MIDI File 23K, 1 min. 40 seconds.

[Note: This number, appears in this position in the printed vocal score, but not in the NYPL libretto. The latter proceeds directly into the Chorus of Saturnalia procession with a short chorus before the text of the Chorus. This number must have been a very late addition. The short choral section in the NYPL libretto which proceeds Saturnalia contains a line "World is topsy-turvied', hence perhaps the theme for this number. The cues below are pure conjecture on my part.]

(Licinia, Tullia, Flavia, Cornelia, Circe, Manlius and other Guests in slave costume led by Archias enter from villa.)

Manlius:

Till sunsets five have come and gone,

Our slaves will ape nobility;

And you and I must all put on

A servant like humility. (Bows to Archias)

I wouldn't miss the fun would you?

For all a Queen's regalia;

Oh! tell me what a girl should do

To keep the Saturnalia?

For it's topsy-turvy! topsy-turvy!

Jack's as good as his master;

When up we fly

From low to high

The fun gets all the faster.

For it's topsy-turvy! topsy-turvy!

Jack's as good as his master;

When down we go

From hight to low

The fun gets all the faster.

Licinia:

And while the world is upside down,

You'll make a pretty slave, you know!

But moralists are quick to frown,

So mind how you behave, you know!

The men make love,

The women too —

But this is interalia; (Indicating guests)

For lots of things they also do

To keep the Saturnalia!

For it's topsy-turvy! topsy-turvy!

Jack's as good as his master;

When up we fly

From low to high

The fun gets all the faster.

For it's topsy-turvy! topsy-turvy!

Jack's as good as his master;

When down we go

From hight to low

The fun gets all the faster.

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Page created 20 November 2001