The Grand Dutchess of Gerolstein Libretto

8/13/2019 The Grand Dutchess of Gerolstein Libretto

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THE GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN

a Comic Opera in Three Acts English lyrics y A!rian Ross English !ialog"e y Charles H#E# $roo%&iel! &o"n!e! on the French o& 'essrs# 'eilhac an! Hale(y '"sic y )ac*"es O&&enach

Dramatis +ersonae

The Gran! D"chess o& Gerolstein,an!a -a +easant. etrothe! to Frit/0Frit/ -a Recr"it0+rince +a"l -Son an! Heir o& the Elector o& Steis1stein1steis.etc#0$aron +"c% -Chamerlain0Nepom"c -Ai!e1!e1Camp0General $o"m -Comman!er1in1Chie&0$aron Grog -Emissary o& the Elector o& Steis1stein1steis. etc#0O&&icers in the Gran! D"chess2 Army

Colonel 'acror"nner Captain Hochheim Lie"tenant Nierstein'ai!s o& Hono"r I/a Olga Amelie CharlotteLa!ies o& the Co"rt. O&&icers. Ushers. Sol!iers. an! 3i(an!ieres#

ACT I# 11 An Encampment# 'orning# -Fo"r !ays elapse0 ACT II# 11 State Apartment in the +alace# A&ternoon# ACT III# 11 Scene 4# The Crimson S"ite# E(ening# Scene 5# A 'ar%et +lace# Da6n#

ACT I#

SCENE# 11 An Encampment o& Sol!iers# GENERAL $OU'2s Tent L#5#E#

CHORUS# 11 SOLDIERS. +EASANT GIRLS. an! 3I3ANDIERES#

$e&ore their7o"r martial ran%s they76e serry. An! march to &ace the &oeman2s host8 ,e2ll !rin% to li&e that2s short an! merry. For that2s the proper sol!iers2 toast9

Sing on. *"a&& on. !ance on. la"gh on9 +laytime passes. co"rt yo"r lasses. Fill yo"r glasses8 Sing. an! la"gh. an! !ance. an! *"a&&. An! !rin% an! !rin% it !o6n9 Then here2s to :oy. an! !o6n 6ith sorro6. Let2s !rin% an! !ri(e !"ll care a6ay9 ,ho %no6s i& 6e shall meet to1morro6; So let "s ha(e o"r &ling to1!ay9


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D"ring the Chor"s. some o& the Sol!iers 6alt/ 6ith the +easantGirls. other play the !r"m. others !rin%# 3i(an!ieres ser(e o"tli*"or#

Enter FRIT< an! ,ANDA R#U#E#. an! come !o6n C#

,ANDA# Ah9 my Frit/. I2m &"ll o& &ears. I& yo" go so &ar a6ay#FRIT


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FRITception#

,here2s Frit/;FRIT< -asi!e0# H2m9 'e. o& co"rse9$OU'# +ri(ate Frit/ 11 one pace &or6ar! 11 march9FRIT< -a!(ancing0# General9$OU'# =o"2re no sol!ier9FRIT


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FRITtra sentry# +ri(ate Frit/9FRIT< -asi!e0# H2m9 'e again. o& co"rse9$OU'# +ri(ate Frit/. yo"2re &or g"ar!#FRITten!s ro"n! her Highness2s tent#FRIT


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FRIT< -6ho has ta%en "p his g"n &rom the right1han! corner an! stan!s loo%ing on in an "nconcerne! 6ay0# Going &or a 6al%. General;$OU' -speechless 6ith rage0# No6. 2pon my so"l. this is too m"ch9 ,hat I am going to !o !oesn2t concern yo"# -To sol!iers#0 11 $y yo"r le&t 11 *"ic% march9

E>e"nt sol!iers R# an! L# at ac% to reprise o& ?+i&. pa&. poo?FRIT< remains on sentry !"ty# ,hile the sol!iers go o&&. GENERAL$OU' approaches FRIT


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I2ll try the (irt"e o& a pinch9 I& yo" !on2t spea%. I2ll spoil yo"r ea"ty9FRIT< -still motionless0# I really can2t. &or I2m on !"ty. =es. I2m on !"ty. other it9 An! m"stn2t stir an inch9,ANDA -ten!erly0# $"t 6hen my loo%s. 6ith longing la!en. Con&ess the passion o& a mai!en. An! call yo" hither to my si!e. Ah9 am I !enie!; ,ill yo" not &linch;FRIT


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$OU'# ,hat 11 little ,an!a; Certainly9 An! ta%e goo! care o& her9FRIT


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$OU'# Delighte!9+UC@# No6 let2s ha(e a chat# -Ta%es o"r sn"&&1o>#0 Allo6 me9$OU'# +ah9 Not that r"ish 11 I2m "se! to stronger st"&&9 -Ta%es his t6o1arrelle! pistol &rom his elt. &ires it in the air. then carries each m"//le to each nostril. an! sni&&s energetically the o!o"r o& the smo%e#0 That2s my partic"lar mi>t"re9+UC@ -inhaling his pinch o& sn"&&0# =o" %no6 the real reason o& this 6ar;$OU'# No9+UC@# I 6ill tell yo"# 'y royal p"pil 11 &or I s"per(ise! her e!"cation 11 -ta%es o&& his hat an! catches sight o& "llet1hole. alarme!0 11 Goo! hea(ens9$OU'# ,hat2s 6rong;+UC@ -almost &ainting 6ith &right. an! pointing to the hole0# The "llet9$OU' -grati&ie!0# Aha9 Not s"ch a a! shot. a&ter all9

+UC@# To thin% that "t &or my hat I sho"l! ha(e een a !ea! man9$OU'# =o"2! etter p"t it on again#+UC@# Tr"e9 -Replaces his hat#0 As I 6as going to say. the Gran! D"chess. my p"pil. has no6 attaine! her ma:ority# She has lately eg"n to interest hersel& in a&&airs o& State# No6. I %no6 6hat yo"ng girls are#$OU'# =o" !o;+UC@# =es8 I ha(e rea! "p on the s":ect# An! I ha(e come to the concl"sion that her Highness nee!s !istraction# Accor!ingly. I !eclare! 6ar#$OU'# To !istract her attention &rom yo"r 11+UC@# To !istract her generally# As a chil! I !istracte! her 6ith toys# I no6 propose to !istract her 6ith a h"san!#$OU'# +rince +a"l;+UC@# E>actly# $"t I2m not s"re that I 6as 6ise in my choice# +rince +a"l is an irreproachale yo"ng man. "t her Highness seems to ignore him# He2s een !angling ao"t &or si> months. an! she 6ill not gi(e him an ans6er# Last 6ee% the poor yo"ng man2s &ather. the Elector o& Steis1Stein1Steis1 Laper1$ott1'oll1Schorstenerg 11$OU'# I !i!n2t *"ite catch the name#+UC@# The Elector o& Steis1Stein1Steis 11 6ell. 6e2ll call him the Elector 11 sent $aron Grog to

a!(ocate the ca"se o& the yo"ng prince# O"r elo(e! mistress. ho6e(er. has retorte! that the $aron may go "pon a !iplomatic mission to ?another place? e&ore she 6ill see him#$OU'# Goo!9+UC@# $"t. my !ear R"!olph. I tremle &or the moment 6hen the roar o& attle shall e silence! y the 6hisper o& lo(e# Once allo6 C"pi! to rai! the territory o& her a&&ections 11 an! 6hat ecomes o& "s9


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$OU'# =o" alarm me9+UC@# S"ppose her Highness sho"l! esto6 her &a(o"r "pon some l"c%y yo"ng co"rtier. 6here sho"l! yo" an! I e;$OU'# ,e sho"l! e !one# It m"stn2t happen9+UC@# It m"st not9$OU'# It shall not9

Roll o& !r"ms at a !istance# Enter NE+O'UC L#U#E# $OU' r"shes tohim#

$OU' -&iercely0# ,hat2s that; The enemy; ,here are the enemy; Let me get at 2em9 -$"siness 6ith s6or! as e&ore#0NE+O'UC# No. no. no. sir9 That is her Highness arri(ing9$OU'# Goo!9 Fall in the troops9NE+O'UC# Certainly. sir#

E>it NE+O'UC L#U#E#

+UC@# Then. R"!olph. yo" "n!erstan! o"r programme; First o& all. the song o& the regiment 11$OU'# I2ll !o my est#+UC@# In a 6ee%. (ictory o& o"r troops an! !eclaration o& peace 11$OU'# Tri"mphal ret"rn to Gerolstein 11+UC@# An!. thro"gho"t. o"r secret motto shall e. ; at any price9?$OU'# ?O&&ice at any price9? -They sha%e han!s#0

