TOM EXITS WITH
BRIDGET BLOWING HIM A KISS)
(THE
SCENE DARKENS. SOME RENAISSANCE MUSIC)
SCENE TWO
WILD OPEN
COUNTRYSIDE. A DIRT ROAD. (THIS CAN BE JUST A BARE STAGE WITH
CURTAINS AS A BACKDROP).
OFFSTAGE THE SOUND
OF CURIO SINGING. HE ENTERS ON THE RIGHT, CARRYING THE SACK.
CURIO (SINGING)
Oh, Curio in name
and curious in mind,
I've left my foolish
benefactor far behind.
Oh, Curio in name
and curious in mind,
Through spinning
foolish words I've really had a find.
CURIO PLANTS THE
SACK ON THE GROUND, AND WIPES HIS BROW.
CURIO
By all the saints in
highest heaven,
Today I'm more than
breaking even!
For what a windfall
I have here;
As long as I am in
the clear!
Improper pedlar of
piety
To wondrous
gullibility,
I slip from
poverty's rough curse
By finding of a
heavenly purse!
Yes, this will
likely last me through
The whole, cold
windy winter too.
Fair fortune graces
those who seize
The moment's
opportunities.
Though I'll admit
this type of break
Is mostly not such
an easy take-
For folk of such
naivety
Are all too rare, if
you ask me.
She is a trusting
soul, but she
Should study up
theology.
Not many fools,
without suspicion,
Would pay celestial
commission.
But now which way am
I to go?
Oh, let me see, I
think I know.
HE LOOKS ALL AROUND
AND SEES SOMETHING OFFSTAGE RIGHT
But what is this?
What's this I see?
Far off, but coming
up towards me?
A cloud of dust and
at its head
A storming steed-
just what I dread!
It tears along the
road like rage
Rampaging toward
revenge- a page
Of life's vast
volume, let it be said,
That I would rather
leave unread.
For if it's not her
husband- well-
Then it's a black
fiend, if you will,
For I have heard
they often try
To stop a man from
rising high
And reaching
paradise at last.
Now goodly sack, lie
there. Stay fast.
HE PLACES IT BEHIND
A ROCK ( OR TUCKS IT BEHIND A
CURTAIN)
Yes, stay good gold.
Stay safely stowed!
He won't know me by
my rich load.
He doesn't know me!
There's my luck!
This swampy ground
will slow him up.
Oh, yes, he's
bogged. He must dismount.
Now change my
character- I'll count
On cloak of false
stupidity,
Pretence of reason's
apathy...
My nature and my
role reversed!
I'll seem, to angry
eyes, quite cursed
By failing brains.
Yes- that's the way.
A poor and silly
fool today!
CURIO TAKES OFF HIS
JACKET, TURNS IT INSIDE OUT AND PUTS IT ON BACK TO FRONT. HE CRUMBLES
HIS HAT AND PUTS IN ON BACKWARDS.
Well, now that I am
rightly dressed,
I'll see how I can
answer best!
CURIO STANDS STARING
AROUND STUPIDLY
:)
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