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 MEMBER 0 SOCIETY, 
 
 ILLUSTI^TIffr wI^H AN^^(^ING, 
 
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 4 
 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 A MELO-DRAMATIC ROMANCE, 
 
 In ^cts. 
 
 Produced at the 
 
 THEATRE ROYAL, ENGLISH OPERA IIOUS^ 
 
 ji'LY, 1823. 
 
 * 0 
 
 Py 
 
 R. B. PEAKE, ESQ. 
 
 MEMBER OF THE DRAMATIC AUTHORS’ SOCIETY. 
 
 \ - - : • - 
 
 The Overture and Music composed by 
 
 G. PI. B. RODWELL. 
 
 CORRECTLY PRINTED FROM THE PRO.MPTER’S COPY WITH REMARKS^ 
 THE CAST OF CHARACTERS, COSTUME, SCENIC ARRANGEMENT, 
 SIDES OF ENTRANCE AND EXIT, AND RELATIVE POSITIONS 
 OF THE DRAMATIS PERSON/E. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH AN ETCHING, BY PIERCE EGAN THE i'OUNGEI?/ 
 FROM A DRAWING TAKEN *DURING THE REPRESENTATION. 
 
 <• 
 
 ^ 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 RHBRWOOD, GILB3RT, AND PIPER, PATERNOSTER ROW/ 
 
“NASSAU 
 JOHNSON, 6 
 
 STEAM PRESS,” 
 
 NASSAU STREET, SOHO 
 
 
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OniGINAT, CAST. 
 
 
 
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 Ai 
 
 Mr. Wood. 
 
 Albert. 1st dress, blue clotb tunic, trimmed 
 wiih black, blue leggings, russet boots, black 
 velvet hat, with black feathers. 2d dress, 
 superb crimson velvet tunic, Spanisli cloak, 
 w’hite silk pantaloons. od dress, peasant’s . 
 costume. 4th dress, undress uniform of the 
 musqueteers. . . . . 
 
 IViLLiBALD. 1st dress, orange-coloured 
 livery, red trunks, blue stockings. 2J dress, 
 chamberlain’s robe of office, and splendid livery 
 of Nicola’s establishment. 
 
 Nicola. 1st dross, handsome maroon velvet 
 doublet, trunks, and cloak. 2d dress, gray 
 shirt, the appearance of a pauper. 
 
 Waldeck. Gray doublet, trunks, and cloak. 
 
 CoNRADE. Lieutenant’s uniform of mus¬ 
 queteers. . . . . . . 
 
 Shadrack. Broad-brimmed Jew’s bat with" 
 red crown, brown jacket and trunks, black 
 stockings. ....... 
 
 JoMELLi. Undress unilorm of the musqueteers. Mr. Salter. 
 
 Sergeant. Ditto . .... Mr. Fuller. 
 
 IMontorio. Inquisitor’s dress. . . . Mr. Irwin. 
 
 The Bottle Imp. Tightly fitting skin dress,' 
 of a sea green, liorns on the head, and demon’s I ]\r. ^ q vt 
 ' f’nr.p. frnm thfi wrists tn the. bins a wido-si^read- : 
 
 ^ Nlr. Keeley. 
 
 ► Mr. J. Vining. 
 
 Mr.. Evans. 
 Mr. Baker. 
 
 *■ Mr. iMinton. 
 
 face, from the wrists to the hips a wide-spread- , 
 ing wing, extending or fodling at pleasure. J 
 
 Mahcelia. Black velvet bodice, blue pet-l p 
 ticoat, hair dressed in the Swiss style. j avse. 
 
 PniLiri’A. Venetian dress, black velvet ho-"|^r' tt 
 dice, veliow silk petticoat. J 
 
 Lucretia. 
 
 Elegant Venetian dress, robe. 
 
 Miss Weston, 
 
 The scenery by Tomkins and Pitt. 
 
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THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I.— View in Venice ; Canal, gondolas, gondoliers, gondola- 
 
 passes in the dUlance, 
 
 Chorus of gondoliers. 
 
 Gondolier, gondolier. 
 
 Softly plough the rippling wave 
 Ply the oar, ply the oar, 
 
 With brawny arm and merry stave* 
 
 The voices of the distant crew 
 The song we hear, 
 
 : . The song of friends and comrades true. 
 
 \V« hear, we hear^ 
 
 {Bell tolls.) 
 
 Now all is hushed, save that sweet chime. 
 
 Which floats along the stream, 
 
 And marks the soft reposing time. 
 
 Our labour to redeem. 
 
 Lo, o’er the wave a stranger comes, 
 liis light bark seeks our gilded domes. 
 
 His foot is on the marble pier, 
 
 ’riiis way he bends—he’s here. 
 
 l^Gondola rowed on, u. e. r. il., gondola returns, n. ii. v. e, 
 , At.bl'RT appears in a travelling-dress fr<*:n gondola ; 
 Alblrt comes forward, c. 
 
 '■ Albert. 
 
 1 
 
 Ve bright and glittering palaces 
 How beautiful ye seem, 
 
 Like vision d forms that charm the sense 
 Jn fancy’s magic dream. 
 
 Freed from the deep and ruthless wave, 
 
 'J'liat wild and trackless way ; 
 
 Here in thy bowers of love and peace, 
 
 Venice, with thee I’ll stay. 
 
 •■[CoRjc/a returns with Willibald, gondoliers, &;c., exeunt, v.. and i.. 
 
 Chorus, 
 
 Kote .—The Lyrical portion of ihLs Melo-drama, is from the 
 pen of the Author’s old friend, Mt. Fn7.BALL .(with a few 
 •®?:ceptions). 
 
G 
 
 .THE liOTTLE IMP. 
 
 Alb. Hail charming- Venice, thou widely celebrated seat of 
 luxury and revelry, thou lovely Queen of the Adriatic, welcome 
 thv visiter ! 
 
 Wil, (pecys out of the gondola ) Master ! 
 
 Alb. \Vhat say’.St thou, AVillibald? 
 
 HAl. Are we almost at our journey’s end? what a queer 
 place this is to be sure ! all the thoroughfares are wet docks 
 hov/ often they water the streets here ! 
 
 Alb. Didst thou ever behold a more beautiful place ? 
 
 IVil. It is nothing to the village of Slauchenhausenberg. 
 
 Alb. Didst observe the lovely tenants of the mansions, 
 jieeping with eyes of diamond lustr-e through the lattices ? 
 
 Wil. A nan. (on n.) 
 
 Alb. Did you look at the women ? 
 
 iVil. I know better ! —women, indeed !—fie for shame 1 
 
 Alb. Ha! ha ! ha ! poor wretch ! you have no soul ! 
 
 Wil. Indeed, but I have; and I mean to take care of it 1 
 Ah 1 Mein Herr von Albert, but you will never listen to the ad¬ 
 vice of a discreet, dutiful, domestic. 
 
 Alb. Well, proser? 
 
 TFi/. Well, master; your vrorshipful parents, bless their 
 hearts ! have sent you on your travels, and they selected me, 
 a steady, pious, discreet young man ; a person with no 
 nonsense about him ; to attend you as valet de chambre, 
 brusher, and admonisher. 
 
 All). Psha ! (crosses to u ii.) 
 
 IVil. You may psha !—but I'shall do as your honour’d" 
 parents directed, and you must attend to what I say. Of an 
 evening,' the only time I can get you to lend an ear, when I've 
 your leg in my hand, drawing your boots, haven’t I lectured 
 you, till— 
 
 Alb. Till you have been kicked down stairs—for your pains. 
 
 Wil. That’s very true— 
 
 Alb. Cease your' preaching, Willibald, the age of twenty- 
 five occurs but once in a man’s life. 
 
 W^il. That never struck n:e before ! 
 
 Alb. Enjoyment is my tlicme—enjoyment I will liave. 
 
 [i/e gees lip, and looks at pavilion, l. 2 £. 
 
 WIL Without money to last you a month longer ! — your 
 father gave you a purse, that would have supported any 
 moderate traveller, for a twelvemonth ; one month’s eating, 
 drinking, and et ceteras—ahem 1 —et ceteras ! There, now! 
 what are you squinting at that balcony for? (holds irp port- 
 manteau, which Alblrt knocks down.) 
 
 Alb. What a lovely woman ! 
 
 Wil. Lovely nonsense! never mind the lovely xvomen here. 
 I’ll be bound there is not one half so lovely as poor Marceiia, 
 whom vou you have left behind. 
 
 Alb. Insolent!—what mean vou ? 
 
 •/ 
 
 Wil, What do I mean?—Do you mean to say, Mein Herr 
 von Albert, that you don’t know ? —Recollect, in your journey 
 hither, when your high-mettled post-horse kicked you off at her 
 
THE EOTTLE IMP. 
 
 4 
 
 father’s farm-gate, on the banks of the lake of Lucano, and 
 broke your collar-bone ; who nursed you ?—Marcella! who 
 bandaged yon, brothed you, gruelled you ? Why, blarcelia ! 
 and now, you’ve ungratefully abandoned her—and (weeps) 
 broke her pretty little heart! 
 
 Alb. Cease this prating! 1 confess I have, indeed, sinnea 
 
 grievously, painfully; poor dear Marcelia ! I may yet atone for 
 inv error, and return'at once to mend the heart 1 have broken. 
 