Enter Army L#U#E# an! &orm line &rom &ront R# to ac% L#+easants. amongst them ,ANDA. gro"p themsel(es at ac%# FRIT< isin the ran%s# +UC@ crosses L#

CHORUS#

ALL# Carry arms9 present arms9 carry arms9 Eyes right9 !ress9 attention9

Enter GRAND DUCHESS L#U#E# in ri!ing hait. 6ith 6hip. etc#.atten!e! y I


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,ith their glitter. glo6. an! glance. S6or!s that &lash an! pl"mes that !ance9 Oh. yes9 I2m simply ma! ao"t 2em9 Any co"ntry that2s 6itho"t them Doesn2t stan! a chance9 ,hen I see my han!some troops. Eager &or the smell o& po6!er. Dr"mm2! an! !rill2! 6ith ?Ha"ps9? an! ?Ho"ps9? I2m so pro"! I can2t e pro"!er9 ,hether or no they2ll thrash a &oe. That I can2t tell. "t this I %no6 11 Oh. yes9 I2m simply ma! ao"t 2em9 Oh9 I lo(e my gallant sol!iers. Gallant sol!ier oys9

I %no6 6hat I2! li%e to !o. I2! go as a (i(an!iere. I2! stan! y my men all thro"gh. An! %eep them merry. too9 I2! &ollo6 them. e(ery6here.

In the &ight. in the &ront. I 6o"l! &ace the &oe8 I& 6ar 6o"l! seem s"ch &"n. 6hen there. I cannot tell. "t this I %no6 11 Oh. yes9 I2m simply ma! ao"t 2em9 Oh9 I lo(e my gallant sol!iers. Gallant sol!ier oys9

On the 6or! o& comman! the sol!iers sho"l!er arms#

DUCHESS# General. I am !elighte! 11 I am more than !elighte! 6ith the appearance o& my troops9 I may e(en go &ar as to say 11 -she ta%es a &e6 steps an! stops. loo%ing at FRIT


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pri(ate#DUCHESS# I promote yo" to corporal#FRIT< -!elighte!0# 'e 11 corporal; -'a%es mo(ement to go to ,ANDA. 6ho is at ac% 6ith the peasants#0$OU' -chec%ing him0# Halt9 ,hat the !e(il are yo" !oing;FRIT< -soothingly0# All right9 All right9 -Goes ac% to his &ormer position#0DUCHESS# ,here 6ere yo" going;FRIT


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story#FRIT


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yo"r Highness sho"l! hear the song o& the regiment;DUCHESS -asi!e0# I ha! &orgotten9 -Alo"!#0 11 The song o& my elo(e! regiment; I %no6 it y heart 11 e(ery 6or! o& it9$OU' -preten!ing s"rprise0# =o" asto"n! me9DUCHESS# I2ll sing it mysel$OU'# =o"r Highness9DUCHESS# No6 then# -$OU' prepares to sing#0 11 Er 11 6ere yo" thin%ing o& singing too;$OU'# $y yo"r Highness2s gracio"s lea(e#DUCHESS# 'y Comman!er1in1Chie&9 D2yo" %no6. I !on2t thin% it 6o"l! e *"ite 6ise# $a! &or !iscipline# -To FRIT


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ALL# Ta ra. ta ta. etc#FRITe"nt +UC@ an! $OU' into tent#

DUCHESS -alone0# This a6&"l little +rince9 I !on2t %no6 6hy 11 "t someho6 I &eel as i& I loathe him at this moment more than I e(er !i! e&ore#


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Enter L#U#E# +RINCE +AUL in ri!al attire. 6ith a large o"*"eto& orange lossoms# He is procee!e! y NE+O'UC. 6ho points o"tthe GRAND DUCHESS an! then retires#

+AUL -a!(ancing. 6ith a piteo"s air0# ,ell. yo" cr"el la!y9 I see y yo"r &roc% it2s not to e to1!ay9DUCHESS -loo%ing at him0# 'y !ear +rince. 6hy ha(e yo" got those things on;+AUL -please!0# I2m gla! yo" notice! them. at all e(ents# I tho"ght. perhaps. 6hen yo" sa6 my nice 6e!!ing coat. yo" might ma%e "p yo"r min!#DUCHESS# To marry yo" to1!ay; 'y !ear +rince. consi!er9 On the e(e o& attle9 I co"l!n2t !ream o& marrying 6ith my hea! &"ll o& other "siness#+AUL# =o" horri! thing9 =o"2re al6ays &"ll o& e>c"ses#DUCHESS# $"t yo" m"st see that they are so"n! ones#+AUL# $"t yo"2(e een po"ring o"t so"n! e>c"ses &or the last si> months# Grog 11 $aron Grog 11 6ho2s a !ear ol! thing. altho"gh yo" 6on2t see him 11 Grog

ha! a letter &rom papa this morning 11 *"ite an angry letter9DUCHESS# An! 6hat has yo"r 11 papa 11 got to say;+AUL# ,ell. he says he2s ha! ao"t eno"gh o& it 11 that2s all9 =o" see. it2s si> months since I le&t home to marry yo"# O& co"rse. he ha! to "y me a lot o& little %nic%1%nac%s that one 6ants. an! he ha! to gi(e me a larger allo6ance 11 an! so on an! so &orth8 an! 6hen he &in!s 6e2re :"st 6here 6e 6ere at &irst. I2m not s"rprise! to hear he2s ha! ao"t eno"gh o& it# I2(e ha! ao"t eno"gh o& it mysel =o" see. 6e !on2t %no6 6here 6e are9DUCHESS# Oh9 that2s 6hat2s 6orrying yo". is it;+AUL# O& co"rse. it2s 6orrying "s. eca"se i& yo"2(e really ma!e "p yo"r min! that yo" 6on2t marry me. papa an! I m"st &in! another Gran! D"chess# That2s the long an! the short o& it#DUCHESS# =o" an! yo"r papa nee!n2t 6orry# I2ll marry yo" some !ay#+AUL# Oh9 "t that2s 6hat yo" al6ays say9 =o" %no6 my marriage has een tal%e! ao"t in e(ery Co"rt in E"rope# An! 6hen it %eeps on eing postpone! 11 6ell. I &eel I loo% so silly. !on2t yo" %no6;DUCHESS -loo%ing at him an! smiling0# Come. +rince. I2m not entirely to lame &or that#+AUL# $"t things ha(e reache! a clima> no6#DUCHESS# Goo! gracio"s9 Ho6;

+AUL -ta%ing a paper o"t o& his poc%et0# Loo% at this tiresome thing#DUCHESS# ,hat2s that;+AUL# It2s a society paper. an! it2s all ao"t me#DUCHESS# Nonsense9 Ao"t yo";+AUL# Certainly it is# There2s a horrile race o& creat"res 6ho call themsel(es society :o"rnalists# They2re not really in Society. yo" %no6 11 they can2t get nearer than the %ey1hole# $"t there2s a lot to e seen thro"gh a %ey1hole 11 an! 6hat they


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can2t see. they in(ent# O& co"rse. 6hen they 6rite ao"t other people2s pri(ate a&&airs I &eel it2s not my "siness. an! I la"gh. !on2t yo" %no6; $"t 6hen they 6rite ao"t my pri(ate a&&airs. I &eel it2s a p"lic o"trage. an! I !on2t thin% any one o"ght to la"gh# )"st listen to this9 -He rea!s &rom the paper#0

SONG -?THE SOCIET= COLU'N?0# 11 +RINCE +AUL#

?They say +rince +a"l has gone a16ooing A &air +rincess at Gerolstein8 $"t it appears he is not !oing

'"ch in the matrimonial line# He glo(es in 6hite his &airy &ingers. At !a6n o& e(ery lesse! !ay 11 ;mes. my ri!e 11 ah. no. she lingers92 An! so he thro6s his glo(es a6ay9 The glo(es m"st come a it e>pensi(e. The est French %i! at &o"r an! three#?

