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' FAUVETTE. 
 
 \ COMIC OPERA IN THREE ACTS, 
 
 BY 
 
 ANDRE MESSAGER. 
 
 TRANSLATED ANIi ADAITED FROM I'TIE FRENCir I'.V 
 
 B. E. WOOLF AND R. M. FIELD, 
 
 (As First PRoDuciin in America at the Boston Museum.) 
 
 ORCHESTRATION BY MR. GEO. PURDY. 
 
 Copyright, 1890, by B. E.Woolk ami K. M, Firr.n. 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 A COMIC OPERA IN THREE ACTS. 
 
 BY 
 
 ANDRE MESSAGER. 
 
 • >9< - 
 
 TRANSLATED AND ADAPTED FROM THE FRENCH BY 
 
 B. E. WOOLF AND R. M. FIELD. 
 
 (As First Produced in America at the Boston Museum. 
 
 ORCHESTRATION BY MR. GEO. PURDY. 
 
 Copyright, 1890, by B. E. Woolf and R. M. FlEij). 
 
DRAMATIS PERSON/E. 
 
 SAINT-ANGENOR. 
 
 JOSEPH ABRIAL. 
 
 PIERRE AUBERTIK 
 AHMED. 
 
 TRECOURT. 
 
 CRANSAC. 
 
 BOU MALEK. 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 ZELIE. 
 
 ALL 
 
 TARATA. 
 
 ROSETTE. 
 
 Conscripts, Zouaves, Arars, Grisettes, and Working-People. • 
 
 The first Act passes in Paris in tlie Rotunda of the Temple (1840). The second and third Acts pass in , 
 Algiers (1842). 
 
 '^m- 
 
 f, Scc^rT ^/^ir^ 
 
 TYPOGRAPHY, PRESSWORK, AND BINDING, BY F. H. GILSON, BOSTON. 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 ML so 
 
 MHsFa 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene : The liotunda of the Temple. Houses R. tC L. 
 L. I. E. shop of Fauvetti:, the floioer-girl. 11. 
 wine-shop. At back the Rotunda of the Temple 
 with shops of old-clothes dealers, second-hand fur- 
 niture, etc. 
 
 Tradespeople, friends, neifjhhors, and idlers discovered 
 goimj and cominy : the men rubhimj their hands 
 joi/ouslif, and pointin</ to the conscripts vjho are 
 drinking at Zelie's shop as she is pinning ribbons 
 on their hats. 
 
 Chorus. Closed are all the shops to-daj' ; 
 
 There's no buying and no selling. 
 Customers, without more telling, 
 
 Need not here, to purchase, stay, 
 The day we all of us, give up 
 
 To idleness, and song, and dance ; 
 So, Temple conscripts, fill the c\ip. 
 
 And drink unto the god of chance. 
 Of mirth set us the first example ; 
 
 To-day, the lots are drawn ; 
 And so the brave lads of tha Temple 
 Their fate will know this morn. 
 (Zelie, quitting the door of the flower-shop, at which she 
 has installed herself, loith her ribbons, and where 
 the conscripts have surrounded her, brings her table 
 to the centre of the stage.) 
 Zelie. Let 's see ! Here my shop will I station ; 
 For of trade, there is such an inflatiou 
 That my wares I can scarcely vend, — 
 They hustle and push without end. 
 (To conscripts.) This way; stand in liu'^, and attend. 
 On cap or breast should b3 displayed 
 A pretty knot, or a cockade. 
 Or ribbons floating from a bow, 
 The glory you have won, to show 
 You know thit on each holiday 
 
 We are obliged to celebrate. 
 In flags and standards we array 
 
 The public buildings of th.' State : 
 And therefor?, if you '11 but r3flect, 
 
 You will, I'm certain, all agree 
 That very similarly decked. 
 
 You, on this public fete, should be. 
 Chorus. On cap, or breast, should be displayed, 
 
 etc., etc. 
 Zelie. The conscript, to boribbon, 't is 
 
 The custom, as you all well know; 
 'T will even on an ugly phiz 
 A sort of dignity bestow. 
 The sight, how gratefully it greets 
 
 To view him thus with ribbons graced ! 
 Like salad, dressed with eggs and beets, 
 It glads the eye and tempts the taste. 
 Chorus. On cap, or breast, etc. 
 Zelie. Who next? pray. 
 
 Come, no debating. 
 For, on this day, [ ing. 
 
 For lack of cash, there 's no need wait- 
 And so step up, without delay. 
 Who next? pray. 
 
 Tui:couiir. 'TisI! 
 
 JosKPH (stopping him). No, no! 
 
 It is not so. 
 
 For I am late. 
 
 And cannot Avait. 
 Tkecouut (sarcastically). Oh, indeed! 
 Joseph. Yes, I have now in my shop, 
 
 Chins to shave and wigs to curl, 
 
 And long h -ra I cannot stop, 
 With my brain in such a whirl. 
 Tregourt. It is my turn, as you shall see, sir ! 
 Joseph. But I was first to draw the lot. 
 Trecourt. That fact is naught at all to me, sir! 
 
 And so you to the foot must trot. 
 Chorus (deriding Joseph) . Ha, ha, ha ! Barber, go ! 
 
 To the foot, you must trot. 
 Zelie (interposing angrily). 
 
 Listen to a word from me. 
 
 And don't be so energetic. 
 
 By the order alphabetic, 
 
 Abrial, sure, first should be. 
 Trecourt (laughing) . To the foot, Abrial. 
 (Prevents Joseph //"om advancing.) 
 Chorus (jeering) . To the foot, Abrial. 
 
 Ho, ho, ho ! 
 
 Barber, go ! 
 Zelie (angrily) . Since then you act so A-ery blindly, 
 r 11 sell my wares where I desire. 
 
 Toward .41)rial I feel quite kindly. 
 And I serve first, him I admire ! 
 CiiORVfi (jeeringly). What loving fire! 
 
 (Imitating.) I serve him first whom I admire ! 
 Trecourt (obstinately) . 
 
 That 's well enough ; but, after all, sir. 
 
 Too many ribbons to you fall, sir; 
 
 And or by foul means, or by fair. 
 
 The half of them shall be my share, 
 
 Or else I' 11 strike ! ( Threatens.) 
 Joseph (loith fear) . Your blow withhold, sir. 
 
 For no one here needs to be told, sir, 
 
 That brave as you I cannot be. 
 
 Because you 're twice as strong as me. 
 Trecourt. Those ribbons, then, at once divide me, 
 
 That yonder angry shreAV denied me ! 
 
 Joseph (boldly) . Such words of her you shall not say ! 
 So change your tune without delay, 
 Or else III strike! 
 
 Trecourt (laughs). Whence this uprising 
 In you of valor, so surprising? 
 
 Joseph (bettveen fear and courage). 
 
 Respect my Zelie, or we'll try 
 Who is the stronger — you or I ! 
 
 Trecourt. She must srive me, I insist, 
 
 Half your ribbons ! 
 .Joseph. No, no, no ! 
 
 She shall not. [3] 
 
 (vi-359519 
 /A 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 Trecourt. Ah! say3ouso? 
 Then we shall see. 
 Zelie (putting herself before Joseph). 
 You coward I Desist ! 
 Do no harm, you shall. 
 To ray Abrial. 
 Chorus (mockingly). Do no harm, you shall, 
 
 To this poor Abrial. 
 Trecourt (breaking from Zelie). 
 
 Oppose me not. He needs a drilling. 
 Joseph (aside with terror). 
 
 Within me all my blood is chilling. 
 Thecoitkt (to conscript). Here, take my coat. 
 Joseph. And here is mine. 
 
 (Aside and looking about.) 
 How I fear me ! 
 
 Friend of my youth, if you were near me, — 
 Pierre, who for ma will ever tight. 
 Trecourt (ready tojight). I wait! 
 Joseph (aside). 
 
 If I could only make him hear me, 
 But he, alas, is not in sight. 
 Trecourt (advancing threateningly). You debate ! 
 Joseph (advancing). I'm prepared, so stop your row. 
 Trecourt. Very good. 
 Joseph (recoiling). Not just now! 
 Trecourt. "We shall see. 
 Joseph. Go away. Help ! 
 
 (^Enter Pierre.) 
 Pierre (to Joseph). 
 
 Hallo! What now? What do yon fear? 
 (Pierre stops Trecourt icith a gesture.) 
 Omxes. 'T is Pierre ! 
 
 Trecourt. ' T is well, Pierra Aubertin. Again you 
 The oftence of your friend. [defend 
 
 Pierre (places .Joseph behind him). As you see ! 
 And right or wrong, I care no jot. 
 Touch him, you shall not. 
 Trecourt. Indeed? That rests with me ! 
 
 (Rushes on Joseph, bnt Pierre ;>?(<s forward his 
 foot and trips Trecourt.) 
 Pierre. I am through : — 
 
 Pray, are you? 
 C.Honvs (jeering at Trecourt). Ah, ah, ali! 
 Trecourt (rising, loith rage). 
 
 My friend, never fear. 
 This shall cost you dear. 
 (Bushes toimrds Pierre, llie chorus restrains him.) 
 Pierre (to Trecourt). 
 
 If you desire to try again, 
 I, at your service, will remain. 
 Joseph (to Trecourt) . 
 
 And so,'t is ribbons you desire. 
 (To Pierre) Friend Pierre, for thesa he was on fire. 
 His rage they fed 
 Until he wished to break my head. 
 Zelie. 'T is really so. Be friends. 
 
 ( Joins their hands). I these on you bestow. 
 Trecourt gives his hand to Pierre. Joseph gives 
 his hand to both, while the rest surround Zelie, who 
 decorates them vnth ribbons. 
 
 On cap, breast, etc, etc. 
 Joseph, (again shaking hands with Pieure and 
 Trecourt). Ah ! this is the way the lads of the 
 Temple always settle their quarrels. 
 Trecourt. Lads of the Temple ? If it comes to 
 that, I am more one than you are, for I was 
 born ia the Rotunda. 
 
 Zelie. All of us were born here. 
 Trecourt. Yes, but I have always worked there, 
 while you, Joseph Abrial, are hair-dresser at 
 the Opera Comique, and you, Pierre Aubertin, 
 are a typesetter in the royal printing-establish- 
 ment. As for me, I have remained loyal to the 
 traditions of my ancestors, and am a dealer in 
 old clothes. 
 Omnes. Bravo, Trecourt. 
 
 JosEPft (giving him a cane ichich one of the neigh- 
 bors has carried). And that is why our friends 
 and I have not forgotten you. Take this cane. 
 (A cane with a large gold head.) 
 Pierre ( taking a bunch of feathers from another 
 
 neighbor) . And this badge of honor. 
 Trecourt (moved) . This cane and plume for 
 ma ? Ah, friends, this touches me to the heart. 
 If ever I become a soldier, it is my ambition to 
 ba a drum-major. 
 Zelie. It has its advantages — in battle, you go to 
 
 the rear. 
 Joseph. Zelie, I object to your observing the 
 advantages, personal or otherwise, of anybody 
 but myself. 
 Zelie. And why not ? 
 Joseph. Supposa I am drawn as a soldier, and he is 
 
 not. I go, — and he remains at home. 
 Zelie. Draw a lucky number, then. 
 Joseph. I mean to do so if I can. Nothing forbids 
 my doing so bnt bad luck. In the first place, I 
 am not desperately in love with soldiering. 
 Trecourt. What, a coward ? 
 
 Joseph. You are wrong, Trecourt. Not a coward, 
 bnt one who has a peaceful distaste for fight- 
 ing. It is merely a matter of preference. 
 Soma paople like lighting. It happens that I 
 don't. That is all. A man may have his likes and 
 dislikes, I suppose, even about the way in which 
 ha thinks it most agreeable to go to the next 
 Avorld. Besides, the Parisian does not care for 
 the military trade. He is not a coAvard for that 
 — See ! 
 Omxes (advancing) . It is true. 
 Joseph. True ? I should say so. It 's more thau 
 
 trne. It 's an actual fact. 
 Joseph. People of Paris do not like 
 The military ; 
 The thought they soldiers must become, 
 
 Makes tham quite scary ; 
 'T is all the time in camp, in flle ; — 
 
 Eyes right, eyes left, now toe the line 
 Cannot the dreary day beguile, 
 
 But make them for their freedom pine. 
 Fighting, be it understood. 
 Is not ia tha Parisian blood. 
 And that is why old sons of battle, 
 Used to the musket's stormy rattle, 
 Say, "No, no, no! he will not suit; 
 Your Paris man 's a bad recruit !"' 
 Chorus. And that is why, etc. 
 Trecourt. In uniform your Paris man 
 No more is cynical. 
 And in marauding town or farm 
 
 Is never finical. 
 In camp or field he is at home. 
 From duty has no wish to roam, 
 Sings marry songs, and makes no moan. 
 And thinks' the world is all his own. 
 Fighting, be it understood. 
 Is in the true Parisian blood. 
 And that is why old sons of battle. 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 Used to the musket's stormy rattle, 
 Say, " Ho, ho, ho! who will dispute 
 Your Paris man 's a gay recruit? " 
 Chorus. And that is why, etc. 
 PiKRRE. But lads of Paries are not slow 
 When war is thundering. 
 And in the pi'esence of the foe 
 
 Set them all wondering. 
 Then do they marcli before us all, 
 Eager to triumph or to fall; 
 Heedless of bullet or of sword, 
 Causing e'en foemen to applaud. 
 Fighting, be it understood. 
 Stirs all true Parisian blood. 
 And seeing them, old sons of battle 
 Used to the musket's stormy rattle. 
 Say, " Ha, ha, ha! who can dispute 
 Your Paris man 's a grand recruit?" 
 Chorus. And seeing them, etc. 
 JosKPii. It is true that at present there is fighting 
 in Africa; but they don't need us there. In fact, 
 they are better without us, while here at home 
 there is no end of tender little hearts that only 
 palpitate because we are near them. 
 Zklik. Yes; and mine palpitates more than yon 
 
 deserve. 
 Joseph. Really? What devotion ! 
 Pierre. 'Tis true, Joseph, soldiering is not a prof- 
 itable business. There is much glory for the 
 generals ; but the rank and tile who really win it 
 do not share its advantages. 
 Zelie. To say nothing of being parted from tlr- 
 adored of one's heart for seven years, and left a 
 prey to all the torments of absence. 
 Joseph. Y'es, and possibly the pains of a sword-cut 
 
 or a bullet in the back. 
 Pierre. In the back. 
 Omsv^s (reproachfully) . Oh! 
 
 Joseph (apolotjetically) . In case one should turn his 
 back on the foe, — (aside) which I should do, 
 decidedly. (Aloud) To be exposed to sun and 
 rain and fatigue, perhaps hunger, where one is 
 as devoted to his regular meals at their regular 
 hour as I am; to be continually bobbing your 
 head to prevent bullets, maybe cannon-balls, 
 from making a wrong parting in your hair, — is 
 that a business for an artistic and aspiring bar- 
 ber to follow? No ! 
 Trecourt. Bah! Who hints at such tLings? 
 Joseph. I do ! 
 
 Trecourt. We arc not yet soldiers. Perhaps we 
 may not be drawn. Come, let us go and wet my 
 presents, and drink to our reconciliation. 
 Joseph axd Omnes. Ah, yes ! Let us drink. 
 
