MIRETTE Lyrics by Adrian Ross Edited by Clifton Coles [The following musical numbers are found in the vocal score of Mirette, probably reflecting performance of the opera at the beginning of its second run in October 1894. I have been unable to locate a corresponding libretto, so connecting dialogue is not included. The revisions made between the lyrics of this version and the original are obviously extensive. The dialogue of the original cannot be taken as resembling in any way the dialogue used with this version, so readers must take these lyrics as they are. The basic story line remains the same, but there are significant changes that I cannot specify without a libretto. The only lyric that is identical in both versions is no. 11 (Mirette's song opening act two). -- ed.] MIRETTE A New Opera in Three Acts written expressly for the Savoy Theatre The Book by Michel Carre* English Lyrics by Frederic E. Weatherly English Dialogue by Harry Greenbank New Version with New Lyrics by Adrian Ross The Music by Andr‚ Messager. * As printed on the title page. The first page of the score itself has instead "Founded on the French of Michel Carre." Characters Baron Van Den Berg Gerard de Montigny Gipsies: Picorin Bobinet Francal Bertuccio Mirette (a gipsy) Bianca (daughter of Baron Van Den Berg) Zerbinette (a gipsy) Marquise de Montigny Musical Numbers Introduction. ACT I. 1. Chorus with Solos ("From Egypt's royal line") 1a. Song -- Bertuccio ("The good old earth") 2. Song of the Duck -- Bobinet ("I know a little farm-yard") 3. Valse Chorus ("We have missed the voice") 3a. Bohemian Song -- Mirette ("Roaming on with never a rest") 4. Song -- Francal ("When winter gales are loud") 4a. Song -- Mirette ("Ha, ha! it's so amusing") 5. Song -- Picorin ("Now stars above the forest glimmer") 6. Song -- Bobinet ("Long ago in Alcala") 7. Trio -- Gerard, Bobinet, and Baron ("Now here's a gun") 8. Duet -- Mirette and Gerard ("Ah! Nay, do not fly from me!") 9. Chorus ("We're called as pillagers") 9a. Pantomime Dance 10. Finale ("Seize them! Seize them!" ACT II. 11. Old Ballad -- Mirette ("So forward through the fading light") 12. Song -- Gerard ("In quiet convent closes") 13. Trio -- Gerard, Mirette, and Picorin ("Maiden with the wavy tresses") 14. Duet -- Marquise and Bobinet ("The programme I'll discuss") 15. Song -- Bianca ("But yesterday, in convent gray") 16. Trio -- Bobinet, Picorin, and Gerard ("When Noah sailed his good old Ark") 17. Chorus of Guests ("Obedient to your kind command") 17a. Fan Song -- Marquise ("When Eve was Mistress Adam") 18. Finale ("We come, Madame la Marquise") 18a. Song -- Mirette ("Once a cavalier of Spain") ACT III. 19. Chorus ("Oh, the light of the golden summer") 20. Long Bow Song -- Bobinet and Zerbinette ("Good William Tell was a mighty one") 21. Quintet -- Zerbinette, Marquise, Picorin, Bobinet, and Baron ("I'm a little gipsy dancer") 22. Song -- Mirette ("There was once a pretty peasant") 23. Chorus ("Hurrah! hurrah! for the merry yeomen") 23a. Dance 23b. Chorus ("Then shoulder bows and march away") 24. Duet -- Marquise and Baron ("Ah, Monsieur le Baron") 25. Finale ("Oh! the pride of the Belgian bowmen") MIRETTE Introduction. [17 measures] ACT I. no. 1. CHORUS with SOLOS. -- ZERBINETTE, FRANCAL, and BERTUCCIO. CHORUS. From Egypt's royal line We sprang in ages olden; We ought to quaff the wine From goblets gemm'd and golden! But since our royal pedigree And claims to Egypt's land Are probably hid in a Pyramid, Under the desert sand, As kings without a crown, We wander up and down, From Cadiz to Cataro, And now the drink we share, From Flemish earthenware, Is only Flemish faro! BERTUCCIO. Pass the liquor, but be wary With the merry, foaming cup, Lest, by some absurd vagary, You should get us taken up. FRANCAL. For the truly moral gipsy Ought to keep indulgence under, And he ought not to be tipsy When he's going out for plunder! BERTUCCIO. But excuse my rash suggestion, Have we any right to do so? FRANCAL. That is proved beyond a question By the learned Jean Jacques Rousseau. ZERBINETTE. Why should we abstain from robbing Wealthy lord and noble madam? In their veins the pulses throbbing Are the blood of Eve and Adam. CHORUS. Down with lofty sir and madam, We are all the sons of Adam! no. 1a. SONG. -- BERTUCCIO with CHORUS. BERTUCCIO. The good old earth in the age of gold Had space for all her people, Ere ever a baron built his hold, Or a priest had reared his steeple. Never was hunger then to fear, Nor cold to make men shiver; For free to all were good red deer, And free were wood and river! All Adam's heirs could take their shares, With none to say them nay! It was their right, by noon and night, In the bygone golden day! CHORUS. All Adam's heirs could take their shares, etc. BERTUCCIO. But lords sprang up by right of birth To waste the food of seven; They took the water and the earth, And the parsons took the heaven. There were three things they cannot bind, And four they rule not over, The sun, and the moon, and the roaming wind, And the heart of a gipsy rover! As Adam's heirs we take our shares, And do not wait to pay! We have our right