ACT II. Scene I.—Queen Victa's Dressing-room, Albor Castle. Arm-chair and Table covered with Account-books, R. Large Screen, L. Portrait of Albor, Map of Germany, &c., on walls. Time, 187—. But now, your Majesty, fetch'd from my bed, (Enter the Queen in her Dressing-gown, followed by Ladies of the Bedchamber, Maids of And sorely tried, I fain would sit me down. Honour, &c., all yawning.) Queen. Never ! Are you, too, tainted with the breath
Queen (to 1st Lady). Go, call my Minister, and
Of treason? An you're not, stand up ! [Minister rises. Lord K. ... I stand. (Aside.) (Tis ill-paid work to serve a Queen like
see he stays
Not in his coming ! Go, I say. Make hastel [Exit 1st Lady.
It seems ye know not, ladies, when we speak. (Aside.) Ah, yes, here, too, the traitrous stain hath
this.)
Your Majesty's commands? Queen.
spread.
Our very Maids of Honour whisper low The treason spouted by a wretched press; And say, “Ah, if our Queen would abdicate!—
-
Lord K. May I with loyal deference suggest I’m not the Princes' keeper ?
Ah, if she would but end her days in peace 1" Bah! Am I not a Guelph? Did Guelph e'er yield To common sense or counsel ? I'll reign on
Queen (anxiously). Some ill-found news.
Ah! you hide Say, quickly, where are
they
To spite them! I'll reign on to ruin trade 1 To paralyse the Court . To —
Lord K. If I might dare to guess, I'd say in bed.
(Enter Lord Klepto, the Minister in Attendance.
[Woise of footsteps without, and then a sound as of a human body falling over a bedroom
May it please
Lord K.
Where are our sons
candlestick.
Your Majesty, quick from my bed I come At your behest —what pressing matter is't That keeps your Majesty so long from sleep?.
Queen. List, what is that ?
Queen. From sleep, say you, my lord? I do
(Enter Prince Phleopold.)
not sleep.
Ah! whence springs’t thou ! Prince P. I come, good mother, please
Maid of Honour (aside). Nor has she pity on
From burning copiously the midnight oil, From striving to learn science, like papa, And from the varied studious pursuits Which great Dudizzy said I so much loved.
poor us, who do
Queen. We've much to say.
(Minister sits
down.) But first, my Lord, stand up ! To sit before your Queen | What treason's this?
Queen. Good boy Lord K.
Four hours
Come in, whoe'er
without !
to-night before your |-
And where is now my
eldest son 2
Royal face
I've stood; walked backwards; hid my gapes and
Prince P. I think, mamma, he went to bed at twelve.
yawns
Observed in full the etiquette you ask:
Queen. And Humphburgh P
