Masquerade

ANDRE
M'sieur Firmin?

FIRMIN
M'sieur Andre?
(Each raises his mask to the other. They recognize each
other.)
FIRMIN
Dear Andre
what a splendid party!

ANDRE
The prologue
to a bright new year!

FIRMIN
Quite a night!
I'm impressed!

FIRMIN
well, one does
one's best . . .

ANDRE/FIRMIN
Here's to us

FIRMIN
The toast before the city
Here's to us!
What a pity the Phantom can't be here

CHORUS
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!

Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . .
But who can name the face . . .?

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .
Masquerade!
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!

Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!

GIRY
What a night

MEG
What a crowd!

ANDRE
Makes you glad!

FIRMIN
Makes you proud!
All the crème
de la crème!

CARLOTTA
Watching us watching them!

MEG/GlRY
And all our fears
are in the past!
AQUI________________________________________
ANDRE
Three months...

PIANGI
Of relief!

CARLOTTA
Of delight!

ANDRE/FIRMIN
Of Elysian peace!

MEG/GIRY
And we can breathe at last!

CARLOTTA
No more notes!

PIANGI
No more ghost!

GIRY
Here's a health!
ANDRE
Here's a toast:
to a prosperous year!

FIRMIN
To our friend to us here!

PIANGI/CARLOTTA
and may its
splendour never fade!

FIRMIN
Three months!

GIRY
What a joy!

MEG
What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDRE
What a blessed release!

GIRY
And what a masquerade!

CHRISTINE
Think of it!
A secret engagement!
Look - your future bride!
Just think of it!

RAOUL
But why is it secret?
What have we to hide?

CHRISTINE
Please, let's not fight . . .

RAOUL
Christine, you're free!

CHRISTINE
Wait till the time is right . . .

RAOUL
When will that be?
It's an engagement,
not a crime!
Christine,
What are you
afraid of?

CHRISTINE
Let's not argue . . .

RAOUL
Let's not argue . . .

CHRISTINE
Please pretend . . .

RAOUL
I can only hope I'll . . .

CHRISTINE
you will . . .

BOTH
. . . understand
in time . . .

ALL

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!
Masquerade!
Look around -
There's another
mask behind you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you