DUET-JAQUES, BRUNETTE. I. Brunette. See the rising sun-beams bright Jaques. If you'll take me, I'll be your beau- Brunette. Take my hand Pray don't be free. Can such a lout pretend to dance? Jaques. Yes, to be sure, I learnt in France To the sound of tabor-pipe, and flutesBrunette. But not in such dirty clumsy boots. Jaques. When the heart's right Brunette. Both. The heels are light With you I'd dance from morn till night. We'll laugh and be merry; II. Jaques. Now, tho' I'm but a little man, Brunette. You'd better not be quite so bold. Jaques. You'll find it hard -- To conquer thee. I'll die for thee, my dear Brunette. Brunette. Tho' bold, you'll find I'm hard to get. Jaques. Oh, yes! you'll wed a lad like me. Brunette. Jaques. Both. My heart is right, My heels are light, But I will not dance from morn till night. You'll laugh and be merry; SCENE II. Village at a distance-Bells heard. Enter CARLO, as a Pedlar, followed by Lads and Lasses. Car. Come along, my bonny lasses-now's the only time to make your market. Here are looking-glasses to see your own pretty merry faces-garters, laces, and love-knots; bracelets, beads, buckles, and ballads-kings and queens in gilt gingerbread-brought them all from Paris -sell 'em cheap as dirt, and as much as they're worth too. Here's a patent padlock to secure your property-Hollo! you little thief, give me back that bundle of fish-hooks! Come buycome buy-I've every thing you want-and this Conjuring book, which long I have carried, Enter BRUNette. Ah! here's Brunette-I thought you'd come. Now then let us troll a merry round, and away to the wedding. ROUND AND CHORUS. Hark! hark! the merry bells Ding dong! ding dong! dong ding! Then merry let us sing. Hark! hark! Enter JAQUES. Jaques. Ding dong! indeed,-why all this riot and confusion about nothing? Car. Nothing! why there's a wedding! You can't expect peace and quietness when people get married. [Exeunt Peasants, laughing. Brun. Indeed! How d'ye do, Carlo? Car. Ha! Brunette, thank you, well-hope you are the same. Jaques. Pray, fellow, who are you? Car. An honest man, friend-hope you are the same! want any thing in my way, shall be happy to serve-I've goods of all sorts o'the best quality, from a comb down to a shoe-knot; ballads, buckle and boddices;-knives, scissors and silk ribbons; pins, pin-cases, and pin-cushions -then I've wedding-rings and garters-by the bye, if the wedding-ring shouldn't happen to tie you up quietly, the garters will-you may depend on it-happy to supply you on both occa sions. Jaques. This is a sharp fellow: why friend, you are as keen as Car. My own razors; I know it-cut like a diamond-wish I could cut you with all my soulwho the Devil is he? (aside to Brunette). Brun. A spy in search of the Lady. Car. A spy, dam'me let's duck him-mumI'll bamboozle him-come, my little bantam, won't you buy? Let me see your hand, I'll tell your fortune-dabble a little in that way-here's my conjuring book-I'm a philosopher-(Carlo looks at the book, and takes Jaques's hand, who sees the ring on Carlo's finger). Jaques. (aside). The very ring the young Count Henri gave to the little gypsy that has caused this wildgoose chase of ours, as sure as I liveshe can't be far off. Car. (looking at the book). Oh! here's the place-oh, you're a fortunate man. Jaq. Yes, I've found the philosopher's stone; and by imparting the secret to my master, I have no doubt of making gold. [Exit Jaques. Car. (still at the book).-Oh, you are a happy man-young woman very good-natured, very pretty, but very cunning-oh dear, what's this? -honey-moon not very bright, not very long, and then-(at this moment Fripon enters, and seeing Carlo, &c. sounds his bugle)-A horn! Oh Lord! that's ominous.-Hey day! (missing Jaques). Frip. Pray good people, in your revels amongst the hills have you seen a stranger pass-a woman? Car. A strange woman, no; but we have seen a very strange man-he left us but now. Frip. A man-his appearance ? manners? Cor. Oh! very bad manners-French manners -took French leave-forgot to pay-very illmanner'd indeed. As to his appearance I know nothing, but he disappear'd like a Will o'the wisp. Brun. And I fear with no good intention, for he look'd earnestly at your ring, and departed instantly. Car. What, Jack-boots? he'd better mind. what he's about, or I'll ring him as they do pigs, by the nose. Frip. As I live, 'tis Julia's! How got you this? Car. Honestly. Frip. You received it from a lady-you cannot 'deny it. Frip. Tell me where she is, and this purse is thine. Car. Or in other words, betray my benefactor for dross-Never! I wear my ring proudly, for I earn'd it honourably; and never shall my conscience make me breathe a sigh to sully its lustre. Frip. Take the purse, and say nothing-we are friends I find-I'll write a few lines-you shall deliver them-(takes out pocket-book and writes)—hem-" Old Count-discovered your retreat-faithful Henri-friend-Fripon." Car. Shall we trust him? Brun. Hush! he mentions the very name I have heard her repeat so often. Frip. There, put that into your shop. Be sure you deliver it safe, and bring me the answer immediately to the village. Where the deuce is Henri? this mountain is like a labyrinth, and should he miss his way-I'll sound my buglesounds his bugle, which is answered at a distance)Oh, oh! he answers-don't forget at the village. [Exit. Car. Egad he's a queer fellow-come, this is doing pretty well-a purse full of money, and my warehouse as full as when I first open'd shop. Brun. What haven't you sold any of these pretty things? Car. No, not a bodkin yet-but so much the better-I'll sell off now at prime cost, like other great tradesmen, clapping on fifty per cent. profit -going to retire from business. I'll fetch 'em one way if I can't another-then you and I will get married, and get-I mean keep a pig, and live pretty. Marry!--Gad I'm almost afraid to venture -But I dare say you and I should agree very well-you're good temper'd-so am I-we might squabble a little-but I'm sure we shouldn't fight. |