University of Virginia Library

Scene Second.

—The Cabinet des Fées.
On the shelves of a richly-ornamented book-case are seen volumes with titles in transparency, “The Golden

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Branch,” “King of the Peacocks,” “Island of Jewels,” &c.—On a desk in centre of stage is a volume, closed, without a title.
Fairy.
Behold the famous “Cabinet des Fées”
And “Fairy Library,” which, I dare say,
You've often heard of. Round you on the shelves,
All richly spell-bound by my fairy elves,
The volumes stand whose magic-woven pages
Have charmed the children of all times and ages.

Dame.
Some I perceive whose titles I know well.
I've told them often, and I've found them tell.

Fairy.
Those are the stage editions—done for certain;
Those yet to do are kept behind the curtain.
This book contains the story of yourself.

(pointing to the one on the desk)
Dame.
I see, then, I'm not yet upon the shelf.

Fairy.
To read it I began not long ago,
How it will end are you resolved to know?

Dame.
Of my own fate I would not read a line,
But that of others is bound up with mine;
And therefore humbly hope that it will suit your
Book, to say what is “looming in the future!”

Fairy.
Sit then, whilst I find out how the adapter
Has worked the story up in the last chapter.

(opens book on desk)
Dame.
(aside)
Thus, at a boarding school, the eager maid
Through the three-volumed novel cannot wade,
Till she has peeped to see if Lady Anne
Does marry after all “that charming man!”

Fairy.
What do I see! what words my pain could paint;
If I were not a fairy I should faint!

Dame.
What do you see? Speak! Don't suppose I'm nervous.
Has fate resolved to pickle or preserve us?

Fairy.
Alas! I haven't got the heart to tell you;
Were you a giantess the blow would fell you!

Dame.
I'm short in stature—that I don't deny,
But put my monkey up, I'm six feet high!
Whate'er my lot, let fortune smile or frown,
I am a lot not easily knocked down!
Malice may wound or boobyism bore me,
But it must be a precious thump to floor me.

Fairy.
Well, then, prepare for woe.

Dame.
I am prepared!

Fairy.
The page is blank on which so long I've stared.

Dame.
Blank! Why then, wherefore so blank should you look,
If we are neither booked nor brought to book?

Fairy.
Because, although imperfect just the last at,
There is a sentence which I stood aghast at.

Dame.
'Gainst me let any sentence be recorded.
What fate to my poor wards has Fate awarded?

Fairy.
They're in the paws of the usurping Bear.

Dame.
And no brave friend to cry “paws off” is there!

Fairy.
He will cry “heads off” certainly for two.
They can be only saved by me, or you.

Dame.
Then we're all right, and Bruin's beaten hollow!

Fairy.
I beg to say that don't exactly follow.
The stars have made a fearful stipulation;
One of us two must take their situation—
And perish in their place.

Dame.
Which shall it be?
Decide yourself—it's all the same to me.

Fairy.
Well, I confess I can't go quite that pace.
There's a slight difficulty in my case:
If I would perish for them—which I wouldn't—
I am a fairy, and, of course, I couldn't.

Dame.
Then why distress yourself to that amount?

Fairy.
It is entirely on your account.

Dame.
Oh, my account I'll in a moment settle:
Fate rings out an appeal to my belle metal—
And I will answer as becomes a woman.
Who can say more—is none!

Fairy.
It seems inhuman
To let you go to certain execution.

Dame.
I go to execute my resolution.

Fairy.
They're not your children.

Dame.
That weighs not a pin.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin—
Of these poor orphans I'm the sole asylum;
And if my life subscription in can tile 'em,
I'll pay it down with pleasure, and will dare
For those dear lambs to go the entire—Bear;

Fairy.
You are as brave as you are good—receive
This sprig of thyme, 'twill bring you a reprieve
At the last moment, if you should repent.

Dame.
Pray keep your thyme—it were but time misspent—

Fairy.
Reject it not! unguarded by this spell
The tyrant would but take your head as well.
This leaves him not the liberty to choose,
They cannot fall—if you stand in their shoes.

Dame.
Ah! that's two other shoes—so if I may
I'll “take your thyme, Miss Lucy,” as they say,
But I suspect there's no more time to spare.

Fairy.
Time flies, you know, that thyme will take you there.
(Exit Fairy)

Air—Dame—“Nelly Bly.”