 | Cymon and Iphigenia |  |
76
Scene Sixth.
—The Beechen Shade—Pastoral Procession and Ballet, at the end of whichAll.
Room for his worship!
Enter Dorus, meeting Daphne.
Daph.
Justice, mighty Dorus!
Dorus.
What's the offence? who brings the case before us?
Daph.
An' please your worship, I'm the plaintiff.
Dorus.
Thou!
(coming forward)
(aside)
My worship is pleased very much, I vow!
So, so, Miss Daphne—now you need my favour,
You'll mend, I hope, towards me, your behaviour.
(aloud)
Clear the Court, rascals;—Back, you hussies too—
It is for me to hear this case—not you!
(Crowd retire)
Now—we're alone—thy grievance, fair one, say,—
And I'll redress it, be it what it may—
Provided, always—Ugh! you rose!—you jewel!
I am too kind to one who's been so cruel.
Daph.
Sir, I've no tongue to thank you.
Dorus.
But you've lips,
Sweeter than any flower the wild bee sips!
One kiss, you rogue—the law must have its fee!
Daph.
Oh! la! your honour—should somebody see!
Dorus.
(kissing her)
Rapture! a perfect cordial! speak—command—
And I obey—I swear, on this white hand.
Song—Dorus.
And I obey—I swear, on this white hand.
I'm a judge, it is true, and remarkably wise,
And great and important my trust is,
But I'm also a judge of a pair of fine eyes,
And to Beauty delight to do justice.
The sword has no edge for the fair who is kind,
To her foes alone fatal its thrust is;
To glances like those, where's the judge could be blind?
They burn holes through the bandage of Justice.
And great and important my trust is,
But I'm also a judge of a pair of fine eyes,
And to Beauty delight to do justice.
The sword has no edge for the fair who is kind,
To her foes alone fatal its thrust is;
To glances like those, where's the judge could be blind?
They burn holes through the bandage of Justice.
Daph.
Banish a shepherdess from out this clime,
Who has—
77
Enough! no matter what's her crime,
If she's offended thee, none can be blacker!
Her name?
Daph.
'Tis Sylvia!
Dorus.
Off at once I'll pack her!
Odd's life! the minx may thank thy moderation,
That is content with simple transportation.
I would have hanged her for thee!
Daph.
You're too kind!
Dorus.
I'll hang her now if thou hast changed thy mind!
Daph.
No! only rid me of the creature's sight.
Dorus.
She sails for Botany Bay this very night!
For her arrest, I'll go make out the warrant.
Daph.
Behold! where yonder trips the wench abhorrent!
Dorus.
What ho! you scoundrels (to Servants)
, seize that girl there,—stop her!
(Exeunt Servants)
To make all safe, in jail at once I'll pop her.
(Daphne retires, as Sylvia is brought on by the Justice's Servants)
Stand forward, prisoner!
Syl.
Prisoner! Mercy!—me!
What have I done?
Dorus.
Done—you've done—let me see—
Ahem! ahem! by Jove, she's wondrous pretty!
Syl.
I have done nothing wrong, sir.
Dorus.
More's the pity—
For you stand charged with—Zooks, I melt apace!
If innocent, just look me in the face!
Syl.
I am, I'm sure—
Dorus.
She takes away my breath.
Guilty!—of murder!
Syl.
Murder!
Dorus.
Yes! there's death
In every glance—thy crime's at least manslaughter!
Hang her! Sooner myself I'd hang, draw, quarter.
No, not myself! of course I wouldn't swing go,
But any other rascal should, by Jingo!
Fairer than Daphne, fifty times is she!
Transport her! Zooks! she has transported me!
Syl.
Indeed, I know not how I have offended.
Dorus.
Thou art too handsome—thy fault can't be mended.
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From duty if the shepherd stray,
And leave his flocks to feed,
The wolf will seize the harmless prey,
And innocence will bleed.
And leave his flocks to feed,
The wolf will seize the harmless prey,
And innocence will bleed.
In me a harmless lamb behold,
Oppress'd with every fear,
Then guard, good shepherd, guard the fold,
For wicked, wicked wolves are near.
Oppress'd with every fear,
Then guard, good shepherd, guard the fold,
For wicked, wicked wolves are near.
Dorus.
I'll guard and fold thee, lambkin, never fear!
The arms of justice shall defend thee, dear!
(embracing her)
Re-enter Daphne.
Daph.
So! so! your worship taking such a tender
Farewell before to Botany Bay you send her?
Dorus.
How now!—this insolence!
Syl.
(to Dorus)
In you my trust is.
Dorus.
(to Daphne)
How dare you interrupt the course of justice!
Daph.
Justice, forsooth!
Dorus.
Don't make at me your mocks!
Another word, I'll clap thee in the stocks!
Get thee gone, hussy.
