戏剧人物:马默杜克·波因德克斯爵士，近卫军的老准男爵亚历克西斯——他的儿子戴利博士，j·w·威尔斯公司普洛弗利·约翰·威灵顿·威尔斯的牧师，家族巫师桑格鲁夫人，一位古老的阿琳家族的女士，她的女儿——与亚历克西斯订婚的帕特莱特夫人，一个开座人康斯坦斯，她的女儿村民合唱团第一幕——马默杜克爵士公馆的庭院，正午——马默杜克爵士伊丽莎白公馆的外景，正午。乡亲们的合唱钟声啊，响起来吧，用清脆的声音——忘掉你的丧钟吧，因为欢乐无处不在。忘掉你们悲伤的旋律吧，今天从你们的喉中倾泻欢乐。因为今天，年轻的阿历克西斯——年轻的阿历克西斯·波因特克斯特已经和艾琳——和艾琳·桑格鲁订了婚，他的骄傲——他的骄傲将在她身边，在草地上的宴会上——在草地上，哦，一定!(把男人们赶进屋去)(帕特莱特太太带着她的女儿康斯坦斯进来)朗诵P.康斯坦斯太太，我的女儿，为什么会有这种奇怪的沮丧呢?村里响起了欢乐的钟声，因为年轻而和蔼可亲的亚历克西斯，伟大的马默杜克·波因特克斯爵士的继承人，与安娜贝拉的独生女阿琳订婚了。你，只有你一个人伤心，没精打采;原因是什么?说吧，我的女儿，说吧!CONST。 Oh, mother, do not ask! If my complexion From red to white should change in quick succession, And then from white to red, oh, take no notice! If my poor limbs should tremble with emotion, Pay no attention, mother--it is nothing! If long and deep-drawn sighs I chance to utter, Oh, heed them not, their cause must ne'er be known! Mrs. Partlet motions to Chorus to leave her with Constance. Exeunt ladies of Chorus. ARIA--CONSTANCE When he is here, I sigh with pleasure-- When he is gone, I sigh with grief. My hopeless fear No soul can measure-- His love alone Can give my aching heart relief! When he is cold, I weep for sorrow-- When he is kind, I weep for joy. My grief untold Knows no to-morrow-- My woe can find No hope, no solace, no alloy! MRS. P. Come, tell me all about it! Do not fear-- I, too, have loved; but that was long ago! Who is the object of your young affections? CONST. Hush, mother! He is here! (Looking off) Enter Dr. Daly. He is pensive and does not see them MRS. P. (amazed) Our reverend vicar! CONST. Oh, pity me, my heart is almost broken! MRS. P. My child, be comforted. To such an union I shall not offer any opposition. Take him--he's yours! May you and he be happy! CONST. But, mother dear, he is not yours to give! MRS. P. That's true, indeed! CONST. He might object! MRS. P. He might. But come--take heart--I'll probe him on the subject. Be comforted--leave this affair to me. (They withdraw.) RECITATIVE--DR. DALY The air is charged with amatory numbers-- Soft madrigals, and dreamy lovers' lays. Peace, peace, old heart! Why waken from its slumbers The aching memory of the old, old days? BALLAD Time was when Love and I were well acquainted. Time was when we walked ever hand in hand. A saintly youth, with worldly thought untainted, None better-loved than I in all the land! Time was, when maidens of the noblest station, Forsaking even military men, Would gaze upon me, rapt in adoration-- Ah me, I was a fair young curate then! Had I a headache? sighed the maids assembled; Had I a cold? welled forth the silent tear; Did I look pale? then half a parish trembled; And when I coughed all thought the end was near! I had no care--no jealous doubts hung o'er me-- For I was loved beyond all other men. Fled gilded dukes and belted earls before me-- Ah me, I was a pale young curate them! (At the conclusion of the ballad, Mrs. Partlet comes forward with Constance.) MRS. P. Good day, reverend sir. DR. D. Ah, good Mrs. Partlet, I am glad to see you. And your little daughter, Constance! Why, she is quite a little woman, I declare! CONST. (aside) Oh, mother, I cannot speak to him! MRS. P. Yes, reverend sir, she is nearly eighteen, and as good a girl as ever stepped. (Aside to Dr. Daly) Ah, sir, I'm afraid I shall soon lose her! DR. D. (aside to Mrs. Partlet) Dear me, you pain me very much. Is she delicate? MRS. P. Oh no, sir--I don't mean that--but young girls look to get married. DR. D. Oh, I take you. To be sure. But there's plenty of time for that. Four or five years hence, Mrs. Partlet, four or five years hence. But when the time does come, I shall have