COPYRIGHT, IQiy, BY PERCY MACKAYE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published March IQI? mm Ttie-SHILOR THE MUSIC FOR THIS PHANTASY HAS BEEN COMPOSED BY 'FREDERICK S. ' CONVERSE m THE DESIGNS FOR THIS VOLUME HAVE BEEN MADE BY JOSEPH URBAN 86134G CHARACTERS OF THE PRELUDE A Charcoal-Burner His Daughter OF THE PHANTASY SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST CASCHEASCH, A Genie BOUL HABOUL, Captain of the Thieves BEAUTY THE PEACOCK LADY THE STATELY LADY Courtiers and Ladies of the Enchanted Court, The Forty Thieves, etc. SCENES PRELUDE In the deep mid-winter woods. (No curtain falls.) ACT FIRST: In the Garden of the Singing Rose-Tree. Toward evening. ACT SECOND : In the Castle of the Chiming Clock i Even ing to midnight. ACT THIRD : The Same : After midnight till sunrise. PRELUDE AND ACT FIRST Sinbad the Sailor PRELUDE In the deep forest it is snowing bard. Through bare, frozen boughs the wind blows, dreary and wild. Night is drawing on, and the spaces between the great trees are filled with dimness and the gray, driving storm. Struck by its cold fury, a thorn-tree crouches in the deep snow. It is old and stunted : at its heart the trunk is barkless and snapped off flat. About this tall stump scraggy boughs, with prickly leaves, writhe mournfully in the blast. Not far from the thorn-bush, a black Figure, bent over, comes plodding with slow, painful steps. It is a poor CHAR COAL-BURNER, blackened by his trade. He is wrapped in a threadbare mantle. With one hand he leans on a rude staff", to which is tied a little bundle ; with his other arm he sup ports the ragged form of a YOUNG GIRL. For a moment they struggle silently against the storm. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER >EAR God, dear God ! Our way is lost : lead us home ! For the night comes down. She is ill, my own poor child : she will die. The mouths Of the biting storm And the beasts of dark will devour us. Help ! Show us the way 4 SINE AD THE SAILOR To a warm home-fire. In this bitter wood Is nothing but fear and pain and weariness ! THE YOUNG GIRL Father dear, have you forgot All our stories true and old ? Always you have told me how In the wood where Beauty went Snow and ice and darkness turned To a garden, glad with flowers. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER Nay, those be dreams, dreamt in Arabian nights ! And lies ! No poor folks live in fairyland : Haroun Al Raschid is not God. [With a cry, as the young girl sinks down, overcome by the storm.~\ Dear child ! THE YOUNG GIRL Father, in that snowdrift, see ! A lady tall and beautiful : She waves her wand, and all the flakes Come round her head, like butterflies. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER [Trying to lift her.] Rise up ! The fever blinds ye. [He staggers and falls beside her.] Ah, dear God ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 5 THE YOUNG GIRL [Gazing into the falling snow, which begins to grow luminous.] She gives to every butterfly A little broom, to brush away The cobwebs of the storm ; and now In all the corners of the dark They shake the sunlight from their wings. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER [Praying.] Her soul is leaving, Lord ! Send her Thy grace ! THE YOUNG GIRL Look there ! all ivory and gold And crystal, carved with flowers are those The pillars of a portico ? THE CHARCOAL-BURNER Those be the trunks of frozen trees. THE YOUNG GIRL And yonder the great castle door ! \_A wild cry howls through the storm.] Hush ! Do you hear the Prince's voice So deep and kind ? THE CHARCOAL-BURNER A wolf is near. 6 SINBAD THE SAILOR THE YOUNG GIRL Oh, Daddy, do you smell that bush Of climbing roses ? In the midst There is a dial for the sun. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER Child, 't is a thorn-tree, shrunk and old. THE YOUNG GIRL But what are those, with tinkling bowls And silver sickles, coming out ? THE CHARCOAL-BURNER The icicles break in the wind. THE YOUNG GIRL They 're dancing round it and around ! Who are they ? THE CHARCOAL-BURNER Snowflakes and dead leaves. THE YOUNG GIRL Oh, hark ! What is the rose-tree singing ? THE CHARCOAL-BURNER The wind is moaning in the thorns. [From the thorn-tree floats elusive music and, as Father and Daughter sink further down, overwhelmed by the storm, soft, elfin voices sing /] A LYRIC PHANTASY 7 THE VOICES Trust not what seems : Lovely Truth transforms forever. Joy without her dreams Comes never never. [/ the midst of the sifting storm , the thorn-bush has become encircled by dancing, wraith-like forms. Then, with gradual transformation, the thorn-bush begins to bloom, revealing itself as a climbing rose-tree, in the centre of which is a sun-dial. The Dancing Forms are those who are singing :] Take not to task Time, that Love is oft ill-spoken Till his ugly mask , Lies broken broken. \_The snow has become rainbow-colored, then disappears wholly, revealing the forest transformed into a radiant, oriental garden, blossoming with flowers, stately with terraces and the carved pillars of arcades at the back. On the left, a main path leads to the gigantic closed door of a castle. In the centre of this door glares a huge Knocker, grotesquely designed, in brass and precious stones, like a human face. On the right edge of the scene, however, the snow still falls, and the dim, frozen forest overhangs and forms a gray, silvery background to the sunny bloom of the garden. SINBAD THE SAILOR There in the snow still lie the CHARCOAL-BURNER and his DAUGHTER. Near the centre of the space of bloom, the twelve Dancing, Wraith-like Forms now transmuted, no longer clad in their snowflake draperies are robed in rose-color. In their hands six of them bear shining silver sickles, which they wave to their motion, while the other six carry shallow, round opium-bowls of burnished copper, which blaze like miniature suns. From these they scat ter rose-petals, as they circle the rose-bowered dial, in their song:~\ All that takes breath In the lap of change reposes : Deep in the heart of Death Are roses roses. ACT FIRST During the final transformation of the scene, the Dancing Forms complete their song. While it is ceasing, the YOUNG GIRL in the snow slowly raises her head, gazes at the but terfly-winged Forms of the Dancers, and rising runs toward them in wonderment. THE YOUNG GIRL HE butterflies ! The butterflies ! she crosses the dividing line between the wintry forest and the blooming garden, the GIRL'S rags drop from her, and she enters the garden clad in a lovely dress of oriental color and design. Simultaneously, the twelve Dancing Forms vanish into the rose-bower. Looking for them, she stands bewildered.] Where are they gone ? Where have we come ? Oh, Daddy, see the garden see The poppies and the peonies, The dial, and the castle door! It must be where the dear God dwells. Come, come, and see ! [The CHARCOAL-BURNER rises in the snow and moves to ward her. As he crosses the frozen line, his black rags, too, fall away, and he enters the garden clothed gorgeously as an ori ental Sailor, with black beard curled and bristling eye- 10 SINBAD THE SAILOR brows raised blithely above his broad, ingratiating smile. He wears prodigious boots of many-colored morocco, with curling toe-points and wide, flanging tops. Staring at him, the YOUNG GIRL starts back] Why, who are you ? Where is my father? THE SAILOR In his boots, My dear : Behold him in his boots ! THE YOUNG GIRL [Drawing back, as he thrusts forward a booted leg.] Dear me ! THE SAILOR What ! don't you know your Dad ? Pray, let me introduce myself: Sinbad the Sailor, and your servant, Beauty, my daughter! THE YOUNG GIRL Beauty ! I ? SINBAD Look at your clothes ! [Flicking off* some black rags, which still cling to her gar- ments and his own] Our rag cocoons Are burst, and we are butterflies ! A LYRIC PHANTASY II BEAUTY [Rapturously examining her clothes.] All silk and gold ! Oh, beautiful ! And was I Beauty all the while, And you, dear Daddy, Sinbad ? SINBAD Zooks, We can't be always caterpillars. [Tossing the rags into the snow] We're done with dirty chrysalises. BEAUTY [Fingering her dress, and lifting its folds.] Oh, beads and lace and broider'd sleeves, And shoes of pearl, and silken hose ! SINBAD Parade dress goes with garden parties. BEAUTY Oh, will there be a party here ? Where are we ? SINBAD By my weather eye, Undoubtedly this is the garden Of some enchanted castle. Look! Yon frozen shell of winter round us Is cracked, and we, like happy scallops, 12 SINE AD THE SAILOR Live on the rosy hollow side In pearly sunshine. BEAUTY Who has been So kind to save us from the storm ? Who keeps this garden, Daddy ? SINBAD Soft! Soft ! Let me smell the wind awhile ! I will discover. [SINBAD moves among the flowers, smelling now one, now another, with smiling grimaces ; then, holding his nose high, with his forefinger placed now on this side, now on that, he inhales prodigious sniffs. BEAUTY follows him, watching wonder-eyed. He approaches the castle door.] By Nardoun ! Hello ! Here seems a likely fellow. BEAUTY \Drawing back.] Oh, what an ugly door-knocker! SINBAD He knows a thing or two, I '11 bet. [He salaams before the Knocker.] Baba Abdallah, may your shadow Never be less ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 13 BEAUTY [Horrified.] Oh, look! Oh, look! [The Knocker slowly extends a long, brass tongue. ] SINBAD Your shadow increases, Baba, I see! Who is your master ? Is he at home ? [ One of the Knocker's jewelled eyes slowly closes, with a lid of veined marble, and opens again.] BEAUTY [Pulling at SINBAD'S sleeve.] Please come away ! SINBAD Don't be afraid ; That was his left eye : We 're in luck ! [To the Knocker. ] May we presume to rap you, sir? [The long, extended tongue of the Knocker lolls slowly down ward, and hangs invitingly.] Now that 's the way to talk ! [SiNBAD reaches up, but, standing on his tiptoes, cannot reach the Knocker.] I say, That 's just a bit above the heads Of common folks. Come down a peg! 14 SINBAD THE SAILOR [To BEAUTY.] They 're monstrous high and mighty here ! I '11 have to lift you up to him. BEAUTY Not me! No, Daddy, no ! SINBAD Hut-tut ! \The forehead of the Knocker wrinkles down-ward^ You hurt his feelings. Look, he frowns. A king's door-slave must be obeyed. Come, Beauty dear, be brave and kind ! [SiNBAD sings :] A kind heart is a gentle thing, And being gentle needs be brave : Its gentleness subdues a king, Its courage rules a slave. Then she whose gentle heart is kind, . Though tongue of brass may shock her, Yet heart of gold may lurk behind : So, Beauty, mind the knocker ! BEAUTY [Sings:] A wry face is a dreadful thing, And being dreadful needs be wrong : It makes the soul to droop its wing, The heart to lose its song. A LYRIC PHANTASY 15 Then she who shuns an ugly face Whose dreadful features mock her, Why should she look for lurking grace ? Why should she mind the knocker ? SINBAD Come, daughter, duty bids you do it. At castle doors and human hearts No one can know who does n't knock. [He lifts her in his arms. The cheeks of the Knocker wrinkle upward.] BEAUTY \_Shrinking back.] His dreadful tongue ! SINBAD He licks your hand ! Look how he grins ! BEAUTY What must I do? SINBAD Press down his tongue : Make him say Ah ! Then all is well. BEAUTY \Fearfully to the Knocker .] Please, sir, say Ah ! \With quick, timorous reach, BEAUTY touches the long 1 6 SIN BAD THE SAILOR tongue, rapping it once against the brass chin. Instantly a deep, metallic moan reverberates within, and a long- drawn sigh echoes, as through hollow chambers of brass, the wistful syllable Ah-h ! BEAUTY listens, awe struck^ Hush ! did you hear ? What sighed so sad ? SINBAD You touched his heart. I told you so. Now knock once more. [BEAUTY does so. The sigh is repeated more deeply^ Three times for luck ! [Timidly, BEAUTY knocks a third time. A deep, groaning sigh resounds, and the solid door begins to move slowly upward. BEAUTY drops to the ground from SINBAD'S arms, and starts feat.] BEAUTY Oh, see, see ! What is coming now ? \Holding SINBAD'S hand, she moves slowly backward with him, staring where the great door majestically rises like a portcullis, the Knocker as he disappears above drawing in bis tongue, and closing his eyes with up- rolled underlids. Through the door space is visible a stately passage, with walls of many-hued mosaic. Along this passage to the music of unseen instruments glides silently outward into the garden a blue marble A LYRIC PHANTASY I/ Table, upheld by the wings of sculptured Griffins and laid ', for two, with dishes of gold, laden with dishes of colored fruits, truffled birds, candies, and appetizing dainties. The legs of the four marble Griffins move sinuously the two left-hand Griffins backing on to the scene with hunching, pardlike motion as, slow and smooth, the Table follows SINBAD and BEAUTY, who back away before it, as far as the centre of the garden. Here, as they pause, it pauses.] SINBAD By Camaralzaman ! a feast ! BEAUTY \Very low.] Is it alive ? It moved its legs ! SINBAD Enchanted tables always walk ! [Stuffing.] Selah! At last I smell a smell. Come now, let 's eat. BEAUTY Don't go too near ! [Pointing.] What are they ? SINBAD Griffins! 