 | Young and Handsome |  |
Scene Fifth.
—Enchanted caverns below the Lake.Alidor is left standing in the middle of the stage.
Ali.
My feet appear as if they'd found a landing,
Yet scarcely can support me notwithstanding,
Explain this to myself, I really can't,
That water lily must have been a plant!
Dragged under water, shovelled under ground,
Buried alive, as soon as I was drowned!
And now left on this dark and lonely shelf;
A solitary ghost—to haunt myself!
Who has done this?
Mor.
(within)
A friend!
Ali.
A friend! that's good!
And yet 'tis every day so understood,
If a man's jilted, or popped into quod,
It's always through a friend—that's very odd!
And is it really the same thing down here?
Wherever this may be, for I'm not clear.
Enter Mordicanta.
Mor.
Behold the friend who served you in this case.
Ali.
Zounds! It's some very old friend—by the face.
Mor.
Judge not by faces they are sometimes double.
I could change mine.
Ali.
Then pray do take the trouble,
If you are long to be my vis-à-vis.
You couldn't lose by it.
Mor.
That we shall see.
Ali.
You served me in this case—you say?
Mor.
I do.
Ali.
Couldn't you serve me out?
Mor.
We'll see that too.
183
To whom am I indebted, madam, pray?
I should be glad to pay you—the same way.
Mor.
Cease, cruel boy, to wound a heart that throbs
For you so fondly.
Ali.
Throbs!—for me? Oddsbobs!
Mor.
I've loved thee ever since I saw thee first!
Ali.
With me the fact exactly is reversed.
Mor.
Is this thy gratitude for love like mine?
Ali.
Your mode of shewing love is superfine.
Restore me to my love—my bride—my joy?
Mor.
She'd be the ruin of thee, foolish boy!
I've power to raise thy fortunes, far beyond
That peevish poppet of whom thou'rt so fond.
I am a fairy! She's scarce half a one.
Ali.
Were you ten times a fairy, and she none,
She's young and handsome—you are old and hideous!
I grant you the comparison's invidious.
But for her sake I'd burn a town, like Paris!
Mor.
(appearing as the Fairy Queen in picture, Scene Third)
What am I now?
Ali.
By Jingo! Mrs. Harris!
Mor.
A second time this form I have assumed,
To please your eye; though for it I am doomed
To pay severely—still your love to buy—
Ali.
It can't. I know those charms are all my eye
That Mrs. Harris is a specious vamp,
Beneath which grins a subtle Sairey Gamp.
And still in charms, my princess is your peer!
Mor.
If beauty cannot tempt you—just look here!
(waves her wand—the scene becomes illuminated, and treasures appear)
In silver, gold, pearls, diamonds—countless millions!
Love me—and draw on me at sight, for billions!
Ali.
For wealth, alone, I've not the least avidity;
I worship Cupid, madam—not cupidity!
Mor.
Can nothing tempt you?
Ali.
Nothing you can offer,
Mor.
Beware how you tempt me, ungrateful scoffer!
Once turn my love to hate—there is a pit
Within these magic caverns—deeper yet—
184
You'll be chawed up in less than half a minute!
Ali.
Do it! I'm desperate! and I defy you!
I scorn your love! Let me be pittied by you.
Mor.
(furiously)
Then open, pit! and dragon, quickly swallow him!
(Music—Alidor sinks)
Oh! could it swallow me, with joy I'd follow him.
(rushes out)
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