440 CLAVIGO : A TRAGEDY. 



Beau. Sir! 



Guild. Buenco! 



Buen. I shall now hate him for ever. And I warn you to beware of the 

 sort of man you have to deal with. (Exit.} 



Guilb. He is a melancholy bird of ill omen. He will be reconciled in 

 time, when he sees all going on well. 



Beau. Yet it was precipitate of me to give him back the paper. 



Guilb. Nonsense, nonsense ! don't encourage such whims. (Exit.} 



ACT IV. Clavigo's House. 

 Enter Carlos. 



Car. To place official guardians over people, who shew by dissipation, 

 or acts of imbecility, that their intellects are impaired, is a very laudable 

 interference. If the government does this, which in other respects con- 

 cerns itself very little about us, why should we not do as much for a friend? 

 Clavigo, you are unfortunately situated ! Yet I do not despair ! If you 

 are but half as tractable as formerly ; there is still time enough to preserve 

 you from committing a folly, which, with your sanguine sensitive disposi- 

 tion, would render your life miserable, and bring you prematurely to the 

 grave. He comes. 



Enter Clavigo (meditating}. 



Clav. Good morning, Carlos. 



Car. A very melancholy, dull, good morning ! Do you come in such a 

 humour from your bride ? 



Clav. She is an angel ! They are excellent people ! 



Car. You won't hasten the marriage so very much ? you'll give one 

 time to have a coat embroidered for the occasion ? 



Clav. Are you jesting or serious ! No embroidered clothes shall be pa- 

 raded at our wedding. 



Car. I believe so indeed. 



C'av. Content in ourselves and social harmony should constitute the or- 

 naments of this solemnity. 



Car. O, you intend having a quiet little festival? 



Clav. Yes, like people do who feel that their happiness depends wholly on 

 themselves. 



Car Under such circumstances you are quite right. 



Clai. Circumstances! What do you mean by such circumstances? 



Car. As the matter now stands, with its branchings and bearings 



Clav. Hear me, Carlos, I can't endure reserve between friends. I know 

 you are not for this match ; however, if you have any thing to say against 

 it, and will say it, speak out at once. How then does this matter stand ? 

 In what state is it ? 



Car. More unexpected wonderful things come to pass in life ; it would 

 not do for all to follow in the beaten path. People would have nothing to 

 wonder at, nothing to put their heads together about no opportunity to 

 scandalize their neighbours. 



Clav. It will create a sensation. 



Car. Clavigo's wedding ! To be sure it will. How many girls in Madrid 

 are waiting for you, longing for you, and if you play them this trick 



Clav. It can't be altered now. 



Car. How singular ! I have known few men make so great and general 

 an impression upon the women as you. Amongst all ranks there are 

 charming girls entirely engrossed with plans and expectations to get you. 

 One reckons upon her beauty another her fortune, rank, wit, and con- 

 nections. How am I not complimented on your account ! For truly, 

 neither my snub nose, frizzled head, nor my known contempt of women, 

 can attract them. 



