No. 9: Couplets (Selene, Darine, Sir Ethais, Sir Phyllon
and Chorus)
| Ethais. |
When homage to his Queen a subject
shows |
| |
|
(A Queen that's duly crowned),
He puts his arm around |
| |
That monarch's waist — like this, (Doing
so).
And plants a very long and tender kiss
Sometimes upon her cheeks of creamy rose,
But, preferably, preferably just below the nose! |
| Chorus. |
There is some reason — so we must suppose —
Why preferably, just below the nose? |
| Phyllon. |
A still more binding process I propose: |
| |
|
For though no doubt it's true
One single kiss might do, |
| |
Administered like this, (kissing
DARINE on cheek).
The pledge works more effectively, I wis,
When several dozen kisses he bestows —
Placed preferably, preferably just below the nose! |
| Chorus. |
I hope he'll tell us all before he
goes
Why preferably just below the nose? |
| Darine. (aside
to SELENE). |
| |
A simple kiss a simple friendship shows. |
| |
|
'Tis an insipid thing
That no delight can bring, |
| |
Placed on the brow — like this.
(kisses SELENE's brow).
Yet on these gentle knights' hypothesis
Some unexpected virtue 'twill disclose,
Placed preferably, preferably just below the nose! |
| Chorus. |
Some explanation certainly he owes
—
Why preferably just below the nose! |
| Selene. |
Our outlook widens as experience grows. |
| |
|
That form is quite unknown
In our ethereal zone — |
| |
A kiss is but a kiss.
Yet if these knights be surely bound by this,
There is no need to ask them to disclose
Why preferably, preferably just below the nose. |
| Chorus. |
Still there's some reason — so we must
suppose —
Why preferably just below the nose. |
| |
|
Ah! |
| |
Why preferably, why preferably, |
| Selene, Zayda,
Darine & Chorus. |
| |
Why just below, below the nose. |