Martha or The Fair at Richmond

Performed before the

Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 1913;

under the direction of

who writes as follows:

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BY

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is the outcome of extended and careful work, having for its aim the presentation of a version of this opera which shall be adapted primarily for use in schools.

It is suitable for performance in concert form as well as on the stage with scenery and in costume.

Everything of value in the musical score has been retained in the present edition. All dull and uninteresting numbers and tedious unnecessary repetitions have been left out, while the valuable music of the opera has been retained and the same has been brought together into a harmonious whole.

The text has been revised and, where necessary, rewritten, and is superior to the editions now current both in literary excellence and in the valuable desideratum of "accents" and other adaptabilities to musical utterance.

The Laurel Octavo Libretto of MARTHA supplies the dialogue, stage directions and everything in which the copy for concert purposes is lacking to make the Opera suitable for stage representation.

Costumes may be obtained through the publishers.

Orchestration of this edition may be obtained from the publishers.

C. C. Birchard & Company

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(Lady Harriet, maid of honor to the queen, has grown listless and pale, refusing to join in the court revels. Sir Tristan, an old knight, makes love to her; she will have nothing to say to him, and only asks to be let alone. She is tired of her conventional life, and longs for some new and strange adventure. The curtain rises on her richly furnished boudoir. Lady Harriet is lying listlessly on a couch or arm chair, before her dressing table. Nancy is putting finishing touches on her mistress' toilet. The ladies in attendance are grouped near the door in center.)

Footman (enters, speaks). Sir Tristan of Mickleford, Member of the House of Lords, Knight honored—

Lady H. (interrupting). We'll spare you the rest.

(Enter Sir Tristan with flowers. Bows to the ladies, presents flowers, which Lady H. looks at carelessly and drops on table beside her. He is an elderly beau very precise in manner. A few of the ladies return, stealing on the stage to watch the scene, remaining at rear.)

Tris. (speaks). Fair Cousin, may I ah—dare hope that you—er—will so far condescend to me—uh—uh—as to go for a walk in the park?

Lady H (indifferently). Go fetch my fan!

Tris. (brings it. Lady H. fans violently). Would it amuse you to—er—er—let us say—go out for a row on the river?

Lady H. (ignoring him, glances round). It seems very chilly here. Shut the window—there's a good man!

Tris. (rubbing his hands). Shall we go hunting, perhaps? It's a capital day for it.

Lady H. (fans herself violently again). O, how close it is! Air—give me air! Open the window.

Tris. Why, I just closed it, at your command. (Stands with hands spread out in comical dismay.)

Lady H. (impatiently). Open it, open it—don't you hear? Quick, air! (very affectedly).

Nan. (aside). My lord is running for the prize.

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(Curtain rises on Richmond market place. Stall around sides of stage and back. In foreground, tables and benches; side show of some funny sort. Tents at one side. Country folk walking about, farmers and wives.)

(Farmers and wives try to bring servants into a line forward on stage. The servants hold back.)

(Servants scatter about stage, some lying down as if to rest, as Lionel and Plunket enter. They come on talking. Plunket is dressed as a peasant farmer and carries a whip. Lionel is dressed as a gentleman, but plainly.)

Plunket. Here is a jolly howdoyoudo. What a clatter they make! The farmers are all going to engage servants for the coming year out of this crowd of chattering hussies. It is a good thing to take your time to choose, though, for once the bargain is made you have to stick to it for at least a year. What do you say, Lionel? Have you picked out your Betsy Ann?

Lionel. Betsy Ann—what do you mean? (He speaks absently, slowly, and his demeanor throughout is one of dreamy abstraction. He is very grave and pensive, altogether a young man who would be likely to take a love affair very seriously and perhaps lose his mental balance temporarily over it.)

Plun. I mean our serving girl. You know mother put it in her will that we must keep up the farm together. So now like two good housewives we must fly around and choose a maid. Her name may be Sally or Katy or Jane, but I shall call her Betsy Ann! (Laughs.)

Lio. I shall always remember your dear mother and be grateful.

Plun. Yes, she was a good woman and a good mother, aye, a good manager, too. She knew how to make the maids attend to their work.

Lio. But she was kind. She was always so kind to me.

