 | The Invisible Prince ; or, The Island of Tranquil Delights |  |
Scene Third.
—A Forest—On one side a mile-stone, on which is written “Five miles from the spot on which Hicks's Hall formerly stood.”All's right, no doubt; five miles, I see, they call
This from the spot where once stood Hicks's Hall.
Where Hicks's Hall once stood was never known,
But now 'tis clear—'twas five miles from this stone.
In what direction, though, it doesn't say—
Well, even that we may find out some day,
For were it in the moon there's yet a hope
Now we have got Lord Rosse's telescope.
Abri.
(without)
Help! help! Police! police!
Lean.
Police! I fear
Lord Rosse's telescope can't help us here;
For even with that speculum so vaunted
You can't see a policeman when he's wanted.
126
(without)
Help! help!
Lean.
Again! a maiden in a mess!
“I fly to aid a female in distress!”
As I heard some one shout once at the Surrey,
In—pshaw! no matter what—I'm in a hurry.
Soft—hold a little—prudence bids me stay,
Four rogues are dragging a poor wench this way,
Fierce whiskered gents, as ever in pea jackets
Smoked bad cigars on board the penny packets.
I'll turn my cap the plume behind, and see,
If so equipped, the rascals will smoke me.
(music—turns his cap)
Enter Ruffino, Sanguino, Desperado, and Stiletto, dragging in Abricotina.
Ruf.
Here! This way! To this tree the baggage bind
Whilst we cast lots for her.
Lean.
(aside)
All's right, I find.
Abri.
If ye be men, for male attire ye wear,
And I can't see your faces for the hair;
Have mercy on a hapless, helpless maid,
Who, in an evil hour, from home has strayed
In search of a pet parrot; all my wages,
If it's not found, my lady'll stop for ages.
Des.
You'll stop with us till some one pays your ransom,
And, if you're mine, they'll have to come down handsome.
Lean.
(to Desperado)
That's more than you can do for any money.
Des.
(turns to Ruffino)
I dare say, now, you think that very funny.
Ruf.
Who, I? I never spoke a word.
Lean.
(to Ruffino)
You lie!
Ruf.
I lie? there (stabs Desperado, who falls),
so do you now.
Abri.
Oh! oh, my—
Lean.
(aside)
So much for one!
Des.
I'm settled. Oh, Sanguino,
Avenge my death.
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I will—take that, Ruffino!
(stabs Ruffino, who falls and dies)
Lean.
(to Sanguino)
Stab in the back! ah coward!
San.
(turns and strikes Stiletto)
Coward?
Stilet.
Oh!
Villain! thy blood shall answer for that blow.
(they fight off—Leander turns his cap and salutes Abricotina)
Lean.
Madam, your most obedient, very humble—
Abri.
Oh mercy! from the sky, sir, did you tumble?
Lean.
I would have tumbled twice as far to aid you.
Abri.
I'm glad you're come I'm sure, what ever made you?
Lean.
Pair off with me, ma'am, whilst their swords they measure.
Abri.
Oh, that I will, sir, with the greatest pleasure.
Duet—Abricotina and Leander—“Ober de Mountain.”
Abri.
(aside)
The sweetest youth I e'er did see.
Lean.
But you're attached, ma'am, to this tree.
Abri.
(aside)
I soon shall be attached to him.
Lean.
(aside)
To try my white Rose I've a whim.
Say, Rose of true love,
Should she be my darling?
(touches her with the white rose—the leaves droop)
No, its leaves are changing,
She is fond of ranging.
Re-enter Sanguino and Stiletto, fighting.
Both.
Yah, yah, yah, yah!
Lean., Abri.
Come along with me, ma'am, over the mountain,
I'll along with you, sir, over the mountain.
(Exeunt Leander and Abricotina—Sanguino and Stiletto at the end kill each other)
Hicks's Hall was the old Sessions House in the county of Middlesex, situated in the broad part of St. John's Street, Clerkenwell, opposite the Windmill Inn, and so named after Sir Baptist Hicks, of Kensington, a mercer of Cheapside, one of the justices of the county, and afterwards Viscount Campden, at whose cost it was built in 1612. It was taken down and rebuilt on Clerkenwell Green in 1782. The distances on the mile-stones of the Great North Road were formerly measured from the site of the earlier building. Some were remaining in 1846, and exercised the curiosity of passengers.
| The Invisible Prince ; or, The Island of Tranquil Delights | |