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48
Scene Third.
—The State Apartments.Abomelique, Fleurette, Anne, and Guests discovered. Feasting and dancing.
Grand Chorus—“Guillaume Tell.”
Everything fine surrounding.
Everything nice abounding.
Everything sweetly sounding!
What can we wish for more?
Savoury dishes steaming,
Champagne like a river streaming,
Music that sets one screaming,
Encore! encore! encore!
(Abomelique leads forward Fleurette)
Ab.
How do you like my castle, madam, say?
It's furnished to your taste? be candid, pray.
Fleur.
I find your castle, sir, the truth to tell,
Superb! enchanting! matchless!—pretty well!
(aside)
I'm dazzled quite with all I round me view,
I wish his beard was not so very blue.
Ab.
Madam, you flatter me by your approval,
I trust you'll think no longer of removal,
But make yourself at home—my house, my grounds,
My servants, coaches, horses, hawks, and hounds,
Are yours, if you will have their master too.
Fleur.
(aside)
I really think his beard is not so blue.
Ab.
My wealth's enormous—I've a rent roll clear
Of forty millions—I'm a potent peer!
Likely to die before you, a great point sure—
A youthful peeress, with a thumping jointure!
The king himself might at your feet then fall.
Fleur.
(aside)
I'm quite convinced his beard's not blue at all;
Besides, if he's so very much my slave,
He'd be polite enough, perhaps, to shave.
A peeress! 'twould be cheap at any cost!
Ab.
(aside)
The wench who hesitates, they say, is lost.
49
Does silence speak consent? Say, are you mine?
The contract's ready.
Fleur.
So am I to sign.
O'Shac.
And please your honour, here's a billy doux.
Ab.
For me?
O'Shac.
Oh, no, sir; not for me—for you.
Ab.
Fool, give it me. (reads)
Odds bobs! but here's a screw loose;
(Exit O'Shac)
The King has heard my life's a little too loose,
And I am cited to appear and answer
The charge of being a great necromancer.
I must to some one learned in the law;
In these proceedings we must find some flaw,
And prove to those who prate of my intents,
That they're no conjurors, at all events.
Anne.
You seem disturbed.
Fleur.
What ails my lord and master?
Anne.
I trust that note announces no disaster!
Ab.
Charming Fleurette, I'm called in haste away,
But don't let that break up the party, pray.
I shan't be long—and in my absence you
Can with your friends range all the castle through.
Here are the keys of every room within it.
Fleur.
What a nice job, I quite long to begin it.
Ab.
This of my treasury you'll find the key;
These ope the iron chests you'll in it see.
And this the wine cellar, and this the store room;
But this, mind, is the key of the ground floor room—
The small apartment at the gallery's end,
Called the Blue Chamber. Now mark, I depend
On your discretion. Enter all but that—
Therein peep at your peril! verbum sat!
Fleur.
It needs no threat—you've but to speak your wishes—
They're my commands.
Anne.
(aside to her)
Ye gods and little fishes!
You've quite forgotten Joli Cœur, I see!
Fleur.
Forgotten Joli Cœur! Pray who is he?
Oh, ah, I recollect, a little man
Who used to play the horn. Pray, sister Anne,
50
We ever knew such persons.
Anne.
Oh, Fleurette!
For shame! when in a dungeon pines the lad,
On your account, it really is too bad!
Fleur.
On my account! Law, you don't say so; bless me,
I'm very sorry, dear, you quite distress me;
I hope and trust he'll soon get out again.
Come, ladies, won't you take some more champagne?
Anne.
Sister, beware, your pride may have a tumble.
Ab.
Ladies, I am your most obedient humble!
(Exit Abomelique)
Fleur.
He's gone, now then we will have such a gambol.
Through all the castle I propose to ramble!
The cellar plunge in, to the garret chamber,
Up stairs, down stairs, and in my lady's chamber!
Duet—Fleurette and Anne—then Chorus.
Goosey, goosey, gander,
Come, let us wander,
Up stairs, down stairs,
And in my lady's chamber!
He'll be a bold man
Who to stop us dares!
We'll take him by the right leg,
Take him by the left leg,
Take him by both legs, and fling him down stairs.
Goosey, goosey, gander, come let us, &c.
(Exeunt Fleurette and Anne, and the others)
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