^^>N^;■^\;^\'^'^^\■^;\<^'^^^^'^\^^^w;^'^■^■^■^,■>'^^^^^^ ■ -^x^' 
 
 THOMAS NEWBIGGING,
 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 ) 
 
 
 O I. D G A M U L 
 
 A LYRIC PLAY.
 
 OLD GAMUL 
 
 A LYRIC PLAY 
 
 v,\ 
 
 THOMAS NEWBIGGING 
 
 LONDON : 
 T. FISHER UNWIN, 
 
 PATERNOSTER SQUARE. 
 
 1S92. 
 [all ninirrs ueseuved.]
 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 HTHE Story of Old Gamul is one that my " honoured 
 Grannie " used to relate to amuse my childhood. 
 I was entirely unaware of its source until this was 
 pointed out to me by Mr. W. E. A. Axon, who, in a 
 Paper read before the Manchester Literary Club 
 (1S84), gives the following particulars : "A work by a 
 German named Massenius was published in Cologne 
 in 1657. It was entitled Palaestra Dramatica, and 
 contained, amongst other curious narratives, one of a 
 certain Sgr. Vitalis, who fell into a pit in which a lion, 
 a monkey, and a serpent had also fallen. They were 
 all rescued by an honest countryman, Massaccio, to 
 whom Vitalis promised a marriage dower and his 
 palace. Once safe, he denies all knowledge of his 
 deliverer. The beasts prove more grateful, but a gem 
 which is given to the peasant by the serpent leads to 
 a suspicion that he has stolen it. At the trial Vitalis 
 again denies him, but is overwhelmed with confusion 
 
 937G53
 
 6 OLD GAMUL. intro. 
 
 when the beasts enter the court, and force from him 
 an involuntary confession. A translation of this story 
 appeared in Blackwood's Magazine for March, 1835. 
 The fable was, however, not invented by Massenius ; 
 for, in a slightly different form, it occurs in the Gesta 
 Romajiorum, that famous collection of mediaeval 
 stories. It forms the thirty-ninth tale of the second 
 volume of Wright's edition. It had attracted the 
 notice of Gower, and is told in the Confessio Amaniis ; 
 in this the lion is omitted. Matthew Paris gives it as 
 an apologue told by Richard the Lion Heart. Finally 
 it is found in that storehouse of Eastern legend, the 
 Calilah u Dimnah. This was translated by Doni 
 into Italian, and an English rendering of his version 
 appeared in 1570. Massenius may have obtained the 
 story either from the Gesta or from this book of 
 Doni." 
 
 The following is the Tale (cxix.) as given in the 
 Rev. C. Swan's translation into English of the Gesta 
 Homanonim, published in 1824 : 
 
 " In the reign of a certain king there lived a proud 
 and oppressive Seneschal. Now, near the Royal 
 Palace, was a forest well-stocked with game ; and, by 
 the direction of this person, various pits were dug 
 there, and covered with leaves, for the purpose of 
 entrapping the beasts. It happened that the Sene-
 
 INTRO. OLD Gx\MUL. 7 
 
 schal himself went into the forest, and, with much 
 exaltation of heart, exclaimed internally, ' Lives there 
 a being in the empire more powerful than I am?' 
 This braggart's thought was scarcely formed, ere he 
 rode upon one of his own pitfalls, and immediately 
 disappeared. The same day had been taken a lion, 
 a monkey, and a serpent. Terrified at the situation 
 into which fate had thrown him, he cried out lustily, 
 and his noise awoke a poor man called Guido, 
 who had come with his ass into that forest to procure 
 firewood, by the sale of which he got his bread. 
 Hastening to the mouth of the pit, he was promised 
 great wealth if he would extricate the Seneschal from 
 his perilous situation. ' My friend,' answered Guido, 
 ' I have no means of obtaining a livelihood except by 
 the faggots which I collect. If I neglect this for a 
 single day, I shall be thrown into the greatest diffi- 
 culties.' The Seneschal reiterated his promises of 
 enriching him ; and Guido went back to the city, and 
 returned with a long cord, which he let down into the 
 pit, and bade the Seneschal bind it round his waist. 
 Eut before he could apply it to the intended purpose, 
 the lion leaped forward, and seizing upon the cord, 
 was drawn up in his stead. Immediately, exhibiting 
 great signs of pleasure, the beast ran off into the wood. 
 The rope again descended, and the monkey, having
 
 8 OLD GAMUL. intro. 
 
 noticed the success of the lion, vaulted above the 
 man's head, and shaking the cord, was in like manner 
 set at Uberty, and hurried off to his haunts. A third 
 time the cord was let down, and the serpent, twining 
 around it, was drawn up, gave signs of gratitude, and 
 escaped. ' Oh, my good friend,' said the Seneschal, 
 ' the beasts are gone, now draw me up quickly, I pray 
 you.' Guido complied, and afterwards succeeded in 
 drawing up his horse, which the Seneschal instantly 
 mounted and rode back to the palace. Guido re- 
 turned home; and his wife, observing that he had 
 come without wood, was very dejected, and inquired 
 the cause. He related what had occurred, and the 
 riches he was to receive for his service. The wife's 
 countenance brightened. Early in the morning her 
 husband went to the palace, but the Seneschal denied 
 all knowledge of him, and ordered him to be whipped 
 for his presumption. The porter executed the direc- 
 tions, and beat him so severely that he left him half 
 dead. As soon as Guide's wife understood this, she 
 saddled their ass, and brought him home in a very 
 infirm state. The sickness which ensued consumed 
 the whole of their little property ; but as soon as he 
 had recovered, he returned to his usual occupation in 
 the wood. Whilst he was thus employed, he beheld 
 afar off ten asses laden with packs, and a lion following
 
 INTRO. OLD GAMUL. 9 
 
 close on them, pursuing the path which led toward 
 Guido. On looking narrowly on this beast, he re- 
 membered that it was the same which he had freed 
 from its imprisonment in the pit. The lion signified 
 with his foot that he should take the loaded asses, 
 and go home. This Guido did, and the lion followed. 
 On arriving at his own door, the noble beast fawned 
 upon him ; and, wagging his tail as if in triumph, ran 
 back to the woods. Guido caused a proclamation to 
 be made in the different churches, that if any asses 
 had been lost, the owners should come to him ; but 
 no one appearing to demand them, he opened the 
 packages, and to his great joy discovered them full of 
 money. On the second day Guido returned to the 
 forest, but forgot an iron instrument to cleave the 
 wood. He looked up, and beheld the monkey, whose 
 liberation he had effected, and the animal, by the help 
 of teeth and nails, accomplished his desires. Guido 
 then loaded his asses and went home. The next day 
 he renewed his visit to the forest ; and, sitting down 
 to prepare his instrument, discovered the serpent, 
 whose escape he had aided, carrying a stone in its 
 mouth of three colours — on one side white, on another 
 black, and on the third red. It opened its mouth 
 and let the stone fall into Guido's lap. Having done 
 this, it departed. Guido took the stone to a skilful
 
 lo OLD GAMUL. ixtro. 
 
 lapidary, who had no sooner inspected it than he 
 knew its virtues, and would willingly have paid him 
 an hundred florins for it. But Guido refused ; and 
 by means of that singular stone obtained great wealth, 
 and was promoted to a military command. The 
 Emperor, having heard of the extraordinary qualities 
 which it possessed, desired to see it. Guido went 
 accordingly ; and the Emperor was so struck with its 
 uncommon beauty, that he wished to purchase it at 
 any rate ; and threatened, if Guido refused compli- 
 ance, to banish him from the kingdom. ' My lord, 
 answered he, ' I will sell the stone ; but let me say 
 one thing — if the price be not given, it shall be 
 presently restored to me.' He demanded three 
 hundred florins ; and then, taking it from a small 
 coff"er, put it into the Emperor's hands. Full of 
 admiration, he exclaimed, ' Tell me where you pro- 
 cured this beautiful stone ? ' This he did ; and 
 narrated from the beginning the Seneschal's accident 
 and subsequent ingratitude. He told how severely 
 he had been injured by his command ; and the benefit 
 he had received from the lion, the monkey, and the 
 serpent. Much moved at the recital, the Emperor 
 sent for the Seneschal, and said, ' What is this I hear 
 of thee ? ' He was unable to reply. ' O wretch ! ' 
 continued the Emperor ; ' monster of ingratitude !
 
 INTRO. OLD GAMUL. ii 
 
 Guido liberated thee from the most imminent danger, 
 and for this thou hast nearly destroyed him. Dost 
 thou see how even irrational things have rendered 
 him good for the service he performed ? But thou 
 hast returned evil for good. Therefore I deprive thee 
 of thy dignity, which I will bestow upon Guido ; and 
 I further adjudge you to be suspended on a cross.' 
 This decree infinitely rejoiced the noblemen of the 
 Empire, and Guido, full of honours and years, ended 
 his days in peace." 
 
 Such is the story. I had previously told it in 
 rhyme, with considerable variation, in a small volume 
 of Foeins and Songs, published in iSSi, and in its 
 present shape I have still further varied and amplified 
 it. 
 
 The story has always appeared to me to be highly 
 susceptible of presentation in dramatic form, but from 
 its general features, and the improbability (or impos- 
 sibility) of the plot, it necessarily partakes to some 
 extent of the pantomimic in character. In order to 
 give it relief, and make it suitable for stage presenta- 
 tion, I have introduced other features of a lighter kind. 
 How far I have succeeded in my attempt to produce 
 a Play, I leave it for the critical reader to judge. 
 
 T. N. 
 Augusi, 1892.
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 — o — 
 
 Old Gamul. A Wood Gatherer in the Forest. 
 Jockey. A Farm Serva?ii — lVago?ier. 
 Jenny. A Farm Servant — Milkmaid. 
 Forester. 
 Porter. 
 
 Lord of the Manor. 
 
 Belsize. Friejid of the Lord of the Manor. 
 Ancient Villager. 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 
 Prince, Vizier, Duke, Earls, Lords, Knights. 
 Villagers, Attendants, Courier. 
 Fairies, Elves, Sylphs, Sprites, Gnomes, Wood- 
 Nymphs, Water-Nymphs, Fauns, <7;/^ Satyrs. 
 
 Animals. 
 Old Dapple, the Ass ; Lion, Serpent, Monkey.
 
 SONGS IN THE PLAY. 
 
