University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—An Archery Ground, laid out à la Cremorne, Rosherville, &c.; stuffed figures of soldiers, targets, &c., about; men, in Lincoln green, in attendance.—A raised seat for the Emperor.
Enter the Emperor, attended by Guards, Mandarins, &c.; Japan and Camaralzaman, with bows and arrows in their hands.—Danasch in attendance on Camaralzaman.— Badoura, and her Attendants, &c.
CHORUS.
(Hunting Chorus from “Der Freischutz.”)
Now forward, young men, for this Princess contending,
Her father commands you to draw the long bow;
And there's such a prize on your shooting depending,
That all your best skill we'd advise you to show.
For, oh! she's a treasure that's worthy of princes,
With charms more than Cocker can ever compute;
Each moment her form some new beauty evinces;
So just mind your eye, and take care how you shoot.
Now, my lucky sportsmen! step forward, and try your luck!
Forward! forward! &c.

Emp.
Daughter, you look the picture of distress;
A sorry sample of a Prize Princess.

Bad.
(weeps.)
I can't help crying—mingled doubts and fears
Transform my 'kerchief to a veil of tears.
It's wringing wet—a perfect sheet of water.

Emp.
Say a wet blanket on our mirth, my daughter.
[She sobs.
Come, come! unless you mean to drop that din,
Get out, or rather, I should say, get in.

Bad.
Well, p'r'aps I'd better, for the match would be
A truly 'arrowing spectacle to me;
(To Camaralzaman.)
Sweet prince! may Fortune take you in her care!

Dim.
(aside.)
Master's a brute—I always thought he were.

[Exeunt Badoura, Dimpl, and Attendants.
Dan.
Now then, old chap! it's time we made a start;
Suppose we do so.

Emp.
Oh! with all my heart!
You understand, who shoots the farthest, wins—
And only one shot each—Japan begins.

Cam.
(aside to Danasch.)
All's right, you say?

Dan.
(aside, in reply.)
Correct as any trivet!
Strength to your arrow I'll take care and give it.

[Japan shoots.
Jap.
Badoura's mine!

Cam.
Don't halloo out just yet,
Out of the wood you first had better get.

[Shoots; all start with astonishment.
Dan.
There!

Emp.
Where?

Cam.
Ay! where? who saw my arrow fall?

Att.
Please, sir, I think it didn't fall at all.

SONG.
Tune—“Blue Bells of Scotland.”
Cam.
Oh! where, and oh! where, is my flighty arrow gone?

Dan.
Oh! it's gone a great deal farther than I meant it to have flown!
And, it's oh! in my heart that I can't tell where it's gone.

Chorus.
Then it's oh! in his heart, &c.

Jap.
(to Emperor.)
Suppose, and suppose, that his arrow can't be found?

Emp.
He must lose the match, of course, for being such a stupid hound!

Jap.
Then, it's oh! in my heart, that I hope it can't be found.

Chorus.
Then, it's oh! in his heart, &c.

Cam.
I've shot it out of sight, that's it, no doubt—
But, wait a minute, I'll soon find it out.

[Runs after his arrow.
Dan.
(aside.)
It strikes me, Miss Maimoune's been at work,
My nicely-plann'd contrivances to burk;
If so, I think I'd better cut and run,
But, ere I do, egad! I'll have some fun.

Emp.
What! can't he find it? Where can he have tossed it?
Zounds! if the stupid fellow's been and lost it,
Why, he deserves to lose the lady too.

Jap.
Hear! hear! I quite agree with you!

Dan.
You do?
Well! I'm not one who at conclusions jumps;
But, really, you're a precious set of pumps.

Emp. and Jap.
Pumps!

Mands. &c.
Pumps!

Dan.
Yes, pumps! his highness in particular.

Emp.
(infuriate.)
Our royal pigtail stands out perpendicular
With rage! our pow'r of breathing almost ceases;
Slaves! chop him up in several little pieces.

[Guards rush at Danasch with weapons; he stands with his arms folded, looking contemptuously at them. Japan interrupts them.
Jap.
A moment stay! my liege, a boon I crave—
Let me dispose of this presumptuous slave.

Emp.
Well, if to you 'twill any pleasure bring,
Here, slaves, fall back, and give the prince a ring!

[Music.—Japan draws his sword, and rushes at Danasch, who draws his, and defends himself. Broadsword Combat. Danasch is stabbed, but he only throws up his arms and laughs.
Jap.
You harden'd monster! where's your feelings, pray?
I'll try and touch them now, where'er they lay.
[Fight renewed. Danasch stabbed, and laughs as before. Japan becomes infuriated, stabs Danasch several times, at each of which he laughs. At last he stabs Japan, and with an O. Smith-like laugh sinks through trap, from which a flame arises. Japan falls.
Perdition catch thine arm—

Emp.
(astonished.)
There's none to catch;
Your friend's gone off, just like a Congreve match,
Smelling like those—three boxes for a penny!

Jap.
(feebly.)
He was a match for me, and one too many;
I'm pepper'd; yes, I'm summon'd to that bourne
From which commercial trav'llers ne'er return.

[Dies.
Emp.
I think—although I don't for certain know—
I'm justified in saying, here's a go!
One son-in-law cut off—but where's the other?

Att.
Please, sir, he's cut off too.

Emp.
Now, that's a bother;
If of the candidates we lose the two,
What for a husband will Badoura do?
Here, find him out—every exertion make—
Tell him there must have been a slight mistake;
As for the dart which play'd him such a trick,
Tell him that needn't in his gizzard stick!

[Guards bear off Japan.
SOLO AND CHORUS.
(Eclipse Polka.)
[Emp.]
That you find him, have a care;
And you'd better, I declare,
In a jiffey,
If ye
Really
Dearly
Prize the heads you wear.

Chorus.
We to find him must take care;
And we'd better, I declare,
In a jiffey,
If we, &c.

[Exeunt Mandarins, &c., running to look for Camaralzaman, L.