LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5 PR 4731 i.S6 W5 Copy 1 SHE. 9 ? An Operatic Spectacular Drama, R . C. WHITE, With New Scenic Effects, New Music, and New Mechanical Workings. Ei,fend («rwdw(/ to Act of Congress, June 1, in the year 1887, by R. C. WHITE, in Iht Office of the. Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 9leiu <^lotU: Ci.,JVKK R. TiujMBULL, Engeavee AND Steam Printek, 58 Bond Street. 1887. C 4 SHE." An Operatic Spectacular Drama, R'; C. WHITE, With New Scenic Effects, New Music, and New Mechanical Workings. Kiilerfil acmrdino In Act of fongnxs, June 1, in the year 1887, //(/ R. f. WIIirE. ui the Office of th,' Wicandii of Vongreas^at Washinrjlnju />. C. 9UttJ ^^ozU : Claek R. Trumbull, Engraver and Steam Printer, 58 Bond Street. 1887. CHARACTERS.*^*- HORACE HOLLY— A Scholar Character Lead LEO VINCEY— His Adopted Son and Pupil.. " Juvenile JOB SMITHERS— Servant to Horace Char. Comedv TIM LAN AH AHAN— Servant to Leo .Comedy ARABS. MAHOMED— Captain of Dhow ^ . ..Old Man AZEF— Mate of Dhow Heavy ACHMET— Navigator UxiLnv Twelve Arab Sailors. AMAHAGGER-MALE. BILLALI— Father of the Household .Old Man SINBALLI— Chief of the Hotpot Heavy ABDALLI— Seminal .Utility And Twelve Amahagger. AM AH AGGER— FEMALE . AYESHA, "SHE"— Queen of the Amahagger. .... Lead USTANE — An Amahagger Maiden .Juvenile DILLYASHA— Ogress of the Hot-pot Old Woman HU.IYA — Another Maiden Utility And Eleven other Females. cc SHE." A SPECTACULAR OPERATIC DRAMA. As originally produced in 8an Francisco, at tlie Tivoli (3pera House, on tin Fourth of July, 1887, and witnessed by over 100,000 spectators. ACT I. Hie deck of a ship or dhow. Cabin with poop deck L. Mast C, with lateen sail, rattlinys, stay ropes, etc.. formiwj rigijing. Ilatchumy tvifh cojnng forward of iiia^l. Rough ivaters lying flat across stage ready to be put in motion. Bid- wark crossing stage at 'drd E. Bulwark and mast are made to fall and he com- pletely hid when the waters are raised. Wheel on poop. Arab sailor discovered at wheel. Tlie rest of the creiu are discovered lounging about deck. Symphony of chorus is played till curtain is up; then the Arabs assemble for chorus. ('lIORUS. Over the bouiulinj,'- waves we fly. Before a freshening yale: With a staunch j-ood dhuw and a liriifht Ijlue sky And a full and a steady sail. The sea-mews shriek in tlieir landward flight. And we hear tlie breakers roar. And the waves are a^jlow with the sun"s red lijfht. As we near the rocky shore. But Allah is in the wind and Allah is in the wave. And we fearlessly follow his beckoning hand, Tho' it leads to a watery jtfrave. Allah be praised. Allah be praised, We fearlessly follow his beekoning hand. The' it leads to a watery grave, After chorus sailors retire, and Job enters from cabin. Joii. TJiis 'ere caterwaulm' is beastly. What with seasickness, and thorn 'ere Blackamoor Hayrabs, I'm a turned hupside down and hiuside liout. This 'ere is a rum go, anyhow, tlie rummiest go as liever was. 'Ere we are hemljarked on the wide ocean witii a lot of tawny savages, and bound lor some outlandish place, the Lord knows wliere. I think master Holly be a gettin' into his lunacy and going daft. I feels flabbergasted, I does, and no wonder. Look at them 'ere liimps of Satm. nice company for a respectable serving man, like me. They makes my flesli crawl wlienever 1 goes near 'em. Tliey's muck, they is, and the muckiest kind of muck at that. Enter Tim Lanahan from cabin. Tin. Coming down. Hello, -lol), me foine bucko, what the divil are yc cpgitatin'? Joi;. 1 was just a tliinkin', Tim, what a hass you liar. Tim. An ass, you mane. Is it me? .Toii. And what an hass your master. Mr. Leo, is. — 4 — Tim. Bud cess to Ihf' tongue av \-f! Wliat do ye inane? .huu And wliat a I'ool my master, Mr. Horace, is. Tim. Now ve are comin' at the truth. Jon. And what a numbskuUer, hignoramus, hout-and-hout liidjiot I is myself. Tim. There ye hit the truth complately. I coincide with your last observation. Jon. If I reflect upon myself more than upon you, it"s because 1 doesn't like to 'urt hanybody's feelinks. There are other bloomin' hignoramus hidjiots on board this houtlandish dhow besides nic. Tim. Is there now? Well, there may be some as bluomin", but bad luck to niLv if there is any as full-lilown as yerself But what's come to you, anyliow? Job. What's come to me? Wiiat have 1 come to, — that's more like the tiuestion. Look at the sitivation! 'Ere we are cast like bread upon the waters, not to return after many days, but to be heat hup by a lot of tawny blackamoors, or pickled in the salt sea waters of the briny hocean. And where be we a-goiu' to? Hon a voyage of discover}-, like Christopher Columbus, only Chris was a-huntin' for a new world, while we is a huntin' for a hold city called " Kor," where cannibals live in caves and heat dead folks, and where there is a queen 2200 years old who washed herself in the fire of life, and can never die ac- cordin'. I say its hall bosh, and Mr. Leo and my master be fools to think there's any truth in it; and you he a fool for comin' along, and I be a hig- noramus and bloomin' hidjiot for a-doin of the same thing, and no good can come of it. Tim. Don't say that ! t>ure we'll return with our pockets full of goold and precious stones. And if we can get a dip in this precious " Fire of Life " we'll all become young and handsome, and live for thousands of years. Think of that me darlin'. Always looking young and liandsome, till ye're owld enough to l)e Mcthusala's grandfather. JOD. I don't want to be Methusala's grandfather, and as for bein' 'audsome. I'm 'andsome enough as God made me. To be sure, that 'ere " Fire of Life " might polish you up a bit, but as for its ever making you 'andsome, Tim, that's an unpossibility: you're too far gone in ugliness. Tim. Eh, is it me? Why you grazey little butter tub, do you mane to cast rellec- tions on my looks ? Job. No, I don't need to do that, your looks reflects themselves; facts is facts, you know Tim. Tim. Of course they are, and (jiwAmf/ his fist under Job's nose), there is one fact starin' you in the face, {raising his foot as if to kick), and another fact ready to astonish your trousers, and upon me soul! if both these facts unite their forces, there will be a matter-of-fact Johnny Bull left sprawlin' without a foot or a fact to stand upon. Job. Ye 're a houtlandish Hirish hidgiot, and I don't want to talk to you, Tim. No, bejabers, nor ye don't want to receive the facts presented to you. But yer head is so thick that I'll be forced to bring occular demonstration and stern reality to bear on you. But, talkiug of beauty, sure if 1 was such a squabby, (tibby, buther-milk-and-potato looking jelly-fish as you I'd go hang meself. Joii. You'd better do that, anyhow, and save Jaek Ketch the trouble, for that's ow you'll end your days, Tim. if iicver you get back to Ilinghmd. Tim. True for you. They're fond of