[m-lle-lucille]

Не знаю, кому еще, кроме  gr_gorinich, это может быть интересно, но я хоть себе настроение попробую поднять, что ли. Очередной феерический отрывок и феерический диалог Ко-Ко и Пу-Ба из "Микадо". Ван Аллан и Айдл изумительны вместе, такая парочка пройдох, пробы некуда ставить. Надо будет еще вырезать отрывок из второго акта: когда они - уже втроем с Питти-Синг, воспитанницей Ко-Ко, - пудрят микадо мозги, рассказывая о казни ужасного преступника Нанки-Пу (венцом всего становится рассказ Пу-Ба о том, как отрубленная голова преступника трижды поклонилась ему, выражая уважение к человеку столь высокого происхождения).
А здесь они не поют, только разговаривают, но как разговаривают! На всякий случай я под кат засуну текст из либретто (кстати, в исходном варианте ничего не было про главного раввина, это добавление было явно сделано специально для этой постановки).

О чем говорят эти прекрасные люди

KO.
Pooh‐Bah, it seems that the festivities in connection with my approaching marriage must last a week. I should like to do it handsomely, and I want to consult you as to the amount I ought to spend upon them.

POOH.
Certainly. In which of my capacities? As First Lord of the Treasury, Lord Chamberlain, Attorney General, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Privy Purse, or Private Secretary?

KO.
Suppose we say as Private Secretary.

POOH.
Speaking as your Private Secretary, I should say that, as the city will have to pay for it, donʹt stint yourself, do it well.

KO.
Exactly‐‐as the city will have to pay for it. That is your advice.

POOH.
As Private Secretary. Of course you will understand that, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I am bound to see that due economy is observed.

KO.
Oh! But you said just now ʺDonʹt stint yourself, do it wellʺ.

POOH.
As Private Secretary.

KO.
And now you say that due economy must be observed.

POOH.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer.

KO.
I see. Come over here, where the Chancellor canʹt hear us. Now, as my Solicitor, how do you advise me to deal with this difficulty?

POOH.
Oh, as your Solicitor, I should have no hesitation in saying ʺChance it‐‐‐‐ʺ

KO.
Thank you. I will.

POOH.
If it were not that, as Lord Chief Justice, I am bound to see that the law isnʹt violated.

KO.
I see. Come over here where the Chief Justice canʹt hear us. Now, then, as First Lord of the Treasury?

POOH.
Of course, as First Lord of the Treasury, I could propose a special vote that would cover all expenses, if it were not that, as Leader of the Opposition, it would be my duty to resist it, tooth and nail. Or, as Paymaster General, I could so cook the accounts that, as Lord High Auditor, I should never discover the fraud. But then, as Archbishop of Titipu and Chief Rabbin, it would be my duty to denounce my dishonesty and give myself into my own custody as first Commissioner of Police.

KO.
Thatʹs extremely awkward.

POOH.
I donʹt say that all these distinguished people couldnʹt be squared; but it is right to tell you that they wouldnʹt be sufficiently degraded in their own estimation unless they were insulted with a very considerable bribe.

KO.
The matter shall have my careful consideration. But my bride and her sisters are approaching, and any little compliment on your part, such as an abject grovel in a typical Nipponese attitude, would be esteemed a favour.

POOH.
No money, no grovel!