 [^Sprightly music is heard in the Villa, 
 Hark I whence come those sounds, enchanting ? delightfu 
 music ! 
 
 IF//, It's nothing to my uncle Schewellinbogel’s bagpipes. 
 
 Alh. Behold that bewitching form again ! (Lucretia and 
 Philippa appear on balcony, l.) Those eyes—that mouth ! 
 
 IFj 7. Yes, and she has a‘nose too. 
 
 Alb. Oh ! if I had but the opportunity of speaking to yonder 
 lovely creatures, (ladies retire.) 
 
 Wil. Don’t, for the world ! I’ll tell your mother of you. 
 
 Alb. Have I not youth I—is my person ill-formed?—am not 
 I company for yon brave gallants? 
 
 IF//. Mein Herr Von Albert, you are ramping mad for plea¬ 
 sure, and you know you are as poor as a Slauchenhausenberg 
 mouse. 
 
 Elder Nicola, l. h., followed by pages. 
 
 A7c. (apart.) Poor! ah ! and a stranger, a fit object for my 
 purpose. New'ly arrived in Venice, signor? We are famed, 
 and I hope not unjustly, for our hospitality; will it please you 
 to enter and listen to our music? 
 
 Alb. That villa !—what—and those charming inmates— 
 
 Nic. Are my guests. AVill you add to the merry group ? 
 With pleasing tales, harmonious voices, well-strung lutes, 
 sparkling wine, and shady bowers, we here recal the days and 
 nights of Boccacio ! 
 
 Alb. But I am a perfect stranger to you. 
 
 -V/c. Then you have the more claim to our attention, accept 
 uiv proffered invitation. 
 
 II7/. (aside to Albert.) Don’t. 
 
 Ailb. Begone, sirrah! return to the gondola—convey the 
 lugofage to the hotel—away I 
 
 IVil. Let me implore— 
 
 V/c. Condescend, signor, to enter my gate, and you shall see 
 whether Venetians be gay or sad; you shall tell me if our 
 ladies are as handsome as yours of the northern clime i 
 
 Alb. Handsome ladies ? — have with you !—willingly and 
 thankfully I join your party ! 
 
 VMusic. Nicola ushers him to the door, l., they enter. 
 Servant pushes the door in Willibald’s yhce. 
 
 Wil. I don’t like the look of that gentleman’s whiskers at all; 
 such a malicious curl on his upper lip ! Master is gone to enjoy 
 himself. How am I to enjoy myself.^ (takes out a book.) A little 
 
•8 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 reading to improve my mind, and a little eating to improve my 
 body, (takes out a large German sausage and knife,) I’ll have a 
 slice and a chapters—chop logic and sausage at the same 
 time ! 
 
 ^hisie. Enter Montoiuo and inquisitor, l. e. r., 3 e. i. h. 
 
 Mon. (painting to door.) Therein dwells the Spaniard, Nicola ; 
 the holy office have sufficient proof that he follows the wizard’s 
 trade. Go ! prepare your attendants, and I will be in readiness 
 to point out the person of Nicola, that so subtle a sorcerer 
 may become your victim.—Retire ! 
 
 Montorio and Inquisitor, l. e. r. 
 VEil. How unlike most other Germans I am ; when they read 
 thev choose sucli romances as “ Tiie Fatal Skull and Cro.ss 
 Bones,” or “ Tlie Dead Men of Pestbut I have a more 
 lively work to cheer my spirits, it is called “ A Dissertation 
 upon Devils,^’ by Me.fh Herr Ashtaroth Belpheghor Asmodeus. 
 Dedicated (I suppose, by permission) to Belzebub. Written by 
 some printer’s devil, I'll be bound;—hai ha! ha! it’s very 
 amusing. (Reads.) “ Red Devils,” Blue Devils,” “ Zamiel,” 
 Mephistophilis,” ‘‘ Demons,” “ Incubusses,” “ Fiends,’* 
 Imps,” “ Land Imps,” “ Water Imps,” “ Forest Imps,” 
 Bottle Imps.” Bottle Imps ! what the devil are they ? 
 (Reads.) "‘Bottle Imps”! that must be a bottle of spirits, 
 “ Bottle Imps.” (Reads.) "" Whoever possesses one of these little 
 devils, enclosed in a bottle, can command from it as much gold 
 as he desires.” Come, that’s worth thinking about; but what are 
 the conditions? for, from the time of Dr. Faustus to the present 
 day, these gentlemen always make their conditions. (Reads.) In 
 return for these services, should the possessor of the Bottle Imp 
 die without having sold his bottle”—Oh ! (closes hook,) oh, what 
 a condition 1 Bless me !—” he becomes the property of Old 
 Scratch.” [Eih. 
 
 SCENE II.— (Dark.) The studu of Nicola ; antique ebony 
 
 cabinet, sliding pannel in fiat, l. h. 
 
 Enter Nicola, l. ii. 
 
 Nic. Ah! laugh ! laugh ! infatuated revellers, laugh while 
 ye can ! To me, the shout, the jest, the swell of melody, all 
 grate upon my satiated ear, and yet, to purchase such enjoy¬ 
 ment, have I not sold myself? What is the result of all luy 
 midnight study?—the result of fascinating converse I have 
 held, for years, with the mighty sages of the magic art ? 
 Avarice first prompted the hellish lucubrations; love of un¬ 
 bounded pleasure, of uncircumscribed luxury, riretted the fatal 
 chain which now I drag in bitter misery; I must rid myself of 
 my torment. This cabinet contains the object, the loathsome 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 9 
 
 object, for which I have compacted with the Evil One! The 
 Bottle Imp is mv slave; vet what a wretched slave am I ! 
 
 [ 3 J usic. He opens the cabinet, a bottle is discovered, 
 on a shelf, transparent, a small black figure is moving 
 almit in it. 
 
 Fiend ! Fiend ! though through thee I possess the mastery of 
 the means to procure wealth,, j^et how painfully do I feel ihy 
 inefficacy in securing to me happiness ; for well I know my 
 doom, should I die without having disposed of this charmed 
 object for a less sum than I purcliased it. The possession of 
 thee has embittered each moment of my existence ! ’tis thou 
 hast led me on ! 
 
 Imp. (^without, 2 E. L. H.) To crime ! ha! ha! 
 
 A"/c. Crime ! true; be it so, tormenting fiend! thou art ray 
 slave, and darest to accuse me. 
 
 Imp. Your own conscience will accuse 3^011 of ever}" vice that 
 can be engendered in a human being with a bad heart, and in 
 the possession of unbounded means to gratif}" his passions. 
 
 Ah'e. I scorn thee. 
 
 Imp. An unprincipled destr03"er of female innocence ! 
 
 Nic. 'Tis you have aided me ! 
 
 Imp. Revelling in the sighs and groans of the wretched vic¬ 
 tims of your wild desire. 
 
 Kic. ’Tis you have urged me on. 
 
 Imp. Ay, parricide ! 
 
 Nic. Oh I horror! my father’s blood still streams across my 
 hands ; I cannot bear the thought—tormenting fiend, awa}’. 
 
 \_Ctoses cabinet., 
 
 ' Imp. Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Nic. I cannot endure this load of misery. Yes, yon gay and 
 ardent stranger shall bu}’' the fatal treasure of me. (takes the 
 bottle out.) Once more I put its magic power to the test, and for 
 the last time —Imp ! I part with thee ; 3"et, ere I sell thee, 
 slave, prepare for me a banquet of eastern magnificence—let 
 revelry and gaiet}" hold court here.—Obey me, slave ! 
 
 l^PecuUar music. 
 
 Imp. Thy wish is accomplished.—Behold ! 
 
 [.S’ceae sinks with Nicola; he has the bottle in his hand. 
 
 Nicola to sink on'L. ii. trap, then w. lights up. 
 
 SCENE 11 F. —Brilliant saloon, very splendidly illuminated. Guests, 
 •masqueraders, dancers, assembled ; a gaming-table on one side, 
 L. II. Lucretia seated, l. ii. c. Albert in conversation 
 liith he^. Phillippa, c. 
 
 Full Chorus whilst dance continues. 
 
 Sweet perfume breathing, 
 
 Jo3’’’s chaplet wreathing. 
 
 Hearts gaily breathing, smiles gild the scene. 
 
 Soft music thrilling, 
 
 E3"es with love filling. 
 
 Weave, ^reave the dance to the sweet mandolin. 
 
 A 3 
 
10 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 As flies,’at day-break, 
 
 Skim o'er the blue lake. 
 
 Quaffing^ the crystal of murmuring stream ; 
 
 So we delighted, 
 
 Fondly united, 
 
 Float in the radiance of pleasure’s gold beam. 
 
 [Albert and Lucreiia advance ^ 
 
 Albert. 
 
 'What sylph.like visions tempt my breast? 
 
 And on my sight prevail. 
 
 Like May flowers scattered o’er my path, 
 
 By the laughing zephyr gale. 
 
 Lucretia. 
 
 Tiie hunter-boy that Venus lov’d. 
 
 Than he was, ah, less bright, 
 
 His manly beauties charm my soul 
 Like beams of heavenly light. 
 
 w O 
 
 (At the conclusion of the duet, Lucretia seats herself at the 
 gaining-table, l., Albyirt follows, admiring her beautye 
 Nicola enters from amongst the crowd.) 
 
