Glitter And Be Gay (Extrait De Candide De Bernstein)

Glitter and be gay, that’s the part I play:

Here I am in Paris, France.

Forced to bend my soul to a sordid role, victimized by bitter, bitter circumstance.

Alas for me! Had I remained beside my ladymother, my virtue had remained unstained

Until my maiden hand was gained by some grand duke or other.

Ah, it was not to be; harsh necessity brought me to this gilded cage.

]Born to higher things, here I droop my wings, ah!

Singing of a sorrow nothing can assuage.

And yet, of course, I rather like to revel, ha ha!

I have no strong objection to champagne, ha ha!

My wardrobe is expensive as the devil, ha ha! Perhaps it is ignoble to complain…

Enough, enough, of being basely tearful!

I’ll show my noble stuff by being bright and cheerful!

Ha ha ha…(She begins to remove her jewelry and hand it over to the old lady)

(parlando) pearls and ruby rings.. Ah, how can worldly things take the place of honor lost?

Can they compensate for my fallen state, purchased as they were at such an awful cost?

Bracelets…lavalieres… can they dry my tears? Can they blind my eyes to shame?

Can the brightest brooch shield me from reproach? Can the purest diamond purify my name?

And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing. Ha ha!

I’m oh, so glad my sapphire is a star, ha ha!

I rather like a twenty carat earring, haha!

If I’m not pure, at least my jewels are! Enough, enough!

I’ll take their diamond necklace, and show my noble stuff by being gay and reckless!

ha ha(The jewelry gone, she begins to undress)

Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful, dreadful shame I feel.

Ha ha…(breaks into wild laughter)