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 nobody 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 pass 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. Noble, 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 passion: 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.
Spado. O, ho! [Aside.]—What, I have saved your purse, as well as your precious life! Well, of a poor fellow, I am the luckiest dog in all Spain.
Don Scipio. Poor! Good friend, accept this purse, as a small token of my gratitude.
Spado. Nay, dear sir!
Don Scipio. You shall take it.
Spado. Lord, I am so awkward at taking a purse.
[Takes it.
Don Scipio. Hey, if I could find my cane too;—I dropped it somewhere hereabouts, when I drew to defend myself.
[Looking about.
Spado. Zounds! I fancy here comes the real conqueror—no matter—I've got the spoils of the field.
[Aside—Chinks the Purse, and retires.
Don Scipio. Ah, my amber-headed cane!
[Still looking about.
Enter Don Fernando.
Don Fer. The villains!
Don Scipio. Ay, you made them fly like pigeons, my little game-cock!
Don Fer. Oh, I fancy this is the gentleman that was attacked. Not hurt, I hope, sir?
Don Scipio. No, I'm a tough old blade—Oh, gadso, well thought on—feel if there's a ring in the purse, it's a relic of my deceased lady, it's with some regret I ask you to return it.
Don Fer. Return what, sir?
Don Scipio. A ring you'll find in the purse.
Don Fer. Ring and purse! really, sir, I don't understand you.
Don Scipio. Well, well, no matter—A mercenary fellow!
[Aside.
Don Fer. The old gentleman has been robbed, and is willing that I should reimburse his losses.
[Aside.
Don Scipio. It grows lighter: I think I can distinguish the path I lost—follow me, my hero, and [As going, suddenly turns, and looks steadfastly at Don Fernando.] Zounds, signor, I hope you are not in a passion, but I think you look six feet high again.
Don Fer. A strange, mad old fellow this!
[Aside.
Don Scipio. These rascals may rally, so come along to my castle, and my daughter Victoria shall welcome the preserver of her father.
Don Fer. Your daughter Victoria! Then, perhaps, sir, you are Don Scipio, my intended father-in-law?
Don Scipio. Eh! why, zounds! is it possible that you can be my expected son, Fernando?
Don Fer. The same, sir; and was on my journey to your castle, when benighted in the forest here.
Don Scipio. Oh, my dear boy! [Embraces him.] Damned mean of him to take my purse though—[Aside.] Ah, Fernando, you were resolved to touch some of your wife's fortune before-hand.
Don Fer. Sir—I—
Don Scipio. Hush! You have the money, and keep it—ay, and the ring too; I'm glad it's not gone out of the family—Hey, it grows lighter—Come—
Don Fer. My rascal Pedrillo is fallen asleep somewhere.
Don Scipio. No, we are not safe here—Come then, my dear—brave, valiant—Cursed paltry to take my purse though.
[Aside.—Exeunt.
Spado. [Who had been listening, advances.] So, then, our old gentleman is father to Victoria, my young banker Alphonso's mistress, and the other is Fernando, his dreaded rival—this is the first time they ever saw each other too—He has a servant too, and his name Pedrillo—a thought strikes me; if I could, by cross paths, but get to the castle before them, I'll raise a most delicious commotion—In troubled waters I throw my fishing-hook—[Whistle without.]—Excuse me, gentlemen, I'm engaged.
[Exit—A distant Whistle heard without.