PURCELL - Dialogue between Coridon and Mopsa (the Fairy Queen Act. III)

Par Tristan de la Cave



CORIDON
"Now the maids and the men are making of hay,
We've left dull fools and are stolen away.
Then Mopsa, no more
Be coy as before,
But let's merrily, merrily play
And kiss and kiss the sweet time away."

MOPSA
"Why, how now sir Clown,
What makes you so bold ?
I'd have ye to known
I'm not made of that mold.
I tell you again :
Maids must never kiss no men.
No, no, no, no, no, no kissing at all ;
I'll not kiss till I kiss for good and all."

CORIDON
"Not kiss you at all ?"

MOPSA
"Not kiss, till you kiss me
For good and all."

CORIDON
"Should you give me a score
'Twould not lessen your store
Then bid me cheerfully kiss
And take my fill of your bliss."

MOPSA
"I'll not trust you so far, I know you too well ;
Should I give you an inch you'd soon take an ell .
Then lordike you rule,
and laugh at the fool."

CORIDON
"So small a request,
You must not, you cannot, you shall not deny,
Nor will I admit of another reply."

MOPSA
"Nay, what do you mean ? Oh, fie, fie, fie fie !"

CORIDON
"You must not, you cannot, you shall not deny."