_Fid._ Thus to your majesty, says the suppliant muse, Would you a solo or sonata choose; Or bold concerto or soft Sicilinia, Alla Francese overo in Gusto Romano? When you command, 'tis done as soon as spoke. _Queen._ A civil fellow! Play us the "Black Joak." [_Music plays._ [QUEEN _and_ LADIES _dance the_ "Black Joak." So much for dancing; now let's rest a while. Bring in the tea-things. Does the kettle boil? _Tat._ The water bubbles and the tea-cups skip, Through eager hope to kiss your royal lip. [_Tea brought in._ _Queen._ Come, ladies, will you please to choose your tea; Or green imperial, or Pekoe Bohea? _1st Lady._ Never, no, never sure on earth was seen, So gracious sweet and affable a queen. _2nd Lady._ She is an angel. _1st Lady._ She's a goddess rather. _Tat._ She's angel, queen, and goddess, altogether. _Queen._ Away! you flatter me. _1st Lady._ We don't indeed: Your merit does our praise by far exceed. _Queen._ You make me blush; pray help me to a fan. _1st Lady._ That blush becomes you. _Tat._ Would I were a man. _Queen._ I'll hear no more of these fantastic airs. [_Bell rings._ The bell rings in. Come, ladies, let's to pray'rs. [_They dance off._ SCENE.--_An Anti-Chamber._ _Enter_ RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS _and_ ALDIBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO. _Rig._ Egad, we're in the wrong box! Who the devil would have thought that Chrononhotonthologos should beat that mortal sight of Tippodeans? Why, there's not a mother's child of them to be seen, egad, they footed it away as fast as their hands could carry 'em; but they have left their king behind 'em. We have him safe, that's one comfort. _Aldi._ Would he were still at amplest liberty. For, oh! my dearest Rigdum-Funnidos; I have a riddle to unriddle to thee, Shall make thee stare thyself into a statue. Our queen's in love with this Antipodean. _Rigdum._ The devil she is? Well, I see mischief is going forward with a vengeance. _Aldi._ But, lo! the conq'ror comes all crown'd with conquest! A solemn triumph graces his return. Let's grasp the forelock of this apt occasion, To greet the victor, in his flow of glory. [_A grand triumph._] _Enter_ CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS, GUARDS _and_ ATTENDANTS, _&c., met by_ RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS _and_ ALDIBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO. _Aldi._ All hail to Chrononhotonthologos! Thrice trebly welcome to your royal subjects. Myself, and faithful Rigdum-Funnidos, Lost in a labyrinth of love and loyalty, Entreat you to inspect our inmost souls, And read in them what tongue can never utter.