoughts to substances.
Jac. Let modesty and nature plead a little,
If I appear not fond to entertain him.
I may collect more strength by time and counsel,
And for your satisfaction dare profess
My lord hath too much graced the low Jacinta
With a pretence so noble: but I should
Be held not worth his person, and too light,
At his first breath of courtship, to fallfrom
My virgin strength, and give myself his captive.
Car. I shall allow that ceremony; the count
Makes an address.
Ped. I must use thrift in my delight: my eyes
Are proud, and must be taught by absence how
To value such a mistress. I do miss the chambermaid
Car. It will become me to attend.
Ped. Your pardon.
I'll take it for an honour, if your son
Be pleas'd — but to my coach.
Luys . Oh, my good lord!
So much I am your creature, if you knew
But where to match me, I would be your coach-horse.
Car. So, so, Jacinta's stars do smile upon her,
'Twill be a match: were but my son as fair
In expectation of a bride, I'd write
Nil ultra to my cares; he is too airy
And volatile, a wife would timely fix him,
And make him fit to manage my estate. —

Re-enter L UYS .

But he returns; I'll feel his pulse.
Car. Thou seest how near Jacinta is to happiness.
Luys . I did some office in't, she may thank me:
I first inspir'd his lordship.
Car. Such a providence
To build thyself a fortune by some brave
And noble marriage, would become thy study,
And make thy father willingly resign
His breath, with confidence to know thee wise
To govern what my industry hath gather'd.
What think'st thou of a wife?
Luys . I think little, sir.
What should I do with a wife?
Car. Imitate me, and study fame and wealth
To thy posterity. Have I with care
Acquir'd such an estate, that must not last
Two generations?
Luys . The way to make it last,
Is not to think of wiving; for my part,
(Sir, with your pardon, if I may speak freely,)
I had opinion once I was your son,
But fearing, by your narrow exhibition,
You lov'd me not, I had a controversy
Within my thoughts, whether I should resolve
To geld myself, or turn a begging friar.
Car. A begging friar!
Luys . 'Tis as I tell you, sir;
This last I fix'd upon, and have been studying
Where I conveniently might raise a sum
To compass a hair shirt, sir, to make trial,
Before I thrust myself point blank into
The order.
Car. Thus wild sons interpret still
A prudent father; but you may discharge
Your jealousies, unless it be your own
Devotion to be chaste, and live a recluse.
Luys . For that I can be ruled; I have not liv'd
After the rate of hating any woman,
But I can hear of marriage, if it be
Your pleasure: but these wives, sir, are such tickle
Things, not one hardly staid amongst a thousand; —
Beside, unless you find one very rich,
A man may cast away himself, and get
A bundle of beggaries, mouths, that day and night
Are open, like hell-gates, to feed. I would not
Hazard my freedom, and the blessings heaven
Has lent you, sir, upon a wife with nothing.
Car. Thy pension doubles for that word; in earnest
How much I like this wisdom, take this purse;
I will have no account; and find me out
A wealthy maid or widow, but not ugly.
Luys . No! not ill-favour'd, sir, if she be rich?
A little old or crippled?
Car. I will not have thee
Marry a crooked, deform'd thing, because
She may have children —
Luys . Not unless she have
An infinite wealth to make them straight, sir;
I'll marry a witch, so she have money, sir.
Car. No, on no terms a monster!
Luys . Then I will not.
And now it comes into my mind, they talk of
A young rich widow, donna Estefania,
What do you think of her?
Car. Thou hast nam'd one
To my own desires; she lives a widow still,
But has refus'd many brave dons.
Luys . No matter;
I like her, sir, the better.
Car. She gives good entertainment.
Luys . I will have her,
If you but say the word. I wear a charm
To catch a widow; but this purse will hardly
Last till we finish; I must do things with honour.
Car. Thou shalt be furnish'd like my son; kneel down
And ask my blessing, I do long to give it thee.
Luys . I have your blessing here.
Car. I'll find thee out
Some jewels to present thy mistress too.
Luys . 'Twill not be much amiss; the gold will go
The farther sir. —
I know not how this came about,
Unless don Pedro's coming to my sister
Have made him mad, and wrought this miracle. —
How careful he was I should not marry one deformed; I have chose the handsomest things thus far; an I marry with a witch at these years, let the devil ride my wild mare to death: and, now I consider on it, I will not have the widow, for fear of the worst; yet I'll to her, and make a business on it, to keep the old man's bags in motion. This, with some good husbandry, and no play, may last a fortnight.
'Tis very gold; yes, it will pay some scores,
Maintain my negro, and a brace of whores. —
Now, fiddles, do your worst.