-6ith in!ignation#0 That2s 6hat they !are to say o& me9 ,hich I consi!er most o&&ensi(e#DUCHESS# They seem to %no6 a it. yo" see. Altho"gh their style is most o&&ensi(e9

The GRAND DUCHESS crosses L#. la"ghing#

+AUL -spea%ing0# $"t that isn2t all# )"st listen to the rest#

-rea!ing#0 ?A (ery ar!ent lo(er ma!e he ,hen &irst he 6ent to co"rt the mai!8 ,hen &irst he 6ooe! that nole la!y. The +rince 6as ninety in the sha!e9 $"t time is long an! lo(e is cr"el. An! no6 that hal& a year is !one. The +rince2s lo(e is o"t o& &"el. An! !o6n to /ero in the s"n9 It 6ill not !o. 6e2re apprehensi(e. So !rop it. an! go home to tea9? That2s 6hat they !are to say to me9 ,hich I consi!er most o&&ensi(e#DUCHESS# They seem to %no6 a it. yo" see. Altho"gh their style is most o&&ensi(e9

The GRAND DUCHESS la"ghs more than e(er#

+AUL# No6. I thin% yo"2re horri!9

Enter FRIT< L#4#E#. in Captain2s "ni&orm#

DUCHESS -asi!e0# Ho6 splen!i! he loo%s9 -Alo"! to +RINCE +AUL#0 11 +rince. !on2t yo" thin% it2s a mar(ello"sly ecoming "ni&orm;+AUL# He loo%s e>tremely 6ell in it#DUCHESS# No6 yo" can "n!erstan! ho6 pro"! I am o& my regiment# -To FRIT


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FRIT


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+UC@# So"n! i!ea9$OU'# One o& these corps 6ill a!(ance to the right 11 so9 -In!icates on map#0+UC@# Goo! i!ea9$OU'# Another to the le&t 11 so9+UC@# E>cellent i!ea9$OU'# An! the remaining corps 6ill a!(ance in et6eenthe t6o#+AUL# Ama/ing9$OU'# 'y &orces. th"s !istri"te!. 6ill procee! y three !i&&erent ro"tes to one central point. 6here I ha(e !eci!e! to concentrate them# There 6e shall proaly 1111DUCHESS# ,here is that central point; -$OU' p"//le!#0+UC@ -pointing to map0# The enemy seem to e o(er here#$OU'# I !on2t care 6here the enemy are. "t 6hat I !o %no6 is 11 -lo"!ly0 that I shall annihilate them9DUCHESS# Sh9 11 sh9+UC@# +lease9$OU' -lo"!er0# I repeat. I shall annihilate the enemy9

DUCHESS# $"t not i& yo" e>ha"st yo"rsel& no6#$OU'# ,hat care I. since it is in the ser(ice o& my co"ntry# ,here are the enemy; Ta%e me to the enemy9 -Rising an! hal&1!ra6ing s6or!#0 Let me get at 2em9

+UC@ calms him an! pers"a!es him to res"me his seat#

FRIT< -6ho has een marching "p an! !o6n !"ring the pre(io"s con(ersation. has stoo! still &or a moment. la"ghing0# =o"2ll get at 2em presently 6ith yo"r three ro"tes9 That2s a &"nny 6ay to !o it9 =o" an! yo"r three ro"tes9 Ho9 ho9 ho9 -La"ghs#0+UC@ -rising. se(erely0# Silence. sir9FRIT< -still la"ghing0# =o" m"stn2t go y one# =o"2(e got to go y three9 That2s 6hat tic%les me9$OU' -&"rio"s0# ,hat2s he saying;FRIT


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o& 6ar#DUCHESS -rising imperio"sly0# Silence. gentlemen9 As I am an honest 6oman. the &irst 6ho interr"pts shall !ie9 -To +UC@#0 11 =o" sai!. I thin%. that he sho"l! e an o&&icer o& s"perior ran%; I ma%e him General o& the Forces 11 -To $OU'#0 11 o& e*"al ran% 6ith yo"# -To +RINCE +AUL#0 =o" sai!. I thin%. he sho"l! e nole; I ma%e him $aron 3erm"th1(on1$oc%1ier. Co"nt o& +ilsener1Lager (on A"l!1Lang1Sch6einstein# Are yo" satis&ie!. gentlemen; 'ay the co"ncil procee!;

+UC@ goes L# o& +RINCE +AUL#

$OU' -o6s &ormally0# =o"r Highness 1111+AUL -asi!e to +UC@0# Oh. I say9 Hang it all9 =o" %no6. something o"ght to e !one9+UC@ -asi!e0# Sh9 ,ait9 I2ll tal% to yo" presently# -He goes "p stage# $OU' goes L#0DUCHESS -to FRIT


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eca"se he can2t &orget it#DUCHESS# $aron. can yo" "n!erta%e to e>ec"te the manoe"(re yo" !escrie!;FRIT


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DUCHESS# =es. 2tis Frit/9 In the coming &ighting He2ll pro(e the (ictor. ne(er &ear9

She presents FRIT< to the sol!iers. then to the 'ai!s o& Hono"r.6ho sal"te him#

+UC@. +AUL. an! $OU' -in a lo"! (oice. in the corner L#0 ,e2ll ha(e (engeance on the peasant. Ere 6e ha(e !one9 ,e2re the stronger at present. Three against one9

,ANDA -to FRITtremely "nseemly 11 To let o"ght e seen9-Alo"! an! gaily to NE+O'UC. 6ho has come !o6n R#0

So. Captain. 6ill yo" %in!ly go. An! ring here. at once 11 6hat yo" %no69

E>it NE+O'UC L#

GRAND DUCHESS signs to FRIT< to come near to her#

ALL# ,hat on earth can that e;

Enter NE+O'UC 6ith a s6or!. 6hich he carries high an! 6ith great


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respect#

ALL# The roa!s6or!9 The roa!s6or!9

SONG o& the S,ORD# 11 GRAND DUCHESS an! CHORUS#

DUCHESS -to FRIT


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Le&t o& o"r &oemen. Le&t o& o"r &oemen. For 6e2ll chop 2em all Ho6 the &oe 6ill &all 3ery e>tra small9 C"t e>tremely small9 ,ith cheery an! e&ore "s. ,ith cheery an! e&ore yo". 'arch along9 'arch along9 )oin the merry chor"s Gaily 6e2ll encore yo". O& o"r song9 In o"r song9 ,e 6ill in(a!e them9 He 6ill in(a!e them9 Con*"er an! rai! them9 Con*"er an! rai! them9 Follo6 on their trac% Follo6 on their trac% $y the nearest ro"te. $y the nearest ro"te. Then 6e2ll "rn an! sac%. Then he2ll "rn an! sac%. An! go in &or loot9 An! go in &or loot9 I 6ill come ac% so"n!. He 6ill come ac% so"n!. ,ith the la"rel cro6ne!. ,ith the la"rel cro6ne!. A con*"eror reno6ne!9 A con*"eror reno6ne!9

+UC@. +RINCE +AUL. an! $OU'# Soon he2ll e learning

There2s no ret"rning.

Folly lea!s the man on.Horse an! &oot an! cannon#There 6ill e no manSpare! y the &oeman.He 6ill chop 2em all3ery e>tra small9

They2re o&& 6ith an! e&ore them. Going strong9

Ho6 the &oe 6ill &loor them 11They2re all 6rong9

I& he in(a!e them.He2ll e shot9

He 6ill not e &o"n!. ,e 6ill all e o"n!9

D"ring the &ollo6ing chor"s the army egins to march. an!.eginning &orm the right. !e&iles e&ore the GRAND DUCHESS. 6hostan!s R# FRIT< at the hea! o& the army#

'ARCH#

CHORUS# 'arch to the an! that plays e&ore yo". All along9 'arch &or the hono"r o& the lan! that ore yo". ,ith a song9DUCHESS -seeing the s6or! in ,ANDA2s han!0# $"t yo" &orgot my lesse! &ather2s s6or!9

ALL# =o" *"ite &orgot her lesse! &ather2s s6or!9 Here is the roa!s6or!. the roa!s6or!. the roa!s6or!9 Here is her lesse! &ather2s s6or!9 Go. cr"sh o"r &oemen han! to han!. For Gerolstein. o"r Fatherlan!9

FRIT< ret"rns to ta%e the s6or!. an! then p"ts himsel& at thehea! o& the troops. ran!ishing it alo&t# The sol!iers res"me themarch o&& to reprise o& the 'arch Chor"s# The GRAND DUCHESS an!,ANDA 6a&t %isses to FRIT


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C"rtain#

ACT II#

SCENE# 11 State apartment in the +alace# A !oor L#. lea!ing tothe pri(ate s"ite o& the GRAND DUCHESS# A portrait o& a @night in&"ll armo"r L#5#E# concealing a secret !oor# Another pict"re R#.&acing the &ormer# A !oor R#I#E# At the ac% a large openingloo%ing on a gallery an! close! y c"rtains# I


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Ah9 the 6or!s o& my lo(er I2ll rea! yo" all o(er8 An! e(er. li%e this. The 6riting I2ll %iss9

CHARLOTTE -opening an! rea!ing letter0# ?It seems that 6e !on2t 6ant to &ight each other Any more this year8 I thin%. i& 6e ta%e one thing 6ith another. No6 the coast is clear8 As soon as I2m ac%. I2ll call on yo"r mother. An! as% &or yo"r han!. my !ear9? Ah9 the 6or!s o& my lo(er. etc#

A'ELIE -rea!ing letter0# ?'y co"rage ha! s"n% to asol"te /ero. I ne(er 6ante! to r"n. 6hen cannon alls &le68 $"t. ne(ertheless. I &o"ght li%e a hero. An! all on acco"nt o& thin%ing o& yo"9?

