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ir; mine ears did hear the call,
So quick I haste with "Scotch and soda" primed.
_Quezox:_ Go to, thou vermin, that shouldst dare presume
To quick determine what shall quench my thirst.
Hast thou not heard that vintage of the vine
Since Caesar hath th' imperial crown assumed
Is now become the only proper draught
For those who in his favor high would stand?
Hence "grape juice" bring, and speed thee, or the back Shall feel the stripes thy varlet hide demands.
_Muchacho:_ I beg, Señor, my feeble speech be heard:
Methought that "grape juice" were a childish pap, But I will bring it and an orangeade,
Thus heaping honors on two noble men.
_(Exit muchacho)_
_Quezox:_ But thought hath strayed like an unbridled steed,
And I must harness it to work my will.
This Bonset: Francos seems to love him well
And may him thrust in Carpen's cast-off shoes;
My bowels gripe me with suspicion dire
That plans are rip'ning to this very end;
Hence we must pour in an unwilling ear
A weighty protest ere the scheme matures.
An open opposition were not wise
For Francos hath, I ween a stubborn streak
Which might by irritation grow so big
That naught could move it; while a flatt'ring tongue Might bend him, all unconscious to himself,
To work our every will, while he doth dream
That from his fertile brain the seeds do sprout; 'Tis thus we'll plant our choice in Carpen's place.
_Muchacho (bearing grape juice and cigarettes approaches;
speaks):_
Señor, an hombre at the portal knocks
Who hath an oily tongue, which wagged desire
To speack with thee, but I all unawere
Of thy design, did ward him gently off.
_Quezox:_ 'Twere well, thus ever do when skins are white.
But did this hombre show a mighty girth?
_Muchacho:_ In sooth he did, Señor; his leg like to
A python gorged with infant carabao
Did to his body make comparison.
_Quezox:_ Ha! bid him hence.