OCR Text |
Show ^2 The M I S T A K E, D o n Fel. This Adion is certainly to the laft Point to be condemn'd, and I think no body mould pretend to cxcufe the Guilty. Alv. They are not to be excus d, tho Heav'n may have Mercy. D o n Fel. That's what I hope you will coniider. Alv. W e fhould aft as Chriftians. Don Fel. Moft certainly. Alv. Let Mercy then prevail. D o n Eel. It is indeed of heav'nly Birth. jilv. Generous D o n Felix J Don Fel. Too indulgent Alvare\ 1 Alv. I thank you on m y Knee. D o n Fel. 'Tis I ought to have been there firft. [They kneel. Alv. Is it then poffible w e are Friends ? D o n Fel. Embrace m e to confirm it. [They embrace. Alv. Thou beft of M e n i D o n Fel. Unlook'd-for Bounty ! Alv. Did you know the Torment [rifing] this unhappy Aftion has given m e D o n Fel. 'Tis impoflible it could do otherwife; nor has m y Trouble been lefs. Alv. But let m y Misfortune be kept fecret. D o n Fel. Moft willingly; m y Advantage is fufEcient by it, without the Vanity of making it publick to the World. Alv. Incomparable Goodnefs! That I fhou'd thus have wrong'd a M a n fo worthy! [Afide.~] M y Honour then is fafe. D o n Fel. For ever, even for ever let it be a Secret, I a m content. Alv. Noble Gentleman ! [Afide.J As to what Advantages ought to accrue to you by it, it fhall be all to your entire Satisfaction. D o n Fel. Wonderful Bounty \ [_Afidef] As to that, D o n Alvarez 1 leave k entirely to you, and fhall be content with whatever you think reafonable. Alv. I thank you, from m y Soul I muft, you know I mift. This muft be an Angel, not a Man* £^JMf. The MISTAKE. 185 D o n Fel. The Thanks lie on m y fide, Alvare^, for this unexpected Generofny ; but may all Faulcs be forgot, and Heav'n ever profper you. Alv. The fame Prayer I, with a double Fervour, offer up for you.* D o n Fel. Let us then once more embrace, and be Forgivenefs feal'd for ever. Alv. Agreed ; thou beft of Men, agreed. [They embrace. D o n Fel. This thing then being thus happily terminated, let m e o wn to you, D o n Alvarez, I was in extreme Apprehenfions of your utmoft Refentment on this Occafion ; for I could not doubt but you had form'd more happy Views in theDifpofal of fo fair a Daughter as Leonora^ than m y poor Son's inferiour Fortune e'er can anfwer : but fince they are join'd, and that Alv. Ha ! D o n Fel. Nay, 'tis very likely to difcourfe of it may not be very pleating to you, tho your Chriftianity and natural Goodnefs have prevail'd on you fo generoufly to forgive it. But to do juftice to Leonora, and skreen her from your too harfh Opinion in this unlucky Aftion, 'twas that cunning wicked Creature that attends her, who by unufual Arts wrought her to this Breach of Duty for her o w n Inclinations weredifpos'd to all the Modefty and Refignation a Father could ask from a Daughter ; m y Son 1 can't excufe, but fince your Bounty does fo, I hope you'll quite forget the fault of the lefs-guilty Leonora. , Alv. What a Miftake have I lain under here! And from a'groundiefs Apprehenfion of one Misfortune, find my felf in the certainty of another. < (Afidt. Don Felix. H e looks difturb'd; what can this mean? (Afide. Alv. M y Daughter marry'd to his Son !-• ; Con-fufion. But I find m y felf in fuch unruly agitation, fomething wrong may happen if I continue with him ; I'll therefore leave him. C «/»*• D o n Eelix. You fccm thoughtful, Sir, I hope there s -^ Alv. no. |