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The corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the sea cover

The corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the sea

Chapter 8: Scene VI
By William Brough
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About This Book

A comic Christmas burlesque pantomime stages a fantastic maritime world of mermaids, sprites, tritons, and a brooding corsair whose depredations threaten sea life. The sea spirits debate punishment and dispatch a small fairy to reform him by love rather than wreckage; she descends to a bustling shore bazaar where comic misunderstandings, romantic entanglements, and eccentric officers play out. The action alternates satirical dialogue with dances, tableaux, and explicit stage business, blending parody of swashbuckling romance with theatrical spectacle, visual humor, and costume-driven pantomime conventions.

Scene VI

SCENE VI.—A Corridor.—Practicable door, R., a barred window, L.

Enter Syng Smaul, leading in Medora, L.

Syng.Fair maid, you’ll be a prisoner here confined,

 
Till in this matter you’ve made up your mind.

 
If you consent to be the Pasha’s wife,

 
Conrad the Corsair saves his forfeit life—

 
If not, the hangman treats him to a drop!

Medora.Marry the Pasha, never.

Syng. [Going.]

 
Marry the Pasha, never.Good.

Medora.Marry the Pasha, never.Good.Yet stop—

 
Where is the prisoner?

Syng. [Pointing to door, R.]

 
Where is the prisoner?In yon cell.

Medora.Where is the prisoner?In yon cell.So near me.

 
He shall decide for me! Ho, Conrad, hear me!

Syng.He can’t. ’Tis vain, so you may save your trouble!

 
Your voice is treble, but the doors are double.

 
I’ll leave you to reflect.
[Exit, L.

Medora.I’ll leave you to reflect.Which can I choose—

 
The matrimonial, or the hangman’s noose?

 
The Pasha’s wife—oh, no; yet, if I falter,

 
’Tis I that lead my Conrad to the halter.

 
A footstep! who comes here?

Enter Gulnare, R.

Gul.A footstep! who comes here?Hush! not a word!

 
The Pasha’s proposition I have heard.

Medora.And you advise me to refuse it flat?

Gul.No, to accept it.

Medora.No, to accept it.What! wed a thing like that?

Gul.It is a match most women’s hopes would lean to.

Medora.Indeed! then marry him yourself!

Gul.Indeed! then marry him yourself!I mean to.

Medora.Explain!

Gul.Explain!Nay, Conrad too, must present be.

Medora.Alas! they’ve locked him in, and ta’en the key.

Gul.But I’ve a duplicate!
[Shows key.

 
But I’ve a duplicate!See, this will pick it.
[Goes to door.

Medora.A duplicate! that is, indeed, the ticket.
[Gulnare opens door, R. 2 E., Conrad comes out, ironed.

Conrad.We meet again, my joy who now can tell?

Medora. [Looking in.]

 
What a vile dungeon!

Conrad.What a vile dungeon!’Tis an awful cell.

 
Thus ironed too! these heavy fetters dangling.

Medora.That loved form ironed! Well, it’s saved from mangling.

Conrad.Sweet, ’twas your love that saved me—nothing but it.

 
Their swords were at my throat—you bid them cut it.

Gul.But come, time flies—

Conrad.But come, time flies—Hah! true, a just remark.

 
Explain, too long they’ve kept me in the dark.
[Points to cell.

Gul.Kept in the dark—come, there you’re wrong, methinks.

 
Surely you’d light—those chains have lots of links.

Medora.Conrad, the Pasha offers you your freedom.

Conrad.Hah! on what terms?

Gul.Hah! on what terms?In her confusion read ’em.

 
Her hand.

Conrad.Her hand.And she consents? oh, no.

Medora.Her hand.And she consents? oh, no.I don’t.

 
I’d see him further first, and then I won’t.

Conrad.Brave girl, ’twould be, were I of you bereft,

 
A still more awful sell than that I’ve left.

Gul.But I’ve a plan.

Conrad.But I’ve a plan.Out with it.

Gul.But I’ve a plan.Out with it.’Tis that she

 
Pretend submission until you are free.

Conrad.Good!

Medora.Good!But suppose he makes me sticks to it?

 
And marry him.

Gul.And marry him.Nay, trust to woman’s wit,

 
I mean to marry him myself—I told you;

 
As the sole obstacle, I now behold you.

 
You gone, of all my hopes comes the revival,

 
With your departure, I’ve no more a rival.

 
But some one comes; they must not here perceive me.

