University of Virginia Library

Scene Eighth.

—Another part of the Enchanted Groves (Dwarf's Castle)—Moonlight.
Enter Dwarf
Dwarf.
Of ugly news here is a pretty batch,
By submarine electric eel dispatch,
From our own correspondent to receive!
King Meliodorus absent without leave,
And in possession of the diamond sword,
By which alone I can be floored or bored!
But is it true? for one may doubt the half
At least, of what we hear by telegraph.
Electric eels are famed for tails that shock one,
They're slippery bodies who delight to mock one;
Official tidings will but come to hand
By the bi-monthly fairy overland,
And it will never do for that to wait,—
The foe may be already at my gate.
My plated fort defies a common storm,
But that would make it for me much too warm!
The diamond sword dissolves the burning steel.
Already on hot plates myself I feel.
At magic I must take a precious spell,
Or I shall go to—where I mustn't tell!

Air and Chorus—Dwarf and Demons—“Robert le Diable.”
Recitative.
Dwarf.
I must sing something queer,—
A la mode de Meyerbeer!
Air.
Holloa, ho, there! below there!
You infernal crew,
Your talons come shew—
There's a job here to do!

Demons.
(without)
Oho, oho! is there so?

Dwarf.
There's a chap here, coming slap here,
The deuce who will play,
Unless a man-trap here
For him we can lay.

Demons.
Oho, oho! is there so?

Enter Demons.
Dwarf.
To face the foe, disguise your fiendish features,
And come out strong, like devilish handsome creatures;
Sly as a weasel, here I'll wait to pop
Out on him, if the sword you make him drop.

(music—they retire)
Enter Meliodorus.
Mel.
So far I've made my way with perfect ease,
Through groups of very civil orange trees,
That with their lowest boughs my sword saluted,
And seemed in admiration of it rooted;
Their nodding fruit the cheering hope conveyed,
That I might count upon their orange aid.
Music—Enter Nymphs with garlands, who group themselves so as to intercept him.
Soft! what are these? so light and full of mirth
They look not like the inhabitants of earth
And yet dance on it, in my path thus skipping?
Amongst them it won't do to be caught tripping.
By your leaves, ladies—
(tries to pass their garland)
(they invite him to dance)
Choose a partner? No.
(two take hold of each arm)
Nay, then, I must cast off two couple—so,
And down the middle—
(they bar his progress en masse)
(to the foremost)
Back, you foolish flirt, you!
Upon my honour you will make me hurt you.

Syren.
(within)
Strike, or you'll not find Allfair!

Mel.
Not find Allfair?
Then take the consequences, short or tall fair!
(he attacks them—They vanish, and Demons appear in their place)
Ha, my fine fellows! foul of you I'll fall;
Come, cut and long-tail,—Bucks, have at ye all!

(he attacks and disperses them)
Enter Allfair.
Mel.
Ha!

(starting)
Allf.
Oh!

(starting)
Mel.
(advancing)
Yes!

Allf.
(retreating)
No!

Mel.
(advancing)
'Tis she!

Allf.
(about to fly)
'Tis he!

Mel.
(stopping her)
Yes, me!
Toujours fideèle!

Allf.
Toujours fiddle-de-dee!

(indignantly)
Mel.
What means my love by playing on that fiddle,
As if she thought I told a tarradiddle?

Allf.
And have you not a tarradiddle told?
Did not these very eyes that form behold
In form proposing to a brazen belle,
To whom you told your love, and tolled my knell?

Mel.
Never! it was a piece of hocus-pocus
Of that vile Dwarf, as yellow as a crocus;
I swear it, whilst upon my knees I low drop,
And kiss that hand as white as any snowdrop!

Music—Kneeling down and seizing her hand he drops his sword—The Dwarf, who has been on the watch, rushes forward and seizes it.
Allf.
The Dwarf!

Mel.
The devil!

Dwarf.
The diamond sword I hold.

Allf.
Spare him!

Dwarf.
No, not for all his mines of gold,
Unless upon the instant you consent
To be my wife, and give up this young gent.

Mel.
Oh, rather let the fiend encore my death
A thousand times!

Allf.
It takes away my breath
To think of such a solo. Rather let
Our lives together end in a duet!

Duet—Meliodorus and Allfair—“Favorita.”

Dwarf.
I'll hear no more! this blade cuts short the parley,
And thus brings your duet to a finale!
(stabs Meliodorus)
For this among the rest did I engage.

Mel.
(falling)
Oh, and for much more murder—on this stage,
If you're allowed to act this part by me!
Allfair, farewell! “Bon soir la compagnie!”

(dies)
Allf.
Gone? dead and gone? Don't think to leave me so.
My life—my husband! (snatching sword from Dwarf and stabbing herself)
I come for to go! (falls and dies)


Dwarf.
Allfair also? Oh, here's a precious go!

Music—Enter Haridan.
Har.
Monster, what means this tragical tableau?
You've killed the little King on whom I doted.

Dwarf.
And caused her death to whom I was devoted.
Oh heavy trial! Verdict—Serves me right!
Whip me ye devils—winds come, blow me tight!
Roast me in flames of sulphur—very slow!
Oh Allfair—Allfair!—Dead—O, O, O, O!

Har.
Sweet Prince, that thy sad shade may wander never,
Become a palm, and flourish here for ever!

Dwarf.
Your troubled spirit, dear Princess, to calm,
Rise hand in hand with him—that's palm to palm.

Music—Two Palm Trees rise in front of the bodies and a fountain between them.
Har.
What's springing up between them—a fine fountain?

Dwarf.
Something's in this on which I wasn't counting.

Har.
Something indeed! a mermaid in fresh water!

Dwarf.
So far out of the sea what can have brought her?

Syren.
(who has risen in the fountain)
Necessity, which knows no law aquatic,
Upon the stage to alter laws dramatic.
Though palm to palm like holy palmers kiss,
D'ye think upon the house to palm off this?
Because the story ends so in a book,
Are dramatists no further, pray, to look?
A tale of mirth to close at such a season
On two dull trees would be the dullest treason;
Though Madame D'Aulnoy brings the pair to grief,
We'll make these palms turn over a new leaf;
And if the town take interest in their fate,
Restore them to a much more palmy state.

Music—The scene changes to