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SPENCER'S BOSTON THEATRE No. CXL. 
 
 THE NAIAD QUEEN; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE REVOLT OF THE NAIADS, 
 
 $0munti %ratir 
 
 IN THREE ACTS. 
 
 WEITTBN BY 
 
 J. S. DALRYMPLE, ESQ. 
 
 ORIGIN/IL CASTS, COSTUMES, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE 
 
 BUSINESS, CORRECTLY MARKED AND AKRANGtygp, BY 
 
 MR. J. B. WRIGHT, ASSISTANT MANAGER 
 
 OP THE BOSTON THEATRE. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 WILLIAM V. SPENCER, 
 
 128 WASHINGTON STREET, (CORNER, or WATER.) 
 
THE NAIAD QUEEN. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. Gothic Hall in RUPERT'S Castle, 2 G. Oriel window, L. F., 
 backed with moonlight view; large table in c., with pitcher, goblets, 
 f$c. ; benches on R. and L, of table ; Gothic chair head of table in c, 
 
 RODOLPH, RlNALDO, MANFREDO, ALBERT, ROLANDO, and CHORUS, 
 
 seated at table ; an aged PILGRIM seated on stool, R. H. 2 E. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 To-morrow and to-morrow 
 
 May mingle smiles with ours ; 
 Or falsehood, shame, and sorrow, 
 Consume life's summer flowers. 
 So mirth and melancholy 
 
 Float idly down the stream ; 
 One dissipates in folly, 
 The other in a dream. 
 
 Then drink, drink, drink, 
 And merrily clink 
 
 The cups that overflow ; 
 And one cheer more 
 We'll add to the score, 
 Before we rise to go. 
 
 (All rise and come forward c. with goblets.) 
 
 To-morrow and to-morrow, 
 
 The sooner let it come ; 
 We can but steal or borrow, 
 
 As through the world we roam. 
 We owe no monarch fealty, 
 
 We share no statesman's gains ; 
 We fear not woman's frailty, 
 
 And laugh at lovers' pains. 
 Then drink, drink, drink, &c. 
 
 (All go up and sit.) 
 
SCENE I.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 
 
 Enter RUPERT, followed by BAPTISTE, B. H. 1 E. 
 
 Hup. Comrades, your hearts are light. 
 
 Sap. Ay, master, as our purses, or the cup upon the board yonder. 
 
 Rup. Well, friends, I grieve to entertain ye no better ; but my 
 father's gold is long gone ; it bought your services while it lasted, 
 and with these services I, Rupert, the Fearnought, won this castle 
 from its lord, levied tolls on the river, plundered the burgesses of 
 Bingen, and palyed the chieftain as nobly as a robber may. But, 
 alas ! fortune is no longer with us ; we cannot now extract a doit from 
 traveller or citizen ; we must shake hands and part. 
 
 Bap. As you will, Sir Knight that is, master, I should say. 
 Better so than fare worse. For my part, I'm weary of the monotony 
 of these dull rounds ; I'll to the wars ; an' there be gold worth the 
 gathering, it shall go hard but a stout heart 
 
 Omnes. (Laughing.} Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Bap. You are welcome to laugh, gentlemen ; but, for my part, I 
 never could laugh upon an empty stomach. I repeat, gentlemen, that 
 a stout heart and trusty sword will still serve my turn. Rodolph, 
 what say you ? 
 
 Rod. (Laughing.} Have with you, comrade. 
 
 Bin. (Laughing.} So say I. 
 
 All. (Laughing.} So say all. 
 
 Bap. All ; so say all ! Master, you hear what they say ; what 
 do you say ? 
 
 Rup. That when you have all left, I purpose drowning myself in 
 the Rhine. (Retires up to table, c. ; they utter an exclamation of dis- 
 approval.} 
 
 Pil. (Rising and coming forward, R. H.) Ah, if one could get 
 at the wealth that lies in the Rhine, that would be worth diving for ! 
 
 Bap. (L. H.) Why, there can't be much among the fishes, I 
 fancy, unless those frosty eyes of thine have changed theirs into 
 diamonds, and their scales into pearls. 
 
 Pil. Thou art a fool ! Gold there is, and it may be won, too, by 
 a handsome man, if he be brave enough. 
 
 Bap. Handsome ! brave ! I think you said handsome and brave. 
 I tell you what it is, my knight of the cross roads, a little less of 
 your personalities, if you please, or I'll pretty soon teach you that 
 handsome and brave are with me synonymous terms. (Half drawing 
 his sword and swaggering.^) 
 
 Rup. (Rising and advancing, c.) How ! sayst thou ? 
 
 Pil. The water spirits have the key to the treasure ; and he who 
 wins their love may chance to win their gold. 
 
 Bap. Ugh! fudge! (Laughing.} Ha, ha! (Retires up, and 
 groups with the rest about the table.} 
 
 Rup. Old man, a word : say you there are spirits, dwellers beneath 
 the dark waters of the Rhine, with whom the young and brave find 
 favor, and bring back wealth and honor ? 
 
 Pil. Ay, master ; and who offer tempting booty to the bold whom 
 fortune leaves upon the land. 
 1* 
 
6 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT I. 
 
 Rup. This cannot be achieved. The sirens famed in story reck 
 not the love of errant knights, whose gallantry hath led them to 
 their wild retreats, to kneel in admiration at their lays. Oft lured by 
 these, the listening mariner forsakes the purpose of his voyage ; his 
 cargoes and his hopes become ingulfed beneath the treacherous eddies 
 they prepare. 
 
 Pit. You err, if thus you would arraign the gentler Naiads of 
 the limpid Rhine, who nightly leave their crystalline abodes, to bask 
 upon the moonlit rocks above. I've heard my grandsire tell, their 
 melody, far off, salutes the ears of voyagers, who, had they youth and 
 valor, might approach and compass both their beauty and their gold. 
 
 Rup. Thither to-night will I repair. 
 
 Pil. Be not too rash ; hast thou the firmness to 
 
 Hup. Peace, old man ! Who questions the proud daring of " The 
 Pearnought " ? This night, I say ! Before the daystar rises, I will 
 moor fast to the Lurlei Berg my nimble skiff : Lurline, 'tis said, long 
 after midnight, holds her vigil there. To her will I prefer my love's 
 complaint ; and let my guerdon be her sweetest song and smile, or 
 sadder fate ! Rupert returns this castle's richer lord, or never ! 
 
 Pil. There spoke the spirit of the " The Fearnought " still ! 
 
 Rup. (Calling.} Comrades! (BAPTISTE and others come forward^ 
 B. and L.) I leave ye for a month ; so fill a bumper pledge to my 
 safe return ! Since one element can yield no more, I am about to try 
 the beings of another. I may perish in the enterprise I may not 
 return ; tarry for me, therefore, but the time 1 have mentioned : if ye 
 then see me not, depart in peace. Meanwhile, ye may manage to 
 starve on, and, if the worst come to the worst 
 
 Omnes. Well? (Exit PILGRIM, n. H. 1 E.) 
 
 Rup. (Jocosely.} Ye can eat one another. 
 
 Bap. And leave our heads to tell the tale to after comers. So, 
 comrades, pledge we to brave Sir Rupert's welcome home. 
 
 Omnes. (Filling and drinking.} Sir Rupert's welcome home ! 
 
 Bap. (To RUPERT.) Umph ! Who is she that hath so cozened 
 the heiress of Lorchausen of her chance of Rupert's hand ? 
 
 Rup. Well, no matter. 
 
 Thou know'st her father's wealthy proud withal, 
 While I am still the poor adventurer, 
 That, in the scale of fortune, may not weigh 
 My lot 'gainst hers. Doubt not my heart is sealed 
 To Lady Una's, though now on its way 
 To raise a mortgage on a Rhenish nymph ; 
 Which, ere I dare to press my former suit, 
 Must be effected. So content ye. 
 
 Bap. (Drinking.} As you list, Sir Knight. 
 
 Rup. (Musing.} Stay : above the rest, I've found thee ever 
 faithful. 
 
 Bap. Who ? me, master ? 
 
