Thomas Dibdin

“ In the Centre, on a Pillar, a golden Head, and on one side of it, stands the enormous Giant Ferragus, leaning on a massive Club—Valentine and Orson enter—the Giant raises his monstrous club—Pacolet enters—waves his wand, the club changes to a heavy chain, incircling the arms of the giant—Orson catches up the giant, throws him down, and stands over him, Pacolet waves his wand.
Eglantine, Florimonda, and Belisanta enter. ”

“ WHILE I hang on your bosom, distracted to lose you,
High swells my sad heart, and fast my tears flow,
Yet think not of coldness they fall to accuse you,
Did I ever upbraid you—Oh! no, my Love, no. ”

“ A strange kind of howling is heard—Orson presents himself with an animal in his grasp, which he has just slain—a faint roar is heard of the old Bear—Orson expresses satisfaction, intimating he has got food for her. The Bear enters—Orson shews her the food, and in a playful manner, follows her into the cave. ”

“ When a savage strikes at the general safety, 'tis the duty of all good citizens to join against him.
Henry.
Haply, young Valentine, in gratitude for the high favours he receives, would gladly go alone on such an errand.
Haufray.
Ay, good my liege, his all-subduing valour must succeed.
[Pg 18]
Valentine.
For once, whate'er your motives you're my friends. It had been arrogance, had I, before so many gallant knights, proposed myself; but now I swear, living or dead, to bring this fell destroyer to your presence, or in the forest he inhabits, leave this form a worthless token of his victory. ”

“ Orson enters, pleased at the sight, goes from one table to the other—the King orders him wine, he imitates their manner of drinking—takes another cup, is going to drink, Valentine tells him to be careful, pointing to his head, indicating that wine will intoxicate him, Orson does not understand him—a Servant entering with wine, he forces it from him, and goes off with it—the Princess's Ladies enter, much alarmed at missing her, and bring with them her cloathes. ”

“ Officers and Servants run on terrified—go in at the great gates, and make them fast—Valentine enters on horseback, leading Orson, who seems amazed at every thing around him—Valentine blows a horn at the gate, Orson is surprised at the noise, tries to blow it, but cannot, which makes him very angry—Some one looks out from above, sees Orson, shakes his head and retires—Orson imitates him—Valentine angrily tries to force the gate, but is unable ”

“ Nay, but Valentine is well-beloved among us too: the old men admire him, and his courtesy has gained him the hearts of all the young women.
[Pg 9]
Old Woman.
He never said a civil thing to me in all his life.
Hugo.
There it is—his honesty has made him enemies. There's Henry and Haufray, the cousins of the king, have determined to destroy him, because one is said to want to be heir to the throne, by marrying the king's daughter, the Princess Eglantine; and the other conceits himself to be the only man in the kingdom, fit for the office of captain general over all our victorious armies. ”

“ The Lady Florimonda discovered embroidering a Scarf—She hears a distant march, looks out in hopes of some Knight's approach—the Green Knight enters, in brilliant armour, preceded by Saracen Warriors—he offers the Lady Florimonda his hand, which she rejects, and shews him these words, embroidered on the scarf:
"Florimonda will wed the Knight,
who frees her from Agramant." ”

“ She bade me follow at some distance to avoid suspicion, and mislead any who might pursue her—I fear she will prove but a weak defender of the poor Lady Florimonda, who, if Sir Valentine do not quickly overtake us, must, of force, be married to the pagan sorcerer. ”

“ My mother's martial spirit trained me up to Amazonian sports—Foremost in the chace, thrice have I pierced the monarch of our woods; and, more than once, have been where battles roar, and undismayed, beheld the mortal conflict. ”

“ Orson, not regarding him, approaches the shield, and it flies into his hand—the Green Knight, forewarned of his fate, rushes on Orson in savage desperation—but every weapon breaks on the enchanted shield—Orson strikes Agramant to the ground—Valentine's soldiers rush on, and vanquish the Saracens—thunder is heard, and the Genius Pacolet is seen descending on a flying horse—he alights, comes forward, and addresses the characters.
[Pg 46]
Pacolet.
(To Agram.) Thine ill-earned laurels must to virtue yield,
(To Orson) While thou hast freed the Genius of the Shield ”

“ Valentine.
My gracious liege; the child of chance, the creature of your bounty can never atchieve a thousandth part of what he owes to you, his sovereign, and his father.
King.
Yet, in requital of that sense of honour, take from thy king the Earldom of Auvergne.
[Pg 12]
Henry.
(Apart to the King.) Auvergne! a royal title!—He'll next obtain the crown—Sure, my liege, a man unknown—
King.
It is my best prerogative to rescue unknown merit from obscurity.
Haufray.
(Aside.) If this goes on, he will aspire to gain the princess. (apart to the king) Men of birth, great sir—
King. ”

“ They rush on Valentine and Orson, are overthrown and sink—as Valentine and Orson are proceeding, a Lion enters, Valentine presents the magic ring, and the Lion disappears—Pacolet is seen in place of the monster, and conducts Valentine and Orson into the Giant's dwelling. ”

“ DUET.—Hugo and Agatha.
"Hugo.The man who fights and runs away,
"Agatha.Wou'd make a sorry lover,
"Hugo.May live to fight another day,
"Agatha.But ne'er his fame recover.
"While he who boldly meets the foe,
"Hugo.May boldly die, 'tis true,
"Agatha. Will live in history, you know,
"Hugo.I'd rather live with you.
"Nay come I'll boldly meet the foe,
"Agatha. I'll love you if you do;
"Hugo.And when to fame I'm wed you know,
"Agatha. Then I'll be wed to you.
"Both.Then I'll be wed to you.
II.
"Agatha. ”

“ The best acknowledgement we offer heaven for good received, is when we use the ample power it gives to [Pg 17] bless our people.—The greatest monarch he, whose subjects are the happiest.——Let all enter. ”