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Act 2
Dialogue following song No. 12.
Inez:
Then you consent?
Grigg:
Well, I don't precisely understand.
Inez:
Listen. Before marrying, the bridegroom elect has to give a present to the bride.
Grigg:
Of course, the ring. I'll go and get it.
José:
No, you won't.
Grigg:
Yes, I will. (José stops him.)
Inez:
No. The present I require is Sancho's head.
Grigg:
He wouldn't give it to me.
Inez and José:
(threatening) You refuse!
Grigg:
No, not in the least. But really I've got such a slight acquaintance with the gentleman. You know him better than I do, ask him yourself.
José:
Absurd!
Grigg:
So it is! You're a very sensible person, so we won't say any more on that head.
Inez:
The bridegroom elect must not refuse the request of his betrothed.
José:
'Tis the Law of the Ladrones.
Grigg:
Ah! That settles the question.
Inez:
Drink! 'Twill inspire you. To aid you in the daring deed, take these (pistols) and these (daggers).
José:
And these (knives)..
Inez:
Now he cannot escape you. The victim will soon be here. Do your duty. And remember -
José:
'Tis the Law of the Ladrones.
ENSEMBLE
All:
Drink! Drink! Drink! (etc.)
Exeunt José R, Inez, L. Sancho again hides. Grigg remains with all the weapons about him and in his hands, utterly helpless.
Grigg:
I say - I - Here's a situation for a family man! I'll get rid of these weapons as quickly as possible. (Stoops down and drops the weapons gradually). Confound the hat. (as he gets in a sitting position, the hat falls over his eyes.)
Sancho:
(approaching cautiously) He sleeps. (removes weapons)
Grigg:
(lifting hat up) Thank you. Hallo! It's the Lion!
Sancho:
It is. You are in my power. Don't speak above a whisper.
Grigg:
(trying) Very well. Will that do?
Sancho:
Yes.
Grigg whispers, and Sancho exclaims, "What?"
Sancho:
I've overheard all. I'm about to quit the band forever.
Grigg:
Take me with you.
Sancho:
Impossible. You were to have killed me, and your death was to have followed mine. Now I'm supposed by this time to be a dead man.
Grigg:
I'll be another dead man, and go with you.
Sancho:
It would create suspicion.
Grigg:
No, it wouldn't.
Sancho:
I go to alarm the soldiery. (crosses to R.)
Grigg:
Don't alarm them, as they won't come.
Sancho:
One word before I go. You drank the Queen's flask. Your doom may already be sealed. Poison. (Exit by back.)
Grigg:
Here - Explain - You don't mean - He points a pistol at me. They are so careless about firearms. Poison! She couldn't have done it. Judging from what I've seen of her, she could have done it. Oh, but she wouldn't - on another consideration I'm not sure of that. She never tasted it herself. It had a nasty taste. I feel sort of a - yes, a faintness is coming over me - I'll denounce her to the band - help! (Enter José, R. H., Inez L. H., and Ladrones, L. and R.)
José:
What's the matter?
Grigg:
Can you ask? Gentlemen, if I may be permitted to call you so, listen to your Captain's dying words. She poisoned me!
Ladrones:
Who?
Grigg:
She. The Queen. Also the Wolf. They've done it.
José:
What d'ye mean?
Grigg:
'Tis in that flask, see how she stands aloof.
Ladrones:
Poisoned the Captain! (drawing daggers)
Inez:
Poison! See the proof! (drinks from flask)
Grigg:
Then I was wrong. I feel of course I am. Upon my word I beg your pardon, ma'am.
José:
No! No! about your Queen he has told lies.
Ladrones:
He has! He has!
José:
What then?
All:
The Captain dies!
Grigg:
No. 'Twas that Sancho put it in my head.
Inez:
(folds arms and crosses to back of audience) And where is he?
José:
Where's Sancho?
All:
Sancho!
Grigg:
Fled!
José:
You let him go, your comrades to betray.
Grigg:
I tried to stop him but he wouldn't stay.
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Page Created 15 March 2004