University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—A Sea-port view. Galleys in the distance. Several Thebans, men, women, and children with luggage, bundles, &c., discovered.
Mer.
There,—I told you so.
These are the folks who'd quit their native valleys;
And then, just out beyond the buoy, the gallies
In which they sail—stop (to the conductor of orchestra)
by the bye, old fellow,
The boatman's chorus in “Masaniello.”

CONCERTED MUSIC.—“The Barcarole.”
Mer.
Behold! from their last places warning,
What lots of folks to give are forced,
To sea unused, but sickness scorning,
They'll dare the breeze, and brave the worst.
Cut off, cut off, 'tis time to go,
Take heed—whisper low!
Look out for squalls—the Sphinx is near,
Take heed—whisper low!
The prey he seeks, he'll soon, he'll soon ensnare,
The prey he seeks, he'll soon, he'll soon ensnare.
Take heed—whisper low—take heed—whisper low!

Cho.
Cut off, cut off, I told you so.
Take heed—whisper low,
Look out for squalls, the Sphinx is near,
Take heed—whisper low!
The prey he seeks, &c.

[Emigrants exeunt after Song.
Mer.
Oh, now his majesty's arrived, I see,
In hackney chariot, seventeen-five-three;
And, from his angry gestures, 'twould appear,
The fare's disputed by the charioteer.
Well, I shall leave them to it—au revoir.

[Exit, L.
Enter Adelpates in travelling costume, with carpet bag, and Cochos, L.
Ade.
I say your fare's an obolus—no more.

Coc.
Vell, say another chalcus.—

Ade.
(giving money)
Peace—you'd best.
Summons me if you like.

Coc.
Oh! that be blest.

[Exit, L.
Ade.
“It is the cause! it is the cause!” 'cause why?
'Cause Nature's first great law, is “mind your eye!”
Yet shall they say that I, a poor poltroon,
In times of danger, basely shot the moon!
Shall I my country fly, when ills beset her,
Fearing to die for her? Yes, p'rhaps I'd better.

Enter Stupidites cautiously.
Stu.
Your majesty.

Ade.
(starts)
Who's there?

Stu.
'Tis only I.
Don't start,—yet do start, for it's time to fly:
All is prepared.

Ade.
Then farewell fear, and care, too,
Sphinx, wife, and all the ills that flesh is heir to.
You'll answer all inquiries at the palace,
Nothing extenuate—set down naught in malice.
Say, Fortune's frolics drove me hence to range,
That Fortune for your sovereign brought this change!
That 'twas her fickle turnings struck this blow,
And Fortune's wheel that brought mis-fortune's woe!
As for the Queen— (looks off, and starts frightened)
Ye gods! she's here. I'm caught!

Enter Themyssis and Two Maids of Honour, L.
The.
So, sir, to give your wife the slip you thought,
But I can hunt the slipper—

Ade.
No, my dear,
You do mistake.

The.
Then what's your bus'ness here?

TRIO—“Why are you wandering here?”
The.
Why are you wandering here, I pray?
Will you be kind enough just to say?

Ade.
I go to the senate, love, to debate,
On business, and weighty affairs of state.

The.
Fie! Fie!
That's all my eye!
The house has adjourned, full well you know,
On the motion of Brotherton—hours ago.

Stu.
Hours ago!

Ade.
You don't say so?

The.
(Together.)
Ri-tol-de-riddle ol—hours ago!

Ade. & Stu.
(Together.)
Ri-tol-de-riddle ol—here's ago!

The.
You would have left me; yes, you monster bearish!
Me and my children, burdens on the parish.

Ade.
Parish the thought! I wouldn't—

The.
Don't deceive me,
That bag declares the sack you meant to give me.
That Templar Night Cap, points your vile intent out.

Sphinx.
(outside)
Hoy! Where was Moses when the candle went out?

Ade.
That voice!

Stu.
That question!

Ade.
Horror! 'tis the Sphinx!

[Adelpates and Stupidites hide themselves. Themyssis is rushing off, but is met by the Sphinx entering.
Sph.
(bowing)
Good evening, ma'am—the Queen of Thebes, methinks.

The.
Monster! away! be off! get out! hish, hoo!

[Waving her hands as people frighten fowls.
Sph.
Well, really, ma'am, I'm quite surprised at you.
'Tis my desire to do the civil thing,
So just say, why a cobbler's like a king?

The.
Help! murder! Adelpates, save your wife!

[Adelpates peeps out from his hiding-place.
Sph.
Hilloa! his majesty, upon my life.
Great Adelpates!
[Takes him by his cloak; Adelpates utters a loud cry and runs away, leaving his cloak; Sphinx follows him, and cries after him at the wing.
Hoy! hilloa there; stop,
Just say, what smells most in a doctor's shop?

The.
Help! Murder!

Stu.
Help!

Sph.
What ho! a rat, a rat!
Dead for a ducat.

[Rushes upon him.
Stu.
Oh! what am I at?
I am lost!

Sph.
I beg your pardon, sir, you're found,
And will be taken care of, I'll be bound.

