Louisa of Lombardy ; or, The Secret Nuptials A New Serious Spectacle |
 | 1. |
| 1. | SCENE I. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
 | Louisa of Lombardy ; or, The Secret Nuptials |  |
SCENE I.
A beautiful romantic view, with a castle at an
immense distance—the Cottage of the Vines, with
a correspondent arbour, a prominent feature in the
scene.—In the back ground a distant City and
Palace, to which a mountainous track leads; the approach
to the Castle appears over an arched bridge,
which seems to sink into a valley, and again appears
over a mountain; the passage from the foot
of the bridge, nearest the audience, communicates
with the track leading to the City—the time sunrise,
a warm glow is thrown on the whole scene,
which is variegated by waterfalls and rivulets,
glittering and catching the sun's rays as it rises—
near the Cottage is an arbour, in which is a rustic
seat, and near the door an antique chair.
116
Alinda discovered seated, an infant about four years old laying asleep in the arbour; for whom she appears to have been forming a small garland; rises, approaches him, and sings,
BALLAD AND DUET.
Alin.
Sleep on, pretty babe! thou remind'st me too well,
Of the Cherub that once was my own!
Who scarce life had welcom'd, 'ere death toll'd his knell!
But the will of high heaven be done!
Of the Cherub that once was my own!
Who scarce life had welcom'd, 'ere death toll'd his knell!
But the will of high heaven be done!
The tear which for him too oft moisten'd my eye,
Attention to thee has remov'd!
I, a stranger's babe nurse with a fond lullaby,
And as dear as my own was, 'tis lov'd!
Well-a-day, sweet babe!
Attention to thee has remov'd!
I, a stranger's babe nurse with a fond lullaby,
And as dear as my own was, 'tis lov'd!
Well-a-day, sweet babe!
Enter Gabriello (listening) unperceived.
DUET—QUICK MOVEMENT.
But merry Hubby says we're young,
And busy hope hints snug and clever—
(Gabriello comes forward.)
Gab.
That since we've anxious lov'd so long,
Success at last may bless endeavour!
And swears he longs to hear you cry—
The strain would make him mellow!
Alin.
What, hush-a-by, and hush-a-by?
Gab.
Yes, mother's lips and father's eye.
Both.
To both our likenesses espye,
And kiss a chubby fellow!
Hush-a-by, and hush-a-by!
Mother's lips and father's eye,
Oh! bless the chubby fellow!
And should, pretty babe, the wish'd stranger appear,
Thy nurse would receive two-fold joy;
It's sweet little pranks would thy tender heart cheer.
Gab.
Yes, for sartin it shall be a boy!
Alin.
The tear then no longer should moisten my eye,
Our affections increas'd, not remov'd!
Dividing enraptur'd the fond lullaby,
'Tween the babes, poor and rich, both belov'd!
Well-a-day, sweet hope!
Gab.
And both grown up with one accord,
To clinch the kindnesses we've shewn him;
When he struts forth a mighty lord,
Our little page shall wait upon him!
Oh! how I long to hear you cry,
The strain would make me mellow!
Alin.
What hush-a-by, and hush-a-by?
Gab.
Yes, mammy's lips, and daddy's eye;
Both.
To both our likenesses espye,
And kiss a chubby fellow?
Hush-a-by, and hush-a-by!
Mammy's lips, and daddy's eye,
Oh! bless the chubby fellow!
RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.[1.]
[Alin.]But merry Hubby says we're young,
And busy hope hints snug and clever—
(Gabriello comes forward.)
117
That since we've anxious lov'd so long,
Success at last may bless endeavour!
And swears he longs to hear you cry—
The strain would make him mellow!
Alin.
What, hush-a-by, and hush-a-by?
Gab.
Yes, mother's lips and father's eye.
Both.
To both our likenesses espye,
And kiss a chubby fellow!
Hush-a-by, and hush-a-by!
Mother's lips and father's eye,
Oh! bless the chubby fellow!
2.
