Page:Iolanthe lib.djvu/22

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Queen.	In the Parliamentary hive, Liberal or Conservative— Whig or Tory—I don't know— But into Parliament you shall go!
Fairies.	Into Parliament, &c.

Peers.

Ah, spare us!

Queen (speaking through music).

Every bill and every measure
That may gratify his pleasure,
Though your fury it arouses,
Shall be passed by both your Houses!
You shall sit, if he sees reason,
Through the grouse and salmon season:
He shall end the cherished rights
You enjoy on Wednesday nights:
He shall prick that annual blister,
Marriage with deceased wife's sister:
Titles shall ennoble, then,
All the Common Councilmen:
Peers shall teem in Christendom,
And a Duke's exalted station
Be attainable by Com-
Petitive Examination!

Peers.
Oh, horror!

Fairies & Phyllis.
Their horror!
They can't dissemble
Nor hide the fear that makes them tremble!

ENSEMBLE.

Peers.

Young Strephon is the kind of lout
We do not care a fig about!
⁠We cannot s
⁠What evils may
⁠Result in consequence.

But lordly vengeance will pursue
All kinds of common people who
⁠Oppose our views,
⁠Or boldly choose
⁠To offer us offence.

He'd better fly at humbler game,
Or our forbearance he must claim
⁠If he'd escape
⁠In any shape
⁠A very painful wrench!

Fairies, Phyllis, and Strephon.

With Strephon for your foe, no doubt,
A fearful prospect opens out,
⁠And who shall say
⁠What evils may
⁠Result in consequence?

A hideous vengeance will pursue
All noblemen who venture to
⁠Oppose his views,
⁠Or boldly choose
⁠To offer him offence.

'Twill plunge them into grief and shame;
His kind forbearance they must claim,
⁠If they'd escape
⁠In any shape
⁠A very painful wrench.