An Original Light in Three Acts Written by Sydney Grundy Composed by

Originally produced at the , London, under the management of Mr. Richard D’Oyly Carte, on Saturday 24th September 1892

------DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Royalists: Sir John Manners Steven Griffin Major Domo David Faulds Sir George Vernon Peter Thomson Mary Timmons Oswald Alan Borthwick Lady Vernon Heather Boyd Roundhead: Dorcas Fiona Main Rupert Vernon Ian Lawson Nance Pat McKerrow Gertrude Caroline Kerr Puritans: Deborah Liz Landsman The McCrankie Maxwell Smart Sing-Song Simeon Ross Main Nicodemus Knock-Knee Harry Payne Barnabas Bellows-to-Mend Roland York Kill-Joy Candlemas (non-singing)

Chorus of Simples, Gentles, Retainers, etc. The Prince Consort Chorus and Orchestra conducted by David Lyle. TRACK LISTING

CD1. Total playing time [55:13]

ACT 1

1. Introduction (Chorus) Ye stately homes of England [2:43] 2. Chorus To-day, it is a festal time [2:13] 3. Song (Dorcas) with Chorus But midst our jubilation - 'Twas a dear little dormouse [3:22] 4. Chorus with Solos (Dorothy, Hail to the Lord of Haddon Lady Vernon, Sir George) [3:24] 5. Madrigal (Dorothy, Lady Vernon, Sir George, Chorus) Welcome, I bid ye welcome - When the budding bloom of May [4:14] 6. Trio (Dorothy, Lady Vernon, Sir George) Nay, father dear [2:20] 7. Duet (Dorothy, Lady Vernon) Mother, dearest mother [3:20] 8. Song (Oswald) with Chorus Ribbons to sell - Come, simples and gentles [3:21] 9. Duet (Dorcas, Oswald) The sun's in the sky [2:43] 10. Recit (Dorothy, Dorcas, Oswald) My mistress comes [0:55] 11. Trio (Dorothy, Dorcas, Oswald) Oh, tell me what is a maid to say [2:51] 12. Recit & Song (Dorothy) Why weep and wait? - Red of the rosebud [3:26] 13. Entrance of Puritans Down with Princes [1:14] 14. Song (Rupert) I've heard it said [2:40] Finale Act 1 15. Scene (Company) The bonny bridegroom cometh When [3:56] 16. Song (Rupert) and Chorus I was but a little lad [1:50] 17. Scene (Company) Hail, cousin Rupert [2:11] 18. Solo (Dorothy & Company) When, yestereve, I knelt to pray [1:58] 19. Ensemble (Company) Father, forgive! [1:30] APPENDIX TO ACT 1. 20. Solo (Manners) The earth is fair [2.20] 21. Duet (Dorothy, Manners) Sweetly the morn doth break [2.05] CD2. Total playing time

ACT 2- Scene 1

1. Introduction & Chorus of Puritans Hoarsely the wind is howling [1.47] 2. Song (McCrankie) My name it is McCrankie [2.24] 3. Duet (Rupert, McCrankie) There's no one by [3.04] [3:04] 4. Trio (Dorcas, Rupert, McCrankie) Hoity-toity, what's a kiss? [2.08] [2:08] Finale Act 2 5. Quartette (Dorothy, Dorcas, Manners, Oswald) The west wind howls [7.52] [7:52] 6. Storm [3.03]

ACT 2- Scene 2 7. Recit & Song (Major Domo, Sir George) Silence all! Attend your host! - In days of old [3.02] 8. Scene (Company) Eloped, eloped! [1.11] [1:11] 9. Duet (Rupert, McCrankie) and Chorus We were sheltering all ' [3.34] [3:34] 10. Scene (Lady Vernon & Company) In vain they will blunder [2.51] [2:51]

ACT 3 11. Opening Chorus Our heads we bow [1.54] [1:54] 12. Song (Lady Vernon) and Chorus Queen of the garden [4.27] [4:27] 13. Recit (Lady Vernon, Sir George) Alone-alone! [1.11] [1:11] 14. Duet (Lady Vernon, Sir George) Bride of my youth [2.35] [2:35] 15. Scene (Dorcas, Rupert, three Girls) and Chorus In frill and feather [1.31] [1:31] 16. Ensemble (Oswald & Company) Good General Monk . [2.24] [2:24] 17. Song, Chorus and Dance (Dorcas, Rupert, Puritans) We have thought the matter out [2.06] [2:06] 18. Song and Scotch Dance (McCrankie)and Chorus Hech, mon! Hech, mon! It gars me greet [3.12] [3:12] Finale Act 3 19. Ensemble (Company) Hark! The cannon! [5.17] SYNOPSIS dear little dormouse) [3]. Dorothy now To thine own self be true, arrives on the scene, accompanied by her And it must follow as the night the day, parents Sir George and Lady Vernon (Hail to Thou canst not then be false to any man. the Lord of Haddon) [4] and the assembled (Shakespeare) company all join in a merry madrigal (Welcome, I bid ye welcome - When the NOTE: The clock of Time has been put budding bloom of May) [5]. Sir George is a forward a century, and other liberties have Royalist but, dreading the vengeance of been taken with history. Parliament, he has decreed that Dorothy must CD 1. marry her cousin Rupert Vernon, a Roundhead who is claiming the Haddon Act 1: The Lovers - Scene: The Terrace. estates as his own. Despite her father's wishes Dorothy will have none of her "The green old turrets, all ivy thatch, Above Roundhead cousin for she is in love with the cedars that girdle them rise, The pleasant John Manners, a younger son of the Duke of glow of the sunshine catch, And outline sharp Rutland and a proscribed Royalist. She on the bluest of skies" pleads with her father (Nay, father dear) [6] During a brief musical introduction [1] and as he leaves she is comforted by her offstage voices can be heard extolling the mother who assures her of her support virtues of the English stately homes. The (Mother, dearest mother) [7]. curtain then rises to reveal the chorus of Manners' servant, Oswald, now arrives on the simples and gentles singing and dancing on scene disguised as a travelling salesman the terrace of Haddon Hall as they prepare for the arrival of Dorothy, the daughter of the (Ribbons to sell - Come, simples and gentles) house, who is about to "plight her troth" to [8]. He has with him a letter from his master, her cousin, Rupert (To-day, it is a festal time) addressed to Dorothy, and when he meets [2]. Dorcas, Dorothy's faithful maid, is Dorcas he entrusts the letter to her care. The apprehensive about the outcome of such a two are immediately attracted to each other wedding and she tells the assembled and sing of the joys of youth (The sun's in the company the allegory of the dormouse and sky) [9]. Dorothy now arrives (My mistress the snail (But midst our jubilation - 'Twas a comes) [10] and is given the letter (Oh, tell me, what is a maid to say) [11]. {APPENDIX: In the original version of Act Oswald and Dorcas now withdraw so that 1, item 12 above was not performed. At that Dorothy can read the letter in private and she stage in the action Dorothy, Oswald and rhapsodises about her sweetheart, John Dorcas exited and John Manners appeared Manners (Why weep and wait? - Red of the and soliloquised on his love for Dorothy (The rosebud) [12]. earth is fair) [20]. Dorothy then joined him in a rapturous duet (Sweetly the morn doth As Dorothy leaves, the stage is suddenly break) [21] before the lovers left to make filled by a lugubrious group of plain-chant way for the entrance of the Puritans. Sullivan Puritans who accompany the arrival of was unhappy with this arrangement and Rupert Vernon (Down with princes) [13]. wrote the solo for Dorothy to replace these Rupert is already tiring of the Puritan cause, two items} as he makes clear to the assembled crew (I've heard it said) [14].

The villagers now reassemble to meet the bridegroom (Finale: The bonny bridegroom cometh) [15] but when they see Rupert and his miserable colleagues they are somewhat taken aback. Rupert assures them that they should not be deceived by first impressions (When I was but a little lad) [16]. The bridal party now arrives (Hail, cousin Rupert) [17] but it is immediately obvious that all is not well when Dorothy falls on her knees and pleads with her father not to insist that she goes through with such a sham marriage (When, yestereve, I knelt to pray) [18]. Sir George furiously spurns his daughter and the act ends in general turmoil (Father, forgive!) [19]. CD 2. with Dorcas before Manners himself arrives (Finale: The west wind howls) [5]. Dorothy Act II: The Elopement - Scene 1: Dorothy then arrives and the two lovers run off into Vernon's Door. the night, escorted by Oswald, as the storm "It is a night with never a star, And the hall breaks in all its fury [6]. with revelry throbs and gleams; There grates As the storm dies away the scene changes: a hinge - the door is ajar -And a shaft of light in the darkness streams." Scene 2: The Long Gallery.

