Mel。Disgrace，Gaspar！Disgrace？
　　Gaspar。Igavethylettertotheporter，whopasseditfromlackeytolackeytillitreachedtheladyitwasmeantfor。
　　Mel。Itreachedher，then;youaresureofthat！
　　Itreachedher，——well，well！
　　Gaspar。Itreachedher，andwasreturnedtomewithblows。
　　Dosthear，Melnotte？withblows！Death！areweslavesstill，thatwearetobethusdealtwith，wepeasants？
　　Mel。Withblows？No，Gaspar，no;notblows！
　　Gaspar。Icouldshowtheethemarksifitwerenotsodeepashametobearthem。Thelackeywhotossedthyletterintothemiresworethathisladyandhermotherneverweresoinsulted。
　　Whatcouldthylettercontain，Claude？
　　Mel。[lookingovertheletter]。Notalinethataserfmightnothavewrittentoanempress。No，notone。
　　Gaspar。Theypromisetheethesamegreetingtheygaveme，ifthouwiltpassthatway。Shallweendurethis，Claude？
　　Mel。[wringingGASPAR'shand]。Forgiveme，thefaultwasmine，Ihavebroughtthisonthee;Iwillnotforgetit;thoushaltbeavenged！
　　Theheartlessinsolence！
　　Gaspar。Thouartmoved，Melnotte;thinknotofme;Iwouldgothroughfireandwatertoservethee;but，——ablow！
　　Itisnotthebruisethatgalls，——itistheblush，Melnotte。
　　Mel。Say，whatmessage？——Howinsulted！——Wherefore？——Whattheoffence？
　　Gaspar。DidyounotwritetoPaulineDeschappelles，thedaughteroftherichmerchant？
　　Mel。Well？
　　Gaspar。Andareyounotapeasant——agardener'sson？——
　　thatwastheoffence。Sleeponit，Melnotte。BlowstoaFrenchcitizen，blows！[Exit。
　　Widow。Nowyouarecured，Claude！
　　Mel。tearingtheletter。SodoIscatterherimagetothewinds——
　　Iwillstopherintheopenstreets——Iwillinsulther——Iwillbeathermenialruffians——Iwill——[TurnssuddenlytoWidow。]Mother，amIhumpbacked——deformed——hideous？Widow。You！
　　Mel。Acoward——athief——aliar？
　　Widow。You！
　　Mel。Oradullfool——avain，drivelling，brainlessidiot？
　　Widow。No，no。Mel。WhatamIthen——worsethanallthese？
　　Why，Iamapeasant！Whathasapeasanttodowithlove？
　　Vainrevolutions，whylavishyourcrueltyonthegreat？Ohthatwe——
　　we，thehewersofwoodanddrawersofwater——hadbeensweptaway，sothattheproudmightlearnwhattheworldwouldbewithoutus！
　　[Knockatthedoor。
　　EnterServantfromtheInn。
　　Servant。AletterforCitizenMelnotte。
　　Mel。Aletter！fromherperhaps——whosentthee？
　　Servant。Why，Monsieur——ImeanCitizen——Beauseant，whostopstodineattheGoldenLion，onhiswaytohischateau。
　　Mel。Beauseant！——[Reads]。
　　"Youngman，Iknowthysecret——thoulovestabovethystation:
　　ifthouhastwit，courage，anddiscretion，Icansecuretotheetherealizationofthymostsanguinehopes;andthesoleconditionI
　　askinreturnis，thatthoushaltbesteadfasttothineownends。
　　Ishalldemandfromtheeasolemnoathtomarry。herwhomthoulovest;
　　tobearhertothinehomeonthyweddingnight。Iamserious——
　　ifthouwouldstlearnmore，losenotamoment，butfollowthebearerofthislettertothyfriendandpatron，——CHARLESBEAUSEANT。"
　　Mel。CanIbelievemyeyes？Areourownpassionsthesorcerersthatraiseupforusspiritsofgoodorevil？Iwillgoinstantly。
　　Widow。Whatisthis，Claude？
　　Mel。"Marryherwhomthoulovest"——"bearhertothineownhome。"——