1 8 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY [Timidly, as the Griffins roll their jewelled eyes at her.] Won't they bite ? SINBAD No more than lapdogs. Here, be quiet ! [Picking up two small truffled birds from a plate, he feeds them to the Griffins, who open their marble jaws and swallow the birds, relapsing into rigidity. SINBAD then takes a roast bird in his own fingers and begins to eat it, smacking his lips.] A nightingale ! Ha ! Help yourself. BEAUTY [Drawing near, tastes of the confections.] Oh, candied cherries sugared quince ! [Lifting a little crystal cup.] And what is this some wine ? SINBAD [Examining it.] Now, by My sage experience, this is Some of the famous Golden Water. BEAUTY What's that? A LYRIC PHANTASY 19 SINBAD Real Golden Water, child, Always goes with a Singing Tree And a Talking Bird. BEAUTY Is it good to drink ? SINBAD This glassful here will make a fountain.. BEAUTY A fountain ? SINBAD Look! \He holds the tiny cup above a great golden bowl in the centre of the table, and empties it into the bowl. Immediately, from the bowl, there gushes up a fountain radiant with golden lights. Leaping in the air it continues to play, its waters falling back into the bowl.] BEAUTY How wonderful! SINBAD Oh, no : on all true tipping-tables It 's quite the thing as a centre-piece. But look ! [From the castle there glides forth a gorgeous divan. Upon 20 SINBAD THE SAILOR it are lying garments of bright-colored silk and jewelled ornaments^ A magic wardrobe : just The style ! BEAUTY Oh, Daddy Sinbad gold And silk ! What a pretty pelerine ! Oh, goody, goody ! SINBAD \JLifting a heap of gleaming gold and jewels from a casket and letting them slip through his fingers^ Here are rings And bracelets BEAUTY All for me ? SINBAD Of course ! \Helping her on with a silken mantle .] So! Now I'll try a dinner jacket. \JrLe rummages among the silks and finds a resplendent ori ental garment which he dons, while BEAUTY, looking about for a finishing touch to her toilet, spies the rose- tree and goes to /'/.] BEAUTY [Exclaiming.] Oh, Daddy, see the climbing rose, And in the centre a sun-dial ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 21 * SINBAD Take care, there, where you cast your shadow. BEAUTY [ Unheeding.] A rose ! I '11 pick a rose and pin it Here ! Then my dress will be perfection ! [As she reaches to pluck one of the roses, a Voice from within the bush sings.] THE VOICE Beware ! BEAUTY [Startled.'] Who sings ? THE VOICE Beware ! SINBAD Aha ! What said I ? Singing Tree Always grows by Golden Water. BEAUTY Just one red rose ! [She touches the rose. The Voice sings shrilly] THE VOICE Beware ! [BEAUTY draws back, with a sharp cry] Oh, dear, Oh, dear ! It pricked my thumb. 22 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD [Looking up.~\ What's that? BEAUTY It hurts ; it bleeds ! - SINBAD [Coming to her hastily.] Quick, let me see ! Your thumb ? BEAUTY [Showing it] A drop of blood ! SINBAD What luck!- Here, here, don't suck it ! BEAUTY [Fearfully] Will I die? SINBAD Red blood ! And on your thumb superb ! Now, by the pricking of this thumb, Something strange our way shall come ! [He takes from his boot a great jewelled dagger] A LYRIC PHANTASY 2$ BEAUTY [Shrinking back.] Oh, who is coming? What is that? SIN BAD My dagger. Put it on the point. BEAUTY Put what ? SINBAD The blood ; the precious drop ! Be careful : on the very tip. [He holds her thumb , and carefully detaches the drop upon the dagger's point, which he then holds before him and sniffs triumphantly.] Aha ! The scent of bloody gore Reeks to my expert soul once more ! BEAUTY [Gazing at SINBAD, who begins to write upon the air with his dagger's point] Daddy, what will you do ? SINBAD With this Will I discover what we seek : Cite, summon, invocate, incant The enchantress of the Singing Tree. Soon we shall see who rules this place. 24 SINBAD THE SAILOR [Stooping^ on the space before the rose-tree, SINBAD draws in the earth with the handle of his dagger a circle, in the centre of which he sticks the dagger, handle down wards, in the earth. Going then to the golden fountain, be scoops some of the water into a golden dish, which he hands to BEAUTY to hold, while he sprinkles from it upon the dagger's point, standing outside the circle, about which he dances, with great, booted strides and skips, while he sings at the end of each verse sa laaming to the dagger :] Golden Water, wax and flood Drop of virgin Beauty's blood ! Egg of roc and griffin's claw, Hatch in wonder, hold in awe, Codadad, Deryabar, Zobeide, Schemselnihar ! Singing Tree, with song dispart Drop of virgin Beauty's heart ! Caliph, Genie, Calendar, Bring with music, blaze with star, Medinas, Benihalal, Cogia Hassan Alhabbal ! Talking Bird, bid Time make whole Drop of virgin Beauty's soul ! Hashish, Banja, Hebanon, Summon here the Secret One ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 2$ Schahariar, Schahzenan, Cascheash, Camaralzaman ! \JWitb SINE AD'S final salaam, there bursts from the top of the rose-tree a little shining cloud of butterflies, white and gold, in the midst of which rises, out of the sun dial, the form of a beautiful and stately Lady, calm- browed and clad in rose-color. Above her head she wears a golden disc. In her hand she holds a silver sickle. BEAUTY stares and drops her bowl.] THE STATELY LADY Who calls the Stately Lady from her calm ? SINBAD ^Prostrating himself.] Sinbad the Sailor, her obsequious slave. [Nudging BEAUTY with his foot.] Salaam ! [BEAUTY prostrates herself.] Don't stare : it 's impolite. THE STATELY LADY [To BEAUTY.] Who art thou ? BEAUTY Beauty. 26 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD So please your Highness ! [Grimacing to BEAUTY.] . Always say, So please your Highness ! BEAUTY Oh ! So please your Highness ! THE STATELY LADY Beauty, why did you touch my sacred rose ? BEAUTY It looked so pretty. SINBAD [/ a deep voice.] Please your Highness ! BEAUTY [In haste.] Please Your Highness ! THE STATELY LADY Child, you know not what you do. It is my rose-tree you have made to bleed. Its sap is beauty's life-blood and it blooms In the heart of time. Who plucks at beauty's life Beware, beware my thorn ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 2J SINBAD She will beware BEAUTY [/ panic as SINBAD frowns and moves his lips-] So please your Highness ! THE STATELY LADY Rise! [SINBAD and BEAUTY get to their feet BEAUTY following SINBAD'S actions minutely] Sinbad the Sailor, You are a man of sage experience. SINBAD [Smiling broadly.] You do me proud, Sultana. THE STATELY LADY You survive Proudly your seven voyages. SINBAD [Salaaming] Praised be Allah! THE STATELY LADY Therefore I count upon you to instruct Your daughter with your wisdom. Promise me, That she shall never more molest my rose-tree ! 28 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD By Cascheasch, King of Genies, Stately Lady, I swear. BEAUTY I swear too, Stately Lady, by THE STATELY LADY [Holding out her sickle] By this, my silver sickle, swear ! BEAUTY [Touching the sickle.] I swear By this your silver sickle ! THE STATELY LADY [Hanging the sickle on the dial.] That is well ; So here I leave my sickle for a pledge : My son and I have long awaited you And you are welcome to our home. Enjoy The Golden Water, hark to the Singing Tree, But do not harm it, greet the Talking Bird, But do not take her counsel. Learn of all, But do not be misled by ugliness Or fooled by finery. Trust not what seems ! [The cloud of butterflies closes about her head, and she van ishes within the dial] A LYRIC PHANTASY 29 BEAUTY {With awe.] Oh, is she gone ? Why did she go ? How beautiful and wise she was ! SINBAD [Nonchalant.] Enchantresses are all like that. BEAUTY She said her son and she had long Awaited us. What did she mean ? Where is her son ? SINBAD By Abou Ayoub, Here comes the Talking Bird : we will Inquire. [From within the corridor of the castle comes a sound as of chattering jays and screaming parrots , and against the mosaic is seen approaching a preening Female, clothed in blue-greens and purples. Her plumed head, with beaked forehead and bright, slant eyes, strangely resembles a peacock's ; her glistening gar ment is overlaid with staring irises of peacock tails, and swishes the blue marble floor with feathery fringes. Escorting her, two little Apes, in livery, bear trays, on which are crimson and green decanters and crystal goblets. As they draw nearer, the PEACOCK LADY sidles and 30 SINE AD THE SAILOR preens, perking and slanting her face ingratiatingly, while her bow-legged attendants bow low, looping up their tails behind them.] BEAUTY [Gazing.] Is that a bird? SINBAD Just listen ! \_As the PEACOCK LADY cocks her beaked profile toward them, the chatter and scolding of birds make babble from within the castle, while she speaks.] THE PEACOCK LADY 1 Free pree pree pretty, pretty, Beau Beau Beau Beauty, Beauty, Gree gree gree greet-greet greeting ! BEAUTY [Curtsying shyly] How do you do ! [70 SINBAD.] Why, how she stutters! 1 In the Peacock Lady's "stuttering" speeches, the first three measures of each verse-line are comparatively slow and cooingly stressed, the last two increasing in rapidity with a twittering stac cato, which at times when she is angry or excited becomes a birdlike scream. A LYRIC PHANTASY 31 THE PEACOCK LADY \_Perking and bowing to them both.] We we we we we Entrea trea trea entreat, entreat You you to drink, to drink, to drink! SINBAD [Bowing.] Your Lady-Birdship is most bounteous. BEAUTY [Staring] Thanks ! [To SINBAD.] Can't she stop her stammering? SINBAD Hush ! That 's her little way of lisping To be ladylike : Don't notice it. She '11 slow up soon when she gets easy. THE PEACOCK LADY [To SINBAD.] Goo goo goo goo good Sirrah, sirrah, sirrah, wo-wo won't you Take a jug, take a jug ? SINBAD Is this for both ? 32 SINE AD THE SAILOR THE PEACOCK LADY {Shrilly.} Each each each each of you, each of you. SINBAD {Helping himself to a decanter .] I '11 try this one. BEAUTY {Drawing back from one of the Apes, who extends to her his tray, speaks to SINBAD.] Why do they tie their tails in loops ? SINBAD That 's just their way of aping beaus ! {To the PEACOCK LADY.] Your Goo-goo-ship, this glass I quaff To your bright eyes ! THE PEACOCK LADY {Preening. ~^ You are too witty, sirrah, too witty, too witty ! SINBAD Too witty ! How so ? THE PEACOCK LADY To wit, sirrah, to wit : too witty to woo ! Tut, tut! Too witty to woo, 's too wise to wed. {She taps him coquettishly with her beakJ\ A LYRIC PHANTASY 33 SINBAD [Bowing away backward, speaks aside to BEAUTY.] Allah! what a bird! She pecks me up Like breakfast food. Look out for her; She is the local villainess. [Salaaming solemnly to the BIRD.] Lady Your most obedient early-worm ! THE PEACOCK LADY Chee chee chee cheer up, cheer up I won't gobble you! Drink your jug of juice up. [She swishes past him. SINBAD takes this opportunity to re treat between the two Apes and help himself to drink from right and left. The PEACOCK LADY squeezes BEAUTY'S arm ingratiatingly and leads her away toward the rose-tree^ Coo coo could you could you walk a little ? BEAUTY [Goes with misgiving, looking back toward SINBAD, who is busied with the decanters.] Please : are we going far ? THE PEACOCK LADY Just to the roses; Have n't you had one ? Hush ! I '11 tell you a secret I really do not stutter. 