Rupert and his Puritan friends are found Sir George and Lady Vernon are discovered, sheltering from a storm (Hoarsely the wind is with the assembled company, and a Major howling) [1] as they await the arrival of their Domo demands attention for Sir George as he Scottish colleague, The McCrankie, whose proposes a toast to "the grand old days of late arrival is to be expected as he has been yore" (Silence all! Attend your host! - In days travelling all the way from the Isle of Rum. of old) [7]. Rupert, The McCrankie and some When he arrives, he accompanies himself on other Puritans now rush in, dragging Dorcas his national instrument, the bagpipes (My with them. Rupert informs Sir George that his name it is McCrankie) [2]. Rupert and The daughter has eloped with her lover (Eloped, McCrankie tell the others to leave them alone as they propound the "Puritan programme of eloped) [8] and they proceed to tell everyone posterity" (There's no one by) [3]. The door how the flight of the two lovers was secretly now slowly opens and Dorcas appears, observed (We were sheltering all) [9]. Sir searching for Oswald. She is startled when George demands that the horses be saddled she collides with the two Puritans, and she is and, along with many of the assembled not in the least impressed when they attempt company, he runs from the scene to pursue to flirt with her (Hoity-toity, what's a kiss?) the lovers, leaving Lady Vernon to be [4]. Rupert and The McCrankie now exit and comforted by her friends (In vain they will the coast is clear for Dorothy's planned blunder) [10]. As the lamps in the Gallery are elopement with John Manners. As the storm extinguished the cold light of dawn steals gathers, Oswald enters and briefly converses through the windows and everyone quietly leaves. Act III: The Return - Scene: The in the King's name (Good General Monk) Ante-Chamber [16]. Rupert refuses to surrender, but is totally dumbfounded when the Puritans The curtain rises to reveal Rupert teaching arrive and announce that they've all had the reluctant company, who are all now in enough of being thoroughly miserable and Puritan costume, how to behave as Puritans now intend to "merry-make the livelong day" (Our heads we bow) [11]. Since the (We have thought the matter out) [17]. Even elopement there has been no news of The McCrankie has reformed (Hech, mon! Dorothy or of John Manners, and Rupert has Hech, mon! It gars me greet) [18] and they been prosecuting a law suit so that Haddon all dance a "Heeland fling". Hall and its estates now officially belong to him. Sir George and Lady Vernon will A cannon now sounds and John Manners therefore have to leave. makes a grand entrance bringing with him a warrant from the King reinstating Sir George Lady Vernon enters and bids farewell to her as Lord of Haddon Hall (Finale: Hark! The friends (Queen of the garden) [12]. Sir cannon!) [19]. He has done all this for love George then joins his wife and as everyone of Dorothy who is now led in to be reunited else leaves (Alone - alone!) [13] he and Lady with her parents. She falls into their arms as Vernon agree that, at their stage of life, there the curtain falls. is really no time for quarrelling (Bride of my youth) [14].

As soon as the couple leave, the stage is ------filled with an excited rabble led by Dorcas and her friends, welcoming the return of Oswald who is now in uniform - and looking very handsome (In frill and feather spick and span) [15]. Oswald announces that General Monk has entered London and proclaimed Charles II King. As a result of this Oswald is claiming the ancient manor of Haddon Hall Unfortunately, because of an acrimonious HADDON HALL court case, Sullivan and Gilbert were barely on speaking terms in 1892, and although two BACKGROUND TO THE OPERA further (Utopia Limited and ) would be written in the future,- at this point in time Sir Arthur Sullivan wrote his light opera Sullivan had to collaborate with a different Haddon Hall when he was at the height of his librettist, namely Sydney Grundy whose considerable creative powers. His cantata The recent work for the Savoy had been a revival Golden Legend was proving to be extremely of the opera The Vicar of Bray (composed by popular, the enormously successful series of ). operas written with his partner, W.S.Gilbert, Having spent years trying to persuade Gilbert had just reached its zenith with the to write works with real human interest, Mediterranean splendour of instead of his usual topsy-turvy plots (and and his romantic opera had Gilbert having obliged with The Yeomen of triumphed at the Royal English Opera House. the Guard) Sullivan was now in a position to However it soon became clear that the demand exactly what he wanted from success of Ivanhoe did not mean much in the Grundy. As a result Grundy presented him way of financial gain for the composer, and with a libretto based on an actual historical the Royal English Opera House, which had incident, namely the elopement of Dorothy been specially built by Richard D'Oyly Carte Vernon, with her lover John Manners, from for the presentation of Sullivan's opera, Haddon Hall, her ancestral home. True, would soon be forced to close its doors Grundy changed the period of the action by a because of mismanagement. Despite his century so that he could involve a chorus of intention to turn away from writing "lighter" Puritans, but the whole piece had exactly the works so that he could concentrate on more human interest that Sullivan craved. The serious fare, Sullivan's love of the good-life composer started work on the music in forced his return to the rather more lucrative Monte Carlo early in 1892, but a severe bout stage of the Savoy Theatre, and the world of of his long-standing kidney complaint made comic opera. work very difficult and nearly led to his premature death. However, his strength remained popular? Well, one can only finally returned and the opera was completed surmise. The opera is in three acts rather than and presented at the Savoy Theatre on 24th the usual two-act format of Gilbert's Savoy September 1892. operas ( is in a prologue and two acts, and has never been as popular as its Unfortunately Grundy was no Gilbert - and companions). Moreover, the second act is in the critics and public were generally two scenes separated by a huge storm and a unimpressed with his work. Grundy is on technically difficult transformation to the record as stating that he went out of his way Long Gallery. Costumes are expensive and to avoid the Gilbertian style, but whatever the orchestral score is heavy for the voices. approach he adopted he just could not have However, in the 1929 publication, "Operas - won! The public wanted Gilbert! Old and New", a guide to selecting operas for In contrast to Grundy's lukewarm reception, amateur production, the entry on Haddon Sullivan's reception was ecstatic and his Hall states: music received glowing reports. Bernard Shaw thought Haddon Hall to be the very "The work is deserving of more popularity and merits the attention of those who desire best of the Savoy Operas (Gilbert must have to raise their standard of production." been pleased when he read that crit!!) and for a while the piece beat even in I hope that, after hearing this new recording, box office receipts. Interest flagged you will agree that Haddon Hall is an somewhat earlier than it had for the Japanese unjustly neglected work of great charm, fully opera however, but Haddon Hall eventually worthy of Britain's most famous composer of ran for a very respectable 204 performances. the 19th century, Sir Arthur Sullivan. The music of Haddon Hall, in common with Alan Borthwick Sullivan's other Savoy operas, became very popular and was played by brass bands and ------arranged for dance halls. The opera quickly entered the repertoire of amateur companies all around the country. So why has it not THE PRINCE CONSORT was formed in 1972 by a group of semi-professional musicians, with the specific purpose of presenting a Victorian and Edwardian musical evening as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The group consisted of four or five singers and a pianist, and for the 21 years of its existence it was always one of the first fringe shows to be sold out. In the mid-1980s the group was expanded and augmented, in collaboration with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Edinburgh, with the specific purpose of recording the non-Gilbert operas of Sir Arthur Sullivan, and commercial recordings of The Beauty Stone, The Rose of Persia and culminated in a complete recording of Ivanhoe which won the Music Retailers Association award for the most impressive opera recording of the year (joint equal with Jessye Norman's Carmen!!). The group also recorded Sullivan's The Contrabandista and , for private release.

Because of the existence of a recording of Haddon Hall by another group the opera remained the only non-Gilbert opera of Sullivan's that The Prince Consort had not recorded, and when the opportunity arose earlier this year to commit this charming opera to disc it was immediately seized with enthusiasm. And so, after eight years of silence, The Prince Consort members gathered together again in Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh, on a sunny day in June, 2000, to sing and play this relatively unknown score by Sir Arthur Sullivan and to honour one of Britain's greatest composers in this the centenary year of his death. THE SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN SOCIETY

By the time Haddon Hall was produced in September 1892, Arthur Sullivan had been recognised for at least two decades as the greatest British composer of his generation. Born in 1842, he came to prominence following the performance at the Crystal Palace in April 1862 of his incidental music to Shakespeare's The Tempest. He followed up this success with a ballet (L’Ile Enchantée, 1864), a symphony, a Cello Concerto (both 1866), cantatas, several concert overtures and a steady stream of songs, partsongs, anthems and hymns. His first comic opera was (1866); after the success of (1875) and (1811) he produced more or less an opera a year for the remainder of his life. He continued to compose major works in other fields, notably the cantata The Golden Legend (1886) and the ballet Victoria and Merrie England (1891). His death on 22 November 1900 was viewed as a national tragedy, and by express command of Queen Victoria he was given what amounted to a state funeral before being buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.

The Sir Arthur Sullivan Society exists to bring all of Sullivan's works to the attention of the public by means of recordings, publications, and the encouragement and sponsorship of performances. Members of the Society receive two fully illustrated magazines each year, as well as periodic newsletters, a Yearbook and an occasional CD discography. A residential weekend including performances of Sullivan's music is held annually. http://www.sullivansociety.org.uk/

For membership details, contact the Membership Secretary:

Doreen Harris 71 The Heights Foxgrove Road Beckenham BR3 5BZ Tel. 0208-650-7979 The Sir Arthur Sullivan Society expresses its gratitude to the many members, in particular Professor George W. Hilton and Mike Leigh, who contributed towards the cost of this recording.

We also thank the following members who generously sponsored individual tracks:

"When the budding Bloom of May" sponsored by J. Stuart Bradshaw "O tell me what is a maid to say" sponsored by Martin Wells; dedicated to his parents, Ena and the late Ivor Wells. "The earth is fair" sponsored by Frank D. Kempster; "for PMK" "My name it is McCrankie" sponsored by Stephen & Julie Turnbull "There's no one by" sponsored by Michael Symes "Hoity-toity" sponsored by "Queen of the garden" sponsored by Doreen Harris in memory of her late mother Hilda Newton, who loved her rose garden. "Bride of my youth" sponsored by Frank A. Nineham; dedicated to his wife Gladys and the RMAG. "We have thought the matter out" sponsored by Nicio Vega, jr.

