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ACT I
Dialogue following No. 1
(Enter King Hildebrand, with Cyril.)
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| As though Dame Nature, angry with her work, Had crumpled it in fitful petulance! (aside to Cyril) Oh, Cyril, how I dread this interview! It’s twenty years since he and I have met. He was a twisted monster – all awry – As though Dame Nature, angry with her work, Had crumpled it in fitful petulance! |
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| Cyril. | But, sir, a twisted and ungainly trunk Often bears goodly fruit. Perhaps he was A kind, well-spoken gentleman? |
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| Hildebrand. | Oh, no! | |
| For, adder-like, his sting lay in his tongue. (His ‘sting’ is present, though his ‘stung’ is past.) |
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| Florian. | (looking through glass) But stay, my liege; o’er yonder mountain’s brow Comes a small body, bearing Gama’s arms; And now I look more closely at it, sir, I see attached to it King Gama’s legs; From which I gather this corollary That that small body must be Gama’s own! |
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| Hildebrand. | Ha! Is the Princess with him? | |
| Florian. | Well, my liege, | |
| Unless her highness is full six feet high, And wears mustachios too – and smokes cigars – And rides en cavalier in coat of steel – I do not think she is. |
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| Hildebrand. | One never knows. | |
| She’s a strange girl, I’ve heard, and does odd things! Come, bustle there! For Gama place the richest robes we own – For Gama place the coarsest prison dress – For Gama let our best spare bed be aired – For Gama let our deepest dungeon yawn – For Gama lay the costliest banquet out – For Gama place cold water and dry bread! For as King Gama brings the Princess here, Or brings her not, so shall King Gama have Much more than everything – much less than nothing! |
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| | Web Opera
Page modified 21 August 2019