 | Les brigands |  |
ACT III.
Saloon in the Duke of Mantua's palace. An oval table with banquet, C. Candelabra. Three doors at back lead on to a gallery. Ducal chair, L. Table, L., door, R.Prince discovered at supper with various ladies of his court
Aurora appears—we'll hail Aurora—
Welcome her with a chorus gay—
Cover our Prince with gifts of Flora,
His bachelorhood will end to-day!
Marchioness.
I dread to-morrow morn arriving,
The saddest event since I was born!
Duchess.
His court of his fair self depriving,
He will marry to-morrow morn!
Mar.
His court depriving!
Duc.
His court depriving!
Cho.
Aurora appears, &c.
You'd like to hear me sing? I'll warble you a ditty,
Which describes me exactly—that fact wil give it zest
Mar. & Duc.
Whatever song you sing—or commonplace or witty—
It's certain to excite our deepest interest!
Song—Pri.
A prince there was, whose beauty,
Shone like the moon above—
All.
Shone like the moon above—!
His ladies, as in duty,
With him all fell in love!
All.
With him all fell in love!
Pri.
And one, a lovely maiden,
Would wait in doubt no more,
So, with her love o'erladen,
She tapped thus at his door—
Rat tat! rat tat!
“Come open, Prince,” the maiden cried—
“When a loving girl implores thee—
Rat tat!
Come open, sir, and open wide
To a maiden who adores thee!
Rat tat!”
Come open Prince, &c.
Come open, sir, and open wide
Pri.
“Return my pretty lady,
Return,” the Prince replied.
All.
“Return,” the Prince replied.
Pri.
“To nature's forests shady—
Alas! I have a bride!”
All.
Alas! he has a bride!
Pri.
“To stray from virtuous courses
Of course I would not dare,”
Said she “There are divorces
And so I won't despair!”
Pan, pan, &c.
All.
Come open, sir, and open wide, &c.
Enter Treasurer.
Tre.
Your Royal Highness did your Treasurer the honour to send for
him. He is here!
Duc.
The Treasurer! I love a treasurer! I wonder if he was sent for
on our account!
Pri.
Treasurer, you look dispirited—what's the matter with you?
Tre.
Dispirited? I dare say I do. An error in my official accounts
has kept me awake all night. It was only a half-penny, but to a conscientious
official the amount is of little consequence. I couldn't detect
the cause of the inaccuracy, so I put it down to—
Mar.
To what?
Tre.
Sundries!
Pri.
And how many sundries do you get for a half-penny?
Tre.
It depends. The price of a sundry varies with the inaccuracies
in my accounts.
Pri.
Well, how do we stand at present. Are we pretty rich?
Tre.
Rich? Rich isn't the word!
(aside)
That's true enough!
Pri.
Then pay the Marchioness's rent for the past year!
Mar.
Oh, Prince!
Pri.
You will also have the goodness to pay the Duchess's milliner's
bill. The milliner shall call on you to-morrow with the account.
Duc.
(aside to Tre.)
You can let me have the money, and I'll pay it
myself.
Pri.
Now to business. These people who accompany the Princess
are to receive three millions from us. Take care to have the money
ready.
Tre.
Three millions? Whew!
Pri.
Of course. You don't mean to say you haven't got the money.
Tre.
Oh, of course I've got the money—Oh, yes, I've got the money
all right. It would be a pretty look out if I hadn't got the money!
Pri.
Very good—then take care to have it ready, Now ladies, we
will prepare to receive the Princess.
Cho.
Aurora comes, &c.
[Exeunt Pri. and all the Ladies through the doors at back.
Tre.
Take care your Highness—take care! Those ladies will be
the insignificant sum of twelve hundred and eighty-three francs twenty-five
centimes! Well, I couldn't help it! I'm a creature of impulse, and
when a woman asks me for money, I can't refuse it. I never could resist
a woman in tears. They know this, and always come to me crying.
