Come, Tom. I would fain have our hostess

Libretto/Lyrics/Text/Testo:

Recitative

NICK
Come, Tom.
I would fain have our hostess,
good Mother Goose,
learn how faithfully I have discharged
my duties as a godfather
in preparing you for the delights
to which your newly-found state of manhood
is about to call you.
So tell my Lady-Bishop of the game
what I did vow and promise in thy name.

TOM
One aim in all things to pursue:
my duty to myself to do.

NICK
(To Mother Goose)
Is he not apt?

MOTHER GOOSE
And handsome, too.

NICK
What is thy duty to thyself?

TOM
To shut my ears to prude and preacher
and follow nature as my teacher.

MOTHER GOOSE
What is the secret nature knows?

TOM
What Beauty is and where it grows.

NICK
Canst thou define the beautiful?

TOM
I can.
That source of pleasure to the eyes,
youth owns, wit snatches, money buys,
envy affects to scorn, but lies.
One fatal flaw it has: it dies.

NICK
Exact, my scholar.

MOTHER GOOSE
What is pleasure then?

TOM
The idol of all dreams, the same
whatever shape it wear or name.
Whom flirts imagine as a hat,
old maids believe to be a cat.

MOTHER GOOSE
Bravo!

NICK
One final question: love is...?

TOM
(Aside)
Love!
That precious word is like a fiery coal,
it burns my lips, strikes terror to my soul.

NICK
No answer?
Will my scholar fail me?

TOM
No, no more!.

NICK
Well, well.

MOTHER GOOSE
More wine, love?

TOM
Let me go.

NICK
Are you afraid?

TOM
(Stand up)
Before it is too late.

NICK
Wait.
See!, time is yours!.
The hours obey your pleasure.
Fear not, enjoy!.
You may repent at leisure.

(Tom sit down and drink)