I


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ne>t my heart#+AUL# ,ell. yo"2! etter ta%e it o"t an! smooth it. an! ha(e it rea!y to present# Ho6 !o yo" !o. la!ies; -He o6s#0A'ELIE -la"ghing an! hal& asi!e0# Dear little +rince9OLGA -la"ghing an! hal& asi!e0# +oor little +rince9Ie"nt 'ai!s o& Hono"r L#. singing ?Ah9 6or!s o& my lo(er.? etc#

$OU' an! +UC@ sal"te +RINCE +AUL#

+AUL# ,ell9 an! ho6 ao"t o"r s6eet Grog;$OU'# Her Highness has or!ere! "s to sen! Grog "p to her# Usher9 -Usher a!(ances#0 Atten! the $aron9 An! rememer yo"r instr"ctions# -Alo"!. to GROG. o6ing an! in!icating the !oor L#0 11 $aron9GROG -o6ing0# A" re(oir. General# -Goes to !oor#0

+AUL -going a&ter him0# Don2t &orget. Grog. ol! &rien! 11 pitch it into her#

E>it GROG L#. prece!e! y Usher#

+AUL -ret"rning C#. 6ith great !elight0# At last9+UC@# ,hat is it. +rince;+AUL# =o" can2t thin% ho6 e>cite! I am9 Her Highness at last consents to recei(e $aron Grog# I see him no6 in my min!2s eye# He goes along the passage. then


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into the little ante1room#$OU'# That is so9+AUL# He crosses the little ante1room 1111+UC@# =es9+AUL# The "sher li&ts the tapestry 11 -signs o& negation &rom $OU' an! $UC@0 11 an! anno"nces the $aron# He o6s re(erently to the a"g"st presence in 6hich 11 11$OU'# Stea!y. my yo"ng &rien! 11 stea!y. stea!y9 =o"2(e gone too &ast# Hal&16ay across the little ante1 room. e&ore yo" get to the tapestry. there is an arch6ay. thro"gh 6hich he 6ill e pilote! 6ith great !e&erence# Con&ronting that arch6ay is a marle staircase 1111+UC@# Do6n 6hich he 6ill e personally con!"cte! 6ith great re(erence#$OU'# The "sher 6ill then g"i!e him 6ith e>tra !e&erence thro"gh the Hall o& a Tho"san! 'irrors. the Throne Room. the Aritration Room. an! the International Apology Room#

+UC@# Then e>tra1s"per1ne1pl"s1"ltra re(erentially across the yar! to the ac% gate#$OU'# ,here he 6ill &in! his carriage an! the Royal Rememrancer. 6ho 6ill in&orm him 6ith e>tra1 s"per&ine patent !o"le1mille! !iagonal !e&erence that the $aron2s a"!ience is postpone! to another !ay#+AUL# =o" mean to say that those are really her Highness2s instr"ctions;$OU'# On my 6or! o& hono"r#+AUL# She s"rely 6o"l!n2t !are9+UC@# ,o"l!n2t !are9 'y !ear +rince. 6hat an ass 11 -recollecting himsel&0 11 6ith the greatest 11 the most pro&o"n! respect. 6hat an ass yo"r Highness m"st e9 Ha(e yo" &orgotten that to1!ay is the !ay o& General Frit/2s ret"rn in his character o& con*"ering hero; I& yo" thin% that the Gran! D"chess 6ill ha(e eyes to1!ay &or anyo!y "t him an! her loo%ing1glass. yo" are (ery m"ch mista%en#+AUL -angrily0# I hate the (ery name o& Frit/9 He2s a loathsome man. I thin%9 So hi!eo"sly m"sc"lar9$OU' -6ith meaning0# ,hate(er he may e. he is the man#+AUL -mysterio"sly0# The man o& the moment 11 yes# $"t 6hen that moment2s o(er;$OU' an! +UC@# =es8 6hat then;+AUL -rather alarme!0# Oh. nothing9 I !i!n2t mean anything# -Goes "p stage#0

+UC@ -asi!e to $OU'0# It hasn2t ta%en yet9$OU' -asi!e to +UC@0# ,hy not tell him straight that 1111 -Cannon hear! 6itho"t0# The enemy9 It is the enemy9 Let me get at 2em9 -Dra6s his s6or! an! gestic"lates#0+UC@# No. no9 -'eaningly0# 11 That2s the +ri(ate enemy. that 6as promote! to the position o& General enemy#+AUL -coming !o6n. asi!e0# He means Frit/9$OU' -sheathing his s6or!0# Forgi(e my e>citement. gentlemen# I2(e een a &ortnight !oing nothing. an! I


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&eel homesic% &or the attle1&iel!#

The c"rtains at the ac% are !ra6n asi!e# Enter La!ies1in16aiting. O&&icers. etc#. prece!e! y t6o Ushers#

CHORUS an! SONG# 11 FRITploits glorio"s That 6e gla!ly celerate9

D"ring this Chor"s the GRAND DUCHESS enters L#. atten!e! y I


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DUCHESS -to FRIT


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An! le! a charge $oth &ine an! large9 Lor!. ho6 I la"ghe! to hear the ro6s. an! To see this hero. hal& insane. Lea!ing his !r"n%en t6enty tho"san!. An! all a1singing this re&rain 11 La. la. la. la. la. la. la. la. la. la9 All 6ere so &"ll o& 6ine an! to!!y. =o" to"che! one clo6n. They all &ell !o6n9 So 6e !i! not %ill anyo!y. It 6o"l! ha(e een

E>tremely mean9 Still. in the coming age. that spot2ll E(er e %no6n an! &ame! y "s. For there. "pon the &iel! o& ottle. =o"r sol!iers slept (ictorio"s9

ALL# Long li(e General Frit/9DUCHESS -rising0# General. 6e are please! 6ith yo"# =o" ha(e an

arm o& iron an! a sil(er tong"e9+UC@ -asi!e0# An! a 6oo!en hea!9$OU' -asi!e0# An! a ra/en chee%9DUCHESS -to the Co"rt0# La!ies an! gentlemen. 6e are compelle! to terminate this &"nction# The interests o& o"r !ear Gran! D"chy olige "s to !isc"ss certain intimate matters 6ith o"r Comman!er1in1Chie& 11 matters 6hich m"st e &or his pri(ate ears alone# ,e permit yo" to 6ith!ra69 -They !on2t mo(e at once#0+AUL -asi!e to +UC@0# ,hy sho"l! she 6ant to tal% to him alone;$OU' -asi!e0# She is going it9+UC@ -asi!e0# I can2t thin% ho6 yo" can stan! it9+AUL -asi!e0# I& only I sa6 a 6ay 1111$OU'# +erhaps 6e can sho6 yo" one9

These sentences m"st e spo%en (ery rapi!ly#

DUCHESS -regally0# La!ies an! gentlemen. 6e a6ait yo"r pleas"re# -Change o& tone#0 11 $"t 6e2re not going to a6ait it long. "n!erstan!9

E>e"nt Chor"s. to re&rain o& ?O"r sol!iers (ictorio"s.? etc#.thro"gh opening at ac%# +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@ &ollo6 armin arm# The Ushers go o"t last. closing the hangings# The 'ai!so& Hono"r an! the negroes e>e"nt L# The GRAND DUCHESS an! FRITcee!ing9

,ell no69 6hat ans6er 6ill yo" sen!;FRIT< -asi!e0# 'y &"t"re may !epen! On 6hat I tell her &rien!9DUCHESS# Reply. reply8 In :"st t6o 6or!s yo" can. sir9 =o" %no6. to my &rien!.

