Ruddigore
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[edit] RUDDIGORE, or the Witch's Curse
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
MORTALS:
SIR RUTHVEN MURGATROYD (disguised as Robin Oakapple, a Young Farmer)
RICHARD DAUNTLESS (his Foster-Brother, a Man-o'-war's man)
SIR DESPARD MURGATROYD,
OF RUDDIGORE (a Wicked Baronet)
OLD ADAM GOODHEART (Robin's Faithful Servant)
ROSE MAYBUD (a Village Maiden)
MAD MARGARET
DAME HANNAH (Rose's Aunt)
ZORAH and RUTH (Professional Bridesmaids)
GHOSTS:
SIR RUPERT MURGATROYD (the First Baronet)
SIR JASPER MURGATROYD (the Third Baronet)
SIR LIONEL MURGATROYD (the Sixth Baronet)
SIR CONRAD MURGATROYD (the Twelfth Baronet)
SIR DESMOND MURGATROYD (the Sixteenth Baronet)
SIR GILBERT MURGATROYD (the Eighteenth Baronet)
SIR MERVYN MURGATROYD (the Twentieth Baronet)
SIR RODERIC MURGATROYD (the Twenty-first Baronet)
Chorus of Officers, Ancestors, Professional Bridesmaids, and Villagers
TIME: Early in the 19th Century
[edit] ACT I
SCENE. The fishing village of Rederring (in Cornwall). Rose Maybud's cottage is seen L.
Enter Chorus of Bridesmaids. They range themselves in front of Rose's cottage.
CHORUS OF BRIDESMAIDS. Fair is Rose as bright May-day; Soft is Rose as the warm west-wind; Sweet is Rose as the new-mown hay- Rose is queen of maiden-kind! Rose, all glowing With virgin blushes, say- Is anybody going To marry you to-day?
SOLO-ZORAH. Every day, as the days roll on, Bridesmaids' garb we gaily don, Sure that a maid so fairly famed Can't long remain unclaimed. Hour by hour and day by day, Several months have passed away, Though she's the fairest flower that blows, No one has married Rose!
CHORUS. Rose, all glowing With virgin blushes, say- Is anybody going To marry you to-day?
ZORAH. Hour by hour and day by day, Months have passed away.
CHORUS. Fair is Rose as bright Mayday, etc.
(Enter Dame Hannah, from cottage.)
HANNAH. Nay, gentle maidens, you sing well but vainly, for Rose is still heart-free, and looks but coldly upon her many suitors.
ZORAH. It's very disappointing. Every young man in the village is in love with her, but they are appalled by her beauty and modesty, and won't declare themselves; so, until she makes her own choice, there's no chance for anybody else.
RUTH. This is, perhaps, the only village in the world that possesses an endowed corps of professional bridesmaids who are bound to be on duty every day from ten to four-and it is at least six months since our services were required. The pious charity by which we exist is practically wasted!
ZORAH We shall be disendowed-that will be the end of it! Dame Hannah-you're a nice old person- you could marry if you liked. There's old Adam-Robin's faithful servant-he loves you with all the frenzy of a boy of fourteen.
HAN. Nay-that may never be, for I am pledged!
ALL. To whom?
HAN. To an eternal maidenhood! Many years ago I was betrothed to a god-like youth who woo'd me under an assumed name. But on the very day upon which our wedding was to have been celebrated, I discovered that he was no other than Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, one of the bad Baronets of Ruddigore, and the uncle of the man who now bears that title. As a son of that accursed race he was no husband for an honest girl, so, madly as I loved him, I left him then and there. He died but ten years since, but I never saw him again.
ZORAH But why should you not marry a bad Baronet of Ruddigore?
RUTH. All baronets are bad; but was he worse than other baronets?
HAN. My child, he was accursed.
ZORAH But who cursed him? Not you, I trust!
HAN. The curse is on all his line and has been, ever since the time of Sir Rupert, the first Baronet. Listen, and you shall hear the legend:
LEGEND-HANNAH. Sir Rupert Murgatroyd His leisure and his riches He ruthlessly employed In persecuting witches. With fear he'd make them quake- He'd duck them in his lake- He'd break their bones With sticks and stones, And burn them at the stake!
CHORUS. This sport he much enjoyed, Did Rupert Murgatroyd- No sense of shame Or pity came To Rupert Murgatroyd! Once, on the village green, A palsied hag he roasted, And what took place, I ween, Shook his composure boasted; For, as the torture grim Seized on each withered limb, The writhing dame `Mid fire and flame Yelled forth this curse on him: "Each lord of Ruddigore, Despite his best endeavour, Shall do one crime, or more, Once, every day, for ever! This doom he can't defy, However he may try, For should he stay His hand, that day In torture he shall die!" The prophecy came true: Each heir who held the title Had, every day, to do Some crime of import vital; Until, with guilt o'erplied, "I'll Sin no more!" he cried, And on the day He said that say, In agony he died!
CHORUS. And thus, with sinning cloyed, Has died each Murgatroyd, And so shall fall, Both one and all, Each coming Murgatroyd!
(Exeunt Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
(Enter Rose Maybud from cottage, with small basket on her arm.)
HAN. Whither away, dear Rose? On some errand of charity, as is thy wont?
ROSE. A few gifts, dear aunt, for deserving villagers. Lo, here is some peppermint rock for old gaffer Gadderby, a set of false teeth for pretty little Ruth Rowbottom, and a pound of snuff for the poor orphan girl on the hill.
HAN. Ah, Rose, pity that so much goodness should not help to make some gallant youth happy for life! Rose, why dost thou harden that little heart of thine? Is there none hereaway whom thou couldst love?
ROSE. And if there were such an one, verily it would ill become me to tell him so.
HAN. Nay, dear one, where true love is, there is little need of prim formality.
ROSE. Hush, dear aunt, for thy words pain me sorely. Hung in a plated dish-cover to the knocker of the workhouse door, with naught that I could call mine own, save a change of baby-linen and a book of etiquette, little wonder if I have always regarded that work as a voice from a parent's tomb. This hallowed volume (producing a book of etiquette), composed, if I may believe the title-page, by no less an authority than the wife of a Lord Mayor, has been, through life, my guide and monitor. By its solemn precepts I have learnt to test the moral worth of all who approach me. The man who bites his bread, or eats peas with a knife, I look upon as a lost creature, and he who has not acquired the proper way of entering and leaving a room is the object of my pitying horror. There are those in this village who bite their nails, dear aunt, and nearly all are wont to use their pocket combs in public places. In truth I could pursue this painful theme much further, but behold, I have said enough.
HAN. But is there not one among them who is faultless, in thine eyes? For example-young Robin. He combines the manners of a Marquis with the morals of a Methodist. Couldst thou not love him?
ROSE. And even if I could, how should I confess it unto him? For lo, he is shy, and sayeth naught!
BALLAD-ROSE. If somebody there chanced to be Who loved me in a manner true, My heart would point him out to me, And I would point him out to you. (Referring. But here it says of those who point- to book.) Their manners must be out of joint- You may not point- You must not point- It's manners out of joint, to point! Ah! Had I the love of such as he, Some quiet spot he'd take me to, Then he could whisper it to me, And I could whisper it to you. (Referring. But whispering, I've somewhere met, to book.) Is contrary to etiquette: Where can it be (Searching book.) Now let me see- (Finding reference.) Yes, yes! It's contrary to etiquette! (Showing it to Dame Hannah.) If any well-bred youth I knew, Polite and gentle, neat and trim, Then I would hint as much to you, And you could hint as much to him. (Referring. But here it says, in plainest print, to book.) "It's most unladylike to hint"- You may not hint, You must not hint- It says you mustn't hint, in print! Ah! And if I loved him through and through- (True love and not a passing whim), Then I could speak of it to you, And you could speak of it to him. (Referring. But here I find it doesn't do to book.) To speak until you're spoken to. Where can it be? (Searching book.) Now let me see- (Finding reference.) Yes, yes! "Don't speak until you're spoken to!" (Exit Dame Hannah.)
ROSE. Poor aunt! Little did the good soul think, when she breathed the hallowed name of Robin, that he would do even as well as another. But he resembleth all the youths in this village, in that he is unduly bashful in my presence, and lo, it is hard to bring him to the point. But soft, he is here!
(Rose is about to go when Robin enters and calls her.)
ROBIN. Mistress Rose!
ROSE. (Surprised.) Master Robin!
ROBIN I wished to say that-it is fine.
ROSE. It is passing fine.
ROBIN But we do want rain.
ROSE. Aye, sorely! Is that all?
ROBIN (Sighing.) That is all.
ROSE. Good day, Master Robin!
ROBIN Good day, Mistress Rose! (Both going-both stop.)
ROSE. I crave pardon, I-
ROBIN I beg pardon, I-
ROSE. You were about to say?-
ROBIN I would fain consult you-
ROSE. Truly?
