<h2 class="p2 nobreak" id="ACT_V">ACT V.</h2></div>
<p class="center">SCENE, <i>the Garden</i>,</p>
<p class="center"><i>With walks of cut trees in the back ground, and two
Pavilions, one on each side of the stage</i>.</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter</i> AGNES. (<i>A lanthorn in one hand, and
two cakes and an orange in the other</i>)</p>
</div>
<p><ins class="corr" id="tn-90" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'speaker name missing'">
<i>Agnes.</i></ins></p>
<p class="moveup drop-capy">The Pavilion to the left? Ay, that’s it.—But
if he should not come soon!—He has
not half learnt me my part yet—Poor thing, he
hasn’t eat any thing all day; and the cross, good-for-nothing
Cook would not give me a morsel for
him; so I was obliged to ask the Butler for these
Cakes and this Orange:—It cost me a good kiss on
the cheek, but I know who’ll repay—Oh dear,
here’s somebody coming!—</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p><i>Enter</i> FIGARO, <i>disguised in a red Rocquelaure</i>;
Doctor Bartholo, Don Guzman, Basil, Antonio.
<i>Figaro imagines at first Agnes to be Susan; and, as
it is too dark to see, endeavours to follow the sound
of her voice, having entered while she was speaking.
Agnes enters the Pavilion on the left.</i></p>
</div>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I was mistaken, ’tis Agnes! (<i>They all
grope down the stage till they get round Figaro</i>) What
a clock is it?</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_91"></SPAN>[91]</span></p>
<p><i>Antonio.</i> Almost near the moon’s rising.</p>
<p><i>Basil.</i> What a gloomy night.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> We look like so many Conspirators.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> You understand, Gentlemen, why you
are come hither—It is to be Witnesses of the Conduct
of the virtuous Bride I am soon to espouse,
and the honourable Lord who has graciously bestowed
her upon me.</p>
<p><i>Basil.</i> (<i>Aside</i>) This will be a precious Revenge.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> Remember, Figaro, a wise Man has
never any Contest with the Great; it is the Battle
of Don Quixote with the Windmills; they whirl
and dash you to a Distance, without once altering
or retarding their Course.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Rather remember they have not courage
to oppress any but Cowards.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> He’s mad.</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> Ye-e-es, he is ma-a-ad.</p>
<p><i>Antonio.</i> But what about?</p>
<p><i>Basil.</i> A certain Rendezvous;—Come this way,
and I’ll tell you the whole.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Hide yourselves hereabouts, and come
running the Moment you hear me call.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> He is turning Fool.</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> Ye-e-es, he’s turning foo-oo-ool—Stay
and take ca-are of him.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Exeunt.</i></p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Manent</i> Figaro <i>and</i> Doctor.</p>
</div>
<div class="omitted">
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “Oh Woman, Woman, Woman! Inconstant, weak,
deceitful Woman!—But each Animal
is obliged to follow the instinct of its Nature; and
it is thine to betray!——What, after swearing
this very Morning to remain for ever Faithful;
and on the identical Day! The bridal Day!——</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> “Patience.</p>
</div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_92"></SPAN>[92]</span></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> <span class="omitted">“I even saw her laugh with Delight,
while he read her Billet!——They think themselves
secure, but perhaps they yet may be deceived.”</span>——No,
my very worthy Lord and
Master, you have not got her yet.—What! Because
you are a great Man, you fancy yourself a
great Genius.—<span class="omitted">“Which way?—How came you to
be the rich and mighty Count Almaviva? Why
truly, you gave yourself the Trouble to be born!
While the obscurity in which I have been cast
demanded more Abilities to gain a mere Subsistence
than are requisite to govern Empires.
And what, most noble Count, are your Claims
to Distinction, to pompous Titles, and immense
Wealth, of which you are so proud, and which,
by Accident, you possess? For which of your
Virtues? Your Wisdom? Your Generosity?