34 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY Oh! THE PEACOCK LADY I merely Pretend to please the men-folks ! BEAUTY Oh! THE PEACOCK LADY Yes : really I 'm not a peacock lady : I 'm a princess ! BEAUTY Oh! THE PEACOCK LADY Only I wear this face to charm the men-folks. Men like us to be birds and wear fine feathers. You saw how dazzled he was ! BEAUTY Who? THE PEACOCK LADY \Glancing back.] Poor Sinbad ! But I 'm so tickled you have come, my dear ; Our Prince will lose his heart to you ! You 're just Perfect ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 35 BEAUTY Where is the Prince ? THE PEACOCK LADY You want to see him ? BEAUTY [Eagerly.] Please, yes ! When will he come ? THE PEACOCK LADY He cannot come Till you have cut one of his roses. BEAUTY [Draw ing back] Oh, But I have promised THE PEACOCK LADY Ah, then, very well : I see you never want to meet the Prince ! BEAUTY Please, but I do ! THE PEACOCK LADY Then you must cut a rose. BEAUTY Is that the only way ? 36 SINBAD THE SAILOR THE PEACOCK LADY The only way ! That 's why the Stately Lady left her sickle [Lifting the sickle from where it hangs, she offers it to BEAUTY.] Come ! just one rose : then you will see the Prince ! You '11 hurt his feelings if you don't take one. [Moving the bough of the rose-tree near to BEAUTY.] BEAUTY [Gazing at the rose on the branch, which the PEACOCK. LADY offers enticingly.] I would n't like to hurt the Prince's feelings He was so kind to save us from the storm. And then, besides, it will be so becoming. [She takes the sickle from the PEACOCK LADY.] *T is such a pretty rose ! [She raises the sickle to cut. From the rose-tree the voice of the STATELY LADY sings. BEAUTY draws back, listening.] THE VOICE Once was a girl in a garden, Naked and wild and free; She asked no leave or pardon : She plucked of an apple-tree. Though an angel there Cried out : Beware! A LYRIC PHANTASY 37 She broke of the apple-tree : And a sword sprang out, And a sword sprang out, And pierced her mortally. BEAUTY Who is singing ? THE PEACOCK LADY No one is singing. Cut the rose. BEAUTY [Raising the sickle.] It is a lovely rose. [She cuts off the rose with the sickle. Instantly it turns white, its green leaves become silvery, and the spray which she holds in her hand droops with glittering icicles. BEAUTY drops the sickle, holding the white rose, ap palled.'] Alas ! it freezes. Look, 't is white ! [From within the castle resounds a deep and terrible roar: "Ai! The rose!"] Ah, me! What voice is that? [The PEACOCK. LADY hurries toward SINBAD, who at the cry has thrown away his glass in consternation, while the two little Apes drop their trays in alarm, and jump upon the table.] 38 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD Haroun Al Raschid ! What has happened ? BEAUTY [Poignantly .] Frozen ! 'T is frozen, dead ! THE VOICE WITHIN THE CASTLE [ Awfully^ A-i-! Ah oof \Along the great corridor comes striding a terrifying crea ture. He wears a long purple gown ; bis head is shaped like a beast's ; through his hair shaggy like a lion's mane peep two pointed horns; his face is human, but huge and malformed in feature. His hands are hairy, and clawed, and he clutches them, brandishing long arms, as he strides into the garden, roaring ;] The rose ! The rose ! BEAUTY [Screaming, rushes toward SINBAD.] Daddy, what 's that ? BEAST [Roaring toward them.] Restore the rose ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 39 SINBAD [Catching sight of BEAST, seizes one of the Apes bodily from the table, and holds it in front of him, sinking on his knees in terror J\ Illabousastrous ! Allah preserve us ! BEAST [Seizes the chattering Ape, and burls it away, glaring at SINBAD and at BEAUTY, who is hiding behind him.~\ My mother's rose ! The enchanted rose ! Who dares to steal her magic rose? SINBAD [Furtively reaching for his dagger. ~\ By Kosrouschah ! He '11 swallow us ! BEAST Touch not the knife : I am the Prince. BEAUTY [Peering over SINBAD'S shoulder.] The Prince ! Ah, me, are you the Prince ! THE PEACOCK LADY [Who has flustered past them to the castle door, screams back shrilly.] Cree-cree-cree creat-creatures, I '11 chee-chee-cheat cheat you all, cheat you all ! [Snapping her small black eyes, she swishes into the castle. and 40 SINBAD THE SAILOR disappears. From the table and the path, the little Apes leap) with tails on end, and scamper after her.] BEAST [To BEAUTY.] Why have you broke the vow you swore Upon the sickle ? BEAUTY 'Twas the Bird SINBAD It was the Bird, most beauteous Prince ! BEAST Beauteous ? Mock not ! My name is Beast ; I am the Stately Lady's son ; From yonder castle hall I watch To guard my mother's sacred rose. BEAUTY Spare us, Lord Beast ! SINBAD Great Sultan, spare us ! BEAST Spare ye ? Have I not saved you both ! [//i? points to the wall of winter surrounding them.~\ Behold the frozen forest boughs, The falling sleet, the numbing storm, A LYRIC PHANTASY 41 The sculptured walls of Death ! 'T was I Who saved you from that bitter wood To bask in dreams and bloom of flowers. BEAUTY Oh, yes, it was so good of you. BEAST Heard ye not my voice in the storm ? BEAUTY Oh, yes, I heard. 'T was deep and kind. BEAST Heard ye not how I sighed within My castle yonder, when you knocked On the great door ? BEAUTY Oh, yes, I heard. 'T was deep and sad. BEAST Ye wretched ones, Why have you done me, then, this wrong ? SINBAD It was the Bird the Peacock Lady ! BEAST Thy spirit crawls, thou cringing slave ! It was thyself which art to blame ! 42 SINBAD THE SAILOR For thou didst drink the Peacock's wine While Beauty cut the rose. Oh, shame ! Begone ! I banish thee alone Back to the bitter wood. Begone ! SINBAD [Prostrating himself.] Celestial Sultan, spare thy slave ! BEAUTY Oh, spare him, gentle Beast. He is My father ! [Pausing in his fierceness^ BEAST gazes at her. His face changes and becomes wistful.'} BEAST Dost thou call me gentle And plead for him ? Oh, gentler Beauty, Thy voice restores my soul to me. He is forgiven. [He motions SINBAD to rise.~\ Ah, but the rose ! [Sings.] Who shall restore the fair, fair rose That 's faded, When bitter fate hath plucked and froze And frayed it ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 43 How shall cold joy be quickened, how Un jaded ? Oh, Beauty, Beauty, only thou Can aid it ! BEAUTY [Sings.] Oh, how can Beauty help at all What Beauty's hand hath ravished? Oh, rather let these petals fall Than cling, so white and dead ! Alas, when lovely life is fled, How may Beauty lift the pall ? BEAST Perhaps she only sleeps the rose Which Beauty's hand hath ravished : Perhaps her frozen leaves enclose A heart rose-warm and red. Ah then, if we are cold instead, Time, the Stately Lady, knows ! BEAUTY, BEAST, AND SINBAD [Sing together.] O sleep, O death, O frozen rose Which Beauty's hand hath ravished ! If love be dreaming or be dead, Time, the Stately Lady, knows ! 44 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST Come, Beauty, will you follow me? My mother shall reveal to you How to revive her frozen rose. BEAUTY Lord Beast, I 've broke the vow I swore And that, I know, is very bad. So I would follow blinding storm, And black night and the bitter world, To make this rose to bloom again. So I will follow even you. BEAST A-i ! Am I so ugly then ? BEAUTY Yes, you are very ugly, Beast. BEAST ^Yearningly .~\ Oh, look again ! For long, long years I have awaited you. O Beauty, Cannot you see ? Cannot you see ? BEAUTY \Sbrinking from him.] I see that you are terrible. A LYRIC PHANTASY 45 BEAST [Bow s bis head) shuddering, then speaks with princely authority] Follow me where my mother waits, And bring the rose before her throne. The Stately Lady knows us all ! [He goes into the castle] BEAUTY [Frightened, to SINBAD.] Oh, Daddy Sinbad, please go first And open all the awful doors And see what hides behind them ? [She motions him before her into the corridor.] Go! SINBAD [With a flourish] By Nardoun ! If there be a thousand Knockers, I '11 press the tongues of all, Till they say " Ah ! " Follow me, Beauty ! [He treads stealthily forward and disappears within. As be does so, the great castle door begins very slowly to descend] BEAUTY [Watching it, appalled] Ah, see ! The horrid Knocker comes To shut me in the hall with Beast. 46 SINBAD THE SAILOR Dear garden flowers, good-bye ! Good-bye, Bright Golden Water, Singing-Tree ! I know not if I '11 see you more ! The J^se is freezing in my hand; Behind the door 't is growing dark ; I know not where I go Good-bye ! \Eeneath the moving half-lowered door, from which above her head the awful Knocker, through unroll ing eyelids, stares down at her, BEAUTY glides fear fully into the darkening corridor, and disappears behind the still slow-descending door.] CURTAIN ACT SECOND ACT SECOND A hall in the Enchanted Castle, ample and oriental in splendor : the deep blue ceiling is arched with domes and sup ported by columns. Between two of these, at back (right cen tre}, on a painted wall-panel reaching to the floor, is the Portrait of a young Prince. On the right is a throne of blue and green marble, en- wreathed with a sculptured rose-vine. On this is seated a carved female Figure, half veiled, supporting with uplifted hands (like a Caryatid] a cloudy crystal sphere. Near the Portrait (at back, right] a rich divan. Above this, a window of stained glass, its centre being in design a great rose. At right and left door-ways. At left of centre, the hall stretches back as a colonnade of rich-hued pillars. At the far end of this receding passage hangs a silk tapestry curtain, lighted by one hanging lamp. When the scene opens, this lamp casts the only gleam through the mysterious hall. By its flickering glow, on the mosaic floor of the colonnade, is discernible a vague Figure, creeping with hands and knees on its belly. Slowly, squat like a turtle, it wriggles forward, pausing suddenly as a female voice warbles low, outside (on the left]. THE VOICE FROM THE LEFT IRROUWEE ! \_Raising its head to listen, the dim Figure whistles a low warble in answer ; then, scrambling to its feet, starts to 50 SINE AD THE SAILOR tiptoe off left, as the voice of the STATELY LADY from the right sings close by.] THE VOICE FROM THE RIGHT Sinbad ! [The figure of SINBAD pauses, with a startled gesture, but begins to move off hurriedly, as the warbling sound is heard again on the left.~\ THE VOICE FROM THE LEFT Wirrouwoo ! THE VOICE FROM THE RIGHT Sinbad, be not beguiled ! SINBAD [/ a scared voice.] Which one are you ? THE VOICE FROM THE RIGHT Behold my face. [ The cloudy sphere of the throne begins to glow with a radi ance that vaguely lights the sculptured Figure which holds it, while above the large sphere there appears gleam ing in the air a small sickle moon. The glow of these reveals more plainly the hall, and the figure of SINBAD.] SINBAD [Aghast.] Moon-Lady, is your eye on me ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 5 1 THE VOICE Beware the Peacock's Bower ! SINBAD Your slave Bewares. THE VOICE Return to Beauty ! Guide Her steps, and ope my thousand doors. SINBAD Most slender Moon, your slave obeys. [SINBAD rises, quaking, and mutters low.] Now, Sinbad : Beauty or the Bird ? [y/j he moves a few steps along the colonnade, low bells be gin to chime from the throne. Glancing back SINBAD beholds the crystal sphere fading and the sickle moon vanished. Turning on his heel, he hurries stealthily off, left. Then, as the sphere fades to its former cloudy sheen, the Por trait in its frame begins to glow, till the painting of the young Prince quivers with life and color. Soon his eyes look toward the throne, his lips part, and he speaks. ,] THE PORTRAIT Lady! [0 the throne the half-veiled figure of the Caryatid turns her face toward the Portrait and speaks with the voice of the STATELY LADY.] 52 SINBAD THE SAILOR THE CARYATID My son. THE PORTRAIT Mother THE CARYATID Speak, Florimond. THE PORTRAIT Has Beauty come ? THE CARYATID Not yet. THE PORTRAIT Far down the hall Do you not see her shadow yet ? THE CARYATID Not yet. THE PORTRAIT Perchance she tarries in the garden still. I fear my dreadful shape- offended her And my harsh outcry, roaring for the rose. THE CARYATID She broke her vow. THE PORTRAIT Teleme, the vain Bird, Beguiled her: that false wight who once beguiled A LYRIC PHANTASY 53 Even me, your son, till you enchanted us, And changed her to a Peacock for her pride. THE VOICE OF THE PEACOCK LADY [Sings outside.] Wirrouwoo ! Tirrouwee ! Cheet, cheet ! THE PORTRAIT Hark, yonder, where she crakes within her bower. Oh, mother, lift this stern enchantment from me ! Why have you hung my heart's true image here And made my heart to wear a hideous mask? THE CARYATID To test the heart of Beauty and your own, That ye may both love truth more than yourselves, And trust no more what seems. THE PORTRAIT Yet for one day ! For one day, set my prisoned