　　Oh，revengeandlove;whichofyouisthestronger？——[Gazingonthepicture。]Sweetface，thousmilestonmefromthecanvas:
　　weakfoolthatIam，doIthenloveherstill？No，itisthevisionofmyownromancethatIhaveworshipped:itistherealitytowhichIbringscornforscorn。Adieu，mother:Iwillreturnanon。
　　Mybrainreels——theearthswimsbeforeme。——[Looksagainattheletter。]No，itisnotamockery;Idonotdream！[Exit。
　　ACTII。——SCENEI。
　　TheGardensofM。DESCHAPPELLEs'houseatLyons——thehouseseenatthebackofthestage。
　　EnterBEAUSEANTandGLAVIS。
　　Beau。Well，whatthinkyouofmyplot？Hasitnotsucceededtoamiracle？TheinstantthatIintroducedhisHighnessthePrinceofComotothepompousmotherandthescornfuldaughter，itwasalloverwiththem:hecame——hesaw——heconquered:
　　and，thoughitisnotmanydayssincehearrived，theyhavealreadypromisedhimthehandofPauline。
　　Gla。Itislucky，though，thatyoutoldthemhishighnesstravelledincognito，forfeartheDirectory（whoarenotveryfondofprinces）
　　shouldlayhimbytheheels;forhehasawonderfulwishtokeepuphisrank，andscattersourgoldaboutwithasmuchcoolnessasifhewerewateringhisownflower—pots。
　　Beau。True，heisdamnablyextravagant;Ithinktheslydogdoesitoutofmalice。However，itmustbeownedthathereflectscreditonhisloyalsubjects，andmakesaveryprettyfigureinhisfineclothes，withmydiamondsnuff—box。
　　Gla。Andmydiamondring！Butdoyouthinkhewillbefirmtothelast？
　　IfancyIseesymptomsofrelenting:hewillneverkeepuphisrank，ifheonceletouthisconscience。
　　Beau。Hisoathbindshim！hecannotretractwithoutbeingforesworn，andthoselowfellowsarealwayssuperstitious！
　　But，asitis，Itremblelesthebediscovered:thatbluffColonelDamas（MadameDeschappelles'cousin）evidentlysuspectshim:
　　wemustmakehasteandconcludethefarce:Ihavethoughtofaplantoenditthisveryday。
　　Gla。Thisveryday！PoorPauline:herdreamwillbesoonover。
　　Beau。Yes，thisdaytheyshallbemarried;thisevening，accordingtohisoath，heshallcarryhisbridetotheGoldenLion，andthenpomp，equipage，retinue，andtitle，allshallvanishatonce;
　　andherHighnessthePrincessshallfindthatshehasrefusedthesonofaMarquis，tomarrythesonofagardener。——Oh，Pauline！onceloved，nowhated，yetstillnotrelinquished，thoushaltdrainthecuptothedregs，——thoushaltknowwhatitistobehumbled！
　　Enterfromthehouse，MELNOTTE，asthePrinceofComo，IeadinginPAULINE;MADAME
　　DESCHAPPELLES，fanningherself;andCOLONELDAMAS。
　　[BEAUSEANTandGLAVISbowrespectfully。fully。PAULINEandMELNOTTEwalkapart。
　　Mme。Deschap。Goodmorning，gentlemen;reallyIamsofatiguedwithlaughter;thedearPrinceissoentertaining。Whatwithehas！
　　Anyonemayseethathehasspenthiswholelifeincourts。
　　Damas。Andwhatthedeucedoyouknowaboutcourts，cousinDeschappelles？Youwomenregardmenjustasyoubuybooks——
　　younevercareaboutwhatisinthem，buthowtheyareboundandlettered。'Sdeath，Idon'tthinkyouwouldevenlookatyourBibleifithadnotatitletoit。
　　Mme。Deschap。Howcoarseyouare，cousinDamas！——quitethemannersofabarrack——youdon'tdeservetobeoneofourfamily;
　　reallywemustdropyouracquaintancewhenPaulinemarries。
　　Icannotpatronizeanyrelationsthatwoulddiscreditmyfutureson—in—law，thePrinceofComo。