Your Justice?—The Wisdom you have acquired
consists in vile Arts, to gratify vile
Passions; your Generosity is lavished on your
hireling Instruments, but whose Necessities make
them far less Contemptible than yourself; and
your Justice is the inveterate Persecution of
<ins class="corr" id="tn-92" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'those who who have'">
those who have</ins> the Will and the Wit to
resist your Depredations.”</span> But this has ever
been the Practice of the <i>little</i> Great; those they
cannot degrade, they endeavour to crush.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> Be advised, Figaro—be calm—there has
ever been a Respect paid—</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> To Vice—where it is not due.—Shame
light on them that pay it.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> Consider, he is——</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> A Lord—and I am—a Man!—Yes, I am
a Man, but the nocturnal Spells of that enchantress
Woman, soon shall make me a Monster. <span class="omitted">“Why,
what an Ass am I!—Acting here the idiot part<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_93"></SPAN>[93]</span>
of a (<i>Strikes his forehead</i>)—a—Husband—Altho’
I am but half finished.”</span></p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>Agnes peers out of the Pavilion,
and approaches a little way to listen</i>.)</p>
</div>
<p><i>Agnes.</i> Is that Hannibal?</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> I hear somebody! (<i>Agnes hears the voice
of the Doctor, and runs in again</i>) I will retire, but
if you are wise, you will wait the Event patiently;
your suspicions may be unjust,—should they prove
real, then shake her from you, as her Ingratitude
deserves.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Exit</i>.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> <span class="omitted">“Oh, how easy it is for the prayer mumbling
Priest to bid the Wretch on the Rack suffer
patiently. (<i>Figaro listens</i>) I hear nothing—all is
silent—and dark as their designs. (<i>Figaro pulls
off his Roquelaure, and throws it on a Garden-bench</i>)
Why, what a Destiny is mine—Am I for ever
doom’d to be the foot-ball of Fortune?—Son of
I knew not who, stol’n I knew not how, and
brought up to I knew not what, lying and thieving
excepted, I had the sense, tho’ young, to
despise a life so base, and fled such infernal Tutors.
My Genius, tho’ cramp’d, could not be
totally subdued, and I spent what little time
and money I could spare in Books and Study.
Alas! it was but time and money thrown away.
Desolate in the world, unfriended, unprotected,
my poor stock of knowledge not being whip’d
into me by the masculine hic hæc hoc hand of
a School-master, I could not get Bread, much
less Preferment.——Disheartened by the failure
of all my projects, I yet had the audacity to attempt
a Comedy, but as I had the still greater
audacity to attack the favorite Vice of the favorite
Mistress, of the favorite Footman of the
favorite Minister, I could not get it licensed.—It
happened about that time, that the fashionable
Question of the day was an enquiry into the real<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_94"></SPAN>[94]</span>
and imaginary Wealth of Nations; and, as it is not
necessary to possess the thing you write about, I,
with lank Cheeks, pennnyless Purse, and all the
simplicity of a Boy, or a Philosopher, freely described
the true causes of national Poverty: when suddenly
I was awaken’d in my bed at Mid-night, and
entrusted to the tender care of his Catholic Majesty’s
Mirmidons, whose Magic-power caused
the heavy gates of an old Castle to fly open at
my approach, where I was graciously received,
lodged, and ornamented, according to the
fashion of the place, and provided with Straw,
and Bread, and Water gratis. My ardor for
Liberty sufficiently cool’d. I was once more turned
adrift into the wide World, with leave to provide
Straw and Bread and Water for myself.—On
this my second birth, I found all Madrid
in Raptures, concerning a most generous Royal
Edict, lately published, in favor of the Liberty of
the Press: and I soon learnt, that, provided I
neither spoke of the Wealth of Nations in my
writings, nor of the Government, nor of Religion,
nor of any Corporate-Companies, nor offended