spirit free To worship Beauty and to win her heart ! THE CARYATID One hour, in all my day, I still allow For your imprisoned soul to wander free : The hour of mortal dreams the midnight hour. THE PORTRAIT Ah, me, at midnight hour, what visions bright Of Beauty have I dreamed, yet still in vain ! The clock still tolls your chime, and all grows dark. 54 SINBAD THE SAILOR [Sings.] Alone at midnight hour, In the pallid noon of dreams, My spirit awakes in power And walks on the wan moonbeams : For Beauty without a name I burst from my mortal frame, On a lover's secret quest Of the fair and holiest. THE CARYATID [Sings.] Alone at midnight hour My spirit walks with thine, And the world unfolds like a flower, And a wonder fills like wine The rose of the world with flame, For Beauty without a name In a land love only knows Holds to her heart the rose. BOTH Alone at midnight hour My spirit walks with thine ! THE PORTRAIT In the pallid noon of dreams I call upon Beauty's name, Where her soul in the wild moonbeams Stands naked without shame : A LYRIC PHANTASY 55 O Beauty that art divine, Reveal thy name ! Be mine ! - For thy love the wonder glows In the heart of the red world-rose ! THE CARYATID In the pallid noon of dreams Alas for love's mortal quest ! For the beauty which only seems Must fade from the loveliest, And the beauty without a name Shall pluck from the rose her flame, When the dark enchanted tower Chimes the lone midnight hour. BOTH In the pallid noon of dreams Alas for love's mortal quest ! THE VOICE OF THE PEACOCK LADY [Outside.] Tirrouwee ! Wirrouwoo ! Chug, chug ! THE PORTRAIT Mother ! THE CARYATID Hush, Florimond ! I hear once more Teleme, the proud Bird. Before she comes, You must resume your wonted form of Beast. Till midnight hour you must be dumb and dark. 56 SINBAD THE SAILOR THE PORTRAIT No, mother, no ! THE CARYATID My son, it is my will. Now fade, bright Florimond, and Beast, come forth ! THE PORTRAIT Ah! Ah! \With brow contracted in a spasm of grief \ the PORTRAIT utters a soft, crying moan, which, as its high-pitched modulation falls, grows deeply guttural as the harsh groan of BEAST.] BEAST A-i! A-i! [v/r the glowing form of FLORIMOND fades to his painted likeness in the picture, the form of BEAST, clothed like the Portrait, steps out of the frame, in the dimness, and stands shuddering before the STATELY LADY.] BEAST lo! lo! Once more the horrible voice speaks in my throat, And makes my heart grow sick to hear : Once more The hairy fingers and the hideous feet ! Oh, mother, mother, is this thy Florimond Whose image hangs so calm and silent there ? Can yonder be the portrait of poor Beast, A LYRIC PHANTASY 57 Your son, who lifts these clawed hands to your throne In prayer for pity ! THE CARYATID Peace, dear son. To me, Thy mother, thou art always Florimond. BEAST But ah, to Beauty I am merely Beast ! May I not tell her what I really am: [Pointing to the Portrait.] Show her that face, and say : Z0, there am // THE CARYATID It would be vain : till Beauty learns to love She never would believe. BEAST But, will she learn To love, and to forgive my ugliness ? [He sings.~\ If Beauty learns to love, Will she forgive Those gestures rude and gruff That made her grieve : Those tones that made her tremble, Those features, that dissemble The soul's diviner stuff? Ah, will she leave $8 SINBAD THE SAILOR His grossness, and discover The kindness of her lover ? If Beauty learns to love, Will she believe ? THE CARYATID [Sings.] When Beauty learns to love, She will not ask For lover's sighs, or take Dark looks to task : When dreadful tones entreat her, Her heart will deem them sweeter, And for the wearer's sake Hold dear the mask. Though Beast should bend above her In likeness of her lover, Still only, Dost thou love ? Will Beauty ask. THE PEACOCK LADY [Enters left, perked with overweening pleasure.] Tirrouwoo ! Wirrouwee ! Jug, jug ! [Seeing the STATELY LADY, she assumes at once a drooping air, to which the inflated loopings of her irised robe respond by flattening smoothly, while she pauses with sad hesitancy, and commiserating voice.] Sultana ! Sultana ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 59 THE CARYATID [Nods majestically.] Teleme ! THE PEACOCK LADY [Drawing nearer.] I bring you my sympathy, gracious Sultana, to hear what has happened. Ah, tsuh, tsuh, tsuh, tsuh ! What a pity ! THE CARYATID What grieves you, Teleme ? THE PEACOCK LADY To think it ! That Beauty should steal from your rose-tree. Allah ! who would have thought that a maiden So modest could be so corrupted; BEAST You say well, proud lady : corrupted I Corrupted by you ! THE PEACOCK LADY Oh, Commander Of the Faithful, what can you be thinking? BEAST 'T was you who deceived her. 60 SINBAD THE SAILOR THE PEACOCK LADY [Blinking.'] Decei cei Deceived her ! [Then lachrymose.'] Oh, Florimond, Florimond ! BEAST Call me not by that name ; I am Beast. THE PEACOCK LADY Ah! How changed you are since your enchantment. [Gazing at the Portrait.] On the day when your portrait was painted How well I remember I kissed it And cried : " What a beautiful creature I have won for a husband ! " BEAST [Turning away to the Caryatid.] Good mother, Your enchantment has made me a monster, But I thank you, that so you preserved me From wedding the soul of a peacock. THE PEACOCK LADY A peacock ! Oh, faithless one ! Once you Would call me your dove and your true-love, Your delicate warbler Teleme ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 6 1 [Sbrilfa] How dare you now call me a peacock ? [Her drooping head-plumes start on end, and her feathery overgarment rises and ruffles outward behind her, ex panding upward like a peacock's tail.] BEAST Behold what you are ! How the soul of A female has borrowed the flaunting And impudent plumes of the male bird ! THE PEACOCK LADY [Bridling and pecking at him.] You Be Be Be Beast, you ! I ca ca Ca came here to offer my courteous Respects to your mother ; and now now You insult me. I vow vow revenge for Your rudeness. You're shaped like a lobster, You walk like a wa wa wa walrus, Your chee chee chee cheek is all chins, and Your head 's all kno knobbed like a knocker. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you ! [Swelling and sidling with rage, her greenish plumes quiver ing, her iridescent silks up-puffed and spreading like a tail above her train, the PEACOCK LADY sweeps from the hall.] THE CARYATID [To BEAST.] And once, my son, you deemed her beautiful. 62 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST Alas, and now that Beauty really comes I am a Beast to her. THE CARYATID Hark ! She is coming. \_A low, reverberating clang resounds and dies away.] BEAST What sound is that? THE CARYATID A closing door. It sounds The last clang of a thousand closing doors That shut behind her. Now she lifts the silk Of the last curtain. BEAST [Rushing rapturously toward the colonnade.] She is coming ! THE CARYATID Soft! Or you will frighten her. BEAST Ah, I forgot ! I '11 hide, and watch her till she find your throne. [BEAST secretes himself behind a great carved chair in a corner of the hall. On her throne the STATELY LADY remains motionless as an image. A LYRIC PHANTASY 63 The hall grows dimmer. Faint, timorous music sounds. In the mysterious light, the damask curtain at the end of the colonnade is crumpled from behind by a delicate hand, which draws it aside enough to reveal the face of BEAUTY, peeping with wide eyes of wonder. As she peers into the colonnade, there emerges, from behind a pillar, the pied head of a human Cockatoo, craning toward her. Aware of it, BEAUTY quickly covers her face with the curtain. The Cockatoo's head withdraws. Once more BEAUTY looks forth and, seeing nothing move, steps wholly into view. In one hand she still carries the frozen rose. Coming gradually down the long colonnade, her pantomime is part timid, part curious. Suddenly, on the mosaic floor a huge Gargoyle shadow is thrown in her path, disappearing as she pauses, aghast. Moving closer to the wall, she chances to touch a panel, which opens instantly of itself. Glancing in, she starts back at what she sees, while it closes as before. Again, from behind a column, a grotesque head is thrust out : this time a turbaned Ape, who grins, and vanishes. In front of the Portrait, she gazes at it with admiration, which changes momentarily to awe, as the painting gleams faintly with life. Passing on to the throne, she stands fascinated before it. Above the head of the STATELY LADY, the sickle moon re appears, surrounded by the starry constellations which circle and glitter, slowly wheeling to subdued music; while round the surface of the crystal sphere like 64 SINBAD THE SAILOR shadows cast from within revolve the cloudy outlines of the world : continents and capes and seas. Meantime, still as a statue, the STATELY LADY gazes into the eyes of BEAUTY, behind whom BEAST has slowly drawn near from his hiding-place.] BEAUTY [/ a hushed voice, returning the STATELY LADY'S gaze.] Are you the Queen of the World ? BEAST [Speaks hoarsely at BEAUTY'S ear.~\ She is my mother. BEAUTY \In startled fear .] Ah, what are you ? BEAST Have you forgotten me ? BEAUTY \Shrin kingly. ~\ I beg your pardon : you are the Lord Beast. BEAST And this is my mother. THE STATELY LADY Beauty ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 65 BEAUTY Now I know Your voice : You are the Stately Lady. But I thought you lived in the garden. THE STATELY LADY Everywhere I live, and from my life my roses bloom. I have a brother with a snow-white beard: He bears a crooked scythe upon his back To cut dead flowers to feed his winter fire. His home is in the frozen wood hard by. BEAUTY Oh, yes, I think I saw him there. He passed Close to, and stared. But he was very old. / THE STATELY LADY Yes, he is old ; yet I am ever young. My sceptre is the sickle moon, that reaps The sighs of maidens and young mothers' dreams, And those I tie with true-love knots, to make Garlands for lovers who obey my law. BEAUTY [Hanging her head.] I am so sorry that I broke my word. I 've brought your rose. 'T is frozen. 66 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST Tell her, mother, How it may bloom again. THE STATELY LADY 'T is simple, child. Give it to him to whom your heart is given And it will bloom again. BEAST [Ardently.] Oh, give it me ! BEAUTY [Quickly holds out the rose with a smile.] Gladly! BEAST [Taking //.] Ah, me ! 't is frozen still. BEAUTY [Anxiously] What 's wrong ? THE STATELY LADY You gave the rose, but did not give your heart. Do you not love him ? BEAUTY Love an ugly Beast ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 67 THE STATELY LADY 'T was he who brought you from the bitter wood, And saved you from my brother's cruel scythe ; Gave you the Singing Tree, the Golden Water, And the bright garden. He is a good prince And asks your hand in marriage. BEAST I love you, Beauty ! Will you not marry me ? BEAUTY Oh, no. BEAST Ami Unworthy ? BEAUTY You are far too ugly, Beast. THE STATELY LADY Remember what the rose-tree sang : Trust not What seems /If you will give your heart to him My rose will bloom again. BEAUTY I am very sorry: I cannot give my heart to any one. 68 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST [Supplicating.] Yet hear me THE STATELY LADY Peace, my son ! Now, Beauty, hear My verdict : Till your heart shall learn to love, Henceforth your heart must wear the frozen rose ! \At these words, the air darkens, sweet chimes are beard ringing. Above the throne the moon and constellations flicker and grow dull, ceasing their motion. Then, as the lights of the candelabra leap up again, illumin ing the hall, the throne is seen to be transformed to a tall timepiece, in the crystal sphere of which are clock- hands and a dial. The STATELY LADY has once more reverted to the Caryatid. BEAST stands gazing at BEAUTY, on whose breast is fastened, glittering, the frozen rose.] BEAUTY [Clutching at the icy spray, tries to tear it off with her hands .] The rose It clings to me. It is so cold. It hurts my breast. Help ! BEAST [Overwhelmed with sympathy, tries to approach and console her, but she draws back from him.] How can I serve you ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 69 BEAUTY Keep Your face away ! O leave me ! \_From the left, SINE AD has entered. Catching sight of him BEAUTY flies to his arms.'] Daddy! Daddy! SINBAD Hello, what 's this ? BEAUTY The rose : take it away ! SINBAD Too late, my dear. I can't. So make the most Of what you have ! 