 Act 1. PAGE 
 
 The Fairies' Song — Ere Morning Dawns - - 20 
 
 Lucky is the Grey Light in the Morning - 22 
 
 Hie Thee, Old Dapple 26 
 
 Attend your Queen 32 
 
 The Gnomes' Song ------- 34 
 
 When my True Love's Away . . . . 36 
 
 Cease Railing at Fortune 38 
 
 Again the Silver Crested Streams - - - 39 
 
 Act II. 
 
 At Gamulside there Lives a Lass - - - - 47 
 
 I'll Lead Thee to the Village Green - - 50 
 
 'Tis Windy on the Hill 56 
 
 Fair is my Love 56 
 
 I Sing of Love 58 
 
 The Wrestlers' Song— It is a Good Old English 
 
 Sport 63 
 
 The Satyrs' Song — The Monkey is the Drollest 
 
 Elf 68 
 
 The Faithful Dapple Pricks his Ears - - 69 
 
 Act III. 
 
 The Magic Stone 83 
 
 All in Vain 87 
 
 Wedding Chorus— The Slaves of Love - - - 91 
 
 The Nuptial Knot is Tied 93 
 
 To Birth and Rank a Prince's Smile - - - 98
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene I. 
 The Forest — Day Dawning. 
 
 Scene II. 
 Night in the Forest. 
 
 Scene III. 
 The Farm at Gamulside. 
 
 Scene IY. 
 Morning in the Forest.
 
 OLD GAMUL 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene L — The Forest — day dawning. Fairies, Elves, 
 Sylphs, Sprites, Gnomes, Wood-Nymphs, Water- 
 Nymphs, Fauns, and Satyrs discovered. 
 
 Fairy Queen {speaks) 
 
 Elf and Sprite, 
 
 Water wight, 
 As my wand is waving, 
 
 Sylph and Fairy, 
 
 Satyr hairy. 
 Cease your foolish raving, 
 And dance a merry measure, 
 To the tinkle of the stream : 
 
 To the rindle 
 
 And the trindle 
 
 Of the stream. 
 Dance all ! It is my pleasure.
 
 20 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 {They all dance, singing in chorus ; the 
 Queen of the Fairies leading.) 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Ere morning dawns, 
 
 And Phoebus beams, 
 O'er grassy lawns, 
 
 By rindling streams, 
 We trip the mazy measure ; 
 For hand in hand. 
 
 In sportive ring, 
 A jocund band. 
 
 We dance and sing, 
 And pass an hour in pleasure. 
 
 Our freaks on those 
 
 Of mortal wear — 
 Or friends or foes — ■ 
 
 We now forbear, 
 And leave them to their waking ; 
 Content to rest 
 
 Till falls the dark. 
 Then to our quest 
 
 We hark ! hark ! hark ! 
 The merry mischief making.
 
 SCENE 1. OLD GAMUL. 21 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 
 Hold ! Let your gambols cease, and don 
 Your caps invisible. For see 
 The morning dawns, the stars are gone, 
 The squirrel is out, and every tree 
 Gives forth the chirruping of birds. 
 And list ! I hear the sound of words 
 From mortal tongues. Footsteps I hear ! 
 Ah ! ha ! 'tis Jockey, Jockey and his dear ! 
 
 {Fairies and others all in chorus. ) 
 'Tis simple Jockey, Jockey and his dear ! 
 
 \_Exii Fairy Queen. The rest retire 
 into the background. 
 
 Enter Jenny and Jockey, tjuo rustic lovers. She in 
 jjiilkniaid's attire, and carrying a milk-pail ; he in 
 linen blouse, and with a wagoner's whip. 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 Early astir, you say. Jockey. Yes truly; 
 Summer days are long ; so is a poor girl's toiling. 
 Frolicsome cows are unruly ; 
 Brown cows, white cows, swains {looking coyly at 
 Jockey, and nodding her head) need beguiling.
 
 22 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 So, Jenny, so, you speak rightly. 
 
 And summer nights are short for a resting, 
 
 But work on the shoulders lies lightly 
 
 When the heart has glad Hope for a guest in. 
 
 Sing we the song, Jenny, that you taught me — 
 
 That with the chorus— the chorus that caught me — 
 
 The refrain that to my memory clings ; 
 
 Ah ! beating heart, be still, my Jenny sings ! 
 
 Jenny (snigifig.) 
 
 Lucky is the grey light in the morning ; 
 
 When the cows are lowing. 
 
 Green the grass is growing, 
 To the maid — the simple maiden — 'tis a warning. 
 Early to the fields we go smiling ; 
 
 Summer days are long. 
 
 Labour makes us strong. 
 And the cows — O the brown cow needs beguiling. 
 
 (Bo^/i in chorus.) 
 
 And the cows — O the brown cow needs beguiling. 
 
 Summer days are long, and no resting, 
 But Autumn brings full measure, 
 And the Spring-time — O the pleasure ! 
 
 When the birds — the little birds are all a-nesting.
 
 SCENE I. OLD GAMUL. 23 
 
 Jockey {singing.) 
 Winter nights are long, but no matter, 
 
 More's the time for cooing ; 
 
 Maidens take much wooing, 
 When a swain — a simple swain's tongue lacks love's 
 
 clatter. 
 Autumn paints the berry as we ponder 
 
 Wedded days to come. 
 
 True love's lips are dumb, 
 And the silence — O the silence is no wonder, 
 
 [Both in chonis.) 
 
 And the silence — the sweet silence is no wonder. 
 
 Summer days are long, and no resting. 
 But Autumn brings full measure. 
 And the Spring-time — O the pleasure ! 
 
 When the birds — the bonnie birds are all a-nesting. 
 
 Jockey rt«^ Jenny {singing.) 
 Hie we to the fields, and our labour ; 
 
 Grey skies are bending o'er us. 
 
 The lark is out before us. 
 And the hare— the timid hare is a neighbour. 
 Morning through the copse clear is breaking, 
 
 Flowerward hums the bee. 
 
 Golden gorse knows he, 
 For 'tis honey — O sweet honey he is making.
 
 24 OLD GAMUL. act. i. 
 
 {Both in chorus.) 
 
 For 'tis honey — O sweet honey he is making. 
 
 Summer days are long, and no resting, 
 But Autumn brings full measure, 
 And the Spring-time — O the pleasure ! 
 
 When the birds — the little birds are all a-nesting. 
 
 \_Exeunt Fairies and others. 
 
 Jenny, 
 
 Bestir you, Jockey ; this will never do 
 Palav'ring here ; the waste of time you'll rue. 
 Your wagon on the road an hour ago 
 Should have been labouring. The early crow 
 Mocks your delay. Such trifling should not be 
 When work is to be done. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 Thou chidest me, 
 My Jenny ; but the wisest crow of all 
 The camp, that on the elm tree's summit tall 
 Churns to his mate, waits the impatient kiss 
 That speeds him on his errand. So that bliss 
 Denied me, I can not depart content 
 To drive the wayward team. The road is drear 
 A\'ithout the kiss of comfort from my dear. 
 
 [^Tries to kiss her.
 
 SCENE I. OLD GA.MUL. 
 
 25 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 Unhand me, Jockey ! Cease your foolish plaint ; 
 I, too, have work to do ; 'twould vex a saint 
 To have her well-ironed bodice rumpled thus 
 By foolish lout. {He kisses her.) There, take your 
 
 buss, 
 And don't forget to bring the promised gown 
 You said you'd buy me at the market town. 
 
 Jockey {jinglmg his purse and cracking his whip.) 
 Good saints protect thee, Jenny — -sole to crown. 
 
 Jenny. 
 Adieu ! my Jockey ; don't forget the gown ! 
 
 \Exit Jenny. 
 
 Jockey. 
 Ah, Jenny, Jenny ! Just like all your sex. 
 Destined to tease and vex 
 Poor mankind. Let the pate be dull. 
 So that the cupboard and the purse be full. 
 Kind sweetheart mine ! My wagon to the town, 
 I'll not forget the longed-for, promised gown ! 
 
 \Exit Jockey, crackijig his ^uJiip.
 
 26 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Enter Old Gamul, with his donkey and cart. 
 
 Gamul {singing.') 
 Hie thee, Old Dapple ; come, let us be trudging 
 On to our work — to our work — never grudging 
 Their leisure to those whose bread needs no winning \ 
 Their pastime to those whose thread needs no spinning. 
 
 We who are poor must be willing and ready 
 
 To work. Gee up, Neddy ! 
 
 Sticks for your fire-lighting, housewives, I bring ye ; 
 Thanks for your guerdon, and songs I will sing ye ; 
 Never the child, or the wife, or the maiden, 
 But welcomes the wain of Old Gamul full laden. 
 
 Then over the woodland track. Dapple, go steady ; 
 
 Gee up ! whoa ! old Neddy ! 
 
 Ha ! 'twas a noble wind that yesternight 
 Racked all the forest ; and a goodly sight 
 Of fragile branches bars the woodland track 
 All ready to my hand. Now let us pack 
 The ample bundles. 'Tis not every day 
 Such luck awaits us, Dapple, Dapple grey. 
 
 {Enter Forester.) 
 Good morning. Forester. The wind in troth 
 Hath— 
 
 Forester. 
 Driveller ! save your wind to cool your broth.
 
 SCENE I. OLD GAMUL. 27 
 
 Gamul. 
 Without such winds the broth were cold and thin 
 To such as I. Hard 'tis, indeed, to win 
 The scanty shelter and the frugal fare 
 That poverty contenteth. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Have a care 
 Of bandying words with those whose power and hate 
 May crush thee. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Humbly pray I that the fate 
 Of those who crush both poverty and age 
 May not be yours. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Dost thou presume to wage 
 A war of words with me ? 
 
 Gamul. 
 Nay, master, mine, 
 It is not so my random words incline ; 
 But whence proceeds thy vengeful enmity ? 
 I gather but the rotten sticks that lie 
 Athwart the path, and thus a service do 
 To those the forest wide who wander through
 
 28 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 At duty's call. The Manor's noble Lord 
 
 Hath granted me that boon, and in his word 
 
 I put my faith. Thy predecessor here — 
 
 Heaven rest his soul ! — through many a changing year, 
 
 Granted me licence thus to win my bread. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Peace ! insolent knave ! My vengeance on thy head 
 
 Will surely fall. Thou claimest as a right 
 
 To range the forest ! words of mine despite ; 
 
 But hark ! ere many days have passed, thou'lt mourn 
 
 The weight of my displeasure and my scorn ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 The good saints shrive thee, sir ! dire are thy words. 
 And poverty and eld are broken swords ! 
 
