"Silence! the President! charge your glasses, "Bumpers! bumpers! now the Lasses! "Buz! off with your heel-taps there! "And now a song from lawyer Lancery, 'Tis for drinking I die. So noisy old Baechus good bye. Re-Enter MARCHIONESS, and JULIO. MARCHIONESS. Oh, Rosa All's lost. The castle is so closely guarded, no entrance can be gained and passing yonder battlements, I heard the sentinels in earnest talk; and dreadful to reveal! there words were, "death and Calatrava." (A muffled drum beats within the castle.) Hark what means that drum. BLABBO. Ay, Pedro-what means that drum ? PEDRO. Means; they are preparing for the execution of the Marquis de Calatrava. And so good night. MARCHIONESS MARCHIONESS. Oh! support, support me, Heaven! BLABBO. Stop Pedro-In what part of the castle is the Marquis now confined. PEDRO. There, adjoining the Governor's bed-chamber. BLABBO. Oh that's the Governor's bed-chamber, is it? Very well! very well! and, d'ye hear, Pedro ; take care of your favourite Carlo for half an hour. Thanks, good night. Exit PEDRO. And now, Madam, don't be cast down; for tho' force won't assist us, stratagem may; and if I can but get the Governor out of the castle and myself into it, you still shall boast the best of husbands, your child the best of fathers, and I the best of wives: for Rosa shall reward me with her hand, and we shall be a very happy handsome couple. ROSA. Ay, save but the Marquis, and I'll be Donna Blabbo before Mattins. BLABBO. Will you? Then here goes. (kisses her.) QUINTETTO, DON GOMEZ, NAVARRO. BLABBO, MARCHIONESS, ROSA. And SOLDIERS. BLABB. (Knocking loudly at the Castle-Gate.) Bang-Bang Bang-Fire! fire! fire! ROSA. Peace, Blabbo, you'll alarm the foe. BLABBO, (knocking again.) Hush! 'prithee, hush!-Fire! fire! fire! Do GOMEZ, (at the window in his night-cap and bed-gown :) Help!-fix the ladder there below! (throwing out the Ladder.) BLABBO. fixing the Ladder.) Hark! the roof falls-quick, quick, descend! GOMEZ. I come, I come, my generous friend,(Descends and comes forward in a great fright.Blabbo directly ascends-gets in at the window-nods to Rosa, and takes the ladder with him.) DON GOMEZ. So, who have I to thank ? ROSA, (coming before him.) Ha! ha!-me, sir, me. DON DON GOMEZ. You! pshaw ! where's-(looking round) ha! What? no flames I see ! Nor ladder, now ROSA. No sir, 'tis burnt, I fear. DON GOMEZ. Guards!-guards!-go call Navarro here. Enter LOPEZ and Soldiers, from the Castle. Those open gates invite me. ROSA. Go, go, and I'll detain This timid ancient swain ; MARCHIONESS and JULIO enter the castle, unseen by Don Gomez. DON GOMEZ, (turning round.) Revenge inspires me, And madness fires me ! (Rushing towards the Castle.) Rosa, kneeling and stopping him, Ah! have pity on a stranger! DON DON GOMEZ. Away! stand by-you die if you resist me. (trying to pass her.) Rosa, (rising) Then all is lost-I faint, sir-pray assist me! ROSA. I thank you all, kind gentlemen, DON GOMEZ. 'Tis false ! ROSA. ?Tis true! DON GOMEZ. Jade Jezabel! ROSA, AND SOLDIERS. Oh! here's a modest governor ; A damsel in his arms! DON |