ML 50 V58F19E A A SOI — 5 '^=^== JD 1 3 JI'JJ 6 8 LIBF 4 7 lARY 9 VERDI FALSTAFF THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FALSTAFF A LYRICAL COMEDY IN THREE ACTS BY ARRIGO BOITO (English Version by W. Beatty Kingston) MUSIC BY GIUSEPPE VERDI PRICE 40 CENTS G. RICORDI & CO. Inc. 12 WEST 45th STREET NEW YORK COPYRIGHT 1893. by G. RICORDI & CO. _r FALSTAFF A LYRICAL COMEDY IN THREE ACTS BY ARRIGO BOITO (English Version by W. Beatty Kingston) MUSIC BY GIUSEPPE VERDI PRICE 40 CENTS G. RICORDI & CO. Inc. 12 WEST 45th STREET NEW YORK COPYRIGHT 1893. by O. RICORDT & CO. SYNOPSIS SCENE I ^^"^ ^• Falstaff is seen enjoying himself in his inn at Windsor, attended by Bardolph and Pistol. He has just written a coujile of lo/e letters to two sprightly gentlewomen of the town, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. Neither of his attendants cares to play the part of go-between in the affair, and a boy, Robin, is sent to bear the missives. Enter Dr. Caius, who complains he has been robbed by Bardolph and Pistol. SCENE II A garden of Ford's house. Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page meet together with Dame Quickly. They compare notes and find that Falstaff's letters are i)recisely in the same language. They decide upon some way of revenge on the fat knight. Fenton is in love with Anne, and they meet and exchange mutual vows. Anne complains that her father wants her to marry Dr. Caius, but her mother promises she shall have the man of her choice. Bardolph and Pistol come and tell Ford of Falstaff's designs on his wife and Ford resolves to have his vengeance too. It is arranged that he shall be introduced to Falstaff under a false name. The women arrange that Dame Quickly shall go to Falstaff and make an appointment for him to meet them on the morrow. SCENE I ^^'^ ^^' Falstaff is at an inn, and Dame Quickly comes with the note making the appoint- ment between two and three o'clock for that day. The knight is overjoyed. Ford is announced under the name of Fountain. He pretends he has come to ask Falstaff to aid him in his hopeless quest of Mrs. Ford. Falstaff agrees to help him all the more, as he has an appointment with the iady for that afternoon, while her husband is away. This news astounds Ford, who believes that his wife is deceiving him after all. He raves with jealousy, whilst Falstaff goes to don his best attire. They leave together. SCENE II In Ford's hnnse. The women have nrepared everything for Falstaff's reception. Two servants enter, carrying a basket full of dirty linen. The fat knight arrives and immediately begins making love to Mistress Ford. She alternately encourages and repulses him, until Dame Quickly bustles in to say that Ford is coming in great haste. She thinks it is only an alarm meant for Falstaff, but finds it is only too true. She conceals the knight behind the screen, as Ford's voice is heard. He enters with Caius, Bardolph and Pistol, giving orders to search everywhere for the scoundrel. He himself examines the basket and then rushes out frantic. As he does this. Falstaff runs from behind the screen and squeezes into the basket, while Dame Quickly and ATrs. Ford cover him with the soiled linen. Fenton now comes in with Anne, and to be able to talk quietly they hide behind the screen. Ford and the others return and continue looking for Falstaff. Ford pitches on the screen as the" place of hiding, and they surround and overturn it, only to their disgust to find the young lovers. The men again rush off looking for Falstaff, who, half suffocated, imnlores to be released. Mrs. Ford then calls the servants to carry the basket away. They take it to the window, balance it a moment, then throw it into the river. A loud shout is heard and Mrs. Ford takes her husband to the window to show him the fate of the gallant knight. * SCENE I ^^"^ ^^^' Dame Quickly comes to the inn to express to Sir John the sorrow of Mrs. Ford over the occurrences of the day and to make a new appointment with him in Windsor Forest that night. The vain old knight falls into the trap again. The three other women overhear the conversation and make their plans, and Ford is taken into the secret this time. Dame Quickly then hears Ford promise Dr. Caius to let him have Anne as wife, immediately. She runs and tells the others. SCENE II Windsor Park. Fenton and Anne arrive and pledge anew their vows. Mrs. Ford then arrives and i)Uts a mask and cloak on Fenton. Dame Quickly is invested with a broomstick. Falstaff now comes on the scene and meets Mrs. Ford. He begins his protestations of undying love, but they are interrupted by ISTistress Page, who, rushing in, cries that witches are coming. Sir John betrays the most abject fear and falls to the ground, burying his face, and the fairies enter led by Nan. Then Bardolph. Pistol, Ford and the others fall upon Falstaff and belabor him with blows, until he cries for mercy; but in the melee he recognizes Bardolph and this restores his courage. Then P'llstaff owns up to his errors, and Ford and he make friends. Bardolph comes in as »he Fairv Queen, hand in hand with Dr. Caius, and Mrs. Ford leads forth Anne rl'sguisf as a nymiih. and Fenton in his cloak and mask. Ford unites the two couples. They then all unma?k to the astonishment of Dr. Caius and to the grief of Ford, who fl'vls he has married his daughter to the wrong man. However, he relents when he finds that there are other dupes besides himself. Ford embraces Anne and Fenton and all the characters and the chorus join in the finale: "Jesting is man's vocation; Wise is he who is' jolly. Ready to laugh inion slight provocation, Proof against dull melancholy. Each man makes fun of his neighbor The merry world around: — • Solace for pain and for labor In gay laughter is found!" CURTAIN 60 I' ^ ldyou. Disproved your accusations, depart — and drink no more ! Caius Hear me ! If I ever again get drunk in strange society 'Twill be with honest people, pious and noted f«r sobriety. (Exit L.) Bard., Pist. (beating time as they escort Caius to the door) Amen ! Falst. Cease your antiphonals ; ye drone them out of tune. Virtue lies in this axiom : Steal ytntly and oppor- tunely. Ye are but clumsy craftsmen. Bard., Pist. (as before) Amen ! Falst. Hush! (looking over Host's reckoning) Six pi diets : six shilliiujs. Thlrt]! flagons of .^'i erri/ : two nobles, three good groats, (throwing liin purse at Bardolph) What is loft in my purse ? (reading the reckoning) A brace of piiaasants. An anchovy. FALSTAFF Bard, (emptying thc^ purse and counting its contents on the table.) Oite murk, one penny. Falst. Riiinmage, ruiumago ! Baro. I've runnuaLred ! (throws down the purse) Here's not aiKitin r Sliver ! Falst. VarU't, thou art ray ruin. Week in, week out, I spend a matter of ten guineas. Foul toper ! (Couplets) As from inn to inn we wander, Nightly staggering as best we may, Thy proboscis yields a lurid light Ti.at serves to guide me on my way. But what 1 save in lamp-oil I svaste on thee in wirne ; For thirty long years I have nourished Thiit purple spongy nose of thine! Thou'rt too costly, (to Pistol) And thou also, (to Host) House there ! bring hither a flagon. (to Bardolph and Pistol) On my substance ye batten ; Should Falstaff cease to fatten No man would fear, no woman love me; For this fair roundness wins me fame and success in the realms of Mars and Venus. PiST. Falstaff the mighty ! Bard. Stupendous Falstaff ! Falst. (contemplating and i^haking his paunch) This it my kingdom ; I will increase it. PiST., Baud. Stupendous Falstaff ! Falst. But now 'tis time our wits to sharpen. Bard., Pist. And so we will ! Falst. Say, do ye know a Windsor tradesman whose name is Ford? Bard., Pist. Yes, yes. Falst. A man of influence and wealth is he... Pist. More generous than Croesus. Bard. A Prince ! Falst. A handsome wife hath he. Fist. Who keeps the strong-box key. Falst. 