| Queen.
|
And now, tell me, with all the world to choose from, why on earth did you decide to live at the bottom of that stream?
|
| Iol.
|
To be near my son, Strephon.
|
| Queen.
|
Bless my heart, I didn't know you had a son!
|
| Iol.
|
He was born soon after I left my husband by your royal command but he does not even know of his father's existence.
|
| Leila.
|
Twenty-four! No one, to look at you, would think you had a son of twenty-four! But that's one of the advantages of being immortal. We never grow old! Is he pretty?
|
| Iol.
|
He's extremely pretty, but he's inclined to be stout.
|
| Queen.
|
I see no objection to stoutness, in moderation.
|
| Iol.
|
He's an Arcadian shepherd and he loves Phyllis, a Ward in Chancery.
|
| Cel.
|
A mere shepherd! and he half a fairy!
|
| Iol.
|
He's a fairy down to the waist but his legs are mortal.
|
| Queen.
|
I have no reason to suppose that I am more curious than other people, but I confess I should like to see a person who is a fairy down to the waist, but whose legs are mortal.
|
| Iol.
|
Nothing easier, for here he comes!
|
(Enter Strephon, singing and dancing and playing on a flageolet. He does not see the fairies, who retire up stage as he enters.)
| Chorus. (aside.)
|
Good morrow—good mother—
Good mother—good morrow!
By some means or other,
Pray banish your sorrow!
With joy beyond telling
My bosom is swelling,
So join in a measure
Expressive of pleasure.
For I'm to be married to-day—to-day—
Yes, I'm to be married to-day!
|
| Chorus. (aside.)
|
Yes, he's to be married to-day—to-day—
Yes, he's to be married to-day!
|
| Iol.
|
Then the Lord Chancellor has at last given his consent to your marriage with his beautiful ward, Phyllis?
|
| Streph.
|
Not he, indeed. To all my tearful prayers he answers me, "A shepherd lad is no fit helpmate for a ward of Chancery." I stood in court, and there I sang him songs of Arcadee, with flageolet accompaniment in vain. At first he seemed amused, so did the bar; but quickly wearying of my song and pipe, bade me get out. A servile usher, then,
|