Enter FIORELLO, up the ladder. Fior. My lord, my lord, 'tis time to escape, persons are watching in the street-not a moment's to be lost. Count. Come, then, my sweet Rosina, your Almaviva, your faithful Lindor, will attend you. TRIO.-ROSINA, FIORELLO, and FIGARO Step as soft as zephyrs dying! Through the window gently hieing, Trip it lightly and away! [FIGARO goes to the balcony, and returns in haste.] Fig. Oh lord, oh lord, 'tis gone! and you may make up your mind to stay where you are-My Lord, 'tis all over-no retreating-the ladder's taken away. Count. How! the ladder removed? Ros. "Tis I only am to blame-foolish credulity! deceiv'd by my guardian, I betrayed your enterprize. He knows you are here- has removed the ladder, and is returning with officers of justice. Fig. The last dying speech and confession of that amiable young man, Signior Figaro, the barber, who came to an untimely end, by keeping bad company. Oh! here they are, my lord, opening the street door, and its all over with me. Ros. Oh, Lindor! Count. Fear nothing, Rosina: convinced of your affection, no power on earth shall tear you from me. Enter the NOTARY and BASIL, L. Fig. "Tis our Notary, my Lord. Count. And with him my friend Basil. Basil. Ah, who's here? Fig. Ah, Basil! what has brought you here at this time of night, my friend? Basil. And pray what brought you here at this time of night, my friend? Notary. These are the parties, I suppose. Fig. Yes, yes, these are the parties. Leave him to me. [Aside to the COUNT, and crossing to the No-. TARY] Signior Notary, I engaged you this evening to settle the contract of marriage between Count Alma viva, and Rosina, my niece. The papers were to have been signed at my house, but the parties prefer this,which, I suppose, can make no difference to you; so, with your leave, we'll sign and settle the business at once. Basil. Hold, hold! I don't understand Fig. [Claps his hand before BASIL's mouth] Bah! bah! bah!-my dear friend, you never do understand. You are the stupidest man I ever knew. [Takes him up the Stage.] Notary. Your Lordship's most obedient. I have two contracts of marriage ready: -The one is between your Lordship and Signora Rosina; the other between Dr. Bartolo and Signora Rosina, -the same names. Are the young ladies related ? Count. Cousins. But execute our contract first, and when the Doctor returns, his business will be settled presently :-My friend Basil will set his hand to our contract as a witness. [FIGARO and ROSINA go to the table and sign the contract.-BASII. comes to the COUNT.] Basil. But, my Lord-I don't understand—” Count. That's because Figaro has'nt explain'd it properly-nothing, my dear Basil, is so easily understood. Look here; [Puts a purse into one of his hands, and whispers him] Do you take? Basil. I think I do. Count. [Putting a purse in the other hand.] 'Tis as plain as the Sun. Basil. Oh, yes; and very satisfactorily explain'd indeed! [Puts the purses into his pocket, and the COUNT goes to the table, and signs the Contract. Fig. [To BASIL.] Come, come, where is the difficulty in writing your name, my friend? Basil. None at all now, friend-Only, I must have weighty reasons for what I do-[Aside, as he goes to the Table] Oh! Dr. Bartolo! Dr. Bartolo! you have given me your master-key for a rare purpose. [He signs.] Notary [Handing the contract to COUNT.] There is your contract, my lord, and I wish you much joy. Count. I receive it as the earnest of my future happiness: This precious paper confirms you mine, Rosina, and my hand, my fortune, my whole soul is yours! [While he is on his knees kissing ker hand, enter BARTOLO with ALGUAZILE, followed by other Officers. Bar. Rosina in the hands of villains! Seize them, seize them all! I have hold of one of them! [Collars the NOTARY, and shakes him violently. Notary. O dear! O dear! I am your notary, sir. Basil. Are you mad, Doctor?' 'tis your own notary! Bar. Basil! how came I to find you here? Basil. How came I not to find you here? Alguazile. [Getting hold of FIGARO.] But who is this fellow? An Officer. Oh, I know him: that's Figaro-that's the barber! Fig. He's quite right, sir-I'm the barber; and my business here is to attend my lord, the Count Almaviva. Bar. "Tis a lie, and I'm betrayed! Arrest them altogether; that's the cock-devil of the whole brood of housebreakers-he that has my ward seize him! He I know's a thief! [Officers approach COUNT ALMAVIVA. Count. Stand off! Alguazile. Your name? Count. Stand off, I say! Alguazile. Draw your swords and seize him! [The Officers draw their swords. FIGARO, BASIL, and FIORELLO do the same. The COUNT throws off his cloak, and puts himself in an attitude of defence.-ROSINA screams. Count. Fear not, Rosina! your Almaviva will protect you against an army of such assailants. Officers. Count Almaviva ! Count. Yes, Count Almaviva, at your service, gentle men. Alguazile. [To BARTOLO.] Why, is this the house breaker you brought us to apprehend? You'll be finely trounc'd for this. Bar. I'll run the risk of that. Let me beseech you to leave the house, my lord; for, whatever your power may be elsewhere, your rank and title has no value here. Count. My rank, perhaps, may have none; but my title to this lady has a value above all price. Bar. Your title to that lady! What title, my lord? Count. A legal contract, prepared by the notary, and signed by the parties present. Bar. A contract! Is this true, Rosina? [In a doleful voice. Res. Imitating his manner.] Very true, sir. But why are you so astonished? Did'nt promise you to revenge myself this night on him who had deceived me? You are that person, and I only keep my word. [Giving her hand to the Count. Bar. [In a great rage.] I don't care-I won't part with her--She is my ward, and I'll not give her up. Count. Doctor Bartolo, your opposing my match, I know, proceeds from your not being able to give a fair account of your guardianship; but consent to our union, and we release you from all fears on that account. Bar. Ah! that indeed makes all the difference. Fig. Doctor, give your consent, and I'll pay you my rent, and shave you for nothing! Bar. Baffled for want of care. Fig. No-for want of sense! When youth and love combine to baffle the care of an old gentleman, every effort on his part to prevent it will only prove vain, particularly when they're assisted by one great character. Bar. And who's that? Fig. That's the barber! Fior. FINALE. Young Love triumphant smiling, All quarrels reconciling, Now waves his torch on high! Chorus. Young Love our hearts beguiling, Bar. Old men with young ones vieing, Fig. Chorus. Young Love our hearts, &c. Ros. The joys of youth's first wooing, Chorus. Young Love our hearts, &c. Position of the Characters at the fall of the Gurtain. R.-R. C.-C. -L. C.———-L. FIORELLO. Ros. COUNT. BAR, FIG. BASIL. OFFICERS. |