Act II, Scene 3

[Outside CRESPO’S House.]

[The Captain, Sergeant, REBOLLEDO, CHISPA, etc., with guitars. At one corner, MENDO in old armour, with NUÑO, observing them. It is dark.]

MEN.
(aside to NUÑO) You see this?

NUÑ.
And hear it.

MEN.
I am bloodily minded to charge into them at once, and disperse them into chaos; but I will see if she is guilty of answering them by a sign.

CAPT.
No glance from the window yet!

REB.
Who’d stir for a sentimental love song? Come, Chispa, you can give us one that would make her look out of the grave.

CHIS.
Here am I on my pedestal. Now for it. (She sings.)

There once was a certain Sampayo
Of Andalusia the fair;
A Major he was in the service,
And a very fine coat did he wear.
And one night, as to-night it might happen,
That as he was going his round,
With the Garlo half drunk in a tavern—

REB.
Asonante to ‘happen’ you know.

CHIS.
Don’t put me out, Rebolledo——(Sings.)

With the Garlo half drunk in a tavern
His lovely Chillona he found.

CHORUS.

With the Garlo half drunk in a tavern
His lovely Chillona he found.

SECOND STANZA.

Now this Garlo, as chronicles tell us,
Although rather giv’n to strong drinks,
Was one of those terrible fellows
Is down on a man ere he winks.
And so while the Major all weeping
Upbraided his lady unkind,
The Garlo behind him came creeping
And laid on the Major behind.

CHORUS.

The Garlo, etc.

(During Chorus, DON LOPE and CRESPO have entered at different sides with swords, and begin to lay about them.)

CRES.
What something in this way, perhaps!

LOPE.
After this fashion, may-be!

[Together.]

(The soldiers are driven off.)

LOPE.
Well, we’re quit of them, except one. But I’ll soon settle him.

CRES.
One still hanging about. Off with you!

LOPE.
Off with you, rascal! (They fight.) By Heaven, he fights well!

CRES.
By Heaven, a handy chap at his tool!

[Enter JUAN with sword and torch.]

JUAN.
Where is Don Lope?

LOPE.
Crespo!

CRES.
Don Lope!

LOPE.
To be sure, didn’t you say you were going to bed?

CRES.
And didn’t you?

LOPE.
This was my quarrel, not yours.

CRES.
Very well, and I come out to help you in it.

[Re-enter Captain and Soldiers with swords.]

1ST SOLD.
We’ll soon settle them.

CAPT.
Don Lope!

LOPE.
Yes, Don Lope. What is all this, sir?

CAPT.
The soldiers were singing and playing in the street, sir, doing no offence to any one, but were set upon by some of the town’s people, and I came to stop the riot.

LOPE.
You have done well, Don Alvaro, I know your prudence; however, as there is a grudge on both sides, I shall not visit the town’s people this time with further severity; but, for the sake of all parties, order the regiment to march from Zalamea to-morrow—nay, to-day, for it is now dawn. See to it, sir: and let me hear of no such disgraceful riots hereafter.

CAPT.
I shall obey your orders, sir.

[Exit with soldiers, etc.]

CRES.
(aside) Don Lope is a fine fellow! we shall cog together after all.

LOPE.
(to CRESPO and JUAN) You two keep with me, and don’t be found alone.

[Exeunt.]

[Re-enter MENDO, and NUÑO wounded.]

MEN.
’Tis only a scratch.

NUÑ.
A scratch? Well, I could well have spared that.

MEN.
Ah, what is it compared to the wound in my heart!

NUÑ.
I would gladly exchange for all that.

MEN.
Well, he did lay upon your head handsomely, didn’t he?

NUÑ.
Ah, and on my tail too; while you, under that great shield of yours,— (Drum.)

MEN.
Hark! what’s that?

NUÑ.
The soldiers’ reveille. I heard say they were to leave Zalamea to-day.

MEN.
I am glad of it, since they’ll carry that detestable captain off with them at all events.

[Exeunt.]