ALL. For happy the lily That's kissed by the bee; And, sipping tranquilly, Quite happy is he; And happy the filly That neighs in her pride; But happier than any, A pound to a penny, A lover is, when he Embraces his bride! CURTAIN THE SORCERER Libretto by William S. Gilbert Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan DRAMATIS PERSONAE Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, an Elderly Baronet Alexis, of the Grenadier Guards—His Son Dr. Daly, Vicar of Ploverleigh John Wellington Wells, of J. W. Wells & Co., Family Sorcerers Lady Sangazure, a Lady of Ancient Lineage Aline, Her Daughter—betrothed to Alexis Mrs. Partlet, a Pew-Opener Constance, her Daughter Chorus of Villagers ACT I—Grounds of Sir Marmaduke's Mansion, Mid-day (Twelve hours are supposed to elapse between Acts I and II) ACT II— Grounds of Sir Marmaduke's Mansion, Midnight ACT I. SCENE—Exterior of Sir Marmaduke's Elizabethan Mansion, mid-day. CHORUS OF VILLAGERS Ring forth, ye bells, With clarion sound— Forget your knells, For joys abound. Forget your notes Of mournful lay, And from your throats Pour joy to-day. For to-day young Alexis—young Alexis Pointdextre Is betrothed to Aline—to Aline Sangazure, And that pride of his sex is—of his sex is to be next her At the feast on the green—on the green, oh, be sure! Ring forth, ye bells etc. (Exeunt the men into house.) (Enter Mrs. Partlet with Constance, her daughter) RECITATIVE MRS. P. Constance, my daughter, why this strange depression? The village rings with seasonable joy, Because the young and amiable Alexis, Heir to the great Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, Is plighted to Aline, the only daughter Of Annabella, Lady Sangazure. You, you alone are sad and out of spirits; What is the reason? Speak, my daughter, speak!