I m"st sen! an ans6er9

FRIT


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an! things# 11 -In!icates the !ecorations on his reast#0 $y the 6ay. at any time yo" &eel yo"2! li%e any more. yo"2(e only to say so# ,here 6as I; 11 oh. I %no69 I 6as as%ing yo" ao"t this poor 6oman 6ho 11 cares &or yo"# =o" !i!n2t gi(e me a !e&inite ans6er# =o" only sai! in a general sort o& 6ay 1111FRIT< -la"ghing0# A General2s o"n! to tal% in a general sort o& 6ay#DUCHESS# Ho6 rea!y yo" are9 $"t. serio"sly 1111 I m"st ha(e a !e&inite ans6er#FRIT


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FRIT< -alone0# ,ell. it2s :olly p"//ling# S"ppose this la!y comes to me an! says. ?Here I am. General9? 6hat am I to ans6er ac%; I& I say. ?Than% yo". 'a!am. I ha(e some 11 I2m not ta%ing any.? she2! get 6il!. (ery li%ely# 'in! yo". she2! ha(e no right to get 6il!# ,hen a la!y 6rites an! as%s any one &or ?the pleas"re o& his company to !inner.? he 6rites ac% saying that he ?regrets that a pre(io"s engagement pre(ents him &rom gi(ing himsel& the pleas"re#? ,ell. that2s my point# He !on2t say. ;2t 6ant yo"r nasty !inner9? an! I !on2t say ;t 6ant yo"r nasty company9? All I say is. ?A pre(io"s engagement? 11 y 6hich I mean ,an!a 11 ?pre(ents me &rom gi(ing mysel& the pleas"re#? So I shall :"st mention it to the Gran! D"chess. an! she can pass the 6or! on to her la!y &rien!#

'"sic in orchestra# +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@ entermysterio"sly at ac%#

FRIT< -asi!e0# There2s them three ea"ties9+UC@ -asi!e to his companions0# There2s o"r man9$OU' -asi!e to +AUL0# ,e can2t initiate yo" 6hile he2s here#

Enter NE+O'UC at ac%#

NE+O'UC -to FRIT


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$OU' -meaningly0# I tho"ght it 6o"l! come to that9+UC@# I %ne6 it9 -To +RINCE +AUL#0 11 =o" !on2t"n!erstan!9+AUL# Not in the least9+UC@# =o" shall9 -+ointing to the pict"re L#5#E#0 11 Oser(e that pict"re#+AUL# Oh. I can2t ear it9 I2m an Impressionist. yo"%no6#+UC@# Ne(er min!# +ress yo" &inger "pon that 6eather1 eaten hero2s le&t sp"r#+AUL -going to6ar!s pict"re. then hesitating0# Oh 11 ah 11 I !are say#$OU'# =o" ha(e only to press it lightly#+AUL# Oh. yes9 I %no69 I2(e een ha! in that sort o& 6ay e&ore# =o" go an! press a spring. an! something &lies o"t an! hits yo" on the nose# I !on2t thin% it2s a it &"nny#$OU'# No 11 no8 on my 6or! o& hono"r. it2s nothing o&the %in!#+AUL# I shall e really angry i& it t"rns o"t to e a

practical :o%e#

Goes to pict"re. to"ches spring. the pict"re ascen!s. an! thepanel slo6ly sli!es ac%# An icy last &orces +RINCE +AUL toretreat# Strange so"n!s 11 clarionet in orchestra imitateshooting o& o6ls#

+AUL# ,ho2s that gi(ing &armyar! imitations;+UC@# No one# No h"man eing 6o"l! !are to trea! those oar!s# The so"n! yo" hear is the cry o& the screech1o6l# Cent"ries ha(e rolle! since yon!er panel last ya6ne!# -,ith the manner o& a person eginning a long story#0 11 T6o h"n!re! years ago 1111+AUL -approaching +UC@0# I ha(e a %in! o& instinct that yo"2re going to tell me a tale#$OU'# A terrile tale#+AUL# Oh. !o9 I elong to the Gerolstein +sychical Society. yo" %no6. an! this is :"st the %in! o& thing that impresses "s#+UC@# I 6ill# =o" m"st "n!erstan! that that corri!or has t6o en!s#+AUL# Ho6 e>traor!inary9 Ho6 6eir!9+UC@ -contin"ing0# At one en!. is this room8 at the other en!. is the Crimson S"ite 11 6here General Frit/ is to e lo!ge!#+AUL# Ah9

+UC@# There are t6o secret panelsB this one conceale! y the portrait o& a 6arrior. the other y the portrait o& a la!y# To open o"r panel. yo" press the 6arrior2s le&t sp"r# To open the &"rther one yo" press the la!y2s le&t %nee#+AUL# Her le&t %nee;+UC@# =es8 a little &ancy o& the painter2s# The s":ect o& this portrait 6as one 'a>. Co"nt Sei!lit/ (on !er +o6!ergestein# The pict"re at the other en! represents the Gran! D"chess 3ictorine. the


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ancestress o& o"r Gran! D"chess#+AUL# Go on9 =o"r story &ascinates me#

$ALLAD an! TRIO# 11 +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@#

$OU'# It 6ill 6hiten yo"r chee%. A legen! grim an! gory9+UC@# An! i& these 6alls co"l! spea%. They might repeat the story9

$OU'# Co"nty 'a> in the 6orl! ha! to go &orth. ,ith "t his s6or!8 $"t his eyes an! mo"staches. an! so &orth. ,omen a!ore!9 An! the D"chess esto6e! on the ro(er Her heart complete8 An!. &or lo!ging. assigne! to her lo(er The Crimson S"ite9 An! at mi!night !ar% an! sha!y. 'a>. &rom his !oor.

,o"l! hear the &ootsteps o& his la!y. In that corri!or9+AUL# That corri!or9+UC@# That corri!or9TRIO# Hear. all ye ne6 generation. The a6&"l relation An! terrile &ate o& the last o& his line. O& Co"nty 'a> 11 Co"nty 'a> Sei!lit/ 11 Co"nty 'a> Sei!lit/ (on !er +o6!ergestein9

+UC@# Co"nty 'a>. as he hope&"lly sat there. Hear!. one !ar% night. That the &ootsteps. that 6ent pit1a1patthere. ,ere &ar &rom light9 In his &right. &or a 6ay o& escaping 3ainly he so"ght8 For he sa6. thro"gh the 6ainscotting gaping Those &eet ha! ro"ght A !o/en men in sale (i/ar!. ,ith s6or! an! a>e. ,ho let the moonlight thro"gh the gi//ar! O& Co"nty 'a>9+AUL# A !o/en men 11$OU'# Thirsting &or gore 11+UC@# Thro"gh that !ar% !oor9TRIO# Hear. all ye ne6 generation. etc#

$OU' closes the secret !oor. an! comes ac% close to +RINCE +AUL#

$OU'# No6. yo" see 6hat 6e2re !ri(ing at;+AUL# Oh yes. I see8 "t it2s a6&"l+UC@# ,e mean to %ill him li%e a rat9+AUL# =o" thin% 6e sho"l!; +erhaps it2sla6&"l9$OU'# ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. this (ery !ay. There. y the gloomy passage16ay8


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,e2ll p"t him 6here 6e sai! e&ore. There. at the en! o& the corri!or9TRIO -(ery gaily0# ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. etc#+AUL# =es. to1night. o"r pretty 'aster Frit/. Listening thro"gh the mi!night sha!y. Thin%s to hear. as he 6aiting sits. Steps o& a tripping little la!y#$OU'# The step. the step. the pretty littlestep9+UC@# Not i& I %no6 it. there2s no &ear. That is a step he2ll ne(er hear9TRIO -more gaily still. an! 6ith a !ance mo(ement0# ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. etc#$OU'# ,hen he !reams o& lo(e an! o& glory. An! says to himsel&. ?=o"2ll e a Gran! D"%e. my "c%9? ,ith &aces mas%e!. &or m"r!er gory. In come the three. +a"l. $o"m. an! +"c%9+AUL# Comes the gallant +a"l9$OU'# Comes the &earless $o"m9+UC@# Comes the !aring +"c%9

TRIO# =es 11 +a"l. $o"m. +"c%9-,ith 6il! gaiety an! a (ery animate! !ance#0 ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. etc#

'"sic contin"es !"ring the ens"ing !ialog"e "ntil the last 6or!s.?As he enters the Crimson S"ite9?

