A Rhyme for Angela

Lyrics

[DUKE] It's always been a pleasure To dedicate a measure To the lady who inspired me at the time Diana and Roxanna And Jana and Susannah Were names I sang in rhythm and in rhyme Cornelia and Aurelia Cecilia and Ophelia Inspired lovely lyrics from my pen But Angela is something else again I can find a rhyme for Lucy: For instance, her kiss is juicy But I must confess I'm lost, more or less With Angela [FOUR POETS] Angela! [DUKE] I can find a rhyme for Chloe: For instance, her breast is snowy But rhyming is lame When you get a name Like Angela [FOUR POETS] Angela! [DUKE] If only her name were Olivia She could be a cute bit of trivia If she were called Maria Or even Dorothea She'd be my sole mia divine I can find a rhyme for Irma: She's heaven on terra firma But Angela has no patter And yet, what does it matter If Angelas's heart rhymes with mine? I can find a rhyme for Margot: [DUKE & FOUR POETS] On her kisses, there's no embargo [DUKE] But rhyming is tough When your bit of fluff Is Angela [FOUR POETS] Angela! [DUKE] What a joy to rhyme Amanda! [DUKE & FOUR POETS] Each moment is pure propaganda The heights I / he can climb 'Til I seek / he seeks a rhyme For Angela [FOUR POETS] Angela! [DUKE & FOUR POETS] If only her name were Titania I'd / He'd start in my / his miscellanea [DUKE] If she were called Marcella Or even Isabella [DUKE & FOUR POETS] This most poetic fella would shine [DUKE] I can find a rhyme for Charlotte: [DUKE & FOUR POETS] A mixture of angel and harlot But Angela has no patter And yet, what does it matter If Angela's heart rhymes with mine? [NARRATOR, spoken] While the Duke indulges his whim The Marquis knocksremember him? His name's Pierre, the chap from France He talks about a game of chance The Duke had played with the king last year The Duke had won, but what is clear Is that he'd used some loaded ice Which le roi thinks not very nice And, to avoid a nasty war Demands a price to even the score The king requires Cellini's talents Florence's peace is in the balance The Duke agrees. Cellini's fate Is sealed. All we can do is wait Meanwhile our sculpting hero's back To face the Duchess's attack She says, "You left me with the Duke" And then lets rip a rough rebuke However, neither of them quite Admits what happened yesternight [DUCHESS, spoken] You don't know the night I spent.� [CELLINI, spoken] You don't know the night I spent.� [NARRATOR, spoken] They make their peace. Then quite abrupt The Duke arrives to interrupt Their t�te-�-t�te. He's really mad Well, actually, he's mad and sad That Angela, so sweet and kind For whom a rhyme he could not find Should fall for such a lousy dud As Benvenuto, famous stud The Duchess, barely drawing breath Appeals against Cellini's death With some success: the Duke confirms He'll hold a trial, but on his terms [DUKE, spoken] Alright, alright, alright! I'll give him a trial.� [CELLINI, spoken] Thank you, my lord.� [DUKE, spoken] A fair and impartial trial.� [DUCHESS, spoken] Thank you, my lord.� [DUKE, spoken] And then I'll hang 'em.