Don Scipio. Sir and sirrah! how rarely they act their parts! I'll give them an item, though, that I understand the plot of their comedy. AIR VIII.-QUINTETTO. D. Scipio. Signor! [TO PEDRILLO.] Ped. Fer. Lor. D. Scipio. Lor: Your wits must be keener, Tho' so pat, Will do you little good. My fine plot! I'm a sot, If I know what These gentlefolks are at. Past the perils of the night, He understands the duty, D. Scipio. Fine feathers make fine birds, Ped. The footman's to be seen. D. Scipio. Yet I could laugh for anger. Ped. D: Scipio. D. Scipio. Ok, I could cry for hunger. I could laugh. I could cry: [Aside. D. Scipio. Ha! ha! ha! I'm in a fit. D. Scipio. Ped. Lor. D. Fer. Ha! ha! ha! Oh! oh! oh! A very pleasant party! A whimsical reception! D. Scipio. A whimsical deception! But master and man, accept a welcome hearty. D. Fer. Accept our thanks sincere, for such a welcome hearty. Ped. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. An antique Apartment in the Castle. Enter DON CESAR, with precaution. Don Cæsar. Thus far I've got into the castle unperceived-I'm certain Sanguino means the old gentleman a mischief, which nature bids me endeavour to prevent. I saw the rascal slip in at the postern below; but where can he have got to! [A sliding pannel opens in the wainscot, and SANGUINO comes out.] Yes, yonder he issues, like a rat or a spider.How now, Sanguino! Sang. Captain Ramirez ! Don Cæsar. On enterprize without my knowledge! What's your business here? Sang. Revenge! Look.-[Shows a stilletto.] If I meet Don Scipio Don Cæsar. A stilletto! I command you to quit your purpose. Sang. What, no satisfaction for my wound last night, and lose my booty too! Don Cæsar. Your wound was chance-Put upWe shall have noble booty here, and that's our business-But you seem to know your ground here, Sanguino? Sang. I was formerly Master of the Horse to Count D'Olivi, the last resident here, so am well acquainted with the galleries, lobbies, windings, turnings, and every secret lurking place in the castle. Don Cæsar. I missed Spado at the muster this morning-did he quit the cave with you? Spado. [Without.] As sure as I'm alive it's fact, sir,— Don Cæsar. Isn't that Spado's voice? Sang. Impossible! Don Cæsar. Hush! [They retire. Enter DON SCIPIO and SPADO. Don Scipio. Yes, I've heard of such places; but you say you've been in the cave where these ruffian banditti live? Spado. Most certainly, sir; for after having robbed me of five hundred doubloons, the wicked rogues barbarously stripped, and tied me neck and heels, threw me across a mule, like a sack of corn, and led me blindfold to their cursed cavern. Don Scipio. Ah, poor fellow! Spado. There, sir, in this skulking hole the villains. live in all manner of debauchery, and dart out upon the innocent traveller, like beasts of prey. Don Scipio. Oh, the tigers! just so they fastened upoa me last night, but your sham Fernando, and I, made them run like hares; I gave him my purse for his trouble. Spado. And he took it! what a mean fellow !-you ought not to have ventured out unarm'd-I always take a blunderbuss when I go upon the road-the rascal banditti are most infernal cowards. Don Scipio. What a glorious thing to deliver these reprobates into the hands of justice! Spado. Ah, sir, 'twould be a blessed affair-Oh, I'd hang them up, like mad dogs! Don Scipio. Well, you say you know the cave? Spado. Yes, yes, I slipp'd the handkerchief from my eyes, and took a peep, made particular observations of the spot; so get a strong guard, and I'll lead you to the very trap-door of their den. Don Scipio. Egad, then we'll surprise them, and you'll have the prayers of the whole country, my honest friend. Spado. Heav'n knows, sir, I have no motives for this discovery but the public good, so I expect the country will order me a hundred pistoles, as a reward for my honesty. Don Cæsar. Here's a pretty dog! [Apart. [Apart. Spado. Sir, have an eye upon their captain, as they call him; he's the most abandon'd, impudent profligate-Suddenly turning, sees CESAR, who shows a pistol.] Captain did I say? [Terrified.] Oh, no; the captain's a very worthy good-natured fellow-I meant a scoundrel, who thinks he ought to be captain, one Sanguino, the most daring, wicked and bloody villain that-[Turning the other way, perceives SANGUINO with a pistol.] but indeed, I found Sanguino an honest, good-natured fellow too [With increased terror. Don Scipio. Hey, a bloody, wicked, honest, goodnatured fellow! what is all this? Spado. Yes; then, sir, I thought, I saw these two gentlemen, and at that instant, I thought they looked so terrible, that with the fright I awoke. Don Scipio. Awoke! what the devil then, is all this but a dream you have been telling me? Spado. Ay, sir, and the most frightful dream I ever had in my life. I'm at this instant frightened out of my wits. Don Scipio. You do look frightened indeed-poorman! I thought this cave was— Spado. Don't mention cave, or I faint-heigho! Vas. Dame Isabel wants to speak with you, sir. Spado. Yes, I'll wait on her. [Going hastily. Don Scipio. You! she don't want you. Spado. Dear sir, she can't do without me at this time. [Exit SCIPIO.] I come. Don Cæsar. No, you stay. [Going. [Pulls him back. Spado. Ah, my dear captain! [Affecting surprise and joy.] What, and my little Sanguino too! Who could have thought of your finding me out here? Don Cæsar. Yes, you are found out. [Significantly. Spado. Such discoveries as I have made in the castle! Don Cæsar. You're to make discoveries in the forest too. Sang. Our cave! Spado. Oh, you overheard that! Didn't I hum the old fellow finely? Ha! ha! ha! Sang. And for your reward, traitor, take this to your heart. [Offers to stab him. Don Cæsar. Hold, Sanguino. Spado. Nay, my dear Sanguino, stay! What the devil-So here, I can't run a jest upon a silly old man, but I must be run through with a stilletto! Don Gæsar. Come, Spado, confess what really brought you here. |