'T is most becoming, really ! Call it a silver brooch to fasten your robe. [He kisses her, as she weeps against his shoulder^ BEAUTY Oh, Daddy Sinbad ! BEAST [Approaching.] Sir, my court and castle Are at your daughter's service. She may see Fair wonders to distract her from her grief: I '11 show her magic halls, enchanted towers, Dim tapestries, rare crystals full of dreams, And feasts beneath cool fountains ; all my court 70 SINE AD THE SAILOR Shall wait on her, and gentle cockatoos And marmosets shall be her mandarins To hold her train. I pray you, let me serve her. SINBAD [Salaaming J\ Commander of the Faithful, you have said ! Beauty, go with the Sultan. BEAUTY [Clinging to him.] Must I go ? THE VOICE OF THE PEACOCK LADY [Sings low outside.] Swee-swee-swee sweet, sweet ! SINBAD [Aside to BEAUTY.] My dear, I have a little trap to set For Birdie here. Fear nothing. [To BEAST.] Will it please Your Highness to return ? BEAST We shall return Right soon with all my court, and meet you here. [With timorous pantomime, BEAUTY leaves SINBAD, and goes out right, attended solicitously by BEAST., As they A LYRIC PHANTASY 71 go, from the left appears, stealthily, the PEACOCK LADY.] THE PEACOCK LADY Sweet Jack ! SINBAD Sly Bird ! THE PEACOCK LADY [Approaching him] My sailor boy! SINBAD [Pulling from his boot a handful of dates.] My peewee princess ! Have a date ! THE PEACOCK LADY \_Swallowing the proffered dates, offers one to him.] With you, of course, dear ! In your beard My heart has built her nest. SINBAD I cross Your bill. [They kiss] THE PEACOCK LADY [Mysteriously] The trap is set. I 've laid 72 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD An egg ? Good Lord ! THE PEACOCK LADY A plan : The plot Is hatched ! SINBAD Don't count our chicks before THE PEACOCK LADY There 's forty in my coop. They 're caged ! SINBAD How 's that ? A batch of forty chicks ? [ Crow ing.] Kikerykee ! You are a Bird ! We '11 rule the roost. THE PEACOCK LADY We '11 rule the castle, Kill Beast, and pickle the Stately Queen. You shall be Sultan, I Sultana ! Come, now, and help me open the coop. I 've packed 'em in this old sea-chest. \Witb SINE AD'S help, she drags forth a great wooden chest, bound in brass.] SINBAD [Puffing and blowing] This hefts like half my seven voyages ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 73 THE PEACOCK LADY [ Unlocking the chest with a key.] They 're packed in tight : unbolt the sides. [SiNBAD looses the brass catches. As be does so, the lid flies open, with a hideous yell from within.] SINBAD [Starting back, nearly stumbling over.] By Zanzibar! [Out of the chest leaps a dark-faced, terrible-featured ruf fian, in blood-red turban and grimy, oriental garb. On one arm he carries an enormous jar. In his other hand he bears, like a spear, a long three-pronged fork. He is followed by a swarm of others like himself, all leap ing, with horrible yells, into the hall, where they set down their jars, brandishing their barbed forks.] THE RUFFIANS Racachik, Shacabac, Boul Haboul ! Nisabic, Nouronnar, Nouzhatoul ! SINBAD What boys are you ? THE RUFFIANS [Sing.] Ha ! we are the warranted Forty Thieves : Racachik, Shacabac, Boul Haboul ! And these are our genuine pickling jars Where we put our pickings to cool. 74 SINBAD THE SAILOR For we are the dragons who drop at eaves To gobble up sultans and shahs in sheaves And dine on the heads of czars ; And all we can't swallow we carry away And pickle 'em down for a rainy day In our gory vinegars. Racachik, Shacabac, Racachik, Shacabac^ Boul, Boul, Boul, Haboul! SINBAD But what are those forks ? THE CAPTAIN \Wttb a gesture not to be interrupted."} Pray, let us explain ! THE THIEVES [As they sing the latter part, peer over the edges of their jars and thrust in their pronged forks. ,] Ho ! we are the hideous Forty Thieves : Racachik, Shacabac^ Boul Haboul ! And those are our horrid vernaculars To curdle the blood of a ghoul. And these are the forks we use as spits To griddle our food in the grewsome pits Of our bubbling pickling jars ; And whenever a head or an arm upheaves, A LYRIC PHANTASY 7$ We give it a poke, and laugh in our sleeves With horrible, foul Ha Has ! Racachik) Shacabac, Racachik, Shacabac y Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha ha! THE CAPTAIN [Stepping before the PEACOCK LADY.] Teleme, Queen of Birds, to you I yield the sacred pickle-fork ! My Forty Thieves await your word. THE PEACOCK LADY [Taking the proffered fork.] I accept my sceptre, Captain. This Is my affianced emperor, Sinbad the Sultan. SINBAD Glad to meet you, Captain. My good friend Ali Baba Has often mentioned you. THE CAPTAIN [Bowing.~\ Your slave ! 76 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD I like your bold vocabulary : Now Racachik and Shacabac, What are those ? THE CAPTAIN Swear-words, please your Highness, To scare the ladies when we rob. SINBAD And Boul Haboul? THE CAPTAIN That is my name. [Pointing to his men.~\ They like the sound : it gives them courage. [As SINBAD takes a step toward the men, they get behind their jars.] You see, I have to keep them stoked With oaths, or else their nerve cools down. Ho, there, you robbers : Boul Haboul / THE FORTY THIEVES [Shout.] Racachik, Shacabac, Boul Haboul! Nisabic, Nouronnar, Nouzhatoul ! \With their yell, their prowess revives, and they step for ward fiercely in front of 'their jars .] A LYRIC PHANTASY 77 SINBAD Bully ! that 's martial discipline, Eh, Birdie ? THE PEACOCK LADY They are matchless ! Captain, Seize now the castle ! THE CAPTAIN [Salaaming. ,] Lo, 't is seized, Sultana ! THE PEACOCK LADY [To the CAPTAIN.] Good! [To SINBAD.] I told you so. [Seating herself in the great carved chair ', motions SINBAD to sit beside her, and addresses the CAPTAIN and THIEVES.] Now, bow before our throne, and hail Your Sultan and Sultana. THE CAPTAIN [Motions to the THIEVES.] Down ! [Prostrating themselves beside their jars, the CAPTAIN and the FORTY THIEVES beat the sides of their jars with their forks, making a horrible din while they yell.] 78 SINBAD THE SAILOR ALL Sinbad ! Teleme ! Sultan! Sultana! [In the midst of their yelling, a terrible roar from off right causes them abruptly to cease and raise their heads, with dropped jaws and startled eyes.] THE VOICE OF BEAST [Outside.] Who's there? THE THIEVES [Shout more faintly half sitting up] Sultan ! Sultana ! THE VOICE OF BEAST [More terribly] Whoo-o-o 's there ? [The THIEVES leap to their feet and grab up their forks, while SINBAD and the PEACOCK LADY rise] ; THE CAPTAIN [Shouts with a show of bravado, then runs] Ho, Boul Haboul ! THE THIEVES [Begin faintly but stop] Boul! Boul! A LYRIC PHANTASY 79 SINBAD [Stepping forward, as the PEACOCK LADY, hopping uneas ily, hangs on his arm.] 'T is only Beast. Prepare Your pickling jars ! THE VOICE OF BEAST [Roars more loudly, accompanied by the screaming of birds and animals.] Who-o-o 's ther-r-r-re ? [The THIEVES and their CAPTAIN, in scared uproar, run behind their jars. SINBAD seizes the fork from the PEACOCK LADY and rushes about, poking them out.] SINBAD Ha, Racachik ! THE THIEVES [ With chattering jaws.] Chik-chik ! THE PEACOCK LADY [ Upon losing hold of SINBAD'S arm, becomes flustered and begins to run round and round the wooden chest, like an unnested hen, waving her arms toward the THIEVES.] Take take take, take take, take care of, take care of, Your cut cut cut cutlery, cutlery, cutlery ! 80 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD [Forking the THIEVES.] Ho, Shacabac ! THE THIEVES [Rushing about.] Cabac, Cabac ! bac ! [Terror-struck , the Captain climbs into his jar. At this, the others rush pell-mell for their jars and jump in, some climbing feet first, others scrambling headlong, with heels kicking the air.] THE PEACOCK LADY Tuck tuck tuck tuck, tuck tuck tuck, tuck behind, tuck behind Your tar gets, your tar gets ! [Thus squawking, she circles the chest more and more nar rowly till, catching up her Jlounces, she leaps, with one last, panicky scream, over the side of the chest, and dodges down inside, as the big lid falls shut.] SINBAD [Lunging at the THIEVES' legs.] Racachik, Shacabac, ho ! [Seeing the lid of the chest falling, SINBAD rushes to catch it, just too late, as BEAST enters roaring, followed by his enchanted court of Barbary Apes, Marmosets, Chim- A LYRIC PHANTASY 8 1 panzees, Parrots, Cockatoos, etc., all gorgeously apparelled and all chattering, squeaking, and screaming.] BEAST Who 's there, I say ? SINBAD \_Standing on the chest] Hail, Sultan ! [He bows low] BEAST How, Sinbad ! Art thou alone ? SINBAD Alone As I was born. [The Apes and Cockatoos scream louder :] BEAST [Turning to them] Hush, gentlemen ! Ladies ! [To SINBAD.] What were those gruesome sounds I heard? SINBAD The yells of Racachik, Your Highness. 82 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST Who is Racachik ? SINBAD [Brandishing his fork.] A giant shark, whom once I slew With this harpoon : From his skull bones I made yon forty jars. BEAST ' What 's in The jars ? SINBAD The yells of Racachik, Your Highness. BEAST What ! They 're full of yells ? SINBAD Echoes, my Prince ! Like ocean shells That store the echoes of the waves, These store the voice of Racachik. When with this pronged harpoon I slew The monster, he halooed so loud, That still the echoes of his roar Sleep in his bones, from which I carved Those forty jars. A LYRIC PHANTASY 83 BEAST You charm me. [Approaching the jars.] May I look in ? SINBAD [Steps down, intervening^ Lord, no ! With a look They might explode ! But you shall hark : Listen ! [He sings in a deep voice.] Ho, Nouronnar ! THE JARS [Respond with deep echoes, which die away.] Ho, Nouronnar ! SINBAD [To BEAST.] You try. BEAST [Sings.] Ah, Nouzhatoul ! THE JARS [Echoing lugubriously.] Ah, Nouzhatoul ! 84 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST How marvellous ! SINBAD Oh, nothing much. A trifle ! I collect such things On my sea-voyages, to provide My daughter's dowry. BEAST [Looking at the box.] What is this ? SINBAD That is an old sea-chest of mine. My daughter packs her trousseau in it ; Just now 't is full of feather muffs. I trust your Highness' love-suit prospers, For all my riches shall be yours With Beauty's hand. BEAST \Gloomily ^ Speak not of that To me, but to your daughter. Here She comes. I 've tried with all my court To cheer her spirits, but in vain ! [BEAUTY enters, right, attended and surrounded by the Enchanted Court. This comprises females, who have the heads and feet of A LYRIC PHANTASY 85 birds chiefly tropical species of vivid-colored Cockatoos and Parrots and males, whose heads are those of Apes and Monkeys, varying in species from large-sized Baboons and Chimpanzees to little Marmosets, clad in the oriental garments of men. These stare at BEAUTY, gibbering and cackling, and mimic her motions. BEAUTY is attired like an oriental Empress, with long mantle of shining pearls, borne behind her by eight little gray Marmosets, her train-bearers. Before her, two blue-faced Baboons walk backwards, thrumming stringed instruments. Her own lithe figure with eyes down cast, for fear of meeting the grimaces of her inquisitive Courtiers is overtopped by two prodigious Cockatoo- Ladies, who waddle, gaunt-toed, on either side, hunch" ing their gorgeous shoulders, each slanting down at her a single big round eye, while they fan her with enor mous scarlet and yellow feathers. BEAST, leaving SINBAD, goes forward to meet her, with gro tesque, adoring gazes. ,] SINBAD Well, well ; attended like a Queen ! What more could heart desire ? [Greets her smilingly.] Now, Beauty, How are you ? BEAUTY Pretty well I wish 86 SINBAD THE SAILOR BEAST Oh, speak your wish ! It shall be granted ! I 'd give my crown to make you smile. BEAUTY [Looking about tearfully. ~\ I wish I were at home 1 I wish I had my dirty rags again. BEAST Alas! [Dejectedly, to SINBAD.] I told you so. SINBAD Hight-tighty ! That 's No way to wish! Come, you're a Queen! [Addressing one of the Cockatoo-Ladies, who is tipping one eye close to BEAUTY,- takes from his boot a huge hard tack biscuit.] Heigh, Polly, here 's a cracker. Keep Your eye on me. [She takes it greedily in her beak and turns away, followed inquisitively by the other Cockatoos. The other Creatures immediately gather round SINBAD, chattering, with up lifted beaks and nozzles] What ! The whole crowd ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 8/ BEAST [Gloomily.'] Now, Beauty, can't you smile ? BEAUTY [Her knuckles in her eyes.] No, Beast. SINBAD \JVho has backed away as far as the chest, surrounded by the clamoring Creatures, calls out to some of them who are approaching the jars.] Hey, there ! don't peek in those : they 're empty. My boots are at your service. [Calling them.] Ladies ! My lords ! Chuck, chuck, chuck ! [y/j he calls, the Creatures gather close round him, craning their necks. SINBAD calls.] Halloa, Beauty; Come watch the birdies ! [BEAUTY, accompanied by BEAST, crosses to the carved chair, and watches, finally in her eagerness to see climb ing upon the seat. SINBAD, diving both hands into his wide-flanging boots, brings to light handfuls of edibles, which he distributes among the excited Creatures.'] Here, Pistachios ! Chuck, chuck, chuck ! water-biscuits ! soft ! 