Spare us the bitter pain Of stern denials, Nor with low-born disdain Augment our trials. Hearts just as pure and fair May beat in Belgrave Square As in the lowly air Of Seven Dials! Blue blood! blue blood! Of what avail art thou To serve us now? Though dating from the Flood, Blue blood! Ah, blue blood! CHORUS. Of what avail art thou, etc. RECITATIVE—PHYLLIS. My Lords, it may not be. With grief my heart is riven! You waste your time on me, For ah! my heart is given! ALL. Given! PHYL. Yes, given! ALL. Oh, horror!!! RECITATIVE—LORD CHANCELLOR. And who has dared to brave our high displeasure, And thus defy our definite command? (Enter Strephon.) STREPH. 'Tis I—young Strephon! mine this priceless treasure! Against the world I claim my darling's hand! (Phyllis rushes to his arms.) A shepherd I— ALL. A shepherd he! STREPH. Of Arcady- ALL. Of Arcadee! STREPH. Betrothed are we! ALL. Betrothed are they— STREPH. And mean to be- ALL. Espoused to-day! ENSEMBLE. STREPH. THE OTHERS. A shepherd I A shepherd he Of Arcady, Of Arcadee, Betrothed are we, Betrothed is he, And mean to be And means to be Espoused to-day! Espoused to-day! DUET—LORD MOUNTARARAT and LORD TOLLOLLER (aside to each other). 'Neath this blow, Worse than stab of dagger— Though we mo- Mentarily stagger, In each heart Proud are we innately— Let's depart, Dignified and stately! ALL. Let's depart, Dignified and stately! CHORUS OF PEERS. Though our hearts she's badly bruising, In another suitor choosing, Let's pretend it's most amusing. Ha! ha! ha! Tan-ta-ra! (Exeunt all the Peers, marching round stage with much dignity. Lord Chancellor separates Phyllis from Strephon and orders her off. She follows Peers. Manent Lord Chancellor and Strephon.)