No. 6: DUET. — GRIFFENFELD and DAME CORTLANDT.
MIDI file
Karaoke fileDAME.
Now what would I do if you proved untrue, and the suit you pressed were an idle jest, and the conjugal yoke a brainless joke, and if marry your darling your couldn’t?
GRIFFENFELD.
Yes, what would you do if I proved untrue, And if marry my darling I couldn’t?
DAME.
What would I do if you owned some day that, a wager to win, you had taken me in, and the fact disclosed that you just proposed because somebody bet you you wouldn’t?
GRIFFENFELD.
If I owned some day that I sang that lay, Because somebody bet me I wouldn’t?
DAME.
Why the trembling rock from an earthquake’s shock, and the ocean’s roar on the rock-bound shore, and the hell-babe’s scream were a peaceful dream, to the terrible broth of my brewing; The tiger’s gnash, and the cut-throat’s gash, and the foeman’s clash, and the thunder-crash of eternal smash were unmeaning trash, compared with my hullaballoing!
ENSEMBLE.
| GRIFFENFELD (aside). | DAME. |
|---|---|
| It might, perhaps, be rather rash | Take care, you’ll find it rather rash |
| The truth upon her mind to flash | My matrimonial hopes to dash, |
| If an earthquake’s shock were idle trash | For an earthquake’s shock were idle trash |
| Compared with her hullaballoing! | Compared with my hullaballoing! |
DAME.
Like grey screech-owl (that hideous fowl) in midnight cowl I’d slink and prowl till a horrible howl and a tiger’s growl had told the world I’d found you!
With abject fell and a yelp and yell, on Vengeance’s wing at my foe I’d spring, and face to face in a close embrace I’d wind my arms around you! Your heart I’d tear from its loathsome lair — I’d pluck out your eyes, and your tongue likewise — and limb from limb, with a growling grin, I’d rend him who pooh-poohs me!
(recovering herself). Excuse me, please — when people tease, by slow degrees I kick up a breeze which you can’t appease — it’s quite a disease — I’ll go and lie down — excuse me!
Exit DAME CORTLANDT.