 ( Music and expunt, except Pierre and Zelie.) 
 Pierre (delaying and to Zelie). I Avish to see Fau- 
 
 vette. 
 Zelie. She is uot yet in her shop. She is beautify- 
 ing herself for you. You 'II see her presently." 
 Joseph (at hack). Well, Pierre, are vou never com- 
 
 Ing? 
 Pierre. lam with you. (Hastens to Joseph and 
 
 exits tcith him.) 
 Zelie (gazing after the conscripts). Poor Joseph'. 
 He is so awkward and so unlucky. He is quite 
 capable of drawing a bad number. Ah ! a cou- 
 rier. He is tying his horse at the door of the 
 
 tavern. 
 
 (Enter Crans.\c.) 
 
 Crans.\c (to Zelie). The Rotunda of the Temple, 
 mademoiselle? 
 
 Zelie. You are in it. 
 
 Cransac. NumbL'r Nineteen? 
 
 Zelie (prnnting to a door). Tliere! 
 
 Cransac (taking out a despatch). Then you proba- 
 bly know also a person answering to the name of 
 Saint Angenor, said to be a first-rate tenor in 
 every branch of his art, and a professor of sing- 
 ing. 
 
 Zelie. Ah! yes. He took up his lodgings here the 
 day before yesterday. He lives there (points to 
 wine-shop), on the second floor back. 
 
 Cransac (goes to door and calls). Hallo! some one ! 
 (Enter Polyte from inine-shop.) My lad, Avill 
 you go and tell your superfine lodger that some 
 one wishes to see him? (Polyte how.'i and dis- 
 appears.) The Minister of Instruction has sent 
 him a letter post-haste. 
 
 Zelie. A letter post-haste from the Minister to him ! 
 The deuce ! I never dreamed that such an ab- 
 surd fellow had relations with the Government. 
 Well, that is his affair. Au revoir, Mr. Courier. 
 (Exit.) 
 
 (Enter Polyte.) 
 
 Polyte. Here is Monsieur Angenor. (Exit.) 
 
 AsGK-soR (outside). Some one wants m?. Who can 
 it be? And for what? (Enters from tavern.) 
 
 Cransac. Ah! you are the man, then? 
 
 .\s(iE:NOR. My very self. 
 
 C'ransac. Great tenor? 
 
 Angenor. Yes! — that is, I was But, alas! one 
 
 day I tried to sing a high D, and I broke my C- 
 string. 
 
 Crans.vc (dumbfounded). Broke your C-string ! 
 
 Angenor. In a crack! Tra-la-la, and it was gone. 
 
 Cransac. Then you can't be the great tenor I was — 
 
 Angenor. What, do you doubt me? 
 
 ST. ANGENOK. 
 
 I am known as St. Angenor, 
 A glorious tenor, all adore. 
 Would you hear in brief my story ? 
 
 In a word," Success ! " 't is told ! 
 All the world knows of my glory, 
 
 I've won fame, and I've won gold. 
 A mere boy, full of ambition, 
 
 When on my career I start, 
 I atonc3 win r?cognition 
 
 As a master of my art. 
 How they applaud ! 
 How I'm adori-d! 
 The women love me as a duty. 
 The men ai'e jealous of my beaaty. 
 
 Ho, ho, ho! 
 Who does uot knoAV 
 The Postillion of Lonjumeau ? 
 Would you hear in brief my story ? 
 
 In a word, " Success ! " 't is told ! 
 All tin world knows of my glory, 
 
 I 've won fame, and I 've won gold. 
 
 Brunette or blonde, or old or prvtty, 
 All at my feet their presents pourc'd. 
 Happy, if for their reward, 
 
 I gave a smile by way of pity. 
 
 They showered on me jewels, lockets, 
 Letters saying things so sweet; — 
 All Europi! I had at my feet, 
 
 hpf\ had her sovereigns in my pockets. 
 Fortune, though thou nrt capricious. 
 
 Come ! I '11 join my fate to thine. 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 Fate is unto me propitious, 
 And all happiness is mine. 
 I can t 11 ill brief my story, 
 In a word, "Success!" etc. etc. 
 
 AxGEXOR. Just think of my ensfagements. Spain, 
 Russia, and, above all, America, AVith its ele- 
 phantine salri's for a high C. I hid a 
 phenomenal C, not only in my chsst voic3, but 
 in ray stomach as well. It was thrillins:, over- 
 whelmins:, appalling. They waited breathlessly 
 to hear it conn out. Th? men were trans- 
 ported, the wom3U bnrsted their gloves applaud- 
 ing me. Bravo, brava, bravi ! ( He, bows as if 
 ackntuclcdijliij a. rccaU.) Alas, after my acci- 
 dent 
 
 Cransac. When you l)roke your C in reaching for 
 your D 
 
 Angexou. Exactly. I was forced to leave the 
 operatic stage. Nations went into mourning. 
 FortunatL'ly, I had accumulated a fortune with 
 my C bjfor:i I split it all to pieces in going for 
 the D. I no longer sing myself; but I t?ach 
 others to si,\g. I have proposed to the Conser- 
 A^atory a method of singing, or the art of tone 
 production on gymnastic principles. 
 
 Cransac {mnkiiKj gestures). Gymnastics. I under- 
 stand that. 
 
 Angknor. Not the gymnastics of the legs and arms, 
 but of the voice. All animals sing in nature: 
 the jac'.cass as Avell as the nightingale. 
 
 Craxsac. Bit you could not make me sing like the 
 nightingale. 
 
 AxGKNOR. Perhaps ! I am going to make you emit 
 a sound by my method. Stand with your chest 
 well forward, your head up, your eyes at ease, 
 ^nd your stomach unconstrained, so that your 
 diaphragm can work frjely. Now, do as I do. 
 (Pose.s.j La, lay, lee, lo.loo! 
 
 Craxsac (iniitathif/ Jtim awkwardhj). La, lay, lee, 
 lo, loo! 
 
 Angkxor {taking another pose). Lay, lay, lay! 
 your tongue in spoon-shape. Lay, lay ! 
 
 Craxsac {as before). Lay, lay, lay! 
 
 A^GMSOK {another pose) . Lee, lee, lee! Swallow 
 your tongue. Lee ! 
 
 Craxsac {as before). Lee, lee! {Angenor, in striking 
 another 2Mse, gives him a blow in the face.) Oh! 
 
 AxGKXOR. I beg pardon ! My friend, you will 
 never sing like a nightingale. The jackass i-; 
 more in your way. 
 
 Craxsac. How thirsty your method makes a 
 fellow ! 
 
 AxGKXOR. Well, then, go and refresh yourself. 
 But it is not for this that you have come. 
 
 Craxsac;. Ah ! I Ind forgotten. It was about a 
 letter from the Minister of Instruction. 
 
 Angkxor. Ah, give it. His Excellency has at last 
 condesceud-^d to answer my proposition. What 
 a man ! What a minister ! What a great minis- 
 ter! Go and r^fr.-sh yourself. 
 
 Cr.vxsac;. I will! How dry, though, it does make 
 one. La, lay, lee! {Stretches out leg, and kicks 
 Angkxor, tohn pj^shes him into the tavern.) 
 
 AmOKSOK {opening letter). Let us see what this 
 grjat and glorious minister has written me. 
 {Beads with complacencij.) " His Excellency, 
 after having examined your method of singing 
 entitled 'the gymnastics of the voice,' has 
 decided " — I Avas sure of it — " that he has not 
 the right to authorize its trial by the Conserva- 
 tory before the results obtained bv this method 
 
 have been proved efficacious." — What an incur- 
 able idiot of a great minister. How are results 
 to be obtained without experiment ? Ah ! the 
 ncAVspapers are right i.i demanding an examina- 
 tion into the capacity'of public officers. Here is 
 a minister who is incapable of — of — Why, I'll 
 Avag.^r he can't sound an A-natural to save his 
 life. — and yet he assists in governing France. 
 I will write him a letter in good black ink that 
 Avill not trouble his eyesight to read. {Going 
 toward tavern ) And these ar3 your incorrupti- 
 l)le politicians. Bah! {Exit into tavern.) 
 (ExTKR Trkcol'rt, Joskpii and Pikrre.) 
 Trecocrt. The reconciliation has been signed, 
 
 sealed, delivered and — swalloAved. 
 JosKPH. Yes, in tAvelve glasses of claret at four 
 sous a glass. 
 
 ( ExTER Zelie.) 
 Pierre {to Zelie) . Fauvette has not yet come down 
 
 to her shop. 
 ZvAAK. No, she is much troubled about something. 
 Trkcourt. So it seems, for she Avho has always 
 begun her day's Avork with a song has not been 
 heard to-day. 
 JoiKPii. It is an evil omen Avhen the singing-bird of 
 
 the Temple does not sing. 
 Tr.KCOURT. I believe you. Why, she is the A^ery 
 
 life of the Rotunda! 
 Joskpii. Ah ! if my Zelie had such a ti-easure in her 
 throat, hoAV quickly I would start her into busi- 
 ness Avith it ! 
 Zei.ik. Perhaps I have,^ool, after all. 
 Joskpii. No ! You 've nothing in your throat but the 
 root of your tongue, and you keep that too busy 
 talking, to sing. 
 Zemk. Indeed ! Well, it is true, Fauvette has a dia- 
 mond, a veritable diamond of a A-oice. {At this 
 moment Faua'KTTE sings a roulade in her shop.) 
 Ah ! Speak of the — of Fauvette, and you hear 
 her song. 
 ,lo!>KPn {stopping Zklik). Hold! She does not see 
 
 us. Listen, and do not shoAV ourselves. 
 Oaixes. Yes, listen. {They conceal themselves.) 
 (Faua'ktte enters and arranges flowers on the stand 
 
 before her shop.) 
 Faua^ette. a little linnet chanted 
 
 Within a grove near by, 
 With song its bosom panted 
 And echo made reply. 
 Ah! 
 But this echo, heard above, 
 Was another tiny bird. 
 Whose soft note, in ansAVcr heard, 
 Trilled the same SAVeet song of love : — 
 Spring to life aAvakes : 
 Bnd to leaflet passes. 
 And of moss and grasses, 
 Its nest the linnet makes. 
 Angenor {a}tpearin<i at windoiv of tavern). 
 
 What dol hear ? 
 FAr\'ETTK. This pretty tAvain, together. 
 On one branch sat, in love; 
 Beak to beak in sunny Aveather, 
 Thev their song piped in the grove. 
 Ah! 
 Both now chant the self-same strain, 
 Not in echo as before : 
 Loving ever more and more 
 As they Avarble their refrain ; 
 Spring to life aAvakes, 
 Bud to leaflet passes, 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 And of moss and grasses 
 Its nest the linnet makes. 
 
 Omnes (coming from their places of concealment). 
 Bravo ! Bravo ! 
 
 Angexor (aside at loindoio) . A diva ; a real diva ! 
 I must speak to her. (Disappears.) 
 
 Fauvkttk (smiles and shakes her finger reproach- 
 inglij). And so you listened ? 
 
 Pierre (taking her hand and kissing it). Ah, dear 
 Fauvette ! 
 
 Joseph. Ah, if the manager of the Opera Comique 
 could only hear you ! 
 
 TiERRE (resentfully) . Joseph! 
 
 JosEPFi. Yes, I know all about that. You object to 
 the stag3 ; but I am not an operatic Avig-maker 
 and hair-dresser for nothing. I have dressed 
 M. Auber's top-knot, and know a fine voice when 
 I hear one. 
 
 (Enter Angenor.) 
 
 Angenor. Ah, you dress the hair of the composer 
 of " Fra Diavolo," — a comrade of mine. My 
 congratulations, young man. As to mademoi- 
 selle, you are riglit. She would make her for- 
 tune on the stage. 
 
 Pierre (angrily) . Why do you interfere ? 
 
 Trecourt (aside to Pierre). Shall I sit on his 
 head ? 
 
 Zeixe (in a loic voice). Hsh! He is a government 
 official. 
 
 Pierre. I do not want the woman I love to be an 
 actress. 
 
 Angenor (aside). So, so! A lover! (Aloud to 
 Pierre) That is a very silly idea; but many 
 people share it. You are wrong, however, to 
 stani in the way of such a voice. 
 
 Fauvette. You are perhaps right, sir, but I am not 
 ambitious. I wish to remain a simple work-girl 
 and aspire no higher than to be a happy wife. 
 (Pierre takes her hand.) 
 
 Angenor (disappointed). Ah! (Aside) Foiled! I 
 hoped to have in her a pupil. I '11 soothe my dis- 
 appointment by writing a stinging reply to that 
 idiotic Minister of Instruction. (Exit into 
 tavern.) 
 
 Trecourt. "Well, the moment is near at hand for 
 drawing lots and seeing whose luck it is to b3- 
 come asoldier. I '11 go and say a word to papa 
 Trecourt and return. 
 
 Joseph. And meet here again in a (luarter of an 
 hour. 
 
 Trecourt. In a quarter of an hour. (Exit.) 
 
 Zelie (^0 Joseph, pointing to Pierhe and Fauvette). 
 They want to bill and coo. Come ! 
 
 Joseph. No ! You want to tsase ms again. I '11 not 
 be bullied before marriage. 
 
 Zelie. Both before and after. Comol (Pushes 
 him off and follows him.) 
 
 Pierre. In a few moments, Fauvette, onr fate Avill 
 be decided, and I fear th" result. Think of it, I 
 may be parted from you for seven years. 
 
 Fauvette. And then, love ? Shall I not Avait for 
 you until you return to me ? 
 
 Pierre. Seven years without a protector, without a 
 defender, — surrounded by dangers. 
 
 Fauvette (smiling). What dangers ? 
 
 Pierre. Even now, yonder man was unable to con- 
 ceal the admiration with Avhich you inspired 
 him. 
 
 Fauvette. He discovered that I had a pleasant 
 voice ; — that Avas all. 
 
 Pierre. But he discovered it in an offensive man- 
 ner ; he chatted to you about the stage to turn 
 your head — to destroy you. He has evil in his 
 heart toward you. 
 
 Fauvette. Nonsense, he is a fool. (Gaily) Why 
 tliink of him ? Speak rather of ourselves, of 
 our marriage. 
 
 Pierre (sadly) . Onr marriage ! 
 
 Faua^ette. Why not? If the drawing leaves you 
 still free, the Avedding is to take place in a 
 month. Is n't it understood? 
 
 Pierre. Ah, dear Fauvette ! 
 
 Fauvette. One month, and then the orange-flowers, 
 And simple robe, all snowy Avhite, 
 And girls in pretty garments bright. 
 Will welcome in our happy hours. 
 
 Pierre. And music at the break of day 
 
 Will come to Avake us to our bliss ; 
 And friends Avill quickly flock this way 
 To Avish us happiness, and kiss ! 
 
 FXuvette (imitating old woman's voice) . 
 " Good luck and joy ! " 
 
 Says a grandame old and lowly. 
 " Good luck and joy ! " 
 While fall the tear-drops slowly. 
 Pierre. And Aveeping parents sobbing say, 
 
 " May blessings on you e'er be raining ! " 
 
 Fauvette. And the neighbors, joy unfeigning. 
 Will say, " How manly is the groom ! " 
 Pierre. ' ' How sAveet and charming is the bride ! " 
 Both. To say, they also can presume : 
 
 " Each is the other's bliss and pride. 
 In true love's way 
 We can say, 
 
 ' HoAV happy is this day ! ' 
 For I love you and you love me, 
 And full of bliss our life will be. 
 Love Alls my soul with ecstasy, 
 For I love you and you love me." 
 Fauvette (acting the scene^. 
 
