Excerpt
The Monk of Seville Act I. Scene I.
Enter Don Felix and Don Perez.
Felix. You say his name's Don Gaspar?
Perez. So he styles himself; but of what house, parentage, or country, cannot be gained. He keeps aloof from all, bears himself gallantly; and 'tis manifest that any question discourteously put he'd answer with his sword.
Felix. He's skill'd in fence, then?
Perez. There's none to match him. I, who have foiled half Seville, am but a scholar in his hands, when at the School we've joined the assault in courtesy.
Felix. A proper man?
Perez. Beyond comparison. He hath all the stamp of true nobility. Pride in his eye; in his address, dignified; in modes most perfect; the most envied of the men, and the most admired by all the dames of Seville.
Felix. Successful, then?
Perez. He confides in none; and hath no intimate; but I am informed he is resistless, and I much suspect, my rival.
Felix. With the Donna Serafina?
Perez. Even so; she has changed much of late; and I have discovered that one, who, from report, answers to his description, is highly favoured.
Felix. But, Perez, did you not tell me you had left her?
Perez. In faith I had; but when I discovered that another sought her, my passion then returned; and now that she rejects me, I dote upon her more than ever.
Felix. Perez, when will you be wise? when will you cease to trifle with the sex?
Perez. Never, I hope: women are my game; and I live but on the chase. Sighs, oaths, and amorous ditties are my ammunition; my guitar is my fowling-piece, and you must acknowledge that I seldom miss my aim.
Felix. I grant it, Perez, but it's cruel sport, and quite unworthy of a cavalier. How many wounded birds have hid themselves to die!
Perez. Poor things—why did they not keep out of shot range? It's useless to preach, Felix, I must have my amusement.
Felix. Be careful, Perez, that it prove not dangerous; there is no honour gained by broken vows, false oaths, and tampering with maidens' hearts. It is a fault in you I would were mended; and our relationship makes me thus free to speak my mind. It is unworthy of you.
Perez. But sufficing good for women—they are but playthings; and thus far am I renegade, that, with the prophet, I cannot allow them souls.
Felix. You are incorrigible. Change the discourse, or I shall lose my temper and that opinion of you, which, 'gainst my better sense, I fain would keep. Our subject was Don Gaspar.
Perez. Yes—and my object is to find out who he is, and, if basely born, to hunt him out of Seville.
Felix. That there's mystery is evident; but when you hunt, see if such quarry, good Perez, turn not to bay. But new in Seville, I ne'er have encountered this prodigy; if his rank be mere assumption, he must be exposed; yet, Perez, there may be many causes for an incognito. Our Spain is wide and well peopled with those who boast high ancestry.
Perez. If then so wide, there's room for him elsewhere. But here comes Sancho with intelligence. (Enter Sancho.)
How now, Sancho,—what have you discovered?
San....