Martha Part 11

LIO. My lord, this is my servant, and I have a right to take her hence.

TRIS. Listen to the brazen impudence of the fellow! It is really too horrid, don't you know? It fairly makes me shudder. The most unheard of audacity--Come here--all of you. (_Summoning the rest. They sing._)

NO. 17.

CHO. How audacious, rude and daring, To insult a lady so, 'Tis a scandal past declaring, Off to jail the clown must go.

LADY H. Ah, 'tis agony and rapture, That he loves me is too true, I'm consenting to his capture, O my heart, what can I do?

CHO. Insolent beyond expression Thus upon our sports to break, For his terrible transgression Signal vengeance let us take.

LIO. Ah, 'tis agony and rapture, Thus once more her face to view, She's consenting to my capture, Break, then, heart, what else canst do?

(PLUNKET _enters at close of chorus and sees_ LIONEL _held by men_.

_Sings._)

PLUN. Hold! Pray tell me what this means?

LIO. Come, defend me!

(NANCY _enters from inn_.)

NAN. What's occur'd?

LIO. Betsy, too?

PLUN. Betsy, too.

NAN. Don't be afraid, my lady.

LIO. Lady? Now all is clear.

All her charm, her kindly manner Were caprice and cruel sport To amuse a lady's leisure hour-- O, just heaven, how harsh thou art.

LADY H. Pity for this fellow asking His free pardon let me crave; In his brain is madness masking, That is why his fancies rave.

CHO. (_starting back_). Madness? Madness?

LIO. O, what falseness!

NAN. O, poor creature!

PLUN. List, I pray.

TRIS. No, no, away.

TRIS. (_speaks_). Arrest that madman!

PLUN. _and_ LIO. Arrest him? Arrest me? (_He is seized._)

LADY H. O, this is agony! (_Aside._)

NAN. O, this is too hard! (_Aside._)

LIO. But she agreed to it--she pledged herself.

LADY H. (_aside_ to LIONEL). In the name of pity, be silent!

LIO. She accepted the earnest money. She bound herself to serve me for a year.

CHO. (_laughing and chattering suddenly_). How absurd! Ha! ha! ha!

It really is too funny! (_Repeating._)

LADY H. O, but let him be treated kindly. It is plain that the poor man is distraught. He is out of his senses. He does not know what he is saying.

LIO. O cruel, O false!

NAN. (_aside_). Poor fellow.

PLUN. (_to_ LIONEL). A word with you.

TRIS. Away, varlet! (_Trumpets are heard outside._) The Queen is approaching!

LIO. The Queen! Ah! her coming brings me hope! (_Takes ring from his finger and gives it to_ PLUNKET.) This is the ring which my father left for me. He told you that if I ever should be in trouble this ring must be presented to the Queen. She will recognize it and will send me aid at once. Now is the hour which my father foresaw--O, unhappy day! Now is the hour to redeem the pledge he left with us, the pledge of his honor and mine. (_Turns to_ LADY H. _and gazes at her longingly_.) As for you, how shall I bear the memory of your treachery?

(_Sings._)

NO. 18. FINALE.

LIO. Heav'n forgive this cruel scorning, All my anguish pardon you, You, my life's one best beloved, Teach me hearts can prove untrue.

LADY H. Heav'n forgive my faithless heart, Forgive my scorning, All his anguish pardon me.

LIO. Cruel girl, does it add to your joy To wound the heart that loves you well?

My wild grief, my deep despairing, Must my love and madness tell.

CHO. Just rebuke of his offences, Shall not cause so much dismay.

Off to prison let's despatch him, So our sport no longer delay.

LADY H. Ah, I wound a heart that loves me well.

(_Curtain falls as_ LIONEL _is led off under arrest, and_ LADY H.

_steps into a sedan chair which has been brought on. Tableau._)

ACT FIVE.