'Tis Pity She's a Whore: A Pop Opera - Act I, Scene VII ("Hippolita, I Can't Marry You!") ♪♫♬

Act I, Scene VII

Soranzo is sitting against a column in a garden and reading a book with one hand. He is reading aloud.

Soranzo: "Love's measure... is extreme, the comfort, pain; The Life unrest, and the reward disdain."

He shakes his head with awe and surprise, a reaction to the material in the book.

VASQUES notices this from a distance and enters from SL.

SORANZO’S back is facing him.

Vasques: Apologies for neglecting duties, sir!

SORANZO is startled and turns to face VASQUES.

Soranzo: Who in their right mind would interrupt me at such a—

Vasques: It's the mistress, sir.

Soranzo: Who?

HIPPOLITA enters.

Hippolita: Me!

SORANZO looks at VASQUES with anger and frustration.

Soranzo: (hoarse whisper) Vasques!

Vasques: I tried, sir. I did.

Hippolita: Excuse me?!

Soranzo: Vasques, by my life, how could you?

Vasques: I am sorry, sir.

HIPPOLITA’S posture telegraphs anger and betrayal.

Hippolita: How dare thee, Soranzo! How dare thee!

Make Things Right

SORANZO:
HIPPOLITA I CAN'T MARRY YOU
IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN THE STARS

THE THINGS THAT YOU SAY TO ME
ARE SO UNCLEAR
THAT I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE

SO PRAY
AND GIVE ME SOME SPACE

I SAY
SO YOU CAN SAVE FACE

I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE
FOR YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN
COME WHAT MAY

HIPPOLITA:
SORANZO, YOU PIG
YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD STAY

THIS IS A LIE
THAT YOU MUST DENY
MAKE THINGS RIGHT

VASQUES:
SHE SAYS THAT YOU OWE HER MARRIAGE
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU MUST DO
SHE SAYS THAT YOU TWO SHOULD BE ELOPED
WAS THIS PROMISE SOMETHING MADE WITH YOU?

SOPRANZO:
PRAY, I THINK SHE'S INSANE
IF I MAY
TELL YOU MY MISTAKE

I INSINUATED
A MARRIAGE
WITH SOMEONE ELSE

HIPPOLITA:
SORANZO,
YOU MUST FIGHT
CORRECT WHAT'S WRONG
MAKE THINGS RIGHT

SORANZO rushes off.

VASQUES, HE IS SUCH A FOOL
HOW HE MOCKS AND ACTS AND TREATS ME
LIKE A SHREW
AND YET…

I ADMIT MY MISTAKE
I WILL NOT BE FAKED
REVENGE IS UPON ME NOW

AND JUSTICE
WILL BE SERVED

I'LL SHOW HIM THE DOOR
REVEAL HE'S A WHORE!
MAKE HIS FAMILY ABHOR

HIS CRUEL WAYS
THAT ENCOMPASS
HIM TODAY

To be continued...