SCENE III.
Reading edition
A View of the Outside of the Castle, with Moat and Drawbridge.
Enter Don Cæsar and Spado.
Don Cæsar. You gave my letter to the lady?
Spado. Yes, I did, Captain Ramirez.
Don Cæsar. Lucky, she knows me only by that name.
[Aside.
Spado. A love-affair, hey,—Oh, sly!
Don Cæsar. Hush! Mind you let us all in by the little wicket in the east rampart.
Spado. I'll let you in, captain, and a banditti is like a cat, where the head can get in, the body will follow.
Don Cæsar. Soft! Letting down the drawbridge for me now may attract observation. [Looks out.] Yonder I can get across the moat.
Spado. But, captain! [Calling.] My dear captain! If you fall into the water, you may take cold, my dear sir,—I wish you were at the bottom, with a stone about your neck!
[Aside.
AIR XVIII.—DON CÆSAR.
At the peaceful midnight hour, Ev'ry sense, and ev'ry pow'r, Fetter'd lies in downy sleep; Then our careful watch we keep, While the wolf, in nightly prowl, Bays the moon, with hideous howl, Gates are barr'd, a vain resistance! Females shriek; but no assistance. Silence, or you meet your fate; Your keys, your jewels, cash and plate; Locks, bolts, bars, soon fly asunder, Then to rifle, rob, and plunder.
[Exit Don Cæsar.
Spado. I see how this is—our captain's to carry off the lady, and my brethren all the booty, what's left for me then? No, devil a bit they'll give me—Oh, I must take care to help myself in time—Got nothing yet, but that portmanteau, a few silver spoons, and tops of pepper-castors; let's see, I've my tools here still—[Takes out Pistols.] 'Egad, I'll try and secure a little before these fellows come, and make a general sweep—Eh, [Looks out.] My made-up Fernando!
[Retires.
Enter Pedrillo.
Ped. He! he! he! Yes, my master has certainly married the little nunnery-girl—Ha! ha! ha! Alphonso to demand satisfaction of me! no, no, Don Fernando is a master for the gentlemen, I am a man for the ladies.
AIR XIX.—PEDRILLO.
A soldier I am for a lady, What beau was e'er arm'd completer? When face to face, Her chamber the place, I'm able and willing to meet her. Gad's curse, my dear lasses, I'm ready To give you all satisfaction; I am the man, For the crack of your fan, Tho' I die at your feet in the action. Your bobbins may beat up a row-de dow, Your lap-dog may out with his bow wow wow, The challenge in love, I take up the glove, Tho' I die at your feet in the action.
Spado [Advances.] That's a fine song, signor.
Ped. Hey! did you hear me sing?
Spado. I did, 'twas charming.
Ped. Then take a pinch of my macquabah.
[Offers, and Spado takes.
Spado. Now, signor, you'll please to discharge my little bill.
Ped. Bill! I don't owe you any—
Spado. Yes, you do, sir; recollect, didn't you ever hire any thing of me?
Ped. Me! no!
Spado. Oh, yes; I lent you the use of my two fine ears, to hear your song, and the use of my most capital nose, to snuff up your macquabah.
Ped. Eh! what the deuce, do you hire out your senses and organs, and—
Spado. Yes, and if you don't instantly pay the hire, I'll strike up a symphonia on this little barrel organ here.
[Shows a Pistol.
Ped. Hold, my dear sir—there—[Gives Money.]—I refuse to pay my debts!—Sir, I'm the most punctual—[Frightened.] But if you please, rather than hire them again, I'd chuse to buy your fine nose, and your capital ears, out and out.
Spado. Hark ye! [In a low Tone.] You owe your Donship to a finesse of mine, so mention this, and you are undone, sirrah!
Ped. Sir! [Frightened.] Dear sir! [Spado presents Pistol.]—Oh, lord, sir!
[Exit.
Spado. I suspect presently this house will be too hot for me, yet the devil tempts me strongly to venture in once more. If I could but pick up a few more little articles—Ecod, I'll venture, though I feel an ugly sort of tickling under my left ear—Oh, poor Spado.
[Exit.