The Castle of Andalusia Part 17

_Ped._ Oh, for some sweet sounds! signora, if you'll sing me a song, I'll stay and hear it, I'm so civil.

_Lor._ With pleasure, sir.

AIR XVI.--LORENZA.

_Heart beating,_ _Repeating,_ _Vows in palpitation,_ _Sweetly answers each fond hope;_ _Pr'ythee leave me,_ _You'll deceive me,_ _After other beauties running,_ _Smiles so roguish, eyes so cunning,_ _Show where points the inclination._

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

_A Gallery of the Castle._

_Enter FERNANDO, ALPHONSO, and VICTORIA._

_Don Fer._ Give me joy, Alphonso; Father Bened.i.c.k, in this dear and wished-for union, has this moment made me the happiest of mankind.

_Don Alph._ Then it is certain all you have told me of my Victoria?

_Vict._ True, indeed, Alphonso, that name really belongs to me.

_Don Alph._ No matter, as neither lineage, name, or fortune, caught my heart, let her forfeit all, she is still dear to her Alphonso.

_Don Fer._ Courage, Alphonso--I'll answer you shall be no exception to the general joy of this happy night.

_Don Alph._ Happy, indeed, if blest with my Lorenza.

AIR XVII.--ALPHONSO.

_Come, ye hours, with bliss replete,_ _Bear me to my charmer's feet!_ _Cheerless winter must I prove,_ _Absent from, the maid I love;_ _But the joys our meetings bring,_ _Show the glad return of spring._

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

_A View of the Outside of the Castle, with Moat and Drawbridge._

_Enter DON CaeSAR and SPADO._

_Don Caesar._ You gave my letter to the lady?

_Spado._ Yes, I did, Captain Ramirez.

_Don Caesar._ Lucky, she knows me only by that name.

[_Aside._

_Spado._ A love-affair, hey,--Oh, sly!

_Don Caesar._ Hus.h.!.+ 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 Caesar._ 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 CaeSAR.

_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 a.s.sistance._ _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 CaeSAR._

_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 la.s.ses, 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?