Cox and Box (in the original full length 1866 version) by Burnand and Sullivan is available on Diversions DDV 24104, co-produced with the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society. Anent a dainty dormouse LIBRETTO And an unattractive snail. Spoken Dialogue (not included on CD) is printed in italics. 'Twas a dear little dormouse – A little mouse-maid! Prologue Her papa and mamma CD1- [1] She had always obeyed. Chorus: Ye stately homes of England, Pit-a-pat went her heart, So simple, yet so grand; And her cheek it grew pale, Long may ye stand and flourish, When commanded to marry Types of our English land! A stupid old snail. Ye stately homes of England, "Oh, father, I cannot!" Such mansions only grew; "But, daughter, thou must; Where virtue reigned from cot to throne, For he has a house And man and wife were true. And we haven't a crust!" Ye stately homes of England, Long may The snail he was ugly, your towers stand; Types of the life of The snail he was black; man and wife, Types of our English land! But for all that he carried A house on his back. Act I - Scene - The Terrace Said the wily old dormouse, [2] "When thou art his bride, Chorus: Today, it is a festal time! He will lend us his house, The bridegroom comes today,; And we'll all live inside!" And we are here to sing a rhyme Chorus: "Oh father, I cannot!" To speed him on his way. "But daughter, thou must; Today, our mistress, ever dear, For he has a house, Doth plight her virgin troth; And we haven't a crust!" And we are all foregathered here Dorcas: A gallant young squirrel To sing, God bless them both! Sat perched on a tree, And he thought to himself, There's a good wife for me! Dance On the eve of the wedding, [3] He said to the mouse, Dorcas: But midst our jubilation "Wilt thou marry a squirrel Comes the echo of a sigh, Who hasn't a house?" Its full signification "Oh, squirrel, I cannot!" Ye will gather bye and bye. "But, dormouse, thou must; Now, lend me your attention Her heart to a squirrel While I tell you all a tale, A dormouse may trust." The squirrel was handsome, Lady Vernon: Like flower amaranthine They plighted their vows, Whose blossoms ne'er fade, And the squirrel ran off It blooms in the sunshine With the little dormouse. And blooms in the shade. And I'm sure if you ever ' [5] Set eyes on a snail, Sir George: Welcome, I bid ye welcome one You will all sympathize and all! With the dormouse's wail. Let youth and beauty keep their merry May. Chorus: "Oh, father, I cannot! For all too soon the leaves of autumn fall, Don't tell me I must; And evening shadows quench the laughing day. Though he has a house And we haven't a crust!" Company: When the budding bloom of May But who is the dormouse Paints the hedgerows red and white, And who is the snail? Gather then your garlands gay; [4] Earth was made for man's delight! Chorus: Hail to the Lord of Haddon! May is playtime - And thee, his silver bride! June is haytime - And to thy daughter, fairest flower Seize the daytime - Fa la la! Of all the country side! Carol now the birds of spring! Girls: Nor violet, lily Let our hearts in chorus sing! Nor bluebell we bring, Ere the golden day is pale, To garland thy pathway Dawns the silver orb of night; With fragrance of spring. Sweetly trills the nightingale, No beauty of blossom "Earth was made for man's delight!" That dies in a day When the leaves of autumn sigh, Can speak an affection "Nearer death and further birth!" That blossoms alway. Time enough for hearts to cry, And never a chaplet "Man was only made for earth!" Our hands could entwine Youth is pleasant - Could tell the devotion Grasp the present - That ever is thine. Moons are crescent - Fa la la! All: In lieu of the lily Time enough for hearts to sigh! And bonny bluebell, Now the noonday sun is high! We lay on thine altar Day in cloth of gold is gay, True love's imortelles. Robe of silver wears the night; Dorothy: Dear playmates of childhood, All creation seems to say, Right welcome are you! "Earth was made for man's delight!" More fragrant than lily A love that is true. Sir George: What ails thee, Doll? This little head Sir George: Hast thou not yet forgot this youth - might hold the cares of Empire. Smile on me - whose very name my lips refuse to speak? smile! Today of all days, I would have thee merry. Lady Vernon: Manners - John Manners. What will our cousin Rupert think of thee? Sir George: Rutland's younger son! Shame on Dorothy: I care not what our cousin Rupert thinks. thee - shame. He is beneath thee, Doll. Remember Lady Vernon: Methought he liked not merriment? who thou art. Remember that with thee pass all the Sir George: True, Rupert hath espoused the lands of Haddon and this ancient hall, which Roundhead cause; but if I judge aright, short smiles there as it smiled before the Conquest. commons and long prayers will like not him! Be Dorothy: I know well who I am. I know from not deceived, our cousin's head is rather long than where I am descended; nor do I forget their round. He serves the parliament - ancient watchword, "Drede God, and honour the Lady Vernon: And serves the times. king!" God I have ever dreaded; and the King I Dorothy: In brief, he is not honest. honour, by loving one whose sword hath served his Sir George: Honest as times go. If, when he is thy cause. husband, he is true to thee, heed not his politics. Sir George: If he would sheathe that sword - if he Dorothy: I heed them not, nor his truth either, for would only pay decent respect to parliament. he will never be husband of mine. Dorothy: He were a traitor, and not worth my love! Sir George: Hearken, Doll. I do not care to plague Oh, father dear, turn not from me in anger! Is it sin thy pretty head with musty documents and lawyers' to love? quirks; enough to say that there are some who hold Sir George: Did I speak harshly? Then forgive our cousin's title to this fair estate stronger than me, Doll! Ever since my son - my only son - died, ours. This marriage would put an end to doubts fighting for his country, on the sea - thou art my all and questions that have troubled me, and would in all. It breaks my heart to ruffle thee. Go, tell thy be grateful to the parliament, which loves me none lover - if he sheath his sword - if he acknowledge too well. parliament - which otherwise might forfeit my Lady Vernon: Then must Doll wed to please the estate -1 will confer with Rupert. parliament? Dorothy: 'Twere in vain to ask him. It were worse Sir George: And me! than vain. Dorothy: From childhood I have striven to please Sir George: So be it! Go thy way and I go mine. thee, father. Remember only that my word is given, and that a Sir George: And thou hast pleased me well! Vernon doth not break his pledge. Dorothy: And I will strive to please thee still in Dorothy: I am a Vernon too, and shall I not keep everything save this. Do with me as thou wilt, but mine? spare my heart. I cannot give thee what is not mine Sir George: Bandy not words with me. No longer own. do I beg thee -1 command! [6] If my daughter love him TRIO Son he is to me! Dorothy: Nay, father dear, speak not to me Whether wife or maiden, In anger's cruel tone! All my heart is thine; Lady Vernon: By all the love she bears to thee Joy or sorrow laden, The love that is thine own! Thou art daughter mine. Dorothy: Remember all thou art to me Dor./Lady V: Whether wife or maiden Remember all I am to thee Thou art mother/daughter mine; And marvel not that hearts will ache - Joy or sorrow laden, Dor./Lady V.: For true love's sake. All my heart is thine. Sir George: Go bid thy lover sheath his sword Dorothy: Mother, my own dear mother, And bend his stubborn knee; Both of our lives entwine! Is all thy thought for thine adored Could'st thou have wed another, And hast thou none for me? Had such a love been thine? Lady Vernon: For true love's sake a heart will Oh, Mother dear, I love him so, sigh! No doubt or fear I seem to know! '\ Sir George: For true love's sake a heart will die! Lady Vernon: Go on thy way with gladness! Dorothy: His oath a soldier cannot break! Happily live the wife! Dor./Lady V.: For true love's sake. And leave to me the sadness All three: For true love's sake...... And leave to me the strife. [7] [8] Dorothy: Mother, dearest mother, Chorus: Ribbons to sell, ribbons to sell! Hearken unto me, Ribbons to tie up our hair. Think not that another Who'll buy? I! I! And I as well! Draws my heart from thee. And now for the fun of the fair! Though each day I know him Oswald: Come simples and gentles and gather Brighter shines the sun, ye round; All the love I owe him And for your attention I'll thank'ee; Robbeth thee of none. I sell by the pennyweight, pottle and pound His I seem to borrow Wares English, French, German and Yankee. All my own is thine; I've wares for the young, nor left out in the cold In my virgin sorrow Are their elders, the more is the pity, Help me mother mine! For I can't help remarking you're none of you Lady Vernon: Were but I above him, old Simple were his task; And noting you're all of you pretty! Doth my daughter love him? I've articles suited to every taste, That is all I ask. And ev'ry description of weather; Were but I above him, If any fair lady'll oblige with a waist Stranger though he be, We'll try on this garment together! Chorus: Although on his back he may carry a Oswald: A chance like this you mustn't miss! pack, Chorus: Oh yes! Oh yes! The chance we'll miss He has hands of a wonderful whiteness; For we've been told, alas! And this sympathetic young peripatetic That what is sold as Yankee gold A paragon is of politeness! Is sometimes Yankee brass. Oswald: My prices are low and my dealings are cash, Oswald: This to thy mistress So your pockets I won't dip in deeply; Dorcas: By our lady, nay! Thro' buying my stock at a great London smash Oswald: Thou art a comely wench, and thy face I am able to sell very cheaply! tells me thou art to be trusted. So bid for it boldly, but please bear in mind Dorcas: But art thou to be trusted? For I do not That the rule of cash down is "de rigeur" know thee; and ere now packmen have been found The price of each article, ladies, you'll find deceivers. Has been marked in a very plain figure. Oswald: I am no packman! Lo! God save the A complaint the proprietor begs to implore King! In case you're not treated politely, Dorcas: Granmercy! 