The Sorcerer by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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No. 16: Ensemble (Constance, Notary, Aline, Alexis, & Chorus)

"Dear friends, take pity on my lot"

MIDI File [42KB, 5' 01"]

Note: The changes made to the opening of Act II for the 1884 revival included the transposition of this number.
It can be heard in its original key. [MIDI File] [KARAOKE File]

At end of dance, enter Constance in tears, leading Notary, who carries an ear-trumpet.

Constance.

Dear friends, take pity on my lot,
My cup is not of nectar!
I long have loved – as who would not? –
Our kind and reverend rector.
Long years ago my love began
So sweetly – yet so sadly –
But when I saw this plain old man,
Away my old affection ran –
I found I loved him madly.
Oh! (To Notary) You very, very plain old man,
I love, I love you madly!
You very, very plain old man,
I love you madly!

Click on picture to enlarge — Jessie Bond as Constance, 1884

Notary.

I am a very deaf old man,
And hear you very badly!

Chorus.

You very deaf old man,
She loves you madly!

Constance.

I know not why I love him so;
It is enchantment, surely!
He's dry and snuffy, deaf and slow
Ill-tempered, weak and poorly!
He's ugly, and absurdly dressed,
And sixty-seven nearly,
He's everything that I detest,
But if the truth must be confessed,
I love him very dearly!
I love him dearly!
Oh! (To Notary) You're everything that I detest,
But still I love you dearly!
You're all that I detest,
I love you dearly!

Notary.

I caught that line, but for the rest,
I did not hear it clearly!

Chorus.

You very plain old man,
She loves you dearly!

During this verse Aline and Alexis have entered at back unobserved.

Alexis.

Oh joy! oh joy!
The charm works well,
And all are now united.

Aline.

The blind young boy
Obeys the spell,
Their troth they all have plighted!

Constance.

Oh, bitter joy!
No words can tell
How my poor heart is blighted!
They'll soon employ
A marriage bell,
To say that we're united
I do confess
An anxious care
My humbled spirit vexes.
And none will bless
Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!
Of their Alexis!

Alexis & Aline.	Constance.	Notary & Chorus.
Oh joy! oh joy!	Oh, bitter joy!	Oh joy! oh joy!
The charm works well,	No words can tell	No words can tell
And all are now united!	How my poor heart is blighted!	My state of mind delighted.
The blind young boy	They'll soon employ	They'll soon employ
Obeys the spell	A marriage bell,	A marriage bell,
Their troth they all have plighted.	To say that we're united	To say that we're have united.
True happiness		True happiness
Reigns everywhere,		Reigns everywhere,
And dwells with both the sexes.		And dwells with both the sexes.
And all will bless	And none will bless	And all will bless
The thoughtful care	Example rare	Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!
True happiness		True happiness
Reigns everywhere,		Reigns everywhere,
And all will bless	And none will bless	And all will bless
The thoughtful care	Example rare	Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!

I do confess
An anxious care
My humbled spirit vexes.
And none will bless
Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!
Of their Alexis!

Oh joy! oh joy!	Oh, bitter joy!	Oh joy! oh joy!
The charm works well,	No words can tell	No words can tell
And all are now united!	How my poor heart is blighted!	My state of mind delighted.
The blind young boy	They'll soon employ	They'll soon employ
Obeys the spell	A marriage bell,	A marriage bell,
Their troth they all have plighted.	To say that we're united	To say that we're have united.
True happiness		True happiness
Reigns everywhere,		Reigns everywhere,
And dwells with both the sexes.		And dwells with both the sexes.
And all will bless	And none will bless	And all will bless
The thoughtful care	Example rare	Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!
True happiness		True happiness
Reigns everywhere,		Reigns everywhere,
And all will bless	And none will bless	And all will bless
The thoughtful care	Example rare	Example rare
Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!	Of their beloved Alexis!

All.

Oh joy! Oh joy!
Oh joy! Oh joy!
Oh joy! Oh joy!
Oh joy! Oh joy! Oh joy!

All, except Alexis and Aline, exeunt lovingly.

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