een beaten to death in Africa.

Quinola
Alas, we have been beaten enough without going to Africa!

Monipodio
And do you dare to show yourself here?

Quinola
You seem comfortable enough here. As for me, I have the king's pardon
in my pocket, and while I am waiting for my patent of nobility I call
myself Quinola.

Monipodio
I suppose you stole your pardon?

Quinola
Yes, from the king.

Monipodio
And have you seen the king? (He sniffs at him.) You smell of poverty--

Quinola
Like a poet's garret. And what are you doing?

Monipodio
Nothing.

Quinola
That is soon done; if it gives you any income, I would like to embrace
your profession.

Monipodio
I have been misunderstood, my friend! Hunted by our political enemies.

Quinola
The judges, magistrates and police.

Monipodio
It is necessary for a man to have a political party.

Quinola
I understand you; from being the game you have become the hunter.

Monipodio
What nonsense! I am always myself. I have merely come to an
understanding with the viceroy. When one of my fellows has reached the
end of his tether, I say to him: "Get off," and if he doesn't go, ah!
I hale him to justice--you understand!--That is not treachery is it?

Quinola
It is prevision--

Monipodio
And, by the bye, you have just come from court.

Quinola
Listen. (Aside) Here is a man, the very one I want, knows everything
in Barcelona. (Aloud) After what you have told me we ought to be
friends.

Monipodio
He who has my secret must be my friend--

Quinola
You are as watchful here as if you were jealous. What is it? Come let
us moisten our clay and wet our whistle with a bottle in some tavern;
it is daybreak--

Monipodio
Do you see how this palace is lit up for a feast? Don Fregose is
dining and gaming at the house of Senora Faustine Brancadori.

Quinola
Quite Venetian, Brancadori. 'Tis a rare name! She must be the widow of
some patrician.

Monipodio
She is twenty-two, subtle as musk, and governs the governor, and, let
me tell you between ourselves, has already wheedled out of him all
that he picked up under Charles V. in the wars of Italy. What comes
from the flute--

Quinola
The air takes. What is the age of the viceroy?

Monipodio
He owns up to sixty years.

Quinola
And yet they speak of first love! I know of nothing so terrible as
last love; it strangles a man. I am happy that I have been brought up
so far with unsinged wings! I might be a statesman--

Mo