The Sorcerer/Second incantation scene

The Sorcerer by W. S. Gilbert Second incantation scene

RECITATIVE
Mr. Wells	Oh hideous doom - to scatter desolation, And cause unhappiness on every hand! To foster misalliance through the nation And breed unequal matches in the land! By nature I am mild, humane and tender, It racks my soul such fearful sights to see! I can no longer bear it! I will render My fearful gift to him who gave it me!
INCANTATION
	Spirits short and spirits long — Spirits weak and spirits strong — Spirits slow and spirits fleet — Spirits mixed and spirits neat — Spirits dark and spirits fair — Listen to my heart-felt prayer.
The stage has grown dark - a gauze descends - imps appear.
Chorus of Spirits	We hear the spells   J. W. Wells! What terrors trouble you,   J. W. W.? Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Some terrors trouble him   J. W. Double him! Ha! ha! Ha! ha!
The market cross opens and Ahrimanes is seen through transparency.
Ahrimanes	Presumptuous wretch — what favours do you seek? You called me — I am here! What would you? Speak!
Mr. Wells	Ahrimanes — mighty master — Hear me — hear me now!
Chorus	Hear him — hear him now!
Mr. Wells	Avert this terrible disaster — Free me from my vow!
Chorus	Free him from his vow! Hear him, hear him now! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha!
SOLO — Ahrimanes
	If thou, audacious elf, will yield Alexis to my grasp And let his doom be signed and sealed In Death's unpleasant clasp — Or if thou wilt consent, thyself, To come below with me, Til grant thy wish, presumptuous elf! I want, or him, or thee!
Chorus	Be dutiful, and obey Give us — give us our prey!
Ahrimanes	Or thou — or he Which shall it be?
Chorus	Or thou — or he Which shall it be?
Mr. Wells	Or I — or he— Which shall it be?
Chorus	Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha!
Mr. Wells	Oh master, pity show!
Chorus	No! No!
Mr. Wells	To meet your views I'll try — If one of us must go below —
Chorus	Ho! Ho!
Mr. Wells	I'd rather he than I!
Chorus	Much rather?
Mr. Wells	Much rather!
Chorus	Greatly prefer it?
Mr. Wells	Greatly prefer it!
Chorus	Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha!
Ahrimanes	Good — be it so. When he will go With me below, Just let me know. Ring out his knell And I will quell The fatal spell Till then — farewell!
Chorus	Farewell! Farewell! Farewell! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha!