_Rom._ You dare to scoff at me, rebellious thing! (_knocks his hat off_) Uncover in the presence of your king! (_To audience_) That's historical! _Rem._ What! strike me, dare you? (_Quietly_) Give me an earldom, and perhaps I'll spare you! _Rom._ Your base insinuation I resent. I go in for king and parliament. _Rem._ Your parliament's all gingerbread! (How nice!) I am a patriot and will have my price. _Rom._ Defied! (_blows trumpet_). What, ho! my faithful guards, where be 'em? (_Enter, from various entrances, all the characters, and supers. Tableau as in "Charles I."_) (_To audience_) I say! They can't beat _that_ at the Lyceum. In this piece Apollo (Miss Nelly Power) figures as a sort of Chorus, commenting on the action and interposing in it; while Baccharia (Miss Maria Rhodes) is represented as the sister of Tatius and a husband-huntress. The burlesque has all Mr. Reece's ingenuity in _jeu-de-mot_ work. For instance:-- _Tatius._ This is too much! _Baccharia._ To boast of deeds audacious. _Tatius._ Too callous! _Romulus._ _Calais!_ Don't be _Ostend-Tatius!_ Mr. Burnand's "Julius Cnæsar" made the walls of the Royalty resound with laughter in the autumn of 1870. In the spring of 1869 William Brough had brought out at the Strand his version of the tale of Joan of Arc, whom he represented as the leader of a troop of Amazons, extremely interested in Woman's Rights. She comes, as in history, to the French king's assistance; but, falling in love with a young English soldier, is captured by the invaders and condemned to resume female attire,--a sentence which in the end she manages to evade. A leading part is played by the Duke of Burgundy, who is for ever uncertain on which side he shall fight, and whose name provides frequent opportunity for punning. Thus:-- _Dunois._ See, Burgundy comes! _King._ Is he indeed with me? As a rule Burgundy ne'er yet agreed with me. He says he is my friend! _Duchatel._ Well, that's a thumper! The name of Burgundy suggests a bumper! _La Hire._ He comes! _King_ (_looking off_). With what a swagger, too! It's clear Burgundy doesn't think himself small beer! Again:-- _Lionel._ Then, my lord, Burgundy, with all his train, Will join our ranks. _Talbot._ My plans are changed again! He'll lick the foe in no time--if not quicker! Burgundy's such a very potent _licker_! Strengthened by him, war's hardest blows we'll mock-- With a strong Burgundy, despise a kn_ock_. Here, too, is a clever bit of word-play:-- _Burgundy._ The _proffer'd table_ I must needs refuse; My time I can more _profitably_ use. I can't _dine nicely_ while with projects vasty My mind is filled for changing the _dy-nasty_.