GRET. (with mocking curtsey). My Lord Grand Duke, farewell! A pleasant journey, very, To your convenient cell In yonder cemetery! LISA (curtseying). Though malcontents abuse you, We're much distressed to lose you! You were, when you were living, So liberal, so forgiving! BERTHA. So merciful, so gentle! So highly ormamental! OLGA. And now that you've departed, You leave us broken-hearted! ALL (pretending to weep). Yes, truly, truly, truly, truly— Truly broken-hearted! Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! (Mocking him.) RUD. (furious). Rapscallions, in penitential fires, You'll rue the ribaldry that from you falls! To-morrow afternoon the law expires. And then—look out for squalls! [Exit RUDOLPH, amid general ridicule. CHORUS. Give thanks, give thanks to wayward fate— By mystic fortune's sway, Our Ludwig guides the helm of State For one delightful day! (To LUDWIG.) We hail you, sir! We greet you, sir! Regale you, sir! We treat you, sir! Our ruler be By fate's decree For one delightful day! NOT. You've done it neatly! Pity that your powers Are limited to four-and-twenty hours! LUD. No matter, though the time will quickly run, In hours twenty-four much may be done! SONG—LUDWIG. Oh, a Monarch who boasts intellectual graces Can do, if he likes, a good deal in a day— He can put all his friends in conspicuous places, With plenty to eat and with nothing to pay! You'll tell me, no doubt, with unpleasant grimaces, To-morrow, deprived of your ribbons and laces, You'll get your dismissal—with very long faces— But wait! on that topic I've something to say! (Dancing.) I've something to say—I've something to say—I've something to say! Oh, our rule shall be merry—I'm not an ascetic— And while the sun shines we will get up our hay— By a pushing young Monarch, of turn energetic, A very great deal may be done in a day! CHORUS. Oh, his rule will be merry, etc. (During this, LUDWIG whispers to NOTARY, who writes.)