The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 51

[Exit Pooh-Bah.

CHORUS. May all good fortune prosper you, May you have health and riches too, May you succeed in all you do!

Long life to you--till then!

(Dance.)

Enter Katisha melodramatically

KAT. Your revels cease! a.s.sist me, all of you!

CHORUS. Why, who is this whose evil eyes Rain blight on our festivities?

KAT. I claim my perjured lover, Nanki-Poo!

Oh, fool! to shun delights that never cloy!

CHORUS. Go, leave thy deadly work undone!

KAT. Come back, oh, shallow fool! come back to joy!

CHORUS. Away, away! ill-favoured one!

NANK. (aside to Yum-Yum). Ah!

'Tis Katisha!

The maid of whom I told you. (About to go.)

KAT. (detaining him). No!

You shall not go, These arms shall thus enfold you!

SONG--KATISHA.

KAT. (addressing Nanki-Poo).

Oh fool, that fleest My hallowed joys!

Oh blind, that seest No equipoise!

Oh rash, that judgest From half, the whole!

Oh base, that grudgest Love's lightest dole!

Thy heart unbind, Oh fool, oh blind!

Give me my place, Oh rash, oh base!

CHORUS. If she's thy bride, restore her place, Oh fool, oh blind, oh rash, oh base!

KAT. (addressing Yum-Yum).

Pink cheek, that rulest Where wisdom serves!

Bright eye, that foolest Heroic nerves!

Rose lip, that scornest Lore-laden years!

Smooth tongue, that warnest Who rightly hears!

Thy doom is nigh.

Pink cheek, bright eye!

Thy knell is rung, Rose lip, smooth tongue!

CHORUS. If true her tale, thy knell is rung, Pink cheek, bright eye, rose lip, smooth tongue!

PITTI-SING. Away, nor prosecute your quest-- From our intention, well expressed, You cannot turn us!

The state of your connubial views Towards the person you accuse Does not concern us!

For he's going to marry Yum-Yum-- ALL. Yum-Yum!

PITTI. Your anger pray bury, For all will be merry, I think you had better succ.u.mb-- ALL. c.u.mb--c.u.mb!

PITTI. And join our expressions of glee.

On this subject I pray you be dumb-- ALL. Dumb--dumb.

PITTI. You'll find there are many Who'll wed for a penny-- The word for your guidance is "Mum"-- ALL. Mum--mum!

PITTI. There's lots of good fish in the sea!

ALL. On this subject we pray you be dumb, etc.

SOLO--KATISHA.

The hour of gladness Is dead and gone; In silent sadness I live alone!

The hope I cherished All lifeless lies, And all has perished Save love, which never dies!

Oh, faithless one, this insult you shall rue!

In vain for mercy on your knees you'll sue.

I'll tear the mask from your disguising!

NANK. (aside). Now comes the blow!

KAT. Prepare yourselves for news surprising!

NANK. (aside). How foil my foe?

KAT. No minstrel he, despite bravado!

YUM. (aside, struck by an idea). Ha! ha! I know!

KAT. He is the son of your----

(Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum, and Chorus, interrupting, sing j.a.panese words, to drown her voice.)

O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!

KAT. In vain you interrupt with this tornado!

He is the only son of your---- ALL. O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!

KAT. I'll spoil---- ALL. O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!

KAT. Your gay gambado!

He is the son---- ALL. O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!

KAT. Of your---- ALL. O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!

KAT. The son of your---- ALL. O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to! oya! oya!

ENSEMBLE.

KATISHA. THE OTHERS.

Ye torrents roar! We'll hear no more, Ye tempests howl! Ill-omened owl.

Your wrath outpour To joy we soar, With angry growl! Despite your scowl!

Do ye your worst, my vengeance The echoes of our festival call Shall rise triumphant over all! Shall rise triumphant over all!

Prepare for woe, Away you go, Ye haughty lords, Collect your hordes; At once I go Proclaim your woe Mikado-wards, In dismal chords My wrongs with vengeance shall We do not heed their dismal be crowned! sound My wrongs with vengeance shall For joy reigns everywhere be crowned! around.

(Katisha rushes furiously up stage, clearing the crowd away right and left, finis.h.i.+ng on steps at the back of stage.)

END OF ACT I.