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MIDI File [5' 25", 36Kb] |
The Market-place of Mirlemont. On the left stands the town-hall approached by a flight of steps; and on the other side of the market-place, facing the town-hall, there is an inn, bearing the sign of the "Golden Head." From above the town-hall there runs a broad street; and on the right, in the distance, is the mouth of a narrow alley. There are other outlets from the market-place upon either side. The sun shines brilliantly.
Many of the townsfolk — men, women, and children — are already assembled; others join them, appearing from different directions; greetings are exchanged; the people gather in knots to discuss the merits of the candidates for the prize of beauty. A few soldiers mix with the crowd, flirting with the young women; the inn drives a good trade; there is continual movement and bustle. A body of pikemen are lounging about the steps of the town-hall, and in the doorway stand certain of the aldermen and office-holders of the town.
| MAIDENS. | The bells are ringing o'er Mirlemont town, | |
| Lord Philip rides forth on his way! | ||
| ALL. | The bells are ringing o'er Mirlemont town, | |
| Lord Philip rides forth on his way! | ||
| From his saddle-bow hangs a rosebud crown, And a silver cord that shall girdle the gown |
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| Of her who is fairest to-day. Of her who is fairest to-day. |
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| From his saddle-bow hangs a rosebud crown, And a silver cord that shall girdle the gown |
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| Of her who is fairest to-day, to-day, Is fairest, fairest to-day. |
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| MAIDENS. | Then tell us, ye burghers of Mirlemont town, | |
| Who is it that rules ye to-day? | ||
| MEN. | Lord Philip, he rules o'er burgher and clown; From his castle gate he comes riding down |
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| With his gallants in proud array. | ||
| MAIDENS. | Sir Burghers, we tell ye nay, 'Tis not to a gallant ye pray; |
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| Who rules ye now was never a lord, She needs no spear and she bears no sword |
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| Who wins with a smile or a frown, | ||
| With soft eyes hazel or gray, | ||
| With tresses golden or brown — | ||
| 'Tis Beauty that rules ye to-day, | ||
| Ye Burghers of Mirlemont town! | ||
| ALL. | With soft eyes hazel or gray, | |
| With tresses golden or brown — | ||
| 'Tis Beauty that rules ye to-day, | ||
| Ye Burghers of Mirlemont town! | ||
The Competitor crowned with lilies enters, with her supporters. They make for the inn, singing as they go.
| COMPETITOR'S FRIENDS.* [8 sopranos] | |||
| Maidens and men of Mirlemont town, | |||
| Hither we come at your call! | |||
| Ye have bidden the fairest, then needs must ye own | |||
| We bring ye the fairest of all! | |||
| White lilies she wears for her crown, | |||
| For her cheek as a lily is white, | |||
| And straight as a lily she grows, | |||
| Straight and slender and tall; | |||
| Yet day shall not draw to its close Ere the lily be changed to the rose, |
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| For shall ye not crown her to-night | |||
| The fairest of all? | |||
| For shall ye not crown her to-night | |||
| The fairest of all? | |||
| MEN. | If this indeed be Beauty's Queen — | ||
| MAIDENS. | We say not so! We say not so! |
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| MEN. | Then every maiden lank and lean, With waxen cheek and eyes of green, |
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| May win that wreath of budding rose. | |||
| MAIDENS. | In sooth 'tis not of her we speak — | ||
| MEN. | Then bid her go! Then bid her go! |
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| MAIDENS. | Yet look again; for though her cheek Be all too white, that blush ye seek |
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| Hath fled, hath fled, Hath fled to warm her ruddy nose! |
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| ALL. | Ha! ha! ha! ha! | ||
Amidst jeers and laughter the Competitor and her friends go into the inn.
| COMPETITOR'S FRIENDS | CHORUS |
|---|---|
| Maidens and men of Mirlemont town, | Welcome strangers to Mirlemont town, |
| Hither we come at you call! | Hither ye come at our call! |
| Ye have bidden the fairest, | We have bidden the fairest, |
| yet needs must ye own | yet needs must we own |
| We bring you the fairest of all, | Ye bring not the fairest of all, |
| then needs must ye own | then needs must we own |
| We bring you the fairest, | Ye bring you the fairest, |
| fairest, | bring not the fairest |
| bring you the fairest of all! | Ye bring not the fairest of all |
| We bring you the fairest, the fairest of all | |
| We bring you the fairest, | Ye bring not the fairest, |
| the fairest of all! | the fairest of all! |
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Page modified 29 September 2011