Alin.And should, pretty babe, the wish'd stranger appear,
Thy nurse would receive two-fold joy;
It's sweet little pranks would thy tender heart cheer.
Gab.
Yes, for sartin it shall be a boy!
Alin.
The tear then no longer should moisten my eye,
Our affections increas'd, not remov'd!
Dividing enraptur'd the fond lullaby,
'Tween the babes, poor and rich, both belov'd!
Well-a-day, sweet hope!
Gab.
And both grown up with one accord,
To clinch the kindnesses we've shewn him;
When he struts forth a mighty lord,
Our little page shall wait upon him!
Oh! how I long to hear you cry,
The strain would make me mellow!
118
What hush-a-by, and hush-a-by?
Gab.
Yes, mammy's lips, and daddy's eye;
Both.
To both our likenesses espye,
And kiss a chubby fellow?
Hush-a-by, and hush-a-by!
Mammy's lips, and daddy's eye,
Oh! bless the chubby fellow!
Gabriello (rubbing his hands.)
Gab.
The chicks, I reckon chuck, would well be match'd!
Alin.
(Sighing)
But, our chick's reckon'd, chuck, before 'tis hatch'd!
Gab.
Hey!—some months hence his pipe may be in tune!
Alin.
Some month!
Gab.
Yes, that nine past this honey moon! (kisses her.)
(The cracking of a whip is heard without.)
Alin.
Hark!—a whip crack'd! see who 'tis—haste—begone.
Gab.
(Still kissing her.)
Waunds! what's your haste?
(whip again)
aye, smack again, crack on!
'Tis in a crack (kisses her)
my business is done!
Paladore, &c. approach.
Alin.
Dear! the babe's kinsfolks!
Gab.
—Just lit from their coach!
119
Gab.
How very timbersome they does approach!
Alin.
Trembling a live!—of agitation quite full!
Gab.
They be his handsome parents, they're so frightful!
Alin.
Yes, that's his lord-like brow!—her noble eye!
Gab.
His lord-like—just so dad and mammy said of I!
Alin.
An open countenance as e'er was born!
Gab.
My countenance be open, when I—ya—wn!
Alin.
Hush! hush! they're here!
Gab.
—Yes—feggs! they both looks glum!
Alin.
My lady (curtseying to the Princess, who beckons her to cease.)
Gab.
Please your nobleship (bowing to Paladore, he angrily stamps, and commands silence.)
Both.
—We're dumb!
Recovering from their trepidation, both point officiously to the child, Paladore and Princess approach, affectionately gaze on, and ardently kiss it; the child awakes, and in the midst of their caresses, distant martial music is heard.—The Princess and
120
RECITATIVE ACCOMPANIED.
Alin.
They talk by signs still!—sure that babe's some fairy!
And I'm enchanted!
Gab.
(Looking first one way, then another)
I'm in a quandary!
Alin.
So oft as they've been here! so long have stay'd!
And not one single word has either said!
Gab.
Pshew! t'ant abroad for words that such folks roam,
Lord! man and wife have words enough at home!
And then, my love, you know, (your noddle's weak,)
Great folks to little folks disdain to speak!
By word of motion 'tis their pranks are play'd!
Just strut—he—hem!—frown—stamp—and shake the head!—
121
(Takes off their actions ridiculously—she shakes her head.)
You need not shake your nob—there's nothing in it!
Martial music again—he runs off (up the bridge) hastily—after he is out of sight, it again ceases. —Alinda looks first towards the bridge; then, after appearing to have listened at the Cottage door, comes forward, and seeing the wreath she had made for the child, takes it up.
Alin.
Well!—these strangers' actions, seem quite strange to me!
A mysterious sort of—kind—of mystery!
Tho' I'm no secret hunter—I declare—
I should just like to find out who they are!
(Listens.)
Didn't they call?—wanted or not I'll go—
Not that I'm curious—but I'd like to know!
Exit into the Cottage.
| Louisa of Lombardy ; or, The Secret Nuptials | |