Still tracing the course of Planché's labours in burlesque, we come next to the production, at the Haymarket in 1845, of "The Golden Fleece"--perhaps, on the whole, the most delightful of the series. In this ingenious and brilliant piece, the two parts of which were entitled respectively "Jason in Colchis" and "Medea in Corinth," Planché had taken the narrative of Apollonius Rhodius and the tragedy of Euripides, and had built upon them a composition in which he sought less to cast ridicule upon the legends selected than to travestie what he called "the _modus operandi_ of the classical period, which really illustrates the old proverbial observation that there is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous." He brought again upon the stage the ancient Chorus, incarnated in a single person, who explained the action of the piece as it went on, not hesitating even to interrupt it when the humorous opportunity occurred. Charles Mathews undertook the part, heralded by a jocose announcement on the "bills" to the effect that "The lessee has, regardless of expense, engaged Mr. Charles Mathews to represent the whole body of the chorus, rendering at least fifty-nine male voices entirely unnecessary." In the opening scene, the Chorus thus described his functions:-- Friends, countrymen, lovers, first listen to me: I'm the Chorus; _whatever_ you hear or you see That you don't understand, I shall rise to explain-- It's a famous old fashion that's come up again, And will be of great service to many fine plays That nobody can understand nowadays; And think what a blessing if found intervening, When the author himself scarcely knows his own meaning. You may reap from it, too, an advantage still further: When an actor is bent upon marriage or murther, To the Chorus his scheme he in confidence mentions, 'Stead of telling the pit all his secret intentions; A wondrous improvement you all will admit, And the secret is just as well heard by the pit. _Verbum sat._--To the wise I'll not put one more word in, Or instead of a Chorus, they'll think me a _burden_. Later in the piece, announcing the approach of King Æetes (Bland), the Chorus interposed with:-- Æetes comes, looking as black as thunder, And when you hear the cause you'll say "No wonder"; For Jason, aided by Medea's spell, Has done the trick, and done the King as well. You'll think, perhaps, you should have seen him do it, But 't isn't classical--you'll hear, not view it. Whatever taxed their talents or their means, These sly old Grecians did _behind_ the scenes; So, fired with their example, boldly we Beg you'll suppose whate'er you wish to see. Elsewhere occurred this famous bit of badinage between King and Chorus:-- _Chorus._ Be calm, great King--'tis destiny's decree. _Æetes._ How dare you talk of destiny to me! What right have you with such advice to bore us?