Oli. Ay, strike up, lads! all's right now! [Grand Flourish.-Ernestine awakes, and is, for a few moments, confused and lost in surprise. Ern. What means all this? Is it not some deceitful dream? some trick to mock me! ah, Edmund! and at my feet-my mother, too? This bridal dress! my friends! Oh, no, it cannot be a dream! preserve me, heaven! Ah, my ring! my ring! No, no! it is no dream; I am awake, am happy! [Falls, with an hysterical cry of joy, into Edmund's arms. Edm. Yes, dearest Ernestine, it is indeed reality-all is cleared up! Ros. Ay, Ernestine, our justification has been public and complete; we have been found not guilty! Ger. And, whatever you may think, entirely to my satisfaction. [All retire up but Rosambert and Madame Gertrude. Ros. I believe you-you are too pretty not to be good sometimes. And now, there only remains one thing. Poor Monsieur de Trop; eh, madame? I must not refuse the interest I pledged myself to exert for him. Eh, here he comes! and, for once in his life, not unwished for-he is not Mr. One-too-many this time. Enter COLIN DE TROP hastily, R., with Bouquet, &c. Col. (R.) Here I am, Madame Gertrude, here I am. I hope I'm not too late; I've run every step o'the way, and a pretty heat I'm in. I've got the bridal garter, and ́ the veil, and the bouquet, and the wreath of orangeflowers, and-dear me, what a way I'm in. Ros. (c.) You have come in good time, Monsieur de Trop; Madame Gertrude was waiting for you. I have performed my promise, I have spoken a good word for you-behold your bride. [Presenting Madame Gertrude, who crosses to Colin. Col. Eh! what! is it indeed so? and an't you joking? Oh, dear me ! Am I to marry-am I to have a wife-am I to be her husband? Madame Gertrude! Ger. (L.) I must obey the orders of our new lord, Monsieur de Trop. Col. Ah! I thought he'd do the business for me! [Embracing her, and afterwards seeming ready to faint at the boldness of the act. Ros. All, then, is settled. Edmund, henceforth let not sleep deceive you; be constant, and your happiness will be complete. Ern. Sleeping or waking, if I still retain the good opinion of my friends, I shall be happy; but, if I should unfortunately have incurred their displeasure, I would wish never to have awakened again Your anger, friends, would make me weep:/ DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. COL. GER. Ros. DAME G. ERNES. EDM. OLIV. MAR. R.] THE END. [L. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: A COMEDY, En Five Acts, BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. PRINTED FROM THE ACTING COPY, WITH REMARKS, To which are added, A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUME,-CAST OF THE CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. As now performed at the THEATRES ROYAL, LONDON. EMBELLISHED WITH A FINE WOOD ENGRAVING, By Mr. BONNER, from a Drawing taken in the Theatre, by LONDON: JOHN CUMBERLAND, 19, LUDGATE HILL. |