Christmas Entertainments Part 28

_Jack_: Be mine! be mine! I'm handsome, wise and rich; My name is Jackski-in-the-Boxovitch!

In token of my boundless wealth, behold This weighty war-club, made of ma.s.sy gold.

My n.o.ble castle's built of wood and glue; Within its walls is ample room for two; Then be my bride and all my treasure share!

You know, I always fancied auburn hair.

_Arabella_: Help! help! Oh, save me from this horrid fright!

_Jack_: Now, don't call names; it's dreadful impolite.

(_Re-enter Koko_.)

_Koko_: What cries are these? What horror meets my view?

Unhand her, caitiff giant!

_Jack_: Not for you!

_Koko_: Then draw! (_Unsheathing his sword_.)

_Jack_: I can't. I'm not an artist, man. But I can fight.

_Koko_:'Tis time then we began.

_Jack_: Come on!

_Koko_: Come on!

_Jack_: Come on! I said it first

_Koko_: False traitor!

_Jack_: Feeble pigmy, do your worst!

(_They fight. Koko strikes the club from Jack's hand and drives him down into the box_.)

_Koko_: Down! down! In the vile casket whence you sprung Remain, unwept, unhonored, and unsung!

(_He picks up the golden war-club_.)

_Arabella_: My hero! (_She falls into Koko's arms_.)

_Koko_: Lady, thus the Fates reveal How conquered gold is won by honest steel.

The tyrant's h.o.a.rd is ours; and, if you'll deign To say your Koko's suit is not in vain, Within this lordly castle, warmed by steam, We'll live on sugar, strawberries, and cream.

(_Jack pops up with a white handkerchief in one hand and stretches his arms over the pair in front of his box_.)

_Jack_: Bless you, my children!

_Koko (hands on sword)_: What, again!

_Jack (waving the handkerchief)_: Hold, hold!

A truce to war! I would a tale unfold; So, never let your angry pa.s.sions rise.

In me you see a fairy in disguise-- A kindly fairy. Thus, with open hands, I give to valiant Koko wealth and lands.

Fair Arabella! Nature, Fortune, Art, Have made her perfect--lacking but a heart; So let her take, that want to cure, I say, These pleasant tablets, three times every day.

(_He gives her a handful of heart-shaped sugar-candies which she obediently begins to eat_.)Now for your futures: Koko shall belong To Master Lee; and, being very strong, He won't be broken for a month or so.

But Arabella,--her I do bestow On Baby Maud. Them shall you serve by day; But oft at night, when toys are tucked away, When all the house is hushed and no one sees, We'll here enact such pleasant plays as these Beneath the Christmas tree.

You've held the floor

_Arabella_ and _Koko (shutting down the cover)_: For half an hour, Jack. Don't be a bore!

[QUICK CURTAIN.]