No. 9: QUARTET (Zara, Fitzbattleaxe, Scaphio & Phantis)
No. 10: DUET (Zara, Fitzbattleaxe)
"It's understood, I think, all round...
Oh admirable art"
| Fitzbattleaxe. |
| It's understood, I think, all round That, by the English custom bound, I hold the lady safe and sound In trust for either rival, Until you clearly testify By sword or pistol, bye and bye, Which gentleman prefers to die, And which prefers survival. |
| Zara & Fitzbattleaxe. | Scaphio & Phantis. |
| We stand, I think, on safish ground; | Its clearly understood all round, |
| Our senses weak it will astound | That, by your English custom bound, |
| If either gentleman is found | He holds the lady safe and sound |
| Prepared to meet his rival. | In trust for either rival, |
| Their machinations we defy; | Until we clearly testify |
| We won't be parted, you and I — | By sword or pistol, bye and bye |
| Of bloodshed each is rather shy — | Which gentleman prefers to die, |
| They both prefer survival! | And which prefers survival. |
| Scaphio. (aside to Fitz.) |
| If I should die and he should live To you, without reserve, I give Her heart so young and sensitive, And all her predilections. |
| Phantis. (aside to Fitz.) |
| If he should live and I should die, I see no kind of reason why You should not, if you wish it, try To gain her young affections. |
| Zara & Fitzbattleaxe. | Scaphio & Phantis. |
| As both will live, | If I should die and you should live |
| And neither die, | To this young officer I give |
| I see no kind of | Her heart so soft and sensitive, |
| reason why | And all her predilections. |
| You/I should not, | If you should live and I should die |
| if you/I wish it, try | I see no kind of reason why |
| To gain my/your | He should not, if he chooses, try |
| young affections. | To win her young affections. |
| As both of us are positive | If I should die and you should live |
| That both of them intend to live, | To this young officer I give |
| There's nothing in the case to give | Her heart so soft and sensitive, |
| Us cause for grave reflections. | And all her predilections. |
| As both will live and neither die | If you should live and I should die |
| I see no kind of reason why | I see no kind of reason why |
| You should not, if you wish it, | He should not, if he chooses, |
| If you wish it, try | If he chooses, try |
| To gain my/your young affections! | To gain her young affections! |
Exit Scaphio and Phantis together.
|
 |
| Zara. |
| (aside) What would I do? What would I do? (To Fitz.) In such a case, Upon your breast, My blushing face I think I'd rest. (doing so) Then perhaps I might Demurely say, "I find this breastplate bright Is sorely in the way!" |
| Fitzbattleaxe. |
| Our mortal race Is never blest. There's no such case As perfect rest; Some petty blight Asserts its sway. Some crumbled rose-leaf light Is always in the way! |
| Zara. | Fitzbattleaxe. |
| In such a case, Upon your breast, My blushing face I think I'd rest. |
Our mortal race Is never blest. There's no such case As perfect rest; |
| On your breast, | Perfect rest; |
| On your breast, | Perfect rest; |
| In perfect rest! | As perfect rest; |
Exit Fitzbattleaxe. Manet Zara.
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Page Created 2 December, 2005