The Female Massaroni ; Or, The Fair Brigands An Operatic Drama, In Two Acts |
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| 2. | SCENE II. |
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 | The Female Massaroni ; Or, The Fair Brigands |  |
SCENE II.
—A Landscape.Enter Rosa, with a basket on her arm, L.
Rosa.
How fortunate!—Count Dorio's fête to-day
Proved a good market for us flower-girls.
My basket's empty, and my purse is full.
How my poor mother will rejoice to hear
Of my success!—And now that I have money,
I'll buy a flask of wine to comfort her;
For poverty is grievous in old age.
There is to be a masquerade to-night;
So I'll run home, and get a fresh supply
[Going, R.
Of flowers for the motley company.
And while I sell them, I shall see the sports,
Uniting business with recreation.
Now, then, away to my dear, happy home!
Enter Ladroni, hastily, with a letter, R., meeting her.
Lad.
A word with you, my pretty little Flora.
Rosa.
You are mistaken, sir; my name's not Flora.
Lad.
It matters not, my love. Say, are not you
The pretty maid, who at Count Dorio's villa
Sold flowers to the guests?
Rosa.
One of the maids
I am; but whether pretty, sir, or not,
Becomes not me to say.
Lad.
What modesty!
I swear to thee by my veracity,
Thou art by far the fairest specimen
Of rustic beauty, Nature ever formed.
Pr'ythee, sweet sylvan nymph, what is thy name?
SONG.—Rosa.
Air, “How sweet are the flowers,” &c., from Tekeli.
They call me young Rosa, the queen of the village,
And many a lover and sweetheart have I
'Mongst the lads, who forget the hard labour of tillage,
If Rosa but gives them a smile for their sigh.
Then to market I speed, where the gentlemen gaze,
And, with a kind smile, chuck me under the chin;
While nodding and winking, my flowers they praise,
And cry, “Here's my lodging, sweet Rosa—walk in!”
And many a lover and sweetheart have I
'Mongst the lads, who forget the hard labour of tillage,
If Rosa but gives them a smile for their sigh.
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And, with a kind smile, chuck me under the chin;
While nodding and winking, my flowers they praise,
And cry, “Here's my lodging, sweet Rosa—walk in!”
But I answer No; and when all my flowers
Are sold, I then bid the fine gentry adieu;
And hie to my cottage, where, happy, my hours
I pass with content, though our comforts are few.
To father, and mother, and brother, I then
Relate my adventures, and give all my gains;
No queen half so happy, if Rosa again
But meets in their smiles the reward of her pains.
Are sold, I then bid the fine gentry adieu;
And hie to my cottage, where, happy, my hours
I pass with content, though our comforts are few.
To father, and mother, and brother, I then
Relate my adventures, and give all my gains;
No queen half so happy, if Rosa again
But meets in their smiles the reward of her pains.
Lad.
Since Rosa is thy name, most charming rosebud,
Peruse this letter from my noble master,
The Marquis Sapparino.
Rosa.
[Taking the letter.]
What! the bridegroom
Of the Count Dorio's daughter, fair Georgina?
Lad.
The very same.
Rosa.
[Opening the letter.]
What can he want with me?
[Reading.]
“Sweet violet, blooming in obscurity—”
A singular beginning for a letter!
[Reads.
“The nosegay which I bought of thee this morning
Contained some beauteous flowers, but none so sweet
As thy dear self. I therefore long to wear thee,
Most charming of all rosebuds, in my bosom.
Come to the masquerade this evening,
Where we may have a tender interview,
Unknown and unobserved. My valet waits
Thy verbal answer—merely yes or no.
If yes, the gods might wish my bliss to share;
If no, my doom is madness and despair!
“Marquis Sapperino.”
A most delightful letter, I declare!Lad.
What is your answer, pretty Rosa?
Rosa.
Yes!
Lad.
Enough; and as an earnest of his bliss,
My master ordered me to bring a kiss
From thy dear lips, or pluck a blooming rose
From off those lovely cheeks.
[Offers to kiss her.
Rosa.
[Boxing his ear.]
Then take it, coxcomb!
Lad.
Oh, Jupiter! my cheek is all on fire!
Rosa.
It is the rose your master ordered you
To bring him. [Laughing.]
Ha! ha! ha!
Lad.
[Aside.]
The little vixen!
[Aloud.]
But you'll be sure to come?
Rosa.
I answer, yes.
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[Aside, rubbing his cheek.]
To give a man of my veracity
Such striking proofs of her impertinence,
Is horrible! But I will have revenge!
[Exit, L.
Rosa.
A pretty fellow, truly, is this marquis!
Just on the eve of marriage, too, to think
Of laying snares for a poor flower-girl,
Whose only fortune is her honesty!
But I'll expose the villain, when he dreams
Himself the most secure! This assignation
I'll punctually keep. A pretty rosebud
He calls me, and would wear me in his bosom!
The knave! but he shall rue his treachery:
As true as I a rustic maid was born,
I'll make him feel the rosebud hath its thorn!
[Exit, R.
| The Female Massaroni ; Or, The Fair Brigands | |