Chapter 12
(Gavotte. At the end exeunt Duke and d.u.c.h.ess, leaving Casilda with Marco and Giuseppe.)
GIU. (to Marco). The old birds have gone away and left the young chickens together. That's called tact.
MAR. It's very awkward. We really ought to tell her how we are situated. It's not fair to the girl.
GIU. Then why don't you do it?
MAR. I'd rather not--you.
GIU. I don't know how to begin. (To Casilda.) Er--Madam--I--we, that is, several of us-- CAS. Gentlemen, I am bound to listen to you; but it is right to tell you that, not knowing I was married in infancy, I am over head and ears in love with somebody else.
GIU. Our case exactly! We are over head and ears in love with somebody else! (Enter Gianetta and Tessa.) In point of fact, with our wives!
CAS. Your wives! Then you are married?
TESS. It's not our fault.
GIA. We knew nothing about it.
BOTH. We are sisters in misfortune.
CAS. My good girls, I don't blame you. Only before we go any further we must really arrive at some satisfactory arrangement, or we shall get hopelessly complicated.
QUINTET AND FINALE.
MARCO, GIUSEPPE, CASILDA, GIANETTA, TESSA.
ALL. Here is a case unprecedented!
Here are a King and Queen ill-starred!
Ever since marriage was first invented Never was known a case so hard!
MAR. and I may be said to have been bisected, GIU. By a profound catastrophe!
CAS., GIA., Through a calamity unexpected TESS. I am divisible into three!
ALL. O moralists all, How can you call Marriage a state of unitee, When excellent husbands are bisected, And wives divisible into three?
O moralists all, How can you call Marriage a state of union true?
CAS.,
MAR. and When half of myself has married one-third of ye GIU. or you?
(Enter Don Alhambra, followed by Duke, d.u.c.h.ess, and all the Chorus.)
FINALE.
RECITATIVE--DON ALHAMBRA.
Now let the loyal lieges gather round-- The Prince's foster-mother has been found!
She will declare, to silver clarion's sound, The rightful King--let him forthwith be crowned!
CHORUS. She will declare, etc.
(Don Alhambra brings forward Inez, the Prince's foster-mother.)
TESS. Speak, woman, speak-- DUKE. We're all attention!
GIA. The news we seek- DUCH. This moment mention.
CAS. To us they bring-- DON AL. His foster-mother.
MAR. Is he the King?
GIU. Or this my brother?
ALL. Speak, woman, speak, etc.
RECITATIVE--INEZ.
The Royal Prince was by the King entrusted To my fond care, ere I grew old and crusted; When traitors came to steal his son reputed, My own small boy I deftly subst.i.tuted!
The villains fell into the trap completely-- I hid the Prince away--still sleeping sweetly: I called him "son" with pardonable slyness-- His name, Luiz! Behold his Royal Highness!
(Sensation. Luiz ascends the throne, crowned and robed as King.)
CAS. (rus.h.i.+ng to his arms). Luiz!
LUIZ. Casilda! (Embrace.)
ALL. Is this indeed the King?
Oh, wondrous revelation!
Oh, unexpected thing!
Unlooked-for situation!
MAR., GIA., This statement we receive GIU., TESS. With sentiments conflicting; Our hearts rejoice and grieve, Each other contradicting; To those whom we adore We can be reunited-- On one point rather sore, But, on the whole, delighted!
LUIZ. When others claimed thy dainty hand, I waited--waited--waited,
DUKE. As prudence (so I understand) Dictated--tated--tated.
CAS. By virtue of our early vow Recorded--corded--corded,
DUCH. Your pure and patient love is now Rewarded--warded--warded.
ALL. Then hail, O King of a Golden Land, And the high-born bride who claims his hand!
The past is dead, and you gain your own, A royal crown and a golden throne!
(All kneel: Luiz crowns Casilda.)
ALL. Once more gondolieri, Both skilful and wary, Free from this quandary Contented are we. Ah!
From Royalty flying, Our gondolas plying, And merrily crying Our "preme," "stali!" Ah!
So good-bye, cachucha, fandango, bolero-- We'll dance a farewell to that measure-- Old Xeres, adieu--Manzanilla--Montero-- We leave you with feelings of pleasure!
CURTAIN
THE GRAND DUKE
OR
THE STATUTORY DUEL