'Tis she, 'tis she ! Oh ! love with starlike eyes and swanlike throat, And lips like flow'rs, like scarlet laughing flow'rs ! FALSTAFF Her name is Alice One morning, as I passed by beneath her open window, She smiled. Love's ardour kindled in my heart, Tiie goddess from her eye discharged a burning dart At me, at me ! at this vast bosom of huge calibre, this well-turned leg and comely figure, stalwart, capa- cious ! And her desire revealed itself so plainly in her glances — they seemed to say, / love thee^ Sir John Falstaff. Bard. Just so ! Falst. Another there is, too. Bard., Pjst. Another ! Falst. And Margeiy is her sweet name. PiST. They call her Meg. Falst. She also by my charms is subjugated, and she, too, has the keeping of the stroug-box. Bard., Pist. Of the strong-box ! Falst. These beauties shall stand me in good stead as my Golconda and my Gold Coast. Behold me ! I still may claim to be a pleasant summer of Saint Martin ? Two fervid letters ye shall carry. (giving one to Bardolph) Convey thou this to Meg ; her virtue let us test. With zeal, I see, thy nose burns like a beacon, (to Pistol, giving the other letter) And thou, carry this to fair Aliie. Pist. Shall I by my side wear steel, and play the part of Pan- darus? No, no ! Falst. Paltry rascal ! (with calm contempt) Bard, (throwing down the letter) Sir John, in this intrigue to aid you Pm forbidden, and strictly. Falst. By whom ? Bard. My honour ! Falst. Ho 1 p,ige-boy. (To Bardolph and Pistol.) Be off and hang yourselves — but not on me ! (To page) The letters — take them — for two fair ladies. Convey them quickly ; hurry, fly, hasten, go briskly, go, go, go ! (To Bardolph and Pistol) Your honour ! — Ruffians ! ye dare to prate about your honour. Ye ! Ye smks of sin and vileness; when 'tis not always we Can keep our own untainted ! E'en I, Sirs, yes, I, I, Must now and then petition Heaven to close an eye. And am myself constrained to pawn my honour; to hamper My discourse with lies and stratagems; with the truth to tamper. FALSTAFF And ye, with ragged doublets, vile grins and foul grimaces, Like filthy pole-cats ; your vices plainly stamped upon your dirty faces ; Of honour boast! Of honour! What honour? What humbug! What rubbish ! say, can honour fill a paunch that is empty ? No ! Can it mend a leg or an arm that is broken ? No ! A finger ? No ! A thumbnail ? No ! Nor a feather? No ! For honour's not a surgeon. What is it? A mere ex- pression. Of what is honour compounded ? Of invisible ether. Giand invention I Hath he it, he who died o' Thursday? No! Lives it with the living? Neither; because alas ! human vanity corrupts it, human pride • undermines it, and calumny destroys it. As for me, I will none on't, no ! But to return to you, ye scoundrels, too oft forgiven — I now dismiss ye ! (seizes the broom and furiously drives them out). Begone, swiftly, briskly, hurry-scurry ! From the halter 'tis time you should swing ! Vanish swiftly, hurry-scurry ! Brigands ! Bandits ! Robbers ! Rascals ! hie away ! (Exeunt Bardolph and Pistol L., followed by Falstaff) ''Imd of Scene i FALSTAFF SCENE 11. A Garden. Ford's house L. Trees. Alice, Anne, Meg, Dame Quickly, IVIr. Ford, Fenton, I)r. Caius, Bardolph, Pistol. C. Enter Mistress Page and Dame Quickly R. crossino towards Fordh house, on tht threshold of which they nietit Mistress Ford and Anne, just coining out. Mrs. Page Alice. Mrs. Ford Meg. Mrs. Page Nannie. Mrs. Ford (to Mrs. Page) I fain would walk and talk, and laugh and jest with thee, (to Dame Quickly) Good day, kind gossip. Quick. Heav'n give ye both good ( lieer ! (stroking Anne's cheeks) Sweet, blushing rose-bud ! Mrs. Ford (to Mrs. Page) Thou comest aptly. Something surprising has just happened to me. Mrs. Page And to me. Quick. What ? Anne What is it ? Mrs. Ford Tell us your story. Mrs. Page Tell us yours. Anne Tell us, pray tell us ! Quick. Tell us, tell us. Mrs. Ford But promise it shall no further go ! Mrs. Page Of coiiise not ! Quick. Why, no — of course not ! Mrs. Ford Hear, then. Could I be persuaded to yield to vile temptations of the Evil One, I might be advanced to the station of — a Knight's gay Lady I Mrs. Page And I too.. FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford Nonsense ! Mrs. Page (searching her pocket for a letter) No more, I pray you. We may not waste all the morn- ing in chatter! (Brings out the letter) I've a letter. ^Frs. Ford I also (gives letter to Mrs. Page). Read it. Mrs. Page (gives her letter to Mrs. Ford) Read it. (reads Mrs. Ford's letter) Resplendent Alice! my love I tender... How is this ? What does he say? Barring the name, the words are the same ! Mrs. Ford (reading Mrs. Page's let er) ftesplendeat Me(j ! my love I tender... Mrs. Page Love I long for (continuing to read) Mrs. Ford Here Meg, there Alice. Mrs. Page One and the same. (read^ from letter) Ah! do not axk me why, but say, I... * Mrs. Ford (continuing from the other letter) love thee! Why thus insulted am I? Mrs. Page The thing is strangely perplexing. Quick. Let's read it calmly ! Mrs. Page The selfsame verses. Mrs, Ford The selfsame paper. Quick. The same hand-writing. Anne The same escutcheon. Mrs. Page and Mrs. Ford (read together) ThoiCrt a gay nurry gossip, Pni brisk and supple, iSo we two rightly are meant to make a couple. Aye! Anne He, she, thee. Quick. A pair in three ! Mrs. Ford (reading as before) Z,et us be coupled in Cupid'' s roseate fetters, A lovely woman, a mail who has few betters! And thy bright visage on me shall shed its light Like some s>oeet star that sparkles all the flight. (all laugh) Reply to your esquire, John Falstaff, Knight of the Shire, All Monster ! Mrs. Ford He must be punished ! Anne And that severely. Mrs. Ford Right merrily we'll fool him ! Anne I'd like to, dearly ! Mrs. Page We will spite him ! Quick. ' And affright him ! FALSTAFF MRS. FORD MRS. PAGE Though shaped like a barrel He fain would be courting, His carcase disporting In splendid apparel. In spite of the grease From his fat hide that oozes, To leave us in peace He perversely refuses. He cannot escape From the pitfall we'll set him. Nor out of the scrape Into which we will get him; For if I entice him, Thit hogshead of fat, I'll handsomely trice him; Pray trust me for that ! That bird of ill-omen Not long here shall tarry Away he must carry His ugly abdomen. With smile and with wile And with subtle delusion The wretch we'll beguile To his utter confusion. His hopes we must flatter. Encourage his wooing, Then utterly shatter And work his undoing. When we lay the lash on He'll roar like a bull. And then liis hot passion Will speedily cool. ANNE DAME QUICKLY Your debt you must pay him A trick we must play him Deceive and betray him Per])lex and effray him. The trap we prepare Will be cunning baited. Once caught in our snare He will find himself mated! The jest must succeed As we're all of us in it; I'm longing, indeed. Straight away to begin it. Our nets shall involve him And then 'twill go hard But we will dissolve him. That bladder of lard! A mountain of batter! No hog could be fatter Your hand should he take it. To pieces he'd break it. In vain the dull booby To woo may endeavour. For such a fat looby You're vastly too clever. Your eyes and lips scatter Whole flights of keen arrows Your tongues make more clatter Than legions of sparrows. Life half of its pleasure From laughter derives, So laugh without measure Like true Merry Wives ! (all together) The barrel ! The hogshead ! The hogshead ! The barrel ! (Exeunt Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page, Anne and Dame Quickly, I^., reappearing among the trees at back of stage, but unnoticed by men). FALSTAFF Enter Ford, Caius, Fcnton, Bardolph and Pistol, R., and form group in front of stage (all four speaking to Ford) FENTON DR. CAIUS There is naught that would delight me More than bringing him to reason By a few sharp "words in season" Or by forcing him to fight me. T'were an exploit anatomical To reduce his corporation By judicious perforation; — The result would, sure, be comical ! Good advice I'll offer to him When I meet him face to face ; And I'll drive my dagger through him, If he fail to keep his place ! He's a living shame and scandal He's a Pagan, Turk and Vandal, 'Tother day he broke my door down. Knocked my servants on the floor down. While he haunts this globe supernal 'Twere in vain to try to mend him. So the best thing is to send him Once for all to realms infernal. And his two degraded satraj)s. Who their chief would fain betray. Are a brace of greedy rat-traps, Ever gaping for their j)rey ! BARDOLPH PISTOL My corrupt and bloated master (Fate through me your night i.luminates) Fat Jack Falstaff surely ruminates Projects big with dread disaster I'm a soldier, and this tumour Shall not tempt me to cbriety, Nor to cloak his impropriety Which agrees not with my humour ! Master Ford, my timely warning Lay to heart without delay. Shape your plans this very morning Take your measures,, while you may ! Falstaff means to use you vilely, This I tell you in pure amity; If you prove not bold and wily You will scarce avert calamity. Master Ford, I once was renitent, Falstaff wrought my degradation; Now I'm humble, meek and penitent. Striving to deserve salvation ! As you know the truth completely, Ev'ry wise precaution take, Use your eyes and ears discreetly, 'Tis your honour that's at stake! FORD (breaks from the group. Aside). In my ears foul fiends are muttering Fi.ncies fraught with fear and wonder O'er my head dark clouds are spluttering Lightning flashes, growls of thunder. Horrid thoughts, my reason shattering. Give my fears no intermission. And the tales these rogues are shattering, Drive me mad with grim suspicion, Of these four I know not whether This or that one I should heed; If they'd not all speak together I should hold them friends indeed! FALSTAFF Ford (to Pistol) Say on, friend! PisT. (to Ford) To speak plainly, Sir John! that imp ungainly, Would, like a roaring billow, Engulf your hoarded treasure To serve his carnal pleasure And — eke usurp your pillow! Caius G-eat Heaven I Ford Pm abused! Bard. He has sent her a letter PisT. (interrupting) Of which to be the bearer I refused! Bard. I refused! PisT. Beware, Beware! Bard. Beware! PisT. He ogles all the women, good looking or uncomely, rioe mati'ons or young maidens. Bard. See, the tynes that adorn Acteon's hairy forehead, from yours sprouting! Ford What do you mean by that? Bard. The Antlers! (under his breatbi Ford Horrible word! Caius A vast appetite has this wicked old Knight. Ford