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ACT I.

SCENE. The Bay of Naples.—The View taken from a Quay near the City of Naples.—Mount Vesuvius and the Town of Portici in the Distance.
CHORUS of Sailors and Lazzaroni.
Thanks to the brisk and fav'ring gale,
That hither turn'd our swelling sail;
Now to the friendly port we sought
Our labouring ship is safely brought.

Altador.
Oh! cou'd I tread Spain's happy shore,
Which boasts the fair one I adore!
Yet, ah! that coast, so much desiring,
Love, from watchful eyes retiring,

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Must from Prudence borrow aid,
And cautious seek the charming maid.
What ho! What ho!

Genariello.
Come, my lads, get on—be steady—
Is the macaroni ready?
Where's the omelet? Don't stand staring—
Zounds! these rogues are past all bearing—
For your Lordship we're preparing.
What wou'd your Lordship chuse to eat?
Fish, fowl, or any kind of meat?
Of earth or sea the dainties sharing,
We can form our treat.

Altador.
E'en what you will.

Genariello.
First, I should think,
It wou'd not be amiss to drink.

CHORUS of Sailors and Lazzaroni.
Ay, good Signor, so we all think,
Bless your Honor, let us all drink.
Huzza! for the generous heart,
That freely is treasures bestows,
And saves from keen Poverty's smart,
The breast which with Gratitude glows.


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AIR. Genariello.
OF a vile lack of honesty Grumblers complain,
And that no social Virtues we boast;
Still the best of these Virtues (the charge I disdain)
Will be found all combin'd in your host.
His heart like his bottle is open to all;
Both friendship and wine come at, “Sir, do ye call.”
II.
If his guests love good living, the better lives he,
On Society thus he depends,
'Tis his interest to forward good humour and glee,
All the world he desires for his friends.
His heart like his bottle is open to all;
Both friendship and wine come at, “Sir, do ye call.”

AIR. Altador.
SOME device my aim to cover,
Deign kind Fortune to suggest.
Shall I boldly own I love her?
No!—My first design is surely best.
Yet I a wily foe engage;
Caution is the shield of age.
Hence, vain fears, my heart disgracing!
Love, on thee assurance placing,

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From thy glorious cause ne'er swerving,
Thou shalt every doubt repress.
Fortune's smiles the bold deserving,
Confidence ensures success.

SCENE. Genariello's Hotel.
DUET. Fabulina and Altador.
Fabulina.
Signor! Signor!

Altador.
What sounds are these,
That sweetly thus attention seize?

Fabulina.
Of Love they kindly tidings bring,
And pleasing truths they tell.

Altador.
Without your veil you'll speak as well.

Fabulina.
Unveil! no, I cannot.

Altador.
One word let me say.

Fabulina.
'Tis in vain.

Altador.
. . . . . . Why so cruel?

Fabulina.
. . . . . . Be quiet, Sir, pray.

Altador.
Oh! let me detain you;
In pity—ah! stay.

Fabulina.
You shall not detain me,
No longer I'll stay.

Altador.
In pity, ah! stay.

Fabulina.
Then hearken to my tidings—they
To constant love will joy convey.

Altador.
Oh! tell these tidings—kindly stay,
And to my heart their balm convey.


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Fabulina.
Attend then to truth.

Altador.
In the eyes 'twill appear.

Fabulina.
—And counsel,

Altador.
From them, 'twill be doubly dear.

Fabulina., Altador.
Advice you/tho' for itself shou'd/I prize.

Fabulina., Altador.
Yet truth I own/you know contemns disguise.

AIR. Blazio.
Oh! the pretty creature!
When next I chance to meet her,
No more for an ass
Shall Blazio pass,
But gallantly will I treat her—
Oh! the pretty, pretty creature.
But then her wicked charming eyes,
Where e'er they roll flash such surprize,
I like an awkward silly clown,
When she looks up, must needs look down—
Oh! the pretty, pretty creature, &c.
I'll boldly dare her fearful charms,
March up and clasp her in my arms;
Despair gives courage oft to men,
And shou'd she smile, why then—why then—
Oh! the pretty, pretty creature, &c.


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SCENE. The Court before Gaspero's Garden.
AIR.
Aurora.
LOVE, like the opening flower,
That courts the morning dew,
Gave promise every hour
To bring new charms to view.
But see the fatal storm
Of tyrant power arise!
Blighted its beauteous form,
The hapless flow'ret dies.

TRIO. Guillermo. Aurora. Altador.
Guillermo.
PAST toils thus recompensing
No more I'll tempt the sea,
My bliss this hour commencing,
Depends henceforth on thee.

