I tell you this is nothing but Vino
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 hay-stack? 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! Senor. Come with me, ancient Baltasar, and bring
water for the horses. I will pay for the supper tomorrow.
[Exeunt.
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