30
30
Fred In their natures they cherish ;
Ruth. And all who plot —
Kino. To abuse it shall perish.
All. Yes, all who plot
To abuse it shall perish ! Away! away! etc.
Ekeunt King and Ruth. Fred throws himself on a stone L,C
in blank despair. Enter Mabel.)
Regit. — Mabel.
All is prepared ; your gallant crew await yoa.
My Frederic in tears ? It cannot be
That lion heart quails at the coming conflict ?
No, Mabel, no. A terrible disclosure
Has just been made,
Mabel, my dearly-loved one,
I bound myself to serve the pirate captain
Until I reached my oue-and-twentieth Inrthday.
But you are twenty-one ?
I've just discovered
That I was born in leap-year, and that birthdaj
Will not be reached by me till 1940.
Mabel. Oh horrible ! catastrophe appalling !
Fred. And so farewell !
Mable. No, no ! Oh, Frederic, hear me !
Fred.
Mabel. Fred.
Mabel.
Frbd.
Mabel. Fred. Mabek Fred.
Duet. — Mab]<;l a7id Fred.
Stay, Frederic, stay 1 They have no legal claim. No shadoAv of a shame Will fall upon thy name.
Stay, Frederic, stay !
Nay, Mabel, nay ! To-night I quit these walls. The thought my soul appallfl, But when stern duty calls
I must obey !
Stay, Frederic, stay !
Nay, Mabel, nay! They have no claim. But duty's name ! The thought my soul apnaila, But when stern duty calls
I must obey !