 
Get in.
[Pushing Conrad in.

Conrad. [Struggling.]

 
Get in.Get out.

Gul.Get in.Get out.Go, go.
[Locks door.

Medora.Get in.Get out.Go, go.You won’t deceive me?

Gul.Trust me.
[Exit, R.

Medora.Trust me.I will.

March.—Enter Pasha, Syng Smaul, Guards, &c., L.

Medora. [Aside.]Trust me.I will.And now consent to sham!

Pasha.Well madam, are you quite resolved?

Medora.Well madam, are you quite resolved?I am.

Pasha.Pause ere you speak—mind, your refusal crushes

 
The Corsair’s chance. Your answer!

Medora. [Modestly.]

 
The Corsair’s chance. Your answer!Spare my blushes.

Pasha.What, you consent?

Medora.What, you consent?Oh, sir!

Pasha.What, you consent?Oh, sir!You do! you love me?

Medora.Can I believe that one so high above me

 
Can honor thus his slave?

Pasha.Can honor thus his slave?Oh, joy! ’tis true!

 
Shout dogs!

Syng.Shout dogs!Shout dogs!
[All shout.

Pasha.Shout dogs!Shout dogs!Peace, slave! who spoke to you?

 
For my sake you give up the Corsair?

Medora.For my sake you give up the Corsair?Clearly.

 
It can’t be helped—I’m sorry for him, really,

 
His fate is harsh, but even were it harsher,

 
Who would compare a pirate with a Pasha?

 
I like a wealthy husband—he, poor chap,

 
Comes with a ring, but comes without a rap.

Pasha.Huzza! Shout, dogs!
[All shout.

Enter Gulnare, Zuliema, and Ladies, R.

Gul.Huzza! Shout, dogs!What means this dreadful clatter?

Pasha. [Aside.]

 
Gulnare, the deuce! There’ll be a scene—no matter.

 
[Aloud.] Release the Corsair!

Syng Smaul opens door, R. 2 E.; Conrad appears.

 
[Aloud.] Release the Corsair!Quick—his chains unbind!

 
Conrad, you’re free!

Conrad.Conrad, you’re free!You’re really very kind.

Pasha.There, there, be off—for thanks you needn’t tarry.

Conrad.But that young person I’m about to marry—

 
She goes with me, of course!

Medora.She goes with me, of course!Nay, Conrad!

Conrad.She goes with me, of course!Nay, Conrad!What?

 
You, too, desert me!

Gul. [Aside to him.]

 
You, too, desert me!Recollect my plot.

Medora.Hear me!

Conrad.Hear me!Away! you’re false—you can’t deny it!

Medora. [Aside to him.]

 
I’m but pretending.

Conrad. [Aside to her.]

 
I’m but pretending.So am I—be quiet!

 
Oh, misery! worse than prison, bonds and fetters!

Pasha.Enough, young man—she is to wed your betters.

 
Ladies, behold your future queen!

Zuli.Ladies, behold your future queen!What, she?

 
What’s to become of me?

Gul.What’s to become of me?And me?

Conrad.What’s to become of me?And me?And me?

Pasha.Can’t say, I’m sure.

Zuli.Can’t say, I’m sure.This fills with grief my cup;

 
Support me! Oh, woe—woe!
[Faints and is borne off, R.

Conrad.Support me! Oh, woe—woe!Gee wo—pull up!

 
False maid! [Aside to her.] All right. [Aloud.] Can you desert me thus?

Pasha.Of course the girl can’t marry both of us!

Medora.And since my love cannot divided be,

 
You, Conrad, must give up your chere amie (share o’me.)

Conrad.Enough! I from the unequal contest cease;

 
My heart is broken, but I’ll keep the peace;

 
And, since yours is the victory, I’ll be calm.

 
Thus I give up her hand, and yield the palm.

Medora.Say we part friends.

Conrad.Say we part friends.We do, though grief oppressing.
[Weeping and joining their hands.

 
Take her, be happy—take a Corsair’s blessing.

Pasha.Thanks! you are free—you now may cut, and when

 
You have cut, mind, you needn’t come again.

Conrad.Fear not.

Gul. [Aside to him.]

 
Fear not.Return at midnight—you can save her,

 
And also do me a great wedding favor.

Conrad.Farewell! away my lonely course I take.

 
You needn’t trouble to send cards or cake.
[Exit, L.

Pasha.Quick, slaves! make preparation, though ’tis late;

 
This evening we’ll the nuptials celebrate.