Song—Treasurer.
My happiest moments fly;
I love to play with golden tresses,
The slave of love am I!
In kisses and accents—and accents of honey—
In bouquets and presents—and presents not a few,
I've dissipated all my money.
And all my country's—and all my country's money too.
Such conduct is entailing,
I'd squander it again,
Ah, ah! that's my little failing.
To fate I'm forced to bow,
These pleasures there is no recalling.
My cake is eaten now!
Despite my endeavour—endeavour—endeavour—
My sin—my sin—discovered now will be!
Whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever,
Whatever—ever will become of me!
Yet, spite of all the pain, &c.
Twelve hundred and eighty-three francs, twenty-five centimes! That's
two hundred and eighty-three francs, twenty-five centimes for the Marchioness
and the Duchess to divide between them—so far my course is easy
enough. But the Spanish envoy may not be so easily quieted. If he's
an honest man, I'm lost—but if he's a—a—man of the world, the remaining
thousand francs will square him.
(castanets and music heard
without)
There they are! They have arrived! Now for it! Oh, woman,
woman, woman!
Enter the Lords and Ladies of the court. They group themselves on each side of the stage.
Cho.
Here comes the Princess, and her brilliant party.
She looks particularly well—
Certain she is to earn a welcome hearty
If grace and beauty work their spell.
The Prince enters R.
Usher.
The embassy from Grenada!
Pri.
Good—bid them enter.
Enter the Brigands, dressed as the members of the Grenada Embassy. Falsacappa as Gloria Cassis. Pietro as the Preceptor. Fiorella as the Princess. Fragoletto as here page. All, as they enter, bow to the Prince.
Cho.
Here is the Princess, &c.
Pri.
'Tis she!
Fio.
'Tis he!
Fra.
“'Tis he—'tis she!” What can it be!
Please explain, ma'am, 'tis he! 'tis she
(aside)
This is very cheering,
Jewel, watch, and ear-ring,
Everywhere appearing,
Gorgeous array.
Prince and all, attacking,
Everybody sacking,
Then, our booty packing,
Take it all away.
Court
(aside)
What an odd parading,
Someone has been aiding
Them in masquerading,
They are villains deep!
Black as any niggers,
See their ill-bred sniggers,
Fingers on our triggers
We had better keep.
Pri.
(aside)
'Tis the little fairy
Whom I found so chary,
Very, very wary,
Only yesterday.
Bri.
This is very cheering!
Court.
What an odd parading!
Pri.
She whom I'm addressing,
Then was shepherdessing,
And to-day, Princessing!
How is this, I pray?
Bri.
Jewel, watch, and earring!
Court.
What a masquerading!
Fio.
This is unexpected,
I shall be detected!
Wish I had elected
Not to go their ways.
Bri.
All our booty packing!
Court.
Fingers on our triggers!
Fra.
(jealous)
This is most annoying,
They are both employing
Signs, and he's enjoying
Her attentive gaze!
Bri.
Take it all away!
Court.
We had better keep!
Fra.
(to Fio.)
You're so much below him,
How can you, miss, know him?
I shall quickly show him
How to end his days!
[repeat ensemble
Fio.
(aside to Fal)
'Tis he!
Pri.
(aside)
'Tis the maiden!
Fio.
(aside to Fal)
Let us be off, I fear,
With astonishment their mouths are gaping.
Fal.
Why on earth should we go?
Fio.
That's the person, my dear,
Whom yesterday I helped in escaping!
Fal.
Are you quite sure?
Fio.
Quite sure!
He knows he has seen me before!
We'll for a flight be preparing.
Fio.
Only look how he is staring!
Fal.
We'll be careful.
Fra.
All this toying
Is annoying.
[Ensemble as before
Pri.
Why how's this—where's the escort? Where is the Baron Campotasso?
Pie.
I, sir, am the Baron Campotasso.