 Rup. Ay; give me thy hand. Thou shalt be boon companion of 
 my venture, Baptiste ; thou shalt along with me. (Shaking his hand.} 
 
 Bap. (Withdrawing his hand coldly.} You'll excuse me, master. 
 I have no objection to engage with you in one, two, or more of the 
 
SCENE II.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 7 
 
 elements that is, I'll stand by you between wind and water ; but 
 as for this little submarine expedition of yours this little aquatic 
 flirtation you understand me this diving belle amour, I have a 
 strange presentiment that my presence that is, the presence of any 
 third party would be very much in the way eh ? (Winking his 
 eye, knowingly ; the rest laugh deridingly at him.*) 
 
 Rup. Now, by my knighthood, thou art no true esquire ! I had 
 thought on a way to serve thee, an thou hadst sworn thyself my 
 friend ; but let that pass. Gold will not mate with a churl. 
 
 Bap. Gold ! and a churl ! Master, you have wronged me very 
 much wronged me. Neither of those are adjectives to my substantive. 
 (Striking his breast.} Of the former, I already lack quantum sufficit ; 
 and of the latter, I think I can say, with reason, that I have not a 
 drop of churl's blood in my veins. (All laugh.} And, to prove it, 
 I will e'en follow you to the bottom of Charybdis ; though I must 
 own I never, by my valor, till now, conceived so extraordinary a taste 
 for the study of hydraulics. 
 
 Rup. 'Tiswell. (Calling.'} Ho! there. 
 
 Enter ATTENDANT, R. H. 1 E. 
 
 Look that my skiff be ready at the postern ; there await my coming. 
 (Exit ATTENDANT, R. H. 1 E.) And now, my friends, good night. 
 
 Bap. Allow me, first, a parting cup to the pretty Mistress Bridget 
 at Lorchausen ; then have with you, master. (Filling and drinking at 
 table. Exit RUPERT, R. H. 1 E. ; all come forward ; attendants enter* 
 K. and L. 2 E., and quietly clear table and benches.} 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Then drink, drink, drink, 
 
 And merrily clink 
 The cups that cheer each heart ; 
 
 Ay, one cheer more 
 
 We'll add to the score, 
 Ere we shake hands and part. 
 
 (Exit BAPTISTE, R. H. 1 E., RODOLPH and the rest, L. H. 1 E.) 
 
 SCENE II. A Romantic Prospect on the Rhine t 5 G. The town of 
 St. Goar, with its mountainous district, in the distance ; the Lurlei 
 Rocks in the foreground, R. H. and L. H. ; the QUEEN ascends through 
 waters and sits on the Lurlei Berg in the moonlight, R. c. ; the dwarf, 
 AMPHIBEO, is prostrasted at the foot of the rock, L. H., watching the 
 approach of strangers ; lights half down. Music. 
 
 SONG. Queen. 
 
 Silent nymph, with silvery wings, 
 
 Hither from thy bower stray : 
 I will show thee choicest things, 
 
 Where the watery moonbeams play. 
 
8 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT I. 
 
 In a nautilus we'll glide 
 O'er the cool and limpid tide ; 
 From whose surface fathoms through 
 Thou my crystal halls shall view ; 
 Where, through the groves of coral, we 
 Dance to Naiads' minstrelsy. 
 
 Dance, dance, dance, dance, 
 To the Naiads' minstrelsy. 
 
 ( Towards the end of the song, the dwarf looks warily over the water, 
 and makes a signal to the QUEEN of the approach of intruders* and then 
 retreats behind the rocks on L. H.) . 
 
 Enter RUPERT and BAPTISTE, R. H. 2 E. ; they advance near the 
 Lurlei Berg. 
 
 JRnp. (On L. H.) My ears deceived me not: that way the voice 
 descended, and stole upon my ravished senses like music from the 
 spheres. ( Observing QUEEN on rock in waters on R. H.) Beautiful 
 spirit, nymph, or whatever thou art, I do invoke thee ! Who art 
 thou. () beautiful maiden r and whence is thine art r Art thou a 
 daughter of the river r and dost thou lure us to destruction ? Why, 
 be it so ! Welcome the whirlpool, if it entomb me in thy home. 
 
 Queen. Thou art bold, young mortal. Wherefore say thy tribe 
 such harsh legends of my song ? Who ever perished by my art ? 
 Do I not rather allay the storm, and smooth the mirror of the waves ? 
 Return to thy home safely and in peace, and vindicate, when thou 
 hearest it maligned, the name of the Water Spirit of the Rhine. 
 
 Rup. Return ! Never, until I have touched thee knelt to 
 thee felt that thy beauty is not a dream ! Thou art as woman, yet 
 more lovely than the fairest of earth's bright daughters. Take me to 
 thy blue caverns, and be my bride. 
 
 SONG. Queen. 
 
 Ocean's bed sheds odors rare, 
 
 Which no breath of air hath wasted ; 
 In her caves are viands fair, 
 
 That no mortal lip hath tasted. 
 Radiant through the sunlit water 
 
 Many a tempting pearl there be, 
 Might dazzle the heart of the fairest daughter, 
 
 Sighing on land for the gems of sea. 
 
 About our throne, 
 
 With dulcet tone, 
 Sirens wake their pearly shells ; 
 
 And visions bright 
 
 Each sense delight, 
 Roused by water fairies' spells. 
 While, through groves of coral, we 
 Dance to the Naiads' minstrelsy. 
 
 Dance, dance, dance, dance, 
 To the Naiads' minstrelsy. 
 
SCENE III.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 9 
 
 (At the conclusion of the song, QUEEN glides gracefully from the 
 rock on parallel, and disappears beneath the waters.) 
 
 Rup. She glides away, even like the vision from the sleeper ! Bap- 
 tiste ! 
 
 Bap. {Advancing, R. H.) Here, master. 
 
 Rup. Tarry with the skiff till sunrise ; if ye then see me not, re- 
 turn to St. Goar; I follow yon maiden's track. {Going.') 
 
 Bap. (Stopping him.} Hold, master! we part not thus. Con- 
 sider fitly what a perilous voyage you undergo ; think what a master 
 'tis I lose think what a squire that master leaves behind ! 
 
 Rup. Unhand me ! The secrets of yon dreaming land I will re- 
 solve, or perish in the undertaking ! I follow fate and fortune. (Mu- 
 sic. He breaks from BAPTISTE, rushes to the summit of the rock, and 
 dives after QUEEN.) 
 
 Bap. There's another knight-errant lost to society ! Now, what 
 an extraordinary a most extraordinary predilection my master 
 evinces for a watery grave ! What a pity, for the sake of the Lady 
 Una, as well as all the other ladies in the Palatinate, he hadn't been 
 inoculated with the hydrophobia ! They could but have smothered 
 him in dry blankets ; when now he'll as surely catch his death of 
 cold, by stepping voluntarily into a damp bed. (Looking about.) 
 Hallo! what has become of the skiff ? (Music. During this collo- 
 quy, the dwarf emerges from the rock, goes towards the skiff, which he 
 sets adrift, then strikes a grotesque figure, and intercepts BAPTISTE in his 
 way towards it. The latter appears singularly overtaken with fear ; 
 and, after traversing the banks with grotesque and hurried strides, and 
 whilst the dwarf menaces him, he rushes off hastily, L. H. 2 E. ; the 
 dwarf laughs hideously, and disappears through trap, n. H.) 
 
 SCENE III. A Cavern on the Banks of the Rhine, 1 G. 
 
 Music. Enter BAPTISTE, K. n. 1 E., running on in trepidation after 
 a pause, c., he looks back, or averts his head with anxiety, to find 
 that he is no longer pursued by AMPHIBEO. Lights down.) 
 