Plun. Yes, she loved you. If you had been her own child she could not have tended you more anxiously. You were a mere baby when your father died and left you in our care. No one could help trying to make up your loss to you, somehow. If I'd a mind I might have been jealous of you. I was always the one who got the scoldings. I suppose mother owed them to me, for I was her own naughty boy!

Lio. You have always been a real brother to me, Plunket. No helpless child could have had a happier fate than to find home with you.

Plun. You had no one but mother and me, old chap, don't you see? What else could a fellow do but try to keep you heartened up a little? (Laughs with some embarrassment.)

Lio. And yet even now we do not know who I really am. We shall never know, unless some day my father's ring (lifts his hand) may serve to clear up the mystery at last. (Sings.)

(A bell from the village church gives the signal for the fair to begin. Sheriff enters pompously, the farmers and wives and servants flock after him. He is dressed in wig, hat and robe. He has a staff of office. A girl is pushed against him in the crowd. He waves her back majestically, at arm's length and speaks.)

Sheriff (speaks) Let the rabble stand back. Room for the majesty of the law. Ahem!

Girl (speaks pertly). My, ain't he the big wig, though! (Tweaks at his wig from behind and pulls it partly off. His hat falls off. She picks it up and runs.)

Sheriff. Ouch! (Grabs at wig with one hand and runs after the girl, shaking his staff at her. Another girl gets in his way; they dodge back and forth, till she puts her two hands, one each side of his face and tries to kiss him.)

Girl (speaks). There, there, old gentleman, don't feel so bad over a bit of our fun!

(Sheriff ducks to avoid kiss and leaves wig in her hands. He runs wildly about stage, clutching alternately at his bald head, and at the wig, which the girls toss back and forth, while he tries to snatch it. Finally one of the farmers catches it and restores it to sheriff. He puts it on and some one brings him his hat.)

Farmer (speaks). Young hussies, you must do better than this when you get to working for us. Behave yourselves, now!

Sheriff (much distressed, almost weeping with rage). I bind you all over to keep the peace on penalty of 10 shillings fine. (Pounds with his staff.) Does the majesty of the law mean naught to ye? Silence (they laugh), you low bred populace. But what can one expect from populace? Pah! They are beneath my notice. (Looks scornfully at them while music begins. A girl laughingly sticks out her tongue at him. He glares at her. She does it again. He looks hastily away and then back. She throws him a kiss, and all the rest follow suit. He scowls, but his face gradually softens into a smirk. The farmers drag the girls back into a line. Sheriff unrolls a parchment, that he takes from pocket of his big gown. He sings.)

(The servants flock around him as they sing and gather closer and closer till he puts his hands over his ears and tries to get away from them. They crowd around and sing into his face and over his shoulders.)

Sher. (with hands at ears). Stop your cackling! You'll make me deaf!

Farmers. We are ready to choose, but one at a time, please.

(Girls drop back into line; farmers move about among them, Lionel and Plunket also, as if bargaining with them. Enter Lady Harriet, Nancy and Tristan in peasant costume.)

Lady H. Come on, John! Courage man! Nobody's going to hurt you!

Nan. Come, friend John! Don't look so scared. We'll take care of you!

Tris. John? O, im-pos-si-ble! O, pre-pos-ter-ous! I don't like this one bit. It is most unseemly. Yet—where beauty leads, love fain must follow.

Lady H. How gay they all seem! They at least are happy.

Tris. I know I am not! I never felt less jolly before (plaintively) in all my life. (Aside.) I feel as if I were going to cry. (Face works.)

(Plunket and Lionel approach the three and stand at a short distance, gazing at Lady H. and Nancy.)

Plun. Jove! There's a brace of darlings!

Lio. Yes, they are very pretty girls.

Plun. Rather slim built for hard work, though.

Lio. They might do house work?

Plun. Yes, they might serve indoors. I don't know—(pauses)

Tris. See those clodhoppers! How they stare at you. O, do be persuaded to leave this horrid, horrid place.

Lady H. and Nan (together). No, indeed. We like it and we are going to stay.

Tris. I think those fellows are very suspicious looking characters. A pair of rogues. Let's go (urging them by taking their arms).

Lady H. I'm not under your orders, sir. It is my pleasure to stay. I'll do exactly as I choose!

Tris. Well, I wash my hands of all responsibility. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Nan (sees that Plunket and Lionel are watching her). Those lads have an eye for a good thing, though. (To Tristan.) We'll take all the blame. No one shall say that you led us into mischief, poor dear!

