All. Well – what’s the news? How is the election going?
Ernest. Oh, it’s a certainty – a practical certainty! Two of the candidates have been arrested for debt, and the third is a baby in arms – so, if you keep your promises, and vote solid, I’m cocksure of election!
Olga. Trust to us. But you remember the conditions?
Ernest. Yes – all of you shall be provided for, for life. Every man shall be ennobled – every lady shall have unlimited credit at the Court Milliner’s, and all salaries shall be paid weekly in advance!
Gretchen. Oh, it’s quite clear he knows how to rule a Grand Duchy!
Ernest. Rule a Grand Duchy? Why, my good girl, for ten years past I’ve ruled a theatrical company! A man who can do that can rule anything!
–W.S. Gilbert The Grand Duke. Act I. 1896
Well said.
It’s scary when real life starts to mimic absurd comic operas.
Yes, it is. Sounds like a good horror story.
This is awesome. At first I thought it was an excerpt from one of your pieces.
Thank you! W.S. Gilbert is one of my favorite writers, so that means a lot to me.