'Tis a gallant gentleman! For I am a kind of a travelling store - Now I will trust thee. Oswald: But thou dost not know me, and ere now In fact, I'm a premature Whiteley! young men have been found deceivers. Chorus: He bought up a great metropolitan Dorcas: I'll hazard it! (takes letter) Nay, smash prithee, do not cover thyself up ere I have had At a sacrifice truly alarming; another glimpse of thee. (Aside): Truly a most He doesn't deduct any discount for cash desirable young man. (Aloud): Dost come from But his manners are perfectly charming! London, Sir? Oswald: Now isn't that beautiful? Isn't that Oswald: From London, aye. nice? Dorcas: (Aside): What pretty things they make in When I tell you the article's German London town! (Aloud): Of course, sir, thou art You'll know it could only be sold at the price some fine gentleman ? Thro' a grand international firman. Oswald: No - but a soldier and a serving-man. A still greater bargain! An article French. Dorcas: A serving-man! And I a serving-maid! Then this comes not from thee? When I say it's of French manufacture, Oswald: From Master Manners. He it is to whom I I mean that if worn by a beautiful wench, owe suit and service. A heart it is certain to fracture. Dorcas: From Master Manners! Then I guess its But here is the prize - only tuppence - pure gold burden. When I mention the article's Yankee, Oswald: Carry that burden to thy mistress, straight. Well nobody then will require to be told Dorcas: Is there such haste? That there can't be the least hanky-panky! Oswald: My master is hard by, and he awaits an Who'll buy? answer. Chorus: Not I; Oswald: Who'll buy? Chorus: Not I! Dorcas: Look me in the face! Art thou indeed a Ere evening closes, gather your posies, servant? Or art thou thine own master - in Jasmine and roses, sweet eglantine! disguise? Dorcas: While yet it is daylight Oswald: Nay, I am only my plain self. Rejoice in the day; Dorcas: Thank Heaven! Nought to repent of, breath be content of, Oswald: Oswald, my name. Fragrant with scent of newly mown hay! Dorcas: Mine, Dorcas. Oswald: Shall we be friends? Both: Night will come soon enough - Dorcas: With all my heart! Hold! Our Starlight nor moon enough. acquaintance is too young for that. While there is noon enough, Oswald: For what? I did but offer thee my hand. Let us be gay. Dorcas: Was it thy hand? Oswald: No grace is in grief and Oswald: I dared not offer more; but if thou No virtue in tears. challenge me... Come what may after, youth and its laughter Dorcas: Not I! Piercing the rafter, gladden the spheres! Oswald: Thou art a winsome wench, but thou art Dorcas: Tomorrow we'll sorrow coy. But now let us sing! Dorcas: Thou art not coy. Happy today be, joyous and gay be, Oswald: Life is too brief for modesty. Plucking while may be blossoms of spring. Dorcas:'Tis rather a waste of time. Oswald: We shall not long be young. Oswald: Each gift of creation Dorcas: And in the end it comes to the same thing. Is heaven's envoy; Oswald: That is philosophy, (kisses her) Ne'er a bud springeth, ne'er a bird singeth Dorcas: Enough -for the first lesson. Art thou a But to earth bringeth tidings of joy. great philosopher? Dorcas: Oh! List to the message Oswald: Aye; for I've read life's riddle. Life holds The hemisphere's voice! one secret. Live! "Folly is sadness' misery, madness, [9] Holy is gladness - Thine is the choice." Oswald: The sun's in the sky, and Both: Night will come soon enough - The grass in the ground; Starlight nor moon enough. Nature maternal, placid, supernal, While there is noon enough, let us rejoice! Spreadeth her vernal mantle around. [10] Dorcas: 'Tis idle repining Dorcas: My mistress comes. When summer is gay; Thyself thy missive give. When from her coffers jewels she offers, Oswald: Madam, I bow Scorn not her proffers, say her not nay. Dorothy: Sir, who art thou? Oswald: While morning is shining Oswald: Servant of one whose name I must not Your garlands entwine; tell, This from his hand - and from his heart as well. [11] Red of the rosebud, white of the may, Dorothy: Oh, tell me, what is a maid to say, Why are ye fragrant? Why are ye gay? What is a maid to do, Why are ye blithe as blithe can be? When heart says, "Go" and duty "Stay", Whisper your secret low to me! And she'd to both be true? Why do ye droop when day is done? Oh, tell me, what is a maid to say? Is it because ye love the sun? Shall it be rice or rue? Why do ye smile through tears of dew? When heart says "Yea" and duty "Nay", Is it because the sun loves you? What is a maid to do? Red of the rosebud, white of the may, All three: Yea or nay? Go or stay? That is your secret! Tell me not nay! To which be false, to which be true? Sing the old song that for ever is new – When a maiden wavers 'twixt yea and nay - Ye love your love, and your love loves you! Shall it be rice or rue? Oswald: Thou askest what is a maid to say, Breast of the robin, why dost thou blush? What is a maid to do? Whence is thy music, throat of the thrush? I answer, if her heart say yea, Why do ye flit from tree to tree? Her duty says so too. Warble your secret low to me! Dorcas: I can but tell thee what I should say, Why do ye roam the skies above? Tell thee what I would do; Is it in search of your true love? I'd go in showers of rice away, Why do ye build yourselves a nest? And leave behind the rue. Is it because your love is blest? All three: Yea or nay? Go or stay? Breast of the robin, Why dost thou blush? To which be false, to which be true? Where is thy music, throat of the thrush? When a maiden wavers 'twixt yea and nay - Fear not to whisper thy secret to me - Shall it be rice or rue? Thou lov'st thy love, and thy love loves thee! Red of the rosebud, white hawthorn-bush, [nb: In the first version of the opera, the solo scene for Manners, printed in the appendix and inserted as track 20, Breast of the robin, song of the thrush, commenced at this point. The revised version, in the order I am as happy, as happy as ye - recorded on this CD, was introduced specifically by I love my love, and my love loves me! Sullivan, who said it represented what he had always [13] desired] Puritans: Down with princes, down with peoples! [12] Down with churches, down with steeples! Dorothy (reading from letter): Down with love and down with marriage! "Why weep and wait? Why hesitate? Too soon Down with all who keep a carriage! is better than too late!" – Down with lord and down with lady - Ah yes, I wait, but do not weep! Up with everything that's shady! Thy love has rocked my tears to sleep! Down with life and down with laughter! Down with landlord, down with land! Barnabas: There be one land and there be one Whom the soil belongs to after, people, and to the one people the one land We could never understand! belongeth. Pleasure - we can do without it; Rupert: Quite so, quite so, my good Barnabas. Down with court and down with king; That is our way of putting it - in public. But this is And - just while we are about it – not the hustings, and as private individuals we know perfectly well that there is more than one Down with every blessed thing! people - in fact, there are a great many people; and how is the one land to belong to all of them? Rupert: My faithful friends, you have just been singing, Simeon: The state is the people. Let the land with that accuracy of time and purity of tone which belong to the state. characterize all your vocal efforts, these admirable Rupert: Thou art minded that the occupier should sentiments, amongst others: "Down with love, and down pay his rent to the state. with marriage; down with landlords, down with land!" Puritans: No rent! No rent! And truly these things are vanities - in the abstract! but Rupert: But if the occupier is to pay no rent, then in the concrete they possess a certain substance. In the each occupier becomes his own landlord. abstract I, Rupert Vernon, am a vanity. Puritans: Even so! Puritans: Yea, verily. Rupert: But in that case, you have more landlords Rupert: But in the concrete, even I possess a than ever. certain substance. Puritans: So we have! Puritans: Yea, verily. Rupert: Nor is the subject of celibacy as simple as Rupert: These brief preliminary observations will have it appears. Ever since it was arranged that the prepared you for the announcement that I am about to disputed title to the Haddon estates should be marry and become a landlord. settled by marriage with the fair Mistress Dorothy, Kill-Joy: This be flat blasphemy my views upon this matter have also undergone a Rupert: I was once of that opinion myself. But ever since change. I feel the need of female sympathy. it hath become a question whether my title to this highly Nobody sympathizes with us, and when one comes attractive residential property is not superior to that of to think of it, why should they? my cousin, its present occupant, I have given much Puritans: Why should they? attention to this subject. As I may shortly be in a position Rupert: It must be admitted that we have made to keep a carriage myself, I am not quite so persuaded as ourselves fairly obnoxious of late. We have been I was of the necessity of "downing" with everybody who particularly busy, and our business has chiefly indulges in that very harmless luxury. consisted in interfering with everybody else's. First Nicodemus: Odd's fish! Odd's fish! and foremost, we have abolished the playhouse. Rupert: I fail to see anything odd's fish about it. Then Puritans: Grace be praised! again, our attitude with regard to the land question - is it Rupert: Secondly, we have forbidden dance music quite sound? Or is it all sound and no sense? in all places of public resort. Kill-Joy: We have robbed the devil of his best tunes. Rupert: But to give that ingenious gentleman his a bad debt? After a life spent in the mortification due, he has to some extent circumvented us, for by of the flesh, it would be a crowning mortification if the simple expedient of playing the Old Hundredth it turned out that the flesh was not meant to be in double quick time, he has succeeded in evolving mortified; and it would be particularly irritating to from that venerable air something suspiciously discover that the flesh was intended to enjoy itself resembling the carnal and pernicious polka. at the precise moment when we had no longer any Thirdly, to the end that none shall profane the flesh to enjoy. Sabbath by enjoying it, or shall imperil his soul by Barnabas: Marry come up! improving his mind, we have shut all museums, Rupert: Well, Barnabas, to continue. Let us