William Schwenck Gilbert

Name: Trial by Jury
Author: William Schwenck Gilbert

Trial by Jury (1911)

Summary

“Trial by Jury”, published in 1911, is a work by William Schwenck Gilbert. It explores elements such as Jurymen, Bridesmaid and fervour unceasing.

Quotes from Trial by Jury (William Schwenck Gilbert)

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ Foreman.
Just like a father
I wish to be.
(Kissing her.)
Judge (approaching her) .
Or, if you'd rather
Recline on me!
(She jumps on to Bench, sits down by the Judge, and falls sobbing on his breast.)
Counsel.
Oh! fetch some water
From far Cologne!
All.
For this sad slaughter
Atone! atone!
Jury (shaking fists at Defendant) .
Monster, monster, dread our fury,
There's the Judge, and we're the Jury!
Song—Defendant.
Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray,
⁠Though I own that my heart has been ranging,
Of nature the laws I obey,
⁠For nature is constantly changing. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ Kneel, Jurymen, oh, kneel!
(All the Jury kneel in the Jury-box, and so are hidden from audience.)
Usher.
Oh, will you swear by yonder skies,
Whatever question may arise,
'Twixt rich and poor—'twixt low and high,
That you will well and truly try.
Jury (raising their hands, which alone are visible) . ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ Chorus of Jurymen (advancing stealthily) .
Oh, I was like that when a lad!
A shocking young scamp of a rover,
I behaved like a regular cad;
But that sort of thing is all over.
I am now a respectable chap
And shine with a virtue resplendent,
And, therefore, I haven't a rap
Of sympathy with the defendant!
He shall treat us with awe,
If there isn't a flaw,
Singing so merrily—Trial-la-law!
Trial-la-law—Trial-la-law!
Singing so merrily—Trial-la-law!
(They enter the jury-box.) Recit.—Usher (on Bench) . ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ They are passing fair!
⁠Wear the flowers till they fade;
⁠Happy be thy life, oh maid!
(The Judge, having taken a great fancy to 1st Bridesmaid, sends her a note by Usher, which she reads, kisses rapturously, and places in her bosom.)
Enter Plaintiff.
Solo.—Plaintiff.
O'er the season vernal,
Time may cast a shade;
Sunshine, if eternal,
Makes the roses fade:
Time may do his duty;
Let the thief alone—
Winter hath a beauty,
That is all his own. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ You're at present in the dark.
(Defendant beckons to Jurymen— they leave the box and gather round him as they sing the following) :—
That's a very true remark—
On the merits of his pleadings,
We're entirely in the dark!
Ha! ha!— ho! ho!
Song—Defendant.
When first my old, old love I knew,
My bosom welled with joy:
My riches at her feet I threw—
I was a love-sick boy! ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ I love him—I love him—with fervour unceasing,
I worship and madly adore;
My blind adoration is ever increasing,
My loss I shall ever deplore.
Oh, see what a blessing, what love and caressing
I've lost, and remember it, pray,
When you I'm addressing, are busy assessing
The damages Edwin must pay!
Defendant (repelling her furiously) .
I smoke like a furnace—I'm always in liquor,
A ruffian—a bully—a sot ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ The Bench faces the audience, and extends along the back of the Court. The Judge's desk c., with canopy overhead, Jury box r., Counsel's seats l.
Barristers, Attorneys, Jurymen and Public discovered.
Chorus.
Hark, the hour of ten is sounding:
Hearts with anxious fears are bounding,
Hall of justice crowds surrounding,
Breathing hope and fear—
For to-day in this arena,
Summoned by a stern subpoena,
Edwin, sued by Angelina,
Shortly will appear. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ The months in succession come round,
⁠And you don't find two Mondays together.
⁠Consider the moral I pray,
⁠Nor bring a young fellow to sorrow,
⁠Who loves this young lady to-day,
⁠And loves that young lady to-morrow. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

William Schwenck Gilbert, Trial by Jury (1911)

“ Foreman of the Jury.
Associate.
First Bridesmaid.
Modern dresses, without any extravagance or caricature. The Defendant is dressed in bridal dress. The Plaintiff as a bride. The Bridesmaids as bridesmaids.
The Judge, Counsel, Jury, and Usher, &c, should be as like their prototypes at Westminster as possible.
Time of performance, three-quarters of an hour.
TRIAL BY JURY
Scene.—A Court of Justice. ”

William Schwenck Gilbert

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