Lady H. Yes, cousin, you are exonerated. Whatever happens, be it upon my own rash head. But I will not go! (Emphatically.)

Plun. (overhears last words). You hear, sir? She will not go with you. Don't annoy the girls any further. (To girls.) Call on us if he bothers you. (To Tris., who looks daggers.) But cheer up! There are plenty more maids yonder. Hi, girls (turns to the servants). Here's a chap wants a good maid, and he looks as if he could pay well, too.

Tris. Oh! what a beastly joke! He's taking liberties with me! (He looks scared and affronted.)

(Lady H. and Nancy laugh together over Tristan's plight as the girls come forward and surround him.)

All (chattering). I can mow, I can sew, I can reap, I can sweep, I can bake and make, I can boil and stew, I can churn and brew! (All speak different lines from the part just sung and make a great clatter and confusion. Tristan dodges among them and runs off, the girls following him.)

Lady H. He has taken refuge in flight!

Nan. Let's hope he won't forget us.

Lady H. (nervously). See those men. They are still looking at us.

Nan. They seem to have taken a fancy to us, that's plain.

Plun. (to Lionel). One of them would be just what we want, I think—-the younger one, now. (Nods at Nancy.)

Lionel. It would never do to separate them. See how shy they are.

Lady H. (to Nancy). That one seems quite bashful, doesn't he? I wonder how such peasants talk?

Nan. Bad grammar, for one thing.

Plun. (to Lionel). What are you afraid of? Go speak to them.

Lio. I'm afraid to.

Plun. Silly noodle! Just watch me. (Advances boldly as if to speak to the ladies, stops suddenly and goes back.)

Nan. The big one is dumb, too; aren't they stupid! Let's go.

Lady H. (turns to follow Tristan). I suppose we'd better—

(Hesitates and looks back at the two men.)

Plun. We must not let such a chance slip. Servant girls like those are not found every day. I have taken a fancy to that big one and I don't mean to let her get away. Courage, Plunket! (He advances again, again hesitates, and snapping his fingers at himself, advances and speaks.) Wait a moment, girls! We've decided we like you. If you're as smart as you look you can have a good place with us for years.

Lio. Yes, for years and years!

Lady H. You mean as your servants?

Plun. Of course! What else?

Nan. (laughing). Ha! ha! ha! what a joke!

Lio. What is there to laugh at?

Plun. So long as they do their work, the more they laugh, the better.

Lady H. and Nan. Work! We!

Plun. (to Nan.). I'll give you the care of the geese and pigs and chickens. (To Lady H.) You shall have charge of the garden—weed it, and gather potatoes and corn.

Lio. O come! that's too hard for her. Let her do housework—

Plun. And darn our socks and mend our shirts? Very well. We'll pay you fifty crowns a year. For extras there'll be a pint of ale on Sundays and plum pudding on New Years.

Lady H. Who could refuse such a tempting offer? (Laughs.)

Nan. Now I know what I am worth, at last! (Laughs.)

Plun. and Lio. (eagerly). You agree?

Lady H. and Nan. Yes! yes! We agree! (They shake hands.)

Plun. It's a bargain! Here's the money down!

(Lady H. and Nan. each put the money in their purse, laughing together.)

(At close of quartette Tristan comes back to stage, evidently exhausted and much dishevelled; the servants follow him and again surround him.)

Tris. Oh, I thought I had eluded them! Leave off! Here's money! (Throws a purse.) Plague on your crazy pack! (The girls run to divide the money.) Ho! what is this? (He advances toward Plunket, who has hold of Nancy's arm.) You forget yourself! Forbear!

Plun. Who are you? What do you want? (A tussel threatens between the two men. Tristan backs down, afraid.)

Lady H. There, there! it's all right! (To Tristan.) We are ready to go now. (Takes his arm.)

Plun. I'd like to see you! With my money in your purse! You stay with us!

Tris. Fellow! do you know who this is?

Lady H. (aside to Tris.) No! no! don't betray me! Think what a scandal if this got to court! Don't you dare to tell them who I am!

Nan. (aside). We should be disgraced forever. Rather die than that!

Tris. Well, come, then. It is time for me to insist. I require you to come with me. (Tries to lead them off.)

Plun. (interferes). Not so fast! You belong here. These are my maids, hired and cash paid in advance! Ask the sheriff!