ROBIN It is about a friend.
ROSE. In truth I have a friend myself.
ROBIN Indeed? I mean, of course-
ROSE. And I would fain consult you-
ROBIN (Anxiously.) About him?
ROSE. (Prudishly.) About her.
ROBIN (Relieved.) Let us consult one another.
DUET-ROBIN and ROSE
ROBIN I know a youth who loves a little maid- (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid- (Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!)
ROSE. I know a maid who loves a gallant youth, (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) She cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth- (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
ROBIN Poor little man!
ROSE. Poor little maid!
ROBIN Poor little man!
ROSE. Poor little maid!
BOTH. Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the (young man\maiden) do?
ROBIN He cannot eat and he cannot sleep- (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Daily he goes for to wail-for to weep- (Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!)
ROSE. She's very thin and she's very pale- (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) Daily she goes for to weep-for to wail- (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
ROBIN Poor little maid!
ROSE. Poor little man!
ROBIN Poor little maid!
ROSE. Poor little man!
BOTH. Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the (young man\maiden) do?
ROSE. If I were the youth I should offer her my name- (Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)
ROBIN If were the maid I should fan his honest flame- (Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!)
ROSE. If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day- (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
ROBIN If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way- (For I really do believe that timid youth will die!)
ROSE. Poor little man!
ROBIN Poor little maid!
ROSE. Poor little man!
ROBIN Poor little maid!
BOTH. I thank you, (miss\sir), for your counsel true; I'll tell that (youth\maid) what (he\she) ought to do! (Exit ROSE.)
ROBIN Poor child! I sometimes think that if she wasn't quite so particular I might venture-but no, no-even then I should be unworthy of her!
(He sit desponding. Enter Old Adam.)
ADAM. My kind master is sad! Dear Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd-
ROBIN Hush! As you love me, breathe not that hated name. Twenty years ago, in horror at the prospect of inheriting that hideous title, and with it the ban that compels all who succeed to the baronetcy to commit at least one deadly crime per day, for life, I fled my home, and concealed myself in this innocent village under the name of Robin Oakapple. My younger brother, Despard, believing me to be dead, succeeded to the title and its attendant curse. For twenty years I have been dead and buried. Don't dig me up now.
ADAM. Dear master, it shall be as you wish, for have I not sworn to obey you for ever in all things? Yet, as we are here alone, and as I belong to that particular description of good old man to whom the truth is a refreshing novelty, let me call you by your own right title once more! (Robin assents.) Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd! Baronet! Of Ruddigore! Whew! It's like eight hours at the seaside!
ROBIN My poor old friend! Would there were more like you!
ADAM. Would there were indeed! But I bring you good tidings. Your foster-brother, Richard, has returned from sea-his ship the Tom-Tit rides yonder at anchor, and he himself is even now in this very village!
ROBIN My beloved foster-brother? No, no-it cannot be!
ADAM. It is even so-and see, he comes this way! (Exeunt together.)
(Enter Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
CHORUS. From the briny sea Comes young Richard, all victorious! Valorous is he- His achievements all are glorious! Let the welkin ring With the news we bring Sing it-shout it- Tell about it- Safe and sound returneth he, All victorious from the sea!
(Enter Richard. The girls welcome him as he greets old acquaintances.)
BALLAD-RICHARD. I shipped, d'ye see, in a Revenue sloop, And, off Cape Finistere, A merchantman we see, A Frenchman, going free, So we made for the bold Mounseer, D'ye see? We made for the bold Mounseer.
CHORUS. So we made for the bold Mounseer, D'ye see? We made for the bold Mounseer. But she proved to be a Frigate-and she up with her ports, And fires with a thirty-two! It come uncommon near, But we answered with a cheer, Which paralysed the Parley-voo, D'ye see? Which paralysed the Parley-voo!
CHORUS. Which paralysed the Parley-voo, D'ye see? Which paralysed the Parley-voo! Then our Captain he up and he says, says he, "That chap we need not fear,- We can take her, if we like, She is sartin for to strike, For she's only a darned Mounseer, D'ye see? She's only a darned Mounseer!"
CHORUS. For she's only a darned Mounseer, D'ye see? She's only a darned Mounseer! "But to fight a French fal-lal-it's like hittin' of a gal! It's a lubberly thing for to do; For we, with all our faults, Why, we're sturdy British salts, While she's only a Parley-voo, D'ye see? While she's only a poor Parley-voo!"
CHORUS. While she's only a Parley-voo, D'ye see? While she's only a poor Parley-voo!' So we up with our helm, and we scuds before the breeze As we gives a compassionating cheer; Froggee answers with a shout As he sees us go about, Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer, D'ye see? Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer!
CHORUS. Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer, D'ye see? Which was grateful of the poor Mounseer! And I'll wager in their joy they kissed each other's cheek (Which is what them furriners do), And they blessed their lucky stars We were hardy British tars Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo, D'ye see? Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo!
CHORUS. Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo, D'ye see? Who had pity on a poor Parley-voo!
(HORNPIPE.) (Exeunt Chorus.)
(Enter Robin.)
ROBIN Richard!
RICHARD Robin!
ROBIN My beloved foster-brother, and very dearest friend, welcome home again after ten long years at sea! It is such deeds as yours that cause our flag to be loved and dreaded throughout the civilized world!
RICHARD Why, lord love ye, Rob, that's but a trifle to what we have done in the way of sparing life! I believe I may say, without exaggeration, that the marciful little Tom-Tit has spared more French frigates than any craft afloat! But 'taint for a British seaman to brag, so I'll just stow my jawin' tackle and belay. (Robin sighs.) But 'vast heavin', messmate, what's brought you all a-cockbill?
ROBIN Alas, Dick, I love Rose Maybud, and love in vain!
RICHARD You love in vain? Come, that's too good! Why, you're a fine strapping muscular young fellow-tall and strong as a to'-gall'n'-m'st-taut as a forestay-aye, and a barrowknight to boot, if all had their rights!
ROBIN Hush, Richard-not a word about my true rank, which none here suspect. Yes, I know well enough that few men are better calculated to win a woman's heart than I. I'm a fine fellow, Dick, and worthy any woman's love-happy the girl who gets me, say I. But I'm timid, Dick; shy-nervous-modest- retiring-diffident-and I cannot tell her, Dick, I cannot tell her! Ah, you've no idea what a poor opinion I have of myself, and how little I deserve it.
RICHARD Robin, do you call to mind how, years ago, we swore that, come what might, we would always act upon our hearts' dictates?
ROBIN Aye, Dick, and I've always kept that oath. In doubt, difficulty, and danger I've always asked my heart what I should do, and it has never failed me.
RICHARD Right! Let your heart be your compass, with a clear conscience for your binnacle light, and you'll sail ten knots on a bowline, clear of shoals, rocks, and quicksands! Well, now, what does my heart say in this here difficult situation? Why, it says, "Dick," it says- (it calls me Dick acos it's known me from a babby)- "Dick," it says, "you ain't shy-you ain't modest-speak you up for him as is!" Robin, my lad, just you lay me alongside, and when she's becalmed under my lee, I'll spin her a yarn that shall sarve to fish you two together for life!
ROBIN Will you do this thing for me? Can you, do you think? Yes (feeling his pulse). There's no false modesty about you. Your-what I would call bumptious self-assertiveness (I mean the expression in its complimentary sense) has already made you a bos'n's mate, and it will make an admiral of you in time, if you work it properly, you dear, incompetent old impostor! My dear fellow, I'd give my right arm for one tenth of your modest assurance!
SONG-ROBIN. My boy, you may take it from me, That of all the afflictions accurst With which a man's saddled And hampered and addled, A diffident nature's the worst. Though clever as clever can be- A Crichton of early romance- You must stir it and stump it, And blow your own trumpet, Or, trust me, you haven't a chance! If you wish in the world to advance, Your merits you're bound to enhance, You must stir it and stump it, And blow your own trumpet, Or, trust me, you haven't a chance! Now take, for example, my case: I've a bright intellectual brain- In all London city There's no one so witty- I've thought so again and again. I've a highly intelligent face- My features cannot be denied- But, whatever I try, sir, I fail in-and why, sir? I'm modesty personified! If you wish in the world to advance, etc. As a poet, I'm tender and quaint- I've passion and fervour and grace- From Ovid and Horace To Swinburne and Morris, They all of them take a back place. Then I sing and I play and I paint: Though none are accomplished as I, To say so were treason: You ask me the reason? I'm diffident, modest, and shy! If you wish in the world to advance, etc.
(Exit Robin.)
RICHARD (looking after him). Ah, it's a thousand pities he's such a poor opinion of himself, for a finer fellow don't walk! Well, I'll do my best for him. "Plead for him as though it was for your own father"-that's what my heart's a-remarkin' to me just now. But here she comes! Steady! Steady it is! (Enter Rose-he is much struck by her.) By the Port Admiral, but she's a tight little craft! Come, come, she's not for you, Dick, and yet-she's fit to marry Lord Nelson! By the Flag of Old England, I can't look at her unmoved.