by darkest night, Though the lords may rule by day! CHORUS. As Adam's heirs we take our shares, etc. DANCE. no. 2. SONG OF THE DUCK. -- BOBINET with CHORUS. I know a little farmyard nicely stocked, But the churlish farmer keeps it locked; And the way that I go, when I pay a call Is over the top of the farmyard wall. So I climbed to the top, And down with a flop, And into the yard, you see; When bow-wow-wow Gr-r-row, row, A dog looked out at me! "Dilly, dilly, dilly," said I to the duck, But she would not come -- not she! And as I went after the duck, bad luck, The dog came after me! CHORUS. "Dilly, dilly, dilly," said he to the duck, But the dog looked fierce and grim, And as he went after the duck, bad luck, The dog came after him! BOBINET. Then away went the duck, and away went I, Under the gate, and into the stye, Till splash! in the pond, with a quack she fell, And splash! in the pond went I as well. It was green with weed, Very green indeed, And it's left me much as you see: But I stuck to my duck With considerable pluck, Though the dog had stuck to me! "Dilly, dilly, dilly," it's a very fine duck, And so he ought to be! For though I have all of the duck, bad luck, The dog has part of me! CHORUS. "Dilly, dilly, dilly," it's a very fine duck, And fine, and sound in wind and limb; But though he has all of the duck, bad luck, The dog has part of him! no. 2. VALSE CHORUS. WOMEN. We have missed the voice of our little Queen, TENORS. When you strayed away through the forest green; WOMEN. Why do you wander far alone? TENORS. Do you not care to share your throne? BASSES. To share your throne? WOMEN. For we long to revel and sing, TENORS. When the Queen we worship shall choose a King! WOMEN. His luck we'd hail without regret MEN. Were you only happy, dear Mirette! FRANCAL. Sing to us, child, a Gipsy song! BERTUCCIO. We have not heard your voice so long. FRANCAL. Only sing, our own Mirette, Help us a little to forget The driving rain, the heavy sun, To think our endless march is done, Home again with fortune won! CHORUS. Sing ere we go! Sing ere we go! MIRETTE. Ah! So many songs I know, What shall I sing you? FRANCAL. The song of old, the song we sing To cheer our hearts in wayfaring! CHORUS. Yes! Yes! the marching song! no. 3a. BOHEMIAN SONG. -- MIRETTE with CHORUS. Roaming on with never a rest, Forest and hill and lawn, Ah! CHORUS. Ah! la la la la! MIRETTE. From the sun set in the west, On to the eastern dawn! Ah! CHORUS. Ah! la la la la! MIRETTE. Taking all the days may bring, Sun and rain and snow, Who cares? Merrily we sing, Onward still we go! Sorrow to the winds we fling, Care we never know, Who cares? Merrily we sing, Onward still we go! CHORUS. La la la la! MIRETTE. Over land and over sea, For this is the song of the Zingari! CHORUS. Forward, then, our way we wend Down the road that has no end, MIRETTE. Over land and over sea, For that is the song of the Zingari! Fire may fail in wintry frost, Winds may be keen and chill, Ah! CHORUS. Ah! la la la la! MIRETTE. But our freedom's worth its cost, They may be slaves who will! Ah! CHORUS. Ah! la la la la! MIRETTE. Camping nightly in our ring, Round the fire's glow, Who cares? Merrily we sing, Till the flame is low! Like the swallows on the wind, Like the winds that blow, Who cares? Merrily we sing, Onward still we go! CHORUS. La la la la! MIRETTE. Over land and over sea, For this is the song of the Zingari! CHORUS. Forward, then, our way we wend Down the road that has no end, MIRETTE. Over land and over sea, For that is the song of the Zingari! no. 4. SONG. -- FRANCAL with CHORUS. When winter gales were loud and winter snows were flying, We found a woman dying upon the frozen way: And at rest, on her breast her little child was lying; We took you and reared you to be our Queen today! Do you think of that, or no? It was sixteen years ago When I took you in my hand From her bosom frozen, To be child of all our band, Queen and lady chosen! Still with your smile the way beguile Sing to enchant us yet! You that have been our child and Queen, Our own, our own Mirette! You, you are our child and our Queen, Our own, our own Mirette! CHORUS. Still with your smile, etc. FRANCAL. And since that day gone by, that old and dead December, Your place beside the ember in winter time was made. Was July, hot and dry, we ever would remember To give you for shelter the deepest bit of forest shade! Luck has come to us, my child, Since the day when first you smiled; Like a magic amulet, Were the lays you sung us; Live with us and love us yet, Wedding one among us! Still with your smile, etc. CHORUS. Still with your smile, etc. MIRETTE. It is my duty to help you still! FRANCAL. We would not try to force your will, Or give your maiden beauty, Our little Queen, our magic girl, To some unloved and loveless churl! Choose whom you will, but choose this night! MIRETTE. This very night? Can that be right? FRANCAL. See all of them before you, You know how they adore you, They wrangle, And they jangle, And fight and quarrel over you! For you they all reveal Their long and deep affection; Behold them, how they kneel And wait for your