Alfred the Great ; or, The Minstrel King An Historical Extravaganza |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
Scene Sixth.
|
| 7. |
 | Alfred the Great ; or, The Minstrel King |  |
Scene Sixth.
—Front of a Prison; practicable door and window.Enter Haldane, as a sentinel, L.
Hald.
(after pacing up and down)
I wish 'twas time for sending round the picket,
Here I've to do long stop, and keep the wicket;
We've caught one fish, the other swam away—
The greater gudgeon of the two they say.
E'en Alfred's self. Ah! well, they're ticklish gentry.
(Oswith appears at grated window, R. flat)
Oswith.
I say, old chap, are you the nineteenth cent'ry
One hears so much about?
Hald.
(L. C.)
You mustn't joke!
Oswith.
That's very arbitrary. May I smoke?
Hald.
Against the laws in spirit and in letter.
Oswith.
Hang it! One may as well be a poor debtor.
(shaking a bar)
Help us through this, I'll make it worth your while.
You seem a most respectable old file;
Suppose we cut it?
Hald.
(menacing him with partisan)
Shameful proposition!
Oswith.
Help us, at least, in filing one's petition.
Disappears, threatened by Haldane.
Hald.
He's safe! I'll take a turn around the fort,
He can't get out, excepting through the court.
Exit, L.
44
Dun.
This is the dreadful cell where Oswith pines,
I don't quite understand the king's designs;
But, like a cavalier unused to ride
Through London streets, I'm told to “get inside,”
To pave the way for him, as prison breaker.
Enter Haldane, L.
Hald.
(entering)
Who's there?
Dun.
(R.)
A friend.
Hald.
You mean to say a “quaker.”
Dun.
(trembling)
I do feel nervous. Sir, I beg your pardon.
What is the case in point?
(pointing to prison window)
Hald.
Rather a hard 'un.
He roasts at sunrise.
Dun.
Roasts—you don't mean biled?
(Haldane shakes his head)
Unhappy child! in either case he's spiled.
(aside)
What line of business ought I to follow?
Ha! the example of Peruvian Rolla.
Look on this chain of massive gold!
Hald.
Away!
Would'st bribe an old Norwegian?
Dun.
(aside)
Change the lay!
He'd soon find out that it was only copper.
Soldier! hast thou a wife?
Hald.
(shuddering)
I have, a whopper!
Dun.
Suppose a comrade at your prison gate
Sought for admission; finding it too late
Before your execution to remind you,
That the aforesaid girl you've left behind you,
Had found you out, and would an audience win.
Hald.
Well?
Dun.
Oswith has a wife!
Hald.
Enough—get in!
Exeunt into prison, L.
Enter Ina, with her hair dishevelled, followed by Elswith, R.
Duet.—“The Two Cousins.”
Both.
Yes, it is, after all—a most desperate fall,
From the height of ambition and prospects divine.
To the depths of despair,
And the tearing of hair,
Ina., Elswith.
For partners aren't all like that lost one of mine,
Though her partner is not like that lost one of mine!
Elswith.
One word, my Danish cousin;
You must own it's far too bad,
While I am merely doleful—you
Should go stark staring mad.
Just consider, mine's a monarch,
While your own's a simple knight,
To rank your loss as more than mine—
You know it is not right.
Ina.
Dispense with any lectures, coz;
Between myself and you—
I've not gone mad in earnest,
And I've no intention to.
Those signs of aberration will
On Guthrum's feelings play;
And Oswith's dreadful doom revoke—
So let me have my way.
Both.
Then it's not after all such a desperate fall,
From the heights of ambition and prospects divine,
Go as mad as I like,
Go as mad as you like,
If the plan chance to strike,
We may both turn the tables and never repine.
Exeunt, L.
Both.
Yes, it is, after all—a most desperate fall,
From the height of ambition and prospects divine.
To the depths of despair,
And the tearing of hair,
45
For partners aren't all like that lost one of mine,
Though her partner is not like that lost one of mine!
Elswith.
One word, my Danish cousin;
You must own it's far too bad,
While I am merely doleful—you
Should go stark staring mad.
Just consider, mine's a monarch,
While your own's a simple knight,
To rank your loss as more than mine—
You know it is not right.
Ina.
Dispense with any lectures, coz;
Between myself and you—
I've not gone mad in earnest,
And I've no intention to.
Those signs of aberration will
On Guthrum's feelings play;
And Oswith's dreadful doom revoke—
So let me have my way.
Both.
Then it's not after all such a desperate fall,
From the heights of ambition and prospects divine,
Go as mad as I like,
Go as mad as you like,
If the plan chance to strike,
We may both turn the tables and never repine.
| Alfred the Great ; or, The Minstrel King | |