the favorite Mistress of the Minister’s favorite
Footman, nor said any one thing which could
be twisted into a reference, or hint, derogatory to
any one Individual, who had more powerful friends
than I had, I was at liberty to write, freely, all,
and whatever I pleased, under the inspection of
some two or three Censors!——Soon after this,
a Place happened to be vacant, which required
a person well acquainted with Calculation; I
offered my Services; my Abilities were not questioned;
I waited, in anxious expectation of the Event,
and, in three days, learnt it had been bestowed,
two days before, upon a Dancing-master.—Persecuted<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_95"></SPAN>[95]</span>
by Creditors, tired of starving, and
unable, through the feebleness of Youth to sustain
so unequal a Struggle, I had the weakness,
at last, to sink before Temptation, and set
up a Pharaoh Bank. And now, for once, behold
the Scene changed! See me equally familiar
with Lords as with their Lacquies! Every door was
open to me! Every hand held out! But, notwithstanding
my desire to be Something in this world,
my detestation of the brazen Effrontery, profound
Ignorance, and insupportable Insolence of
these fashionable Friends of Nobility was so innate
that I found I could better endure all the Miseries
of Poverty than the Disgrace and Disgust of such
Society.—Quitting, therefore, with contempt this
new Trade, and leaving false Shame behind me, as
a burthen too heavy for a Foot-passenger, I once
more took up my strap and hone, and travelled
for employment from Town to Town.——At
Seville I found a Lord mad to marry his Mistress;
my Wit procured him what his could not,
a Wife; and, in return, he gratefully endeavours
to Seduce mine—Strange concatenation of circumstance!
My Parents all at once claim me!—’Tis
he, ’tis she, ’tis me, ’tis—I don’t know
who!—I came into the world without my
Knowledge, and I shall go out on’t without my
Will; and thus do I continue to torment myself
about this Being of mine, without understanding
what this Being is, what it was, what
it shall be, whence it came, where it is, or whither
it shall go.—I only know it to be a compound
of Contradictions! A little, wise, foolish
Animal, ardent in the pursuit of Pleasure, capricious
through Vanity, laborious from Necessity, but<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_96"></SPAN>[96]</span>
indolent by Choice. After having exhausted
every Art for enjoyment, and every Profession
for a livelihood, I found myself intoxicated by a
heavenly Illusion, that has vanish’d at my
approach!—Vanished!—And is it vanish’d?”</span>—Oh
Susan! Susan!</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>Figaro sinks melancholy upon the
garden-seat; but being suddenly roused by a
noise, wraps himself up in his Rocquelaure.</i></p>
</div>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter softly, in each other’s dress, the</i> COUNTESS
<i>and</i> SUSAN, <i>followed by</i> MARCELINA.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Susan.</i> So Figaro is to be here. (<i>In an under
voice</i>)</p>
<p><i>Marcelina.</i> He is here.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Thus one is come to lay the Springe, and
the other to seize the Game.</p>
<p><i>Marcelina.</i> I will go and hide myself in this
Pavilion, where I shall hear all.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Exit into the Pavilion
on the left.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> We may begin. (<i>Speaks louder</i>) If my
Lady does not want me, I will walk and enjoy the
fresh air.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Oh, the Cocatrice.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> It may give thee cold.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Oh no, my Lady.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Oh no! She’ll not take cold to-night. (<i>Aside</i>).</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p><i>Susan retires a little towards the
Pavilion on the left; Hannibal is heard singing,
and, as he enters, perceives the Countess,
in Susan’s dress.</i></p>
</div>
<p><i>Page.</i> Is that Agnes, yonder? (<i>He approaches</i>)<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_97"></SPAN>[97]</span>
By her long Lappets and white Feathers, it must be
Susan. (<i>Comes up and takes hold of the Countess’s hand</i>.
