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No. 21a: RECIT. & SONG (Strephon)
"My bill has now been read a second time...
Fold your flapping wings"

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(This song was cut from "Iolanthe" early in its initial run.)

Enter Strephon, in very low spirits.

Strephon. My bill has now been read a second time: His ready vote no member now refuses; In verity I wield a pow'r sublime, And one that I can turn to mighty uses! What joy to carry, in the very teeth Of ministry, cross-bench and opposition, Some rather urgent measures quite beneath The ken of Patriot and Politician! Fold your flapping wings, Soaring legislature! Stoop to little things, Stoop to human nature! Never need to roam, Members patriotic, Let’s begin at home Crime is no exotic! Bitter is your bane Terrible your trials, Dingy Drury Lane! Soapless Seven Dials!

Take a tipsy lout,
Gathered from the gutter.
Hustle him about,
Strap him to a shutter.
What am I but he,
Washed at hours stated,
Fed on filagree,
Clothed and educated?
He’s a mark of scorn,
I might be another,
If I had been born
Of a tipsy mother.

Take a wretched thief,
Through the city sneaking.
Pocket handkerchief
Ever, ever seeking.
What is he but I
Robbed of all my chances,
Picking pockets by
Force of circumstances?
I might be as bad,
As unlucky, rather,
If I’d only had
Fagin for a father!

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