lianging Irishmen in England, but they'll get tired of that sport before long, and when that happens, and a season of fan- play begins, you'll find that an Irishman can be coaxed but not coerced. Job. Well, I don't want to quarrel with you, Tim, so there's my hand. {Offers hand.) Tim. {Grasping his hand.) And there's mine. We are in the same sarvicc, and dependent one on the other, and it's better to be friends than enemies. Job. Agreed! But you know you're not 'andsome, Tim. Tim. "Well, if I'm not, I have taking ways, at least so the girls say. If I'm not handsome my master, Mr. Leo is, and that's more than you can say of yours. Job. Yes, Mr. Leo is 'andsome, and Mr. Holly is not a beauty. Tim. Not a beauty ! he's the ugliest mortal I ever looked at, not mainin' any disrespect, Job. Jon. But he's as good a mortal as hever was. Tim. True fer you. and, without flattery. Job, you take after him. " Like master, like man." Job. There you go again with your Hirish himperdence. Tim. And there you go again witli your English vanity. Job. You're a — you're a — Oh, go to the devil, Tim Lanan. Tim. I'll not go to the divil, and my name is not Tim Lanan, but Tim Lanhahan, do you understand, you oumadhaun? L-a la, n-ana, h-a ha, Lanaha, h-a-n han, Lanahahan. Bad luck to such ignorance. Job. Lord, what a name; it's worse nor a Blackamoor's. Tim. And better than a yockcl's for all that. Job. You're a hignorant Hirish hass. Tim. And you're a consaited English bull, with more beef than brains. Job. You're a— you're a — you're a — t)h, damme, you're a Hirishnian. Tim, True for you; and I'm proud of it. Job. {Very excitedly.) Hirish! Hirish! Hirish! {Goes up qaicklij and runs against an Aral sailor who has entered from hold ; both nearly fall; Arab draws cutlass and is about to, strike Job.) 'Old lion, thero, what are you about. (Runs down stage to Ji. cornKr, pursued by A rah. lim jumps between thevi ; disarms Arab aftei' struggle. Tim. Ye murderin' divil. (llirow.s And) dmuii L.) Staud up here like a aiau and I'll take the cousait out of you. {Tim Uiraivs away cutlass and squares off lih-v. a pugilist. The Arab rises.) .Ion. Ue it, Tim! Polish Iiim oil'. r lirr. A ijos-rninirrliuii is iirniiHird, C, to be lit. Also, lacopodium to produce flames ivlieii desired. They put hay back of yas- fixtiire, a large earthen pot. — 18 — SiNBALLI. If we do this thing, art sure, Dilyesha, tliat »s7(e will not be angered? DlLYESUA. Docs She not always condemn strangers to death ? SiNBALLI. Yes, but our father Billali hath orders to spare these because they are white. Dilyesha. The orders were to spare the Baboon and tlie Lion, the pig and tlie goat were not mentioned. The pig scorned my kiss and I hunger lor his flesh. We will hold our feast and Jiot-pot him Simballi. SiMBiULLI. But our father Billali will not consent. Dilyesha. Billali has been summoned by She-who-raust-be-obeyed. We can hot- pot the pig before he returns. The pig is only a slave and the Baboon is his master. P]verything is prepared, you light the Are, heat the pot and 1 will call them to the feast. Going R. I E. SiNBALLI. Be it as you wish, l)ut if evil comes of it you will have to answer. Dilyesha. I will answer for it. The pig spurned Dilyesha and our household will feast upon his flesh. He he he ! the pig shall roast, the pig shall roast. ExitB I.E. Sinhalliliqlds fire by .sfrihng sfone on 2>inrer.s. A sort of harharic niusir in unarli hin.' )-s phnjal All thr A lunhfuj.jrr r.rrrpl r'.stone and Hiliiia ,,ltrr ,n„l loini sru'lrlu-h minnllin. Lm ,i „l 1 Inrar, ,il oiirnul „nis, Are cold in death to-morrow. /So?0,— USTANE. To-night we live, to-night we love, Without a care distressing; Our lips will meet, our arms will twine. In lover's fond caressing, Tho' death be nigh, we'll heed him not. Together. Nor one black plume we'll borrow. We'll taste the cup of bliss to-night, Tho' cold in death to-morrow. Theij exit R. I. E. CHANGE.— Scene 3. laterior of qorgeMusly decora Led cave. Statues of Egyptian design ornament the wall-. 'Lamps of anrimi paf/nn or. snspnnlrd frvm llw r.niug. An arched '• opening C, with Anihim, cnhn,,.^. T,r,, pri^mntic ,nin,biins. m,.' nn ' ither side of opening. A ra/s.-d. dins or plntfimi m scdptm-rd stvuc Intrk ,,j vprniug C. The other features of this scene lOill he expjlaiued. At cliangt'o march is played and the Amahagger enter. Ballet and Chorus. Chorus. Hiya comes, Hiya comes, Hiya of the mighty hand, Hiya of the power divine. Iliya beautiful and grand. She whose eves the liahtnings dart, She so fair mikI vK s.. dread, She who rulrth all that lives. She who nik'tii all that's dead. Hiya comes, Hiya monies. She wVio with a look can slay. She who, radiant as the sun, She who over life holds sway. Hiya comes, Hiya comes, Iliya who must l)e obeyed, Hiya comes, Hiya comes, in majesty and power arrayed. The recess or opening at back is illuminated, the mrtains are drawn aside and Aye-iha is discorered. Music to suit action. aSo/O— BiLLALI. Hail to Ayesha, powerful queen. Prostrate at thy feet we fall, , (Salaams very low .) Thv slaves in supplication bow To her who ruleth over all. Chorus. Hail to Ayesha. powerful queen. Prostrate at thy feet we fall, I All .wlaam rcry loir.) Thy slave nrram/ed tig the Stage Manager.) Now, tell me of this youth, this Lion, as iJillali calls him. His back is always to me. I have not seen his face. He was wounded I beheve? Horace. Yes, and I fear dangerously. Cans't thou do nothing for him, oh ! C,)ueen, who knowest so much ? Ayesha. 1 can cure him. {Thoughtfully.) Who nurses him '/ Horace. Our servants and a woman of this country called Ustane, who kissed him when first she saw him, and hath stayed by him ever since. Ayesha. Ustane ? {Musing.) I wonder if it be she against whom I was warned ? Stay! {, Same motion, the form of Ustane is seen bending over Leo, on couch.) Is that the woman ? Horace. The same. She watches Leo asleep. Ayesha. {Motions, 'picture vanishes.) Leo ? That is Lion in the Latin tongue, {aside) But this Ustane, how like to Amenartes, the cursed Egyptian. It's very strange, very. {Quicklg.) Hast thou aught to ask of me before thou goest, oh, my Holly ? Horace. Yes, one thing. I would gaze upon thy face. Ayesha. {Laughing.) Thou knowest the old myth of the Gods of Greece ? There was one Actseon who perished because he looked on too much beauty. If t — 26 - show 3'ou my face perchance thou wilt perish also, tor know, Iain not for thee. I am lor no man, save one, who hath been, but is not yet. Horace. I fear not thy beauty. I have put my heart away from such vanitie.s as woman's loveliness, that passes like a flower. Ayesiia. 13utmy beauty endures even as I endure. Never, may the man to whom my beauty hath' been enveiled, put it from his mind. Tlierefore, I hide my lace. You are warned. Wilt thou see. Horace. 