Don Alph. Hey! then perhaps you know my passion for

Spado. Donna Victoria, his daughter.

Don Alph. Then you know that she's contractedSpado. To your friend Don Fernando de Zelva, who is now on his journey to the castle, and to the destruction of your hopes, weds the lady on his arrival.

Don Alph. True, while I am pent up in this cursed cavern; but how you got my story, I

Spado. No matter! I could let you out of this cursed cavern.

Don Alph. And will you?

Spado. Ah, our trap-door above requires a golden key.

Don Alph. Your comrades have not left me a piastre.

Spado. Will you give me an order on your father's bank for fifty pieces, and I'll let you out?

Don Alph. You shall have it.

Spado. A bargain. I'll secure your escape.

Enter DON CESAR, behind.

Don Cæsar. How's this?

Spado. Zounds, the captain Ramirez! [Aside.]— Aye, you dog, I'll secure you from an escape! Do you think I'd set you at liberty without the captain's orders? Betray my trust for a bribe! What the devil do you take me for? [In a seeming rage.] Oh, captain, I did'nt see you.

Don Cæsar. What's the matter?

Spado. Nothing, only our prisoner here was mistaken in his man- -that's all. Let you escape, indeed.

Don Alph. Here's a rascal?

Spado. Rascal! D'ye hear him? He has been abusing me this half hour, because I would not convey him out without your knowledge. Oh, what

C

offers he did make me! but my integrity is proof against Gallions, Escurials, Perus, and Mexicos.

Don Casar. Begone instantly to your comrades. [SPADO ascends.] Signor, no occasion to tamper with my companions; you shall owe your liberty to none I'll convey you to the cottage of the vines, belonging to the peasant Philippo, not far from Don Scipio's castle; there you may rest in safety to-night,

but me.

and

Don Alph. Ah, captain! no rest for me.

Don Cæsar. Lookye, signor, I am a ruffian, perhaps worse, but venture to trust me.-A picklock may be used to get to a treasure-don't wish to know more of me than I now chuse to tell you; but, if your mistress loves you as well as you seem to love her, to-morrow night she's yours.

Don Alph. My good friend!

Don Casar. Now for Philippo-I don't suppose you wish to see any of our work above-ha! haha! -Well, well, I was once a lover, but now

AIR IV.DON CESAR.

On by the spur of valour goaded,
Pistols prim'd, and carbines loaded,
Courage strikes on hearts of steel;
While each spark,

Through the dark

Gloom of night,

Lends a clear and cheering light,

Who a fear or doubt can feel?

Lake serpents now, through thickets creeping,
Then on our prey, like lions, leaping!
Calvette to the onset leads us,

Let the wand'ring trav'ler dread us!
Struck with terror and amaze,

While our swords with lightning blaze. [Thunder