JULIA:
How would I play this part--
The Grand Duke's Bride?
All rancour in my heart
I'd duly hide--
I'd drive it from my recollection
And 'whelm you with a mock affection,
Well calculated to defy detection--
That's how I'd play this part--
The Grand Duke's Bride

With many a winsome smile
I'd witch and woo;
With gay and girlish guile
I'd frenzy you--
I'd madden you with my caressing,
Like turtle, her first love confessing--
That it was "mock", no mortal would be guessing,
With so much winsome wile
I'd witch and woo!

Did any other maid
With you succeed,
I'd pinch the forward jade--
I would indeed!
With jealous frenzy agitated
(Which would, of course, be simulated),
I'd make her wish she'd never been created--
Did any other maid
With you succeed!

And should there come to me,
Some summers hence,
In all the childish glee
Of innocence,
Fair babes, aglow with beauty vernal,
My heart would bound with joy diurnal!
This sweet display of sympathy maternal,
Well, that would also be
A mere pretence!

My histrionic art
Though you deride,
That's how I'd play that part--
The Grand Duke's Bride!

ENSEMBLE:
ERNEST: JULIA:
Oh joy! when two glowing young My boy, when two glowing
hearts, young hearts
From the rise of the curtain, From the rise of the
curtain,
Thus throw themselves into their Thus throw themselves into
their parts, parts,
Success is most certain! Success is most certain!
If the role you're prepared to endow The role I'm prepared to
endow
With such delicate touches, With most delicate touch-
es,
By the heaven above us, I vow By the heaven above us, I
vow
You shall be my Grand Duchess! I will be your Grand
Duchess