　　Mel。[advancing]。Thesearebeautifuigardens，madame，（BEAUSEANTandGLAVISretire——whoplannedthemMme。Deschap。AgardenernamedMelnotte，yourhighness——
　　anhonestmanwhoknewhisstation。Ican'tsayasmuchforhisson——
　　apresumingfellow，who，——ha！ha！actuallywroteverses——suchdoggerel！——
　　tomydaughter。
　　Pauline。Yes，howyouwouldhavelaughedatthem，Prince！you，whowritesuchbeautifulverses！
　　Mel。ThisMelnottemustbeamonstrousimpudentperson！
　　Damas。Ishegood—looking？
　　Mme。Deschap。Inevernoticesuchcanaille——anugly，mean—lookingclown，ifIrememberright。
　　Damas。YetIheardyourportersayhewaswonderfullylikehishighness。
　　Mel。[takingsnuff]。Youarecomplimentary。
　　Mme。Deschap。Forshame，cousinDamas！——likethePrince，indeed！
　　Pauline。Likeyou！Ah，mother，likeourbeautifulprince！
　　I'llneverspeaktoyouagain，cousinDamas。
　　Mel。[aside]。Humph！——rankisagreatbeautifier！IneverpassedforanApollowhileIwasapeasant;ifIamsohandsomeasaprince，whatshouldIbeasanemperor！[Aloud。]MonsieurBeauseant，willyouhonorme？[Offerssnuff。
　　Beau。No，yourhighness;Ihavenosmallvices。
　　Mel。Nay，ifitwereavice，you'dbesuretohaveit，MonsieurBeauseant。
　　Mme。Deschap。Ha！ha！——howverysevere！——whatwit！
　　Beau。[inarageandaside]。Cursehisimpertinence！
　　Mme。Deschap。Whatasuperbsnuff—box！Pauline。Andwhatabeautifulring！
　　Mel。Youlikethebox——atrifle——interestingperhapsfromassociations——
　　apresentfromLouisXIV。tomygreat—greatgrandmother。
　　Honormeby——acceptingit。
　　Beau。pluckinghimbythesleeve。How！——whatthedevil！
　　Mybox——areyoumad？Itisworthfivehundredlouis。
　　Mel。[unheedinghim，andturningtoPAULINE]。Andyoulikethisring？
　　Ah，ithas，indeedalustresinceyoureyeshaveshoneonitplacingitonherfinger。Henceforthholdme，sweetenchantress，theSlaveoftheRing。
　　Gla。[pullinghim]。Stay，stay——whatareyouabout？
　　Mymaidenaunt'slegacy——adiamondofthefirstwater。
　　Youshallbehangedforswindling，sir。
　　Mel。[pretendingnottohear]。Itiscurious，thisring;
　　itistheonewithwhichmygrandfather，theDogeofVenice，marriedtheAdriatic！
　　（MadameandPAULINEexaminethering。Mel。[toBEAUSEANTandGLAVIS]。Fie，gentlemen！princesmustbegenerous？——[TurnstoDAMAS，whowatchesthemclosely。]Thesekindfriendshavemyinterestsomuchatheart，thattheyareascarefulofmypropertyasifitweretheirown！
　　BeauandGla。[confusedly]。Ha！ha！——verygoodjokethat！
　　[AppearstoremonstratewithMELNOTTEindumbshow。
　　Damas。What'sallthatwhispering？Iamsurethereissomejugglehere:
　　hangme，ifIthinkheisanItalianafterall。Gad，I'lltryhim。
　　Servitoreumillissimo，Eccellenza。*
　　（*YourExcellency'smosthumbleservant。）
　　Mel。Hum——whatdoeshemean，Iwonder？
　　Damas。Gododivederviinbuonasalute。*
　　（*Iamgladtoseeyouingoodhealth。）
　　Mel。Hem——hem！
　　Damas。Fabeltempo——thesidicedinuovo？*
　　（*Fineweather。Whatnewsisthere？）
　　Mel。Well，sir，what'sallthatgibberish？
　　Damas。Oh，oh！——onlyItalian，yourhighness！——ThePrinceofComodoesnotunderstandhisownlanguage！
　　Mel。Notasyoupronounceit;whothedeucecould？
　　Mme。Deschap。Ha！ha！cousinDamas，neverpretendtowhatyoudon'tknow。
