assistance. First Gipsy. An you cease not your screaming, you'll be gagged. Inez. Ped. Second Gipsy. Inez. 435 Third Gipsy. First Gipsy. [Pedro and Inez dismount. Gip. Q. Come, no rough treatment to this young lady, Or it will be the worse for some of you. Tie up the mules and bind the serving man, That he escape not, and so call for help. As to this damsel, leave her all to me. (To Inez) Young lady, have no fear, for I am one Who can command th' entire gipsy band, Who are my serfs and tremble at my frown. An you be docile, they shall do no harm. Raise but your voice, and I will have you bound. But I, the gipsy queen, would be your friend; And soon you shall acknowledge me as such; But not just now. (To the gipsies) Bind not the young lady Unless she call for help or attempt to escape. (To Inez) And you, young lady, courage. Tremble not. Think not I crave your pelf or trinkets rare. I have no need. Thyself 'tis I'ld detain. Inez. And why, O strange, O dread, mysterious queen, All powerful amongst thy dusky band, 436If, as thou sayst, thou hast no need of pelf, And canst and wilt protect me from the hands Of thy half-savage subjects, wherefore then Detain a poor and simple maiden bound For her paternal castle, having left The Convent of St. Ursula this morn? Gip. Q. Oh, of your story I am well informed. Better, perchance, than what you are yourself. For am I not a gipsy? Know we not By the aspect of the heavenly bodies All events that are about to happen? As to my object in detaining you Let it suffice you I have an object, Which you shall know hereafter. (To gipsies) Guard her close. Methought I did hear footsteps, but 'tis nought. Gip. Q. Inez. 436 Gip. Q.
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