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._