________________________________________________
_ ACT II
[SCENE -- A wooded glade, with a view of open country in the background. The chorus of MAIDENS is heard singing in the distance. JANE is discovered leaning on a violoncello, which she has propped up on a tree-stump, L., and upon which she will presently accompany herself. As the Chorus ends, she speaks.]
[No. 10. On such eyes as maidens cherish
(Opening Chorus)]
Maidens
On such eyes as maidens cherish
Lest thy fond adorers gaze,
Or incontinently perish,
In their all-consuming rays!
Or incontinently perish,
In their all-consuming rays!
JANE.
The fickle crew have deserted Reginald and sworn allegiance
to his rival, and all, forsooth, because he has glanced with
passing favour on a puling milkmaid! Fools! Of that fancy he
will soon weary -- and then, I, who alone am faithful to him,
shall reap my reward. But do not dally too long, Reginald, for
my charms are ripe, Reginald, and already they are decaying.
Better secure me ere I have gone too far!
[No. 11. Sad is that woman's lot
(Recitative and Solo)
Jane]
JANE.
Sad is that woman's lot who, year by year,
Sees, one by one, her beauties disappear,
When Time, grown weary of her heart-drawn sighs,
Impatiently begins to dim her eyes!
Compelled, at last, in life's uncertain gloamings,
To wreathe her wrinkled brow with well-saved
"combings,"
Reduced, with rouge, lip-shade, and pearly grey,
To "make up" for lost time as best she may!
Silvered is the raven hair,
Spreading is the parting straight,
Mottled the complexion fair,
Halting is the youthful gait,
Hollow is the laughter free,
Spectacled the limpid eye,
Little will be left of me
In the coming bye and bye!
Little will be left of me
In the coming bye and bye!
Fading is the taper waist,
Shapeless grows the shapely limb,
And although severely laced,
Spreading is the figure trim!
Stouter than I used to be,
Still more corpulent grow I--
There will be too much of me
In the coming by and bye!
There will be too much of me
In the coming by and bye!
[Exit, L., carrying her violoncello.]
[Enter GROSVENOR, R., followed by MAIDENS, two and two,
playing on archaic instruments as in Act I. He is reading
abstractedly, as BUNTHORNE did in Act I, and pays no
attention to them.]
[No. 12. Turn, oh, turn in this direction
(Chorus)
Maidens]
Turn, oh, turn in this direction,
Shed, oh, shed a gentle smile,
With a glance of sad perfection,
Our poor fainting hearts beguile!
On such eyes as maidens cherish
Let thy fond adorers gaze,
Or incontinently perish,
In their all-consuming rays!
Or incontinently perish,
In their all-consuming rays!
[GROSVENOR sits, R.; they group themselves around him in a
formation similar to that which opens Act I.]
GROS.
[aside, not looking up]
The old, old tale. How
rapturously these maidens love me, and how hopelessly!
[He looks up.]
Oh, Patience, Patience, with the love of thee in my heart,
what have I for these poor mad maidens but an unvalued pity?
Alas, they will die of hopeless love for me, as I shall
die of hopeless love for thee!
ANGELA.
Sir, will it please you read to us?
GROS.
[sighing]
Yes, child, if you will. What shall I read?
ANGELA.
One of your own poems.
GROS.
One of my own poems? Better not, my child. They will not
cure thee of thy love.
[All sigh.]
ELLA.
Mr. Bunthorne used to read us a poem of his own every day.
SAPHIR.
And, to do him justice, he read them extremely well.
GROS.
Oh, did he so? Well, who am I that I should take upon
myself to withhold my gifts from you? What am I but a trustee?
Here is a decalet -- a pure and simple thing, a very daisy -- a
babe might understand it. To appreciate it, it is not necessary
to think of anything at all.
ANGELA.
Let us think of nothing at all!
GROS.
[reciting]
Gentle Jane was as good as gold,
She always did as she was told;
She never spoke when her mouth was full,
Or caught bluebottles their legs to pull,
Or spilt plum jam on her nice new frock,
Or put white mice in the eight-day clock,
Or vivisected her last new doll,
Or fostered a passion for alcohol.
And when she grew up she was given in marriage
To a first-class earl who keeps his carriage!
GROS.
I believe I am right in saying that there is not
one word in that decalet which is calculated to bring
the blush of shame to the cheek of modesty.