 Bap. (Recovering himself.) A very respectable, queer- looking 
 kind of a personage, the little gentleman I have just parted with ! A 
 member of the club of odd fishes, I should imagine. By the way, the 
 air of these caverns is not very favorable to rheumatism ; and I know 
 of no better way of arming the outward man against evil spirits than 
 by fortifying the inward man with nothing but a good 'un. ( Taking 
 afiask of brandy from his jerkin.) Come forth, my bottle imp ! thou 
 cordial to sore places and blue devils ! < Beautiful spirit, I invoke 
 thee ! " as my master says ! (Drinking. Music, four bars. The 
 notes of a flageolet are heard to a wild and humorous strain.) Eh ! 
 what's coming now ? Fresh arrivals ! Ho ! ho ! Girt thy armor 
 well about thy loins, good Master Baptiste. Here's to ye ! (Drink- 
 ing. Music, first wildly, then plaintively, afterwards briskly, and 
 with humor ; the sounds appear to recede and return alternatety at R. 
 and L., and from above. BAPTISTE pauses, puts up his fiask, traverses 
 
10 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT I. 
 
 backward and forward in pursuit of the sound, as it baffles his curi- 
 osity ; he appears suddenly impressed with its delusion, then laughs, 
 and settles into a calm or delirium, as the music sinks into the lower notes ; 
 after a pause, the music strikes a feic rapid bars to strains of a wild 
 and incoherent measure, partaking throughout of comic humor. BAP- 
 TISTE is roused from his apathy, and in following the sound, R. H., is 
 confronted. 
 
 Enter the Naiad IDEX, R. H. 1 E., playfully dressed as a dancing 
 nymph, and wearing a flageolet suspended to her girdle. She startles 
 on seeing BAPTISTE, who suddenly retreats, and regards her with 
 mixed fear and admiration ; after a pause, each recovers confidence 
 IDEX moves playfully about BAPTISTS, and plays several variations 
 on the flageolet ; she advances and recedes coquettishly , to which he 
 replies by nods, icinks, and gestures, of amorous portent ; he at last 
 engages her attention. 
 
 Bap. Truly, miss, I am more than delighted to have fallen upon 
 so agreeable a companion, after the one I had the pleasure of scraping 
 a slight acquaintance with a few minutes ago. 
 
 Idex. Who art thou, stranger, and whence comest thou ? 
 
 Bap. Truly, miss, it boots little to inquire whence I came, who I 
 am, or how I got hither. I came over the water in company with my 
 master, who, I have every reason to believe, is just now in company of 
 some one else, who lives under the water ; and as I feel myself in 
 every particular like a fish out of water apart from him, I should es- 
 teem it a particular favor if you would bring me some tidings of or 
 conduct me where I may find him. 
 
 Idex. Foolish mortal ! why dost thou roam so far from thy tribe? 
 Knowest thou the haunt of the Naiads ? It is here. The air above 
 thee is enchanted ; the rock thou standest on is fairy ground, and we, 
 the dwellers, are immortal. 
 
 Bap. (Aside.) Immortal ! I'll accost her somewhat in the fash- 
 ion of my master. (To IDEX.) Beautiful substance! brightest of 
 spirits ! that is, miss, I hope no offence I mean not the slight- 
 est allusion to the one which I carry along with me brightest of 
 immortal spirits ! I've a pulse now throbbing inside of me, with a 
 passionate conviction that my good breeding has already found favor 
 in those eyes. Hem ! 
 
 Idex. (Laughing.') Ha, ha, ha ! Now, are not you a very ven- 
 turous mortal ? 
 
 Bap. Who, me? venturous? Bless you ! I'd venture all for the 
 fair sex, especially those of a spiritual persuasion. ( Taking out the 
 brandy flask, and drinking.} 
 
 Idex. (Aside.) How prepossessing and engaging is his bold ad- 
 dress ! Dare I trust him ? or, rather, dare I trust myself? (Gazing 
 upon him, while he is ruminating over the flask.} He certainly is hand- 
 some ; and, out of mere compassion to the Naiads, I must keep him 
 apart from the rest. (Calling to BAPTISTE.) Handsome mortal ! 
 
 Bap. (Surprised.) Eh ! me ? Miss, did you speak ? Handsome ! 
 You were observing you seem impressed with my outward appear- 
 
SCENE III.J THE NAIAD QUEEN. 11 
 
 ances my externals. Bless you, I am a thing of substance noth- 
 ing immortal about me all genuine Flanders bred flesh and 
 blood from the crown of my head to the sole of my foot. Look at 
 that, miss there's a leg ! Show me the mermaid that's got such a 
 tail ! (He is slightly inebriated.) Ton my soul, miss, you seem to be 
 a very delectable, social sort of spirit. Tell me, now, how do the 
 ladies manage to kill time on your side of the water ? 
 
 Idex. To know, thou must follow me ; we ne'er reveal the secrets 
 of our tribe to mortals on the land. 
 
 Bap. You sing ? 
 
 Idex. 'Tis our recreation. 
 
 Bap. Dance, too ? 
 
 Idex. All day and night. 
 
 Bap. Any thing else ? any sort of field-sport, hunting, or horse 
 exercise ? 
 
 Idex. Sometimes we mount the hippopotamus, and chase the 
 ground-shark homeward to his lair. 
 
 Bap. {Aside.) Very pleasant, that ! Fancy me floundering in 
 the water on the outside of a hippopotamus ! (To IDEX.) But, 
 miss, I pray you now conduct me where I may find my master. 
 
 Idex. It is only by my power you can find him. 
 
 Bap. (Aside.) She's an ardent spirit, an incorporeal being, as it 
 were, distilled out of the flesh. I have a great mind to put her to the 
 test by a drop from the flask ; they say there's sympathy between 
 souls. I'll make a compound spirit of her. (To IDEX.) Miss, allow 
 me to present you with a mouthful of my elixir no ceremony be- 
 tween friends. (Advancing towards her with the flask.) 
 
 Idex. (Retreating.) Courteous stranger, 'tis not permitted that 
 our race shall partake of the viands of earth. 
 
 Bap. But these are not viands. I only ask you to drink with me ; 
 try it ; you'll find it quite in your own way. 
 
 Idex. (Advancing coquettishly^ and receiving the fl>ask.) Ha ! the 
 spirits of water mix not with those of fire. (Archly.) Why didst 
 thou tempt me ? (She is about to cast it from her, but is arrested by 
 BAPTISTE, an involuntary movement on his part bringing them in col- 
 lision.) 
 
 Bap. (Feeling her arms.) Eh ! why, this is substance, flesh and 
 blood, I declare ! Now, do you know, I have been all along in the 
 dark in this business ; I took you for a thing of air. 
 
 Idex. Thou knowest I am of the water, and thither I'm return- 
 ing to my sisterhood, to help them gather crabs' eyes. 
 
 Bap. Gather crabs' eyes ! what a recreation ! Well, but there's 
 no particular hurry stay a little longer. ( Ogling her.) There are 
 other eyes worth gathering, as well as crabs', and you needn't go a 
 great way to find 'em. 
 
 Idex. (Aside.) What a persevering creature it is ! I feel almost 
 persuaded to make him the companion of my voyage. (To BAP- 
 TISTE.) How if I show thee the Naiads in their retreat, and bring 
 thee where thou shalt see thy master ? 
 
 Bap. Naiads in a retreat ! what, with my master? Conduct me 
 I'm your man ! Lord ! I'm such a devil, and can beat my mas- 
 ter hollow at singing and dancing. 
 
12 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT I. 
 
 Idex. First, I must lay a spell upon thee. 
 
 Bap. You'd better not I'll lay my spell on thee, else. (Music. 
 She moves sportively round him, and endeavors to catch him in a 
 noose of golden cord, which she takes from her girdle ; he evades it with 
 amorous humor, but at last receives it round his neck ; this brings them 
 again into collision, and, encircling her waist, he kisses her smartly on 
 the lips.} That's above proof! 
 
 Idex. O, fie, fie, fie ! Respect the morals of the nymphs, I beg. 
 (She leads him by the end of the cord during a comic duet and dance.} 
 
 DTJET. Idex and Baptiste. 
 
 Idex. Follow me, and fear no danger ; 
 
 Come, behold, thou gallant stranger, 
 
 How we pass our time below. 
 You shall dance in sun- lit waters, 
 Hand in hand with Neptune's daughters, 
 Where the fragrant zephyrs blow. 
 