Ah, my dear Susan!</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Let me go. (<i>In a feigned voice.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Page.</i> Come, Come; don’t be so coy. I know
it is not Figaro you are waiting for, it is my Lord
the Count—What! Did not I hear, this Morning,
when I was behind the great Chair?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). The babbling little Villain.</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter the</i> COUNT <i>behind, and hears the Page</i>.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Count.</i> Is not that somebody with Susan?—(<i>Advances
close up to them, and draws back in a
fury</i>).—’Tis that infernal Page again.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Susan keeps
out of the way and silently laughing.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Page.</i> ’Tis in vain to say no:—Since thou art
going to be the Representative of the Countess,
I am determined to give the one kiss for thyself,
and a hundred for thy beauteous Lady.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> <span class="omitted">(<i>Aside</i>). “As impudent as a Page, says
the Proverb.”</span></p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>The Countess draws back to avoid being kissed
by the Page, and the Count advances and
presents himself in her place; the Page feels
the rough beard of the Count, and suddenly
retreats, crying in an under voice</i>)—Oh, the
Devil!—The Count again!</p>
</div>
<p class="right">(<i>Exit Page into the Pavilion on the left.</i>)</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>While this passes, Figaro likewise advances to
drive the Page from Susan; meanwhile the
Count, on the Page’s supposed next approach,
prepares to give him a proper reception</i>).</p>
</div>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Thinking he speaks to the Page</i>). Since
you are so fond of kissing, take that.
(<i>Gives Figaro
a severe box on the ear</i>).</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_98"></SPAN>[98]</span></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I have paid for listening. (<i>Susan cannot
contain herself, but bursts out a laughing</i>).</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Hears her laugh</i>). Why this is inconceiveable!—Do
such Salutations make the impudent
Rascal laugh?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> It would be strange if he should cry
this time. (<i>Aside</i>).</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Count and Countess approach</i>).</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> But let us not lose the precious moments,
my charming Susan!—Let these Kisses speak my ardour!
(<i>Kisses the Countess several times with rapture</i>).</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aside, and beating his forehead</i>). Oh!
Oh! Oh!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Why dost thou tremble?</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> (<i>Continuing her feigned voice</i>). Because
I am afraid.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Thou seemest to have got a cold. (<i>Takes
the Countess’s hand between his own, and amorously
strokes and kisses her fingers</i>). What a sweet, delicate,
Angel’s hand!—How smooth and soft!—How
long and small the fingers!—What pleasure in the
touch!—Ah! How different is this from the
Countess’s hand!—</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> (<i>Sighing</i>). And yet you loved her
once.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Yes—Yes—I did so—But three Years of
better Acquaintance has made the Marriage-state
so respectable—And then Wives are so loving—when
they <i>do</i> love, that is—that one is surprised
when in search of Pleasure, to find Satiety.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Pleasure?—Love!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Oh, no; Love is but the Romance of
the Heart; Pleasure is its History—As for thee,
my dear Susan, add but one grain more of Caprice<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_99"></SPAN>[99]</span>
to thy Composition and thou wilt make one of
the most enticing, teazing, agreeable Mistresses.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> ’Tis my Duty to oblige my Lord.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Her Duty!—</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Yes—Women’s Duties are unlimited—They
owe all—Men nothing.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Nothing?</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> It is not our Faults; ’tis the law of Nature—And
then Wives think to ensure our fidelity
by being always Wives—Whereas they should
sometimes become——</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> What?</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Our Mistresses——I hope thou wilt not
forget this Lesson.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Oh no, indeed, not I.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Aloud</i>). Nor I.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aloud</i>). Nor I.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Astonished</i>). Are there Echoes here?</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Oh, yes.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> And now, my sweet Susan, receive the
Portion I promised thee. (<i>Gives a purse and puts a
ring upon her finger</i>)—And continue likewise to
wear this Ring for my sake.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Susan accepts your Favors.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). Was there ever so faithless a
Hussey?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). These riches are all for us!
(<i>Still keeps chuckling very heartily at what is going forwards.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> I perceive Torches.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> They are preparatory to thy Nuptials.
(<i>the Countess pretends to be afraid</i>). Come, come,
let us retire for a moment into the Pavilion.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> What! In the dark?</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Why not? There are no Spirits.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). Yes, but there are; and evil ones<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_100"></SPAN>[100]</span>
too. (<i>Countess follows the Count</i>). She is going!——Hem!