ANGELA.
Not one; it is purity itself.
GROS.
Here's another.
Teasing Tom was a very bad boy,
A great big squirt was his favourite toy
He put live shrimps in his father's boots,
And sewed up the sleeves of his Sunday suits;
He punched his poor little sisters' heads,
And cayenne-peppered their four-post beds;
He plastered their hair with cobbler's wax,
And dropped hot halfpennies down their backs.
The consequence was he was lost totally,
And married a girl in the corps de bally!
[The MAIDENS express intense horror.]
ANGELA.
Marked you how grandly -- how relentlessly -- the damning
catalogue of crime strode on, till Retribution, like a poised
hawk, came swooping down upon the Wrong-Doer? Oh, it was
terrible!
[All shudder.]
ELLA.
Oh, sir, you are indeed a true poet, for you touch our
hearts, and they go out to you!
GROS.
[aside]
This is simply cloying.
[aloud]
Ladies, I am
sorry to appear ungallant, but this is Saturday, and you have
been following me about ever since Monday. I should like the
usual half-holiday. I shall take it as a personal favour if
you will kindly allow me to close early to-day.
SAPHIR.
Oh, sir, do not send us from you!
GROS.
Poor, poor girls! It is best to speak plainly. I know
that I am loved by you, but I never can love you in return, for
my heart is fixed elsewhere! Remember the fable of the Magnet
and the Churn.
ANGELA.
[wildly]
But we don't know the fable of the Magnet and
the Churn!
GROS.
Don't you? Then I will sing it to you.
[No. 13. A magnet hung in a hardware shop
(Solo and Chorus)
Grosvenor and Maidens]
GROSVENOR.
A magnet hung in a hardware shop,
And all around was a loving crop
Of scissors and needles, nails and knives,
Offering love for all their lives;
But for iron the magnet felt no whim,
Though he charmed iron, it charmed not him;
From needles and nails and knives he'd turn,
For he'd set his love on a Silver Churn!
MAIDENS.
A Silver Churn!
GROSVENOR.
A Silver Churn!
His most aesthetic,
Very magnetic
Fancy took this turn--
"If I can wheedle
A knife or a needle,
Why not a Silver Churn?"
MAIDENS.
His most aesthetic,
Very magnetic
Fancy took this turn--
"If I can wheedle
A knife or a needle,
Why not a Silver Churn?"
GROSVENOR.
[He rises, going C.]
And Iron and Steel expressed surprise,
The needles opened their well-drilled eyes,
The penknives felt "shut up", no doubt,
The scissors declared themselves "cut out",
The kettles they boiled with rage, 'tis said,
While ev'ry nail went off its head,
And hither and thither began to roam,
Till a hammer came up and drove them home.
MAIDENS.
It drove them home?
GROSVENOR.
It drove them home!
While this magnetic,
Peripatetic
Lover he lived to learn,
By no endeavour
Can magnet ever
Attract a Silver Churn!
MAIDENS.
While this magnetic,
Peripatetic
Lover he lived to learn,
MAIDENS and GROSVENOR.
By no endeavour
Can magnet ever
Attract a Silver Churn!
[They go off in low spirits, R.U.E.,
gazing back at him from time to time.]
GROS.
At last they are gone! What is this mysterious
fascination that I seem to exercise over all I come across?
A curse on my fatal beauty, for I am sick of conquests!
[Goes R.]
[Enter PATIENCE, L. Stops L.C. on seeing GROSVENOR.]
GROS.
[Turns and sees her.]
Patience!
PATIENCE.
I have escaped with difficulty from my Reginald. I
wanted to see you so much that I might ask you if you still
love me as fondly as ever?
GROS.
Love you?
If the devotion of a lifetime--
[seizing her hand.]
PATIENCE.
[indignantly]
Hold! Unhand me, or I scream!
[He releases her.]
If you are a gentleman, pray remember that I am
another's!
[very tenderly.]
But you do love me, don't you?
GROS.
Madly, hopelessly, despairingly!
PATIENCE.
That's right! I never can be yours; but that's right!
GROS.
And you love this Bunthorne?
PATIENCE.
With a heart-whole ecstasy that withers, and scorches,
and burns, and stings!
[sadly]
It is my duty.
GROS.
Admirable girl! But you are not happy with him?