1 will. Ayefli>.s<^ fitting garment of ivhite, her face arms and shoulders are lurre. The stage has been darkened and caicium is thrown fnll upon her. _ Ayesiia. Behold me ! lovely as no woman was or is, undying and half devine. Memory haunts me from age to age and passion leads me by the hand. Evil have I done and with sorrow have I made aquaintance — and evil shall I do and sorrow shall I know till my redemption comes. Horace hides kis facf. Rash man, like Acta-on thou hast had thy will, be careful lest like Actit-on thou art not torn to peic8s by the ban-hounds of thine own passions. Horace. I look on beauty and I am blinded — Hides face. Ayesha. Beauty is like the lightning, it is bright Init it destroys, especially trees, oil. Holly. Go now, and if thou canst, forget that thou hast looked upon Ayesha's beauty. Horace reaches out hands to her. Go! repeat aciion. Go! Horace exits R. I. E. Ayesha's has changed to a fury. Who is this Ustane, so like the Egyptian Amenattes ? Curse her, may she be everlastmgly accursed ! Accursed be the memory of the Egyptian ! Curse the fair daughter of the Nile because of her beautv. Curse her, because her magic prevailed against me. Curse her because she kept my beloved from me. She has been standing lia.ck of fire and with every curse the fiame darts aji and subsides. J^"" The WORKING OF THIS WILL ISE E.XPLAIXED. " Plaintively. I'ts no use- no use — not even I can reach those that sleep ! With vehemtnce. Curse her when she shall be born again — let her be born accursed — let her be utterh- accursed from the hour of her birth until sleep tinds her. Then let her be accui>eil. that I may overtake her with my vengeance. Plaintive, her Ibng black hair is unbound and covers her as she sinks down, Trap. Oh, my love, my love, my love ! If I have sinned against thee, have I not wiped away the sin ? When wilt thou come back to me ? I who have all and yet without thee have nothing, Oh, why could I not die with thee, I who slew thee. Alas, I cannot die — Alas, Alas 1 Oh, Kallikrates I must look upon thy face again. Ttie trap has risen and Leo as Kallikrates is on couch. " Will he explaixed.'- She removes covering from Jiis face. It is a generation since I looked upon thee whom I slew — slew with my own hand, and yet I loved thee — sobs. Song. — Ay'Aesha. My love, my love I am waiting. Sighing, I wait for thee. Tarry not long my sweetheart. Tarry not long from me. The tears from my eyes are falling And sorrow my heart doth fill. My love, my love, I am waiting, Why dost thou linger still? How long wilt thou keep me; waiting? How long to endure this pain? ' U hen will my eyes cease flowing? When thou shalt come again. My love, my love, I am sighing Weeping 1 wait for thee. My soul is beset with sorrow, Till thou shalt come to nae, During symjihoiiy Iht^ roii.rh sinl's, ami Leo, under stage, sings. Solo. — Leo. Thine eyes are dim with weeping, And thine heart is sore with pain. For ages thon'st been waiting. For one who will come again. Who will oome ''rom out the shadows, When the images of stone Shall wake the cavern's echo With a mighty living tone. The stone images sing in cliorns. Wtll Be Explained. Choiiis. At conclusion of chorus. Thine eyes are dim with weeping, etc., etc. Ayesha. The images of stone have roused tlie echoes with their voices — Kallikrates, iny Kallilcrates, is born again, and lie will come to me. OURTATX. ACT III. '•THE RUINS OF KOR."— " THE TEMPLE OF TRUTH."— THE STATUE OF "TRUTH STANDING ON THE WORLD."— EXPLANATION WILL BE GIVEN. {Enter Tim and Job, E. I. E.) Tim. This is where She howlds coort, and She '11 be liere piirty soon to sentence the hot-pot divils that were goin' to ate yon, Job. Job. Oh, Lord! when I think of that, it gives me the creeps. I had a narrow escape, Tim. Tim. Troth 3'ou did. But yon remember what ould Ballylally said? As liow they didn't like the taste of strangers who kem through the swamps and lived on wild fowl. Now, as you have been in the swamps and ate nothing but wild fowl for the last ten days, shure you wouldn't stay long on their stom- achs. You'd prove an emetic, my boy. Job. I believe I would enjoy being eaten 1)y them if I was sure of poisoning the whole lot on 'em. But I don't care for that now. I can only think of poor master Leo. I know he's going to die. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! To think of his 'aving to die in this blasted barbarosity of a place. Tim. He's purty bad. Job; but Mister Holly says that 5^/ie will cure him. Do you know, Job, {looks about) God be good to us! I hope she can't hear me! — but I believe She 's a "Pisherogue," or a witch. Job. Worse nor that, Tim, — worse nor tliat! If She wur only a witch, I wouldn't care; but I know She 's the devil hisself! Tim. The divil in petticoats, eh, Job? Shure the world is full of such purty little divils, Job. Job. Yes, I know all women 'ave a little touch of the Old Boy in 'em; but this 'ere Sh« is the bony Jider Lucifer. Why, you can't turn round in these cursed caves and 'oles but you're brought face to face with a corpse. {Suuddtrinrj.) Oh, Lord! it gives me the shivers to think of it. Last night I 'ad a sight that made my blood nearly freeze. I was standing at the opening of master Holly's cave, when I saw more nor fifty of the beastly savages, each one carrying a corpse. Thej' took 'em out a short distance and set 'em up like posts in the ground and set fire to 'era, and they blazed and crackled as if they was stufted with resin; and the savages howled and danced like himps of Beelzebub, and some on 'em grabbed up arms and legs all ablaze and run like mad with them 'ere goulish torches. I never want to see such a sight again. Tim. Bless us and save us ! And what do you suppose they did that tor. Job? 1 — 29 — Jon. Well, Mister Holly told me that these caves are full of human mummies, and the material used in preparing them is very inflammable, and they burns the mummies to give 'em light whenever they has a dance. Heavens! how they roared and flared ! No tar-barrel could 'ave burned as them 'ere mum- mies did. Tim. I wish we were safe out of this. Job. Shure I never heard of such diviltry. It's a wonder the ghosts of these ould mummies don't haunt them? Jon. I'll tell you why, Tim. Because these beastly hyenas arc not human, and ghosts has no power with 'em. A ghost is too respectable to appear to such cannibals. They's muck, they is, and the muckiest kind of muck at that, A wehd march is played. Tim. Whist! She's coming to hold coort. We'd better be oft' to Mister Leo, Going L. I. E. Job. Yes, let's be hoft". I can't a-bear the beastly hot-]iotters. Exit Tim and Job, L. I. E. Music ff. Enter Ayesha and Harare, /nlinvi'd /»/ male andfem.ale Ainahagger. Ayesfui takes her place on dias at base of statue, Horace stands beside her. A march and bcdlet is pierformed, at conchis/on Ayesha speaks. Ayesha. Come hither Holly and sit liy me. Horace does so. Xow you will see me do justice on those who would have slain thee. To Billali. Let them be brought