O my love!

ROSE. If heart both true and tender,
O my love!
A life-love can engender,
O my love!
A truce to sighing
And tears of brine,
For joy undying
Shall aye be mine,

BOTH. And thou and I, love,
Shall live and die, love,
Without a sigh, love--
My own, my love!

(Enter Robin, with Chorus of Bridesmaids.)

CHORUS.

If well his suit has sped,
Oh, may they soon be wed!
Oh, tell us, tell us, pray,
What doth the maiden say?
In singing are we justified,
Hall the Bridegroom--hail the Bride!
Let the nuptial knot be tied:
In fair phrases
Hymn their praises,
Hail the Bridegroom--hall the Bride?

ROB. Well--what news? Have you spoken to her?
RICH. Aye, my lad, I have--so to speak--spoke her.
ROB. And she refuses?
RICH. Why, no, I can't truly say she do.
ROB. Then she accepts! My darling! (Embraces her.)

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom--hail the Bride! etc.

ROSE (aside, referring to her book). Now, what should a
maiden do when she is embraced by the wrong gentleman?
RICH. Belay, my lad, belay. You don't understand.
ROSE. Oh, sir, belay, I beseech you!
RICH. You see, it's like this: she accepts--but it's me!
ROB. You! (Richard embraces Rose.)

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom--hail the Bride!
When the nuptial knot is tied--

ROB. (interrupting angrily). Hold your tongues, will you!
Now then, what does this mean?
RICH. My poor lad, my heart grieves for thee, but it's like
this: the moment I see her, and just as I was a-goin' to mention
your name, my heart it up and it says, says it--"Dick, you've
fell in love with her yourself," it says; "be honest and
sailor-like--don't skulk under false colours--speak up," it says,
"take her, you dog, and with her my blessin'!"

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom--hail the bride--

ROB. Will you be quiet