 Fal de ral de ral. 
 
 Bap. Lady, you so fast have bound me 
 
 With the spell you've thrown around me, 
 
 What avails it ? I must go. 
 I'm so often half seas over, 
 I dare venture under cover, 
 
 Where the saucy winds do blow. 
 
 Fal de ral de ral. 
 (Exeunt, singing and dancing, L. H. 1 E.) 
 
 SCENE IV. Poetical Delineation of the Bottom of the Rhine, describ- 
 ing a Bath or Basin, sheltered by Grotto and Coral Work. The 
 scene above is a gauze or transparent representation of still water. 
 A picturesque group of NAIADS discovered in the bath. Music. 
 The NAIADS leave the bath, and disport on the margin, alternately 
 advancing to and receding from the front, or dance to a chorus ac- 
 companiment.'} 
 
 CHORUS OF SPIRITS. (Within.} 
 
 Ho ! ho ! ho ! how delightful it be 
 
 To dance on the sands in the depths of the sea. 
 
 O, what in air 
 
 With the sea can compare, 
 Where beauty, and riches, and freedom abound ? 
 
 We ne'er wish to roam 
 
 From our emerald home, 
 
 Whilst the globe turns merrily with us round. 
 Ho ! ho ! ho ! &c. 
 
 (Towards the end of the Chorus, QUEEN and RUPERT appear, glid- 
 ing through the water from the surface, and descend to the margin of 
 the bath.} 
 
GENE IT.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 13 
 
 BALLET OP ACTION. 
 
 FLUVIA and the Naiads group in picturesque figures about the per- 
 son of RUPERT, approaching and retreating, intimating their curiosity 
 or admiration. QUEEN advances gracefully, and passionately invites 
 RUPERT to a seat constructed in a grotto, R. H. 1 E. Music. The 
 Naiads dance, and afterwards retire into and about the bath. RUPERT 
 and QUEEN leave the grotto, and come forward, c. 
 
 Hup. Beautiful creature ! Say, is it not true that the spirits of 
 thy race hoard vast treasures of gems and buried gold within their 
 caves ? Do ye not gather all that the winds and tempests have sunk 
 beneath the waves in your rocky coffers ? and have ye not the power 
 to endow a mortal with the forgotten wealth of ages ? (Music. 
 The QUEEN makes action in the affirmative, but with signs expresses her 
 indifference to their possession, compared with the state of love.} Thou 
 sayest true, dearest ; they are, indeed, dull and useless, where true 
 love predominates above the care of avarice. But, just to pass away 
 an hour, suppose thou showest me some of these curiosities. Certes, 
 I am childishly fond of inspecting coins and jewels. (The dwarf, 
 AMPHIBEO, suddenly appears behind, L. H. 2 E., listens, shakes his 
 clinched hand menacingly at RUPERT, crosses, and exit, R. s. E. QUEEN 
 expresses assent, but informs RUPERT there is both fear and danger to 
 encounter in gratifying his curiosity.} 
 
 Rup. My sword shall repel all danger ! (Music. QUEEN inter- 
 rupts him, places her hand on the hilt of his sword, commanding his for ~ 
 bearance, and points to the silver wand, as a talisman against evil. The 
 Naids advance ; QUEEN gracefully invites RUPERT to follow her, and 
 conducts him off, R. H. IE. The music suddenly changes to a grotesque 
 movement ; the Naiads appear startled, and retreat hurriedly to the 
 bath. ID EX appears above, gliding through the water, leading BAPTISTS 
 by the golden cord, who flounders after her ; she alights on the edge of 
 the bath ; BAPTISTE descends awkwardly, and tumbles in among the 
 Naiads, who, in surprise, leave the bath, and pirouette forward, joined 
 by IDEX, laughing. BAPTISTE gets out of the bath, shakes his head t 
 arms, and legs, as if to dry himself, and advances.} 
 
 DUET AND CHORUS. Idex, Baptiste, and Naiads. 
 
 Idex, Fly not, sisters fear no danger ; 
 
 Pray allow this handsome stranger 
 
 To sojourn with us all night. 
 Bap. Pity, ladies, my disaster ; 
 
 Pray conduct me to my master, 
 
 I'm his squire, and he's a knight. 
 Idex. Let me gaze upon his charms. 
 
 Naiads. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Idex. Let me rock him in my arms. 
 
 Naiads. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Idex $ Nai. Of thy praise our song shall be, 
 
 While we thus are blessed by thee. 
 
 2 
 
14 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT I. 
 
 Bap. Of thy praise my song should be, 
 
 Could I but my master see. 
 
 (The Naiads group about BAPTISTE, handling and coquetting with 
 him ; he gambols about with them at the back ; FLUVIA and IDEX ad- 
 vance, c,) 
 
 Flu. Fie, imprudent Idex. Where didst thou find yon stranger r 
 How if I run and call my mistress ? 
 
 Idex. Hush hush ! There's no great harm done as yet. The 
 stranger was benighted is cold and hungry, too. (At the direction 
 of IDEX, exeunt FLUVIA and three Naiads, R. and L. 2 E.) Besides, 
 if I mistake not, your mistress is already closeted with just such anoth- 
 er ; she cannot choose but look at home, and perhaps it might be equal- 
 ly as agreeable to her, as well as to us, if we leave all parties in quiet 
 possession of their own innocent diversions. Let us treat him courte- 
 ously ; who knows but when he returns to his race that he may not 
 come back with one apiece for you ? (During this dialogue, BAPTISTE 
 and the Naiads have become sociable ; they conduct him to the front 
 FLUVIA and three Naiads re&nter, R. and L. 2 E., with baskets of un- 
 boiled shell-fish, crabs, and lobsters, which they present to him.) 
 
 Bap. (Refusing them.) Excuse me, ladies ; not at present; my 
 stomach just now is in rather too crude a state to partake of your raw 
 materials you understand ; the crabs are a little too fresh, and the 
 lobsters a little too lively not exactly the right color. ( They offer 
 him others.) I'd much rather be excused much rather; I never 
 could abide a fresh water snail. If you'll allow me, I'll just taste a 
 mouthful out of the bottle, and perhaps I might be able to relish half 
 a dozen oysters before I retire for the evening. (Taking out his flask.) 
 Ladies, will you permit me to pass it round ? (They express dissent.) 
 No r Then I will. (Drinking.) Bless me, how prodigiously cold it 
 strikes ! I presume, ladies, you haven't such a thing as a dry shirt 
 among you ? But what d'ye say for a dance ? You're partial to 
 dancing, I believe ; it gives one a sort of glow, like, especially after 
 bathing. (Pointing to IDEX.) Ask miss there what she thought of my 
 leg, when I struck out through the water so. (Imitating the motion 
 of swimming.) 
 
 A DANCE AND CHORUS by Naiads and Spirits. 
 Chorus. Ho ! ho ! ho ! how delightful it be 
 
 To dance on the sands in the depths of the sea ! 
 O, what in the air 
 With the sea can compare, 
 
 Where beauty, and riches, and freedom abound ? 
 We ne'er wish to roam 
 From our emerald home, 
 
 Whilst the globe turns merrily with us round. 
 Ho ! ho ! ho ! &c. 
 
 (The dance changes to a comic roundelay, BAPTISTE in the middle ; 
 the movements of the latter become boisterous, and on reaching the bath, 
 he falls into it backwards, the Naiads pressing round him with noisy 
 merriment and laughter. Tableau. Quick Drop. 
 
 END OP ACT I. 
 
SCENE I.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 15 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I. A dark submarine Cavern, 1 and 2 E. Massive brazen 
 portals of the Adamantine Chamber ; the heads and tails of sea- 
 monsters interspersed, with hieroglyphical symbols painted thereon ; 
 wild and extravagant music ; a noise above, as of a whirlpool, (the 
 Geurni, on the Rhine, near the rocks of Lurlei,} or of the roar of 
 monsters. 
 
 Enter Mermen, or River Deities, hideously masked and attired, in tu- 
 multuous or boisterous merriment, and bearing clubs, R. and L. 
 
 CHORUS. Monsters. 
 
