The Spanish wives a farce, as it was acted by His Majesty's servants at the theatre in Dorset-Garden.
Pix, Mary, 1666-1720., Brémond, Gabriel de. Pelerin.

SCENE changes to the English Embassador's.

Camillus meeting Elenora and Orada: Runs and Embraces Elenora.
Cam.

My Elenora! art thou here! do I hold thee fast, thou choicest Blessing of my Youth!

Elen.

Witness my Heart, which strongly beats, how much I'm pleas'd in my Camillus's Arms! But, Oh! I blush, when I remember I am another's Wife.

Cam.

No more o'that; the Cardinal's my Friend, and has promisd a Divorce immediately— Therefore Crown my Joys with Smiles, and forget past Dangers.

Elen.

I can say only this: I love ye —

Cam.

And not descending Angels, with all their Heavenly Tunes, cou'd Charm like that dear sound! — safe in a Mona∣stery thou shalt remain, till the Dispute is ended. And then— Oh! thou blest Charmer— then all my Sufferings shall be li∣berally paid; and longing Love Revel in Feasts of unutterable Delight. — Nor art thou forgot, dear Orada, but, whilst I have Life, sha't be usd like a Friend, and Mistress of my Fortunes.

Orad.

I humbly thank your Honour, and heartily rejoice at my good Lady's Happiness.

Cam.

Poor Hidewell! — I hope he is in safety. —

Enter Hidewell.
Hidew.

— Yes; and here, at your Honour's service, — tho' I have had a broken Leg, and two or three other Misfortunes, — but alls well now, and I can dance for Joy.

Cam.

Thou art a witty Rogue, — and henceforward sha't ha' no occasion to expose thy self, I'll provide for thee like a Gentleman.

Hidew.

I'm your ready Slave, — D' ye h••r that, Mrs. Scornful?

(To Orada)
how d' ye like my Parts and Person now?

Ora.

Troth I've seen so much between my Lady and the Count, that my Mouth almost waters.

Hidew.

We shall soon agree, I find.

Page  47
Cam.

My der Elenora, the Ambassador's Lady sends

A Lady enters and whispers Camillus.
word, her Husband is gone for a few days to hunt: she is very ill, but that all things in her House are at your service.

Elen.

To morrow I'll wait on her.

Enter Colonel Peregrine.
Cam.

Oh, my dear Friend! here's the lovely Prize, which so well deserves the Pains I have taken.

Col.

A charming Lady! — My Lord, you are a happy man.

Cam.

How goes your affair, and what's become of the obliging Friar?

Col.

Nay, Heaven knows! the Story is too long to tell; only this: I found the old Lord generous, and resolve to attempt his Wife no more.

Cam.

I'm glad on't — in your Age you never will repent an un∣committed Sin.

Elen.

That Governors Lady seemd a pretty good-humour'd Crea∣ture; therefore, my Tyrant, let me see her but once

Enter Friar Andrew, his Clothes torn, and cover'd with Dir, ad his Face scratch'd.
Cam.

Who have we here! Oh Heavens! Father Andrew!

Col.

What! my Hector thus usd!

Hidew.

What has befaln thee, oh thou weak Brother?

Fri.

(angrily)
What has befaln me! you may behold what has befan me; Dirt, Wounds, and Disgrace. — The Ladies may live in Rat Traps, or dye o' the Pips, for Father Andrew's Assistance again.

Hidew.

Look, forward Undertaker and wretched Performer, there the Lady stands, deliver'd by me!

Elen.

My Lord, is not this the Friar brought your first Leter, after I was married, whom the Marquess caught and abus'd?

Cam.

The same, Madam

Hidew.

I said he had unfortunate lines, but he wou'd take no warning.

Elen.

Not to encourage any thing that's ill, but because you have suffer'd in my Cause, there's a Cordial will revive the Heart, and wash out all Stains.

Gives him a Purse of Gold.

Col.

For me you have suffer'd too; and I beg you wou'd accept of this.

Gives him more.

Fri.

Spite of Vows, in this Necessity there's no refusing such a Favor.

Cam.

Come, Father, cheer up your self, have recourse to your old Friend Malaga, — I'll provide for ye, that you shall go thro no more Dangers.

Fri.

By St. Dominick, I had not need; for I have almost lost my Life in this.

Enter a Servant.

Serv.

Sir, the Governor of Barcellona is come to wait on ye.

Page  48
Cam.

Gods me — in, Father! you wou'd not see him, I suppose.

Fri.

See him! I'd sooner see the Devil: — Well, I'll get a pretty Wench to wash me without, and good store of Malaga within, and try to forget past Sorrows.

Exit.

Enter Governor and his Lady, Arm in Arm.
Gov.

My Lord, your Servant.

Cam.

Yours in all Obedience.

Gov.

(aside)
— Yonder he stands — the Ogling Rogue! I thought so. — My Lord Camillus, before I talk to you, pray give me leave for some few words with that Gentleman.

Cam.

With all my Heart.

Gov.

Sir!

Col.

My Lord!

Gov.

Nay, o'th' t'other side, if you please, — Now, Tittup, speak what you promis'd.

Lady.

Colonel Peregrine, my Lord has been so good to forgive me what is past; and I desire, for the future, as you are a Gentleman, you wou'd, after this night, never see me more.

Col.

Madam, I obey.

Gov.

And d'ye hear,— if ye prove a Man of Honour, about Three∣score Years hence I may leave ye Tittup for a Legacy, and abundance of Wealth, a World of Wealth, by the Honour of Spain.—Nay, 'tis worth staying for.

Col.

Threescore years hence, quotha!

Gov.

Now, my Lord Camillus, to you and the Lady.

They go aside.

Hidew.

I wish we had some Musick,— since our Success, I can't keep my Heels on the Ground.

Col.

If the Company agree to it, I can procure my Lord Ambassa∣dor's, and send for my own.

Hidew.

I'll motion it presently.

Elen.

I freely submit, and will retire to what Monastery you appoint. I hope my future Conduct will satisfie the World of my Innocency.

Cam.

And mine, of my Faith and Constancy.

Col.

What say ye now to Musick and Dancing?

Hidewellongs.

Cam.

With all my Soul, this is a Jubilee, which I'll keep whilst I've life.

Elen.

But are we secure?

Gov.

Fear not, Madam; my Guards surround the House, — and am not I here?

They all sit.

Songs and Dances: Them over, the Company comes forward.
Cam.
Greatness was the Attendant of my Birth;
But Love gives me Heaven upon Earth
These Comforts my Elenor does impart:
oy to my Eyes, sweet Raptures to my Heart.
Gov.
Like you, here stands a happy Man;
And I'll keep my Tittup, — that is, if I can.