No. 15 - Finale Act II

Lyrics by Adrian Ross

[Dolly:] What! you cannot really, truly
Mean to send her off so coolly!
[Gerard:] Well, you needn't care, that's our affair!
[Betty:] Let it be as he arranges,
Now it's far too late for changes!
[Victor, Cedric & David:] Both of you should go
Or should stay, you know!
[Men:] Shall we see them go away?
[Girls:] No, they say he will stay!
Why, we don't know!
[Tenors:] Gerard, say, is that so?
[Girls:] Only one is to go?
That is never done!
[All:] We can't believe it's true,
It's such a stupid thing to do!
[Gerard:] Simply an ev'ryday affair,
Nothing does one good like the country air!
So my dearest wife prefers the simple life;
Solitude is best to give her perfect rest.
[Betty:] Yes, dear, I get no quiet here;
On the new mown hay I could rest all day,
Wake before the lark,
Go to bed at dark,
A life like this is married bliss!
[Chorus:] It seems a highly novel plan
This happy pair have started;
A honeymoon for wife and man
In which the two are parted!
Their fond affection, true and deep,
Almost induces us to weep.
For such a happy pair
Is really very rare, very rare!
[Betty:] As I'm to go and he's to stay,
Goodbye is all there is to say
Upon my wedding day!
[Girls:] Ah!
[Chorus:] Why must you go away?
[Betty:] But whether we are near or far,
We shall be friends, as now we are;
It's only au revoir!
[Girls:] Ah!
[Chorus:] Good luck, and au revoir!
[Gerard (after dialogue):] It's infamous!
[Betty:] Gerard, here, I entreat,
I could kneel at your feet.
Take your wealth, your name away,
But let me only stay!
[Chorus:] Don't be cold, grant her pray'r,
See her stand pleading there!
[Betty:] Give me all I care to own,
Love alone!
Love lifts the veil that is before my eyes,
And all the world is new!
And earth is golden as the summer skies,
If I can dare to think you care,
As I for you!
For all is Paradise around, above,
If you are mine, if I can win your love!
Ah! then let us forget,
Love waits here for us yet,
And can he open us fairyland's door,
Then-- no more.