Princess: But have you left no lovers at your home Who may pursue you here? Hilarion: No, madam, none. We're homely ladies, as no doubt you see, And we have never fished for lover's love. We smile at girls who deck themselves with gems, False hair and meretricious ornament, To chain the fleeting fancy of a man, But do not imitate them. What we have Of hair, is all our own. Our colour, too, Unladylike, but not unwomanly, Is Nature's handiwork, and man has learnt To reckon Nature an impertinence. Princess: Well, beauty counts for naught within these walls; If all you say is true, you'll pass with us A happy, happy time! Cyril: If, as you say, A hundred lovely maidens wait within, To welcome us with smiles and open arms, I think there's very little doubt we shall! QUARTET (Princess, Cyril, Hilarion and Florian) "The World is But a Broken Toy" Princess: The world is but a broken toy, Its pleasure hollow — false its joy, Unreal its loveliest hue, Alas! Its pains alone are true, Alas! Its pains alone are true. Hilarion: The world is ev'rything you say, The world we think has had its day. Its merriment is slow. Alas! We've tried it, and we know, Alas! We've tried it and we know. All: Unreal its loveliest hue, Its pains alone are true, Princess: Alas! All: The world is but a broken toy, Its pleasure hollow — false its joy, Unreal its loveliest hue, Alas! Its pains alone are true, Alas! Its pains alone are true! Florian: Unreal its loveliest hue, 3 Men: Unreal its loveliest hue, Princess: Cyr. & Flor: A- Hilarion: Un- Un- las! real its loveliest hue real—- Alas! Alas! ——- —— its loveliest hue All: Alas! Alas! Its pains alone are true.