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IOLANTHE: My lord, a suppliant at your feet I kneel,
Oh, listen to a mother's fond appeal!
Hear me tonight! I come in urgent need--
'Tis for my son, young Strephon, that I plead!

He loves! If in the bygone years
Thine eyes have ever shed
Tears, bitter, unavailing tears,
For one untimely dead--
If, in the eventide of life,
Sad thoughts of her arise,
Then let the memory of thy wife
Plead for my boy: he dies!

He dies! If fondly laid aside
In some old cabinet,
Memorials of thy longdead bride
Lie, dearly treasured yet,
Then let her hallowed bridal dress--
Her little dainty gloves--
Her withered flowers, her faded tress--
Plead for my boy, he loves!

LD. CHAN.: It may not be: for so the fates decide!
Learn thou that Phyllis is my promised bride.

IOLANTHE: Thy bride! No! no!

LD. CHAN.: It shall be so!
Those who would separate us woe betide!

IOLANTHE: My doom thy lips have spoken--
I plead in vain!

FAIRIES: Forbear! forbear!

IOLANTHE: A vow already broken
I break again!

FAIRIES: Forbear! forbear!

IOLANTHE: For him, for her, for thee
I yield my life.
Behold: it may not be!
I am thy wife.

FAIRIES: Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Aiaiah! Willaloo! Willaloo!

LD. CHAN.: Iolanthe! thou livest?

IOLANTHE: Aye!
I live! Now let me die!

QUEEN: Once again thy vows are broken:
Thou thyself thy doom hast spoken!

FAIRIES: Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Willahalah! Willaloo!
Willahalah! Willaloo!

QUEEN: Bow thy head to Destiny:
Death thy doom, and thou shalt die!

FAIRIES: Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Willahalah! Willaloo!
Willahalah! Willaloo!

By Arthur Sullivan
Generated by NoteWorthy Composer

Iolanthe No23 - My Lord, a suppliant
Lyrics
Iolanthe
Queen
Lord Chancellor
Sopranos
Contraltos
Right Hand
Left Hand