(Enter Ralph.)
Ralph.
The Nightingale
Sighed for the moon's bright ray,
And told his tale
In his own melodious way!
He sang Ah, well-a-day!
Chorus.
He sang Ah, well-a-day!
Ralph.
The lowly vale
For the mountain vainly sighed,
To his humble wail
The echoing hills replied.
They sang Ah, well-a-day!
Chorus.
They sang Ah, well-a-day!
Ralph.
I know the value of a kindly chorus,
But choruses yield little consolation
When we have pain, and sorrow, too, before us!
I love — and love, alas, above my station!
Buttercup.
He loves — and loves a lass above his station!
Chorus.
Yes, yes, the lass is much above his station!
(Exit Little Buttercup.)