 \Exeunt Gamul, Dapple, and cart. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Of all this forest wide the chief I reign, 
 Saving the Lord, to whom the rich domain 
 Belongs. Nor mortal can dispute my right 
 To give or to refuse entrance. No wight 
 May trespass, save at peril, the forest bounds ; 
 Yet comes this churl, with cart and donkey ! zounds ! 
 And leave asks not, as though prescription could 
 Give him the right to wander through the wood
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 29 
 
 At his wild will. I can no^ longer brook 
 This insolent intrusion. Hook or crook, 
 Perish he must. I'll rid the forest track 
 Of his vile presence, though it smack 
 Of cruelty ! But how ? Ah, there's the rub ! 
 I might way-lay him, brain him with a club. 
 And leave him to the wolves. No ! this I'll do : 
 I'll dig a pit, roof it with branches, strew 
 Rank leaves upon them ; then at break of day, 
 When comes he to the woodland, my sure prey 
 Into the pit will crash — man, beast, and wain. 
 Their grave, which I will straightway fill again. 
 
 [Shakes his fist, and scowls in the 
 direction of Old Gamul. 
 
 Thy doom is sealed ! for soon, thou caitiff wight. 
 The soil thou tread'st shall hide thee from my sight. 
 
 [Exit, 
 
 Scene II. — Night in the Forest. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 Come hither. Deft-toe, 
 
 And Caper-dot, and Light-cap ; 
 Come hither. Cap-mote, 
 
 And Dews-nap, and Tingle-tap.
 
 30 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Fairies. 
 We are here at thy command, good Queen. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 There is mischief brewing ; it is in the air ; 
 All our good friends I charge you have in care. 
 
 Fairies. 
 Our friends we have in care. 
 
 \They stand aside. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 
 Come hither, Nick-stitch, 
 
 And Glee-imp, and Burn-blue ; 
 
 Come hither, Hop-twig, 
 And Yo-yo, and Quack-loo. 
 
 Fairies. 
 Here, at thy call, we come, good Queen. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 The Forester is yours to circumvent. 
 
 Fairies. 
 His schemes we'll circumvent. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 For bad is his intent
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 31 
 
 Towards Gamul, whom protect, 
 For he hath our respect. 
 
 Fairies. 
 
 Gamul hath our respect. 
 
 \They stand aside. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 
 Come hither, Bell-tongue, 
 And Ice-touch, and Lap-fine ; 
 
 Come hither, Grot-wench, 
 And Ray-fleet and Elf-wine. 
 
 Fairies. 
 Good Queen, at thy command we come. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 
 Jockey and Jenny true lovers are, 
 But true love's course it is ours to mar. 
 
 Fairies. 
 With a jilt, and a jolt and a jar ! 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 Take Jenny's heart and give it a twist. 
 
 Fairies. 
 We'll give her heart a twist !
 
 32 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 Take Jockey's head and fill it with mist. 
 
 Fairies. 
 
 We'll fill his head with mist ! 
 
 In witch's garb we'll spoil his purse, 
 
 To witless dree the beldam's dole ; 
 
 In gabardine we'll him cajole, 
 And ban him with the night-hag's curse ! 
 
 \They stand aside. 
 
 Fairy Queen. 
 
 Come hither, Oat-pea, 
 
 And Heel-drip and Cling-goe ; 
 
 Come hither. Grig-wort, 
 And Zilk-pet and Mint-floe, 
 
 And little Ya-ya, 
 Ha! ha! 
 
 Fairies. 
 We come ! we come ! we come ! 
 
 Fairy Queen {singing.) 
 
 Attend your Queen, 
 And let the sheen 
 Of moon and stars surround her ;
 
 JJ 
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 
 
 For it is she 
 Rules destiny, 
 And naught may e'er confound her. 
 
 Fairies (/;/ chorus.) 
 
 For thou our Queen rul'st destiny, 
 And naught shall e'er confound thee I 
 
 We hail our Queen, 
 
 And with the sheen 
 Of moon and stars surround her ; 
 
 For it is she 
 
 Rules destiny, 
 And naught shall e'er confound her ! 
 
 \Examt OiMNES. 
 
 Enter the Forester. 
 
 In this the early dawn I come to view 
 
 The task I set my minions to do ; 
 
 To mark the trap, if all comi)act with care 
 
 The object of my deadly hate to snare. 
 
 Sleep flies the couch of those absorbed in schemes 
 
 Of devilry. For waking thoughts and dreams 
 
 Pilfer the rest that weary bodies crave. 
 
 \_Ligliiniiig and distant thunder.
 
 34 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 But that the person of a hoary knave 
 Should interpose to rob me of my rest, 
 Is more than flesh can bear ! A sorry jest 
 This grim reality. The noisome pest 
 That haunts our woods and fields, we crush, 
 And count the riddance cheap. So will I brush 
 This human pest aside, and find again 
 The rest and peace I long have sought in vain. 
 
 \Lightmng and thunder. The Forester 
 tmconscioiisly steps on to the roof of the 
 pit, lahich gives way beneath his feet, 
 and he falls with a shriek into the abyss. 
 Gnomes rising from out of the ground. 
 
 King of the Gnomes {sings.') 
 
 Ho, ho ! Ho, ho ! Ha, ha ! Ha, ha ! He, he ! 
 Gnomes that burrow underground are we. 
 Roots and earthworms we love, but a daintier dish 
 Will the Forester make — cooked as we wish. 
 
 {Chorus <?/" Gnomes.) 
 
 We'll slit him and nick him. 
 
 And make three meals of him ; 
 Clean shall we pick him. 
 
 The ribs, and the head, and the heels of him !
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 35 
 
 King (sings.) 
 Ho, ho ! Ho, ho ! Ha, ha ! Ha, ha ! He, he ! 
 Solid and safe inside the earth live we ; 
 Many's the dead man's carcass our larder hath within, 
 But a live one for a change will delight our gallopin. 
 
 (C/iorus of Gnomes.) 
 
 So we'll slit him and nick him, 
 
 And make three meals of him ; 
 Clean shall we pick him. 
 
 The ribs, and the head, and the heels of him ! 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 — o — 
 
 Scene IH. — T/ie Farm at Gamiihide. Enter Jockey. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 An empty pate, or an empty purse. 
 
 Odds crumpets and cat's eyene ! which is the worse ? 
 
 But both conjoined — ah, the misery of that ! 
 
 'Tis a woeful conjunction under one hat. 
 
 \Paces about in great trouble. 
 
 The stars are against me — the envious Fates 
 Are leagued to destroy me, so bitter my straits. 
 Wagon and horses stuck in a ditch. 
 Money and gown, all gone to the witch
 
 36 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 For spelling my fortune ! Sad, sad is my case, 
 And worse still to come with Jenny to face ! 
 'Twill tax the poor wits I have left to disarm her 
 Displeasure ! Ah ! here comes my charmer. 
 
 Enter Jenny singing. (Jockey tinobserved.) 
 
 When my true love's away, 
 I cannot long be gay. 
 
 Though songs I sing. 
 A merry heart is mine. 
 But I puke, and pule and pine 
 
 The livelong day. 
 
 I would not e'er complain, 
 Were he once more back again 
 
 My joys to share. 
 And come again he will. 
 He is my true love still — 
 
 Or here or there. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 It's neither here nor there, 
 
 Though it's both of them. 
 I, Jockey, am here, and thou, Jenny, art there. 
 
 Or the froth of them ;
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 
 
 For my head, like froth, is Hght, 
 
 And my heart {advancing to her side) ah ! Jenny ! 
 
 Is a leaden weight. 
 
 \_H'e shakes his head and 
 pulls a long J ace. 
 
 Jenny {starting.) 
 What has come over my Johnny ! 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 A Johnny indeed ! 
 
 He is well-named a "Johnny " 
 
 Who barters his corn for weed. 
 
 Jenny. 
 Ah ! Jockey, at the fair thou'st been unlucky \ 
 Well, never mind ! cheer up ! cheer up, my chucky ! 
 
 \Ch licks him tinder the chin. 
 
 This sennight 'tis the village festival, 
 
 Thou shalt escort me thither, so that all 
 
 May view me dressed, buxom, and fine, and smart, 
 
 In the gown you have brought me from the mart. 
 
 Jockey {with a start that causes her to retire suddenly 
 from him with a scream, and in a fright^ 
 
 The gown is flown, and I will go drown !
 
 38 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 What ! no gown ! Thou light-handed lover ; 
 Oh ! thou close fist — now do I discover 
 Thou playest me false ; thy promises fair 
 Dissolve with absence into empty air ! 
 
 [ Weepifig. 
 
 Thou car'st not for me — there ! 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 Nay, nay, my Jenny — come, my sweetheart, come ! 
 It is Miss Fortune all, that, meddlesome, 
 Hath thus o'ertaken me. But I will bate 
 Nor heart, nor hope, till better fate 
 Is mine. 
 
 \Holding his hands to his head, 
 and pacing up and doivn. 
 
 My head is clearer. Trust me, Jenny dear, 
 This cloudy sky of Fortune too shall clear ! 
 A truce to trouble ! Let it ne'er divide 
 Two loving hearts : turn surely will the tide.
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 39 
 
 Jockey and Jenny {duet.) 
 
 Cease railing at Fortune, 
 
 Meet life with a kiss, 
 Nor needlessly wish it 
 
 One cycle of bliss ; 
 For cares but embroider 
 
 Our seasons of joy, 
 Like feathery cloudlets 
 
 That sprinkle the sky. 
 
 Cease railing at Fortune, 
 
 Take life as it comes ; 
 If wanting in dainties. 
 
 Make glad o'er the crumbs. 
 Each little is sweet, if 
 
 A smile the lip wears, 
 But bitter the morsel 
 
 \Mien moistened with tears. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 — o — 
 
 Scene IV, — Morning in the Forest. Enter Old 
 Gamul with his Donkey and cart. 
 
 Gamul {siiiging as he bustles about, getting out 
 his ropes, and making ready for loadi?ig.)
 
 40 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 Again the silver-crested streams 
 Reflect the morn's refulgent beams. 
 
 Echo {in the distance). Refulgent beams ! 
 
