The Locksmith: A Comic Opera (1770) - Page 23

The signature "B 4" at the bottom of the page is a printer's mark used to keep the folded sheets of the book in the correct order.

...field, while you watch the woods, isn't that right, Master? original: "not' Maître"; Guillaume uses a contracted, rural dialect common for servant characters in 18th century comedy.

ELOY.

Remember to beat the game toward me, and do not waste any time. The term "rabattre le gibier" refers to the hunting practice of driving animals toward the person waiting to shoot them.

GUILLAUME.

I am running there.

ELOY.

By gad, they shall not escape me; my hunt will be successful. original: "parbleu"; a mild oath used to add emphasis.

ARIETTE An ariette is a short, light aria or song performed within the opera.

When the skillful hunter

Follows with an agile step

The beast

That flees from him;

He observes it, he watches it,

He pursues it:

And soon he subdues it.

And it is in vain that it tries constantly

To avoid him by a thousand detours:

He laughs at its tricks,

And does so well, by his skill,

By his cunning,

That finally it surrenders

Under the blow that awaits it.

When the skillful hunter

Follows with an agile step,

The beast

That flees from him,

He observes it, he watches it,

He pursues it;

And soon he subdues it.

I see them, they are approaching; there they go, turning away; they are going to the private room. original: "cabinet"; a small, intimate room used for private conversations or study. Oh! This time I shall have them. Guillaume has played his part perfectly. They must not be far from the private room. I hear movement. There they are, caught; the bell has rung: Guillaume! What a pleasure! Guillaume!