PATIENCE.
Happy? I am miserable beyond description!
GROS.
That's right! I never can be yours; but that's right!
PATIENCE.
But go now. I see dear Reginald approaching.
Farewell, dear Archibald; I cannot tell you how happy
it has made me to know that you still love me.
GROS.
Ah, if I only dared--
[advancing towards her]
PATIENCE.
Sir! this language to one who is promised to another!
[tenderly]
Oh, Archibald, think of me sometimes, for my heart is
breaking! He is unkind to me, and you would be so loving!
GROS.
Loving!
[advancing towards her]
PATIENCE.
Advance one step, and as I am a good and pure woman,
I scream!
[tenderly]
Farewell, Archibald!
[sternly]
Stop there!
[tenderly]
Think of me sometimes!
[angrily]
Advance at your
peril! Once more, adieu!
[GROSVENOR sighs, gazes sorrowfully at her,
sighs deeply, and exits, R. She bursts into tears.]
[Enter BUNTHORNE, followed by JANE. He is moody and
preoccupied.]
[In a doleful train
(Solo)
Jane]
JANE.
In a doleful train
One and one I walk all day;
For I love in vain--
None so sorrowful as they
Who can only sigh and say,
Woe is me, alackaday!
BUN..
[seeing PATIENCE]
Crying, eh? What are you crying about?
PATIENCE.
I've only been thinking how dearly I love you!
BUN..
Love me! Bah!
JANE.
Love him! Bah!
BUN..
[to JANE]
Don't you interfere.
JANE.
He always crushes me!
PATIENCE.
[going to him]
What is the matter, dear Reginald? If
you have any sorrow, tell it to me, that I may share it with you.
[sighing]
It is my duty!
BUN..
[snappishly]
Whom were you talking with just now?
PATIENCE.
With dear Archibald.
BUN..
[furiously]
With dear Archibald! Upon my honour, this is
too much!
JANE.
A great deal too much!
BUN..
[angrily to JANE]
Do be quiet!
JANE.
Crushed again!
PATIENCE.
I think he is the noblest, purest, and most perfect
being I have ever met. But I don't love him. It is true that he
is devotedly attached to me, but I don't love him. Whenever he
grows affectionate, I scream. It is my duty!
[sighing]
BUN..
I dare say!
JANE.
So do I! I dare say!
PATIENCE.
Why, how could I love him and love you too? You can't
love two people at once!
BUN..
Oh, can't you, though!
PATIENCE.
No, you can't; I only wish you could.
BUN..
I don't believe you know what love is!
PATIENCE.
[sighing]
Yes, I do. There was a happy time when I
didn't, but a bitter experience has taught me.
[BUNTHORNE, noticing that JANE is not looking at him, goes off
quickly up R. She turns, sees him, and runs after him.]
[No. 14. Love is a plaintive song
(Solo)
Patience]
PATIENCE.
Love is a plaintive song,
Sung by a suff'ring maid,
Telling a tale of wrong,
Telling of hope betrayed;
Tuned to each changing note,
Sorry when he is sad,
Blind to his ev'ry mote,
Merry when he is glad!
Merry when he is glad!
Love that no wrong can cure,
Love that is always new,
That is the love that's pure,
That is the love that's true!
Love that no wrong can cure,
Love that is always new,
That is the love that's pure,
That is the love, the love that's true!
Rendering good for ill,
Smiling at ev'ry frown,
Yielding your own self-will,
Laughing your teardrops down;
Never a selfish whim,
Trouble, or pain to stir;
Everything for him,
Nothing at all for her!
Nothing at all for her!
Love that will aye endure,
Though the rewards be few,
That is the love that's pure,
That is the love that's true!
Love that will aye endure,
Though the rewards be few,
That is the love that's pure,
That is the love, the love that's true!
[At the end of ballad exit PATIENCE, L., weeping. Enter
BUNTHORNE, R., JANE following.]
BUN..
Everything has gone wrong with me since that smug-faced
idiot came here. Before that I was admired -- I may say, loved.
JANE.
Too mild -- adored!
BUN..
Do let a poet soliloquize! The damozels used to follow me
wherever I went; now they all follow him!
JANE.
Not all! I am still faithful to you.
BUN..
Yes, and a pretty damozel you are!
JANE.
No, not pretty. Massive. Cheer up! I will never leave
you, I swear it!
