 | Blue Beard |  |
Scene Fourth.
—Gallery on the “ground floor,” with folding doors, leading to the Blue Chamber.Enter Fleurette.
Fleur.
Well, I think now I've been in every corner,
And ate as much minced pie as young Jack Horner.
I'm dressed as fine as any princess, too,
And haven't got a single thing to do;
Yet I'm not happy—no, 'midst all these revels,
I'm troubled by a touch of the blue devils.
Song—“Son vergin vezzosa”—“I Puritani.”
And ate as much minced pie as young Jack Horner.
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And haven't got a single thing to do;
Yet I'm not happy—no, 'midst all these revels,
I'm troubled by a touch of the blue devils.
I've used my ten toes so
They need some repose, so
I'll seek in a doze—O
My senses to steep.
My Blue-bearded sposo
Objects to “peep-bo,” so
I'll go to “bo-peep.”
They need some repose, so
I'll seek in a doze—O
My senses to steep.
My Blue-bearded sposo
Objects to “peep-bo,” so
I'll go to “bo-peep.”
Yes, I'll to bed, for I feel very weary;
What place is this? it looks uncommon dreary
After the other rooms—a door all blue!
This must be that which I must not go through.
And wherefore not, I should just like to know,
If I'm to be the dame of this château?
Old Blue Wig's not at home, nobody's nigh,
I'll through the key-hole have at least a spy.
(looks through key-hole)
It's dark as pitch—why should I waste my time?
I've got the key, there can be no great crime.
There's something curious in this room, no doubt of it,
And I'll be sworn their's someone curious out of it.
And so here goes!
Puts key in door—it opens with a crash, and discovers interior of the Blue Chamber, and nineteen women in white, with their heads under their arms.
What sight my soul alarms?
A regiment of heads, all under arms!
Who are you, ladies? if you can, pray speak!
What place is this? it looks uncommon dreary
After the other rooms—a door all blue!
This must be that which I must not go through.
And wherefore not, I should just like to know,
If I'm to be the dame of this château?
Old Blue Wig's not at home, nobody's nigh,
I'll through the key-hole have at least a spy.
(looks through key-hole)
It's dark as pitch—why should I waste my time?
I've got the key, there can be no great crime.
There's something curious in this room, no doubt of it,
And I'll be sworn their's someone curious out of it.
And so here goes!
Puts key in door—it opens with a crash, and discovers interior of the Blue Chamber, and nineteen women in white, with their heads under their arms.
What sight my soul alarms?
A regiment of heads, all under arms!
Who are you, ladies? if you can, pray speak!
All the heads together.
The nineteen wives of base Abomelique!
Chorus of Heads
—“Nid, nid, nodding.”
Each with her noddle,
Nid, nid noddle,
Each with her noddle
Underneath her arm.
And it's how do you do, ma'am,
And when did you arrive?
You'll come and join our party
As sure as you're alive,
With your own noddle,
Nid, nid noddle,
With your own noddle
Underneath your arm.
Nid, nid noddle,
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Underneath her arm.
And it's how do you do, ma'am,
And when did you arrive?
You'll come and join our party
As sure as you're alive,
With your own noddle,
Nid, nid noddle,
With your own noddle
Underneath your arm.
Fleur.
(in great alarm)
Oh, you're all models,
Mod, mod models!
Oh, you're all models
Of politeness, I protest;
But I couldn't think your graces
To trouble any more,
So permit me in your faces
Just to slam the parlour door.
(shuts and locks the door hastily)
And I'll off toddle.
Tod, tod toddle,
With my own noddle
Where I like it best.
(Exit)
Mod, mod models!
Oh, you're all models
Of politeness, I protest;
But I couldn't think your graces
To trouble any more,
So permit me in your faces
Just to slam the parlour door.
(shuts and locks the door hastily)
And I'll off toddle.
Tod, tod toddle,
With my own noddle
Where I like it best.
Enter Anne.
Anne.
Where can Fleurette have got to? Mother's gone
And all the company—I'm quite alone,
And feel so mopish,—ah! she's here at last.
(Re-enter Fleurette)
Why, sister, you are looking quite aghast.
Fleur.
And well indeed I may, for I have seen—
Anne.
A ghost?
Fleur.
A ghost, my love! I've seen nineteen!
Anne.
Nineteen at once? Permit me, dear, to doubt it.
Fleur.
Be quiet, and I'll tell you all about it.
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As pensive the blue chamber near,
I looked on this key shining bright,
I felt rather curious, my dear,
And fancied all wasn't quite right.
Oh, I wished that the truth I could know,
For I felt not a wink should I sleep;
And I couldn't help stooping just so,
In hopes through the key-hole to peep.
I looked on this key shining bright,
I felt rather curious, my dear,
And fancied all wasn't quite right.
Oh, I wished that the truth I could know,
For I felt not a wink should I sleep;
And I couldn't help stooping just so,
In hopes through the key-hole to peep.