 Hand in hand, to the moon-lit strand 
 
 The water fays repair ; 
 In revel rout they go about, 
 
 While we keep vigil here. 
 Or gayly they glide through the silvery tide 
 
 To the golden sands below ; 
 Nor reck what cheer they leave us here, 
 
 While we dance and sing, Ho ! ho ! 
 
 A DANCE. 
 Gong sounds, L. H. ; the demons all retreat to R. H. in groups. Tableau. 
 
 Enter AMPHIBEO, rushing on L. H. 1 E. ; he strikes with his foot, and 
 appears in utter despair. 
 
 Amp. Lost ! lost ! lost ! (Music. The MONSTERS elevate their clubs, 
 and arrange, themselves in postures of defence AMPHIBEO informs 
 them by signs, that a mortal has cunningly engaged the affections and 
 confidence of the QUEEN, and is now on his way to the cavern, to despoil 
 them of a portion of the hidden treasures.} 
 
 Mon. (Menacing with their clubs, on R. H.) Will he dare? 
 
 Enter the QUEEN, conducting RUPERT, L. H. 1 E. The MONSTERS ap- 
 proach threateningly, but are awed by the presence of the QUEEN, who 
 waves her wand for them to retire, and they exeunt sullenly, with AM- 
 PHIBEO, R. H. 1 E. Music. The QUEEN places her finger on her 
 lips t expressive of silence ; she approaches the portals, and strikes 
 with her wand ; the music plays wildly and tremulously. 
 
 CHORUS OF SPIRITS. (Above.} 
 
 Ye spirits of the mighty Rhine, unbar 
 Obey the signal of the mystic star ! 
 
 (The portals in c. fly open to a dark fiat at the sound of a gong, and 
 with a crushing noise ; the cavern appears suddenly illuminated ; 
 RUPERT approaches to the side of the QUEEN, who fetches from where 
 
16 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT II. 
 
 they are deposited alternately a casket or gold relic, kisses it passionately, 
 and presents it to RUPERT, then pirouettes away without allowing him 
 to receive it, and returning with another, makes similar instances of her 
 regard ; she also brings from the niche a jewelled order, suspended by a 
 golden chain, and invests him with it. The admiration of RUPERT is 
 divided between the riches of the cavern and the playful fondness of the 
 nymph ; then suddenly recollecting his mission, he courteously tenders 
 his hand to the QUEEN, and conducts her forward, c.) 
 
 Rup. Bewitching siren! I would I might persuade thee to ac- 
 company me to the land ! Thou knowest not how delightful it is to 
 roam the mistress of a castellated dwelling on the earth. But ah ! I 
 had forgotten that I am a poor and mortgaged knight. Shall I not 
 first repair to the land, and take with me some of the bawbles that are 
 here hoarded in idleness, to refit my castle in yonder vine-clad moun- 
 tains ? ( The QUEEN points figuratively with her finger in an expression 
 of distrust, and smiles archly, then pirouettes playfully round him 
 during the symphony of the following song. 
 
 SONG. Queen. 
 
 Lira la la ! lira la la ! 
 On a day, a summer's day, 
 
 A wily shark would rove, 
 Where a seamaid tuned her lay 
 
 To some old tale of love. 
 This shark he was all debonaire ; 
 
 " Ha, ha ! " quoth he ; " I ween, 
 Never was beauty seen so rare 
 
 All in the sea so green." 
 
 Lira la la! (Waltzes.') 
 
 " Enough," he cried : " you sing divine ; 
 
 And while your notes impart 
 A feast unto my ears, I'll dine 
 
 Upon your hand and heart." 
 And so he did : this silly maid, 
 
 I fear me, is Lurline, 
 And you the wily shark that strayed 
 
 All in the sea so green. 
 
 Lira la la ! (Waltzes.) 
 
 Rup. Hither within a month will I return, and be prepared to 
 wed thee with all the pomp thy station looks for. (Drawing his ra- 
 pier.) This bright Damascus steel shall be the emblem of my purity, 
 and whilst I cast it at thy feet, do swear thereon eternal constancy. 
 (Laying down his sword.) 
 
 Queen. Yet ere we part, receive the fealty of thy subjects, for such 
 are those who call me queen. (Music. She waves her hand, the gong 
 sounds, and- the scene changes.) 
 
SCENE I.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 17 
 
 SCENE II. -^ A Stalactitic Hall in 6 G. The Nymphs discovered in 
 groups, on R. and L. 
 
 Queen. Follow her example, ye spirits who confess my power, arid 
 hail Rupert as your prince. (Music. All the nymphs kneel.'} 
 
 Rup. (Going.} Farewell, beloved of my heart. 
 
 Queen. First, witness the fete prepared to celebrate their fealty. 
 (Music. She leads RUPERT to a seat, R. H. IE.) 
 
 A SCARF DANCE. {By the Nymphs.) 
 
 Enter BAPTISTE, L. H. 2 E., loaded with baskets of gold, 8$c., followed 
 by IDEX. 
 
 GENERAL TABLEAU. WHITE FIRE. 
 Quick Drop. 
 
 END OF ACT II. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. The Hall of Banquet in the Castle of Lorchausen, in 4 
 G. Three Gothic chairs in c. 3 G. ; banquet ; tables on R. and L. ; 
 the BARON OF LORCHAUSEN, SIR RUPERT, and LADY UNA seated in 
 chairs up c. ; RINALDO and SIR RUPERT'S followers ; BAPTISTE, 
 knights, guests, gentlewomen, seneschal, and attendants discovered on, 
 R. and L. H. Music. 
 
 Bap. (Apart, advancing to c.) Rare doings in the old castle ! 
 An there be many more such days of feasting and mumming, I am 
 afraid the future heir of Lorchausen may chance dine upon short com- 
 mons. Now, if my old acquaintance, Phibe what's his name? 
 should be eavesdropping about the building, he may carry home news 
 that shall spoil her singing for twelve moons to come. My little Am- 
 phitrite, too what a house-warming she has promised to give me 
 on the thirty-first of the month ! Certes, in that particular, there's 
 much room for improvement ; a more suspicious house of call there 
 can't be for travellers, who are tenacious of sheets that are well aired. 
 Catch an ague at the bottom of the Rhine, you must go to the devil 
 and shake yourself ! 
 
 Enter ATTENDANT, L. H. 1 E., bearing a goblet and ewer upon a salver. 
 
 Halloo, sirrah ! not so fast, I beseech you. 
 Att. 'Tis for the knight's table. 
 2* 
 
18 THE NAIAD QUEEX. [ACT III. 
 
 Bap. (Pouring wine into the goblet, and taking it from the salver.} 
 Why, then, it must go through the squire. (Drinks, and returns the 
 cup.} 
 
 Bar. What, seneschal ! I pray you be not lenten of the wine ; 
 let music wait upon festivity. (To RUPERT, coming down c. with SIR 
 RUPERT and LADY UNA.) Give me thy hand, Sir Knight ; my long 
 esteem no act or word can better illustrate than here upon its own 
 ancestral hearth. The flower I have loved have cultured, reared, 
 nursed in the sunshine of generic pride, to gather in the fulness of its 
 sweets, and plant it thus ! ( Uniting the hands of RUPERT and the 
 LADY UNA.) 
 
 Rup. (L. H.) There may it bloom, 
 
 Rich in its plenitude of virtuous love ! 
 
 I ask no fairer dower. 
 
 Bar. Fill me some wine ! 
 
 (Attendant brings down salver with wine to BARON.) 
 
 Now may the stars propitious aspect show, 
 
 That no ill fortune mar your wedded state ! 
 
 (Drinks. Storm without.} 
 
 Music. Enter a SERF, L. H. 1 E. 
 
 Serf. (All rise at tables.) The waters fast are rising, and in rage 
 propel their angry surges to the banks ; dark threatening clouds are 
 driving from the west ; and birds fly screaming to their eyries, scared 
 by the distant thunder. (Distant sound of thunder a faint crash is 
 heard without, R. H. IE.) 
 
 Enter a MESSENGER, R. H. 1 E. 
 
