University of Virginia Library

Scene Fourth.

—The Square before the Palace, a terrace of which commands a view of the place—Night—In the centre a pile of faggots and a stake—Guards, commanded by Perfidius, are discovered completing the preparations for the execution by torchlight.
Enter Pastora and Sublimus.
Pas.
Thus far, beneath the blanket of the dark,
We've crept into the town without remark;
But on the hope our daughter back to get,
The blanket fortune throws is very wet.
What's going forward in this public square?

Sub.
To ask that officer d'ye think we dare?

Pas.
I think I dare. (to Perfidius)
Sir, will you be so civil
As to say what you're at?

Per.
Go to the devil!

Pas.
Thank you! I feel assured, from all I see,
No one knows more about your work than he.

Per.
Ha! ha! the woman thinks herself a wit.
Well, if you want to know, just wait a bit.
These faggots soon will throw sufficient light
Upon the subject of our work to-night.

Sub.
(aside to Pastora)
What is to-day? I really don't remember;
Perhaps the fifth, it may be, of November,
And they're about to burn a guy.

Pas.
If true,
My dearest husband, don't let them see you!

Sub.
Don't be alarmed! for look, they've two guys greater.

Enter King Periwigulus, Prince, and Guards.
Prince.
Is all prepared?

Per.
All, sir.

Prince.
Drag forth the traitor!
He shall fry first, before the false one's eyes!

Enter Corin, guarded.
Sub.
'Tis Corin!

Pas.
Oh! then—horrible surmise!
The other victim is our daughter!
Enter Princess, guarded.
Yes!
Oh! but they don't suppose that I'll stand this!
(advancing)
Hold!

Prince.
Who says, Hold?

Pas.
I do!

Prince.
Take hold of her!

Princess.
My mother!

Prince.
How! Queen Dominanta!

Pas.
Sir!
I am that injured individual;
And with my royal husband here now call
Upon the Sovereign of this mighty State
For his protection.

King.
You have called too late!
I'm not at home—I say it to my sorrow—
In my own palace!

Prince.
Call again to-morrow!
Quick to the stake with him!

Sub.
All right he spurns!

Pas.
Is there no justice in this land?

Prince.
Yes, “Burns!”

Cor.
(as they bind him to the stake, raising his bare arm towards Prince)
Base tyrant, mark me!

King.
Ha! stand so! keep steady!—
Mark thee!—some one has marked thee, boy, already!
What mark is that upon thine arm I see?

Cor.
An arrow-head.

King.
Oh, Fortune! can it be?

Pas.
It can! though what it can be I've no notion.

King.
One question—I can't ask it for emotion—
Young man!—thy father!—who and what was he?

Cor.
I never had one!

King.
Then it must be me!

Prince.
What stuff is this?

King.
A fact no stuff can smother!
Release my son! Brutus, behold thy brother!

Prince.
'Tis false! the brat was strangled when a baby.

King.
How do you know?

Pas.
Because he did it, may be!

Sub.
Or tried to do it!

King.
Ha! he's conscious smitten!
Who dress'd up in long clothes a nasty kitten,
And stole his little brother?

All.
(groaning)
Oh, oh, fie!

Prince.
Well, if you come to that, then—know 'twas I!
And of my birthright ere I moult one feather,
I'll see you all—burned in a lump together!
Perfidius! while the iron's hot let's strike it!

(music—Guards and Perfidius seize King and all the party—Fairy Amazona appears)
Fairy.
Burn first yourself, and just see how you like it.

Prince and Perfidius sink in flames, together with the pile, &c.
King.
(to Fairy)
For this relief, much thanks. Upon our knees—

Pas.
That's what I call “Burns' Justice,” if you please!

Fairy.
Great King, receive your son—from ruffian hands
Snatched by an eagle—and, by my commands,
Brought up in in safety by this royal pair!—
To whom I now restore their kingdom fair—
The Peaceful Isles.

Pas.
Our reign will never cease
So long as your kind hands preserve this piece!
(music—Change to last scene)
Finale—“Summer Flowers.”