BUN..
Oh, thank you! I know what it is; it's his confounded
mildness. They find me too highly spiced, if you please!
And no doubt I am highly spiced.
JANE.
Not for my taste!
BUN..
[savagely]
No, but I am for theirs. But I will show the
world I can be as mild as he. If they want insipidity, they
shall have it. I'll meet this fellow on his own ground and beat
him on it.
JANE.
You shall. And I will help you.
BUN..
You will? Jane, there's a good deal of good in you, after
all!
[No. 15. So go to him and say to him
(Duet)
Jane and Bunthorne]
[Dance]
JANE.
So go to him and say to him, with compliment ironical--
BUNTHORNE.
Sing "Hey to you--
Good-day to you"--
And that's what I shall say!
JANE.
"Your style is much too sanctified -- your cut is too
canonical"--
BUNTHORNE.
Sing "Bah to you--
Ha! ha! to you"--
And that's what I shall say!
JANE.
"I was the beau ideal of the morbid young aesthetical--
To doubt my inspiration was regarded as heretical--
Until you cut me out with your placidity emetical."
BUNTHORNE.
Sing "Booh to you--
Pooh, pooh to you"--
And that's what I shall say!
Sing "Booh to you--
Pooh, pooh to you"--
And that's what I shall say!
JANE. BUNTHORNE.Sing "Hey to you -- good-day to you"-- "Hey,
Sing "Bah to you -- ha! ha! to you"-- Good-day
Sing "Booh to you -- pooh, pooh to you"-- Bah.
And that's what you should say! ha! ha!
Sing "Hey to you -- good-day to you"-- "Booh,
Sing "Bah to you --ha! ha! to you"-- pooh-pooh
Sing "Booh to you"-- Bah.
And that's what you should say! And that's what I
shall say!
"Bah, bah," "Booh, booh,"
And that's what you should say! And that's what I
shall say!
"Booh, booh," "Bah, bah,"
And that's what you should say! And that's what I
shall say!
BUNTHORNE. I'll tell him that unless he will consent to be more
jocular--
JANE.
Sing "Booh to you--
Pooh, pooh to you"--
And that's what you should say!
BUNTHORNE.
To cut his curly hair, and stick an eyeglass in his ocular--
JANE.
Sing "Bah to you--
Ha! ha! to you"--
And that's what you should say!
BUNTHORNE.
To stuff his conversation full of quibble and of quiddity,
To dine on chops and roly-poly pudding with avidity--
He'd better clear away with all convenient rapidity.
JANE.
Sing "Hey to you--
Good-day to you"--
And that's what you should say!
BUNTHORNE.
Sing "Booh to you--
Pooh, pooh to you"--
And that's what I shall say!
JANE. BUNTHORNE.Sing "Hey to you -- good-day to you"-- "Hey,
Sing "Bah to you -- ha! ha! to you"-- Good-day
Sing "Booh to you -- pooh, pooh to you"-- Bah.
And that's what you should say! ha! ha!
Sing "Hey to you -- good-day to you"-- "Booh,
Sing "Bah to you -- ha! ha! to you"-- pooh-pooh
Sing "Booh to you"-- Bah.
And that's what you should say! And that's what I shall
say!
"Bah, bah," "Booh, booh,"
And that's what you should say! And that's what I shall
say!
"Booh, booh," "Bah, bah,"
And that's what you should say! And that's what I shall
say!
[They dance off, L.]
[Enter DUKE, COLONEL, and MAJOR, R. They have abandoned
their uniforms, and are dressed and made up in imitation of
Aesthetics. They have long hair, and other signs of
attachment to the brotherhood. As they sing they walk in
stiff, constrained, and angular attitudes -- a grotesque
exaggeration of the attitudes adopted by BUNTHORNE and the
young LADIES in Act I.]
[Enter DUKE... enter MAJOR...
enter COLONEL, Attitude. They walk to C.]
[No. 16. It's clear that mediaeval art]
(Trio)
[Duke, Major, and Colonel]
ALL.
It's clear that medieval art alone retains its zest,
To charm and please its devotees we've done our little best.
We're not quite sure if all we do has the Early English ring;
But, as far as we can judge, it's something like this sort
of thing:
You hold yourself like this, [attitude]
You hold yourself like that, [attitude]
By hook and crook you try to look both angular and flat
[attitude].
