2a. The Marketplace lyrics

(The MARKETPLACE in Beauty’s dream. A troupe of vagabond minstrels enter the town and dance about the stage. Members of the CROWD join them. JUGGLERS perform, SOLO DANCERS whirl and leap, people cheer. It is a frenzy of color and excitement. ELIPSIS, masked, enters.)

ELIPSIS: (spoken)
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the King and Queen of the Mystic! (The MYSTIC QUEEN and KING make a regal entrance as the CROWD “oohs” and “aahs”. ELIPSIS begins again oncе the QUEEN and KING have settlеd.) Welcome friends, and gather ‘round our merry band! For we bring marvels and delights! Dancing, singing, daring deeds performed by my dashing brothers. Charms! Cures! Love potions to heat the long cold night. Strange beasts to amaze you! And…if you’re very lucky…the Queen of the Mystic may tell you your fortune! So drop what you’re doing and head over here. What have you got to lose? (He laughs.)

ENJOY THE SHOW

ELIPSIS: (singing)
COME, NOW, AND SEE THE MARVELS
BROUGHT FROM THE MISTY MOUNTAINS.
BROUGHT FROM OUR HOMELAND
FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW.

COME SEE THESE PLAYERS,
NOW RETURNED FROM MYSTER’IOUS OUTLANDS.
ROVERS ARE WE AND OUTCASTS…
STILL YOU’LL ENJOY THE SHOW!

ELIPSIS, BROTHERS, & (CROWD):
DANCING AND SINGING, LOVE SONGS (AAAHH— CURES,),
TONICS, CHARMS AND POTIONS.
WE’LL CURE YOUR ACHING BACK (AAAHH—)
AND GIVE YOU SOME NEW HAIR, TOO.

COME SEE OUR SILKS AND SPICES (AAAHH—)
BROUGHT FROM ACROSS THE OCEANS.
AND IF YOU NEED A NEW WIFE…
WE CAN PROVIDE THAT TOO (HA! HA! HA!).
(Instrumental)

ELIPSIS, & CROWD:
COME NOW AND SEE THE MARVELS
BROUGHT FROM THE MISTY MOUNTAINS.
BROUGHT FROM OUR HOMELAND
FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW.

COME SEE THESE PLAYERS,
NOW RETURNED FROM MYSTER’IOUS OUTLANDS.
OUTCASTS ARE WE AND ROVERS TOO…

ELIPSIS: (to BROTHERS)
WELL, HERE, WE ARE AGAIN.
THIS DRAB LITTLE TOWN
IS A RATHOLE LIKE NO OTHER.

STILL, AM I SAD?
THERE’S A FORTUNE TO BE HAD
BY A CLEVER LAD
IF HE’S GOT THE NERVE TO STEAL IT

ELIPSIS (to ILL TOWNSMAN), & (CROWD):
HERE SIR, YOU’RE LOOKING ILL (ZZSHA! ZZSHA! ZZSHA! ZZSHA!).
I KNOW IT’S THE CROWD (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)
AND THE WEATHER’S HOT AS HELL (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)!
BUT IF YOU WOULD CARE (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)
TO SEE OUR DOCTOR OVER THERE (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)
HE’LL CLEAR UP YOUR HEADACHE (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)…
(YOUR PURSE AS WELL!) (ZZSHA! ZZSHA!)

ELIPSIS (to the CROWD), & (CROWD):
GOD WHAT A LIFE WE LEAD (AAAHH—),
BACK ON THE ROAD AND
ANOTHER TOWN TO GO TO, BUT…

A VAGABOND IS WHAT I’LL BE.
THE ROVING’S LIFE THE LIFE FOR ME.
AND WOULD I LEAVE THIS SWEET EXISTENCE?
NO (NO!)! NO (NO!)! NO (NO!)! NO (NO!)!

OH…

ELIPSIS, & CROWD:
COME THEN AND RAISE YOUR VOICES,
SING OF THE MISTY MOUNTAINS.
SING OF OUR/YOUR HOMELAND
FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW.

SING THEN OF WAGON WHEELS
OF RIVERS AND LAKES AND FOUNTAINS.
RAISE UP THE BANNERS AND START THE SHOW.
ELIPSIS:
OH…
OH…
OH…
ENJOY THE…

ELIPSIS, & CROWD:
SHOW!
HEY!