_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._