selection! TENORS. Ah! let your choice on me be set! I love you best, more than the rest, Mirette! no. 4a. SONG. -- MIRETTE. Ha! ha! ha! ha! it's so amusing, my laughter pray excuse! You've asked me but this moment; how am I to choose? For when one is with lovers so very well provided, Why, one's naturally rather just a little undecided! Ah! Then listen to me, one and all, And, oh, pardon my speaking so plainly, You, sir, are a little too tall, And you, sir, too short and ungainly! You're too shy, sir, and you are too bold, You're too young, you, too old! Excuse me, pray, excuse me, pray, If I refuse when such a choice is provided; But, if the truth I now must say, I'm undecided, still undecided! I can't make up my mind, you see, I really don't know what to do; But if I marry, if I marry, But if I marry, why it won't be you! CHORUS. But if she marries, etc. no. 4b. Exit music. [13 measures] no. 5. SONG. -- PICORIN. Now stars above the forest glimmer, And earth lies dreaming underneath their light, Your starry eyes grow dim and dimmer, 'Tis time to say, "good-night, good-night!" Oh, bird-song through the stillness throbbing, And brooklet sobbing, Down the woodland way, Wake not my love, till dawn of day, My love that in my keeping, Away from life lies softly sleeping! When night has drawn her veil above you, And golden dust of sleep has shut your eyes, Then I may date to say "I love you," When only night replies. Then dreams of happy love deceive me, To leave me When the dawn is grey, For all my vision fade away, And you seem far above me. I dare not ask, I dare not hope that you, Mirette, may love me! no. 6. SONG. -- BOBINET. Long ago in Alcala, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! There dwelt a bold and bad grandee, Who used to sail upon the sea, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! He loved a maid of Alcala, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! For he was fine, and frank, and free, And she was fair as a maid could be! Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! He was a terrible tall Alcade, She was a lovely lady, Alca, Alca, Alcadeda, The lovely lady of Alcala! Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! They met one eve in Alcala, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! He said, "Sweet maiden, come with me," But she was as coy as a maid should be, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! So they sailed away, both he and she, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! Which was rather odd, as it seems to me, For Alcala isn't on the sea, It's nowhere near the sea! Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! Still, that's the tale of the tall Alcade, Who sailed away with the lovely lady, Alca, Alca, Alc…deda, Ta ra ra, ta ra ra! no. 7. TRIO. -- GERARD, BOBINET, and the BARON. GERARD. Now here's a gun that's freshly primed, Where can the owner be? BOBINET. Oh, that's a question most ill-timed! BARON. I think he possibly has climbed Up a tree! ALL. Up a tree! Up a tree! GERARD. Then look in every twig and bough, There's something there, I see! BOBINET. I knew they'd find me out somehow! BARON. You villain, I have got now Up a tree! ALL. Up a tree! Up a tree! BARON. Well, I say one, and I say two, And when I come to three GERARD. Come down, or he will riddle you! BOBINET. I'd rather stay and have the view Up a tree! ALL. Up a tree! Up a tree! BARON. But I object; and I have got The gun you left for me! GERARD. So come to us; if you do not -- BOBINET. I'm coming quicker than a shot Down the tree! ALL. Down the tree! Down the tree! DANCE. no. 8. DUET. -- MIRETTE and GERARD. MIRETTE. Ah! GERARD. Nay, do not fly from me! MIRETTE. Ah! GERARD. Come near! Come near! I am no wolf to eat you, dear, No harm can come when I am here! MIRETTE. I could not tell -- It was so strange to see you by me, I thought no stranger knew our woodland dell! GERARD. Ah! Ah! say what name your people gave you? My forest nymph, my queen of song! Perhaps I have the power to save you From grief and woe, from want and wrong. MIRETTE. I am Mirette, or so they call me, Those who have reared me till today! They will not let a grief befall me That they have power to keep away -- With them, with them I stay! ENSEMBLE. { MIRETTE. So forget this woodland shady, { All we said let each forget; { You, a lord, must woo a lady, { I am the gipsy girl, Mirette! { GERARD. I shall love this woodland shady, { As the spot where first we met; { Fair as any queen or lady, { Is the gipsy girl, Mirette! no. 9. CHORUS GIPSIES. We've called as pillagers On the Villagers, When they all were out; We've opened the doors Of barns and stores And left them a little bit thinner! So perhaps they're wondering Who's been plundering Every house about; But while they think, We'll eat and drink Their goods for supper and dinner! no. 9a. PANTOMIME DANCE. no. 10. FINALE. BARON. Though the wood is very dark -- SOLDIERS. And the night is very damp -- BARON. Yet I venture to remark -- SOLDIERS. This must be the gipsy camp. BOBINET. Here's the tree where I was caught -- SOLDIERS. What is that within the