_Pasha._ ’Tis false! _Gul._ This ring behold! Ladies, salute your queen. _Pasha._ Done! swindled! sold! [_Falls into the arms of SYNG SMAUL._--_LADIES kneel to_ GULNARE. _Tableau_--_closed in._ SCENE VII.--_A Wood._ _SERENA and SUBMARINA rise through traps, R. and L._ _Sub._ Good night, Serena, how d’ye do? _Serena._ Why who On earth would ever dream of seeing you? _Sub._ Why not? _Serena._ I mean the sea’s your proper berth. So ask who’d dream of seeing you on earth? _Sub._ I’ve come to seek you. _Serena._ What for, may I ask? _Sub._ To know how you’re progressing with your task. Have you cured Conrad yet? _Serena._ Well, very nearly. _Sub._ Your month expires to-morrow. _Serena._ Does it, really? To-night then must decide--but see--he’s here! Let us retire. _Music._--_Enter CONRAD, supporting MEDORA, L._ _Conrad._ Come, come, Medora dear; Rest here, I’ll call for help. _Medora._ ’Twould be no good, To holloa, till we’re quite out of the wood. _Conrad._ Could I but find the path, we’d soon get home; The way to Greece, should be our way to _roam_. Had I a compass, we’d know how to steer. _Medora._ Without the needle, we’re sewed up, that’s clear; But still, I always thought you roving tars, To find your way, oft had to thank your stars. _Conrad._ In this thick wood, my science is at fault, I cannot see them! Come, let’s on, though. _Enter BIRBANTO, with CORSAIRS, R._ _Birb._ Halt! So, then, we’ve met; at last my turn arrives. _Medora._ [_Kneeling._] Mercy! Take all we have, but spare our lives. _Conrad._ Medora, rise! Speak, friends--why this hostility? _Birb._ You are accused---- _Medora._ Of what? _Birb._ Respectability! _Conrad._ You’ve heard of it, then? _Birb._ Yes, and they have picked out Another leader, _vice_ Conrad, kicked out. _Conrad._ And may I ask, who my late post now fills? _Birb._ His name’s Birbanto, on the Grampian Hills---- _Conrad._ Indeed! I wish you joy.--Come. [_Taking MEDORA’S arm_ _Birb._ Not so fast! Secure them. _Conrad._ How? _Medora._ Help! help! _Enter SYNG SMAUL and GUARDS, L._