before me. Billali salaams and goes off R. I. E., folloived by si.c of the guard. How didst thou sleep, ray Holly ? Horace. I slept not well, Oh, Ayesha. Ayesha. Lan,g]dng. So? I, too, have not slept well. I dreamed ol one T hate &m\ one I love. Billali and guard return with prisoners, viz.: SinbuUi, Abdaili, and Dilyesha. The guards take their places, and the prisoners prostrate before Ayesha. Nay, stand. The prisoners rise. Perchance the time will soon be when you shall grow weary of bemg stretched. Laughs. Dost thou, my guest, recognize tliese people. HORACK. I do, oh Queen. Ayesha. Very sweetly. You have heard. What have you to say, ye rebellious ones, why vengeance should not be done upon you ? SiNBALLI. Mercy, Hiya, mercy ! Let us be banished into the swamps to die, but give us not to the infernal torture. Ayesha. With fury. Dogs and serpents ! Eaters of human flesh. Ye have dared to disobey me. Did 1 not send my word unto ye hj Billali, my servant, and the father of your houseliold ? Hath it not been tauglit ye from childhood tliat the law of She is ever fixed law, and tliat he who breaketh it by so much as one jot or tittle sliall perish? In defiance of my order j^e have attempted to put my guests to death. Therefore I pronounce, that ye be taken to the cave of torture and given over to my executioners to wreak my vengeance upon ye, and that on the going down of to-morrow's sun, if any of ye remain alive, ye shall suffer death l)y the hot-pot as you would have slam the servant of my guest. Prisoners. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Horace. Oh. Queen, let me implore mercy for these people. -30- Ayesha. Nay, it cannot be. Billali, my word is spoken, let my doom be done. Blllali salaams and tJie prisoners are conducted oJf\ followed hy the others in I'ro- cession, with music. Here, oh Holly have I held my coiu't I'or over 2000 years under this winged figure. Ste2->s down. Come, Holly, and see. Horace joins her. The stage is darkened. The moon rises ahore the statue. Didst ever see an image so entrancing and divine, illumined and shadowed by the soft li.oht of the moon? HORACK. What does it represent ? Ayesiia. Canst thou not guess ? where then is thy imagination. It is " truth stand- ing on the world," calling to its children to unveil her face. Horace. It is a wonderful conception, a poet's dream of beauty frozen into stone. Ayesha. They were a great people, those ancients of Koi', they were an old people before the Egyptians were, when first I saw these ruins, over two thousand years ago, they were even as they are now. Judge of their age, therefore. It is recorded on this slab, square slali at statue's base by Junis a priest of the great Temple of Kor, what a cloud settled upon the great city in the year, four thousand eight hundred and three, from its founding and out of the cloud came a pestilence that destroyed all the people, the p.iince and the peasant alike. Horace. And that accounts for the great number of dead found in the caves ? Ayesiia. Yes, they embalmed their dead like the Egyptians but their art was more perfect. Enter Joti very /iiwh I'.rrited, L. I. E. Joii. Oh, mister Holly, mister Holly — he be a-dyiu sir. i^ees Ayesha springs hack frightened. Oh, lord ! what's that? Ayesiia. Is tliat thy servant, and is that the way servants greet ladies in thy country. Horace. He is friglitened at thy garb, it hath a deathlike air. Ayesha Leuajhs. Ayesha. Whj' has he come here ? Horace. He brings me word that my boy lies at the point of deatli. Ayesha. So 1 provided he be not dead, it is no matter, for I can restore him. Let him be brought here at once! So say to my servant Billali. Joh goes of L. I. E. Horace. Had we better not go to him, oh Ayesha ? Ayesiia. Xo. I have here that which will cure him. Fear not. your boy sliall not die. {Producing earthen rial.) HOliACE. (lod grant it so: but what magic — Ayesiia. Magic ? Have I not told thee there is no such thing as magic? Tliongli there is such a thing as understanding and applying the forces which arc in nature. Horace. For twenty years Leo has been mv dearest companion and the one interest of my existence, and here I've been lingering by your side while he lay dying, and perhaps now it is too late. If so. I shall liate myself for the cursed sel- fishness that kept me from him. Ayesha. Doiiot blame thyself. A mono; men, the yeiy best are lighted down to evil by the gleam of a wninaii's eyes. I was the cause, and I will recover him. {A bier or stMilu i is Jirmujlit on, on which Leo is lijing, his face averted from Ayesha. Ustane fvUnii-w mid takes her place near the bier. Aijesha seeinc/ her.) Ah, the girl. It is she of whom thou didst speak to me. Bid her and the rest depart. I love not that underlings should perceive my wisdom. {Horace motions them off. I'hey all go excejtf Ustane. Horace touches her ori shoulder and 2>oinis off'. Ustane. {SuUenli/.) What does she want ? HOKArE. Siio desires you to go. USTA.VE. It is surely the right of a wife to be near her husband when he dies. UJ. motions.) Xay, I will not go, my Lord, the Baboon. Ayesha. Why doth not the woman leave us ? Horace. She does not like to leave Leo. Ayesha. (Facing Ustane with fury and pointing off'.) Go ! Thou seest it time that 1 gave these people a lesson. The girl went nigh to disobeying ine. Now let me see the youth. (She approaches Mer and Leo turns his fare towards her. She staggers back with a scream. Horace. What is it, Ayesha ? Is he dead ? Ayesha. (Springing toward him. Willi, fury.) Thou dog! Why didst thou hide this from me ? (Stretches out her arm toward him. Horace .^eems dazed.) Horace. What — what — is this — ? Ayesha. (Withdrawing her liand.) Ah, perchance thou didst not know. Learn, oh Holly, there lies — there lies my lost Kallikrates. Kallikrates who has come back to me at last, as I knew he would. ( Weeping, as she gazes on him.) Oh, my Kallikrates! My love! Mj'love! Horace. Unless you help him quickly, your Kallikrates will be far beyond your calling. Ayesha. True! (Starting quickly.) Oh, wliy did I not see him before? (Producing terra cotta vial.) I am unnerved. My hand trembles, — even mine, — and yet it is very easy. Here, Holly, take this vial and pour the liquid down his throat. If will cure him, if he be not dead. Swift! swift! he dies! (Horace administers medicine. Ayr.sJia. shows great agitation.) HoKAfJE. Is it too late? (Leo gives a long-drauni sigh.) Thou seest? Ayesha. I see he is saved ! Saved I One little moment more, and he had gone. Gone! Gone! (Sobbing.) Forgive me. Holly. Forgive me for my weakness! Thou seest, after all, I am only a woman. (Her manner is changed quickly.) But this Ustane, — almost liad I forgotten her. What is she to Kallikrates? His servant? Horace. I understand that she is wed to him, according to the custom of the Ama- hagger. — 32 — Ayesha. AVliat ! Then there is an end ! She must die ! Horace. Xay! Xa}'! It