 Nic. Ah, as T wished ! could he be induced to join the players 
 at yon table, his slender purse would soon diminish; he would 
 then be ripe for my anxious project. Ha ! he plays—he wins ; 
 his countenance is already flushed—he redoubles his stake— 
 he wins again, good! It maddens him—he treads on the 
 quicksand—he is ingulfed—he throws again—he is a beggar 
 now! 
 
 Alb. (rising to Lucretia.) Nay, fair lady, I play no more. 
 
 Aic. (to the guests.) Gallant cavaliers, ye are not wont to 
 be so indolent; ladies urge again the mazy dance ; music pour 
 forth melodious fascination; fill, fill the sparkling goblets to 
 the brim, [yages hand wineN icora takes a goblet, another page 
 gives it also to Albert.) Stranger! pledge you. (Albert drinks.) 
 1 pray ye resume the dance, (the waltzers recommence to soft 
 music.) 'I’his, my friend, is my customary mode of life, does 
 it please you ? 
 
 Alb. You are supremely blest, my noble host, having at your 
 disposal all the charms that can embellish man’s existence. 
 
 Trie. At my disposal’. I could, if I chose, tell you the way to 
 be as happy, to be as rich as I am. 
 
 Alb. You are privileged to jeer, signor. 
 
 Kic. I jest not, but will fairly prove the truth of my as¬ 
 sertion ; accompany me a few paces hence, out of the hearing 
 of this joyous throng, and I will amazethine ear with a subtle 
 secret. 
 
 Alb. I am your guest—I obey—I follow you. 
 
 L. H., Nicola and Albert, unperceived by the 
 company ; the dance is continued throughout the abov 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 11 
 
 dtaloguL' ; but while dancing, the characters are siiddenlii 
 thrown into confusion by the entrance Willibald with 
 a portmanteau on his shouldei', and a lantern in his 
 hand ; the music ceases. 
 
 WiL pardon—is Mein Herr Von Albert here ? 
 
 Chamberlain. How now, fellow, what means this intrusion ? 
 
 WiL I want my master. 
 
 Cha. Saucy hnave! 
 
 WiL Saucy hnave'? 
 
 Cha. Unceremonious interloper ! 
 
 WiL What—eh ? astonishing ! I am Master Willibald of 
 
 of Slauciienhansenberg—tie for shame ; out upon you ! 
 
 Cha. Out with you ! thrust him forth I say ; chastise his im¬ 
 pertinence—out with him ! 
 
 [^Music ; a bustle ; the pages and domestics surround Wil¬ 
 libald, he attempts to make fight, but after an ineffectual 
 resistance, is thumped, and carried off amidst the laughter 
 of the guests. Scene closes, 
 
 SCENE IV.— Sequestered part of the garden, dark. 
 
 Enter Willibald, r. h. ’ 
 
 Wil. Neck and heels !—neck and crop—cowards !—white- 
 livered livery servants !—but I’ve broke the lantern over one 
 of their heads ; I have spoilt it; I,have been cursedly ill-used; 
 kicked, as if I was a football, instead of a footman. 
 
 Nir. {vnthout, l. ii.) This ivay. 
 
 Wil. As I live, here comes master ! and old whiskers—more 
 thumps if they catch me; I’ll hide here like the devil in a 
 bush! [Exit, r,2e. 
 
 Music. Enter Nicola and Albert, l. ii. 
 
 All). Now, signor, your secret 1 
 
 Nic. Have you not already discovered, that yon gay Lu- 
 cretia, looks upon you with an anxious eye ? 
 
 Alb, Psha! 
 
 Kic. ’Tis even so , our sultry clime rapidly engenders love ; 
 passion is here of sudden growth—Lucretia, 1 swear to you, is 
 enamoured ; truly, you are a fortunate fellow ; in a short hour 
 you have mastered what thousands in Venice sigh vainly for ; 
 but love—ha ! ha I what is love without wealth to sweeten it ? 
 
 Alb. Wealth ! your game at hazard has reduced me to my 
 last five ducats. 
 
 Nic. The last; humph! you mean the last in your present 
 possession. 
 
 Alb. Nay, the last I have, or have any means of getting. 
 
 Kic, Then I should suppose my young friend that you would 
 not be sorry to possess that which I am nearly weary of, the 
 power of procuring money in any sum, and at any time you 
 please. 
 
 Alb. Still jesting, my liberal host! 
 
 U. OF ILL, LIB 
 
12 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 A/C. This power, such as it is, I am willing to dispose of to 
 you fora trifling consideration. 
 
 Alh. Eh ’ Avhat occasion can you possibly have for money if 
 you wish to part with the power of obtaining it, yourself? 
 
 A /c. It is needless to explain either my motive or the manner 
 in which I can enrich you. 
 
 Alb, I am nearly penniless—proceed, good signor. 
 
 Aur. I know not whether you are acquainted with certain 
 little spirits, that are called “ liottle Imps.” 
 
 Alb. In early legend only I have heard of such ; but credit 
 not their existence ! A devil in a bottle ! ha! ha! ha! 
 
 Nic. Whoever possesses one of these Bottle Imps can com¬ 
 mand from it whatever worldly possession be most desires. 
 
 Alb. Ay, so runs the tale j can you prove the efiicacv of 
 these friendly demons ? 
 
 A'fc. I can—mine cost me ten ducats. 
 
 Alh. Yours? 
 
 Nic. 'Tis even so—for nine ducats, you shall be master of it. 
 
 Alb, Alas ! I have told you I hare but flve ducats left! 
 
 Nic. Well, I will not be hard with you j give me the monev 
 .(^sfiatches at purse eagerly.) 
 
 AU). Hold ! a thought strikes me ; tell me, is there not some 
 ■fearful condition annexed to the possession of these imps—you 
 hesitate! 
 
 Nic. A condition—ha ! ha ! ha ! what should there be ? 
 only that if the owner wants to part with it, the Bottle Imp 
 must be sold for less than he gave for it... .and it would be as 
 well to get rid of it before death ! 
 
 Alb, What mean you ? 
 
 Nic. Merely—one would not like to die with the devil at 
 one’s elbow ; but you neither covet the command of wealth, nor 
 the possession of the lovely Lucretia ; farewell, (goiiig across,!..) 
 
 Alh. Lovely Lucretia, stay.—I buy your Bottle Imp. (gives 
 money.) 
 
 Nic. Here, here is your treasure, (gives Albert the bottle,) 
 and if you wish to satisfy yourself of the efficacy of the power 
 of the imp, you have but to wish—the cap of Fortunatus, the 
 lamp of Aladdin could not more amply recompense you. 
 
 Alb. I wish for gold !—Gold in my grasp, (music.) 
 
 Bottle Imp, Thy wish is accomplished. 
 
 Nic. Are you satisfied ? 
 
 Alb. Amply, (a purse in his hand.) 
 
 Nic. (aside.) Poor dupe! thou hast resigned future hope for 
 present indulgence. Farewell, stranger, (cresses b.) Farewell, 
 we do not meet again. 
 
 Alb, Do you leave Venice? 
 
 Nic. For ever.—Re- enter yon gay villa—’tis yours—go join 
 the festive throng, and dream that you are happy. (Aside) 
 Farewell, poor fool, ’tis but a dream ! 
 
 \_Exeinit Nicola, r., and Albert, l. h. 
 
THE BOTTLE LMP. 
 
 IS 
 
 SCENE V.— Exterior of the farm (^’Waldeck. Enter from the 
 
 door Waldeck and Conkade, in uniform. 
 
 Con, My leave of absence expired, my dear father, I return to 
 my regiment.—Farewell. 
 
 Wat. Farewell, my excellent son. 
 
 Con. And yet, ere 1 quit my home, m)^ loved Locarno, I 
 cannot help expressing my uneasiness at the state of mind in 
 which I leave my only sister, Marcelia— 
 
 Wal. 1 love her dearly, for she is the pet lamb of my flock j 
 and, truly, I have noticed she has been sad lately. 
 
 Con. Is there a lover in the case, think ye, father ? 
 
 WaL ] thought of marrying her to Master Bertolini, the fat 
 olive-merchant. 
 
 Con, My reason for thus thinking is, that yesterday I observed 
 my sister weeping. She did not perceive me watching her; 
 she took a miniature portrait from her bosom, which she kissed 
 most fervently, and bathed with her tears. 
 
 Wat, Eh ! why Master Bertolini, the olive-merchant, never 
 sat for his picture, 
 
 Con. She has then a secret lover whom you, my father, must 
 discover, and make dear fvlarcelia happy, if possible; would 
 that i had the task, but the expiration of my furlough compels 
 me to return this very hour. I have hade a sweet and tearful 
 adieu to my poor sister. Father, your blessing, and farewell. 
 {Music. CoXRADE kisses his father’s' hand, the\j embrace.) 
 
 [Exit CONUADE, L. 
 
 TFrt/. INIy noble-hearted hoy.—Bless you, Conrade, bless you : 
 but I like uot this tale of secret love.—Marcelia approaches.— 
 I will withdraw awhile. {Music, retires, l. 2 e.) 
 
 Enter Marcelia from cottage, d. f. 
 