Sheriff (who has approached during the altercation, after a long confab with one of the other girls at one side). Have you taken the money?

Lady H. (draws it out of her purse and flings it at Lionel). Yes. But there it is; I had forgotten it.

(Lionel picks it up and offers it back. She refuses it. He insists.)

Sheriff. You took it of your own free will and now it is a bargain. You are bound to serve for one year. Highty, tighty! Do you think you can play fast and loose with a master in that fashion? No, no! Bound you are to him and with him you must go!

(During final chorus Plun. drives up his horse and cart and the two girls are handed into the cart. They drive away. Tristan tries to follow, but is restrained by the crowd. If the horse and cart cannot be had, the two girls may dodge about among the crowd, the men following them, and run off at last, the men chasing them.)

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(The third act opens in the great hall of the farmhouse of Lionel and Plunket. At one side of stage at back is an outside door; on the other side, a window with bench in front of it. Another door is on the left. There are several chairs. A flight of stairs goes up from the right side, back corner. Two spinning wheels stand at rear, and farm tools hang about the walls.

During the instrumental prelude the outside door opens and the two men, Lionel and Plunket, enter, inviting the girls, Lady H. and Nancy, who are behind, to come in. They come in slowly, hesitatingly, half afraid.)

(Nancy suddenly throws Plunket's wheel over and runs off stage by back door, Plunket after her.)

Lady H. Nan—Betsy Ann! O stay with me! Heavens, she's left me!

Lio. Martha, why are you going? Are you afraid to stay alone with me?

Lady H. Afraid? Of you? Oh, no. (Smiles, but still hesitates.)

Lio. (aside). How could I ever have spoken harshly to her?

Lady H. (aside). Where has Nancy gone?

Lio. Martha, I will never again ask any toil of you, or any service that you dislike. Martha, I never saw any one before that seemed to me so pretty and so sweet! Are all girls as lovely as you?

Lady H. Don't you know?

Lio. I never noticed a girl before.

Lady H. (archly). Where have your eyes been?

Lio. Dreaming, I guess. I feel as if I had just awakened to all the beauty and joy there is in the world!

Lady H. Alas! and I feel as if I have already learned how shallow are all earthly joys! (Pensively.)

Lio. Poor little maid! You have had too hard a life. Such service has burdened you with care too soon. Here you will never again have to labor beyond your strength. I would myself do all disagreeable tasks rather than require them of you.

Lady H. Oh, I am a good-for-nothing. I never did a real day's work in all my life.

Lio. You must not scold yourself. Martha is my servant now, and I would not exchange her for a dozen others.

Lady H. But can you not see that I am not worth my salt? I shall only be an expense to you. I cannot earn a shilling a week. See my hands. (Shows them.) Do they look like useful members?

Lio. (takes them in his hands). So white and soft! Surely never servant before had such pretty fingers. Not a spot of toil!

Lady H. And so of course they are of no use to you, and you will not keep me here any longer. You will let them go—this useless pair of hands?

Lio. I cannot let them go!

Lady H. (tries to withdraw her hands). But if I work they will become hard and stained. I have never been taught—

Lio. Never worked before? Then I will teach you and share your every task. What can you do?

Lady H. I can sing a little.

Lio And you can smile. (He looks at her; her eyes fall.)

Lady H. Sing and smile! A working maid must do something more than that.

Lio. If you will stay with me here and smile and sing, you shall see how pleasant you will find it. You shall have no rough tasks. You shall have only kindness and happiness. You shall be like a sister in this house. These little hands will dispense blessing and peace. (Kisses them.)

Lady H. (draws her hands away and walks to the door. He follows.) Is it thus that masters treat a servant? (With dignity.)

Lio. Forgive me! I have forgotten everything. O, would that your station were different—or mine!

Lady H. (turns back). My station?—(recollects herself). But I am only a serving lass! (She laughs and returns down stage.)

Lio. And so you must do what I bid you. I require of you a song.

Lady H. Oh, I am too shy to sing.

Lio. (takes the flowers from her dress). I'll exchange this nosegay for a song. (Music of "Last Rose of Summer" may be played softly here.)

Lady H. Ah! you jest.

Lio. No, I command!

Lady H. (coldly). Command, sir?

Lio. Nay, I entreat (kneels, laughingly).