 We are there, before the Mayor. 
 To look at him I scarcely dare. 
 
 (Mimics voice and manner.) 
 " Pierrs Aubertin, Avill you for life 
 Take Mademoiselle Fauvette to wife? " 
 
 Pierre (energetically). 
 
 And I reply, 
 " That Avill I ! " 
 To you, says he : 
 
 " Ma'mselle Fauvette, do you accept 
 
 This man your lawful spouse to be? " 
 Faua^e tte. And then I blush, and murmuring ' ' Yes ! " 
 
 And then the priest, us both addressing. 
 
 Gives us, in Latin, this sweet blessing : 
 
 " In peace and love go hence ! " 
 
 And we both vow obedience. 
 Both. In true love's way 
 
 We can say, etc. 
 Fauvette. Then come the dining 
 
 And the wining. 
 
 Music playing sweetly between; 
 
 You king, I queen : 
 
 How my heart Avith joy will thrill 
 
 When we dance the first quadrille ! 
 Pierre. I Avith my arm about your waist, like this. 
 
 Will sing and dance and kiss. 
 
 Ah me ! Avhat bliss ! ( They dance.) 
 
8 
 
 FAtrVETTE. 
 
 Then raidniglit tolls, and all is o'er. 
 
 And then (Embraces her.) 
 
 FArrs'EtTE (laughinf/ and diseuffaf/ing herself). 
 
 Enough, sir ! Say no more. 
 PiEKRK. It is the time, ere daylight creep, 
 For all to homeward trot, 
 To go to bed and sleep. 
 Both. In true love's Avay, 
 
 We can say, etc. 
 Pierre (xoithjoy). .4h! Fanvette. how happy we 
 shall be ! Yonr trust and hope have restored ray 
 lightness of heart. Yes, I believe that fate will 
 be favorable to me. ( The roll of a side drum 
 heard in the distance.) 
 Fauvette. There is the signal for the drawing. 
 Come, and I will fasten your ribbons on your 
 hat. (The conscripts appear accompanied hi/ their 
 friends and girls, with Trecourt as drum-major, 
 and a drummer at the head. Joseph, Zelie and 
 POLYTE also enter.) 
 Conscripts. Keep step, and mark the time, 
 Keep step, the soldiers' rhyme ; 
 
 The step military. 
 We soon shall see who'll draw a lot,— ' 
 Some soldiers shall be, and some not. 
 Come, ye conscripts gay, 
 Let us on our way! 
 With the foe to cope, 
 Be our fondest hope. 
 Each true Frenchman knows. 
 What to France he owes. 
 And dies at the command 
 Of his native land. 
 Joseph (to Zelie rttt*^? Fauvette). Pierre and I are 
 to draw tirst. We AVill return and tell you what 
 luck we have had. Good-bye. (Exit.) 
 Zelie (folloioing him with her eyes). My heart is 
 heavy just the same. Joseph is so clumsy in 
 everything he does that I fear hi will be awk- 
 ward enough to take a wrong num))i'r just to 
 keep up his reputation. 
 Fauvette (gazing after Pierre). If Pierre should 
 be unlucky ! I did not dare to let him see how 
 anxious I am. 
 Zelie. I always did hate a lottery. Poor Joseph ! 
 Fauvette. Poor Pierre ! 
 
 Zelie. I am so sad! And I am so hungry too, for 
 I have not yet had breakfast. Come, Fauvette. 
 Let us eat to kill time. 
 Fauvette. I am not hungry. 
 
 Zelie. But we must eat something to give us 
 strength to bear our grief in case Pierre has b^d 
 luck. 
 Fauvette. Don't even hint such a thing. H ; will 
 b? so wretched away from me, — particularly as 
 I have discovered that he is — jealous. 
 Zelie. Jealous! Of you? Ridiculous! 
 Fauvette. If not of me, then of that man who told 
 
 me I had a fine voice. 
 Zelie. Tell him, then, that it is for me he is haunting 
 
 this spot. That will soothe him. 
 Fauvette. Ah! Here he is again. (Pulling 7,v,lik 
 toward shop.) 
 
 (Enter Axgexor ) 
 Zelie. Jealous of that! Ha, ha, ha! (ExAt into 
 
 shop.) 
 Angenor. My letter is written. Let his Excellency 
 digest it at his leisure. (Sees Fauvette.) .\h ! 
 The nightingale. If I could secure her, what an 
 answer I could give that imbecile of a Minister; 
 
 — howl could say to him: "You're another." 
 (Approaches Fauvette, icho is arranging flo^cers 
 on her flower-stand.) Ah, mademoiselle, if you 
 would only 
 
 FaxtvetTe (startled) . Oh ! How you frightened me ! 
 
 Angexor. I say it is a crime to let such a treasure 
 remain concealed in a garret. 
 
 Fal^'ette. Again ! 
 
 AKgknor. And always! Have you no ambition? 
 On the stage you would be feted, applauded, 
 showered with gold, jewels, canes, snuff-boxes. 
 I say so, and I know, for I have received them. 
 Ah, mademoiselle, assist me to give a lesson to 
 the Minister of Instruction. 
 
 Fauvette. Are you mad? 
 
 Angenor. No, I am a genius. The Minister will 
 not believe it. I must show him results. Will 
 you paralyze him by proving him an ass? 
 
 Fauvette (aside). He is surely insane! 
 
 AxGENOR. I am rich. I can make your fortune. 
 You are pretty ; but that is nothing, though it is 
 not a drawback. You are honesl;, and that is 
 good, for my method includes that. Virtue is 
 the throne of a pure voice ; in fact, a pure voice 
 can sit firmly on virtue. Be my pupil? 
 
 Fauvette. Your pupil? 
 
 Angenor. Yes, for three years. I will take charge 
 of everything. I am rich. Afterward, to you, 
 glory, success, and wealth; to me — (Points to 
 the j)lace for a decoration in his buttonhole.) 
 
 Fauvette. You are very kind, I 'ra sure : but I have 
 painted another future for myself. In a month, 
 I shall marry the man of my heart. 
 
 Angenor. Marry! Don't, I beg. My method is 
 opposed to marriage. 
 
 Fauvette. The man I love does not wish me to 
 sing. 
 
 .\NGENOR. I knew it. He is a fool ! An nnappre- 
 ciative Goth. A destroying Vandal. (Drum 
 rolls outside.) 
 
 Fauvette. They return. Oh, leave me, sir, I en- 
 treat ! 
 
 .\NGENOR (bowing loic). Mademoiselle, j'our most 
 obedient, despairing servant. But, think of 
 what I have said. In three years, fortune, glory, 
 snuff-boxes, — I mean diamonds, everything,— 
 except a hu.sband. (Exit into tavern.) 
 (Enter Pierre, Joseph, Trecourt, Zelie and 
 Conscripts.) 
 
 Zelie and F.utvette (eagerly). Well, speak I 
 
 Joseph, Pierre, Trecourt. 
 
 Ah ! luck has gone against us, 
 
 .\nd AVe must soldiers be. 
 We've drawn the fatal numbers, 
 And must away, — all three. 
 
 Zelie. You, Joseph? 
 
 Fauvette. You, Pierre? 
 
 Jo-SEPH. Yes, all of us, ray dear. 
 
 Fauvette. Farewell to all our dreaming I 
 
 Pierre. To all our happy scheming! 
 
 Zelie (pouting). To wait for s"ven years! 
 
 Joseph. 'T is doubtless long, — and wakes ray fears. 
 
 Omn'es. I raust conceal my sorrow! 
 
 Trecourt. Why do you trouble borrow? 
 They '11 r?turn, so have no fears. 
 
 Joseph (gloomily). Yes, return, in seven years 
 
 Trecourt. So laugh, friMuh; no repining, 
 
FAtTVETTE. 
 
 Your hearts let no grief blight. 
 Though to-day no sun is shining, 
 To-inorrow will be bright. 
 Fatjvette. Trecourt is right : — so banish sorrow, 
 And fear and grieving spurn. 
 For our loved ones will return 
 All loving on the morrow. 
 Joseph. Two thousand francs could I secure, 
 
 A substitute I Avonld procure. 
 Fauvette. Yes, it would buy a man to go 
 
 And tal^e your place to fight the foe. 
 Trecourt. Indeed! Two thousand francs! Ah me! 
 To think I worth so much can be, 
 I 'm proud 1 'm worth so large a fee. 
 Omnes. Ah, let us banish sorrow, etc. 
 Pierre {with a sigh) . Well, — we are soldiers ! 
 Joseph. But I object. They did not shake the bag. 
 
 It should be done over again. 
 Zblie. What do you mean ? 
 
 Joseph {pointing to the No. 1 on his hat). What do 
 I mean? My name is x\brial. Naturally I was 
 alphabetically compelled to draw first. I drew 
 No. 1. 
 Zelie. Buttsr-fingers ! I knew it. 
 Pierre (pointing to hat). And I, — No. 7. 
 Trecourt (same). And I, thirteen to the dozen. 
 Joseph (to Zklie). And will you wait for me and 
 
 be true to me? 
 Zelie. Seven years of constancy ! I am afraid it 
 
 will tax my patience too much. 
 Trecourt. Come, come. No snivelling, young 
 people. After all, what is seven years ? They 
 will pass quickly. They are only 2,555 days. 
 Joseph. Excuse me, 2,556. 
 Trecourt. Excuse me, 2,555. 
 Joseph. And leap-year, — 3h? 2,556 days. 
 Trecourt. Truj! But come; we must set a good 
 
 exam^)l; to ou'r coraradas. 
 Joseph. Yes. It will not do, to appear downcast. 
 They will think we are cowards. Let us rejoin 
 them. I Avant to be cheered up, — desperately. 
 Come, Pierre. 
 Fauvette. Joseph is right. You must not appear 
 
 discouraged. Go, Pierre. 
 Pierre. What ! Do you wish it ? 
 Fauvette. I have but one word to say to you, 
 dearest. I love you, and I will never love but 
 you. 
 Pierre. F.auvette, dear Fauvette! You restore all 
 
 my courage. Come, at once. 
 JosEPK (weeping) . Yes, come! I must be amused. 
 
 (Exeunt Joseph, Pierre, Trecourt.; 
 Fauvette. If I had two thousand francs, Pierre need 
 
 not go. Oh! how to obtain that sum. 
 (Enter Angenor from tavern, supporting Cransac, 
 
 loho is tipsg.) 
 Angenor. You can never keep on horseback, I 
 
 repeat. 
 Fauvette. The professor ! If I dared ! 
 Cransac (thickhj). H-H-orsh back. I'll 1-leap on 
 
 to er sh-sn-shaddle. 
 Angenor (aside). I was wrong to give him that 
 parting drink. He '11 never carry that letter 
 safely. 
 Fauvette (a/)prortc7H)if/ Angenor). Sir! Sir! (Tim 
 idly) I — I wish to speak to you about — about 
 your proposal 
 
 Angenor. Ah ! you have changed your mind, then. 
 Good. (Pushes Cransac toward tavern.) Go, go, 
 and drink all you want at my expense. (Exit 
 Cransac staggering.) (The noise of a fall and of 
 broken glasses heard.) He has misplaced the soles 
 of his feet. (Aloud to Fauvette) Mademoiselle, 
 I am at your service. 
 
 Favvette (diffidently). My lover has drawn an un- 
 lucky number. 
 
 Angenor. All the better— I mean, so much the 
 worse. 
 
 Fauvette. I do not wish him to go. 
 
 Angenor. Naturally. 
 
 Fauvette (with hesitation) . You are rich. Advance 
 me two thousand francs. 
 
 Angenor (jumps) . What ! 
 
 Fauvette (shrinking) . I mean two thousand francs* 
 of the fortune you have promised me if I follow 
 your advice. 
 
 Angenor. And you will follow it ? 
 
 Fauvette. For three years, as you have asked. 
 
 (Zelie has appeared at hack and heard the last part of 
 this conversation.) 
 
 Zelie. What do I hear ? 
 
 Angenor (overjoyed) . You accept ! At last I shall 
 give Jack-in-offlce a l?sson. 
 
 Fauvette (anxiously) , Well, sir ? 
 
 Angenor. I agree but on one condition. 
 
 Fauvette (alarmed). And that is ? 
 
 Angenor That we quit Paris to-day— this hour. 
 
 Fauvette. This hour? 
 
 Angenor. This moment ! Women and waves are 
 changeable. 
 
 Fauvette. But I wish to explain to Pierre. 
 
 Angenor. You can write to him. Avoid the emo- 
 tion of parting. It is bad for the voice. 
 
 Fauvette (sadly). Perhaps— you are right. If I 
 saw him again, my courage might fail me. And 
 the two thousand francs 
 
 Angenor. I will give them to the young man 
 mvsolf. 
 
 Fauvette (troubled). You will give them— yes! 
 (Sighs) It will be better. 
 
 Angenor. And now, for the diligence. 
 
 Zelie (advancing). And what is to be done with 
 me ? 
 
 Fauvette. Bo you wish to follow me? 
 
 Zelie. I '11 never part from you. 
 
 Angenor. Bravo ! My prima-donna must have a 
 companion, — an attendant. 
 
 Zelie. A waiting-maid, you mean. I '11 go and pack 
 up. 
 
 .\NGENOR. Unnecessary. I will take charge of 
 everything. 
 
 Fauvette. Give me at least time to notify my em- 
 ployer. 
 
 \ngenor. Of course. Go, and meet me at tha 
 coaching-oflSce. We will take fiight. I will give 
 a few orders and will rejoin you there. 
 
 Fauvette (aside). Pierre will not be a soldier, and 
 in three years I shall be fr je, and we shall see 
 each other again. (Sound of drum outside. Ail 
 three go up and look off.) 
 
 Angenor. The conscripts. Come. 
 
 Fauvette (kissing her hand). Au revinr, Pierre ! 
 
 Zelie (same) . Au revoir, Joseph ! 
 
10 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 would so like to see Pierre 
 
 Fauvette {tearfully) 
 
 again. 
 
 Angenor {pushing them toioard Fauvette's shop). 
 No ! Impossible ! You will depart by the rear 
 door. Do not let them see you. I will rejoin 
 you at the diligence. (Pushes them into shop.) 
 At last I have a pupil— by sheer strength. (Exit 
 into tavern.) 
 {Enter Pierre, Joseph, Trecourt, Conscripts and 
 
 their friends, etc.) 
 Conscripts. Come, conscripts, drink, the wine pour 
 down, 
 'T will banish care 
 And chase despair, 
 Make brave the lieart, and sorrow drown. 
 And cheer the soul to glory. 
 Women. We'll think of you both night and day, 
 The seven years you are away. 
 Go, conscripts, go, your valor prove. 
 And we for you will keep our love. 
 Conscripts. Dear one, unto me 
 
 Will you faithful be? 
 WoMKN. Yes, unto you 
 
 We will be true 
 En.semIsle. 
 
 ( Women aside.) 
 To promise this we are 
 
 quite free; 
 When they are gone, then 
 
 we shall see. 
 Omnes 
 
 (Men.) 
 And will they really faith- 
 ful be? 
 When we are gone we 
 then shall see. 
 Come, drink, the wine pour down, etc. 
 
