 | The Bohemian Girl |  |
Scene 3.
—A Grand Fair in the Public Plaatz of Presburg. On one side a large hotel, over which is inscribed “The Hall of Justice.” Various groups of Gentry, Soldiers, Citizens, and Peasantry cover the stage. Foreign shops are seen in various parts, curious Rope Dancers, Showmen, Waxwork, a Quack Doctor, Exhibitions, &c., &c., are dispersed here and there. Flags hung out at the windows, and ringing of bells enliven the scene.Life itself is at the best
One scene in mask of folly drest;
And there is no part of its wild career,
But you will meet with here!
To these symbols of life your voices swell,
Vive la masque, et vive la bagatelle.
[At the end of the Chorus, and during the Symphony, a movement is perceived at the farther end of the place, which is followed by the entrance of a double party of men Gipsies, headed by Devilshoof and Thaddeus, who force a passage down the centre of the stage, which they occupy; they then open their ranks, when another file of female Gipsies, headed by their Queen and Arline, passes down them; Florestein and a party are seen watching them with great curiosity.
QUARTET.—Arline, Queen, Thaddeus, and Devilshoof.
From the valleys and hills,
Where the sweetest buds grow,
And are watered by rills
Which are purest that flow—
Come we! come we!
CHORUS.
Light of heart, fleet of foot, reckless of slight or gibe,
Who can compare with the free happy gipsy tribe.
[During this, some of the Gipsies have been enacting characteristic Dances, when Arline, carrying a flower-basket in her hand, glides round to the assembled company and sits down.
SOLO.—Arline.
Sir Knight, and lady, listen!
That bright eye seems to glisten.
(To a lady.)
As if his trusted tale
Did o'er thy sense prevail!
(To another—pointing to her heart.)
Pretty maiden, take care, take care,
What havoc love maketh there!
And this token, from love you borrow,
Is the prelude of many a sorrow:
There are those who have lived, who knew
The gipsy's words to be true.
Cho.
(as the same dance of the other Gipsies continues.)
Light of heart, fleet of foot, reckless of slight or gibe,
Who can compare with the free happy gipsy tribe!
Flo.
My dear uncle, it delights me to see you amongst us, and
here is a little gipsy girl that would delight you still more,
(aside)
if you had my blood in your veins; she's positively a charming
creature.
Cou.
I have lost the taste of joy, and the sight of youth and
beauty recalls to my memory that treasure of both, my loved and
lost Arline.
[He gazes attentively at Arline, sighs heavily, then exit with his retinue into the Hall of Justice.
Flo.
(to a party of his friends.)
It's no use restraining me—I'm
positively smitten.
(Breaks from them and goes up to Arline.)
Fair creature, your manner has enchanted me, and I would fain
take a lesson from you.
Arl.
In politeness, sir? By all means: to begin then, whenever
you address a lady, always take your hat off.
Flo.
Very smart
(with a titter)
—'pon my word, very smart.
Your naïveté only increases the feelings of admiration and
devotion which a too susceptible heart—
Arl.
(bursting out laughing.)
Ha! ha! ha!
Flo.
Your indifference will drive me to despair.
Arl.
Will it really?
Flo.
Do not mock me, but pity my too susceptible nature, and
let me print one kiss upon—
[Here Arline gives him a violent slap on the face; the Queen, who has gone up the stage with Thaddeus, now brings him on one side and points out the situation of Arline and Florestein; he is about to rush upon Florestein just as Arline has slapped his face; on receiving it, he turns round and finds himself between the two, and both are laughing in his face.
Que.
(eyeing Florestein.)
It is the very person from whom
they stole the trinkets I made them give him back again.
This too is his, and now my project thrives.
You have acted well your part, and thus your Queen rewards you.
(Places the medallion round her neck.)
Forget not the hand who
gave it.
(kneeling and kissing the Queen's hand.)
Let this bespeak
my gratitude.
Que.
And now let our tribe depart.
[Chorus and dance repeated, and the Gipsies are all about to march off. Thaddeus and Arline bring up the rear of their body; and as they are going off, Florestein, who with his friends has been watching their departure, perceives his medallion on the neck of Arline—he breaks through the crowd and stops her—she and Thaddeus come forward.
Flo.
Though you treated me so lightly some moments past,
you will not do so now. That medallion is mine; my friends here
recognize it.
All.
We do, we do.
[Here Devilshoof is seen to steal off.
Flo.
And I accuse you of having stolen it.
Arl.
Stolen! It was this instant given me by our Queen, and
she is here to verify my words.
[Arline runs about looking everywhere for the Queen
Flo.
That's an every-day sort of subterfuge.
(To the crowd.)
Worthy people and friends, that medallion on her neck belongs to
me, and I accuse her or her accomplices of having robbed
me.
CONCERTED PIECE.
Chorus of Populace
surrounding Arline.
Shame! Shame! let us know the right,
And shame on the guilty one alight!
Tha.
(rushing before Arline to shield her.)
He who a hand on her would lay,
Through my heart must force his way.
Cho.
Tear them asunder, but still protect
Until they can prove, what they but suspect.
Arl.
To all who their belief have leant,
Heaven can attest I am innocent.
[Florestein, who has during this movement entered the Hall of Justice, is now seen returning, followed by a strong Guard, who file off each side of the steps.
Flo.
(to Captain of Guard pointing to Arline.)
There stands the culprit, on you I call;
Conduct her away to the Hall—to the Hall.
[Arline looks at him with great contempt; the Gipsies perceiving her danger range themselves around her. Thaddeus breaks from those who are holding him and rushes up to her. Florestein has got behind the Captain of the Guard, who gives orders for his men to seize Arline, upon which the Gipsies draw their daggers, a conflict ensues in which the Guard maintains possession of Arline; a body of the populace re-seize Thaddeus, and the Gipsies are routed.
Cap. of G.
They who would brave the law,
Against themselves but draw
The aid of which they stood in need,
And aggravate their guilty deed.
Flo.
Now, it is with the law,
I beg leave to withdraw.
A glass of wine I greatly need,
For it has hurt my nerves indeed.
Tha.
Free me, or else the law
Upon your heads you draw.
It's aid you may live to need,
Who smile upon this daring deed.
Gua.
If ye dare brave the law,
Upon your heads ye draw
The aid of which ye stand in need,
And aggravate their guilty deed.
Gip.
Why should we fear the law,
Or all the arms ye draw,
While of our aid she stands in need
And guiltless is of such a deed?
[Ensemble ends]
[Arline is conducted by a file of the Guard, led by the Captain, and preceded by Florestein and his party into the Hall of Justice; the people follow in a mass, while Thaddeus is detained by those who first seized him, and as Arline is going up the steps, the figure of the Queen is seen in an attitude of triumph over her rival's fall
| The Bohemian Girl | |