University of Virginia Library

Scene Fifth.

—Hall of Diana in the King's Palace—Statues of Diana and her Nymphs on pedestals.
March—The Frog is brought on in a palanquin borne by four Frogs, and attended by other Frogs richly attired and bearing golden bulrushes—Enter King, attended.
King.
You bring us tidings of our consort dear,
Speak, gentle Frog—for you can speak, I hear.

Gre.
(under palanquin)
First, mighty King, we pay our reverentials,
And secondly, deliver our credentials.

(Page (Frog) hops to King, and delivers the leaf on which the Queen has written)
King.
My Dulcibella's hand! There's no mistaking
The precious pothooks of my darling's making.
(reads)
“Dear husband, this comes hopping”—hopping! well,
Of course it did—“that you will break the spell.
Excuse the spelling, and all faults you've found,
As I'm in haste, and scratching underground.”
How underground? Explain this wondrous riddle!
Is not my Queen on earth?

Gre.
No, in the middle.

King.
The middle of the earth! Who dare consign her
To such a pit? My Queen is not a minor,
Whate'er my daughter is. Ah! say, my other
Darling—is she as deep as her dear mother?

Gre.
Yes, they are both down in the world at present,—
A situation very far from pleasant.
The centre of the globe.

King.
In Leicester Square?

Gre.
No, the great globe itself.

King.
Frog! have a care!
Great as my wonder is at your garrulity,
If you o'erstep the bounds of my credulity,
Out of my kitchen my French cooks I'll call,
And have a fricassee made of you all!

(music—The Frog disappears, Grenouilletta rises from palanquin)
Gre.
Indeed! how say you now? we fairy elves
Much better than French cooks can dress ourselves!
Is this dish to your taste, or would you wish
That I, in turn, you and your Court should dish?

King.
By no means, fair and most illustrious Fairy,
In every sense—plenipotentiary,
Your Excellency none would dare to doubt.
But tell me, how am I to set about
Bringing my wife and daughter up to town?

Gre.
To fetch 'em have you courage to go down?
If so, assist you in the work I can.

King.
I dare do all that may become a man—
A married man—a husband—and a father!
Who dares do more is none!

Gre.
That's plucky, rather.
So take this ring.

King.
A plain one of pure gold!
With such a ring a man may make too bold
Who has a wife already.

Gre.
Fear you not,
That will but lead you to the wife you've got.
Of wedded love the type, in a true hand,
No sorcery its magic can withstand.
The Queen and Princess touch with that fond token,
And the vile spell will instantly be broken.

King.
On this adventure I'm in haste to go—
Which is the road?

Gre.
Your faithful ring will shew.

(stage opens)
King.
Ha! the earth opens at my feet!

Gre.
No doubt
That's the way in.

King.
Humph! which is the way out?

Gre.
Do you retract, upon consideration?

King.
Not I—I merely asked for information.

Gre.
Down to the centre of this earthly ball
There are ten thousand steps.

King.
I'll take them all!

Gre.
A lioness will spring upon you.

King.
Let her!

Gre.
She may change to a woman.

King.
All the better!

Gre.
In either shape, a fury you will find her.

King.
I'll make her fancy Old Nick is behind her.

Gre.
Go on and prosper then! the spell destroy,
And e'en these statues here shall dance for joy.

King.
I'm sorry that to see them I can't stay,
But don't let that prevent you—dance away!

(music—King descends—Stage closes over him—Grenouilletta touches the statues on either side of the stage—they become animated)
BALLET.