 Mar. Blessings go with you, dearest brother; I regret you 
 have left‘us, though your presence was a weight upon my 
 guilty mind. Happy Conrade, his heart is free from care ! Cruel, 
 cruel Albert, why didst thou forsake me ? {takes out a ficture,) 
 This winning smile and beaming eye, alas, lost is your fond 
 caress. Could I but regain Albert my grief were past—can I 
 forget the hour when he first whispered his love—never! 
 
 AIR. 
 
 At the silent hour, when all is still, 
 
 The silent hour of night, love, 
 
 We’ll meet at the foot of yon thorn-clad hill. 
 
 Beneath the moon’s pale light, love; 
 
 For here no sounds but the mournful bird, 
 
 Or breeze that murmurs by, love, 
 
 Or our whisper’d vows shall around be heard. 
 
 Or breath of my gentle sigh, love 1 
 
 t _ 
 
 For the silent hour and moon-lit tree. 
 
 To lovers only known, love. 
 
•14 
 
 THE EOTTLE IMP. 
 
 By a calm and sacred purity, 
 
 Are marked as all our 6\yi), love; 
 
 And there no prying eye shall see 
 Within our secret bower, love. 
 
 But hovering spirits, guarding thee, 
 
 Shall bless that silent hour, love. 
 
 Re-enter Waldeck, l. n. 2 e. 
 
 Wul. Here’s a lovely day for getting in the harvest, not a 
 cloud in the sky—ha ! daughter. 
 
 Mar, Dearest father. 
 
 Wal. Eh ! there looks as if there had been a cloud here, 
 though, (takes her hand,) Marcelia, you are for ev^er weepinir— 
 There, dry up your tears—Conrade is gone—don’t cry, for, 
 upon my life, I cannot bear it. 
 
 Mar. {sobbing.) I won’t, dear father. 
 
 TT a/. Xow’ listen to me, 1 have something particular to say 
 
 to vou. 
 
 •/ 
 
 Mar, To me, father 1 
 
 IVal. Yes, to you ; so pay attention. Signor Bertolini, you 
 know— 
 
 Mar, Ves, dear father. 
 
 JVal, Well, he — that is—I—that is to say—you— (aside.) 
 Plague take the old fool, why does he send me to court my own 
 daughter for him? In short, you are to marry Bertolini 
 before vou are a week older. 
 
 •r 
 
 Mar, Never! mercy, mercy, never! 
 
 JVal. Heyday, here are heroics. I suspect there’s another 
 lover in the case; why that blush and confusion ? Show me the 
 miniature you have there—you tremble—then I insist, (takes the 
 picture.) How! a portrait of the young German traveller, Al¬ 
 bert ! I perceive it all; and thus has the villain repaid our 
 hospitalit}’’; but you must think no more of him. Girl, girl, 
 immediately prepare you to receive the addresses of.Bertolini! 
 
 Mar, (ktieels.) Ah ! my father It is impossible—impossible 
 —I am a guilty creature! spurn me. O did you know how my 
 heart upbraids me that I should have given cause to so kind a 
 parent, to feel his own misfortunes and his daughter’s dis¬ 
 grace i 
 
 JVal, Guilty? disgrace? Marcelia! 
 
 Mar. Nothing can allay the anguish which I suffer at the 
 recollection of the past, and the thoughts of the present j and 
 yet, my father, though my mind is filled with remorse, it is 
 still distracted by love. 
 
 JJ’al. Villain, villain, Albert! (crosses to n.) 
 
 Mar, I could have reproached him, but my heart was not 
 made for it .... I could only weep. 
 
 IT ah Piise to thy father’s heart again, poor bruised flower— - 
 bless thee, fallen as thou art, I bless thee ; had I Conrade’s 
 arm—but no! prepare thee, Marcelia, prepare thee instantly 
 fora journey; I will follow this unprincipled voluptuary to 
 Venice ; I will pursue and humble him to the dust; he shall. 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 15 
 
 make thee reparation, girl. Thy inexperience, my child, pleads 
 some excuse in falling into the snare of a seducer; come, do 
 not fear, he shall right thee, or if he refuses, then indeed my 
 curse—the terrible curse of an old man, the curse of a parent 
 for his lost child shall cleave to him and blight him. Come— 
 (raises her tenderly) —a father still supports you. 
 
 l^Exeunt into cottage 
 
 SCENE Yl.— Handsome bedchamber' lamp burning; Willi- 
 
 EALD arranging; dark, 
 
 JVil, Now, here’s the room all ready for master; here’s a 
 pretty business! how is it all to be paid for? all eating and 
 drinking and devilling—revelling I mean—1 won’t stay in his 
 service, and if he won’t take warning from any body else, 
 I’ll give him warning, to-morrow. 
 
 Enter Albert, l. ii. 
 
 Alb. Possessed of my treasure, I regard even the })Oteniates 
 and princes of the world vrith disdainful compassion ! My 
 riches are boundless! but, what are the riches without the 
 blessings of health? the intemperance with which I have 
 plunged into sensual delight has thrown me into a languor of 
 death! 
 
 Wil. Master, dear master Albert. 
 
 Alb. Willibald, get thee rest, good fellow. 
 
 Wil. Oh, if you would but listen to my exhortations, I will 
 talk to you for three hours without stopping. 
 
 Alb. Begone ! nay, I meant not to be unkind to you. 
 
 iVil. Good night, master. I must give him a lecture : Oh, if 
 your father and mother—well, I won’t—yonder is your night- 
 cap — good night, dear master. [Exit reluctantly, l. h. 
 
 AI!>. This strange and uneasy sensation, I dread to seek my 
 couch, {bell tolls 'i.) ’Tis morn, perhaps my charmed talis¬ 
 man may aid me to remove this dread depression, (takes the 
 Bottle Imp from under his robe, and places it on the table.) 
 Sprite, fiend, whate’er thou art, I invoke thee to preserve my 
 health, to give me balmy sleep, (music, AiuHeut reclines on the 
 bed.) NM, the hope of repose is vain ; demon, demon, aid me ; 
 (gets to couch, R.; lights down ; uild strains of music ; the dis^ 
 cordant voice of the Bottle Imp is heard.) 
 
 Albert, Albert, thou prayest in vain ; 
 
 Prepare thee, now for eternal pain 
 
 No herb that grows the pangs of death can heal. 
 
 I joy—for that thou art mine, 1 feel. 
 
 Alb, Horror. 
 
 Bot, Imp. Behold! (music; blue fire; a column of smoke arise 
 from the bottle ; which smoke gradually assumes the form oj a large 
 demon ; it disappears from the curtain, and is immediately seen 
 by the side a/* Albert, leaning over the couch.) 
 
 Alb, Ah 1 what art thou ? 
 
 Imp. Thy slave. 
 
16 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 Alh. My slave ! away, your presence chills my blood. 
 
 Jmp, Hast thou not purchased me, made me your friend ; 
 can I be so ungrateful as to neglect paying thee a nightly visit? 
 —ay, nightly. 
 
 Atb. A nightly visit—horror ! (starts up and runs into l. 
 cornier.') 
 
 Imp. You must learn to love me—for are you not mine 
 when vour eyes are closed in death ? (puts his hand on Albert’s 
 ’'heart.) 
 
 Alh. Ah, that icy weight ! 
 
 Imp. Enjoy yourself while you remain on earth ; your 
 hours are past in feasting, but they are numbered ! 
 
 Alh. Dread fiend—avaunt ! (crosses to n.) 
 
 Imp. Thou may’st be the envy of the W'orld during the day; 
 but night must come ; and at night thou must always expect 
 my cheering presence ; then shall you feel the pressure of this 
 friendly hand on your heart thus—thus— 
 
 Alh. (groans, su'oous’, Music’, re cater Willibald with a light.) 
 
 Wit. ]\Iasler — what is the matter ? (tw'ns and sees the Bottle 
 Imp.) Oh ! oh! (falls on the floormusic \ act drop rapidly dc^ 
 ^scends.) 
 
 .ACT IL 
 
 SCENE I.— Saloon in the Villa’, a door opening to garden* the 
 river ; enter Willibald, dressed, wand in his hand, r, 
 
 Wil. Nice night’s rest I've had ; I swear 1 saw it—was it or 
 was it not ? if it was, why was it in master’s bed-room ?—if it 
 was my last day, I saw a great hairy devil w’ith his huge dingy 
 body against the w’hite curtains, and then I fell faint, and then 
 I fell down ;— (looks round.) What has become of old Avhiskers ? 
 Where does the money come from ? Here am I in my finery, 
 and a pretty peacock 1 look like, elevated to the post of cham¬ 
 berlain of the household—a household which, saving myself, 
 are magical and diabolical. I’ll be bound this livery has been 
 made by a devil amongst the tailors. And I am to order the 
 other servants about, 1 am afraid of them. 
 
 Enter two Footmen and Butler with bottles, on a waiter, r. 
 
 They are all evil spirits, I am certain, (sees them.) Eh, how ! 
 keep off— exorciso te. (they bow.) The footmen are ramping 
 devils, and the butler is a Bottle Imp.” 
 
 Font. Would it please you,sir, to take chocolate? 
 
 TFi7. (aside.) Chocolate—devil’s milk—I taste no food in this 
 "house—I must be civil to them—Not any thank you, your in., 
 fernal majesties. 
 
 Se^. Ha! ha! ha!—ha! ha! ha! 
 