(Lady H. takes one of the flowers he offers, and plays with it as she sings. He puts the other flowers presently into the breast of his coat.)

Lady H. Ah, your entreaty I cannot withstand. (Sings.)

Lio. (speaks). Martha!

Lady H. Master!

Lio. My heart can no longer be denied. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you yonder at Richmond market. Martha (takes her hand again).

Lady H. Ah, no, no! (Turns her face away.)

Lio. Love at first sight! First love at first sight!

Lady H. No more, no more! Oh, be silent!

Lio. Martha, I shall never love woman but you. (Puts his arm around her.)

Lady H. (tries to escape). Oh, I must go, I must go! (Pulls away.)

Lio. Stay and hear me. Stay—and be my wife!—

Lady H. Oh, what is he saying?

Lio. See, I am at your feet—in earnest now! (Kneels.)

Lady H. (aside). Oh, how can I elude him? (Begins to laugh.) Don't think me heartless, but really (affectedly) to see you kneeling there is so funny!

Lio. But when we are married all difference of birth and station will be wiped out; you will forget that you were once my servant; you will have in me forever a slave!

Lady H. (is touched, and then begins to laugh hysterically again). Ha! ha! ha! This is ridiculous! If you only knew how funny you are!

(Plunket runs on dragging Nancy. Lionel rises and Lady H. runs toward Nancy whom Plunket swings on to the stage.)

Plun. There, my girl! Don't you try that game again! Where do you suppose she was? the vixen! In the kitchen, smashing dishes, bottles, glasses, everything she could lay her hands on! She made me look lively, too, before I caught her. My eye!

Nan. If you don't let me go, I'll scratch it out!

Plun. (releasing her). Jupiter! I believe you would! She has spirit. I confess I like to see it.

Nan. Martha, Martha, what are we going to do? (Twelve o'clock strikes slowly as they speak.)

Plun. Pooh! What ails you now? My patience is worn out! Get to bed, you idle baggage! You are a hard case, that's easy to see.

(Girls go out and close door, before orchestral ending. Then the men retire after locking the outer door. Girls open their door again, peep out, run back, and shut door, etc.; then come out again, watching with finger on lips for interruptions. They speak.)

Lady H. Nancy!

Nancy. My lady.

Lady H. This is our chance.

Nancy. What shall we do?

Lady H. What do you say?

Nan. Can we escape so—all alone?

Lady H. We are locked in, besides.

Nan. What an awful time we are having!

Lady H. Awful day—aw-ful-ler night—the day was bad, but this is worse. We are in a scrape!

Nan, Still—those fellows might be worse! (Looks at Lady H. slyly.)

Lady H. (with dignity). They are well meaning.

Nan. (archly). And polite.

Lady H. If the Queen should hear of it!

Nan. Good bye us!

Lady H. (grasps Nancy and they run across stage to their door). What is it? O who is coming?

Nan. Steps—a voice—help is near!

Tristan (outside whispers loudly). Cousin, cousin!

Lady H. Tristan! O joy! O horrors!

Nan. What will he think?

Lady H. He will scold us—and we deserve it. But he will save us!

Tris. Yes, here I am, faithful still. Cousin. (Looks around.) What a vulgar habitation! That I should live to see you in a place like this. (Shudders.)

Nan. Hush! You'll wake everybody up.

Lady H. Don't stop to preach. Just go.

Tris. I have a carriage at the corner. Come, make haste.

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(A forest. A small inn at left. Plunket and several of his farm hands discovered sitting at table. Plunket rises and sings his song, the men joining in chorus.)

(At close of chorus after Plunket's song, horns are heard outside,—the opening strains of the next number. When it stops, at end of second brace, he speaks.)

Plun. Aha! the hunt is up. They told me the Queen would hunt today.

One of Men. Yes, with all her ladies. No doubt the men-folk will follow, too!

Plun. Start along, you, then. I'll go in and pay the score.

(As music begins again the court ladies run on in hunting costume. They wear short walking skirts, caps and high boots, perhaps, and all carry long spears. Nancy is with them. She carries a whip instead of a spear, and wears a long riding habit draped up over high boots.)

(Girls stroll about stage and sit at table. Nancy comes forward alone.)

Plunket. Halloo! There seems to be good game afoot here. I'll see if I have any luck at the chase myself! (Walks towards the ladies.)