 Mes. A lightning bolt hath fallen on the keep, and struck the 
 banner from the trembling walls. 
 
 Rup. (Aside.) The spirits of the waters do go forth to mock my 
 triumph. (The storm continues.) 
 
 Bar. These tidings ill accord with gayety. Let us in to prayer. 
 (Music. The guests move in consternation, and exeunt R. and L. H. 
 The BARON exits, R. H., followed by RUPERT, leading the LADY UNA.) 
 
 SCENE II. Gothic Antechamber in the Castle, 1 E. a large, 
 transparent oriel window, C. P. Storm increases; thunder and 
 lightning. 
 
 Enter BAPTISTE, R. H. 1 E., followed by several of the BARON'S male 
 domestics. 
 
 Bap. Well, well ; now are you sure every thing is in a state of 
 forwardness for the morrow ? the hampers packed, the wines labelled, 
 the water filtered ? 
 
 Dom. All is ready every thing is ordered. ( Thunder.) 
 
 Bap. Here's a rumpus ! a pretty commence, to be sure, for the 
 
SCENE II.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 19 
 
 lady's nuptials ! The moon at the full, the waters rising, and a 
 storm brewing ! (Thunder and lightning; the domestics advance for- 
 ward in alarm.} Well, blockheads ! what is there to quake at ? Not 
 one of you, I'll swear, has the courage of a dormouse : ye have the 
 hearts and livers of rabbits, with maws as rapacious as cormorants. 
 I'll wager a holiday suit that each at a push could magnify a mite 
 into a white elephant. (Taking out a flask.} Here, line each of 
 you his jerkin with this elixir. (They pass the flask round and return 
 it to BAPTISTE.) Ha ! this is Nantz nothing like Nantz for giving 
 the valor a rouse. (Looking off, L. H.) O, here comes the pretty 
 Mrs. Bridget, terrifying the maids, as usual, with legends of the 
 Hartz' skeleton-huntsmen, and the like trumpery. (Drinking.} 
 
 Enter BRIDGET, L. is.., followed by female domestics. 
 
 Bri. Heyday ! Mr. Baptiste, is this a season, think you, for your 
 profane bacchanals, while the spirits of darkness are abroad, and 
 leagued with the elements to do us mischief ? (To the male domes- 
 tics.} And you, borachios that ye are, know ye not that my lady has 
 retired to the oratory, and that the company are seeking their dor- 
 mitories, and (Exeunt male domestics, L. H. 1 E.) 
 
 Bap. Be composed, Mrs. B. What need of flurrying the ladies, 
 bless 'em ! or that comfortable-looking, sleek little rotundity of yours ? 
 
 Bri. (Angrily.) My rotundity, Mr. Baptiste ! 
 
 Bap. Now, do not don't, Mrs. B. : nature never intended that 
 comely little body to do the office of a chafing pan. (The female 
 domestics group near the window, c. F.) Apropos, Mrs. B., I had a 
 most beautiful bird's eye view of a cold turkey in your buttery this 
 morning, and, looking at a leg, I sighed, and thought of you. 
 
 Bri. Of me, Mr. Baptiste ? 
 
 Bap. Yes ; you know I always said you were a capital one at a 
 grill. I'll stake the long odds against any one, I said, I don't care 
 who it is, but give me Mrs. Bridget for grilling the leg of a turkey. 
 Now, what d'ye say, Mrs. B., to a nice little bit of something hot in 
 your own room, as soon as the girls are in bed, and the rest of the 
 house quiet ? 
 
 Bri. La, Mr. Baptiste! how much you remind me of my poor 
 little departed old man, who was always so particularly partial to a 
 nice little bit of something hot just when going to bed. (Laughing.} 
 Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Bap. (Looking significantly.) Well, that's my case, you see : I 
 have long, very long, Mrs. B., conceived a most masculine predilec- 
 tion to fill that snug little vacancy occasioned by the demise of your 
 poor little departed dear old man. 
 
 Bri. Fie, Mr. Baptiste! you should not handle such a delicate 
 subject in so boisterous a manner. 
 
 Bap. "Well, I know it, Mrs. B., I know it's a very delicate subject ; 
 but you'll promise to give it your attention. 
 
 Bri. Hem ! I will give it as much attention as the delicacy of 
 my situation will permit. (Thunder and lightning.) Holy St. 
 Werner ! what a bolt was there ! (The female domestics come forward 
 in great alarm.) 
 
20 THE NAIAD QUEEX. [ACT III. 
 
 Bap. Pooh ! that's nothing. Bibendo te, I exorcise thee. 
 (Drinking.} 
 
 Bri. Fie ! this is no time for bantering : recollect the mystery of 
 the Black Bohemian, whom Sir Hildebrand encountered in the 
 Schwartz Wald. 
 
 Bap. Pshaw ! an old tradition of the barony, as worn out and 
 threadbare as Sir Hildebrand' s winding sheet. 
 
 Bri. Listen to me, girls. It was the close of a great confedera- 
 tion or meeting of the states at Vienna ; and Sir Hildebrand, attended 
 only by a single follower, had set out on his return hither. The au- 
 tumn was past, the evening had set in, and, it being the vigil of the 
 blessed martyr, Sir Hildebrand was anxious to arrive at the chateau of 
 his cousin, the Margrave of (Patience ! such a memory ! Well, 
 no matter) whose territories are skirted by the Schwartz Wald, or 
 by some called the Black Forest of Bohemia. 
 
 Bap. (Impatiently.} Ah, there, now, Mrs. B. 'tis all the same. 
 (Drinking from the flask.} Pray come to the sequel. (Lightning 
 noise of wind and rain.) 
 
 Bri. Sancte ! How awfully that casement shakes ! ( The wo- 
 men, alarmed, draw close about her, and look obliquely towards the win- 
 dow, c. F.) Presently, on nearing an angle of the road, where a small 
 glade opened into the forest, a tall, gaunt figure, armed from toe to 
 helm piece, and mounted on a black charger, emerged from the 
 thicket, or rather, I should have said, appeared to grow out of the 
 earth, obstructing his further progress, while its fiend-like eyes (for 
 they were not human) glared fearfully upon him. (Music. A thun- 
 derbolt passes the window, c. F. ; a mysterious light is seen through the 
 casement, where the figure of the dwarf, AMPHIBEO, appears singularly 
 magnified; the women scream, and run off, L. H. ; the light and the 
 figure disappear.} 
 
 Bap. (Laughing, and looking off after them, not having observed the 
 figure.} Ha, ha, ha ! I knew how it would be with the ladies a 
 start to the bed posts ! I wonder what Bridget would have thought 
 of my old acquaintance, Phibby ? (Music. The dwarf, AMPHIBEO, 
 ascends through trap, 9., and squats in a grotesque figure behind him.} 
 By the by, Master Phibby, better not let me catch you on the wrong 
 side of your favorite watering place any time within the next full of 
 the moon ! By the hand of an esquire, but I promise you shall go 
 home to your beautiful cousins with as elegant a specimen of watery 
 head as ever fell to the share of a dwarfs knowledge box ! (Music. 
 Snatching out his flask and drinking ; turning gradually round, he is 
 confronted by AMPHIBEO ; he gazes doubtfully at the apparition, drops 
 the flask, and, with a convulsed and ludicrous movement, runs off, L. H. ; 
 the dwarf descends, c., through trap.} 
 
SCENE IH.j THE NAIAD QUEEN. 21 
 
 SCENE III. The QUEEN'S Crystal Chamber beneath the Rhine, 4 G. 
 The QUEEN discovered reclining on a rude marine couch, L. H. ; 
 FLUVIA, IDEX, and the rest of the Naiads ministering to her. 
 Mttsic. The QUEEN is inconsolable for the continued absence of SIB 
 RUPERT ; she refuses the condolence of the nymphs, who move about 
 her figuratively of grief and sympathy ; they present her bouquets and 
 marine garlands ; she waves her hand in token of indifference. 
 