shade? BOBINET. Here they are, sir, as you thought! BARON. There they are, then, as I thought! GIPSIES (starting up). Let us fly! We are betrayed! BARON. Arrest them! Arrest them all! Seize them! Seize them! Seize each bold offender! GIPSIES. We surrender! BOBINET. Oh! that's Mirette! BARON. Oh! that's Mirette! Although you have a pretty name, You go to prison all the same! GIPSIES. Shame! Shame! It is shameful! Shame! Shame! It is shameful! MIRETTE. Enough, my friends, we need not care, Though fate be hard, 'tis one for all; Your joy, your luck I used to share, Why should I shrink if ill befall? Nay, we are comrades still, Nay, we are comrades still, Comrades in good or ill, Ever and everywhere! GERARD. No, no! Her innocence I can proclaim, She was with me -- she's not to blame -- So set her free! MIRETTE. Thanks! Thanks! But if 'tis so, Where shall I go? Where may I roam? I cannot find a home! GERARD. A home is yours at the Chateau, As maid! BARON. Then let her go! GIPSIES. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! He lets her go! BARON. Oh! ho! She'll have a pleasant task. Now for her friend -- what shall we do? Perhaps he'll suit as valet, too! PICORIN. Let me come, I love her so! Where she goes, I wish to go. I will serve you as you will If I can but serve her still; To be near her all the day, Grant me this for ample pay, And a debt I still shall owe, For I love her, love her so! MIRETTE. Sir, set him free! BARON. It shall be as you please! MIRETTE. He comes with me To serve the Marquise. Friends, I will not forget; All I can do I will! GIPSIES (girls only). Mirette! Good-bye! BOBINET. Well, what of me? Yes, what of me? I, sir, guided you over the trail! BARON. As a reward you shall go to jail! Come then! Quick march! SOLDIERS. Come along! Come along! Quick march! GIPSIES. Good-bye, Mirette! Good-bye, Mirette! MIRETTE. Good-bye! Some day -- who knows? GIPSIES. Come along then! So let it be! So let it be! Where we sleep we do not care Prison cell or open air; Both alike are given free, And both are a home for the Zingari! Onward, then, with foe or friend Down the road that has no end; Still we sing our melody, The marching song of the Zingari! End of Act I. ACT II. no. 11. OLD BALLAD. -- MIRETTE. So forward through the fading light, Her faithless lover rode away, Forgetting her he wooed last night, And all the vows of yesterday. "Ah stay! she loves thee so, Sir Knight!" But ever still he rode away. And all the birds were mute o'erhead, And all the stars grew dark in Heaven, Just for a words that was not said, Just for a kiss that was not given! Broken-hearted at the door, The little maiden pined away, Remembering all the love he swore, The golden dreams of yesterday! "Come back! she loves thee evermore! Come back, Sir Knight, come back and stay!" And then, ah! then, the word was said, And then, ah! then, the kiss was given; And all the birds sang overhead, And earth was Heaven, was Heaven! no. 12. SONG . -- GERARD. In quiet convent closes The rosebud maidens grow; The fairest of the roses Is mine from long ago. Mine is the right and power To win and wear her soon; My pure and perfect flower, The garden rose of June. Oh, my rose, shy rose, Purest pink and white; What joy to think the white and pink Is all for my delight! Above the hedge of briar That walls the woodland ways, High as my head and higher A lonely blossom sways: A rose that none has planted, A vagrant forest maid; To give one hour enchanted, And then to fail and fade. Oh, child rose, wild rose, Roses fade and fall; But till they're thinned by Autumn wind, I love, I love then all! no. 13. Trio. -- GERARD, MIRETTE, and PICORIN. GERARD. Maiden with the wavy tresses, And the look that is a spell, Do not shrink from my caresses, Hear me vow I love you well. MIRETTE. You are born so far above me, That I cannot hold you true, For I know you must not love me, And I cannot stay with you. MIRETTE and GERARD. Words are soft and glances tender, And our pulses leap and fall; Can we make the sweet surrender, Each to each be all in all? PICORIN. Beg your pardon, if you please, sir, But my lady, the Marquise, sir, Wants to have the salon ready For the noble company. (to MIRETTE). You can stay there as you are, pet, And assist me with the carpet -- Kindly hold it firm and steady, And you won't mind me! ENSEMBLE. { MIRETTE and GERARD. Oh, it's very disconcerting { To be spied upon when flirting, { And we wonder what the use is { Of a servant such as he! { For he's only more annoying { By incessantly employing { Such conventional excuses { As "Oh, don't mind me!" { PICORIN. If they find me disconcerting, { They have probably been flirting, { And I wonder what the deuce is { The result of this to be! { But I'll stop his dainty toying, { By incessantly employing { Such conventional excuses As "Oh, don't mind me!" MIRETTE and GERARD. Once again renew the rapture, Once again our love repeat, And recover and recapture All the bliss of lips they meet. Once again renew the rapture, etc. PICORIN. Sir, I humbly beg your pardon, But there's someone from the garden, Brought this very nice bouquet, sir, That