would be a crime. And from crime nought comes but evil. Ayesha. Is it a crime to put away that which stands between us and our ends? Then is our life one long crime, for day by day we destroy tliat we may live, since in tiie world none but the strongest can endure. Horace. But thou hast said that each man should be a law unto himself and follow the teachings of his own heart. Hast tln^ heart no mercy toward her whose place thou wouldst take? Bethink thee! he, pointing to ieo, whom for two thousand years thou hast waited for, has returned. AVilt thou celebrate his coming by the murder of one who loved him ? Thou sayst also that ni the past thou didst greivously wrong this man, that with thine own hand thou didst slay him because of the Egyptian, Amenartes ? Ayesha. With, quick exritif III cut. How knowst thou that? IIow knowst thou tiiat name? I never mentioned Amenartes to thee. IIOKACE. Perchance I dreamed it. Strange dreams hover about these caves of Kor. But what came ot this mad crime ? Two thousand years of waiting, was it not ? And, now, wouldst thou repeat the history ? I tell thee tliat evil will come of it. How will this man take thee, red-handed from the slaughter of her who loved and tended him ? Ayesha. Had I slain thee as well as her, yet should he love me. But I will spare this woman; for I am not cruel for the sake of cruelty. Let her come before me. Quiclc, before my mood change. Horace exits R. I. E. She thnnvs her- self on her knees beside litter. Oh, my Kallikrates, thou wilt live. For sixty generations I have lived without thy companionship, without love, led down the dreary ages of my hfe by the marsh-hghts of hope, yet my skill told me they would one day lead unto my deliverer, and thou at last hast come. But the woman, {rises) so like the accursed Egyptian, Amenartes. Enter Horace loith U.xtane. R Q. E. USTANE. Is my lord dead? Oh, say not he is dead? Horace. Nay, he lives. Sue hath saved him. Ustane prostrates herself before she, Ayesha. Stand! Ustane rises. Come hither! t'stune approachrs her. Who is this man? USTANH My husband. Ayesha. Who gave him to thee tor a husband ? Ustane. I took him according to our custom, oh, She. Ayesua. Thou hast done evil in taking this man, who is a stranger, and not of thy race. Tlie custom fails. Listen! Go from hence and never dare to speak to or set thine eyes upon him again. He is not for thee. Go! Ustane does not move. Pause — then with fury. Gk), woman ! Ustane. With desj)erate calmess. I will not go. The man is my husband, and I lo\e him. Ayesha seems impatient. I love him and luill not leave him. Ayesha rises ijiUcklij and sits agaiit. What right hast thou to make me leave my husband. Ayesha rises as if to sttike. — 33 — HOKACE, Literposimj . Be pitiful. It is nature working. Ayesha. Situ. I am pitiful. Coldly, hud I not been pitiful, she had been dead even now. With vuirked tnqjhasis. "Woman, I say to thee go ! before 1 destroy thee where thou art. USTANE. Dtterndnedly 1 will not go ! He is mine — mine ! I took him because I loved him, because he loved me, Ayesha repeats action, destroy me, if thou hast the power, I will not give thee my husband, never, never ! Faces Ayesha in defance. Ayesha. With sarcastic siveetness. Say yon so ! Then ivi.th afvrious muvement of her ■ hand, she touches Ustane's head. Fool worm ! Ustane puts hand to her head, a white mark appears across her hair, seemes dazed. Horace. Seeing white mark, Great Heavens ! Ayesha. Poor ignorant fool, dost think that I have no power to slay. I have set my seal upon thee, the white mark of my displeasure, so that I shall know thee till thy hair is all as white as it. Now wilt thou go, or must I strike again ? Ustane still dazed, feeliny the way with her hands as if blinded. Exits L. Q. E. If ever she dares to look upon his face again, her bones shall become whiter than the mark upon her hair. She goes and bends over Leo who has been moving restlessly, he stretches out his arms and seeing her draio her face to him and kisses her. Leo. Sitting up. Hallo Ustane I why have you tied your head up ? Plave you the tooth ache? I say Job, I'm awfully lumgery. Looking round Job not here. I say you old son of gun where the deuce have you got to now ? Looking at Ayesha. Eh, bless me ! that is not Ustane. Ayesha. Greeting to thee, my young stranger lord. Right glad am I to see thee well again Leo stands, believe me had I not saved thee never wouldst thou have stood upon your feet again. Leo has come doivn. Leo. Bowing. I thank you lady for j'our kindness in caring for one unknown to you. I shall never be ungrateful. Ayesha. Nay. give one no thanks, tis I who am made happy by thy coming. Leo. Aside to Horace, Humph ! Leo I say old fellow the lady is uncommonly civil. We seemed to have stumbled into clover. Looking at Yesha. By jove, what a pair of arms ? Horace. {Nudging him.) Not so loud. Leo. {Not noticing him.) Have yon seen her tace ? If it compares with her arms it must be lovely. HOEACE. Damn it, man, keep quiet. Ayesha. Is there aught I can do for j'ou more ? Leo. Yes, lady, I would know where the young woman Avho was nursing me has gone. Ayesha. Oh, the girl? Yes — I — I— know not, She sajd she \vov(ld go. Perchance — Si- she will return. {Perchance not.) It is wearisome waitintf on tlie sick, and these savage women are fickle. Leo. It's infernally odd that she should leave me. I don't understand. The young lady and I — that is — well, you know exactly. I — in short, we have a great regard for each other. Ayesha. Yes, I know exac%. I have some instructions to give my servant, Billali, so will leave you for a little. If there can be comfort in this poor place, be sure it awaits thee. {Goes up C. and off L'. U. E.) Leo. Who is she old fellow '! .She's uncommonly civil. HOEACE. The Queen. She herself For Heaven's sake be more guardctl of your speech m her presence. Leo. Pshaw ! She 's only a woman you know. Horace. But a most extraordinary one. The very woman the sherd of Amenartcs speaks of Leo. Then the story is true ? Horace. However incredible it may seem, it is true. USTANE. {Elders L. Q. K. hurriedly.) Oh, my lord, thou art restored and my heart rejoices, but I am in peril from She-who-must-be-obeycd. Surely, the Baboon has told thee how slie drove me from thee. I love -thee, my lord, and thou art mine, according to the law of the country. My Lion, wilt thou cast me off now ? Leo. Cast you off? Never, Ustane. Let us go and explain matters to the ([ueen. USTANE. Nay! Nay! She would slay us. There is but oneway. Flee witli me across the marshes, and perchance we may escape. Horace. For Heaven's sake, Leo, dont LTstane. Nay, listen not to him. Swift ! Be swift ! Death is in tho air we brcatlie! {Throws herself in Leo's arms. Ayesha with BeUuli and livo guards ajipears at hack.) Kven now, perhaps, she hears us. {Ayesha laughs. Ustane shrinks hack. Leo and Horace a^ipear confused.) Ayesha. {Laughing