University of Virginia Library

Scene First.

—The Foot of the Giant's Staircase of Ten Thousand Steps leading to the Centre of the Earth.
Enter Leona.
Leo.
Accursed fate! I feel 'tis near the hour
Which tolls the knell of all my magic power.
Close on me follows the undaunted King,
Guided and guarded by his golden ring.
Against this most invulnerable male,
My magic arrows are of no avail.
I made a sad mistake, in bringing down
To this estate the partner of his crown.
But who could have conceived a cara-sposo,
Was to be found on earth like Fulminoso?
Since Orpheus for his wife went to the deuce,
The custom's fallen quite into dis-use;
And if to take such journeys men are prone,
It is for other wives—and not their own.
He comes! and makes me tremble, I confess,
Both as a lady—and a Lioness.

(retires into cavern)
King Fulminoso enters.
King.
This way the noise was! Monster, shew thy mug!
If thou escapest me by some humbug
My wife and daughter's ghosts will haunt me still.
Where is this Lioness that I must kill?
She that's the beast and beauty rolled in one,
For such an one am I to fight, or none!

Enter Leona.
Leo.
Behold her! but I will not fight with thee!

King.
Then yield! and to that great menagerie
Which fashion flocks to in the Regent's Park,
I'll send thee 'mongst the monsters there of mark;
Soon to put out of joint with belles and beaux,
The hippopotamus's ugly nose.
I'll have it advertised in all the Press,
“Here may you see the Fairy Lioness!”

Leo.
I will not yield to be a Sunday show
With any hippopotamus I know.
Though you have come to my hall door, vile King,
Not only with a knock, but with a ring;
Still will I try the last—lay on, you muff,
And hang me if I don't yet work your buff.

(they fight)
Duo—King and Leona—“German Polka.”
Leo.
Strike a female unprotected,
Who such usage had expected?
See a warrior's sword directed,
'Gainst a woman in distress.

King.
To my gallantry appealing,
Let me as a man of feeling,
Beg you'll take the blows I'm dealing,
Only as a Lioness.

Leo.
Ugh, you wretch, I'll scratch your eyes out!

King.
There, indeed, the woman flies out.
Come! peccavi who first cries out,
Shall be—what I won't express.
Fight or fly, one thing or t'other,
I've no time for all this pother.

Leo.
You're a monster!

King.
You're another!
So have at you, sorceress.

Leo.
Come to the scratch, ye monsters of the lake,
Of this foolhardy mortal mincemeat make.

Music—Leona rushes off; various monsters issue from the cavern and attack the King—He beats them off.
Re-enter Leona.
Leo.
His ardent spirit is all proof above!
What if assailed on the weak side of love?
I'll raise up with her never dying snakes,
The green-eyed monster jealousy—which makes
The meat she feeds on! She shall act her part,
And try to stab this husband to the heart;
If in that point invulnerable found,
I've no hope left above, or underground.
Re-enter King.
Besotted mortal! why these perils dare
For one who long hath ceased for thee to care?
By other homage for thy loss consoled,
A favoured lover in her arms behold!