University of Virginia Library

SCENE X.

—COURT-YARD IN LITTLE MAID'S CASTLE.
Enter Health.
Health.
It's something to be able to disburse
Money from an unfailing magic purse.
This splendid house, and all that it contains,
Was bought with it, and just as much remains.
Beat such a purse as that is, if you can!
This very day, the lucky Little Man
Gives us a spread, to please us and elate us,
On taking name and arms of Fortunatus.

Enter Little Maid.
Lit. Maid.
Where is my husband?

Health.
Madam, not come back.

Lit. Maid.
With anxious fear my mind's upon the rack.
He left, a week ago, his little wife,
To seek the Waters of Unceasing Life!

Health.
No doubt he longed for it—I've had a touch of it;
Perhaps he's taken just a drop too much of it.
For ‘Water of Unceasing Life,’ you see,
Is only English, ma'am, for Eau de vie!

Lit. Maid.
Impossible! Well, send the people in,
He may be here before the sports begin.

[Procession of materials for Banquet, Cooks, &c., and Guests of all sorts.—Afterwards,
Enter Satana, and the Three Bears, the latter disguised absurdly in court dresses, wigs, swords, &c.
Satana.
Allow me, ma'am, to introduce to you
Three foreign noblemen!

Lit. Maid.
Oh, how d'e do?
[Bears nod clumsily.
[Aside.]
Their costumes, and all that, are pretty fairish;
Their manners, though, I find extremely bearish!
[Aloud.]
Are manners in your land so very shady,
That gentlemen don't bow before a lady?

Satana.
Come, bare your heads, my lords, before a leddy!

Lit. Maid.
Well, nature's beared their heads for them already!

[Dance, which is interrupted by a shriek from Little Maid, who is struggling with Third Bear.
Lit. Maid.
For shame! how dare you? there you've much displeased me!

Health.
What has he done?

Lit. M.
Done? been and gone and squeezed me!

First B.
Concealment and disguise away we tear—
I am your ancient enemy, First Bear!
Of my determined enmity you've heard.

Second B.
I am the Second Bear!

Third B.
And I the Third!

[They seize Little Maid.—Desperate struggle.—She seizes sword and fights them, and has nearly overpowered them, when Satana whistles, and the Bear Army appears.—Little Maid is eventually overpowered and carried off.—Scene changes to