The Grand Duke by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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No. 4: SONG (Julia) & DUET (Julia & Ernest)

"How would I play this part?"

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Julia.

Click on picture to enlarge — Ilka von Parmay as Julia

How would I play this part –
The Grand Duke’s Bride?
All rancour in my heart
I’d duly hide –
I’d drive it from my recollection
And ’whelm you with a mock affection,
Well calculated to defy detection–
That’s how I’d play this part –
The Grand Duke’s Bride.

With many a winsome smile
I’d witch and woo;
With gay and girlish guile
I’d frenzy you –

I’d madden you with my caressing,
Like turtle, her first love confessing –
That it was “mock”, no mortal would be guessing,
With so much winsome wile
I’d witch and woo!

Did any other maid
With you succeed,
I’d pinch the forward jade –
I would indeed!
With jealous frenzy agitated
(Which would, of course, be simulated),
I’d make her wish she’d never been created –
I’d make her wish she’d never been created–
I’d make her wish she’d never been created–
Did any other maid
With you succeed!

And should there come to me,
Some summers hence,
In all the childish glee
Of innocence,
Fair babes, aglow with beauty vernal,
My heart would bound with joy diurnal!
This sweet display of sympathy maternal,
Well, that would also be
A mere pretence!

My histrionic art
Though you deride,
That’s how I’d play that part –
The Grand Duke’s Bride!

ENSEMBLE.

Julia.	Ernest.
My boy, when two glowing young hearts	Oh joy! when two glowing young hearts,
From the rise of the curtain,	From the rise of the curtain,
Thus throw themselves into their parts,	Thus throw themselves into their parts,
Success is most certain!	Success is most certain!
Most certain!	If the rôle you’re prepared,
	You’re prepared to endow, to endow
The rôle I’m prepared	With such delicate touches,
To endow With most delicate touches,	By the heaven, by the heaven above us,
	I vow You shall be my Grand Duchess!
Yes, the rôle I’m prepared to endow	If the rôle you’re prepared to endow
With most delicate touches,	With such delicate touches,
By the heaven, the heaven above us,	By the heaven, the heaven above us,
I vow, I vow,	I vow, I vow,
I will be your Grand Duchess!	You shall be my Grand Duchess!

(Dance.)

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Page Created 19 June, 2006