 Pierre (looking about for Fauvette.) 
 Fauvette, I do not see. 
 Where can she be ? 
 Why is she straying ? 
 Perhaps with Zelie she is praying. 
 (Exit into Fauvette's shop.) 
 Joseph. Come, friends, 't is time we should depart. 
 Let us, at least, seem bold at heart. 
 If choice I of my regiment conhl make, 
 I surely know which one I'd take. 
 I 'd like to b3 a voltigeur. 
 A grenadier or a chasseur. 
 At them the girls cast glances arch. 
 Attention! Forward! March! 
 The grenadier goes stately past. 
 
 Plan, plan rat-a-plan ; 
 The voltig3ur, somewhat mor^ fast, 
 
 Plan, plan, rat-a-plan ; 
 The chasseur, though, would be my pick, 
 For he goe.-j at the double-quick, 
 
 Rat-a-plan ! 
 Omnks. The grenadier goes stately oast, etc. 
 Joseph. Lancer, dragoon and cuirassii>r 
 
 Scorn, one and all, th-^ thought of fear. 
 Mounted and ranged in liattie line, 
 Say. — do th^y not look tine? 
 The cuirassier he slowly starts, 
 
 Ta-ta-ta ; 
 But the dragoon, more (jnick, departs, 
 
 Ta-ta-ta ; 
 The lancer, though, is to my nii-id. 
 For he leaves all th- rest b.'hiiul, 
 
 Ta-ta-ta. 
 
 Omnes. The cuirassier he slowly starts, etc. 
 (Pierre re-enters from shop, disturbed.) 
 Pierre. I 've sought her, high and low, 
 Fauvette is nowhere near me, 
 Ah ! I begin to fear me ! 
 My heart foretells some woe. 
 Joseph. And has my Zelie vanished too? 
 {Exit into shop.) 
 (St. Angenor enters from tavern and advances to 
 Pierre.) 
 St. Angenor. May I have a word with you? 
 Two thousand francs have I, 
 A substitute to buy. 
 Pierre (astonished). Monsieur! 
 St. Angenor. From Fauvette does it come. 
 Pierre. Fauvette? Where got she such a sum? 
 St. Angenor From me. Ere we leave France, 
 
 She did ask it in advance. 
 Pierre (enraged). You? 
 St. Angenor. Yes, her charge I take. 
 And her fortune I will make. 
 We are just about to go. 
 Pierre. I will not believe 't is so ! 
 St. Angenor. This money take, I pray. 
 Pierre (astounded). 
 
 What! And can Fauvette betray? 
 (Indignantly.) 
 Ah, then ! go, and say to her, 
 Who can your gold to me prefer. 
 That I 've torn her from my heart. 
 
 (Returns money angrily.) 
 To seek death I now depart. 
 Angenor (smiles satisfied.) (Aside) Now for Italy ! 
 
 (Enters tavern and returns presently, ivith porter 
 bearing his luggage.) 
 
 Pierre (to Joseph and Trecourt). 
 
 Come, we three to fight will go. 
 Joseph. Yes. (Aside) My fear they must not know. 
 Pierre, Joseph and Trecourt. 
 
 Our love is gone, our faith is lost. 
 
 We'll choose the corps that tights the most. 
 
 Where'er a chance to face the foe, 
 
 Ther J will we boldly go ! 
 
 At first we will move slowly past. 
 
 Omnks. Rat-a-plan. 
 
 Pierre, Joseph and Trecourt. 
 
 And then we'll take a pace more fast. 
 
 Omnes. Rat-a-plan. 
 
 Pierre. Joseph and Trecourt. 
 
 And when we 're in the battle's thick. 
 We 'II charge the foe at double-quick. 
 
 ( )MNES. Rat-a-plan. 
 
 r Conscripts loave their hats. Pierre. .Ioseph and 
 Trecourt about to depart. Spirited action. At 
 hach\ St. Angenor is seen going with porter bear- 
 ing his higgage.) 
 
 PICTrUK 
 
 .XI) CURTAIN DROPS. 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene: — The defile of Chareb, in Algiers. The edge 
 of an oasis. Jiorks, palm-trees, African vegeta- 
 tion. At Back : Passes and ravines, and mountain 
 paths. L. ^4 rock. 
 
 .TosEPH, Takata, Uosette and soldiers discovered. 
 
 At the rising of the curtain the Zouaves are grouped 
 ahout KosETTE, icho has her canteen near rock, L. 
 Tico or three Zouaves are seated on their knapsacks. 
 Joseph is shaving the foremost one. He carries 
 his trumpet slung across his shoulder. 
 
 Chouus. Come, fill our glasses to the brim. 
 
 To put our dust-dry throats iu trim ! 
 Come, no delay ; 
 Pour, pour away. 
 Other Soldiers. Shave, shave away ; 
 Come, no delay ! 
 And barber, make us all look prim. 
 Our faces with your razor trim. 
 Joseph. 'T is done ! You 're shaved now one and all. 
 And so you can, if you find meet, 
 Give him reward by standing treat, 
 Who.n they the Zouaves' hairdresser call. 
 Omnes. 'T is so ! But tell us one and all 
 
 Why you the Zouaves' hairdresser call? 
 Joseph. Why? I'll tell you ! 
 
 A week I'd been here very jolly. 
 
 When I found that my comrades bold, 
 Were plunged into melancholy. 
 
 And were troubled by woe untold. 
 Of one I demanded the reason, 
 He shoAved me his beardless chin. 
 And said with a grin : '• This is treason ! 
 I 'v? no beard : — t' is a sin ! 
 With no beard upon his fac3, 
 A man is surely in disgrace; 
 Ah! if one could only know 
 How to make it grow ! " 
 To me came a thought gigantic : — 
 
 A barber I 'd b? for a time. 
 I had a means necromantic, 
 
 By which I to wealth could climb. 
 A Zouave without beard I selected. 
 
 My plan on his chin 1 tried, — 
 Like grass on a spot neglected, 
 
 Grew a beard in its pride. 
 'T was not long, when in the place. 
 There was not one beardless face ; 
 Every one full soon did know, 
 How to make it grow. 
 
 Omnes Qaughing). Bravo, Joseph, bravo! 
 
 Tarata. They all had beards then? 
 
 Rosette. But how did you do it? 
 
 Joseph. A theatre trick. I blued them first. 
 
 Omnes. Blued them ? 
 
 Joseph. Rubbed blue on their chins and jaws to 
 imitate a grubby beard in its first growth. Th? 
 blue-period lasted for a week. I th 'u stuck on 
 a little down. A week later I increas ;d it, and 
 by degrees changed it until it reached full pro- 
 
 portions, like this — ( Takes heard from mouth of 
 his trumpet) which I am to deliver this evening. 
 
 Omnes. Oh! The splendid beard ! 
 
 Joseph. I believe yon ! Thanks to me, half of th ■ 
 Zouaves have as fine specimens in their knap- 
 sacks. 
 
 Omnes (laughing). Bravo! 
 
 Voice (outside). Who goes there? 
 
 Trecourt (outside). France! 
 
 Voice. Pass ! 
 
 Joseph. Ah, it i^ Trecourt. (Enter Trecourt at- 
 tired as a sergeant of Zouaves.) Well? 
 
 Trecourt. Nothing neAV. We have searched every- 
 where without finding a trace of a Bedouin. 
 
 Joseph (going up). I have no confidence in this 
 unnatural security. With these Arabs, one 
 should have eyes all over him, and then he 
 would not have a sufficient number of optics. 
 This is the land of "Arabian Nights" and the very 
 rocks open at a cabalistic word. 
 
 Trecourt. Soldiering has not made you less of a 
 coward. 
 
 Joseph. I confess it. I am a coward. At the 
 same time, I have followed Pierre because he 
 was desperate, and enlisted in the Zouaves because 
 they were in every fight and in every danger. 
 For two years I have poltrooned it in Africa in 
 ten battles, in the front rank, terrified out of my 
 life, but unAvilling to desert my friend who has 
 a perfect mania to get killed. 
 
 Trecourt. Yes, and who has Avon a lieutenant's 
 epaulettes. 
 
 Joseph. I have Avon nothing but an increased Aveak- 
 ness in the knees Avhenever I hear a shot, — and 
 I 'm glad of it. When I see danger, I shut my 
 teeth so close that if there Avas a grain of wheat 
 between them, it would become the finest fionr. 
 But when the lieutenant shouts : " Charge! " it 
 is over. I no longer shiver. I see him advance 
 and I advance, sounding the charge on my 
 trumpet. He rushes at the Arabs and I rush. 
 I am only frightened before. — or after. — but 
 during the fight, I do as CA'erybody else does in 
 order not to appear singular. (All laugh.) 
 
 Tar.ata. Yon 're a queer coAA-ard, after all. 
 
 Trecourt. By the Avay, the dream of ray life is 
 realized. I am drum-major of the Zouaves. 
 The general saw me at a rsview. He stopped 
 and admired my manly proportions. I stood up 
 as strai<rht as a palm-tree. "Sacrebleu ! What a 
 fine soldier,"says he. "Make him a drum-major !" 
 "Thanks, gt-neral!" And that is hoAV it happened. 
 When Ave return to Paris, what afigur:" I shall 
 cut! (Struttin(f.) And the girls in the Rotunda 
 of the Temple? Oh! How they will stare. 
 But that reminds me. Is there no news from 
 home. — from the Temple? No Avord from Zelie? 
 
 Joseph. Bah, the little traitress! I have banish-d 
 her, not only from ray baart, but from my 
 memory. (11) 
 
12 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 Trecoukt. But you were going to marry her. 
 
 Joseph. One speaks of marriage a-> one does of a 
 liouse be wisties to r^nt. The front of it is 
 attractive, the locality is good. He says: "I 
 shall live comfortably here." Well, he marries, 
 goes into housekeeping, and it is not long before 
 he finds out fanlts in constrnction. and naturally 
 wants to change. But the lease is signed, and 
 he can't. 
 
 Trecoukt. Ah! Has Zelie, then, faults in con- 
 strnction? 
 Joseph (resentfully}. I don't know; — but I am 
 
 morally sure that she went off wi*h that doiik.-y 
 
 of a professor who carrijd off Fauvette. 
 Trecoitrt. And does no one knoAV what has b-;com > 
 
 of Fauvette? 
 Joseph. No! In the first place, Pierra do'^s not 
 
 longer trouble himself about lur, aud in th ■ 
 
 next, she — she has not even sent him a letter, — 
 
 in two years, mind you ! 
 Trecoxtrt. It is very strange. But Pierre loved 
 
 her to madness. 
 Jo-seph. Yes, and has done nothing else since but 
 
 try to meet a friendly cannon-ball on its way. 
 Trecourt. And so, he thinks no more of her? 
 Joseph. Hm ! — Sometimes, as I do of Zelie ; but no 
 
 one must speak of her to him. 
 Trecourt. Ah! The lieutenant ! (The soldiers fall 
 
 into line and stand in ordf-r.) 
 
 (Enter Pierre. J 
 (He is attired as a lieutenant of Zouaves, and several 
 
 soldiers are with him.) 
 Pierre. I have explored the mountain in vain. 
 
 Thsre is not even ths tracs of an Arab camp. 
 
 'Ih?re is nothing to fear, comrades. You may 
 
 return to our advancs-posts. 
 
 Joseph. And yon, lieutenant? 
 
 Pierrr. I shall remain, and obey th3 general's 
 
 orders to make a last reconnoissance 
 
 3 O'^v.vii (satisfied.) Ah! 
 
 Pierre. With you! 
 
 iOriKVH (loith fear). With me? All alone? 
 
 Pierre. What is there to fear? 
 
 Joseph. Th i Arabs are so tricky. 
 
 Pierre. Aud then? We are soldiers. Duty must 
 
 b3 done. 
 
 Pierre. A soldier I, 
 
 Pr^')ired to die 
 
 Whene'er my country calls me. 
 O glorious state, 
 Mur^ glorious fate. 
 
 Whose peril quite enthralls me. 
 Four simple woi-ds the text supply 
 By which we all may live and die. 
 
 And these, at whjch no man will lag, 
 
 Ar ! duty, honor, country, flag. 
 A soldier's state. 
 That is my fate, 
 
 I say so, boasting loud of it. 
 No rank more grand : — 
 'T is honor's stand. 
 Wh Ml we fight for our fatherland, 
 
 We may be proud of it. 
 Omnes. No rank more grand, etc. 
 
 Pierre. Each stay at home. 
 Who fears to roam 
 
 And for our fate deride us, 
 'T were better far, 
 
 To be where we are, 
 
 Aud to fight like men beside us. 
 Faint3st hearts with courage dance, 
 'Neath this uniform of France, 
 Prepared to die at command. 
 For honor, fiag and native land. 
 A soldier's state, etc. 
 Joseph. Then we do not go Avitli the detachment? 
 Pierre. That is the ord.-r and it must be obeyed. 
 ( 7'o soldiers) As for you, you will return to the 
 camp. ( To Trrcourt) Sergeant Trecourt, take 
 command of the detachment. 
 Trecourt. Yes, lieutenant. (To soldiers) Attention! 
 Arm on the right shoulder. File right, forward, 
 march. 
 
 (Music, exeunt soldiers.) 
 Pierre. Now to execute the orders of the general. 
 
 This way ! 
 Joseph (glidinf/ toward ravine). Look out for the 
 ravine. The deuce ! A little more, and it would 
 have been all up, — or rather, all down! 
 (Whilvthr snhlirr^ are dri>,n-ti ,hj. a hloek of stone in 
 
 till' rnrh- n/iriis i/llii'ffil. itixl \inW Mw.KK StepS Softltf 
 
 aftrrlhr .s--»/(//rr.s and jihnits the ijreenfla;/ in a rock. 
 Then, a.'isisted by other Arabs who enter, he dis- 
 places a huf/e rock ichich opens and .shows the en- 
 trance of a deep grotto. Arabs, warriors, slaves 
 and women enter.) 
 
 Chorus. Allah, O, protect us ! 
 Of our trap, the foe 
 Does not yet suspect us, — 
 
 Let him not know ! 
 In a song of praise 
 Let us our voices raise 
 Unto Allah! 
 " Allah is great 
 And Mahomet is his prophet." 
 
 Ahmed (appearing at entrance of grotto). Well, com- 
 panions, our plot has succeeded. The French 
 have not even suspected our presence. Now 
 prepare the encampment. The army of the infi- 
 dels must remain with confidence in this defile, 
 — and then we shall crush them. 
 
 Omnes (with an Arab cry). Ahia ! ! 
 
 Ahmed (to Ali) . Are the hundred barrels of powder 
 placed? 
 
 Ali. Yes, master; but in blowing up the French- 
 men, we shall destroy ourselves. 
 
 Ahmed. No ! The mine is prepared so as to give 
 us time to fly, even after the match is lighted. 
 But some devoted men must sufler. Bou Malek 
 has my instructions. You will obey him. 
 
 Ali. But he is dumb. How can he tell us? 
 
 Ahmed. It will suffice for yon to follow him. 
 
 Ali. 'Tis said, master. 
 
