SONG--FREDERICA. [This song was not written for the opera; but was introduced by the composer] The spring-time of love is both happy and gay, For Joy sprinkles blossoms and balm in our way; the sky, earth, and ocean, in beauty repose, And all the bright future is couleur de rose! The summer of love is the bloom of the heart, When hill, grove, and valley their music impart; And the pure glow of heaven is seen in fond eyes, As lakes show the rainbow that's hung in the skies! The autumn of love is the season of cheer-- Life's mild Indian summer, the smile of the year-- Which comes when the golden-ripe harvest is stored, And yields its own blessing, repose, and reward. The winter of love is the beam that we win, While the storm howls without, from the sunshine within. Love's reign is eternal--the heart is his throne, And he has all season of life for his own. COUNTESS. Silly, thoughtless girl!--What strangers are these coming up the avenue? FREDERICA (looking out.) As I live, the elderly person I told you of, and the young gentleman who risked his life to save mine! (Enter WEDGEWOOD and ALBERT.) WEDGEWOOD. Have I the honor of addressing the Countess Laniska? (Aside.) Flounces, frills, filagrees, and furbelows, but she's superlatively odd! COUNTESS. I am the countess, sir. WEDGEWOOD (presenting letters.) Will your ladyship be pleased to receive these letters of introduction--if quite convenient? COUNTESS (receiving letters and looking at them.) Mr. Wedgewood, from Esturia and London; and-- WEDGEWOOD (introducing ALBERT.) Mr. Albert Worrendorf. COUNTESS (introducing FREDERICA.) My daughter Frederica. ALBERT (aside.) The angel we met by accident this morning! WEDGEWOOD (aside.) Seraphically odd! FREDERICA (to ALBERT.) We have seen each other before, Mr. Worrendorf. ALBERT. To my great happiness, madam. (ALBERT and FREDERICA converse apart.) COUNTESS (to WEDGEWOOD.) It was very kind in my correspondent, Mr. Wedgewood, to introduce a gentleman of your celebrity to my chateau. WEDGEWOOD. You do me honor, madam. We Englishmen are plain-spoken people. We are not unlike our earthenware--delf and common clay mixed together. If our outsides are sometimes rough, all within is smooth and polished as the best of work. It is the purest spirit, which, like the finest china, lets the light shine through it. (Aside.) Not a bad compliment to myself, and metaphorically odd! COUNTESS. Your reply reminds me of the object of your visit. The Prussians are very proud of the manufactory which has claimed the attention of the king. WEDGEWOOD. Oh, how I long to see the great Frederick! COUNTESS. You will like him, I am confident. WEDGEWOOD. I don't know that. I don't at all fancy his edict.--What! marry a parcel of handsome, innocent, industrious girls to his great whiskered horse-guards, whether they will or no? It's a piece of moral turpitude--an insult to common sense--and infamously odd--