My wife Pll keep my eye on; her gallant I'll look aiier; (enter the four women, ^i1 I'll have no courtier fine Lay hand on what is mine! Anne (seeing Fenton) 'Tis he! Fent. (seeing Anne) 'Tis she! Mrs. Ford (seeing Ford) 'Tis he! Ford (seeing Mrs. Ford) 'Tis she! Caius (pointing at Mrs. Ford) 'Tis she! Mrs. Page (pointing at Ford) 'Tis he! Mrs. Ford (pointing to Ford) If he should know it! Annb Nonsense! Mrs. Ford Let's keep out of his way ! Mrs. Page Ford then is jealous? FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford Yes, rather! (Exeunt Ford, Caius, Bardolpli and Pistol, R. Fenton remains.) Quick! Silence! Mes. Ford Away, away! (Exeunt Mrs. Page, Mrs. Ford, Dame Quickly L. Anne remains) Fent. Ss! Ss! My Nannie, hither! Annb Silence! What is't? Fent. Two kisses! Anne But quickly! Fent. Yes, quickly! (Duet) Anne Lips by commotion Fent. Kissing with passion Anne Teach the sweet fashion Of love's emotion Fent. * Lips that are posies Precious pearls hiding, Tempting and chiding Thefts of their roses. Kissing's a duty Audacious creature ! (trying to kiss her) (keeping him off) Anne Fent. Thine ev'ry feature Is rife with beauty, (ree.) Kiss me! Anne (ree.) Imprudent, no ! Fent. (ree.) Yes, two kisses! Anne (ree.) Leave me! Fent. (ree.) Ah! how I love thee! Anne, (ree.) They're coming! (They separate; Fenton hides among trees.) Fent. (can tando) Kissing is fraught vyith an exquisite i^leasure! Anne (cantando) Bliss never palling, and sweet beyond measure! (Enter Mrs. Foni, Mrs. Page and Dame Quickly; Anne remains up stage.) (disengaging herself) ^ 1^ FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford FalstaflF would fain befool me. Mrs. Page Heavily he shall rue it! Mrs. Ford Say, shall I write a letter? Anne A messenger were better. (joining them) All. Yes! Mrs. Ford (to Dame quickly) Seek thou the ruffian at his inn, and offer to arrange a private appointment with me. Quick. Excellent notion! Anne Cunning contrivance! Mrs. Fore Thus and thus only, to our snare we may entice him. Anne And then... Mrs. Ford And then a pretty trick we'll play him! Quick. Without the least compunction. Anne The monster! Mrs. Page 'J'he impudent old rascal! Mrs. Ford The mountain of tallow! Mrs. Page He merits no compassion — Mrs. Ford He's a glutton who squanders all that he has in gorging. Anne We'll souse him in the river. Mrs. Ford We'll roast him at a fire. All Delightful, enchanting! Mrs. Page We count on you to play your part full featly. (to Dame quickly.) Quick (catching sight of Ft-nton, who is m-oving about among trees, C.) A footstep! Mrs. Page There's some one on us spying! (Exeunt hurriedly K. Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page, Anne and Dame Quickly.) Fent. (approaching Anne) Once more I challenge. Anne (keeping him oft) Once more I defy thee! Attack then! Fent. (trying to kiss her) Parry! Anne (covering her face with one hand, which Fenton kisses) Too high you're aiming! 'Tis thus, in Love's soft duel That strength is gentle and merciful, Weakness, more cruel! FALSTAFF Fent. Love is an archer who never misses. Anne. Lips are his bowstrings, Fent. His shafts are kisses. Guard thee, sweet raaid, 'gainst my fond caresses ; Thus wildly lavished on thy fair tresses. (he kisses a lock of her hair.) Anne (coiling the tress round his neck) Thou art my captive ! Fent. Quarter I plead for ! Anne I, too, am wounded ; but thou art vanquished ! Fent. For peace I sue ! A truce let unsettle, Mid then... Anne And then ? Fent. Resume our gentle warfare ! Anne Happy the combat that injures no one ! Vanish ! Fent. My beloved ! Anne They're coming ! Farewell ! (runs off, R.) Fent. (retreating up stage C) Kissing is fraught with an exquisite pleasure ! Anne (from within, R.) Bliss never palling y and sweet heyond measure ! (Enter C, Ford, Caius, Bardolph and Pistol. Fenton presently join» the group.) ^^ Babd. (to Ford) To his longwinded speeches I've often been a martyr. Ford You said that he was lodging... where then? Pist. In Windsor, at the Garter. Fobd. Go ask him to receive me, Call me by another name ; Yourself shall watch the game, I'll make it worth your while, believe me [ You'll keep my secret closely. Baed. The grave is not more silent. I am Bardolph the Faithful Pist. I am Pistol the Trusty ! Ford. We're agreed, then — Bard. Our honour is deeply pledged. Pist. I'm deaf and speechless. Ford. We all are well agreed. Hands upon it I Bard, and Pist. Yes! FALSTAFF ENSEMBLE— FINALE (Re-enter Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page, Anne and Dame Quickly up stage C.) FENTON Here, a group of angry prattlers Some dark deed they are devising; There, a knot of female tattlers Plotting vengeance deep and dire. Thou, dear maid, my heart's desire. All my fond hopes realising. Spite of all I'll win thee for my wife, To share my love and life! BARDOLPH Master Ford, your wife's in danger And your conjugal felicity. If you look not well about you Fat Sir John will trick you still! That enormous alcove-ranger Full of liquor and lubricity Will delude you, aye, and flout you And will have his wicked will ! DR. CAIUS My advice unless you follow You'll be in a sad predicament; You must put him to the question With persistence and with craft. Thus it happens when you swallow Some unsavoury medicament, 'Tis a cure for indigestion Lurks within that bitter draught. PISTOL You must soak his skin in sherry. And with bumpers ply him steadily. For when once with wine he's merry He'll disclose his projects readily. As the willow to the river So to sack doth he incline, And his secrets he'll deliver When he's saturate with wine. FORD (to Bardolph) Thou shalt see with what congruity I will tempt him to his ruin; And what subtle ingenuity I'll display in his undoing. There shall be no stinted measure In the vengeance that I take; — I shall know nor peace nor pleasure Till I've scotched this bloated snake. MRS. FORD Though shaped like a barrel He fain would be courting, His carcase disporting In splendid apparel. But if I entice him. That hogshead of fat, I'll handsomely trice him. Pray trust me for that! MRS. PAGE With smile and with wile And with subtle delusion The wretch we'll beguile To his utter confusion. When we lay the lash on He'll roar like a bull, And then his hot passion Will speedily cool. ANNE Your debt you must pay him, A trick we must play him. Deceive and betray him Perplex and betray him. Our nets shall involve him. And then 'twill go hard But we will dissolve him — . That blatter of lard ! DAME QUICKLY Your eyes and lips scatter Whole flights of keen arrows, Your tongues make more chatter Than legions of sparrows. Life half of its pleasure From laughter derives So laugh without measure. Like true Merry Wives ! (Exeunt Fenton, Ford, Caius, Bardolph and Pistol). FALSTAFF Mrs. Foed (to Dame Quickly) You'd better be going. AifNK "Waste no time in talking. Mbs. Fokd I'd have him moll-rowing Like a love-sick grimalkin. All 'Tis settled — to-morrow — good day ! Mbs. Fobd (keeping back the others) It may be foreboded That he will be stulfed up, Then puffed up, And then exploded ! (quoting Falstaff'B verees) But my bright visage on him shall shed its light (Together) Like sotne sweet star that sparkles all the night / (Exeant, langhiof^. Ejsd of Act 1. ACT II. SCENE I. Room in the Garteb Ink. As in Act I, Scene I. FALSTAFF «5 before^ stretched out tn an armchair, drinking sack. BARDÒLPH and PISTOL at back of stage, near entrance L. Bard, aiid Pist. (together, beating their breasts penitently) We implore you to forgive us ! Falst. (indifferently) Rascals hark back to vice, like cats to the cream-jug. BIkd. and Pist. We are once more your humble servants ! Babd. (to Falstaff) Sir Knight, here is an aged dame who fain would have access to your worshiptul presence. Falst. Admit her ! (exit and re-enters, conducting Dame Quickly) Quick, (courtseymg deeply to F. who remams seated) Sir, fair greeting ! Falst. God save you, worthy woman ! Quick. Sir, fair greeting ! (approaches him respectfully) If it should please your worship to give me private hearing, something I have to tell you. Falst. I grant thee audience. (To Bardolph and Pistol, who go out making grimaces) Retire ! Quictk. (court seys again, approaching still nearer) Sir, fair greeting ! (hesitating) I come from Mistress Ford... Falst. Well ? (rising and hastily approaching Dame Quickly) FALSTAFF Quick. Alas, unhappy lady! You're a wicked seducer! Falst, I am! Continue. Quick. Her mind is bewildered and distracted by love of you. She bids rae say that your letter reached her; she thanks you for it; and her husband is absent from home daily, from two until three. Falst. From two until three! Quick. At that hour your noble "Worship may seek her* in her dwelling without the slightest danger of interruption. Unhappy lady! Her griefs and troubles are distressing, for her husband is jealous. Falst. From two until three... Say that I the hour await with lovmg impatience, and that her tryst I'll surely keep. Quick. Ill tell her. I've another commission for your Wor- ship,». Falst. Impart it! Quick. Fair Mistress Page (an angel of gracCj whom to see is to worship); she also bids me bring yon loving and tender