Part 7

Conrad. Yes, I’ll see fair; I’m a sea-faring man; And on the stage no sailor can do less, Than rescue lovely women in distress: And so here goes. [Throws SYNG SMAUL across to R.--Tableau.

Pasha. Guards, hew him limb from limb!

Medora. No, mercy! take my life, but pardon him.

Conrad. Pooh! pooh! fair maid, let them come on--they dare not; Come--the whole lot of you at once--I care not.

Song.--CONRAD.--Air, “La tremenda ultrice Spada.”

Ten to one, now come on to the attack, sirs, Were it ten times ten I’d not yield, sirs, What’s the odds, I myself still back, sirs, Ten to one on the favorite ’gainst the field. Ten to one--who says done?--still no takers, Ten to one--you, my friends, are quakers, Ten to one--you’ll say done in a crack, sirs. When my name and my address I have revealed.

Yussuf. [R.] Go at him--all at once. [GUARDS rush forward.

Conrad. Stay! by-the-bye, You’d like to know, p’rhaps, who I am?

Pasha. Not I!

Conrad. Well, mind you, I can fight--I give you warning.

Medora. Who can it be, these fearful odds thus scorning?

Pasha. My guards are ready.

Medora. Stay--your name avow!

Conrad. Conrad the Corsair! [GUARDS shrink away.

Are they ready now?

Yussuf. Jerusalem! [Exit, R., followed by the GIRLS.

Pasha. The Corsair! murder! fire! [Runs out, followed by GUARDS, L.

Conrad. [L.] Fair maid, you’re safe--permit me to retire.

Medora. [R.] Nay, fly not yet, or else let me fly too, I’m not safe here--they’ll soon return.

Conrad. That’s true, And doubtless, though the case I’ve yet to learn, You’ll get small profit by their quick return; But still to come with me----

Medora. Oh, take me hence! I will not put you to the least expense; I’ll work my passage out--wash, cook, bake, brew for you. Will be your slave, and regularly do for you.

Conrad. [Aside.] I fear you would, if long at you I looked, And my own goose be the first thing you cooked. [Aloud.] But think upon the dangers of the sea.

Medora. Those dangers have no terrors, sir, for me.

Conrad. A common boast--the would-be yachting man, Who talked so bravely ere the trip began, I have seen rush, at the first lurch, to leeward, His boasting sunk in one faint cry of “steward.”

Medora. Fear not my courage; take me with you, do.

Conrad. I’ve half a mind.

Medora. I should be safe with you; But if left here alone, then should I be Alone without the least security.

Conrad. Enough! it shall be so--your words prevail. The best security is power of sail; So, to set sail at once must be our plan, The crew may follow the best way they can.