Don John. All's hush and still; and I am at the Point of being a happy——Villain. That Thought comes uninvited——Then, like an uninvited Guest, let it be treated: Begone, Intruder. Leonora's Charms turn Vice to Virtue, Treason into Truth; Nature, who has made her the supreme Object of our Desires, must needs have designed her the Regulator of our Morals. Whatever points at her, is pointed right. We are all her due, Mankind's the Dower which Heaven has settled on her; and he's the Villain that would rob her of her Tribute. I, therefore, as in Duty bound, will in, and pay her mine.
Lop. [Aside.] There he goes, i'faith; he seem'd as if he had a Qualm just now; but he never goes without a Dram of Conscience-Water about him, to set Matters right again.
Don John. [Aside.] This is her Door, 'tis lock'd; but I have a Smith about me will make her Staple fly.
[Pulls out some Irons, and forces the Lock.
Lop. [Aside.] Hark! hark! if he is not equipt for a Housebreaker, too. Very well, he has provided two Strings to his Bow; if he 'scapes the Rape, he may be hang'd upon the Burglary.
Don John. [Aside.] There, 'tis done, so: No Watch-Light burning? [Peeping into her Chamber.] All in darkness? So much the better, 'twill save a great deal of blushing on both Sides. Methinks I feel myself mighty modest, I tremble too; that's not proper at this Time. Be firm, my Courage, I have Business for thee—So—How am I now? Pretty well. Then by your Leave, Don Pedro, I must supply your Neglect. You should not have married till you were ready for Consummation; a Maidenhead ought no more to lie upon a handsome Bride, than an Impeachment upon an innocent Minister.
[Don John enters the Chamber.
Lop. [Coming forwards.] Well done, well done; God-a-mercy, my little Judas. Unfortunate Don Pedro! thou hast left thy Purse in the Hands of a Robber; and while thou art galloping to pay the last Duty to thy Father, he's at least upon the Trot to pay the first to thy Wife. Ah the Traitor! What a Capilotade of Damnation will there be cook'd up for him! But softly: Let's lay our Ear to the Door, and pick up some Curiosities——I hear no Noise——There's no Light; we shall have him blunder where he should not do, by and by——commit a Rape upon her Tea-Table, perhaps, break all her China, and then she'll be sure to hang him. But hark—now I hear—nothing; she does not say a Word; she sleeps curiously. How if she shou'd take it all for a Dream, now? Or her Virtue shou'd be fallen into an Apoplexy? Where the Pox will all this end?
Leo. [Within.] Jacinta! Beatrix! Fernandez! Murder! Murder! help! help! help!