You are here: > Iolanthe > > Act II
Dialogue following No. 17
Enter Fairy Queen.
Queen. Oh, shame – shame upon you! Is this your fidelity to the laws you are bound to obey? Know ye not that it is death to marry a mortal?
Leila. Yes, but it’s not death to wish to marry a mortal!
Fleta. If it were, you’d have to execute us all!
Queen. Oh, this is weakness! Subdue it!
![From 1919 Souvenir](images/1919d.jpg)
Celia. We know it’s weakness, but the weakness is so strong!
Leila. We are not all as tough as you are!
Queen. Tough! Do you suppose that I am insensible to the effect of manly beauty? Look at that man! (Referring to Sentry.) A perfect picture! (To Sentry.) Who are you, sir?
Willis. (coming to “attention”) Private Willis, B Company, 1st Grenadier Guards.
Queen. You’re a very fine fellow, sir.
Willis. I am generally admired.
Queen. I can quite understand it. (To Fairies.) Now here is a man whose physical attributes are simply godlike. That man has a most extraordinary effect upon me. If I yielded to a natural impulse, I should fall down and worship that man. But I mortify this inclination; I wrestle with it, and it lies beneath my feet! That is how I treat my regard for that man!
Page Created 31 August, 2005