greeting. Sad 'tis to say, her watchful spouse from home is seldom absent! Unhappy iady^ A snow- white lily of candour and truth! How is't you thus bewitch them ? Falst. No witchcraft I employ. The only charms 1 exercise are my own. Tell me: has each one kept her own secret ? Quick. Surely! We women keep our counsei. Fear no prating. Falst. (feeling in his purse) Service merits just reward. Quick. Who soweth brave bounty shall harvest love ! Falst. (Giving money to Dame Q.) Glean then, thou female Mercury! (dismissing her by a wave of the hand.) Be sure thou greet my charmers! Quick. Your servant! (Exit L.) .vg-i . .r lA Falst. She's mine, she's mine! Go thy way, Jack Falstaff, go thy way. FALSTAFF This battered hulk of thine, 'spite wind and weather. Still yields some joy to thee, - For all the women, old and young together. Are mad with love for me! Good body mine, the which I amply nourish, Long may'st thou flourish ! Babd. (Enter L.) Sir Knight, here is a certain Master Brook who greatly covets your discourse. A demijohn of Cyprus doth he proffer, wherewith to wet Your Worship's whistle. Falst. Said'st thou Brook was his name ? Bard. Aye! Falst. Welcome be that brook which ever floweth With grape-juice, wheresoe'er it goeth! Hither (exit Bardolph). Go thy way. Jack Falstaff, go thy way! (Enter Ford in disguise, preceded by Bardolph, bowing, and followed by Pistol, carrying a runlet of wine. Pistol and Bardolph retire up tstage. Ford is carrying a bag of money.) Ford Sir Knight (approaches Falstaff, bowing profoundly), Heaven's grace be with you! Falst. (Returning his salute.) With you, worthy sir, no less so. Ford For what may appear an indiscretion, I must crave your forgiveness, if thus unceremoniously I venture to ap- proach you without letters of credence. Falst. Be sure that you are welcome ! Ford In rae you see a man who is full well provided With store of earthly treasure; A man who spends his wealth by whim and fancy guided To gratify his pleasure. Master Brook is my name. Falst. (Cordially pressing his hand.) Excellent Master Brook, I desire to make your intimate acquaintance. Ford Gallant Sir John! In confidence a favour I would ask you. Bard. (To Pistol under his breath.) Attention ! PiST. (To Bardolph similarly.) Silence! Bard. Listen! I'll wager that he will tumble into the pitfall. PisT. Ford will inveigle him. Together. Silence! FALSTAFF Falst. What do ye here ? (exeunt Bardolf and Pistol) I listen (to Ford). FoED Sir John, let me remind you of a popular proverb, old as Time: "Of bright gold is the key that opes ev'ry portal." For gold's a mighty talisman, a spell to which the proudest yield. Falst. Gold is a masterful warrior well used to conquest... FoED (approaching the table) Well, well, sir; this bag of coin I carry too heavy is for me. Sir John, your kind assistance lend, its weight to diminish. Falst. I'll not refuse (taking the bag and placing it on the table). But tell tne why and how I have deserved this bounty... FoED Hearken, I pray. In Windsor lives a lady; fair is she! ripe and mellow; Her name is Alice; her husband, a certain Ford... Falst. Poor fellow. FoED I love her, she cares not for me; I write to her, she does not answer; I gaze on her, she will not look at me; I seek her and she conceals herself. On her I've squandered treasures, rich gifts on her I've lavished; a thousand plans I have concocted to gain her gracious favour. Alas! all was in vain. I still await Love's guerdon; and this is of my sad ditty the melancholy burden. Falst. (gaily singing.) This love, this love is evfrj man's undoing. While he has breath and being ^ FoED ^Tis like a shadow, him who flees pursuing, Falst. And whom pursues it, fleeing. This love ! This love ! FoED Thus runs the dismal ditty Tve dearly paid to learn ^ Falst. And such the fate of wooers Whose love finds n o return ! FoBD This love, this love is evWy mail's undoing. Falst. (interrupting) She holds out no hope or prospect of yielding ? FoED No! Falst. And why do you apply to me ? FoED I'll tell you now: — You are a man of breeding, prowess, discretion, invention, A man of mighty mettle and courtly apprehension.' FALSTAPP Falst. (deprecatìngly) Oh ! Ford 'Tis so, truly ; and here is good red gold in plenty : at your pleasure Dispose of it, aye, and scatter it freely, without stint or measure. A.11 my wealth you shall squander ; All that I ask you is to subdue that fair one yonder ! Falst. A strange request ! FoKD Pray hear me : — that cold divinity. Till now has ever lived in great repute of chastity. Her virtuous austerities persistently defy me, Her haughty, scornful glances seem to say. Dare to come nigh me I But if your suit should win her Mine may succeed some day ; One fault oft breeds another, And then... What do you say ! (a long pause) FaXiST. Before all else, without the least compunction, good sir, your gold I'll pocket, pledging my knightly word (my hand upon it) (squeezing Ford's hand) that I will satisfy your longings. This dull Ford's lovely wife, fair Alice, shall be yours ! Ford I thank you ! Falst. Her favour I'm assured of ; I stand supreme in her good graces ; !She hath consented to yield to my embraces. Ford (violently) Who ? Falst. (calmly) Kind Alice ! Hither this very day, she sent me a mes- sage to tell me that from home her blockhead of a hus- band is absent, between two and three. Ford (spoken) Between two and three... (sung) Pray, do you know him ? Falst. Not I ! the foul fiend may take him, for me, to join Men- elaus, his ancestor 1 I'll worry him ! I'll flurry him ! yes, yes ; take heed, fair Sir, and you shall see how I'll bamboozle him neatly, featly ! Should he prove fro ward, A skinful of sore bones he'll get from me, the paltry coward ! He's but a beast of burden ; give heed how I'll perplex him ; Give heed how I will vex him ! Await me ; I will but don somewhat braver garments. (exit C, carrying the bag of money with him). FoED (ree.) Am I awake or do I dream ? By visions dire and dread my soul's affrighted, (ree.) Am I dreaming ? Master Ford, arouse thee ! Nincompoop ! Wretch benighted. FALSTAFF Thy wife is faitliless ; her shame and degradation, Have wrecked thy home, thine honour, reputation ! Fixed is the hour — prepared the betrayal — Thou'rt the butt of the city ! Thy friends will say all That a husband befooled deserves no pity ! I seem to hear murmurs of reprobation, Scorning my folly, deriding my delusion ! Oh ! consternation ! Confusion ! Death and damnation ! (ree.) Let none but blockheads put faith in their spouses ! For I would trust my best nag to a coper, And to a highwayman my hoarded pelf, My tìask of Nautz to an insatiate toper, But not my wife unto herself ! Ob ! cruel fortune ! of all gladness And hope my life's denuded ! Deluded Dullard ! Poor dupe ! Insensate ninny ! Deluded ! But thou shalt not escape, no ! ruffian, traitor, Accursed rogue and faitour ! First I'll bewray him. And flay him, Then slay him ! I will avenge this outrage ; though I be scorned and spited, My deadly wrong shall fully be requited ! (Enter Falstaff wearing a new doublet, hat and cane.) Falst. Good Master Brook, I'm ready. To saunter are you minded? FoED Right gladly I'll walk with you, Falst. Pray pass first. Ford Nay, Sir, you. Falst. No, ho: this is my poor dwelling. Precede me. Ford Pray pass. Falst. 'Tis late. Sir; my rendez-vous is urgent. Ford No compliments, I beg you. Falst. Pass first then ! Ford Excuse me. Falst. I pray you ! Ford Excuse me. Falst. Well, well, we'll go together ! (exeunt arm in ai-m). End of Scene I. — Act II, FALSTAFF SCENE IL A room in Ford's house. Large window C. at back of stage, from which garden is visible. Doors R. C, R. and L. Stan-cases R. and L. A closed screen leaning against wall L., close by a huge fireplace. Large cup- board against wall R. Table, wooden chair, couch and several stools. A lute lymg on the couch. Flowers on the table. Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page are discovered in conversation. Mrs. Fokd The Parliament should pass a Bill imposing heavy taxes on such gross knaves as Falstaff ! Quick, (enters laughing) Fair gossips ! (they advance to meet her. Anne enters and stands aside, sadly) Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page What news ? Quick. A dance we'll lead him ! Mrs. Ford Well said ! Quick. What's more, we'll make him pay the piper I Both (as above) Still better ! Quick. He fell into our trap headforemost. Mrs. Ford Tell us thy story, tell us ! Quick. 