 .\hmed (to an Arab ) Selim, hasten to the neiglibor- 
 ing oasis, and bring hither the horses already 
 saddled and prepared to depart. My wives and 
 servants will precede us to Mascara. (Exit 
 Selim.) 
 
 Ali. And the prisoners? 
 
 Ahmed. They will go with me, — but first, bring 
 them hither. (Aside) I would see the fair French- 
 woman again. 
 
 .\li. Yes, master. (Exit in grotto.) 
 
 Ahmed (to the others) Come ! 
 
 (Mnsic. Exeunt Omves. Ali appears at grotto and 
 ushers in St. Angknor, Fauvette and Zelie, at- 
 tired in travelling-costume.) 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 13 
 
 All This way. 
 
 Angenor. Ah ! then we are permitted to breathe a 
 little fresh air at last. 
 
 Fauvette. It is fortunate. 
 
 Zklie. Yes. I was stifling. 
 
 All Wait here. The master will come. 
 
 Angenor. These Arabs are by no means ceremoni- 
 ous. 
 
 Fauvette. We must see the chief, and speak to 
 him. 
 
 Zelie. What ! that statue from whom you must 
 positively drag words? 
 
 Fauvette. Yes, it is true. When we were cap- 
 tured and taken before him he looked at us for 
 a long time Avithout speaking. 
 
 Zelie. At you, particularly. 
 
 Fauvette. And with a glance that made m.' 
 shudder. 
 
 Zelie. He has the evil eye. 
 
 Angenor. He has two ! He made a gesture, and 
 such a gesture, — like that, — and they pushed us 
 into this hole that is full of barr.ils ( To Alt) 
 By the way, I thought that Mussulmans never 
 drink wine. 
 
 Ali (coldly). It is not wine, but gunpowder. 
 
 Angenor (terrified). What! And your Arab chief 
 confined us in his powder-magazine ! But he is 
 a savage, and knows no better. Will you be 
 kind enough to inform him that I do not wish to 
 lodge there again? It is not good for the voice. 
 
 All He will be here presently. You can tell him 
 
 yourself. (Exit.) 
 .Angenor. Thanks! You're very kind. Ah, Avhy 
 did we leave Italy? Beautiful Italy! It is true 
 that it also has mountains, and bandits, but I 
 like it better than this. Why did we leave it? 
 
 Fauvette. I had a very serious reason for coming 
 here. 
 
 Angenor. And I, fool that I was, thought you 
 wanted only to see and admire the scenery. 
 There is too much of it. 
 
 Zelie. And too many rocks. 
 
 Angenor (fanning himself ). And too much sun. 
 
 Fauvette. It was not for these. Do you recall the 
 young man whom I wished to save from the 
 drawing, two years ago? 
 
 Angenor. Your betrothed? He refused the two 
 thousand francs I oft'ered him on your part. I 
 told you so. 
 
 Zelie. You did — three months later. 
 
 Fauvette. When we were in Italy. 
 
 Angenor. If I had told you sooner, you would have 
 refused to go, — you would not have been a 
 great artist. 
 
 Fauvette. I have forgiven you. You meant well. 
 However, two months after that I learned that 
 Pierre was with the Zouaves in Africa. 
 
 Angenor. Ah, I see it all, now. And it was for 
 this that you wanted to admire the scenery. 
 And I brought you hither. I wonder that my 
 ears have not grown longer. Ass that I am ! 
 
 Fauvette. Yesterday I learned that Pierre was a 
 lieutenant and was reconnoitering in these 
 mountain-passes. 
 
 Angenor. And as soon as the concert was over, you 
 wanted to visit these wild rocks to see Pierre 
 again. Quadruple ass that I am ! 
 
 Fauvette. I wished to ask him why he had not 
 answered my letters. 
 
 Angenor. There was no need to come to Africa 
 for that. I could have told you. 
 
 Fauvette. You? 
 
 Angenor. Yes ! He did not answer your letters 
 because he had not received them. They were 
 intercepted by me. 
 
 Zelie. By you! I suspected as much. 
 
 Fauvette. You had no right to do so. 
 
 Angenor. It was in the interests of art. It was a 
 part of my vocal method. Love-letters are very 
 bad for the voice. They are full of burning 
 words that disturb the mind and make the heart 
 beat faster, and then the larynx becomes dry, 
 the vocal cords relaxed, and the diaphragm rigid. 
 Farewell, then, to proper tone-production, to 
 sostenuto singing! When a singer is in love, she 
 quivers, and is tremolo all over. To save you 
 from tremoloing I suppressed the letters, but I 
 did not read them. They would have been bad 
 for my voice. I will return them to you. 
 
 Fauvette. And accused him of forgetting me ! 
 
 Angenor. Then you love him still? 
 
 Fauvette. I shall always love him. 
 
 Angenor. How strange ! You love him and you 
 have no tremolo in your voice. Ah, my method 
 has done that. 
 
 kiA {reappearing) . The chief! {All start.) 
 
 Angenor. The chief ! Now to give him a piece of 
 my mind. 
 
 XnyiKD (appears. G^ase.s a« Fauvette.) 'T is she. 
 
 Angenor (going to him). My dear sir, I wish to see 
 you in order to observe 
 
 Ahmed (repelling him with gesture.) Not you! 
 
 Zelie. Perhaps then 'tis me, Mr. Bedouin. 
 
 Ahmed. No. 
 
 Angenor. How curiously this happens ! You don't 
 want to see us after all. Very well, we have 
 admired the scenery as much as we desire, and 
 we '11 depart. 
 
 Ahmed. No. 
 
 Angenor. What do you mean by "no"? You 
 have no right to detain us. We are not soldiers ; 
 that is clear to the dullest understanding, — the 
 ladies, above all. Where can be found in this 
 miserable country a police-inspector or a justice 
 of the peace? I believe they call him a myth; 
 where can I find a myth? 
 
 Ahmed. Enough, fool! 
 
 Angenor. Fool ! Excuse me. I am a great tenor. 
 
 Ahmed. Not you, I say! (To Fauvette) It is you 
 that I would hear. ( To the others) Leave us. 
 
 Angenor (pointing to Fauvette). Pardon me, but I 
 cannot leave her. 
 
 Ahmed. Are you her father? 
 
 Angenor (stammering). Her father? No. I am 
 
 her daughter I mean she is my father, 
 
 No, that is to say, I am her master. 
 
 Ahmed. Her master? (To Fauvette.) Are you 
 then his slave? 
 
 Fauvette. I am his pupil. 
 
 Ahmed (puzzled). His pupil? 
 
 Angenor. How stupid these savages are! I am 
 her professor. (Sings.) Tra-la-la! (To Zelie 
 and Fauvette) He does not understand. (To 
 
14 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 Ahmed.) I am — Tra-la-la, do you see? (Sings.) 
 La-le-li-lo-lu ! to her. Do-re-riii-fa! music! (Im- 
 itates birds.) Cui-cui-cui-trrrrr! (In the fervor 
 of his explanation he ends by yelping like ayoung 
 puppy in pain.) 
 
 Ahmed (to Fauvette.) You are a singer. I under- 
 stand. And he; is a professor of the art. 
 
 Angenor. At last ! 
 
 Ahmed (calling). BouMalek! (JS'weer Bou Malek 
 from grotto.) This man is a great teacher of 
 singing. 
 
 Angenor (aside.) He is going to present me with a 
 snuff-box. 
 
 Ahmed (to Bou Malek.) He shall teach the wives 
 in my harem how to sing. 
 
 Angenor. AVhat! 
 
 Zelie. He is going to found an Arab singing- 
 school. 
 
 Angenor. But Permit me to 
 
 Ah.med. Obey, or I shall send your hi^ad to your 
 French friends. 
 
 Angenor. My head without me! That would be 
 bad for niy voice. (To Fauvette ) But to 
 leave you alone with this brute 
 
 Fauvette (To Angenor.) I remember the fable of 
 the lion in love, and am not afraid. 
 
 Ahmed (to Zei.ie.) Go with the professor. 
 
 Zelie. I cannot resist. (Aside) Let me see if I 
 can't set fire to this tinder also. (To Bou 
 Malek) And are you the guardian of his wives? 
 (Bou Malek evades her.) 
 
 Atimed. H • will not reply. He is dumb. 
 
 Zelie. B-ar! 
 
 Ahmed. Go ! At once. 
 
 Angenor. Come. I will teach his harem to sing 
 in a way that will make his life miserable. 
 
 (Bou Malek makes a gesture, and Zelie and 
 Ange.nor exeunt hastily with fear, followed by 
 Bou Malek.) 
 
 Ahmed. At last we are alone. 
 
 Fauvette (naively.) I know what you are about to 
 say. You love me. 
 
 Ahmed. I do. 
 
 Fauvette (coquettishly). But you have scarcely 
 seen me, scarcely spoken to me. You do not 
 even know if my heart be free. 
 
 Ahmed. I do not wi.sh to know. 
 
 Ahmed. Tlie soldier chieftain of my tribe, 
 I 've been from childhood's hour. 
 Warfare was my only pride. 
 
 To it I gave my life as dower. 
 I livt^-d but for the bitter fray. 
 Strife was to me enchanting, 
 And my heart alone was panting 
 For revenge that there held sway. 
 
 You on my life have chanced to dawn. 
 And in my heart is love now born. 
 Life all seems new 
 When near to you ; 
 And all my soul 
 You now control. 
 With love I burn : 
 That love return. 
 Beauty never moved my heart, 
 
 Women ne'er for me had charms ; 
 All that of my life made part 
 
 Were my horse, my trusty arms. 
 Love ne'er warmed this hf^art of ice. 
 More I craved the muskets' rattle, 
 
 Yearned more for the roar of battle, 
 Than all the joys of paradise. 
 
 But on my life you chance to dawn, 
 And in my heart is love now born, etc. 
 
 Fauvette. You love me. So be it. But we are 
 not of the same race. We have not the same 
 beliefs. What would you do with me? 
 
 Ahmed. Make you the queen of my tribe. 
 
 Fauvette. It is a great honor, but I do not aspire 
 so high. Besides, I love another. 
 
 Ahmed. Another? 
 
 Fauvette. And I have come hither to rejoin him. 
 
 Ah.med. Is he a soldier? 
 
 Fauvette. He is. 
 
 Ahmed. Well, then, you will never see him again. 
 
 Fauvette. Never! That is a word they do not 
 understand in my country. 
 
 Ali (enters). Master! A trumpeter, preceding an 
 officer, comes under a flag of truce. 
 
 Ahmed. Frenchmen ! Ali, place this woman among 
 the wives of my tribe. 
 
 Fauvette. A Frencli officer ! If I could s?e him, 
 speak to him, — we might be saved. (Exit icith 
 Ali.) 
 (Enter Bou Malek, Arabs, Pierre and Joseph.) 
 
 Joseph (with a handkerchief at the end of his gun). 
 Why, here we are. back again. Good-day. Arabs. 
 In rinding one safe road I have nearly broken 
 my neck ten times. 
 
 Ahmed. What do you want? 
 
 Joseph. My lieutenant will tell you. 
 
 Pierre (looking aboiit) . This grotto What does 
 
 it mean? 
 
 Ahmed. Speak. 
 
 Pierre. Here are the instructions of ray general. 
 (Reads) " I learn that a Frenchwoman, a great 
 artist, called Frasquita, who gave a concert yes- 
 terday before the division, has been arrested 
 with her manager and servant by the Arabs, in 
 the defiles that you are reconnoitering. On re- 
 ceipt of this order, discover the retreat of these 
 Arabs and propose an exchange of prisoners." 
 
 Ahmed. We have made no prisoners. 
 
 Joseph (aside). Delightful oriental liar ! 
 
 Pierre. Those that I come to reclaim, and that it 
 is presumed have fallen into your hands, are 
 not soldiers, and should be set free. 
 
 Joseph. There are two women, it seems, and the 
 sex is so rare in this country that housekeeping 
 is unknown. 
 
 Ahmed. Do you know these women? 
 
 Pierre. No ! My officer has charged me to propose 
 an exchange for these two women and their com- 
 panion, whatever number of Arab prisoners you 
 may be pleased to claim. I await your answer. 
 
 Ahmed. I refuse the exchange. 
 
 Pierre. In that case hear the ultimatum of my gen- 
 eral. If, in an hour, you have not obeyed his 
 orders 
 
 Ahmed (starting). His orders?— the orders of an 
 
 infidel dog? — I? By Mahomet, you will 
 
 await mine ! 
 
 Pierre. I am under a flag of truce. 
 
 Joseph. Which is sacred, — (aside) at least I hope so. 
 
 Ahmed. Our camp is well defended. If you at- 
 tempt to escape you will be fired at. (Makes 
 n sign to the Arabs to go.) 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 15 
 
 Pierre. We shall not attempt to fly. The laws of 
 war protect us. (Ahmed and Arabs going. 
 .losEPH follows them.) 
 Joseph (boldly). If you touch a hair of our heads, 
 
 you will all be fricasseed {an Arab tnrns, 
 
 Joseph recoils terrified) — fr-fr-fricasseed. 
 (Ahmed and Arabs exeunt.) 
 Joseph. Well ! This settles it ! 
 Pierre. We have nothing to fear. 
 Joseph. I 'm not so sure of that. In fact, I 'm 
 
 jellied with fear already. 
 Pierre. Bah ! This savage will think twice. 
 Joseph. Perhaps ; but I have a presentiment of the 
 road I am to travel. We must §:et away from 
 here. We are left alone, let us profit by it to 
 look about. Where does this cave go to? I '11 
 see. 
 Pierre (smiling). Yes, but don't go too far. 
 Joseph (disappearing in grotto). All right, lieuten- 
 ant. The devil ! How dark it is ! If there is 
 any danger, call me ; that is to say, I '11 call you. 
 Pierre (near grotto). Poor Joseph. He is uneasy 
 in his mind. I know these Arabs care little for 
 the usages of war; but they know that our 
 deaths Avonld be fearfully avenged. (He peers 
 into grotto.) 
 
 (Enter Fauvette.) 
 Fauvette.'T is here this officer should be. 
 
 If him a moment I could see. 
 Pierre (.'speaks off, to Joseph). 
 
 Be prudent, Joseph, — else will the foe perceive 
 you. 
 Fauvette. That voice ! Pierre? 
 Pierre. Fauvette? 
 Fauvette.'T is I. 
 Pierre. You ! 
 Fauvette. Dearest love ! 
 
 Ah! joy supreme! 
 Yes ! t' is a dream ! 
 Shall I awake and find it you? 
 No! 'tis a dream, 
 A cruel dream ! 
 
 Or is it Pierre, my lover true? 
 Pierre. Can you be here? 
 I' m mad, 1 fear! 
 
 Oh, speak, and say 't is really you ! 
 Fauvette. Hope my bosom cheers. 
 Farewell to tears ! 
 Love from its grave reappears. 
 Pierre. False hope my bosom cheers ; 
 Fate at me jeers; 
 
 Love from its grave ne'er reappears. 
 Fauvette. Yes, 't is you, Fauvette so dear. 
 Pierre. What! among these Arabs cursed? 
 Fauvette. Yes ; a captive I am here. 
 But no longer do I fear. 
 For, through the gloom, the snn has burst. 
 Pierre. You, a captive? Then you are 
 
 She whom they call Frasquita! 
 Fauvette. Yes, 't is I, Pierre. 
 Pierre. You, a singer ! 
 Fauvette. Ay, but hear : 
 
 You love me, and your love I treasure, — 
 
 My love for you I cannot measure ; 
 
 That love I bless. 
 
