The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 38

CHORUS OF PEERS.

Oh, rapture, how beautiful!

How gentle--how dutiful!

SOLO--LORD TOLLOLLER.

Of all the young ladies I know This pretty young lady's the fairest; Her lips have the rosiest show, Her eyes are the richest and rarest.

Her origin's lowly, it's true, But of birth and position I've plenty; I've grammar and spelling for two, And blood and behaviour for twenty!

Her origin's lowly, it's true, I've grammar and spelling for two;

CHORUS. Of birth and position he's plenty, With blood and behaviour for twenty!

SOLO--LORD MOUNTARARAT.

Though the views of the House have diverged On every conceivable motion, All questions of Party are merged In a frenzy of love and devotion; If you ask us distinctly to say What Party we claim to belong to, We reply, without doubt or delay, The Party I'm singing this song to!

SOLO--PHYLLIS.

I'm very much pained to refuse, But I'll stick to my pipes and my tabors; I can spell all the words that I use, And my grammar's as good as my neighbours'.

As for birth--I was born like the rest, My behaviour is rustic but hearty, And I know where to turn for the best, When I want a particular Party!

PHYLLIS, LORD TOLL., and LORD MOUNT.

Though her station is none of the best, I suppose she was born like the rest; And she knows where to look for her hearty, When she wants a particular Party!

RECITATIVE--PHYLLIS.

Nay, tempt me not.

To rank I'll not be bound; In lowly cot Alone is virtue found!

CHORUS. No, no; indeed high rank will never hurt you, The Peerage is not dest.i.tute of virtue.

BALLAD--LORD TOLLOLLER.

Spurn not the n.o.bly born With love affected, Nor treat with virtuous scorn The well-connected.

High rank involves no shame-- We boast an equal claim With him of humble name To be respected!

Blue blood! blue blood!

When virtuous love is sought Thy power is naught, Though dating from the Flood, Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

CHORUS. When virtuous love is sought, etc.

Spare us the bitter pain Of stern denials, Nor with low-born disdain Augment our trials.

Hearts just as pure and fair May beat in Belgrave Square As in the lowly air Of Seven Dials!

Blue blood! blue blood!

Of what avail art thou To serve us now?

Though dating from the Flood, Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

CHORUS. Of what avail art thou, etc.

RECITATIVE--PHYLLIS.

My Lords, it may not be.

With grief my heart is riven!

You waste your time on me, For ah! my heart is given!

ALL. Given!

PHYL. Yes, given!

ALL. Oh, horror!!!

RECITATIVE--LORD CHANCELLOR.

And who has dared to brave our high displeasure, And thus defy our definite command?

(Enter Strephon.)

STREPH. 'Tis I--young Strephon! mine this priceless treasure!

Against the world I claim my darling's hand!

(Phyllis rushes to his arms.)

A shepherd I-- ALL. A shepherd he!

STREPH. Of Arcady- ALL. Of Arcadee!

STREPH. Betrothed are we!

ALL. Betrothed are they-- STREPH. And mean to be- ALL. Espoused to-day!

ENSEMBLE.

STREPH. THE OTHERS.

A shepherd I A shepherd he Of Arcady, Of Arcadee, Betrothed are we, Betrothed is he, And mean to be And means to be Espoused to-day! Espoused to-day!

DUET--LORD MOUNTARARAT and LORD TOLLOLLER (aside to each other).

'Neath this blow, Worse than stab of dagger-- Though we mo- Mentarily stagger, In each heart Proud are we innately-- Let's depart, Dignified and stately!

ALL. Let's depart, Dignified and stately!

CHORUS OF PEERS.

Though our hearts she's badly bruising, In another suitor choosing, Let's pretend it's most amusing.

Ha! ha! ha! Tan-ta-ra!

(Exeunt all the Peers, marching round stage with much dignity.

Lord Chancellor separates Phyllis from Strephon and orders her off.

She follows Peers. Manent Lord Chancellor and Strephon.)

LORD CH. Now, sir, what excuse have you to offer for having disobeyed an order of the Court of Chancery?

STREPH. My Lord, I know no Courts of Chancery; I go by Nature's Acts of Parliament. The bees--the breeze--the seas--the rooks--the brooks--the gales--the vales--the fountains and the mountains cry, "You love this maiden--take her, we command you!"