^Yje LOST PRINCE A iiSFEiTACULAR LYRIC CDMEDY, ' IN TWO ACTS, BY F. WEBER BENTON oY}C LOST PRINCE A SPECTACULAR LYRIC COMEDY, IN XWO ACTS, BY F'*^ WEBER BENTON jUN ;4 1883.' SAINT LOUIS : ^>^^r WASHlt^i^*. F. WEBER BENTON S: CO. iSS3. P%,s. *=- ;**^ ■ Copyricrht and Playrio'ht Applied For iriitL, LOST PRIJMCE ORIGINAL CAST OF CHARACTERS. Tkince Jack, — Prince of the House of Cucumber, Miss Jessie Hall Sunflower -A Fairy Queen j ^,^.^^ j^y^^ Larcari Oklando, — Sunflower m disguise S -' Panther, — Imp of the fairies, Mr. Oscar Hall Pansy. — A Fairy Miss Tillie Chambers Tulip, " Miss Delia Fox Rose, " Miss Blanche Hall Daisy, " PoLLYWOG,— Valet to Prince Jack, Mr. Harry Berg-er FAIRIES, ETC. SCENE PLOT. ACT I, PLAXET VENUS. SCENE I. — Woods and mountains, large blooming plants in the baekground, each enveloping a Fairy. SCENE II.— Wood set in I. SCENE III— Same as first. ACT II — THE SAME, SCENE I — Boudoir in the Palace of the Fairy Queen. SCENE II— Hallway in Palace. SCENE III— Same as Act I. Scene I. COSTUMES. Prince jack. — Hunting garb, with Bow, Quiver and Bugle. Orlando. — Ducal attire. POLLYWOG. — Comic colored garb {Male.) Panther. — Plain, close fitting green suit and hood with horns. Fairies. — {Named,') White, short frocks, short sleeves, wands and dresses trimmed with the flowers they represent Fairies. — {In the chorus) White, short frocks, short sleeves, wands and dresses trimmed with miscellaneous flowers {except those navied.) THE LOST PRINCE. ACT I SCENE I — Biig^le is heard in the dista7ice—, gradually coining- 7iearer. Prince Jack (^from ivithout') — Hello there, good Pollywog, whither art thou? {pause) Hilli! hilli! hi — ho — ^h-o-o! (^Enter^ifi chase of an ar- row. ) Where has my arrow gone? I fear I have lost that too, as well as my way. What shall I do? Mj' arrow^s all gone, no game, and lost from Pollywog: I shall die here alone in the forest. Ah, what do I hear? (Jo%v chanting.) Surely angels or fairies are singing; and oh, how like Fairyland this seems! how beautiful, how very beautiful! such a charming place for a nap, and I am so weary, I think I'll try it; perhaps Pollj'wog will find me while I sleep. Sing on^ good fairies; I will listen while I slurnbero (^Sleeps.) Entzr Panther through a trap; shows surprise at seeing thai* Rn^CE; touches him, sp> rings back in alar }n as he moves ^ then sujumons the Fairies, IV ho appear fro7n ivithin leaves of great plants; they dravj ?iear. Fax RiES — Oh^ my ! {retreat and the?i adva?ice.) Sunflower, the Fairy Queen — What is this that has thus invaded our realm? Fairies — Oh, dear, a real, live man. SuNF. — You have spoken truly, my maidens. It is a man, and he is of earth. Know ye that never betore has mortal entered our realm, and ye are furthermore forbidden to hold converse with a human, so let us away till he has passed from beyond our domain. Fairies— But he is so gentle. SuNF. — I have spoken. Pansy, a fairy — Good Sunfiower, let us speak to him. It will surely do no harm. He looks so young and gentle. Tulip — And handsome. Fairies — Oh, so handsome . Si^NF. — Well, be it so. But forget not the hour when the sunflower turns her face to the setting sun : then seek ye each thy plant in time, lest the leaves close without thee, for such a misfortune ye well know would trans- form thee into common mortals. Adieu; re- member. {Bxt^ SuNF. L. U. E, Fairies — We shall remember arid obey, good Queen. Pansy — How shall we awaken him? Tulip — Let us try the effect of music. Fairies— So let it be. Chorus of Fairies. Awake, gentle stranger. Open your eyes; The sunlight is on thee. And blue are the skies: The daylight is fading The night dravveth near; Awake, gentle stranger, Come join in our cheer. • Awake! awake! awake! 3 Prince Jack ynbs ///s ryrs, sifs upriirJit^ looks aroiitid^ and rises to hh fvct . Pr. J. 'ydside) — My eyes I what have we here? as I live, they are girls. Paxsey — He is lookijig .it me. Tulip — No, he is looking at me. Rose — You arc all mistaken: it is I that caught his eye. Pr. J. — Excuse me, I was looking at all of you. Fairies — Oh -hi {cluster about and nearly S7iffocate him v.ntk embraces ^ Pr. J. — Enough, enough, you muss my cuff. My dear ladies, you quite surprise me. Pansy — Ladies indeed! he calls us ladies. Pr. J. — Well, this is rich; they object to be- ing called ladies. Tulip — Indeed we do: we are flowers. Pansy — And I am a Pansy. Rose — And I a Rose. Tulip— I'm the Tulip. Lily — And I the Lily. Daisy — Pm a Daisy. Pr. J. — So you are, to be sure. Pansy — Now who are you, Mr. Mortal.^ Pr. J. (^aside) — How rude! they call me mor- tal, {aloud.