The Castle of Andalusia Part 10

_Don Scipio._ Ay, ay, take care of them.

_Spado._ Yes, sir, I'll take care of them!

_Don Scipio._ Ha! ha! ha! what a strange whimsical fellow this master of yours! with his plots and disguises.--Think to impose upon me too.--But I think I'm far from a fool.

_Spado._ [_Looking archly at him._] That's more than I am.

_Don Scipio._ So he pretends not to know you, though he has sent you here as a spy, to see what you can pick up?

_Spado._ Yes, sir, I came here to see what I can pick up.

[_Takes up the Portmanteau._

_Don Scipio._ What an honest servant!--he has an eye to every thing!

[_Exit DON SCIPIO._

_Spado._ But before I turn honest, I must get somewhat to keep me so.

AIR X.--SPADO.

_In the forest here hard by,_ _A bold robber late was I,_ _Sword and blunderbuss in hand,_ _When I bid a trav'ler stand;_ _Zounds, deliver up your cash,_ _Or straight I'll pop and slash,_ _All among the leaves so green-o!_ _Damme, sir,_ _If you stir,_ _Sluice your veins,_ _Blow your brains,_ _Hey down,_ _Ho down,_ _Derry, derry down,_ _All amongst the leaves so green-o._

II.

_Soon I'll quit the roving trade,_ _When a gentleman I'm made;_ _Then so spruce and debonnaire,_ _'Gad, I'll court a lady fair;_ _How I'll prattle, tattle, chat,_ _How I'll kiss her, and all that,_ _All amongst the leaves so green-o!_ _How d'ye do?_ _How are you?_ _Why so coy?_ _Let us toy,_ _Hey down,_ _Ho down,_ _Derry, derry down,_ _All amongst the leaves so green-o._

III.

_But ere old, and grey my pate,_ _I'll sc.r.a.pe up a snug estate:_ _With my nimbleness of thumbs,_ _I'll soon b.u.t.ter all my crumbs._ _When I'm justice of the peace,_ _Then I'll master many a lease,_ _All amongst the leaves so green-o._ _Wig profound,_ _Belly round,_ _Sit at ease,_ _s.n.a.t.c.h the fees,_ _Hey down,_ _Ho down,_ _Derry, derry down,_ _All amongst the leaves so green-o._

[_Exit._

SCENE II.

_An Apartment._

_Enter DON FERNANDO._

_Don Fer._ A wild scheme of my father's, to think of an alliance with this mad family; yes, Don Scipio's brain is certainly touched beyond cure, his daughter, my cara sposa of Italy, don't suit my idea of what a wife should be--no, the lovely novice, this poor relation of Dame Isabel, has caught my heart. I'm told to-morrow she's to be immured in a convent; what if I ask Dame Isabel, if--but she, and indeed Don Scipio, carry themselves very strangely towards me--I can't imagine what's become of my rascal Pedrillo.

_Enter PEDRILLO, in an elegant Morning Gown, Cap and Slippers._

_Ped._ Strange, the respect I meet in this family. I hope we don't take horse after my master's wedding. I should like to marry here myself,--before I unrobe I'll attack one of the maids!--Faith, a very modish dress to go courting in,--hide my livery, and I am quite gallant.

_Don Fer._ Oh here's a gentleman I ha'n't seen before!

_Ped._ Tol de rol!

_Don Fer._ Pray, sir, may I--Pedrillo, [_Surprised._] where have you--hey! what, ha! ha! ha! what's the matter with you?

_Ped._ Matter!--Why, sir, I don't know how it was, but somehow or other last night, I happened to sit down to a supper of only twelve covers, cracked two bottles of choice wine, slept in an embroider'd bed, where I sunk in down, and lay till this morning like a diamond in cotton.--So, indeed, sir, I don't know what's the matter with me.

_Don Fer._ I can't imagine how, or what it all means.

_Ped._ Why, sir, Don Scipio, being a gentleman of discernment, perceives my worth, and values it.

_Don Fer._ Then, sir, if you are a gentleman of such prodigious merit, be so obliging, with submission to your cap and gown, as to--pull off my boots.

_Enter VASQUEZ._

_Vas._ Sir, the ladies wait breakfast for you.

[_To PEDRILLO, with great respect._

_Don Fer._ My respects, I attend them.

_Vas._ You! I mean his honour here.

_Ped._ Oh, you mean my honour here.

_Don Fer._ Well, but perhaps, my good friend, I may like a dish of chocolate as well as his honour here.

_Vas._ Chocolate, ha! ha! ha!

[_With a sneer._

_Fed._ Chocolate, ha! ha! ha!

_Don Fer._ I'll teach you to laugh, sirrah!

[_Beats PEDRILLO._

_Ped._ Teach me to laugh! you may be a good master, but you've a very bad method--But, hey for chocolate and the ladies.

[_Exeunt PEDRILLO and VASQUEZ._

_Don Fer._ Don Scipio shall render me an account for this treatment; bear his contempt, and become the b.u.t.t for the jests of his insolent servants! As I don't like his daughter, I have now a fair excuse, and indeed a just cause, to break my contract, and quit his castle; but then, I leave behind the mistress of my soul--Suppose I make her a tender of my heart--but that might offend, as she must know my hand is engaged to another--When I looked, she turned her lovely eyes averted--Doom'd to a nunnery!

AIR XI.--FERNANDO.

_My fair one, like the blushing rose,_ _Can sweets to every sense disclose:_ _Those sweets I'd gather, but her scorn_ _Then wounds me like the sharpest thorn._

_With sighs each grace and charm I see_ _Thus doom'd to wither on the tree,_ _Till age shall chide the thoughtless maid,_ _When all those blooming beauties fade._