Poems [59]
anything more about it than the man in the moon, you have condemned the policy of the king, who is aware of all you have said and done since your arrival in Prussia.
WEDGEWOOD (alarmed.) Oh, I'll get out of this infernal country as fast as my legs can carry me! The king is all ears, like a field of corn; and all eyes, like a potato-patch!
KING. What alarms you?
WEDGEWOOD. Everything. It's all over with me! I'm an earthen teapot with the spout knocked off!--Suspiciously odd!
KING. You, sir, like too many others, are entirely mistaken in the character of Frederick. You will understand him better when we meet again (going.)
WEDGEWOOD. But, before you go, pray receive your box again!--(the KING looks at him sternly-- WEDGEWOOD is greatly alarmed)--if--it--is--convenient!
KING. Not now. When next we confer, remember me.--Farewell! [Exit.
WEDGEWOOD. Remember you? I think I shall. Once seen, never forgotten. What a deep old screw!
(Enter HAROLD.)
HAROLD. The king commands your presence at the chateau of the countess.
WEDGEWOOD. The devil he does! (Looks at the box.) What's here? As I live, the royal arms! (Conceals the box from HAROLD.) Oh, the thing's plain enough. That fellow has stolen this box; and for fear of being found out, he has put it off on me! It's all up!--I've been bamboozled by the nefarious old monster of iniquity! But I'll after him straight, and have him JUGGED. If I don't, they'll make not bones of JUGGING me!--If it is convenient. [Exit in a flurry.
HAROLD. How he trembles! He's frightened out of his senses--Fear? What is it? A word not to be found in the articles of war--a soldier's only vocabulary!
SONG--HAROLD. Fiery Mars, thy votary hear! Weave for me a wreath of glory! When I rest upon my bier, Let my memory live in story! Aid my sword in time of war! In my country's cause I wield it-- Only with the breath I draw, Will I to the foeman yield it!
[Exit.
Scene III.
SOPHIA MANSFIELD's apartments in the Porcelain Factory. Enter SOPHIA.
SOPHIA. 'Tis done. My vase is finished, and in the possession of the overseer. How is it with me? Although my fortunes are suspended by a single thread, an unaccustomed buoyancy pervades my bosom. Are these emotions precursors of victory, or has the love of Laniska given me a new existence, and tinged the world once more with hues of paradise? How new and fresh and strange are all he things here about my heart! This is his gift--a simple flower! He said it is an emblem of love. It is not so. Love does not perish thus!--Love can not be a flower.
SONG-SOPHIA. Ah! Love is not a garden-flower, That shoots from out the cultured earth; That needs the sunbeam and the shower, Before it wakens into birth: It owns a richer soil and seed, And woman's heart supplies them both, Where it will spring, without a weed, Consummate in its growth.
These leaves will perish when away From either genial sun or shower; Not so will wither and decay Celestial Love's perennial flower. 'Tis our companion countless miles, Through weal or woe in after years; And though it flourishes in smiles, It blooms as fresh in tears!
(Enter FREDERICA.)
FREDERICA. My dear Sophia, I am overjoyed to learn that you have completed your vase.
SOPHIA. Thanks, dear madam. Is it true that the works of the different competitors are to be exhibited at the fete of the countess, and that the decision is to be there made?
FREDERICA. It is--and the countess insists upon your being present.
SOPHIA. I am an unknown girl, madam; and if I decline the invitation, I beseech you take it not amiss.
FREDERICA. --But I will take it amiss, and so will the count and countess, whose messenger I am, and who insisted upon my bringing you to the chateau at once.
SOPHIA. Well, madam, since you will have it so--
FREDERICA. Oh, you'll be delighted. Only think of the concentrated attractions of "the court, the camp, the grove!" Oh, they're too much for any mortal woman to withstand!
DUET--SOPHIA and FREDERICA
WEDGEWOOD (alarmed.) Oh, I'll get out of this infernal country as fast as my legs can carry me! The king is all ears, like a field of corn; and all eyes, like a potato-patch!
KING. What alarms you?
WEDGEWOOD. Everything. It's all over with me! I'm an earthen teapot with the spout knocked off!--Suspiciously odd!
KING. You, sir, like too many others, are entirely mistaken in the character of Frederick. You will understand him better when we meet again (going.)
WEDGEWOOD. But, before you go, pray receive your box again!--(the KING looks at him sternly-- WEDGEWOOD is greatly alarmed)--if--it--is--convenient!
KING. Not now. When next we confer, remember me.--Farewell! [Exit.
WEDGEWOOD. Remember you? I think I shall. Once seen, never forgotten. What a deep old screw!
(Enter HAROLD.)
HAROLD. The king commands your presence at the chateau of the countess.
WEDGEWOOD. The devil he does! (Looks at the box.) What's here? As I live, the royal arms! (Conceals the box from HAROLD.) Oh, the thing's plain enough. That fellow has stolen this box; and for fear of being found out, he has put it off on me! It's all up!--I've been bamboozled by the nefarious old monster of iniquity! But I'll after him straight, and have him JUGGED. If I don't, they'll make not bones of JUGGING me!--If it is convenient. [Exit in a flurry.
HAROLD. How he trembles! He's frightened out of his senses--Fear? What is it? A word not to be found in the articles of war--a soldier's only vocabulary!
SONG--HAROLD. Fiery Mars, thy votary hear! Weave for me a wreath of glory! When I rest upon my bier, Let my memory live in story! Aid my sword in time of war! In my country's cause I wield it-- Only with the breath I draw, Will I to the foeman yield it!
[Exit.
Scene III.
SOPHIA MANSFIELD's apartments in the Porcelain Factory. Enter SOPHIA.
SOPHIA. 'Tis done. My vase is finished, and in the possession of the overseer. How is it with me? Although my fortunes are suspended by a single thread, an unaccustomed buoyancy pervades my bosom. Are these emotions precursors of victory, or has the love of Laniska given me a new existence, and tinged the world once more with hues of paradise? How new and fresh and strange are all he things here about my heart! This is his gift--a simple flower! He said it is an emblem of love. It is not so. Love does not perish thus!--Love can not be a flower.
SONG-SOPHIA. Ah! Love is not a garden-flower, That shoots from out the cultured earth; That needs the sunbeam and the shower, Before it wakens into birth: It owns a richer soil and seed, And woman's heart supplies them both, Where it will spring, without a weed, Consummate in its growth.
These leaves will perish when away From either genial sun or shower; Not so will wither and decay Celestial Love's perennial flower. 'Tis our companion countless miles, Through weal or woe in after years; And though it flourishes in smiles, It blooms as fresh in tears!
(Enter FREDERICA.)
FREDERICA. My dear Sophia, I am overjoyed to learn that you have completed your vase.
SOPHIA. Thanks, dear madam. Is it true that the works of the different competitors are to be exhibited at the fete of the countess, and that the decision is to be there made?
FREDERICA. It is--and the countess insists upon your being present.
SOPHIA. I am an unknown girl, madam; and if I decline the invitation, I beseech you take it not amiss.
FREDERICA. --But I will take it amiss, and so will the count and countess, whose messenger I am, and who insisted upon my bringing you to the chateau at once.
SOPHIA. Well, madam, since you will have it so--
FREDERICA. Oh, you'll be delighted. Only think of the concentrated attractions of "the court, the camp, the grove!" Oh, they're too much for any mortal woman to withstand!
DUET--SOPHIA and FREDERICA