Part 9

Yussuf. [Gives money.] Well, there. Now, how d’ye mean to fix him?

Birb. A sleeping draught I’ll go at once and mix him, So strong, that if his food in it you steep, You’d even catch a weasel fast asleep.

Yussuf. I see. So then, when he this potion drinking, Goes off like nodding, we go off like winking, And take the gal.

Birb. [Aside.] A rash step, p’raps, I’ve taken; I’d take a rasher, could I save my bacon, And settle him at once, clean out of hand, But that I fear the vengeance of the band. No matter, time will come. Hah! hah!

Yussuf. I say.

Birb. I beg your pardon. Come--away! away! [Exit melo-dramatically, followed by YUSSUF, R.

Music.--The curtains in the arch, C., are raised, and discover CONRAD reclining on a couch of tiger skins, smoking a chibouque, MEDORA seated at his feet.

Conrad. And so your uncle sold you into slavery? The monster!

Medora. Had it not been for your bravery----

Conrad. There, that’s enough; these fervent thanks withhold.

Medora. Say, are you sure you haven’t caught a cold, Last night when struggling with the waves so cruel? Do let me make you just one drop of gruel. [Rises.

Conrad. A pirate taking gruel! doubtless you Would like my feet put in hot water, too?

Medora. I should, ’twould do you good.

Conrad. And I suppose You’d further counsel tallowing my nose?

Medora. ’Twould be as well. Nay, come, from laughing cease; Were you a patriot, you’d stick up for grease.

Conrad. Her care for me is really charming! Come, Sit down, Medora--make yourself at home.

Medora. Nay, I’m your slave.

Conrad. [Aside.] My love for her gets stronger.

Medora. Your waiting maid.

Conrad. Nay, you shall wait no longer. [He rises; she dances away coquettishly, he following--CONRAD sings to music of dance.

Air.--“The Fan Dance.” (Spanish.)

Sweetest, your charms have restored me, All once bored me--ennui floored me. Oh, my heart now you’ve fill’d with gladness, Away have you chased its sadness! Medora, oh! don’t say me no.

Say you’ll be mine--then pray do, love! For ’tis you, love, are my true love; Oh! don’t turn away your face, dear, But do grant me one embrace, dear, You will not refuse me, I know.

Come, sweet Medora--say that you’ll be mine!

BIRBANTO crawls on from R.

Birb. Now, how to do it--hah, the wine! the wine! [Pours liquid from vial into CONRAD’S glass, and exit at back. MEDORA sinks into CONRAD’S arms; he kisses her.

Conrad. No more a slave--this liberty affords you; Your lover, not your master, looks towards you. [Drinks--chord.

How’s this? a sudden drowsiness, methinks; Would you excuse me just for forty winks? [Sleeps.