 Wii. Bobs, these are merry devils ! (apart.) I don’t see their 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 17 
 
 forked tails llio’—I’ll be polite, for fear of the worst—Good 
 fiends. 
 
 Ser. Fiends ? 
 
 JVil. Good friends, I mean—I left an R out, be so obliging as 
 to vanish away, (aside) with as small a smell of sulphur as you 
 possibly can. 
 
 E)iter PniLLiPA, n. h. 
 
 Foot. Signora Phillipa ! our new major domo is in a whim¬ 
 sical humour. 
 
 Phi. Indeed ? 
 
 in/, (apart.) That’s a she devil. 
 
 Phi. We commend ourselves to your service, fcro5s<?s to c.) 
 your condescending kindness shall he repaid on our parts, by 
 the utmost warmth, [courtesies.) 
 
 Wil. Warmth ; I don’t doubt it, that beautiful female imp 
 has two or three fiaines, I dare say. 
 
 But. If you should want us, signor, you will find us below— 
 below ! [^Servants hoiv and exeunt, r. h 
 
 Ji'il. I don’t doubt it! all three of you whistling to the dog 
 Cerberus, and each of vou feeding a head ! 
 
 Phi. Vou look admirably in your new dress, signor. 
 
 VFil. Flattery—many a man is seduced by flattery. But I 
 won't be—tempting little devil, too— 
 
 Phi. You like our dwelling-place 1 
 
 m/. Your dwelling-place ? never was there, thank mercy— 
 (aside) her dwelling-place. 
 
 Phi. All, signor, my mistress is very much attached to your 
 master; (mysteriously) if I thought no one was near, I could 
 unfold a tale. 
 
 ir//. (aside.) Unfold her tail! No, no; remain as you are— 
 no don’t unfold, (puts his icand doum to her feet unperceiced.) She 
 has never a hoof, but a pretty little foot, I am astonished ! 
 
 Phi. And what are you astonished at, pray 
 
 Wd. Why, you little imp, you own to the forked tail, but aie 
 without the hoofs. 
 
 Phi. Hoofs, indeed! know, you exceedingly sill}’’ little 
 foreigner, that in Venice here, I am reckoned a very nice little 
 girl—hoofs, indeed ! 
 
 Wil. Ha, ha, I’ve set her kicking. 
 
 Comic Duet. 
 
 Phi. No ! Signor Willibald I 
 
 Pray mark my word— 
 
 When a lady’s insulted. 
 
 Wii. I know she’ll be heard. 
 
 Phi. You, Signor Willibald 
 
 Shall find to your cost, 
 
 That I’ve a defender. 
 
 Wil. O dear ! I am lost! 
 

 THE EOTTLE IMP. 
 
 Poison—stilettoes ! 
 
 I tremble, I own, 
 
 But I trust that stilettoes 
 Still let me alone. 
 
 Then endeavour in future 
 With grace to behave. 
 
 Yes, sweetest Philippa 
 V Your pardon I crave, 
 
 Yes, pretty l^hilippa 
 Shall see I can mend. 
 
 Salute this, and swear now 
 
 You’ll ne’er more offend, (he kisies her hand.) 
 With dance and forgiveness 
 Chase anger away, 
 
 Fal, Jal, la, lal, ccc. 
 
 [Exeunt, l. ii. 
 
 Enter Albert, r.ii., followed by Lucretia. 
 
 Alb. Nav, Lucretia ! 
 
 Luc. Why, dearest Albert, why do you fly my presence, you, 
 ‘who but yesterday vowed eternal constancy, why are you so 
 pale, so agitated ? 
 
 Alb. I would be alone—my night was restless—inquire not 
 further. 
 
 Luc. Confide, Albert, in one who loves you, who lives but to 
 please you. 
 
 ” Alb. (putting his hand beneath his cloak.') Fatal, fatal purchase . 
 and ah ! how near—close enough to feel the palpitation of my 
 troubled heart. 
 
 Luc. What have you there ? (pulling the mantle aside, bottle 
 discovered.) 
 
 Alb. A mere toy; I prithee, touch it not. 
 
 Luc. I must behold this toy. (screams.) Ah ! (seizes and throws 
 it into the river.) 
 
 Alb. ‘W^liat have you done ? deprived me ot my treasure ! 
 
 Luc. Your treasure ? 
 
 Alb. Yes, you have ruined my fortune for ever. Dear Lu- 
 cr&tia, 1 valued that which you have thrown into the flood 
 greatly beyond my power of expressing. 
 
 Luc. And I, in an idle mood, have deprived you of it. I will 
 liasten the domestics, and seek again your prize. Albert, for¬ 
 give me, I will soon recover it. [Exit hastily, u. ir. 
 
 Alb. Never ! never ! I saw the bottle float down the tream. 
 The power of obtaining incalculable riches gone ! and ye^I h?.ve 
 reason to bless the band that lias taken it from me. It is t at the 
 bottom of the river, and I again am free ! 
 
 (MuAc, voice of Imp.) No ! 
 
 (The bottle appears on the table.) Alb. There again ! ’tis in vain 
 to attempt to lose this dreaded purchase, (looks at bottle.) 
 Malicious devil, if I again call upon thee for tby services, it 
 is that 1 may rid myself of thee for ever. (Imp lauohs wildly.) 
 I will dispose of my fatal bargain 1—Ha ! Willibald ! 
 
 Phi. 
 
 Wil. 
 
 Phi. 
 
 Both. 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP 
 
 19 
 
 Enter Willibald, l. k. 
 
 irii.. Here, master, how do you like my new clothes ? 
 
 llh. Listen ! you see yonder octd-shaped bottle. 
 
 iVil. Yes, and a very ugly decanter it is. 
 
 Alb. Without remark, or questioning my motive, carrv that 
 bottle to the street, and sell it to any one who will buy ii; the 
 price for it must be under five ducats. 
 
 Wil. So I should think by the look of it, but why should you 
 want to sell 'i 
 
 Imp. Ay, why ? 
 
 WiL (looks at his mastei'.} ‘‘ Ay, why?” Thai’s what I ask, 
 only you croak so. How your voice is altered ! 
 
 All). jMy voice altered? 
 
 Wil. Yes, and now it is altered again. 
 
 All). Perplex me not with your prosing, but instantly convey 
 that bottle from my sight. [Willibald turns his head. 
 
 Imp. ‘‘At your peril !” 
 
 Wil. Well, Mr. Albert, you do give the most contradictory 
 commands; you tell me to go and sell it at my peril! 
 
 Alb. Away, away! (crosses to l.) and return not till you have- 
 disposed of that hateful bottle for less than five ducats. 
 
 (Business tilth bottle ; in taking it, when Willibald goes for 
 it, the Imp says, “ Hal” &;c.) [E.xh, l. h. 
 
 Wil. Sir, master, hadn’t I better tell the wine merchant to 
 take it back.—O, I know I must obey him.—Sell it to somebody 
 for less than five ducats.—O, master is a delirious madly inco¬ 
 herent, deranged lunatic. (Phillibpa crosses l. ii.) There’s the 
 pretty she-devil again; perhaps she’ll purchase it. Hark 
 ye, little what d’ye calPem, wdll you buy this bottle of me ? 
 
 Phi. Buy such a frightful vessel as that ; no, not if it was 
 filled with otto of roses, (crosses to l.) 
 
 Wil. I don’t know what is in it, but it will be a devilish good- 
 bargain for any body. I’ll walk into the street and try and 
 sell it. I understand Mynheer Von Albert too w’ell to go 
 back to him without having executed his commission/ Who’ll 
 buy a bottle ?—Any body buy a bottle ? l. h. 
 
 Phi. Our new master and his man are odd personages.— 
 Gone! all out of sight—nay, then it is near the time to keep 
 the appointment with my own true Venetian, in the jessaa.ine 
 bower. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 I’m going all alone to the jessamine bower. 
 
 To the rose-tree that blooms in the grove ; 
 
 But I seek what is sweeter than dew-spangled flow'i, 
 A kiss from the lips of the youth that I love 
 His eyes are so bright 
 As the stars in the night. 
 
 His smile is like Heaven, his hand is quite free, 
 
 Ah, no, ’tis promis’d, but promised to me. 
 
20 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 Yes, dear to my heart is the nightingale’s measure, 
 
 In the'moonlight that silvers the grove ; 
 
 But I prize still much dearer the lattice-breath’d treasure 
 A kiss from the lip of the youth that 1 love 
 His eyes are so bright, 
 
 As the stars in the night. 
 
 His smile is like Heaven, his hand is quite free, 
 
 Ah, no, no, ’tis promis’d, but promis’d to me. [Exif, n. ir. 
 
 SCENE II.—.4 street. 
 
 Enter Willibald, l. h. 
 
 Wit. Who’ll buy a bottle ? Every body laughs at me ; one 
 .gentleman inquired if I was the bottle conjuror.^ another said 
 he’d crack a bottle with me, if my head was hard enough, but I 
 declined—nobody will have it.—Master comes this way again. 
 O, I dare not tell him I have not sold it ; no, no, I’ve got three 
 ducats in my breeches pocket—to keep matters all right I’ll 
 give Mr. Albert the three ducats, and make him believe that 
 I’ve got rid of it. I’ll buy the bottle—now the bottle is mine, 
 (puts it into a pocket,^ ahem ! 
 
 Re-enter Albert, e. h. 
 