'Twas at the Garter hostelry I sought him; 1 craved admission to the Knight, That I might Impart the message I had brouglit him. Sir John was pleased jjromptly to grant nic audience And thus accosted nie, with gesture consequential : — " God save thee, icorthy woman.'''' *' /Sir, fair yreeiing I " FALSTAFF I curtsied deep and low, in manner deferential. Full artfully I told my story, ne slily winking Sate gloating on my ev ry word, and deeply drinking. To cut a long tale short, he is thoroughly persuaded that you are both beside yourselves for love of his huge carcase; (to Mrs. Foid) and so full soon you'll seeliim wallow prostrate at your feet. Mes. Ford When? Quick Directly; here, between two and three. Mrs. Ford 'Tis two already! All Between two and three! Mrs. Ford (going up stage C. and calling out) What ho! Ned! Will! (to dame Quickly) To re» ceive him all is ready, (again calling out) Bring hither, quick, the basket of foul Imen! Quick. A famous notion, truly! Mrs. Ford My Nannie, why so despondent? What ails thee, child? (caressing Anne) Thou'rt weeping! Tell me why. Tell thy fond mother. Anne (sobbing) My father... Mrs. Ford Well, well; what next? Anne (bursting into tears) ]My father tells me that I must marry Doctor Cams!.. Mrs. Ford That stupid pedant! Quick. Good Lord! Mrs Page That blockhead! Mrs. Ford Tliat dullard! Anne That old grandfather! All No, no! Anne I cannot wed that ancient mummy. Mrs. Ford Thou shalt be pelted by cabbage-stalks ratherl Mrs. Page and Quick. Well said! Mrs. Ford Sweet, fear not! — FALSTAFF Anne (jumping with joy) Delightful ! To Doctor Caius I shall not be wed! (Enter two serving men carrying a basket full of dirty linen) Mrs. Ford Put it dawn there. Then, when again I call you, promptly empty the basket into the river. Anne Splash ! Mrs. Ford (to Anne) Silence! (to servants) Begone! Anne What a horrid tumble ! Mrs. Ford Now set everything ready. (Places a chair near the table) Here, a footstool. Anne (fetches her lute, and lays it on the table) Here, my lute. Mrs. Ford (to Anne and Mrs. Page who set up the screen be- tween the basket and the fireplace, and then open ii) The screen, too, let us open! That's better far. Just so! A little wider. The scene is set ; there's nought our play to hinder. Soon the chief actor will enter; thereafter We shall enjoy our fill of mirthful laughter; Laughter that soon to his senses will bring him, Will mock and will shame him, scourge and will sting him! We are but women, yet, when we're put to it, He who molests us full surely shall rue it, For we will float him and laugh him to scorn, And make him wish that he ne'er had been born! And now! (to Mrs. Page) Thou hast mastered thy part, and wilt play it. Mrs. Page And thou art prepared to encounter the Knight. Quick. I'll signal his coming... Mrs. Ford He cannot delay it. Anne I'll wait on the staircase, and keep out of sight! Mrs. Ford And we will prove, by harmless fun and frolic. That honest women may be both Avise and jolly; ' Oft the wife who's most inclined to rollick Appears most melancholy! (Dame Quickly stands by window C, overlooking street) FALSTAFF TRIO. (Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page, Anne, Ford) Soon the cliiof actor will enter; thereafter We all shall enjoy our fill of free mirth and gay laughter! Quick, (approaching the others) Haste away ; 'tis he ! Mks. Ford And where? Quick. Quite near the l^ouse. AN]srE Hurry! Quick. He's about to enter. Mrs. Ford (to Anne pointing L.) That way, thou! (to Mrs. Page pointing R.) This way, thou! Delay not! Anne Delay not! (exit hurriedly, L.) Mrs. Page Delay not! (exit hurriedly, R.) QiricK. Delay not.' (exit C. — Mrs. Ford sits down by the table, and strikes a few ctiords on the lute) Enter FALSTAFF hrislcly; perceiving MRS. FORD playing lute he hegin to sing. Falst. At last Tv) e caught thee^ my heav''nly jeicel, F ve caught I nee! (seizes Mrs. Ford by the waist; she ceases playing, puts down the lute, and arises) Now let me die in full contentment, for long enough Pve lived. This is the height of my ambition. Mrs. Ford Oh! sweet Sir John! Falst. Oh! blessed hour! I am lacking in gracioiisness And in the mastery of flow'ry phrases But I can speak my thoughts with frank audaciousness. Mrs. Ford And how? Falst. Why thus. 1 would that Master Ford lay underneath the daisies! Mrs. Ford And why? Falst. And why? Can'st ask me? Then thou should'st be my lady, and I would be thy lord, Mrs. Ford A poor sort of lady, truly! FALSTAFF FalsTo i'it for a King! Right worthy thou to bear mine ancient name, Decked out with lace and jewels, as befits a noble dame With golden chains entwiniTig . Thy tresses of gold still brighter, And on thy white neck tl.iuing Pearls that are scarcely whiter. Thy dazzling e> es like lamps of love, fresh lit by Cupid's flame ! Mrs. Fokl) On me ai:. gaads would seem unsightly, 'I'o flaunt in silks I ne'er propose: I wear a ' verchief, knotted lightly. — A simple girdicc a fragrant rose, (sets a rose in ùe»- aair) Falst. Swee^ s:.rei:. MrSo Ford FIl cermo^ Knigai. (retreating) FiiLST. We are a^one an^; neea tear no intrusion. Mrs. Ford What t:ien Falst. ove tiee Mrs. Ford (retreating) ijove is a strange delusion. Falst. But Love ne'er iai_s to seize u'^on occasion. Mrs. Ford Sir i'oan! Falst. it sms but oy predestination. I love thee ana thou can'st not blame me. Mrs. Ford (interrupting him) That, stirred by passion, you should strive to shame me! Falst. When I was page to the Duke of Norfolk's Grace Slender of. figui e and comely of face, Buoyant and light as a feather or shadow I hovered in space. Those were my gayest, gladdest times, forsooth! Maydays and heydays of my lusty ^^outh. 1 was so lithesome and supple and nimble I could have squeezed myself into a thiiuole! 'Yes, as a page I was slender ot figur,, and comely of face. Buoyant and light as a feather or shadow I hoverea in space! Mrs. Ford Alas! your vows are false ones. You love another. FALSTAFF Falst. \\Tiom? Mrs. Fokd Meg. Falst. That slut! To me repulsive is her face! Mrs. Ford Can I trust to your word? Falst I only live To clasp thee in my fond embrace. I love thee! (attem[)ts to kiss her) Mrs. Ford (resisting) Be not so bold! Falst. (encircling her waist) Dearest! Quick, (from within) Good Mistress Alice! Falst. (lets Mrs. Ford go) Who is there! Qui(?K. (enters in great agitation) Good Mistress Alice! Mrs. Ford What now? Quick, (panting for breath) My good lady — 'tis Mistress Page — who fain would see you — panting — trembling — panic stricken! Falst. The devil take her! Quick. She's at the door, and will not brook denial. Faxst. Where can I hide me? Mrs. Ford. There, behind the screen. (Falstaff eneconces himself behind the screen. When he is hidden, Dame Quickly beckons Mrs. Page who enters R. in apparent agitation. Exit Dame Quickly) Mrs. Page Dear Alice! What a scandal! What clamour! What confusion! Lose not a single moment, but fly! Mrs. Ford Merciful Heaven! what has happened? Mrs. Page Good Lack! your husband hither comes, crjdng ven- geance, and vowing... Mrs, Ford (aside to Mrs. Page) A little louder! Mrs. Page ...he'll skin some man alive! Mrs. Ford (aside, as before) Nay, laugh not! Mrs. Page Onward still he rushes fired by burning rage, loudly invoking curses upon all women... FALSTAFF Mes. Ford Ye heavenly powers! Mrs. Pa(}e He says you bave concealed here a lover Whose hiding-place he's sworn to discovei*. Quick, (re-enters, exclaiming) Good Mistress Alice, your husband's nigh. Await him not! He rages like a tempest, thundering, roaring, bellowing, his forehead fiercely striking, maddened by jealous fury. Mrs. Ford (somewhat alarmed) In earnest or in jest? Quick. In earnest. He forced his way through the hedge that skirts the garden, and h.ird at lieel a ciowd followed after; he's close at hand, I hear his Mep approaching the doorway. Ford (behind the scene) Vile siihorner! (Falstaff, greatly nlarmed, advances a step towards the door, but, hearing Ford's voice, returns to his h ding-place, and Mrs. Ford rapidly folds the screen aiouiid him, so thut he is completely concealed). Falst. Sure Lucifer and all his imps are compassing my ruin! ^-^ Ford (from within, shouting to his followers) Shut all the doois closely, and block up the approaches! (enter hurriedly Fenton and Caius) Now aid me, kind neigh'. ours, to hunt down this vermin, (to Caius) By scent, like a fox, we will track him. (To Fenton) Search thou in the corridors. FALSTAFF Bard, and Pist. (rush in shouting) Hark forward ! (Fenton crosses L.) Ford (to Bardolph and Pistol pointing L.) Cut off his retreat, and guard evry exit ! (Exeunt Bardolph and Pistol, brandishing cudgels, L.) Mrs. Ford (facing Ford) Pray, are you distracted? What ails you? Ford (perceiving the basket) That basket ! What is in it ! Mrs. Ford Dirty linen. Ford (to Mrs. Ford) And thou still fouler ! (hands bunch of keys to Caius who runs off L.) Take thou all the keys — open ward- robes and cupboards ! (to Mrs. Ford) Thou hast befouled me ! (kicks the basket) The deuce take the tatters ! (shouting up stage C.) Let both of the Park gates be bolted ! (pulls all the linen out of the basket, strewing it about the floor furiously) Foul tuckers and smocks, too. If I catch thee, vile hound ! Dirty dust- ers ; faugh ! faugh ! ruffled coifs, too. I'll find thee ! soiled sheets and frowsy old nightcaps. But not he ! Mrs. Ford. Mrs, Page, Quick, (together) What a turmoil ! Ford Look under the bedsteads, in the oven, the draw-well, the cistern, the chimneys, and the kitchen ! (rushes out L., shouting) Mrs. Ford He's a lunatic ! Quick. Take it coolly ! Mrs. Ford How shall my luckless knight escape him ? Quick. In the basket. Mrs. Ford Nay, the thing will not hold him. (Falstaff cau- tiously unfolds the screen) He's much too portly. Falst. (advances towards the basket) Let's see ! Yes ! I'll in ! Mrs. Ford Quick, let me call the servants. (Exit) FALSTAFF Mrs. Page Sir John ! You