Page:Iolanthe lib.djvu/23

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Your powers we dauntlessly pooh-pooh:
A dire revenge will fall on you
⁠If you besiege
⁠Our high prestige
(The word "prestige" is French).

Although our threats you now pooh-pooh,
A dire revenge will fall on you,
⁠Should he besiege
⁠Your high prestige—
(The word "prestige" is French.)

Peers.	Our lordly style You shall not quench With base canaille!
Fairies.	⁠(That word is French.)
Peers.	Distinction ebbs Before a herd Of vulgar plebs!
Fairies.	⁠(A Latin word.)
Peers.	'Twould fill with joy, And madness stark The ὁι πολλοι!
Fairies.	⁠(A Greek remark.)

Peers.

You needn't wait,
⁠Away you fly!
Your threatened hate
⁠We thus defy!

Fairies.

We will not wait,
⁠We go sky-high!
Our threatened hate
⁠You won't defy!

Fairies.	Your lordly style We'll quickly quench With base canaille—
Peers.	⁠(That word is French!)
Fairies.	Distinction ebbs Before a herd Of vulgar plebs!
Peers.	⁠(A Latin word).
Fairies.	'Twill fill with joy And madness stark The ὁι πολλοι!
Peers.	⁠(A Greek remark).

Peers.

You needn't wait,
⁠Away you fly—
Your threatened hate
⁠We won't defy!

Fairies.

We will not wait,
⁠We go, sky high,
Our threatened hate
⁠You won't defy!

Fairies threaten Peers with their wands. Peers kneel as begging for mercy. Phyllis implores Strephon to relent. He casts her from him, and she falls fainting into the arms of Lord Mountararat and Lord Tolloller.

End of Act. I.