 Alb. Well, Willibald, is it disposed of? 
 
 Wil, Yes, it is disposed of. 
 
 Alb, For what price ? 
 
 Wil. For three ducats {aside') out of my breeches pocket. 
 
 Alb, Inestimable fellow. Oh ! Willibald, you do not know 
 ^hat a balm you have applied to your master’s heart. 
 
 Wil. Glad of it. 
 
 Alb. That bottle, strange as it may appear, was the total 
 ‘destruction of my peace of mind. I never could have been 
 happy as long as 1 was the possessor of it. 
 
 Wit. Eh ! 
 
 Alb. If you had not sold it I should have gone mad ; the very 
 horror of having it about my person would have destroyed 
 me ! 
 
 Wil, {feeling his pocket.) What did you say ? 
 
 Alb. It could bring nothing but dire misery to its owner, its 
 purchaser ! 
 
 Wil. Misery—the bottle—Avhat is in it then? {ulanned.) 
 
 Alb, Never ask ! Suffice it, that your master is rid of it ; it 
 is too dreadful to mention to human ear. How I pity the 
 miserable, the unfortunate wretch! Thanks to you, good 
 fellow, I am free—I am again out of the power of the evil one ! 
 
 ■ Thanks, my faithful servant,— blessings on you I [E.rif, l. ir. 
 
 Wil. jMisery! I don’t feel any misery! Why, what could 
 master mean ? Oh, it’s only his fun ! Master has never been 
 like himself ever since he came to this Venice—nasty wet place ! 
 A have done nothing but catch cold ever since I have been here. 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 2V 
 
 and I’m sure I regret now I ever left my home at Slauchen- 
 hausenberg— (seats himself in chair) my dear relations—my six 
 lovely little brothers and sisters. I wish, pretty creatures, I 
 could hear all their little voices singing, as 1 did the night I left 
 them, just as they were going to bed, the night I came away ! 
 
 Imp, (loithout.) Listen ! (voices of children at win^s.) 
 
 Boys and girls come out to play, 
 
 The moon doth shine as bright as day ! 
 
 Tr<7. Hallo! why that’s their song, sure enough, and their 
 voices too.—Where are you, young rascals (—I wish I could see- 
 every one of them ! 
 
 Imp, (without.) Behold ! 
 
 [^Music. Six chUiren run through 2 )anels, in their night dresses^ 
 theij surronod and caress him, 
 
 Chi, Willibald ! VVillibald ! Brother Willibald ! 
 
 n iZ. Hey! hey!—Silence! silence!—Oh! plague tabe you! 
 wish you, every one of you, in bed again! (Music. The children 
 disappear suddenly.) Well, that’s extraordinary ! where did they 
 all come from?—where are they all gone to?—Murder! my 
 mind misgives me.—This bottle I—what’s in it?—looks like a 
 pickled lobster. Murder ! I’ve been and bought a bottle imp. 
 Where’s my “ Dissertation on Devils?’’ (takes out his book.) Fool i 
 Fool! what’s to be done ? Page twenty-seven,— (reads) “ Should 
 the possessor die,”—-die—I’m very ill! My only chance is to sell 
 tliis bottle directly. What an ass have 1 been ! (takes bottle.) I 
 deserve a good sound thrashing for my stupidity, (going) and I 
 wish I had it too. 
 
 (Music. A heating heard icithoiit, Willibald roars ZoadZi/— 
 Don’t! don’t!—Be quiet, I say ! —Oh ! oh ! [Exit, r.h, 
 
 F 
 
 SCENE III.—^ street in Venice. 
 
 Enter Albert, l. h. 
 
 Alh. Could I have believed it possible? no! no!—Lucretia 
 false! Lucretia has threatened to denounce me to the In- 
 ^quisition, as a sorcerer, and has determined never to see me 
 more! Ah ! woman ! woman ! yet I deserve my fate ; I, who 
 abandoned the beautiful, and guileless IMarcelia, w hen I had 
 won her first love ! Ves, Marcelia, 1 will again seek you, and 
 by the devotion of my life, hope to recover your forgiveness and 
 affection. 
 
 Song. , 
 
 They mourn me dead in my father’s hall, 
 
 Tl»e black banner waves o’er its tower. 
 
 While bitterly weeps my forsaken maid. 
 
 In her long neglected bow’r; 
 
 Oh maiden cease those pearly tears. 
 
 And give thy lute its tone. 
 
 For a penitent knight returns to thy arms. 
 
 And the joys of the days that are gone. 
 
THE r.OTTLE IMP. 
 
 The harp sliaii sohimI in inyfatliers hali, ^ 
 
 "I'lie gay minstrels merrily sing.. 
 
 And village bells greeting my glad return 
 A sweet bridal peal shall ring. 
 
 Then maiden cease, &c. 
 
 [Tbtt, !i.a. 
 
 Enter Willibald, l. n. 
 
 Wil, Who’ll buy a bottle 1 it’s of no use ; I can’t get rid of it, 
 what a concatenation of uncomfortableness ! Here have 1 got 
 a regular devil corked down ; I threw it in a pond, just now; 
 but it came back again, high and dry. It’s a spirit won’t mix 
 with water-give me the blue devils! Yonder I see a Jew 
 •pedlar—hem! perhaps he will purchase it; I’ll try it on, 
 they traffic in most articles—they are a great commercial 
 people. 
 
 Enter Shadiiack, u. 1 c. 
 
 Hark ye, pedlar ! 
 
 Shu, Did you call me 'f any ting in my way ? buy 1 buy ! 
 
 Wil. Bu\^! buy ! No, sell! sell' 
 
 Sha. Veil, sell or buy, ish all de shame to Shadrack ; vat ish 
 your merchandize ? 
 
 Wil, This beautiful bottle, (exhibits it,) 
 
 Sha, Beautiful bottle ?—not worth a dump ! 
 
 Wil. Oh 1 ! don’t say so ! I shall never get rid of it; only 
 .ook at it! Here’s a wonderful queer, outlandish, monstrati- 
 ^ous animal, in high spirits in it—stick it in an apothecary’s 
 window, it will draw a hundred patients to the shop, sick or 
 well. 
 
 Sha, Its curish ; let me look at it : I’ll deal veth you, if I 
 can. Vat you ax for it 1 
 
 Wil, I’m very moderate “-two ducats 1 
 
 Sha. Two devilish ! 
 
 Wil. {aside.) There’s only one ! what will you give me, I’d 
 rather sell it. 
 
 Sha. Itsh very ugly pattern, de bottle. 
 
 Wil, It’s the last new pattern. 
 
 Sha, Ash for the sthuff inside, dat ish vorse ! 
 
 Wil. Perhaps I'll lay out something w’ilh you. Take it : 
 give me the mone^^ 
 
 Sha. Veil, let me look at it again ; you shaid you would lay 
 out shomething in my shop ; I’ll deal vith you, if I can ; I’l 
 tell you vat. I’ll give you twenW soldi. 
 
 Wil, You deal a hard bargain with me—give me the money, 
 
 Sha. You shaid you vould lay out shometing. 
 
 Wil, I like to be independent in my dealing. 
 
 Sha, Dere ! (gives money.) Four, eight, sixteen. 
 
 Wil, No ! tw’elve ! 
 
 Sha. You are right. 
 
 Wil, You didn’t know. 
 
 Sha, V^hy, vat’s de matter ? (shakes bottle.) 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 •20 
 
 ]Vi!. Oh ! you’ll have shaking enough, by and bje !—what 
 Iiave you here, tiiat will be useful ? 
 
 Sha. Razors! 
 
 in/. I’ve no beard! you want the razors yourself, master 
 pedlar. 
 
 Sha. Pair of skaits ? 
 
 Wil, Skaits ! no ice, but ice-cream—can’t skait on ice-cream. 
 
 Sha. Vatch cliain. (showing it.) 
 
 Wil. I’ve no w’^atch. 
 
 Slid. Buy a vatch. (holding it up.) 
 
 IViL No go ! I wouldn’t deal with him for the world.—Evil 
 communications— 
 
 Sha, Fish hooks ? 
 
 Wil. No catch, (looks off) I must get rid of this Jew. Do you 
 see that person coming tiiis way? he belongs to the police, and 
 is one of those cursed fellows who treat the Israelites so ill ; 
 he won't hurt you—you are not a Jew, you know—Don’t go, 
 mv good man. 
 
 Sha. Yesh, but I am though, and I must keep out of de way. 
 Devilish take the polishe! (rnnsoffy u.) 
 
 TFi/. And the pedlar takes the devil! ha, ha, ha!—Good 
 riddance to bad rulibish. I’ll never buy another bottle. 
 
 Enter Nicola, meanly attired, l, 2 e. 
 
 Ah'c. The demon has left me pennyless ; the pangs of hunger 
 assail me, and I have not wherewith to satisfy my craving. 
 
 Wil. I’rn glad I got that twenty soldi 1—I had only a picola 
 left.—Now I will make my way home again. 
 
 Nic. Good stranger, charity to on unfortunate ; I am a 
 wretched beggar, and pining for bread. 
 
 TTk7. Charity ! are you hungry ? well, here’s apiece of real 
 Slauchenhausenberg. (offering sausage.) Stay, here’s a picola 
 for you,—the thirty-sixth part of an English farthing,—get 
 something comfortable ; don’t spend it all at once, (gives 
 coin.) What a delightful thing it is to do a benevolent action ! 
 (affects to icipe his eyes.) [Exit l. 
 