 Each stately tree and mountain height 
 Is canopied with golden light. 
 
 Echo. With golden light ! 
 
 The labourer, with contented smile, 
 Begins his daily round of toil. 
 
 Echo. The round of toil ! 
 
 Night with her dreams is chased away, 
 All hail ! the glad returning day. 
 
 Echo. Returning day ! 
 
 The wily fox within the brake — 
 
 Forester {from the pit.) 
 Help ! Gamul, help ! for pity's sake ! 
 
 Gamul {startled.) 
 
 What means that cry ? Is it a voice I hear ? 
 Or doth a waking dream delude my ear ? 
 
 \He gazes round and descries the pity
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GA.MUL. 41 
 
 to the brink of which he approaches 
 with cautious steps, and looks down. 
 
 Whose is that voice salutes my startled ear ? 
 
 Forester. 
 Help ! Gamul, help ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 It is the Forester ! 
 
 \He seizes his ropes, ties them togetJiery 
 and casts one end down the pit. 
 
 Ah ! now he grasps it. So, hold fast ! Heave ho ! 
 
 \_Straining 7uith all his viight. 
 
 It will not budge an ell — pull high, pull low. 
 Come, Dapple, brute, {nnharfiessing the ass, and 
 fastening the rope to the gears,) 
 
 thy shoulders to the test, 
 Thou'rt worth a dozen weaklings at their best. 
 
 [ They both strain and pull — the rope rises, and 
 at length a Lion is seen to emerge from 
 the pit. Gamul shrinks back with fear. 
 
 Protect us, Heaven ! Else am I all undone, 
 No power can succour lend but only One ! 
 
 E
 
 OLD GAMUL. act i. 
 
 \^The Lion harms Jam not, but circling round 
 Gamul three times, he at last stoops bejore 
 him to shota his gratitude, and then 
 bou7ids away into the thick forest. 
 
 Forester. 
 Help ! Gamul, help ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Again that cry ! 
 'Twere dastard sin to stand here maundering by 
 When fellow mortal seeks my aid. 
 
 \_He again casts the rope down tlie pit. 
 
 'Tis grasped ! Hold fast ! Be not afraid ! 
 
 \He drags, and a Serpent rises. 
 
 Horror on horrors ! All the saintly powers 
 
 Protect me ! See the reptile cowers 
 
 Nor harms me ! Wave-like now it glides away ! 
 
 Alas ! alack a day ! alack a day ! 
 
 With trembling heart and lessening hope, 
 
 Again adown I cast the rope — 
 
 'Tis he at last ! He climbs ! Behold ! 
 
 \A huge Monkey emerges with a bound, 
 chatters and leaps zvith boisterous glee.
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 43 
 
 and at length scampers away into the 
 forest. 
 
 Powerless my arm, my blood runs cold ; 
 
 What creature next from out the depth will come ? 
 
 What horrid shape to strike with terror dumb ? 
 
 And yet, methought I heard a voice 
 
 Of human ken, invoke me thrice. 
 
 Once more I'll try, I could not rest 
 
 With conscience chiding in my breast. 
 
 \He casts the rope. Dragging, the 
 Forester rises to the surface, and 
 stands with half-averted gaze. Ga- 
 MUL seizes his hand, which the 
 other scornfully withdraws. 
 
 Thank heaven ! My efforts now are well repaid, 
 Rejoiced am I to lend a needy brother aid. 
 A kindly Providence hath seen it fit 
 To save thee from this fearsome pit. 
 'Twas doubtless dug by ruthless hands 
 For purpose dire ! For cruel ends ! 
 
 [77^1? Forester draws back 7vith 
 sudden start, conscience pricked.
 
 44 OLD GAMUL. act. i. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 See'st thou yon glade where upward goest 
 The smoke above the trees ? Thou knowest 
 'Tis my abode. This night attend, 
 And find a rich rewarding hand. 
 
 [Exi^ Forester. 
 
 Gamul. 
 'Tis well ! 'tis ill — I would not have it thought 
 That hope of base reward my willing service bought. 
 But ill or well, his bitter enmity 
 By gratitude must now replaced be. 
 
 [Exit 
 
 END OF ACT I.
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene I. 
 The Farm at Gamulside. 
 
 Scene II. 
 Evening — The Porter's Lodge. 
 
 Scene III. 
 The Village — The Festival. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 The Forest — Evening. 
 
 Scene V. 
 A Darkened Cavern in the Forest. 
 
 Scene VI. 
 Night in the Forest.
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene I. — The Farm at Gamuhide. 
 Enter Jockey. 
 
 Jockey {sings.) 
 
 At Gamulside there lives a lass — 
 
 I know not where her peer may be — 
 She's fairer than the fairest maid 
 
 That graces poet's minstrelsy. 
 The sunlight of her kindly face 
 
 Is dowry more than gold or land ; 
 Her smile, a richer treasure than 
 
 E'er rose 'neath touch of fairy's wand. 
 
 The spring-time wakens leaf and bud, 
 
 And sprinkles flowers on every spray ; 
 The summer gilds the mountain top, 
 
 And clothes the vale with verdure gay ; 
 'Tis spring-time where my darUng is, 
 
 The light of love illumes her eyes ; 
 The beauty of her tender glance 
 
 Broods o'er my soul like summer skies.
 
 48 OLD GA:MUL. act ii. 
 
 When o'er the russet moorland hills, 
 
 In wild career the whistling gale 
 Speeds on its wintry way, and fills 
 
 With drifting snow the narrow vale, 
 I sit beside the glowing hearth, 
 
 Nor count the moments as they glide ; 
 'Tis summer in yon forest home. 
 
 With the dear angel by my side. 
 
 There's truth in proverbs. Many a time have I 
 heard my old Mother say, "'Tis a long lane that 
 has never a turning." Sooth ! but that was a careless 
 witch to go hide my gear under the dog-rose hedge. 
 Witch ! Aye, but a fairy turned witch for the nonce — 
 so I read the riddle. But I must see Jenny. {Knocks 
 at the door.) Come, Jenny lass, an ora half-hour's 
 gossip never hindered work. 
 
 \_Enier Jenny. 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 Oh ! the gown. Jockey, is lovely indeed, and hits 
 my figure and complexion to a very tee. 
 
 Jockey. 
 Aye, verity.
 
 scene i. old gamul. 49 
 
 Jenny, 
 
 And so it was the wicked fairies, you say, that 
 took and hid it thus away ? 
 
 Jockey. 
 That, indeed, is my surmise, Jenny, for never a 
 true witch-hag would have laid it under a hedge, purse 
 and all. Besides, did not I see the fairy-ring near to 
 the spot where the frolicsome revellers had passed the 
 night ? 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 How delightful ! Just to think that my wardrobe 
 has been handled and admired by the Fairy Queen ! 
 A very queen shall I be. Jockey, at the festival. 
 
 Jockey. 
 A fairy queen, a fair queen, a bewitching queen ! 
 my Jenny. What if thy witching glances turn my 
 head again ? My wandering senses may not be as 
 easily recovered as my siller. 
 
 Jenny. 
 And thou, Jockey, shalt lead me to the village 
 green, where never dancer shall with lighter heart trip 
 the glad measure.
 
 so OLD GAMUL. act n. 
 
 Jockey aiid Jenny {Duet.)* 
 
 I'll lead thee to the village green, 
 And thou shalt be my beauteous queen. 
 The birds that wanton on the tree, 
 Shall sing no sweeter songs to me. 
 
 The flowers whose fragrance floods the air, 
 I'll bind within thy braided hair ; 
 Nor jewelled queen upon her throne, 
 A prouder look or gait will own. 
 
 I'll lead thee to the village green. 
 And thou shalt be my bosom's queen, 
 And through the coming years afar. 
 Thy love shall be my guiding star. 
 
 * Jenny's part is necessarily varied, and is as follows: — 
 
 Thou'lt lead me to the village green, 
 And I shall be thy bosom's queen. 
 The birds that warble on the tree, 
 Shall sing no sweeter songs to thee. 
 
 The flowers whose fragrance fills the air, 
 Thou'lt bind within my braided hair; 
 Nor jewelled queen upon her throne, 
 A prouder look or gait will own. 
 
 Thou'lt lead me to the village green, 
 And I shall be thy bosom's queen ; 
 And through the coming years afar, 
 Our love shall be our guiding star. 
 
 \Exeunt.
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. Si 
 
 Scene II.— Evening.— The Porter's Lodge at the 
 ejitrance to the Grange. 
 
 Enter Gamul. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 This errand suits me not. Misgivings rise 
 Within my breast, that this night's enterprise 
 Will have no gracious ending. In his face 
 No ray of gratitude could I discern, nor trace 
 Of thankfulness for succour lent, but scorn 
 And wrathful hate. The recompense is shorn 
 Of graciousness that grudging heart bestows. 
 And yet retrace my steps I cannot dare ; 
 His wish is a command that, Heaven knows ! 
 I may not disregard. Well could I spare 
 Reward for timely help. 
 
 'yKnocks at the Porter's gate. 
 Enter Porter. 
 
 Porter. 
 
 What is thy quest ? 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 This morn thy master gave behest 
 That I on him this night should wait, 
 The reason why I seek this gate.
 
 52 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 Porter. 
 
 Marry ! 'tis strange — 'tis passing strange ! 
 Seldom doth mortal seek the Grange ; 
 Howbeit, sire, pass in, may be 
 Thou own'st the Master's friendship privily ? 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Contrariwise, the truth I fear will read. 
 
 This morn whilst well within the forest bounds, 
 
 As is my wont, gathering the rotten wood 
 
 That lay around, there smote a human cry 
 
 Upon my startled ear, and, yawning by 
 
 A fearsome pit I saw. I threw 
 
 My ropes adown and stoutly drew. 
 
 Up came the Forester. As all amazed 
 
 I looked, he started back and gazed. 
 
 At length he silence brake, and said, 
 
 " Where curls yon smoke within the glade 
 
 " My mansion stands : this night attend, 
 
 "And find a rich rewarding friend." 
 
 Porter. 
 
 Hark, reverend sir, thou mayest scorn 
 My hint, but I would urge return, 
 
 [Gamul viaJces gesture of impatience.
 
 SCENE II. OLD GA.MUL. 53 
 
 Hold ! heed him not, 'tis but a snare. 
 What ! still persist ? Stay, have a care : 
 Consider this : How came the pit — 
 Think'st thou the biter was not bit ? 
 