 'T is happiness ! 
 
 Sorrow is past, 
 
 Joy now will last. 
 
 Peace in my heart will forever reign. 
 
 Oh, bliss complete ! 
 Once more we meet ; 
 Nothing shall part us e'er again. 
 Both. Sorrow is past, etc. 
 Pierre. I love you, I adore you : 
 
 And thus 't will never cease to be. 
 Fauvette. Once more I stand before you : 
 
 Earth is a paradise to me. 
 Both. Sorrow is past, etc. 
 ( They embrace. Enter Ahmed, who starts on seeing 
 
 them.) 
 Ahmed (to Fauvette). You in his arms! Then it is 
 
 he you love. ( Threatens.) 
 Pierre (facing Ahmed). Take care. 
 Fauvette (in despair). Lost! 
 Ahmed (calling to his men). This way! (Arabs 
 
 appear.) Take hence this infldel dog. 
 Pierre. I am under a flag of truce. 
 Ahmed. Drag him hence. ( Two seize Pierre.) 
 .lo^KPH (appearing at grotto). The deuce! The lieu- 
 tenant in danger. 
 Fauvette. Pierre! Pierre! 
 Pierre. Courage, Fanvette, courage ! ( Two Arabs 
 
 drag him off.) 
 Joseph (in grotto). Fauvette! Am I awake? 
 Fauvette (to Ahmed). One word. 
 Ahmed (to Ali) . Go ! This woman belongs to ray 
 
 tribe. Execute my orders. 
 Fauvette (as she is led off by Ali). How to save 
 
 him ! How to save him ! 
 Joseph (trembling in grotto) . We must see — they 
 
 must be saved. 
 Ahmed (looking about). The trumpeter has doubt- 
 less escaped. He will warn the French. They will 
 
 hasten hither, and then ( With fierce joy) 
 
 In that grotto are one hundred barrels of powder 
 to welcome them with a salute. 
 Arabs (.shouting). Ahia! Ahia! 
 Joseph (m horror). One hundred! Oh (Disappears.) 
 Ahmed (on the ravine, threateningly). Come, come! 
 I await you. Frenchmen. 
 At last, friends, the hour is at hand. 
 The foe to drive forth from the land. 
 'T is war to the latest breath — 
 "Down with the foe! To the infldel, 
 death ! " 
 Omnes. Down with the foe! To the infidel, death! 
 Ahmed. In the name of the Prophet on high : 
 
 From the hearts of our people daring. 
 Vengeance cries loud and despairing — 
 " 'Gainst the foes who our power defy! 
 Rise, 'gainst the tyrant who would us 
 
 enslave. 
 His might destroy, or find a warrior's 
 grave ! " 
 Islam's bold sons no foeman fearing ! 
 See! on our tents, against the sky, 
 Mahomet's standard proud doth fly ! 
 Allah wills ! onr day of joy is nearing. 
 Omnes. Islam's bold sons, etc. 
 Ahmed. Warriors true, we will conquer or die, 
 As victors gain the palm of glory. 
 Heroes become in song and story : 
 'T is promised us from on high. 
 If 't is onr fate in death to close our eyes, 
 To bliss eternal we shall rise, 
 In Paradise! 
 Islam's bold sons, etc. 
 
16 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 Ahmed. Six of you -will remain to set fire to the 
 powder. {Six Arabs set tlipir (tuns against the 
 grotto.) Ali, ars ths horses saddled ? 
 
 All They are. master. 
 
 Ahmkd. I will see for myself. Bou Malek shall 
 watch here. (Bou Malek sits near the grotto.) 
 
 So! (To the other Arabs remaining by grotto.) 
 Come, and hear my last orders. (Exeunt all hut 
 Bou Malek and Joseph.) 
 
 (Music. Joseph appears at the entrance of the grotto. ~\ 
 He sees Bou Malek.) 
 
 Josioi'H. Oh! the chimpanzees have forgotten one 
 of th"ir brothers. \^Levels gun at him.) No! 
 the Hois'? will betray me. Ah ! it is the dumb 
 fellow of whom they spoke, no doubt. Dumb ! 
 An id"a ! He cannot call for assistance. I must 
 have his bnrnons. But how ? — He is prayinaf. 
 All th'? b-^tter. He is all the more prepared to 
 jro and meet his friend Mahomet — No ! he is 
 sleeping. Better still. Here sroes. (Steals toioard 
 Bou Malek, leaps on him with a shout, and pushes 
 hitn into the ravine.) Ah ! that is over ! A pleas- 
 "•'t ionrney, and manv kind remembranc'^*^ to 
 Mahomet! (liises) Oh, how I tremble ! What 
 a cow ird I am ! I have th3 burnous ; I will put 
 it on, gain our lines, and return for the lieu- 
 t'inant. Hallo! I've forgottMi my trumpet. It 
 gives me a hunchback. Never mind. This is 
 the land of dromedaries. (Stops.) The deuce! 
 I have no b-^ard, and this dumb fellow had a 
 noble one. I shall be discovered. What a fool 
 I am ! ( Takes beard from trumpet and puts it on.) 
 Now I am complete. A perfect Arab! I go 
 without any compunctions. Ah! a woman! — 
 An Arab woman, too. I must not be seen. 
 (Enter Zelie in Arab costume.) 
 
 Zelie. Thev have dressed both Fauvette and me in 
 this bad-fttting costume. M. Augenor has dis- 
 app^arnl. Oh, if I could only rind some Avay to 
 escape! But how? 
 
 Joseph. Is she going to stay here forever ? 
 
 7.VAAV. (seeing him) . Oh, the dumb man! He is all 
 powerful here. If I could, with a little flatter- 
 ing, coax him to let us escape! He cannot speak 
 though, and therefore is not able to sav whnt he 
 will do. I '11 try. (Approaches ^o»v.vn.) Well, 
 poor, dumb fellow ! How sorry I am for you ! 
 
 Joseph (aside). It is true;— I'm dumb. 
 
 Zelie. Are you always going to be distant with me? 
 
 Joseph (aside). It's the other fellow's ladj'-love, I 
 suppos-^-. — and he is dead ! 
 
 Zelie. I don't think I'm ugly. 
 
 Joseph (aside). If I am the other fellow. I suppose I 
 must take all the other fellow has left behind. 
 (Makes gestures of admiration and kisses her 
 hand.) 
 
 Zelie. Ah. T am humanizing him. ( IT7/// fervor) 
 I love Africa, — a land of fire ; I love the .\rabs, — 
 men of tire; for I also have a spirit of rire. 
 
 Joseph (aside). I believe her. She is a perfect fur- 
 nace. ( Takes her by the waist.) H6, h6 ! 
 
 Zelie. Ah ! he is falling into the snare. I shall yet 
 make an ally of him. 
 
 You're of a race that's not amiss, — 
 A race, they say, both strong and glad. 
 
 Joseph. Ah, ah, ah, ah! 
 
 Zelie. And it is true, when one does kiss, 
 A strong man is by no means bad. 
 
 Joseph. Eh, eh, eh, eh ! 
 
 Zelie. Your Koran says, it is not right 
 
 To love one not your faith or kin. 
 Joseph. Oh, oh, oh, oh! 
 
 Zelie. But of her foot to gain a sight. 
 
 Or press her hand, cannot be sin. 
 •Joseph. Hi, hi, hi, hi! 
 
 (Aside) She is attempting me to charm : 
 
 Well, if she be, where is the harm? 
 i Zelie (aside). I can seem free, love to bestow; 
 'T is easy after, to say No. 
 (Ensemble.) 
 Zelie. Mussulman, pray gaze your fill, 
 I care no jot; 
 All I ask is, that you will 
 Touch me not. 
 
 Joseph (aside). If I longer look, I will 
 
 I know not what. 
 It grows hard, and harder still 
 To touch her not. 
 Zelie. I with you would gladly fly 
 From this spot ; 
 But with my request comply, 
 And touch me not. 
 Joseph (aside), l were wise if I did fly 
 From this spot. 
 By the glances of her eye 
 I' m surely shot. 
 Zelie. When one a service does, I know 
 
 He looks for some reward to gain. 
 Joseph. He, he, he, he ! 
 
 Zelie. Hence let us on the instant go. 
 
 And I'll your debtor not remain. 
 Joseph. Eh, eh, eh, eh ! 
 
 Zelie. In time, you '11 win mv love, no doubt; 
 
 E'en now I feel I 'm drawn to you. 
 Joseph. Hi, hi, hi, hi ! 
 
 Zelie. But you must nid to carry out 
 
 A little plan I have in view. 
 Joseph. Oh, oh, oh, oh ! 
 
 She is attempting me to charm, etc. 
 Joseph (aside). She is mine. I have captured, 
 magnetized her, and she will show me how to 
 escape. 
 Zelie (aside). I suppose I shall have to let the ugly 
 brute kiss and adore me. in order to trick him 
 into letting me escape. But first to tell the pro- 
 fessor that I have found an ally. 
 Joseph (passionately). Oh, oh! 
 
 Zelie (the same). Ah, ah! Wait for m'^ h^re. I '11 
 return. (Going and then returning.) Now, don't 
 go far! Stay here. (Exit.) 
 Joseph (collapsing). What I have had to endure! 
 But she'll return and show me the rond to safety, 
 and then I '11 give her the slip. What dread- 
 fully bold creatures these Arab women are! 
 (Looks off.) Another Arab! Not a word. (Sits 
 cross-legged, imitating Bou Malek.) 
 (Enter St. Angenor attired in grotesgue Arab 
 costume.) 
 AxoENoit. I am in despair. I cannot find Zelie, 
 and Fauvett'^ is disconsolate. It is verv had for 
 the voice. But I have mad-^ a resolution. I 
 have promised h-'r that I will trv to reach the 
 French camp and bring the soldiers to the res- 
 cue. 
 
 Joseph. Will the idiot never go? 
 Angenok. But how to escape observation? (Sees 
 Joseph.) Oh! The dumb fellow. To be dumb is 
 
very bad for the voice. He is the chief's second. 
 Every one obeys liiin. An idea. With his bur- 
 nous I could perhaps escape. 
 
 Joseph (aside). He is resolved not to go. 
 
 Angkhor (aside) . Let us make friends. (Approach- 
 ing.) 
 
 Joseph (aside) . He approaches. If he should dis- 
 cover. 
 
 Angenor. Good-day, poor mute. 
 
 Joseph (aside). True. I 'm always dumb. That is 
 lucky. 
 
 Angenor. I '11 speak Arab. That will flatter him. 
 Barboucha bitter bock, alhambra, alkali rue d'A- 
 boukir. I '11 propose a cigar. Alsmoko ! (Joseph 
 sneezes.) That is the dumb for " yes," I suppose. 
 (Gives cigar.) Noav for a light. (Takes match 
 ang rubs it nn grotto. Joseph, in terror, points to 
 powder.) What 's the matter? Has he swallowed 
 a snake? Ah! I remember, the powder! The 
 deuce! (Betires from grotto.) I was about to 
 do a clever thing. I must not lose time, and 
 I must have that burnous. He cannot cry for 
 help. Here goes! (Struggles for burnous.) He 
 holds on to it. (Takes him by the throat.) I 
 want that burnous. 
 
 (Struggle. Joseph throws Angenor and then recedes.) 
 
 Joseph (holding him in fear). Well, what do you sav 
 
 to that? 
 Angenor (staggered) . A speaking mute ! 
 Joseph. Yes, I can speak. It is for you to be 
 
 dumb, or I '11 send you to join the real mute 
 
 whom I have thrown into the ravine. 
 Angenor (seeing the xiniform under the half-opened 
 
 burnous). Ah! that uniform! A fellow-coun- 
 tryman ! (Tries to embrace him, but is repelled.) 
 Joseph. What do you mean by fellow-countryman? 
 Angenor. Prisoner. Professor. Snuff-box. 
 Joseph (recognizing him) . Ah! the professor! And 
 
 I am the hairdresser of the Opera. 
 Angenor. The hairdresser! The Rotunda of the 
 
 Temple! Ah! (TJieij embrace.) 
 Joseph. Was it you we tried to exchange? 
 Angenor. The same. We are in danger. I want 
 
 to escape and bring assistance. 
 Joseph. I,— the same. 
 Angenor. And to escape recognition, I wanted that 
 
 red burnous of the mute. 
 Joseph. So did I,— and I got it. Wait. With a 
 
 beard you will not be recognized. (Puts a beard 
 
 on him.) There, go ! 
 Angenor. Wait. (Goes to grms standing hg grotto.) 
 Joseph. What are you doing? 
 Angenor (emptying his gourd of water in gun barrels) 
 
 Drowning the powder. 
 Joseph. Bravo ! They may pursue us, but they 
 
 can't flre on ns. Now let us part. 
 Angenor. But I don't know the road, and there are 
 
 no names to the streets. 
 Joseph. I'm as badly off. We must trust to luck. 
 
 (Sees that they have changed hats after the struggle) 
 
 One moment, you have ray turban. 
 
 Angenor. And you, my fez. (They exchange.) 
 NoAv, each go his way, for life or death. I'll 
 save Fauvette. (Exit L.) 
 
 Joseph. And I' 11 save Pierre. But the over-affec- 
 . tionate Arab lady who was to show me the way. 
 
 Zklie. (Entering. Aside.) I can't ti.ul that miser- 
 able Angenor. 
 
 FAUVETTE. ^7 
 
 Joseph. Ah, ah ! (Makes a noise with his voice.) 
 
 Zelie (addressing Joseph R.; Come ! I want to tell 
 you — that I am waiting for you. 
 
 Joseph. Ah, Joseph ! Carried off, — and by a woman ! 
 (E.cit with Zelie. j 
 
 (Enter Ahmed. Angenor, in custody of two Arabs, and 
 Ali.j 
 
 Ahmed. All is ready. We depart at once. All, go 
 and bring the Frenchwoman and my wives. 
 (£".(•/( Ali.) And you! (To Axgexou) So you 
 tried to escape ? 
 
 Angenor. Escape? When I am so comfortable 
 here, and have been appointed a professor in 
 your conservatory ? I have already given a les- 
 son to your wives. They have beaten me. In 
 fact, one of them bit me. I resign. There is 
 too much biting and too little solfeggio. 
 
 Ahmed. Enough! My wives and companions are 
 coming hither. I have prepared a fine entertain- 
 ment for them. 
 
 Angenor. An entertainment ! So much the better. 
 I am happy to be invited. (Aside) Because I 
 can't help myself. 
 
 Ahmed. Ah, here is another guest ! rFAUVEXTE is 
 brought in by All Angenor goes to her.'] The 
 death of an enemy is a pleasure to everybody. I 
 am going to have the head of an insolent 
 officer. 
 
 Fauvette (overwhelmed). Ah! (Almost fainting .) 
 
 Angenor (supporting her, and looking at Ahmed). 
 Devil ! 
 
 Omnes. Allah! Allah! 
 
 It is with joy at heart 
 
 We hear the signal to depart. 
 
 Warriors ! Up, away ! 
 
 Seek the glorious fray ! 
 
 Mount the prancing steed. 
 
 And, like the whirhvind, speed 
 
 To the field of death ! 
 
