The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 67

With courage rare And resolution manly, For death prepare, Unhappy Gen'ral Stanley.

MABEL: (wildly) Is he to die, unshriven, unannealed?

GIRLS: Oh, spare him!

MABEL: Will no one in his cause a weapon wield?

GIRLS: Oh, spare him!

POLICE: (springing up) Yes, we are here, though hitherto concealed!

GIRLS: Oh, rapture!

POLICE: So to Constabulary, pirates yield!

GIRLS: Oh, rapture!

(A struggle ensues between Pirates and Police, RUTH tackling the SERGEANT. Eventually the Police are overcome and fall prostrate, the Pirates standing over them with drawn swords.)

CHORUS OF PIRATES AND POLICE

PIRATES POLICE

We triumph now, for well we You triumph now, for well we trow trow Your mortal career's cut short; Our mortal career's cut short; No pirate band will take its No pirate band will take its stand stand At the Central Criminal Court. At the Central Criminal Court.

SERGEANT: To gain a brief advantage you've contrived, But your proud triumph will not be long-lived KING: Don't say you are orphans, for we know that game.

SERGEANT: On your allegiance we've a stronger claim.

We charge you yield, we charge you yield, In Queen Victoria's name!

KING: (baffled) You do?

POLICE: We do!

We charge you yield, In Queen Victoria's name!

(PIRATES kneel, POLICE stand over them triumphantly.)

KING: We yield at once, with humbled mien, Because, with all our faults, we love our Queen.

POLICE: Yes, yes, with all their faults, they love their Queen.

ALL: Yes, yes, with all their faults, they love their Queen.

(POLICE, holding PIRATES by the collar, take out handkerchiefs and weep.)

GENERAL: Away with them, and place them at the bar!

(Enter RUTH)

RUTH: One moment! let me tell you who they are.

They are no members of the common throng; They are all n.o.blemen who have gone wrong.

ALL: They are all n.o.blemen who have gone wrong.

GENERAL: No Englishman unmoved that statement hears, Because, with all our faults, we love our House of Peers. (All kneel) I pray you, pardon me, ex-Pirate King!

Peers will be peers, and youth will have its fling.

Resume your ranks and legislative duties, And take my daughters, all of whom are beauties.

FINALE--MABEL, EDITH and ENSEMBLE

Poor wandering ones!

Though ye have surely strayed, Take heart of grace, Your steps retrace, Poor wandering ones!

Poor wandering ones!

If such poor love as ours Can help you find True peace of mind, Why, take it, it is yours!

ALL: Poor wandering ones! etc.

END OF OPERA

PRINCESS IDA

OR

CASTLE ADAMANT

libretto by William S. Gilbert

music by Arthur S. Sullivan

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

King Hildebrand Hilarion (His son)

Hilarion's friends: Cyril Florian

King Gama

His sons: Arac Guron Scynthius

Princess Ida (Gama's daughter) Lady Blanche (Professor of Abstract Science) Lady Psyche (Professor of Humanities) Melissa (Lady Blanche's Daughter)

Girl Graduates: Sacharissa Chloe Ada

Soldiers, Courtiers, "Girl Graduates," "Daughters of the Plough,"

etc.

ACT I

Pavilion in King Hildebrand's Palace

ACT II

Gardens of Castle Adamant