 Gamul. 
 It cannot be. Thy words are vain. 
 No ! but for me he there in gloom had lain, 
 A victim to starvation, or the prey 
 Of savage beasts that through the forest stray. 
 I needs must go, for what excuse 
 Might shield me, if I dared refuse ? 
 
 Porter. 
 Go, if the end thou wilt not well compute, 
 But list ! On what has passed, I pray be mute ! 
 
 [Exewii. 
 
 Scene partially changes. The Forester's House. 
 Enter Gamul. 
 
 Gamul. 
 I fear me much the Porter spake me fair, 
 No hospitable look the Grange doth wear. 
 But dark and moody like the Forester 
 Its master. Yet return I cannot dare, 
 I venture must. 
 
 {Knocks at the door, the Forester appears.
 
 54 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Thou com'st at tardy pace 
 To claim thy recompense. 'Twere act of grace 
 To give thee all thy due — I will not stint 
 The reckoning. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Good master, if by dint 
 
 Of fortune I did lend a helping hand 
 To rescue thee, it were a base demand 
 To claim reward ; for generous bosoms feel 
 Reward sufficient in another's weal. 
 
 Forester. 
 Silence ! thou hoary knave ! The longed-for hour 
 Hath come at last which gives thee to my power ; 
 And vengeance — not reward — upon thy head 
 Shall swiftly fall. 
 
 [Seizes a club, and strikes 
 Gamul to the ground. 
 
 Gamul. 
 Mercy ! (Forester strikes) Hath mercy fled 
 Thy breast, if ere it found a lodgment there ? 
 
 [Forester strikes him repeatedly.
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 55 
 
 'Tis coward's work to crush the weak ! Beware 
 
 The retribution ! 
 
 [Forester strikes him, and 
 
 leaves him for dead. 
 
 Forester. 
 
 Ah ! revenge is dear 
 And salves the rankling sores of many a year ! 
 
 \Exit Forester. 
 
 [Enter Porter. 
 
 Porter {gazing at old Gamul.) 
 
 It is as I foretold. There is no ruth 
 
 In that obdurate heart, nor age nor youth 
 
 Awakes his sympathy. 
 
 [Gamul shows signs of Life. 
 
 The old man speaks ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Mercy ! Forbear 
 
 Porter. 
 It is a friend that seeks 
 To succour thee in this thy dire distress ; 
 I cannot more— 'twere cruel to do less. 
 
 \Raises Gamul, and hears him away.
 
 56 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 Scene III.— T/ie Village— The Festival. Youths and 
 maidens dressed in festive array, conversing and 
 making merry. Old folks restifig on the rustic seats 
 around the elm tree. Gipsies telling forttines — Booths 
 ivith merry- Andrews — The village Ale-house: table 
 outside. 
 
 Chorus of Village Topers. 
 
 'Tis windy on the hill, 
 
 But the mill it standeth still, 
 For the dusty Miller clinks his can — 
 He clinks his can — he clinks his can, 
 
 For Boniface to fill. 
 
 O, 'tis windy on the hill ! 
 
 Eiiter Jockey and Jenny, dressed in their finery, 
 and the admiration of all eyes. 
 
 Jockey (sings.) 
 Fair is my love, and good as fair. 
 
 Endowed with every tender charm ; 
 Her gentle voice — its accents rare, 
 
 A colder breast than mine might warm. 
 What though yon cottage lowly is, 
 
 There's worth and grace where she is seen ; 
 Nor marble halls, nor palaces, 
 
 Enshrine more wealth their walls between.
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 57 
 
 I wander down the bosky vale, 
 
 The apple bloom is on the tree ; 
 Nature with gladness floods the dale, 
 
 And love o'erflows my heart for thee. 
 O give to me the evening hour, 
 
 In love to clasp that hand of thine .; 
 To own thy beauty's magic power, 
 
 And press those lips, and call thee mine I 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 The dance ! the dance ! Come, giddy heads, your 
 
 feet 
 To music's witching strains, let timely beat. 
 And prank the hours in jovial mirth and glee ; 
 Come, Jenny, lead the dance — the dance with me. 
 
 Jenny. 
 A willing heart makes willing feet, and so 
 The stream of music shall not useless flow. 
 
 The Company. 
 The dance ! the dance ! Each gallant to his Jo ! 
 
 [ T/iey all join in a ruslic device^ 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 After the dance, the son 
 
 G
 
 58 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 The Company, 
 
 A song ! a song ! 
 A song with a chorus — neither short nor long. 
 
 Jockey. 
 Jenny shall sing, {to Jenny) Sweet warbler, tune thy 
 
 throat. 
 
 \To the Musicians, 
 
 Tune up your timbers, boys ! Give us the note. 
 
 Jenny. 
 First let me choose my song. What shall it be ? 
 Of love — of fair romance — of chivalry ? 
 
 Jockey. 
 A noble trio ! Sing of all the three ! 
 
 Ancient Villager, 
 But most of all of love — for love doth hold 
 Young hearts in thrall, and renovates the old. 
 
 Jenny {sings.) 
 
 I sing of love. A lady fair 
 
 Wept on the bosom of her lord ; 
 
 The rattling drums, the trumpets' blare 
 Called him to arms ; and never sword 
 Was borne by braver hand.
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 59 
 
 Said the lady fair, thy page I'll be, , 
 For from thy side I cannot live ; 
 
 And I will bear the brunt with thee 
 Of war's alarms ; and take and give 
 Thy message and command. 
 
 The lady page and the gallant knight 
 
 To the battle went away, 
 And they fought the foeman left and right 
 
 In the thickest of the fray. 
 
 And their's was the victor's side. 
 
 So love did shield them in the strife. 
 Till back to their home they came ; 
 
 And, wedded husband, wedded wife. 
 Known was their love and fame 
 
 Through all the country wide. 
 
 \The Company applaud. 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 Romance and chivalry — the mainspring love ; 
 Love is the lever that the world doth move. 
 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 
 A truce to romance and chivalry ! there is a note 
 of sadness in 'cm dulls my spirits; natheless, Jenny
 
 6o OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 sang well. But give me rather the twin moonrakers, 
 mirth and revelry. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 Mirth and revelry ! Ay, by the mass ! thou lovest 
 these more than a week's honest work, to thy undoing ! 
 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 Dost flout me ? 
 
 Jockey. 
 Ay, what then ? 
 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 
 Take back thy flouts, 
 Or, by my halidom, prepare for clouts ! 
 
 [ They both beghi to strip. Screaming and 
 excitemefit amongst The Company. 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 Let not our merry-making end in blows; 
 When hasty words are spoken, Heaven knows ! 
 'Tis wise to treat them even as a jest. 
 Nor fight nor keep them rankling in the breast ; 
 Your prowess, both, is known beyond a doubt, 
 But if contend you will, then try a wrestling bout.
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 6i 
 
 Jockey. 
 Agreed ! 
 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 Agreed ! 
 
 The Company. 
 
 A wrestling bout's the thing. 
 Hurrah ! a wrestling bout ! A ring ! a ring ! 
 
 Sturdy Villager. 
 Twice in three ? 
 
 Jockey. 
 So let it be. 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 Who throws twice the victor he. 
 
 \They strip, shake hands, and wrestle. 
 Jockey thro7us his antagonist. 
 
 The Company. 
 A throw ! a throw ! 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 For Jock the score stands one ; 
 Broad back to mother earth — 'twas deftly done.
 
 62 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 \They wrestle again — the Sturdy 
 Villager throws. 
 
 The Company, 
 
 A throw ! 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 'Tis one and one — an even score ; 
 The game is lively — one encounter more. 
 
 \^They dose for the third time, 
 and Jockey is victorious. 
 
 The Company. 
 A noble throw ! a noble throw indeed ! 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 A ringing cheer shall be the victor's meed. 
 
 The Company. 
 Hip ! hip ! hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 'Tis meet 
 
 That one cheer more the vanquished brave should 
 
 greet. 
 Hip ! hip ! hurrah ! (/« which Jockey joins ; the 
 
 C07nbatants shaking hands.)
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 63 
 
 Ancient Villager (sings.) 
 It is a good old English sport, 
 Might please a king and all his court, 
 To view the sturdy wrestlers grip. 
 And strive and strain with arm and hip. 
 Till bones and muscles bend and crack, 
 Like anchor cables on the rack. 
 
 Then hey ! the tussle 
 
 Of bone and muscle, 
 Sing ho ! for the wrestling bout ! 
 
 Chorus. Then hey ! the tussle 
 
 Of bone and muscle. 
 Sing ho ! for the wrestling bout ! 
 
 At arm's length see the Samsons twain 
 With levelled buttocks thrust. Again, 
 Like cleft oak rising from the ground. 
 They sway in sinewy shackles bound ; 
 Till on his back with stifled groan. 
 The vanquished combatant is thrown. 
 
 A throw ! A throw ! 
 
 Shout high and low, 
 Hurrah for the wrestling bout ! 
 
 Chorus. A throw ! A throw ! 
 
 Shout high and low, 
 Hurrah for the wrestling bout !
 
 64 OLD GAAIUL. act ii. 
 
 To mother earth his back is given, 
 His face salutes the blue of heaven. 
 Agility and strength unite, 
 In this the brave and bloodless fight ; 
 And dexterous skill the joust can gain, 
 Where mere brute force contends in vain. 
 
 Then hey ! the tussle 
 
 Of skill and muscle, 
 Sing ho ! for the wrestling bout ! 
 
 Chorus. Then hey ! the tussle 
 
 Of skill and muscle. 
 Sing ho ! for the wrestling bout ! 
 
 \Exeunt Omnes. 
 
 — o — 
 
 Scene IV. — The Forest — Evetiijig. Enter Gamul. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 It seems an age agone, since prone these feet 
 
 The Keeper's dweUing sought. To live is sweet, 
 
 Even to eld, else had I been content 
 
 To find repose in death. If he repent 
 
 Not of his enmity I am undone ! 
 
 Meagre my wants, yet I resource have none
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 65 
 
 Save the rude harvest which the forest yields 
 After the storm. The higher Power that shields 
 The wretched, be my trust ! 
 
 [A huge Monkey appears hi the distance, 
 gnnntng, chattering and exhibiting other 
 evideiit signs of pleasure on seeing Gamul. 
 