　　Pauline。Ha！ha！cousinDamas;youspeakItalian，indeed！
　　[Makesamockinggestureathim。
　　Beau。[toGLAVIS]。Cleverdog！——howready！
　　Gla。Ready，yes;withmydiamondring！——Damnhisreadiness！
　　Damas。Laughatme！——laughataColonelintheFrencharmy！——
　　thefellow'sanimpostor;Iknowheis。I'llseeifheunderstandsfightingaswellashedoesItalian。——[Goesuptohim，andaside。]Sir，youareajackanapes。——Canyouconstruethat？
　　Mel。No，sir;Ineverconstrueaffrontsinthepresenceofladies;
　　by—and—byIshallbehappytotakealesson——orgiveone。
　　Damas。I'llfindtheoccasion，neverfear！
　　Mme。Deschap。Whereareyougoing，cousin？
　　Damas。TocorrectmyItalian。[Exit。
　　Beau。[toGLAVIS]。Letusafter，andpacifyhim;heevidentlysuspectssomething。
　　Gla。Yes！——butmydiamondring！
　　Beau。Andmybox！——Weareover—taxedfellow—subjects！——wemuststopthesupplies，anddethronetheprince。
　　Gla。Prince！——heoughttobeheir—apparenttoKingStork。
　　[ExeuntBEAUSEANTandGLAVIS。
　　Mme。Deschap。DareIaskyourhighnesstoforgivemycousin'sinsufferablevulgarity？
　　Pauline。Ohyes！——youwillforgivehismannerforthesakeofhisheart。
　　Mel。Andthesakeofhiscousin。——Ah，madam，thereisonecomfortinrank，——wearesosureofourpositionthatwearenoteasilyaffronted。Besides，M。Damashasboughttherightofindulgencefromhisfriends，bynevershowingittohisenemies。
　　Pauline。Ah！heis，indeed，asbraveinactionasheisrudeinspeech。
　　Herosefromtherankstohispresentgrade，andintwoyears！
　　Mel。Intwoyears！——twoyears，didyousay？
　　Mme。Deschap。[aside]。Idon'tlikeleavinggirlsalonewiththeirlovers;but，withaprince，itwouldbesoill—bredtobeprudish。
　　（Exit。
　　Mel。Youcanbeproudofyourconnectionwithonewhooweshispositiontomerit——notbirth。
　　Pauline。Why，yes;butstillMel。Stillwhat，Pauline！
　　Pauline。Thereissomethinggloriousintheheritageofcommand。
　　Amanwhohasancestorsislikearepresentativeofthepast。
　　Mel。True;but，likeotherrepresentatives，ninetimesoutoftenheisasilentmember。Ah，Pauline！nottothepast，buttothefuture，lookstruenobility，andfindsitsblazoninposterity。
　　Pauline。Yousaythistopleaseme，whohavenoancestors;
　　butyou，prince，mustbeproudofsoillustriousarace！
　　Mel。No，no！Iwouldnot，wereIfiftytimesaprince，beapensioneronthedead！Ihonorbirthandancestrywhentheyareregardedastheincentivestoexertion，notthetitledeedstosloth！
　　Ihonorthelaurelsthatovershadowthegravesofourfathers;
　　itisourfathersIemulate，whenIdesirethatbeneaththeevergreenImyselfhaveplanted，myownashesmayrepose！
　　Dearest！couldstthoubutseewithmyeyes！
　　Pauline。IcannotforegopridewhenIlookonthee，andthinkthatthoulovestme。SweetPrince，tellmeagainofthypalacebytheLakeofComo;itissopleasanttohearofthysplendorssincethoudidstsweartomethattheywouldbedesolatewithoutPauline;
　　andwhenthoudescribestthem，itiswithamockinglipandanoblescorn，asifcustomhadmadetheedisdaingreatness。
　　Mel。Nay，dearest，nay，ifthouwouldsthavemepaintThehometowhich，couldlovefulfilitsprayers，Thishandwouldleadthee，listen！*——
　　Adeepvale（*ThereaderwillobservethatMelnotteevadestherequestofPauline。
