University of Virginia Library

Scene Fifth.

—The Cypress Grove.
Enter Queen, Troutina, and Page.
Queen.
Rejected, scorned! I can't believe my senses!

Trout.
And for Florina! that the worst offence is!

Queen.
But what to all this said your fairy godmother?

Trout.
Oh, she in pickle had for him a rod, mother!
And for seven years, at least, his crime he'll rue.
She changed him to a bird!

Queen.
A bird!—not blue?

Trout.
Yes—blue as Blue Beard's beard, with blue ink dyed,
Or the blue chamber his wife peeped inside!

Queen.
Troutina, thou hast harped my fears aright,
And on this Blue Bird thrown a clear blue light!
But let me take advantage of the time.
Here, you young varlet—up that cypress climb;
And in the nest you'll find quite at the top,
This hundred-bladed penknife open pop;
(gives knife)
So that upon the points the bird must fly
Who enters it! up, quickly, sirrah! hie!

(Page mounts tree with knife, and descends again quickly)
Trout.
What, is the traitor here, then, to be stuck?

Queen.
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed—just quiet be
Till daybreak, and you'll see what you will see!
Thou marvel'st at my words, but hold thee still,
For this blue bird fate makes a blue steel pill!

(Exeunt Queen, Troutina, and Page)
Music—The Blue Bird flies in and enters the cypress tree.
Bird.
Oh, murder! (falls on the stage)
Some kind friend a surgeon run for!
I'm the new lodger taken in, and done for!

Music—Hocus-Pocus rises.
Hocus.
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man,
That was King Charming, ere he crazy ran
About a woman, and, like many a chap,
Traced to a miss the cause of his mishap!
Ah, here he lies, and wounded very badly,
By cruel blades he has been cut up sadly;
His wings are clipped, his legs are amputated,
His merry thought by falling, dislocated!
His gizzard stabbed in half-a-dozen places;
This of fowl murder very near a case is;
But I'm a doctor in the sable art,
And with one black dose succour can impart.
Ho, Sal Volatile, with all thy scents,
Help me to bring him to, and take him hence.
Sal Volatile and other Spirits appear.
Soon we'll this silly bird again a man see!
Hey, presto, pass! To his own realm of Fan-sea!

Hocus Pocus waves his wand, and the scene gradually changes to the Fan-sea Islands—A fairy boat appears, into which Hocus Pocus enters, bearing Blue Bird—Dance of Spirits, and Tableau.