El Capitan, Act I: “Noble warrior!”
[ESTRELDA, spoken]
Noble warrior!
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Rise, gentle maiden.
[Aside.]
What a toothsome Peruvian pudding she'd make... if I weren't married.
[ESTRELDA, spoken]
I have long cherished this blissful moment of ours.
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
And I thought we'd just met.
[ESTRELDA, spoken]
True! But I've seen you in my dreams. And now that you're here, we'll never, never part!
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken, aside]
A steaming pudding!
[Aloud.]
Tell me, my dear, just what is it about me that—
[ESTRELDA, spoken]
The stories of your valor. The history of your hundred battles.
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Never mind the details!
[Aside.]
I know the details; I invented them myself.
[DON CAZARRO, spoken]
Look, Scaramba, they're made for each other!
[SCARAMBA, spoken]
Never! Señorita Estrelda, the Capitan is weary and would rest.
[ESTRELDA, spoken]
Oh, Scaramba, I forgot you were here! Capitan, let me bring some wine—
[SCARAMBA, spoken]
Capitan, I love her. One brave man should respect the rights of another. If you want her, you must fight me.
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
No, no no! I respect your rights! You take her, I insist.
[DON CAZARRO, spoken]
Congratulations, Capitan. You are loved by Peru's fairest flower—my daughter.
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
But... while Don Medigua lives, there is no time for love!
[DON CAZARRO, spoken]
Then yours shall be the honor of killing him.
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Inspired!
[Aside.]
And if anyone can do it, I can.
[DON CAZARRO, spoken]
And for your reward, my daughter's hand—
[SCARAMBA, spoken]
Over my dead body, or yours...
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Oh, I ask no reward. Temper, temper, Señor Scaramba!
[SCARAMBA, spoken]
Bah!
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Bah?
[SCARAMBA, spoken]
Bah! Bah! Bah!
[DON MEDIGUA, spoken]
Well, since you put it that way...