ROSE. Sir, you are agitated-
RICHARD Aye, aye, my lass, well said! I am agitated, true enough!-took flat aback, my girl; but 'tis naught-'twill pass. (Aside.) This here heart of mine's a-dictatin' to me like anythink. Question is, Have I a right to disregard its promptings?
ROSE. Can I do aught to relieve thine anguish, for it seemeth to me that thou art in sore trouble? This apple- (offering a damaged apple).
RICHARD (looking at it and returning it). No, my lass, 'tain't that: I'm-I'm took flat aback-I never see anything like you in all my born days. Parbuckle me, if you ain't the loveliest gal I've ever set eyes on. There-I can't say fairer than that, can I?
ROSE. No. (Aside.) The question is, Is it meet that an utter stranger should thus express himself ? (Refers to book.) Yes-"Always speak the truth."
RICHARD I'd no thoughts of sayin' this here to you on my own account, for, truth to tell, I was chartered by another; but when I see you my heart it up and it says, says it, "This is the very lass for you, Dick"-"speak up to her, Dick," it says- (it calls me Dick acos we was at school together) -"tell her all, Dick," it says, "never sail under false colours-it's mean!" That's what my heart tells me to say, and in my rough, common-sailor fashion, I've said it, and I'm a-waiting for your reply. I'm a-tremblin', miss. Lookye here- (holding out his hand). That's narvousness!
ROSE (aside). Now, how should a maiden deal with such an one? (Consults book.) "Keep no one in unnecessary suspense." (Aloud.) Behold, I will not keep you in unnecessary suspense. (Refers to book.) "In accepting an offer of marriage, do so with apparent hesitation." (Aloud.) I take you, but with a certain show of reluctance. (Refers to book.) "Avoid any appearance of eagerness." (Aloud.) Though you will bear in mind that I am far from anxious to do so. (Refers to book.) "A little show of emotion will not be misplaced!" (Aloud.) Pardon this tear! (Wipes her eye.)
RICHARD Rose, you've made me the happiest blue-jacket in England! I wouldn't change places with the Admiral of the Fleet, no matter who he's a-huggin' of at this present moment! But, axin' your pardon, miss (wiping his lips with his hand), might I be permitted to salute the flag I'm a-goin' to sail under?
ROSE (referring to book). "An engaged young lady should not permit too many familiarities." (Aloud.) Once! (Richard kisses her.)
DUET-RICHARD and ROSE.
RICHARD The battle's roar is over, O my love! Embrace thy tender lover, O my love! From tempests' welter, From war's alarms, O give me shelter Within those arms! Thy smile alluring, All heart-ache curing, Gives peace enduring, O my love!
ROSE. If heart both true and tender, O my love! A life-love can engender, O my love! A truce to sighing And tears of brine, For joy undying Shall aye be mine,
BOTH. And thou and I, love, Shall live and die, love, Without a sigh, love- My own, my love!
(Enter Robin, with Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
CHORUS. If well his suit has sped, Oh, may they soon be wed! Oh, tell us, tell us, pray, What doth the maiden say? In singing are we justified, Hall the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! Let the nuptial knot be tied: In fair phrases Hymn their praises, Hail the Bridegroom-hall the Bride?
ROBIN Well-what news? Have you spoken to her?
RICHARD Aye, my lad, I have-so to speak-spoke her.
ROBIN And she refuses?
RICHARD Why, no, I can't truly say she do.
ROBIN Then she accepts! My darling! (Embraces her.)
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! etc.
ROSE (aside, referring to her book). Now, what should a maiden do when she is embraced by the wrong gentleman?
RICHARD Belay, my lad, belay. You don't understand.
ROSE. Oh, sir, belay, I beseech you!
RICHARD You see, it's like this: she accepts-but it's me!
ROBIN You! (Richard embraces Rose.)
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! When the nuptial knot is tied-
ROBIN (interrupting angrily). Hold your tongues, will you! Now then, what does this mean?
RICHARD My poor lad, my heart grieves for thee, but it's like this: the moment I see her, and just as I was a-goin' to mention your name, my heart it up and it says, says it-"Dick, you've fell in love with her yourself," it says; "be honest and sailor-like-don't skulk under false colours-speak up," it says, "take her, you dog, and with her my blessin'!"
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the bride-
ROBIN Will you be quiet! Go away! (Chorus makes faces at him and exeunt.) Vulgar girls!
RICHARD What could I do? I'm bound to obey my heart's dictates.
ROBIN Of course-no doubt. It's quite right-I don't mind-that is, not particularly-only it's-it is disappointing, you know.
ROSE (to Robin). Oh, but, sir, I knew not that thou didst seek me in wedlock, or in very truth I should not have hearkened unto this man, for behold, he is but a lowly mariner, and very poor withal, whereas thou art a tiller of the land, and thou hast fat oxen, and many sheep and swine, a considerable dairy farm and much corn and oil!
RICHARD That's true, my lass, but it's done now, ain't it, Rob?
ROSE. Still it may be that I should not be happy in thy love. I am passing young and little able to judge. Moreover, as to thy character I know naught!
ROBIN Nay, Rose, I'll answer for that. Dick has won thy love fairly. Broken-hearted as I am, I'll stand up for Dick through thick and thin!
RICHARD (with emotion). Thankye, messmate! that's well said. That's spoken honest. Thankye, Rob! (Grasps his hand.)
ROSE. Yet methinks I have heard that sailors are but worldly men, and little prone to lead serious and thoughtful lives!
ROBIN And what then? Admit that Dick is not a steady character, and that when he's excited he uses language that would make your hair curl. Grant that-he does. It's the truth, and I'm not going to deny it. But look at his good qualities. He's as nimble as a pony, and his hornpipe is the talk of the fleet!
RICHARD Thankye, Rob! That's well spoken. Thankye, Rob!
ROSE. But it may be that he drinketh strong waters which do bemuse a man, and make him even as the wild beasts of the desert!
ROBIN Well, suppose he does, and I don't say he don't, for rum's his bane, and ever has been. He does drink-I won't deny it. But what of that? Look at his arms-tattooed to the shoulder! (Rich. rolls up his sleeves.) No, no-I won't hear a word against Dick!
ROSE. But they say that mariners are but rarely true to those whom they profess to love!
ROBIN Granted-granted-and I don't say that Dick isn't as bad as any of 'em. (Richard chuckles.) You are, you know you are, you dog! a devil of a fellow-a regular out-and-out Lothario! But what then? You can't have everything, and a better hand at turning-in a dead-eye don't walk a deck! And what an accomplishment that is in a family man! No, no-not a word against Dick. I'll stick up for him through thick and thin!
RICHARD Thankye, Rob, thankye. You're a true friend. I've acted accordin' to my heart's dictates, and such orders as them no man should disobey.
ENSEMBLE-RICHARD, ROBIN, and ROSE. In sailing o'er life's ocean wide Your heart should be your only guide; With summer sea and favouring wind, Yourself in port you'll surely find.
SOLO-RICHARD. My heart says, "To this maiden strike- She's captured you. She's just the sort of girl you like- You know you do. If other man her heart should gain, I shall resign." That's what it says to me quite plain, This heart of mine.
SOLO-ROBIN. My heart says, "You've a prosperous lot, With acres wide; You mean to settle all you've got Upon your bride." It don't pretend to shape my acts By word or sign; It merely states these simple facts, This heart of mine!
SOLO-ROSE. Ten minutes since my heart said "white"- It now says "black". It then said "left"-it now says "right"- Hearts often tack. I must obey its latest strain- You tell me so. (To Richard.) But should it change its mind again, I'll let you know.
(Turning from Richard to Robin, who embraces her.)
ENSEMBLE. In sailing o'er life's ocean wide No doubt the heart should be your guide; But it is awkward when you find A heart that does not know its mind!
(Exeunt Robin with Rose L., and Richard, weeping, R.)
(Enter Mad Margaret. She is wildly dressed in picturesque tatters, and is an obvious caricature of theatrical madness.)
SCENA-MARGARET. Cheerily carols the lark Over the cot. Merrily whistles the clerk Scratching a blot. But the lark And the clerk, I remark, Comfort me not! Over the ripening peach Buzzes the bee. Splash on the billowy beach Tumbles the sea. But the peach And the beach They are each Nothing to me! And why? Who am I? Daft Madge! Crazy Meg! Mad Margaret! Poor Peg! He! he! he! he! (chuckling). Mad, I? Yes, very! But why? Mystery! Don't call! Whisht! whisht! No crime- 'Tis only That I'm Love-lonely! That's all!