as she comes down.) Nay, now my lord and guest, look not so bashful. Surely the sight was a pretty one. The leopard and the lion. Leo. Oh, hang it all ! Ayesha. {Very sweetly.) And thou, Ustane, my servant, is this a fit time for love? I dreamed not that T could be disobeyed. I thought thee already far away. Ustane. Play not with me. Slay me, and let there be an end. Ayesha. Nay, why? It is not well to go, so swift from the hot lips of love, down to the cold mouth of the grave. ( Vindictively to guards.) Let the fool's wish be gratified. {7 he two guards take hold of Ustane. Leo hurls than in tarn to the ground. Horace holds Leo hack.) . . -135 — Leo. Curse you ! Dare to put j-our hand on her, and I'll brain yon! Ayesha. {Laughing.) Thou hast a strong arm, my guest, for one wlio so late was sick. But we shall see. Now, oh Holly, thou didst hear my words bidding this evil-doer depart. At thy prayer I did weakly spare her life. How is it, then, that thou art a sharer in thrs meeting? HOIJACE. It was l)y accident, oh, Queen. I knew naught of it. Ayesha. I believe thee. And well is it for thee that I do. Angrily boking at Ustanp. Then does. all the guilt rest upon this woman. Motions Billali, who exits U. E. R Leo. Come, I say now. I don't see any guilt about it. Ustane is married to me according to the custom of this awful place.. She's not anybody else's wife, and she loves me, and I love her. And whatever she has done I have done too, so if she's to be punished, let me be jjunished also, and T tell you if you bid those savages to touch her again, I'll tear them to pieces. Re-enter Billali with all the Amahagger. Ayesh.\. Hast thou aught to say woman ? Ustane folds her arms. Thou silly straw, thou feather, who didst tliink to float towards thy passion's petty ends against the great wind of my strong will. Tell me, for I fain would understand, why didst thou this thing ? Ustane. I did it,oh. Queen, because my love is stronger than the grave; because my life without him whom my heart chose would be but a living death. I know that my life is forfeit to thy anger, yet am I glad that I did risk it, and willingly will I pay it away for him, because he embraced me and told me that he loved me. Ayesha. Springs up and makes motion as if to strike, but controls herself and sits again. Say on. Ustane. I have no magic, and I am no queen, nor do I live forever, but a woman's heart is heavy to sink through waters however deep, and a woman's eyes are quick to see, even through thy vail, oh, Queen. Ayesha. And what hast thou seen ? Ustane. I have seen that thou dost love this man thyself, and, therefore, woulds* destroy me, who stands across thy path. I will die — die — and go into the darkness, nor know I whither: but this I know. There is a light shining in my breast, and by that light, as by a lamp, I see the future unroll before me like a scroll. Ayesha. And what does this light show thee ? Ustane. {Assiow's a trance-like look.) It shows me that my love hath brought me death, but I'll turn not back, being ready to pay the price. And even as I see myself standing on the steps of doom, so do I see that thou shaft not profit by my death. Mine he is, and though thy beauty shme like the sun among the stars, mine shall he remain. Never shall he look tliee in the eyes and call thee wife! Thou, too, art doomed! I see — oh, what a sight is here ! Oh, my Lion, thou art saved, but She will perish ! I see a fire that never dies! I sec a shriveled form ! I see — I see — — 36 — Song — UsTANE. I see thee lead him o'er the dark abyss. With frantic haste and mad desire.— I see him follow thee into the pit Where burns the everlasting fire : I see thee bathing in the quenchless flames That lap thy beauty in their ire I I see thee shrivel and shrink and fade,— I see a tortured one expire. C'}(orus. She that's standing on the steps of doom Sees the future like a written scroll. And reads it plainly with the eye of truth. As the mystic pages of fate unroll. She sees the ending of a weary life, She sees the tortures of a doomed soul ; By the light that shineth in her breast She plainly reads the prophetic roll. USTANE. {These words are siJoken almost in a shriek.) NEVER SHALL HE fiE THINE ! ! You are doomed ! Never shall he call thee wife ! I see — Ayesha. {With vehemence.) False prophetess, be thou forever blind ! [She makes a quick pass, the electric sparks fly from her hand. Ustane shrieks, trembles, and falls prostrate.) Be thou accursed forever I {Leo and Horace raise Ustane.) Leo. {A.9sisfing her to litter L E E.) Great Heavens ! She is dead ! {They place her on litter.) Woman, devil, or whatever thou art, you have killed her, and I shall avenge her death ! {Sjrrings toward Atjesha. She throws md her hand. He stops suddtiily. as if electrified.) Ayesiia. Forgive me, my guest, if I have shocked you — with my justice. Leo. Forgive thee, thou fiend ! Forgive thee, murderess ? By Heaven I will kill thee if I can. {Bushes toward her again, hnt is stopped as hefore. Ayesha. Nay, na}', thou dost not understand. For two thousand years, Kallikrates, have I waited for thee and now thou hast come back to me. This woman stood between us, and therefore I removed her, Kallikrates. Leo. It's an accursed lie ! My name is Leo Yincey and not Kallikrates. My ancestor was Kallikrates. at least so I believe. •Ayesha. Ah, thou sayest it. Thy ancestor was Kallikrates, and thou, even thou art he, born again, and my own dear lord. Leo. Thy lord ? I had rather be the lord of a fiend from hell. Ayesha. Nay. thou hast not seen me for so many years thou hast forgotten. Yet I am very fair, Kallikrates! Leo. I hate thee, murderess. I liate thee, I say. Ayesha. Yet thou will shortly creep to my side and swear thou lovost me. ( To Amahagger.) Depart? {They all go off R. C. E.) Here before this dead girl, •who loved thee well, we'll put it to the proof. She shakes off her outer cov- ering. {The stage has been darkened and the Calcium is throxvn upon her.) Be- hold me, Kallikrates ? {Leo shoivs admiration and astonishment.) Leo. I am bewildered. Art thou— art thou a woman ? — 37 — Ayesha. In very truth a woman, and thy spouse, Kallikrates. {Stretching her arms toivards him. He seemed inclined to go to lier, hut looks at Ustane and hesitates.) Come ! Leo. How can I ? Thou art a murderess, She loved me and thou hast slain her. (2 Amahagger enter.) Ayesha. It is naught, Bear her away ! If I have sinned let my beauty answer lor my sin. If I have sinned it is for love of thee. Come! [Same husiness.) Come ! {I^o goes to her and falls on knee, taking her hand..) Leo. I cannot resist, woman or demon thy beauty has conquered me. Ayesha. Fie upon thee Kallikrates. But do not kneel to me — I am your slave, you are my lord and master. Come. He rises. Now will I prove to tliee that thou art Kallikrates born agani. Thou art living yet shalt thou liehold thyself dead. Leads Leo up