 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. 17 - Finale Act II
| Chorus: | Such a scene as this None of us would miss, Aren't you filled with wonder and with awe? Sitting all sedate in his chair of state Bobinot is laying down the law. |
| Men: | Never was a play so entertaining; |
| Ladies: | Such a thrilling sight we never saw; |
| All: | Surely there's no harm in our remaining, We won't speak or interfere, Ev'rybody wants to hear Bobinet administer the law! |
| Bobinot: | The case, as you have stated it,
is absolutely clear, It's evident the lady wants to leave you. Your one and only reason for complaint is this, my dear, Your husband has been trying to deceive you! |
| Josephine: | Ah! yes, my lord,
he has deceived me shamefully indeed. But let him answer for himself. |
| Bobinot: | Well, come sir, pray proceed! |
| Marquis: | Most men deceive their wives Once or maybe twice in their lives, I merely said I'd got Rank and fortune, which I had not. Oft I told her she was fair, Though too proud for one so young, And I ventured to declare She'd a rather hasty tongue. |
| Bobinot: | Well, for that no doubt she'd like you hung. |
| Marquis: | But oh, I challenge her to say If I, in any other way, Have caused her sorrow or dismay, So far as mem'ry carries Have I been guilty of neglect? Or lack of courtesy correct? What more can any wife expect From the man she marries? |
| Chorus: | But oh, he'll challenge her to say If he, in any other way, Has caused her sorrow or dismay, So far as mem'ry carries He's not been guilty of neglect Or lack of courtesy correct, What more can any wife expect From the man she marries? |
| Josephine: | 'Tis true your wife you do not treat To insult coarse, to insult coarse, Or brutal force, But for your base and vile deceit I claim to have divorce! |
| Bobinot: | I know the laws, it seems to me You have no cause, it cannot be. No, no, no, no, no, no, It cannot be, it cannot be! |
| Marquis: | We've been wedded, as you know, Sir, Only just three days or so, Sir, Let us then, as man and wife, Pray resume our married life For another week we'll say, If by then she doesn't pray On her bended knees before me, Vowing that she does adore me, Begging me to leave her never, Then, Sir, let us part for ever! |
| Josephine: | With that bargain I'm content, Soon the nuptial bonds we'll sever, He's suggesting an event That could surely happen never! |
| Bobinot (to Josephine): | |
| Well, the man you have wed Has a brain in his head And his plan ought to work out neatly. (to Marquis) You'll resume married life With your dear little wife Till a week has elapsed completely. And by then you may find She has altered her mind And you'll live, so to speak, in clover, But if not, well, of course, You can have a divorce, Take a week just to think things over. |
|
| Chorus: | Yes, by then he may find She has altered her mind And they'll live, so to speak, in clover, But if not, well, of course, They can have a divorce, They've a week just to think things over. |
| Josephine: | I thank your Lordship heartily For having made this just decree. The bonds that chafe and bind will soon be broken. |
| Bobinot: | But mind you keep this bargain fair Or of my anger both beware, For I, the Lord of Brevancourt, have spoken. |
| Josephine: | My freedom I'll regain But sad is my position, For never now shall I attain The height of my ambition. Oh, her Ladyship's dreams are ended, Past and gone in a day, And the castles so fair that I built in the air Have crumbled to ruins and vanished away. All my hopes of a future splendid Droop and fade by degrees. Oh, my heart's sad and sore For I now, nevermore Shall be Madame la belle Marquise! |
| Chorus: | Oh, her Ladyship's dreams are ended, Past and gone in a day, And the castles so fair that she built in the air Have crumbled to ruins and vanished away. All her hopes of a future splendid Droop and fade by degrees. |
| All: | Oh, her/my heart's sad and sore For she/I now, nevermore Shall be Madame la belle Marquise! |
 |
 |
 |
Page modified 7 January 2017