(A forest. A small inn at left. Plunket and several of his farm hands discovered sitting at table. Plunket rises and sings his song, the men joining in chorus.)
No. 13.
Plun. Come, can you tell me, read me the riddle,
What to our lordly British name
Gives power and fame—Come, say?
Ha, 'tis old porter, brown and stout,
None that is like it round about,
The Briton's pride, he'll aye confide,
In porter's power, whatever betide.
Yes, hurrah, hurrah for old English ale,
The friend in need who can never fail,
Hurrah,—tra, la, la, la, la, la!
Listen my lads and tell me truly
What in our land you most do prize?
What's worth your eyes? Come, say?
Ho! 'tis your nut-brown foaming beer,
See how it heaps the beaker here—
The Briton's pride, he'll aye confide, in porter's power, whatever betide.
Cho.Yes, hurrah! hurrah for the old English ale, etc.
(At close of chorus after Plunket's song, horns are heard outside,—the opening strains of the next number. When it stops, at end of second brace, he speaks.)
Plun. Aha! the hunt is up. They told me the Queen would hunt today.
One of Men. Yes, with all her ladies. No doubt the men-folk will follow, too!
Plun. Start along, you, then. I'll go in and pay the score.
(Men leave stage, Plunket enters the inn.)
(As music begins again the court ladies run on in hunting costume. They wear short walking skirts, caps and high boots, perhaps, and all carry long spears. Nancy is with them. She carries a whip instead of a spear, and wears a long riding habit draped up over high boots.)
No. 14.
Chorus.All we ladies of the court
Are lovers of sport of every sort;
Every hunting cry we know,
As hark tally ho, view tally ho!
We can handle dart and bow,
O yes, we can dart after a beau;
We can shoot and ride and row,
Can play at ball, dance at them all;
With rings and things we prancing go,
Ho ho! and tally ho! we know,
And how to catch a beau!
(Girls stroll about stage and sit at table. Nancy comes forward alone.)
No. 15.
Nan. (sings).Gay of heart, I have not known how to weep,
How to be sorry and wan;
Vigil to keep.
Yet alas, sighs are my portion and pain,
Tears that flow ever in vain,
Hindering sleep.
There's a voice speaks in my heart night and day,
What is the word soft it would say?
Ah, voice of love so true and deep,
Ah, soul of faith my answer keep.
Memory still calls one face to my heart,
O light of my life forever thou art;
O voice of love so true and deep,
Face so dear, light of my heart
Forever thou art.
(She turns to the others who gather round her.)
Nan.Hunters fair, now beware,
Lest you fall into a snare.
Haste away, don't delay,
Lest you lose your pretty prey.
Love's a sprite soon takes flight,
Chance and change are his delight;
Use your eyes, win the prize,
Ere too soon he flies.
Love's a hunter, too, they say,
Draws his bow, alackaday!
Hit, we're fain to bear the pain,
Flight is vain.
Chorus.Yes, Cupid blind,
Thy darts are swifter far than wind.
(At end of chorus Plunket re-enters from the inn.)
Plunket. Halloo! There seems to be good game afoot here. I'll see if I have any luck at the chase myself! (Walks towards the ladies.)
Nan. (looking around). Where can Lady Harriet be? She seems to avoid society more than ever. She is very unhappy, and has been so ever since—(addresses Plunket) My good man, can you tell me—(stops in agitation)
Plun. What, Betsy Ann! You? In these togs!
Nan. (distantly). Well, my good man, what is it?
Plun. I am not your good man! But you are my bad maid! Just you wait! I'll make you pay for all the trouble you've given me. What are you doing here in this masquerade?
Nan. Are you crazy?
Plun. No use to pretend! I know you. Come along home with me!
Nan. (shrieks as he seizes her wrist). Help! Help!
Plun. What a wicked little hussy you are!
Nan. What an impudent big clodhopper you are!
(The ladies turn back towards Nancy.)
