Scene X.
—Street and garden wall. Night. Enter Cruzado
and Bartolomé.
Cruz.
This is the garden wall, and above it,
yonder, is her house. The window in which thou
seest the light is her window. But we will not go
in now.
Bart.
Why not?
Cruz.
Because she is not at home.
Bart.
No matter; we can wait. But how is
this? The gate is bolted.
(Sound of guitars and
voices in a neighboring street.)
Hark! There
comes her lover with his infernal serenade!
Hark!
SONG.
Good night!
From the Spanish; as are likewise the songs immediately following, and that which commences the first scene of Act III.
Good night, beloved!
I come to watch o'er thee!
To be near thee,—to be near thee,
Alone is peace for me.
Thine eyes are stars of morning,
Thy lips are crimson flowers!
Good night! Good night, beloved,
While I count the weary hours.
Cruz.
They are not coming this way.
Bart.
Wait, they begin again.
SONG (coming nearer).
Ah! thou moon that shinest
Argent-clear above!
All night long enlighten
My sweet lady-love;
Moon that shinest,
All night long enlighten!
Bart.
Woe be to him, if he comes this way!
Cruz.
Be quiet, they are passing down the street.
SONG (dying away).
The nuns in the cloister
Sang to each other;
For so many sisters
Is there not one brother!
Ay, for the partridge, mother!
The cat has run away with the partridge!
Puss! puss! puss!
Bart.
Follow that! follow that! Come with
me. Puss! puss!
(Exeunt. On the opposite side enter the Count of Lara and
gentlemen with Francisco.)
Lara.
The gate is fast. Over the wall, Francisco,
And draw the bolt. There, so, and so, and over.
Now, gentlemen, come in, and help me scale
Yon balcony. How now? Her light still burns.
Move warily. Make fast the gate, Francisco.
(Exeunt. Reënter Cruzado and Bartolomé.)
Bart.
They went in at the gate. Hark! I hear
them in the garden.
(Tries the gate.)
Bolted
again! Vive Cristo! Follow me over the wall.
(They climb the wall.)