The GRAND DUCHESS enters# Seeing +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@. shestan!s at ac% an! o(erhears their con(ersation#

+AUL# Then. i& I "n!erstan! yo". this is a conspiracy#$OU' an! +UC@# A conspiracy9+AUL# For the e>termination o& the man Frit/9$OU' an! +UC@# For the e>termination o& the man Frit/9+AUL# Come to my rooms. then. in an ho"r2s time# I2ll or!er tea#+UC@# $"t. I s"ppose. as yo"r g"ests. 6e can ha(e something esi!es tea;$OU'# )"st o"rsel(es 11 or 6ill there e any la!ies; $eca"se. i& so. I m"st go home an! !ress#+AUL# La!ies9 ,hat; In a conspiracy;DUCHESS -coming !o6n et6een +RINCE +AUL an! $OU'0# E>c"se me. +rince. there 6ill e one la!y there#+AUL. +UC@. an! $OU' -m"ch alarme!0# The Gran! D"chess9-Asi!e#0 11 ,e2re lost9 -Alo"!#0 11 =o"r Highness 1111+AUL -alarme!0# I shall say I !on2t %no6 anything ao"t it9

DUCHESS# Do not e alarme!. gentlemen9 This leag"e is !irecte!. as I "n!erstan!. against General Frit/;$OU'# That 6as. to a certain e>tent. o"r original i!ea 1 1 "t it2s s":ect to alteration. o& co"rse#DUCHESS# Say no more9 I instal mysel& as La!y +resi!ent o& the Leag"e#$OU' -asi!e0# Hallo9+UC@ -asi!e0# That2s etter9+AUL# -asi!e0# ,hat a relie&9DUCHESS# Do yo" %no6 6hat General Frit/ has !one; He has ha! the


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insolence to as% my permission to marry the girl ,an!a# 'y &rien!s. I ha(e sent him that permission# In a &e6 ho"rs2 time he an! this 11 creat"re 11 6ill start &or the Cathe!ral# It 6ill e yo"r "siness to chec% his progress#+AUL. +UC@. an! $OU'# At 6hat point;DUCHESS# =o" 6ill stri%e 11 as he enters the Crimson S"ite#+AUL. +UC@. an! $OU' -6ith :oy0# As he enters the CrimsonS"ite9

DUCHESS# ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. etc#UARTET -!ancing 6il!ly0# ,e2ll see him lo!ge!. etc#

At the en! o& the !ance +UC@ gi(es ?a ac%? to +RINCE +AUL an! to$OU'. 6ho go o(er him leap &rog# The GRAND DUCHESS egins to t"c%"p her s%irts. an! gi(es a little r"n to6ar!s +UC@. 6ho remainso&&ering ?a ac%.? "t she stops short as she gets "p to him.loo%ing ro"n! 6ith a shoc%e! e>pression an! her &inger on herlip. as i& saying. ?Oh. no. I m"stn2t9?

CURTAIN#

ACT III#

SCENE 4# 11 Ante1chamer o& the Crimson S"ite# E(ening# DoorsL#4#E# -co(ere! 6ith tapestry0 an! R#5#E# Secret !oor R#C#conceale! y &"ll1length portrait o& the Gran! D"chess 3ictorine#

Enter $OU'#

$OU' -goes to pict"re0# Here 6e are9 No6 6hich is her %nee; -To"ches %nee 11 the secret panel opens#0

Enter mysterio"sly +UC@. +RINCE +AUL. GROG. an! NE+O'UC#

$OU' -co"nting them0# One. t6o. three. &o"r# Right9 -The panel closes#0+UC@ -to $OU'0# Is $aron Grog a6are o& the o:ect o& the leag"e;GROG -6ith in!i&&erence0# As I "n!erstan! it. it is merely to ?remo(e? some person in a"thority#$OU'# Har% ye. all o& yo"9 -Dra6s his s6or!#0+UC@ -6orrie!0# T"t. t"t. t"t9 ,hat is it no6;+AUL -terri&ie!0# +"t that horri! thing a6ay9+UC@. GROG. an! NE+O'UC# =es. yes9 p"t it a6ay9$OU' -6ith energy0# ,hate(er !ar% tas% I ta%e "p. I see it

thro"gh9 Un!erstan!. once &or all. the man 6ho ac%s o"t. I c"t him in t6o9+UC@# $"t noo!y !reams o& ac%ing o"t#$OU' -threatening +RINCE +AUL0# I& yo" 6ant to ac% "p. I c"t yo" in t6o9+AUL# No6 please olige me y p"tting that ac% in its sheath# It2s most !angero"s. especially 6hen yo"2re e>cite!#+UC@# Do. &or goo!ness2 sa%e. *"iet !o6n# ,hen yo" get into one o& yo"r moo!s yo"2re hopeless#


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$OU' -p"tting ac% his s6or! in its sheath0# I2(e sai! my say# I& anyo!y !oesn2t li%e it. they can !o the other thing#+AUL# There. there9 That2s *"ite eno"gh#$OU'# An! no6. are yo" s"re o& yo"r 6eapons;+UC@# Asol"tely9 E(ery la!e is ran!e! in large type. ?She&&iel!#?+AUL# An! in smaller letters. ?'a!e in Gerolstein#?

Enter GRAND DUCHESS L#4#E# She comes et6een $OU' an! +UC@#

DUCHESS# Gentlemen. i& yo"r hears are as tr"e as yo"r la!es. I ha(e no &ear9+UC@# Her Highness9 -All o6#0$OU'# I shall c"t him in t6o9DUCHESS# Sh9 sh9 I ha(e a oon to as% o& yo"#+UC@# =o"r Highness has "t to as%#DUCHESS# 2Tis "t a 6oman2s 6him# ,hen yo" stri%e. spare his &ace#GROG -in the corner L#. mas%e! y +RINCE +AUL. ironically0#

It 6o"l! ne(er !o to spoil his ea"ty9DUCHESS# ,ho spo%e;GROG# I#DUCHESS# ,ho is this; I !o not %no6 him#+AUL# This is $aron Grog8 +apa2s en(oy. yo" %no6. 6hom yo" al6ays re&"se! to see#DUCHESS -crossing to +RINCE +AUL. an! scr"tini/ing GROG 6ith interest0# I percei(e that I 6as gra(ely in error# -To +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@0# 11 Go. an! post yo"r men# =o". $aron Grog. 6ill remain#GROG -as s"rprise! as his impert"raility allo6s0# =o"r Highness9DUCHESS# =o" ha(e &re*"ently. I elie(e. so"ght an a"!ience# I grant it to yo" no6#+AUL -asi!e to GROG0# No62s yo"r chance. ol! &rien!# Fin! o"t 6hat2s really in her min!# Get into her hea!. Grog 11 get into her hea!9

Repeate! melo!rame m"sic in orchestra# E>e"nt +RINCE +AUL. $OU'.+UC@. an! NE+O'UC R#C# The GRAND DUCHESS goes "p stage 6ith thema little 6ay# GROG crosses L#

DUCHESS -to GROG0# $aron. yo"r &ran% &ace pleases me#GROG# =o"r Highness 1111DUCHESS# Fran% &aces are rare# =o"rs is asol"tely &ran%#GROG# ,e 6ill tal%. i& yo" please. o& his Highness the+rince#

DUCHESS# +resently# Do yo" %no6 I2(e ne(er tal%e! 6ith any one 6ho intereste! me in the 6ay yo" !o; It isn2t so m"ch 6hat yo" say. as yo"r "ni*"e metho! o& saying it# =o" say the most startling things. an! yo"r &ace ne(er mo(es a m"scle9GROG# The res"lt o& e!"cation#DUCHESS# In!ee!;GROG# ,hen I 6as yet in my cra!le. my &ather an! mother !eci!e! that I 6as !estine! &or !iplomacy# In conse*"ence my &ace ha! ass"me! an icy mas% o&