We venture to expect
That what we recollect,
Though but a part of true High Art, will have its due effect.
If this is not exactly right, we hope you won't upbraid;
You can't get high Aesthetic tastes, like trousers, ready made.
True views on Medieavalism Time alone will bring,
But, as far as we can judge, it's something like this sort
of thing:
You hold yourself like this, [attitude]
You hold yourself like that, [attitude]
By hook and crook you try to look both angular and flat
[attitude].
To cultivate the trim
Rigidity of limb,
You ought to get a Marionette, and form your style on him
[attitude].
[Attitudes change in time to the music.]
COLONEL.
[attitude]
Yes, it's quite clear that our only chance of
making a lasting impression on these young ladies is to
become as aesthetic as they are.
MAJOR.
[attitude]
No doubt. The only question is how far we've
succeeded in doing so. I don't know why, but I've an idea that
this is not quite right.
DUKE.
[attitude]
I don't like it. I never did. I don't see what
it means. I do it, but I don't like it.
COLONEL.
My good friend, the question is not whether we like it,
but whether they do. They understand these things -- we don't.
Now I shouldn't be surprised if this is effective enough -- at a
distance.
MAJOR.
I can't help thinking we're a little stiff at it. It
would be extremely awkward if we were to be "struck" so!
COLONEL.
I don't think we shall be struck so. Perhaps we're a
little awkward at first -- but everything must have a beginning.
Oh, here they come! 'Tention!
[They strike fresh attitudes, as ANGELA> and SAPHIR enter, L.]
ANGELA.
[seeing them]
Oh, Saphir -- see -- see! The immortal
fire has descended on them, and they are of the Inner
Brotherhood-- perceptively intense and consummately utter.
[The OFFICERS have some difficulty in maintaining their
constrained attitudes.]
SAPHIR.
[in admiration]
How Botticelian! How Fra Angelican! Oh,
Art, we thank thee for this boon!
COLONEL.
[apologetically]
I'm afraid we're not quite right.
ANGELA.
Not supremely, perhaps, but oh, so all -- but!
[to SAPHIR]
Oh, Saphir, are they not quite too all -- but?
SAPHIR.
They are indeed jolly utter!
MAJOR.
[in agony]
I wonder what the Inner Brotherhood usually
recommend for cramp?
COLONEL.
Ladies, we will not deceive you. We are doing this at
some personal inconvenience with a view of expressing the
extremity of our devotion to you. We trust that it is not
without its effect.
ANGELA.
We will not deny that we are much moved by this proof of
your attachment.
SAPHIR.
Yes, your conversion to the principles of Aesthetic Art
in its highest development has touched us deeply.
ANGELA.
And if Mr. Bunthorne should remain obdurate--
SAPHIR.
Which we have every reason to believe he will--
MAJOR.
[aside, in agony]
I wish they'd make haste!
[The others hush him.]
ANGELA.
We are not prepared to say that our yearning hearts will
not go out to you.
COLONEL.
[as giving a word of command]
By sections of threes --
Rapture!
[All strike a fresh attitude, expressive of aesthetic rapture.]
SAPHIR.
Oh, it's extremely good -- for beginners it's admirable.
MAJOR.
The only question is, who will take who?
COLONEL.
Oh, the Duke chooses first, as a matter of course.
DUKE.
Oh, I couldn't thank of it -- you are really too good!
COLONEL.
Nothing of the kind. You are a great matrimonial fish,
and it's only fair that each of these ladies should have a chance
of hooking you. It's perfectly simple. Observe, suppose you
choose Angela, I take Saphir, Major takes nobody. [with
increasing speed] Suppose you choose Saphir, Major tales Angela,
I take nobody. Suppose you choose neither, I take Angela, Major
takes Saphir. Clear as day!
[The officers, with obvious relief, abandon their aesthetic
attitudes, and, with the Ladies, dance into position. L. to
R. 1st verse: Colonel with Angela; Duke with Saphir; Major
alone. 2nd verse: Colonel alone; Angela with Duke; Saphir
with Major. 3rd verse: Colonel with Saphir; Duke alone;
Angela with Major.]
[No. 17. If Saphir I choose to marry
Quintet
Duke, Colonel, Major, Angela, and Saphir]
DUKE.
