University of Virginia Library

Scene Five.

—Exterior of Card Castle—March in “Blue Beard.”—Enter King of Clubs and Pam.
K. of C.
Behold the King of Clubs! who has become
An errant knight for the sweet Queen of Hearts;
And Pam, an arrant knave, who leads him on
With idle hopes unlimited, in lieu
Of dealing reason out with friendly hand.

Pam.
To deal out reason to a lover is
To lose a deal of time. Odd's fish and counters!
I've served too many knights at the round table
Not to know that, my master!

K. of C.
Pam, be civil,
And tell me if thou seest a card house near
That may contain my love.

Pam.
Your most majestic Majesty of Clubs
Has but to follow your own nose three steps,
And you may ring it soundly at the gate
Of a fair castle.

K. of C.
Air—King of Clubs—“Twilight Glimmers,” &c.—“Blue Beard.”

The Queen of Hearts appears on the battlement.
Q. of H.
What airy sound floats o'er the area rails,
And to the high top-garret of my tower
Adds a new story built by hope and joy?
I've heard that air before—I'll try this here.

Air—Queen of Hearts—“Tink a tink,” “Blue Beard.”
Here sighing, sick, dying, sorrow hanging over me,
Faint, weary, sad, dreary, I in prison lie!
My moaning, deep groaning, surely must discover me
To some kind gentleman who may be passing by,
Clink, clink a clink a clink; I clank my chains in madness:
Tink, tink a tink a tink, and in despair I sing;
Wink, wink a wink a wink; I cannot sleep for sadness,
Tink, tink a tink a tink; while thus my hands I wring.

Together—Queen of Hearts.
Tink, tink a tink tink; indeed I'm very melancholy;
Tink, tink a tink tink; though thus I dance and sing.

King of Clubs and Pam
.
Tink, tink a tink tink; indeed she's very melancholy.
Tink, tink a tink tink; of her woes I've/he's touched the string.

K. of C.
That voice!

Q. of H.
And that!

K. of C.
'Tis she!

Q. of H.
'Tis he!

K. of C.
Yes.

Q. of H.
No.

K. of C.
It is!

Q. of H.
It cannot be!
Hold still, my heart!
It is the King of Clubs; I met him oft
At the salon in Paris. He had then
Just reached his natural vingt-un. Ah me!

K. of C.
She speaks! Ah, speak again; and “by the card
Equivocation would undo us!” say,
Canst thou, and wilt thou, fly with me alone?
Or must I make a general to-do,
And with a conquering Pam-flush sweep the board?

Q. of H.
Alack, I'm limited to these sad walls,
And you can't play so high.

K. of C.
I'll play the deuce
But I will win thee!—Is there not a cavern
Beneath this tower?

Q. of H.
I don't exactly know,
But rather am inclined to think there is.

K. of C.
Enough! At eight to-night I'll through it lead
Some chosen hearts, and force the King of Spades
To give thee freedom! That I swear to do,
Or “go up one life” in the great attempt.

Q. of H.
That's what I call a trump. Propitious fate!
Good day, good knight; and mind you call at eight.

K. of C.
Air—King—“Had I a heart,” &c.

Q. of H.
I'll doubt no more; till eight, dear love, adieu,
And I'll believe thee, like thy beard, true-blue.
(Exit Queen)

K. of C.
(to Pam)
Enter Clubs and Hearts, with standards, &c.
Air—King of Clubs—“Scots wha ha'e.”

(Exit King of Clubs)
Pam.
Cards!—Face!—Shuffle and Cut!

(Exeunt)