Poems by George Pope Morris Part 47

Scene III.

SOPHIA MANSFIELD's apartments in the Porcelain Factory. Enter SOPHIA.

SOPHIA.

'Tis done. My vase is finished, and in the possession of the overseer. How is it with me? Although my fortunes are suspended by a single thread, an unaccustomed buoyancy pervades my bosom. Are these emotions precursors of victory, or has the love of Laniska given me a new existence, and tinged the world once more with hues of paradise? How new and fresh and strange are all he things here about my heart!

This is his gift--a simple flower! He said it is an emblem of love. It is not so.

Love does not perish thus!--Love can not be a flower.

SONG-SOPHIA.

Ah! Love is not a garden-flower, That shoots from out the cultured earth; That needs the sunbeam and the shower, Before it wakens into birth: It owns a richer soil and seed, And woman's heart supplies them both, Where it will spring, without a weed, Consummate in its growth.

These leaves will perish when away From either genial sun or shower; Not so will wither and decay Celestial Love's perennial flower.

'Tis our companion countless miles, Through weal or woe in after years; And though it flourishes in smiles, It blooms as fresh in tears!

(Enter FREDERICA.)

FREDERICA.

My dear Sophia, I am overjoyed to learn that you have completed your vase.

SOPHIA.

Thanks, dear madam. Is it true that the works of the different compet.i.tors are to be exhibited at the fete of the countess, and that the decision is to be there made?

FREDERICA.

It is--and the countess insists upon your being present.

SOPHIA.

I am an unknown girl, madam; and if I decline the invitation, I beseech you take it not amiss.

FREDERICA.

--But I will take it amiss, and so will the count and countess, whose messenger I am, and who insisted upon my bringing you to the chateau at once.

SOPHIA.

Well, madam, since you will have it so--

FREDERICA.

Oh, you'll be delighted. Only think of the concentrated attractions of "the court, the camp, the grove!" Oh, they're too much for any mortal woman to withstand!

DUET--SOPHIA and FREDERICA The king, the princes of the court, With lords and ladies bright, Will in their dazzling state resort To this grand fete to-night: The merry-hearted and the proud Will mingle in the glittering crowd, Who glide with Fas.h.i.+on's sparkling stream Where one I love will s.h.i.+ne supreme!-- La ra la, la ra la, la la la, etc.

The cavaliers of Italy, The gay gallants of France, With Spain and England's chivalry, Will join the merry dance.

The court of Love--the camp of Mars, Fair Prussian dames, "earth-treading stars,"

To music's strain will float in light, Where one I love will beam to-night!-- La ra la, la ra la, la la la, etc.

[Exit cheerfully.

Scene IV.

Discovered. Grand Saloon in the Chateau of the COUNTESS LANISKA, arranged for a Fete. The scene opens with dancing and waltzing by the CHARACTERS, and discovers the KING and retinue, LORDS and LADIES of the Court, foreign AMBa.s.sADORS and ATTACHES, the COUNTESS LANISKA, ALBERT, WEDGEWOOD, KARL, GIRLS of the Factory, etc., etc.

The CHARACTERS are variously grouped during the dance; and while all are observing the KING, who, with KARL at his side, is attentively examining the Vases, which are placed on stands on one side of the stage, the COUNT LANISKA enters, conducting, in SOPHIA and FREDERICA. After the dance, the KING speaks.

KING.

The hour has arrived which is to decide the fate of the compet.i.tors. (All the CHARACTERS express by their looks and actions the utmost anxiety as to the result, and draw near to the KING.)

KARL (to KING.) The inscription upon this vase is in the handwriting of the Count Laniska.

KING.

'Tis well.

KARL (aside.) And it is a death-warrant!

KING.

Subjects and children: we have reason to be proud of an art that redounds to the honor and glory of Prussia. Where all have deserved well, all shall be well remembered.

(The GIRLS of the Factory manifest great joy at these words, and turn to congratulate each other. SOPHIA and LANISKA stand apart, and watch every action of the KING, while the other CHARACTERS appear greatly interested in SOPHIA.) This vase, however, I select from the rest, as the most beautiful of them all. (SOPHIA clasps her hands in great agitation.) Let this be known to after ages as "THE PRUSSIAN VASE;" and let the name here inscribed (looks at and points to the name on the vase) be chronicled throughout these realms. (Takes SOPHIA by the hand.) Sophia Mansfield is the artist and she is free! (SOPHIA, overcome by her feelings, falls on the bosom of FREDERICA.)

CHORUS.

Victoria! victoria!

The Saxon maid is free-- Victoria! victoria! etc.

SOPHIA.

My heart will break with grat.i.tude!

COUNT.

And mine with joy!

KARL (aside.) It will be of brief duration.

KING (who has regarded SOPHIA with great interest.) Let the dance proceed.

(A merry dance and waltz by the CHARACTERS, at the termination of which a tableau is formed. The utmost merriment and hilarity mark the action of the scene. At the conclusion of the dance, the KING, who has been occupied in carefully examining the Vase, wipes it with his handkerchief, which becomes stained with the paint. KARL draws his attention to the inscription.)

KARL.

Behold, my liege!--

KING.

Ha! What words are these? (Reads.) "To Frederick the Great Tyrant"--Treachery!-- (KARL immediately seizes the Vase, and carries it off, without the inscription being seen by any but the KING.) Break off the sports!