^ My pretty blossoms, my front name is Jack, and I'm Prince of the House of Cucumber, Fairies — k. real Prince. {^Again they etnbrace hifn; he strangles .) Pr. J. — Come off, come off; you make me cough. Tulip — Corne, Prince, tell us how you came to leave the world. Pr. J. — Goodness! I am not dead. Tulip— But jou are not on the earth. Pr. J. — Pray tell me, where am I, then? Pansy— On Venus, the evening' star. Pr. J. — How came I here? Daisy — Do jou not know?, . Pr. J, — Indeed I do not. Pansy — Then we shall ask Panther; 'he knows all things. Panther, appear. Enter VmX^tia^^ with a leap and sprimr. Pansy — How came the Prince among us? Panther rubs his eyes, points to the earth in the air, leaps up, a7id falls to the ground. Pansy — He says you fell from the earth while sleeping. ^ Pr. J. — Oh, dear! how shall I return. Pansy— Never fear; oui' good queen, Sun- flower, will send you safely horn p Pr. J. — Perhaps I may wish to remain, espe- cially if you will sing for me. Fairies — But we have all got colds. Pr. J. — ^'That's what they' say on earth, but never mind the colds. I wrill. look leniently upon all defects arising from that indisposition. {aside.^ I guess that's a stunner. The Fairies look at each other in zvonder. Pansy— Will you have the kindness to favor us with a repetition of your observation? Pr. J-— Do the best you. can under the cir- cumstances. TuLiP~Oh, certainly; what shall we sing?- Pr. J. — Anything you like^ let me see, do you sing Olivette? . Tulip— Never heard it. Pr. J. {inusifigly^ — Do you sing a Pin- aore? ; 5 Panther y' /V/ a fit. Tulip — No, Panther objects. Pr. J. — Well, make yourovvn selection. Tulip — Then I will tell vou a secret, "but for goodness sake don't say I told vou." Song. Pr. J. — Bravo. By mv troth, fair blossom, you sing right merrily; but who is to favor us now.? Ah, methinks the pretty Pansy will not refuse. Pansy — His Highness has but to command; it gives us pleasure to obey. What shall I sing, my lord .'^ Pr. J. — -I cannot dictate, except to suggest that it be ot j'ourself, the flowers, the leaves, the trees — of nature when most beautiful. Pansy — Then I will sing of the happiest time in all the year, "When the Leaves Return Again." Song. Pr. J. — Excellent, most excellent; fully as well as I could have done it myself. Daisy — Do you reallj^ sing.? Pr. J. — Not often. Pansy— Panther, does the Prince sing? Panther {sigfis hi the a^rinative^ Pansy — Panther says yes. Do sing for us. Tulip — Oh, yes. Rose— Please. Daisy — Do sing; that's a dear, Pr. J. — Since you have so kindlj' entertained me, I cannot refuse to make some return. I will sing you about one of my girls. Tulip— One of them.? pR. J. — Yes, I have several; my latest is **My summer girl." Song. Pairies applaud, Daisy — Oh, Prince, sing it again. Pr. J. — No, I am quite fatigued. It is now the turn of the Rose, where has she gone? Oh, peek-a-boo! I see you hiding there. (Rose .;// to the earth. ^Sunflower risee frmn behind her plant .^ SuNF. — Ye have disobeyed, my comrades, ye have heeded not my commands; henceforth are ye mortals. Away, away. (Fairies extend their hands in supplication, ACT II. SCENE I. — Boidoir in the Palace of the Fai^y ^ueen; Sunflower in ?nale attire, dis- guised as Orlando, hefore mirror, arranging toilet, Orl.^ — At last my toilet is complete. Who now shall suspect me as the Fairy Queen? ex- cept Pantner, he knows all things. But how long they tarry, 'tis time they should have ar- rived. Ah, what if the Prince should learn to love one of my maidens. Unhappy thought, I shall not harbor it, but wait and hope that I alone may win his love. i?;//^r Panther ; motions that someone ap^ proaches ?) Orl. — What now Panther? are the guests ar- riving? (Panther affirms^ Okl. — Bid them enter. (Panther zvaves his hand; enter PoL. drtmk and dressed tcp. B, 2 E.^ Pol.— Lookee he-re Satan where's 'is nibs? you know oo I mean-hie. I shay did the prince get fuU-hic-I'll have to-hic-lecture him bout that hie thats something-hic-I never do and I never 4ow^s him to-hic-either. Its disgracetul-hic-its- hello-who have we here {to Orl.) I shay gov- nor your 'and. i6 Tulip.— Well, I do kind 'o like you, Pollv- wog. , , Pol.— Come tome arms, jumr yum! Enter Va^sy on Panther's arm, R. i E. Pansy. — Ha! ha! I caught you that time, (Panther ^r/z?s, sla^ps his knee and also makes merry over the scene.) Pol.— Not so rapid, my pretty Pansy, allow me to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Pollywog, to be. Pansy.-^So itbas,come to that has it, weli we are just a little ahead ot you. Here you be- hold Mr. and Mrs. Panther, already united. Tulip. — You don't mean it. Pansy. — Indeed I do. Its true he is dumb but he is awfi^l cute, Au revoir, we must be going. P9L.