The Castle of Andalusia Part 20

_Spado._ Hang'd! dear sir, 'twould be the death of me.

_Pedrillo._ [_Without._] Come along, my cara sposa--tol-de-rol--

_Enter PEDRILLO._

How do you do, boys and girls?--Zounds! my old master!

_Don Juan._ Pedrillo! hey-dey! here's finery!

_Ped._ I must brazen it out.--Ah, Don Juan, my worthy dad!

_Don Juan._ Why, what in the name of--but I'll beat you to a mummy, sirrah!

_Ped._ Don't do that--I'm going to be married to an heiress, so mustn't be beat to a mummy.--Stand before me, spouse.

[_Gets behind LORENZA._

_Don Juan._ Let me come at him.

_Spado._ Stay where you are, he don't want you.

_Don Fer._ Dear sir.

_Don Scipio._ Patience, Don Juan; your son has got my daughter--so our contract's fulfilled.

_Don Juan._ Yes, sir; but who is to satisfy me for your intended affront, hey?

_Don Scipio._ How shall I get out of this--I'll revenge all upon you, you little rascal! to prison you go--Here, a brace of alguazils, and a pair of handcuffs.

_Spado._ For me! the best friend you had in the world!

_Don Scipio._ Friend, you villain! that sha'n't save your neck.

_Spado._ Why, I've saved your throat.

_Don Scipio._ How, sirrah?

_Spado._ Only two of the banditti here in the castle, this morning.

_Don Scipio._ Oh, dear me!

_Spado._ But I got them out.

_Don Scipio._ How? how?

_Spado._ I told them they should come and murder you this evening.

_Don Scipio._ Much obliged to you.--Oh, lord!

[_A Crash and tumultuous Noise without; BANDITTI rush in, armed; DON CaeSAR at their Head--FERNANDO draws, and stands before VICTORIA._

_Band._ This way!

_Don Scipio._ Oh, ruin! I'm a miserable old man! Where's now my son, Don Caesar?--If I hadn't banished him, I should now have a protector in my child.

_Don Caesar._ Then you shall.--Hold! [_To BANDITTI._] My father!

[_Kneels to DON SCIPIO._

_Don Scipio._ How! My son, Don Caesar!

_Don Caesar._ Yes, sir; drove to desperation by--my follies were my own--but my vices----

_Don Scipio._ Were the consequence of my rigour.--My child! let these tears wash away the remembrance.

_Don Caesar._ My father! I am unworthy of this goodness.--I confess even now I entered this castle with an impious determination to extort by force--

_Sang._ Captain, we didn't come here to talk. Give the word for plunder.

_Band._ Ay, plunder!

[_Very tumultuous._

_Don Caesar._ Hold!

_Spado._ Ay, captain, let's have a choice rummaging.

[_c.o.c.ks his Pistol._

_Ped._ Oh, Lord! there's the barrel-organ!

_Don Caesar._ Stop! hold! I command you.

_Don Scipio._ Oh, heavens! then is Ramirez the terrible captain of the cut-throats--the grand tiger of the cave?--But all my fault! the unnatural parent should be punished in a rebellious child. My life is yours.

_Don Caesar._ And I'll preserve it as my own.--Retire, and wait your orders.

[_Exeunt all BANDITTI but SPADO._

_Don Scipio_ What, then, you won't let me be murdered. My dear boy! my darling! Forgive me!--I--I--I pardon all.

_Don Caesar._ Then, sir, I shall first beg it for my companions; if reclaimed, by the example of their leader, their future lives will show them worthy of mercy; if not, with mine let them be forfeit to the hand of justice.

_Don Scipio._ Some, I believe, may go up--Eh, little Spado, could you dance upon nothing?

_Spado._ Yes, sir; but our captain, your son, must lead up the ball.

[_Bows low._