Reply!

SIR M. Die thou!

Thou art the cause of all offending!

DR. D. Die thou!

Yield to this decree unbending!

ALL. Die thou!

MR. W. So be it! I submit! My fate is sealed.

To public execration thus I yield!

(Falls on trap)

Be happy all--leave me to my despair-- I go--it matters not with whom--or where!

(Gong)

(All quit their present partners, and rejoin their old lovers.

Sir Marmaduke leaves Mrs. Partlet, and goes to Lady Sangazure.

Aline leaves Dr. Daly, and goes to Alexis. Dr. Daly leaves Aline, and goes to Constance. Notary leaves Constance, and goes to Mrs. Partlet.

All the Chorus makes a corresponding change.)

ALL

GENTLEMEN. Oh, my adored one!

LADIES. Unmingled joy!

GENTLEMEN. Ecstatic rapture!

LADIES. Beloved boy!

(They embrace)

SIR M. Come to my mansion, all of you! At least We'll crown our rapture with another feast!

ENSEMBLE

SIR MARMADUKE, LADY SANGAZURE, ALEXIS, and ALINE

Now to the banquet we press-- Now for the eggs and the ham-- Now for the mustard and cress-- Now for the strawberry jam!

CHORUS Now to the banquet, etc.

DR. DALY, CONSTANCE, NOTARY, and MRS. PARTLET

Now for the tea of our host-- Now for the rollicking bun-- Now for the m.u.f.fin and toast-- Now for the gay Sally Lunn!

CHORUS. Now for the tea, etc.

(General Dance)

(During the symphony Mr. Wells sinks through the trap, amid red fire.)

CURTAIN

THESPIS

OR

THE G.o.dS GROWN OLD

Libretto by William S. Gilbert Music by Arthur S. Sullivan

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

G.o.dS

Jupiter, Aged Diety Apollo, Aged Diety Mars, Aged Diety Diana, Aged Diety Mercury

THESPIANS

Thespis Sillimon Timidon Tipseion Preposteros Stupidas Sparkeion Nicemis Pretteia Daphne Cymon

ACT I - Ruined Temple on the Summit of Mount Olympus

ACT II - The same Scene, with the Ruins Restored

ACT I

[Scene--The ruins of the The Temple of the G.o.ds, on summit of Mount Olympus. Picturesque shattered columns, overgrown with ivy, etc. R. and L. with entrances to temple (ruined) R. Fallen columns on the stage. Three broken pillars 2 R.E. At the back of stage is the approach from the summit of the mountain. This should be "practicable" to enable large numbers of people to ascend and descend. In the distance are the summits of adjacent mountains. At first all this is concealed by a thick fog, which clears presently. Enter (through fog) Chorus of Stars coming off duty as fatigued with their night's work]

CHO. Through the night, the constellations, Have given light from various stations.

When midnight gloom falls on all nations, We will resume our occupations.

SOLO. Our light, it's true, is not worth mention; What can we do to gain attention.

When night and noon with vulgar glaring A great big moon is always flaring.

[During chorus, enter Diana, an elderly G.o.ddess. She is carefully wrapped up in cloaks, shawls, etc. A hood is over her head, a respirator in her mouth, and galoshes on her feet. During the chorus, she takes these things off and discovers herself dressed in the usual costume of the Lunar Diana, the G.o.ddess of the moon.

DIA. [shuddering] Ugh. How cold the nights are. I don't know how it is, but I seem to feel the night air a good deal more than I used to. But it is time for the sun to be rising. [Calls] Apollo.

AP. [within] Hollo.

DIA. I've come off duty--it's time for you to be getting up.