Page:The Mikado or the town of titipu.djvu/41

 You see our difficulty.

Yes. I don't know what's to be done.

There's one chance for you. If you could persuade Katisha to marry you, she would have no further claim on me, and in that case I could come to life without any fear of being put to death.

I marry Katisha!

I really think it's the only course.

But, my good girl, have you seen her? She's something appalling!

Ah! that's only her face. She has a left elbow which people come miles to see!

I am told that her right heel is much admired by connoisseurs.

My good sir, I decline to pin my heart upon any lady's right heel.

It comes to this: While Katisha is single, I prefer to be a disembodied spirit. When Katisha is married, existence will be as welcome as the flowers in spring.

The flowers that bloom in the spring, Tra la, Breathe promise of merry sunshine— As we merrily dance and we sing, Tra la, We welcome the hope that they bring, Tra la, Of a summer of roses and wine. And that's what we mean when we say that a thing Is welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring. Tra la la la la la, &c. Tra la la la, &c. The flowers that bloom in the spring, Tra la, Have nothing to do with the case. I've got to take under my wing, Tra la, A most unattractive old thing, Tra la, With a caricature of a face. And that's what I mean when I say, or I sing, "Oh, bother the flowers that bloom in the spring." Tra la la la la la, &c.