 Queen. Again the sun hath passed the glowing west ; 
 The compact earth, the fluid ambient, 
 And all that's dark or bright 'twixt this and heaven, 
 His beams have cheered. Day turns again to night, 
 And night to morn ; yet still the blushing east 
 Unseals her blue eyes, like a happy bride, 
 To meet the unchanging visit of her lord. 
 But, ah ! not Rupert comes not Rupert cheers ! 
 
 {Rising, and coming forward, c.) 
 
 Hast thou forgotten, Idex, the old melody I taught thee to play and 
 sing one summer's eve, upon the Lurlei Berg ? 
 
 Idex. No, gentle mistress ; 'twas a lay of love, so sad, and yet so 
 passionately framed, I never could forget. 
 
 Queen. (To FLUVIA.) Hie thee, Fluvia, to yon coral dell, where 
 water fays delight to chase the beams that fall from Cynthia's lamp : 
 if aught thou see of one for whom thy gentle lady mourns, strike on 
 thy shell, and give it life again. (Exit FLUVIA, B. H. 2 E., bearing a 
 shell strung as a lute; the QUEEN retires to the couch, L. H. ; the 
 nymphs minister to her with small silvery lutes, which they take from 
 their girdles.) 
 
 SONG. Idex. 
 
 Strike that melody again, 
 
 On those silvery chords ; 
 There was language in the strain 
 
 Never breathed in words. 
 
 Like some spell each cadence fell, 
 
 Waking up the past : 
 Who would roam from fancy's home, 
 
 Could such visions last ? 
 
 CHOBUS. Spirits. (Without.) Adagio. 
 
 Though his vows fail thee, 
 
 Tears nought avail thee, 
 Hope hath departed, thou spirit forlorn ! 
 
 Tears come with sadness, 
 
 As smiles with gladness, 
 But the false-hearted will never return. 
 
 Chorus. Never never will return ! 
 
22 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT III. 
 
 (FLUVIA strikes on the shell, without, R. H. 1 E. ; the QUEEN rise* 
 with an expression of delight, and moves gracefully forward, with an 
 air of expectation* Music.} 
 
 Eefinter FLUVIA, in great consternation, R. H. ; she directs the attention 
 of the QUEEN towards AMFHIBEO, who enters, R. H., and kneels to 
 the QUEEN. 
 
 Am. List, and weep not, mistress mine, 
 Spirit of the mighty Rhine. 
 We have traversed far above, 
 To bring back thy errant love ; 
 Found, alas ! within the hour, 
 Lingering near a maiden's bower ; 
 Where, already, hath his heart 
 Been exchanged for no small part 
 Of that vestal one of hers, 
 Which to thine his soul prefers. 
 
 ( The QUEEN appears moved and indignant.} 
 That the spell may firmer hold, 
 He hath forged a ring of gold, 
 On that ringer fair to bind, 
 Where the blood doth nearest find 
 Its way backward to the fount, 
 Where the stream of life doth mount. 
 
 (Music. The QUEEN seems disconsolate and forlorn; the nymph* 
 minister to her.} 
 
 Cheer thee, mistress droop not so ; 
 There is med'cine for thy woe : 
 Yet a day and yet a morrow, 
 All his joy shall turn to sorrow. 
 
 (Music. QUEEN, after a pause, expressive of extreme mental suffer- 
 ing, dashes her hands from her forehead despairingly, and assumes an 
 attitude of passion or revenge.} 
 
 Queen. (To the dwarf .} The deadliest weed 
 That grows upon the corsair's grave, 
 No med'cine to forsaken love can yield, 
 As thou dost minister ; for in thy gall, 
 The ravenous harpy and the fell sea wolf 
 Have mixed their appetites. Now, get thee gone, 
 And levy straight a race of armed giants 
 From the black waters of the dismal Gewirre ; 
 What time the golden hours lead on the day, 
 Have them arrayed in burnished panoply of dragon's scale, 
 All proof as adamant ; thenguide them forth. 
 Thy subtle spells employ : (crosses to R. H.) 
 Behold ! I give thee power to destroy ! 
 
 (Music. AMPIIIBEO descends, L. H. ; music changes ; the nymphs 
 minister to QUEEN with their lutes.} 
 
 No more no more ! Those silvery tones have changed ; 
 All else shall fail to please, save Rupert's knell, 
 And that shall ring on every pearly shell. 
 
SCENE III.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 23 
 
 Let each assume the habiliments of war, 
 War I proclaim throughout our mighty Rhine ! 
 Awake, ye wondering echoes in your caves ! 
 Hear and applaud my vengeance ! This shall be 
 Adjusted with the rising of the sun ; 
 Your queen will steel her heart, and see it done ! 
 
 (Music. Exeunt QUEEN and all the nymphs, except IDEX, R. and L.) 
 Idex. Woe is me ! that ever Naiad should be crossed as I have been 
 in my first, my only love ! O Baptiste ! Baptiste ! thou must surely 
 have dropped from the moon ; thy constancy could never else change 
 sides thus month about ! I wish I could bear with my misfortune 
 as easily as my mistress. Poor lady ! she chides me for weeping. 
 " Happy Idex," says she, " dry those salt tears ; you only have had 
 one coffer rifled ; but I, alas ! had two." I wish he had rifled any 
 body's else but mine ! My precious heart is almost changed to a car- 
 buncle : I have watered it all day with my tears, and, before morning, 
 it will cease to be any thing save a crystal petrifaction a still mon- 
 ument of slighted love, frozen to death in a river. 
 
 SONG. Idex. 
 
 Like the vision from the sleeper, 
 
 Like the opening of the day, 
 Like the tear-drop from the weeper. 
 
 Love doth ever pass away. 
 
 But, like silent, rooted sorrow, 
 
 That doth blight and sear the heart, 
 
 Or like hope, renewed each morrow, 
 Plighted love should ne'er depart. 
 
 (A trumpet sounds, L. H. u. E.) 
 
 Hark ! those dreadful sounds give note of preparation. (Looking off, 
 L.) Silly Naiads ! ye know not what ye do. O ! these wars, or, 
 rather, O ! these men ! Me, too, me, who never had courage to con- 
 front the beard of an oyster me they must case in coat of armor of 
 proof ! I wish my heart had been but half as proof against yon 
 'squire and his flattering tale : he never had returned to laugh, as he 
 now does, at the poor silly maid of the Rhine. But no matter : I 
 have another tale in store for him one that won't flatter, either a 
 tale of the sea ; and if I don't furnish him, when next we meet, with 
 as moving a subject as heart can wish for, never call me funny Idex 
 again. (Exit, laughing, R. H. March.) 
 
 Reenter the Naiads, in full armor, u. E. L. H., led by FLUVIA ; they 
 dress, and form two columns ; flourish; re&nter QUEEN, R. H. u. E., 
 in a full suit of armor ; she traverses between the two columns, and 
 takes her post in the centre. 
 
 Queen. O, bravely, spirits, bravely do ye shine, 
 Like starlight glistening on our native Rhine ! 
 
24 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT III. 
 
 Each look a death a javelin every eye ; 
 
 A bright allure to gaze upon, and die ! 
 
 Alas ! Love's weapons only these are mine ! 
 
 (Music. Warlike accoutrements of swords and bucklers, racked in 
 order, ascend through trap in c.) 
 Just retribution for such wrongs as mine ! 
 
 (Music. A gong sounds ; the nymphs arm themselves, and the rack 
 descends ; march ; the nymphs go through a succession of military evo- 
 lutions and manoeuvres.} 
 
 Queen. Yet, ere we go, let each, in mimic fight, 
 Essay the skill that shall our wrongs requite. 
 
 (Music. A sham fight, then grand march, and triumph.} 
 
 (Exeunt, u. E. L. H.) 
 
 SCENE IV. A Gothic Lorchausen Chamber, 1 and 2 G. Morning ; 
 c. doors practical. 
 
 Enter the BARON, the LADY UNA, RUPERT and his followers, and the 
 SENESCHAL, R. H. 1 E. 
 
 Rup. Sweet lady, let us forth : yon lowering sky is but the relic 
 of last evening's storm. 
 
