Gom. Hold, hold, father, you go beyond your commission; palming is always held foul play amongst gamesters.

Dom. Thus good intentions are misconstrued by wicked men; you will never be warned till you are excommunicated.

Gom. Ah, devil on him; there’s his hold!  If there were no more in excommunication than the church’s censure, a wise man would lick his conscience whole with a wet finger; but, if I am excommunicated, I am outlawed, and then there is no calling in my money. [Aside.

Elv. [Rising.] I have read the note, father, and will send him an answer immediately; for I know his lodgings by his letter.

Dom. I understand it not, for my part; but I wish your intentions be honest.  Remember, that adultery, though it be a silent sin, yet it is a crying sin also.  Nevertheless, if you believe absolutely he will die, unless you pity him; to save a man’s life is a point of charity; and actions of charity do alleviate, as I may say, and take off from the mortality of the sin.  Farewell, daughter.—­Gomez, cherish your virtuous wife; and thereupon I give you my benediction. [Going.

Gom. Stay; I’ll conduct you to the door,—­that I may be sure you steal nothing by the way.  Friars wear not their long sleeves for nothing.—­Oh, ’tis a Judas Iscariot. [Exit after the Friar.

Elv. This friar is a comfortable man!  He will understand nothing of
the business, and yet does it all. 
  Pray, wives and virgins, at your time of need,
  For a true guide, of my good father’s breed. [Exit.

ACT III.

SCENE I.—­The Street.

  Enter LORENZO in a Friars Habit, meeting DOMINICK.

Lor. Father Dominick, father Dominick; why in such haste, man?

Dom. It should seem, a brother of our order.

Lor. No, faith, I am only your brother in iniquity; my holiness, like yours, is mere outside.

Dom. What! my noble colonel in metamorphosis!  On what occasion are you transformed?

Lor. Love, almighty love; that, which turned Jupiter into a town-bull, has transformed me into a friar.  I have had a letter from Elvira, in answer to that I sent by you.

Dom. You see I have delivered my message faithfully; I am a friar of honour, where I am engaged.

Lor. O, I understand your hint; the other fifty pieces are ready to be condemned to charity.

Dom. But this habit, son! this habit!

Lor. It is a habit, that, in all ages, has been friendly to fornication:  you have begun the design in this clothing, and I’ll try to accomplish it.  The husband is absent, that evil counsellor is removed and the sovereign is graciously disposed to hear my grievances.