(<i>Figaro hem’s in a great passion</i>).</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Raising his voice majesterially</i>). Who goes
there!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> A man.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Aside to the Countess</i>). It’s Figaro!</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>The
Countess enters the Pavilion on the right hand
and the Count retires</i>).</p>
</div>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Desperate</i>). They are gone in. (<i>Walks
about</i>). Let her go.—Let her go!</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Aside.</i>) Thou shalt pay presently for
these fine Suspicions. (<i>Susan advances and mimics the
voice of the Countess</i>). Who is that?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> ’Tis the Countess (<i>Aside</i>).—What lucky
Chance conducted you hither, Madam—You know
not what Scenes are this moment transacting.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Oh yes, but I do, Figaro.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> What! That the Count and my
very virtuous Bride are this moment in yonder
Pavilion Madam!</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). Very well, my Gentleman!—I
know more than thou dost.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> And will you not be revenged?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Oh yes, we always have our Revenge in
our own power.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aside</i>). What does she mean?—Perhaps
what I suspect—Why that would be a glorious
Retaliation.—(<i>To Susan.</i>) There is no Means
but one, Madam, of revenging such Wrongs; that
now presents itself.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Jealous</i>) What does the good-for-nothing
Fellow mean? (<i>Speaks in a tone of compliance
to Figaro</i>). Does it Figaro?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Pardon my Presumption, Madam! On
any other occasion, the Respect I bear your Ladyship
would keep me silent, but on the present
I dare encounter all! (<i>Falls on his knees</i>). Oh, excuse,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_101"></SPAN>[101]</span>
forgive me, Madam; but let not the precious
moments slip!—Grant me your hand.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Unable any longer to contain herself gives
him a slap on the face</i>). Take it.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I have it, I think!—The Devil! This
is the Day of Stripes!</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Susan gives it thee (<i>as soon as Figaro
hears it is Susan, his satisfaction is so extreme, he
laughs very heartily, and keeps laughing all the while
she keeps beating him</i>) and that, and that, and that,
and that for thy Insolence—And that for thy Jealousy—And
that for thy Infidelity.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Susan out of
breath, Figaro still laughing.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Oh happy Figaro—Take thy Revenge,
my dear, kind, good Angel; Never did Man or
Martyr suffer with such Extacy!</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Don’t tell me of your Extacy! How durst
you, you good for nothing, base, false-hearted Man,
make love to me, supposing me the Countess.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I must bring myself off, (<i>aside</i>)—Dost
think I could mistake the music of my Susan’s
Voice?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> What, you pretend you knew me then?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Pretend! Canst thou doubt it?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> And this was a Trick upon me!—But
I’ll be revenged.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Talk not of Revenge, my Love, but
tell me what blest Angel sent thee hither, and how
thou camest by this Disguise, which so fully proves
thy Innocence!</p>
<div class="omitted">
<p><i>Susan.</i> “I could find in my Heart not to tell
thee; but know, to thy Confusion, it is my Lady’s;
and that, coming to catch one Fox, we have
entrapped two!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “But who has taken the other?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> “His Wife.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_102"></SPAN>[102]</span></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “His Wife!—Go and hang thyself, Figaro—Go
and hang thyself, for wanting the Wit
to divine this Plot!—And has all this intriguing
been about his Wife?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> “<i>Yes, about his Wife.</i></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>a little suspicious</i>) “But who did the
Page kiss?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> “The Count.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “The Count! Ha! ha! ha! that is
excellent, (<i>Resuming his gravity</i>) But who did the
