This is a scene indeed to foster love, Brick walls around and chimney-pots above; Yon chanticleer the guardian bird is, To join his voice with distant hurdy-gurdies. All speaks of love, and shall my voice be still? Nay, perish! Balderdash, an if you will, But speak! _Addressing the window_— Berlinda, dearest; If walls have ears, surely thou hearest; Hearest thy lover, though his tones be hoarse, Hearest by means of love’s detective force, Warm at the heart, though with a cold i’ the head— (_Sneezes._) (_Aside._) (By Jove, I really ought to be in bed.) Accept my love, resist it not, be not so cruel— (_Sneezes again._) (_Aside._) (I really must go in for something strong, and gruel.) I leave this billet-_do_. Read, loved one, its contents; (_Aside._) (And I’ll go home and seek my night habille_ments_.) (_Exit._) _Enter RODERIGO._ A notability, as I’d ability to note. But see, A witch! a fortune-teller comes! O, criminy! I’ll bribe the hag to gain Berlinda’s bower, And then I’ll carry off my love within the hour. _Enter WITCH._ What ho! midnight marauder. RODERIGO (_in a whisper, taking her aside_). Order! Let’s have no rows that may arouse my bride; Go you and coax the fair one to my side; Bid her to fly with me, her lover and her lord, And you shall have _this note_[1] as your reward. WITCH (_raps at window and BERLINDA appears_). Listen, Berlinda. The stars declare thy destiny is set, Act now, ’tis well, forbear and you’ll regret. Thy lover waits to bear thee hence—Away! BERLINDA. Good woman, I have many lovers; say, Is it Roderigo Pipkins who is near? RODERIGO. I am here! BERLINDA. Bless you, dear! Now help me down and fly! The sun will soon be mounting up the sky. Farewell, my home! farewell, my pa and ma! Accept my last adieu. Ta, ta! (_RODERIGO carries her off the stage_.) [1] T. Balderdash’s. ACT II. SCENE—_a wood. BERLINDA and RODERIGO seated on the ground._ BER. Alas! I’m hungry, love can’t support itself on air. ROD. I’m much more hungry; think how much I’ve had to _bear_. BER. Monster! is it for this I left my frugal home in haste, To fly with you and see this dreadful waste. Where is our home? where do you mean to go?