Chi. I have lov'd to see fighting; but at present
I love to hinder seeing how to fight.
Knights, brandish your blades, 'twill make fine work
Among the gallipots! [Aloud.
You have me by your side, sir, let them come;
They are but two to two. [As to his master.
Sir, follow me, I'll bring you to the door.
[Aside to his master, and pulling him.
Don Z. There's no dishonour in a wise retreat
From disadvantages, to meet again
One's enemy upon a fairer score.
[Chichon pushing his master before him out of door.
Chi. [Aside to his master.] There 'tis; advance, sir, I'll make good the rear.
[Exit Don Zancho and Chichon.
Don J. Ho! who's without? bring lights. [He stamps.] They cannot hear us,
The room is so remote from all the rest.—
What a confusion's this! Recall, Fernando,
Your usual temper, and let's leave this place,
And that unhappy maid unto its darkness,
To hide her blushes, since her shame it cannot.
[Exit Don Julio groping, and drawing Don Fernando with him.
Elv. [Alone.] Darkness and horror welcome, since the gods
Live in the dark themselves; for had they light
Of what's done here below, they would afford
Some ray to shine on injur'd innocence,
And not, instead thereof, thus multiply
Obscuring clouds upon it, such as the sun,
Should he with all his beams illuminate
Men's understandings, scarce could dissipate.
I now begin to pardon thee, Fernando,
Since what thou hast heard in this enchanted place
Carries conviction in 't against my firmness,
Above the pow'r of nature to suspend
My condemnation: unless wrong'd virtue might
Expect in thee a justice so refin'd,
As ne'er was found in man to womankind.
'Tis now, I must confess, the lost Elvira
Fit only for a cloister, where, secure
In her own spotless mind, she may defy
All censures, and without impiety
Reproach her fate even to the deity. [Exit, groping her way.