University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—An inn on the road to Alcalá. Baltasar asleep on a bench. Enter Chispa.
Chispa.

And here we are, half-way to Alcalá, between cocks and midnight. Body o' me! what an inn this is! The lights out, and the landlord asleep. Holá! ancient Baltasar!

Bal.
(waking).

Here I am.

Chispa.

Yes, there you are, like a one-eyed Alcalde in a town without inhabitants. Bring a light, and let me have supper.

Bal.

Where is your master?

Chispa.

Do not trouble yourself about him. We have stopped a moment to breathe our horses; and, if he chooses to walk up and down in the open air, looking into the sky as one who hears it rain, that does not satisfy my hunger, you know. But be quick, for I am in a hurry, and every man stretches his legs according to the length of his coverlet. What have we here?

Bal.
(setting a light on the table).

Stewed rabbit.

Chispa
(eating).

Conscience of Portalegre! Stewed kitten, you mean!

Bal.

And a pitcher of Pedro Ximenes, with a roasted pear in it.

Chispa
(drinking).

Ancient Baltasar, amigo! You know how to cry wine and sell vinegar. I tell you this is nothing but Vinto Tinto of La Mancha, with a tang of the swine-skin.

Bal.

I swear to you by Saint Simon and Judas, it is all as I say.

Chispa.

And I swear to you by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that it is no such thing. Moreover, your supper is like the hidalgo's dinner, very little meat and a great deal of tablecloth.

Bal.

Ha! ha! ha!

Chispa.

And more noise than nuts.

Bal.

Ha! ha! ha! You must have your joke, Master Chispa. But shall I not ask Don Victorian in, to take a draught of the Pedro Ximenes?

Chispa.

No; you might as well say, “Don't-you-want-some?” to a dead man.

Bal.

Why does he go so often to Madrid?

Chispa.

For the same reason that he eats no supper. He is in love. Were you ever in love, Baltasar?

Bal.

I was never out of it, good Chispa. It has been the torment of my life.

Chispa.

What! are you on fire, too, old haystack? Why, we shall never be able to put you out.

Vict.
(without).

Chispa!

Chispa.

Go to bed, Pero Grullo, for the cocks are crowing.

Vict.

Ea! Chispa! Chispa!

Chispa.

Ea! Señor. Come with me, ancient Baltasar, and bring water for the horses. I will pay for the supper to-morrow.

[Exeunt.