sent-The patrole will be going their rounds, and they must not surprise us. [Exeunt into GRIPE's house, and shuts the door. The Grand March is played. Enter ALI, at the head of the Janizaries, marching in files. Halts in the middle of the square. Ali. Don't you observe, lads, the nocturnal stillness of this city, ever since our corps has mounted guard here? Osman. True, Captain-every body allows it. Ali. [Strutting importantly.] Let's keep it up then. Hearken to your orders-hem! hem! --To you, Osman-for this night, I consign half the corps, and half the city; west ward.You, Mustapha! with the remainder, follow me this square shall be our place of rendez youz. Must. In faith, noble captain, a masterly manoeuvre. Ali, Now take heed all-let your march be RECITATIVE accompanied. Gripe. If it were done, when'tis done-Then 'twere well, It were done quickly. Enter from GRIPE's House, LIVELY, with a long rope in his hand, JENNY with a bucket, and HARRIET following. Lively. Escape? ay, sure, nothing to stop us -there's a ship sails in the morning-her capTh' attempt and not the deed, confounds us-tain is my acquaintance, and has engaged to strictly. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures, -Then —we shall both be Crasus's tors. take us on board. Har. Lucky tho-that my uncle stays abroad -if vic all night. the rope into the pulley.]-O gad! how gaily we shall live in Ireland, upon the funds of this well-leaps down and hands the rope's end to JENNY.] Ireland! my Harriet, that's your true female paradise. There you'll all be queens, empresses, sultanas-eh, Jenny? Jenny. [Hanging the bucket over the well.] Ay, ay-well, this is secur'd-All's ready. Lively Come, then-down I go. Har. But harkye-are you sure there's no danger. Jenny. Danger? why, the well is quite dryI tell you. [LIVELY sits upon the wall, and puts his feet in the bucket, while they take hold of the rope. AIR-TRIO. Har. [To JENNY.] Hold the rope fast-hold faster. Har. [To LIVE.] For you I'm in pain, my Lively. Why shou'd you dread disaster? Har. Lively. Jenny. Har. -And the motion's slow, You're nothing to do but hold tight, Jeany. [ToLIVE.] The basket-Pray save it, -I have it. -I'm glad he's got no hurt, Jenny. [To LIVE.] The casket-don't leave it. Lively. I've pick'd 'em both out of the dirt, Jenny. [To LIVELY.] Next find the cloth. [ToJEN. and LIVE.] Deuce take ye Lively. All's safe, and now let us retreat, Har. For I'm in fuss For fear we be caught in the street. [JENNY turning about, sees GRIPE and Hunks at a distance. Jenny: [To HAR.] Who are these two coming yonder? -coming yonder? Good lack! our uncles, The Women escape into GRIPE's house, and shut the door. Enter on the left IUNKS carrying a lantern, followed by GRIPE carrying a ladder and an Iron crow; as they advance, LIVELY, in the well, continues calling to HARRIET and JENNY. Lively. Hawl, hawl away, hawl. Hunks. [Hearing the voice turns short.] Eh? saying Gossip? Gripe. Nothing I--Wasn't it you that spoke? Hunks. No! [Lays down the sledge near the well, GRIPE throwns down the crow.] Gripe. [Groaning.] Oh! pise on it! this damn'd ladder has broke my back. [Goes to set it up beneath the deep window of the distant house. Hunks. What's the matter man?-"No gains without pains," i'fecks-[Takes the lantern to examine the pyramid.] Now, how to set about this job. Gripe. [Examines it likewise.] Why, this whole front is but one single stone. Hunks. Just hit it with your sledge. [Claps his ears to it. Gripe. [Striking gently in different parts.] Well, how does it sound? Hunks. Hollow, hollow-This must be the entrance, i'fecks, gossip, and that same stone we must force out. [Takes up the sledge and GRIPE the crow. Har. Jenny. Har. Gripe. Stick to the point. -What brings 'em home so soon I wonder. Hunke. }———— Let's stick to the point. Hunks. It totters, To fall it begins. Gripe. Look! look to your shins. Hunks. [Below.] Find ?-i'fecks, I find nothing;-but this Turk's cloak. Gripe. [Impatiently.] Pise on it! what has the booby flung up here?-[Examines it, apre ty rag, wot. [Going nearer to the cauit.] The gold-the diamond's man!-That's all you need mind. Hunks. [Throwing out a turban.] There, there'i Gripe. [Growing angry.] Mufti yourse sirrah. [Stamps on the turban, leans into the vault and bawis.] What the devil are you about! The gold, I say,-The jewels-are you mad? Hunks. No such geer, i'fecas-not a jot else unless you'll ha' the corpse. Gripe. O ho!