[_Lightning._

_Ped._ You saw me then, sir. [_Thunder._] Ah, this must frighten the mules, they'll break their bridles; I tied the poor beasts to a tree.

_Don Fer._ Well, we may find them in the morning, if they escape the banditti, which I am told infests this forest.

_Ped._ Banditti! [_A shot without._] Ah! we are dead men.

_Don Fer._ Somebody in trouble!

_Ped._ No, somebody's troubles are over.

_Don Fer._ Draw and follow me, Pedrillo.

_Ped._ Lord, sir! ha'n't we troubles enough of our own?

_Don Fer._ Follow! Who can deny a.s.sistance to his fellow creature in distress?

[_Draws._--_Exit._

_Ped._ What fine creatures these gentlemen are!--But for me, I am a poor, mean, rascally servant--so I'll even take my chance with the mules.

AIR V.--PEDRILLO.

_A master I have, and I am his man,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _And he'll get a wife as fast as he can,_ _With a haily, gaily, gambo raily,_ _Giggling, niggling,_ _Galloping galloway, draggle tail, dreary dun._

_I saddled his steed so fine and so gay,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _I mounted my mule, and we rode away,_ _With our haily, &c._

_We canter'd along until it grew dark,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _The nightingale sung instead of the lark,_ _With her, &c._

_We met with a friar, and ask'd him our way,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _By the Lord, says the friar, you're both gone astray,_ _With your, &c._

_Our journey, I fear, will do us no good,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _We wander alone, like the babes in the wood,_ _With our, &c._

_My master is fighting, and I'll take a peep,_ _Galloping, dreary, dun,_ _But now I think better, I'd better go sleep,_ _With my, &c._

[Exit.

SCENE III.

_A thicker Part of the Forest.--Large Tree and Stone Cross._

_Enter DON SCIPIO, attacked by SANGUINO, RAPINO, and CALVETTE._

_Sang._ Now, Rapino, lop off his sword-arm.

_Don Scipio._ Forbear! there's my purse, you rascals!

[_Throws it down._

_Sang._ Fire!

_Spado._ [_Peeping from the large Tree._] No, don't fire.

_Sang._ I am wounded--hew him to pieces.

[_As DON SCIPIO is nearly overpowered_,

_Enter DON FERNANDO>._

_Don Fer._ Ha! what murderous ruffians!

[_Engages the BANDITTI, who precipitately disperse several ways._

_Spado._ Holloa! the forest is surrounded with inquisitors, alguazils, corrigidores, and holy fathers.

_Don Scipio._ Oh, I hav'n't fought so much these twenty years!

_Spado._ Eh, we have lost the field, cursed dark; though I think I could perceive but one man come to the relief of our old Don here.

_Don Scipio._ But where are you, signor? Approach, my brave deliverer.

_Spado._ So, here's a victory, and n.o.body to claim it! I think I'll go down and pick up the laurel. [_Descends from the Tree._] I'll take the merit of this exploit, I may get something by it.

_Don Scipio._ I long to thank, embrace, worship this generous stranger, as my guardian angel.

_Spado._ [_Aside._] I may pa.s.s for this angel in the dark--Villains!

scoundrels! robbers! to attack an honest old gentleman on the king's highway!--but I made the dogs scamper!

[_Vapouring about._

_Don Scipio._ Oh dear! this is my preserver!

_Spado._ Who's there! Oh, you are the worthy old gentleman I rescued from these rascal banditti.

_Don Scipio._ n.o.ble, valiant stranger--I--

_Spado._ No thanks, signor; I have saved your life; and a good action rewards itself.

_Don Scipio._ A gallant fellow, 'faith--Eh, as well as I could distinguish in the dark, you looked much taller just now.

[_Looking close at him._

_Spado._ When I was fighting? true, anger raises me--I always appear six foot in a pa.s.sion: besides, my hat and plume added to my height.

_Don Scipio._ [_By Accident treading on the Purse._] Hey, the rogues have run off without my purse too.