[_Aside._

_Spado._ I'll convince him I know his secrets, and then I hold his purse-strings.

_Don Alph._ You won't betray me?

_Spado._ Honour among thieves.

_Don Alph._ Then you must know, when your gang attacked me yesterday evening--

_Spado._ You were posting full gallop to Don Scipio's castle, on the confines of the forest here.

_Don Alph._ Hey! then perhaps you know my pa.s.sion for--

_Spado._ Donna Victoria, his daughter.

_Don Alph._ Then you know that she's contracted--

_Spado._ To your friend Don Fernando de Zelva, who is now on his journey to the castle, and, to the destruction of your hopes, weds the lady on his arrival.

_Don Alph._ True, while I am pent up in this cursed cavern; but how you got my story, I----

_Spado._ No matter! I could let you out of this cursed cavern.

_Don Alph._ And will you?

_Spado._ Ah, our trap-door above requires a golden key.

_Don Alph._ Your comrades have not left me a piastre.

_Spado._ Will you give me an order on your father's bank for fifty pieces, and I'll let you out?

_Don Alph._ You shall have it.

_Spado._ A bargain. I'll secure your escape.

_Enter DON CaeSAR, behind._

_Don Caesar._ How's this?

_Spado._ Zounds, the captain Ramirez! [_Aside._]--Ay, you dog, I'll secure you for an escape! Do you think I'd set you at liberty without the captain's orders? Betray my trust for a bribe! What the devil do you take me for? [_In a seeming rage._] Oh, captain, I did not see you.

_Don Caesar._ What's the matter?

_Spado._ Nothing, only our prisoner here was mistaken in his man--that's all. Let you escape, indeed!

_Don Alph._ Here's a rascal!

_Spado._ Rascal! D'ye hear him? He has been abusing me this half hour, because I would not convey him out without your knowledge. Oh, what offers he did make me! but my integrity is proof against Gallions, Escurials, Perus, and Mexicos.

_Don Caesar._ Begone instantly to your comrades. [_SPADO ascends._]

Signor, no occasion to tamper with my companions; you shall owe your liberty to none but me. I'll convey you to the cottage of the vines, belonging to the peasant Philippo, not far from Don Scipio's castle; there you may rest in safety to-night, and--

_Don Alph._ Ah, captain! no rest for me.

_Don Caesar._ Look ye, signor, I am a ruffian, perhaps worse, but venture to trust me.--A picklock may be used to get to a treasure--don't wish to know more of me than I now chuse to tell you; but, if your mistress loves you as well as you seem to love her, to-morrow night she's yours.

_Don Alph._ My good friend!

_Don Caesar._ Now for Philippo--I don't suppose you wish to see any of our work above--ha! ha! ha!--Well, well, I was once a lover, but now--

AIR IV.--DON CaeSAR.

_On by the spur of valour goaded,_ _Pistols primed, and carbines loaded,_ _Courage strikes on hearts of steel;_ _While each spark,_ _Through the dark_ _Gloom of night,_ _Lends a clear and cheering light,_ _Who a fear or doubt can feel?_

_Like serpents now, through thickets creeping,_ _Then on our prey, like lions, leaping!_ _Calvette to the onset leads us,_ _Let the wand'ring trav'ler dread us!_ _Struck with terror and amaze,_ _While our swords with lightning blaze._

[Thunder.

_Thunder to our carbines roaring,_ _Bursting clouds in torrents pouring,_ _Each a free and roving blade,_ _Ours a free and roving trade,_ _To the onset let's away,_ _Valour calls, and we obey._

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

_A Forest._

_A stormy Night._

_Enter DON FERNANDO._

_Don Fer._ Pedrillo! [_Calling._] What a dreadful night, and horrid place to be benighted! Pedrillo!--I fear I've lost my servant; but by the pace I rode since I left Ecceija, Don Scipio's castle can't be very far distant: this was to have been my wedding night, if I arrived there. Pedrillo! Pedrillo!

[_Calling._

_Ped._ [_Within_] Sir!

_Don Fer._ Where are you, sirrah?

_Ped._ Quite astray, sir.

_Don Fer._ This way.

_Enter PEDRILLO, groping his way._

_Ped._ Any body's way, for I have lost my own.--Do you see me, sir?

_Don Fer._ No indeed, Pedrillo!