THE GNOME KING HON. TERENCE BLACKWOOD. O’ROOSTER THE AUDACIOUS MR. EDWARD LITTLETON. GENERAL BOUNCE MR. ALGERNON BLACKWOOD. CAPTAIN POUNCE HON. BASIL BLACKWOOD. NOODLE CAPTAIN WARD, A.D.C. DOODLE CAPTAIN HAMILTON, A.D.C. MONA THE MERMAID LADY HELEN BLACKWOOD. COQUETTINA MISS MARGARET LITTLETON. THE FAIRY OF THE FOREST LADY HERMIONE BLACKWOOD. CORALINA LADY VICTORIA BLACKWOOD. [Illustration] SCENE I. _Cavern on the Sea Coast by Moonlight.—Opening in Rocks at Back, showing Sea.—The Waves are Rising and Running into Mouth of Cavern.—Introductory Music Descriptive of Storm; Thunder Heard Behind.—Music Gradually Changes to Soft Measured Air as Curtain Rises.—Prince Doodle Discovered Lying on Rocks at Back. R. C. as though Cast up by the Waves.—Enter through Opening Mona.—She Comes Down, Combing Her Hair with a Golden Comb through the following_:— [Illustration] MONA. Why, what a dreadful stormy night we’re getting, It’s well for me I do not mind a wetting! Full fathom five below those crested waves No tempests ever stir _our_ coral caves. We hear no thunder far below the sea; The mermaids’ haunt is still as still can be; In fact it’s rather dull sometimes down there, And so I come up here and comb my hair. (_Moves towards back._) To-night, alas! another ship went down, I cannot bear to see poor sailors drown. (_Sees PRINCE DOODLE._) Good gracious! What is this? As I am alive, Why, it’s a man! I know it is! (_Steps hurriedly on rock as though going to plunge into sea._) I’ll dive! I won’t! (_comes down_) I will! (_goes up_) No! (_Hesitates._) Shall I? Will it bite? It’s not a shark? (_Goes up and peeps, comes back holding hand to heart._) It’s put me in a fright. Mona! you silly goose! This palpitation Is strange perhaps, but not a bad sensation. I rather like it. Is it fear? No question! I’m not afraid! Perhaps it’s indigestion? I’ll take another peep. (_Goes to PRINCE on tip_toe, and comes away rapidly, clapping her hands._) He’s charming, really! If I could take him home I’d like to dearly. How nice he’d be to play with! Shall I try? He’s fast asleep! I’m sure he wouldn’t die. (_Tries to raise him. He groans._) His clothes are wet, perhaps he’s shipwrecked, too. (_PRINCE slowly sits up holding his hand to his side._) Good evening, sir. (_Curtesying._) PRINCE DOODLE. Good evening. How d’ye do?