Candide: Glitter And Be Gay - Excerpt

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 lady mother
 My virtue had remained unstained
 Until my maiden hand was gained by some grand duke,
 Or other
 Ah, 'twas not to be
 Harsh necessity
 Brought me to this gilded cage
 Born to higher things
 Here I droop my wings
 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 -
 Pearls and ruby rings
 Ah, how can worldly things take the place of honor lost?
 Purchased, as they were, at such an awful cost!
 Bracelets, lavalieres, can they dry my tears?
 Can they blind my eyes from shame!
 Can the brightest broach 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 20 carat earring, ha ha!
 If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are
 Enough, enough, I'll take that diamond necklace
 And show my noble stuff
 By being gay and reckless!
 Ha, Ha, Ha!