parks, and picture galleries, and turned the day of suppose, for the sake of argument, that "marry" rest into a night of rust. did "come up " - what then ? Puritans: Grace be praised! Barnabas: I have nought more to say. Rupert: Fourthly, having deprived the populace of Rupert: Then hold thy peace and hearken to a all means of innocent recreation, we have wiser tongue than thine. compelled them to seek solace in the consumption of strong drink. Nicodemus: Nay, verily; have we not closed all inns [14] and taverns? Rupert: I've heard it said, and it may be read, Rupert: It is true that wholesome and necessary In many a trusty tome, refreshment, either for man or beast, can no longer How, when augurs met on the parapet be procured in an open and honourable fashion; Of the walls of ancient Rome, but I can give you my personal assurance that As the two passed by, each winked an eye, there exist scores of places where any quantity of With a candour confidential, deleterious concoctions can be obtained in a Or stroked his nose - which, goodness knows - stealthy and disreputable manner. But it isn't at all essential. Puritans: Grace be praised! For every man since the world began Barnabas: Verily, these be notable good works. Had his idiosyncrasee, Rupert: But who's the better for them, Barnabas? And to lunch off a moan and to dine off a groan Who is the better for us? I will go a step further. Are we the better for ourselves? With a trickling tear for tea - Puritans: Ask us another! Well it may suit you from your point of view Rupert: I will ask you another. Are we comely to But it doesn't at all suit me! look upon ? As I don't rejoice in a deep voice - Puritans: Nay, verily. Well, it doesn't at all suit me. Rupert: Do we enjoy ourselves? Tho' the world be bad, it's the best to be had; Kill-Joy: All life is sack-cloth and ashes. And therefore, Q.E.D., Simeon: But our reward is to come! Tho' it mayn't suit you and a chosen few, Rupert: Are you quite sure of that? I have no wish It's a good enough world for me. to pose as an alarmist, but suppose we are making Examples show that we needn't go So far as to ancient Rome, For it just occurs unto me, good sirs, shut the shop, There are humbugs nearer home. They're like other mortals out upon the hop! When you style the spheres a vale of tears, Rupert: I pray you, pretty ladies, before this Don't you rather beg the question? audience ends, Remember, bards, it's on the cards, To let me do the honours and introduce my ; It is nothing but indigestion. friends. For every man since the world began Sing-Song Simeon. Had his little infirmatee. Nicodemus Knock-Knee. And is apt to mistake what is only an ache Barnabas Bellows-to-Mend. For profound philosophee: Kill-Joy Candlemas. He is not the sphinx he sublimely thinks, Chorus: Enough! Enough! We have suffered But a man very much like me! galore, Not a demon fell, or an archangel, We cannot suffer more! But a man very much like me. Oh, let's see the back of you Tho' the world be bad...... Every man jack of you [15] All of you sillies and all of you sights! Chorus: The bonny bridegroom cometh The sort of old fogies To meet the bonny bride, That bob up like bogies Let all the gates of Haddon And keep one awake in the dead of the nights. Their portals open wide! Get away! Get away! Get away! The bonny bridegroom cometh - Rupert: Between ourselves, I candidly confess Your breath together draw! That I expected neither more nor less. Prepare to bid him welcome My faithful friends, I do not mind confessing With a hip, hip, hip - oh, law! To all of you, whom I am now addressing, Rupert: Our first appearance is not a success. That as a lot you are not prepossessing Simeon: Well, not a triumph. It's no use blinking it! Nicodemus: A success d'estime Puritans: We were just thinking it! Barnabas: Or less. Rupert: Ladies, pretty ladies, second thoughts Rupert: Ladies, fair, I pray you do not be afraid; are best; Let us not dismay you, we but ply our trade. Pregnant is the proverb, time's the only test. Puritans: Do not so disdain us, we but ply our Come ladies fair, beyond compare, trade! And list to my confessions; Chorus: Tho' the objects pain us, they but ply Be warned by me, and never be their trade. Deceived by first impressions. Rupert: Once we close the portals, once we shut Men: Go, ladies fair beyond compare - the shop, Girls: Come ladies fair beyond compare - We're like other mortals out upon the hop! Chorus: And list to his confessions. Puritans: Out upon the hop! Chorus: Once they close the portals, once they [16] Lady Vernon: A bridegroom's? Rupert: When I was but a little lad Rupert: Aye, if this sweet maiden wills. And cake and toffee made me glad Sir George: This maiden aye her father's wish And high the sun at noon! fulfils. My mother came to me one day, Rupert: Cousin fair, to thee I offer When I was in the field at play Soul and body, heart and hand. With jam upon a spoon. Sir George: In exchange, to thee we proffer It looked so nice, I thought not twice, Beauty, duty, house and land. The jam had vanished in a trice – Lady Vernon: Husband, hear me! Husband, Quite frank are these confessions! listen! Alas, the jam concealed a pill Let our daughter's heart reply. Which made me very, very ill – In her eyes the teardrops glisten, Deceived by first impressions! If she wed him, she will die! Chorus: Oh joy! The jam concealed a pill Dorothy: Father, hear me! Father, listen! Which made him very, very ill – If I wed him, I shall die. Deceived by first impressions! Lady Vernon: Husband, hear her; husband, Rupert: Quoth Dr. Syntax, one fine day, listen! "Rupert, I have a word to say." Dorcas: Only hear, her, only listen! (I had just sat a cram.) If she wed him, she will die! So tenderly he took my hand, Lady Vernon/Chorus: If she wed him, she will die! His tone was so polite and bland, [18] I followed like a lamb. Dorothy: When, yestereve, I knelt to pray, But once upstairs his manner freezed, As thou had taught me to, And all at once he seemed displeased, I seemed to hear the angels say, As with Aeneas, Dido! "To thine own heart be true." Then quick as thought he seized a birch Heaven breathed a message through the And fairly knocked me off my perch-Whack, spheres! whack, whack-fol-de-riddle-i-do! Chorus: Heaven breathes it every day, Whack-fol-de-riddle-i-do! Rupert: Now, To all who have the ears to hear, ladies fair beyond compare, Be warned by my The wisdom to obey. confessions; By golden day and silver night You surely see the vanity – It rings all nature through; Chorus: Of trusting first impressions. Whack, For ever, in the angels' sight, whack, whack-fol-de-riddle-i-do! [17] To thine own heart be true. Sir George: Hail, cousin Rupert, welcome to our Though storms uprise and cloud the skies, heart! And thorns where roses grew, Though scarce we know thee in this habit Come sun or snow, come weal or woe, homely. To thine own heart be true! Rupert: It doth not suit me, but before we part I Chorus: Though storms uprise...... hope to change it for a garb more comely. [19] [20] Dorothy: Father, forgive! Manners: The earth is fair and a beauty rare Sir George: Rise! To thy chamber, thou Bespangles lake and lea, rebellious maid! Ere day is done and the setting sun My will is law, and law must be obeyed. Dips down beneath the sea; Few are my needs; But never a sun in the skies afar I ask not words of duty, I ask deeds. Bright as the eyes of my lady are, Away, away! My lady who loves me! Lady Vernon: She doth but stay farewell to say. Where in the shining frame above, Sir George: Away, away! Where in the great design, No longer art thou daughter mine! Where in the world is found a love Dorcas: Sweet mistress, all my heart is thine! Like unto mine and thine? Rupert/Puritans: We are refused! Like unto mine and thine, love! Chorus: You are! You are! Like unto mine and thine! Rupert/Puritans: A plague upon our natal star. When pale afar is the evening star - Sir George: Away! Away! Sweet orphan of the night! - Dorothy: Sir, I obey! Creation sleeps but its spirit keeps Dorcas: Oh, fateful day! Her virgin lamp alight; Puritans: Dismay! Dismay! Yet never a star in the heavens above All: Thy duty, with unerring hand, Pure as the soul of my lady love, Dictates the rightful way! Pure as the troth I plight! Sir G./Rupert/Puritans: It is a father's to Where in the shining frame on high, command. Where in the great design, The rest: It is for conscience to command. Where is the love in earth or sky Dorothy: I dare not disobey! Like unto thine and mine? The rest: Dare not to disobey! Like unto thine and mine, love! Like unto thine and mine! END OF ACT ONE [21] Dorothy: Sweetly the morn doth break, when ------love is nigh; Hues of the rainbow take landscape and sky; Appendix Gaily the sun doth shine over my head; Manners: Beshrew the knave! What hath become of High heaven itself is mine, sorrow is dead. him? Can they have laid him by the heels? Or may it Ever for thy dear sake happy am I; be, love hath outpaced his messenger? Ne'er have I Sweetly the morn doth break, when love is nigh! ventured quite so close before. I tread the grass her Manners: In my life's chalice, love thou art the feet have trod today; the blooms that smiled upon wine! her smile on me; and in the scented breeze, I seem to Dorothy: Now shines the sun above, now thou feel her breath upon my cheek. art mine! Both: Hues of the rainbow take landscape and Dorothy: Now am I thine for ever! Oh, my love, That is sky; the answer I had prayed of thee! Sweetly the morn doth break when love is nigh! Hadst thou said aye, my love for thee had died. My word I would have kept; but in my heart Thine image would Dorothy: Kneel not to me! have fallen from its shrine. Manners: All angels guard Manners: To whom else should I kneel? thee! A loyal subject bends before his queen; Dorothy: Hark! The tocsin bell! And mine art thou. Farewell, beloved! Sweetheart, fare thee well! Dorothy: Hush! Not so loud. Not long have I to stay. ------Moments are precious Manners: When they are with thee. Act II - Scene I - Dorothy's Door Dorothy: Nay, let me speak; for I have much to CD2 - [1] say. Puritans: Hoarsely the wind is howling - Our cousin Rupert comes today to wed me. Bitterly bites the blast - Manners: Let twenty cousins come, I fear them The midnight cat is prowling - not! The rain is falling fast - Thy word is pledged. But what of that? Dorothy: And 'tis an easy task To keep an oath one hath no will to break. We'll back ourselves against the howling wind But what are vows, if they are vowed in vain? And the nocturnal cat - My father will not hearken to thy suit. At two to one, bar none. Manners: What says he? Rupert: And not a layer find even at that. Dorothy: That thou must lay down thine arms, ere Puritans: Even at that. he will hearken. Rupert: The rain falls fast in icy blasts; Manners: I? forswear the king? It's the sort of day when people say Dorothy: Oh, tell me, sweetheart, is thy love so It's much too bad to last. great Puritans: But it lasts! That thou wouldst do this for thy true love's sake? Rupert: It lasts! Manners: Great is my love - greater than lord or king - Puritans: It lasts! But there is one thing greater than my love. False to myself, I should be false to thee, Rupert: My good friend Simeon, thou who singest songs And heaven would curse our love. and art by way of being a musician, tell me what is thy Nay, sweetheart mine, I will not make thy face private judgement on these strains with which it is our my noonday sun - my morning, evening star - a habit to beguile our lighter moments? haunting spectre, symbol of my shame! Simeon: I'sooth, they be saintly airs. Dorothy: That is thine answer? Rupert: At the same time, dost thou not think, something Manners: There could be but one. a trifle more melodious – Kill-Joy: Melody! 