The Gondoliers by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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No. 22 (contd.) : FINALE

"Now let the loyal lieges gather round"

MIDI File [48KB, 5' 14"]

Click on picture to enlarge — Don Alhambrs (Kenneth Sandford), Inez
(Beti Lloyd-Jones and Casilda (Julia Goss),
c. 1970

Enter Don Alhambra, followed by Duke, Duchess, and all the Chorus.

Don Alhambra.

Now let the loyal lieges gather round —
The Prince's foster-mother has been found!
She will declare, to silver clarion's sound,
The rightful King — let him forthwith be crowned!

Chorus.

She will declare, to silver clarion's sound,
The rightful King — let him forthwith be crowned!

Don Alhambra brings forward Inez, the Prince's foster-mother.

Tessa.	Speak, woman, speak —
Duke.	We're all attention!
Gianetta.	The news we seek
Duchess.	This moment mention.
Casilda.	To us they bring —
Don Alhambra.	His foster-mother.
Marco.	Is he the King?
Giuseppe.	Or this my brother?
All.	Speak, woman, speak, Speak, woman, speak!

Inez.

The Royal Prince was by the King entrusted
To my fond care, ere I grew old and crusted;
When traitors came to steal his son reputed,
My own small boy I deftly substituted!
The villains fell into the trap completely —
I hid the Prince away — still sleeping sweetly:
I called him "son" with pardonable slyness —
His name, Luiz! Behold his Royal Highness!

Click to see the full picture — Giuseppe (Leslie Rands), Inez (Ella Halman), Marco (John Dudley), Gianette (Margery Abbott) and Don Alhambra (Sydney Granville), 1938

Sensation. Luiz ascends the throne, crowned and robed as King.

Casilda. (rushing to his arms)

Luiz!

Luiz.

Casilda! (Embrace.)

All.

Is this indeed the King?
Oh, wondrous revelation!
Oh, unexpected thing!
Unlooked-for situation!

Gianetta, Tessa, Marco & Giuseppe.

This statement we receive
With sentiments conflicting;
Our hearts rejoice and grieve,
Each other contradicting;
To those whom we adore
We can be reunited —
On one point rather sore,
But, on the whole, delighted!

Luiz.

When others claimed thy dainty hand,
I waited — waited — waited,

Duke.

As prudence (so I understand)
Dictated — tated — tated.

Casilda.

By virtue of our early vow
Recorded — corded — corded,

Duchess.

Your pure and patient love is now
Rewarded — warded — warded.

All.

Then hail, O King of a Golden Land,
And the high-born bride who claims his hand!
The past is dead, and you gain your own,
A royal crown and a golden throne!

All kneel: Luiz crowns Casilda.

All.

Once more gondolieri,
Both skilful and wary,
Free from this quandary
Contented are we. Ah!
From Royalty flying,
Our gondolas plying,
And merrily crying
Our "premé," "stali!" Ah!

So good-bye, cachucha, fandango, bolero —
We'll dance a farewell to that measure —
Old Xeres, adieu — Manzanilla — Montero —
We leave you with feelings of pleasure!

Once more gondolieri,
Both skilful and wary,
Free from this quandary
Contented are we. Ah! Ah!
Once more gondolieri,
Gondolieri, gondolieri,
Contented are we!

So good-bye, cachucha, fandango, bolero —
We'll dance a farewell to that measure —
Old Xeres, adieu — Manzanilla — Montero —
We leave you with feelings of pleasure,
With feelings of pleasure!

CURTAIN

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Page modified 12 January 2009