here ! You! ■Falst. (getting into the basket) I love thee ! thee, dearest, only ! Save me! save me ! Quick, (picking up the linen) Hurry ! Mrs. Page (to Falstaff) Hasten ! Falst. (squeezing himself by sheer force into the basket) At last I'm m ! Pray, cover me ! Quick. Quick now; fill up the basket ! (Enter Anne and Fen- ton cautiously, L.) Anne Come hither ! Fent. What clamour ! Anne What a strange antic (approaching screen) Follow my footsteps ! Fent. Sure they are frantic ! Anne ^ Each in his fashion Madness displays; Revenge their passion, Fent. And love our craze ! Anne (takes him by the hand leads him behind the screen, where both conceal themselves) Follow me, I prithee. Fent. No eye has spied me. Anne Here safely Pll hide me; Fent. Keeping me with thee. Anne We must not be seen, love I Fent. (kissing her) What should reveal us ? Anne Blest be the screen, love. Together That doth conceal us. Caius (shouting from within) Vile ruffian ! Ford (from within) Bloated minion. FALSTAFF Caitjs (crossing stage rapidly) Lay hold of him ! Ford (enters hastily L., as Bardolph and Pistol rush in R.) Vileniffian! (to Pistol) Found? PisT. No ! Ford (to Bardolph) Found ? Bard. Alas, no ! Ford (searching everywhere and upsetting furniture) Haply he lurks behind some curtain ! Bard, (looking up the chimney) He cannot be found here. Ford And yet here he is hidden for certain ! I know it ! Caius Sir John, I shall laugh myself sore When you caper aloft with the sky for your floor ! Ford (dashes at the wall-cupboard, and endeavours to force it open.) Come out, thou fat villain, or I'll burst in the panels! Caius (tries to open cupboard with key) Surrender ! Ford Surrender, base coward, foul braggart ! Bard, and Pist. (re-enter hui'riedly L.) There's no one ! Ford (still forcing open the cupboard with Caius.) Go look for him elsewhere. Bardolph and Pistol rush out again, L) Surrender, base coward ! (breaks open the cupboard) He's not there ! Caius (opening chest under couch) Come out, then ! He's not there ! (runs about the room, prying and searching) Futile boaster ! Poltroon ! Have a care ! Fobd and Caius (together) Base coward! Vile braggart! Fat villain! Foul brute! (Ford tears open the table-drawer, quite beside himself) Anne and Fenton, still behind the screen, exchange an audible kiss, just as the turmoil subsides into a momentary silence. Kiss heard.) Ford (under his breath, looking at screen) 'Tis he ! Caius 'Tis he ! FALSTAFF FoBD (cautiously approaching screen) If I catch you ! Caius (similarly) If I seize you ! Ford If I snatch you ! Caius If I squeeze you ! Ford I will thrash you ! Caius I will beat you like a hound ! Ford And break and smash you, Caius Aye, and dash you upon the ground ! Ford You shall pay for all your bragging, if 1 catch yoii_ Caius If I snatch you ! Pistol (re enter L. with neighbours) I can't see him ! Bardolph (re-enter L. with neighbours) I can't find him 1 Ford (to Bardolph, Pistol and neighbours) S-sh ! All hither ! I have found him. (under his breath, mysteriously, pointing to screen) With ray wife he there is hidden, Bardolph Let us thrash him, grind him_, pound him 1 Ford Silence, thou noisy rascal ! ENSEMBLE ANNE, While the old people make all this riox, We exchange kisses in peace and in quiet. Lovers delight in noise and confusion, Their sweetest bliss they find in calm seclusion. FENTON. Dear smiling maiden ! Love interceding, Thy heart has yielded to my fond pleading. When first I saw thee, my love was thine, And now I know, sweet, that thine is mine ! quickly. Now let us be busy, the linen arranging, And give him a chance his position of changing. MRS. page. Let's pile the clothes on him, and thoroughly hide hii», Lest some irretrievable ill should betide him ! quickly. Till now his suspicions have led him astray. Defeat us he shall not, though vex us he may I FALSTAFF MRS. PAGE. The risk of a jest is the liveliest part, It raises the spirits and gladdens the heart I Falstaff (thrusting out his face) I'm stifling I Quickly (pushing him down) Lie quiet, lie quiet ! Mrs. Page Be careful, they're prying ! Quickly If Ford should espy you, he'll kill you ! Ford Did ye hear their shameful kissing ? Bardolph Now we've snared the slimy serpent ; Snakes betray themselves by hissing. Ford Let's consult ! Before the tussle I would ask your counsel further. Caius If he exert his muscle, there'll be broken bones and murther ! FoED I've a masterly conception, Hear and mark what I have planned Of the right wing take direction, (to Pistol and servants) While the left wing I command. • (to Bardolph and Caius) And the others, from behind him. Will lay hold of him and bind him I (to the rest) Caicjs, Bardolph, Pistol and Neighbours. Bravo, bravo, great tactician. We approve your proposition ! Ford (to Caius) Must I drain the bitter chalice ? (approaching screen) Hear their billing and their cooing? Vile seducer ! 'Tis my Alice — Whom the wretch is hotly wooing. Caius (to Ford) Yes, I hear them. Who in wedlock seeks for pleasure Naught to gain has, all to lose ; Hapless friend, for all your treasure I would not stand in your shoes I FALSTAFF FENTON. The torch of Hymen is burning brightly. ANNE. His cherubs round me are hov'ring lightly, (all ensemble) ANNE. In thought and action, Asking, denying, Smiling and sigi ing, Love is distraction ! Falstaff I'm frying ! Quickly and Mrs, Page (together) Keep under ! Lie quiet i Falstaff I'm stewing ! I'm melting ! Alack, I shall die if I may not take breath ! Quickly Keep under, keep under ! Unless you keep quiet you're doomed to death ! (covers Falstaff up with the dirty linen) Mrs. Page (ironically) Strange, that nobody offers to fan him 1 Mrs. Page Be quiet ! To lausrh were to make them suspect us j Unless we are caret ul they'll surely detect us. A husband wlio's jealous, A swain over-zealous. Caius He whose wife is wont to play him Many a plaguey prank and trick, Should compel her to obey him With a horsewhip or a stick. Bardolph Hearken to these hidden lovers, here in privacy dis- porting. How caressingly tliey murmur, like two turtledoves a-courting. Now his suit he's fondly pressing And her whisper you can hear. As her love she is confessing To her portly cavalier. FoBD They believe that none can hear them. Hear their kisses and their sighs ; But a storm is brewing near them Fraught with terrible surprise. Pistol Listen to his heavy breathing As he labours to respire. While his very fat is seething With intemperate desire. He will pipe in other fasliion When we have him ^uy the throat. And if singing be his passion, We will make him change his note. FALSTAFF NEIGHBOUKS, SERVANTS, ETC. Tread on tiptoe; don't alarm him, nor arouse his least suspicion, We must fall on him and seize him while defenceless his position ; If he fall, he can't escape us; nought on earth can save him then. And we'll teach him not to meddle with the wives of honest men ! IFoKD Silence ! Look out I Now is our time ! Attention ! Your eyes on me ! One! Two! TAree/ (throws down screen) .Caifs 'Tis not he ! (Anne and Fenton are discovered nmch embarrassed) ALL THE MEN. Strange situation ! As in the sunshine opens the flower, So my heart blossoms in this blissful hour. Sweet IS that passion-flower ! Yes I love thee ! Fenton 'Neath those dark lashes Love's lamps are beaming Like hidden Jewels in darkness gleaming; Lips like twin rosebuds fraught with perfume, Cheeks like ripe peaches in their velvet bloom. Say, dost thou love me ? I love thee ! From all such tormentors may Heaven protect us ! Let's speak in a whisper, and rivet oui- eyes On Falstaff the Fat, in our basket who irits. Quickly We're quiet ! Restrain we our laughter, Our fun will come after The end of the riot. Our captive is fretting And puflfing and blowing. His carcr.se is sweating. His wits are fast going. So foul his transgressions, in word and in deed, That soundly to souse him is kindness indeed. Falstaff Ugh ! basket accursed ! I'm choking ! Convey me away ! Rescue me ! Save me ! (hides himself again) MRS. FORD, MRS. PAGE and QUICKLY. Keep quiet ! Be silent ! The creature is restive ! He's crazy with vexation ! And consternation ) FALSTAFF Ford Vile, disobedient daughter! (to Anne furiously) Shall I be thus defied ? (to Fenton) Deceit in vain you've taught her; She ne'er shall be your bride ! (Anne runs off affrighted. Exit Fenton hastily C.) Bard. (Runs up stage.) He's there ! Seize him I Ford Where ? Lay hold of him I PiST. There, on the staircase ! All the men Hark, forward ! (they rush up stairs, C.) Quick. What turmoil and riot ! Mrs. Ford Ned ! Will ! Tom ! Isaac ! (re-enter Anne with four serving men and a page) Here ! Hasten ! Quickly empty this basket out of window and into the river — there, just by the bulrushes, and near that busy group of washerwomen. Anne, Mrs. Page and Quick. Yes, yes; just there ! Anne (to men striving to lift basket) The load is somewhat heavy. Mrs. Ford (to the Page) Call thou my husband hither. (Exit page by staircase, C.) (Anne and Dame Quickly stand looking at the men, who at length have hoisted up the basket.) Mrs. Ford (to Mrs. Page) We will explain to him how we've been joking, And when he sees poor Falstaff sadly soaking, He'll ne'er