I told Zerbino and Dulcie to lie down, and I began to sing my canzonetta. Never did I try so hard to please.
I had reached the end of the second line, when I saw a man in a round jacket, and I felt that he was coming towards me. At last! I tried to sing with even more fervor.
“Hello, what are you doing here, young rogue?” he cried.
I stopped, amazed at his words, and watched him coming nearer, with my mouth open.
“What are you doing here, I say?”
“Singing, sir.”
“Have you got permission to sing on a public square in our village?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, be off; if you don’t I’ll have you arrested.”
“But, sir…”