Aurora.
On him whose heart possessing,
With equal warmth I love,
May every chosen blessing,
Be shower'd from above.


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Altador.
Oh! fatal hour distressing!

Guillermo.
My joy my thanks declaring.

Aurora.
Believe me none are due.

Altador.
Distraction! 'tis past bearing,

Aurora.
Oh! torture to my view.

Altador.
Oh! fatal hour distressing!
Is this the meed of constant love?
Inconstancy tho' meeting,
With scorn her falsehood treating,
I laugh at faithless love.

Aurora and Guillermo.
May every chosen blessing
Reward his/her faithful love!

Altado.
Depriv'd of every blessing,
My tortures may they prove;
And jealous pangs oppressing,
Avenge my slighted love.

AIR. Fabulina.
Lovers, who listen to reason's persuasion,
Praise for the novelty surely may claim;
And barbarous Fate they'll find no occasion,
To charge with the faults for which Folly's to blame.


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FINALE.
Gasparo's Garden.
Fabulina.
Peaceful slumb'ring on the ocean,
Seamen fear no danger nigh,
The winds and waves in gentle motion,
Soothe them with their lullaby.
Is the wind tempestuous blowing?
Still no danger they descry,
The guileless heart its boon bestowing,
Soothes them with its lullaby.

Aurora.
Fabulina, hear me.

Fabulina.
. . . . Cease:
By impatience you'll spoil all.

Aurora.
Prythee give me my release.

Altador.
Fabulina.

Fabulina.
Hark, I hear your Lover call.

Altador.
Fabulina.

Fabulina.
Yes—yes—I hear him call.

Altador.
Alternate hope and fear
My restless bosom seize.

Fabulina.
Here's one may over-hear.
So!—Piano—if you please.

Altador.
Smile on the wretch your presence awes.
Say, can your truth my doubts forgive?

Aurora.
Let Love's soft accents plead your cause.
Alas! I cannot disbelieve.


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Altador and Aurora.
Let Love's soft accents plead your/my cause;
You will not/I cannot disbelieve.

Fabulina.
All's safe, so instantly descend.

Altador.
First let me force him from the door.

Fabulina.
Leave to me our sleeping friend,
He sounds success in every snore.

Altador.
Stir not—resistance is in vain.

Fabulina.
Sotillo, you shall wear my chain.
Of youthful joys, the fond revival,
May Fabulina's favour prove.

Aurora.
In me, behold, a jealous rival;
I long to tie those bonds of love.

Aurora and Fabulina.
Adieu, Sotillo, we must part.

Altador.
Hasten, my Love, nor trust delay;
You, Beauty's captive, walk that way.

Aurora and Fabulina.
We're lost beyond the help of art.

Fabulina.
Don Gasparo!

Aurora.
. . . . . Guillermo too.

Altador.
Untoward fate.

Fabulina.
. . . . . . What shall we do?

Gasparo and Guillermo.
Turn, bold intruder, meet the fate
That on presumption should await.

Altador.
Stand off, thou know'st me for thy foe;
Nor rashly tempt the fatal blow.


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Genariello.
Don Gasparo, dear Sir, be quiet,
I'll call the guard to quell this riot.
Poor Altador! These rogues will end him,
I'll call the guard and they'll defend him.

Aurora and Fabulina.
To dire revenges baneful power,
Oh! yield not in this mad'ning hour.

Gasparo.
Thanks, Ladies, for this pretty plot,
Your kindness shall not be forgot.
You'll find your pistol no Protector;
We'll tame you quickly, good Sir Hector.

Officer.
What means this brawl?—Peace I command.
Silence! the guard is near at hand.
Should I in threat but wave my sword,
No power protection can afford.

Officer.
Tell not me the idle story.
Let me speak, you hold your peace;
Then shall sounds of Patriot Glory
All contention bid to cease.

The Rest.
Hear the plain and simple story
Let me speak, you hold your peace;
Then shall sounds of Patriot Glory
All contention bid to cease.

Officer, Aur., Fab., Gen.
Thanks to chance thus interfering,
When all Reason's aid was vain;
My/His Superior pow'r revering,
Vengeance must it's wish restrain.

Alt., Gas. and Guil.
Cursed chance thus interfering,
All resistance now is vain;
His superior pow'r revering,
Vengeance must its wish restrain.


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GENERAL CHORUS.
Silence! the guard is near at hand,
Prudence now must peace command.
If in threat he waves his sword,
No pow'r protection can afford.
Hark! the drum in tone commanding,
Cries to clamouring rage—forbear.
Thus, thro' gloomy space expanding,
Thunder clears the troubled air.

END OF ACT I.