 Onward, onward dashing, 
 With our swords and spears, 
 In the sunlight flashing. 
 
 Hurrah! Hurrah! 
 Martial music clashing, 
 Allah! Allah! 
 
 ( Enter Zelie). 
 Zelie. We can now fly. (Sees Arabs, and shrieks.) 
 
 Too late ! 
 Ahmed. That I can dare to do the right, 
 
 I noAV will make clear, in your sight. 
 (To ALi)The prisoner bring forth!' 
 Fauvette {to Ahmed ) One word ! 
 
 Oh, mercy cherish ! 
 
 Let not the loved one perish; 
 
 Spare him, and set him free, 
 
 And yours I '11 be. 
 
 Here at your feet 
 
 I mercy entreat. 
 
 Let him go free, 
 
 And take me ! 
 Ahmed. Ah. now I know 
 
 You love this man, my foe; 
 
 And yourself you give 
 
 That he may live. 
 
 Fauvette. Yield j'our cru-:"! pride, 
 Free this soldier daring, 
 Life and honor sparing. 
 And I am your bride. 
 
 Ahmed. Her tears for him cannot assuage 
 
 My stern resolve, nor calm my rage. 
 
18 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 Fauvette and Zelie {ensemble). 
 
 Let I !|'-^' I tears for him 
 
 And I ll^j. I prayers assuage 
 
 Your stern and harsh resolve, 
 And calm your rage. 
 Ahmed. No, your tears for him cannot assuage, etc. 
 Omnes. No, her tears for him cannot assuage, etc. 
 Ahmed {gently.) I cannot, will not promise. 
 {Aaide to All) 
 Now take away the maiden on my swiftest 
 steed. 
 Fauvette {to Zelie and St. Angenor). 
 
 Ah, joy ! he melts. Can it be so ! 
 Ahmed {to All) 
 
 We meet at Mascara. Now quickly go ! 
 Fauvette, Angenor and T-eiae are escorted off by Alt, 
 after some ludicrous bowing by Zelie a7id St. 
 Angenor before Ahmed. Ahmed tmtches their 
 departure as Joseph enters from grotto. 
 Joseph. 'T is Pierre that I am seeking, 
 To save him from his fate ; 
 "We both must oft' be sneaking. 
 Or soon 't will be too late. 
 Ahmed {to Joseph) . 
 
 Ah, Bou Malek! 
 
 Tliis falchion keen-controlling ! 
 
 We place in you the trust, 
 To send yon man's head rolling, 
 And make it bite the dust. 
 Joseph {taking sword luith terror). 
 
 {Aside) Ah! what did he then say? 
 Ahmed. Quick end it, and away ! 
 
 Upon ns time is pressing. 
 Now let this Frenchman feel 
 An Arab's blessing. 
 O.MNES. This falchion keen-controlling, etc. 
 Ahmed. Now, Frenchman, meet your fate. 
 
 (Pierre is brought in by Arabs.) 
 Pierre. Death comes to all, or soon or late, 
 Arab, born of slavery. 
 Learn now that I 
 Your threats defy. 
 I 'm of France, that land of glory 
 "Whose proud sons are famed in .story 
 
 For honor and for bravery. 
 To plead for life I scorn. 
 
 Take it, if 'tis Fate's decree; 
 But heed me when I w^arn 
 That before another morn 
 
 "Well avenged my death shall be ! 
 
 Ahmed {savagely). No more! 
 
 ( Two Arabs are about to conduct Pierre to a slope 
 
 in the rocks. He stops them with a gesture. 
 
 Ahmed, the Arabs and the xooman make room. 
 
 Joseph is by the slope.) 
 
 Ahmed {to Joseph, ichom he still mistakes for Box 
 Malek). Bou Malek, go! 
 
 (Joseph hesitates and trembles. Suddenly he tears 
 off his beard and burnous.) 
 
 Joseph. The end has come. 'T is I ! 
 Pierre. What! you? 
 
 (Joseph gives Pierre his sword.) 
 There! Wlio's afraid? 
 We'll die together. Hope is gone ! 
 Omnes. Ah, a spy ! We 're betrayed ! 
 JOESPH. And now the song of the swan. 
 {The Arabs go for their guns. Joseph leaps on 
 the slope, protected by Pierre, who holds the foe 
 at a distance with the sword, and then bloics his 
 trumpet.) 
 Ahmed. To arms ! Quickly ! Fire ! 
 {The Arabs present their guns; but they do not 
 explode, the powder being wet. Trumpets heard 
 in distance.) 
 Omnes. Ah, fly ! 
 
 {Exeunt hastily all the Arabs.) 
 
 Ahmed {aside and lighting slow match). 
 
 For revenge 't is the hour. 
 ( To Pierre) She is still in my power. {Exit hastily.') 
 Pierre. Indeed! {Follows him eagerly .) 
 
 {French soldiers appear coming up ravine. Joseph 
 sounds the charge.) 
 
 Omnes. Vive la France ! {Exeunt in pursuit.) 
 
 (Joseph seizes flag, and is about to follow the Zouaves, 
 when he sees, with horror, the slow match. He 
 becomes terrified and unable to fly.) 
 
 Joseph. Ah! the match! There! We shall all be 
 blown up. I' ma jelly. We are lost. {Staggers 
 down slope and falls, seated on slow match.) "Vive 
 la France ! 
 
 {Soldiers return and are about to pick Joseph up.) 
 
 Omnes. Oh, see ! with fear he is quite overcome ; 
 
 Poor coward ! with terror, stricken dumb. 
 Joseph {faintly). We're saved! Tons of powder 
 are in there. 
 
 Omnes {recoiling) . Tons of powder there? 
 
 Joseph {pointing, overcome, to the extinct match on 
 which he is sitting). And the slow match is 
 here! 
 
 Omnes {joyously lifting Joseph on their shoulders). 
 Ah ! our preserver is here. 
 
 {Trumpets sound and drums beat, as Joseph is carried 
 around on their shoulders. ) 
 
 Omnes. 
 
 Unto his courage let us honor pay, 
 
 On him rest fame and glory from to-day. 
 
 Pierre (returning in disorder). 
 
 My Fauvette they have taken ; 
 
 But Ave know where they are ; 
 Forward, friends, follow quickly 
 To Mascara ! 
 
 Omnes. To Mascara ! 
 
 ( The French ready to depart. Trecoxtrt has planted 
 the French flag on the rock. An Arab leaps in 
 concealment, upon him. Trecourt picks the 
 Arab up, and throws him into the ravine.) 
 
 PICTURE,— AND CURTAIN DROPS. 
 
ACT III. 
 
 Scene.— A aquare in Mascara. On one side, an Arab 
 bazaar. 0« the other, the ruins of a palace. At 
 the back, the city. At the rise of the curtain : 
 Arab."^, merchants, men and women excitedly mov- 
 ing about in fear. Some rush in terrified from 
 without. 
 
 Chorus. 
 The enemy ! 
 All, let us flee. 
 The city is taken, 
 And we're forsaken. 
 Our goods away, 
 
 From plunder carry. 
 'Tis death to stay, 
 No longer tarry. 
 
 (The Arabs are about to fly, tvhen the French 
 Soldiers appear.) 
 
 Soldiers {presenting bayonets). Not so far! 
 Arabs. 'T is the foe. 
 
 Spare us, by Allah! oh, spare! 
 Soldiers. For that do we come, you must know. 
 Trecourt. These orders min'^', or else beware. 
 Be quiet and let us rule at ease. 
 
 No questions ask, but rest contented. 
 To do exactly as we please. 
 
 By you we must not be prevented. 
 We '11 hear whate'er complaints you make. 
 
 Right wrongs where'er you find them, 
 But you must no objection take 
 
 If we should not mind them. 
 Soldiers, Bedouins, hear the law, 
 
 And take care that you obey. 
 Notliing say, and ask not why. 
 Do what you 're told; — make no reply. 
 Soldiers. Soldiers, Bedouins, etc. 
 Trecourt. And furthermore: if from us you 
 Expect to have protection, 
 Whate'er we say, whate'er we do. 
 
 You must make no objection. 
 Gallant unto the fair we '11 be; — 
 
 We are a gallant nation, 
 And unto them we '11 guarantee 
 
 Our best consideration. 
 Soldiers, Bedouins, etc. 
 Soldiers. Soldiers, Bedouins, etc. 
 Trecourt. Yes. The city is taken, and the cam- 
 paign is over. You are no longer our enemies, 
 but our proteges. Open the bazaars. Buy, sell, 
 and cheat as usual. 
 Cransac. The only restriction is that nobody shall 
 leave Mascara without a passport from the gen- 
 eral; for we suspect the Arab chief, who out- 
 raged a flag of truce is still here. 
 Trecourt. Yes; and if they find him, he will no 
 longer conduct business' at his old stand with 
 promjjtitude and despatch. 
 Cransac. For the rest of you, go and come as you 
 
 please. 
 Trecourt. And civilize yourselves. 
 Omnes. Long live the French! (Exeunt.) 
 Trecourt (looking off). Ah! Our comrades! 
 [Enter Pierre, Joseph, and Soldiers marching, 
 JosKPH at the head sounding his trumpet.) 
 
 Pierre, Halt! Front face! Break ranks! 
 Trecourt. Ah, lieutenant! You are mentioned in 
 the general's despatches, and so is Joseph. They 
 will be proud of you in the Temple Kotunda. 
 Pierre. Thanks, Trecourt. 
 Joseph. It is true, we were the first to enter 
 
 Mascara. 
 Pierre (to Joseph and Trecourt). I wished to 
 
 free Fauvette. I was mid to hope it. 
 Trecourt. Oh lieutenant, we shall find her, never 
 
 fear. 
 Pierre {with a sigh). I trust we may. (To Joseph.) 
 Go to the general, and tell him, 1 beg, I pray him 
 to see me. 
 Joseph, Yes, lieutenant. (Salutes and exit.) 
 Trecourt (aside to soldiers). He is sad. We must 
 
 not trouble him. (They go up stage.) 
 Pierre. Fauvette, — dear Fauvette! Dare I still 
 hope? No! It is folly. 
 
 Loved one, — and must we sever? 
 Must I forever 
 
 Mourn thee with tears and sighs? 
 And shall I never more behold thee, 
 No more enfold thee 
 
 Or gaze into thine eyes? 
 Ah! if from thee I must be parted, 
 To peace I 'm lost for evermore, 
 Absent from thee I'm broken-hearted. 
 Alas! my di-eam of life is o'er. 
 
 Dearest, thy hand in mine, love. 
 Mine pressing thine, love, 
 
 Shall never be again. 
 Ne'er shall the music of thy voice, love. 
 Make me rejoice, love, 
 
 And soothe from life all pain. 
 Ah ! if from thee I must be parted, 
 
 To peace, etc. 
 
 (Enter Joseph.) 
 
 Joseph. The general expects you. 
 
 Pierre. I go. And if he will consent Ah, 
 
 friends, we will hunt this demon Ahmed to the 
 centre of the earth, but we will find him. 
 
 Omnes. Ay, ay! 
 
 Joseph. And I '11 go with you. The general's reply- 
 also interests me, I want Zelie. 
 
 Pierre (<o Joseph). Come! (To the others.) Till 
 we meet again. (E.Ht with Joseph.) 
 
 Trecourt. We will await you. 
 
 (Enter Angenor in Arab costume.) 
 
 Anoenor. What a situation ! (Sees .loldiers). Ah! 
 Frenchmen! Soldiers! Oh, I am faint with emo- 
 tion ! My legs fail me ! Friends ! Preservers ! 
 
 Trecourt (s«r/)ri8ed). Ah! 
 
 Omnes (threateningly). What! 
 
 Cransac. That face! 
 
 Trecourt. This burnous! 'Tis he! Ahmed! 
 
 Angenor. Yes, friends, it is L {They all surround 
 him angrily.) 
 
 Trecourt. Scoundrel! Demon! 
 
 Cransac. Bandit! Fiend! [19] 
 
20 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 ANGEJfOR {alarmed). What now? 
 
 Trecourt. He shall be shot like a dog. 
 
 Omnes. Yes, yes! {Rusliiny at him again.) 
 
 Angenor: Mercy, mercy! I'm a dead man! Let 
 me speak ! 
 
 Tkecourt {stopping the others). Will you confess 
 where the woman is whom you liMve carried off? 
 
 Angenor. Carried off? A woman? I never did 
 such a thing in my life. Do you not recognize 
 me? 
 
 Trecourt. Yes. You are Ahmed. 
 
 Axgenor. Ahmed? Xo. Angenor! {Pulling off 
 his icig and beard.) 
 
 Trecourt. The singing professor! 
 
 Oii^ES {laughing). Ha! ha! ha! 
 
 Craxsac. There is a letter for you at headquarters. 
 
 Angenor. A letter? 
 
 Trecourt. Where is Fauvette? She was with you. 
 
 Angenor. Yes; but an hour ago Ahmed put me 
 into this ridiculous costume, opened the door, 
 and said "Get out!" I got out, — and rapidly, 
 believe me. He has doubtless disguised my 
 pupil also. 
 
 Tbecourt. He must still be in the city, for no one 
 can depart without a safe-conduct from the gen- 
 eral himself. 
 
 Angenor. So much the better. But I can't remain 
 in these monkey clothes. They are too danger- 
 ous. 
 
 Tbecourt. We'll find you something else. But 
 you must first see the lieutenant. 
 {Enter Joseph.) 
 
 Joseph. He is with the general. We are to meet 
 him here in an hour. 
 
 Angenor {going to him). The mute,— the hair- 
 dresser. 
 
 Joseph {recoiling). Go away. (Recognizes him.) 
 The professor! What has happened to you since 
 we parted? 
 
 (Enter Tarata.) 
 
 Tarata. Sound the trumpet! Beat the drum! Glo- 
 rious news ! The woman that you believed to be 
 lost 
 
 Joseph. Yes? 
 
 Tabata. Is found. 
 
 Angenor. Fauvette? 
 
 Tabata. No, Zelie. 
 
 Joseph. Zelie? 
 
 Tabata. She is here. 
 
 {Enter Zelie as a vivandiere.) 
 
 Zelie. My Joseph! {Embraces Joskpu.) 
 
 Angenor. What, a vivandiere? 
 
 Zelie. Tarata loaned me one of her uniforms. 
 
 Angenor. And Fauvette? 
 
 Zelie. I know not. An hour ago Ahmed made me 
 dress as an odalisque. Then he opened the door 
 and said — 
 
 Angenor. " Get out! " I know. 
 
 Zelie. I went. But the streets were full of 
 soldiers who all wished to kiss or embrace me. 
 Happily I met with the Zouaves. 
 
 Joseph (dubiously). And were they more reserved? 
 
 Zelie. No, on the contrary. But when I told 
 them that I was the beloved of the trumpeter 
 Joseph, they took me to Tarata, — and here I 
 am, clothes and all. 
 
 Joseph. Never mind,— clothies or no clothes,— I 
 ]iave found you again and am satisfied. 
 
 Trecourt (a.<iide to the others). Leave them to their 
 
 outpourings of love. They have much lost time 
 
 to make up. 
 Angenoh {to Trecourt). And take me to your 
 
 lieutenant. 
 Trecourt. Follow me, great tenor. {iiings effu- 
 sively) Tra-la-la! 
 Angenor. What a voice he has! I must teach him 
 
 my method. {All exeunt, except Zelie and 
 
 Joseph.) 
 Joseph. And is it really you? I can't realize it yet. 
 