　　Heproceedstodescribeahome，whichbedoesnotsayhepossesses，buttowhichhewouldleadher，"couldLovefulfilitsprayers。"
　　Thiscautionisintendedasareplytoasagaciouscriticwhocensuresthedescription，becauseitisnotanexactandprosaicinventoryofthecharacteristicsoftheLakeofComo！——WhenMelnotte，forinstance，talksofbirds"thatsyllablethenameofPauline"
　　（bytheway，aliteraltranslationfromanItalianpoet），heisnotthinkingofornithology，butprobablyoftheArabianNights。Heisventingtheextravagant，butnatural，enthusiasmofthepoetandthelover。）
　　ShutoutbyAlphinehillsfromtherudeworld;
　　Nearaclearlake，margin'dbyfruitsofgoldAndwhisperingmyrtles;glassingsoftestskies，Ascloudless，savewithrareandroseateshadows，AsIwouldhavethyfate！
　　Pauline。Myowndearlove！
　　Mel。ApalaceliftingtoeternalsummerItsmarblewalls，fromoutaglossybowerOfcoolestfoliagemusicalwithbirds，Whosesongsshouldsyllablethyname！AtnoonWe'dsitbeneaththearchingvines，andwonderWhyEarthcouldbeunhappy，whiletheHeavensStillleftusyouthandlove！We'dhavenofriendsThatwerenotlovers;noambition，saveToexcelthemallinlove;we'dreadnobooksThatwerenottalesoflove——thatwemightsmileTothinkhowpoorlyeloquenceofwordsTranslatesthepoetryofheartslikeours！
　　Andwhennightcame，amidstthebreathlessHeavensWe'dguesswhatstarshouldbeourhomewhenloveBecomesimmortal;whiletheperfumedlightStolethroughthemistsofalabasterlamps，AndeveryairwasheavywiththesighsOforange—grovesandmusicfromsweetlutes，AndmurmursoflowfountainsthatgushforthI'themidstofroses！——Dostthoulikethepicture？
　　Pauline。Oh，asthebeeupontheflower，IhangUponthehoneyofthyeloquenttongue！
　　AmInotblest？AndifIlovetoowildly，WhowouldnotlovetheelikePauline？
　　Mel。[bitterly。]Oh，falseone！
　　Itistheprincethoulovest，notthemanIfinthesteadofluxury，pomp，andpower，Ihadpaintedpoverty，andtoil，andcare，Thouhadstfoundnohoneyonmytongue;——Pauline，Thatisnotlove！
　　Pauline。Thouwrong'stme，cruelPrince！
　　Atfirst，intruth，Imightnothavebeenwon，Savethroughtheweaknessofaflatter'dpride;
　　Butnow，——oh！trustme，——couldstthoufallfrompowerAndsink——
　　Mel。Aslowasthatpoorgardener'ssonWhodaredtolifthiseyestothee？——
　　Pauline。Eventhen，MethinksthouwouldstbeonlymademoredearBythesweetthoughtthatIcouldprovehowdeepIswoman'slove！Weareliketheinsects，caughtBythepoorglitteringofagarishflame;
　　But，oh，thewingsoncescorch'd，thebrighteststarLuresusnomore;andbythefatallightWeclingtilldeath！
　　Mel。Angel！[Aside。]Oconscience！conscience！
　　Itmustnotbe;herlovehathgrownatortureWorsethanherhate。IwillatoncetoBeauseant，And——ha！hecomes。Sweetlove，onemomentleaveme。
　　Ihavebusinesswiththesegentlemen——I——I
　　Willforwithjoinyou。
　　Pauline。Donottarrylong！[Exit。
　　EnterBEAUSEANTandGLAVIS。
　　Mel。Releasemefrommyoath，——Iwillnotmarryher！
　　BeauThenthouartperjured。
　　Mel。No，IwasnotinmysenseswhenIsworetotheetomarryher！
　　Iwasblindtoallbutherscorn！——deaftoallbutmypassionandmyrage！Givemebackmypovertyandmyhonor！
　　Beau。Itistoolate，——youmustmarryher！andthisday。