Nan. (looking around). Where can Lady Harriet be? She seems to avoid society more than ever. She is very unhappy, and has been so ever since—(addresses Plunket) My good man, can you tell me—(stops in agitation)

Plun. What, Betsy Ann! You? In these togs!

Nan. (distantly). Well, my good man, what is it?

Plun. I am not your good man! But you are my bad maid! Just you wait! I'll make you pay for all the trouble you've given me. What are you doing here in this masquerade?

Nan. Are you crazy?

Plun. No use to pretend! I know you. Come along home with me!

Nan. (shrieks as he seizes her wrist). Help! Help!

Plun. What a wicked little hussy you are!

Nan. What an impudent big clodhopper you are!

Nan. Here is game for you, girls. Let's see how he will like your spears!

Chorus (speaking all together). We'll give him a taste of our spear points! He won't bother her long! At him, now! There's safety in numbers! (Repeating.)

Plun. Gently, gently—Hold on! This is turning the tables in good earnest. Ouch!!! Those remarks are a little too pointed for me. (Dodges.) I never expected to see myself run from a woman, but here goes! (He runs off, the ladies after him, shouting incoherently, as above.Nancy enters inn.)

(Enter Lionel. He looks more absent-minded and dreamy than ever. He seems dejected and ill. Murmurs to himself.)

Lio. I will detach thee from thy frail trembling stem. O thou lovely rose of summer, thou shalt lie upon my heart, forever more! (Takes withered flower from his breast and kisses it, then looks around him.)

Where am I? I feel that I am near her. Martha, Martha! thou star of my heart! I see her before me, with her beautiful pure smile, radiant in youth and sweetness. O Martha, I feel thee near! (Sings.)

(At the close of his song Lionel goes to the back of stage and stands alone. Sir Tristan and Lady Harriet enter.)

Tris. The ladies are all out of sight. Why did you leave their company, fair cousin?

Lady H. (pointedly). Because I wished to be alone!

Tristan. To remain alone—with me?

Lady H. With you?—(laughs a little) Alone or with you—it's quite the same thing!—-I am low-spirited, that is what I mean. I don't want to see anybody.

Tris. What should make you so sad?

Lady H. I am sure I know no more than you about it. It is a mystery even to myself.

Tris. But to remain alone in this secluded spot—is it quite—er—you know—

Lady H. But it is exactly what I want. Good bye!

Tris. But I will soon return—soon—soon—(looks back anxiously as he goes)

Lady H. Oh, it is so good to be alone, with only my sad memories for company! But if he were only here—this loneliness were sweet.

Lio. (wanders down stage and sees her). Ah! that voice!

Lady H. Oh, heaven—what do I see?—

Lionel. A lady?—

Lady H. He is here, then—even as I said!

Lio. 'Tis she—even as I said—Martha, Martha!

Lady H. O, what shall I do now? How shall I elude him?—

Lio. O, Martha, you have come back to me—O, thank heaven, thank heaven! It is Martha, her very self—Martha, who ran away from me!

Lady H. O, how can I bear it! what a tragedy is this! To find—again—and to lose!

Lio. Before mine eyes beheld thee, my heart recognized thee—

Lady H. Recognized me? Surely you are mistaken, sir!

Lio. No! Every line of your face is graven on my heart. I cannot be wrong. It is Martha's voice that I hear. There can be no mistake.

Lady H. You are dreaming!

Lio. If this be a dream, O let me never awake from it! Ah, I would dream thus forever. Disturb not so sweet a slumber!

Lady H. O go, I beg you go!

Lio. No, no. In my dream let me take your hand, "as I did once—do you remember? Let me kiss it—thus—to tell my love.

Lady H. I can no longer tolerate such gross impertinence. Will you go, sir?

Lio. Wherefore this pretence? Why do you disown me?

Lady H. Hence, peasant clown—begone!

Lio. I, a peasant? I, your master? Patience is thrown away on you! I have been too gentle. Now I command you to come instantly with me! (Takes her arm.)

Lady H. Tristan—help, help!

Tris. What has alarmed you? Speak!

Lady H. Help me—save me from that fellow!

Tris. Who dares to—

Lio. My lord, this is my servant, and I have a right to take her hence.

Tris. Listen to the brazen impudence of the fellow! It is really too horrid, don't you know? It fairly makes me shudder. The most unheard of audacity—Come here—all of you. (Summoning the rest. They sing.)

