Mountebanks Web Opera

Time There Was When Earthly Joy

No. 20, Sung by Arrostino, Pietro, and Chorus, with Soprano and Contralto Solos

Enter from monastery a procession of Tamorras, now transformed into Dominican Monks, chaunting from black-letter volumes; ARROSTINO as the Prior.

Chaunt

Chorus of Monks

Time there was when earthly joy

Gave our senses full employ;

In those days, for ever gone,

Bless us, how we carried on!

Clinking glasses -

Lovely lasses -

Revel hearty -

Picnic party -

Gay donzella -

Tarantella!

Tenors

Gay donzella -

Basses

Tarantella!

Monks

In those days, for ever gone,

Bless us, how we carried on!

Monks (confidentially to audience)

It's a most unaccountable thing -

An hour ago, as banditti,

We played like young lovers in spring,

The mischief in village and city;

But since we got merry and mellow

On the wine of that conjuring fellow,

Transmogrified we're

Into friars austere,

Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!

Whatever you say or you sing,

It's a most unaccountable thing!

Enter Chorus of Girls, from various entrances.

Chorus of Girls

After a weary search

Hiding, at last, we find you;

Leaving us in the lurch

Isn't good breeding, mind you.

Offer apologee -

We shall want some persuading;

When do you think you'll be

Tired of masquerading?

Contralto Solo

This jocular monkish pretence,

Though all very well in its way;

Is likely to pall on the sense,

If kept up all night and all day.

Soprano Solo

At an overdrawn joke or take-in,

However amusing, we scoff,

So many know when to begin,

So very few when to leave off.

Girls

So many know when to begin,

So very few when to leave off.

During this, the Girls have been endeavouring to induce the Monks to pay them attention. The Monks, however, have kept their eyes studiously on their books.

Arrostino

These blandishments I pray you curb,

Nor think us churls - nor think us churls;

Our pious calm do not disturb,

Now there's good girls - now there's good girls!

Though our emotions, as you see,

We try to freeze - we try to freeze!

We don't, as yet, pretend to be

St. Anthonies - St. Anthonies;

So go along, nor think us churls,

Now there's good girls - now there's good girls!

Sopranos

Ah, cruel ones!

Time was, your love was stronger!

All Girls

Ah, cruel ones!

You love us then no longer.

Monks (confidentially to Girls)

It's a most unaccountable thing -

An hour ago, as banditti,

We played like young lovers in spring,

The mischief in village and city;

But since we got merry and mellow

On the wine of that conjuring fellow,

Transmogrified we're

Into friars austere,

Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!

All

Transmogrified we're/here

Into friars austere,

Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!

Whatever you say or you sing,

It's a most unaccountable thing!

Enter PIETRO, still very ill.

All (seeing him)

Ah!

What does this mean - what have you done?

Do not attempt away to run

Nor questions try to parry.

Altos

The men to whom we were betrothed

Sopranos

We find as holy friars clothed,

All Girls

Who mustn't ever marry!

All

Who mustn't ever marry!

Pietro

Now I'll explain,

(If calm you'll be)

As well I can

Though I'm in pain

And ought to see

A medical man.

All

This man, it's plain,

As well as we,

Is under a ban.

If he's in pain

He ought to see

A medical man.

Girls

If he's in pain

It is as plain

As plain can be

He ought to see

Monks

If he's in pain

It is as plain

As plain can be

He ought to see

All

A medical, medical, medical, medical, medical, medical man!

Monks

If he's in pain

It is as plain

As plain can be

He ought to see

Girls

If he's in pain

It is as plain

As plain can be

He ought to see

All

A medical, medical, medical, medical, medical, medical man!

Recitative

Pietro

My worthy friends, the wine you chose to drink

Makes every one what he pretends to be;

You personated monks, and monks you are,

And will be monks until the spell's removed.

All

Oh, horror!

Oh, horror and despair unprecedented!

Girls

But how long must they wait - to dreary cell,

To life-long celibacy sternly vowed?

Monks

Yes, say - how long?

Pietro

Have patience, for I hold the antidote, (producing pocket-book)

And in an hour or two, or thereabouts,

The spell shall be removed, and you may wed

As quickly and as often as you please!

If "When your clothes from your head to your socks" is cut, Pietro leaves here. Otherwise, he stays.

All

Oh, rapture!

Oh, rapture, joy, and bliss unprecedented!

Girls (dancing)

An hour! 'twill rapidly pass,

Our freedom we then shall recover;

Each lover will welcome his lass -

Each lass will return to her lover!

The bells for our wedding will chime,

Delight in each bosom implanting,

So, gentlemen, in the mean time,

Proceed, if you please, with your chaunting!

So pray, proceed, if you please with your chaunting!

Monks

Time there was when

earthly joy

Gave our senses

full employ;

Earthly plea-

sures that allure

For an hour

we abjure

For an hour we abjure!

Girls

hour twill rapidly pass, Our

freedom we then shall recover;

Each

lover shall welcome his lass - Each

lass will return to her

lover! The

bells for our wedding will chime

Delight in each bosom implanting, So,

gentlemen in the meantime, Pro-

ceed if you please with your chaunting!

So,

proceed if you please with your chaunt--

--- ing!

Monks

Earthly pleasures that allure

For an hour we abjure!