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No. 12: Recitative (Ultrice) and Ballad (Teresa with Alfredo)
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| ULTRICE. | ||
| Oh luck unequalled that I happened
here to be! This charm makes all mankind what they appear to be! |
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| I play Alfredo’s wife — of
course in jest we are — Best say that when as Duke and Duchess dressed we are, |
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| We drink the doctored wine — what
is the end to be? We both become at once what we pretend to be! |
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| This label makes a metamorphosis again — I rather think the conjuror won’t see this again! |
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| [sees TERESA. | ||
| But soft — I am observed! | ||
| TERESA (coming down). | ||
| Here is her Grace! (bowing.) | ||
| Your most obedient. | ||
| How is your Grace’s health this morning? | ||
| ULTRICE. | ||
| Keep in your place | ||
| Or some expedient | ||
| Shall be devised to check your scorning! | ||
| Bid you good day, miss! Out of my way, miss! |
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| When duchesses order you, always obey, miss! [Exit ULTRICE. | ||
| TERESA. | ||
| Alfredo hers? If that is her opinion
She little knows the power of my dominion! |
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BALLAD
| TERESA. | ||||
| When man in love-sick passion lingers,
A maid can twist him round her fingers: |
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| A word from me | ||||
| Of eloquent, | ||||
| Yet maidenly, | ||||
| Encouragement — | ||||
| A faint recall — | ||||
| A dainty hint | ||||
| That, after all, | ||||
| I’m not a flint — | ||||
| And such permissible pretenses Will put to flight his seven senses. |
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| Then, as he cries, “My own, for
ever! No power on earth our lives shall sever!” |
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| I’ll answer him, with laugh provoking, | ||||
| “Upon my word, You’re too absurd! |
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| Why, bless my heart, I’m only joking! | ||||
| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! | ||||
| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! I’m only, only joking! | ||||
| Upon my word, You’re too absurd! |
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| Why, bless my heart, I’m only joking! | ||||
| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! | ||||
| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! I’m only,
only joking! Why, bless my heart, I’m only joking!” |
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ALFREDO enters unperceived. He overhears the following verse.
| And should that fail — it doesn’t
often — His heart by other means I’ll soften: |
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| With eyes that stream, | ||||
| And tears that sob, | ||||
| In joy supreme, | ||||
| I’ll make it throb — | ||||
| I’ll vow his scorn | ||||
| My heart will break, | ||||
| And all forlorn | ||||
| For his sweet sake — | ||||
| Which more than life itself I cherish — I’ll constant live and constant perish! |
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| Then, as he cries, “My dearest
treasure, Adored beyond all earthly measure!” |
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| I’ll answer him (my triumph cloaking), | ||||
| “Upon my word, You’re too absurd — |
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| Get up, you goose, I’m only joking! | ||||
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| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! You goose, I’m only joking! | ||||
| Upon my word, You’re too absurd — |
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| Get up, you goose, I’m only joking! | ||||
| Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
ha! Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! |
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| Get up, you goose, I’m only joking!" | ||||
| ALFREDO (coming forward). | |
| Ah, cruel one! | |
| TERESA. | Alfredo! |
| ALFREDO. | Madam, good morning! (Going.) |
DUET — TERESA and ALFREDO.
| TERESA. | ||
| Oh, whither, whither, whither, do you speed you? | ||
| Oh, hither, hither, hither, hither hie? | ||
| ALFREDO. | ||
| Another — nother — nother time I’ll heed you, | ||
| I’ve other, other, other fish to fry. | ||
| (aside). | To punish her I’ll try, I’ll soften by-and-by. |
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| (aloud). | My lady, I am sorry, but I’ve other fish to fry! | |
| TERESA (aside). | ||
| There’s a twinkle in his eye, He’ll soften by-and-by. |
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| (aloud). | I’m very, very sorry that you’ve other fish to fry. | |
| BOTH. | ||
| I’m very, very, very, very sorry | ||
| That you've other fish, you've other fish to fry! | ||
| TERESA. | ||
| A merry, merry, merry maid invites you, | ||
| Who’s very, very, very short of sense. | ||
| ALFREDO. | ||
| It’s flirti-flirt-flirtiness incites you, | ||
| Imperti-perti-perti-pertinence! | ||
| (aside). | Of taking some offence, I’m making a pretense, |
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| I’ll punish her imperti-perti-perti-pertinence! | ||
| TERESA (aside). | ||
| He thinks me very dense, I see through his pretense, |
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| (aloud). | Oh, pardon my imperti-perti-perti-pertinence! | |
| BOTH. | ||
| I’m very, very, very, very sorry | ||
| That you've other fish, you've other fish to fry! | ||
| TERESA. | ||
| Now, listen to me, dear, | ||
| ’Twas waywardness wilful | ||
| (In which, as you see, dear, | ||
| I’m not very skillful) | ||
| That makes you so tearful; Take heart, and be cheerful, |
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No mischief is done, dear— |
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| ALFREDO. | ||
| Now, listen to me, love — | ||
| My sentiments store them; | ||
| When maidens like thee, love, | ||
| On hearts that adore them | ||
| Unfeelingly trample, They always give ample |
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| Occasion for scorning — I bid you good morning! |
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| TERESA. | ||
| ’Twas only in fun, dear! | ||
| ALFREDO. | ||
| I pray you take warning. | ||
| TERESA. | ||
| No mischief is done, dear! | ||
| ALFREDO. | ||
| I bid you good morning! | ||
ENSEMBLE.
| ALFREDO (aside). | TERESA (furiously). | ||||
| She was only in fun — | I was only in fun, | ||||
| No mischief is done; | But the mischief is done; | ||||
| Of taking offence | Of taking offence | ||||
| I am making pretense. | It is not a pretense. | ||||
| (aloud). I bid you good morning! | For he bids me good morning! | ||||
| She was only in fun — | I was only in fun, | ||||
| No mischief is done; | But the mischief is done; | ||||
| Of taking offence | Of taking offence | ||||
| I am making pretense. | It is not a pretense. | ||||
| For he bids me good morning! | |||||
| (aloud). I bid you good morning! | He bids me good morning! | ||||
| [Exit ALFREDO. | |||||
| TERESA (recit.) | ||
| Duped! Rejected! Do I wake or
dream? By him rejected? Oh, the shame of it! Rather than this I’ll overwhelm him with The torrent of my passion — make him think My brain is tottering for the love of him; And when at last he yields to my protesting, I’ll say, “Ha! ha! poor fool — I was only jesting!” |
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| [Exit TERESA. | ||
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