University of Virginia Library

Scene First.

—Grotto and Fountain (Moonlight).
Enter Nigretta (Princess of Ethiopia), in a Chariot drawn by four Ostriches.
Nig.
(descending from chariot and advancing to fountain)
Great Carabossa! mightiest of fairies,
If as the story goes, your lodging there is,
And by good fortune you should be at home,
Rise at my call, for I have hither come
Fast as four spanking ostriches can lay
Their legs to ground, full gallop all the way,
To crave, dear godmother, your prompt assistance.
Oh, let me not in vain drive such a distance!
Listen to thy unhappy godchild's voice,
If in fresh water you would still rejoice,
For the salt tears from these sad eyes now flowing
Will turn to brine the sweetest fountain going.

Music—A large Crab rises out of the water, it opens and discovers Fairy Carabossa.
Cara.
Behold me in obedience to your wishes.
What, in the name of all the little fishes,
Can be the matter, child? Good lack, good lack!
Since you were born you never looked so black!

Nig.
I have no doubt—and you will say no wonder,
When you have heard—that I look black as thunder.
If you can't help me, poison or a cloister!
I'm crossed in love worse than was ever oyster!
You know young Felix, Prince of Happy Land,
Sent an ambassador to crave my hand;
All but concluded the negotiation—

Cara.
Of course the match had my full approbation.

Nig.
'Tis broken off.

Cara.
And what the cause assigned?

Nig.
Merely the gentleman has changed his mind.

Cara.
And nothing more?

Nig.
Not one word good or bad;
Oh! isn't it enough to drive one mad?

Cara.
Odd's fish! I'll soon the reason ferret out,
There is a rival in the case no doubt.

Nig.
A rival! Deadly nightshade!

Cara.
Patience, daughter!
In the pure crystal of this magic water
We shall see what we shall see.

Music—The form of the Princess Desiderata becomes visible in the fountain.
Nig.
Ha! behold her!
I'll be revenged before I'm a week older.

Cara.
You shall, for she's the child of one I hate;
Her mother slighted me, the base ingrate!
I had almost forgotten the vile thing,
But this new injury revives the sting.
For twenty years my spell has o'er her been,
Another week the end of it had seen;
But since she has to you brought shame and sorrow,
I'll pay off my old score with yours to-morrow.

Nig.
By death, with tortures?

Cara.
No, by life with greater
Than you can dream of.

Nig.
And that faithless traitor,
Prince Felix, shall not he be punished too?

Cara.
He shall, my child—I'll make him marry you.

Nig.
I ask no more—just let me be his wife,
And he shall suffer for it all his life.

Music—The fountain disappears with the Fairy Carabossa —Nigretta enters her chariot, and the scene gradually changes to