University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—The Banquet Hall—folding-doors, C. F.
Jeromo and Domestics discovered making preparations for the masquerade.
Jer.
Come, bustle, bustle, idle knaves! our guests
Will speedily arrive. The wine and fruits
Place on this table, and the flower vases
On yon buffet; but with all due regard
To taste and symmetry. There, that will do!
[Festive music heard without.
Now fly! begone! open the folding-doors!
For, hark! the motley company draws near.

[Exeunt Servants, running, L., followed by Jeromo.
Music.—Enter the Count de Dorio, in his own dress, introducing Masquerade Characters; amongst them the Marquis Sapparino, Ladroni, Count Fernando, Sancho, Rosa, &c.
Count.
Welcome, my honoured guests!—Let mirth and joy
Tune every heart to sweetest harmony.
[Aside.]
Like many a priest, I find it easier far
To preach than practice: my joy is marred
By my daughter's absence.

Fer.
Where's Georgina,
The banquet's pride and brightest ornament?

Count.
She went to take an evening promenade
Into the orange grove that skirts the villa,
And hath not yet returned.

Fer.
Imprudent girl!
By night—unguarded—and at the time
When Massaroni, by most sure report,
Is lurking near the spot! Fare you well,
Most noble signors and signoras all!
I'll watch the footsteps of the lovely maid,
And safely guide her to her father's arms,
Or perish for her sake! Sancho, to horse!

[Exit, C. D. F.
San.
I come, my lord. [To Jeromo.]
But where's my dear Babbla?

Jer.
Go to, thou shallow pate!—Where should she be,
But with her mistress?

San.
And ere this, mayhap,
In Massaroni's power. That thought is madness!

Fernando.
[Without.]
Sancho! to horse, I say!

San.
I come, my lord!
And now, brim full of rage, I'll mount my poney,
And take revenge on this vile Massaroni!

[Exit, C. D. F.
Mar.
[Coming forward with Rosa.]
E'en let my silly rival, Count Fernando,
Go fight with Massaroni: I've a magnet
To me far more attractive. Charming Rosa!
Now's the time for our little tête-à-tête.

Rosa.
Such liberties would ill become a guest
So humble as myself, without permission
Of the most noble master of the villa.
[Calling loudly.
Count Dorio, and his worthy company,
A word with you, I crave.

[Courtsies.
Mar.
[Aside.]
Confound the jilt!

Lad.
[Apart to the Marquis.]
What think you of her now, my lord?—What charms!
How innocent!

[The Count and guests come forward.
Count.
[To Rosa.]
What wouldst thou, pretty maid?

Rosa.
Tell me, noble sir: is not yon marquis
Betrothed to your fair daughter?

Count.
Truly is he.

Rosa.
Then, my good lord, that you may know the man
Who is to be your future son-in-law,
Peruse that letter. [Handing it.]
On the eve of marriage,
He could not better occupy his time
Than in attempts to ruin a poor girl,
Whose only fortune is her innocence!

Count.
[To the Marquis, after reading the letter.]
—What means this villany?

Mar.
[Coolly.]
'Tis gallantry!
In this refined and fashionable age,
Such little love intrigues are all the rage.

Count.
My daughter's hand, my lord, shall ne'er be yours.

Mar.
Perhaps not. Her fortune I am sure of:
Look ye, here is the marriage contract!

Count.
[Aside.]
Fool that I was to act so thoughtlessly!
[To the guests.]
I do entreat of you, my honoured guests,
Let not this mar your present harmony.
Minstrels, strike up, and drown a father's cares!

Music.—A CHARACTERISTIC BALLET.
[The ballet is interrupted by the report of fire-arms, and the screams of females without.
Re-enter Jeromo, hastily, C. D. F.
Jer.
Suspend your festive mirth, and save yourselves!
Fly—fly! 'tis the brigand Massaroni!

[Music.—General consternation—the company scamper off—the Marquis Sapparino creeps under the table.
Enter Georgina, C. D. F., as the Brigand Chief, followed by Babbla, as her principal Officer, and the rest of the Fair Brigands, firing off their pistols.—Ladroni is about to escape—Georgina seizes him by the collar, drags him back, and he falls on his knees.
Geo.
[In a gruff voice.]
Who art thou, fellow?

Lad.
A poor honest servant.

Geo.
Who is thy lord?

Lad.
The Marquis Sapparino.