Nan. Here is game for you, girls. Let's see how he will like your spears!
(Ladies surround Plunket and threaten him.)
Chorus (speaking all together). We'll give him a taste of our spear points! He won't bother her long! At him, now! There's safety in numbers! (Repeating.)
Plun. Gently, gently—Hold on! This is turning the tables in good earnest. Ouch!!! Those remarks are a little too pointed for me. (Dodges.) I never expected to see myself run from a woman, but here goes! (He runs off, the ladies after him, shouting incoherently, as above.Nancy enters inn.)
(Enter Lionel. He looks more absent-minded and dreamy than ever. He seems dejected and ill. Murmurs to himself.)
Lio. I will detach thee from thy frail trembling stem. O thou lovely rose of summer, thou shalt lie upon my heart, forever more! (Takes withered flower from his breast and kisses it, then looks around him.)
Where am I? I feel that I am near her. Martha, Martha! thou star of my heart! I see her before me, with her beautiful pure smile, radiant in youth and sweetness. O Martha, I feel thee near! (Sings.)
No. 16.
Lio.O, when she rose fair on my sight,
Radiant, lovely, like dawning light,
Flow'd all my heart forth to her own,
Tribute to beauty bright.
Joy reviv'd and my thought
Sang like woodlands after rain,
Hope for me shone again,
Lighting all my hours of pain.
Gladness made all my heart
Bright as meadows pearl'd with dew,
For I dream'd love's sweet dream
Ever old, yet young like dawn
And ever new!
O, when she rose, fair on my sight, etc.
Martha, Martha, must I lose thee,
Life has naught can peace restore!
Thou, my comfort, peace and pleasure,
Reft of thy sweet looks I die!
(At the close of his song Lionel goes to the back of stage and stands alone. Sir Tristan and Lady Harriet enter.)
Tris. The ladies are all out of sight. Why did you leave their company, fair cousin?
Lady H. (pointedly). Because I wished to be alone!
Tristan. To remain alone—with me?
Lady H. With you?—(laughs a little) Alone or with you—it's quite the same thing!—-I am low-spirited, that is what I mean. I don't want to see anybody.
Tris. What should make you so sad?
Lady H. I am sure I know no more than you about it. It is a mystery even to myself.
Tris. But to remain alone in this secluded spot—is it quite—er—you know—
Lady H. But it is exactly what I want. Good bye!
Tris. But I will soon return—soon—soon—(looks back anxiously as he goes)
Lady H. Oh, it is so good to be alone, with only my sad memories for company! But if he were only here—this loneliness were sweet.
Lio. (wanders down stage and sees her). Ah! that voice!
Lady H. Oh, heaven—what do I see?—
Lionel. A lady?—
Lady H. He is here, then—even as I said!
Lio. 'Tis she—even as I said—Martha, Martha!
Lady H. O, what shall I do now? How shall I elude him?—
Lio. O, Martha, you have come back to me—O, thank heaven, thank heaven! It is Martha, her very self—Martha, who ran away from me!
Lady H. O, how can I bear it! what a tragedy is this! To find—again—and to lose!
Lio. Before mine eyes beheld thee, my heart recognized thee—
Lady H. Recognized me? Surely you are mistaken, sir!
Lio. No! Every line of your face is graven on my heart. I cannot be wrong. It is Martha's voice that I hear. There can be no mistake.
Lady H. You are dreaming!
Lio. If this be a dream, O let me never awake from it! Ah, I would dream thus forever. Disturb not so sweet a slumber!
Lady H. O go, I beg you go!
Lio. No, no. In my dream let me take your hand, "as I did once—do you remember? Let me kiss it—thus—to tell my love.
Lady H. I can no longer tolerate such gross impertinence. Will you go, sir?
Lio. Wherefore this pretence? Why do you disown me?
Lady H. Hence, peasant clown—begone!
