From Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance.
Back to 'Oh, Better Far to Live and Die'
On to 'Climbing Over Rocky Mountain'
Frederic has just discovered that Ruth was lying to him about her beauty. He denounces her, and she tries desperately to win back his favor...
RECIT
FREDERIC:
Oh, false one, you have deceived me!
RUTH:
I have deceived you?
FREDERIC:
Yes, deceived me!
(Denouncing her.)
DUET -- Frederic and Ruth
FREDERIC:
You told me you were fair as gold!
RUTH:
(wildly) And, master, am I not so?
FREDERIC:
And now I see you're plain and old.
RUTH:
I am sure I am not a jot so.
FREDERIC:
Upon my innocence you play.
RUTH:
I'm not the one to plot so.
FREDERIC:
Your face is lined, your hair is grey.
RUTH:
It's gradually got so.
FREDERIC:
Faithless woman, to deceive me,
I who trusted so!
RUTH:
Master, master, do not leave me!
Hear me, ere you go!
My love without reflecting,
Oh, do not be rejecting!
Take a maiden tender -- her affection raw and green,
At very highest rating,
Has been accumulating
Summers seventeen -- summers seventeen.
Don't, beloved master,
Crush me with disaster.
What is such a dower to the dower I have here?
My love unabating
Has been accumulating
Forty-seven year -- forty-seven year!
ENSEMBLE
RUTH FREDERIC
Don't, beloved master, Yes, your former master
Crush me with disaster. Saves you from disaster.
What is such a dower to the Your love would be uncomfortably
dower I have here? fervid, it is clear
My love unabating If, as you are stating,
Has been accumulating It's been accumulating
Forty-seven year -- forty-seven Forty-seven year -- forty-seven year!
year!
{At the end he renounces her, and she goes off in despair.
FREDERIC:
What shall I do? Before these gentle maidens
I dare not show in this alarming costume!
No, no, I must remain in close concealment
Until I can appear in decent clothing!
(Hides in cave as they enter climbing over the rocks.)
Song: Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Back to 'Oh, Better Far to Live and Die'