Count kiss?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> “The Countess.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “Ay, but who did he kiss this Morning——behind
the great Chair?</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Gravely</i>) “Nobody.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “Art thou—quite sure?”</p>
</div>
<p><i>Susan.</i> (<i>Holding out her Hand</i>) Dost thou want
another Proof?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Ah! Thine are but proofs of Love—That
of the Count, indeed, was not so gentle.</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter</i> COUNT <i>behind</i>.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Count.</i> ’St—’st! Susan!—Susan!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Aside to Susan</i>) A lucky thought strikes
me; prithee second me, Susan, (<i>Speaks in a feigned
Voice, falls on his Knees and kisses Susan’s Hand</i>)—Ah
Madam! Let us not longer converse of Love,
but enjoy it’s Treasures.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> What’s here! A Man on his Knees to the
Countess!—(<i>Feels for his Sword, they keep silently
laughing</i>) And I unarm’d!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Acting the Petit Maitre</i>) Upon my honour,
Madam, I could not have supposed Timidity
should make you hesitate a moment.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103"></SPAN>[103]</span></p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Furiously</i>) So this is our Dressing-room
Gentleman, at last! I shall know all at least, now—(<i>Figaro
kisses her hand again.</i>) Oh Rage! Oh Hell!</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> How delightfully he swears.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> (<i>Figaro and Susan still inwardly laughing</i>)
Quickly then, Madam, let us repair the wrong
which Love this Morning suffered at the impertinent
intrusion of your Lord.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> This is not to be borne.</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>Darts between
them, seizes Figaro by the Collar, while Susan
escapes into the Pavilion on the left.</i>)</p>
</div>
<p><i>Figaro</i> (<i>Pretends amazement</i>) My Lord!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> How! Rascal! And is it you!—Hollo—Hollo—Who
hears?</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter blundering in the dark, and in a great hurry, the
COURIER, who had been to Seville after the Page.</i></p>
</div>
<p><i>Courier.</i> Here!—Here!—Here am I, my Lord!
Just arrived from Seville! But he is not there! I
might as well have sought for this Page in my
pocket! Here is the Packet again.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Stand out of the way, Rascal——Hollo!—Where
are my People? Lights! Lights!</p>
<p><i>Courier.</i> What’s my Lord afraid of? Is there
not Mr. Figaro and I?</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter Flambeaux, Don</i> GUZMAN, <i>Dr.</i> BARTHOLO,
ANTONIO, BASIL, <i>and Servants</i>.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>To the Servants</i>) Guard that Door and
some of you seize this Fellow.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> You command, with absolute Authority,
over all present, my Lord, except yourself.</p>
<div class="omitted">
<p><i>Count.</i> “The Villain’s impenetrable, cool Impudence
is intolerable.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_104"></SPAN>[104]</span></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “We are not Soldiers, that we should
kill one another without Malice: for my part, I
like to know why I am angry.”</p>
</div>
<p><i>Count.</i> Be pleased, Sir, to declare, before this
Company, who the—the—Woman is that just
now ran into that Pavilion.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Into that—(<i>Going to cross to the Pavilion
on the right.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Stopping him</i>) No, prevaricating Fiend; into
that. (<i>Pointing to the other.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Ah! That alters the Case.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Answer, or—</p>
<div class="omitted">
<p><i>Figaro.</i> “The Lady that escaped into that Pavilion?</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> “Ay, Demon, the Lady.”</p>
</div>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> The Lady <span class="omitted">“that escaped into that Pavilion,”</span>
is a young Lady to whom my Lord
once paid his Addresses, but who, happening to love
me more than my Betters, has this day yielded me
the Preference.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> The Preference!—The Preference!—he
does not lie at least.——Yes, Gentlemen, what he
confesses, I pledge my Honour I just have heard
from the very mouth of his Accomplice!</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> His Accomplice!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Come forth, Madam! (<i>Enters the Pavilion.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Basil.</i> Which of these two has made a—Gentleman