(Exit Daphne)
(to Iphigenia)
Dry thy darling eyes,
There's not a drop but as a pearl I prize!
Where dost thou dwell?
Syl.
With Dorcas, in the wood—
She is my mother!
Dorus.
Old deaf Drocas—good!
I'll call and see thee, sweet one, soon—to-morrow—
Perhaps to-night. Away with fear and sorrow!
The Court shall take thee under its protection.
Who shall accuse the judge of mis-direction?
Daphne's non-suited—she to feed a grudge meant;
None who behold thee can dispute my judgment.
I'll call and see thee, sweet one, soon—to-morrow—
Perhaps to-night. Away with fear and sorrow!
The Court shall take thee under its protection.
Who shall accuse the judge of mis-direction?
Daphne's non-suited—she to feed a grudge meant;
None who behold thee can dispute my judgment.
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What exquisite pleasure!
This sweet treasure
From me they shall never,
Never sever.
My lambkin! my poppet!
With thee I could hop it,
And frisk it for ever and ever!
This sweet treasure
From me they shall never,
Never sever.
My lambkin! my poppet!
With thee I could hop it,
And frisk it for ever and ever!
(Exeunt Dorus and Sylvia separately)
Enter Fatima.
Fat.
A mighty pretty errand, this, that I'm on!
I had almost lost sight of Master Cymon.
But there he runs; what is it that he sees?
A shepherdess, of course, beneath those trees!
As I suspected—closer let me creep,
'Till at the wench's face, I get a peep.
Merlin appears.
Mer.
(aside)
For peeping, I'll take care that you shall pay.
Fat.
To save me trouble, they have turned this way.
Upon my word, his choice is not so bad!
I must confess there's some taste in the lad.
She'll strike a panic to my lady's heart!
Mer.
(aside)
I'll make yours quake a little ere we part!
Fat.
My tablets—that I may no trait omit,
A lovely figure—like my own—a bit;
(writes)
Beautiful eyes—amazingly like mine,
(writes)
A smile!—that's positively quite divine!
Who can she be? Would I could conjure now!
Mer.
(aside)
I'll conjure for you!
(waves his wand over the tablets)
Fat.
Ugh! what's this? I vow
The letters have all turned as red as blood!
And not my writing, either! oh! oh! lud!
(reads)
“Merlin, the wizard, here from Cyprus brought her—
“She is the Prince of Famagosta's daughter;
“Her name—Iphigenia!”—Merlin! murder!
A princess, too!—I can't read any furder!
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Oh! for my mistress here is precious news!
Mer.
(advancing)
For which to my politeness you're indebted!
Fat.
(aside)
The old Welsh goat himself! I could have betted
A crown of it!—I'm dead as a Welsh rabbit!
Mer.
Listen!
Fat.
I will, great sir, it is my habit—
I may indeed say it is my vocation,
In chambermaids a chief qualification.
Mer.
Peace! A great service I'm about to do you.
Fat.
'Twill be the first, I'm sure then, since I knew you.
Mer.
You talk too much,
Fat.
Good gracious me!—talk! I—
Mer.
Silence! hear me!—I do not need reply.
You're at this moment dying to go chatter
To your false mistress all about this matter.
Fat.
I won't indeed—if you don't think it proper.
Mer.
You shan't—upon your tongue, I'll put a stopper.
Fat.
A stopper on my tongue! Oh! I conjure ye—
Will nothing else appease your awful fury?
Mer.
Nothing!
Fat.
Of comfort leave me but a crumb!
Make me lame, deaf, blind—anything but dumb!
Mer.
You won't be dumb—you'll have two words to say.
Fat.
Two! only two!—oh! mercy, which be they?
Mer.
Two of the shortest—very useful though—
You'll have the power of saying “yes,” or “no!”
'Tis done!—in vain you even try to stutter!
(touches her with his wand)
But “yes,” or “no,” those wicked lips can utter!
But “yes,” or “no,” those wicked fingers write,
Until Urganda's power ceases quite!
Thou'rt now a woman at a fair to show—
Dost mark me?
Fat.
Yes.
Mer.
And art thou grateful?
Fat.
No.
Mer.
Beware! thy power of speech may still be less!
Shall I reduce it?
(threatening her)
Fat.
No!
(frightened)
Mer.
Begone, then!
81
Yes!
(runs off)
Mer.
A fitting punishment for her offence,
Who'd play the spy on love and innocence—
To such a woman 'tis the worst of woes,
Not to be able to tell all she knows.
(Exit)
Enter Cymon and Iphigenia.
Cym.
My transformation I can scarce believe,
And know not whether to rejoice or grieve!
At the vast change my raptur'd soul expanding.
Thou'st given me eyes, and ears, and understanding;
Whilst I possess them, I must be all thine,
Iph.