— Where ? Pansy.— To the earth; we have both become mortals and will sail on the first air current to-morrow. Pol. — We will be with you on the same train. Enter Ya^sy and YANTiiKis.. L. Sketch by Pollywog ^//^jTulip, or exeunt. R. SCENE III. — Sajne as Act 1, Scene i. chorus OF fairies FROM WITHOUT. Merrily, merrily, oh, how cherrily, . Sing we now for our hearts are light; Hail, oh, hail the happy bridegroom — Happy bridegroom and the bride. Enter fairies^ R. 2 E. March around stag-e and then form line from L. U. E., to E. i. E. Lovingly, gayly we, ever fondly we Greet our queen and the noble knight. Sing, oh sing, the highest praises, Of the bridegroom and the bride. Pr. J. — How glad I am to see jou, Polljwog. I thought I would never set eyes on you again. Pol. — Never fear, my lad; I am after you wherever you go, though you were rather rapid for me this time. But how on earth are we to get home.? Pr. J. — Through the air, good Polly wog, of course; I have secured a safe and rapid transit; but let us not hasten our return. Pol. — Why do you wish to remain. f* Pr, J. — I have an engagement for to-morrow. Pol* — Where, my lord.^* Pr. J. — At the Palace of the Fairy Queen. She holds a reception there in honor of my visit, even though such proceeding is^contrary to the laws of this country: the fact is, I think she is sweet on me. Pol. — And can I go? Pr. J. — Yes; I met her a few moments ago, and she told me to invite you also. Pol. — Good. But how about your lessons.-^ I fear you will lose much by your absence from school. Pr. J. — Oh, I shall soon catch up. Pol. — I will give you some practice now. Pr.J. — I should not mind; proceed. Professor. Pol. — Well, to begin with, I will try you on geography. What is a monarcy.? Pr. J. — A country governed by a king. Pol. — Right, but who would reign if the king should die.^* Pr. J. — Why, the queen, of course. Pol. — You are right again. But if the queen should die, who would then reign? Pr. J.— The Jack. : H Orl. — She is indisposed but sends by me a message to your highness. P. J.— ^Whatl a message to me.? Orl. — Even so, but it is for no ears but yours. P. J. — Then let us walk in the air, I am eager to hear it. Orl. — Be patient, my Lord. I will tell you presently. We must not mar the pleasure of the maidens by your absence, Let the music play and the dance begin. Imagine I am the Fairy Queen and waltz with me. P. J. — Indeed were it not for your attire I should really think you were the queen, your voice, your gentle ways, those lovely eyes, all speak to me of her. All Waltz. (Pol. and Panther ^-^zf^r and take partners^ P. J. — How merry that was. Tulip. — The Prince and Duke dance well to- gether. Pansy.— If they sing as well together they could afford us great enjoyment. Tulip. — We should so love to hear you sing. P. J. — Then let the music play and the Mas- cot is with you. duet! gobble, gobble. At the e7id of the duet Orl. faints in P. J's. arms. P. J. — He has fainted. The fairies in alarm cluster about^ loose?i his tresses and discover Sunk, Pansy.— It is the queen. Fairies. — The Queen! P. J.; — The Queen, and why this garb.? Tulip. — She loves the Prince. Fairies — ^She loves the Prince. ^ Picture] c/osr in Ti'it// plain hall , SCENE \\.—Plai7ihallivayi?i the Palace of the Fairy ^uee7i. Enter Pollywog. L. i E. Pol — Well, here's a pretty muSvS. His Royal Highness is done for, absolutel}' and teetotally harnessed; actually marries a Fairy Queen. What a romance, let me see. First, he tumbles off of the earth, takes a trip through the air, alights on Venus, falls in love with all the fairies, and winds up by marrying their queen. What will his ma and pa saj- when he takes his bride home.? They'll lay it all to me, that's what they'll do, and me — alas, poor me — 1 will still be single — no one to love me — no one to call me (^?//^rTuLTp, R. I E.) TuLip.-^Pollywog. Pol. — (aside) Bless my ears, there is some one after all, if I can only get her to consent, (to TULIP.) You called me fair blossom. Tulip. — You are mistaken, I called you Pol- lywog. Pol. — I'll not dispute you. Why did you call me? Tulip. -^I wanted you to tell me about the ear^h, oh, how I should like to go there. Pol. — There is only one way I know of to gratify your desire. Tulip. — And that is Pol. — To marry a mortal. Tulip. — But I only know one. Pol.— Who.? Tulip.— I don't like to tell. Pol. — Fair Tulip, say it is me, and make me forever happy. 12. Orl. (aside,) This mortal has become intox- icated, what shall I do, he will disgrace us all. (/