University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—A gloomy, demoniac-looking Cave. Danasch discovered at a table formed of rocks, with pen, ink, and paper before him. Several Geni seated round and grouped in various attitudes.
All.
Hear! hear! hear!

Dan.
Now, gentlemen, before we cut it short,
Attention, if you please, to my report.

All.
Hear! hear!

Dan.
(reads.)
Resolved,—That Peris are a stuck-up set,
And a let down or two deserve to get.

All.
Hear! hear! hear!

Dan.
Resolved,—That one of them—by name Maimoune—
Is, in this meeting's estimation, “spooney,”
Towards a prince, who does her heart possess,
And also jealous of a young princess.

All.
Hear! hear! hear!

Dan.
Resolved,—That, as the said princess and prince
Met with each other once, but never since,
And, unless help'd by magic power, it's plain
There's little chance they'll ever meet again—
This meeting shall provide the help requir'd,
By which said meeting gains its ends desired,—
Namely, to give said Peri great vexation,
And of her monkey cause the elevation.

All.
Hear! hear!

Dan.
Resolved,—That Danasch be at once deputed
To see this meeting's wishes executed.

All.
Hear! hear! hear!

[Great applause. Danasch sits down.
(A Djinn rises.)
Dji.
Before you think of moving, suffer me to—
I beg to move—what you must all agree to—
A vote of thanks to our esteem'd friend there,
For his efficient conduct in the chair.

All.
Hear! hear!

[El Bogi springs up very suddenly through trap.
El B.
I second it.

1st Dji.
Then, please, before we lose you all,
Be kind enough to signify as usual.

[The Geni raise their hands, and cheer.
Dan.
(rising.)
Gents! There are customs which must be obeyed—
Customs and duties Spirits can't evade.
The honour done me upon this occasion,
I feel convinced—that is, it's my persuasion—
The—ah!—I mean—that is—I must confess—
That—unaccustomed as I am to—yes—
[Applause.
Thank you—I feel—by your approval backed,
I beg to—Hem!—sit down, in point of fact.

All.
Hear! hear!

1st Dji.
The meeting's up, I s'pose.

[They all rise.
Dan.
Here, stop! don't start;
There's something to come in before we part.
One's promises, you know, one must perform;
I said I'd stand a drop of something warm.
I like a real good drain, which, by the way,
Is more than certain City nobs can say.

[A large punch-bowl rises, with flames under it, like the witches' cauldron in “Macbeth.” El Bogi hands around drinking-cups. Danasch ladles out the beverage.
SONG AND CHORUS.
Music—“Macbeth.”
Dan.
Let's have a drain.

1st Dji.
Agreed!

2d Dji.
Agreed!

Air—“Sir Roger de Coverley.”
Dan.
Care and sorrow dwindling,
Mirth and splendour kindling;
Let us be happy and jolly,
And drink success to swindling.

Chorus.
Care and sorrow, &c.