Pri.
You? Nonsense!
Pie.
I assure you, sir, that I am the Baron Campotasso
(to Fal.)
Ain't I?
Fal.
(aside)
No, you idiot—you're the Princess's preceptor, now.
Pie.
Of course—I forgot.
(to Pri.)
You were quite right—it was my
mistake—I'm the Princess's preceptor now.
Pri.
(aside)
I'll swear that's the girl I met in the mountains yesterday!
I'll cross examine her,
(aloud)
. So your Royal Highness is the daughter
of the King of Grenada.
Fio.
So I have been always told.
Pri.
(aside)
Humph! foiled! Stay, another question occurs to me!
(aloud)
And who, may I ask, reigns at Grenada, just now?
Fio.
Why the king, of course!
Pri.
(aside)
She's right! and who's this gentleman?
(indicating Fra.)
.
Fio.
My favourite page. He never leaves me.
Fra.
Never!
Fio. & Fra.
Never!
All the Bri.
Never!
Pri.
(aside)
This quite corresponds with the description I received.
It's all right. I must have been mistaken.
(aloud)
Well, Princess.
Fal.
First of all, your highness, there's a little matter to arrange.
Those three millions.
Pri.
My treasurer has instructions to pay you the money immediately.
Fal.
Good!
(to Tre.)
You heard what his Highness said?
Tre.
(taking Fal. aside)
One moment. I don't want to make any
unpleasantness, but one of your noblemen has—it's very awkward, but he
has stolen my watch.
Fal.
Point him out.
Tre.
It's one of those four. Perhaps you will kindly ask him to
restore it?
Fal.
(to Bri.)
Who took that watch?
[Dom. Bar. and Car. each take out a watch
Fal.
Ah, good!
(Pie. takes out a fourth watch and offers it timidly)
.
Pietro! I'm ashamed of you!
Pie.
Force of habit, Captain. I couldn't help it.
Fal.
(to Tre.)
Which is yours?
Tre.
This one. Thanks very much.
(aside)
Curious, some of these
Spanish customs!
[Fal. pockets the other three
Pri.
Princess, the ladies will show you to your rooms. We shall
meet anon. Come, gentlemen.
[exeunt all but Fal. and Tre.
Fal.
Now then, to business.
Tre.
Good! How will you have it? Long or short?
Fal.
Quite immaterial.
Tre.
Good!
[they sit at table
Fal.
If you'd like to see my credentials—
Tre.
As a matter of form
(looking at them)
. Quite correct.
Fal.
(aside)
That's a mercy.
Tre
(aside taking out a bank note)
If he's an honest man I'm lost—
but if he isn't, this bank note ought to square matters.
[he fidgets with the ntoe
Fal.
What do you call that?
I call that a bank note for one thousand francs.
Fal.
Good. That leaves a balance of two millions nine hundred and
ninety-nine thousand.
Tre.
A balance of how much did you say? Let me see
(begins to
calculate after having placed the note near Fal. (Seeing that Fal. don't
take it, he pushes it nearer. At length he looks up and says,
He hasn't
taken it!
Fal.
I repeat that leaves a balance of two millions—
Tre.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand francs. Right to a
franc! What a head for figures!
Fal.
Pretty well—but never mind my head. Let us confine ourselves
to these three millions.
Tre.
Certainly, if you insist. Well, I have to pay you three millions?
Fal.
To be sure.
Tre.
And you will pay them over to your government?
Fal.
Of course.
Tre.
And what commission will your government allow you, do you
think?
Fal.
I don't know!
Tre.
I do. Not a penny! That's the way with government. They
attend to general interests and neglect particular interests. Happily the
particular interests look after themselves—if they didn't—
Fal.
Now look here. What are you driving at?
Tre.
Now sit down. Now this is how we are situated—two men of
the world. One man of the world at that side of the table, another man
of the world at this side of the table. Good! Now let's dismiss the
Court of Grenada from our minds. Never mind them. What does it
matter to us, as men of the world, whether Grenada has its three millions
or not?
