The Lamp and the Bell Part 12

CLARA. 'Tis a good year for many things.

Prices are low,--but not too low for profit.

GIULIANA. And there are fewer taxes than there once were On things one cannot live without.

ANNA. 'Tis a good Queen We have, it must be granted.

GIO. Ay, and a wise one.

GILDA. And pretty, too.

GIULIANA. Ho, ho! When did you see her?

GILDA. This morning, mother. I was at the edge of the wood With Beppo, when they rode by to the hunt, Talking together, and laughing.

BEPPO. [Calling from across the stage.] And the horses With feet like this!

[Arching his hands and feet to represent a horse stepping delicately.]

GILDA. And glittering in the sunshine In a thousand places, mother! I wanted to tell you When we returned, but you had gone to the brook With the linen. They were so near us we could hear them Talking.

BEPPO. [Coming up.] And hear the horses breathe!

ANNA. What said they?

GILDA. Well, one of them said--what was the name?

BEPPO. Anselmo.

GILDA. Oh, ay. She said, "Anselmo, am I getting thinner Do you think? If I be not thinner than I was at starting, I shall descend at once! I like not this; It chatters my teeth."

BEPPO. And then she said--

GILDA. What said she?

Oh, ay,--about the boat.

BEPPO. She said, "Next time I shall go fishing instead of hunting. A boat Hath a more mannerly gait!"

GILDA. There was one horse, mother, That was all white! There was not one hair upon him That was not white!

GIULIANA. And who was riding that horse?

BEPPO. A man. And riding well.

GILDA. He was dressed in green, And had a yellow beard. And there was a lady With hair the color of Adelina's, bright Like fire. She was dressed in blue, and was most beautiful.

BEPPO. And she was mounted on a dappled mare.

GILDA. But, oh, it was the Queen that was more lovely-- Than any of the rest!

GIO. How did you know, now, It was the Queen?

GILDA. Nay, but you could not help But know! She was not laughing like the rest,-- Just smiling; and I would not have been afraid To toss a flower to her from the wood, If I had had a flower.

BEPPO. You knew her, though, Because she was in scarlet. All the world knows She wears a scarlet mantle!

GILDA. Nay, if that were all, It might have been the Pope!

BEPPO. I would it had been.

I never saw the Pope.

GILDA. You never saw The Queen until this morning!--Mother, she rides Clothed like a man, almost!

BEPPO. With sword at side!

GILDA. And, oh, the sword had a jeweled--what is the name of it?

BEPPO. Scabbard, of course!

GILDA. A jeweled scabbard, mother!

I wish I were a queen.

BEPPO. Ho, you would make A proper queen, with that droll nose of yours!

GILDA. I know a boy who likes my nose!

BEPPO. Ho, ho!

He must be a hunch-back!

GIULIANA. You must not tease her, Beppo.

GILDA. I wish I were queen. If I were a queen, You would not dare to say my nose is droll.

BEPPO. It would be, all the same.

GIO. You should be content With what you have, not cry to rise beyond it.

It is a sin to covet.

GIULIANA. Being a queen, My bird, is not all riding to the hunt Of a sunny morning.

ANNA. Nay, 'tis riding back At times, of a rainy night, to such a burden Of cares as simple folk have little mind of.

GILDA. I'd rather have a queen's cares than my own.

BEPPO. Ho, ho! Your cares! What cares have you?

GILDA. I have A brother that will be teasing me all times!

'Tis cares enough for one, I tell you.

ADELINA. [Across stage.] Beppo!