I thought you'd better see. (to MIRETTE). Then I'll put it here in water, For the noble BARON's daughter, And it won't be in my way, sir, If you won't mind me. ENSEMBLE. { MIRETTE and GERARD. { It is vain to seek seclusion { From continual intrusion; { We had best adjourn the meeting { Till the time and place are free. { For the words that might be spoken { Are irreparably broken { By his imbecile repeating { Of "Oh, don't mind me!" { { PICORIN. I can see, from their confusion, { They object to my intrusion, { For a pair of lovers meeting { Do not want a Number Three; { But, before their love is spoken, { Their embraces shall be broken { By my entrance and repeating Of "Oh, don't mind me!" no. 14. DUET. -- MARQUISE and BOBINET. MARQUISE. The programme I'll discuss with you, So kindly take me through it. I want to know what you can do, And how you mean to do it; For, though it must be up-to-date, My friends and my relations Of course will only tolerate Respectable gyrations. BOBINET. Madame has made it clear as day, She wants a most refined display. MARQUISE. I beg you won't by any chance Perform an unbecoming dance, You might, perhaps, suggest it so -- But nothing more than that, you know! ENSEMBLE. { MARQUISE. I beg you won't by any chance, etc. { BOBINET. She begs, I won't by any chance, etc. BOBINET. We've got the champion Pugilist, And everybody backs him; Cuirasses that a shot resist By Dowe and by Maxim, Of comic songs you'll hear the gem, And when our audience wearies, We wake them up by showing them Our Tableaux Vivants series! MARQUISE. Oh! hush! my worthy fellow, hush! You wouldn't like to see me blush! BOBINET. There's nothing that will make you start, We only deal in works of art, And realize a picture, so -- With just a little less, you know! BOTH. There's nothing that will make you/me start, etc, MARQUISE. Although I've danced the Minuet, So stately, grave, and haughty, I've never tried a dance as yet That anyone called naughty. Skirt dancing now is all the rage, I'd learn it in a minute; But do you think at middle age It's prudent to begin it? BOBINET. Madame would look extremely sweet When tripping on those dainty feet! MARQUISE. You've no idea what ladies do! I've seen them dance the gay Chah–t, And fling their little feet up so -- But rather more than that, you know! BOTH. You've/I've no idea what ladies do! etc. no. 15. SONG. -- BIANCA. But yesterday, in convent gray, By gloomy walls enfolded, I was at studies all the day, And sometimes -- often -- well always scolded. 'Twas lessons on an endless plan, And miscalled recreation, And not a sight of any man, Except some near relation! Today the sky is bright on high, Today the world uncloses, I see unfold its gates of gold, And all the way is roses! Today, today my dream comes true, And all through you, and all through you! Today, today my dream comes true! And when a holiday would come I gained but little by it, Beneath the stern paternal thumb I was demure and quiet. He talked of genealogies, But I could not discover, In all those dead old pedigrees A single living lover! Good-bye to wars of ancestors I hear my bride-bells ringing, "Thou art a woman now," they cry, And love is all they're singing! Today, today my dream comes true, And all through you, and all through you! Today, today my dream comes true! no. 16. TRIO. -- BOBINET, PICORIN, and GERARD. BOBINET. When Noah sailed his good old Ark, GERARD. Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! PICORIN. He was a thirsty patriarch GERARD. Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! BOBINET. And like the ancient mariner PICORIN. He was very, very sad to think BOBINET. It was water, water everywhere, ALL. And never any drop to drink! PICORIN. So when he came to Ararat, GERARD. Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! BOBINET. He thought he's had enough of that, GERARD. Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! PICORIN. He planted half a mile of vine BOBINET. On a sunny mountain shelf, PICORIN. And he brewed a barrel -- BOBINET. Of good strong wine, ALL. And finished up the lot himself! ALL. Then by came Ham, his thirsty son, Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! And found the liquor all was done, Tique-tique, tique-tin, tin, tin! It's written by a learned monk That this is the reason why Good wine will make you very, very drunk, And ham is sure to make you dry! no. 17. CHORUS OF GUESTS. Obedient to your kind command, Your courteous invitations, We come to give with heart and hand Our true congratulations! Long life to you, O happy pair, We sing to you, we sing to you, Warm hearts of love and hopeful prayer We bring to you, we bring to you; May all your day Be blithe and gay, With roses all the way. [Music continues under dialogue (16 measures), segue Fan Song.] no. 17a. FAN SONG. -- MARQUISE and CHORUS. MARQUISE. When Eve was mistress Adam, And lived in Eden Square, As far as we know, She hadn't a clo'. Or anything fit to wear. But like a modern Madam, Who flirt with modern man, Though she'd even less Than an evening dress, She carried a palm leaf fan! A fan, a fan, a