Polly, or The Pet of the Regiment is a comic opera in two acts with libretto by James Mortimer and music by Edward Solomon which opened at the Novelty Theatre, London, on 4 October, 1884 and later transferred to the Empire Theatre. It ran for a total of 69 performances.

Dramatis Personæ

Musical Numbers

• Overture

ACT I   -   The Horse Guards, Whitehall.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus, and Song - General Bangs - "No life is so exciting, inviting, delighting, as for old England fighting, it fills our hearts with joy..."
• No. 2 - Introduction to Chorus of Daughters - "She's the sister of a General, the widow of a Lord - two items in her favour, mark, which mustn't be ignored..."
• No. 3 - Chorus - Daughters and Hussars - "We are the General's eight fair daughters, our great beauty all hearts slaughters!  We're highly educated..."
• No. 4 - Introduction and Song - Polly - "She comes!  the fairest child of Mars, pet of the gallant Light Hussars.  She is indeed a comely creature..."
• No. 5 - Recit. and Duet - Mangle and Polly - "At last I am alone!  sit still, my heart!  I've not been here before, but still I say - I am alone, and yet it is not true..."
• No. 6 - Ballad - Polly - "What is love?  There's nought so vexing!  Yet its pangs all hearts enshrine;  there's no torment so perplexing, no sensation so divine! ..."
• No. 7 - Recit. and Quartette - General, Colonel, Mangle and Polly - "Bewitching girl!  Most lovely of your sex!  Even a General might well such charms annex! ..."
• No. 8 - Concerted Piece - Polly, Lady McAsser, General and Chorus - "Come hither, Miss or Madam - which are you? ... I am not Madam yet, tho' it is said..."
• No. 9 - Introduction, and Song - Colonel - "If you do you'll break the peace, for Polly Pluckrose is your niece. ... One chance is left for me, I'll precious artful be..."
• No. 10 - Finale Act I - "Dear old comrades, must I leave you?  'Tis hard indeed to say farewell! ... Farewell! ... Do not let my absence grieve you..."

ACT II - Scene 1   -   The General's Tent.

• No. 11 - Entr'acte and Opening Chorus - "Ah, there he is!  Just look at him, a-working out his plan!  Let us salute, with fervour mute, this most surprising man! ..."
• No. 12 - Song - General Bangs - "I joined the army very young, and I am proud to say that from the day I entered it I've always drawn full pay! ..."
• No. 13 - Introduction, and Chorus of Daughters - "Your noble sister, sir, is drawing near, and those eight charming girls to you so dear..."
• No. 14 - Introduction, and Song - Polly - "My dears, I don't know how to act..." & "I know this place full well, ah! lov'd familiar scene, where as a child I grew..."
• No. 15 - Serenade Duet - General and Polly - "Now, Gen'ral Bangs, I'm all attention! ... Then listen to a plan of my invention. ... Describe my home ..."
• No. 16 - Presentation Chorus - "Take these slippers, and full oft may you find them warm and soft;  may they prove a fit for you, easy for your bunions, too! ..."
• No. 17 - Ballad - Polly - "What thrill is this, what pang of wild delight?  I fain would laugh, yet long to cry.  My brain is in a whirl of visions bright..."
• No. 18 - Recit (Polly) & Solo - Mangle - "Who comes this way?  'Tis he!  'tis he!"  &  "Sad is my lot!  My destiny is dark!  I love a proud patrician's only daughter..."
• No. 19 - Patriotic Song - "England, first in queenly grace, mother of a mighty race, thy children over all the earth forget not her who gave them birth! ..."
• No. 20 - Concerted Piece - "A light breaks in upon me - let me see - this lovely girls is not my sister's daughter!  Why then, of course, she's not akin to me! ..."
• No. 21 - Finale Act II - "A telegram from town. ... Is it for me! ... No, Colonel, 'tis for General Bangs, C.B. ..."

MIDI Files

External Link

Vocal Score at UR Research

Page modified 11 February 2017