Louisa of Lombardy ; or, The Secret Nuptials :: :: University of Virginia Library

Louisa of Lombardy ; or, The Secret Nuptials

A New Serious Spectacle

Cross, J. C.

LOUISA OF LOMBARDY;

SCENE VI.

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SCENE VI.

The Dragon's cavern—in a part of the cavern appears cut out the similitude of a death's head and cross bones, under which is rudely engraved:

“Commemorative of the Treachery of Bireno, who here cruelly butchered sixty offending Vassals to whom he had promised pardon.”

(Sun set.)

137

Enter Bertram, a wood-cutter, bearing a load of faggots, which on coming forward he throws down, and refreshes himself from a little flask bottle attached to his belt.
RECITATIVE—BERTRAM (pointing to the load).
There's my day's job!—to twigs and trees a sprouting,
I'm like a keen north easter, I'm so cutting!
To hack and hew am never found relaxing!
I've hewed 'till hack'd out at this present axing!
(Sits down fanning himself with his hat, an arquebuss is fired without, he starts up frightened.)
Umph! some one's popp'd off, much against the grain,
I wonder if they're killing birds or men!
Oh!—

Enter Ricardo with an arquebuss in his hand.
Ric.
Holloa! you woodman!—half a bow-shot off,
Thou'lt find a stricken fowl—

Ber.
Shall I?—enough (exit bowing, frightened.)

(Reading the inscription he starts indignant.)
Ric.
Bireno!—wretch!—the name of that proud worm
Ruffles my temper to a very storm!
Of all yon group, born on these fertile plains,
Poor old Ricardo is the last remains!

138

But I've a boy, that for my sufferings bleeds,
Who'll speak my vengeance, not in words, but deeds!
(Unscrews his gun, which is in three or four parts, and puts it in his pouch.)
Rest there old partner—close by thee, true sabre!

Re-enter BERTRAM with the Fowl.
Ber.
Here be the wild-fowl.

Ric.
—Take it for thy labour!
Aye! wed the Princess, wretch—sleep on, secure!
Your punishment, tho' slow, is death-like sure!

Exit.
Ber.
(Staring after him.)
Lord! he be mad! yet he's my friend, that's plain!
And tho'f we've cut, I hope he'll come again!—
But—umph! what timber's yonder?—I'll take t'other swig! (Drinks.)

Gabriello, Alinda, and Child appear.
Oh! two young withies and a little twig!
(They enter, he approaches them.)
Ah! master Gabriello!

Gab.
—Bertram! I declare!

Ber.
Missus Alinda!—won't you take a chair?

139

(She and the Child appearing faint, points to his load— she seats herself, placing the Child on her knee.)
Ber.
(To the Child.)
Whose little sprout are you?—not like you neither (to Gabriello.)

Alin.
'Tis a wise child, they say, that knows his father!
La! how his mother'd fret!

Gab.
—(Mind what you say!)
Sweet Princess!—did she know we'd lost our way!

Ber.
They too be craz'd!—well crazy folks be'n't cross!
One gave a fowl, these may perhaps find sauce!
What have you here?—eh?

Gab.
—What you shall share—
Corn, wine, and oil, and—

Ber.
—Well said, dainty fare!
Ecod! this day I'm fortune's favourite care!

Alin.
Poor babe! quite tired!

Gab.
(Sighing.)
—We're all in the same plight!

Both.
Pray cou'd you get us lodgings for to-night?
You shall be paid well—

Ber.
(Looking at the Child.)
Worn out! poor dear creature!
Paid!—gi's your hand, I'll do it from good nature!
There, that's my hut, just past yon rotten stern!—
Hark'ee (whispering and pointing to the inscription.)
it once belong'd, d'ye know, to one of them!
(Gabriello starts and trembles, Alinda appears alarm'd.)
They are no rack rent landlords, cent per cent!
Ha'nt call'd or ax'd yet for a farthing rent!
A Prince might dwell there!

140

Gab.
(Much agitated, his eye fixed on the inscription.)
—Hark'ee, have a cafe!
A Prince!

Ber.
—Yes, and he liked our thorough open air!
But there you're welcome, (he points the way.)

—There contentment thrives!—
(Gabriello and Alinda looking alarmed at Bireno's name, he grasps his sword, and she the pistol, as if guarding the Child.)
Right, guard your Prince—

Gab.
—Guard him! aye, with our lives!

Exeunt.
Ber.
May his guard's guardian never then forsake ye!
But I'll pick up my chips, and o'ertake ye!
COMIC SONG.

[1.]

I'm a cutter of wood, and with blocks oft contend,
But a blockhead should be, could I cut an old friend;
Mother swore I good-humour drew in with my breath,
And was never cross-grain'd, but when cutting my teeth.
Radarer row, tandora ra, raderer taderer tandora ra.

2.

Some folks cut a lawyer, and some folks a dun,
Some folks cut a figure, and some folks cut none;
A caper some cut from stern justice's tree,
But that I'd decline, 'tis a cut above me.
Raderer row, &c.

141

3.

Some cut off supplies, and some cut a good place,
Some cut off the nose in revenge to the face;
Look spectacle like, yet should blindness come on,
Would find no nose left, to hang spectacles on.
Raderer row, &c.

4.

About playing their cards, sometimes kingdoms fall out,
When foes branch too far, we must lop 'em no doubt;
The axe to the tree should be ready to put,
For “whenever they shuffle, our duty's to cut.”
Raderer row, &c.

Exit.
Enter Lucio and Ascanio with Soldiers, &c. in pursuit, they divide their parties, and go off separate ways—a storm commences—enter Sanguino with Soldiers, and Paladore prisoner, they approach the Cavern, Paladore starts at seeing the inscription, recording Bireno's cruelty, which he reads with horror, demanding of them how they can serve such a master and remain subject to similar cruelty?—they appear affected—the storm encreases—Sanguino orders them to proceed, and seizing Paladore, he is more strictly guarded off than ever.
Exeunt.