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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

In this jolly little hoppity, skippity song, Sullivan and Gilbert have their, by now, traditional bit of fun with our English institutions. Here a couple of scheming judges are bent on a little bit of legal mischief. As usual we are encouraged to laugh at ourselves. And once again it may be wise to have your dictionary ready to hand.

If you find your shoulders twitching, your toes tapping, or that you're hopping and skipping round the room during this music; don't worry, you will be in good company! These two gents ( Scaphio and Phantis) are experts¹ at dancing, having a dance routine 'for every human condition'.

Watch out, in the duet, for the 'handings over of the baton (brief?)' between Scaphio and Phantis. Then there's a short (brief!) chorus at the end. 

However, don't wait for the chorus, join in with Gilbert and Sullivan, and the two mischiefs, and enjoy the fun. 

In Ev'ry Mental Lore

Sca: In Ev'ry Mental Lore  Phan: -tal lore
Sca: (The statement smacks of vanity),
Phan: We claim to rank before  Sca: -before
Phan: The wisest of humanity.
Sca: As gifts of head and heart  Phan: -and heart
Sca: We're wasted on "utility",
Phan: We're "cast" to play a part  Sca: -a part
Phan: Of great responsibility.
Sca: Our duty is to spy  Phan: -to spy
Sca: Upon our King's illicities,
Phan: And keep a watchful eye  Sca: -ful eye
Phan: On all his eccentricities.

Both: If ever a trick he tries, he tries,
That savours of rascality,
At our decree he dies, he dies,
Without the least formality!
 - - - - - - - - -

Sca: We fear no rude rebuff, Phan: -rebuff,
Sca: Or newspaper publicity:
Phan: Our word is quite enough,  Sca: -enough,
Phan: The rest is electricity.
Sca: A pound of dynamite  Phan: -amite
Sca: Explodes in his auriculars;
Phan: It's not a pleasant sight  Sca: -sant sight
Phan: We'll spare you the particulars.
Sca: It's force all men confess,  Phan: -confess,
Sca: The King needs no admonishing -
Phan: We may say its success  Sca: -success
Phan: Is something quite astonishing.

Both: Our despot it imbues, imbues,
With virtues quite delectable:
He minds his P's and Q's, and Q's,
And keeps himself respectable.

Sca: Of a tyrant polite
Phan: He's a paragon quite.
Sca: He's as modest and mild
Phan: In his ways as a child;
Sca: And no-one e'er met 
With an autocrat, yet,
Phan: So delightfully bland
To the least in the land,
Both: So delightfully bland
To the least in the land,
So bland . . . . ^^^^^^^ . . .
So bland . . . .

Chorus: O make way for the Wise Men!
They are prize men
Double first in the world's university!
For though lovely this island
(Which is my land)
She has no-one to match them in her city.

Whew! That was a real bit of fun wasn't it!

Now, what about some more of Societies' Wicked Courses?

1.    Footnote: By implication both Gilbert and Sullivan were also 'experts' with the dance!
p.s. Psst! If you take a peek over your shoulder, you will see the Spirits of William and Arthur dancing in your footsteps! Return to story.

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