O moralists all,
How can you call
Marriage a state of union true?
CAS., GIA., One-third of myself is married to half of
ye
TESS. or you,
MAR. and When half of myself has married one-third of ye
GIU. or you?
(Enter Don Alhambra, followed by Duke, Duchess, and all the
Chorus.)
FINALE.
RECITATIVE—DON ALHAMBRA.
Now let the loyal lieges gather round—
The Prince's foster-mother has been found!
She will declare, to silver clarion's sound,
The rightful King—let him forthwith be crowned!
CHORUS. She will declare, etc.
(Don Alhambra brings forward Inez, the Prince's foster-mother.)
TESS. Speak, woman, speak—
DUKE. We're all attention!
GIA. The news we seek-
DUCH. This moment mention.
CAS. To us they bring—
DON AL. His foster-mother.
MAR. Is he the King?
GIU. Or this my brother?
ALL. Speak, woman, speak, etc.
RECITATIVE—INEZ.
The Royal Prince was by the King entrusted
To my fond care, ere I grew old and crusted;
When traitors came to steal his son reputed,
My own small boy I deftly substituted!
The villains fell into the trap completely—
I hid the Prince away—still sleeping sweetly:
I called him "son" with pardonable slyness—
His name, Luiz! Behold his Royal Highness!
(Sensation. Luiz ascends the throne, crowned and robed as King.)
CAS. (rushing to his arms). Luiz!
LUIZ. Casilda! (Embrace.)
ALL. Is this indeed the King?
Oh, wondrous revelation!
Oh, unexpected thing!
Unlooked-for situation!
MAR., GIA., This statement we receive
GIU., TESS. With sentiments conflicting;
Our hearts rejoice and grieve,
Each other contradicting;
To those whom we adore
We can be reunited—
On one point rather sore,
But, on the whole, delighted!
LUIZ. When others claimed thy dainty hand,
I waited—waited—waited,
DUKE. As prudence (so I understand)
Dictated—tated—tated.
CAS. By virtue of our early vow
Recorded—corded—corded,
DUCH. Your pure and patient love is now
Rewarded—warded—warded.
ALL. Then hail, O King of a Golden Land,
And the high-born bride who claims his hand!
The past is dead, and you gain your own,
A royal crown and a golden throne!
(All kneel: Luiz crowns Casilda.)
ALL. Once more gondolieri,
Both skilful and wary,
Free from this quandary
Contented are we. Ah!
From Royalty flying,
Our gondolas plying,
And merrily crying
Our "preme," "stali!" Ah!
So good-bye, cachucha, fandango, bolero—
We'll dance a farewell to that measure—
Old Xeres, adieu—Manzanilla—Montero—
We leave you with feelings of pleasure!
CURTAIN
THE GRAND DUKE
OR
THE STATUTORY DUEL
By W. S. Gilbert
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
RUDOLPH (Grand Duke of Pfennig Halbpfennig).
ERNEST DUMMKOPF (a Theatrical Manager).
LUDWIG (his Leading Comedian).
DR. TANNHUSER (a Notary).
THE PRINCE OF MONTE CARLO.
VISCOUNT MENTONE.
BEN HASHBAZ (a Costumier).
HERALD.
——
THE PRINCESS OF MONTE CARLO (betrothed to RUDOLPH).
THE BARONESS VON KRAKENFELDT (betrothed to RUDOLPH).
JULIA JELLICOE (an English Comdienne).
LISA (a Soubrette).
Members of Ernest Dummkopf's Company:
OLGA
GRETCHEN
BERTHA
ELSA
MARTHA
Chamberlains, Nobles, Actors, Actresses, etc.
——
ACT I.—Scene. Public Square of Speisesaal.
ACT II.—Scene. Hall in the Grand Ducal Palace.
Date 1750.
First produced at the Savoy Theatre on March 7, 1896.
ACT I.
SCENE.—Market-place of Speisesaal, in the Grand Duchy of Pfennig
Halbpfennig. A well, with decorated ironwork, up L.C. GRETCHEN,
BERTHA, OLGA, MARTHA, and other members of ERNEST DUMMKOPF'S
theatrical company are discovered, seated at several small
tables, enjoying a repast in honour of the nuptials of LUDWIG,
his leading comedian, and LISA, his soubrette.
CHORUS.
Won't it be a pretty wedding?
Will not Lisa look delightful?
Smiles and tears in plenty shedding—
Which in brides of course is rightful
One could say, if one were spiteful,
Contradiction little dreading,
Her bouquet is simply frightful—
Still, 'twill