If Saphir I choose to marry,
I shall be fixed up for life;
Then the Colonel need not tarry,
Angela can be his wife.
MAJOR.
In that case unprecedented,
Single I shall live and die--
I shall have to be contented
With their heartfelt sympathy!
ALL
He will have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
In that case unprecedented,
Single he/I will/shall live and die--
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
DUKE.
If on Angy I determine,
At my wedding she'll appear,
Decked in diamond and ermine.
Major then can take Saphir!
COLONEL.
In that case unprecedented,
Single I shall live and die--
I shall have to be contented
With their heartfelt sympathy!
ALL
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
In that case unprecedented,
Single he/I will/shall live and die--
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
[Positions at beginning of Verse 3: L. to R., COLONEL,
ANGELA, DUKE, SAPHIR, MAJOR]
DUKE.
After some debate internal,
If on neither I decide,
Saphir then can take the Colonel,
[Hands her to the COLONEL.]
Angy be the Major's bride!
[Hands her to the MAJOR.]
In that case unprecedented,
Single I shall live and die--
I shall have to be contented
With their heartfelt sympathy!
ALL
He will have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
In that case unprecedented,
Single he/I will/shall live and die--
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
He/I will/shall have to be contented
With our/their heartfelt sympathy!
[They dance off, arm-in-arm, up-stage and off, L.U.E.,
the COLONEL leading with SAPHIR.]
[Enter GROSVENOR, R.U.E.]
GROS.
It is very pleasant to be alone. It is pleasant to be
able to gaze at leisure upon those features which all
others may gaze upon at their good will!
[Looking at his reflection in hand-mirror.]
Ah, I am a very Narcissus!
[Enter BUNTHORNE, L. moodily.]
BUN..
It's no use; I can't live without admiration. Since
Grosvenor came here, insipidity has been at a premium.
Ah, he is there!
GROS.
Ah, Bunthorne! Come here -- look! Very graceful, isn't it!
BUN.
[taking hand-mirror]
Allow me; I haven't seen it. Yes, it is graceful.
GROS.
[taking back the mirror)
Oh, good gracious! not that -- this--
BUN..
You don't mean that! Bah! I am in no mood for trifling.
GROS.
And what is amiss?
BUN..
Ever since you came here, you have entirely monopolized the
attentions of the young ladies. I don't like it, sir!
GROS.
My dear sir, how can I help it? They are the plague of my
life. My dear Mr. Bunthorne, with your personal disadvantages,
you can have no idea of the inconvenience of being madly loved,
at first sight, by every woman you meet.
BUN..
Sir, until you came here I was adored!
GROS.
Exactly -- until I came here. That's my grievance. I cut
everybody out! I assure you, if you could only suggest some
means whereby, consistently with my duty to society, I could
escape these inconvenient attentions, you would earn my
everlasting gratitude.
BUN..
I will do so at once. However popular it may be with the
world at large, your personal appearance is highly objectionable
to me.
GROS.
It is?
[shaking his hand]
Oh, thank you! thank you! How
can I express my gratitude?
BUN..
By making a complete change at once. Your conversation
must henceforth be perfectly matter-of-fact. You must cut your
hair, and have a back parting. In appearance and costume you
must be absolutely commonplace.
GROS.
[decidedly]
No. Pardon me, that's impossible.
BUN..
Take care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible.
GROS.
I can't help that. I am a man with a mission. And that
mission must be fulfilled.
BUN..
I don't think you quite appreciate the consequences of
thwarting me.
GROS.
I don't care what they are.
BUN..
Suppose -- I won't go so far as to say that I will do it --
but suppose for one moment I were to curse you?
[GROSVENOR. quails.]
Ah! Very well. Take care.
GROS.
But surely you would never do that?
[In great alarm]
BUN..
I don't know. It would be an extreme measure, no doubt.
Still--
GROS.
[wildly]
But you would not do it -- I am sure you would not.
[Throwing himself at BUNTHORNE's knees, and clinging to him]
Oh, reflect, reflect! You had a mother once.
BUN..
Never!
GROS.
Then you had an aunt!
[BUNTHORNE affected.]
Ah! I see
you had! By the memory of that aunt, I implore you to
pause ere you resort to this last fearful expedient.
Oh, Mr. Bunthorne, reflect, reflect!
[Weeping]
BUN.