'Tis the invention of Satan! Barnabas: To us hath been revealed the higher law, that discord is the soul of all true harmony. Rupert: Barnabas, thou wert born before thy time. [2] Two centuries hence, and thou wouldst be a leader McCrankie: My name it is McCrankie, amongst musicians; but as things are, thou art an I am lean an’ lang an’ lanky, anachronism. I'm a Moody an’ a Sankey, Kill-Joy: Verily, we are all anachronisms. Wound upo’ a Scottish reel! Simeon: But conscience is a great comforter. Pedantic and puncteelious. Nicodemus: Even in such weather as this. Barnabas: Troth, 'tis a gruesome sight! Severe an’ superceelious. Rupert: But they seem to be enjoying themselves Preceese an’ atra-beelious. within. High jinks within. And why are we out of it? But meanin’ vera weel. This feast is given in our especial honour, and here I don't object tae whisky, we are cooling our heels in this particularly moist But I say a' songs are risky, and most unpleasant atmosphere, simply because An’ I think a’ dances frisky, our conscientious scruples will not permit us to An’ I've pit the fuitlichts oot! countenance such carnal junkettings. But for our I am the maist dogmatical, consciences we should probably at this moment be Three-cornered, autocratical, enjoying a stoup of something hot - Funereal, fanatical, Kill-joy: With spice in it! (All sigh) O’ a’ the cranks aboot! Rupert: Our withdrawal has not cast that gloom I’d pit a stap tae jokin'— over the proceedings which might have been anticipated. An’ I wadna sanction smokin’; Simeon: But heed them not! We are the salt of the An’ my nose I wad be pokin’ earth! Into ilka body's way. Rupert: My faithful Simeon, is not that an I’d use my power censorial additional reason why we should be kept in a dry In manner dictatorial; place? This excess of moisture without and this To naebody's memorial phenomenal aridity within are beginning to tell upon Attention wad I pay; me. I feel my Puritanic principles are tottering. It I’d stap the kittens playin’, will do me a world of good to refresh myself at the An’ forbid the horse's neighin', uncompromising fount of The McCrankie. But oh, no’ the ass’s brayin’, Nicodemus: But where is he? For I love the ass's bray! Rupert: He is certainly late, but he has a long way to I am the maist mechanical come. The Island of Rum is situate in a remote part of the west coast of Scotland; but between you and Offeecious, puritanical, me, I sometimes wish it were further. The Pragmatic an’ tyrannical McCrankie is a Puritan above reproof, and a little of Production o' the day! him goes a long way - especially when he Rupert: So here thou art at last! Thou hast been long accompanies himself on the national instrument. on the way. Let us hope he will leave it behind him. (they hear McCrankie: Houts, mon, business maun be bagpipes) attended tae. Oh, this is worse than the weather! Rupert: Business? What business? McCrankie: If thou but kent how mony folk I had made meeserable, thou 'd say I'd nae wasted my time. I'd scarce set foot upo' t' bo't that was to hae Rupert: What art thou about now? brought me frae t'Eel o' Rum, when I behelt a sicht McCrankie: Aweel, aweel, I was jist baskin' i't' licht that froze me vera bluid. A sailor-laddie, gangin' on o' my ain coontenance, an' gie'in thank that I was a cruise, a cuitlin and cuddlin' a braw lassie on t' made sae muckle mair guid than ithers. quay itsel'. Rupert: But, McCrankie, my old comrade, strictly Rupert: Perhaps she was his sister? between ourselves, dost thou think that this McCrankie: Aiblins, aiblins! I care nae boddle! Was exuberant virtue of ours is altogether a matter for I tae staun by an' see cuitlin' an' cuddlin' i' a public thanksgiving? It makes life somewhat dull, doth it place? Na, na. Sae I jist steppit ashore an' charged not? 'em wi' disorderly behaviour. That's hoo I missed t' McCrankie: Aweel, aweel, life has its campensation. bo't. Here's t'ye! Hae a drappie? Rupert: Any more adventures? Rupert: I don't mind if I do. McCrankie: The neist sicht that I seen was some McCrankie: Hae ye caulds, a' o' ye? wee bairns singin' an' dancin' in t' open air. I jist Rupert: My friends, you may withdraw. The ganged up tae 'em and somethin' i' ma vera face McCrankie and I are about to propound the Puritan took the de'il oot o' 'em. I said, "Hae ye a singin' programme of posterity, and it is desirable that we an' dancin' leecence?" They said they hadna; sae I should not be interrupted. Withdraw gracefully if ye took 'em tae t'jile, an' when I left 'em greetin' oot can - but withdraw. their een, I couldna help fa 'in on ma knees, an' Simeon: As usual. giein' the Laird thanks for ha 'en made a mon sae Nicodemus: Out of it. unco guid as me. Puritans: Always out of it! Rupert: No doubt, McCrankie, no doubt, as a work McCrankie: Has they ga 'en awa'? of art thou dost Providence infinite credit. Rupert: They have not withdrawn gracefully, but McCrankie: An' ye may say that. T' best day's work they have withdrawn. it aye did. I aye said that. Rupert: But there is one little matter which rather [3] perplexes me, if I may mention it without offence. Rupert/McCrankie: There's no one by - no prying McCrankie: Oot wi' it. eye- Rupert: I have never been able to reconcile thy Our solemn secret tae espy - notorious objections to the costume of the corps de So let us plainly say - ballet with this exceedingly liberal display of thine Could we create the world anew, - own personal attractions. McCrankie: Mon, it is saved from offence by the What we wad vera quickly do deegnity o' the kilt. If we but had our way! Rupert: Which is its dignity? That tobacco pouch Like Joshua we would stop the sun - there? The thing is vera simply done - McCrankie: Houts, thou doil'd dotard, thou may If we but had our way! lauch thy fill, but Scots wha hae nae breeks aye We'd pit an' end tae heat and' licht - worn, nae breeks sall they aye wear. An' bring aboot eternal nicht - If we but had our way! We'd supervise the plants and flowers - That ye are bigger fools than we - Prescribe them early-closing hours - If we but have our way! If we but had our way! We would forbid the rose to smell - Dorcas: Not a sound! Not a whisper! Where can We'd reinstate the curfew bell - Oswald be? This is the hour, and this the trysting If we but had our way! Place. (she sees Rupert & McCrankie and screams) No man in influenza's throes McCrankie: Dinna be frichtened, leddy. Suld be allo'ed tae blaw his nose - Dorcas: Who art thou? If we but had our way! Rupert: Permit me to introduce my old friend the McCrankie, from the Island of Rum - a Scotch No cock should crow, no bird should sing - puritan of the most uncompromising type. Naebody suld dae onything - McCrankie: An' wha is this braw lassie? Without our licence, sealed and signed; Rupert: Mistress Dorcas, handmaiden to fair For we wad dominate mankind - Mistress Dorothy. If we but had our way! McCrankie: I am richt glad tae make thine acquaintance. We were not, thro' some freak of earth, Dorcas: So am not I. Hands off! Consulted at the planet's birth - McCrankie: Hout awa', leddy. The nicht is dark - Tho' we'd a lot to say! Rupert: And there is no one looking. Had we been on creation's scene, Dorcas: So much the worse! A great improvement there'd ha' been - McCrankie: Sae muckle the better! If we'd but had our way. Thou 'rt a sonsie lassie. Dorcas: Fie on ye! Ye are a brace of ill-mannered But somehow we were clean forgot, knaves, and ought both to be clapped in the stocks. That's why we'll make things piping hot - And ye the piper pay. [4] We'll tax ye oop an' tax ye doon, Rupert: Hoity-toity, what's a kiss? We'll tax the country, tax the toon - ::; McCrankie: 'Tis nae vera shockin'! If we but have our way. Rupert: Do not take the thing amiss. We'll tax ye hip, and tax ye thigh - McCrankie: Lass, there's nae ane leukin'! An' sen' the rate-book oop lift-high - Dorcas: Hoity-toity, what's a kiss? And cry, hurray, hurray! Kissing goes by favour. An' what becomes o' science, art, Rupert: And when the kiss is a stolen bliss - The law, the temple an' the mart, McCrankie: The sweeter is the savour! We naether ken nor care! Dorcas: Upon my word, I never heard We only know, as sure as shot - A statement more surprising - Wha pays his scot an' bears his lot - Aren't ye afraid of with a maid A lot will have to bear. Your conscience compromising? We only know, our lack of sense Is inconceivably immense! And now we hope, ye plainly see The three: Upon a light and starry night Dorcas: Oh hist and whist! Now do desist, We might/you would consult the latter, Or I'll create a clatter. But when the maid is in the shade Do set me free, and let me be, It's quite another matter. And cease your silly chatter. Rupert: Hoity-toity, who's afraid? [5] McCrankie: When there's nae ane leukin'. Dorcas: The west wind howls, the thunder rolls, Rupert: I could ne'er resist a maid - But love keeps warm my heart. McCrankie: When she shows her stockin'! Oh, mistress dear, tonight and here, Dorcas: Hoity-toity, man, be