The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 138

PHOEBE Most of them, I verily believe! But I hope Leonard will not be too strict with me-- they say he is a very dragon of virtue and circ.u.mspection! Now, my dear old father is kindness itself, and----

MERYLL And leaves thee pretty well to thine own ways, eh?

Well, I've no fears for thee; thou hast a feather- brain, but thou'rt a good la.s.s.

PHOEBE Yes, that's all very well, but if Leonard is going to tell me that I may not do this and I may not do that, and I must not talk to this one, or walk with that one, but go through the world with my lips pursed up and my eyes cats down, like a poor nun who has renounced mankind-- why, as I have not renounced mankind, and don't mean to renounce mankind, I won't have it-- there!

MERYLL Nay, he'll not check thee more than is good for thee, Phoebe! He's a brave fellow, and bravest among brave fellows, and yet it seems but yesterday that he robbed the Lieutenant's orchard.

No. 3A. A laughing boy (OPTIONAL SONG) Sergeant Meryll

MERYLL A laughing boy but yesterday, A merry urchin blithe and gay, Whose joyous shout came ringing out Unchecked by care or sorrow.

Today a warrior all sunbrown, When deeds of soldierly renown Are not the boast of London town, A veteran tomorrow, today a warrior, A veteran tomorrow!

When at my Leonard's deeds sublime, A soldier's pulse beats double time, And grave hearts thrill as brave hearts will At tales of martial glory.

I burn with flush of pride and joy, A pride unbittered by alloy, To find my boy, my darling boy, The theme of song and story, To find my darling boy The theme of song and story!

To find my boy, my darling boy, The theme of song and story!

[Enter LEONARD MERYLL

LEONARD Father!

MERYLL Leonard! my brave boy! I'm right glad to see thee, and so is Phoebe!

PHOEBE Aye-- hast thou brought Colonel Fairfax's reprieve?

LEONARD Nay, I have here a despatch for the Lieutenant, but no reprieve for the Colonel!

PHOEBE Poor gentleman! poor gentleman!

LEONARD Aye, I would I had brought better news. I'd give my right hand-- nay, my body-- my life, to save his!

MERYLL Dost thou speak in earnest, my lad?

LEONARD Aye, father-- I'm no braggart. Did he not save thy life? and am I not his foster-brother?

MERYLL Then hearken to me. Thou hast come to join the Yeomen of the Guard!

LEONARD Well?

MERYLL None has seen thee but ourselves?

LEONARD And a sentry, who took scant notice of me.

MERYLL Now to prove thy words. Give me the despatch and get thee hence at once! Here is money, and I'll send thee more. Lie hidden for a s.p.a.ce, and let no one know.

I'll convey a suit of Yeoman's uniform to the Colonel's cell-- he shall shave off his beard, so that none shall know him, and I'll own him as my son, the brave Leonard Meryll, who saved his flag and cut his way through fifty foes who thirsted for his life. He will be welcomed without question by my brother- Yeomen, I'll warrant that. Now, how to get access to the Colonel's cell? [To PHOEBE] The key is with they sour-faced admirer, Wilfred Shadbolt.

PHOEBE [demurely] I think-- I say, I think-- I can get anything I want from Wilfred. I think-- mind I say, I think-- you may leave that to me.

MERYLL Then get thee hence at once, lad-- and bless thee for this sacrifice.

PHOEBE And take my blessing, too, dear, dear Leonard!

LEONARD And thine. eh? Humph! Thy love is newborn; wrap it up carefully, lest it take cold and die.

No. 4. Alas! I waver to and fro (TRIO) Phoebe, Leonard, and Meryll

PHOEBE Alas! I waver to and fro!

Dark danger hangs upon the deed!

ALL Dark danger hangs upon the deed!

LEONARD The scheme is rash and well may fail; But ours are not the hearts that quail, The hands that shrink, the cheeks that pale In hours of need!

ALL No, ours are not the hearts that quail, The hands that shrink, the cheeks that pale The hands that shrink, the cheeks that pale In hours of need!

MERYLL The air I breathe to him I owe: My life is his-- I count it naught!

PHOEBE and LEONARD That life is his-- so count it naught!

MERYLL And shall I reckon risks I run When services are to be done To save the life of such an one?

Unworthy thought! Unworthy thought!

PHOEBE and LEONARD And shall we reckon risks we run To save the life of such an one?

ALL Unworthy thought! Unworthy thought!

We may succeed-- who can foretell?

May heav'n help our hope-- May heav'n help our hope, farewell!

May heav'n help our hope, Help our hope, farewell!

[LEONARD embraces MERYLL and PHOEBE, and then exits. PHOEBE weeping.

MERYLL [goes up to PHOEBE] Nay, la.s.s, be of good cheer, we may save him yet.

PHOEBE Oh! see, after-- they bring the poor gentleman from the Beauchamp! [p.r.o.nounced Bee'cham] Oh, father! his hour is not yet come?

MERYLL No, no-- they lead him to the Cold Harbour Tower to await his end in solitude. But softly-- the Lieutenant approaches! He should not see thee weep.

[Enter FAIRFAX, guarded by YEOMEN. The LIEUTENANT enters, meeting him.

LIEUT. Halt! Colonel Fairfax, my old friend, we meet but sadly.

FAIRFAX Sir, I greet you with all good-will; and I thank you for the zealous acre with which you have guarded me from the pestilent dangers which threaten human life outside. In this happy little community, Death, when he comes, doth so in punctual and business-like fashion; and, like a courtly gentleman, giveth due notice of his advent, that one may not be taken unawares.

LIEUT. Sir, you bear this bravely, as a brave man should.