University of Virginia Library

Scene Third.

—Pavilion in the Gardens of the Palace of the Fair One with the Golden Locks.
Enter Queen Lucidora, attended.
Song—Lucidora—“Nora Creina.”
(speaks)
Now to my toilet—nymphs, you know your places;
Prepare to sacrifice unto the graces.

Enter Papillotina.
Papil.
May't please your Majesty—

Queen.
I hope it may.

Papil.
There is a youth without—

Queen.
Without what, pray?

Papil.
Without the door.

Queen.
Well, let him keep without it;
What business has he with it or about it?

Papil.
He prays an audience in his master's name
King Lachrymoso.

Queen.
Why, sure, that's the same
Who sent to me a day or two ago;
Good gracious me! I told the creature “No!”
Can't he be satisfied—or just go frantic—
Or kill himself, or anything romantic?

Papil.
But this ambassador—

Queen.
Back let him roam.
I'm dressing—I'm engaged—I'm not at home.

Papil.
Madam, if you'll permit me to advise,
You'll see this gentleman—he has such eyes!
And such a shape! and though not tall in stature,
Graceful by name, he's graceful, too, by nature.

Queen.
Heyday! the fellow's cast some spell upon her;
Pray is this language for a maid-of-honour?
I'm quite ashamed of you, I do declare.
“Such eyes,” indeed! I wonder how you dare
Talk of a young man's eyes! a girl like you!
I'll see this person; if your tale be true,
He is a dangerous fellow, and must be
Looked after.

Papil.
(aside)
By the women, certainly.

Queen.
Go, tell the porter to admit the dandy.

Papil.
I fly!

(Exit)
Queen.
And now, my handmaidens, be handy!
Dust down my throne, polish my ivory chair,
Weave me, of flowers, a chaplet fresh and fair,
Bring me my bracelets, and my chatelaine,
My kerchief scent with bouquet de la Reine,
My regal mantle o'er my shoulders throw,
And comb my precious hair out—comme il faut!

Air and Chorus—“Come 'e gentil”—“Don Pasqual e.”
[Queen]
Comb it genteelly,
And let it flow freely,
I'd fain look well,
Since he sends a swell.
My shoulders o'er,
Falling a yard or more,
He'll matchless swear,
The Fair with the Golden Hair.
And softly o'er us,
The while we parley,
O sing the chorus
From “Don Pasquale.”
That music's spell
May charm his ears as well;
And he, and he
Enchanted quite may be.

Chorus.
To tambour and guitar sing,
While they parley,
The serenade so sweet from
“Don Pasquale.”

Enter Graceful and Papillotina.
Grace.
Most royal fair—
(aside)
I never saw such hair—
(aloud)
I come to tell—
(aside)
Such speaking eyes, as well—
(aloud)
Your throne, before,
Kneeling, I do implore—
(aside)
She's as fair as day!
I scarce know what I say!
Each look is fuel
Added to my fire.
O, fortune cruel!
With love I shall expire.

Chorus.
To tambour and guitar, &c.

Queen.
(aside)
I've hit him hard!

Grace.
(aside)
I never saw such beauty!
But, Graceful, be a man and do your duty!

Queen.
When you can speak we'll hear what you've to say.

Grace.
Madam, my forte is singing.

Queen.
Sing away.

Grace.
(aside)
Song—Graceful—“Lucy Long.”

Queen.
(aside)
He is a pretty fellow, I confess.
(aloud)
Sir, I receive with pleasure this address,
But to its prayer I cannot yet accede;
I've made a vow no mortal suit to heed,
Until three things are done which I desire.

Grace.
Oh, do but tell me, ma'am, what you require.

Queen.
Walking along the river-side, last spring,
In taking off my glove I dropped my ring
Into the stream; which, if you'll kindly fish for,
And bring me back, is the first thing I wish for.

Grace.
(aside)
A pleasant first!

Queen.
The second's quite a trifle—
There is a giant, who has dared to rifle
And kill and eat some hundreds of my people;
He is almost as tall as a church steeple,
And has the monstrous impudence to say,
Unless I wed him, he'll eat me some day.
Now, all I ask you in the second place
Is to cut off his head.

Grace.
(aside)
And she's the face
To call that quite a trifle! Ma'am, I've heard
Your two first small requests; pray what's the third?

Queen.
The third is rather difficult, I fear.
Not far from hence there is a cavern drear,
In which all sorts of dreadful monsters dwell!
But deep within it is a crystal well,
Of which the water has the virtue rare
To make one live for ever young and fair.
Now bring me of this eau-de-vie a bottle,
Find me my ring, and cut the giant's throttle,
And in return for such polite attention,
I'll marry any gentleman you'll mention.

Duo—“Ama tua madre”—“Lucresia Borgia.”
Grace.

Queen.

(Exeunt Graceful, Queen and Train)