mum! Sweet mistress, must we part? Hast thou had a glassie? Oswald: The horses are saddled and dark is the Rupert: My friend hath come from the Isle of night; Rum - The stars in the firmament favour our flight; McCrankie: And thou'rt a braw wee lassie. Each planet its splendour hath graciously veiled; Dorcas: Behave thyself, thou Highland elf, And the chaste moon herself her effulgence hath Thy conduct is past bearing, paled. I thought ye both had taken oath Dorcas: But the planets are there though their Frivolity forswearing. glory they hide; The three: Like every man, a Puritan Though a mask they may wear, they will smile on Admires a waist that's taper, the bride; And on the sly will wink his eye The stars keep their vigils above her; And cut his little caper! Oh Oswald, dear Oswald, I love her. Rupert: Hoity-toity, what's an oath? Oswald: Ah, happy maid, a wife so soon to be, McCrankie: Eyes were made for hookin', To be beloved by one so fair as thee! Rupert: We are very human, both - Dorcas: Not now! Not now! To love's sweet vow McCrankie: When there's nae ane leukin'! I'll listen all life long; Dorcas: Hoity-toity, things have come Sing love to me and thine I'll be To a pretty passie! And live upon thy song! Rupert: The Isle of Rum is a trifle glum - But sing not now! McCrankie: An thou'rt a bonny lassie! If they should take her! If they should pursue! Dorcas: Thou horrid thing! Thou Highland fling! Do not forsake her, oh my lover true! I'm sure thou'st had a glassie. Promise me Oswald, promise thy bride, I won't by you - or any two - That if thou leav'st me a maid forlorn, Be called a bonny lassie! To weep the day that I e'er was born, (together): Thou wilt not leave her side. Rupert/McC: Oh hist and whist! Now don't resist Oswald: I swear. Why make so great clatter? Dorcas: Now thou art mine, for ever mine, There's none to see so what the d...., Oswald: And I for ever thine! The de'il doth it matter? Manners: Flash, lightning , flash and roll thou Dorothy: Home of my girlhood, so happy, thunder, roll! farewell! The heavens crash but peace is in my soul; I ne'er may look on thee again - who can tell? For love is there, serene and blest, The sun shine upon thee. Farewell! And everywhere where love is, there is rest. Father, oh father, I love thee! Goodbye! The three: Flash, lightning, flash, and roll thou I have tried to obey thee - in vain! Sad am I! thunder, roll! Oh, love me, I pray thee. Goodbye! Thou canst not crush! Love reigns from pole to Why do the heavens roar? pole. Is this thing sin that I am doing for thy sake? And through the black abyss above Ghostly the night! Love rolls thee back, for thou thyself art love. Manners: But calm aye follows storm. Flash, lightning, flash and roll thou thunder, roll! Dorcas: Hush! What was that? E'en thou art blest; Oswald: Thy heart thine ear deceives. For love is there, and everywhere Manners: 'Twas nought. Where love is, there is rest. Dorcas: Again! Again! . Manners: Oh, heart's desire, I see thee once Dorothy: See yonder form! again! All: Hush! I seem to hear the heavenly choir sing, life is not 'Twas but the twinkle of the rustling leaves. in vain. Manners: Be not afraid! On my strong arm When thou art nigh, oh, true my love, depend! Again the sky is blue, there is no darkness now. Dorcas: See. There is something. Dorothy: There is no light, when thou art far Oswald: Where? away; Manners: Among the trees. Thine absence is to me the night, thy presence is Dorcas: Yes, there is something moving. the day; Dorothy: Saints defend! For when I am with thee, my love, All: 'Twas but the branches swaying in the breeze. Another world I see, there is no darkness now. Manners: Now step lightly, hold me tightly, Oswald: The horses are waiting - Creep along by yonder wall. Dorothy: And ready am I! All: Hush, step lightly, hold me tightly, Manners: The storm is abating - Where the deepest shadows fall. Come love, let us fly. Heaven befriend us. Saints defend us. Dorothy: Oh, grant me one moment! Fare thee well, old Haddon Hall! Oswald: The horses are waiting – Now step lightly, lightly, lightly, Dorothy: Dear Haddon, goodbye! Lightly let our footsteps fall, Manners: Come love, let us fly. Lightly fall, lightly fall...... [6] STORM [8] Rupert: Eloped, eloped! Betrayed, betrayed! SCENE II - The Long Gallery Abetted by this tricksy maid! [7] McCrankie: Eh, mon! Eh, mon! Th' dochter's Major Domo: Silence all! Attend your host! flown! Silence all, and pledge the toast. Sir George: Is this my house, sir, or thine own? Sir George: 'Tis an honoured old tradition, Rupert: Forgive my friend - let me express Open house is Haddon Hall; My sorrow for his zeal's excess; Welcome all who seek admission, He has only just come from the Isle of Rum Gentle, simple, great and small. And this is his native evening dress. Health and wealth to comrades present, Sir George: But why has he come - Welcome one and all the same. Lady V./Dorcas: Yes, why has he come - Chorus: Health to peer and health to peasant! Chorus: Yes, why has he come from the Isle of Health to squire and health to dame! Rum? Sir George: In days of old, when men were bold Sir George: And having come - And the prize of the brave the fair, Lady V./Dorcas: Yes, having come- We danced and sang till the rafters rang Chorus: Yes, having come from the Isle of Rum And laughter was everywhere. Sir George: Cannot thy Gaelic friend be dumb? Our lives were lives of stress and storm, All: Although he has come from the Isle of Rum. But through our veins the blood ran warm - McCrankie: Eh, mon, eh, mon, ye dinna ken, We only laughed the more. Th' dochter's gane wi' evil men! For mirth was mirth and worth was worth Sir George: What is this tale? In the grand old days of yore. Lady Vernon: I fear me. Chorus: To the grand old days, the grand old Rupert: This tale I will succinctly tell, days! If you will only hear me. The grand old days of yore. Chorus: Oh! Tell the tale to us as well; Sir George: Ere life is old and hearts grow cold A tearful tale, I fear me. And the autumn gathers grey, Rupert: We were sheltering all underneath a wall, With soul and voice in your youth rejoice Very damp and most unhappy; And merrily keep your May; And to keep us warm in the pelting storm - Again let love and manly mirth and woman's McCrankie: We were hae'in' a wee drappie! beauty rule the earth Puritans: They were having a wee drappie! As beauty ruled before; Rupert: We said so, friends. And once again let men be men McCrankie: We said we a' As they were in days of yore. Were bidin' underneath a wa' - All: To the grand old days, the grand old days, Rupert: Very damp - The grand old days of yore. McCrankie: And maist unhappy! Puritans: Oh, yes, we were damp, and we all had the cramp, But we had no wee drappie. Dorcas/Chorus: That's why you were unhappy? our sport Puritans: That's why we were unhappy. This intrigue of the kitchen to report? McCrankie: I was bidin' there, wi' nae breeks tae Dorcas: It means that tomorrow thy daughter and wear - pride An' a kilt's a wee bit draughty! Will be, to thy sorrow, her true lover's bride. Rupert: When one of the boys he heard a noise Sir G./Lady V./All: My/thy daughter! McCrankie: An' we listened, cool an' crafty. Rupert: My cousin and bride! Simeon: Please, I was the boy who heard the noi- Dorcas: Away to the water they gallantly ride. Chorus: And you listened, cool and crafty. Sir George: To horse - to horse - the fugitives Rupert: To voices speaking - pursue! McCrankie: Footsteps creaking - Chorus: To horse - to horse. Both: Then a silence deep and dead. Rup./McC/Puritans: To horse, but after you. Puritans: Need we mention our attention Sir George: Fleet though the lightning flash ' Was bestowed on what they said? vanish from view, Chorus: And what did the voices say? Surely the thunder's crash follows anew. Tell us, we pray. I will, whatever hap, press through the holt, Puritans: Hush, step lightly! Close as the thunder-clap after the bolt. McCrankie: Haud me tightly! Chorus: Fleet tho' the lightning's flash vanish Puritans: Lightly let your footsteps fall - from view, Lightly, lightly, lightly fall! Surely the thunder's crash follows anew. Lightly fall...... Sir George: To horse - to horse - spare neither Rupert: Forward I rushed, this saucy vixen steed nor spur! grasping! Chorus: To horse! To horse! McCrankie: Forrit I fell, an' crackt a Scottish Rup./Puritans: We will bring up the rear. croon. All: To horse! To horse! The fugitives pursue. Puritans: Backward we flew, until we pulled up [10] gasping! Lady Vernon: In vain they will blunder thro' holt McCrankie: I rose agen, but some ane knockt me and through brake; doon! Never yet did the thunder the lightning o'ertake. Rupert: A sound of hooves against the gravel Girls: Farewell our gracious hostess, of children ringing - both bereft; McCrankie: The clouds disperse, that had But love, obedience, troops of friends unto thee obscured the moon - still are left. Rupert: We see a maiden to a horseman clinging! Not ours to break grief's sacred seal and on thy McCrankie: We were too late - woe to dwell, Puritans: Or else we were too soon. But ours to bend a humble knee and bid thee Rupert/McC.: Too late! Too late! Too late! fond farewell. Men: Or else they were too soon. Chorus: Time the avenger, time the controller, Sir George: What means this tale? Why interrupt Time that unravels the tangle of life, Guard thee from danger, prove thy consoler, My announcement has not been received with the And make thee again happy mother and wife. cordiality which I had a right to expect. I have always Chorus: Brief is all life; its storm and strife time understood that on such an occasion it was customary stills; for retainers, servants, peasants, etc., to break out into a And thro' this dream the nameless scheme fulfils; chorus expressive of delight and admiration. I have Until one day thro' space is hurled evidently been misinformed. (enter Lady Vernon) A vacant world, silent and grey. 