Enter PHILIPPO, with a Letter and Basket,

Phil. Signor, are you Don Fernando de Zelva?
Ped. Yes, boy.

Phil. Here's a letter for you, sir, from Don Alphonso.

Ped. I don't know any Don Alphonso, boy. What's the letter about?

Phil. I think, sir, 'tis to invite you to a feast.

Ped. A feast!—Oh, I recollect now-Don Alphonso, what! my old acquaintance! give it me, boy.

Phil. But, are you sure, sir, you're Don Fernando?

Ped. Sure, you dog!-don't you think I know myself?-let's see, let's see-[Opens the Letter, and reads.] Signor, though you seem ready to fall on to a love-feast, I hope a small repast in the field won't spoil your stomach-Oh, this is only a snack before supper-I shall be at six o'clock this evening-You dog, it's past six now-in the meadow, near the cottage of the vines, where I expect you'll meet me---Oh dear, I shall be too late! As you aspire to Donna Victoria, your sword must be long enough to reach my heart, Alphonso. My sword long enough! [Frightened.] Oh, the devil!Feast! Zounds, this is a downright challenge!

Phil. I beg your pardon, signor, but if I had'nt met my sweetheart, Catilina, you would have had that letter two hours ago.

Ped. Oh, you have given it time enough, my brave boy.

it.

Phil. Well, sir, you'll come?

Ped. Eh! Yes, I dare say he'll come.

Phil. He!

Ped. Yes, I'll give it him, my brave boy,

Phil. Him! Sir, didn't you say you were

Ped. Never fear, child, Don Fernando shall have

Phil. Why, sir, an't you Don Fernando?

Ped. Me! not I, child-no, no, I'm not Fernando, but, my boy, I would go to the feast, but you have de layed the letter so long, that I have quite lost my stomach-Go, my fine boy.

Phil. Sir, I

Ped. Go along, child, go! [Pats PHILIPPO off.] however, Don Fernando shall attend you-but here comes my sposa→

Enter LORENZA, reading a Letter.

Dearest LORENZA,

By accident I heard of your being in the castleIf you don't wish to be the instrument of your mother's imposition, an impending blow, which means you no harm, this night shall discover an important secret, relative to him, who desires to resign even life itself, if not your

RAMIREZ.

My love! [Kisses the Letter.] I wish to be nothing, if not your Lorenza; this foolish Fernando! [Looking at PEDRILLO.] but, ha! ha! ha! I'll amuse myself with him-looks tolerably now he's dressed-not so agreeable as my discarded lover Alphonso, though. [Aside. Ped. I'll accost her with elegance-How do you do, signora?

Lor. Very well, sir, at your service.-Dresses exactly like Prince Radifocani.

Ped. Now I'll pay her a fine compliment-Signora, you're a clever little body-Will you sit down, signora ? [Hands a Chair.

Lor. So polite too!

Ped. Oh, I admire politeness.

[Sits.

Lor. This would not be good manners in Florence, though.

Ped. Oh! [Rises.] I beg pardon-Well, sit in that

chair; I'll assure you, Donna Victoria, I don't grudge a little trouble for the sake of good manners. [Places another Chair. Lor. Voi cette motto gentile. [Courtesies, Ped. Yes, I sit on my seat genteelly-I find I understand a good deal of Italian-Now to court her, hem! hem what shall I say? Hang it, I wish my master had gone through the whole business, to the very drawing of the curtains.--I believe I ought to kneel though-[Aside.-Kneels.]-Oh, you most beautiful goddess, you angelic angel! [Repeats.

For you, my fair, I'd be a rose,

To bloom beneath that comely nose ;
Or, you the flower, and I the bee,
My sweets I'd sip from none but thee.
Was I a pen, you paper white,
Ye gods, what billet-doux I'd write!
My lips the seal, what am'rous smacks
I'd print on yours, if sealing-wax.
No more I'll say, you stop my breath,
My only life, you'll be my death.

Well said, little Pedrillo!

[Rises.

[Wipes his Knees. Lor. There is something in Don Fernando's pastion extremely tender, though romantic and extravaganza.

Ped. Oh, for some sweet sounds, signora, if you'll sing me a song, I'll stay and hear it, I'm so civil. Lor. With pleasure, sir.

AIR XVIII.-LORENZA,

Heart beating,

Repeating,

Vows in palpitation,

Sweetly answers each fond hope;

Pythee leave me,

You'll deceive me,

After other beauties running,

Smiles so roguish, eyes so cunning,
Show where points the inclination.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IT.

A Gallery of the Castle.

Enter FERNANDO, ALPHONSO, and VICTORIA.

Don Fer. Give me joy, Alphonso; Father Benedick, in this dear and wished for union, has this moment made me the the happiest of mankind.

of

Don Alph. Then, it is certain all you have told me my Victoria?

Vict. True, indeed, Alphonso, that name really belongs to me.

Don Alph. No matter, as neither lineage, name, or fortune, caught my heart, let her forfeit all, she is still dear to her Alphonso.

Don Fer. Courage, Alphonso-I'll answer you shall be no exception to the general joy of this happy night.

Don Alph. Happy, indeed, if blest with my Lo

renza.

AIR XIX.-ALPHONSO,

Come, ye hours, with bliss replete,
Bear me to my charmer's feet!
Cheerless winter must I prove,
Absent from the maid I love;
But the joys our meetings bring,
Show the glad return of spring.

[Exeunt,

SCENE III.

A View of the Outside of the Castle, with Moat and Drawbridge.

Enter DON CESAR and SPADO.

Dom Cæsar. You gave my letter to the lady?
Spado. Yes, I did, Captain Ramirez.

Don Cæsar. Lucky, she knows me only by that

name.

Spado. A love-affair, hey,-Oh, sly!

[Aside.

Don Casar. Hush! Mind you let us all in by the little wicket in the east rampart.

Spado. I'll let you in, captain, and a banditti is like a cat, where the head can get in, the body will follow.

Don Cæsar. Soft! Letting down the drawbridge for me now, may attract observation. [Looks out.] Yonder I can get across the moat.

Spado. But, captain! [Calling.] My dear captain! If you fall into the water, you may take cold, my dear sir,-I wish you were at the bottom, with a stone about your neck!

AIR XX.-DON CESAR.

At the peaceful midnight hour,
Ev'ry sense, and ev'ry pow'r,

Fetter'd lies in downy sleep;
Then our careful watch we keep,
While the wolf, in nightly prowl,
Bays the moon, with hideous howl,

[Aside.