Act III.

Gardens of Calypso.

All the Market People, &c.

Grand Dance "Fricassee."

Room there, room there, lads and lasses,
Pleasure now is all the go.
For we can see whene'er she passes,
'Tis Mademoiselle Angôt.
page 21

Cadet.

Is't yourself ?

Amar.

Whence come you now ?

Cadet.

Where did you get such stunning clothes ?

Amar.

You won't refuse to tell I s'pose
Who gave these gaudy things to you.

Clair.

For me you've spent your money freely.
And brought me up nice and genteely,
And taught me still the truth to tell,
And I've obeyed you pretty well.
Whene'er I walked in square or street,
With eyes cast down each man I'd meet;
But, though I seem demure and quiet,
My nature impels me to noise and riot;
Yes! of Ma'am Angôt I'm the true daughter,
My blood can't run slow like cold water.
Look at me, and you'll know
That I'm Ma'am selle Angôt.

Cho.

Of Ma'am Angôt she's the true daughter, &c.

Clair.

You chose, I own it, with dejection,
A husband worthy of affection.
But ah ! I loved another man.
I can't help that ! Can you ? who can?
So, as my love I could not smother,
And I could not wed the other,
I thought it much the better way
To go to gaol on my wedding-day.
For of Ma'am Angôt I'm the true daughter, &c.

Cho.

Yes! of Ma'am Angôt, &c.

Lariv.

She is not here, I shall be off (going).

(They jostle each other.)

Duet.

Look where you're going, stupid ass!

Pom.

You fool;

A due.
What have I said?

He's a rough.

Pom. (getting away from each other.)

He's a rough.

A due.
Oh dear ! I fear that I am done for,
He'll surely find me out I fear;
Oh dear ! how queer—'twould be no fun, for
He's certainly a market rough.

(They put on a boastful air. and bully each other.)

page 22

I'd like to know if you've bad sight, sir,

Pom. (aside.)

'Tis said soft answers turn away wrath—

(Aloud.)

I don't see very well by night, sir.

Lariv. (aside.)

I believe he's frightened, by my troth.

(Aloud)

Look here, young man, I'm Bill the Bruiser!

Pom. (aside.)

If I should tremble 1 am lost—

(Aloud)

Old man, my name is Jim the Cruiser,
Of fistic science I can boast,
Blow me tight, will you fight?
Don't keep me here all night.
If you want a bellyful, put your dukes and perform.

Lariv.

'Tis by far too public here.

Pom.

I think the old un 'gins to fear—
(putting himself into shape) Come and take your gruel hot.

Lariv.

NO, thanks ! my own's at home now, in the pot.

(starts to escape—his hat and wig falls off, leaving his head quite bald.)

Why, what's the matter with his hair?

Lariv.

Mercy, pray! don't kill me quite.

Pom.

Why, surely 'tis Larivaudiére!

Lariv.

Alas, good sir, you are quite right!

Pom.

I'm the barber Pomponnet.

Lariv.

Pomponnet!

Pom.

Larivaudiére!

A due.
Ha ! ha ! ha ! &c.
Just twig his ugly mug there.
Oh ! yes, I see his pug there !
He put me in a pretty fright.
Dressed up like that at night.
Ha ! ha ! ha ! &c.

Trio.

I own my future spouse is handsome,
And charming I declare;
And as a friend I like him well,
But as a husband I do not care.

Pom.

Oh, dear! what is that I hear ?

Lariv.

'Tis very clear.

Clair.

Besides; I tell you plainly, I love another better far.

Pom.

Another!

Clair.

Another! handsomer, more manly.

Lariv.

'Tis very clear. That's the bar.
page 23

Pom.

Oh ! Groat Heauen, how I tremble.
I'm going to faint away.

Clair.

But he's beginning to dissemble.
And my true love to betray.
This is the matter so mysterious
Which must be brought to light,
The affair so grave and serious
Which calls us here to-night.

(a trè.)

This is the matter, &c.

Clair.

You must have heard of a wooman called Lange,
An actress, young, clever, and fair—

Pom.

(speaking.) Yes, I——

Lariv.

A little.

Clair.

Have you heard the story strange,
Which they're telling ev'rywhere?
For Barras she made believe to care;
But was not true,
She tricked him too
For that old ass Larivaudière.

Lariv. (furiously.)

Old ass!

Pom.

Turn about is fair play.

Clair.

To hear the rest I prithee stay,
This fair lady did not stop there;
But for a third gallant so gay,
She humbugged old Larivaudière.

Lariv.

Oh ! dear !
What is this I hear ?

Pom.

'Tis very clear.

Clair.

At her own house she now receives him,
And for the youthful lover here
She hoodwinks and deceives him.

Pom.

'Tis very clear.

Clair.

Ah ! Great Heaven ! how I tremble,
I am going to faint away,

Lariv.

And to my face does she dissemble,
And my false love tempts away.

(a tré.)

This is the matter so mysterious, &c.

Lariv.

By Jove, I am Larivaudière!

Clair.

You need not say.

Lariv.

The deuce you say.

Pom.

That's gay.

Clair. (giving him her hand.)

My bridegroom, Pomponnet.

Pom.

Look hero, I say.

Clair.

Only my way!
page 24

Lariv.

Revenge! Revenge, I cry.

Clair.

Be prudent, sharp, and sly,
And very soon the quarry will fly. (looking off.)
Ah ! there below, can it be ? Sure 'tis he !

Pom.

'Tis he.

Lariv.

What he?

Clair.

Revenge! No apology will do!
For to punish this false lover,
And my deep disgrace to cover,
I declare over and over (to Pomponnet)
I could almost marry you.
Come with mo,
You shall see
That I mean what I am saying,
And perhaps.
My brave chaps,
Into your hands I may be playing.
I desire
Vengeance dire,
All my blood is now on fire.

Lariv. and Pom.

We shall see, we shall see
If she means what she is saying;
And perhaps, lucky chaps,
Into our hands she may be playing.
Here's my hand, understand
That for one thing we are praying.
We desire
Vengeance dire,
All our blood is now on fire.