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Sphin>1li%e amig"ity e(en 6hen I 6as a ay#DUCHESS -smiling0# =ears ago. I s"ppose;GROG# =ears ago# I& my ay &ace lost e(en &or an instant its statesmanli%e e>pression o& lan! inscr"taility. I 6as 11 sa(ing yo"r presence 11 span%e! y my sainte! mother#DUCHESS# +oor little !ear9 ,ill yo" !o me a &a(o"r;GROG# ,hat its it;DUCHESS# Let the others go in &ront o& yo"# -GROG ma%es a slight mo(ement o& the lip#0 No6 6hat are yo" !oing; ,hat !oes that mean; 11 -Imitates his grimace#0GROG# ,hat !oes 6hat mean;DUCHESS# That little grimace. that har!ly perceptile mo(ement o& the lips 11 li%e this# 11 -Imitates him again#0 ,ith any one else it 6o"l! mean nothing. "t 6ith yo" it m"st e a roar o& la"ghter#GROG# +er&ectly tr"e9DUCHESS# =o" see ho6 6ell I %no6 yo" alrea!y9 Tell me. 6hat 6as it ma!e yo" 11 split yo"r si!es 6ith mirth 11 in that 6ay;

GROG# I ha! rather not#DUCHESS# ,ell. 6hat 6as it;GROG# A &e6 min"tes ago yo" 6ere an>io"s ao"t Frit/2s ea"ty# No6 yo" are an>io"s ao"t mine#DUCHESS -smiling. asi!e0# Ho6 as"r!9 $"t it2s per&ectly tr"e#GROG# I& I 6ante! to !ra6 concl"sions 1111DUCHESS# Sh9 11 sh9 =o" m"stn2t !ra6 concl"sions9GROG# No9DUCHESS# Let2s tal% o& something else# Tal% to me ao"t yo"rsel ,hat is yo"r position at the Elector2s Co"rt;GROG# Chamerlain#DUCHESS# Is that all; A man o& yo"r po6er an! ailities9 No6. i& yo" 6o"l! lea(e the Elector2s Co"rt an! accept o&&ice here. I co"l! o&&er yo" -sighs0 a &ar so&ter illet#GROG# O"t o& the *"estion. I regret to say#DUCHESS# Ho6 so;GROG# Unless yo"r Highness consents to marry +rince+a"l#DUCHESS# To marry +rince +a"l9 ,hy come ac% to that;GROG# I tho"ght. ma!am. that 6e ha! een tal%ing o& nothing else#DUCHESS# 'y !ear $aron. yo"2re a !iplomatist9GROG# I 6ish I co"l! pers"a!e yo"r Highness to ta%e my +rince# He is really a most harmless yo"ng man#DUCHESS# An i!eal !iplomatist9

Re1enter +RINCE +AUL. $OU'. an! +UC@ R#5#E#

DUCHESS -annoye!0# ,ho2s there; Oh9 it2s yo". gentlemen#+AUL -asi!e to GROG0# ,ell;GROG -asi!e to +RINCE +AUL0# ,e2re getting on9+AUL -asi!e. 6ith :oy0# Faith&"l ol! &rien!9DUCHESS -to $OU'0# Ha(e yo" locate! yo"r men;$OU'# I ha(e. yo"r Highness#DUCHESS# ,ell. them !islocate them 11 11 I mean. !isperse them 1 1 -glancing signi&icantly at GROG0 11 there 6ill e no assassination to1night#


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$OU' -st"pe&ie! 6ith anger0# Nonsense9DUCHESS# I ha(e spo%en# There 6ill e no assassination to1night#$OU'# ,hy not; -Fiercely#0 11 The enemy9 ,here is the enemy; Let me get at him9 -$"siness 6ith s6or!0#DUCHESS# I !o nothing 6itho"t a reason# On this occasion. my reason is 11 that I2(e change! my min!#+UC@# $"t hal& an ho"r ago 1111DUCHESS# Hal& an ho"r ago I 6as in a a! temper# Since then something or other 11 -loo%ing at GROG. 6ith meaning0 the $aron2s elo*"ence. perhaps 11 has p"t me in a s6eeter moo!# -GROG o6s#0+AUL -to GROG0# Dear ol! &rien!9$OU' -6or%ing himsel& into a passion0# =o"r Highness. this &ello6 Frit/ has &oole! me# He stole the heart o& little ,an!a. a 6ench to 6hom I ha! sho6n some &a(o"r# He stole my General2s &eather. the ori&lamme that many a time has 6a(e! 6here the &ight 6as thic%est# I !eman! his loo!9 I shall c"t him in *"arters9 -,ith great energy#0 11 I challenge him to single comat to1night9+UC@# That 6ill olige him to p"t o&& his 6e!!ing till

to1morro6#$OU'# +"t o&& his 6e!!ing till to1morro69 +"t o&& his 6e!!ing &or e(er9 Annihilate his 6e!!ing9 Let me get at him9 -$"siness 6ith s6or!#0DUCHESS# Oh. &or that. as yo" please9 I !on2t o:ect to a !"el#$OU' -slightly !isconcerte!0# ,hat;GROG# C"t him in si>9+UC@ -asi!e to +RINCE +AUL0# ,e shall still ha(e o"r &"n9 ,e m"st %eep ol! $o"m "p to this9$OU' -6ith less energy0# I2(e a 11 I2(e a per&ect right to %ill him9+UC@ -alo"! to $OU'0# Hono"r !eman!s it9DUCHESS# General $o"m 11 or any one 6ho (al"es my &a(o"r 11 can challenge the "pstart# Let the !"el ta%e place at once# An! 11 -6ith meaning. loo%ing at GROG0 11 6hen General Frit/ is (an*"ishe!. let the (ictor comes to me &or his re6ar!#

$o6s to all. "t 6ith mar%e! gracio"sness to GROG. an! e>itL#4#E#

$OU' -6ho is eginning to loo% (ery "ncom&ortale0# Loo% here. I say. I !on2t see ho6 I can &ight 6ith a promote! pri(ate#+UC@# Nonsense9$OU'# It2s all (ery 6ell &or yo" to say ?nonsense?9 -Asi!e#0 11 Ol! &ool9 I2ll &log that sentry 6ho

misse! him9 -Alo"!#0 11 A&ter all. I can2t help pitying the poor 6retch 11 he !i!n2t %no6 any etter# +erhaps a repriman! might meet the case#+AUL# Har!ly9GROG# C"t him in eight9$OU'# Ho6 can I as% any &rien!s o& mine to 6ait on any &rien!s o& his;+UC@# Nepom"c2s the man# He2ll !o it#$OU' -asi!e0# Ol! i!iot9 I2ll gi(e that sentry penal ser(it"!e9


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+AUL# I shall e happy to represent General Frit/#GROG# ,ell sai!9$OU' -6ho is trying to get to6ar!s !oor0# I m"st :"st go an! ha(e a loo% at the Gran! D"chess2s reg"lations to see 6hether 1111+UC@# No. no# Let2s &in! Nepom"c. an! arrange preliminaries# Come along9$OU' -asi!e. as he goes o&&0# I2ll hang that sentry9

E>e"nt +RINCE +AUL. GROG. an! +UC@ R#I#E# $OU' &ollo6ing"n6illingly#

Enter FRIT< an! ,ANDA L#4#E#

FRIT


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NIERSTEIN# Come to ch"rch. nole lor!. come to ch"rch9ALL# Come to ch"rch9NIERSTEIN# An! 6hen the ceremony2s o2er.ALL# At the ch"rch9NIERSTEIN# =o" 6ill not care to ro(e any more.ALL# Come to ch"rch9NIERSTEIN# Or lea(e yo"r la!y in the l"rch#ALL# Come to ch"rch9HOCHHEI'# =o". my la!y. 6e i! yo" to ch"rch9ALL# Come to ch"rch9HOCHHEI'# An! 6hen the ceremony2s o2er.ALL# At the ch"rch9HOCHHEI'# =o" 6ill li(e happy e(ermore.ALL# O"t o& ch"rch9HOCHHEI'# T6o little lo(e1ir!s on one perch#ALL# Come to ch"rch9

They prepare to escort FRIT< an! ,ANDA to the Cathe!ral#

Enter *"ic%ly R#5#E# +RINCE +AUL. GROG. NE+O'UC. an! +UC@# -'"siccontin"es !"ring the ens"ing !ialog"e#0

+UC@# Stop9

Sol!iers an! +easants e>press s"rprise an! annoyance#

+AUL -to FRIT


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CHORUS an! SCENE#

CHORUS# No6. to the &ight yo" m"st procee!. It is no "se &or yo" to tarry9 Then. in the ch"rch. sho"l! yo" s"ccee!. All o& "s soon 6ill see yo" marry9 A6ay9 a6ay9 a6ay9

,ANDA -to FRITit NE+O'UC L#4#E#

FRIT< -6orrie! an! annoye!0# ,here ha(e I p"t my leather elt;CHORUS# ,here has he p"t my leather elt;