 Una. My heart is ill at ease : the livelong night fantastic dreams 
 have sought my ill- conforming slumber. (Sound of a trumpet, 
 
 R. H.) 
 
 Bar. That bold alarum challengeth the ear, like chafing heralds 
 sounding to melee. (Music. Gong sounds ; AMPHIBEO ascends on 
 L. H. before RUPERT, in a suit of scale armor, and bearing a gauntlet.} 
 
 Amp. Behold him here that will not brook delay ! 
 
 (Chords. The BARON and the rest move in consternation ; UNA re- 
 treats to her father.} 
 
 Rup. Malicious fiend ! what bodes this fearful summons ? 
 
 Amp. To bid thee, counterfeit, redeem thy pawn, 
 Or take thy death from me, with the Queen's scorn ! 
 
 ( Throwing down the gauntlet.} 
 
 Rup. I do agnize the pledge, and this resign. 
 
 (Music. Divesting himself of the QUEEN' s jewelled order, and throw- 
 ing it to the dwarf on L. H.) 
 Be that thy errand she or death be mine ! 
 
 Amp. Enough ! I'll bear thy answer to the Queen. 
 
 (Music. Thunder ; the dwarf, bearing the jewelled order, descends, 
 L. H., trap.} 
 
 Una. (Rushing to the side of RUPERT.) What compact's this ? 
 whence comes yon dreadful foer why glows thine eye with that 
 uncertainty ? 
 
 Rup. Lady, my mind was ever bent on travel, and strange adven- 
 tures, in their turn, have made much reparation for its toils and perils. 
 Of these you shall know more anon ; but now, please ye retire a while, 
 and let mine honor, till then, go free of all disparagement. 
 
SCENE IV.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 25 
 
 Bar. Daughter, go in : my life for't, he is valiant, good, and wise. 
 
 (Exit LADY UNA, R. H. 1 E.) 
 
 Enter a MESSENGER, in haste, L. H. 1 E. 
 
 Mes. An armed host, 
 
 Whose forms proclaim them not of this world's growth, 
 Are marching 'gainst Lorchausen. 
 
 (RUPERT'S followers draw their swords menacingly.') 
 
 Bar. Call my vassals up ! (Exit MESSENGER, L. H. 1 E.) 
 
 Rup. Comrades, let us forth! (Calling.} Baptiste, what ho! 
 (To the BARON.) And, sir, commend me to my lady love. 
 " The Fearnought " sets his honor on a cast, 
 And, should he fall, may need her Christian prayers. 
 
 Bar. I'll to the battlements and reconnoitre. (Music. Exeunt 
 RUPERT and his followers, L. H., the BARON, R. H. 1 E. ; bell rings 
 alarum ; drums and trumpets, R. H.) 
 
 Enter BRIDGET, in consternation, c. D. L. H. 
 
 Bri. O ! that ever I should have seen the morn of such unhal- 
 lowed nuptials ! My lady will be wedded to the fiend, and there is 
 no help for it, since a whole legion of his kinsfolk are in league to bear 
 her from the castle. Holy St. Werner be upon us ! What a tale is 
 this for after times ! (Music.} 
 
 Enter BAPTISTE, c. D. L. H., having the lower part of his body metamor- 
 phosed to a merman, with a huge tail of a fish. 
 
 Bap. And what a tail is this for present times ! (BRIDGET 
 screams.} Here's a metamorphosis ! here's an indelicate transposition 
 of the masculine gender ! 
 
 Bri. Mercy ! who has done this ? 
 
 Bap. Who ? How should I know ? I am beset on all sides by 
 fiends ; the four elements are in league against me ; that abominable 
 vixen, Miss Idex, is at the bottom of it all. Behold ! I am spell- 
 bound at my extremities horribly and supernaturally spell-bound ! 
 (Music. He shakes his tail fantastically, and dances round BRIDGET, 
 imitating the motion of swimming, bellowing, and blowing.} 
 
 Bri. Thou hast been wrought upon by devils : was ever squire be- 
 held in so deplorable a condition ? 
 
 Bap. Don't call me an esquire, Mrs. B. I am most marvellously 
 misfitted for the office ; I am nothing but a bare counterfeit that is, 
 I am flesh fishified from the middle of my body downwards ! An 
 esquire ! Ho ! ho ! (Exhibiting his tail.} Here's a pretty appen- 
 dage for a gentleman calling himself an esquire ! (Flourish of trum- 
 pets, R. H.) Let me go in let me go in ! I've no longer an ear for 
 martial sounds ; I am only fitted to be laid on a dish in the buttery. 
 Mrs. B., I have been made a terrible example of. Let this (pointing 
 to his tail} be a sufficient warning to all ladies and gentlemen, who 
 
26 THE NAIAD QUEEN. [ACT III. 
 
 have a predilection for parties of pleasure on the water ! (Music. 
 (Exit BRIDGET, c. D. L. H., terrified; BAPTISTE is following, but is 
 stopped and confronted by IDEX, who enters, c. D. L. H., armed cap-a- 
 pie, and bearing a drawn sword ; a mock combat takes place between 
 them, which ends by BAPTISTE being led off tauntingly by IDEX, in her 
 golden cord, L. H. 1 E.) 
 
 SCENE V. A Romantic View on the Rhine, 4 G. Demon march. 
 Enter, in procession from L. H. u. E., AMPHIBEO and demons of the 
 Rhine ; with conchshells and banners with appropriate devices ; ar- 
 range on R. and L. H. ; change of music ; grand march ; procession of 
 the Naiad QUEEN and Amazon warriors, u. E. R. H., in full armor, 
 conducting SIR RUPERT and his knights and followers, with the 
 BARON, LADY UNA, BRIDGET, male and female domestics ; tableau. 
 
 Queen, (c.) Errant mortal, I am come 
 From the blue depths of my home, 
 To give back the plighted vow, 
 Which hath left thy lips but now. 
 For that maiden's sake I yield 
 What my heart hath ill concealed, 
 Friendship slighted, love betrayed, 
 Gift and guerdon ill repaid. 
 That which chivalry hath won, 
 Craven's heart had else undone. 
 Knighthood's fairest meed is thine, 
 But the gift shall still be mine. 
 Behold ! 
 
 (Music. She takes from her neck the order with which she before in- 
 vested RUPERT, and replaces it; RUPERT kisses her hand, and the 
 QUEEN conducts him to LADY UNA.) 
 
 This ordeal ended, so our mysteries 
 
 Henceforth shall be hermetically sealed ; 
 
 For ne'er again the minstrel of the Rhine 
 
 To earthly vision will reveal her form. 
 
 Go, happy pair ! Your queen hath dearly learned 
 
 A task in wisdom's book, whose moral worth 
 
 This golden precept to her race prescribes : 
 
 Immortal spirits may not bend to love 
 
 With mortal frailty ; nor must venturous youths, 
 
 On fortune's errand, seek the siren's lair : 
 
 For many Ruperts, distant time between, 
 
 Shall find too late there was but one queen. 
 
 (Music. Gong. The scene changes magically to fountains of real 
 water; Naiads and Water Spirits mingle above and around, and the 
 ethereal blue, emitted through a strong light, is thrown upon the pic- 
 ture.) 
 
SCENE V.] THE NAIAD QUEEN. 27 
 
 FINALE. 
 
 Now fairy dreams be on you, 
 The lovestar shine upon you ; 
 
 Our pearly shells 
 
 Your bridal bells, 
 And the happiest lot betide you ! 
 
 SITUATIONS. 
 
 BANNERS. BANNERS. 
 
 DEMONS. BANNERS. DEMONS. 
 
 DEMONS. KNIGHTS. AMPHIBEO. KNIGHTS. DEMONS. 
 
 BANNERS. 20 AMAZON WARRIORS. BANNERS. 
 
 KNIGHTS. KNIGHTS. 
 
 20 AMAZON WARRIORS. 20 AMAZON WARRIORS. 
 
 DOMESTICS. DOMESTICS. 
 
 FLUVIA. UNA. QUEEN. IDEX. BAPTISTE. BRIDGET. 
 
 RUPERT. 
 BARON. 
 
 QUICK CURTAIN. 
 
 a. H. L. H. 
 
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