The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 90

GIRLS. Spring is hope--Fal lal la!

Summer's joy--Fal lal la!

QUARTET. Spring and summer never cloy.

Fa la!

MEN. Autumn,toil--Fal lal la!

Winter, rest--Fal lal la!

QUARTET. Winter, after all, is best-- Fal la!

CHORUS. Spring and summer pleasure you, Autumn, aye, and winter too-- Every season has its cheer, Life is lovely all the year!

Fa la!

(Gavotte.)

(After Gavotte, enter Sir Despard.)

SIR D. Hold, bride and bridegroom, ere you wed each other, I claim young Robin as my elder brother!

His rightful t.i.tle I have long enjoyed: I claim him as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd!

CHORUS. O wonder!

ROSE (wildly). Deny the falsehood, Robin, as you should, It is a plot!

ROB. I would, if conscientiously I could, But I cannot!

CHORUS. Ah, base one! Ah, base one!

SOLO--ROBIN.

As pure and blameless peasant, I cannot, I regret, Deny a truth unpleasant, I am that Baronet!

CHORUS. He is that Baronet!

ROBIN. But when completely rated Bad Baronet am I, That I am what he's stated I'll recklessly deny!

CHORUS. He'll recklessly deny!

ROB. When I'm a bad Bart. I will tell taradiddles!

CHORUS. He'll tell taradiddles when he's a bad Bart.

ROB. I'll play a bad part on the falsest of fiddles.

CHORUS. On very false fiddles he'll play a bad part!

ROB. But until that takes place I must be conscientious-- CHORUS. He'll be conscientious until that takes place.

ROB. Then adieu with good grace to my morals sententious!

CHORUS. To morals sententious adieu with good grace!

ZOR. Who is the wretch who hath betrayed thee?

Let him stand forth!

RICH. (coming forward). 'Twas I!

ALL. Die, traitor!

RICH. Hold! my conscience made me!

Withhold your wrath!

SOLO--RICHARD.

Within this breast there beats a heart Whose voice can't be gainsaid.

It bade me thy true rank impart, And I at once obeyed.

I knew 'twould blight thy budding fate-- I knew 'twould cause thee anguish great-- But did I therefore hesitate?

No! I at once obeyed!

ALL. Acclaim him who, when his true heart Bade him young Robin's rank impart, Immediately obeyed!

SOLO--ROSE (addressing Robin).

Farewell!

Thou hadst my heart-- 'Twas quickly won!

But now we part-- Thy face I shun!

Farewell!

Go bend the knee At Vice's shrine, Of life with me All hope resign.

Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

(To Sir Despard.) Take me--I am thy bride!

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom--hail the Bride!

When the nuptial knot is tied; Every day will bring some joy That can never, never cloy!

(Enter Margaret, who listens.)

SIR D. Excuse me, I'm a virtuous person now-- ROSE. That's why I wed you!

SIR D. And I to Margaret must keep my vow!

MAR. Have I misread you?

Oh, joy! with newly kindled rapture warmed, I kneel before you! (Kneels.) SIR D. I once disliked you; now that I've reformed, How I adore you! (They embrace.)

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom-hail the Bride!

When the nuptial knot is tied; Every day will bring some joy That can never, never cloy!

ROSE. Richard, of him I love bereft, Through thy design, Thou art the only one that's left, So I am thine! (They embrace.)

BRIDESMAIDS.

Hail the Bridegroom--hail the Bride!

Let the nuptial knot be tied!

DUET--ROSE and RICHARD.

Oh, happy the lily When kissed by the bee; And, sipping tranquilly, Quite happy is he; And happy the filly That neighs in her pride; But happier than any, A pound to a penny, A lover is, when he Embraces his bride!

DUET--SIR DESPARD and MARGARET.