I ne'er could any lustre see In eyes that would not look on me; I ne'er saw nectar on a lip, But where my own did hope to sip. Has the maid who seeks my heart Cheeks of rose, untouch'd by art? I will own the colour true, When yielding blushes aid their hue. Is her hand so soft and pure? I must press it, to be sure; Nor can I be certain then, Till it, grateful, press again. Must I, with attentive eye, Watch her heaving bosom sigh? I will do so, when I see That heaving bosom sigh for me. Besides, Ferdinand, you have full security in my love for your sister; help me there, and I can never disturb you with Clara. Don Ferd. As far as I can, consistently with the honour of our family, you know I will; but there must be no eloping. Don Ant. And yet, now, you would carry off Clara? Don Ferd. Ay, that's a different case!--we never mean that others should act to our sisters and wives as we do to others'.--But, to- morrow, Clara is to be forced into a convent. Don Ant. Well, and am not I so unfortunately circumstanced? To- morrow, your father forces Louisa to marry Isaac, the Portuguese--but come with me, and we'll devise something I warrant. Don Ferd. I must go home. Don Ant. Well, adieu! Don Ferd. But, Don Antonio, if you did not love my sister, you have too much honour and friendship to supplant me with Clara-- AIR-- Don Ant. Friendship is the bond of reason; But if beauty disapprove, Heaven dissolves all other treason In the heart that's true to love. The faith which to my friend I swore, As a civil oath I view; But to the charms which I adore, 'Tis religion to be true. (Exit.) Don Ferd. There is always a levity in Antonio's manner of replying to me on this subject that is very alarming.--'Sdeath, if Clara should love him after all.

Air Monologue from The Duenna: A Comic Opera

Rehearse Air's monologue