Page:Representative American plays.pdf/236
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ROBERT MONTGOMERY BIRD
219
Leon. Dear father,
Will you not then forgive my brother Ramon?
I know he is very sorry he e'er grieved you
And on his heart your wrath must needs be heavy.
Will you not then forgive my brother Ramon?
I know he is very sorry he e'er grieved you
And on his heart your wrath must needs be heavy.
Feb. If thou believest so, then, in time, beware
It fall not upon thine. <In sooth, I think,
Thou art leagued with him to vex me.—>O ye saints!
Punish these villains that seduce men's sons,
Making them villains; and with vengeance follow
The knaves that teach our daughters disobedience.
It fall not upon thine. <In sooth, I think,
Thou art leagued with him to vex me.—>O ye saints!
Punish these villains that seduce men's sons,
Making them villains; and with vengeance follow
The knaves that teach our daughters disobedience.
Leon. Dear father, none shall teach me that.
Feb. They shall not,
When thou seest no more rogue Rolandos.
When thou seest no more rogue Rolandos.
Leon. Father
Indeed, I think, he is honest.
Indeed, I think, he is honest.
Feb. Nay, a knave!
He doth not come to me, but ever shuns me.
He hath no friends; no man in Bogota
Hath made acquaintance with him: he flies all
Like a scared thief, save only thee alone
<And comes to thee like one, cloaked, almost masked
As when he followed thee from the carnival.
Now were my Ramon what in youth he was
He should be thy protector, and soon drive
This wasp away.
He doth not come to me, but ever shuns me.
He hath no friends; no man in Bogota
Hath made acquaintance with him: he flies all
Like a scared thief, save only thee alone
<And comes to thee like one, cloaked, almost masked
As when he followed thee from the carnival.
Now were my Ramon what in youth he was
He should be thy protector, and soon drive
This wasp away.
Leon. If he return again>
I'll bid him come no more;—I will indeed
Till he has talked with you, and satisfied you.
I'll bid him come no more;—I will indeed
Till he has talked with you, and satisfied you.
Feb. Why there's my girl! Let him but come to me;
I'll tell him that I mean thee for another.
I'll tell him that I mean thee for another.
Leon. Another, father! I do not wish to marry.
Feb. Thus silly maids will talk! Why, thou poor finch
A gentleman hath asked thee for his wife,—
Rich, I assure thee, virtuous, honorable
And a hidalgo.
A gentleman hath asked thee for his wife,—
Rich, I assure thee, virtuous, honorable
And a hidalgo.
Leon. And so is Roland, too.
Feb. Speak'st thou of Roland? Thou wilt anger me.
He a hidalgo! By my faith, I think
Some heathenish villain, that with magic arts
Hath wound about thy spirits. He I meant
Is Baltasar, son of Don Lucas Moron.
Dost thou name him and Roland in a breath?
I' faith, thou stirr'st me,—
He a hidalgo! By my faith, I think
Some heathenish villain, that with magic arts
Hath wound about thy spirits. He I meant
Is Baltasar, son of Don Lucas Moron.
Dost thou name him and Roland in a breath?
I' faith, thou stirr'st me,—
(Enter Silvano.)
Feb. What would'st thou, Silvano?
Silv. A customer to your worship.
Feb. It is a holiday.
I will no business do today.
I will no business do today.
Silv. Your favor
Must pardon me. It is his Excellency.
Must pardon me. It is his Excellency.
Feb. His Excellency! oh thou foolish knave.
To leave him waiting!—
To leave him waiting!—
(Enter Palmera.)
Please, your noble highness, pardon my silly fellow.
Palm. Good Baptista
Forget my state,—it is too cumbersome.
I am even your humble suitor and poor friend.
My pretty Leonor! Now, by my life
Which like a desert river, flows away
I would some green and flourishing plant like thee
Had rooted by my current: then indeed
I should have seen the surges of my age
Dash with a sweet contented music on
Nor thought their course was sterile.
Forget my state,—it is too cumbersome.
I am even your humble suitor and poor friend.
My pretty Leonor! Now, by my life
Which like a desert river, flows away
I would some green and flourishing plant like thee
Had rooted by my current: then indeed
I should have seen the surges of my age
Dash with a sweet contented music on
Nor thought their course was sterile.
Feb. A silly maid.
Your highness is too good.—Go, Leonora.
Your highness is too good.—Go, Leonora.
(Exeunt Leonora <and Silvano.>)
<A silly maid! and yet, or I do dream
Loving and true. And yet—But that's no matter.—
I am at your highness' bidding.>
Loving and true. And yet—But that's no matter.—
I am at your highness' bidding.>
Palm. Sit down, Baptista.—
Oh, then, I must be viceroy and command you.—
I have much to say to thee.
Oh, then, I must be viceroy and command you.—
I have much to say to thee.
Feb. I am sorry your grace
Did not command me to the palace.
Did not command me to the palace.
Palm. No.
Perhaps I have a reason I could tell you,
Febro, you have my confidence, and know
What were a wonder unto other men
How one can sit upon a viceroy's chair
Yet heap no wealth about him.
Perhaps I have a reason I could tell you,
Febro, you have my confidence, and know
What were a wonder unto other men
How one can sit upon a viceroy's chair
Yet heap no wealth about him.
Feb. Please your highness