24
ACT II.
Scene—Palace Yard, Westminster. Westminster Hall, l. Clock tower up r.c. Private Willis discovered on sentry, r. Moonlight.
Song—Willis.
When all night long a chap remains
On sentry-go, to chase monotony
He exercises of his brains,
That is, assuming that he's got any.
Though never nurtured in the lap
Of luxury, yet I admonish you,
I am an intellectual chap,
And think of things that would astonish you.
I often think it's comical—Fal, lal, la!
How Nature always does contrive—Fal, lal, la!
That every boy and every gal,
That's born into the world alive,
Is either a little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal, lal, la!
When in that house M.P.s divide,
If they've a brain and cerebellum, too,
They've got to leave that brain outside,
And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to.
But then the prospect of a lot
Of dull M.P.s in close proximity,
All thinking for themselves, is what
No man can face with equanimity.
Then let's rejoice with loud Fal lal—Fal lal la!
That Nature wisely does contrive—Fal lal la!
That every boy and every gal
That's born into the world alive,
Is either a little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal lal la!
Enter Fairies, with Celia, Leila, and Fleta. They trip round stage.
Chorus of Fairies.
Strephon's a Member of Parliament!
And carries every Bill he chooses.
To his measures all assent;—
Showing that fairies have their uses.
Whigs and Tories
Dim their glories
Giving an ear to all his stories—
Lords and Commons are both in the blues:
Strephon makes them shake in their shoes!
