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RUDDIGORE
139

Men.

All.

Autumn, toil—Fal lal la!
Winter, rest—Fal lal la!
Winter, after all, is best—
Fal la!

Spring and summer pleasure you,
Autumn, aye, and winter too—
Every season has its cheer
Life is lovely all the year!
Fal la!

Gavotte

After Gavotte, enter Sir Despard

Sir D.

Rob. [Aside.]
Sir D.

Rose. [Wildly.]

Rob.

All.

Hold, bride and bridegroom, ere you wed each other,
I claim your Robin as my elder brother!
Ah, lost one!
His rightful title I have long enjoyed:
I claim him as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd!
Deny the falsehood, Robin, as you should!
It is a plot!
I would, if conscientiously I could,
But I cannot!
Ah, base one!

Solo

Rob.




All.

Rob.




All.

As pure and blameless peasant,
 I cannot, I regret,
Deny a truth unpleasant,
 I am that Baronet!

 He is that Baronet!

But when completely rated
 Bad Baronet am I,
That I am what he's stated
 I'll recklessly deny!

 He'll recklessly deny!