BALLAD-MARGARET. To a garden full of posies Cometh one to gather flowers, And he wanders through its bowers Toying with the wanton roses, Who, uprising from their beds, Hold on high their shameless heads With their pretty lips a-pouting, Never doubting-never doubting That for Cytherean posies He would gather aught but roses! In a nest of weeds and nettles Lay a violet, half-hidden, Hoping that his glance unbidden Yet might fall upon her petals. Though she lived alone, apart, Hope lay nestling at her heart, But, alas, the cruel awaking Set her little heart a-breaking, For he gathered for his posies Only roses-only roses! (Bursts into tears.)
(Enter Rose.)
ROSE. A maiden, and in tears? Can I do aught to soften thy sorrow? This apple- (offering apple).
MARGARET (Examines it and rejects it.) No! (Mysteriously.) Tell me, are you mad?
ROSE. I? No! That is, I think not.
MARGARET That's well! Then you don't love Sir Despard Murgatroyd? All mad girls love him. I love him. I'm poor Mad Margaret-Crazy Meg-Poor Peg! He! he! he! he! (chuckling).
ROSE. Thou lovest the bad Baronet of Ruddigore? Oh, horrible-too horrible!
MARGARET You pity me? Then be my mother! The squirrel had a mother, but she drank and the squirrel fled! Hush! They sing a brave song in our parts-it runs somewhat thus: (Sings.) "The cat and the dog and the little puppee Sat down in a-down in a-in a- I forget what they sat down in, but so the song goes! Listen-I've come to pinch her!
ROSE. Mercy, whom?
MARGARET You mean "who".
ROSE. Nay! it is the accusative after the verb.
MARGARET True. (Whispers melodramatically.) I have come to pinch Rose Maybud!
ROSE. (Aside, alarmed.) Rose Maybud!
MARGARET Aye! I love him-he loved me once. But that's all gone, fisht! He gave me an Italian glance-thus (business)-and made me his. He will give her an Italian glance, and make her his. But it shall not be, for I'll stamp on her-stamp on her- -stamp on her! Did you ever kill anybody? No? Why not? Listen-I killed a fly this morning! It buzzed, and I wouldn't have it. So it died-pop! So shall she!
ROSE. But, behold, I am Rose Maybud, and I would fain not die "pop."
MARGARET You are Rose Maybud?
ROSE. Yes, sweet Rose Maybud!
MARGARET Strange! They told me she was beautiful! And he loves you! No, no! If I thought that, I would treat you as the auctioneer and land-agent treated the lady-bird-I would rend you asunder!
ROSE. Nay, be pacified, for behold I am pledged to another, and Lo, we are to be wedded this very day!
MARGARET Swear me that! Come to a Commissioner and let me have it on affidavit! I once made an affidavit-but it died-it died- -it died! But see, they come-Sir Despard and his evil crew! Hide, hide-they are all mad-quite mad!
ROSE. What makes you think that?
MARGARET Hush! They sing choruses in public. That's mad enough, I think. Go-hide away, or they will seize you! Hush! Quite softly-quite, quite softly! (Exeunt together, on tiptoe.)
(Enter Chorus of Bucks and Blades, heralded by Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
CHORUS OF BRIDESMAIDS. Welcome, gentry, For your entry Sets our tender hearts a-beating. Men of station, Admiration Prompts this unaffected greeting. Hearty greeting offer we!
CHORUS OF BUCKS AND BLADESPARD When thoroughly tired Of being admired, By ladies of gentle degree-degree, With flattery sated, High-flown and inflated, Away from the city we flee-we flee! From charms intramural To prettiness rural The sudden transition Is simply Elysian, So come, Amaryllis, Come, Chloe and Phyllis, Your slaves, for the moment, are we!
ALL. From charms intramural, etc.
CHORUS OF BRIDESMAIDS. The sons of the tillage Who dwell in this village Are people of lowly degree-degree. Though honest and active, They're most unattractive, And awkward as awkward can be-can be. They're clumsy clodhoppers With axes and choppers, And shepherds and ploughmen And drovers and cowmen, And hedgers and reapers And carters and keepers, But never a lover for me!
ENSEMBLE.
BRIDESMAIDS and BUCKS AND BLADESPARD So welcome gentry, etc. When thoroughly tired, etc.
(Enter Sir Despard Murgatroyd.)
SONG AND CHORUS-SIR DESPARD.
SIR DESPARD Oh, why am I moody and sad?
CHORUS Can't guess!
SIR DESPARD And why am I guiltily mad?
CHORUS Confess!
SIR DESPARD Because I am thoroughly bad!
CHORUS Oh yes-
SIR DESPARD You'll see it at once in my face. Oh, why am I husky and hoarse?
CHORUS Ah, why?
SIR DESPARD It's the workings of conscience, of course.
CHORUS Fie, fie!
SIR DESPARD And huskiness stands for remorse,
CHORUS Oh my!
SIR DESPARD At least it does so in my case! When in crime one is fully employed-
CHORUS Like you-
SIR DESPARD Your expression gets warped and destroyed:
CHORUS It do.
SIR DESPARD It's a penalty none can avoid;
CHORUS How true!
SIR DESPARD I once was a nice-looking youth; But like stone from a strong catapult-
CHORUS (explaining to each other). A trice-
SIR DESPARD I rushed at my terrible cult-
CHORUS (explaining to each other). That's vice-
SIR DESPARD Observe the unpleasant result!
CHORUS Not nice.
SIR DESPARD Indeed I am telling the truth!
SIR DESPARD Oh, innocent, happy though poor!
CHORUS That's we-
SIR DESPARD If I had been virtuous, I'm sure-
CHORUS Like me-
SIR DESPARD I should be as nice-looking as you're!
CHORUS May be.
SIR DESPARD You are very nice-looking indeed! Oh, innocents, listen in time-
CHORUS We doe,
SIR DESPARD Avoid an existence of crime-
CHORUS Just so-
SIR DESPARD Or you'll be as ugly as I'm-
CHORUS (loudly). No! No!
SIR DESPARD And now, if you please, we'll proceed.
(All the girls express their horror of Sir Despard. As he approaches them they fly from him, terror-stricken, leaving him alone on the stage.)
SIR DESPARD Poor children, how they loathe me-me whose hands are certainly steeped in infamy, but whose heart is as the heart of a little child! But what is a poor baronet to do, when a whole picture gallery of ancestors step down from their frames and threaten him with an excruciating death if he hesitate to commit his daily crime? But ha! ha! I am even with them! (Mysteriously.) I get my crime over the first thing in the morning, and then, ha! ha! for the rest of the day I do good-I do good-I do good! (Melodramatically.) Two days since, I stole a child and built an orphan asylum. Yesterday I robbed a bank and endowed a bishopric. To-day I carry off Rose Maybud and atone with a cathedral! This is what it is to be the sport and toy of a Picture Gallery! But I will be bitterly revenged upon them! I will give them all to the Nation, and nobody shall ever look upon their faces again!
(Enter Richard.)
RICHARD Ax your honour's pardon, but-
SIR DESPARD Ha! observed! And by a mariner! What would you with me, fellow?
RICHARD Your honour, I'm a poor man-o'-war's-man, becalmed in the doldrums-
SIR DESPARD I don't know them.
RICHARD And I make bold to ax your honour's advice. Does your honour know what it is to have a heart?
SIR DESPARD My honour knows what it is to have a complete apparatus for conducting the circulation of the blood through the veins and arteries of the human body.
RICHARD Aye, but has your honour a heart that ups and looks you in the face, and gives you quarter-deck orders that it's life and death to disobey?
SIR DESPARD I have not a heart of that description, but I have a Picture Gallery that presumes to take that liberty.
RICHARD Well, your honour, it's like this-Your honour had an elder brother-
SIR DESPARD It had.
RICHARD Who should have inherited your title and, with it, its cuss.
SIR DESPARD Aye, but he died. Oh, Ruthven!-
RICHARD He didn't.
SIR DESPARD He did not?
RICHARD He didn't. On the contrary, he lives in this here very village, under the name of Robin Oakapple, and he's a-going to marry Rose Maybud this very day.
SIR DESPARD Ruthven alive, and going to marry Rose Maybud! Can this be possible?
RICHARD Now the question I was going to ask your honour is- -Ought I to tell your honour this?
SIR DESPARD I don't know. It's a delicate point. I think you ought. Mind, I'm not sure, but I think so.
RICHARD That's what my heart says. It says, "Dick," it says (it calls me Dick acos it's entitled to take that liberty), "that there young gal would recoil from him if she knowed what he really were. Ought you to stand off and on, and let this young gal take this false step and never fire a shot across her bows to bring her to? No," it says, "you did not ought." And I won't ought, accordin'.
SIR DESPARD Then you really feel yourself at liberty to tell me that my elder brother lives-that I may charge him with his cruel deceit, and transfer to his shoulders the hideous thraldom under which I have laboured for so many years! Free-free at last! Free to live a blameless life, and to die beloved and regretted by all who knew me!