88 SINBAD THE SAILOR [He scatters a handful of little nuts and biscuits on the lid of the chesty where the Creatures struggle for them. Some he puts himself into their hands and beaks.] Softly, my lords ! Room for the ladies ! Here 's cocoanuts ! Palmetto dates ! [He tosses cocoanuts to the Apes and Baboons who catch them. A little Marmoset climbs on his shoulder and sits nib bling dates.] Figs ! Pomegranates ! Chuck chuck ! Raisins ! BEAUTY [Clapping her hands, jumps up and down in the great chair.] Oh, Daddy, Daddy ! Are n't they funny ! [She bursts out laughing.] Lord Beast, do look ! BEAST [In great delight.] She smiles ! She laughs ! [The Creatures scatter with their nuts and fruit , and gather together, right, munching and chattering. BEAST comes to SINBAD.] BEAST I pray you, sir, do more to make Her spirits merry. SINBAD If 't would please Your Highness, I could sing a ballad. A LYRIC PHANTASY 89 BEAST I do beseech you. [To his Grand Vizier a Baboon."] Summon here My dancers ! [The Grand Vizier runs out. BEAST turns to BEAUTY, escorting her to the great chair.] Will you sit by me And watch them ? BEAUTY Thank you, Beast ; I think I 'd rather sit alone. SINBAD [Mounting the lid of the chest.] My lords And ladies, pray you hearken ! I Will sing a ballad of the seas, How, off the coast of Zanzibar, I slew the red shark Racachik ! [BEAUTY sits on the carved chair. BEAST sits on a stool at her feet. The enchanted courtiers and ladies group themselves, as a crowd of Ape Tumblers and Animal Dancers enter and surround SINBAD in their dance] 90 SINBAD THE SAILOR [SiNBAD sings.] Our bowsprit splits the setting sun, Our keel the scarlet sea, Where the simoons snort on our weather bow And the typhoons roar a-lea. And we heave a loud Yahoo! When the whale-mouthed billows whack us, As we fight the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas. THE JARS \_Sing, in chorus.] Yahoo ! Yahoo ! How the whale-mouthed billows whack us, As we fight the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas ! BEAUTY \Who has risen, startled, spea&s low to BEAST.] Where are they ? BEAST Hush ! They 're in the jars. BEAUTY What *s in the jars ? BEAST Echoes ! They are The stored-up roars of Racachik. A LYRIC PHANTASY 91 SINBAD [Sings.-] We J ve sailed from Zir to Zanzibar By the one-eyed giant's isle, Where we gorged on the roasted eggs of rocs In oriental style. From Gor to Mangalore We have voyaged, till now we tack us To grapple the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas. THE JARS [In chorus.] From Gor to Mangalore, etc. SINBAD His rip-jaws snap the rising moon, He swallows spar and sail ; From Oraluk to Hogolu He swings his smashing tail; And ho ! the spouting gore When his horrible grinders hack us, As we haul the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas. THE JARS [/ chorus.] Ho-ho ! the spouting gore, etc. 92 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD Now cut the ruddy carcass small And slaver the crimson foam, And steer for Bong and Mazagan And the bungalows of home ! For it 's Yo, the red, red blood ! And a rousing yell to Bacchus ! As we roast the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas ! THE JARS [/ chorus.] Yo-ho, the red, red blood! And our rousing yell to Bacchus ! As we roast the red shark Racachik Aboard of the Albarraccas ! \_As SINBAD concludes his ballad and is about to step down, a muffled, female voice from within the chest suddenly gives him pause.] THE VOICE [Hesitatingly.] Cuck cuck cuck SINBAD [ Ominously.] It is! It is! A LYRIC PHANTASY 93 THE VOICE [More assured.] Cuck cuck cuck [Si N BAD stands transfixed. BEAUTY and BEAST rise, the Ape-courtiers tiptoe, crane their necks, the Bird- Ladies perk their heads, and all stare inquisitively at the chest. Looking down at it, SINBAD speaks, beneath his hand, in a stage whisper.] SINBAD Go on ! Go on ! THE VOICE Cuck cuck \_Liquidly] cuckoo ! cuckoo ! cuckoo ! BEAST \_With wide eyes, approaching the chest] What is it ? SINBAD [With a relieved gasp, smiles broadly, and calls out] Three bells, Captain, and all 's well ! [Then, pulling from his boot a big watch, he holds it to his ear] My third watch ! Time to turn in, Beauty ! 94 SINBAD THE SAILOR [He steps down from the chest, and kisses her, waving the others away from the chest. ,] So! Good-night ! BEAUTY But I 'm not sleepy yet ! SINBAD See there ! Signs of the Sandman ! BEAUTY , But where shall I sleep ? BEAST If yonder couch be to your wish, this hall Shall be your chamber. SINBAD Just the thing, your Highness ! BEAST [To the Grand Vizier.] Go bid the court retire. [The Grand Vizier goes among the Creatures, who all go out. BEAST turns to BEAUTY.] Yet one last word : Once more, before we part for sleep, I beg Your answer : Will you marry me ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 95 BEAUTY Lord Beast, You have been very good : I thank you kindly. BEAST [With a glow of 'hope '.J Ah, you take pity ? You will be my wife ? BEAUTY I 'm sorry, Beast : I cannot be your wife. BEAST Ai, Ai ! \He turns away, dejected.] Good-night, Beauty ! BEAUTY \_With a sigh.~\ Good-night, Good Beast. BEAST [Going out woefully] lo, lo! [The hall is now lighted only by moonlight, which shines through the stained-glass window, throwing rich gules on the divan and floor, and radiating with a faint dim ness through the hall. 9<5 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD and BEAUTY are left alone. With mysterious ges tures, SINBAD draws BEAUTY farther from the chest, ,] Now, Beauty, come This way a bit. BEAUTY \Witb alarm."] What 's wrong ? SINBAD The Talking Bird : [Lowering his voice.] She is a villainess. I told you so. BEAUTY What will she do ? SINBAD She plots to seize the throne, And murder Beast. BEAUTY Oh, dear ! SINBAD That's nothing. Such Things always happen in enchanted castles. You trust your Daddy ; and if things go wrong, Call on my good friend, Cascheasch. BEAUTY Who is he ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 97 SINBAD A genie. [Pulling out of his boot a small brass lamp.] Here ! Just rub this, and he '11 come. BEAUTY [Taking it] What's this? SINBAD Aladdin's lamp. On these occasions, I always keep it handy in my boot. \_Reenter solemnly, with candles, the two Lady Cockatoos, one bearing a long night-gown and night-cap, the other a pair of glass slippers.] BEAUTY Dear ! Why have they come back ? SINBAD Hum ! by their looks To help undress you. BEAUTY Please, I won't undress ! I 'd rather go to bed alone. SINBAD [Patting her head] You shall. 98 SINE AD THE SAILOR [Tossing two crackers to the Cockatoos."] Here ! Go to perch ! [The Cockatoos seize the crackers, and depart, leaving the night-gown, cap and slippers, which SINBAD picks up] Night-clothes. I fancy, these Are just my size. [He tucks them under his arm.] Glass slippers, these are more Your style, my dear. [He hands them to BEAUTY, and points to the couch] Now turn your afghan down. [As BEAUTY takes the slippers and goes to arrange the couch for the night, SINBAD hurriedly tiptoes to the chest, takes from his boot a small object and, opening the lid a crack, thrusts it in, muttering low :] Another date ! A VOICE [Smothered, from within] Cuckoo ! [BEAUTY, putting on the glass slippers, turns, startled, as SINBAD hastily fastening the hasps of the chest pretends to look in his boot] SINBAD My watch is fast. [BEAUTY turns back to arrange the afghan. As she turns A LYRIC PHANTASY 99 away, SINBAD, moving stealthily to a jar, taps it with his toe, and scraping his throat, sings hoarsely.] Hem ! Nouronnar ! Nix, nix ! [ The targets on top of the jars all rise an inch or two, raised from within, and settle down again with a low harsh echo.] THE JARS Ahem ! Nix, nix ! [BEAUTY turns once more and looks at SINBAD, alarmed] SINBAD [Coughing.] I 've caught a cold. Remember, daughter : don't Worry! I'll sleep outside your door: Good-night, And happy dreams ! BEAUTY Good-night ! [Left alone, she shrinks back by the divan into the colored glow which shines from the rose centre of the stained glass] Oh, dear, how big The hall is, and how dark the corners are ! [She lets down her hair and, putting her face close to a rose- colored pane, looks out] The garden sleeps : above the frozen wood, A little cloud is creeping toward the moon. [She turns and looks at the Portrait] 100 SINE AD THE SAILOR How beautiful the Prince looks in the wall ! Perhaps I thought almost he seemed alive [Dreamily.] 1 wish I wish [She sits on the couch. ,] Ah, me, how cold the rose Lies on my breast ! [She sings.] frozen rose, Whate'er thou art Whose petals close Around my heart ! Thou art so chill Almost I sleep : 1 cannot feel I cannot weep. Only there seems Xo glow in thee A Prince of Dreams Who burns for me. I am so numb I cannot wake: Unless he come, My heart will break ! \With the last cadence of her song, BEAUTY sinks upon the cushions and falls asleep. The light from the stained A LYRIC PHANTASY IOI glass grows dim; the rich colors fade, and the traceries of the panes grow dull. As the window thus fades, the Portrait begins to glow. Slowly, to the sweet chiming of the clock, it comes fully to lift and color, as the eyes ofFLORiMOWDgaze upon BEAUTY sleeping. The fair youth smiles enamoured, raises his arms in a great gesture of joy, and steps out of the painting, which turns instantly dark. Then, through the fabric of columns, and walls and ceiling, appear throngs of twinkling candles, held by hands of those whose bodies are viewless. Only the arms, clad in the oriental sleeves of Courtiers and Ladies, are visible. In the glimmer of these candles, Prince FLORIMOND steps to the foot of the couch the clock still chiming. As he does so, the half-veiled faces and forms of the visionary Courtiers and Ladies appear, gazing behind their out stretched candles. FLORIMOND makes a gesture for them to withdraw. At this, they recede within the walls and columns, the flames of their candles remaining for a moment still agleam, then disappearing like fireflies in darkness. Except for the faint traceries of the window, there is now visible only the glittering frozen rose, which lying on the breast of BEAUTY irradiates from the dark a little space of cloudy light, where her sleeping face nests in her golden hair. Dimly the form of FLORIMOND is seen to approach her and, bending over, is about to touch the frozen rose. 102 SINBAD THE SAILOR At this instant, through the ceasing chimes, the clock sings " Beauty ! Beauty ! " BEAUTY starts up, and FLORI- MOND draws back in the dimness.] BEAUTY Who calls for me ? FLORIMOND I call. BEAUTY And who art thou ? FLORIMOND The Prince of Dreams. Awake ! [The rich hues of the stained glass have begun to revive, and the many-colored moonlight streams across the couch illumining FLORIMOND, where he stands at the foot.] BEAUTY I see thee now. I know thy face. FLORIMOND Ah, if thou know, be fond ! BEAUTY What is thy name ? FLORIMOND My name is Florimond. A LYRIC PHANTASY 1 03 BEAUTY I seem to know. When didst thou come before ? FLORIMOND I Ve sighed for thee a thousand years and more. BEAUTY Art thou a Prince ? FLORIMOND I am a prisoner. BEAUTY Alas, poor soul ! FLORIMOND Be my deliverer, Dear Beauty ! Free me ! BEAUTY How ? Where is thy cell ? FLORIMOND Dost thou not know my prison ? BEAUTY Nay, but tell ! FLORIMOND [Sings.'] Prisoned dark, prisoned deep, Daylight is my dungeon-keep. 104 SINBAD THE SAILOR Pageants gay, pageants fair, Passing nigh in music there Never see my sorrow, Where alone I mutely weep Morrow and to-morrow. BEAUTY Dancing here, dancing there, Daylight is my garden fair. Passing fleet, passing gay, Sudden falls across my play Shadow of dim sorrow, While I wander debonair Morrow and to-morrow. FLORIMOND Passion wild, passion free, In my prison, pity me ! Where the painted silence drips, Love, unchain my heart and lips, Break my bitter sorrow ! Loose my soul to live with thee, Morrow and to-morrow ! BEAUTY has risen from the couch, stands in the rose-colored light, looking toward the young Prince, who stands sup plicating her.] Pausing numb, pausing nigh, In my heart I hear thee cry : A LYRIC PHANTASY 10$ From my heart, where pity flows, In my garden blooms a rose Bleeding for thy sorrow, For thy sake shall live, or die, Morrow and to-morrow ! [While BEAUTY has sung, the visionary Courtiers and La dies have entered with their candles, followed by female Dancers, whose forms glisten and glow like glass, har monizing with the hues of the stained window. Taking BEAUTY by the hand, FLORIMOND leads her toward the Courtiers and Ladies, who are laughing and plying merry banter among themselves.] FLORIMOND Beauty, thou hast slain my sorrow; Pity sets thy lover free. Now our merry banns shall be Midnight hour and moonlit morrow ! \W"ith ardent looks for BEAUTY, he points to the window.] See how the sickle moon shines rosy fair. BEAUTY And thou dost love me ? FLORIMOND By that moon, I swear ! BEAUTY \Looking at the Courtiers and Ladies.