 
Bright garlands on the walls of every room stick,

 
And bid the priest prepare the wedding broomstick.
[Exeunt Syng Smaul and Guards, L.

Gul.Come, madam, to your room let me conduct you.

 
[Aside.] Then of my plans more fully I’ll instruct you.

Medora.Come, come.
[Exeunt Medora and Gulnare, R.

Enter Syng Smaul and Guards, L.

Pasha.Come, come.How now, slave?

Syng.Come, come.How now, slave?Sire, the broomstick’s ready,

 
The priest awaits.

Pasha.The priest awaits.Down, throbbing heart—be steady!

 
Oh, happiness! soon I my wife shall call her.

 
She comes.

Enter Gulnare, veiled, followed by Women, R.

 
She comes.Holloa! it strikes me she’s grown taller.

Gul.Sire, can you wonder that I taller stand,

 
Now you’ve made me the highest in the land?

Pasha.Accept this ring; for ever thus united—

 
Shall we proceed?

Gul.Shall we proceed?Sire, I shall be delighted.
[Wedding March. Exeunt in procession, L.

Enter Medora, R.

Medora.Saved! Saved! Gulnare will marry, in my stead.

 
Blessed land, where veils are worn upon the head,

 
Screening the face, secure from all beholders—

 
Instead of bonnets half way down the shoulders!

 
But for that fashion, all our plans would fail:

 
Nought can succeed, when its without avail.

 
They come!
[Exit, R.

March repeated. Re-enter Pasha, Gulnare; Ladies dancing before them, bearing flowers, &c.; Syng Smaul, Guards, &c., L.

Pasha.They come!’Tis done, the marriage rites are ended!

 
Go, fellows, and prepare a banquet splendid.

 
Lights, music, wine, provide in our pavilion;

 
Wine for ten thousand—music for the million.
[Exeunt Syng Smaul and Guards, L.

Pasha.And you, dear, go remove your veil.

Gul.And you, dear, go remove your veil.I will!

 
Come, girls.
[Exeunt Gulnare and Ladies, R.

Pasha.Come, girls.Now, how the weary time to kill?

 
She’ll be at least an hour and a quarter.

 
She comes!

Enter Medora, R.

 
She comes!Holloa! it strikes me she’s grown shorter!

Medora.What! wonder if my head less high is carried?

 
Folks always settle down when they get married.

Pasha.Come to my arms.
[Medora runs towards him and stops, frightened.

 
Come to my arms.You shun them?

Medora.Come to my arms.You shun them?Nay, my fright

 
Was at your weapons—not your arms.
[Takes pistols from his belt.

 
Was at your weapons—not your arms.That’s right.

 
Say, are they loaded?

Pasha.Say, are they loaded?Powdered, balled, and capped.

Medora.Good gracious!
[Lays them down at window.—Aside.

 
Good gracious!Now, I think you’re nicely trapped.
[She dances playfully round him, he follows

 
with his hands raised supplicatingly.

Medora.Oh, what an attitude! stay, keep them so.
[Takes a scarf from her waist and ties them, he laughing.

 
Beautiful, charming! Hah! he’s there!
[Conrad appears at window, L.

Pasha.Beautiful, charming! Hah! he’s there!Holloa!

 
Guards! treason!

Medora. [Catching up pistols.]

 
Guards! treason!Peace! another word, you die!

Conrad.Medora! quick! come, by this window fly!

 
Say, can you squeeze these narrow bars between?

Medora.I can.

Conrad.I can.Oh, joy! she wears no crinoline.
[Medora gets through window.

Pasha.One word, one question!

Medora.One word, one question!Well?

Pasha.One word, one question!Well?That pistol, drop it.

Medora.Is that the question? peace, then, or I’ll pop it.
[They disappear.—The Pasha goes to the

 
window.—A pistol is discharged without.

Pasha.Gone!—treason!—murder!—help! My guards, what ho!

Guards rush in, L. 1 E., Gulnare and Ladies, R.

Gul.What means this cry?

Pasha.What means this cry?My bride has fled.

Gul.What means this cry?My bride has fled.Not so;

 
Here stands your bride.

Pasha.Here stands your bride.’Tis false!

Gul.Here stands your bride.’Tis false!This ring behold!

 
Ladies, salute your queen.

Pasha.Ladies, salute your queen.Done! swindled! sold!

[Falls into the arms of Syng Smaul.—Ladies kneel to Gulnare. Tableau—closed in.