(Lady Harriet, maid of honor to the queen, has grown listless and pale, refusing to join in the court revels. Sir Tristan, an old knight, makes love to her; she will have nothing to say to him, and only asks to be let alone. She is tired of her conventional life, and longs for some new and strange adventure. The curtain rises on her richly furnished boudoir. Lady Harriet is lying listlessly on a couch or arm chair, before her dressing table. Nancy is putting finishing touches on her mistress' toilet. The ladies in attendance are grouped near the door in center.)
No. 1.
Chorus. Bright as are the stars of heaven,
Sweet as any April flow'r,
Gay of heart, of gentle bearing,
Bless'd with beauty's radiant dower,
Why so sad and pale with languor
Grows thy face, O lovely maid?
Why our friendly circle shunning,
Dost thou sigh alone,
As were some dawning joy delayed?
Every splendid gift of fortune,
All that riches can impart,
Waits upon the maiden's pleasure,
Nothing wins her heart.
(Nancy takes a bouquet of flowers from one of the ladies and offers it to Lady H.)
Nancy. See these flowers Sir Tristan sent.
Lady Harriet (pushing flowers away).
I've no heart for lovers' folly,
Every pleasure is at end.
Cho.Bright as are the stars of heaven, etc.
Nancy.Every splendid gift of fortune, etc.
Lady H.Ah, there's naught can win my sad and weary heart.
All your words are vain.
(Ladies in waiting leave stage.)
(Nancy holds hand mirror before Lady H.)
No. 2.
Nan.Every heart with love inflaming,
You the Queen's gay court adorn,
Tho' from all a tribute claiming,
Think not love alone to scorn.
Pastimes for your pleasure framing,
We all labor night and day,
Sorrow still your soul is weighing,
All your thoughts to sadness bend,
If I fail in grief allaying,
In its spring your life will end.
Lady H.On my heart 'tis preying, (she sits up)
Love, wealth, fame, not weighing,
In its spring time my life will end.
There's naught that charm to life can lend.
(Lady H. lies back languidly.)
Footman (enters, speaks). Sir Tristan of Mickleford, Member of the House of Lords, Knight honored—
Lady H. (interrupting). We'll spare you the rest.
(Enter Sir Tristan with flowers. Bows to the ladies, presents flowers, which Lady H. looks at carelessly and drops on table beside her. He is an elderly beau very precise in manner. A few of the ladies return, stealing on the stage to watch the scene, remaining at rear.)
No. 3.
Tristan (sings). Lovely cousin, I implore you,
Hear my suit and do not chaff.
I would say that I adore you—
Ladies (near door). He's too civil, though, by half,
He would make a mummy laugh.
(Ladies leave stage again one by one.)
Tristan. Dare I ask you—
Lady H. Don't be foolish.
Tris. Dare I ask it you—O dear!
Would you deign—disdain—an offer—
Lady H. For my hand—
Nancy (aside). To box his ear!
(Lady H. laughs aside with Nan.)
Lady H. Ah, Sir Tristan, he at least can make me smile!
Nan. Ah, Sir Tristan, he at least can make her smile.
Tris. O, see already she is smiling,
Happy omen, well I know,
O, if mine could be this treasure,
Happy man were I, that's so!
Lady H. Ah, he can all my woe beguile.
What a funny old beau, Ah!
A funny beau.
Tris. (speaks). Fair Cousin, may I ah—dare hope that you—er—will so far condescend to me—uh—uh—as to go for a walk in the park?
Lady H (indifferently). Go fetch my fan!
Tris. (brings it. Lady H. fans violently). Would it amuse you to—er—er—let us say—go out for a row on the river?
Lady H. (ignoring him, glances round). It seems very chilly here. Shut the window—there's a good man!
(Tristan shuts it, trots back to her.)
Tris. (rubbing his hands). Shall we go hunting, perhaps? It's a capital day for it.
Lady H. (fans herself violently again). O, how close it is! Air—give me air! Open the window.
Tris. Why, I just closed it, at your command. (Stands with hands spread out in comical dismay.)
Lady H. (impatiently). Open it, open it—don't you hear? Quick, air! (very affectedly).
(Tris. runs, trottingly, to open the window.)
Nan. (aside). My lord is running for the prize.
(Here the song of the servants bound for Richmond fair is heard outside.)
No. 3a.
Cho. (singing). Hither come, linger not,
Fate a home shall allot;
She who works and not shirks,
Finds her fun, when 'tis done.
Lady H. Hear them sing!
Cho. Hither come, take your pick,
We will serve through thin and thick,
Masters kind, come and bind,
If we find you to our mind.
Nan. It's quite amusing!
Tris. Nonsense! you must be mad.
Nan. You do not find them funny?
Tris. Servants ignorant and bad.
Lady H. Ah, but they are gay and happy!
Nan. O, the bound girls, I now remember!
This is Richmond market day.
Where the servants, flocking yearly,
Seek new masters, better pay.
Tris. Stupid custom!
Nan. But 'tis an old one.
Lady H. (goes to window). I might join them.
What a thought!
How I'd like to go among them,
See such curious prizes bought!
Tris. What a notion! What folly's this?
Lady H. Nancy, get the peasant costumes ready
That we wore at the fancy dress ball.
(Nancy is busy at chiffonier at one side. Tosses bright colored kerchief out. Lady H. picks it up and throws it over her head as the singing goes on.)
Tris. You'd degrade yourself like this?
Lady H. Just amuse myself, that's all.
Hurry Nancy, we must run,
Now at last I'll have some fun!
Martha (curtseys), Nancy (curtseys) and—old John!
(Tosses her kerchief over Tristan's head, blinding him. Tris. is bewildered, kerchief hanging over one eye.)
Tris. Who is John? What old John?
Lady H. Who but you?
You are old John!
Tris. I? I old John?
No that's too much.
(Snatches off kerchief and throws it down.)
Lady H.Sir Tristan, whene'er the fair we woo, sir,
With caprices we comply,
Else we see tears fall in showers,
See, dear John, these charming flowers—
(Gives him flowers from his own nosegay. He kisses her hand, puts flowers in coat.)
Lady H.Take them, nor my prayer deny!
(lifts skirt at side and dances a step).
With the village people dancing,
Nancy's partner you're enroll'd.
Tris. No, in sooth I'm far too old.
Lady H. Stuff! In spite of years advancing,
Man can do all, if he's bold.
Nan.(drags him about stage dancing).
This way, that way, loosely hopping,
Each one jigging as he can,
Lumb'ring, stumbling, never stopping,
Mighty maze without a plan.
Tris.Then, I must—
Lady H. I command it!
Tris.But no, I can't.
Lady H.Your paces show!
Tris.But my rank,—
Nan. How well you stand it!
That's well I vow.
(They all dance and the ladies sing la-la-la.)
Lady H.Danced superbly!
Nan. What a figure.
Tris.I shall soon be out of breath.
Nan.Come, more vigor! come, more vigor!
Tris. This I'm sure will be my death.
Lady H. and Nan. Come, old John, come, old John,
'Tis we who ask, so come along.
Tris.This is too much! I, old John? What I?
(All run off stage dancing, Tristan between the two ladies, who drag him.)
Curtain.
