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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This dramatic and passionate love duet is from Sullivan's operetta, The Beauty Stone. Entitled by some¹: Nay, nay! thou lov'st me not . . . or I too had seen a star, it is a lovely example of Arthur Sullivan's later music. It's also (in spite of the thees and thous) a beautiful love song to sing or listen to.

The Devil has heard Laine's prayer, and comes to her house in the guise of a friar. He offers her the Beauty Stone to wear, and everyone is astounded when she is transformed into a beautiful woman.

Now, in Mirlemont, the young Lord, Philip, is holding a contest to find the most beautiful woman in his domain. In order to amuse the crowd, Laine is sent for, and we are not too surprised when Philip falls head over heels in love with her. However, it's well a known fact that Philip has already committed himself to another lover (living in his castle with him!) the Lady Saida. Notwithstanding Laine experiences her first taste of 'real' love as this duet unfolds. A little touch of Cinderella do you think?

I Too Had Seen a Star

Philip: I love thee, I love thee!
Laine: Nay, nay! thou lov'st me not!
Philip: Dost thou not hear? I love thee!

Laine: My lord, thou hast forgot
Thou could not give me all,
For, ah! 
Full well I know that thy fond glance doth fall
On one set high above me:
Then prithee let me go!
Let me go!

Philip: 'Tis false! my heart is free!
Yon Heav'n may hear my vow
I ne'er have lov'd but thee,
I knew not love till now!

Laine: Ah! no, it may not be!
Thou art too high, too great;
I am not fit to mate with one like thee!

Philip: Beauty's star doth shine
Above all earthly state:
It makes the lowliest great
Aye, and it makes thee mine!
Mine! mine!

- - - - - - - -

Laine: I too had seen a star:
And now, ah, now I know -
That shining star was love!
And now, ah, now I know -
That shining star was love!
And now, ah, now I know, now I know
That shining star was love!

Philip: For here, my life's long quest
To find the lov'liest sweet love,
Doth end in thee,
Sweet love in thee
Ever in love for thee,
For thee!

Duet: Laine: For here, upon thy breast,
           Philip: here, my life's long quest
Laine: My heart hath found its rest
Philip: To find the lov'liest
Laine: O lord, in love for thee! . . .
Philip: Doth end, sweet love in thee! . . .
Laine: In thee, for ever, for ever,
 Philip: In thee, for ever, for ever,
Laine: For ever, for ever,
 Philip: For ever, for ever,

Hands up all those who have experienced similar emotions at one time or another. Don't be bashful!

But listen to that gorgeous music. Do we detect a little of Wagner's influence in there? particularly in that transition from the E flat major 4/4 time to the G flat major waltz theme  . . .!

1.    Footnote: See Terence Rees & Roderick Spencer's anthology in the MusicSmiles bibliography. Return to story.

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