again indulge in jealous croaking I Quick, (to serving men) Now then ! FALSTAFF Mns. Ford and Mrs. Page Together ! Anne I heard the basket crack, (the basket is hoisted higher) ToGKTHEU Up with it ! Be ready ! Be steady ! Ah! Ah ! He's over ! . aistaS, basket and n^ea are tumbled out of window Together s*aiatrac ! (Screams and laughter of women outride and inside. Ford and the other men rush in. Mrs. Ford takes Ford by the arm, and leads him hurriedly to window.) END OF ACT U. ACT HI SCENE 1. A street, exterior of the Garter Hotel, showing the sign and motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense. A bench near the door- way. Time, sunset. Falst. (is seated on the heuch meditatin^. lie rouses himself, turns towaids tlie entrant-e of the inn and summons ilie hosi,) Ho ! House, within there ! (gloomily reflecting) Wicked with roses, ;ind arrayed in white garments, Mrs. Ford (from within) Do not forget the vizards! Mrs. Page (from within, R.) No, surely ; nor thou the wands and tapers! Ford (to Caius) My plan I've laid with due precaution. When our jest shall be ended, come both to me ; but keep faces hidden — hers by her veil, thine in a cowl enshrouded — and 1 will bless ye then as bride and bridegroom! Caius (takes Ford's arm) We're agreed, then. Quick, (from the threshold of the inn) What ninnies! (makes a mocking gesture, and exit hur- riedly, R.) Fair Annie! 4nne (from within) What now ? Quick. The fairy song ; be sure you have it ready. Anne 'Tis so already. Mrs. Ford (from within Do not be late ! Quick, (still farther off) Who first arrives, must wait ! (Darkness sets in) End Scene I. Act TIL FALSTAFF SCENE IL Windsor Pahk by Moonlight. Heme's Oak, C. A sawpit up stage C. Clumps of saplings and and flowering shrubs. Horns are heard, sounding afar off. Enter Fenton. F'ent. From fervid lips the song of love arises. Through the stillness of night afar resounding, And from some lofty, hollow rock rebounding Is eclioed back again in soft reprises. Its ev'ry phrase and accent, thus transmuted, Are sweetened, mellowed too, l)y re[>i-oduction, And passion's loudest strains, subtly commuted, Become mere whispers in their course of refluxion. Echo is fond of songs ; quickly she learns tnera, Sings them once, twice or thrice, and then returns them. And thus the lover's kiss should be requited. Kissing is fraught with such exquisite pleasure. Anne (within) Bliss never palling and sweet beyond measure ! Pent. But songs expire on lips that are united ! (Enter Mrs. Ford, unexpectedly, not in disguise, but carrying a black mask and robe on her arm. Slie stops Fenton) Mrs. Ford Prithee, gently ! Put on this robe monastic. (Enter Dame Quickly disguised as a witch and carrying a broomstick( Fent. 'NS'^hat freak is this ? (enter Anne, as the Fairy Queen) Anne Do as she tells you ! Mrs. Fobd The mask, too ! (Fenton puts on the disguise) FALSTAFF Anne He looks exactly like a truant Trappist. (v- Mrs. Ford (hastily helping Fenton to fasten on the mask) The trick my husband proposes to play you must be cleverly turned to your advantage. Fknt. Explain yourself, Mrs, Fokd Ask no idle questions ; obey me ! An opportunity foregone recurs not. Who is to personate the bride ? (to Dame Quiekly) Quick. A mischievous, long-nosed stripling, who hates Doctor Caius. (enter Mrs. Pagedrest in green robes, and masked) Mrs, Page Inthe sawpit I've hidden all the urchins. We're ready ! Mrs. Ford I hear the fat man coming. All Vanish ! (Exit L.) (As the first stroke of midnight sounds, enter Falstaff wearing a pair of antlers and a heavy cloak) Falst. O ! Two ! Three ! Four ! Five ! Six ! Seven ! Eight ! Nine ! Ten ! Eleven ! Twelve ! 'Tis mid- night. Here is the oak. Pow'rs divine, protect me ! Gi'eat Jove ! thou who took'st on thee the form of a bull for love of fair Europa — thy brows were horned. Our elders teach us virtue and decorum ; but Love transforms us into beasts and brutifies our morals ! (listens) 'Tis her light step approaching. (Enter Mrs. Ford, L, C.) Sweet Alice, thy lover callfl thee 1 Hither ! with love I'm burning. Mrs. Ford Sir John ! Falst. Thou art mine own doe ! Mrs. Ford Wh^it effervescent love ! Falst. Hither ! I glow and quiver ! I am thy stag, thy fattest of bucks, lord of the forest. Let the skies shower truffles, radishes, and fenneL and let me feed upon them, but drink of love only Ì Are we alone, sweet ? FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford No; Meg, through the forest tripping, is near at hand. Falst. a twofold love-adventure. Let her come, too! Now quarter me; yes, like a roasted roebuck, now carve me! For all my pains I am rewarded, I love thee, love thee. Mrs. Pagb (from within) Help, help! here come the witches! Mrs. Ford (feigning terror) An outcry ! Alas ! Flee from them. Falst. (alarmed) Whither? Mrs. Ford Kind Heav'n, forgive my sore offending (exit hur- riedly R.) Falst. (leaning against the trunk of Heme's Oak) Old Nick will not connive at my damnation! Anne (from within) Woodnymphs, dryads, goblins, fly-by-nights and fairies! Here ye may freely practice, in joyous medley, Tour spells, freaks, and vugaries. Falst. Spirits of Darkness! to look on them is deadly! (lies face downwards stretched at full length on the ground) Chorus of Women (afar off) Woodnymphs! Dryads! Fairies! (enter Anne as the fairy-queen, followed by nine white and nine blue fairies) (Enter all the characters, disguised, and twentyf ur fairies, large and small, who surr und Anne. The men are grouped R., the women L.) Anne From secret caves and bowers Emerge, your locks entwining With fronds of fern, and flowers While yet the moon is s^-ining. Then dance, fays, liglitly and featly, While singing your elfish rhymes, • Words that are wedded sweetly To tunes of olden times. Chorus of Fairies The forest slumbers; its leafy Ijoughs their shadows spread, Dark green beneath the azu'-e sky; an inland sunk in ocean's bed. Annb We wander in the moonlight, and cull the flow'rets tender, Oping their folded petals, fragrant perfumes they render. With lilies, violets, roses, We spell our words of power; Each fairy touch discloses The secret of some flower. Delicate revelations Such as the rosebuds tell, Serve us for incantations Furnish full many a spell! Chorus of Fairies Now stealthily advancing, let us at once repair To the gigantic oak-tree, the Sable Hunter's lair! (All the fairicH, and their Queen, slowlv approach Heme's Oak, eingiiig) Anne The flow'rs have taught us many a spell! Bard, (stumbles against Falstaff and signals the fairies to halt) Stay awhile! PiST. (advancing) Who goes there? Falst. Good lack. Quick, (touching Falstaff with her broomstick) A man ! Thk Four Women and Chorus of Fairies A man! Ford Just like a stag he's antlercd ! PiST. And round as any pumpkin! Bard. As Leviathan monstrous! (kicking Falstaff) Up with thee! Arise! Falst. Unless a crane you bring me, I cannot! Ford He is too hea\y! Quick. He's corrupt I FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Pai;e and A^jhk And impure! Chorus <>f Fairies He's corrujit and impure! Bard, (gesticulating like a sorcerer) Straightway I'll exorcise him! Mrs. Ford (to Anne while Dr. Caius is hunting about the stage. Fenton and Dame Quickly stand before Anne and conceal her) Danger is nigh; evade it. Old Dr. Caius now seeks thee. Anne We'll find some place of safety. (retires up stage with Fenton, guarded l)y Mrs. Ford and Dame Quickly) Quick. And swift return when I shall call upon ye! (Anne, Fenton, Dame Quickly disappear among foliage) Bard, (continuing his incantation) Evil spirits! Grim goblins! Dusky night-moths! Dark vampires Poison-fraught offspring of the marshes infernali You may rightfully Torment hiui frightfully And scratch him spitefully! With steely talons! Falst. a foul-scented wizard! No polecat more pestilent! (Enter C. boys disguised as imps, and attack Fals'aff: ouier goblins and demons appear from ditferent entrances, striking tambourines and triangles; many of them carry small red lamps) Chorus of Spirits and Imps (rolling Falstaff over and over, up and down stage) Rumble him! Tumble him! (the fairies pinch his arms and cheeks and flog him with nettle») Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page and Anne Pinching him, Twitching him, Wrenching him, Clenching him, Tweek him and shake him Till bellow you make him! (the little fairies dance round him, some capering and stamping on his back) Falst. (vainly struggling to defend himself) Oh! Oh! Chorus op Fairies (beating tambourines, drums, etc.) Now practice, your thumbs on him, And beat fairy drums on him ! Then tear him and tatter liim, And soil and bespatter him! Let's prick him with bulrushes, keen pointed as lances, And on his huge abdomen perform all our dances! Mosquitoes and midges fresh torments shall bring him! And sound their shrill trumpets, and fret him, and sting him! (the turmoil ceases) Ì5ALSTAFF Mks. Page, Mrs. Fokd and Qui» k. Pinching him. Twitching him. Wrenching him, Clenching him, Tweak him and shake him ! Till bellow you make him \ Falst. Oh ! Oh ! Mes. Page, Mrs. Ford, Quick, and Chorus of Fairies Scrape him and scrub at him, Rub off the rust of him ! Hammer and dub at him ! CooJ the hot lust of him ! Pricking him. Nicking him, Wrenching him, Clencliing him, Pinching him. Twitching him, Tweaking him. Shaking him ! Chorus op Spirits and Imps And fret him, and sting him I Ford and Caius Vile dog ! Bard, and Pist. - Poltroon ! Ford and Caius Huge hog Bard and Pist. Obese Ford and Caius Thy sins Bard, a^^f? Pist. Confess All (together) Upon thy knees ! Ford Carcase all stuffed out ! Mrs. Ford Features all puffed out ! Bard. Crusher of bed-gear ! Quicxi. Rumpler of head-gear ! Pist. Deepest of drinkers ! Mrs. Page Meanest of slinkers ! Caius Robber and brawler ! Ford Tripple-chinn'd crawler ! All Say, dost repent thee ? (Bardolph strikes Falstaff with Dame Quickly's broomstick) Falst. Alas ! I repent me ! Ford, Caius, Bard, and Pist. Reptile pernicious, Faithless and vicious ! Repent ! Falst. Content ! Bard, (putting his face close to Falstaff' s) Reform thy conduct flighty: Falst. Tliou reek'st of aqua vitae ! FALSTAFF Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page and Quick. Heaven vouchsafe to chasten him Or to perdition hasten him ! D3eply humiliate him! Heavily castigate him. ! Falst. But save his soul, kind Heaven ! Ford, Caius, Ba.rd. «wf^PisT. Carcase all stuffed out... (etc. ut supra) Chorus of Spirits and Imps Pinching him... (etc. ut supra) Caius, Bard., Ford and Pist. Mass of impurity ! What say'st thou ? Falst. It is well ! Caius, Bard., Ford and Pist. Lump of obesity ! What say est thou ? Falst. It is well ! Caius, Bard., Fokd and Pist. Hogshead of Malvoisie ! What say'st thou ! Falst. Let it be so ! Bard. Bloated offender ! Shameless pretender • Falst. Away ! thou reekest ! Caius, Bard., Ford and Pist. Lying traducer ! Futile seducer ! Falst. Why, then, so bo it ! Baud, (vehemently) The devil will tate him, And shake kim, And bake him ! (in his excitement he throws off his cowl) Falst. (rising) Hades ! Krebus ! Acheron ! 'Tis the pestilent Bardolph I (threatening Bardol])h, who retreats belore him) Nose all vermilion. Shaped like a pillion ! Snuffler vociferous ! Rushlight pestiferous ! Salamander ! Ignis fatuus ! Ruffianly pander ! Miserable gander! Thou thing of fustian In slow combustion ! Vampire, thief, and traitor ! Purple-snouted alligatci ! Dixisti! If I have wronged him, may ev'ry unjust word rise up against me ! All (together) Bravo ! FALSTAFF Falst. Some respite, I ]>4-ay ye ! I am weary ! Quick, (to Bardopli aside, with whom she di.sappears behind the trees) Come, with the head-dross white I'll now disguise thee. FoBD And now, while your composure you recover, Sir John, tell me which of us wears the horns ? Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page (to Falstaff ironically) Perpend ! Mrs. f ord (unmasking) With dumbness are you stricken ? Falst. (holding out a hand to Ford) Dear Master Brook, jtray hear me !... (re-enter Dame Quickly) Mrs. Ford (interrupting) In error yon address him. This is Ford, my good husband. Quick, (as before) Sir, fair greeting ! Falst. Worthy woman ! Quick. Could you fancy two v\H)inen so benighted and demented that they, body and soul, should risk perdition For an old greybeard, bald about the noddle, So fat that he can scarcely manage to waddle ? Ford Plainly spoken ! Falst. I begin to perceive, alas ! that Pve made a great ass of myself ! Mrs. Ford A scapegoat ! Ford A bugbear, a monster rare ! (All laugh, and repeat the epithets) Falst. I observe that all sorts of vulgar rabble At my mishaps are coarsely jesting "Vainly I seek — except of my suggestion — A single spark of humor in their babble ! . 'Tis I, 'tis I alone, more is the pity ! Whose wits supply ye the wherewithal to be witty! Ford By the gods ! Had'st thou been less lighthearted, I had slain thee ! Now hearken ! Give ear, I pray, to ray pro- posal. Let us all conclude this gay nocturnal frolic with the betrothal of the fair Queen ot" all the Fairies 1 i FALSTAI-F (Dr. Caius and Bardolph, the latter dressed as Queen of the Fairies, adeance hand-in nana, Dr. Caius in mask) Ford Here's a couple made one by true affection ObserYe them ! white as snow her bridal dress is, A wreath of rosebuds decks her flowing tresses ; Wealthy and wise her consort ; he's of my selection ! Gather round them, fairies ! (Dr. Cains and Bardolph stand forward C— the fairies surround them) (Mrs. Ford leads forward Anne and Fenton, the former enveloped in blue drapery, the latter hooded and masked) Mrs. Ford This rash young couple advances with compunction (to Ford) Craving your kindly sanction of its conjunction connubial. Ford So be it ! and may their yoke delight them ! (The sprites, led bj- Mrs. Ford, approach Dr. Caius and Bardolph— a tii y elf, carried by Mrs. Ford, raises his Isntern to the level of Bardolph's face. Anne and Fenton holding hands, stand somewhat apart from the central group) Bring hither all the tapers ! Kind Heav'n, unite them ! Cast away your disguises ! Apotheosis ! (At Ford's command. Dr. Caius and Fenton rapidly unmask, Anne unveils, and Dame Quickly, standing behind Bardolph, plucks the veil from his head. All remain with uncovered faces) All (together) Ha 1 ha ! ha ! ha ! Caius (amazed, recognizing Bardolph) Confusion ! I am married to Bardolph ! Confusion 1 Ford (amazed) Consternation ! my daughter with Fenton ! Falst. and Chorus Apotheosis ! Stupendous ! Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Page and Quick. Ha ! ha I We triumph ! Stupendous ! Ford (still stupefied by amazement) What strange surprises ! Mrs. Ford (to Ford) We often fall into the net that's woven by our own ingenious cunning. FALSTAFF Falst. (approaching Ford with an ironical bow) Dearly beloved Ford ! Which of us is the dupe ? Ford (pointing to Dr. Caius) He ! Caius (to Ford) Thou ! Ford No ! Caius Yes ! ' I Bard, (to Ford and Dr. Caius) Ye ! Fent. (to Ford and Dr. Caius) They ! Caius (standing by Ford) We ! Falst. Ye two, surely ! Mrs. Ford (placing Falstaff by Ford and Dr. Caius) No ! all ye three ! (to Ford) Look at these children (pointing to Anne and Fenton) and grant them your pardon ! Anne (to Ford, folding her hands) Dearest father, forgive us ! Ford He who cannot avert his own defeating Should gaily take his beating, (embracing Anne and Fenton) Thus in my arras I press you. Thus forgive you, and bless you ! Falst. One rousing lay, to end our frolic ! Ford Then with John Falstaff we'll carouse and rollick ! All (together) Stupendous ! Stupendous ! FINALE. (All characters and Choras) Jesting is man's vocation ; Wise is he who is jolly, Ready to laugh upon slight provocation, Proof against dull melancholy. Each man makes fun of his neighbour The merry world around : — Solace for pain and for labour In gay laughter is found ! CURTAIN. Just Issued IE MODERN BARITONE OPERATIC ALBUM (With the Original and English Texts) Containing Thirty Arias from Famous Modem Operas, as follows: tallo in Maschera, Un Alla vita che t'arride (Brightest hope and fairest pleasure) " " " " Eri tu che macchiavi (It was thou the destroyer) larbiere di Siviglia, Il Largo al factotum (Hey, for the town's factotum so rare) )on Carlos Ella giammai m'amò (No ! she has never loy'd me) " " Per me giunto è il dì supremo ('Tis that day I so long awaited) )on Giovanni Deh, vieni alla finestra (Come, open wide your window) )ue Foscari, I Questa dunque è l'iniqua mercede (So my valor and my victories are crowned) ìrnani Oh, de' verd' anni miei (Fair hours of youth and pleasure) 'alstaflf Quand' ero paggio (When I was page) 'igliuol Prodigo, Il . . Raccogli e calma (Calmly, serenely) "orza del Destino, La Son Pereda, son ricco d'onore (I, Pereda, for honor am fated) " " " " Urna fatale del mio destino (III omen'd coffer that holds my secret) ìermania Ferito, prigionier (I'm prisoner and wounded) " Ascolta ! ... Io morirò (Oh ! hear me !.. . Now I must die !) jianni Schicchi Ah! che zucconi! (Oh! foolish blockheads!) Gioconda, La O monumento ! (O mighty monument !) " " Pescator, affonda l'esca (Fisherman, thy bait now lower) rlacbeth Pietà, rispetto, amore (Compassion, love and kindness) Nerone Vivete in pace (Abide in peace) " Laggiù fra i giunchi di Genesareth (Behold the marshes of Genesareth) )tello Credo (Credo) " Era la notte (I lay with Cassio) (igoletto Pari siamo (Ours are like gifts) " Cortigiani, vii razza dannata (Hated courtiers, accursed, detested) limon Boccanegra 11 lacerato spirito (The broken spirit) fabarro, II Nulla ! Silenzio ! (No one ! All is silent !) rannhauser Wie Todesahnung (Like death's grim shadow) ["osca Se la giurata fede (No, if my plighted fealty) Praviata, La Di Provenza il mar e il suol (Who has banished from your heart) frovatore, II II balen del suo soriso (Ah ! could I behold those glances) Clearly printed in the original keys from engraved plates and strongly bound in Green Linen Cloth with Gilt Lettering a RICORDI & CO* Inc. New York MUJ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. REC'D ID-Um OPER OPER ORAT BALLI SYMP; ORGH INSTR CHAM m OiSCHARGE-URt •-MAR 2 4 mi à The 1 ^%^^ ^i SEP 06198 L9_75m-7;61(C1437s4)444 Form ESTABLISHED 1808 a RICORDI & CO, Ine, 12 WEST 45th STREET NEW YORK Milan Rome Naples Palermo Paris London Leipzig S. Paulo Buenos Ain 3 1158 00666 049 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY ^.\ '^■^i-,^..-