How would I play this part--
The Grand Duke's Bride?
All rancour in my heart
I'd duly hide--
I'd drive it from my recollection
And 'whelm you with a mock affection,
Well calculated to defy detection--
That's how I'd play this part--
The Grand Duke's Bride.

With many a winsome smile
I'd witch and woo;
With gay and girlish guile
I'd frenzy you--
I'd madden you with my caressing,
Like turtle, her first love confessing--
That it was "mock", no mortal would be guessing,
With so much winsome wile
I'd witch and woo!

Did any other maid
With you succeed,
I'd pinch the forward jade--
I would indeed!
With jealous frenzy agitated
(Which would, of course, be simulated),
I'd make her wish she'd never been created--
Did any other maid
With you succeed!

And should there come to me,
Some summers hence,
In all the childish glee
Of innocence,
Fair babes, aglow with beauty vernal,
My heart would bound with joy diurnal!
This sweet display of sympathy maternal,
Well, that would also be
A mere pretence!

My histrionic art
Though you deride,
That's how I'd play that part--
The Grand Duke's Bride!

		ENSEMBLE:
           ERNEST:                                    JULIA:
Oh joy! when two glowing young            My boy, when two glowing
     hearts,                                      young hearts
  From the rise of the curtain,             From the rise of the
                                                  curtain,
Thus throw themselves into their          Thus throw themselves into
their parts,                                parts,
  Success is most certain!                Success is most certain!
If the role you're prepared to endow      The role I'm prepared to
                                             endow
  With such delicate touches,               With most delicate touch-
                                             es,
By the heaven above us, I vow             By the heaven above us, I
                                             vow
  You shall be my Grand Duchess!            I will be your Grand
                                             Duchess