DESCRIPTION:
CHORUS. Give thanks, give thanks to wayward fate--
By mystic fortune's sway,
Our Ludwig guides the helm of State
For one delightful day!
(To LUDWIG.) We hail you, sir!
We greet you, sir!
Regale you, sir!
We treat you, sir!
Our ruler be
By fate's decree
For one delightful day!

NOT. You've done it neatly! Pity that your powers
Are limited to four-and-twenty hours!
LUD. No matter, though the time will quickly run,
In hours twenty-four much may be done!
SONG--LUDWIG.
Oh, a Monarch who boasts intellectual graces
Can do, if he likes, a good deal in a day--
He can put all his friends in conspicuous places,
With plenty to eat and with nothing to pay!
You'll tell me, no doubt, with unpleasant grimaces,
To-morrow, deprived of your ribbons and laces,
You'll get your dismissal--with very long faces--
But wait! on that topic I've something to say!
(Dancing.) I've something to say--I've something to
say--I've something to say!
Oh, our rule shall be merry--I'm not an ascetic--
And while the sun shines we will get up our hay--
By a pushing young Monarch, of turn energetic,
A very great deal may be done in a day!
CHORUS. Oh, his rule will be merry--he's not an ascetic--
And while the sun shines we will get up our hay--
By a pushing young Monarch, of turn energetic,
A very great deal may be done in a day!
(During this, LUDWIG whispers to NOTARY, who writes.)
For instance, this measure (his ancestor drew it),
This law against duels--to-morrow will die--
The Duke will revive, and you'll certainly rue it--
He'll give you "what for" and he'll let you know why!
But in twenty-four hours there's time to renew it--
With a century's life I've the right to imbue it--
It's easy to do--and, by Jingo, I'll do it!
(Signing paper, which NOTARY presents.)
It's done! Till I perish your Monarch am I!
Your Monarch am I--your Monarch am I--your Monarch am I!
Though I do not pretend to be very prophetic,
I fancy I know what you're going to say--
By a pushing young Monarch, of turn energetic,
A very great deal may be done in a day!
ALL (astonished).
Oh, it's simply uncanny, his power prophetic--
It's perfectly right--we were going to say,
By a pushing young Monarch, of turn energetic,
A very great deal may be done in a day!

Enter JULIA, at back.
LUD. (recit.). This very afternoon--at two (about)--
The Court appointments will be given out.
To each and all (for that was the condition)
According to professional position!
ALL. Hurrah! Hurrah!
JULIA. Oh, Heav'n!
ALL. What's the matter?
JULIA (coming forward). According to professional position?
LUD. According to professional position!
JULIA. Then, horror! horror! horror! horror! horror!
ALL. Why, what's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter?
SONG--JULIA. (LISA clinging to her.)
JULIA. Our duty, if we're wise,
We never shun.
This Spartan rule applies
To every one.
In theatres, as in life,
Each has her line--
This part--the Grand Duke's wife
CHORUS. Well, what's the matter?
JULIA. (Oh agony!) is mine!
ALL. Oh, that's the matter, that's the matter, is it?
JULIA. A maxim new I do not start--
The canons of dramatic art
Decree that this repulsive part
(The Grand Duke's wife)
Is mine!
LISA (appalled, to LUDWIG). Can that be so?
LUD. I do not know--
But time will show
If that be so.

DUET--LISA and JULIA.
LISA. Oh, listen to me, dear--
I love him only, darling!
Remember, oh, my pet,
On him my heart is set
This kindness do me, dear-
Nor leave me lonely, darling!
Be merciful, my pet,
Our love do not forget!
JULIA. Now don't be foolish, dear--
You couldn't play it, darling!
It's "leading business", pet
And you're but a soubrette.
So don't be mulish, dear-
Although I say it, darling,
It's not your line, my pet--
I play that part, you bet!
I play that part--
I play that part, you bet! You bet! You bet!
(LISA overwhelmed with grief.)
NOT. The lady's right. Though Julia's engagement
Was for the stage meant--
It certainly frees Ludwig from his
Connubial promise.
Though marriage contracts--or whate'er you call 'em--
Are very solemn,
Dramatic contracts (which you all adore so)
Are even more so!
ALL. That's very true!
Though marriage contracts are very solemn,
Dramatic contracts are even more so.

SONG--LISA.
The die is cast,
My hope has perished!
Farewell, O Past,
Too bright to last,
Yet fondly cherished!
My light has fled,
My hope is dead,
Its doom is spoken--
My day is night,
My wrong is right
In all men's sight--
My heart is broken!
[Exit weeping.
LUD. (recit.). Poor child, where will she go? What will she do?
JULIA. That isn't in your part, you know.
LUD. (sighing). Quite true!
(With an effort.) Depressing topics we'll not touch upon--
Let us begin as we are going on!

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