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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!
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!