 | The Queen of the Frogs |  |
Scene Fifth.
—The foot of the Giant's Staircase, &c. (same as First Scene of this Act)Enter Grenouilletta and Prince down staircase.
Prince.
Where are we?
Gre.
In the centre of the earth,
Where all its hidden wonders have their birth;
The Fairy Lioness's ancient seat,
Now my abode.
Prince.
No doubt a snug retreat;
But rather dull, and if I may say, dingy.
Gre.
The former occupant was quite as stingy
As she was wicked. I shall have it burnished
As bright as day—each chamber newly furnished,
And with conservatories, baths and dairies,
Make it a model lodging-house for fairies.
But to our present business. In that cupboard,
Which once belonged to Mother Bunch or Hubbard,
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You'll find the arms with which immortal Jack,
Made shorter by so many heads the giants;
The sword of sharpness and the cap of science,
The coat of darkness and the shoes of speed.
Prince.
To fight the Dragon just the things I need.
(opens door and takes them out)
The shoes of swiftness to the spot will take me,
The fairy coat invisible will make me;
So that while he can't see to take my measure,
I'll poke him up and cut him down at pleasure.
Gre.
Also a phial, which contains a juice,
That can a transformation strange produce.
Prince.
'Tis here. But who the change must undergo?
Gre.
Put on your cap of knowledge, and you'll know.
Prince.
(putting on cap)
Ha, bless me, why this Dragon, Fee-Fo-Fum,
Is—
Gre.
Not a word at present.
Prince.
Ma'am, I'm mum!
For I perceive why, though a potent elf,
You couldn't settle this affair yourself.
Gre.
It was impossible.
Prince.
Of course, because—
Gre.
Hush! till in death you've locked the Dragon's jaws.
Then to the public you may give the key
Of this impenetrable mystery.
Duo—Fairy and Prince Nonpareil.—“What fairy-like music.”
Fairy.
In fairy-like fashion I've armed you to be
The champion of her you would die to set free;
Away to her rescue—the foul Dragon flog,
With a hop, skip, and jump, in three leaps of a frog
The champion of her you would die to set free;
Away to her rescue—the foul Dragon flog,
With a hop, skip, and jump, in three leaps of a frog
Prince.
A fairy like you sick of flattery must be,
And need no fine speeches from mortals like me;.
Think I've said all I should say, and hence let us jog,
For I can't stoop to toady a fairy or frog.
And need no fine speeches from mortals like me;.
Think I've said all I should say, and hence let us jog,
For I can't stoop to toady a fairy or frog.
(Exeunt Grenouilletta and Prince Nonpareil opposite sides)
| The Queen of the Frogs | |