The Cautious Struggle
by Anonymous (from The Festival of Love (1789)
as set to music by Leonard Lehrman, op. 55
Copyright 1980 (2') Spring 1980 for Soprano & Piano
prem. by Elizabeth Parcells & composer, Augsburg 7/21/80
[posted on line at http://www.elizabethparcells.com/Music.htm#Lehrman]
US prem. by Amy Vail & composer, The Phoenix, Greenwich NY 8/21/93


Be quiet, Sir! Begone, I say!
Lord bless us, how you romp and tear!
There!
I swear!
Now you have laid my bosom bare!
I do not like such boisterous play,
So take that saucy hand away!...
Why!
Now you're ruder than before!
Nay, I'll be hanged if I'll comply.
Fie!
I'll cry!
O I can't bear it--I shall die!
I vow I'll never see thee more.
But--
are you sure you shut
the door?