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??n de la Barca, Pedro, 1600-1681

"The Wonder-Working Magician"


[Exit.

* * * * *

SCENE XII.
CLARIN. Stop: Renuncio
Bride like this who smells of smoke
Stronger than a blacksmith's furnace.
But perhaps the incantation,
Being so extremely sudden,
Caught her leaning o'er the lye-tub,
If not cooking tripe for supper.
No. Thus cloaked and in a kitchen!
That excuse won't do: another
Let me try. (I have it now,
For an honourable woman
Never smells then any sweeter,)
She with fright must have been flustered.--
He has overtaken her now,
And from that rude vale uncultured,
Struggling in closed clasping arms,
(For I think when lovers struggle,
Open arms are not the weapon
Even for the lustiest lover,)
To this very spot they come:
I will watch them under cover,
For I wish for once to witness
How young women are abducted.
[Conceals himself.

* * * * *

SCENE XIII.
CYPRIAN embracing the Figure of JUSTINA, which he carries in his arms.
CYPRIAN. Now, O beautiful Justina,
In this sweet and secret covert,
Where no beam of sun can enter,
Nor the breeze of heaven blow roughly,
Now the trophy of thy beauty
Makes my magic toils triumphant,
For here folding thee, no longer
Have I need to fear disturbance.
Fair Justina, thou hast cost me
Even my soul. But in my judgment,
Since the gain has been so glorious,
Not so dear has been the purchase.


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