Dear friends, take pity on my lot, My cup is not of nectar! I long have loved—as who would not?— Our kind and reverend rector. Long years ago my love began So sweetly—yet so sadly— But when I saw this plain old man, Away my old affection ran— I found I loved him madly. Oh! (To Notary) You very, very plain old man, I love, I love you madly! CHORUS. You very, very plain old man, She loves, she loves you madly! NOTARY. I am a very deaf old man, And hear you very badly! CONST. I know not why I love him so; It is enchantment, surely! He's dry and snuffy, deaf and slow Ill-tempered, weak and poorly! He's ugly, and absurdly dressed, And sixty-seven nearly, He's everything that I detest, But if the truth must be confessed, I love him very dearly! Oh! (To Notary) You're everything that I detest, But still I love you dearly! CHORUS. You've everything that girls detest, But still she loves you dearly! NOTARY. I caught that line, but for the rest, I did not hear it clearly! (During this verse Aline and Alexis have entered at back unobserved.) ALINE AND ALEXIS ALEX Oh joy! oh joy! The charm works well, And all are now united. ALINE. The blind young boy Obeys the spell, And troth they all have plighted! ENSEMBLE Aline & Alexis Constance Notary