DUET-SIR DESPARD and RICHARD.
RICHARD You understand?
SIR DESPARD I think I do; With vigour unshaken This step shall be taken. It's neatly planned.
RICHARD I think so too; I'll readily bet it You'll never regret it!
BOTH. For duty, duty must be done; The rule applies to every one, And painful though that duty be, To shirk the task were fiddle-de-dee!
SIR DESPARD The bridegroom comes-
RICHARD Likewise the bride- The maidens are very Elated and merry; They are her chums.
SIR DESPARD To lash their pride Were almost a pity, The pretty committee!
BOTH. But duty, duty must be done; The rule applies to every one, And painful though that duty be, To shirk the task were fiddle-de-dee!
(Exeunt Richard and Sir Despard.)
(Enter Chorus of Bridesmaids and Bucks.)
CHORUS OF BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the bride of seventeen summers: In fair phrases Hymn her praises; Lift your song on high, all comers. She rejoices In your voices. Smiling summer beams upon her, Shedding every blessing on her: Maidens greet her- Kindly treat her- You may all be brides some day!
CHORUS OF BUCKS. Hail the bridegroom who advances, Agitated, Yet elated. He's in easy circumstances, Young and lusty, True and trusty.
ALL. Smiling summer beams upon her, etc.
(Enter Robin, attended by Richard and Old Adam, meeting Rose, attended by Zorah and Dame Hannah. Rose and Robin embrace.)
MADRIGAL. ROSE, DAME HANNAH, RICHARD, OLD ADAM with CHORUS.
ROSE. When the buds are blossoming, Smiling welcome to the spring, Lovers choose a wedding day- Life is love in merry May!
GIRLS. Spring is green-Fal lal la! Summer's rose-Fal la la!
QUARTET. It is sad when summer goes, Fa la!
MEN. Autumn's gold-Fah lal la! Winter's grey-Fah lal la!
QUARTET. Winter still is far away- Fa la!
CHORUS. Leaves in autumn fade and fall, Winter is the end of all. Spring and summer teem with glee: Spring and summer, then, for me! Fa la!
HANNAH. In the spring-time seed is sown: In the summer grass is mown: In the autumn you may reap: Winter is the time for sleep.
GIRLS. Spring is hope-Fal lal la! Summer's joy-Fal lal la!
QUARTET. Spring and summer never cloy. Fa la!
MEN. Autumn,toil-Fal lal la! Winter, rest-Fal lal la!
QUARTET. Winter, after all, is best- Fal la!
CHORUS. Spring and summer pleasure you, Autumn, aye, and winter too- Every season has its cheer, Life is lovely all the year! Fa la!
(Gavotte.)
(After Gavotte, enter Sir Despard.)
SIR DESPARD Hold, bride and bridegroom, ere you wed each other, I claim young Robin as my elder brother! His rightful title I have long enjoyed: I claim him as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd!
CHORUS. O wonder!
ROSE (wildly). Deny the falsehood, Robin, as you should, It is a plot!
ROBIN I would, if conscientiously I could, But I cannot!
CHORUS. Ah, base one! Ah, base one!
SOLO-ROBIN. As pure and blameless peasant, I cannot, I regret, Deny a truth unpleasant, I am that Baronet!
CHORUS. He is that Baronet!
ROBIN. But when completely rated Bad Baronet am I, That I am what he's stated I'll recklessly deny!
CHORUS. He'll recklessly deny!
ROBIN When I'm a bad Bart. I will tell taradiddles!
CHORUS. He'll tell taradiddles when he's a bad Bart.
ROBIN I'll play a bad part on the falsest of fiddles.
CHORUS. On very false fiddles he'll play a bad part!
ROBIN But until that takes place I must be conscientious-
CHORUS. He'll be conscientious until that takes place.
ROBIN Then adieu with good grace to my morals sententious!
CHORUS. To morals sententious adieu with good grace!
ZORAH Who is the wretch who hath betrayed thee? Let him stand forth!
RICHARD (coming forward). 'Twas I!
ALL. Die, traitor!
RICHARD Hold! my conscience made me! Withhold your wrath!
SOLO-RICHARD. Within this breast there beats a heart Whose voice can't be gainsaid. It bade me thy true rank impart, And I at once obeyed. I knew 'twould blight thy budding fate- I knew 'twould cause thee anguish great- But did I therefore hesitate? No! I at once obeyed!
ALL. Acclaim him who, when his true heart Bade him young Robin's rank impart, Immediately obeyed!
SOLO-ROSE (addressing Robin). Farewell! Thou hadst my heart- 'Twas quickly won! But now we part- Thy face I shun! Farewell! Go bend the knee At Vice's shrine, Of life with me All hope resign. Farewell! Farewell! Farewell! (To Sir Despard.) Take me-I am thy bride!
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! When the nuptial knot is tied; Every day will bring some joy That can never, never cloy!
(Enter Margaret, who listens.)
SIR DESPARD Excuse me, I'm a virtuous person now-
ROSE. That's why I wed you!
SIR DESPARD And I to Margaret must keep my vow!
MARGARET Have I misread you? Oh, joy! with newly kindled rapture warmed, I kneel before you! (Kneels.)
SIR DESPARD I once disliked you; now that I've reformed, How I adore you! (They embrace.)
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! When the nuptial knot is tied; Every day will bring some joy That can never, never cloy!
ROSE. Richard, of him I love bereft, Through thy design, Thou art the only one that's left, So I am thine! (They embrace.)
BRIDESMAIDS. Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride! Let the nuptial knot be tied!
DUET-ROSE and RICHARD. Oh, happy the lily When kissed by the bee; And, sipping tranquilly, Quite happy is he; And happy the filly That neighs in her pride; But happier than any, A pound to a penny, A lover is, when he Embraces his bride!
DUET-SIR DESPARD and MARGARET. Oh, happy the flowers That blossom in June, And happy the bowers That gain by the boon, But happier by hours The man of descent, Who, folly regretting, Is bent on forgetting His bad baronetting, And means to repent!
TRIO-HANNAH, ADAM, and ZORAH. Oh, happy the blossom That blooms on the lea, Likewise the opossum That sits on a tree, But when you come across 'em, They cannot compare With those who are treading The dance at a wedding, While people are spreading The best of good fare!
SOLO-ROBIN. Oh, wretched the debtor Who's signing a deed! And wretched the letter That no one can read! But very much better Their lot it must be Than that of the person I'm making this verse on, Whose head there's a curse on- Alluding to me!
Repeat ensemble with Chorus.
(Dance)
(At the end of the dance Robin falls senseless on the stage. Picture.)
[edit] ACT II
Scene.-Picture Gallery in Ruddigore Castle. The walls are covered with full-length portraits of the Baronets of Ruddigore from the time of James I.-the first being that of Sir Rupert, alluded to in the legend; the last, that of the last deceased Baronet, Sir Roderic.
Enter Robin and Adam melodramatically. They are greatly altered in appearance, Robin wearing the haggard aspect of a guilty roue; Adam, that of the wicked steward to such a man.
DUET-ROBIN and ADAM.
ROBIN I once was as meek as a new-born lamb, I'm now Sir Murgatroyd-ha! ha! With greater precision (Without the elision), Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd-ha! ha!
ADAM. And I, who was once his valley-de-sham, As steward I'm now employed-ha! ha! The dickens may take him- I'll never forsake him! As steward I'm now employed-ha! ha!
ADDITIONAL SONG (Omitted after opening night.)
ROBIN My face is the index to my mind, All venom and spleen and gall-ha! ha! Or, properly speaking, It soon will be reeking, With venom and spleen and gall-ha! ha!
ADAM. My name from Adam Goodheart you'll find I've changed to Gideon Crawle-ha! ha! For bad Bart's steward Whose heart is much too hard Is always Gideon Crawle-ha! ha!
BOTH. How dreadful when an innocent heart Becomes, perforce, a bad young Bart., And still more hard on old Adam, His former faithful valley-de-sham!
ROBIN This is a painful state of things, old Adam!
ADAM. Painful, indeed! Ah, my poor master, when I swore that, come what would, I would serve you in all things for ever, I little thought to what a pass it would bring me! The confidential adviser to the greatest villain unhung! Now, sir, to business. What crime do you propose to commit to-day?
ROBIN How should I know? As my confidential adviser, it's your duty to suggest something.
ADAM. Sir, I loathe the life you are leading, but a good old man's oath is paramount, and I obey. Richard Dauntless is here with pretty Rose Maybud, to ask your consent to their marriage. Poison their beer.
ROBIN No-not that-I know I'm a bad Bart., but I'm not as bad a Bart. as all that.
ADAM. Well, there you are, you see! It's no use my making suggestions if you don't adopt them.
