University of Virginia Library

Scene Third.

—The Desert—In centre a gigantic orange tree.
Music—Enter Queen with the basket on her arm.
Queen.
So far I've wandered o'er this desert dreary,
It is no wonder I feel rather weary;
Beneath this solitary tree I'll rest.
Why, 'tis an orange tree, I do protest!
In size surpassing any that one sees—
'Tis certainly the Prince of Orange Trees!
Laden with luscious fruits that would convert
The dryest desert into a dessert.
Well, if my journey after all prove bootless,
This friendly tree prevents its being fruitless.
(plucks an orange)
Amid these burning sands the sun-scorched rover
Blesses kind Nature for this great chef-d'œuvre (shade over).
Music—The Queen seats herself under the tree, and is about to peel the orange, when the boughs above open, and discover the Yellow Dwarf seated, eating oranges—He waves his hand—The Queen goes to

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sleep—The basket she has put down at the foot of the tree rises up to the Yellow Dwarf, who takes and conceals it—Hideous roars heard at a distance—The Queen wakes in a fright.
—What noise was that? The lions, sure enough!
Where are the cakes I brought the beasts to stuff?
My basket gone! whatever have I done with it?
Somebody passing by must off have run with it?
Thieves! murder! I may bawl till I am hoarse!
There's no policeman to be found, of course!

Dwarf.
Ahem! Ahem!

Queen.
Methought that, not far off,
I heard one rather troubled with a cough.

Dwarf.
Ahem!

Queen.
(looking up)
Who's there? a peeler in the tree?

Dwarf.
Yes, I'm an orange-peeler, as you see.

Queen.
To you then, as a peeler, I appeal!
Some one has robbed the lions of a meal
I brought for them; and my distress is great,
They'll make a meal of me as sure as Fate!

Dwarf.
They will consider you a greater treat—
They don't so often get a Queen to eat!

Queen.
You know my rank?

Dwarf.
Oh, yes; I'm a detective.

Queen.
Then my commands will not be ineffective.
I'll give the brutes in charge.

Dwarf.
For what, ma'am, pray?

Queen.
Eating the Queen upon her own highway.
So take 'em up at once.

Dwarf.
More than I durst;
The law says I must see 'em do it first!

Queen.
Is that the law?

Dwarf.
“Thyself shall see the act.”

Queen.
Must I then die?

Dwarf.
A melancholy fact!
If you've no cake, the lions give no quarter.

Queen.
I shouldn't mind, if t'were not for my daughter.

Dwarf.
Have you a daughter?

Queen.
Yes, an only one.

Dwarf.
Pretty?

Queen.
There's nothing like her 'neath the sun.

Dwarf.
I'm glad to hear it—if she's like no other;
I was afraid she might be like her mother.
Let's strike a bargain—come, I want a wife;
Say she is mine, and I will save your life.

Queen.
Your wife! my daughter?

Dwarf.
You refuse compliance?
Choose 'twixt the lions, then, and my alliance.
(roars nearer)
They come!

Queen.
Oh, mercy! Sir, Allfair is thine!

Dwarf.
Allfair is too fair. Madam, I decline!

Queen.
You'd not be guilty of such great barbarity.

Dwarf.
Well, then, I will accept her—out of charity.
But keep your word, or you and all your kin
Will suffer for it.

Queen.
Trust me, sir.

(the trunk of the tree opens)
Dwarf.
Walk in!

Music—The Queen enters the tree, which closes again—Two Monsters, each with two lions' heads and eight feet, cross the stage, as in pursuit of the Queen.