 Mercy o' me ! 
 It is the Ape belated that I see 
 Which from the pit made ladder of my rope 
 To gain his freedom. 
 
 \The Monkey approaches, making antics of 
 delight, then, climbing a tree, begins to 
 cast down branches right and left. 
 
 I can never cope 
 With this profusion of good things the brute 
 Provides for me — of gratitude the fruit. 
 To clear it all will take me busy days. 
 
 \A hissing sound is heard, and a Serpent 
 appears. Gamul recoils at the sight. 
 
 It is the Serpent ! Its entrancing gaze 
 Rivets my feet. I fain would turn and 'scape, 
 But cannot. {The Serpent speaks.) 
 
 H
 
 66 OLD GAMUL. act ii. 
 
 Gamul. 
 Thine the voice but not the shape 
 Of humankind. 
 
 The Serpent. 
 
 'Tis told in noblest song 
 The grisly Serpent had a languaged tongue. 
 List, then, the speech of creature rude, 
 Nor deem that such lack gratitude. 
 Know this : a generous heart may dwell 
 Beneath a rugged coat of mail. 
 Accept, I pray, the gift I bring. 
 Nor scorn a creature's offering. 
 'Tis fashioned by our tribe alone, 
 Its name— The Adder's Magic Stone, 
 And scarce Peru's deep caverns hold 
 Its worth in glittering yellow gold. 
 Nor boots it when, or where, or how, 
 If e'er the stone to barter, thou, 
 Through want or wisdom, art inclined, 
 Unless its value thou shalt find, 
 Though bound by lock or chest or chain, 
 It shall return to thee again. 
 
 [The Serpent lays a precious jetvel at the 
 feet of Gamul, ajid, turning, vanishes.
 
 SCENE V. OLD GAMUL. 67 
 
 Gamul, lost in admiration^ takes it in 
 his hafid. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 A noble gift indeed ! And calculate 
 
 To grace the palace of a king. Strange fate 
 
 That makes it mine. 
 
 [A subdued roar is heard in the distance, and 
 Gamul, starting, sees a Lion etnergi7ig 
 from the underwood. 
 
 Hast thou too, gifts in store — 
 Or com'st to seek the prey thou erst forebore? 
 . . . . The kingly beast recedes, 
 And beckons me to follow where he leads ! 
 Taught by thy humbler mates, I will not fear 
 To accept thy guidance. {He follotvs.) 
 
 Scene ^^ — A darkened Cavern in the Forest. 
 Enter Gamul. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Hither the Lion led me ere he sought 
 The forest depths. ... I am distraught
 
 68 OLD GAMUL. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 With wonderment. In gloom each object lies 
 Hid from my unaccustomed eyes. 
 
 \He peers into the cavern^ advancing cautiously. 
 The scene gradiially brightens. 
 
 And now a twilight glamour steals 
 Athwart the walls and dim reveals ; 
 ■* So, peering round, my anxious quest 
 Descries a massive oaken chest {pointing) 
 By stalagmitic bars invest 
 On shelving rock ! I will compete 
 To wrench it from its rocky seat ! 
 
 [Gamul, after much effort, drags the coffer to 
 the ground with sudden crash ; and being 
 partially broken by the fall, there rolls 
 from it gold and diamonds and precious 
 stones of every kind. Scene suddejily 
 changes. 
 
 — o — 
 
 Scene VI. — Night in the Forest. Fauns, Satyrs, 
 and Fairies in high revelry. 
 
 First Satyr {si?igs.) 
 
 The Monkey is the drollest elf 
 
 That wanders through the forest wide ;
 
 SCENE VI. OLD GAMUL. 69 
 
 To nutty fruits he helps himself, 
 And leaves a pick for some beside. 
 
 Chorus. 
 We know his haunts ! We know his haunts ! 
 
 Second Satyr {sings.) 
 
 The Serpent is the cunningest cove 
 That wriggles through the forest wide ; 
 
 The gift of speech that comes from Jove, 
 He hath, and mickle more beside. 
 
 Chorus. 
 We know his haunts ! We know his haunts ! 
 
 Third Satyr {sings.) 
 
 The Lion is the noblest brute 
 
 That ranges through the forest wide ; 
 
 Magnanimous and brave to boot, 
 He is the king of all beside. 
 
 Chorus. 
 We know his haunts ! We know his haunts ! 
 
 P'airy Queen {sings.) 
 
 The faithful Dapple pricks his ears 
 As home the treasure trove he bears.
 
 70 OLD GAMUL. ACT il. 
 
 Chorus of Fairies. 
 
 But gold breeds many a care, 
 So mortals, pray beware ! 
 
 Fairy Queen (sings.) 
 
 This lucky night goes Gamul home, 
 The richest wight in Christendom ! 
 
 Chorus. 
 But mortals, pray beware ! 
 For gold brings many a care. 
 
 Goldener is fairy gold, 
 
 Than is that in cavern told. 
 
 The cowslip's golden yellow — 
 
 And the daffodil its fellow — 
 
 More golden are than that whose birth 
 
 Is deep in heart of mother earth. 
 
 Your gold breeds many a care. 
 
 So mortals frail beware. 
 
 Beware ! Beware ! Beware ! 
 
 \Exeunt Fairies, Fauns and Satyrs. 
 
 END OF ACT II.
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene I. 
 A Room in the Mansion. 
 
 Scene II. 
 The Outskirts of the Forest by Moonlight. 
 
 Scene III. 
 The Marble Hall. 
 
 Scene IV. 
 The Wedding,
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene I. — Room in the Mansion of the Lord of the 
 Manor. Enter the Lord of the Manor, Friends, 
 a7id Attendants. 
 
 Lord, 
 
 The fame of this unequalled prize 
 
 Hath reached mine ear. Say, good Belsize, 
 
 Thou having seen't, doth it uphold 
 
 The character of worth untold 
 
 That fame records ? 
 
 Belsize. 
 
 It doth, my Lord, 
 Fame no exaggerated word 
 Hath spoken. It doth combine 
 All that is rare in deepest mine, 
 Or sea or air. Unparalleled 
 The beauty of that emerald ; 
 The purple of the amethyst 
 No mind of mortal ever wist ;
 
 74 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 The topaz bright, with hue of gold, 
 Its peer might mortal ne'er behold ; 
 And, as the sun blood-red is seen, 
 Through densest fogs that intervene. 
 So gleams the ruby's richest hue, 
 From bed of sapphire mild and blue ; 
 And beryl and sardonyx are there, 
 To lend the gem proportion fair ; 
 But foremost of the bright conclave — 
 Nor brought from mine nor Indian wave — 
 A diamond, pure as clearest stream 
 The soul might fancy in a dream. 
 Cleaves the rapt air with bars of light, 
 And holds in thrall the ravished sight : 
 These when thine eye hath dwelt upon. 
 The gem unrivalled thou shalt own. 
 
 Lord. 
 
 A noble picture ! If it half sustain 
 
 Thy glowing eulogy, then, not in vain 
 
 Its claim all other gems to over-vie. 
 
 Impatient I to view this prodigy. 
 
 At my behest Gamul this day will bear 
 
 The treasure hitherward. (To Attendants) 
 
 Let messenger be sent to speed his coming.
 
 scene 1. old gamul. 75 
 
 Attendant. 
 Even now, my Lord, he comes. 
 
 E filer Gamul {bearing ihe jewel protected by a silken 
 
 coverlet.^ 
 
 Gamul {bowing). 
 My duty to your Lordship. 
 
 Lord. 
 Thou art welcome. We fain would view the pre- 
 cious gem whose fame hath reached us by a hundred 
 tongues. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 'Tis at your Lordship's service, and seemlier would 
 it grace this princely hall than my poor domicile. ( Un- 
 covering the jewel and laying it upoji the dais arranged 
 for its reception). 
 
 Lord. 
 
 A gorgeous jewel in very deed! {Taking it in 
 his hatid.) The reality, Belsize, eclipses even thy 
 pronouncement ! 
 
 Belsize. 
 
 'Tis so, my Lord. Words are tame in presence 
 of such magnificence !
 
 76 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 Lord {replacing the jewel.) 
 
 Would that thou mightest tell us, Gamul, the 
 story of its possession. Such fragments as I have 
 heard of it are passing strange. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 If it please your Lordship. It happened thus : 
 
 My Lord, I was poor and lone, except for faithful 
 DajDple, the companion and sharer of my daily toil. 
 When the winds whistled through the trees, and the 
 boughs were racked by the storm, the forest tracks 
 were strewn with withered branches ; by your favour I 
 gained a scanty living gathering these, and vending 
 them to the villagers round about. 
 
 It might well be deemed that mine was a grateful 
 service in clearing the forest tracks from the wreckage ; 
 and for many years was it so considered. But there 
 came the Forester, who grudged me my scanty recom- 
 pense, and vowed dire vengeance on my head. 
 
 Plying my daily work, one morning I halted where 
 the faggots were thickly strewn, and scarce had bent 
 my back when a doleful cry for succour sounded on 
 my ear. " Help, Gamul, help ! " cried a voice as 
 from the deeps. 
 
 Amazed I stood gazing around speechless and
 
 SCENE I. OLD GAMUL. 77 
 
 awe-Struck. Again was the cry repeated, and peering 
 into the forest shade I descried the mouth of a yawning 
 pit. Hastening forward, I stood on its brink, and 
 cried aloud, "Who speaks below!" "Help, Gamul, 
 help ! " was the answer that for the third time smote 
 upon my ear. 
 
 Lord. 
 A dastard's work this pit — that dastard the 
 Forester, and he the deserved victim, though intended 
 for another. {To Attendants). Go, bring him 
 hither without delay. A speedy vengeance be upon 
 his head ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 May it please your Lordship's noble heart to let 
 mercy be meted to him in equal measure to his mis- 
 deeds and my forgiveness. 
 
 Lord. 
 Mercy be unto the merciful — but to your story. 
 
 Gamul {cotitinues). 
 
 In haste I seized my ropes, and tying them together 
 dropped one end down into the abyss and began to 
 drag. The load was beyond my strength; so, un- 
 harnessing Dapple, with our united efforts the rope
 
 78 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 began to rise, and at length a mighty Lion rose to 
 greet my terrified gaze. The kingly brute harmed me 
 not, but bending at my feet it rose and sped away 
 into the dim recesses of the forest. 
 