ROBIN (melodramatically). How would it be, do you think, were I to lure him here with cunning wile-bind him with good stout rope to yonder post-and then, by making hideous faces at him, curdle the heart-blood in his arteries, and freeze the very marrow in his bones? How say you, Adam, is not the scheme well planned?
ADAM. It would be simply rude-nothing more. But soft-they come!
(Adam and Robin retire up as Richard and Rose enter, preceded by Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
DUET-RICHARD and ROSE.
RICHARD Happily coupled are we, You see- I am a jolly Jack Tar, My star, And you are the fairest, The richest and rarest Of innocent lasses you are, By far- Of innocent lasses you are! Fanned by a favouring gale, You'll sail Over life's treacherous sea With me, And as for bad weather, We'll brave it together, And you shall creep under my lee, My wee! And you shall creep under my lee! For you are such a smart little craft- Such a neat little, sweet little craft, Such a bright little, tight little, Slight little, light little, Trim little, prim little craft!
CHORUS. For she is such, etc.
ROSE. My hopes will be blighted, I fear, My dear; In a month you'll be going to sea, Quite free, And all of my wishes You'll throw to the fishes As though they were never to be; Poor me! As though they were never to be. And I shall be left all alone To moan, And weep at your cruel deceit, Complete; While you'll be asserting Your freedom by flirting With every woman you meet, You cheat-Ah! With every woman you meet! Ah! Though I am such a smart little craft- Such a neat little, sweet little craft, Such a bright little, tight little, Slight little, light little, Trim little, prim little craft!
CHORUS. Though she is such, etc.
(Enter Robin.)
ROBIN Soho! pretty one-in my power at last, eh? Know ye not that I have those within my call who, at my lightest bidding, would immure ye in an uncomfortable dungeon? (Calling.) What ho! within there!
RICHARD Hold-we are prepared for this (producing a Union Jack). Here is a flag that none dare defy (all kneel), and while this glorious rag floats over Rose Maybud's head, the man does not live who would dare to lay unlicensed hand upon her!
ROBIN Foiled-and by a Union Jack! But a time will come, and then-
ROSE. Nay, let me plead with him. (To Robin.) Sir Ruthven, have pity. In my book of etiquette the case of a maiden about to be wedded to one who unexpectedly turns out to be a baronet with a curse on him is not considered. Time was when you loved me madly. Prove that this was no selfish love by according your consent to my marriage with one who, if he be not you yourself, is the next best thing-your dearest friend!
BALLAD-ROSE. In bygone days I had thy love- Thou hadst my heart. But Fate, all human vows above, Our lives did part! By the old love thou hadst for me- By the fond heart that beat for thee- By joys that never now can be, Grant thou my prayer!
ALL (kneeling). Grant thou her prayer!
ROBIN (recitative). Take her-I yield!
ALL. (recitative). Oh, rapture! (All rising.)
CHORUS. Away to the parson we go- Say we're solicitous very That he will turn two into one- Singing hey, derry down derry!
RICHARD For she is such a smart little craft-
ROSE. Such a neat little, sweet little craft-
RICHARD Such a bright little-
ROSE. Tight little-
RICHARD Slight little-
ROSE. Light little-
BOTH. Trim little, prim little craft!
CHORUS. For she is such a smart little craft, etc.
(Exeunt all but Robin.)
ROBIN For a week I have fulfilled my accursed doom! I have duly committed a crime a day! Not a great crime, I trust, but still, in the eyes of one as strictly regulated as I used to be, a crime. But will my ghostly ancestors be satisfied with what I have done, or will they regard it as an unworthy subterfuge? (Addressing Pictures.) Oh, my forefathers, wallowers in blood, there came at last a day when, sick of crime, you, each and every, vowed to sin no more, and so, in agony, called welcome Death to free you from your cloying guiltiness. Let the sweet psalm of that repentant hour soften your long-dead hearts, and tune your souls to mercy on your poor posterity! (Kneeling).
(The stage darkens for a moment. It becomes light again, and the Pictures are seen to have become animated.)
CHORUS OF FAMILY PORTRAITS. Painted emblems of a race, All accurst in days of yore, Each from his accustomed place Steps into the world once more. (The Pictures step from their frames and march round the stage.) Baronet of Ruddigore, Last of our accursed line, Down upon the oaken floor- Down upon those knees of thine. Coward, poltroon, shaker, squeamer, Blockhead, sluggard, dullard, dreamer, Shirker, shuffler, crawler, creeper, Sniffler, snuffler, wailer, weeper, Earthworm, maggot, tadpole, weevil! Set upon thy course of evil, Lest the King of Spectre-land Set on thee his grisly hand!
(The Spectre of Sir Roderic descends from his frame.)
SIR RODERIC Beware! beware! beware!
ROBIN Gaunt vision, who art thou That thus, with icy glare And stern relentless brow, Appearest, who knows how?
SIR RODERIC I am the spectre of the late Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, Who comes to warn thee that thy fate Thou canst not now avoid.
ROBIN Alas, poor ghost!
SIR RODERIC The pity you Express for nothing goes: We spectres are a jollier crew Than you, perhaps, suppose!
CHORUS. We spectres are a jollier crew Than you, perhaps, suppose!
SONG-SIR RODERIC. When the night wind howls in the chimney cowls, and the bat in the moonlight flies, And inky clouds, like funeral shrouds, sail over the midnight skies- When the footpads quail at the night-bird's wail, and black dogs bay at the moon, Then is the spectres' holiday-then is the ghosts' high-noon!
CHORUS. Ha! ha! Then is the ghosts' high-noon! As the sob of the breeze sweeps over the trees, and the mists lie low on the fen, From grey tomb-stones are gathered the bones that once were women and men, And away they go, with a mop and a mow, to the revel that ends too soon, For cockcrow limits our holiday-the dead of the night's high-noon!
CHORUS. Ha! ha! The dead of the night's high-noon! And then each ghost with his ladye-toast to their churchyard beds takes flight, With a kiss, perhaps, on her lantern chaps, and a grisly grim "good-night"; Till the welcome knell of the midnight bell rings forth its jolliest tune, And ushers in our next high holiday-the dead of the night's high-noon!
CHORUS. Ha! ha! The dead of the night's high-noon! Ha! ha! ha! ha!
ROBIN I recognize you now-you are the picture that hangs at the end of the gallery.
SIR RODERIC In a bad light. I am.
ROBIN Are you considered a good likeness?
SIR RODERIC Pretty well. Flattering.
ROBIN Because as a work of art you are poor.
SIR RODERIC I am crude in colour, but I have only been painted ten years. In a couple of centuries I shall be an Old Master, and then you will be sorry you spoke lightly of me.
ROBIN And may I ask why you have left your frames?
SIR RODERIC It is our duty to see that our successors commit their daily crimes in a conscientious and workmanlike fashion. It is our duty to remind you that you are evading the conditions under which you are permitted to exist.
ROBIN Really, I don't know what you'd have. I've only been a bad baronet a week, and I've committed a crime punctually every day.
SIR RODERIC Let us inquire into this. Monday?
ROBIN Monday was a Bank Holiday.
SIR RODERIC True. Tuesday?
ROBIN On Tuesday I made a false income-tax return.
ALL. Ha! ha!
1ST GHOST. That's nothing.
2ND GHOST. Nothing at all.
3RD GHOST. Everybody does that.
4TH GHOST. It's expected of you.
SIR RODERIC Wednesday?
ROBIN (melodramatically). On Wednesday I forged a will.
SIR RODERIC Whose will?
ROBIN My own.
SIR RODERIC My good sir, you can't forge your own will!
ROBIN Can't I, though! I like that! I did! Besides, if a man can't forge his own will, whose will can he forge?
1ST GHOST. There's something in that.
2ND GHOST. Yes, it seems reasonable.
3RD GHOST. At first sight it does.
4TH GHOST. Fallacy somewhere, I fancy!
ROBIN A man can do what he likes with his own!
SIR RODERIC I suppose he can.
ROBIN Well, then, he can forge his own will, stoopid! On Thursday I shot a fox.
1ST GHOST. Hear, hear!
SIR RODERIC That's better (addressing Ghosts). Pass the fox, I think? (They assent.) Yes, pass the fox. Friday?
ROBIN On Friday I forged a cheque.
SIR RODERIC Whose cheque?
ROBIN Old Adam's.
SIR RODERIC But Old Adam hasn't a banker.
ROBIN I didn't say I forged his banker-I said I forged his cheque. On Saturday I disinherited my only son.
SIR RODERIC But you haven't got a son.
ROBIN No-not yet. I disinherited him in advance, to save time. You see-by this arrangement-he'll be born ready disinherited.
SIR RODERIC I see. But I don't think you can do that.
ROBIN My good sir, if I can't disinherit my own unborn son, whose unborn son can I disinherit?
