Scene VII

SCENE VII.—A Wood.

Serena and Submarina rise through traps, R. and L.

Sub.Good night, Serena, how d’ye do?

Serena.Good night, Serena, how d’ye do?Why who

On earth would ever dream of seeing you?

Sub.Why not?

Serena.Why not?I mean the sea’s your proper berth.

So ask who’d dream of seeing you on earth?

Sub.I’ve come to seek you.

Serena.I’ve come to seek you.What for, may I ask?

Sub.To know how you’re progressing with your task.

Have you cured Conrad yet?

25

Serena.Have you cured Conrad yet?Well, very nearly.

Sub.Your month expires to-morrow.

Serena.Your month expires to-morrow.Does it, really?

To-night then must decide—but see—he’s here!

Let us retire.

Music.—Enter Conrad, supporting Medora, L.

Conrad.Let us retire.Come, come, Medora dear;

Rest here, I’ll call for help.

Medora.Rest here, I’ll call for help.’Twould be no good,

To holloa, till we’re quite out of the wood.

Conrad.Could I but find the path, we’d soon get home;

The way to Greece, should be our way to

roam

.

Had I a compass, we’d know how to steer.

Medora.Without the needle, we’re sewed up, that’s clear;

But still, I always thought you roving tars,

To find your way, oft had to thank your stars.

Conrad.In this thick wood, my science is at fault,

I cannot see them! Come, let’s on, though.

Enter Birbanto, with Corsairs, R.

Birb.I cannot see them! Come, let’s on, though.Halt!

So, then, we’ve met; at last my turn arrives.

Medora. [Kneeling.]

Mercy! Take all we have, but spare our lives.

Conrad.Medora, rise! Speak, friends—why this hostility?

Birb.You are accused⸺

Medora.You are accused⸺Of what?

Birb.You are accused⸺Of what?Respectability!

Conrad.You’ve heard of it, then?

Birb.You’ve heard of it, then?Yes, and they have picked out

Another leader,

vice

Conrad, kicked out.

Conrad.And may I ask, who my late post now fills?

Birb.His name’s Birbanto, on the Grampian Hills⸺

Conrad.Indeed! I wish you joy.—Come.

[Taking Medora’s arm

Birb.Indeed! I wish you joy.—Come.Not so fast!

Secure them.

Conrad.Secure them.How?

Medora.Secure them.How?Help! help!

Enter Syng Smaul and Guards, L.

Syng.Secure them.How?Help! help!So caught at last.

Yield, all of you.

Birb.Yield, all of you.Come, my lads, ho! strike for freedom!

You won’t?

Conrad. [Laughing.]

You won’t?

Not they, they’ve not got me to lead ’em.

1st Cors.Resume your post, and save us, we implore.

2d Cors.Do, sir; we’ll never disobey you more.

Birb.Cowards!

Conrad.Cowards!Resume my post—’tis a temptation.

26

Medora.Oh, no! think of your vows of reformation,

For my sake!

Serena appears, watching him with anxiety.

Conrad.For my sake!True! I’ll keep them, love, with pleasure,

Sirs, my reform must be a final measure.

Serena.He’s saved!

Syng.He’s saved!No more discussion. March—yet stay—

What’s that? Another prisoner comes this way

Enter Yussuf chained—two Guards following, L.

Yussuf. [Sings.]

Why did Medora sell me?

Through her these woes befel me.

Why did Medora sell me,

And bolt on her wedding day?

Medora.My uncle, and in chains!

Yussuf.My uncle, and in chains!False critter, see

These fixins. You ’twas forged these bonds for me.

Medora.I am no forger, sir.

Conrad.I am no forger, sir.Cease this debate—

We’ve heard too much of

forging bonds

of late.

Syng.Now, guards, conduct your prisoners to their gaol.

Serena. [Advances.]

Hold! for this couple, sir, I put in bail.

Conrad.Halloa! my friend, the fairy.

Serena.Halloa! my friend, the fairy.Yes, the friend

Of all who, like you, strive their ways to mend.

You’ve kept your word—with freedom I requite you.

And to the Peri’s home to sup, invite you.

Medora.Oh, joy.

[Conrad and Medora embrace.

Serena.Oh, joy.The rest must undergo their sentence.

Birb.Hold on! I see there’s nothing like repentance—

So I’ll turn steady, too.

Serena.So I’ll turn steady, too.You settle down?

Birb.I’ll start a public company in town;

Turn a strict man of business—try stock-jobbery

On the Exchange! My cry—exchange no robbery.

Song and Chorus.—Air, “One Bumper at Parting.”

Birb.A company starting, though many

Have tried it and found it no go;

I’ll endeavor at turning a penny,

We won’t say if honest, or no.

Yussuf.Guess I’m mortal sick of slave driving,

Respectable dodges pay best;

So if this here company’s thriving.

I’m there like a shot, with the rest.

27

Conrad.A real model husband I mean to be;

All my used-up-ishness past,

I forswear, since the world I have seen to be

Not quite so worthless at last,

One favor I’d ask, do not spurn it, your

Aid, I’m quite strange to it yet—

Do you know a good place to buy furniture.

Or a snug cottage to let?

Enter Pasha and Gulnare, R.

Pasha.Here, stop, I intend, by the wig o’ me,

In this improvement to share,

Henceforward renouncing polygamy,

Stick to my own dear Gulnare.

Gul.New hopes in my breast do you kindle;

I’ll make you the happiest of men;

Having gained all I wished by one swindle,

I’ll never deceive you again.

Serena.Kind friends, in this great reform movement,

No share for yourselves will you find,

In your case there’s no room for improvement;

But be—as you ever were—kind.

And now for the home of the Peri—

Bright scenes, where we’re bidden to sup;

But, remember, the brightest look dreary,

Unless by your smiles lighted up.

[Repeat last verse in chorus.

The scene opens and discovers