of the other.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Perhaps neither.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>In the Pavilion.</i>) Come forth, I say,
shew yourself. (<i>Enter, dragging out the</i> PAGE,
<i>still speaking, and not looking at him till he gets on a
line with the rest of the Company</i>.) Happily, Madam,
there is no Pledge of a Union, now so justly detested.——</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_105"></SPAN>[105]</span></p>
<p><i>Omnes.</i> The Page!</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> (<i>After all the rest.</i>) The Pa-a-age!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Again! And again! And everlastingly this
damn’d, diabolical Page. (<i>Page flies to the other side
of the stage.</i>) You shall find, however, he was not
alone.</p>
<p><i>Page.</i> Ah, no! My lot would have been hard
indeed then.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Enter Antonio, and drag the guilty Thing
before her Judge.</p>
<p><i>Antonio.</i> (<i>In the Pavilion.</i>) Come, Madam, you
must come out; I must not let you go since my
Lord knows you are here.</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter with his Daughter</i>, AGNES.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Omnes.</i> Agnes!</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> A-A-Agnes!</p>
<p><i>Antonio.</i> Odzooks, my Lord, its a pleasant Trick,
enough, to send me in, before all these good Folks,
for my Daughter.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> I’ll find her, I warrant. (<i>Going.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> (<i>Stopping the Count.</i>) Pardon me, my
Lord, but you are too angry at present; let me go.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Exit Doctor to the Pavilion.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> This Cause is very perplex’d.</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> (<i>Entering with Marcelina.</i>) Fear nothing,
Madam, fear nothing.</p>
<p><i>Omnes.</i> Marcelina!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> My Mother too! Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Where then is this Daughter of Infamy
thus evades my just Fury?</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter</i> SUSAN, <i>with her Fan before her face</i>.</p>
</div>
<p>Here she comes, at last; bearing her own Shame
and my Dishonour. (<i>Susan kneels to him, still hiding
her Face.</i>)</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_106"></SPAN>[106]</span></p>
<p><i>Omnes.</i> Pardon, pardon, gracious Lord!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> No! No! No! (<i>They all fall on their knees.</i>)
No! No! Were the World to kneel I would be
deaf.</p>
<div class="blockquotxx">
<p><i>Enter the</i> COUNTESS <i>from the Pavilion on the
right, and kneels to the Count, whose back is turned
to her</i>.</p>
</div>
<p><i>Countess.</i> At least I will make one of the Number.</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>Susan drops her fan, the Count hears the voice
of the Countess, looks round, and suddenly conceives the
whole Trick they have been playing him. All the Company
burst into a laugh: the Count’s shame, confusion, &c.</i>)</p>
</div>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> (<i>Laughing stupidly</i>) Ha! ha! ha! ha!
’Tis the Countess!</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>With great humility.</i>) And—is it you my
Lady?</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> (<i>Inclines her body in token of Affirmation.</i>)</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Returning her bow with great confusion.</i>)
Ah!—Yes!—Yes! A generous pardon—tho’ unmerited.——</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Were you in my place, you would
exclaim, No! No! No! But I grant it without a
single Stipulation.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> And I.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> And I.—There are Echoes here.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Surprised</i>) I perceive—I perceive——I
have been rightly served.</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> Here, Susan, here is the Purse and
Ring, which my Lord gave thee. He will remember
thy sweet delicate Fingers, so long and so small.</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Thank your Lordship—Here Figaro.</p>
<p class="right">(<i>Gives him the Purse.</i></p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> It was devilish hard to get at—</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>To Susan</i>) And the Letter you wrote—</p>
<p><i>Susan.</i> Was dictated by my Lady.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_107"></SPAN>[107]</span></p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>Smiling good naturedly.</i>) Well, well! I am
an Answer in her Debt.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Thus every Man shall have his own.</p>
