DUET—LANSIKA and FREDERICA.
From my fate there's no retreating—
Love commands, and I obey;
How with joy my heart is beating
At the fortunes of to-day!
Life is filled with strange romances—
Love is blind, the poets say;
When he comes unsought, the chance is
Of his own accord he'll stay.
Love can ne'er be forced to tarry;
Chain him—he'll the bonds remove:
Paired, not matched, too many marry—
All should wed alone for love.
Let him on the bridal-even
Trim his lamp with constant ray;
And the flame will light to heaven,
When the world shall fade away!
[Exeunt
Scene IV.
The whole depth of the stage is made use of in this scene, which represents an open
country. A Camp and Soldiers at a distance. Music. Enter HANS, GERTRUDE, and
Peasantry: Lads and Lasses dancing.
CHORUS of PEASANTS.
Lads and lasses, trip away
to the cheerful roundelay!
At the sound of tambourine,
Care is banished from the scene,
And a happy train we bound,
To the pipe and tabour's sound.
Merrily, merrily trip away,
'Tis a nation's holiday!
Merrily, merrily, merrilie,
Bound with sprits light and free!
Let's be jocund while we may;
And dance—dance—dance—
And dance the happy hours away!
When the gleaming line shall come,
To the sound of trump and drum;
Headed by advancing steeds,
Whom the king in person leads—
Let us hail him in his state,
For the king's both good and great!
Merrily, merrily trip away,
'Tis a nation's holiday!
Merrily, merrily, merrilie,
Bound with sprits light and free!
Let's be jocund while we may;
And dance—dance—dance—
And dance the happy hours away!
(Immediately after chorus, a grand march is commenced in he distance, which becomes more and more distinct as the troops advance. The PEASANTS form in groups. HANS speaks during the first part of the march.)
HANS. Here we are, Gertrude, many miles from our own village—and all for vat? To please you—(aside) and to shell a few color to der artishes, vich I pring along mit me for der purpose; but I need not tell her dat.—Here, stand aside, and don't be looking after de sholders!
(GERTRUDE and HANS stand aside. Grand march. Enter a corps of Grenadiers and other troops, who form on the right of the stage. Roll of drums. The troops present arms. Enter FREDERICK, in a furious passion, followed by general and staff Officers, and Count LANISKA. The KING acknowledges the salute, lifts his hat, and puts it on again furiously. HAROLD and Corporal are in the ranks of the Grenadiers. Throughout the scene the KING speaks hurriedly.)