SIR RODERIC Humph! These arguments sound very well, but I can't help thinking that, if they were reduced to syllogistic form, they wouldn't hold water. Now quite understand us. We are foggy, but we don't permit our fogginess to be presumed upon. Unless you undertake to-well, suppose we say, carry off a lady? (Addressing Ghosts.) Those who are in favour of his carrying off a lady? (All hold up their hands except a Bishop.) Those of the contrary opinion? (Bishop holds up his hands.) Oh, you're never satisfied! Yes, unless you undertake to carry off a lady at once-I don't care what lady-any lady-choose your lady-you perish in inconceivable agonies.
ROBIN Carry off a lady? Certainly not, on any account. I've the greatest respect for ladies, and I wouldn't do anything of the kind for worlds! No, no. I'm not that kind of baronet, I assure you! If that's all you've got to say, you'd better go back to your frames.
SIR RODERIC Very good-then let the agonies commence.
(Ghosts make passes. Robin begins to writhe in agony.)
ROBIN Oh! Oh! Don't do that! I can't stand it!
SIR RODERIC Painful, isn't it? It gets worse by degrees.
ROBIN Oh-Oh! Stop a bit! Stop it, will you? I want to speak.
(Sir Roderic makes signs to Ghosts, who resume their attitudes.)
SIR RODERIC Better?
ROBIN Yes-better now! Whew!
SIR RODERIC Well, do you consent?
ROBIN But it's such an ungentlemanly thing to do!
SIR RODERIC As you please. (To Ghosts.) Carry on!
ROBIN Stop-I can't stand it! I agree! I promise! It shall be done!
SIR RODERIC To-day?
ROBIN To-day!
SIR RODERIC At once?
ROBIN At once! I retract! I apologize! I had no idea it was anything like that!
CHORUS. He yields! He answers to our call! We do not ask for more. A sturdy fellow, after all, This latest Ruddigore! All perish in unheard-of woe Who dare our wills defy; We want your pardon, ere we go, For having agonized you so- So pardon us- So pardon us- So pardon us- Or die!
ROBIN I pardon you! I pardon you!
ALL. He pardons us- Hurrah!
(The Ghosts return to their frames.)
CHORUS. Painted emblems of a race, All accurst in days of yore, Each to his accustomed place Steps unwillingly once more!
(By this time the Ghosts have changed to pictures again. Robin is overcome by emotion.)
(Enter Adam.)
ADAM. My poor master, you are not well-
ROBIN Old Adam, it won't do-I've seen 'em-all my ancestors-they're just gone. They say that I must do something desperate at once, or perish in horrible agonies. Go-go to yonder village-carry off a maiden-bring her here at once-any one-I don't care which-
ADAM. But-
ROBIN Not a word, but obey! Fly! (Exeunt Adam)
RECIT. and SONG-ROBIN. Away, Remorse! Compunction, hence!. Go, Moral Force! Go, Penitence! To Virtue's plea A long farewell- Propriety, I ring your knell! Come, guiltiness of deadliest hue! Come, desperate deeds of derring-do! Henceforth all the crimes that I find in the Times. I've promised to perpetrate daily; To-morrow I start with a petrified heart, On a regular course of Old Bailey. There's confidence tricking, bad coin, pocket-picking, And several other disgraces- There's postage-stamp prigging, and then thimble-rigging, The three-card delusion at races! Oh! A baronet's rank is exceedingly nice, But the title's uncommonly dear at the price! Ye well-to-do squires, who live in the shires, Where petty distinctions are vital, Who found Athenaeums and local museums, With a view to a baronet's title- Ye butchers and bakers and candlestick makers Who sneer at all things that are tradey- Whose middle-class lives are embarrassed by wives Who long to parade as "My Lady", Oh! allow me to offer a word of advice, The title's uncommonly dear at the price! Ye supple M.P.'s who go down on your knees, Your precious identity sinking, And vote black or white as your leaders indite (Which saves you the trouble of thinking), For your country's good fame, her repute, or her shame, You don't care the snuff of a candle- But you're paid for your game when you're told that your name Will be graced by a baronet's handle- Oh! Allow me to give you a word of advice- The title's uncommonly dear at the price! (Exit Robin.)
(Enter Despard and Margaret. They are both dressed in sober black of formal cut, and present a strong contrast to their appearance in Act I.)
DUET.
DESPARD I once was a very abandoned person-
MARGARET Making the most of evil chances.
DESPARD Nobody could conceive a worse 'un-
MARGARET Even in all the old romances.
DESPARD I blush for my wild extravagances, But be so kind To bear in mind,
MARGARET We were the victims of circumstances! (Dance.) That is one of our blameless dances.
MARGARET I was once an exceedingly odd young lady-
DESPARD Suffering much from spleen and vapours.
MARGARET Clergymen thought my conduct shady-
DESPARD She didn't spend much upon linen-drapers.
MARGARET It certainly entertained the gapers. My ways were strange Beyond all range-
DESPARD Paragraphs got into all the papers. (Dance.)
DESPARD We only cut respectable capers.
DESPARD I've given up all my wild proceedings.
MARGARET My taste for a wandering life is waning.
DESPARD Now I'm a dab at penny readings.
MARGARET They are not remarkably entertaining.
DESPARD A moderate livelihood we're gaining.
MARGARET In fact we rule A National School.
DESPARD The duties are dull, but I'm not complaining. (Dance.) This sort of thing takes a deal of training!
DESPARD We have been married a week.
MARGARET One happy, happy week!
DESPARD Our new life-
MARGARET Is delightful indeed!
DESPARD So calm!
MARGARET So unimpassioned! (Wildly). Master, all this I owe to you! See, I am no longer wild and untidy. My hair is combed. My face is washed. My boots fit!
DESPARD Margaret, don't. Pray restrain yourself. Remember, you are now a district visitor.
MARGARET A gentle district visitor!
DESPARD You are orderly, methodical, neat; you have your emotions well under control.
MARGARET I have! (Wildly). Master, when I think of all you have done for me, I fall at your feet. I embrace your ankles. I hug your knees! (Doing so.)
DESPARD Hush. This is not well. This is calculated to provoke remark. Be composed, I beg!
MARGARET Ah! you are angry with poor little Mad Margaret!
DESPARD No, not angry; but a district visitor should learn to eschew melodrama. Visit the poor, by all means, and give them tea and barley-water, but don't do it as if you were administering a bowl of deadly nightshade. It upsets them. Then when you nurse sick people, and find them not as well as could be expected, why go into hysterics?
MARGARET Why not?
DESPARD Because it's too jumpy for a sick-room.
MARGARET How strange! Oh, Master! Master!-how shall I express the all-absorbing gratitude that- (about to throw herself at his feet).
DESPARD Now! (Warningly).
MAR. Yes, I know, dear it shan't occur again. Shall I tell you one of poor Mad Margaret's odd thoughts? Well, then, when I am lying awake at night, and the pale moonlight streams through the latticed casement, strange fancies crowd upon my poor mad brain, and I sometimes think that if we could hit upon some word for you to use whenever I am about to relapse some word that teems with hidden meaning like "Basingstoke" it might recall me to my saner self. For, after all, I am only Mad Margaret! Daft Meg! Poor Meg! He! he! he!
DES. Poor child, she wanders! But soft some one comes Margaret pray recollect yourself Basingstoke, I beg! Margaret, if you don't Basingstoke at once, I shall be seriously angry.
MAR. (recovering herself). Basingstoke it is!
DES. Then make it so.
(Enter ROBIN. He starts on seeing them.)
ROB. Despard! And his young wife! This visit is unexpected.
MAR. Shall I fly at him? Shall I tear him limb from limb? Shall I rend him asunder? Say but the word and
DES. Basingstoke!
MAR. (suddenly demure) Basingstoke it is!
DES. (aside) Then make it so. (aloud) My brother I call you brother still, despite your horrible profligacy we have come to urge you to abandon the evil courses to which you have committed yourself, and at any cost to become a pure and blameless ratepayer.
ROB. But I've done no wrong yet.
MAR. (wildly) No wrong! He has done no wrong! Did you hear that!
DES. Basingstoke!
MAR. (recovering herself) Basingstoke it is!
DES. My brother I still call you brother, you observe you forget that you have been, in the eye of the law, a Bad Baronet of Ruddigore for ten years and you are therefore responsible in the eye of the law for all the misdeeds committed by the unhappy gentleman who occupied your place.
ROB. I see! Bless my heart, I never thought of that! Was I very bad?
DES. Awful. Wasn't he? (To MARGARET)
ROB. And I've been going on like this for how long?
DES. Ten years! Think of all the atrocities you have committed by attorney as it were during that period. Remember how you trifled with this poor child's affections how you raised her hopes on high (don't cry, my love Basingstoke, you know), only to trample them in the dust when they were at the very zenith of their fullness. Oh fie, sir, fie she trusted you!
ROB. Did she? What a scoundrel I must have been! There, there don't cry, my dear (to MARGARET, who is sobbing on ROBIN's breast), it's all right now. Birmingham, you know Birmingham.
