all in luxuriant excess, and all
of the most demonstrative description.
JULIA. My good sir, throughout my career I have made it a
rule never to allow private feeling to interfere with my
professional duties. You may be quite sure that (however
distasteful the part may be) if I undertake it, I shall consider
myself professionally bound to throw myself into it with all the
ardour at my command.
ERN. (aside--with effusion). I'm the happiest fellow
alive!
(Aloud.) Now--would you have any objection--to--to give me some
idea--if it's only a mere sketch--as to how you would play it?
It would be really interesting--to me--to know your conception
of--of--the part of my wife.
JULIA. How would I play it? Now, let me see--let me see.
(Considering.) Ah, I have it!

BALLAD--JULIA.

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!