Page:Gilbert Original Plays.djvu/39

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An idle tale, that man is infamous.
And he believes it. So, indeed, did we,
Till we beheld you, gallant gentlemen!
Lut. Why, they are raving! Let me go at once
And join my brothers at our monarch's court;
While they are here this is no place for me.
Zay. (eagerly to Sel.) Let him depart; then we can summon here
His mortal counterpart. (Fairies delighted; Selene expresses indignant surprise, Zayda changes her manner), a poor frail man
No doubt, who stands in very sorest need
Of such good counsel as we can afford.
Sel. Thou speakest wisely. Lutin, get thee gone.
Eth. Be off at once.
Phy. Begone, thou scurvy knave!
Thy wife shall hear of this—she'll punish thee.
Lut. Oh, moral plague! oh, walking pestilence!
Oh, incarnation of uncleanliness!
You call me knave! Why, harkye men of sin.
You've kings and queens upon that world of yours,
To whom you crawl in apt humility;
Well, sir, there's not an emperor on earth
Who would not kiss the dust I tread upon,
And I'm the meanest here. Good day to you.
[Exit Lutin.
Eth. (following him angrily, is restrained by Selene). The fellow's crazed—heed not his rhapsodies,
Thou dost not credit him?