FREDERICA (recovering.) Well, gentlemen, I must say this is very gallant of you both, to be praising one lady so highly when there is another in the room. (Aside.) Oh, dear me, how near I came to betraying myself! ALBERT. Your pardon, my dear madam. When I look at you, I almost forget there is another woman in the world. (Kisses FREDERICA's hand, who turns away with evident confusion.)--But for the present I must leave you, to join Mr. Wedgewood. [Exit. COUNT (noticing them.) (Aside.) So, so, Frederica--fairly caught, I perceive! (To Frederica.) Ah, sister, sister! as in all things else, there is a destiny in love. DUET--LANSIKA and FREDERICA. From my fate there's no retreating-- Love commands, and I obey; How with joy my heart is beating At the fortunes of to-day! Life is filled with strange romances-- Love is blind, the poets say; When he comes unsought, the chance is Of his own accord he'll stay. Love can ne'er be forced to tarry; Chain him--he'll the bonds remove: Paired, not matched, too many marry-- All should wed alone for love. Let him on the bridal-even Trim his lamp with constant ray; And the flame will light to heaven, When the world shall fade away! [Exeunt Scene IV. The whole depth of the stage is made use of in this scene, which represents an open country. A Camp and Soldiers at a distance. Music. Enter HANS, GERTRUDE, and Peasantry: Lads and Lasses dancing. CHORUS of PEASANTS. Lads and lasses, trip away to the cheerful roundelay! At the sound of tambourine, Care is banished from the scene, And a happy train we bound, To the pipe and tabour's sound. Merrily, merrily trip away, 'Tis a nation's holiday! Merrily, merrily, merrilie, Bound with sprits light and free! Let's be jocund while we may; And dance--dance--dance-- And dance the happy hours away! When the gleaming line shall come, To the sound of trump and drum; Headed by advancing steeds, Whom the king in person leads-- Let us hail him in his state, For the king's both good and great! Merrily, merrily trip away, 'Tis a nation's holiday! Merrily, merrily, merrilie, Bound with sprits light and free! Let's be jocund while we may; And dance--dance--dance-- And dance the happy hours away! (Immediately after chorus, a grand march is commenced in he distance, which becomes more and more distinct as the troops advance. The PEASANTS form in groups. HANS speaks during the first part of the march.) HANS. Here we are, Gertrude, many miles from our own village--and all for vat? To please you--(aside) and to shell a few color to der artishes, vich I pring along mit me for der purpose; but I need not tell her dat.--Here, stand aside, and don't be looking after de sholders!