[aside, after a struggle with himself]
I must not allow myself to be unmanned!
[aloud]
It is useless. Consent at once,
or may a nephew's curse--
GROS.
Hold! Are you absolutely resolved?
BUN..
Absolutely.
GROS.
Will nothing shake you?
BUN..
Nothing. I am adamant.
GROS.
Very good. [rising] Then I yield.
BUN..
Ha! You swear it?
GROS.
I do, cheerfully. I have long wished for a reasonable
pretext for such a change as you suggest. It has come
at last. I do it on compulsion!
BUN..
Victory! I triumph!
[No. 18. When I go gout of door
Duet --Bunthorne and Grosvenor]
[Each one dances around the stage while the other is singing his solo verses.]
BUNTHORNE.
When I go out of door,
Of damozels a score
(All sighing and burning,
And clinging and yearning)
Will follow me as before.
I shall, with cultured taste,
Distinguish gems from paste,
And "High diddle diddle"
Will rank as an idyll,
If I pronounce it chaste!
BOTH.
A most intense young man,
A soulful-eyed young man,
An ultra-poetical, super-aesthetical,
Out-of-the-way young man!
GROSVENOR.
Conceive me, if you can,
An ev'ryday young man:
A commonplace type,
With a stick and a pipe,
And a half-bred black-and-tan;
Who thinks suburban "hops"
More fun than "Monday Pops,"--
Who's fond of his dinner,
And doesn't get thinner
On bottled beer and chops.
BOTH.
A commonplace young man,
A matter-of-fact young man--
A steady and stolidy, jolly Bank-holiday,
Every-day young man!
BUNTHORNE.
A Japanese young man--
A blue-and-white young man--
Francesca di Rimini, miminy, piminy,
Je-ne-sais-quoi young man!
GROSVENOR.
A Chancery lane young man--
A Somerset House young man,--
A very delectable, highly respectable
Three-penny-bus young man!
BUNTHORNE.
A pallid and thin young man--
A haggard and lank young man,
A greenery-yallery, Grosvenor Gallery,
Foot-in-the-grave young man!
GROSVENOR.
A Sewell and Cross young man,
A Howell & James young man,
A pushing young particle -- "What's the next
article?"--
Waterloo House young man!
BUNTHORNE GROSVENOR.
Conceive me, if you can, Conceive me, if you can,
A crotchety, cracked young man, A matter-of-fact young man,
An ultra-poetical, super-aesthetical, An alphabetical,
arithmetical,
Out-of-the way young man! Every day young man!
Conceive me, if you can, Conceive me, if you can,
A crotchety, cracked young man, A matter-of-fact young man,
An ultra-poetical, super-aesthetical, An alphabetical,
arithmetical,
Out-of-the way young man! Every day young man!
[GROSVENOR dances off, L.U.E.]
BUN..
It is all right!
I have committed my last act of
ill-nature, and henceforth I'm a
changed character.
[Dances about stage, humming refrain of last air.
Enter PATIENCE, L. She gazes in astonishment at him.]
PATIENCE.
Reginald! Dancing! And -- what in the world is the
matter with you?
BUN..
Patience, I'm a changed man. Hitherto I've been gloomy,
moody, fitful -- uncertain in temper and selfish in disposition--
PATIENCE.
You have, indeed!
[sighing]
BUN..
All that is changed. I have reformed. I have modelled
myself upon Mr. Grosvenor. Henceforth I am mildly cheerful. My
conversation will blend amusement with instruction. I shall
still be aesthetic; but my aestheticism will be of the most
pastoral kind.
PATIENCE.
Oh, Reginald! Is all this true?
BUN..
Quite true. Observe how amiable I am.
[Assuming a fixed smile]
PATIENCE.
But, Reginald, how long will this last?
BUN..
With occasional intervals for rest and refreshment, as long as I do.
PATIENCE.
Oh, Reginald, I'm so happy! Oh, dear, dear Reginald, I
cannot express the joy I feel at this change. It will no
longer be a duty to love you, but a pleasure -- a rapture
-- an ecstasy!
BUN..
My darling!
[embracing her]
PATIENCE.
But -- oh, horror!
[recoiling from him]
BUN..
What's the matter?
PATIENCE.
Is it quite certain that you have absolutely reformed -
- that you are henceforth a perfect being -- utterly free from
defect of any kind?
