Smuttifacio, &c.
SONG.—Ferdinand and Chorus.
Tune—“My Skiff is on de Shore.”
We are going—we are going; but where, is more than I know;
Down to Davy Jones, I'll bet half my rhino;
Wiser folks by far than we are they
Who on shore securely stay.
CHORUS.
Sung by all the passengers lugubriously, without rising.
Oh! oh! oh! oh! oh! &c.
The sea's a horrid bore, and don't suit me;
Once again on shore, a fixture I'll be;
For, as we paddle on, we're never free
From the keenest misery.
(Fer. to Al.)
Here's pleasure, here's amusement, here's diversion;
This is your Royal Maritime Excursion—
A precious treat! Fun for some sea-side gapers;
And woodcuts for the illustrated papers.
Alo.
Ungrateful boy! for you we've laid this plan;
You know you called yourself a yachting man.
You've often bragged that half your time was passed
Upon the sea—
Fer.
Of course, it sounds so fast;
But were you green enough to think I meant it?
My time, indeed! more sensibly I've spent it.
-- 8 --
Alo.
Presumptive heir! was it for us to tell
That all your talked-of sailing was a sell?
Your conduct, sir, a most deceptive sort I call;
We thought your tastes were eminently nautical.
At first you strutted, joked, and chaffed the crew,
Drank grog, and smoked cigars—now, we smoke you.
[Wind.
But hark at B reas! would that we were sailing
Beyond the pale of his rude blustering railing!
It's most extravagant, with Neptune's means,
His playing pitch and toss with sovereigns.
[Wind.
Blow me! here's weather (Lightning) Blazes! there again!
Had ever monarch such a wretched [rain]?
Gonzalo, (wrapping himself up.)
All hail, great King! that any one can tell.
But see! the Prince, his Highness, don't seem well.
[Ferdinand, who has been gradually growing worse,
staggers and falls. Alonzo, Gonzalo, and some
of the Lords stagger up to his assistance. Some
of the Lords try to rise, but are unable; others do not move.
Fer. (faintly.)
Farewell, a long farewell to all my boasting.
This is the state of gents who go out coasting:
To day, when all is calm, on deck they swagger,
And talk in sailors' slang. The next day stagger,
And bend in silent anguish o'er the seas.
The third day comes a breeze—a stiffish breeze—
And when they think, mistaken snobs! full surely
It may go off, they feel uncommon poorly;
In fact, as ill as I do.
Alo.
Try to sleep!
Fer.
What! “rocked upon the cradle of the deep?”
But that's a sad misnomer; any deep-un
Would know it's not at all the place to sleep on.
Take me below, though—I would go to bed;
I feel so heavy that I must be led.
Alo.
Well, 'gainst our shoulder rest your aching crown,
Your Pa', who brought you up, will take you down.
[They prepare to support Ferdinand down to the
cabin. Gonzalo takes one arm, and a Lord the
other. Alonzo supports his head; while doing so
-- 9 --
Alonzo sings.
Tune—“Down among the Dead Men.”
Here's his head for the King, and an arm apiece,
Let's take him below, ere his pains increase.
Come, let's take him while we've breath,
For we ourselves feel sick to death.
He'll, p'raps, be better bye-and-bye.
CHORUS.
Down upon the bed, then—
Down upon the bed, then.
Down, down, down, down.
Down upon the bed, then,
Let him lie.
[Exeunt through the companion C., carrying Ferdinand below.—Scene closes.
Robert Barnabas Brough [1848], The enchanted isle; or, “Raising the wind” on the most approved principles: a drama without the smallest claim to legitamacy, consistency, probability, or anything else but absurdity; in which will be found much that is unaccountably coincident with Shakspere's “Tempest.” by the brothers Brough. As first performed at the Theatre Royal, Adelphi. Correctly printed from the prompter's copy, with the cast of characters, scenic arrangement, sides of entrance and exit, and relative positions of the dramatis personæ. Splendidly illustrated with an engraving by Mr. Brewer, Taken during the Representation of the Piece (Published at the National Acting Drama Office [etc.], London) [word count] [S40900].