Geo.
The coward knave of whom I come in search!
Where is he? [Presenting a pistol.]
Speak! or I'll make thee tremble!

Lad.
[Loudly.]
Not for the world would I betray my master!
[In a whiper.]
Look under yonder table!

Geo.
[Going to the table.]
Come forth, thou
Recreant coward!—Answer for thy crimes
To Massaroni, and beg for mercy!

[She pulls him from under the table by the ear.
Mar.
[On his knees.]
Oh! mercy—mercy! good Signor Brigand!

Geo.
Most truly, now, thou art a valiant knight!
Is this the gallant Marquis Sapparino?
The desperate swordsman, who, in twenty minutes,
Can slay as many brigands? I have heard
Of your vain boasting, sir; and now demand
That you make good your words. [Producing a brace of pistols.]
Come, take your choice,
And fight me on the spot, or own yourself
A coward! [Pointing to Ladroni.]
Yonder base knave, your valet,
May be your second.

Lad.
No; with your good leave,
I'll not be second in this desp'rate strife,
But first—to run and save my precious life!

[Exit, C. D. F.
Geo.
[To Sapparino.]
No matter; you can fight without a second.

Mar.
I have no wish to murder any man,
Far less a gentleman so much respected
As Signor Massaroni. Here's my purse,
Well lined with gold, if that will satisfy you;
But I entreat you, use no violence,
And, above all, do not derange my person.

Geo.
Thou painted butterfly! put up thy purse;
For Massaroni scorns to rob a wretch
So poor, so utterly contemptible as thou!

Mar.
Ah! how generous!

[Footsteps heard without.
Bab.
[Looking off.]
Dispatch him, captain;
The villa is alarmed.

Geo.
[Cocking her pistol.]
Then he must die!

Mar.
[Trembling.]
And will you take no ransom?

Geo.
None!—Prepare!
Yet stay!—On one condition thou may'st live.

Mar.
Name it; I will consent to all you ask.

Geo.
Know, then, that Massaroni is the friend
Of persecuted lovers. I have heard,
With indignation just, that you aspire
To wed the daughter of Count Dorio,
Although her heart you know can ne'er be yours.
Your claim indeed is lawful, for you hold
The contract in your hand; but I, who set
Laws at defiance, do demand of you
Immediate surrender of the deed.

Mar.
[Aside.]
What a ferocious tiger! [To Georgina.]
I do obey.
Signor, here is the marriage contract.

Geo.
[Taking the deed.]
'Tis well; yet even this is not enough.
Luckily, I see on yonder table
Pens, ink, and paper ready. [Giving them to him.]
—Come, write,
Most noble lord, write what I shall dictate.

Mar.
[Aside, kneeling, and taking the pen.]
Shall I?

Geo.
No hesitation, or you die!
[Dictating.]
I, Guido Sapparino, do for ever
Renounce all claim to Georgina's hand;
And do confess myself a poltroon and
A coward!

Mar.
[Throwing down the pen.]
No, no, signor; that's too bad!

Geo.
[Threatening.]
Not worse than being shot!—Write, sir, or die!

Mar.
[After writing.]
'Tis done, most generous Signor Massaroni!

Geo.
Ha! 'tis well! I came not here to plunder:
I am satisfied. Now will I retire.

Mar.
[Aside, going.]
And so will I!

Geo.
[Pulling him back.]
And is it thus, my lord,
You'd leave the company of a gentleman,
Sans ceremony?

Mar.
[Bowing reluctantly.]
Sir, I crave your pardon!
Adieu, most noble Signor— [Aside.]
A'Diable!

Geo.
[Imitating him.]
Adieu, most noble marquis! a revoir!

Mar.
[Aside.]
Not for ten thousand crowns! Now, then, my legs,
Be true as gold, and swift as lightning!

[Exit, running, R.
Omnes.
[Laughing.]
Ha! ha! ha!

Geo.
[In her natural voice.]
Well, ladies, I must say you've done your duty
Most admirably. All goes bravely on;
And never was a desperate enterprise
Crowned with success more brilliant!

Voices.
[Without.]
On! on!

Count Fernando.
[Without.]
Come, follow me into the banquet-hall!

Bab.
[Pointing off, R.]
Behold! the Count Fernando comes this way.

Geo.
Then, Babbla, we must instantly retreat.
Now, comrades, to the right about face—march!

[Music.—Georgina and the rest retreat in good order, L.