Ah, pity me, my comrades true,
Who love, as well I know you do,
This gentle child,
To me so fondly dear!

ALL:
Why, what's the matter?

JULIA:
Our sister love so true and deep
From many an eye unused to weep
Hath oft beguiled
The coy reluctant tear!

ALL:
Why, what's the matter?

JULIA:
Each sympathetic heart 'twill bruise
When you have heard the frightful news
(O will it not?)
 That I must now impart!

ALL:
Why, what's the matter?

JULIA:
Her love for him is all in all!
Ah, cursed fate! that it should fall
Unto my lot
To break my darling's heart!

ALL:
Why, what's the matter?

LUD:
What means our Julia by those fateful looks?
Please do not keep us all on tenter-hooks-
Now, what's the matter?

JULIA:
Our duty, if we're wise,
We never shun.
This Spartan rule applies
To every one.
In theatres, as in life,
Each has her line--
This part--the Grand Duke's wife
(Oh agony!) is mine!
A maxim new I do not start--
The canons of dramatic art
Decree that this repulsive part
(The Grand Duke's wife)
Is mine!

ALL:
Oh, that's the matter!

LISA (appalled, to LUDWIG):
Can that be so?

LUD:
I do not know--
But time will show
If that be so.

CHORUS:
Can that be so? etc.

LISA (recit.):
Be merciful