Scene 4
Another part of the
forest. Upstage are more bushes and in the distance a lake. MARITZA enters
dressed in Marianne's clothes and singing.
MARITZA
Gypsy dawn,
How strange and magical
it feels!
Gypsy dawn
Is in your heart and
in your heels.
You long to dance
You long to glide across
the ground;
You want romance,
A love to tingle and
astound.
(The TWO HORSES gallop
on from stage left, naying and whinnying frantically.)
MARITZA
Will you stop that! I'm trying
to sing!
Gypsy dawn,
It casts a spell upon
the dew.
Gypsy dawn,
It brings the thrill
of something new.
Then you will know
What on earth are you two
doing? Go away!
By the time another
dawn shall glow
Your dream of love will
come true.
(HORSES reluctantly
exit right.)
MARITZA
Oh, look at that lovely pond!
I never knew there was a pond like that so near the castle. How I'd love
to take all my clothes off and go swimming. Why, I will take all
my clothes off and go swimming.
(SHE hides behind
the bushes and throws her clothes over so that we can see them as they
fall. We hear a splash and her continuing to sing "Gypsy Dawn". ANGELU
and STEFANA enter from the right. They both see the clothes hanging on
the bushes.)
ANGELU
Eh, Stefana! Look what we
have here.
(STEFANA grabs the
dress and holds it against her body. SHE scoops up the other garments and
rushes off left.)
ANGELU
Gypsy snake! I saw them first!
(ANGELU pursues her.
In a moment we see Maritza's lily- white hand appear above the bushes searching
for her clothes. Her head pops out now, her expression one of shock and
puzzlement. Then it dawns on her the clothes are gone.)
MARITZA
Help! Someone help!
(HORSES reappear
from stage right.)
MARITZA
I said someone not
something! Stop nuzzling me and go away. Help, someone!
(HORSES exit left.
NIKKO enters from the right. HE searches for where the cries have come
from. MARITZA's head pops out from behind the bushes.)
MARITZA
Over here! This one is as
dumb as those silly horses.
NIKKO
I heard cries.
MARITZA
You bet you did! Don't come
a step further. Someone has stolen my clothes.
NIKKO
But…
MARITZA
Don't just stand there. Get
me something…anything…
NIKKO
But, of course, your highness.
MARITZA
Why do you call me that?
NIKKO
The way you command with
your voice…the way your chin tilts up to the sky…
MARITZA
Your voice would sound just
as commanding and your chin would raise just as high if you were standing
here without a stitch.
NIKKO
Not if I were standing there
with you, your highness.
MARITZA
How dare you! And stop calling
me that! Now go this instant and get me something to wear.
(NIKKO bows low and
starts to exit stage left.)
NIKKO
My love
Is like the waters of
the moon;
They gleam
Somewhere way above the
sky.
MARITZA
That voice!
(NIKKO turns.)
NIKKO
Voice?
MARITZA
I heard you from the… Never
you mind. Will you please go!!!
(NIKKO bows again
and exits.)
MARITZA
Then you will know
By the time another dawn
shall glow,
Your dream of love will
come true.
LIGHTS DIM