Lio. I, a peasant? I, your master? Patience is thrown away on you! I have been too gentle. Now I command you to come instantly with me! (Takes her arm.)
Lady H. Tristan—help, help!
Tris. What has alarmed you? Speak!
Lady H. Help me—save me from that fellow!
Tris. Who dares to—
Lio. My lord, this is my servant, and I have a right to take her hence.
Tris. Listen to the brazen impudence of the fellow! It is really too horrid, don't you know? It fairly makes me shudder. The most unheard of audacity—Come here—all of you. (Summoning the rest. They sing.)
No. 17.
Cho.How audacious, rude and daring,
To insult a lady so,
'Tis a scandal past declaring,
Off to jail the clown must go.
Lady H. Ah, 'tis agony and rapture,
That he loves me is too true,
I'm consenting to his capture,
O my heart, what can I do?
Cho.Insolent beyond expression
Thus upon our sports to break,
For his terrible transgression
Signal vengeance let us take.
Lio. Ah, 'tis agony and rapture,
Thus once more her face to view,
She's consenting to my capture,
Break, then, heart, what else canst do?
(Plunket enters at close of chorus and sees Lionel held by men. Sings.)
Plun. Hold! Pray tell me what this means?
Lio. Come, defend me!
(Nancy enters from inn.)
Nan. What's occur'd?
Lio. Betsy, too?
Plun. Betsy, too.
Nan. Don't be afraid, my lady.
Lio. Lady? Now all is clear.
All her charm, her kindly manner
Were caprice and cruel sport
To amuse a lady's leisure hour—
O, just heaven, how harsh thou art.
Lady H. Pity for this fellow asking
His free pardon let me crave;
In his brain is madness masking,
That is why his fancies rave.
Cho. (starting back). Madness? Madness?
Lio. O, what falseness!
Nan. O, poor creature!
Plun. List, I pray.
Tris. No, no, away.
Tris. (speaks). Arrest that madman!
Plun. and Lio. Arrest him? Arrest me? (He is seized.)
Lady H. O, this is agony! (Aside.)
Nan. O, this is too hard! (Aside.)
Lio. But she agreed to it—she pledged herself.
Lady H. (aside to Lionel). In the name of pity, be silent!
Lio. She accepted the earnest money. She bound herself to serve me for a year.
Cho. (laughing and chattering suddenly). How absurd! Ha! ha! ha! It really is too funny! (Repeating.)
Lady H. O, but let him be treated kindly. It is plain that the poor man is distraught. He is out of his senses. He does not know what he is saying.
Lio. O cruel, O false!
Nan. (aside). Poor fellow.
Plun. (to Lionel). A word with you.
Tris. Away, varlet! (Trumpets are heard outside.) The Queen is approaching!
Lio. The Queen! Ah! her coming brings me hope! (Takes ring from his finger and gives it to Plunket.) This is the ring which my father left for me. He told you that if I ever should be in trouble this ring must be presented to the Queen. She will recognize it and will send me aid at once. Now is the hour which my father foresaw—O, unhappy day! Now is the hour to redeem the pledge he left with us, the pledge of his honor and mine. (Turns to Lady H. and gazes at her longingly.) As for you, how shall I bear the memory of your treachery? (Sings.)
No. 18. Finale.
Lio.Heav'n forgive this cruel scorning,
All my anguish pardon you,
You, my life's one best beloved,
Teach me hearts can prove untrue.
Lady H. Heav'n forgive my faithless heart,
Forgive my scorning,
All his anguish pardon me.
Lio. Cruel girl, does it add to your joy
To wound the heart that loves you well?
My wild grief, my deep despairing,
Must my love and madness tell.
Cho. Just rebuke of his offences,
Shall not cause so much dismay.
Off to prison let's despatch him,
So our sport no longer delay.
Lady H.Ah, I wound a heart that loves me well.
(Curtain falls as Lionel is led off under arrest, and Lady H. steps into a sedan chair which has been brought on. Tableau.)
