 | Graciosa & Percinet |  |
Scene Fourth.
—Tilt-yard of the Palace.The lists set out for a tournament—throne for the Queen of Beauty—another for the King—a chair of state for the Princess—Pavilions of the Knights Challengers, &c., &c.
317
Herald.
O yes! O yes! O yes! take notice, pray,
Here are six noble knights in arms to-day,
Who swear that never yet was lady seen
So lovely as our new-elected Queen!
Against all comers they will prove 'tis so.
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!
Enter Percinet, in green armour.
Per.
I say, oh no!
Grog.
Who's this Jack-in-the-green?
Gra.
(aside)
Sure I know who!
King.
Do you know what you say?
Per.
And mean it, too!
King.
How! Come to court and say just what you mean?
You're a green knight indeed!
Per.
Sir Turnham Green!
Of Brentford's royal house a princely scion,
Knight of its ancient order, the Red Lion;
Baron of Hammersmith, and Count of Kew,
Marquis of Kensington, and Lord knows who.
But all these titles willingly I waive
For one more dear—Fair Graciosa's slave!
I'll prove it on the crest of great or small,
She's Beauty's Queen who holds my heart in thrall,
And Grognon is a foul and ugly witch!
King.
If you're a gentleman behave as sich!
Per.
Come one, come all! here I throw down my gage!
King.
A green gage seemingly!
Grog.
I choke with rage!
To arms—my knights!
(the Knights enter their pavilions)
Gra.
I'll bet a crown he mills 'em.
King.
Laissez aller! That's go it, if it kills 'em!
Flourish—The Knights issue by turns from the pavilion, and are overthrown one after the other by Percinet during the following.
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Per.
Regent Circus, gallant and spruce, sir;
Knight of the Bull and Mouth—cowed you soon are!
Look out, Lad Lane, 'tis of no use, sir;
Both her neck's broken, your swan's but a goose, sir;
Grognon's a Gorgon, a horrid scarecrow, sir!
My Queen of Beauty is Graciosa!
Knight of the Bull and Mouth—cowed you soon are!
Look out, Lad Lane, 'tis of no use, sir;
Both her neck's broken, your swan's but a goose, sir;
Grognon's a Gorgon, a horrid scarecrow, sir!
My Queen of Beauty is Graciosa!
Chorus.
Bravo! bravo! Green Knight for ever!
His Queen of Beauty is Graciosa!
His Queen of Beauty is Graciosa!
Per.
Snow Hill—go ill it must with you, sir;
Head of the Saracen—broken you are!
T'other brother—down you go too, sir!
'Tis plain your Belle Sauvage is but a Medusa;
The belle of all belles, and the pride of all beaux, sir,
Is my Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
Head of the Saracen—broken you are!
T'other brother—down you go too, sir!
'Tis plain your Belle Sauvage is but a Medusa;
The belle of all belles, and the pride of all beaux, sir,
Is my Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
Chorus.
Bravo! bravo! &c.
Per.
Fleet Street—fleetly 'twas well that you flew, sir!
(he runs away)
Your bolt is soon shot—ha, ha, ha, ha!
Charing Cross—he don't know what to do, sir;
Ere we cross swords you had better bolt too, sir!
(he lays down his arms and retires)
Cock of the walk, I have proved my words true, sir;
Hail Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
(he runs away)
Your bolt is soon shot—ha, ha, ha, ha!
Charing Cross—he don't know what to do, sir;
Ere we cross swords you had better bolt too, sir!
(he lays down his arms and retires)
Cock of the walk, I have proved my words true, sir;
Hail Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
Chorus.
Bravo bravo! Green Knight for ever!
Hail Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
Hail Queen of Beauty—fair Graciosa!
Grog.
All my six champions floored—disgrace! despair!
King.
It had been so with us had we been there!
Grog.
Down with your gauntlet and defy him, King.
King.
I defy him—to think of such a thing!
319
Wisely you act, for, modestly to speak,
You'd get knock'd into the middle of next week.
(Exit)
Grog.
What! you a soldier and bear this disgrace?
King.
I'm far too old a soldier him to face—
Fight him yourself, love, and see how you like it.
(Exit)
Grog.
Coward! But whilst the iron's hot I'll strike it.
Upon my rival I can vengeance take.
Gra.
(aside)
What will she do to me, for goodness sake?
Grog.
(to Guards)
In the great forest to a tree go bind her,
As she's the Beauty, there the Beast may find her!
Gra.
One comfort 'tis, whatever beast I view, ma'am,
It can't be such a horrid brute as you, ma'am.
(music—Graciosa is dragged off)
| Graciosa & Percinet | |