Fal.
Now once for all—I—
Tre.
Here is a good note for one thousand francs. Well, I place
this note there
(places note before Fal.)
. And having placed it there, I
dismiss it from my mind. There's an end of it. Where's my pen? Ah,
there it is under the table! I'm going to look for it, you understand?
I'm going to look for my pen. And I dismiss the thousand franc note
from my mind.
[he goes under the table
Fal.
What in the world is he doing?
Tre.
(reappearing)
He hasn't taken it! He's an honest man! Confound
him!
Fal.
Come, once for all, these three millions.
Tre.
Hush! I'll be frank with you. I haven't got e'm.
Fal.
(seizing him)
What!
Tre.
I haven't got 'em, but it can be squared, can't it?
Fal.
I'm sold! He's in the profession! Give me three millions!
Fal. seizes the Tre. Enter all the Court.
Fal.
Ruffian and thief. Robber, I say!
Tre.
'Tis false, 'tis false!
Pri.
(entering)
Explain it, pray!
Car. & Bri.
Three million francs!
He hasn't them, there!
By foul or fair means I'll have e'm, I swear!
Tre.
Forbear, forbear!
Fal.
I'll have 'em, I swear!
Pri.
Why, isn't this affair completed?
Tre.
Sir, I've been exceedingly ill-treated!
Fal.
Because the debt he will not pay.
Bri.
Because, &c.
Tre.
My prince, believe him not, it isn't true!
Fal.
Your treasurer hasn't got a soul!
Pri.
Explain this matter, sir!
Tre.
I'm almost afraid!
Pri.
Is it thus that I'm obeyed!
Tre.
Hush, hush, hush! Why, what's that? Why what's that?
Enter at the back the Captain of Carbineers, Gloria Cassis, Princess of Grenada, Adolphe, Campotasso, Preceptor, and Carbineers.
Spaniards and Carbineers.
Some folk are true Spaniards by birth,
Some folk are not Spaniards by birth;
We are all true Spaniards by birth,
And you are not Spaniards by birth!
Prin.
Behold me, the Princess, sir!
Adol.
Her page! her train I bear it!
Carb.
(indicating Cam.)
He knows her well, sir prince, he can swear it!
Pri.
If indeed this is true, you are shams, ha! ha!
[to Fal.
Cam.
Verily 'tis Falsacappa!
Cap.
(seizing Fal.)
I arrest great Falsacappa!
All.
Falsacappa! Falsacappa!
Bri.
We're all of us lost, yes, every one!
And we shall swing as sure as a gun.
Pri.
Take 'em and string 'em all up, ha! ha!
Fal.
We are lost, yes, every one!
Refrain of Fio's. song in Act I. heard without. She enters dressed as in Act I., with Fra. also as in Act I.
Fio. & Fra.
'Tis Fiorella, you know her,
The brigand's daughter, she!
The brigand's lovely daughter, she!
My Prince, remember pray, I saved thy life. Oh, spare us!
Thy life, thy life I saved, our faults, sir, don't be hard on!
Pri.
Shall I spare them?
Bri., Court
Oh! spare us./them.
Pri.
It is true, it is true, and I grant, I grant your pardon!
All.
Long live our great Prince!
Glo.
(to Tre.)
Three millions, please, if you can spare it?
Millions three!
Tre.
Well, no! but this no doubt will square it!
A bank note for a thousand francs!
Glo.
A thousand francs? A thousand thanks!
[pockets it.
Fra.
Farewell! No more I'll take up with banditti!
Farewell our caves and mountains high!
Fio.
We'll lead a life, in town or city,
Of strict respectability!
Fal.
And we, and we won't tremble any more,
When we hear the tramp, and the tramp,
The tramp of the royal carbineers!
| Les brigands | |