It is love's work—as great a change is mine!
Enter Dorus, Daphne, Damon, Dorilas, Phœbe, and Shepherds.
Daph.
(to Dorus)
What say you now, sir, to your nymph immaculate?
Dorus.
I'm choked with rage! no more can I ejaculate!
Dam.
So, Mistress Icicle, your humble servant!
Dori.
Was't for this clown you scorn'd our passion fervent?
Phœ.
Fine doings here, indeed!
Daph.
Past all endurance!
I'm quite astounded at the slut's assurance!
Phœ.
Why don't you speak?
Daph.
Does shame your vile tongue fetter?
Cym.
We feel but shame for those who should know better.
Dorus.
Who art thou? speak, this instant! I command, sir.
Cym.
Cymon.
Dam.
The greatest fool in all the land, sir!
Cym.
The greatest fool! good manners, pink of peasants,
You surely have forgot—his worship's presence!
Dorus.
The rascal knows me!
Cym.
Well—by reputation—
As you perceive—
Dorus.
The fact's an aggravation!
I'll make thee know me better!
Cym.
A good movement—
There's room enough, I'm certain, for improvement.
You are placed here to make the law respected,
And see the innocent from harm protected;
But, slave of passion which your age should smother,
Disgrace the one, and persecute the other!
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He can't be the young fool of whom they told one.
Cym.
I am—as sure as you're the wicked old one!
Dorus.
'Slife! I'll no longer stand this sort of fun!
Seize him!
Cym.
Perhaps that's sooner said than done!
(places himself before Sylvia)
Dorus.
Fall on him—but don't kill him! mark our dread will!
We'll have him work his life out on the treadmill!
Cym.
Love gives me courage! nerved by Sylvia's charms,
I feel a man, and not a child in arms!
Air—Cymon.
I feel a man, and not a child in arms!
Come on, come on,
A thousand to one;
I dare you to come on.
Though unpractis'd and young,
Love has made me stout and strong,
Has given me a charm,
Will not suffer me to fall;
Has steel'd my heart, and nerv'd my arm,
To guard my precious all,
Come on, come on, &c.
A thousand to one;
I dare you to come on.
Though unpractis'd and young,
Love has made me stout and strong,
Has given me a charm,
Will not suffer me to fall;
Has steel'd my heart, and nerv'd my arm,
To guard my precious all,
Come on, come on, &c.
Shepherds attack Cymon—he defends himself with his staff, and beats them off)
Dorus.
Now, wenches, now! whilst him they tackle, we can
Seize on the baggage—she can't fight, if he can!
Dorus and Shepherdesses seize Iphigenia)
Daph.
Drag her before our mighty Queen Urganda!
Phœ.
Yes, to her mercies over we will hand her.
Iph.
Help! Cymon! help!
Dorus.
Nay, it's no use your squalling!
I'll teach you both to come here caterwauling!
(Exeunt with Iphigenia)
Enter Damon, Dorilas, and Shepherds, running.
Dam.
Confound the chap! he lays about him purely!
Dori.
He's cracked my crown!
Shep.
The deuce is in him surely!
Dam.
Your head or shins you can't tell which to mind most!
Shep.
He's coming.
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Then the devil take the hindmost!
(they run off)
Enter Cymon.
Cym.
I've conquered! Sylvia! answer to my call!
My love! my life! my valour! and my all!
Where art thou? gone! break, heart, of joy so late full!
For victory is vain, and life is hateful!
Air—Cymon.
My love! my life! my valour! and my all!
Where art thou? gone! break, heart, of joy so late full!
For victory is vain, and life is hateful!
Torn from me, torn from me; which way did they take her?
To death they shall bear me,
To pieces shall tear me,
Before I'll forsake her!
Though fast bound in a spell,
By Urganda so fell,
I'll burst through their charms,
Seize my fair in my arms;
Then my valour shall prove,
No magic like virtue, like virtue and love!
To death they shall bear me,
To pieces shall tear me,
Before I'll forsake her!
Though fast bound in a spell,
By Urganda so fell,
I'll burst through their charms,
Seize my fair in my arms;
Then my valour shall prove,
No magic like virtue, like virtue and love!
Enter April and meets Cymon.
Apr.
Stop!
Cym.
Never!
Apr.
Not of Sylvia to hear news?
Cym.
Ah!
Apr.
You find that's another pair of shoes.
Cym.
Where is she?
Apr.
Gone!
Cym.
I know that, fool! but whither?
Apr.
To Paphos!
Cym.
Where's that? How shall I go thither?
Apr.
Paphos is in the Isle of Cyprus, where
Love has a flower show, and fancy fair!
Cym.
Shew me the way to Love, I do implore!
Apr.
Come. Folly's often shewn the way before.
(Exeunt)
| Cymon and Iphigenia | |