AIR I. AND CHORUS.
Don Cæsar. Here we sons of freedom dwell,
In our friendly, rock-hewn cell;
Pleasure's dictates we obey,
Nature points us out the way,
Ever social, great and free,
Valour guards our liberty.
AIR.
Don Cæsar. Of severe and partial laws,
Venal judges, Alguazils;
Dreary dungeons' iron jaws,
Oar and gibbet—whips or wheels,
Let's never think
While thus me drink
Sweet Muscadine!
O life divine!
Chorus.—Here we sons of freedom dwell, &c.
Don Cæsar. Come, cavaliers, our carbines are loaded, our hearts are light: charge your glasses, Bacchus gives the word, and a volley makes us immortal as the rosy god.—Fire!
Spado. Ay, captain, this is noble firing—Oh, I love a volley of grape-shot.—Are we to have any sky-light in our cave?
[Looking at Sanguino's Glass.
Don Cæsar. Oh, no! a brimmer round.—Come, a good booty to us to-night.
[All drink.
Spado. Booty! Oh, I love to rob a fat priest.—Stand, says I, and then I knock him down.
Sang. My nose bleeds. [Looks at his Handkerchief.] I wonder what colour is a coward's blood?
Spado. Don't you see it's red?
Sang. Ha! call me coward, [Rises in fury.] sirrah? Captain! cavaliers!—But this scar on my forehead contradicts the miscreant.
Spado. Scar on your forehead!—Ay, you will look behind you, when you run away.
Sang. I'll stab the villain—[Draws Stilletto.]—I will, by Heaven.
Don Cæsar. Pho, Sanguino! you know when a jest offers, Spado regards neither time, place, nor person.
All. [Interposing.] Don't hurt little Spado.
Spado. [Hiding behind.] No, don't hurt little Spado.
Sang. Run away! Armies have confessed my valour: the time has been—but no matter.
[Sits.
Don Cæsar. Come, away with reflection on the past, or care for the future; the present is the golden moment of possession.—Let us enjoy it.
All. Ay, ay, let us enjoy it.
Don Cæsar. You know, cavaliers, when I entered into this noble fraternity, I boasted only of a little courage sharpened by necessity, the result of my youthful follies, a father's severity, and the malice of a good-natured dame.
Spado. Captain, here's a speedy walk-off to old women.
All. [Drink] Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Don Cæsar. When you did me the honour to elect me your captain, two conditions I stipulated:——Though at war with the world abroad, unity and social mirth should preside over our little commonwealth at home.
Spado. Yes, but Sanguino's for no head—he'll have ours a commonwealth of fists and elbows.
Don Cæsar. The other, unless to preserve your own lives, never commit a murder.
Spado. I murdered since that——a bishop's coach-horse.
All. Ha! ha! ha!
Don Cæsar. Hand me that red wine.