Rose of Persia Song No. 9

Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

The Rose of Persia
Song No. 9

Peace be upon this house

and


CD 1	Track 10

MIDI File 17K, 2 min. 25 seconds.

Enter Yussuf from street.

RECITATIVE.

Yussuf:

Peace be upon this house!

All:

And on you Peace!

Yussuf:

A Story-Teller am I,

Of legends and romances,

Attend and I will try

To charm you with my fancies!

Hassan:

Lay down your burthen and sup,

And then take up your burthen;

Choose for yourself a cup

Of silver, gold, or earthen!

Exit Hassan

SONG. — YUSSUF and CHORUS.

I care not if the cup I hold

Be one of fair design;

Of crystal, silver, or of gold —

If it containeth wine —

And humble horn

Will I not scorn

If it do carry wine.

Fill high —

Drink dry!

The cup doth matter nought, I trow,

If only it be deep enow!

Ah! For, though the cup

Be earthen bowl,

'Twill hold the juice of grape!

Then up, up, up —

And judge the Soul

And not the outward shape!

Chorus:

Yussuf:
I care not how a man be clad,

Or who a man may be,
If he be one to make me glad
To share his company;
Oh, nought I care
What he may wear
While he's good company!
Fill high —
Drink dry!
For royal wine may sparkle in
Your clumsy clay and crystal thin!
Ah! For, though the cup
Be earthen bowl,
'Twill hold the juice of grape!
Then up, up, up —
And judge the Soul
And not the outward shape!
Chorus:
For though the cup,
Be earthen bowl,
'Twill hold the juice of grape!
Then up, up, up —
And judge the Soul
And not the outward shape!

Page updated 25 July 1999