 Again I cast the rope, and dragging with all my 
 might, a grisly Serpent met my affrighted view. Me- 
 thought my last hour had come, but the creature, 
 approaching my feet, signified its gratitude, and then 
 glided away into the forest depths. 
 
 Yet again I dropped the rope down the abyss, 
 and scarcely had it reached the bottom when a huge 
 Monkey came clambering to the surface. The rescued 
 brute, expressing its joy, danced round and round 
 with gleeful chatterings, till at length with a cry both 
 long and loud it scampered away. 
 
 Once more I strove, and now a human form was 
 seen to rise. It was the Forester. Voiceless he stood 
 and looked askance. Then, breaking silence, he 
 spoke : "Seest thou yonder glade ? There stands my 
 "abode; this night attend, and thou shalt find how 
 "rich is thy reward." Then with hurried steps he 
 took his way. 
 
 Lord. 
 Good ! Proceed,
 
 SCENE I. OLD GAMUL, 79 
 
 Gamul. 
 That night, unwillingly, but fearing to disobey 
 his command, I sought the glade. The kindly Porter 
 through whose gate I passed, would have dissuaded 
 me, but I listened not. Suffice it to say, that, instead 
 of reward, I was beaten with a club, and cast out for 
 dead. Such, indeed, would have been my fate had 
 not the Porter found me senseless on the ground, and, 
 carrying me to his home, nursed and tended me for 
 many weary weeks. To the Porter, under Providence, 
 I owe my life. 
 
 Lord. 
 
 Forester and Porter shall be repaid in kind ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 Again restored to health, my only resource was 
 the forest. 
 
 Thither one evening, I bent my steps, and, strange 
 to tell, the Monkey, waiting my coming, provided me 
 with faggots in plenty. 
 
 Then the grisly Serpent appeared, bringing with 
 it the Adder's Magic Stone, which now thou seest, 
 and laid it at my feet. 
 
 Afterwards the Lion. He, beckoning me to 
 follow, I gathered courage to take him for my guide,
 
 So OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 till, reaching the mouth of a cavern, he bounded away 
 out of my sight. 
 
 Exploring the cavern I found treasure in store, 
 and of many precious kinds. 
 
 Such, may it please your Lordship, the strange 
 story which scarcely may be believed. 
 
 Lord. 
 
 Strange indeed, yea, passing strange. The lowly 
 creatures, Belsize, might teach a lesson to their masters. 
 
 Belsize. 
 
 Indeed, my Lord, the story hath a moral as golden 
 as its ending. 
 
 '»• 
 
 [Enfer Servant. 
 
 Lord (/^ Servant.) 
 What is thy deliverance ? 
 
 Servant. 
 A Messenger hath arrived in haste, my Lord. 
 
 Lord. 
 Let him have entrance, immediate. 
 
 [Ext^ Servant — £nfer Messenger.
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 OLD GAMUL. 8i 
 
 Lord. 
 Why so distraught — What is thy message ? 
 
 Messenger {bowitig.) 
 
 May it please your Lordship. 
 With ready hearts to do thy will 
 We sought the Keeper's domicile ; 
 But not in Grange, nor glade around, 
 Nor domicile was Keeper found. 
 As back with tardy pace we rode 
 Through the thick forest dim and broad, 
 A human form from bough bestrung, 
 High o'er our lonely pathway hung ! 
 Soon on the turf that form we laid, 
 Within the solemn forest shade. 
 And each, transfixed, did mute survey 
 The Keeper's stiff and pallid clay ! 
 
 Lord. 
 
 Thus Justice waits with sure remeed — 
 
 His own right hand hath wrought the deed 
 
 {To Attendants.) It is my will, that from this day 
 
 The Porter, for his generosity, 
 
 Shall be my trusted Forester, and rule 
 
 With wise discretion— just, yet merciful. 
 
 I
 
 82 OLD GAMUL. ACT III. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 One favour at your Lordship's hands I pray : 
 That thou accept the gem, whose briUiancy 
 111 harmonises with the meaner things 
 That grace my cottage. 
 
 Lord. 
 'Tis a gift that Kings 
 Might greatly envy. And my warm esteem 
 And thanks be thine. But it would ill beseem 
 The pleased and proud recipient to dream 
 Of bare acceptance. Let it then suffice 
 That we become the owner of the prize 
 On value given. This gold, therefore, be thine, 
 
 {Hatiding Gamul a bag of gold.) 
 And so the Adder's Magic Stone be mine. 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 As pleases you, my Lord. Albeit it is strange 
 That gold for stone should be a fair exchange. 
 
 \_Extt Gamul, bowing. 
 
 Lord. 
 
 Renowned this Stone shall be, I will invite 
 Princes and Earls to view the goodly sight ;
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 83 
 
 And Connoisseurs from distant lands of earth 
 Shall come to read the riddle of its birth. 
 
 [Exeunt Lord, Friends and Attendants. 
 
 -o- 
 
 ScENE II. — The Outskirts of the Forest by Moonlight. 
 Old Gamul's Cottage. The Fairies in revelry. 
 
 Fairy Queen (sings.) 
 
 The Magic Stone 
 
 From his Lordship's sight, 
 
 And eke from his guests. 
 Has vanished quite. 
 
 Chorus. 
 With a fi-la-loo ! Fa-la-la ! Ho-ho-ho ! 
 
 They rave and they run 
 Through kitchen and hall, 
 
 And " catch the thief ! " 
 Is the cry of them all. 
 
 Chorus. 
 "With a ran-tan-tan ! Chip-chip-chip ! Ho-ho-ho !
 
 84 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 But little the chance 
 Of his Lordship's men, 
 
 To catch the thief 
 
 Who the jewel hath ta'en. 
 
 Chorus. 
 With a hush-hush-hush ! Che-che-che ! Ho-ho-ho ! 
 
 \Thc Adder's Magic ^to-h^e. is seen floating 
 in the air, borne by invisible hands, to- 
 wards Gamul's Cottage, through the door 
 of luhich it vafiishes. 
 
 For he's out and away 
 
 On invisible feet, 
 And the jewel rests safe 
 
 In old Gamul's retreat. 
 
 Chorus. 
 With a ha-ha-ha ! Ha-ha-ha ! Ho-ho-ho ! 
 
 Queen {speaks.) 
 
 Whist ! Here comes Gaffer Gamul old, 
 Staggering 'neath his load of gold. 
 Cease your laughter until he 
 The Magic Stone returned shall see.
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 85 
 
 Then, and after, 
 Let your laughter — 
 Fairy laughter — 
 Wake the Jackdaw on the tree. 
 
 Enter Gamul, carrying the bag of gold. 
 
 Gaimul {soliloquising.) 
 
 If gold doth press as heavily upon the soul as on 
 the shoulders, then methinks its possession may prove 
 a burden hard to bear. 
 
 Poverty I knew. He hath been my hearth-com- 
 panion for many a year, and almost I had learnt to 
 love him. 
 
 Wealth came, and he hath shouldered out my 
 meagre guest and eke my bedfellow ! His face is 
 strange and unfamiliar, and I fear his artful ways. 
 
 Live with him alone I dare not ! Come then, 
 Benevolence, be thou my right hand — my mentor 
 and friend ! 
 
 [^Opetis the Cottage door a?id enters, but 
 immediately reappears with an expression 
 of fear and surprise. 
 
 The Adder's Stone returned ! Is it a dream 
 With which I wrestle ? Is that dazzling gleam
 
 86 OLD GAMUL. act in. 
 
 Of living light which strikes my waking sense 
 But the remembrance of the weird magnificence — 
 The peerless beauty of the jewel rare 
 That now adorns his Lordship's hall ? 
 
 \The Fairies chant in low monotonous 
 cadence, Gamul listening. 
 
 For scarce Peru's deep caverns hold 
 Its worth in glittering yellow gold. 
 Nor boots it when, or where, or how. 
 If e'er the Stone to barter thou 
 Through want or wisdom art inclined, 
 Unless its value thou shalt find. 
 Though bound by lock, or chest, or chain. 
 It shall return to thee again ! 
 
 Gamul. 
 
 The air 
 Is rife with murmurous sounds, and memory 
 Recalls the Serpent's words addressed to me. 
 JVor boots it when, or where, or how. 
 If e'er the Stone to barter thou 
 Through want or wisdom art inclined. 
 Unless its value thou shalt find, 
 Though bound by lock, or chest, or chain. 
 It shall return to thee again.
 
 SCENE II. OLD GAMUL. 87 
 
 Wretch and ingrate ! that e'er for hoarded gold 
 
 I that exchanged which neither bought nor sold 
 
 Might take or give possession. To ensure 
 
 Its permanent bestowal, gold may not allure ; 
 
 For only as a gift may it remain 
 
 His Lordship's. Therefore, Stone and gold again 
 
 I will return straightway. 
 
 [He enters the Cottage. 
 
 Fairies {singing.) 
 
 All in vain 
 To reckon gold of equal worth 
 With that which neither sea, nor earth, 
 Nor air, hath niirtured into birth. 
 
 'Tis vain ! 'Tis vain ! 
 The gift which gratitude bestows, 
 An all uncounted value knows ; 
 Its estimate in paltry gain 
 
 Is vain ! Is vain ! 
 
 [Curtain.
 
 88 OLD GATklUL. act hi. 
 
 Scene III. — The Marble Hall in the Mansion of the 
 Lord of the Manor — Prince, Vizier, Duke, 
 Earls, Lords, Knights, ajid other distinguished 
 guests, and Old Gamul, discovered. 
 
 Lord of the Manor. 
 Again, and yet once more, I bid you welcome ! 
 My Prince, my noble friends, my guests, this day, 
 Who thus have honoured me by grateful presence 
 My poor board to grace, and feast your eyes 
 Upon the richer treat ye have beheld 
 In the rare jewel, which, with one accord, 
 Ye have acclaimed as peerless of its kind. 
 
 The Company. 
 It hath no equal, search where'er we may — 
 By darkest night, or eke by brightest day ! 
 
 Lord of the Manor. 
 The story of its presence ye have heard 
 Rehearsed. And passing strange and wonderful 
 It all appears. The gratitude that marks 
 The humbler creatures, well might serve as theme 
 For proudest pen — for poet's noblest dream. 
 
