University of Virginia Library

Scene Fourth.

—A Room in the Tower—Door in centre with staircase leading to upper part.
Finetta and Babillarda appear at opposite entrances.
Fin.
Ah!

Babil.
Ah!

Fin.
It's only me!

Babil.
It's only you!
Are you quite certain? Dear! what shall we do?

Fin.
Where's Idelfonza?

Babil.
Haven't the least notion;
So limited her power of locomotion,
It's possible she's still just where we left her.

Fin.
And of her life that wretch may have bereft her,
Following us, I'm sure I thought I heard her.

Babil.
Let's up stairs to the window and scream murder!
Here she comes! No, she doesn't! It is the man!
Where shall we fly to?
(Exit Babillarda)

Fin.
(takes axe from wing and conceals it behind herself)
Song—Finetta—Air, “Di quella. Pira.”

Enter Prince Richcraft.
Rich.
So here you are at last! I've had some pains
To find you, Princess.

Fin.
If you've any brains
Move not a step, or I shall solve the doubt
By trying if I can knock any out.

Rich.
With what? That distaff? You'll excuse my grinning—

Fin.
No, something that will set your head a spinning.
Behold! I have a weapon! (brandishing axe)
A small toy
Left in a corner by some chopping boy,
It has cut blocks as thick as yours.

Rich.
The deuce!
You wouldn't make of it so bad a use;
To gain that hand these brains I have been taxing.

Fin.
You'll find my hand's not to be had for axing.

Rich.
But hear me, Princess!

Fin.
I can hear you there.
Where's Idelfonza?

Rich.
I don't know or care.
You are the idol that I worship!

Fin.
How?

Rich.
'Pon honour!

Fin.
Poh! I know your worship, now,
And doubt your honour.

Rich.
You know me! Who am I?

Fin.
My father's deadly foe—Prince Richcraft!

Rich.
(aside)
Demme!

Fin.
Of old King Fogrum, eldest son and heir.

Rich.
Discovered! Then I'll candidly declare
Since I'm found out, that I am Richcraft, and
Delighted to find you at home—your hand.

Fin.
Not without this! Some mischief you intend.

Rich.
No, with our union let all discord end!
Say you'll be mine, and of your father I
Will henceforth be the good and true—ally.

Fin.
(aside)
Exactly! (aloud)
After such a declaration
There may be grounds for some negotiation;
I will despatch a letter to my father
And let you know his answer.

Rich.
Let me rather
Have yours at once.

Fin.
But I am not of age,
And can't against his will my hand engage.
I am a minor.

Rich.
Say, an under-miner,
Though you're a fine girl, you will find me finer.
I'll wait for no man's will, so don't be silly,
Mine you must be, proud Princess, willy-nilly!
Lay down that axe while I am yet pacific;
And drive me not to acts much more terrific.

Fin.
(aside)
I'll feign a little female hesitation.
(aloud)
Grant me a short time for consideration.

Rich.
Song—Richcraft—Air, “The Campbells are coming.”

Fin.
What's to be done? Not Richcraft, I'm afraid;
He is a keen, though badly-tempered blade!
Oh, my poor distaff! Quite of spirits I'm out,
You won't be wanted now to spin the time out!
But till the spinsters three my thread shall sever,
To hold you harmless I will still endeavour!
Heyday! how's this? It made me quite spin round,
And makes a point of pointing to the ground—
(trap opens)
And a trap opens in it, and displays
One of those horrid cells of other days,
Called “Oubliettes,” because when in they let you,
Though they would ne'er forgive they'd quite forget you.
This opens a new prospect of success;
To make it work, I've but this spring to press;
Though Richcraft is a very downy chap,
He may not be quite up to such a trap;
And if he's not up to it—he must be
Down in it—ere he can be down on me!
I hear his step—quick! let me set the trap for him.
(touches spring and trap closes)
There! it's all right! and I don't care a rap for him!

Re-enter Richcraft.
Rich.
Time's up! Am I to count on your axe-cession?

Fin.
Sir, I surrender at my own discretion;
I lay my arms down (flinging axe away)
and present my hand.

Rich.
On ceremony, then, no more I stand,
But thus—

(Music—Springs forward to seize her hand, but the moment he steps on the trap he disappears)
Fin.
Recitative—Finetta.

Enter Babillarda.
Duet—Finetta and Babillarda—“Il Trovatore.”
Babil.
Oh, joy! I scarce can trust my eyes!
Alive I thus behold you;
And no “alarming sacrifice,”
To him who thought he'd sold you.
My tongue, in vain, for utt'rance tries,
I want words, I declare, dear,
A want in me so rare, dear,
It adds to my surprise.

Fin.
“Full fathom five,” the traitor “lies,”
Like—I forget whose—father;
Those mayn't be “pearls that were his eyes,”
But he a purl had—rather.

Babil.
Huzzah!

Fin.
Away, away! if most unwise
To let him in you were, dear;
I've let him in, just there, dear,
Much more to his surprise.

(Exeunt)