~\ Who are those merry folk, that make such sport ? 106 SINBAD THE SAILOR FLORIMOND Those are my Joys, that come to pay thee court. [The Courtiers and Ladles pause in their play, and salaam with their candles.] BEAUTY \Looking at the Dancers.] And what are they in gold, and ro'se, and blue ? FLORIMOND Those are my happy Dreams, that have come true. [The Dancers, saluting FLORIMOND and BEAUTY, com mence their ballet, which simulates the varied lights of the stained glass, and approximates, in form, a many- colored rose, in the centre of which BEAUTY and FLORI MOND stand upraised on the wide lid of the chest and sing, together with the visionary Court, who sway their twinkling lights to the music.] ALL Beauty, thou hast slain our sorrow; Pity sets her lover free. Now their merry banns shall be Midnight hour and moonlit morrow ! \Whlle the Chorus ceases, in the midst of the dancing, FLORIMOND looks at the rose on BEAUTY'S breast, and reaches toward it.] A LYRIC PHANTASY IO/ FLORIMOND The frozen rose oh, give it, love, to me ! BEAUTY It holds my heart, and here I give it thee ! \With a cry of joy, FLORIMOND touches the rose. In the same instant the chimes of the clock ring out., and black darkness falls, through which while the clock sings " Beauty ! Beauty / " a few, faint candle- Jlames die away and vanish. As the chimes still play, out of the dark a pale radiance il lumines the painting of Prince FLORIMOND, now re stored. In that faint glow, BEAUTY is seen, sitting up, startled, on the couch. Clutching with one hand the frozen rose on her breast, she is staring at the Portrait. Through the chiming bells, the Voice of the STATELY LADY sings, as the curtain falls.] THE VOICE Awake from dreams : Trust not what seems ! CURTAIN ACT THIRD ACT THIRD The Portrait has faded, and the window now shines with a light as of hoar-frost. In its centre the glass of the great rose glistens like ice ; the rich gules are gone ; only the panes sparkle dimly. Through one of these a moonbeam touches BEAUTY, where she is still sitting upon the couch, listening. From the Jars a deep muffled snoring sounds, ceases, and sounds again, while on their tops the targets rattle low with the reverberations. THE JARS s_ J.ABOUL ! R-rannarr ! BEAUTY [Faintfy.~\ Who's there? THE JARS Haboul ! R-rannarr ! [During this, from beyond the left entrance, approaching candlelight casts moving shadows into the hall. Looking toward it, BEAUTY hastily reclines on the cushions, pre tending to be asleep. Soon, holding a candle, SINBAD enters, clad in long night gown and night-cap. Glancing toward BEAUTY'S couch, furtively he approaches the chest. ~\ 112 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD [Hooting low.] Oolalooloo ! THE PEACOCK LADY [From within, like a whippoorwill] Pity poor me ! Pity poor me ! [From her cushions, BEAUTY raises her head stealthily and watches] Peewee ! SINBAD [ Unfastening the lid, lifts it] THE PEACOCK LADY [Popping her head out.] Cuckoo ! How 's the weather out ? SINBAD Moonshine ! THE PEACOCK LADY Unpack me, Jack ! SINBAD [Lifting her out] Mum, Birdie ! They 're all asleep ! [The gorgeous robe and train of the PEACOCK LADY are creased forlornly, her feathery overgarment is ruffled, A LYRIC PHANTASY 113 and her irised tall is twisted to one side and partly flattened.] THE PEACOCK LADY [Surveying herself.] I 'm simply crushed! SINBAD Just folded wrong ; you '11 flatten out. THE PEACOCK LADY Creased, crumpled, ruffled past recall ! [Hanging on his neck.] Ruined! You'll never love me more! SINBAD I could not love you more, old Bird ! THE PEACOCK LADY Oh, Jackie, call me not " old Bird," Call me Te/eme, love's delight ! " I was a Princess once. SINBAD Eh! When Was that ? THE PEACOCK LADY Before I was enchanted. Hush, we 're alone: I '11 tell you all. 114 SINE AD THE SAILOR [She sings.] Lover, in the leafy dell, Pity poor me ! List no more to Philomel Make melody, For a thousand notes more sweet I warble well. Oolalooloo ! Peewit ! Puwee ! Wirrowou ! Tereu, Cuckoo, Pity poor me ! Once I was a Princess bright; Pity poor me ! Till a wizard doomed my sprite A bird to be, Warbling my sad and wandering ditty, day and night. [SiNBAD y'tf/wj in the refrain.] Oolalooloo ! Peewit ! Puwee ! Wirrowou ! Tereu, Cuckoo, Pity poor me! A LYRIC PHANTASY US Lovers' eyes once deemed me fair; Pity poor me ! Now in woe I hide me where No eye can see, While all little birds my lovelorn burden bear: [SiNBAD joins in the refrain.] Oolalooloo ! Peewit! Puwee! Wirrowou ! Tereu, Cuckoo, Pity poor me ! SINBAD Cheer up, my Princess Wirrowou ! THE PEACOCK LADY [Leaning on his shoulder.] Oh, Jackie, do you pity poor me SINBAD By Camaralzaman, old Bird, What would this world be worth without Vengeance and vice and villainy ? Command me. You shall be henceforth My Queen of Crime. Il6 SIN BAD THE SAILOR X THE PEACOCK LADY \JVitb business-like directness] I take you up ! Where 's your adopted daughter ? Where Is Beauty ? [BEAUTY, who has been listening, dodges back quickly in the cushions.] SINE AD Yonder; sleeping. THE PEACOCK LADY \Moving toward the couch.] Let 's Assassinate her. SINBAD [Holding her arm, coughs uneasily.] Wait, not yet ! We need her. THE PEACOCK LADY How? SINBAD If she refuses Beast for the third time, he must die. THE PEACOCK LADY Peewit ! I see : Bring them together And let her slay him. And then A LYRIC PHANTASY 1 1/ SINBAD By refusing ! THE PEACOCK LADY Behead her ! SINBAD Boil is better. Boil her in oil. [BEAUTY moans.'] THE PEACOCK LADY Hush : we may wake her. Come to my bower and we '11 conspire. SINBAD [As they go^\ These forty jars will serve to make Soup of the whole court. THE PEACOCK LADY Beast shall be Beheaded first before her eyes. SINBAD I have an executioner's axe. THE PEACOCK LADY Pottage of Beast and Beauty ! Il8 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD Flavored With marmoset and cockatoo ! \They steal out together, left, SINBAD lighting the way with his candle. As they go, BEAUTY starts from the couch, and stands weeping. The clock begins to chime and sings again, " Beauty ! Beauty ! "] BEAUTY [Answering woefully. .] It 's me. Dear Stately Lady, is it you ? Oh, did you hear them what they said ? Alas ! THE CLOCK Trust not what seems! BEAUTY Oh, but they said such bad things : I must find Poor Beast and warn him. Tell me, please, the way ! [ The chimes have ceased and the hall is utterly silent.] Dear Lady, are you gone ? And must I find The way alone ? [She moves a little way and stands trembling^ The castle is so big And dark ! My slippers are so cold. The rose Tickles my breast with frost. A LYRIC PHANTASY 119 [Suddenly raising her head, she pauses an instant and then sneezes] Ka-choo ! THE JARS \Witb terrific echo.] Ka choo oo ! [BEAUTY, terrified, rushes toward the colonnade, but stops abruptly as the target jumps up from one of the jars, and the head of the CAPTAIN of the FORTY THIEVES sticks out, peering horribly.] THE CAPTAIN [7fl sepulchral whisper.] Sultana! BEAUTY [Gasping.] Oh! THE CAPTAIN \_Hissingly.] Is 't time ? BEAUTY \_Crouching down beside the jar, tries to imitate the PEACOCK LADY'S warble.] Pity poor me ! THE CAPTAIN Pity poor me, you mean ! My knees are cracked ! Nix yet ? 120 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY Peewit ! Not yet. THE CAPTAIN My back is cold. [Sneezing, be pops his head in again and pulls the target tight.] Ka-choo ! THE JARS [Reverberating.] Ka-choo ! BEAUTY [Running to the couch] My lamp! I '11 rub my lamp. Help, Genie, help Good What 's-your-name ? [Lifting the small brass lamp, she rubs it. Instantly a vast column ofjlame-llt smoke and steam belches upward to the ceiling, in the midst of which his huge limbs half concealed stands a gigantic GENIE. From far up in the ruddied dome above BEAUTY'S head his enormous features, shaped like the mask of the DOOR KNOCKER, peer down at her, where he holds one finger aside of his nose. In a voice rumbling like thunder, he speaks.] THE GENIE Cascheasch ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 121 BEAUTY [Dropping the lamp, appalled.] Oh, who are you ? THE GENIE Cascheasch ! BEAUTY Are you a Genie ? THE GENIE [ Grinning frightfully,] Right you are. BEAUTY Were n't you the big Door-Knocker ? THE GENIE Right you are. [He starts to salaam] BEAUTY [Alarmed] Don't bow. There is n't room here. THE GENIE [ Straightening] Right you are ! [He continues to grin, and there follows a dreadful pause] 122 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY [Femtfy.] My name is Beauty. THE GENIE Beauty : Right you are. BEAUTY Please will you help me I forget your name THE GENIE Cascheasch. BEAUTY [Wringing her hands, .] O Cascheasch, save me from the Jars ! THE GENIE Cascheasch obeys. [In his huge hand THE GENIE reaches to BEAUTY a large r0//.] BEAUTY What 's that ? THE GENIE [Depositing the roll at her feet. .] The carpet. BEAUTY Oh! What carpet, please ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 12$ THE GENIE The magic carpet. BEAUTY Oh! What is it for ? THE GENIE To sit on. BEAUTY Thank you. THE GENIE Not At all. BEAUTY, Why do I sit on it ? THE GENIE You don't. BEAUTY Don't I ? THE GENIE You will. BEAUTY Will I ? THE GENIE If you are wise. 124 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY Why will I sit on it ? THE GENIE To save yourself. BEAUTY [Looking toward the jars.] If they fhould try to hurt me ? THE GENIE [ Grinning.~\ Right you are. BEAUTY [Partly unrolling the rug.] I thank you. THE GENIE Not at all. BEAUTY What made you bring it ? THE GENIE You rubbed me the right way. BEAUTY I 'm much obliged. \With a gracious nod of dismissal.] Please call again to-morrow. A LYRIC PHANTASY 12$ THE GENIE [Tapping his nose with his finger.] Right you are ! [His voice thunders more deeply and, in a great belch of black smoke, he disappears, startling BEAUTY anew just as SINBAD reenters left, without his cap and night-gown.~\ SINBAD [Sniffing the air.] I smell my old friend, Cascheasch. BEAUTY [Gravely] Keep away, Or I will sit on it. SINBAD Eh ? Sit on what ? [Approaching] Oho, the magic carpet ! BEAUTY [With a reproving look] Keep away ! SINBAD What 's up now, daughter ? 126 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY I am not your daughter. SINBAD \Wbistles and stares.] Here 's mutiny ! BEAUTY I heard her say so. SINBAD Who? BEAUTY [Tearfully.] " Adopted ! " SINBAD Allah ! BEAUTY \Witb increasing sobs.] " Assassinate her ! " SINBAD Lord! BEAUTY " Boil her in oil " SINBAD By Abou ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 127 BEAUTY "Soup." SINBAD Hold on ! BEAUTY u Flavored with marmoset and cockatoo ! " Oh, Daddy, Daddy Sinbad ! [BEAUTY breaks down, with sobs.] SINBAD [ Uneasily, trying to soothe her.] Wait a bit, Beauty ! I did n't know you were awake. BEAUTY [Sinks on her knees, burying her face. ,] Ah, worse and worse ! SINBAD [Hovering over her.] By Ayoub ! I was fooling. BEAUTY Fooling ? SINBAD I mean the Bird ! 