The Complete Plays of J. M. Barrie - 30 Titles in One Edition. Джеймс Барри

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СКАЧАТЬ (1ST

      OFFICER goes to other OFFICERS, who repeat business.)

       Enter CADDIE.

      CADDIE. Please, ma’am, the brass band is here.

      MISS S. Brass band!

      CADDIE. Yes, ma’am, they say they had a letter from you. And the man has come with the bull-pups.

      MISS S. Oh, I am going mad!

      CADDIE. Yes, ma’am.

      MISS S. Let us go and lock the gates. (Exit excitedly.)

      JANE A. (to CADDIE). Do let me kiss you, Caddie!

      CADDIE. Too late! Revenge!

      JANE A. But you wanted me to do it five minutes ago.

      CADDIE. I was a boy then. (Exit.)

       Enter some of the GIRLS from a boat.

      JACK (to JANE ANNIE). Do you know where my Bab is?

      JANE A. Bother Bab!

      JACK. Eh?

      JANE A. I had such a nice dream about you, last night.

      JACK. No, had you? Haw!

      JANE A. Yes, I dreamt that you were to elope with me instead of with Bab.

      JACK. Not if I know it.

      JANE A. Perhaps you won’t know it at this time — but you’ll know it afterwards.

      JACK (aside). I dislike this girl very much.

      JANE A. (to GIRLS who are flirting with OFFICERS). I have been left in charge to see that you all behave yourselves.

      ROSE. Oh!

      JANE A. You and I, Jack, will set them an example.

      CONCERTED PIECE. —

      JANE ANNIE, JACK, GIRLS, OFFICERS, and STUDENTS.

      JANE ANNIE. You and I, dear Jack, will show A most excellent example.

      JACK. Scarce can they in virtue grow,

       If they take me for their sample.

      JANE ANNIE. If you list to my advice,

       Keep young men at a safe distance.

       She draws JACK’s arm round her waist.

      JACK. This is strange, and yet it’s nice,

       I shall offer no resistance.

      ENSEMBLE.

      GIRLS. OFFICERS. In accord with her This is strange, and yet it’s advice, nice,

       We shall keep you at We shall offer no a distance. resistance.

       Drawing OFFICERS’ arms round.

      ALL. We/They have learned her/my precept pat,

       We/They mustn’t do that! We/They mustn’t do that!

       And so, of course, the sequence is,

       We/They mustn’t do this! We/They mustn’t do this!

      JANE ANNIE. You and I will also show

       A correct and sober bearing.

      JACK. Though her words are cold as snow,

       Yet her glance is most ensnaring.

      JANE ANNIE. If you list to my advice,

       You will never start off dancing.

       (Dancing several steps.)

      JACK. Though she’s most severe on vice,

       Yet her ways are most entrancing.

      ENSEMBLE.

      GIRLS. OFFICERS.

       In accord with her Though she’s very

       advice, hard on vice,

       We shall never start Yet her ways are most

       off dancing. entrancing.

       All dance.

      ALL. We/They have learned her/my precept pat, etc. Enter STUDENTS and other GIRLS.

      OFFICERS. What’s the meaning of all this?

       Who are these who disconcert us?

      STUDENTS. Maidens this is much amiss,

       Surely you would not desert us?

      OFFICERS. Beardless boys, you’d better go,

       Your time hasn’t come, we vow.

      STUDENTS. Aged men, you’re most de trop,

       Your time was, it’s over now.

      CHORUS.

      OFFICERS. Maidens, maidens, can you hesitate?

      GIRLS. Hey, dear, we haven’t got an answer!

      OFFICERS. Maidens, maidens, your reply we wait.

      GIRLS. Hey, dear, the Student or the Lancer!

      STUDENTS. Maidens, we are fresh from college,

       Smile upon us, we implore you!

       Think of all the varied knowledge

       In these heads which bow before you.

       (All bow.)

      OFFICERS. Maidens, with our martial bearing

       And our spurs, we ought to suit you;

       Think of all the deeds of daring

       Done with hands which now salute you.

       (All salute.)

      STUDENTS. Maidens, maidens, can you hesitate?

      GIRLS. Hey, dear, the Student or the Lancer!

      OFFICERS. Maidens, maidens, your reply we wait.

      GIRLS. Hey, dear, this must be our answer!

      GIRLS cross over to STUDENTS.

      STUDENTS. Maidens, you are wise in turning

       Thus to those who most impress you;

       You shall list to words of learning

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