stage. And you too, my Holly. Leo passes behind column, his doidjle cqypears holding Ayesha's hand, Leo goes down through stage behind column and takes place to he sent up on C. trap. Horace is L. of trap. To double, ivho is back to audience. Be not afraid. Leo. Under Stage. I fear not, oh, Ayesha. How can I living behold myself dead? Ayesha. By my arts I have held thy body from the dust, that the waxy stamp of thy beauty should ever rest before mine eyes. Leo. Under Stage. Let me see and be convinced. Ayesha. So, shalt thou look upon thine own departed self, who breathed and died so long ago. I do but turn one page in thy Book of Being and show thee what is writ thereon. Let llie dead and living meet. The trap comes vp ivith Leo as Kallikrates lying on stone couch. Behold ! takes wrapping off. Horace. This is horrible. Tis Leo dead if ever Leo lived. Cover it and let us depart. Ayesha. Not yet, my Holly. By my art I have the power to cause the dead Kallikrates to speak to the "living. She makes some pas.ses, Speak Kallikrates, speak unto thy self. Leo. As Kallikrates. Across the gulf of time we are still one. Time hath no power against identity. Though sleep, in mercy hath blotted out the tablets of my mind, still are we one— ibr the wrappings of sleep shall roll away as the thunder clouds before wind. The frozen voices of the past shall melt in nuisic like mountain snows beneath the sun, and the weeping and laughter of tlie lost hours shall be heard once more, sweetly eclioing up the elites of immeasurable time. Sleep hath rolled away and tlie lightnuig of my disem- bodied spirit hath found a fresher form to work out the purpose of our being, quickning and fusing those separated days of life and shaping ihem to a stall' wheron we may safely lean as we wend to our appointed fate. I was dead but now I live — Kallikrates is born again. She removes ivrapjnng from breast of Leo andshoivs blood mark, like a spear vjound. Ayesha. Thou seest it was I who slew thee Kallikrates because thou didst love the Egyptian, Amenartes. But now thou hast come back to me I will give thee lile and youth that will endure thee thousands of years. Thou seest this body which was once thine own ? {Oncers Leo up, the box. sinks and Leo is taken under .< the land. HOEACF. lint we have a law that prohibits killing. Ayesha. Laughinij. Law ! Canst thou not understand, oh. Holly, that I am above the law, and so shall my Kallikrates be also. All human law shall be to us as the north wind to the moimtain. Does the wind bend the mountain or the mountain the wind? Enkr BiHuli. U. J. E. BlLLALI. Mighty lliya! All is ready for thy juurncy. Ayesha. 'Tis well. You and those who are with you will go witli us to the great chasm and there remain until we return. Come, my Kallikrates, come my Hollv. {Exit Ayesha and others, Billuli L. I. E. JoJi L. I. E. enter as they (jo off. ' JoiJ. Oh. Lord! I feels the cold dulls chasing each bother hup and down my Bpnial back bone. This 'ere is a cooker. Oh, Lord ! Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! To think that I should hend my days m a " Iiot-pot." (Tim Enters L. I. E. in time to slap Job on shoulder uihen speech is pnish.ed\) — Oh, Lord — oh^ — its — you, Tun — 'ow you frightened me. Tl.M. What arc you dreamin' about, anyhow ? Jon. I wish r wur dreaming, Tim. I wish I coidd wake hup and find myself back in old Hingland. But it's no go. This is a cooker. This 'ere night-mare will be the end of us. Tim. Don't make an Oumadhann of yerself. Cheer up nic ancient Briton, haven't ye me, a ratlin' boy from Paddy's Land to fight for you ? Come, pull yerself together, and remember, me boy, that a light heart and a thin pair of breeches goes round the wide world for sport. Jon. I don't know what to make of you, Tim? Tim. Sure, you can't make anything out of mc Ijut what I am — an Irishman! And that's a mystery to ye. Job. Yes, I confess, I don't understand the Irish. They is so queer and out- laudisli. — i3 — Tni. But you'll ho enliglitenod by-ni-bj-, and then ye'll understand, and so will the rest of your countrymen. -And when ye do the honest Kno'Hsh jieart will shout, "Fair play and Justice for Ireland!" Now listen to this. Song— Tui. Just peepin' from the ocean is a little spot of green. Where buttercups and daisies grow, the sweetest ever seen. And primroses and l)rialit posies, and the shamrock ever fair. And itntfcii ami iMir;(t..cs an.l ■.liilh.lniiv sint the air. Tli(>rc arc liiuiilaiids and -r.'cMi l..\\l,iii(N where sparkling waters flow. And l)iii;-hiilcs ami IxniiliailiTs ami rai-ki-cnters ever grow. There cdercioii and eviction, lil2'>ear .suddenly. Tlt'-g are
\\ ;i ikI -:looni, Out ot th. r (lai-kl ir--, ( .1 ■ .•haiiuT, Out ot 1 h.'.-lii I.I .>rti 1,' tomb. When wi 11 tiled ayliuli t appear? When (1 lawn w ■ill lilV 's beautiful morn When wil 11 we el lit. 'I- til le fle.sh, . And be as we were 1 lewly born ; Rect- -^A yesha. When Natin-e decrees, shall dawn tfie sTorioWs inorn When eaeli in turn shall in the flesli be born. 46- >Si'iRiT Chorus and Dance. We must wait, we must wait, Till tli.'ulori..us luuiiuw. When w,. sliiill rctufii :m';iin To tciK-li Ml' J,.y iiiid s(in-ow. All must (lie as wi- liavc died,— None can live foi'ever,— Yet life can never be destroyed, — All that is, is ever. (Music cordiiiKKs irh/Jr thrij ihiiirf, Jirroming louder, nrruirijxni/cil hy the fiound of wind: Uujhtunnj lhis]„s „n,l Ihnndrr. End inatrrrliir r;is]i. With the '■rash the s/)//v7.s- all sinlilnthj ilisapp^ar. Ayesha, fnlloiiid Jii/ /lie idhers, hare descended tJrnmijii an ojicn/nij L, while the spirits arc sim/infj churvs.) CHANGE.— Scene 3. (^'1// und.crijronnd 2>c^sage, or rocky tunnel.) Ayesha. Now, my Kallikrates, we go down in the presence of Deatli, for Life and Death are very near together. I am a woman, and no prophetess: and I can- not road the future. But this I know, that I cannot live for aye. Much evil have I done. Perchance it was evil to strike tliat girl who loved thee. There- fore, Kallikrates, take me by the liand, and lift mj' veil and look me in the eyes and tell me thou dost forgive me with all thy heart, and with all thine heart thou dost love me. (She kneels at his feet, Leo lifts her veil and raises her to his heart.) Leo. Ayesha, I love thee with all my heart. And so far as forgiveness is pos- sible, I forgive thee the death of L^stane. The rest is between thee and thy maker. I know nought of it. I only know that I love thee as I never loved before, and that I will cleave to thee to the end. Ayesha. And in token of my wifely love and submission do I kiss the hand of my lord Kissts jii.s Jtand. And for a bridal gift, I give^thee my beauty's ptarry crown, enduring life, wisdom and wealth without mcasiu'e. As a god shalt thou be, holding good and evil in the hollow of thy hand, and I, even T hum- ble myself before thee. Bo/cs lovly. .Such is the power of love, and such is tire bridal gift I give unto thee, Kallikrates, royal son of Ra, my lord and. lord of all. — DrET. Solo. — Ayesha. My love I'll love forever. And naught our souls shall sever; For true love lives forever, Defying Death and Time. Solo. — Leo. My heart this new-found pleasure Shall ever fondly treasure— Thy love's beyt)nd all measure. And so my love is thine. Together. Joy shall never leave us. Life (• ,,t ,1,.' .