fan! Since ever the world began, The sword and shield That women wield, Is the swaying, playing fan! CHORUS. A fan, a fan, a fan! etc. MARQUISE. And mother Eve's invention Her daughters all can use; They put it like this When asking a kiss, A hint that you can't refuse. It draws a man's attention, Resist you how he can, When he sees your eyes In a shy surprise Peep over a plumy fan! A fan, a fan, a fan! From Italy to Japan, None can resist The skilful twist Of a dancing, glancing fan! CHORUS. A fan, a fan, a fan! MARQUISE. If someone woos too boldly, Your fan you shut and swing, You give him some taps That stop him, perhaps, (They don't, as a general thing!) But if he lingers coldly, You try another plan: For you spread it wide, As a hint to hide Two faces behind a fan -- A fan, a fan, a fan! When spread to its widest span, A beautiful blind To kiss behind, Is the screening, meaning fan! ALL. A fan, a fan, a fan! etc. no. 18. FINALE. GIPSIES. We come, Madame la Marquise; Here tonight, at your command, You and all your guests to please With the song and dance of gipsy-land. Song and dance, Song and dance, And we hope that they may please. MARQUISE. 'Tis well! But stay! Ere you begin, where is Mirette? CHORUS. Mirette! MARQUISE. She will dance tonight And sing for you a gipsy song. CHORUS. Bravo! Bravo! MIRETTE. I will sing for you tonight! CHORUS. Bravo! Bravo! Sing on, Mirette! no. 18a. SONG. -- MIRETTE with CHORUS. Once a cavalier of Spain Loved a maid of low degree; He was come of royal strain, She was of the Zingari! So he offered house and land, Jewels gold, or anything; Only on her little hand, No ring! no ring! ZINGARI. La la la la, etc. MIRETTE. No, said she, no! Go, let me go! Take away your purse of gold! Costly dresses Win Princesses, Gipsy love is never sold! Love cannot be bought, Not bought, nor sold! CHORUS. No, said she, no! MIRETTE. But the noble Spanish Don Could not brook a slight like this, So he would not get him gone, And he tried to snatch a kiss! Then a dagger bright he drew, Held it up before his eye, And no more he cared to woo -- Good-bye! Good-bye! ZINGARI. La la la la, etc. MIRETTE. No, said she, no! Go, coward, go! Take the kiss, you feel the blade! Till the trusty Steel is rusty, None shall wrong the gipsy maid! She is not afraid, The gipsy maid! CHORUS. No, said she, no! GUESTS. Brava, Mirette! Brava! Brava! Brava! BARON. Though the song's absurd ferocity Much offends me, I confess, My ancestral generosity Forces me to give largesse! GERARD. Cast away the dross they fling to you, Gold and gems are all too mean; Take and wear the gift I bring to you, Royal roses for my queen. MARQUISE. Gerard, this is really scandalous, Are you mad, or are you tipsy? BARON. Do you dare to treat and handle us Worse than any common gipsy? BIANCA. Gerard, why are you disgracing me? Tell me, why are you so cruel? BARON. He'll explain when he is facing me In a sword or pistol duel! GERARD. For your feeble sword or gunnery I have neither care nor dread; Take your daughter to a nunnery, You yourself go home to bed! To a nunnery, nunnery, go! BIANCA. No, no nunnery, nunnery, no! GERARD. To a nunnery, nunnery, go! GERARD and CHORUS. To a nunnery, nunnery, go! MARQUISE. For this insolence of attitude You shall have the fate you merited; You're dismissed for your ingratitude! You, sir, shall be disinherited! GERARD. Keep your girl, and all the dross of her, Keep your houses and your land; I a penniless philosopher, Join the merry gipsy band! For the wind of night comes wandering, And forth with the wind we wander, We're queen and king of the birds that sing In the lands of morning yonder! MIRETTE and GERARD. We'll seek the shore of a southern sea, We'll take the path of the swallow, Who would be free with him and me, Follow, follow us, follow, follow! ENSEMBLE. { GIPSIES. Hail to gipsy mirth and jollity, { As we wander to and fro! { Freedom, brotherhood, equality, { Those are all the laws we know! { GUESTS. Out on this absurd frivolity! { How can he be maddened so, { As to leave a bride of quality, { And a-gipsying to go! { BIANCA. All my innocent frivolity, { Turns to bitter grief and woe! { Why does he, a man of quality, { With a gipsy maiden go? { MARQUISE. Such inconsequent frivolity, { Will result in bitter woe! { Though he is a man of quality, { That is what he does not know. { PICORIN. When a man of noble quality, { Tries a-gipsying to go! { He will find it won't be jollity, { Or I hope to teach him so. { BOBINET. Won't we all have mirth and jollity, { Won't our stalls and boxes go! { When we have a man of quality, { Playing in our splendid show! { BARON. It's these notions of equality, { That upset the country so! { All our European polity, { Will to rack and ruin go. { BIANCA, MARQUISE, BARON, GUESTS. { This blend of high and low degree { Is far too silly to swallow; { All who will be such fools as he, { Follow, follow him, follow, follow! { MIRETTE, PICORIN, BOBINET, GERARD, GIPSIES. { We'll seek the shore of the southern sea, { We'll take the path of the swallow, { Who would be free and glad as we, { Follow, follow us, follow, follow! End