Quartet There's a Man

ARCHIBALD:

Last night I dreamed I walked through the maze to Lily's garden,

and saw Lily and Mary standing there. Mary standing right there

in Lily's garden. I turned away...I couldn't watch...I was afraid.

NEVILLE:

Why won't he say what he wants?

Why must he speak in dreams?

Why can't he see what he wants?

To disappear, it seems!

He should send this haunted girl far away,

Leave the house and lands to me!

ARCHIBALD:

I watched them walk around the garden,

She stood tall, grown strong and bold.

Then they turned and asked my pardon,

I couldn't speak, my heart grown cold.

NEVILLE:

Why can't he see what he wants?

He wants the past undone!

Why can't he know what he wants?

He's losing battles won

To have ever loved her,

Never known how complete a loss can be.

If she could disappear, he'd start again.

And live like other men, he could be happy then.

If she'd disappear, he could be free,

Cut off from pain and loss,

A bit like me.

ROSE:

You can't marry this Archibald! He's a gloomy,

miserable cripple who hides himself away in

that horrible house! He can't believe you love

him and neither can I!

LILY:

No one is asking for your approval, Rose!

ROSE:

Lily, if you don't care what happens to you, think

about your children. Do you want your children to

be crippled as well?

LILY:

I will marry him!

NEVILLE: ROSE:

I can arrange what he wants, Don't do this!

He's left it all to me. Don't wed him!

Now he can have what he wants, Don't bed him!

Unfetted he will be, Don't do this,

Set him free to wander Set him free

Through the world

Let him go

His lonely ways!

ARCHIBALD: LILY:

Then I longed to join them Now that

Know the peace they feel I love him

Their journey done. I will live

Then I woke once more For him

Without them, Live just to love him

Knew I must wander on and on

ROSE

I I won't forgive you!

Go Won't see you live there!!

Life to Lily, I swear

Find! I'll never see you!!

NEVILLE:

Just to disappear

Is to be free!

LILY:

Do what you will, then,

I'll never leave him!

NEVILLE:

Cut off from

Pain-cut off from

Pain

I'll help him disappear!

He'll start again!

ROSE

Cut off from pain!

Cut off from pain!

Now you must leave him! LILY:

Yes, you must leave him! How can I leave him!

I'll never leave him, Nor e'er deceive him!

Yes, you must leave him! Rose,

Lily, promise! I promised!

Yes, you must leave him, Never leave him,

You must believe!

You must believe!

NEVILLE:

Disappear!

LILY: ROSE

I will wed and bear him children. Lily, think about the children.

He will love me, love the children. Lily, think about the children.

There's A Man (Transition)

There's a man who no one sees,

There's a man who lives alone.

There's a heart that beats in silence for

The life he's never known.