 What experiences we have had ! But all is over 
 
 now. We are soon to return to France. Once 
 
 there, — I'll do you the honor to marry you. 
 
 7,¥AAE {uneasily). Marry me! I — I 
 
 Joseph. What now? 
 
 Zelie (aside). If he should ever hear of my kissing 
 
 that dumb fellow! {Aloud) When one marries, 
 
 there should be nothing with which to reproach 
 
 oneself. 
 Joseph {aside). She has heard of my gallivanting 
 
 with that woman. {Aloud) Oh, you mean the 
 
 Arab girl! 
 Zelie {embarrassed).. With the mute? Yes. 
 Joseph (a.s/df). The gabblers! (vI/ohJ) Oh, it was 
 
 a matter of no importance whatever. * 
 Zelie (astonished). Then you do not think it was 
 
 wrong? 
 Joseph. Such trifles do not count. I know I have 
 
 not been exactly faithful, but 
 
 Zelie {angrily). What! You too? 
 
 Joseph {alarmed). What do you mean by me too? 
 
 Zklie. Oh, nothing! I was about to say — I 
 
 And so you have been unfaithful to me? 
 Joseph. Not in my heart. It was in a good cause. 
 Zelie. A good cause! Monster! 
 Joseph. I wished to escape, and it was necessary 
 
 I should win over somebody who knew the 
 
 locality. 
 
 Joseph. My fault, if so you take it. 
 
 In aim was good. 
 For friendship did I make it, 
 
 As friendship should. 
 If wrong was my affection. 
 
 Away from thee, 
 I was in deep dejection 
 
 For Pierre, you see. 
 I played with my affection, — 
 
 For Pierre, you see ! 
 And to tell you true — 
 In serving Pierre I found pleasure, too. 
 
 Zelik. All ! I see now, and I also 
 
 Joseph. What, unfaithful? Oh, woman! False? 
 Zelie. Not in my heart. It was in a good cause. 
 Joseph. A good cause? Oli, lickle gentleness! 
 Zelir. I wished to escape, and I had to cajole 
 somebody who knew the locality. 
 
 Zelie. I wished to save his loved one, 
 
 Her life ))roteot.— 
 I flirted with another; 
 
 Vou o;in't object. 
 In me the act was noble, 
 
 Was good, — sublime. 
 To servo a friend, you surely 
 
 Don't think a crime. 
 Though it displease you, 
 
 I must admit 't is true, 
 In serving jioor Fauvette, 
 
 I found a pleasure, too. 
 
 Joseph. Ah ! both of us ! But it is different in your 
 case. I'm a man! How can I marry you, and 
 
FAUVETTE. 
 
 21 
 
 have somebody else say he kissed you after we 
 
 were engaged? 
 Zelie. But he will not say it, he is dumb. 
 Joseph. Dumb! What, are there two of them? 
 Zelie. Two? No, only one. The fellow that I met 
 
 at the grotto. 
 Joseph {with hope). At the grotto? Give me the 
 
 particulars, and be particular youx'self. 
 Zelie. Ah, I dare not, I was so bold. 
 Joseph. Firstly, you made advances to him: told 
 
 him that he was beautiful. 
 
 Zelie. Gross flattery, I admit. 
 
 Joseph. And you told him — 
 
 " But of her foot to gain a sight. 
 
 Or press her hand, is not a sin," 
 
 Zelie {puzzled). Exactly. 
 
 Joseph. And he replied to you, " Hi, hi, hi, hi ! " 
 
 Zelie. Yes, well? 
 
 Joseph. It was I. 
 
 Zelie. Ah, Joseph ! 
 
 Joseph. Ah, Zelie! {They einbrace.) 
 
 Both. Perhaps to be sincere 
 
 And to tell you true, 
 
 T • ( Fauvette 
 
 In serving poor jpi^j.^.^ 
 
 Was to me a pleasure, too. 
 
 ( Trumpet in distance outride. The Zouaves cross 
 
 the stage running.) 
 
 Joseph. Hollo! What now? Is it a call to arms? 
 
 I must go. 
 
 Zelie. And I'll go with you. You don't quit my 
 
 sight again before I have married you beyond 
 
 recall. {They exeunt singing and dancing refrain 
 
 of the last duet.) 
 
 (Ali enters from the ruins with another Arab.) 
 
 All The soldiers have gone! {To Arab) Go, and 
 
 tell the master that the Frenchwoman is here. 
 
 Go! {Exit Arab, Speaking at the door of the 
 
 ruins) Come! We will await the chief here. 
 
 (Fauvette enters from ruins, attired as a camel- 
 
 iriver.) 
 
 Fauvette. I will wait. 
 
 Ali. And I will watch. {Exit cautiously.) 
 
 Fauvette {looking o^ff). Something unusual is tak- 
 ing place. Scarcely had we reached this place 
 when we were obliged to leave the dwelling the 
 Arab chief had chosen for us. They separated 
 me from Zelie and Angenor, then made me don 
 this costume and hide in these ruins. What can 
 have happened? But why disturb myself? 
 Pierre is safe, for the chief has sworn it. As 
 for me, what have I to fear? I am no longer 
 afraid of this terrible Ahmed. He is in love, — 
 and is now only a man. 
 
 Fauvette. Yes, he is saved; hope is returning. 
 
 And night has changed to smiling morn; 
 Within my heart is joy reborn, 
 With love, regret and tender yearning. 
 And this chief so fierce and brave, 
 A savage dreaded far and near: 
 Like a child, 
 Meek and mild, 
 There at my feet he kneels a slave. 
 He loves, is but a man ! no more I fear. 
 Ah! poor women that we are. 
 Weaker than proud man by far; 
 But when we would have our way. 
 Who shall say us Nay? 
 For in our hands, as clay, 
 Since the world began, 
 Is man. 
 
 This son of warfare, wild and daring, 
 Spared, in his pride, a rival's life. 
 Against him can I wage no strife; 
 And still am I not yet despairing. 
 This noble lion, in his heart 
 A rankling wound doth bear 
 That costs him dear. 
 'T is I alone can cure the smart. 
 My master is my slave. 
 His power I brave. 
 He loves, is but a man! no more I fear. 
 Ah ! poor women that we are, etc. 
 {Enter Ahmed as a camel-driver, and All) 
 Ahmed. Thus attired we are safe. Come, you 
 
 must follow me. 
 Fauvette. I am ready. But answer me. Pierre 
 
 is safe? 
 Ahmed. Have I not sworn it ? The man you love 
 
 has no more to fear from me. 
 Fauvette. Then I shall follow you where you 
 
 will, 
 Ahmed. Listen, The French still occupy the city. 
 Fauvette [with aery of hope). Ah! 
 Ahmed. A cry, a word, a gesture from you, and 
 we are lost. Remember, the life of the man you 
 love shall answer for your silence. Eetray me, 
 and were he surrounded by soldiers, I would 
 find out a means to reach him and to stab him 
 to the heart. 
 Fauvette {with fear). I will not betray you, 
 
 {Enter Trecourt and Cransac) 
 Fauvette {a.<iide). Trecourt! 
 
 Ahmed {quickly to Fauvette). Silence or your 
 
 lover is lost to you forever, {To Trecourt) 
 
 Is it true that no one can leave Mascara without 
 
 a safe-conduct? 
 
 Trecourt. It is. We wish to capture a scoundrel 
 
 named Ahmed. Do you know him? 
 Ahmed. Perhaps, 
 
 Cransac, He appears to be a very estimable dog. 
 Trecourt {slapping Ahmed on shoulder). If I only 
 
 once lay my hand on him. 
 Ahmed {disengaging himself). They say he is very 
 
 cunning. He will escape you. 
 Cransac, That is why we guard every gate. 
 Ahmed, But these gates will open for us, whose 
 
 business is on the desert. 
 Trecourt {looking at Ahmed and Fauvette). What 
 
 do you do there? 
 Ahmed. We are camel-drivers. 
 Trecourt. Camel-drivers? What do you drive 
 
 them for? 
 Ahmed {aside to Fauvette), Echo me, so that they 
 may not suspect who you are, {Aloud) Listen, 
 Frenchman. 
 Ahmed. O'er the desert vast and dreary, 
 
 Goes the camel-driver gay. 
 Fax:vette. O'er the desert vast and dreary, 
 
 Goes the camel-driver gay. 
 Ahmed. Singing, for aye, 
 As on his way. 
 Wanders he, ne'er growing weary. 
 Fauvette. Singing, for aye, etc. 
 Holla,— he! Ah! 
 Both. He braves the sand-storm's deathly tide, 
 He braves the simoom's fiery heat; 
 His gay refrain serves as a guide 
 Unto the trembling traveller's feet. 
 Ah! Holla— he! 
 Ahmed. Of the boundless desert, surely. 
 Do we know the trackless plan. 
 
22 
 
 FAUVETTE. 
 
 Fauvette. Of the boundless, etc. 
 
 Ahmed. On its lordly way, securely, 
 Guide we, too, the caravan. 
 
 Fauvette. On its lordly way, securely, 
 Guide we, too, the caravan. 
 Holla — he! Ah! 
 
 Both. Across the vast and dreary plain 
 A lover hastes, his fair to meet. 
 And as he hears our gay refrain. 
 It serves to speed his weary feet. 
 Ah! Holla— he! 
 
 Tbecourt. I understand now. You are guides for 
 dromedaries and other humpback cavalry. 
 
 Ckansac. Well, Bedouin, come with me. You 
 shall have your passport ; but you must pay for 
 something to drink. I am parched with thirst. 
 
 Ahmed. 'T is well. 
 
 Tbecourt. I will go to the canteen and have some 
 punch made. (Exit.) 
 
 Ahmed (aside to Fauvette). You understand. You 
 are to pass as the wife of a chief. Go, and 
 change your attire and await me here. 
 
 Fauvette. But 
 
 Ahmed. You have sworn. Take care. (Fauvette 
 enters the ruins with Ali, who guards her.) 
 
 Ckansac. Well, Arab, I am ready. 
 
 Ahmed. And I. 
 
 Cbansac {takes his arm). Then we'll go. Perhaps 
 you can tell us something of this villain, Ahmed. 
 
 Now, if we can only lay hands (Exit, talking 
 
 with Ahmed.) 
 
 (Trecourt re-enters with Zouaves.) 
 
 Tbecourt. All is ready, Cransac — eh ? Why, where 
 is the hero of the festival ? 
 
 (Enter Angexor dressed as one of the musicians of a 
 military band.) 
 
 Angenor. Here he is. (All laugh.) 
 
 Tbecourt. The professor ! We are not waiting 
 for y(tu. But what the deuce does this dress 
 mean ? 
 
 Angenor. A musician's uniform I have borrowed. 
 The colonel gave his permission, induced by my 
 promise to play the bass-tuba. As I said to the 
 colonel Well, hear what I said to the col- 
 onel : — 
 
 ST. ANGENOR. 
 
 I like the military band ! 
 
 It marks step with a rat-a-plan. 
 At parade "t is in the van ! 
 
 In fight it in the rear doth stand. 
 I really love the band. (Marches.) 
 
 The regimental music makes 
 The soldier's step elastic 
 
 And to his movements it implants 
 A freedom quite gymnastic. 
 
 And in the future, generals, 
 Thanks to their band, may know 
 
 How they in perfect time can hurl 
 Destruction on the foe. 
 Angenor. But where is the lieutenant ? 
 Tbecourt. A moment ago something of importance 
 occurred, and the regiment is under arms again. 
 But attention, lads! Vive .Joseph ! 
 (Enter Joseph decorated, arm in arm with Zelie.) 
 Angenor. Eh ! The hairdresser, — and decorated ! 
 Tbecourt. Hail to the hero of the po wder- barrels ! 
 Omnes. Fii'e Joseph! 
 Angenor Then you are brave, after all. 
 Joseph. Yes, I have been a verv fury of courage — 
 but it cost me a great deal of resolution. (Shoio- 
 ing his trumpet.) This is what saved you all, in 
 the moment of peril. 
 
 Trecourt. That and your coat-tails, Joseph. 
 Joseph. Now, if Fauvette were only found. 
 (Enter Tarata with barrel over her shoulder and a 
 
 cup in her hand.) 
 Trecourt, Ah ! lads ! Come, come. 
 
 (They go up and surround Tar ATA.) 
 Ahmed (re-enters with Cransac). Then with this 
 
 safe-conduct there is nothing to fear. 
 Cransac. Absolutely nothing. 
 Ahmed. Then we '11 go. (Goes to ruins and calls) 
 Come ! 
 
 (Enter Pierre from opposite side.) 
 Pierre. Hear the order, lads ! (Ahmed turns at the 
 sound of the voice. Pierre recognizing him.) 
 Ahmed ! 
 Ahmed (aside). He! 
 
 (Fauvette enters from ruins.) 
 Fauvette (sees Pierre). Pierre! 
 Piehbr (opens his arms). Ah, Fauvette! (They 
 
 embrace.) 
 Ahmed. I must fly. 
 
 Joseph (sto2)s him at back). Not just now. 
 Ahmed (runs to ruins). You do not hold me yet. 
 Trecourt (loho a moment before entered the ruins, 
 after Favvette came from them). The game is 
 blocked this way. 
 (^HMED rushes to different entrances, but is met by 
 French soldiers with fixed bayonets.) 
 Soldiers. Halt! Cease to fly! 
 
 No one goes this way. 
 Halt, without delay! 
 One more step, and you die. 
 Ahmed (resignedly). 
 
 It was decreed. My fate is sealed. 
 Great is Allah ! To you I yield. 
 Fauvette {to Pierre). 
 
 Let no cloud mar this joyous day. 
 Set him at large. 
 Pierre. I will obey. (To Ahmed) Away! 
 Trecourt. Go, and Bon voyage ! 
 Ahmed. Freed, and by you ! My soul doth burn, 
 With deep humiliation! 
 Ere to the desert I return, 
 I bow before your nation. 
 (Exit with Ali.) 
 Joseph (shouting after him). 
 
 Thank you for nothing, my good friend. 
 Zelie (reproving). 
 
 He meant well; and so let it end. 
 Cransac (to St.Angenor). Master, a letter from 
 the Minister. 
 
 (Hands him letter.) 
 St.Angenor (reads). Can it be true? 
 
 It comes at last, although belated. 
 (WithjoT/) I have the post for which I've waited! 
 (To Fauvette) Your liberty I give to you. 
 Fauvette. Soon we for Paris will depart, 
 
 Where we all four will wedded be. 
 I will the signal give to start — 
 
 Attention, forward, march! 
 Our wedding-ring the priest will bless. 
 O.MNES. Kat-a-plan ! 
 
 Fauvette. And crown our lives with happiness. 
 Omnes. Rat-a-plan! 
 
 Fauvette (to the public). 
 
 Joy, full and perfect, shall we feel 
 If you our passports sign and seal. 
 Omnes. Rat-a-plan! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
Syracuse, n. I. 
 Stockton, Cilif. 
 
 ML50.M45.F3 1890 
 
 C037462874 
 
 y.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 CD37^bEa7^ 
 
 DATEDIIEJ 
 
 Music Library 
 
 University of CaUfomia at 
 
 Berkeley 
 
%