■.■i\- !■ US Fori. i\f i s Mr iiie. No in< ii-f bitcV ; sti >1 rms shall frig Nor (1 L'Sol atidii 1 i)liL ;hf 1 Nor si Uld( iws ( lark l).'ii \-M us. For 1(1 i pur. • liul d d. itli shine. Ayesha. Now let us descend, that all thiiTgs may be accomplished in their order. Leads him to opening in Flat. Prepare to enter the very womb of the J*]arth wherein She doth conceive the life that yon see brought forth in man nnd beast, Ay, and in every tree and flower. , Come Kallikrates. Exit with Leo, through opening. — 47 — Horace. Come, let >is follow ami keep close. — P].\IT. Tim. "We're gettin' down in the world. Job. Sure we must be near the Divil's dominions by this time. .Job. Yes, and tliat 'ore She's the proprietor. Oh, Lord! to think of what we've seen and passed through. I tell you Tim there is no flesh and blood in this blasted country. They is all ghosts and devils and we'll soon belong- to the family. We'll be transmogriticated iiinto luinnatural hobjects like them 'ere spirits in the gulch. Tim. Well we'll stick together anyhow, and it She tries to come the comather and make ghosts of us, we'll make it very sultry for the other scrawny graveyard deserters. We'll wallop the divil out of them, Job. Job. That's hall nonsense. What's the use o' wallopin' when one's dead ? Besides ghosts can't wallop, Tim. Tim. Can't? Did ycz ever see an Irisii ghost? Of course ye haven't, or ye wouldn't say that. I'll lay ye ten to one that a real owld Irish ghost would be cock-o'-the-walk here, in an hour. Job. Oh, Lord, Tim, you talk like a tool. This 'ere's serious business. My hold father's words is comin' true. " Time's hup, Job, time's hup ! " Oh, Lord, oh, Lord! Tim. We'd better be out of this. Goimj aud looking in at opening. It's as black as Tophet down tliere. Och, murdher. what a hole. Come, Job, in with you, my bucko, wo must go forward, for there's no going back. Job. This 'ere's a cooker, (rte- he exits.) Time's hup, Job, time's hup! Krii in opening. Tim. Tare-an-ages', but it's true for him, time's up ! We're oh the downhill road to the divil. If ever I get out of this I'll never leave Ireland again! I wish I had a drop of whisky to put heart into me. Well, here goes. I'll shut my eyes, and trust to luck. Exit into hole. CHANGE.— Scene 4. Interior of care of fire. |^""Descriptiox will be given. Ayesha. Coniiiu/ down at hack. Draw near, draw near. Leo and Horace join her. Job and Tim remain at top. Now, Kallikrates, the mighty moment is at hand. .1 rumUing sound is heard., music. A red light illuminatee the scene. Behold . the very fountain and heart of life, as it beats in the bosom of the great world. Tlie rumbling increases, the red glow becomes more brilliant, smoke ascends from. C. of stage, follotued by a flame which fluctuates spasmodically, and finally^ sub- sides. The stage is dark. When the fiame comes again'you must stand in it, Kallikrates, and when it embraces thee suck it down into thy very heart, so you lose no moiety of its virtue. Leo. I am no coward. Yet how know I that it willaiot destroy me? Ayesha. It is not wonderful that thou shouldst doubt. If thou seest me stand in the ttame and come forth unharmed, wilt thou enter also, Kallikrates ? Lko. Yes, I will enter if it destroy me. Horace. And I will also. Ayesua. (Laughing.) I thought thou wouldst naught of length of days ? Why, how is this ? -48 - Horace. Sometliing in my heart calls uie to taste the ttaiiie and live. Ayesha. It is well. I will for the second time bathe in the living bath. I will add to my lieauty and length of days, if that be possible; at least it cannot harm me. {Th'' rnmhlinij is huard ai/a/'n, groiviiiij loiulrr kikI hnuh'r. Tlie light glows more irdrn^dy than befori-. The flame hreaJis for/Ii ":it/i rrmiri'd energy.) And now we will prepare as if the last hours wore at liaiul, and we about to cross to the land of shadows and not through the gates of most glorious life. (She shaki's off her outer ivrappings, then loith rnach feeling, to Leo.) Oh, ray love, my love, wilt thou ever know how I have loved thee. [She kiss.fs him tenderly a,nd steps into the circle of fi-re, which becomes intensified. The noise, uhich ceased during spieech, is renewed.) Lko. •See ! See! Her form is changing! She seems to be growing smaller. {She. sinks down gradually through trap. The smoke hides her for a moment and III', little dovhle takrs her place. irJiHe she disappears altogether. ^^"ThedouUe is II r,'i-ij sniitll. tliiu fniiih'. niitih- up to the extreme of old age. Shrivelled and wrinkled, tcilh lung lilarl; Jinir lil.e Ayesha's. As Ayesha sjieaks under stage the double moves lips and gesiiiulutes to s-uit. Double staggers for ujard from out the circle of fire.) Ayesha. {Under stage.) What is it, my Kallikrates — I — I — feel da^.ed. Is there aught wrong with my eyes'? I see thee not so clearly. Douhle sinks d.own: Its she does so she puts her hand to her head and her hug hair falls off. Leo. What a change is this ! It is horrible ! Ayesha. {lender stage.) Forget me not, Kallikrates! Have pity on my shame! I shall come again, and once more be beautiful. I waited for tliy coming two thousand years. Wait thou for me. I — Oh-h-h! {Double falls, and dies.) {The fire subsides. Ustane, followed by Billali, and several Amahagger rush down incline on to stage.) USTAXE. Oh, my Leo! my Lion! thou art saved! The spell is broken, and thou art mine once more. Leo. Ustane alive! {Embrci'-ing her. The gauze drop at hack is ilhuinnated, and through it is seen a ship at her moorings, and a number of Eyiglish sailors jric- turesquely grouped. Grand finale.) ENSEMBLE. Solo — Leo. Dear Ustane. the spell is broken. And to thee my heart returns. Hei-e my life I pledg-e as token Of the love my bosom burns. So/o— Ustaxe. And thy love I'll fondly cherish While to me doth life remain. For tliee to live, for thee fo perish, Or freely die to spare thee pain. Chorue — All a u agoer. Farewell, Ustane \ Farewell, Ustane I Thou'lt freely die to spare him pain. Farewell. Ustane ! Farewell, Ustane : Thou'lt freely die to spare him pain. Chorus— ^.\.um\&. The sea is hij^h, the tide is flowing. Our ship is waiting- on the shore : The wind is fair and freely blowinj^,— Wi> wait to bear thee home once more. Tliey all sing their sep>arate words in general cliorus.) CURTAIN, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS III 014 492 589 # LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■"iililllllllliiliilllllil 014 492 589 Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5