Ad. True! oh, quite intensely true!—for how sweetly sings the poet Oscar on this theme!—
“As like miners we explore
Hidden treasures in the soul,
And we pip-pip-pick the amorous ore
Firmly bedded in its hole;
New emotions come to light,
Flashing in affections’ rays,
Scintillating to the sight,
With a tit-tit-tit-transcendental bib-bib-bib-blaze,
Warming us until we burn
With a glow of sacred fire,
And as coals to diamonds turn,
Sparkling in us with did-did-did-desire.”
El. Oh, quite, quite too lovely! Come, Adolphus—why should we linger here, now that our troths are plighted? Why should we not at once brave the world together? I need the sweet scents of the air, the rustle
of leaves, the singing of birds, the chattering of monkeys, and the hum of nature. Let us go, my love, and walk in the Zoo.
Ad. [rising]. Dud-dud-dud-do you intend to keep that on?
El. What on?
Ad. This mystic garment of kuk-kuk-curves and circles.
El. No; I will keep it for a pattern and a sweet reminiscence. Now I will go and put on my Louis Quatorze hat, and be back in a moment, if you will go and call a hansom.
[Exit Elaine.
[Adolphus bursts into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.