 Xic. A piece of money, of the smallest value in the world— 
 so much for chaiity ! I am not yet a hardened beggar, and my 
 soul revolts at the occupation,—it were better to starve ! But 
 I am still free, and may again know happiness, having escaped 
 the direful clutches of the evil one. 
 
 (Music.) Enter Montorio and Inquisitor — he points to Ni¬ 
 cola—Inquisitor clajjs his hands, — Several attendants 
 of the inquisition enter—they throw a hood over Nicola, 
 and drag him off.) 
 
 Mon. To the carriage ! quick ! Convey him in silence away! 
 
 {^Exeunt, l. ii. 
 
 Shadrack reappears, at the back, with his ox, r. 
 
 Sha. Plesh ma heart, dere’s a peesh of pisshines 1—I’m glad 
 it isliii’t me!—Vat’s dat?—vat’s the matter vi my box?— 
 Dere’s nothing here but the bottle.—I feels all over so comical, 
 and I have had the meagrims ever since I boght de ugly 
 
24 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 bottle.— I visli, vid all my heart, 1 could shell it again.— I vould 
 shell my box and all my goods, a bargain, to any one that 
 vould purchase them of me. 
 
 Enter Albert, r. n. dressed meardy, 
 
 Alh. What was yon commotion ? 
 
 Slut. De people of de inquisition have taken up a suspected 
 gentleman. 
 
 Alh. (^tiside.) The officers of the Inquisition !—Lucretia then 
 has denounced me !—IJow fortunate is this disguise ; in it will 
 1 travel back to Germany,—buy yon pedlar’s box of wares; it 
 will add to the alteration of my person. Hark ye, Jew ! this 
 jmrse is thine ; in exchange give me thy stock in trade. 
 
 Slid. A'at, for my box and all my goods'? Tanky! Where’s 
 de money ?—Take ’em !—I vish you luck vid ’em, and Tin glad 
 I’ve sold e’m.—A goot bargain!—Dish vay, master; for de 
 inonev, my whole shop is yours, bottle and all ! 
 
 [E leiint Albert, r. ii., Shadrack, l. 
 
 SCENE IV.— Open country in the neighbourhood of Venjce .— 
 Tents—suit tins-booth.—'■Soidiers caronsinrr—some cleaninii their 
 accoutrements.—RoH of drum.—Enter Conrade, r. —Sentinels 
 present arms.—An officer gives a paper to him. 
 
 Of. Dispatch from the general. 
 
 Con. Enough, {opens and reads.) “ To the commanding officer 
 of the district.—Headquarters, Whereas it has been represented 
 that a spirit of gambling has arisen in the .5th Regiment of 
 Musqueteers,—and that it has so far proceeded, thatsoldiers have 
 staked even their arms and accoutrements at play,—the general 
 commands that immediate notice be given to check so glaring 
 an evil, and that the first delinquent on this score will be ordered 
 for instant execution.”—In the licentious state of our levies, it 
 is time that this regulation should be enforced, (calls another 
 officer.) The regiment must be paraded, and this order read. 
 
 [^Murcli in orchestra, drums beat. Exit Conrade into tent ^ 
 L. 2 E. Exeunt officers and soldiers, r. 2 e. 
 
 Enter Albert in the disguise of a pedlar, icith the Jeic\ box. 
 
 Alb. So far from the confines of Venice, have I escaped, and 
 am not pursued by the familiars of the dreadful Inquisition ; 
 i’faith I am weary, (puts his box l. h., before trap.) What have 
 we here; a camp, a regiment of musqueteers; what, if lea- 
 listed, I am well inured to the duties of a soldier. JMy journey 
 hither has parched my mouth 1 a goblet of the delicious Bene- 
 Carlo wine t was accustomed to drink would be very ac¬ 
 ceptable. (r. b., blue fire underneath', stage music ; a goblet on a 
 salver rises on a pedestal.) 
 
 Alb. How ! eh ! what is this ? (ring, b.) 
 
 [T/ie Bottle Imp rises out of the pedlar s box, in a blue 
 fame ; dark ; green mediums up. 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 25 
 
 Imp. Your slave anticipates your wishes 
 
 Alb. Accursed fiend 1 what miserable act recals your pre- 
 
 sence ? 
 
 Imp. Simply, that you have repurchased me with tne pedier s 
 stock ! and 1 am still your servant. 
 
 Alb. Unliappy wretch! avaunt, destroyer, of my peace, I 
 will not seek your aid—ava^iut! 
 
 Imp, You w'ill need me ere long, the sum for w’hich i am 
 bouo-ht and sold has become miserably low; two more dis¬ 
 poses ^Yill bring my purchaser to my grasp. Then, then for 
 my triumph. 
 
 Alb. Awav ! (music', Imp disappears; ring, b., medium down.') 
 Y'es, 1 will brave danger, will enlist into this regiment; some 
 , friendly ball may rid me of an existence of which 1 am weary. 
 
 Enter a Sergeant, r. h. 
 
 Ser. Now pedler, what do you in the camp ? 
 
 Alb. 1 am ready if you will accept the services of a volunteer, 
 but who comes to your hands a practised soldier, to push my 
 fortune in your valiant corps, (takes up box.) 
 
 Ser. A well-limbed fellow, and of a noble spirit; foilow me 
 to the commandant. [Music, exe7mt, r. h. 
 
 Enter Waldeck, Marcelia, and a Soldier, l. h. 
 
 Wal. To Lieutenant Conrade—lead us to Lieutenant Conrade. 
 (gives paper to Soldier, Soldier goes to Conrade’s tent.) Ah ! 
 Marcelia this has been a w earisome journey, and Venice have I 
 searched in vain for the villain that has wronged you ; cheer 
 up, cheer up, my child, I wdll find him if he is on earth. 
 
 Alar. Father, in pity to yourself, in pity to me, return to your 
 home, and I will lie me down on my poor mother’s grave and 
 die. 
 
 Wal. Child! child ! all shall be w'eli again. 
 
 Enter Co's babe from tent, l. ‘2 e, 
 
 Co7i. (rushing to them.) My father, IMarcelia, too, wdiat joy ! 
 to what happy event am 1 to attribute your unexpected, yet 
 welcome visit! 
 
 Wal. Oh, there is a weight like lead at my heart; Conrade, 
 my son, a sad tale must he disclosed, your sister is lost, dis¬ 
 honoured. ( Marcelia into Conrade’s arms.) 
 
 Con. Aid me to carry her to the tent; sw’eet girl be still as¬ 
 sured of our pity, our love. 
 
 usic, exeunt Waldeck and Conrade, supporting 
 Marcelia into the tent, 2 e. l. 
 
 Enter Jomelli, Albert, and Soldiers:, r, h. 
 
 Alb, Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Jom, This way, recruit; nobody shall play with the recruit 
 but myself. Hark ye, recruit, I’m for play, seven the main; 
 
 B 
 
26 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 tbou must be initiated, and tby comrades must taste of tby 
 wine-flask there, (pcbits to the magic bottle.) 
 
 Alb. (aside.) They have discovered my everlasting attendant. 
 
 Jom, Is it schnaps, or schiedam. 
 
 Alb. For six soldi it is yours—if you will become the pur¬ 
 chaser. 
 
 Jom. That’s cheap, if it’s spirits. 
 
 Alb. Quick, quick—the price, the price. 
 
 Jom. Don’t be in a hurry—rather difficult for a private to 
 find any of the public money, [gives money.) There, there’s the 
 money. 
 
 Alb. And there’s the bottle, (gives magic bottle.) 
 
 Jom. Now then for a rattle of the dice-box; I’ll soon win 
 your six soldi again ; and our comrades will troll a merry 
 round the while. 
 
 [^Exeunt Joielli and Albert, r, h. 
 
 Soldier’s Chorus. 
 
 [^Exeunt Soldiers, l. 1 e. 
 
 Enter M arcelia/ rom tent, l. 2 e. 
 
 Mar. My father, wearied with his journey, sleeps; I'll watch, 
 lest any noisy intruder should awaken him. 
 
 Jom. (re-enters r. ii.) Ha ! ha! ha ! what a heedless, incon¬ 
 siderate, young, raw recruit that must be! I’ve won all his 
 moneys—then he was mad enough, stupid enough, and drunk 
 enough, to risk his canteen at the game, but that he lost to the 
 one-eyed trumpeter; then comes the commandant to inspect 
 the accoutrements, but the one-eyed trumpeter had sold the 
 canteen, and swallowed the price in drink. Oh, what wicked 
 seducers are a dice-box and a bottle ! 
 
 Mar. An aged father reposes in yon tent, prithee be silent. 
 
 Jom. Monstrous pretty girl.—I am in such high spirits I can 
 refuse nothing.—I’ll be as silent as a sentinel. [Muffled drums 
 r;rithoutt l. h.) Hark ! somebody in trouble. 
 
 Mar. What is the meaning of that mournful sound ? 
 
 Jom. Oh, a y^oung recruit from Germany has been gambling 
 away his canteen, so they are going to shoot him, as an example, 
 that’s all. 
 
 Mar. Canteen I 
 
 Jom, Yes, like tliis, (points to his own canteen,) not this, (points 
 to the Bottle Imp.) 
 
