THE PANTOMIME. SCENE. A Garden. Enter Duke and Duchess-They embrace-Vow eternal love and constancy-Duke suddenly taken ill-Duchess alarmed-Shrieks-Enter a Page-Exit And return with a bottle and glass-Duchess fills the glass for Duke, whilst she herself receives consolation from the bottleDuke intimates that he feels his end fast approachingDuchess strikes her forehead, clasps her hands, &c. &c.— (the usual pantomime signs of distress)—Vows never to survive him-At least, to live single ever after-Duke shakes his head in a manner as expressive as possible of the monosyllable "fudge”-Duchess points to the ceiling, (the pantomime mode of swearing), and exhibits a scroll thus inscribed: "No second husband will I take, They embrace-Duke gently reclines his head over his right shoulder, and meets it with the palm of his right hand (pantomime for "sleepy")-Duchess takes the hintReaches a chair-Duke seats himself--Sleeps-SnoresDuchess points to the Duke-Presses her heart-Thes points to the ceiling-and Exit. Hamlet. (To Queen) Like you the play? You'll find they are but jesting in the end: But if the cap fit you, why you may wear it. The Pantomime continued. Enter Duke's nephew-Listens whether the Duke be asleep— Takes a bottle from his pocket-Attempts in vain to draw the cork-Exit. And return with a corkscrew and a funnel-Draws the cork-Puts the funnel to Duke's ear-Pours the contents of the bottle into it-A noise— Exit in haste. Hamlet. Is not the case of the poor Duke a hard one? You'll see anon the murd'rer weds his widow ;'Twas his own nephew who the murder did. King. Oh! King faints and is carried off-Followed by Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, &c. &c. [Manent Hamlet and Horatio. SONG.-HAMLET. O dear what can the matter be! Did you see how he fainted away? To condemn any man on slight grounds I'm not willing, But in future I'll take the ghost's word for a shilling:Did you notice the king when it came to the killing ?. And now, friend, I wish you good day. [Exit Horatio. Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Rosen. My lord, I have a message. Hamlet. Well, what is it? Rosen. The Queen desires you'll pay her soon a visit. Hamlet. I'll come anon.-But stay-upon my life Rosen. My lord, I can't. Hamlet. I know you can. Rosen. The fact is I could play once, but now I'm out of practice. Hamlet. Come, Sir, then you shall play. (To Guild.) Guild. My lord, I would, But I can't play at all, nor ever conld. Hamlet. ? Why, look ye, what a nincompoop you'd make me. [Exeunt Rosen, and Guild. SONG.-HAMLET. (Tune-"Hey randy dandy O.") 'Tis now the very time of night, Hey randy dandy O! When ghosts to stalk about delight, With their gallopping randy dandy O. Tis now the time when church-yards yawn, And let their tenants out till morn, With their gallopping randy dandy O. For a precious row I'm just in cue; Some mischief I should like to do. With my gallopping randy dandy O. But first I'll to my mother go, And what is what I'll soon let her know, With my gallopping randy dandy 0. SCENE III. [Exit Hamlet. The Queen's Closet. Enter Queen and Polonius. Polonius. He'll soon be here :-then let him have his whack : Now mind your eye Queen. I'll tip it him for certain. [Polonius conceals himself behind the arras. |