C. Bald. Now, Carlos, take example to thy aid;
Let Biron's disobedience, and the curse

He took into his bosom, prove a warning,
A monitor to thee, to keep thy duty
Firm and unshaken.

Car. [Kneels.] May those rankling wounds.
Which Biron's disobedience gave my father,
Be heal'd by me.

C. Bald. With tears I thank thee, Carlos

[Raises him.

And may'st thou ever feel those inward joys,
Thy duty gives thy father-but, my son,
We must not let resentment choke our justice;
"Tis fit that Villeroy know he has no claim
From me, in right of Isabella.—Biron,

(Whose name brings tears) when wedded to this wo

man,

By me abandon'd, sunk the little fortune

His uncle left, in vanity and fondness:

I am possess'd of those your brother's papers,
Which now are Villeroy's, and, should aught remain,
In justice it is his; from me to him i

You shall convey them-follow me, and take them.

[Exit C. BALDWIN, L. Car. Yes, I will take them; but ere I part with them,

I will be sure my interest will not suffer

By these his high, refined, fantastic notions
Of equity and right.-What a paradox

Is man! My father here, who boasts his honour,
And even but now was warm in praise of justice,
Can steel his heart against the widow's tears,
And infant's wants: the widow and the infant
Of Biron; of his son, his fav'rite son.
'Tis ever thus weak minds, who court opinion,
And dead to virtuous feeling, hide their wants
In pompous affectation-Now to Villeroy-
Ere this his friends, for he is much beloved,
Crowd to his house, and with their nuptial songs
Awake the wedded pair: I'll join the throng,
And in my face, at least, bear joy and friendship.

[Exit, R.

SCENE II.-A Ball Room in VILLEROY's House, and music across back ground, with MAURICE, and other Friends of VILLEROY, R. and L.

Enter a SERVANT, R,

Maur. (L. c.) Where's your master, my good friend? Serv. (R. C.) Within, sir,

Preparing for the welcome of his friends.

Maur. (L. c.) Acquaint him we are here; yet stay,

[Exit SERVANT, R

The voice of music gently shall surprise him,
And breathe our salutations to his ear.

Strike up the strain to Villeroy's happiness,
To Isabella's-But he's here already.

Enter VILLEROY, R,

Vil. (R.) My friends,

Welcome all

What means this preparation?

Maur. A slight token

[Seeing the Music.

Of our best wishes for your growing happiness.

You must permit our friendship

Vil. You oblige me

Maur. But your lovely bride,

That wonder of her sex, she must appear,
And add new brightness to this happy morning.
Vil. She is not yet prepared; and let her will,
My worthiest friend, determine her behaviour;
To win, and not to force her disposition,

Has been my seven years task. She will anon
Speak welcome to you all. The music stays.

[VILLEROY and his Friends seat themselves, R.
EPITHALAMIUM.

Woman. Let all, let all be gay,

Begin the rapturous lay,

Let mirth, let mirth and joy,

Each happy hour employ

Of this fair bridal day.

Vil. Rises, and stands c.] I thank you for this proof of your affection:

I am so much transported with the thoughts

Of what I am, I know not what I do.

My Isabella!-but, possessing her,

Who would not lose himself?

Where's Carlos now?

Methinks I am but half myself without him.

Maur. This is wonderful! married, and yet in rap

tures.

Vil. Oh! when you all get wives, and such as mine, (If such another woman can be found)

You will rave too, dote on the dear content,
And prattle in their praise out of all bounds.
I cannot speak my bliss! 'Tis in my head,
"Tis in my heart, and takes up all my soul-
The labour of my fancy.-

Enter ISABELLA and Child, R.

My Isabella! Oh, the joy of my heart,
That I have leave at last to call you mine!
But let me look upon you, view you well.
This is a welcome gallantry indeed!
I durst not ask, but it was kind to grant,
Just at this time: dispensing with your dress
Upon this second day to greet our friends.
Isa. (c.) Black might be ominous :

I would not bring ill luck along with me.

Vil. (c.) Oh! if your melancholy thoughts could change

With shifting of your dress-Time has done cures
Incredible this way, and may again.

