40
Ko., Pooh., and Pitti.
If I were Fortune— which I'm not—
B should enjoy A's happy lot,
And A should die in miserie—
That is, assuming I am B.
Mik. and Kat.But should A perish?
Ko., Pooh., and Pitti.That should he
(Of course, assuming I am B).
B should be happy!
Oh, so happy!
Laughing, Ha! ha!
Chaffing, Ha! ha!
Nectar quaffing, Ha! ha! ha!
But condemned to die is he,
Wretched, meritorious B!
[Exeunt Mikado and Katisha.
Ko. Well, a nice mess you've got us into, with your nodding head and the deference due to a man of pedigree!
Pooh. Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.
Pitti. Corroborative detail indeed! Corroborative fiddlestick!
Ko. And you're just as bad as he is with your cock-and-a-bull stories about catching his eye and his whistling an air. But that's so like you! You must put in your oar!
Pooh. But how about your big, right arm?
Pitti. Yes, and your snickersnee!
Ko. Well, well, never mind that now. There's only one thing to be done. Nanki-Poo hasn't started yet— he must come to life again at once. (Enter Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum prepared for journey.) Here he comes. Here, Nanki-Poo, I've good news for you— you're reprieved.
Nank. Oh, but it's too late. I'm a dead man, and I'm off for my honeymoon.
Ko. Nonsense! A terrible thing has just happened. It seems you're the son of the Mikado.
Nank. Yes, but that happened some time ago.
Ko. Is this a time for airy persiflage? Your father is here, and with Katisha!
Nank. My father! And with Katisha!
Ko. Yes, he wants you particularly.
Pooh. So does she.
Yum. Oh, but he's married now.
Ko. But, bless my heart! what has that to do with it?
Nank. Katisha claims me in marriage, but I can't marry her because I'm married already— consequently she will insist on my execution, and if I'm executed, my wife will have to be buried alive.
