Page:The Mikado or the town of titipu.djvu/45

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45

Information I'm requesting
On a subject interesting:
Is a maiden all the better when she's tough?
Kat.Throughout this wide dominion
It's the general opinion
That she'll last a good deal longer when she's tough.
Ko.Are you old enough to marry, do you think?
Won't you wait till you are eighty in the shade?
There's a fascination frantic
In a ruin that's romantic;
Do you think you are sufficiently decayed?
Kat.To the matter that you mention
I have given some attention,
And I think I am sufficiently decayed.
Both.If that is so,
Sing derry down derry!
It's evident, very,
Our tastes are one!
Away we'll go
And merrily marry,
Nor tardily tarry
Till day is done!

[Exeunt together.

Flourish. Enter the Mikado, attended by Pish-Tush and Court.

Mik. Now then, we've had a capital lunch, and we're quite ready. Have ail the painful preparations been made?

Pish. Your Majesty, all is prepared.

Mik. Then produce the unfortunate gentleman and his two well-meaning but misguided accomplices.

Enter Katisha, Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah. They throw themselves at the Mikado's feet.

Kat. Mercy! Mercy for Ko-Ko! Mercy for Pitti-Sing! Mercy even for Pooh-Bah!

Mik. I beg your pardon; I don't think I quite caught that remark.

Pooh. Mercy even for Pooh-Bah.

Kat. Mercy! My husband that was to have been is dead, and I have just married this miserable object.

Mik. Oh! You've not been long about it!

Ko. We were married before the Registrar.

Pooh. I am the Registrar.

Mik. I see. But my difficulty is that, as you have slain the Heir Apparent—

Enter Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum. They kneel.

Nanki. The Heir Apparent is not slain.

Mik. Bless my heart, my son!

Yum. And your daughter-in-law elected!

Kat. (seizing Ko-Ko). Traitor, you have deceived me!