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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 84

Enter Lazarillo and Boatman

Enter Lazarillo and Boatman.

Boa

Foolish boy, I insist on conducting you to your friends.

Laz

Why did you prevent me drowning myself? I wish to die.

Don C

Die at your age? Drown yourself? You cannot have many creditor's, surely.

Laz

No, signor, but I am apprenticed to a stern master—an armourer—who, under pretence that the corslets were not kept bright, beat me again to-day.

Don C

Again! Hath he beaten thee ere now ?

Laz

Yes, signor, frequently; till I cannot longer endure it. I prefer death. Ah, they come to arrest me.

Don C

Fear nothing. I'll interpose.

Laz

Alas ! that captain will not hear of pity.

Don C

I shall defend you with my sword

Don J

Recollect ! Holy-week.

Enter Captain and Soldiers.

Cap

See the culprit, quick, arrest him,

Don C

Stay, one word, ere you molest him.

Noble captain, brave sir, hear me,
Slay thy rage or learn to fear me.

Cap

Why my orders disobey you ?

Laz

Mercy, Mercy.

Don C

List, I pray you—
If a mere child's poor entreaty,
Fail to move that heart of thine;
If his voice excite not pity
Brother soldier, list to mine.

Cap

Come, your duty quickly seek,

Prayers and tears won't make me civil.

Don C

Oh, if 'i were not Holy-week,

Him I'd soon send to the devil.
Gallant captain,
page 6

Cap

Loose my cloak.

Don C

O Rage consumes me, I shall choke;

Laz

Mercy.

Cap

Come, your duty seek,

Don C

Oh, if 't were not Holy-week,

Cap

Quick, if you'd escape the lash,

Laz

Stay, this cruel anger stay,

Pity and forgiveness pray;
Ne'er again will I be rash,
Pity and withhold the lash.

Don C

Know sir, who I am;

Count de Garofa,
Don Cæsar de Bezan,
Who in the presence of his monarch,
Covered, has a right to appear,
You have insulted me beyond all bearing
Redress I seek.
Hence to the devil with the holy week,
Thus I chastise thy daring,

Cap

A challenge, vengeance.

Don C

A challenge, forward.

Ensemble.
Oh, you soon shall bite the dust,
Honour's debt is quickly staid;
Oh that by cut and thrust,
Dunning creditors were paid.

Cap

Come, you will not prove the first
Braggart whom this blade hath staid,
Only with a single thrust,
Your account is quickly paid.

Laz

Oh forbear, indeed you must,

Be this frightful quarrel staid,
If for me your life were lost,
Evermore would grief upbraid.

Don J

Evermore would grief upbraid,

Holy-week would dare invade,
Be this quarrel e'er so just,
By the halter will be paid.

Cho

See this combat, all now must,

Blow for blow and blade to blade,
Happy the man who falls the first,
Conquest by the hangman paid.

Don J

Have a care, my worthy captain; Don Cæsar is a dead thrust. 1 would not give a single maravedi for your share of daylight to-morrow.