<p><i>Bounce.</i> And shall we throw the Stocking?</p>
<p><i>Countess.</i> There is the Garter.</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>(<i>Throws down the
Riband Hannibal had stolen in the Morning; Bounce
is going to stoop for it, and the Page pushes him
back.</i>)</p>
</div>
<p><i>Page.</i> This is my Right, and if any one dare
dispute it with me——</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Indeed! Mr. Officer—So bold a Champion
already!—Pray how did your Valour like the
Box on the Ear I gave you just now?</p>
<p><i>Page.</i> (<i>With his Hand to his Sword</i>) Me! My
Colonel?</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Which I kindly received.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> Thou!</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I—And thus do the Great distribute Justice.</p>
<p><i>Count.</i> (<i>laughing</i>) Well, Mr. President, (<i>Don
Guzman instantly calls up all his Wisdom on finding
himself addressed</i>) what do you think of all these
things?</p>
<p><i>Guzman.</i> Thi-ink, my Lord? (<i>Considers</i>) I—I
think that—I do-o-on’t know what to think.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> I think, a few such Days as this would
form an excellent Ambassador—But lately I was a
poor, deserted, solitary Being, in this wide World,
and now I have Gold, Relations, and a handsome
Wife——</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> And Friends will flock in abundance.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Do you think so?</p>
<p><i>Doctor.</i> Oh I know so.</p>
<p><i>Figaro.</i> Well, let them, they shall be welcome to
all I have—My Wife and my Wealth excepted.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_108"></SPAN>[108]</span></p>
<p><i>Susan.</i></p>
<div class="poetry-container">
<div class="poetry">
<div class="verse indent0">Our Errors past, and all our Follies done,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">Oh! That ’twere possible you might be won</div>
<div class="verse indent0">To pardon Faults, and Misdemeanors smother,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">With the same ease we pardon One-another!</div>
<div class="verse indent0">So should we rest, To-night, devoid of Sorrow,</div>
<div class="verse indent0">And hope to meet you, joyously, To-morrow.</div>
</div></div>
<p class="p4 center lsp2">THE END.</p>
</div>
<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /></div>
<div class="transnote">
<SPAN name="TN"></SPAN>
<p class="bold">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</p>
<p>A few obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.</p>
<p>Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#tn-10">Pg 10</SPAN>: Speaker name ‘Marcelino’ replaced by ‘Marcelina’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-17">Pg 17</SPAN>: ‘Gardiner’s daughter’ replaced by ‘Gardener’s daughter’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-17a">Pg 17</SPAN>: ‘my drunken Gardiner’ replaced by ‘my drunken Gardener’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-18">Pg 18</SPAN>: ‘wish hm so much’ replaced by ‘wish him so much’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-21">Pg 21</SPAN>: ‘young Hanibal the’ replaced by ‘young Hannibal the’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-25">Pg 25</SPAN>: ‘COUNTESS’s Bed-Chmber’ replaced by ‘COUNTESS’s Bed-Chamber’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-27">Pg 27</SPAN>: ‘by the Pavillion’ replaced by ‘by the Pavilion’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-29">Pg 29</SPAN>: ‘will not, Marcellina’ replaced by ‘will not, Marcelina’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-43">Pg 43</SPAN>: ‘you malicicious little’ replaced by ‘you malicious little’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-45">Pg 45</SPAN>: ‘the Gardiner, with’ replaced by ‘the Gardener, with’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-48">Pg 48</SPAN>: ‘and eadeavours to’ replaced by ‘and endeavours to’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-50">Pg 50</SPAN>: Speaker name ‘Antanio’ replaced by ‘Antonio’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-64">Pg 64</SPAN>: ‘Angelica-Mustacio’ replaced by ‘Angelica-Mustachio’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-64a">Pg 64</SPAN>: ‘Gentleman who are’ replaced by ‘Gentlemen who are’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-66">Pg 66</SPAN>: ‘Again, the the word’ replaced by ‘Again, the word’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-76">Pg 76</SPAN>: ‘honest ple’ replaced by ‘honest people’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-83">Pg 83</SPAN>: ‘Girl, ealed with’ replaced by ‘Girl, sealed with’.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-90">Pg 90</SPAN>: Missing speaker name ‘Agnes’ inserted.<br/>
<SPAN href="#tn-92">Pg 92</SPAN>: ‘those who who have’ replaced by ‘those who have’.<br/></p>
</div>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />