This passage is near the end of the piece, and leads to the dénouement by one of those flowing narratives, like an Italian novella, to which Lope frequently resorts, when the intriguing fable of the drama has been carried far enough to fill up the three customary acts.

[331] Comedias, Tom. IV., Madrid, 1614; and also in the Appendix to Ochoa’s “Teatro Escogido de Lope de Vega” (Paris, 1838, 8vo). Fernando de Zarate took some of the materials for his “Conquista de Mexico,” (Comedias escogidas, Tom. XXX., Madrid, 1668), such as the opening of Jornada II., from this play of Lope de Vega.

[332]

No permitas, Providencia,

Hacerme esta sinjusticia;

Pues los lleua la codicia

A hacer esta diligencia.

So color de religion,

Van á buscar plata y oro

Del encubierto tesoro.