The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Part 46

QUEEN. To save my life, it is necessary that I marry at once.

How should you like to be a fairy guardsman?

SENTRY. Well, ma'am, I don't think much of the British soldier who wouldn't ill-convenience himself to save a female in distress.

QUEEN. You are a brave fellow. You're a fairy from this moment. (Wings spring from Sentry's shoulders.) And you, my Lords, how say you, will you join our ranks?

(Fairies kneel to Peers and implore them to do so.)

(Phyllis and Strephon enter.)

LORD MOUNT. (to Lord Tolloller). Well, now that the Peers are to be recruited entirely from persons of intelligence, I really don't see what use we are, down here, do you, Tolloller?

LORD TOLL. None whatever.

QUEEN. Good! (Wings spring from shoulders of Peers.) Then away we go to Fairyland.

FINALE.

PHYL. Soon as we may, Off and away!

We'll commence our journey airy-- Happy are we-- As you can see, Every one is now a fairy!

ALL. Every, every, every, Every one is now a fairy!

IOL., QUEEN, Though as a general rule we know and PHYL. Two strings go to every bow, Make up your minds that grief 'twill bring If you've two beaux to every string.

ALL. Though as a general rule, etc.

LORDCH. Up in the sky, Ever so high, Pleasures come in endless series; We will arrange Happy exchange-- House of Peers for House of Peris!

ALL. Peris, Peris, Peris, House of Peers for House of Peris!

LORDS CH., Up in the air, sky-high, sky-high, MOUNT., Free from Wards in Chancery, and TOLL. I/He will be surely happier, for I'm/He's such a susceptible Chancellor.

ALL. Up in the air, etc.

CURTAIN

THE MIKADO

OR

THE TOWN OF t.i.tIPU

By William S. Gilbert

Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

THE MIKADO OF j.a.pAN.

NANKI-POO (his Son, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and in love with Yum-Yum).

KO-KO (Lord High Executioner of t.i.tipu).

POOH-BAH (Lord High Everything Else).

PISH-TISH (a n.o.ble Lord).

Three Sisters--Wards of Ko-Ko: YUM-YUM PITTI-SING PEEP-BO KATISHA (an elderly Lady, in love with Nanki-Poo).

Chorus of School-girls, n.o.bles, Guards, and Coolies.

ACT I.--Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Official Residence.

ACT II.-- Ko-Ko's Garden

First produced at the Savoy Theatre on March 14, 1885.

ACT I.

SCENE.--Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Palace in t.i.tipu. j.a.panese n.o.bles discovered standing and sitting in att.i.tudes suggested by native drawings.

CHORUS OF n.o.bLES.

If you want to know who we are, We are gentlemen of j.a.pan: On many a vase and jar-- On many a screen and fan, We figure in lively paint: Our att.i.tude's queer and quaint-- You're wrong if you think it ain't, oh!

If you think we are worked by strings, Like a j.a.panese marionette, You don't understand these things: It is simply Court etiquette.

Perhaps you suppose this throng Can't keep it up all day long?

If that's your idea, you're wrong, oh!

Enter Nanki-Poo in great excitement. He carries a native guitar on his back and a bundle of ballads in his hand.

RECIT.--NANKI-POO.

Gentlemen, I pray you tell me Where a gentle maiden dwelleth, Named Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko?

In pity speak, oh speak I pray you!

A n.o.bLE. Why, who are you who ask this question?

NANK. Come gather round me, and I'll tell you.

SONG and CHORUS--NANKI-POO.

A wandering minstrel I-- A thing of shreds and patches, Of ballads, songs and s.n.a.t.c.hes, And dreamy lullaby!

My catalogue is long, Through every pa.s.sion ranging, And to your humours changing I tune my supple song!

Are you in sentimental mood?