Oh, I have wrought much evil with my spells! An ill I can’t undo! This is too bad of you, J. W. Wells-- What wrong have they done you? And see--another love-lorn lady comes-- Alas, poor stricken dame! A gentle pensiveness her life benumbs-- And mine, alone, the blame! (_Sits at foot of market cross._) _LADY SANGAZURE enters. She is very melancholy._ _Lady S._ Alas! ah me! and well-a-day! I sigh for love, and well I may, For I am very old and gray. But stay! (_Sees MR. WELLS, and becomes fascinated by him._) RECITATIVE. _Lady S._ What is this fairy form I see before me? _Mr. W._ Oh, horrible!--she’s going to adore me! This last catastrophe is overpowering! _Lady S._ Why do you glare at me with visage lowering? For pity’s sake, recoil not thus from me! _Mr. W._ My lady, leave me--this may never be! DUET.--LADY SANGAZURE AND MR. WELLS. _Mr. W._ Hate me! I drop my H’s--have through life! _Lady S._ Love me! I’ll drop them too! _Mr. W._ Hate me! I always eat peas with a knife! _Lady S._ Love me! I’ll eat like you! _Mr. W._ Hate me! I spend the day at Rosherville! _Lady S._ Love me! that joy I’ll share! _Mr. W._ Hate me! I often roll down One Tree Hill! _Lady S._ Love me! I’ll join you there! _Lady S._ Love me! my prejudices I will drop! _Mr. W._ Hate me! that’s not enough! _Lady S._ Love me! I’ll come and help you in the shop! _Mr. W._ Hate me! the life is rough! _Lady S._ Love me! my grammar I will all forswear! _Mr. W._ Hate me! abjure my lot! _Lady S._ Love me! I’ll stick sunflowers in my hair! _Mr. W._ Hate me! they’ll suit you not! RECITATIVE.--MR. WELLS. At what I am going to say be not enraged-- I may not love you--for I am engaged! _Lady S._ (_horrified_). Engaged! _Mr. W._ Engaged! To a maiden fair, With bright brown hair, And a sweet and simple smile, Who waits for me By the sounding sea, On a South Pacific isle. (_Aside._) A lie! No maiden waits me there! _Lady S._ (_mournfully_). She has bright brown hair; _Mr. W._ (_aside_). A lie! No maiden smiles on me! _Lady S._ (_mournfully_). By the sounding sea! ENSEMBLE. LADY SANGAZURE. MR. WELLS.