128 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY [Peeping up through her tears.] The Bird ? SINBAD I told you I had a trap to set : a scheme to catch BEAUTY [Reprovingly] To catch poor Beast ! SINBAD No, no, poor Birdie ! BEAUTY Oh! Then you won't murder Beast ? SINBAD What nonsense, child ! Am I an ogre ? BEAUTY No ; but ought we not To warn him 'gainst the wicked Bird ? SINBAD Not yet ! Just trust your Daddy ! A LYRIC PHANTASY I2Q BEAUTY [Clinging to him.] Oh, I will. Please stay ! I want to tell you of a gentle Prince Who came to me. He is a prisoner. SINBAD They always are, my dear. BEAUTY [Pointing to the Portrait] There hangs his picture. [Outside, left, the PEACOCK LADY calls: " Pewee ! "] SINBAD A pretty fellow! But I must be gone; Run back to bed again. You '11 catch a cold. BEAUTY Don't go ! SINBAD [Patting BEAUTY'S head] I must, or I may lose my Bird ! [As he goes off, left, SINBAD pauses a moment at the CAP TAIN'S jar, lifts the lid, and mutters low] Boul! THE CAPTAIN [Sticking his nose out] Scratch my back. It itches. 130 Mum there, mum ! Nix till the Cuckoo sings 1 THE CAPTAIN [His teeth chattering, disappears again.] Brrrrr ! SINBAD Sleep sound, Beauty! \_He goes out with the candle, leaving BEAUTY alone in the dark. The Jars begin faintly to snore again.] BEAUTY Please leave the light ! Dear me ! What shall I do ? [She calls aloud] Oh, Florimond ! dear Florimond ! -THE VOICE OF BEAST [Outside] I come ! [BEAST rushes in from the right , dressed in a dark night-gown] Who harms my lovely Beauty ? BEAUTY Lackaday ! I called for Florimond. A LYRIC PHANTASY 131 BEAST May I not come In answer to his name ? BEAUTY [Shrinking.] But you are Beast, Not Florimond. THE CLOCK [SingS) while the sickle moon appears momentarily above the sphere^ illuminating the hall] Trust not what seems ! BEAST You hear My mother's voice. Oh, heed her warning. Still Call me your Florimond. BEAUTY [Looking at the Portrait] His picture looks So kind upon me. BEAST With mine eyes he looks. BEAUTY Beneath the sickle moon he swore to love. BEAST Once more he swears beneath the sickle moon ! 132 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY [Gazing where the moon fades away again.~\ Alas ! even so he faded in the dark ! Beast, tell me where you have imprisoned him. BEAST Ah, slay me not ! Once more this third, last time I pray : Dear Beauty, will you marry me ? BEAUTY Dear Beast, my heart is his my Prince of Dreams. I cannot marry you. BEAST [Gives a deep cry, staggers and falls to the floor. ~\ lo ! Farewell ! BEAUTY [Bending over him.~\ Beast, are you ill ? BEAST [Raising his head feebly, makes a gesture toward the Portrait.] Speak to her, Florimond, Before you die ! [BEAST falls back with closed eyes. At the same moment the Portrait of FLORIMOND starts to life, and gazes with tragic expression toward BEAUTY.] A LYRIC PHANTASY 133 BEAUTY [Sees the glowing picture and rises , amazed.] You have returned once more ! Oh, speak ! Are you alive, my Prince of Dreams ? FLORIMOND [Sings.] Beauty, in death my spirit bleeds. Alas, for still you trust what seems ! Behold where dies the Prince of Deeds : Good-bye ! He was your Prince of Dreams ! BEAUTY My Prince, how pale you are ! Why look you so ? FLORIMOND I die with Beast. [The Portrait grows dark, and BEAST starts faintly to a half-sitting posture, reaching toward BEAUTY.] BEAST Ai ! Pity me, Beauty ! BEAUTY \Appalled at the faded Portrait] Come back ! BEAST [More faintly.] Dear Beauty, marry me, or I die ! 134 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY No, no, poor Beast. The other loves me. He Is dying and I love him. \At these words, as BEAST falls again prostrate, the Por trait of FLORIMOND comes again to life, glowing more pale than before. Swaying in his frame, he speaks in a feeble voice.] FLORIMOND Do you love me ? BEAUTY [With a joyful cry at his reappearance] More than the world ! FLORIMOND Then marry Beast ! BEAUTY [Stunned] My Prince ! You bid me do this ? FLORIMOND [Faintly] Marry Beast ! BEAUTY Alas! You love me then no more ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 135 FLORIMOND \_Still more feebly.~\ Oh, marry Beast ! BEAUTY [Turning distractedly to the prostrate form of BE AST.] My heart ! Where shall I give my heart ? THE PEACOCK LADY [Entering with lights, leftJ\ Cuckoo ! \_At her cry, the scene lights up, the CAPTAIN sticks his head out of his jar, and shouts, " Haboul," whereat the tar gets fly off the other jars, and the FORTY THIEVES come crawling out, stretching, yawning, scraping their throats, and making all manner of stiff-jointed gestures.] THE THIEVES Haboul, our backs ! Rranarr, our ribs ! BEAUTY Ah, what are these ? Dear Beast, rise up ! They Ve come to kill you where you lie. THE PEACOCK LADY [Screams to the CAPTAIN of the THIEVES, pointing at BEAST.] Decapitate ! Decapitate ! 136 SINE AD THE SAILOR BEAUTY [Turning in despair to the Portrait.] Oh, Florimond ! Beast ! Florimond ! [The Portrait shines very pale, gradually fading paler and paler.] THE CAPTAIN [Crossing his left foot with the end of his forefinger] My foot 's asleep. THE THIEVES \Walk, half doubled over, holding their sides and backs with groans] Our backs are broke ! THE CAPTAIN I 've caught a cold. Kachoo ! THE THIEVES [Sneezing with a roar] Kachoo ! BEAUTY Help, Daddy Sinbad, help ! SINBAD [Entering with an enormous double-edged executioner's axe] Who calls ? A LYRIC PHANTASY 137 THE PEACOCK LADY [Pointing where BEAST lies.] Decapitate ! [Enter from the right the Enchanted Court, headed by the Baboon Grand Fizier, who enters, shouting] GRAND VIZIER Down with the Thieves ! [ The Courtiers pause chattering and stand facing the THIEVES.] BEAUTY [Calls supplicatingly .] Daddy! THE PEACOCK LADY [ Commandingly . ] Ho! Jack! SINBAD [Roars fiercely, turning round and round and brandishing his axe with great sweeps.] Who calls ? THE PEACOCK LADY [To the CAPTAIN, pointing at BEAUTY.] Seize her! Boil her in oil ! Boil her in oil ! 138 SINE AD THE SAILOR THE CAPTAIN [Rushing toward BEAUTY with great limps, points his pronged fork at her with yells of savage laughter.] Haha! Haha! Hahahaha!! [Behind him, the other THIEVES make toward BEAUTY with similar contortions and yelling laughter] BEAUTY [Who has unrolled the rug before her, now jumps into the middle of it and sits down] Cascheasch, preserve me ! [With arms outstretched, the yelling THIEVES rush to seize BEAUTY; but just as they reach her, the rug rises into the air above their heads, wafting BEAUTY with it toward the back of the hall. Simultaneously a great Voice reverberates like thunder] THE VOICE OF CASCHEASCH Right you are ! THE PEACOCK LADY Harpoon her ! Harpoon her ! THE THIEVES [Dancing with rage beneath the rug, shake aloft their pronged forks] Shacabac ! Shacabac ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 139 SIN BAD [Brandishing his axe above the body of BEAST.] Who calls? BEAUTY [Kneeling on the rug, and praying.] O Stately Lady, hear ! GRAND VIZIER [To his chattering Court] Destroy the Thieves! [The Enchanted Court run timidly toward the THIEVES, who turn and greet them savagely] THE THIEVES Boul ! Boul ! Haboul ! [Each Thief, seizing a Cockatoo, or an Ape, grapples, hurls his antagonist to the ground, and stands triumphant with long fork, threatening] THE PEACOCK LADY [To the CAPTAIN of the FORTY THIEVES.] Haboul ! Prepare the pickling jars ! [To SINBAD, pointing at BEAST.] Decapitate, I say ! BEAUTY [Calling from above] No, no ! 140 SINE AD THE SAILOR SINBAD [To the CAPTAIN.] Prepare the execution block! BEAUTY [From above.] No ! Spare him ! Mercy ! THE PEACOCK LADY [To the CAPTAIN, who brings a footstool and lays BEAST'S head on //.] Under the neck ! SINBAD [To the CAPTAIN.] A bowl to catch the gore ! THE PEACOCK LADY Be quick ! BEAUTY O Stately Lady, let me die Instead. Let me go down to him ! SINBAD [To the PEACOCK LADY, raising the axe to strike , as the CAPTAIN brings a big brass bowl.] Stand back ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 141 BEAUTY \With a shrill cry.~\ Dear Beast, I love you ! THE VOICE OF THE STATELY LADY [Sounds loud and clear .] Peace ! \With her call, a low rumbling thunder begins and the rug on which BEAUTY kneels is wafted down again beside the body of BEAST. As it reaches the floor, the low rumbling bursts with a deep peal and crash : utter blackness falls, filled with the roll ing thunder and flashes of lightning, out of which the Voice of the STATELY LADY sings again clearly^ Be broken, Spell ! Enchantment, cease ! [ Out of the blackness, on the right, a burst of shining butterflies lights up the hall, revealing the Enchanted Court trans formed) the butterflies hover above the head of the STATELY LADY, whose sculptured clock is changed to a bower of red roses. She herself, clad in rose-color, steps down into the hall, sur rounded by the twelve Dancing Figures of Act First. They approach BEAUTY, where she stands gazing down at the prostrate body, which now raises the head of FLOR- iMOtfvfrom the block and returns her gaze. Above them, the groups of THIEVES and Courtiers are re versed in posture the thieves lying prostrate beneath 142 SINBAD THE SAILOR the uplifted scimitars of the transformed Courtiers now human. At one side, SINBAD is gazing in surprise at his companion, the Bird, whose face is transformed to a brilliant dark lady, with raven black locks and headdress of peacock feathers. In the background the Portrait has disappeared, and in its place the vast door-knocker face of CASCHEASCH, the Genie, stares at the scene, grinning.] FLORIMOND [To BEAUTY, raising his head from the foot stool. ~\ Thy love hath saved me. BEAUTY \_Drawing back, astounded, as the young Prince rises beside her.] Art thou Florimond ? But where is Beast ? THE STATELY LADY [Approaching them both with her silver sickle] Transformed, by my wand, To be himself again. FLORIMOND Give me once more The frozen rose ! A LYRIC PHANTASY 143 BEAUTY [Touching zV, as he takes it from her breast.] I gave it thee before. FLORIMOND [Lifting it) transformed.] But now it blooms ! BEAUTY [Delightedly.'] Red red ! with bright green leaves ! FLORIMOND [Pointing to the other groups] And lo ! my Court confounds the Forty Thieves ! THE COURTIERS AND LADIES [Shouting and waving their scimitars above the THIEVES.] Florimond ! Beauty ! Sultan! Sultana! SINBAD [As FLORIMOND embraces BEAUTY.] A wedding! By Haroun! I like that tune. [To the STATELY LADY, pointing to her sickle] Pray hand me that. THE STATELY LADY What for ? 144 SINBAD THE SAILOR SINBAD A honeymoon ! [ Taking the PEACOCK LADY'S band, he presents her, salaaming before them.~\ Sultan ! Sultana ! Seven voyages I Have sailed, but now I beg one more to try. Beseech you, pack your chests and put to sea. Come ! I invite you all to voyage with me ! BEAUTY Oh, Daddy, where ? SINBAD Upon a wedding spree ! [Saluting the assembled Court, SINBAD mounts the chest with the PEACOCK LADY. At this a general commotion occurs in the hall. FLORIMOND and BEAUTY, attended by the twelve Dancing Hours, cross to the throne chair, behind which the STATELY LADY stands ; while the Courtiers release the FORTY THIEVES, who spring up, joining the others in shouts of acclaim.] ALL Sinbad ! Teleme ! Florimond ! Beauty ! Sultan ! Sultana ! \With a gesture SINBAD silences them. During his song the FORTY THIEVES, assisted now by the Courtiers and Ladies, begin to pack their jars with A LYRIC PHANTASY 145 turbans, veils, and various articles banded to them by the others. SINBAD, while he sings, exchanges with the PEACOCK LADY looks of gallantry and courtshipJ\ SINBAD Come, voyage with me on a wedding spree, For a Peacock is my lovely pal j To Kilakkari we '11 sail, and marry, From Kilakkari to Karikal ! ALL Come, sail to marry, to marry, to marry, From Karikal to Kilakkari ! SINBAD My daughter Beauty has done her duty, But the old Bird is my gallant gal ; So to Kilakkari we'll sail, and marry, From Kilakkari to Karikal ! ALL SINBAD AND PEACOCK LADY. Wirrouwoo ! Cuckoo ! STATELY LADY. Beauty ! Beauty ! FLORIMOND AND BEAUTY. I love thee true ! CASCHEASCH. We Ve done our duty ! TOGETHER. So we 're off to marry, to marry, to marry, From Karikal to Kilak kari ! 146 SINBAD THE SAILOR \While the Chorus is singing, a soft, silting snow begins to fall in the foreground, forming a filmy white curtain, which grows denser and denser, gradually concealing the festive hall, where the merry singing and music sound fainter and fainter as the Theatre Curtain falls ^ FINIS RilicrsiDc CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS U . S . A UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. MAY 2 1962 Form L9-20m-9,'61(C3i06s4)444 I'iijfc, JL OF CALIttW*U JLOS ANGELES _ Sin bad, the Ml9sisailor_ 000253450 PS 3525