_SERENA and SUBMARINA rise through traps, R. and L._
_Sub._ Good night, Serena, how d’ye do?
_Serena._ Why who
On earth would ever dream of seeing you?
_Sub._ Why not?
_Serena._ I mean the sea’s your proper berth.
So ask who’d dream of seeing you on earth?
_Sub._ I’ve come to seek you.
_Serena._ What for, may I ask?
_Sub._ To know how you’re progressing with your task.
Have you cured Conrad yet?
_Serena._ Well, very nearly.
_Sub._ Your month expires to-morrow.
_Serena._ Does it, really?
To-night then must decide--but see--he’s here!
Let us retire.
_Music._--_Enter CONRAD, supporting MEDORA, L._
_Conrad._ Come, come, Medora dear;
Rest here, I’ll call for help.
_Medora._ ’Twould be no good,
To holloa, till we’re quite out of the wood.
_Conrad._ Could I but find the path, we’d soon get home;
The way to Greece, should be our way to _roam_.
Had I a compass, we’d know how to steer.
_Medora._ Without the needle, we’re sewed up, that’s clear;
But still, I always thought you roving tars,
To find your way, oft had to thank your stars.
_Conrad._ In this thick wood, my science is at fault,
I cannot see them! Come, let’s on, though.
_Enter BIRBANTO, with CORSAIRS, R._
_Birb._ Halt!
So, then, we’ve met; at last my turn arrives.
_Medora._ [_Kneeling._] Mercy! Take all we have, but spare our lives.
_Conrad._ Medora, rise! Speak, friends--why this hostility?
_Birb._ You are accused----
_Medora._ Of what?
_Birb._ Respectability!
_Conrad._ You’ve heard of it, then?
_Birb._ Yes, and they have picked out
Another leader, _vice_ Conrad, kicked out.
_Conrad._ And may I ask, who my late post now fills?
_Birb._ His name’s Birbanto, on the Grampian Hills----
_Conrad._ Indeed! I wish you joy.--Come. [_Taking MEDORA’S arm_
_Birb._ Not so fast!
Secure them.
_Conrad._ How?
_Medora._ Help! help!
_Enter SYNG SMAUL and GUARDS, L._
_Syng._ So caught at last.
Yield, all of you.
_Birb._ Come, my lads, ho! strike for freedom!
You won’t?
_Conrad._ [_Laughing._] Not they, they’ve not got me to lead ’em.
_1st Cors._ Resume your post, and save us, we implore.
_2d Cors._ Do, sir; we’ll never disobey you more.
_Birb._ Cowards!
_Conrad._ Resume my post--’tis a temptation.
_Medora._ Oh, no! think of your vows of reformation,
For my sake!
_SERENA appears, watching him with anxiety._
_Conrad._ True! I’ll keep them, love, with pleasure,
Sirs, my reform must be a final measure.
_Serena._ He’s saved!
_Syng._ No more discussion. March--yet stay--
What’s that? Another prisoner comes this way
_Enter YUSSUF chained_--_two GUARDS following, L._
_Yussuf._ [_Sings._]
Why did Medora sell me?
Through her these woes befel me.
Why did Medora sell me,
And bolt on her wedding day?
_Medora._ My uncle, and in chains!
_Yussuf._ False critter, see
These fixins. You ’twas forged these bonds for me.
_Medora._ I am no forger, sir.
_Conrad._ Cease this debate--
We’ve heard too much of _forging bonds_ of late.
_Syng._ Now, guards, conduct your prisoners to their gaol.
_Serena._ [_Advances._] Hold! for this couple, sir, I put in bail.
_Conrad._ Halloa! my friend, the fairy.
_Serena._ Yes, the friend
Of all who, like you, strive their ways to mend.
You’ve kept your word--with freedom I requite you.
And to the Peri’s home to sup, invite you.
_Medora._ Oh, joy. [_CONRAD and MEDORA embrace._
_Serena._ The rest must undergo their sentence.
_Birb._ Hold on! I see there’s nothing like repentance--
So I’ll turn steady, too.
_Serena._ You settle down?
_Birb._ I’ll start a public company in town;
Turn a strict man of business--try stock-jobbery
On the Exchange! My cry--exchange no robbery.
_Song and Chorus._--_AIR, “One Bumper at Parting._”
_Birb._ A company starting, though many
Have tried it and found it no go;
I’ll endeavor at turning a penny,
We won’t say if honest, or no.
_Yussuf._ Guess I’m mortal sick of slave driving,
Respectable dodges pay best;
So if this here company’s thriving.
I’m there like a shot, with the rest.
_Conrad._ A real model husband I mean to be;
All my used-up-ishness past,
I forswear, since the world I have seen to be
Not quite so worthless at last,
One favor I’d ask, do not spurn it, your
Aid, I’m quite strange to it yet--
Do you know a good place to buy furniture.
Or a snug cottage to let?
_Enter PASHA and GULNARE, R._
_Pasha._ Here, stop, I intend, by the wig o’ me,
In this improvement to share,
Henceforward renouncing polygamy,
Stick to my own dear Gulnare.
_Gul._ New hopes in my breast do you kindle;
I’ll make you the happiest of men;
Having gained all I wished by one swindle,
I’ll never deceive you again.
_Serena._ Kind friends, in this great reform movement,
No share for yourselves will you find,
In your case there’s no room for improvement;
But be--as you ever were--kind.
And now for the home of the Peri--
Bright scenes, where we’re bidden to sup;
But, remember, the brightest look dreary,
Unless by your smiles lighted up.
[_Repeat last verse in chorus._
_The scene opens and discovers_