Page:Iolanthe lib.djvu/18

18

All.	⁠Oh, rapture!
Streph.	Hear me, Phyllis, ere you leave me!
Phyl.	Not a word—you did deceive me!
All.	Not a word—you did deceive her!

Ballad—Phyllis

For riches and rank I do not long
⁠Their pleasures are false and vain:
I gave up the love of a lordly throng
⁠For the love of a simple swain.
But now that that simple swain's untrue,
With sorrowful heart I turn to you—
⁠A heart that's aching,
⁠Quaking, breaking,
As sorrowful hearts are wont to do!

The riches and rank that you befall
⁠Are the only baits you use,
So the richest and rankiest of you all
⁠My sorrowful heart shall choose.
As none are so noble—none so rich
As this couple of lords, I'll find a niche,
⁠In my heart that's aching,
⁠Quaking, breaking,
For one of you two—and I don't care which!

Ensemble

Phyl.	To you I give my heart so rich!
All.	⁠To which?
Phyl.	⁠I do not care! To you I yield—it is my doom!
All.	⁠To whom?
Phyl.	⁠I'm not aware! I'm yours for life if you but choose.
All.	⁠She's whose?
Phyl.	⁠That's your affair; I'll be a countess, shall I not?
All.	⁠Of what?
Phyl.	⁠I do not care!

All.	Lucky little lady! Strephon's lot is shady; Rank, it seems, is vital, "Countess" is the title, But of what I'm not aware!

Streph.

Can I inactive see my fortune fade? ⁠No, no! Mighty protectress, hasten to my aid!

Enter Fairies, tripping, headed by Celia. Leila and Fleta, and followed by Queen.