Come, bumpers—aye, ever so many— And then, if you will, many more! This wine doesn't cost us a penny, Tho' it's Pommry, Pommry seventy-four! Old wine is a true panacea For ev'ry conceivable ill, When you cherish the soothing idea That somebody else pays the bill! Old wine is a pleasure that's hollow When at your own table you sit, For you're thinking each mouthful you swallow Has cost you, has cost you a threepenny-bit! So bumpers—aye, ever so many— And then, if you will, many more! This wine doesn't cost us a penny, Tho' it's Pommry seventy-four! CHORUS. So, bumpers—aye, ever so many—etc. (March heard.) LUD. (recit.). Why, who is this approaching, Upon our joy encroaching? Some rascal come a-poaching Who's heard that wine we're broaching? ALL. Who may this be? Who may this be? Who is he? Who is he? Who is he? Enter HERALD. HER. The Prince of Monte Carlo, From Mediterranean water, Has come here to bestow On you his beautiful daughter. They've paid off all they owe, As every statesman oughter— That Prince of Monte Carlo And his be-eautiful daughter! CHORUS. The Prince of Monte Carlo, etc. HER. The Prince of Monte Carlo, Who is so very partickler, Has heard that you're also For ceremony a stickler— Therefore he lets you know By word of mouth auric'lar— (That Prince of Monte Carlo Who is so very particklar)— CHORUS. The Prince of Monte Carlo, etc. HER. That Prince of Monte Carlo, From Mediterranean water, Has come here to bestow On you his be-eautiful daughter! LUD. (recit.). His Highness we know not—nor the locality In which is situate his Principality; But, as he guesses by some odd fatality, This is the shop for cut and dried formality! Let him appear— He'll find that we're Remarkable for cut and dried formality. (Reprise of March. Exit HERALD. LUDWIG beckons his Court.) LUD. I have a plan—I'll tell you all the plot of it— He wants formality—he shall have a lot of it! (Whispers to them, through symphony.) Conceal yourselves, and when I give the cue, Spring out on him—you all know what to do! (All conceal themselves behind the draperies that enclose the stage.) Pompous March. Enter the PRINCE and PRINCESS OF MONTE CARLO, attended by six theatrical-looking nobles and the Court Costumier. DUET—Prince and PRINCESS.