Plun. You had no one but mother and me, old chap, don't you see? What else could a fellow do but try to keep you heartened up a little? (Laughs with some embarrassment.)
Lio. And yet even now we do not know who I really am. We shall never know, unless some day my father's ring (lifts his hand) may serve to clear up the mystery at last. (Sings.)
[No. 5.]
Lio. O'er my life from boyhood tender,
You have watched with sheltering care,
You your all would fain surrender,
With the orphan child to share.
You fulfilled a father's duty,
When he left me to your love,
Ah, he heard my mother calling,
Heard her call from heaven above.
Plun. Nor his rank nor name he told us,
Nor the secret dar'd unseal (touches Lionel's hand),
This his ring one day shall tell it,
All the mystery yet reveal.
On your finger when he placed it,
"This may change his fate," he sighed,
"This my ring the Queen will honor
Should misfortune e'er betide."
Lio. Brother mine, 'mid courtly splendors
My vain longings ne'er shall rove,
Ah, no light on earth allures me,
Save the tender glow of love.
No strange joys I'd earn for yonder,
Peace and sweet content are here,
'Mid the fields are simple pleasures,
Calm affection, tried and dear.
(A bell from the village church gives the signal for the fair to begin. Sheriff enters pompously, the farmers and wives and servants flock after him. He is dressed in wig, hat and robe. He has a staff of office. A girl is pushed against him in the crowd. He waves her back majestically, at arm's length and speaks.)
Sheriff (speaks) Let the rabble stand back. Room for the majesty of the law. Ahem!
Girl (speaks pertly). My, ain't he the big wig, though! (Tweaks at his wig from behind and pulls it partly off. His hat falls off. She picks it up and runs.)
Sheriff. Ouch! (Grabs at wig with one hand and runs after the girl, shaking his staff at her. Another girl gets in his way; they dodge back and forth, till she puts her two hands, one each side of his face and tries to kiss him.)