ACT III

MIDI File [12KB, 2' 34"]

Winifred Lawson as Princess Ida, 1924

Princess. I built upon a rock,   But ere Destruction's hand     Dealt equal lot To Court and cot,   My rock had turn'd to sand! I leant upon an oak,   But in the hour of need,     A-lack-a-day, My trusted stay   Was but a bruisèd reed, A bruisèd reed!     Ah faithless rock, My simple faith to mock!   Ah trait'rous oak, Thy worthlessness to cloak, Thy worthlessness to cloak!

I drew a sword of steel,   But when to home and hearth     The battle's breath Bore fire and death,   My sword was but a lath! I lit a beacon fire,   But on a stormy day     Of frost and rime, In wintertime,   My fire had died away, Had died away!     Ah, coward steel, That fear can unanneal!   False fire indeed, To fail me in my need, To fail me in my need!

Princess sinks upon a rock.

Page modified 27 August 2019