Act II, Scene 1

[In Zalamea.]

[Enter DON MENDO and NUÑO.]

MEN.
Who told you all this?

NUÑ.
Ginesa, her wench.

MEN.
That, whether that riot in the house were by accident or design, the captain has ended by being really in love with Isabel.

NUÑ.
So as he has as little of comfort in his quarters as we of eatable in ours—ever under her window, sending her messages and tokens by a nasty little soldier of his.

MEN.
Enough, enough of your poisoned news.

NUÑ.
Especially on an empty stomach.

MEN.
Be serious, Nuño. And how does Isabel answer him?

NUÑ.
As she does you. Bless you, she’s meat for your masters.

MEN.
Rascal! This to me! (Strikes him.)

NUÑ.
There! two of my teeth you’ve knockt out, I believe: to be sure they weren’t of much use in your service.

MEN.
By Heaven, I’ll do so to that captain, if—

NUÑ.
Take care, he’s coming, sir.

MEN.
(aside to NUÑO) This duel shall be now—though night be advancing on—before discretion come to counsel milder means. Come, and help me arm.

NUÑ.
Lord bless me, sir, what arms have you got except the coat over the door?

MEN.
In my armoury I doubt not are some pieces of my ancestors that will fit their descendant.

[Exeunt.]

[Enter Captain, Sergeant, and REBOLLEDO.]

CAPT.
I tell you my love is not a fancy; but a passion, a tempest, a volcano.

SERG.
What a pity it is you ever set eyes on the girl!

CAPT.
What answer did the servant give you?

SERG.
Nay, sir, I have told you.

CAPT.
That a country wench should stand upon her virtue as if she were a lady!

SERG.
This sort of girls, captain, don’t understand gentlemen’s ways. If a strapping lout in their own line of life courted them in their own way, they’d hear and answer quick enough. Besides, you really expect too much, that a decent woman should listen after one day’s courtship to a lover who is perhaps to leave her to-morrow.

CAPT.
And to-day’s sun setting!

SERG.
Your own love too, but from one glance—

CAPT.
Is not one spark enough for gunpowder?

SERG.
You too, who would have it no country girl could be worth a day’s courtship!

CAPT.
Alas, ’twas that was my ruin—running unawares upon a rock. I thought only to see a splay-footed gawky, and found a goddess. Ah, Rebolledo, could you but get me one more sight of her!

REB.
Well, captain, you have done me one good turn, and though you had like to run me into danger, I don’t mind venturing again for you.

CAPT.
But how? how?

REB.
Well, now, look here. We’ve a man in the regiment with a fair voice, and my little Chispa—no one like her for a flash song. Let’s serenade at the girl’s window; she must, in courtesy or curiosity, look out; and then—

CAPT.
But Don Lope is there, and we mustn’t wake him.

REB.
Don Lope? When does he ever get asleep with that leg of his, poor fellow? Besides, you can mix along with us in disguise, so as at least you won’t come into question.

CAPT.
Well, there is but this chance, if it be but a faint one; for if we should march to-morrow!—come, let us set about it; it being, as you say, between ourselves that I have any thing to do with it.

[Exeunt Captain and Sergeant.]

[Enter CHISPA.]

CHIS.
He’s got it, at any rate.

REB.
What’s the matter now, Chispa?

CHIS.
Oh, I mark’d his face for him.

REB.
What, a row?

CHIS.
A fellow there who began to ask questions as to my fair play at roulette—when I was all as fair as day too—I answered him with this. (Showing a knife.) Well, he’s gone to the barber’s to get it dressed.

REB.
You still stand kicking when I want to get to the fair. I wanted you with your castanets, not your knife.

CHIS.
Pooh! one’s as handy as the other. What’s up now?

REB.
Come with me to quarters; I’ll tell you as we go along.

[Exeunt.]