I thought the old fright was away,
And might be for hours or more,
And ere you could Jack Robinson say,
I had popped the key into the door!
O, lud! you may guess my alarm,
A row of good women to view,
Who with each her head under her arm,
Cried, “Ma'am, we're all waiting for you.”
And might be for hours or more,
And ere you could Jack Robinson say,
I had popped the key into the door!
O, lud! you may guess my alarm,
A row of good women to view,
Who with each her head under her arm,
Cried, “Ma'am, we're all waiting for you.”
Anne.
I never heard of anything so shocking.
Fleur.
I wasn't long again the portal locking
You may be sure; but when I turned the key
Behold the key turned blue!
(shewing it to her)
Anne.
As blue can be!
Fleur.
Blue as it's horrid master's room or beard;
And nought can take the stains out, I'm afeard.
Anne.
With sand and brick-dust let us try a scrub.
Fleur.
I've tried, and to no purpose—there's the rub.
Anne.
What, in the name of fortune, can we do?
Fleur.
Why, that's exactly what I'm asking you.
Anne.
Here comes O'Black! let's ask him.
Fleur.
He'll betray us,
And then Abomelique alive will flay us.
Anne.
We can't be much worse off.
Fleur.
I don't know that;
I tremble so, I don't know what I'm at.
(Enter O'Shac O'Back)
Come hither to me, Mister What's-your-name?
O'Shac.
O'Shac O'Back.
Fleur.
Well, well, it's all the same.
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The powder that you use to clean the plate?
O'Shac.
What do you want it for?
Anne.
Dear goodness me!
If you must know, she wants to clean a key.
O'Shac.
A key!
Fleur.
Why, yes, a key! What makes you stare?
O'Shac.
Oh, murder! sure you never have been there?
Fleur.
Don't frighten me; the key has changed its hue.
O'Shac.
Nothing will clean that key but powder blue.
Fleur.
But powder blue! then tell me where they sell it.
O'Shac.
Nowhere on earth—just take the pains to smell it.
Anne.
'Tis but to tease you that he talks this stuff.
Fleur.
It has a dreadful odour sure enough.
O'Shac.
Anywhere else, I wouldn't care a button,
But you've been there, and you're a poor lost mutton.
Anne.
Devise some plan, and don't say things to grieve us.
O'Shac.
We can do nothing to make him believe us!
Once in that chamber having shewn your face,
You'll find he's booked you for an inside place.
Fleur.
But I've no money.
O'Shac.
He don't want your pelf;
He drives 'em there and pays the fare himself.
Anne.
Do think of something—we'll make you amends.
O'Shac.
I've got it, ma'am!—have you got any friends?
Anne.
She cannot answer—see with fear she swoons!
Fleur.
I've got two brothers in the Light Dragoons.
O'Shac.
Send to their quarters, let them come and storm
The Baron's castle in full uniform.
Fleur.
Alas! whom can I send? Poor Joli Cœur!
Where art thou now?
O'Shac.
Why just behind that door.
Fleur.
No, you don't say so! then beyond a doubt,
I've got the keys, and you can let him out.
(gives them to O'Shac)
O'Shac O'Back opens secret door in panel, and Joli Cœur appears.
Joli.
Within this solitary cell confined,
For forty years poor Joli Cœur has pined.
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Why, my good friend, you don't know what you say.
The Baron only lock'd you up to-day.
Joli.
Was it to-day? mark the effects of sorrow!
I actually thought it was to-morrow!
(sings)
I actually thought it was to-morrow!
To-morrow is St. Valentine's day,
And sure as you are born,
I'll beneath your window play
A solo on the horn!
And sure as you are born,
I'll beneath your window play
A solo on the horn!
Fleur.
His poor brain wanders.
O'Shac.
He's horn mad, I vow.
Joli.
I feel a little better, thank you, now!
And want my supper; for, as I'm a sinner,
I've only had a black French roll for dinner,
And half-a-pint of dirty Adam's ale,
I who was always used to “Bass's pale!”
Fleur.
Were you a lover true, you wouldn't think
Of two such vulgar things as meat and drink;
My head's at stake. Fly! jump into the mail,
And to my brothers bear my piteous tale!
If you have luck, you'll catch the evening train,
And ere you're there you may be back again.
Joli.
I fly to aid a female in distress!
Fleur.
I wish you every possible success.
O'Shac.
Young man, I beg to say four legs is best,
Call at the stable, and—you know the rest.
Air—Joli Cœur—“Guillaume Tell.”
Fast to the office let me ride,
If I can find but a place outside;
Little I care for rain or hail,
Once on the top of the royal mail!
Blue Beard shall feel our vengeance lawful,
Widow'd shall be his twentieth wife;
Oh! that to make his fate more awful,
We could restore the rest to life!
Fast to the office, &c.
(Exeunt Joli Cœur and the others)
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