Isa. I could have wish'd, if you had thought it fit,

Our marriage had not been so public.

Vil. Do not you grudge me my excess of love; That was a cause it could not be conceal'd:

Besides, 'twould injure the opinion

I have of my good fortune, having you;
And lessen it in other people's thoughts.

Enter CARLOS, R.

Vil. My Carlos too, who came in to the support

Of our bad fortune, has an honest right,

In better times, to share the good with us.

Car. I come to claim that right, to share your joy;

To wish you joy; and find it in myself;

For a friend's happiness reflects a warmth,
A kindly comfort, into every heart

That is not envious.

[Leads the Child R. and appears to fondle him.

Vil. He must be a friend indeed,
Who is not envious of a happiness

So absolute as mine: there is the cause;
Thank her for what I am, and what must be:

I see you mean a second entertainment,

My dearest Isabella, you must hear

[Music flourish.

The raptures of my friends; from thee they spring;
Thy virtues have diffused themselves around,

And made them all as happy as myself.

Isa. I feel their favours with a grateful heart,

And willingly comply..

、

[VILLEROY, ISABELLA, CARLOS, and CHILD sit R. attendants stand at their backs.

EPITHALAMIUM.

Man. Ye love-wing'd hours, your flight,

Your downy flight prepare,

Bring every soft delight

To sooth the brave and fair.

Hail, happy pair, thus in each other bless'd;
Be ever free from care, of ev'ry joy possess'd!
DUETT.

Take the gifts the gods intend ye;
Grateful meet the proffer'd joy;
Truth and honour shall attend ye;
Charms that ne'er can change or cloy.

Oh, the raptures of possessing,
Taking beauty to thy arms!

Oh, the joy, the lasting blessing,

When with virtue beauty charms!
Purer flames shall gently warm ye;

Love and honour both shall charm thee.

Car. You'll take my advice another time, sister.

[ISABELLA droops-all rise.

Vil. What Have you done? A rising smile

Stole from her thoughts, just redd'ning on her cheek,

And you have dash'd it.

Car. I'm sorry for❜t.

Vil. My friends, you will forgive me, when I own,

I must prefer her peace to all the world!

Come, Isabella, let us lead the way:

Within we'll speak our welcome to our friends,

And crown the happy festival with joy.

C

[Exeunt, R.-Scene closes.

SCENE III.-A Room.

Enter SAMPSON and NURSE, R. laughing.

Samp. Ay, marry, nurse, here's a master, indeed! He'll double our wages for us! If he comes on as fast with my lady, as he does with his servants, we are all in the way to be well pleased.

Nurse. He's in a rare humour; if she be in as good

a one

Samp. If she be, marry, we may e'en say, they have begot it upon one another.

Nurse. Well; why don't you go back again to your old Count? You thought your throat cut, I warrant you, to be turned out of a nobleman's service.

Samp. For the future, I will never serve in a house where the master or mistress of it lie single: they are out of humour with every body when they are not pleased themselves. Now, this matrimony makes every thing go well. There's mirth and money stirring about when those matters go on as they should do.

Nurse. Indeed, this matrimony, Sampson

Samp. Ah, nurse! this matrimony is a very good thing- —but what, now my lady is married, I hope we shall have company come to the house: there's something always coming from one gentleman or other upon those occasions, if my lady loves company. This feasting looks well, nurse.

Nurse. Odso, my master! we must not be seen.

[Exeunt, L.

Enter VILLEROY, with a letter, and ISABELLA, R.

Vil. I must away this moment-see his letter,
Sign'd by himself: alas! he could no more;
My brother's desperate, and cannot die

In peace, but in my arms.

İsa. So suddenly!

Vil. Suddenly taken, on the road to Brussels,
To do us honour, love; unfortunate !

Thus to be torn from thee, and all those charms,
Though cold to me and dead.

Isa. I'm sorry for the cause.

Vil. Oh! could I think,

Could I persuade myself, that your concern
For me, or for my absence, were the spring,
The fountain of these melancholy thoughts,