ALI-BA BA !

Star (Christchurch), Issue 111, 21 September 1868, Page 3

ALI-BA BA !

The story of Alibaba and the Forty Thieves was OTauiatised by the Savage Club six years ago. The incidents of the Eastern tale are known, and the parallel which they provide

to the conduct of public life— especially that of statesmen — is very perfect. Most people know h-iw there was a cave in which lay untold treatures, and that Alibaba put hi* men into jars — many of them very old family jnrs — to invade the Treasury. The following passage is very close to this political time of year. The s ene is Lainbton Quay. It is played with a first rale caste : Wamba son of Witless (C. H n), Too roo bo ral (Mr B ny), Cygnus Aurifer (Mr Sw i\\ Jimoneel (by himself), Alibaba (by Mr St-ff-d). The Whips Conspiring. Wamba Son of Witless (by C. H n) : What's the matter all the day ? Wairarapa ! Wairarapa ! Anything gone wrong, I pray ? Wairarapa ! Wairarapa ! Too roo 100 ral (by Mr B ny) : Imperial little Hall is vexed, And Stafford's very much perplexed j Richmond's mute, and Fox won't bid. What's the matter all the day ? Much to grieve for, much to say : Everything lias gone astray 1 (Omnes) : Wairarapa ! Wairarapa ! Cygnus Aurifer (by Mr Sw n) : Keep up thy pecker, Too, roo, 100, ral— He«l of the party Truly Uural — The time's not very distant, maybe, When U and I will become J. P. Jimoneel (an tiptoe): There's some one coming, I tan tell. A Cygnus Aurifer : Saucy, scribbling, Indcpe* dent fellah. Wamba : Oh that the wretch had loved ma less I (Ferociously): I'd crush him in his letter press. Jimoneel (indignant): He say 9 Ilaultaiu is too pragmatical ; The native " Head " i* too dogmatical ; For slanders mi the Seven Virgins, Condemned o' nights to study Spurgeon's Sermons too, and Morley Puncheon — To read a bit each day at luncheon. Too roo 100 ral Onvies : Wairarapa ! Wairarapa 1 Wamba : He's mighty down on Gaol Commissioners. Cygnus : And county queer-got-up petitioners. Jimoneel : I fear he'll take our measure :he Will siy he saw us in the Treasury. Cygnus: Lemons I if that be so, we'd better Not give materials for his letter. I say ! It's coming on to " drizzle." The best thing we can do is — mizzle. Wairarapa ! Wairarapa I [Exeunt omnes [Enter Alt Baba— Mr St— ff— d] Soliloquy. Come on, ye host of Kangitikei — Macandrew, too, of Cock-a-leekie ; And Auckland's head. Ye hoao9fc men J (bitterly) The fair repute I ne'er can have again — The air is heavy here : I feel 'Twcre better m&n had never leant to steal. Past is the noon-tide of our former glorie3 1 They've found us out in telling little stories. Did I not give them ah ? — you see : But now thoy want my policy. Mataura's BiSLL-like voice 1 hear. Hark 1 how the honest members cheer ! What need hwe I to sec things righted ? If somu good luck would have me Knighted. Dear me ! my I cad becomes unsteady To think Sir Edward must remain " Poor Neddy." And you, O Nelson Curtis — you mu»t throw the hatchet ! Beware, good youth, lest your own public windows catch it ! [one. Of all my ancient friend*, there's left b jt My occupation's like Othello's— gone. Wairarapa I Wairarapa ! Grand Transformation Pcene. — Wamba iuto Clown, with many links of iron (sausages?). Cygnus Aurifer (U»t 101 b) into Harlequin in attitude. Too 100 roo ral into Columbine. Jimoneel into Pantaloon. [As the curtain falls, the audience sing with orchestral accompaniment.] : Confound their politics ! Frustrate their knavish tricks ! — On Fox our hopes we fix. God JSave tiiu Queen !