The Contrabandista Act 1

Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

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No. 1: INTRODUCTION & DUET (with CHORUS)

"Hush! Not a Step"

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SCENE: In Spain. A mountainous region in the wildest part of the country between Compostello and Seville. A small hut at back, with curtain hanging before it.

Sancho discovered watching, R. José the same, L. Ladrones in various attitudes, L. and R., watching, partially hidden by rocks.

Sancho:

Hush!

José:

Hush!

Sancho:

Hush!

José:

Hush!

Sancho:

Not a step, not a sound
Can I hear, far or near,
With my ear to the ground,
Not a step, not a sound can I hear,
Far or near, with my ear to the ground;

José:

If you'd listen and not talk,
We might hear a stranger walk;

Sancho:

Take my orders, Sir, from you!
Ridiculous! pooh! pooh!

José:

Oh, this wretch I'd like to crush!

Sancho:

Trusty knife, take his life.

José & Sancho:

Now, one blow!
Now, one blow!
Now, one blow!
Hush! Hush!

They approach each other, creeping backwards, so that when either turns, he only sees his comrade's back, and this he's still in watching attitude. When they meet, they hide their stilettos from one another, and sing- L. and R. apart.

Bah! my rage I can't conceal,

Chorus:

Hush! Hush!

José & Sancho:

Crunch him, scrunch him with my heel!

Chorus:

Tush! Tush!

José & Sancho:

Bah! my rage I can't conceal,

Chorus:

Hush! Hush!

José & Sancho:

Crunch him, scrunch him with my heel!

Chorus:

Tush! Tush! Tush!

José:	Sancho:	Chorus:
Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Hush! hush!
No, my vengeance he shall feel!	No, my vengeance he shall feel!	Hush! hush!
Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Hush! hush!
My vengeance he shall feel!	My vengeance he shall feel!	Hush!
No, my vengeance he shall feel!		Hush! hush!
	No, my vengeance he shall feel!	Hush! hush! hush! hush!
Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	To the Queen we will appeal,
No, my vengeance he shall feel!	No, my vengeance he shall feel!	To the Queen we will appeal,
Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!	Sharpen, whet the gleaming steel!
		We will appeal,
No, my vengeance he shall feel!	No, my vengeance he shall feel!
		We will appeal,
He shall feel! he shall feel!	He shall feel! he shall feel!	We'll appeal, we'll appeal
No, my vengeance,	No, my vengeance,	To the Queen we will,
No, my vengeance he shall feel!	No, my vengeance he shall feel!	We will, we will appeal!

Gentlemen advance down, four right and four left. At the sound of the loaded pistol all the gentlemen turn with back to audience. Four Ladrones seize Sancho, R.H. Four Ladrones seize José, L.H., as they are pretending to rush one another, but by going forward, carefully avoiding the slightest chance of meeting. Suddenly, upon a projecting rock, L. appears Inez di Roxas. At her appearance, they sheath their stilettoes; and the Ladrones, after saluting her, return to their positions, and then gradually disappear .

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