The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 21

ALL. Why, what's the matter?

LUD. What means our Julia by those fateful looks?

Please do not keep us all on tenter-hooks- Now, what's the matter?

JULIA. Our duty, if we're wise, We never shun.

This Spartan rule applies To every one.

In theatres, as in life, Each has her line-- This part--the Grand Duke's wife (Oh agony!) is mine!

A maxim new I do not start-- The canons of dramatic art Decree that this repulsive part (The Grand Duke's wife) Is mine!

ALL. Oh, that's the matter!

LISA (appalled, to LUDWIG). Can that be so?

LUD. I do not know-- But time will show If that be so.

CHORUS. Can that be so? etc.

LISA (recit.). Be merciful!

DUET--LISA and JULIA.

LISA. Oh, listen to me, dear-- I love him only, darling!

Remember, oh, my pet, On him my heart is set This kindness do me, dear- Nor leave me lonely, darling!

Be merciful, my pet, Our love do not forget!

JULIA. Now don't be foolish, dear-- You couldn't play it, darling!

It's "leading business", pet And you're but a soubrette.

So don't be mulish, dear- Although I say it, darling, It's not your line, my pet-- I play that part, you bet!

I play that part-- I play that part, you bet!

(LISA overwhelmed with grief.)

NOT. The lady's right. Though Julia's engagement Was for the stage meant-- It certainly frees Ludwig from his Connubial promise.

Though marriage contracts--or whate'er you call 'em-- Are very solemn, Dramatic contracts (which you all adore so) Are even more so!

ALL. That's very true!

Though marriage contracts, etc.

SONG--LISA.

The die is cast, My hope has perished!

Farewell, O Past, Too bright to last, Yet fondly cherished!

My light has fled, My hope is dead, Its doom is spoken-- My day is night, My wrong is right In all men's sight-- My heart is broken!

[Exit weeping.

LUD. (recit.). Poor child, where will she go? What will she do?

JULIA. That isn't in your part, you know.

LUD. (sighing). Quite true!

(With an effort.) Depressing topics we'll not touch upon-- Let us begin as we are going on!

For this will be a jolly Court, for little and for big!

ALL. Sing hey, the jolly jinks of Pfennig Halbpfennig!

LUD. From morn to night our lives shall be as merry as a grig!

ALL. Sing hey, the jolly jinks of Pfennig Halbpfennig!

LUD. All state and ceremony we'll eternally abolish-- We don't mean to insist upon unnecessary polish-- And, on the whole, I rather think you'll find our rule tollolish!

ALL. Sing hey, the jolly jinks of Pfennig Halbpfennig!

JULIA. But stay--your new-made Court Without a courtly coat is-- We shall require Some Court attire, And at a moment's notice.

In clothes of common sort Your courtiers must not grovel-- Your new n.o.blesse Must have a dress Original and novel!

LUD. Old Athens we'll exhume!

The necessary dresses, Correct and true And all brand-new, The company possesses: Henceforth our Court costume Shall live in song and story, For we'll upraise The dead old days Of Athens in her glory!

ALL. Yes, let's upraise The dead old days Of Athens in her glory!

ALL. Agreed! Agreed!

For this will be a jolly Court for little and for big! etc

(They carry LUDWIG round stage and deposit him on the ironwork of well. JULIA stands by him, and the rest group round them.)

END OF ACT I.

ACT II.

(THE NEXT MORNING.)

SCENE.--Entrance Hall of the Grand Ducal Palace.

Enter a procession of the members of the theatrical company (now dressed in the costumes of Troilus and Cressida), carrying garlands, playing on pipes, citharae, and cymbals, and heralding the return of LUDWIG and JULIA from the marriage ceremony, which has just taken place.

CHORUS.

As before you we defile, Eloia! Eloia!

Pray you, gentles, do not smile If we shout, in cla.s.sic style, Eloia!

Ludwig and his Julia true Wedded are each other to-- So we sing, till all is blue, Eloia! Eloia!

Opoponax! Eloia!

Wreaths of bay and ivy twine, Eloia! Eloia!

Fill the bowl with Lesbian wine, And to revelry incline-- Eloia!