 | The Queen of the Frogs |  |
Scene First.
—Interior of a Besieged City—Troops discovered defending it—As the curtain rises an assault is being made—Cannon.Espardo, Allebardo, Arquebusado, and Officers.
Solo and Chorus—“Sturm March.”
Louder the thunder storm of battle roars!
Down, down, down upon the foe it pours;
Faster the whistling bullets on them rain.
Bang! bang! blaze away again, again!
March and form, and charge and wheel,
Spare for neither shot nor steel.
Talk of Concerts, Promenades,
Here's the true “Sturm March,” my blades;
Here the Band and here the Ball,
Makes, at least, more noise than all!
Enter at Flourish, King Fulminoso and Soldiers.
King.
Bravo! brave army! very much bravo!
Thrice have we beaten back the haughty foe!
Thrice hath he striven here his foot to fix,
And by his motion thrice has taken nix!
Esp.
But still we weaker grow, instead of stronger,
And can't keep on a-beating him much longer,
King.
I'll fight till off my bones the flesh is hacked!
Hang those that talk of fear!
Esp.
If when they're whacked,
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What's to be done?
King.
Why, whack 'em till they do!
Open the gates, and let us make a sally
Upon the rogues, before they've time to rally!
Queen., Prin.
(without)
Stop! stop!
King.
What cry was that?
Esp.
Methought the squalls
Of female women!
King.
Ha! within these walls,
My wife! my child! by what event untoward?
Oh now, indeed, I feel I am a coward!
Enter Queen and Princess.
My Dulcibella!
Queen.
Oh! my Fulminoso!
To risk your life I will not let you go so!
Can't you look on, as other monarchs do,
And see your subjects fight? Ah! why should you
Expose yourself to all those horrid things,
That pay no sort of reverence to kings;
But would as quickly crack your precious crown
As knock a little duck-legged drummer down.
Let scores of little duck-legged drummers fall,
It is their business, but not yours at all!
Prin.
If you are deaf to dear mamma's appeals,
See, at your feet your only daughter kneels!
(kneels)
Cut while you can this cut-throat occupation,
And join at once the Peace Association.
King.
Come, Mars, and case my heart in threefold buff,
Or both my ears with thy gun cotton stuff!
Prin.
Father!
King.
Away!
Queen.
(kneeling)
Husband!
King.
Arise!
Queen.
No! never.
Here on our knees we'll both remain for ever!
King.
For ever!
Queen.
Yes! for ever and a day—
Unless you melt.
King.
To melt's to run away,
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I couldn't do it!
Queen., Prin.
If you'd only try!
(alarm—Cannon)
Esp.
My liege, the enemy again advances!
King.
Ha! then in gentle force my only chance is.
Tear us asunder—with the greatest care!
Prin.
I faint!
Queen.
I ditto.
(falling into the arms of Officers)
King.
Hence my treasures bear,
To the strong tower upon the forest borders,
And keep them safely there till further orders.
(Officers bear out the Queen and Princess)
King.
Now to the field, and give the foe no quarter;
Be bricks, my boys, and never mind his mortar!
Air—King—“Guillaume Tell.”
Be bricks, my boys, and never mind his mortar!
Follow your leader, boys, to-day;
Soon they shall find 'tis no boy's play;
Into the foe we'll soundly pitch,
Gentlemen all, behave as sich.
I am for deeds, and not for speeches,
To the assault come on who dares;
They who attempt to mount our breaches,
Hang me if I would be in theirs!
Follow your leader, boys, to-day, &c.
Soon they shall find 'tis no boy's play;
Into the foe we'll soundly pitch,
Gentlemen all, behave as sich.
I am for deeds, and not for speeches,
To the assault come on who dares;
They who attempt to mount our breaches,
Hang me if I would be in theirs!
Follow your leader, boys, to-day, &c.
(Exeunt King, Officers, Soldiers)
| The Queen of the Frogs | |