ACT II.
Scene—a wood. Berlinda and Roderigo seated on the ground.
Ber. Alas! I’m hungry, love can’t support itself on air.
Rod. I’m much more hungry; think how much I’ve had to bear.
Ber. Monster! is it for this I left my frugal home in haste,
To fly with you and see this dreadful waste.
Where is our home? where do you mean to go?
Rod. Upon my word, Berlinda, I don’t know;
I think we’ll pic-nic, drink the morning dew,
And eat the berries,—see, I’ve got a few,—
And then we’ll take a quiet stroll to search
For parson, marriage lines, and church,
And then live happy ever after. What d’ye say?
Ber. Why, most emphatically, nay!
I call this treatment shameful, sinful, flagrant—
Rod. Come, come Berlinda, let me have no vague rant;
You wander in your speech. What is’t you need?
Ber. My breakfast! oh, I’m dying for a feed.
Rod. I would I were a bird, and then I might your favour win;
Alas, I can but offer you some scrapings from my violin.
Berlinda bursts into a passionate flood of tears, and Roderigo
plays pathetically “Home, sweet home.” By-and-by the sound
of voices and the tramp of feet are heard in the distance.
Ber. O! Roderigo, we’re pursued! they’re armed! what shall we do?
Rod. When they’ve mustered, we shall both get peppered, we are in a stew.
Is’t meet that we should wait, or shall we fly?
Ber. I would I were a bird!
Rod. And so do I.
But, see, your father comes—his passion’s at a pitch,
And he is followed by the rivals; and the witch—
Ber. Which it is. O! goodness, what will now become of me?
I’ll climb—but no, they’ll think I’m “up a tree.”
They come. Down, Roderigo; down upon your knees.
Rod. It’s not an easy place, but anything to please.
(Enter Infuriated Parient, Rivals, Witch, Policeman, and a
Perambulator.)
Berlinda’s Pa. Rogue! villain! rascal! Lend me your ears
That I may pierce them with my taunts and jeers.
I come to claim my daughter you have borne away.
Rod. (aside.) ’Twere better she had not been born, I say.
Ber. Pa. And you shall answer for this day’s affray.
Rod. I’m much afraid I shall; but pray be calm.
My hand upon it—I would never do her harm.
Ber. Pa. Silence, base rogue! My friends, the time is fleeting,
I think we’d better now prorogue this meeting.
Riv. Not till we’ve fought, and thus expressed our hate.
Rod. Good Sirs, I deem that I am fortunate.
I’ll fight you on the morrow—not to-day.
Excuse me if I’m acting in a sordid way;
But—
Ber. Pa. Ho! guards, bring forth the prison van, and bear her hence.
(They carry Berlinda to the perambulator—en route she says:)
Dear Roderigo, dreadful is suspense;
But write to me, prepaid, and when you see your way
All clear, be good enough to name the day.
Rod. (weeping.) Farewell, Berlinda, fairest of the fair!
Ber. Good-bye, cheer up, old chap, and take that ere (hair).
(Door closes while Roderigo kisses the ringlet flung to him by
Berlinda from the perambulator.)