[The Sphinx seizes them each by the arm. They scream, and writhe as if in agony.
The.
Monster! you've nearly twisted off my wrist.

Sph.
Of course—I'm celebrated for my twist.
In my strong arm the powers you will find
Of Seizer and A-gripper both combined.

Stu.
Monster! release us; dare not thus to stop us—
We claim protection by the Habeas Coppus.

Sph.
Pooh, pooh! don't talk to me about your laws:
What act of parliament can withstand my claws?
They with the strongest bills or beaks would match,
And even Railway Kings bring to the scratch.
Come—

The.
Murder!

Sph.
Gammon! Come, this uproar cease.

The.
Help!

Stu.
Murder!

The.
Fire!

Stu.
Thieves!

The.
Police!

Both.
Police!

[Music.—Sphinx drags them melodramatically across the stage, and exeunt, R.
Enter Mercury, L.
Mer.
Well there, that's settled. Now then, you shall see
How Œdipus has raised a company
Of tag-rag, bob-tail, peasants, shepherds, fishermen,
The whole of whom he's sworn in as militia-men,
To fight the Sphinx; while, if he'd asked the oracle,
He would have learned a fact that's now historical.
That none this monster's ravages can stop,
Unless he guess some question he may pop:
For, tho' at force of arms he turns his nose up,
One riddle guessed, the Sphinx completely sews up.
But see, the king returns—the coast being clear
Of both the dreadful causes of his fear.

Re-enter Adelpates, cautiously, R.
Ade.
The monster's carried off my wife in haste.
Well, I can't compliment him on his taste,
To take her home to dinner or to tea with him;—
One thing I'm certain of, she won't agree with him:
She ne'er agreed with any that I knew.
[Mercury taps him on the shoulder. He falls on his knees, frightened.
Be off; I'm not at home— (sees him)
—What, is it you?

Mer.
Don't speak, but watch.

Ade.
I do not comprehend you.

Mer.
Then open your eyes and shut your mouth, and see what fate will send you.

[Music.—Enter Œdipus, with a crowd of peasants armed with scythes, pitchforks, rakes, &c., L.
Œd.
Halt! Shoulder arms! Attention! Stand at ease!
Order arms!—

Mer.
Here, just wait a moment, please:
I fancy here that I can be of use to you—
Allow me, pray, the king to introduce to you—
Œdipus—Adelpates. Now, good bye—

Œd.
Here—stop—

Mer.
I can't—I've other fish to fry.

[Exit, L.
Ade.
And now, young man, what means this demonstration?

Œd.
Fear not, great king, by peaceful agitation
It has been raised: for know I always do shun all
Means that are not strictly constitutional.
SONG.—Air—“The Death of Nelson.”

Ade.
Brave youth! we thank you for the pains you've taken
To save our common weal and royal bacon;
For, though a late act of this vile monstrosity
Has mitigated much the animosity
We felt towards him—still, he must not live!

Œd.
Fear not, he shan't—I'll him his gruel give.

Ade.
Go in and win! The prize you understand—

Œd.
The victor's palm, and the princess's hand—
A prize the greatest, dearest boon in life—
“The young man's best companion”—a fair wife.

Ade.
(aside)
Poor youth! he'd better be devoured far,
If the dear girl takes after her mamma.

Œd.
But come, let's on—nor longer here delay;
You'll come and share our glory?

Ade.
Not to-day.
My share of glory I'll consent to shelf;
And, while you hide the Sphinx, I'll hide myself.

Œd.
No hiding-place will screen you from his eye,
Though darker than the Vernon Gallery.
But come, old fellow, throw off this dejection,
And trust my “country party” for protection.

DUET—“O, dolce Concento.”
Œd.
Oh, don't be dull, old gent, oh!
But come with me away;
You'd better far consent, oh!
For it is n't safe to stay.

Ade.
Oh! dear—

Œd.
Oh, you'd better come, old gent, oh!

Ade.
No, I won't

Œd.
Come, I'll your champion be—

Ade.
Good lad!

Œd.
You'd better far consent, oh!

Ade.
Well, p'r'aps I had;
But then p'r'aps not. Eh—no—yes! Oh, dear, oh!

Œd.
And so, sir, come along with me.
Oh, don't fear, old gent, oh!

Ade.
Oh, dear!—I won't.

Œd.
Courageous please to be.

Ade.
Of course. I'm just now-getting so.

Œd.
So come, it's time we went, oh!
And don't say no, but come with me.

Ade.
No, I won't say so, but go with he.

Ade.
(aside)
Yes, second thoughts are best. I freely own
I should not like to meet the Sphinx alone:
I'll go with them; for, even to the worst,
The chaps in front will get demolish'd first,
And give me time to cut. (Aloud)
Yes, come, my friends,
Your King the call of glory thus attends!

[Crosses to R.
Œd.
Then now no longer shall this monster teaze ye—
Henceforth your land shall be both free and easy.

Ade.
Brave youth! come, friends, your gratitude to show,
Three cheers for Œdipus before you go!

[Peasants shout.
Ade. & Cho.
For he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fellow,
Which nobody can deny.

[Exeunt, marching out to music.