of Act II. ACT III. no. 19. CHORUS. Oh! the light of the golden summer, Mirth and merriment everywhere Join our revelry, every comer, This is the happy village fair! Summer passes, Lads and lasses, Faded soon is the rose of June; Then in cadence, Men and maidens, Beat the time to every tune! DRINKERS (BASSES). So drink, my lads, and drink again, And make the glasses clink again! And cast a glance At girls that dance, Until they blush and wink again! We will not stop to think again, To see the liquor shink again, But chalk the score, And call for more, And drink again! PEDLARS (TENORS). Come, buy my jewels, buy my laces, Pretty things for pretty faces. Feathers, slipper, fans, and gloves, Meant for you, my pretty loves. Good and cheap, and useful too, Come and buy, they're all for you! GIRLS. Come, show your jewels, show your laces, Pretty things to suit our faces. Feathers, slipper, fans, and gloves, Oh! what beauties! Oh! what loves! Take the money, take it do; If you cheat us, woe to you! Repeat ensemble. no. 20. LONG BOW SONG. -- BOBINET and ZERBINETTE and CHORUS. BOBINET. Good William Tell was mighty one, In the days of long ago; CHORUS. In the days of long ago; BOBINET. He shot an apple off his son, At a thousand yards or so; CHORUS. At a thousand yards or so; BOBINET. But since the self-same tale is told Of each and every bowman bold, I fear some chronicler of old Was drawing the long, long bow. CHORUS. We fear some chronicler of old, etc. BOBINET. So pull the bow-string up to the ear, And let the arrow go! CHORUS. So pull the bow-string up to the ear, And let the arrow go! BOBINET. And if you miss the target clear, You'll hit some neighbor in the rear; So shoot away, and have no fear Of drawing the long, long bow! CHORUS. And if you miss the target clear, etc. ZERBINETTE. If you are a maker of patent pills, Or a salt that's good eno', CHORUS. Or a salt that's good eno', ZERBINETTE. Of course you cure all human ills, From a cold to lumbago. CHORUS. From a cold to lumbago. ZERBINETTE. And noblemen and noble wives Will say your drugs have saved their lives -- A needy noble often thrives By drawing the long, long bow! CHORUS. A needy noble often thrives, etc. ZERBINETTE. Then bill your nostrums everywhere, Let handbills fly like snow! CHORUS. Then bill your nostrums everywhere, Let handbills fly like snow! ZERBINETTE. And get some lovely dame to swear She owes to you her wealth of hair. For none can match a lady fair In drawing the long, long bow! CHORUS. And get some lovely dame to swear, etc. BOBINET. If you're a great financial man, And you want to start a Co.; CHORUS. And you want to start a Co.; BOBINET. You'll find the most successful plan Is to gas, and puff, and blow. CHORUS. You must gas, and puff, and blow. BOBINET. You'll scoop the curate's little store, And ruin windows by the score, And bag the half-pay man or war, By drawing the long, long bow! CHORUS. You bag the half-pay man or war, etc. BOBINET. Then put the money in a mine Away in Mexico! CHORUS. So put the money in a mine Away in Mexico! BOBINET. And then, with booty large and fine, You seek the distant Argentine; Like other men who used to shine, In drawing the long, long bow! CHORUS. And then, with booty large and fine, etc. No. 21. Quintet. -- ZERBINETTE, MARQUISE, PICORIN, BOBINET, and the BARON. ZERBINETTE. I'm a little gipsy dancer, though my dress is rather Flemish; MARQUISE. I'm a very lofty lady with a scutcheon void of blemish; PICORIN. I am posing as a juggler, though I really am a gipsy; BOBINET. And I'm nothing in particular except a little tipsy. BARON. I'm a very noble Baron with a very charming daughter, Who was jilted by a villain I would dearly like to slaughter. ALL. But our recent circumstances have been really so unpleasant, That we will not recognize each other just at present. MARQUISE. Well I should prefer to have it thus BARON. And, although my wrath I smother, BOBINET. I don't know her -- ZERBINETTE and PICORIN. And they won't know us, ALL. And we none of us know each other! ZERBINETTE. I had rather not associate with nobles proud and haughty; MARQUISE. I object to little dancers, who are usually naughty; BOBINET. She's a really splendid woman, but a little bit too fussy, BARON. And her nephew left my daughter for a nameless gipsy hussy. PICORIN. That remark is quite uncalled for and as false as it is cruel, And I'd like to meet the speaker in a very deadly duel. If he were not old and noble, I would carve him like a pheasant, But I mustn't cut him living, so I'll cut him dead at present. ZERBINETTE. You are young and slim, MARQUISE. And a lord is he, BOBINET. And you're not the lady's brother, PICORIN. So I can't fight him, BOBINET. And you can't fight me, ALL. And we none of us fight each other! ZERBINETTE. So there's really nothing for it but to part without a greeting, MARQUISE. And I'll take extreme precautions to avoid another meeting; PICORIN. I will go and play the jester and repeat the ancient wheezes, BOBINET. And I'll steel my manly bosom to the charms of fair Marquises. BARON. And although this noble dame was once the prettiest of