_Fel._ But, Lazaro, Why, twelve and nine are twenty-one—and three— Why, your twelve men are grown to twenty-four! How’s this?
_Laz._ How’s this? why, counting in the shadows— You see I count the shadows—twenty-four, Shadows and all—you see![4]
_Laz._ Well, sir, Had not that good sword which our gracious Prince Gave me but yesterday broke in my hand, I should have had to pay for mass, I promise you, For every mother’s son of them!
_Fel._ Indeed! But, Lazaro, I see your sword’s entire: How’s that?
_Laz._ The most extraordinary part Of all—
_Laz._ Why, I had first used My dagger upon one: and when my sword Snapt, with its stump, sir, daggerwise I fought, As thus; and that with such tremendous fury, That, smiting a steel buckler, I struck out Such sparks from it, that, by the light of them, Snatching up the fallen fragment of my sword, I pieced the two together.
_Fel._ But the dagger You fought with first, and lost, you say—why, Lazaro, ’Tis in your girdle.
_Laz._ I account for that Easily. Look, sir, I drew it, as I said, And struck amain. The man I drew it on, Seeing the coming blow, caught hold of it, And struck it back on me; I, yet more skilful, With God’s good help did so present myself That, when he struck at me, my own dagger’s point Return’d into its sheath, as here you see it. Enough, I heard the cry of ‘Alguazils!’ Ran off, and, entering the first open door, Now ask for sanctuary at your feet.
_Fel._ I think it is your trepidation Makes you talk nonsense.
_Anna._ Surely, my brother, this was the riot that so frighted me.
_Fel._ And was I then the man, ‘if man it could be called who man was none,’ that Lazaro fought with?
_Anna._ I know not, I only know ’twas some one of a handsome presence like yours.
_Fel._ (_aside_). Perhaps his master—I much suspect it was Cesar that was dicing, and afterward fighting; and his servant, to cover him, invents this foolish story——(_Aloud._) I will look into the street and see if it be clear.
_Anna_ (_giving LAZARO her letter_). And quickly, Lazaro; taking this letter—
_Laz._ (_giving CESAR’S_). And you this premium upon it.
_Anna._ Bid him be sure to come to me this evening; I have much to say. And thus much to you, Lazaro; your quarrel came in the nick of time to account for a swoon I had occasion to feign.