First Guest. (To his Partner.) Have you yet seen the bride? They say she's fair.
Partner. They say so, but I have not seen her yet.
Howbeit, a friend of mine who knew her well
When at the Convent of Saint Ursula,
Says she is over young. Just turned sixteen;
And how a man of Lord Don Diego's years
Could fall in love with such a chit, beats me.
[They pass on. Two other guests advance.
Lady of Second Guest. (To her Partner.) Ay, true, I think it would more seemly be
Were he to marry one of years more ripe.
Second Guest. (To his Lady.) The older that men grow the more they're pleased
With youth. I'm sure I should be so myself.
[They pass on. Third couple advance.
Third Guest. (To his Lady.) Nay, who'd have thought that poor Don Silvio
Could thus so easily pay off his debts?
He's in luck's way. As for the blushing bride,
Not every day doth heaven rain such fortune.
Lady. (To Third Guest.) Yet they say that she is most unwilling.
Third Guest. Then, she's a fool.
[They pass on. Fourth couple advance.
Lady. (To Fourth Guest.) Nay; I have heard it said
She weeps and frets, and hath so desp'rate grown,
That nought save violence could aught avail
To lead her to the altar.
Fourth Guest. What a girl!
To throw away so glorious a chance!
[They pass on. Two gentlemen meeting.
First Gent. What, comrade, you invited! Ha, ha, ha!
The old boy's got some life in him as yet.
Second Gent. And good taste, too. I just now caught a glimpse
Of the fair bride; and, zounds! I do begrudge
Her to the veteran. I myself would choose
Just such an one, and were it not her face
Were marred by excess of weeping.
First Gent. Indeed!
Ha! ha! I never could make out why girls
Cry at their wedding. Just the very thing
They've looked for, prayed for, schemed for all their lives;
Yet, when it comes to don the bridal veil
And figure at the altar, then comes straight
A bucketful of tears. Hypocrisy!
Enter Don Diego, followed by Don Silvio pleading.