+Chi.+ Lame as I am, you see I've made good speed In my return, whate'er I've had in my errand.
+Don Z.+ Leave, fool, your quibbling, and deliver me From the disquiet of uncertainty.
+Chi.+ That's quickly done. Set, sir, your heart at rest From the vain hopes of ever seeing Blanca-- Now you are at ease, I trow?
+Don Z.+ You'll be at little, unless you leave your jesting With such edge-tools. Is banishment from her Matter of raillery? Say, sirrah, and say Quickly, what hopes?---- Prythee, if thou lov'st me, [_Kindly._ Hold me no longer in suspense, Chichon.
+Chi.+ Why, then, for fear--the devil a bit for love-- I'll tell you, sir, that luckily I met The drab Francisca at the capuchin's, Lodging behind her lady, I think on purpose; For I perceiv'd her eager sparrowhawk's eye, With her veil down (ne'er stirs a twinkling-while From its sly peeping-hole) had found me straight-- took my time i' th' nick, but she outnick'd me; For trudging on, her face another way, With such a voice, as some you have seen have had The trick to draw from caverns of their belly, And make one think it came from a mile off, She made me hear these words: _About twilight Fail not to pass by our door, and ask no more At this time, varlet._ And thus, sir, you see, That neither she nor I have been prolix, For this is all. You have leave to make your comment On a brief text.
+Don Z.+ As sweet methinks as short: such words imply Little less than a demi-assignation.
+Chi.+ All puddings have two ends,[14] and most short sayings Two handles to their meaning.
+Don Z.+ I'm sure I'll still lay hold upon the pleasing'st, Till it be wrested from me: i' th' meanwhile, If any visitants come this afternoon, Be sure to tell them I am gone abroad, That nothing else embark us at the time. You shall not go alone.
+Chi.+ I thank you for it-- I cannot go alone.
[_Holding up his staff. Exeunt, +Chichon+ halting._
_Scene changes to +Don Julio's+ private apartment. Enter +Don Fernando+ and +Julio+._
+Don J.+ All things are rightly laid, for Violante Will pass the afternoon with Blanca, and then, I waiting on her home in th' evening, Blanca Will be secure from me till late at night. I shall be where I told you, in full view Of those two windows. If the gallant come Up the great stairs, he must pass through that room, And cannot 'scape your knowledge; if up the back one, You needs must see him passing through the entry, Close by that door. If this latter way, Be sure to set the candle in that window: [_Pointing._ If up the other, in that: and in either case, As soon as he's within, fail not to bolt, On th' inside, th' entry-door, and so he may Find no retreat that way, I coming up The other.