ladies, If her nephew jilts my daughter, she may go to well to Hades! ALL. So the dancer, lady, gipsy, noble lord, and comic peasant Will agree with one accord to cut each other dead at present. PICORIN. So I'll cough, Ahem! BOBINET. And I'll shout, Yah, boo! ZERBINETTE. And I'll say that you're another! MARQUISE. Then I'll cut them -- BARON. And she'll cut you -- ALL. And we'll all of us cut each other! no. 22. SONG. -- MIRETTE. There was once a pretty peasant, And she had a gipsy swain, (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! summer days are fair!) And his wooing was as pleasant As the sunshine after rain (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! little birds will pair!) But a noble high and mighty, Came to court the peasant girl, And her little heart was flighty And her head was in a whirl, So she left the woodland shady, In the hope to be a lady (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! castles in the air!) Sing, ho! Sing, heigh! for the reason why A lass is bold, or a lad is shy. Sing, ho! Sing, heigh! for a maid should know The high to the high, and the low to the low! So she tried to ape the fashion Of a girl of noble rank (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! so a lass pretends!) And the noble in his passion Turned a gipsy mountebank (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! pleasant for his friends!) But the dresses didn't fit her, And the manners wouldn't come, And the noble found it bitter To be beating of a drum, Till she managed to discover She preferred her gipsy lover (With a heigh, ho! heigh, ho! so the story ends!) Sing, ho! Sing, heigh! for a foolish sigh, For the old loves live, and the new loves die. Sing, ho! Sing, heigh! for the dreams that go, And that is the end of the tale, you know! no. 23. CHORUS. Hurrah! Hurrah! for the merry yeomen Farmers of Flanders, her bone and marrow, Come to contend with the bow and arrow! Here's to the bowmen, the bowmen bold, Unrivalled for planting a shot in the gold! Here's to the archery festival! And drink to the bowmen, now, one and all! Halt, there! Attention! Do stay still! Here comes the dancing girl, to show her skill! Halt, there! Attention! Halt, there! Attention! no. 23a. DANCE. no. 23b. CHORUS. Then shoulder bows and march away, And let our banners gaily swing, And he who wins at archers play, Shall rule us through our holiday, And be our noble archer King! Yes, he shall rule the holiday, And be our noble archer King! no. 24. DUET. -- MARQUISE and BARON. MARQUISE. Ah, Monsieur le Baron! BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Quelque froideur de ton! BARON. And why not, if you please? MARQUISE. A manner so chilly Is hardly in season. BARON. Madame, this is silly, You must know the reason. MARQUISE. So cold is your carriage, As cold as December! BARON. The cause is a marriage, You doubtless remember; So my manner must freeze -- MARQUISE. Qui, comme un vrai gla‡on! BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Ah! Monsieur le Baron! MARQUISE. Ah, Monsieur le Baron! BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Mon ami, soyez bon! BARON. Excusez ma surprise. MARQUISE. My nephew, I know it, Has jilted your daughter. BARON. I cannot condone it -- He's fickle as water. MARQUISE. He craves for your pardon And vows reformation BARON. I won't be too hard on A young aberration! If he falls on his knees -- MARQUISE. Il aura son pardon? BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Oh, Monsieur le Baron! MARQUISE. Ah, Monsieur le Baron! BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Puis-je dire, Gaston? BARON. Puis-je dire, Louise? MARQUISE. Ah, do you remember The passion you cherished? BARON. Though sunk to an ember, The flame has not perished. MARQUISE. You're really so pressing, I cannot resist you. BARON. Recall the old blessing The day when I kissed you. Quelle douceur exquise! (kisses MARQUISE.) MARQUISE. Je ne peux dire non! BARON. Madame la Marquise! MARQUISE. Oh, Monsieur le Baron! DANCE. no. 25. FINALE. CHORUS. Oh! the pride of the Belgian bowmen, He's the best of us, young and old! Hail him king of the village yeomen, One of his shafts has hit the gold! Fill your glasses, Lads and lasses, Dance around him and gaily sing! Drain a rummer, To the mummer, He's the noble archer king! Fill the beaker with golden Rhenish, Fill the mug to frothing brim! Every goblet and glass replenish, Here's to our king, a health to him! MIRETTE. PICORIN and FRANCAL. Still as your wife Still as my/his wife I'll share your life, You'll share my/our life, Wander beside you yet, Wander beside me/us yet, I that have been You that have been Your gipsy queen My/Our gipsy queen Are still your own Mirette! Are still my/our own Mirette! ZERBINETTE and BOBINET. Then ring the bells and rattle the drum, And blow the flageolet! CHORUS. Then ring the bells and rattle the drum, And blow the flageolet! ZERBINETTE and BOBINET. Let everyone that is not dumb Proclaim with shouts to all and some The joyous wedding day has come, Good luck to dear Mirette! CHORUS. Let everyone that is not dumb, etc. End of Opera.