BUN..
It is quite certain. I have sworn it.
PATIENCE.
Then I never can be yours!
[crossing to R.C.]
BUN..
Why not?
PATIENCE.
Love, to be pure, must be absolutely unselfish, and
there can be nothing unselfish in loving so perfect a being as
you have now become!
BUN.
But, stop a bit. I don't want to change -- I'll relapse --
I'll be as I was -- interrupted!
[Enter GROSVENOR, L.U.E., followed by all the young LADIES, who
are followed by Chorus of DRAGOONS. He has had his hair
cut, and is dressed in an ordinary suit and a bowler hat.
They all dance cheerfully round the stage in marked contrast
to their former languor.]
[No. 19. I'm a Waterloo House young man
(Solo and Chorus)]
[Grosvenor and Maidens]
GROSVENOR.
I'm a Waterloo House young man,
A Sewell & Cross young man,
A steady and stolidy, jolly Bank-holiday,
Everyday young man.
MAIDENS.
We're Swears & Wells young girls,
We're Madame Louise young girls,
We're prettily pattering, cheerily chattering,
Every-day young girls.
BUN.
[C.]
Angela -- Ella -- Saphir -- what -- what does this mean?
ANGELA.
[R.]
It means that Archibald the All-Right cannot be all-
wrong; and if the All-Right chooses to discard aestheticism, it
proves that aestheticism ought to be discarded.
PATIENCE.
Oh, Archibald! Archibald! I'm shocked -- surprised -- horrified!
GROS.
[L.C.]
I can't help it. I'm not a free agent. I do it on compulsion.
PATIENCE.
This is terrible. Go! I shall never set eyes on you
again. But -- oh, joy!
GROS.
[L.C.]
What is the matter?
PATIENCE.
[R.C.]
Is it quite, quite certain that you will always
be a commonplace young man?
GROS.
Always -- I've sworn it.
PATIENCE.
Why, then, there's nothing to prevent my loving you
with all the fervour at my command!
GROS.
Why, that's true.
PATIENCE.
[crossing to him]
My Archibald!
GROS.
My Patience!
[They embrace.]
BUN.
Crushed again!
[Enter JANE, L.]
JANE.
[who is still aesthetic]
Cheer up! I am still here. I
have never left you, and I never will!
BUN.
Thank you, Jane. After all, there is no denying it, you're
a fine figure of a woman!
JANE.
My Reginald!
BUN..
My Jane!
[They embrace.]
[Fanfare]
[Enter, R., COLONEL, MAJOR, and DUKE. They are again in uniform.]
COLONEL.
Ladies, the Duke has at length determined to select a bride!
[General excitement]
DUKE.
[R.]
I have a great gift to bestow. Approach, such of you
as are truly lovely.
[All the MAIDENS come forward, bashfully, except JANE and PATIENCE.]
In personal appearance you have all
that is necessary to make a woman happy. In common fairness, I
think I ought to choose the only one among you who has the
misfortune to be distinctly plain.
[Girls retire disappointed.]
Jane!
JANE.
[leaving BUNTHORNE's arms]
Duke!
[JANE and DUKE embrace. BUNTHORNE is utterly disgusted.]
BUN..
Crushed again!
[No. 20. After much debate internal
(Finale of Act II)
Ensemble]
DUKE.
[R.C.]
After much debate internal,
I on Lady Jane decide,
Saphir now may take the Col'nel,
Angry be the Major's bride!
[SAPHIR pairs off with COLONEL, R., ANGELA with MAJOR, L.C.,
ELLA with SOLICITOR, L.]
BUNTHORNE.
[C.]
In that case unprecedented,
Single I must live and die--
I shall have to be contented
With a tulip or li-ly!
[BUNTHORNE, C., takes a lily from buttonhole and gazes
affectionately at it.]
SAPHIR, ELLA, ANGELA, DUKE, BUNTHORNE and COLONEL.
He will have to be contented
With a tulip or li-ly!
ALL.
In that case unprecedented,
Single he/I must live and die--
He will/I shall have to be contented
With a tulip or li-ly!
Greatly pleased with one another,
To get married we/they decide.
Each of us/them will wed the other,
Nobody be Bunthorne's Bride!
Dance
CURTAIN
[THE END]
W. S. Gilbert's play: Patience; Or, Bunthorne's Bride
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