Here we sons of freedom dwell , In our friendly , rock-hewn cell ; Pleasure 's dictates we obey , Nature points us out the way , Ever social , great and free , Valour guards our liberty . AIR . Of severe and partial laws , Venal judges , Alguazils ; Dreary dungeons ’ iron jaws , Oar and gibbet — whips or wheels , Let 's never think While thus me drink Sweet Muscadine ! O life divine ! Come , cavaliers , our carbines are loaded , our hearts are light : charge your glasses , Bacchus gives the word , and a volley makes us immortal as the rosy god .— Fire ! Oh , no ! a brimmer round .— Come , a good booty to us to-night . Pho , Sanguino ! you know when a jest offers , Spado regards neither time , place , nor person . Come , away with reflection on the past , or care for the future ; the present is the golden moment of possession .— Let us enjoy it . You know , cavaliers , when I entered into this noble fraternity , I boasted only of a little courage sharpened by necessity , the result of my youthful follies , a father 's severity , and the malice of a good-natured dame . When you did me the honour to elect me your captain , two conditions I stipulated :—— Though at war with the world abroad , unity and social mirth should preside over our little commonwealth at home . The other , unless to preserve your own lives , never commit a murder . Hand me that red wine . AIR II .— DON CAESAR . Flow , thou regal purple stream , Tinctur 'd by the solar beam , In my goblet sparkling rise , Cheer my heart and glad my eyes . My brain ascend on fancy 's wing , ‘ Noint me , wine , a jovial king . While I live , I 'll lave my clay , When I 'm dead and gone away , Let my thirsty subjects say , A month he reign 'd , but that was May . Hark , how distinct we hear the thunder through this vast body of earth and rock .— Rapino , is Calvette above , upon his post ? Spado , ‘ tis your business to relieve the centinel . Come , come , no jesting with duty — ‘ tis your watch . Then call Calvette , lock down the trap-door , and get us some more wine from the cistern . Not to-night — I know my time — I have my reasons — I shall give command on that business . But where 's the stranger we brought in at our last excursion ? Then he 'll fight .— My arms ! To the attack of one man — paltry ! Only you , Calvette , Sanguino , Rapino , and Spado go ; the rest prepare for our general excursion . Come , come , leave buffoonery , and to your duty . How 's this ? What 's the matter ? Begone instantly to your comrades .Signor , no occasion to tamper with my companions ; you shall owe your liberty to none but me . I 'll convey you to the cottage of the vines , belonging to the peasant Philippo , not far from Don Scipio 's castle ; there you may rest in safety to-night , and — Look ye , signor , I am a ruffian , perhaps worse , but venture to trust me .— A picklock may be used to get to a treasure — do n't wish to know more of me than I now chuse to tell you ; but , if your mistress loves you as well as you seem to love her , to-morrow night she 's yours . Now for Philippo — I do n't suppose you wish to see any of our work above — ha ! ha ! ha !— Well , well , I was once a lover , but now — AIR IV .— DON CAESAR . On by the spur of valour goaded , Pistols primed , and carbines loaded , Courage strikes on hearts of steel ; While each spark , Through the dark Gloom of night , Lends a clear and cheering light , Who a fear or doubt can feel ? Like serpents now , through thickets creeping , Then on our prey , like lions , leaping ! Calvette to the onset leads us , Let the wand'ring trav'ler dread us ! Struck with terror and amaze , While our swords with lightning blaze .Thunder to our carbines roaring , Bursting clouds in torrents pouring , Each a free and roving blade , Ours a free and roving trade , To the onset let 's away , Valour calls , and we obey . Thus far I 've got into the castle unperceived — I 'm certain Sanguino means the old gentleman a mischief , which nature bids me endeavour to prevent . I saw the rascal slip in at the postern below ; but where can he have got to !Yes , yonder he issues , like a rat or a spider .— How now , Sanguino ! On enterprize without my knowledge ! What 's your business here ? A stilletto ! I command you to quit your purpose . Your wound was chance — Put up — We shall have noble booty here , and that 's our business — But you seem to know your ground here , Sanguino ? I missed Spado at the muster this morning — did he quit the cave with you ? Is n't that Spado 's voice ? Hush ! Here 's a pretty dog ! No , you stay .— Yes , you are found out . You 're to make discoveries in the forest too . Hold , Sanguino . Come , Spado , confess what really brought you here . Hey ! Let 's see those chests . You gave my letter to the lady ? Lucky , she knows me only by that name . Hush ! Mind you let us all in by the little wicket in the east rampart . Soft ! Letting down the drawbridge for me now may attract observation .Yonder I can get across the moat . Then you shall .— Hold !My father ! Yes , sir ; drove to desperation by — my follies were my own — but my vices —— My father ! I am unworthy of this goodness .— I confess even now I entered this castle with an impious determination to extort by force — Hold ! Stop ! hold ! I command you . And I 'll preserve it as my own .— Retire , and wait your orders .Don Scipio What , then , you wo n't let me be murdered . My dear boy ! my darling ! Forgive me !— I — I — I pardon all . Then , sir , I shall first beg it for my companions ; if reclaimed , by the example of their leader , their future lives will show them worthy of mercy ; if not , with mine let them be forfeit to the hand of justice . My beloved Lorenza ! } Dear father , this is the individual lady whose beauty , grace , and angelic voice , captivated my soul at Florence ; if she can abase her spotless mind , to think upon a wretch stained with crimes , accompany her pardon with your approbation .