—you want to keep all, do [The stone tumbling with noise shews the entrance of the vault, defended by an iron portcullis. They, mean while, throw-you?-These your tricks?—ay, I suspected as ing aside their tools, advance to the front of the stage, and embrace exultingly. Gripe. Soh!-that task's finish'd; and the treasure's our own. Hunks. [Turning to the pyramid.] Finish'd! yes to be sure-rarely finish'd!—why, there's a buge iron grate still.-Stay [Takes his lantern to examine. Gripe. [To himself,] No trifling hoard for certain-so firmly barricaded. Hunks. Oh! we may compass it yet-Here's a groove you see-Shews 'tis a slider.-Hold this [the lantern] I'll try to lift it.-[Exerting himsellf.] No, i'fecks, I a'n't strong enough-lend me a hand. Gripe. [Sets down the lantern and goes to assist him.] Now, lay to o' your side.—That's it -let's raise it quite up. Hunks. There it goes-high enough—if we | had something to clap under it. Gripe. Bear it up, while I run for the crow— [having fir'd it.] let go now-it can't fall. Hunks. That's clever, i'fecks! Stay; is the vault deep? why, [takes the lantern and looks down.] our ladder was needless—here's a little stair case. Gripe. All the better-Now then, down wi' ye; you have the lantern. Hunks. Here, gossip, take it you-and go down yourself. much. Hunks. Why, step down yourself, and see— I give you my oath Gripe. Your oath!—you cropt hang dog. Hunks. Hey!This to me?-you cat per cent rascal. Gripe. Yes, you may well talk-you shabby pawn-broker !-but, sirrah you shall— Hunks. [Thoroughly exasperated.] Stay, scoutdrel! stay 'till I come up, and break your bones. The light of the candle begins to re-appear, and with it HUNKS in a rage. GRIPE suddenly whips out the crow that supported the grate, which falls at once, and shuts in HUNKS. Gripe. [Insulting.] My bones-ha! ha! ba! -you will-jail bird. Hunks. [Vainly labouring to raise the grate.] The treacherous villain! why, sirrah! you don't mean Gripe. [To himself.] Cull'd !-defrauded!nay, exposed to the gallows !-and-kicking the turban and robe.] and all for-for this trumpery. [Flings them into the well, muttering curses. Ali. [Behind the Scenes, in a low imperious tone.] Who's there? Stand ho! Hunks. [In terror.] Mercy on us! 'tis the patrole !—harkye, Gripe, if I be caught, I'll inpeach you———I will, i'fecks. Gripe. A tomb-I— troth, gossip, I'm afraid -I shou'd never get alive to the bottom. Gripe. [Alarmed.] Pise on it, so he may, Hunks. [Snatching the lantern from him.]|[Aside,] then to HUNKS in a low voice wheedling. Psha! poltroon;-give it me-I'll go down my-Hush! hush! dear gossip!--Po, man, I was but self-[Going to the pyramid, turns to GRIPE.]— in jest.—Do, run down again, quickly and hude but take notice, I'll ha' the larger share. your lantern. When they are pass'd, I'll come Gripe. Go down, go down, man—we'll settle and release you. that afterwards. Hunks. [Entering the pyramid.] l'fecks I'm all in a flutter too-but then the treasure-ay— that keeps me up. [Goes down. Har. [Softly opening her window.] Still there! -alas! poor Lively! [Shuts it instantly. Gripe. [At the mouth of the vault to HUNKS below. Well, are you at the bottom? Is there much-throw up whatever you find. Hunks. [Retiring.] At your own peril, cut throat!-be assured I'll not swing single. [HUNKS retires into the vault, GRIPE ANT ries to his own door, where searching in all his pockets, he misses his keys, the Ja nizaries are heard approaching tumultuously. Gripe. My keys! undone! robb'd! beggar'd! [In consternation.] Oh! they're coming AL's men lay aside their bottles and cups, and then come back. OSMAN and his party sit down on the further end of the stage, continuing to drink; one of ALI's men seats himself close to the draw well, leaning his elbow on the wall; two others place themselves near him, sitting. ALI and MUSTAPHA stagger forward. Ali. [His hand upon his breast, as in pain.] And yet this devilish liquor parches one up. [hickup] By Mecca, my stomach's a coal fire. Must. And mine boiling oil, by Omar! but see! here's a well! Let's draw some water[hiccups.] 