Don Ambrosio If you do not congratulate me for this
either you do not believe it’s true,2515
or my ills do not grieve you,
or you take no pleasure in my well-being.
After my sad, bitter, dark and gloomy night
fortune made a bright sun and happy day come out.
From the high peaks2520
of daunting impossibilities
I saw my bright light emerge,
made up of merciful beacons,
which, like a compass needle,
gently guided me to port2525
and steered a course
through all the perils of the sea of love.
Now Marcela has revealed her feelings
and confirms my good fortune
with this letter and signature.2530
As you see, we are as good as married.

Don Antonio Do you know this to be her hand and signature?

Don Ambrosio Undoubtedly!

Don Antonio Well might you boast of such prosperous fortune,
but I know from her father2535
that he intends to marry her elsewhere.

Don Ambrosio Neither he nor anyone else
will be party to breaking the promise
that comes written in blood
on this paper you see here.2540

Don Antonio May love grant that you enjoy her
for many years in blessed peace.
Take my good wishes,
and enjoy your extreme good fortune.

Don Francisco A determined woman2545
faces up to any difficulty.
But look, here comes the father of your bride.

Don Ambrosio It does not suit my plans to await him here.

Father Since it was an honest question I put to you,
I have come to see if the answer2550
I now publicly request
corresponds with my intention.
I do not wish my indirect approach
to obscure the fact that my wishes
are those of a prudent father.2555
I will give señor Don Antonio…
my soul, so to speak,
since I will give to him
my daughter’s hand in marriage.
In her I am giving him,2560
as is known, a well-born wife—
some might say extremely well-born—
who is also very beautiful;
a child scarcely touched by sun or wind,
an ermine fettered by religious chains;2565
one whose only cares
are those of a pure and delicate maiden.
And I offer as a dowry
two thousand ducats a year.

Don Antonio Considering your worth,2570
I would very gladly do
that which would be of such benefit to me,
but the lady Marcela
has forestalled the worthy intentions
of you who tirelessly seeks to honour her:2575
She has chosen a husband—
the man who just left.

Father My daughter Marcela?

Don Antonio Yes.

Father Sad father, ill-starred old man!2580
What am I hearing? How can this be?

Don Antonio She gave him a document,
written in her own hand,
in which she totally commits her love.

Father Could it be false?2585

Don Antonio Perhaps, but I think not.

Father But why did he show it to you?

Don Antonio Pleasure dulls the senses.

[Father] If he just looks at her,
if he should touch her,2590
if he…enjoys her,
he will lose his life, or I mine.
That a dirty, good-for-nothing
confidence trickster
can steal the apple of your eye2595
and your own flesh and blood!
A son is half your soul,
but a daughter means even more.
A father must watch her honour like a hawk.

Ocaña Holy Jesus! This poor señor is blowing his top,2600
which pains me to see.
That these fly-by-nights,
these curly-haired fops,
should go around trying to ensnare
silly girls with their ruses…!2605

Don Antonio Idiot! How dare you?

Ocaña I’m sorry. I’ll keep quiet.

Don Antonio Oaf! Since when do you give yourself airs and graces?

Ocaña [aside] This master of mine doesn’t let me win a trick,
yet if commonsense is the game2610
I can give him two points start

Father I do not wish to ask anything of you.
nor would it be right to my boy…
ah, if only you were,
it would turn my grey hair black2615
and make me young again.
Disobedient daughters,
who put your pleasures first
instead of listening
to the teachings of your elders,2620
may God damn you and destroy you!

Don Antonio I’m drowning in the well of my misfortune!

Don Francisco What if the document is false?

Don Antonio Even if it is, my friend,
Marcela’s reputation is undermined,2625
especially since Don Ambrosio
is known to be a good man,
and would not give false evidence
in such a weighty matter.

Don Francisco I agree.2630

Don Antonio A maiden of notaries’ chambers,
public hearings, proof and testimony,
is not for me.

Ocaña [aside] He speaks like Aristotle!