 Mar. And have they condemned a poor youth to death for so 
 small a crime as losing a canteen ? 
 
 Jom. Strict military discipline, bless y^ou, that’s the thing to 
 keep a soldier stead\\ (reels) They have given the young fellow 
 a quarter of an hour’s life to try and recover his canteen. 
 Ramrods and cartridges, how something throbs in this bottle! 
 —-(puts it down on a ba7ik,) 
 
 Mar. What have you there ? 
 
 Jom. That’s ray canteen—the other is, I don’t know what, 
 but I wish, with all my heart, it was the poor German’s lost 
 canteen. (Bottle changes to canteen, Jomelli brings dcncn bottle.) 
 
 I don’t like this—I shall be in a nice scrape here—They’ll pop 
 tX me if they catch me 
 
THE BOTTI.E IMP. 
 
 27 
 
 Mar, Here, good fellow, if you are in fear of the conse¬ 
 quences, retire ; but sell me this, here take this piece of money, 
 1 pray you. (she receives 
 
 Jom, Hark * I will, I will' But contrive that the poor fellow 
 has his canteen, and your own happy feeling will reward you, 
 luy pretty lass, (t/ntm, — gives her canteen,^ Don’t like muftled 
 drums at all. (staggers offt l. h.) 
 
 [Marcklia places the canteen in the tent, March, mu^ed 
 drums, Albert and guardSy R. Conrade, /ivm tent. 
 
 Con. Step forth, soldier! the time has expired.—Prepare your¬ 
 self to bid adieu to life.—It is my painful duty to see your sentence 
 executed.—Have you any thing at this critical moment to say, 
 or wish, that you may meet death with your conscience at 
 easel 
 
 Alb, Officer, you are humane; one trifling favour I would 
 request;—this ring, when 1 am no more, if you would permit 
 this ring to be sent to Lucarno. 
 
 Con. How, my native village ! 
 
 ALh, Therein dwells a farmer, AValdeck by name, convey this 
 ring to his daughter, Marcelia ; say, that he who sent it died in 
 bitter repentance for the ruin he had effected—say this was 
 Albert’s dying thought! 
 
 Con, Albert, are you the villain, the seducer, Albert ? At 
 such a moment my own feelings of resentment should subside. 
 (drum mulled without, l.) Soldier, that is the signal for your 
 death. 
 
 Alb. Farewell, sir, accept my dying thanks, (kneels.) 
 
 l_Music, Th:i detachment form in a double rank ; they are 
 awaiting ihe sigmal from Coy: rad e, when Marcelia rushes in 
 wild agon 'ifrom the tent, l. 2 e., with canteen, and drops it, c. 
 
 Con. Ready! Present! (They do so.) 
 
 Mar. Albert, Albert—hold, hold—no, you cannot murder 
 him before my eyes ! 
 
 Alb. Marcelia! 
 
 Con. Distressing interruption. 
 
 Mur, Ah, Conrade, dearest brother, your natui*e is not 
 cruel. ^ 
 
 Con, My duty! 
 
 Mar, He has injured us deeply—deeply—but, ah ! agony, I 
 still love him—1 will die with him.—Let me to the general— 
 let me at his feet implore for the life of my affianced, my hus¬ 
 band.—Albert, Albert, am 1 not your wife? and here, Conrade, 
 the time is not past—no matter how I became possessed of it— 
 here is the lost object, for Avhich he is condemned,—here is the 
 canteen, (places it in Conrade’s hand.) 
 
 Con, Extraordinary!—Soldiers, strictly guard your prisoner, I 
 will to the commander. [Music, crosses and exit, 
 
 [CoNRADE, K. II., Marcelia with the canteen is kneeU 
 ing near the bank, r, ; Albert turns his head to look 
 at her’, suddenly discoveis the Bottle Imp extending 
 his arms over the head o/’M arcelia. 
 
-28 
 
 THE BOTTLE IMP. 
 
 Aib, All, tlie fiend ! Marcelia my beloved, my preserver, has 
 purchased the fiend ; never, never—it shall not remain one 
 moment in her possession. (Imp disappears.) Marcelia, here, 
 the canteen—quick—take this piece of money—nay, delay 
 not. (forces the coin into her hand, and takes the canteen.) Ne’er 
 shall thy generous soul be in danger; would I were free. 
 (alarm drum all. through scene.) 
 
 Enter Conrade, r. ii. 
 
 Con, Young man you are pardoned; soldiers, the prison of 
 the Holy Inquisition is on fire. The troops must quickly re¬ 
 pair to the city. March ! 
 
 [^Lights down ; quick march ; exeunt omnes. 
 
 SCENE V .—A dungeon in the Prison of the Inquisition, an open 
 grated gate at the back; stage dark; music; Nicola is led on 
 by an officer of the Inquisition, hooded, l. 
 
 Nic. Speak ; whither do you lead me } 
 
 Offi. Where silence must be observed. 
 
 Nic. Silence; with what crime am I charged ? 
 
 Offi, Sorcery. 
 
 Nic, Ah ! 
 
 Offi. Cease your exclamation; you are in the Prison of 
 the Holy Inquisition; obedience is inevitable. 
 
 [Retires through grate, l. 
 Nic. The Inquisition !—1 am in the power of that dreadful 
 tribunal that might condemn me to expire undei’ the torture. 
 {falls overpowered ; music ; a red glare behind the grating.) Are 
 my tormentors at hand ? (drum beats to arms.) 
 
 Enter an officer of the Inquisition. 
 
 Cffi. Prisoner, arise, quickly follow ! Behold! by some 
 fatal accident, the Prison of the Inquisition is in flames; we 
 are commanded to collect the prisoners, and convey them in 
 safety to the hall. 
 
 Nic. Safety •' is there yet life—is there still hopel 
 Ofl. Follow, quickly ! 
 
 [Music ; the Inquisitor leads the way, Nicoljj 
 following ; lights dow^ 
 
 I 
 
 SCENE LAST.— Hall of the Inquisition ; staircase leading to the 
 entrance ; f I om an open aperture surrounded by balustrades is 
 the approach to the dungeon, near the staircase ; the upper part 
 of the staircase is Xiccupied by the soldiers of Conrade’s reulment ; 
 CoxRADE and Albert consjncaous; the windows of the hall are 
 red from the efecls of the sunumming conflagration. 
 
 Con. Soldiers! you must remain here till the last moiiient; 
 the commandant's orders are to prevent escape, hut not lo 
 harm the prisoners of the holy office. Be firm, Albert, th: > is 
 your duty—take charge—be sentinel—below. 
 
THE BOTTLE IMP. 2 ^^ 
 
 [Music; Albert descends the staircase ; the officers offi 
 the Inquisitio7i conduct prisonei'S up the staircasey ‘2 e* 
 "L,yfroni the staircase below , Nicola comes np with 
 his attendants^ l, ; the prisoners accompanied bp the 
 officials, pass the sentinels; Albert sees Nicola. 
 
 Alb. Merciful powers—Nicola here! (apart.) 
 
 Offi. (to Nicola.) Yonder prisoners are confined here under 
 charges of heresy ; you are incarcerated for sorcery; I have 
 no power to convey you beyond this limit without directions 
 from the principal Inquisitor ; here you must remain, soldiers j 
 —remember, instant death, if he attempts escape. 
 
 [Officer ascends staircase, c.; music ; the Jiamcs ascend 
 through the aperture in the stage. 
 
 Kic. All, this unnatural atmosphere! I sink—sink. 
 
 Alb. Nicola, my tempter. 
 
 A ic. (leaning on the balustrades, which begin to ig^iite.) Thirst— 
 thirst — thirst — 1 die! (to Albert.) Prithee, soldier, for 
 mercy’s sake !— I have heard your command to confine me in 
 this smothering place—I am expiring with thirst—thy canteen 
 to drink, drink— I would give thee gold— 
 
 Alb. Gold ! hast thou money ? 
 
 JVic. Gold, in the dungeon of the inquisition ? No! 
 
 Alb. Coin, money, for my canteen ? 
 
 Xic. One small coin I have—here—but one. 
 
 Alb. Its value '! 
 
 Xic. Take it. 
 
 Alb. It is yours, (gives bottle) yours ! 
 
 Nic. Ha ! 1 have repurchased the Bottle Imp ! There is yet 
 !iope for my life, (kisses the bottle.) Save me, fiend, save me I 
 
 [Gong. The bottle breaks ; the Imp appears. 
 
 Imp. Thy hour is come, Nicola, ha ! ha! ha ! 
 
 Ah'c. I can again sell thee, fiend. 
 
 Imp. No, the coin with which thou hast repurchased me is of 
 he lowest value in the world! 
 
 Nic. Lost!—Lost! 
 
 Imp. Thou art mine! 
 
 [Shower of fire. Music. Seizes hun by the hair of the head, 
 and sinks with him ; at the same moment the wall of the 
 hall falls, and discovers an immense crowd illuminated 
 bv the fire. In the foreground, Albert, Marcelia, 
 VValdeck, S^c., are discovered. 
 
 FI^LS. 
 

 ** NASSAU STEAM PRESS,** 
 
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SPLENDID NEW EDITION OF PLAYS.^ 
 
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 . VOLUME 
 
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 VOLUME VII. 
 
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