Tris. (speaks). Arrest that madman!

Plun. and Lio. Arrest him? Arrest me? (He is seized.)

Lady H. O, this is agony! (Aside.)

Nan. O, this is too hard! (Aside.)

Lio. But she agreed to it—she pledged herself.

Lady H. (aside to Lionel). In the name of pity, be silent!

Lio. She accepted the earnest money. She bound herself to serve me for a year.

Cho. (laughing and chattering suddenly). How absurd! Ha! ha! ha! It really is too funny! (Repeating.)

Lady H. O, but let him be treated kindly. It is plain that the poor man is distraught. He is out of his senses. He does not know what he is saying.

Lio. O cruel, O false!

Nan. (aside). Poor fellow.

Plun. (to Lionel). A word with you.

Tris. Away, varlet! (Trumpets are heard outside.) The Queen is approaching!

Lio. The Queen! Ah! her coming brings me hope! (Takes ring from his finger and gives it to Plunket.) This is the ring which my father left for me. He told you that if I ever should be in trouble this ring must be presented to the Queen. She will recognize it and will send me aid at once. Now is the hour which my father foresaw—O, unhappy day! Now is the hour to redeem the pledge he left with us, the pledge of his honor and mine. (Turns to Lady H. and gazes at her longingly.) As for you, how shall I bear the memory of your treachery? (Sings.)

(Curtain falls as Lionel is led off under arrest, and Lady H. steps into a sedan chair which has been brought on. Tableau.)

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(Curtain rises on Richmond fair scene, set as before. The courtiers, all dressed as farmers and maid servants, are standing about.)

(Lady Harriet, Nancy and Plunket enter and come down front while chorus sings. Lionel enters from the other side and wanders about among the booths, not looking at anything or anyone, wrapped in a deep reverie. He is plainly distraught, utterly unbalanced by the sad experience he has had. Lady H. and Nan. are in their hunting costumes.)

Plun. Poor Lionel! He seems quite lost to me! He avoids me, seeks solitude, or if he does approach his fellow men he utterly ignores their presence, as now.

Nancy. Does he seem to have no moments when he knows you?

Plun. Not so far. Ever since the Queen recognized the ring I gave her and restored him to his rightful place and name as Earl of Derby he seems to think he is no more himself. All the past is wiped away from his thought and he wanders about in a daze or dream.

Lady H. And I am the one who is to blame!

Plun. Yes—and no. Nancy here did by me much what you did by Lionel, but it did not drive me crazy. So after all it is partly Lionel's strange nature that is to blame. He was always a queer lad, sensitive to a fault.

Nan. Did you really think I meant the girls to stick their spears into you? I was furious with them!

Lady H. It was my hope that if Lionel found himself again in the midst of this familiar scene where first we met he might recognize me and come to himself again.

Nancy. But not when you are in those clothes. This is the costume you wore when you were so cruel to him.

Lady H. That is true. I had forgotten, in my zeal to get all the rest of them ready. But here he comes. O, Lionel, don't you know me? (He repulses her.)

(Lionel rushes of the stage. Lady H. sinks weeping into the arms of Nancy.)

Plun. Courage, my lady! I see in this very frenzy a hopeful change. His apathy and indifference were far worse. At least you waked him up. Better luck next time.

Nan. Go, my lady, and come back again in the simple little dress of Martha. When he sees you so it will call up the old memories and then—if you sing to him—surely his strange hallucination will not continue. (Lady H. goes off.)

Plun. Poor lass, my heart aches for her—or it would, if it were not so busy aching for itself.

Nan. Yes, it is hardest of all for you—you have loved Lord Lionel so long.

Plun. To tell the truth I was not thinking wholly of Lionel, either!

Nan. (demurely). You have troubles of your own?

Plun. You know very well what I mean!—I shall be so lonely when he leaves me to go and live on his grand estates.—Will you think of me sometimes, Miss Nancy, sitting all alone in my poor farmhouse?

Nan. Ye-es, perhaps—I don't know. I shall think how you sit and si-i-igh—like that. (Sighs in mock-serious fashion.) Ah-h-h!

Plun. You needn't laugh. It is a serious matter. I am very much to be pitied.

Nan. If you could only—(hesitates)

Plun. What is she going to say now, the witch? (Aside.)

