f

Be made up for my father! I will have and boot-hose, suitable to it.

A

cap,

Eug. Of that

We'll think hereafter, Lucio; our thoughts now Must have no object but thy father's welcome; To which, thy help!

Lucio. With humble gladness, madam. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Hall in the same.

Enter ALVAREZ and CLARA in man's attire.

Alo. Where lost we Syavedra?

Clara. He was met,

Entering the city, by some gentlemen,
Kinsmen, as he said, of his own, with whom
For compliment-sake (for so I think he term'd it)
He was compell'd to stay; though I much wonder
A man that knows to do, and has done well
In the head of his troop, when the bold foe char-
ged home,

Can learn so suddenly to abuse his time
In apish entertainment. For my part,
(By all the glorious rewards of war)

I had rather meet ten enemies in the field,
All sworn to fetch my head, than be brought on
To change an hour's discourse with one of these
Smooth city-fools, or tissue-cavaliers,

(The only gallants, as they wisely think)

To get a jewel, or a wanton kiss
From a court-lip, though painted.
Alo. My love Clara,

(For Lucio is a name thou must forget,

With Lucio's bold behaviour) though thy breeding

I' th' camp, may plead something in the excuse
Of thy rough manners, custom having changed
(Though not thy sex) the softness of thy nature,
And Fortune, then a cruel step-dame to thee,
Imposed upon thy tender sweetness burdens
Of hunger, cold, wounds, want, such as would crack
The sinews of a man, not born a soldier ;
Yet, now she smiles, and like a natural mother
Looks gently on thee, Clara, entertain
Her proffer'd bounties with a willing bosom :
Thou shalt no more have need to use thy sword;
Thy beauty (which even Belgia hath not alter'd)
Shall be a stronger guard, to keep my Clara,
Than that has been (though never used but nobly:)
And know thus much-

Clara. Sir, I know only that

It stands not with my duty to gain-say you
In any thing: I must and will put on

What fashion you think best, though I could wish
I were what I appear.

Alv. Endeavour rather

To be what you are, Clara; entering here,

As you were born, a woman.

[Music.

Enter EUGENIA, LUCIO, and Servants.

Eug. Let choice music,

In the best voice that e'er touch'd human ear, (For joy hath tied my tongue up) speak your wel

come!

Alo. My soul (for thou givest new life to my spirit) [Embraces her. Myriads of joy, though short in number of Thy virtues, fall on thee! Oh, my Eugenia, The assurance that I do embrace thee, makes My twenty years of sorrow but a dream; And by the nectar which I take from these I feel my age restored, and, like old Æson, Grow young again.

Eug. My lord, long wish'd for, welcome! 'Tis a sweet briefness! yet in that short word All pleasures which I may call mine begin, And may they long increase, before they find A second period! Let mine eyes now surfeit On this so-wish'd-for object, and my lips Yet modestly pay back the parting kiss You trusted with them, when you fled from Sevil, With little Clara, my sweet daughter! Lives she? Yet I could chide myself, having you here, For being so covetous of all joys at once, To inquire for her; you being, alone, to me My Clara, Lucio, my lord, myself,

Nay, more than all the world!

Alo. As you to me are.

Eug. Sit down, and let me feed upon the story Of your past dangers, now you are here in safety! It will give relish, and fresh appetite

To my delights, if such delights can cloy me.
Yet do not, Alvarez! let me first yield you
Account of my life in your absence, and
Make you acquainted how I have preserved
The jewel left lock'd up within my
womb,

When you, in being forced to leave your country,
Suffer'd a civil death.

Alv. Do, my Eugenia;

'Tis that I most desire to hear.

Eug. Then know

Alt. What noise is that?

[Within clashing of swords. Syav. [Within.] If you are noble enemies, Oppress me not with odds, but kill me fairly! Vit. [Within.] Stand off! I am too many of my self.

Enter BOBADILLA.

Bob. Murder, murder, murder! Your friend, my lord, Don Syavedra, is set upon in the streets, by your enemies, Vitelli and his faction: I am al most kill'd with looking on them.

Alo. I'll free him, or fall with him! Draw thy sword,

And follow me!

Clara. Fortune, I give thee thanks

[Exit.

For this occasion once more to use it. [Exit. Bob. Nay, hold not me, madam! If I do any hurt, hang me.

Luc. Oh, I am dead with fear! Let's fly into Your closet, mother.

Eug. No hour of my life

Secure of danger? Heaven be merciful,

'Or now at once dispatch me!

Enter VITELLI, pursued by ALVAREZ and STAVEDRA, CLARA beating off ANASTRO.

Clara. Follow him!

Leave me to keep these off.

Alo. Assault my friend,

So near my house?

Vit. Nor in it will spare thee,

Though 'twere a temple; and I'll make it one,
I being the priest, and thou the sacrifice,
I'll offer to my uncle.

Alv. Haste thou to him,

And say I sent thee !

Clara. 'Twas put bravely by—

[They fight.

And that; yet he comes on, and boldly; rare!
I' th' wars, where emulation and example
Join to increase the courage, and make less
The danger, valour, and true resolution
Never appeared so lovely brave again!
Sure he is more than man; and if he fall,

The best of virtue, fortitude, would die with him:
And can I suffer it? forgive me, duty!
So I love valour, as I will protect it
Against my father, and redeem it, though
'Tis forfeited by one I hate.

Vit. Come on!

All is not lost yet: You shall buy me dearer
Before you have me; keep off.

Clara. Fear me not!

Thy worth has took me prisoner, and my sword For this time knows thee only for a friend,

And to all else I turn the point of it.

Syad. Defend your father's enemy?
Alo. Art thou mad?

Clara. Are ye men rather! Shall that valour, which

Begot you lawful honour in the wars,

Prove now the parent of an infamous bastard,
So foul, yet so long-lived, as murder will
Be to your shames? Have each of you, alone,
With your own dangers only, purchased glory
From multitudes of enemies, not allowing
Those nearest to you to have part in it,
And do you now join, and lend mutual help
Against a single opposite? Hath the mercy
Of the great king but newly wash'd away
The blood, that with the forfeit of your life
Cleaved to your name and family, like an ulcer,
In this again to set a deeper dye upon