'Tis my fair cousin! Lady Vernon: Sir, without waste of words, it is not our ACT III - The Ante-chamber purpose to intrude longer on thy hospitality. My husband [11] awaits thee in the Eagle Tower, prepared to yield to thee Chorus: Our heads we bow, the rod we kiss - the muniments of Haddon, and to say farewell. (Did ever you hear such a chorus as this? Rupert: I will attend him instantly. It's a Puritan's notion of heavenly bliss!) Lady Vernon: And farewell thou, and all of you. The scales have fallen from our eyes - Dorcas: Our hearts go with thee. (We're painfully conscious we're so many guys, Lady Vernon: And ours stay with you - bruised but not And we're all of us telling a parcel of lies!) broken. We are Vernons still. The truth at last we clearly see - (Oh, hi-diddle-diddle! Between you and me, [12] Our apparent conversion is fiddle-de-dee) Lady Vernon: Queen of the garden bloomed a Oh, priceless gift! Oh, blessed boon! rose, (It must have been of this identical tune Queen of the roses round her; The apocryphal quadruped perished so soon). Never a wayward wind that blows Oh, blessed boon! (Oh, what a tune!) Breathed on the briar that bound her; The sunset lingered on her face, Rupert: Very good - excellent! That will conclude our And Phoebus, westward roaming, lesson for today. As a reward for your good conduct I Illumined with a golden grace will now communicate to you a piece of information The empress of the gloaming. which I feel sure you will receive with feelings of the Never a moon at evening rose liveliest satisfaction. The law-suit, which since the But in the twilight found her somewhat abrupt departure of Mistress Dorothy with a Regal in rest, in red repose, handsomer - ahem! - with another gentleman, I have Queen of the roses round her! been prosecuting with the utmost vigour, has at last Into her heart a canker crept, terminated in my favour. This hall and these estates now Into her soul a sorrow; vest in me. Though with my usual good taste I have not Over her head the dewdrops wept, insisted on the immediate evacuation of my cousin, Sir "She will be dead tomorrow". George, and his good lady, from this day forth I am Lord of Haddon -1 alone. But still a smile upon her cheek, The morrow found her glowing In crimson state, on all who seek Lady Vernon: Our years are spent, our heads are Her royal grace bestowing. grey, Queen of the garden still at noon, And slowly ebbs the tide away Queen of the roses round her, That bears us out to sea. Not until eve the pallid moon Sir George: I print a kiss upon thy brow; Dead in the garden found her. We are too old to quarrel now; Dorcas/Chorus: Dead in the garden lay a rose, What have I left but thee? Regal in rest they found her; Both: Until we quit life's chequered scene, Smiling in death's august repose, Love, let us keep our friendship green; Queen of the roses round her. Friends we have always, always been, [13] Friends let us always be! Sir George: Alone - alone! No friendly tone To bid my heart rejoice. Rupert: Methought it good taste not to interrupt My son beneath the sighing sea - them, albeit they delay their departure unduly. Sooth My daughter dear estranged from me. to say, the position of my poor cousins is pathetic No kindly voice to say rejoice. enough, but it behoves them to accept their lot with Alone! philosophy - as I do. (enter Dorcas) Lady Vernon: Not while I live. How now? Now now? Is it so that ye enter our presence? Sir George: Why kneelest thou to me? Lady Vernon: Husband, forgive! [15] A suppliant I to thee. Dorcas: In frill and feather spick and span, 'Twas I who urged our daughter's flight - A gallant is asking for thee; Oh! How can I atone? I told him to go, but he wouldn't take "no", Upon that wild and starless night, Oh, he is such a nice young man! The culprit I alone! Nance/Gertrude/Deborah: We told him to go, but Sir George: Then it was thou! he wouldn't take "no", Lady Vernon: My head I humbly bow. Oh he is such a nice young man! [14] Rupert: Oh, yes I know that nice young man; Sir George: Bride of my youth, wife of my age, He travels in coffee and tea, Who, hand in hand and page by page, And if you're not in, leaves behind him a tin Hast read life's book with me, Or a packet of bad bohea! Upon whose knee our son hath slept, Dorcas: Oh, sir, he's such a handsome youth! Together we have smiled and wept The nicest I ever did see. Over his grave - the sea. To tell thee the truth I have never seen youth Until we quit life's chequered scene, Who was quite such a youth as he! Love, let us keep our friendship green. Nance/Gertrude/Deborah: To tell thee the truth, Friends we have always, always been, we have never seen youth Friends let us always be. Who was quite such a youth as he! Rupert: Oh, yes, I know that self-same youth! With the gallants who adore us, ; He dabbles a bit in the arts; And to merry-make the livelong day. He wants you to hire what you'll never require, Singing tra, la, la, ...... In a series of monthly parts. Chorus: Tra, la, la, ...... Chorus: He is partial to hours both dark and late, Rupert: To a word of warning hark, He has a quick eye for the spoons, Ere you recklessly embark And long he will wait with his foot in the gate On an undertaking so inane In the dusk of the afternoons. As to dedicate to Cupid [16] That particularly stupid Oswald: Good General Monk, with others And peculiarly weak refrain therein named, Known as tra, la, la, ...... Hath entered London and the King proclaimed. Chorus: Tra, la, la, ...... And by his order I am here to claim Puritans: From the point of view of wit, This ancient manor, in King Charles's name. We are open to admit Dost thou surrender? ...... It's a silly sort of thing to say; Nothing! I have said! ...... But when musically treated So be it sir, thy blood be on thy head. And sufficiently repeated, Rupert: Summon my bodyguard. I fear me, It's effective in its simple way. friends, So, sing tra, la, la, ...... Some evil to my person this portends. Chorus: Tra, la, la, ...... (enter Puritans) Why this disorder? This rebellious mien? Where are Rupert: So, the professional agitator hath been at your books? And why are ye so clean? Puritans: work here. I must take counsel with McCrankie. His Bother our books! We all intend uncompromising puritanism will no doubt find a Our evil looks and ways to mend. way out of the difficulty. We mean to do just what we like, (enter McCrankie in breeches) So we have all come out on strike. Odd's troth! What means this metamorphosis? McCrankie: Aweel, aweel, I'll tell ye a' aboot it. I Eight hours we'll moan – wasna tat weel last nicht, and sae, tae warm my Eight hours we'll sigh – heart I jist had a - Eight hours we'll groan- Rupert: A wee drappie? Eight hours we'll pry! McCrankie: Wha tauld thee, mon? Sickerly! I had Simeon: But for sixteen we will be free! ane wee drappie. Puritans: And so say I Chorus: He had one wee drappie! Chorus: And so say we! McCrankie: But somegate I felt waur instead o' [17] better; and sae - weel, I jist had another wee Dorcas: We have thought the matter out, drappie. And we know what we're about, Rupert: He had two wee drappies. And whatever thou may'st do or say, We intend to sing in chorus McCrankie: But twa wee drappies didna reach the FINALE cause. [19] Rupert: So thou hadst three? All: Hark! The Cannon! Where to hide us? Dorcas: Four? Hark ! Again the trumpet's call! Gertrude: Five? Friend afar and foe beside us, Nance: Six? Death confronts us one and all. McCrankie: Weel, I didna jistly count. Rupert: Well, thou wert past arithmetic; what then? Manners: God save the King! McCrankie: I'd fa'en asleep; an' i' my sleep, got These from his hand I bring! crackin' tae mysel'. An' what dae ye think I said? Time was, Sir Knight, thou spurned me from thy Rupert: Mon, I neither ken nor care. gate; For my revenge I had not long to wait. [18] Thee, in King Charles's name, I re-instal McCrankie: Hech mon! Hech, mon! It gars me The Lord of Haddon and of Haddon's hall. greet Chorus: God save the King! Tae see thy capers mony, Puritans: God save the King! When nature made the earth sae sweet, Lady Vernon: But who art thou that bring An' life micht be sae bonny. Tidings so glad? Why nae accept what fortune sen's, Sir George: Thy name? An' learn that earth an' heaven are frien's? Manners: John Manners. Eneugh o' hanky-panky - Sir George: Rutland's son? Give ower thy freaks an' don the breeks, Manners: The same. An' be a mon, McCrankie! Sir George: Thou hast done this for me? Puritans/Chorus: Thou'st got 'em on! Manners: For one who bore thy name. McCrankie: I've got 'em on! Chorus: Lo! Our mistress! Haddon's pride! Puritans/Chorus: Thou'st got 'em on, Home the bridegroom brings his bride! McCrankie! Manners: Another gift, Sir Knight, I bring, McCrankie: At first I thocht the sudden swap By favour of that greater King Would be a wee bit risky; Who rules beyond the grave. But noo they're fastened a' the tap To thee I now present my bride. I feel quite young and frisky. A lover, I thy wrath defied; To show ye jist the sort o' thing, A son, thy grace I crave. I'm gaun to dance a Heeland fling, Dorothy: Oh, father, wilt thou not forgive me An' if ye'll help, I'll thank 'ee. now? A wee bit skirl - Sir George: Arise, beloved. Thou hast kept thy A wee bit whirl - vow. A fling wi' auld McCrankie! Lady Vernon: And all things yield to such a love as thine. Dorothy: Oh, praise me not; the merit is not mine. Love breathed a message through the sphere; I could not but obey; Recorded by Pierhouse Studios, Edinburgh, in To all who have the ears to hear Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh on 24th June Love breathes it every day. 2000. Now, in the babbling of the brook It murmurs to our souls; Recording engineer: Peter Haigh Now, thro' the lightning's fiery fork Assisted by Alan Borthwick & Neil French Reverberant it rolls. Directors for "The Prince Consort": It echoes through the solemn night, Alan Borthwick / David Lyle It rings all nature through; For ever, in the angels' sight Cover design by Stephen Sutton To thine own heart be true. Sir G./Lady V./Dorothy/Manners: Typesetting and print preparation: Though storms uprise and cloud the skies Blake Printers And thorns where roses grew, Come sun, come snow, come weal, come woe, Recording financed by To thine own heart be true! THE SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN SOCIETY All: Though storms uprise...... CD insert notes by Alan Borthwick © 2000

The copyright in this sound recording is owned by the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society. Issued under licence END by Divine Art Ltd.

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Music-hall comedy written by “GG”, the creator of many Savoy roles, performed in authentic style by Leon Berger () and Selwyn Tillett (piano)

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