The Castle of Andalusia - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
_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._