 Prince. 
 My Lord, my noble friends, each, all, 
 I crave a word. Our honoured host,
 
 SCENE III. OLD GAMUL. 89 
 
 Whose welcome fair and hospitality 
 
 We prize, hath made us debtors ; we would fain 
 
 Our pleasure signify by act appropriate 
 
 To the occasion. So, it is our will 
 
 That Gamul at our hands knighthood receive, 
 
 And, honoured thus, the ranks of honour grace. 
 
 The Coinipany. 
 A Princely declaration ! Gamul, kneel ! 
 
 (Gamul comes forward, and sinks on one 
 knee before the Prince, wJio touches hint 
 with his sword.) 
 
 Prince. 
 
 V 
 
 Rise, Sir Gamul ! 
 
 Sir Gamul {rising.) 
 
 Thou, my Royal Prince, 
 The fount of honour art ; and may the stream 
 That issues from thy gracious hands, imbue 
 Thy subject Knight with knighthood's worthiness ! 
 
 Prince. 
 A knightly speech and prayer ! 
 
 K
 
 90 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 The Company. 
 
 So say we all ! 
 
 Lord of the Manor, 
 
 And now, my guests, the day wears on apace. 
 Whilst much of entertainment ^ill remains 
 To occupy the fleeting hours, and yield 
 Pleasant adventure, or romantic quest, 
 As suits each varied taste. The forest depths 
 Have much of interest. The library 
 Will more attractive prove for studious minds ; 
 And antiquarian wits may best explore 
 The ancientry that marks this wide domain. 
 To thee, my Prince, I offer the delight 
 Attendant on the chase. To hunt the stag 
 Is royal sport. We follow — thou shalt lead ! 
 
 Prince. 
 
 Than that the chase affords, no keener joy. 
 We lead ! Who follows ? 
 
 The Company. 
 
 I, and I, and I ! 
 
 [^Exeunt Omnes.
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 91 
 
 Scene lY.—T/ie Weddi/ig of Jockey a7id Jenny— 
 Village Festivities — Youths and Maidens and the 
 Elders of the Village — amongst them Sir Gamul. 
 The Village Ale House. 
 
 Wedding Chorus {simg by Villagers.) 
 The slaves of love that wedlock binds, 
 
 Are willing slaves : and by this token 
 No slaves they be, whilst Old Time finds 
 
 The silken cords of love unbroken. 
 
 He that would fain 
 
 'Scape love's sweet pain. 
 
 Had best remain 
 A careless rover ; 
 
 For Cupid's darts, 
 
 And bleeding hearts, 
 Are true love's signs the wide world over. 
 
 O, love in youth ! 
 
 The bud a blowing. 
 O, love in prime ! 
 
 Fragrance bestowing. 
 O, love in age ! 
 
 Still warm and glowing. 
 By sweet showers nurtured from above, 
 An everlasting flower is love !
 
 92 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 Sir Gamul. 
 
 The Village Queen this day is crowned indeed, 
 Of that we all are witnesses. The swain 
 Who claims the Bride deserves the prize, 
 For worthy he. A bumper now we fill. 
 
 {They fill a bumper.) 
 
 I give the toast — 'Tis Jockey and his Bride ! 
 
 The Company. 
 We drink the toast ! To Jockey and his Bride ! 
 
 ( They drink. ) 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 
 If I may be so bold, 
 The favour I would pray, 
 That now Sir Gamul sing a song 
 Upon this nuptial day ! 
 
 {The Cojnpany crowding round Sir Gamul.) 
 
 Sir Gamul, sing we pray. 
 On this the nuptial day. 
 We ask it all the more as 
 We'll join you in the chorus !
 
 scene iv. old gamul. 93 
 
 Sir Gamul. 
 
 Though it's not writ in the bond, 
 I most willingly respond. 
 
 [Sings. 
 
 The nuptial knot is tied, 
 
 The Bridegroom and the Bride 
 
 Are one in twain, and twain in one. 
 The world is very wide, 
 But they stand side by side 
 
 As one in twain and twain in one, 
 Whatever may betide. 
 
 Chorus. The world is very wide. 
 
 But they stand side by side 
 As one in twain and twain in one, 
 Whatever may betide. 
 
 The Parson did his duty, 
 
 And joined are strength and beauty 
 
 Now one in twain and twain in one. 
 The world is very wide, 
 But they stand side by side 
 
 As one in twain and twain in one, 
 Whatever may betide.
 
 94 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 Chorus. The world is very wide, 
 
 But they stand side by side 
 As one in twain and twain in one, 
 Whatever may betide. 
 
 Who the next Bride will be, 
 
 Is a riddle hard to re, 
 'Tis one in twain and twain in one. 
 
 But the world is wide and free. 
 
 And a small bird on the tree 
 Sings one in twain and twain in one, 
 
 And sly though shy is he. 
 
 Chorus. The world is wide and free, 
 
 And a small bird on the tree 
 Sings one in twain and twain in one, 
 And sly though shy is he. 
 
 Jockey. 
 Sir Gamul, friends, associates true, 
 For all the warm good wishes you 
 So kindly have expressed, we tender 
 Such thanks as our full hearts may render. 
 
 Enter Courier. 
 
 Courier. 
 To this bright Company the Manor's Lord 
 Sends greeting.
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 95 
 
 The Royal Prince and other noble guests 
 
 Who at the castle sojourn, having heard 
 
 Of these festivities, would gladly pay 
 
 Their devoirs to the Bridegroom and his Bride. 
 
 If so be, therefore, no offence is ta'en. 
 
 They will arrive anon. 
 
 Jockey. 
 
 They shall be welcome ! 
 
 Although such guests we scarcely dared to dream 
 Should grace our wedding feast. 
 
 [Exif Courier. 
 
 Sir Gamul. 
 
 Wise Prince is he 
 That for a season dares unbend, and deigns 
 By personal contact with the humbler ranks, 
 To prove the grit of their fidelity. 
 
 Ancient Villager. 
 Now, to receive the guests in fashion meet 
 Let us dispose ourselves. The blushing Bride 
 And Bridegroom here shall stand. The maidens 
 
 fair 
 And youths will form a crescent in the rear. 
 The elder dames and men will flank the sides,
 
 96 OLD GAMUL. act hi. 
 
 And good Sir Gamul will the welcome tell. 
 Dispose yourselves ! 
 
 The Company range in the order as directed. A fan- 
 fare of trtimpets an7ioimces the arrival of the Prince 
 and others. 
 
 [Enter the Prince, Vizier, Duke, and the 
 rest, accompanied by the Lord of the 
 Manor. The Bride and Bridegroom 
 and Villagers bozu, as also do the 
 Prince atid the others. 
 
 Sir Gamul. 
 
 My Royal Prince, your Grace, my Lords and Knights : 
 
 As mouthpiece of this Village Company, 
 
 Who celebrate the marriage of their peers, 
 
 The Bride and Bridegroom, in the name of each 
 
 And all, we bid you welcome. 
 
 The Villagers. 
 
 A welcome to the Prince and all his friends ! 
 Hip ! Hip ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 
 Prince. 
 We thank you all, and deem it honour high 
 That you receive us of your Company.
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 97 
 
 Happy the Bridegroom blest with such a Bride ! 
 Happy the Bride such Bridegroom by her side ! 
 
 And now, let not our presence mar the day — 
 Banish constraint and dull formality — 
 We would not hinder your festivity. 
 
 ( The Musicians begin to play a dance tune 
 if I S2ibdued tones.) 
 
 Jockey. 
 We take you at your gracious word, good Prince, 
 And, if it pleasure you, my cousin fair 
 Will stand your partner at the country dance 
 To which even now the music summons us. 
 
 Prince. 
 
 'Tis a fair offer — not to be refused 
 
 By prince or pleb. My Lords, example take ! 
 
 \Offering his arm to the maide?i. The Com- 
 pany choose part7iers and dance. 
 
 {After the dance, Prince, Vizier, Lord of 
 THE Manor, Jockey, each with their 
 Partners, and Sir Gamul, advance to
 
 98 OLD GAMUL. act in. 
 
 the front, the remainder of the Company 
 in the hack-ground. 
 
 Prince (sings.) 
 To birth and rank a Prince's smile 
 
 Is worth a mint of money, 
 And should he condescend awhile, 
 
 The classes think it funny. 
 But drat the Prince who always wears 
 
 His head as high's a steeple ; 
 The wiser way yotir Prince prefers — 
 
 He mixes with the people ! 
 
 Chorus. O drat the Prince who always wears 
 
 His head as high's a steeple. 
 The wiser way our Prince prefers — 
 He mixes with the people ! 
 
 Lord (sings.) 
 I am a Lord of high degree, 
 
 With many to attend me ; 
 But frequently, as now you see, 
 
 I hasten to unbend me. 
 For 'tis the broad foundation strong. 
 
 Supports the lofty steeple ; 
 And dolt is he who deems it wrong 
 
 To mix among the people !
 
 SCENE IV. OLD GAMUL. 99 
 
 Chorus. O 'tis the broad foundation strong, 
 
 Supports the lofty steeple ; 
 And dolt is he who deems it wrong 
 To mix among the people ! 
 
 Sir Gamul {sings.) 
 
 A hump of pride let others wear, 
 
 And emulate the camel ; 
 Your merry pastimes still I'll share, 
 
 Although I am Sir Gamul. 
 The bird that builds his airy nest 
 
 High on the towering steeple. 
 Descends at times. So, like the rest, 
 
 I'll mix among the people ! 
 
 Chorus. The bird that builds his airy nest 
 
 High on the towering steeple, 
 Descends at times. So, like the rest, 
 He'll mix among the people ! 
 
 [ Curtain, 
 
 END OF ACT III.
 
 TOO OLD GAMUL. 
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 More would'st thou learn ? Yon mansion high, 
 
 That aye attracts the traveller's eye, 
 
 Was built by old and wealthy Knight, 
 
 His name the good " Sir Gamul " hight. 
 
 Nor e'er were turned the homeless poor 
 
 Unfriended from the open door ; 
 
 Nor pearly tear their cheek bedewed, 
 
 Save that of honest gratitude. 
 
 Want hath not here a victim found, 
 
 For peace and plenty reign around. 
 
 O'er many a mead Old Dapple strays, 
 
 The comrade of remembered days ; 
 
 The Porter dwells within the Grange. 
 
 (No more the haunt of dark revenge,) 
 
 And o'er the Manor's woodlands wide. 
 
 The Keeper's place hath long supplied. 
 
 J. Brook and Co. , Printers, Manchester.
 
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