'twill quench us. [LIVELY, drawn up in the bucket, while their heads are turned aside, appears in the Mufti's turban and robe, with the basket on his arm: he lays hold on one of the posts with his left hand, and springs upon the wall, giving at the same iustant with his right hand, an hearty box on the year to the sleeping Janizary next to him, who in a fright, tumbles upon his comrade; they, struggling, to rise, obstruct each other. Mean while ALI and MUSTAPHA, pulling hard and not beinglonger resisted by LIVLEY'S weight, suddenly fall; letting go the ropes the bucket falls. Lively. [Standing on the breast wall, bellows out] Boo! miscreants! boo! All the Jan. Oh! oh!-the Mufti! the devil! Ali. [Coming up in terror.] Accurs'd wine! A judgment !-our prophet's vengeance! [Runs off. [MUSTAPA and OSMAN with his party, rise, in a fright, and running away throw down the ladder. Janizaries at once. The devil! the Mufti himself at our heels-run, run. [Exeunt. [HUNKS, alarm'd come's up to the grate, GRIPE trembling in the window. Lively [Upon the wall.] Ha! ha! I think I have scar'd the rascals. [Leaps down. Gripe. [Quaking for fear.] Save us !-a spectre! I shall tumble headlong. Lively. [Aloud at GRIPE's door.] Jenny! Jenny! come down, 'tis I. [Stands gazing with joy at his basket. Jenny. Within.] Mr. Lively's voice, I vow, Quick, quick, miss. Gripe. [Astonished.] Benedicite ?-pise on it, I'll make off-Distraction! my ladder thrown down and the Cadi-posting hither. Har. [Running out eagerly. Is it you, my dear sir? [She and JENNY frighted at the Mufti's habit, run back screaming.] Aah!Aah! Lively. [Overtaking them.]Stop, stop-don't Jenny. Never to go from your agreement. Gripe. Never. [They stare. squall!-What ails ye? [Throwing off the turban and robe.] 'tis I-Lively. Gripe. [Amuz'd.] How? Lively! Hunks. Surprized, but pleased.] My nephew, -he'll help me out, i'feck. Har. [Coming to herself.] [To LIVELY.] that strange disLud! how you frighted me— guise. Jenny. [Springs at the basket on his arm.] This is safe, however—and now, my pets, for Europe ho! -now or never. Lively. Ay, ay,[All hurrying off. Hunks. [From the grates calls piteously] THe starts and looks back. Lively! Gripe. [At the same time from the window.] Harriet! [She starts. Har. [Just fainting.] Our uncles! —good heavens ! Jenny and Lively. [Supporting her.] Away! away! away! [Going. Hunks. Ah! Lively! can you forsake me thus? Gripe. My dear Harriet !won't you stay and help me? [HARRIET and LIVELY stand amaz'd, JENNY bursts into a fit of laughter.] Jenny. Ha! ha! ha! -was ever sight so ridiculous? ha! ha!-Look at 'em-this owl in his cage, -and that antique in his niche [Holding her sides. -ha! ha ha! AIR QUARTET. GRIPE HARRIET-LIVELY-HUNKS. Gripe. [To HAR.] Dear niece, come and take Live. [To GRIPE.] How got you there. Har. Haste, my dear Lively, to relieve them. Jenny. What, set them free without conditions? No, no-make terms first-bind them nowyou'll never have 'em at such another hold. Gripe. Niece, my dear niece, do but persuade your favourite gallant there to help me down, and I'll restore every shilling of your fortune. Jenny. And give your consent to her marriage with him? Gripe. Ay, with any body. Jenny. So much for the gentleman above stains-now, what says this in the cellar. Hunks. Any thing-any thing-I'l render up my trust. Jenny. Make your nephew your whole and Hunks. Willingly— Hunks. Jenny. Or we deliver you over to the Cadi for perjury. Gripe. Hunks. S And bis Janizaries shall carbo nado us. Lively. Enough-Jenny, there's a ladderI'll raise it, and do you relieve one, while I at tend the other. Gripe. Pise on't girls, don't be in such a hurry. [HARRIET and JENNY rear up the ladder to GRIPE, LIVELY goes to assist Huxas. Gripe. [Scrambling down.] Pise on it! girls, make haste-I'm in such a tremor-The CadiHunks. [To LIVELY.] Quick-quick-de lad-up with it! I'll help [The grate is rais'd and HUNKS stepping forth claps it down again, he embraci LIVELY in transport. Gripe. [Pushing down the ladder, and coming forward.] Lord be prais'd-I'm once more of Terra Firma. Hunks. [Advances capering for joy.] Huzz -I'm disentomb'd. [Shaking his head at GRIPE Ah! gossip!-we, who thought to ha' been si rich. sole heir. Gripe. Hunks. Jenny. And you both swear to keep your Gripe. -Her own words. Hunks. at once. Nephew I {Neve I now } } I give and Land My mind's at rest. While they are blest, Gripe. We never can be poor. restore. wy ore. |