Nan. If you could—couldn't you get some one to come and live with you—a friend, perhaps—or even—a wife—now! Just let your imagination work a little.

Plun. That's so, I might get somebody to marry me! That would be a good idea. I have a pretty neighbor—a farmer's daughter—

Nan. O, indeed! A farmer's daughter? A good steady girl, I've no doubt, who would always do exactly what you told her. That's an excellent idea. Marry her by all means!

Plun. Will you dance at the wedding?

Nan. Certainly—and who with a lighter heart? Remember to send me an invitation.

Plun. No, I won't, you little minx!

Nan. Won't invite me?

Plun. Won't marry her.

Nan. Why not?

Plun. I am not in love with her.

Nan. But you will find plenty of other handsome lasses.

Plun. The more I search, the less I find.

Nan. O, indeed. How unfortunate—for the girls!

Plun. None of them suit me. You see, I had a maid once—a little serving maid—the gayest, prettiest creature—but she ran away from me—

Nan. Perhaps you were not kind to her?

Plun. Kind, I? I was kindness itself! I was too kind! I killed her with kindness!

Nan. Well, that's the trouble, then. A girl needs a good firm upstanding sort of a way, to keep her in her place. Don't be too easy,—take my advice. But tell me about your servant.

Plun. O, I don't know as she was so much, after all. But I found her amusing. She was a well-meaning sort of creature, and rather good looking, but she couldn't do a thing! She could not knit or spin, she could only laugh and joke.—But ignorant as she was, she knew one thing.

Nan. What was that?

Plun. How to make me miss her!

Nan. Perhaps she misses you!

Plun. (starts toward her). Nancy—my little Betsy Ann!

Nan. And though she does not know the things you say, though she is a poor silly creature who never did a useful thing in all her life—could she not learn?

Plun. Don't torment me, girl. Do you mean what you say?

Nan. (laughing at him). Certainly I mean it. What clever girl could not learn those things—if she really—

Plun. Really—what?—

Nan. O, if it were worth while!

Plun. O Nancy, is it worth while?—But no, we must not think of ourselves while Lionel is in such a state—my poor Lionel! Until he is right again my home is his.

Nan. (walking off a little stiffly). O, keep your old home! Nobody wants it!

Plun. (goes after her and speaks in her ear). I mean to keep it—and you!

Nan. If you can!

Plun. I can. A voice whispers in my heart!

Nan. What is the voice that whispers in your heart?

Plun. It is the voice of love.

(Lady H. returns in peasant costume. She goes up to the groups of farmers and begins to arrange them in the old order. Speaks.)

Lady H. Arrange everything just as it was before. Bring the big chair for the sheriff. Don't look at Lionel. Pretend to be all occupied with the business of the day.

Nan. (looking off). Here he comes, with his sad and gentle look. Sing to him, my lady.

(They approach Lady Harriet and Nancy. Lionel stands and gazes at Lady H. He speaks.)

Lio. (perplexed). Martha, Martha! Is it you? Tell me that this is indeed you! Tell me that it is no dream. We are together at last!

Lady H. Lionel, I am Martha, and your humble, loving servant. You know what has come to you, fortune and a splendid name. But before I knew of this, my heart repented. I was ready to go to you in your prison and claim you as my love. Then you were set free without my aid—O wretched, cruel girl that I was! Lionel, I am fairly punished for my worldly pride, my cruel impulse. But life is hard for girls. Think how they might all have scorned me if I confessed to having been a servant! But now I care for nothing—only you.

Lio. Let all the past be forgotten. Joy smiles at last. At last my dreams have all come true.

Plun. (to Nancy). And what can you do, you useless bit of baggage?

Nancy (hums). I can cook, sir, I can bake, sir,—

Plun. (laughing). You are jesting. You are my own little good-for-nothing.

Nan. If my master is obstinate—I can bring him to reason.

Plun. You will suit me, after all. You will make an excellent farmer's wife. Come along.

Nan. There! (She boxes his ear.) Take that as an earnest.

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"I have been over 'Love's Sacrifice' with much interest. It is a truly beautiful work and I am prepared to believe that, as you said, it was written under inspiration. It is Chadwick in a new vein, a little grand opera, and, so far as I am aware, the first of its kind in the country. Please congratulate Mr. Chadwick on the truly inspirational quality of the work." From a leading American Composer.

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