　　Ihaveastoryalreadycoined，andsuretopasscurrent。
　　ThisDamassuspectsthee，——hewillsetthepolicetowork！——
　　thouwiltbedetected——Paulinewilldespiseandexecratethee。
　　Thouwiltbesenttothecommongaolasaswindler。
　　Mel。Fiend！
　　Beau。Andintheheatofthegirl'sresentment（youknowofwhatresentmentiscapable）andtheparents'shame，shewillbeinducedtomarrythefirstthatoffers——evenperhapsyourhumbleservant。
　　Mel。You！No;thatwereworse——forthouhastnomercy！
　　Iwillmarryher。——Iwillkeepmyoath。Quick，then，withthedamnableinventionthouarthatching;——quick，ifthouwouldstnothavemestrangletheeormyself。
　　Gla。Whatatiger！Toofierceforaprince;heoughttohavebeentheGrandTurk。
　　Beau。Enough——Iwilldispatch;beprepared。
　　[ExeuntBEAUSEANTandGLAVIS。
　　EnterDAMASwithtwoswords。
　　Damas。Now，then，sir，theladiesarenolongeryourexcuse。
　　Ihavebroughtyouacoupleofdictionaries;letusseeifyourhighnesscanfindouttheLatinforbilbo。
　　Mel。Away，sir！Iaminnohumorforjesting。Damas。Iseeyouunderstandsomethingofthegrammar;youdeclinethenon—substantive"small—swords"withgreatease;butthatwon'tdo——youmusttakealessoninparsing。
　　Mel。Fool！Damas。Sir，assonstakeaftertheirmother，sothemanwhocallsmeafoolinsultstheladywhoboreme;
　　there'snoescapeforyou——fightyoushall，or——
　　Mel。Oh，enough！enough！——takeyourground。
　　Theyfight;DAMASisdisarmed。MELNOTTEtakesuptheswordandreturnsittoDAMASrespectfully。Ajustpunishmenttothebravesoldierwhorobsthestateofitsbestproperty——thesolerighttohisvalorandhislife。
　　Damas。Sir，youfenceexceedinglywell;youmustbeamanofhonor——
　　Idon'tcareajotwhetheryouareaprince;butamanwhohascarteandtierceathisfingers'endsmustbeagentleman。
　　Mel。[aside。]Gentleman！Ay，IwasagentlemanbeforeI
　　turnedconspirator;forhonestmenarethegentlemenofNature！Colonel，theytellmeyourosefromtheranks。
　　Damas。Idid。
　　Mel。Andintwoyears！
　　Damas。Itistrue;that'snowonderinourarmyatpresent。
　　Whytheoldestgeneralintheserviceisscarcelythirty，andwehavesomeoftwo—and—twenty。
　　Mel。Two—and—twenty！
　　Damas。Yes;intheFrencharmy，nowadays，promotionisnotamatterofpurchase。Weareallheroes，becausewemay。beallgenerals。
　　Wehavenofearofthecypress，becausewemayallhopeforthelaurel。
　　Mel。Ageneralattwo—and—twenty！[turningaway]——Sir，Imayaskyouafavoroneofthesedays。
　　Damas。Sir，Ishallbeproudtograntit。ItisastonishinghowmuchIlikeamanafterI'vefoughtwithhim。[Hidestheswords。
　　EnterMADAMEDESCHAPPELLESandBEAUSEANT。
　　Mme。Deschap。Oh，prince，——prince！——WhatdoIhear？Youmustfly——
　　youmustquitus！
　　Mel。I！
　　Beau。Yes，prince:readthisletter，justreceivedfrommyfriendatParis，oneoftheDirectory;theysuspectyouofdesignsagainsttheRepublic:theyareverysuspiciousofprinces，andyourfamilytake。partwiththeAustrians。KnowingthatI
　　introducedyourhighnessatLyons，myfriendwritestometosaythatyoumustquitthetownimmediately，oryouwillbearrested，——
　　thrownintoprison，perhapsguillotined！Fly！——Iwillorderhorsestoyourcarriageinstantly。FlytoMarsailles;thereyoucantakeshiptoLeghorn。