LOVE'S LABOUR NOT LOST.
Mr Punch. "Well, Sir, and what found you in Muscovy?"
Prince of Wales (quoting Shakspeare). "'Nothing but Peace, and gentle Visitation'!"
Desperate Position of Messrs. Duffer and Phunk, who are rival aspirants for the hand of Miss Di.
Miss Di (unable to get her Horse to face the water as a jump). "Oh, do please, one of you, just try if that Place is fordable!"
[N.B.—Said "Place" is reported to be a good twelve feet deep BEFORE you come to the mud.
LOVE'S LABOUR NOT LOST!
(A Dramatic Scene, with Suggestions from Shakspeare.)
Scene.—A British Quay. Enter The Visible Prince (like the King and his companions in "Love's Labour's Lost") "in Russian habits" but bearing a true British face, not masked. To him enters the most loyal and loving of his subjects and sage counsellors, Mr. Punch.
Mr. Punch (joyously). "All hail the pleasantest Prince upon the earth!"
Prince (gaily.) "Behaviour, what wert thou, till this man show'd thee?"
Mr. Punch. Well capped, my Prince!
Prince. Be you the same, good friend!
"Your bonnet to its right use; 'tis for the head,"
(As Hamlet said), and "'tis indifferent cold."
Mr. Punch. "It is a nipping and an eager air"—
As not unusual in our Isle's December!
Prince. "The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold."
I feel it, Punch, through all my Russian sables,
Though I'm from Muscovy.
Mr. Punch. What met you there, Sir?
Prince (promptly). "Nothing but peace, and gentle visitation!"
Mr. Punch (applauding). Most aptly quoted, Sir! The happiest "lift,"
From him the ever applicable bard,
I've met this many a moon.
Prince. Glad to be back
To English shores—and you—for all the love
I leave behind, and all the cold I come to.
Mr. Punch. Not in our hearts, my Prince, not in our hearts!
Prince. Nay, that I'll swear. Witness your presence here,
This chilling day. "How many weary steps
Of many weary miles you have o'ergone!"
Mr. Punch. "We number nothing that we spend for you:
Our duty is so rich, so infinite,
That we may do it still without account."
When you "vouchsafe the sunshine of your face."
Prince (laughing). Punch, know you all the Swan?
Mr. Punch. E'en as the Swan
Knows all his Punch, which is his favourite reading
In the Elysian Fields; and one good turn
Deserves another! But, my Albert Edward,
"What did the Russian whisper in your ear?"
Prince. Punchius, "He swore that he did hold me dear
As precious eyesight, and did value me
Above this world; adding thereto, moreover,
That he would ever live our England's lover."
Mr. Punch. "God give thee joy of him! The noble Tsar
Most honourably will uphold his word"
As I doubt not. I'm happy o' your visit.
"But what, Sir, purpose they to visit us?"
Prince. "They do, they do, and all apparel'd thus
Like Muscovites, or Russians, as I dress.
Their purpose is to parle, to court, to dance.
And every one his love-feat will advance."
Mr. Punch. As you have done, my Prince, at sorrow's flood
Taking the tide of frank affection, like
A skilled and trusty pilot. Such a Prince,
Good faith, is worth a dozen diplomats
And many full-armed legions.
Prince. May it prove so!
Mr. Punch. Well, let them come! "Disguis'd like Muscovites"
(As Rosaline said) we'll know them still as friends;
And they'll find here, as you there found, my Prince,
"Nothing but peace, and gentle visitation!!!" *
[Exeunt together.
* Love's Labour's Lost, Act V., Scene 2.