As FRIT< as%s &or a thing. 'ACRO$RUNNER passes it to +UC@. 6hogi(es it to FRIT< an! helps him p"t it on# These mo(ements m"ste (ery rapi! an! 6itho"t con&"sion#


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FRIT


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+UC@# ,ell;FRIT


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+UC@ -asi!e to +RINCE +AUL0# Three tho"san! thalers. please9+AUL -asi!e to +UC@0# Ha(e I to pay that;+UC@ -asi!e to +RINCE +AUL0# ,ho else; -+RINCE +AUL &"mles in his poc%ets#0 I2ll hol! the sta%es#+AUL# Here yo" are# -Gi(es it to +UC@#0+UC@ -contin"ing. to FRIT


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-+erhaps his han! 6as gro6ing 6ea%er0. He !roppe! his glass. an! sa!ly sighe!. ;one an! ro%e my lesse! ea%er9? They ma!e another li%e the &irst. A remar%ale green an! gol! glass8 $"t he pre&erre! to !ie o& thirst. $eca"se he co"l! not ha(e his ol! glass9

ALL# His o6n9 His o6n9

DUCHESS# Ah. goo! ol! man. ho6 he co"l! !rin%. An! !rain his glass 6itho"t a 6in%9 Oh. 6hat a glass9 Oh. 6hat a glass9 An! ho6 he &ille! it to the rin%9

ALL# Oh. goo! ol! !ays. 6hen men co"l! !rin%. An! !rain their glass 6itho"t a 6in%9 An! 6hat a glass a man co"l! !rain. An! &ill again9

Noise 6itho"t#

+UC@# ,ho2s this; ,hy. it2s $o"m9$OU' -&eely. 6itho"t0# ,here is he; Let me get at him9 -Enter R#5#E# $OU'. !ragge! on y NE+O'UC# $OU' is loo%ing !ishe(elle! an! &rightene!#0 ,here is he; I 6ill c"t him in *"arters9DUCHESS# So. General. yo" ha(e !e&eate! yo"r a!(ersary;$OU'# He 6asn2t there9+UC@# This 6as the ren!e/(o"s#$OU'# +ar!on me8 he sai! the 'ar%et# As the aggrie(e! party I ha(e choice o& mar%ets8 I chose the other one# I a!opte! my "s"al tactics# I approache! it y three ro"tes#+UC@# None o& 6hich le! to the meeting place#$OU'# None o& 6hich le! to the 11 no. no. I !on2t mean that9 There 6asn2t a meeting place. eca"se he 6asn2t there#+UC@# No. he 6as here9$OU'# Ah. 6ell. that acco"nts &or it# At all e(ents. it 6as a glorio"s (ictory#+UC@# $loo!less 1111NE+O'UC# $"t glorio"s9DUCHESS# That2s not my i!ea o& (ictory9

Derisi(e sho"ts 6itho"t# Some o& the sol!iers an! peasants go o&&to see 6hat it is#

HOCHHEI' -loo%ing o&&0# It2s ,an!aB 6hat2s the matter 6ith her#NIERSTEIN# An! 6ho is that 6retche! creat"re &ollo6ing her;

,ANDA r"ns on R#U#E# an! comes !o6n C#

SCENA# 11 ,ANDA. FRIT


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It2s eca"se his 6arli%e rags. They ha(e gone an! torn his clothes to rags9CHORUS# They ha(e gone an! torn his clothes to rags9

FRIT< has entere! !"ring ao(e# He is s"rro"n!e! y the peasants.etc#. 6ho are :eering at him# He is in a pitiale state.!ishe(elle!. no epa"lettes. his pl"me ro%en. the roa!s6or!t6iste! "p#

SONG# 11 FRIT


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DUCHESS# That2s the 6or! I co"l!n2t thin% o&9 Common sol!ier 11 o& co"rse9 That2s 6hat yo" are9$OU' -to FRIT. General# I ha! a message &rom home this morning#DUCHESS# $"t ho6 1111GROG# Than% yo"# As 6ell as can e e>pecte!# A oy an! a girl# 'y 6i&e2s a mar(el# I rememer. last time 11 11DUCHESS# A 6i&e an! si> chil!ren9 $aron9GROG# =o"r Highness;DUCHESS# Gi(e ac% the pl"me9 11 -He gi(es it ac%#0 No6 the s6or!9 11 -He gi(es it to her#0 General $o"m. the pl"me is yo"rs again# -$OU' approaches 6ith empressement an! ta%es the pl"me &rom the GRAND DUCHESS#0$OU' -asi!e. going ac% to his place0# This time I2ll ha(e it naile! on9DUCHESS -to +UC@0# $aron +"c% 11 -+UC@ approaches0 11 ta%e this cor%scre6# -She gi(es him the s6or!#0 I instit"te yo" Lor! High @eeper o& my lesse! &ather2s s6or!9+UC@ -asi!e. ta%ing the s6or!0# No6 &or the mas%e! hero9 -Goes "p an! ec%ons o&& R#U#E# Sho"ts hear! 6itho"t# Some o& the Sol!iers an! +easants r"n o&& R#U#E#0DUCHESS# ,hat is that;

Re1enter NE+O'UC R#U#E#. &ollo6e! y +easants. etc#. 6al%ingac%6ar!s an! cheering lo"!ly# Then enter +RINCE +AUL. in cloa%an! mas%e!#

+UC@# =o"r Highness. the hero o& the !ay9DUCHESS -m"ch intereste!0# Oh. the mas%e! con*"eror9FRIT< -pointing to +RINCE +AUL0# That2s him. right eno"gh9DUCHESS# Ah9 -Loo%s 6ith great interest at +RINCE +AUL. asi!e#0 11 ,ho can it e; -Alo"!#0 11 $ra(e Sir @night. 6hat re6ar! !o yo" as%;+AUL -in a !eep melo!ramatic (oice0# 'ay I e ol! in my re*"est. yo"r Highness;DUCHESS# As ol! as yo" ha(e pro(e! yo"rsel& on the &iel!9


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+AUL# Then I cra(e the right to protect yo"r hono"r 11 al6ays9DUCHESS# To marry me; Really. this is so s"!!en9 $"t 11 a&ter all. yo" ha(e pro(e! yo"rsel& 6orthy8 an! a girl2s heart is really her est g"i!e9+UC@# ,o"l!n2t yo" li%e to %no6 6ho it is;DUCHESS# I ne(er tho"ght o& that9 Certainly. I shall e most happy# -+RINCE +AUL thro6s o&& his mas% an! cloa%# He is in 6e!!ing clothes#0+AUL -in his or!inary (oice0# It2s only me9DUCHESS# +rince +a"l9+AUL# Dear la!y9DUCHESS# This is too ri!ic"lo"s9 3ery 6ell9 -Gi(es her han! to +RINCE +AUL#0+AUL -preparing to lea! the GRAND DUCHESS to the Cathe!ral0# This is *"ite too s6eet o& yo"9 -The DUCHESS pinches his arm#0 11 Aie9 aie9DUCHESS -glancing at FRIT< an! GROG. an! shr"gging her sho"l!ers0# ,hen yo" can2t get 6hat yo" li%e. yo" m"st li%e 6hat yo" get9

FINALE OF ACT III#

$OU' -asi!e0# At last I reco(er my pl"me9+UC@ -asi!e0# At last I reco(er my place9+AUL -to GRAND DUCHESS0# At last to yo"r han! I pres"me9GROG# At last I2ll see my latest Groglet2s &ace9FRIT< -to ,ANDA0# No6. my !ear. o"r 6e!!ing !ay 6e2ll ma%e it9,ANDA -to FRITpecte!. "t it ma%es The proper en!ing to the play9

ALL# It2s "ne>pecte!. "t it ma%es The proper en!ing to the play9

DUCHESS# 'y ancestor. ho6 gla! he2! e. I& he co"l! only loo% at me9

ALL# Her ancestor. i& he co"l! see. Ho6 (ery. (ery gla! he2! e9 Ho6 gla! he2! e9


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Gla!ly 6e2ll celerate this happy 6e!!ing !ay. ,e2ll ma%e the merry cannons roar. 6e2ll 6a(e

the anners gay9 Hail 6e the ri!egroom 6ho at last has 6on his ri!e9 An! lo"!ly hail o"r co"ntry2s "een. o"r glory an! o"r pri!e9

CURTAIN#

Documents

The Grand Dutchess of Gerolstein Libretto