MAR. (sobbing) It's Ba Ba Basingstoke!
ROB. Basingstoke! Of course it is Basingstoke.
MAR. Then make it so!
ROB. There, there it's all right he's married you now that is, I've married you (turning to DESPARD) I say, which of us has married her?
DES. Oh, I've married her.
ROB. (aside) Oh, I'm glad of that. (to MARGARET) Yes, he's married you now (passing her over to DESPARD), and anything more disreputable than my conduct seems to have been I've never even heard of. But my mind is made up I will defy my ancestors. I will refuse to obey their behests, thus, by courting death, atone in some degree for the infamy of my career!
MAR. I knew it I knew it God bless you (hysterically)
DES. Basingstoke!
MAR. Basingstoke it is! (Recovers herself.)
PATTER-TRIO. ROBIN, DESPARD, AND MARGARET.
ROB. My eyes are fully open to my awful situation I shall go at once to Roderic and make him an oration. I shall tell him I've recovered my forgotten moral senses, And I don't care twopence-halfpenny for any consequences. Now I do not want to perish by the sword or by the dagger, But a martyr may indulge a little pardonable swagger, And a word or two of compliment my vanity would flatter, But I've got to die tomorrow, so it really doesn't matter!
DES. So it really doesn't matter
MAR. So it really doesn't matter
ALL. So it really doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter!
MAR. If were not a little mad and generally silly I should give you my advice upon the subject, willy-nilly; I should show you in a moment how to grapple with the question, And you'd really be astonished at the force of my suggestion. On the subject I shall write you a most valuable letter, Full of excellent suggestions when I feel a little better, But at present I'm afraid I am as mad as any hatter, So I'll keep 'em to myself, for my opinion doesn't matter!
DES. Her opinion doesn't matter
ROB. Her opinion doesn't matter
ALL. Her opinion doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter!
DES. If I had been so lucky as to have a steady brother Who could talk to me as we are talking now to one another Who could give me good advice when he discovered I was erring (Which is just the very favour which on you I am conferring), My existance would have made a rather interesting idyll, And I might have lived and died a very decent indiwiddle. This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter Isn't generally heard, and if it is it doesn't matter!
ROB. If it is it doesn't matter
MAR. If it is it doesn't matter
ALL. If it is it doesn't matter, matter, matter, matter, matter!
(Exeunt DESPARD and MARGARET.)
(Enter ADAM.)
ADAM. (guiltily) Master the deed is done!
ROB. What deed?
ADAM. She is here alone, unprotected
ROB. Who?
ADAM. The maiden. I've carried her off I had a hard task, for she fought like a tiger-cat!
ROB. Great Heaven, I had forgotten her! I had hoped to have died unspotted by crime, but I am foiled again and by a tiger-cat! Produce her and leave us!
(ADAM introduces DAME HANNAH, very much excited, and exit.)
ROB. Dame Hannah! This is this is not what I expected.
HAN. Well, sir, and what would you with me? Oh, you have begun bravely bravely indeed! Unappalled by the calm dignity of blameless womanhood, your minion has torn me from my spotless home, and dragged me, blindfold and shrieking, through hedges, over stiles, and across a very difficult country, and left me, helpless and trembling, at your mercy! Yet not helpless, coward sir, for approach one step nay, but the twentieth part of one poor inch and this poniard (produces a very small dagger) shall teach ye what it is to lay unholy hands on old Stephen Trusty's daughter!
ROB. Madam, I am extremely sorry for this. It is not at all what I intended anything more correct more deeply respectful than my intentions towards you, it would be impossible for any one however particular to desire.
HAN. Bah, I am not to be tricked by smooth words, hypocrite! But be warned in time, for there are, without, a hundred gallant hearts whose trusty blades would hack him limb from limb who dared to lay unholy hands on old Stephen Trusty's daughter!
ROB. And this is what it is to embark upon a career of unlicensed pleasure!
(DAME HANNAH, who has taken a formidable dagger from one of the armed figures, throws her small dagger to ROBIN.)
HAN. Harkye, miscreant, you have secured me, and I am your poor prisoner; but if you think I cannot take care of myself you are very much mistaken. Now then, it's one to one, and let the best man win! (Making for him.)
ROB. (in an agony of terror). Don't! don't look at me like that! I can't bear it! Roderic! Uncle! Save me!
(RODERIC enters, from his picture. He comes down the stage.)
ROD. What is the matter? Have you carried her off?
ROB. I have she is there look at her she terrifies me!
ROD. (looking at Hannah) Little Nannikin!
HAN. (amazed) Roddy-doddy!
ROD. My own old love! Why, how came you here?
HAN. This brute he carried me off! Bodily! But I'll show him! (about to rush at ROBIN).
ROD. Stop! (To ROBIN) What do you mean by carrying off this lady? Are you aware that once upon a time she was engaged to be married to me? I'm very angry very angry indeed.
ROB. Now I hope this will be a lesson to you in future not to…
ROD. Hold your tongue, sir.
ROB. Yes, uncle.
ROD. Have you given him any encouragement?
HAN. (to ROBIN) Have I given you any encouragement? Frankly now, have I?
ROB. No. Frankly, you have not. Anything more scrupulously correct than your conduct, it would be impossible to desire.
ROD. You go away.
ROB. Yes, uncle. (Exit ROBIN.)
ROD. This is a strange meeting after so many years!
HAN. Very. I thought you were dead.
ROD. I am. I died ten years ago.
HAN. And are you pretty comfortable?
ROD. Pretty well that is yes, pretty well.
HAN. You don't deserve to be, for I loved you all the while, dear; and it made me dreadfully unhappy to hear of all your goings-on, you bad, bad boy!
BALLAD DAME HANNAH.
There grew a little flower 'Neath a great oak tree: When the tempest 'gan to lower Little heeded she: No need had she to cower, For she dreaded not its power She was happy in the bower Of her great oak tree! Sing hey, Lackaday! Let the tears fall free For the pretty little flower And the great oak tree!
BOTH. Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.
When she found that he was fickle, Was that great oak tree, She was in a pretty pickle, As she well might be But his gallantries were mickle, For Death followed with his sickle, And her tears began to trickle For her great oak tree! Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.
BOTH. Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.
Said she, "He loved me never, Did that great oak tree, But I'm neither rich nor clever, And so why should he? But though fate our fortunes sever, To be constant I'll endeavour, Aye, for ever and for ever, To my great oak tree!' Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.
BOTH. Sing hey, Lackaday! etc.
(Falls weeping on SIR RODERIC's bosom.)
(Enter ROBIN, excitedly, followed by all the characters and Chorus of Bridesmaids.)
ROB. Stop a bit both of you.
ROD. This intrusion is unmannerly.
HAN. I'm surprised at you.
ROB. I can't stop to apologize an idea has just occurred to me. A Baronet of Ruddigore can only die through refusing to commit his daily crime.
ROD. No doubt.
ROB. Therefore, to refuse to commit a daily crime is tantamount to suicide!
ROD. It would seem so.
ROB. But suicide is, itself, a crime and so, by your own showing, you ought never to have died at all!
ROD. I see I understand! Then I'm practically alive!
ROB. Undoubtedly! (SIR RODERIC embraces DAME HANNAH.) Rose, when you believed that I was a simple farmer, I believe you loved me?
ROSE. Madly, passionately!
ROB. But when I became a bad baronet, you very properly loved Richard instead?
ROSE. Passionately, madly!
ROB. But if I should turn out not to be a bad baronet after all, how would you love me then?
ROSE. Madly, passionately!
ROB. As before?
ROSE. Why, of course!
ROB. My darling! (They embrace.)
RICH. Here, I say, belay!
ROSE. Oh, sir, belay, if it's absolutely necessary!
ROB. Belay? Certainly not!
FINALE
ROSE. When a man has been a naughty baronet, And expresses deep repentance and regret, You should help him, if you're able, Like the mousie in the fable, That's the teaching of my Book of Etiquette.
CHORUS. That's the teaching in her Book of Etiquette.
RICH. If you ask me why I do not pipe my eye, Like an honest British sailor, I reply, That with Zorah for my missis, There'll be bread and cheese and kisses, Which is just the sort of ration I enjye!
CHORUS. Which is just the sort of ration you enjye!
ROB. Having been a wicked baronet a week Once again a modest livelihood I seek. Agricultural employment Is to me a keen enjoyment, For I'm naturally diffident and meek!
DES. & MAR. Prompted by a keen desire to evoke All the blessed calm of matrimony's yoke, We shall toddle off tomorrow, From this scene of sin and sorrow, For to settle in the town of Basingstoke!
CHORUS. Prompted by a keen desire to evoke, etc.
ALL. For happy the lily, When kissed by the bee; But happier than any, A lover is, when he Embraces his bride!
CURTAIN.
