 | Fortunio, and His Seven Gifted Servants |  |
Scene Fifth.
—Interior of King Alfourite's Palace, as in the First Act.Enter King and Minister.
King.
Talk not of comfort to a wretch like me!
My Court is now a Court of Bankruptcy.
Not Mr. Lover, who, as you're aware,
Audits accounts of every Irish heir—
Which, for arithmetic, his fame advances,
Could find a cure for my impaired finances.
Song—King—Air—“I love her, how I love her.”
My Court is now a Court of Bankruptcy.
Not Mr. Lover, who, as you're aware,
Audits accounts of every Irish heir—
Which, for arithmetic, his fame advances,
Could find a cure for my impaired finances.
E'en Lover! Samuel Lover!
Though he's a dab at L. S. D.
'Twould puzzle to discover
One penny in my treasury.
Though he's a dab at L. S. D.
'Twould puzzle to discover
One penny in my treasury.
A tyrant beyond measure
Has walked off all my treasure;
And thinks it quite a pleasure,
To have so diddled me.
Has walked off all my treasure;
And thinks it quite a pleasure,
To have so diddled me.
225
Light.
Hail to your Majesty.
King.
You come to use
Your tongue—your office quickly—what's your news?
Light.
Great news, great King. My Lord Fortunio's near,
With all your treasure!
Enter Princess.
Prin.
What is this I hear?
King.
With all my treasure!
Light.
Sire, the truth to tell,
You'll find some of the Emperor's as well.
We hadn't time to pick and choose, in fact;
So took it as it came.
King.
Judicious act!
Prin.
(aside)
What, of my vengeance am I baulked again?
King.
How is he coming?
Light.
By a special train.
I saw him start, and then ran on before
To give you notice. (shouts without)
Hark, he's at the door!
King.
Conduct him to our presence—quickly—fly!
(Exeunt Minister and Lightfoot)
Prin.
(aside)
I'll crush him yet, or know the reason why.
King.
He comes! he comes! With shouts the people greet him!
Don't stand there, sister, let us haste to meet him.
Prin.
It is not meet we should; he wants your crown,
So pull him up before he pulls you down.
King.
Fortunio false! then never man was true!
Some wicked wag has sure been hoaxing you.
Prin.
I tell you, brother, I can prove his guilt.
King.
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.
Prin.
And so did I until
He dared propose your Majesty to kill,
And marry me!
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And marry you! Alack,
He must, then, be a monomaniac!
Prin.
Brother!
King.
I mean that such prodigious vanity
Is the best proof of the young man's insanity.
Prin.
I tell you he's a foe you must beware of.
King.
Let him be taken, pray, the greatest care of;
For though he might not run his sovereign through,
He may be mad enough to marry you.
But wherefore spoke you not of this before?
Prin.
I was in hopes he would return no more;
But he's come back, laden with fame and treasure,
And all the people's heads he'll turn with pleasure,
And they'll dethrone you and crown him instead,
Unless you puzzle them to find his head.
King.
Ah, me! I haven't got the heart to do it.
Prin.
Then leave the whole to me—I'll pull you through it.
(Exeunt)
| Fortunio, and His Seven Gifted Servants | |