"Silence! the President! charge your

glasses,

"Bumpers! bumpers! now the Lasses!
"Fill him-I see skylight here!

"Buz! off with your heel-taps there!
"Fine Mr. Vice, he's making an oration,
"And company is spoil'd by conversation.
"Huzza! the Navy! go it! three times
three!

"And now a song from lawyer Lancery,
"Gentlemen, I can't sing; but I will
read you a bill in Chancery."
And then you may cry,

'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.
Say-treason-villainy and ruin's near.
Exeunt, LOPEZ and Soldiers; GOMEZ looking after them.
MARCHIONESS, (aside to Rosa.)

Those open gates invite me.
And danger cannot fright me ;-
For to my love I fly.

ROSA.

Go, go, and I'll detain

This timid ancient swain ;
And succour you or die.

MARCHIONESS and JULIO enter the castle, unseen by Don Gomez.

DON GOMEZ, (turning round.)

Revenge inspires me,

And madness fires me !
Oh! by this hand the Marquis falls!

(Rushing towards the Castle.)

Rosa, kneeling and stopping him,

Ah! have pity on a stranger!
Help her in the hour of danger!
See, see, a wretched woman calls.

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!
(Faints in Don Gomez's arms.)
NAVARRO, and SOLDIERS. (without.)
We come, my gallant governor,
To banish your alarms!-
Oh! here's a modest governor,-
A damsel in his arms!

ROSA.

I thank you all, kind gentlemen,
That thus my state befriended,
He's such a wicked governor,
I know not where't had ended.

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