None so cunning as he At brewing a jorum of tea, Ha! ha! A pretty stiff jorum of tea! ENSEMBLE—ALEXIS and ALINE (aside) Oh love, true love—unworldly, abiding! Source of all pleasure—true fountain of joy,— Oh love, true love—divinely confiding, Exquisite treasure that knows no alloy,— Oh love, true love, rich harvest of gladness, Peace-bearing tillage—great garner of bliss,— Oh love, true love, look down on our sadness — Dwell in this village—oh, hear us in this! (It becomes evident by the strange conduct of the characters that the charm is working. All rub their eyes, and stagger about the stage as if under the influence of a narcotic.) TUTTI (aside) ALEXIS, MR. WELLS and ALINE Oh, marvellous illusion! A marvellous illusion! Oh, terrible surprise! A terrible surprise What is this strange confusion Excites a strange confusion That veils my aching eyes? Within their aching eyes— I must regain my senses, They must regain their senses, Restoring Reason's law, Restoring Reason's law, Or fearful inferences Or fearful inferences Society will draw! Society will draw! (Those who have partaken of the philtre struggle in vain against its effects, and, at the end of the chorus, fall insensible on the stage.) END OF ACT I ACT II Scene—Exterior of Sir Marmaduke's mansion by moonlight. All the peasantry are discovered asleep on the ground, as at the end of Act I. Enter Mr. Wells, on tiptoe, followed by Alexis and Aline. Mr. Wells carries a dark lantern. TRIO—ALEXIS, ALINE, and MR. WELLS 'Tis twelve, I think, And at this mystic hour The magic drink Should manifest its power. Oh, slumbering forms, How little ye have guessed That fire that warms Each apathetic breast! ALEX. But stay, my father is not here! ALINE. And pray where is my mother dear? MR. WELLS. I did not think it meet to see A dame of lengthy pedigree, A Baronet and K.C.B. A Doctor of Divinity, And that respectable Q.C., All fast asleep, al-fresco-ly, And so I had them taken home And put to bed respectably! I trust my conduct meets your approbation.