JULIA:

How would I play this part--

The Grand Duke's Bride?

All rancour in my heart

I'd duly hide--

I'd drive it from my recollection

And 'whelm you with a mock affection,

Well calculated to defy detection--

That's how I'd play this part--

The Grand Duke's Bride.



With many a winsome smile

I'd witch and woo;

With gay and girlish guile

I'd frenzy you--

I'd madden you with my caressing,

Like turtle, her first love confessing--

That it was "mock", no mortal would be guessing,

With so much winsome wile

I'd witch and woo!



Did any other maid

With you succeed,

I'd pinch the forward jade--

I would indeed!

With jealous frenzy agitated

(Which would, of course, be simulated),

I'd make her wish she'd never been created--

Did any other maid

With you succeed!



And should there come to me,

Some summers hence,

In all the childish glee

Of innocence,

Fair babes, aglow with beauty vernal,

My heart would bound with joy diurnal!

This sweet display of sympathy maternal,

Well, that would also be

A mere pretence!



My histrionic art

Though you deride,

That's how I'd play that part--

The Grand Duke's Bride!



ENSEMBLE:

ERNEST: JULIA:

Oh joy! when two glowing young My boy, when two glowing

hearts, young hearts

From the rise of the curtain, From the rise of the

curtain,

Thus throw themselves into their Thus throw themselves into

their parts, parts,

Success is most certain! Success is most certain!

If the role you're prepared to endow The role I'm prepared to

endow

With such delicate touches, With most delicate touch-

es,

By the heaven above us, I vow By the heaven above us, I

vow

You shall be my Grand Duchess! I will be your Grand

Duchess!