Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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Nos. 8-11: ENSEMBLE
"My well-loved Lord and Guardian dear"

MIDI File [55KB, 8' 31"]

Karaoke File [72KB, 8' 31"]

Click on picture to enlarge — Leonora Braham as Phyllis in the original production, 1882

Enter Phyllis.

Phyllis.

My well-loved Lord and Guardian dear,
You summoned me, and I am here!

Peers.

Oh, rapture, how beautiful!
How gentle —how dutiful!

Lord Tolloller.

Of all the young ladies I know
This pretty young lady's the fairest;
Her lips have the rosiest show,
Her eyes are the richest and rarest.
Her origin's lowly, it's true,
But of birth and position I've plenty;
I've grammar and spelling for two,
And blood and behaviour for twenty!
Ah! Her origin's lowly, it's true,
I've grammar and spelling for two;

Lord Tolloller & Chorus.

Of birth and position he's plenty,
With blood and behaviour for twenty!

Lord Mountararat.

Though the views of the House have diverged
On every conceivable motion,
All questions of Party are merged
In a frenzy of love and devotion;
If you ask us distinctly to say
What Party we claim to belong to,
We reply, without doubt or delay,
The Party I'm singing this song to!
If you ask us distinctly to say
We reply, without doubt or delay,
The Party we claim to belong to,
Is the Party we're singing this song to!
The Party we claim to belong to's,
The Party we're singing this song to!

Phyllis.

I'm very much pained to refuse,
But I'll stick to my pipes and my tabors;
I can spell all the words that I use,
And my grammar's as good as my neighbours'.
As for birth — I was born like the rest,
My behaviour is rustic but hearty,
And I know where to turn for the best
When I want a particular party!

Phyllis.	Lords Tolloller & Mountararat.	Peers.
Ah!
Though my station is none of the best,	Though my station is none of the best,
I suppose I was born like the rest.	I suppose she was born like the rest.
I know where to look for my hearty,	She knows where to look for her hearty,	She knows where to look for her hearty,
When I want a particular party,	When she wants a particular party,	When she wants a particular party,
I know where to look for my hearty,	She knows where to look	She knows where to look
Whenever I want a party,	for a party,	for a party,
		Ah, Ah,
For my party,	For her party,	Ah, Ah,
		Ah, Ah,
I know where to look for my party,	She knows where to look for her party,	She knows where to look for her party,
My party.	Her party.	Her party.

Phyllis.

Nay, tempt me not.
To rank I'll not be bound;
In lowly cot
Alone is virtue found!

Peers.

No, no; indeed high rank will never hurt you,
The Peerage is not destitute of virtue.

Lord Tolloller.

Spurn not the nobly born
With love affected,
Nor treat with virtuous scorn
The well-connected.
High rank involves no shame —
We boast an equal claim
With him of humble name
To be respected!
Blue blood! blue blood!
When virtuous love is sought
Thy power is naught,
Though dating from the Flood,
Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

Peers.

When virtuous love is sought
Thy power is naught,
Though dating from the Flood,
Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

Lord Tolloller.

Spare us the bitter pain
Of stern denials,
Nor with low-born disdain
Augment our trials.
Hearts just as pure and fair
May beat in Belgrave Square
As in the lowly air
Of Seven Dials!
Blue blood! blue blood!
Of what avail art thou
To serve us now?
Though dating from the Flood,
Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

Peers.

Of what avail art thou
To serve us now?
Though dating from the Flood,
Blue blood! Ah, blue blood!

Phyllis.

My Lords, it may not be.
With grief my heart is riven!
You waste your time on me,
For ah! my heart is given!

Peers.

Given!

Phyllis.

Yes, given!

Peers.

Oh, horror!!!

Lord Chancellor.

And who has dared to brave our high displeasure,
And thus defy our definite command?

Enter Strephon.

Strephon.

'Tis I — young Strephon! mine this priceless treasure!
Against the world I claim my darling's hand!

Phyllis rushes to his arms.

Strephon.	Peers.
A shepherd I —
	A shepherd he!
Of Arcady,
	Of Arcadee!
Betrothed are we,
	Betrothed are they,
And mean to be
Espoused to-day!	Espoused to-day!
A shepherd I	A shepherd he
Of Arcady,	Of Arcadee,
A shepherd I	A shepherd he
Of Arcady,	Of Arcadee,
Betrothed are we,	Betrothed are they,
Betrothed are we,	Betrothed are they,
And mean to be	And mean to be
Espoused to-day!	Espoused to-day!

Lords Tolloller & Mountararat (aside to each other)

'Neath this blow,
Worse than stab of dagger —
Though we mo-
Mentarily stagger,
In each heart
Proud are we innately —
Let's depart,
Dignified and stately!

Peers.

Let's depart,
Dignified and stately!
Dignified and stately!
Dignified and stately!
Dignified and stately!
Dignified and stately!
Dignified and stately!

Peers.

Though our hearts she's badly bruising,
In another suitor choosing,
Let's pretend it's most amusing,
Let's pretend it's most amusing,
Ha, ha, ha! Ha! ha! ha!,
Ha, ha! ha! Tantara!
Tantara! tantara! tantara!
Ha! ha, ha, ha!
Tantara! Tantara!

Exeunt all the Peers, marching round stage with much dignity. Lord Chancellor separates Phyllis from Strephon and orders her off. She follows Peers. Manent Lord Chancellor and Strephon.

This MIDI song file was originally sequenced by Colin Johnson.

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Page Created 26 August, 2005