--THE HUNTERS--
THE HUNT
THE HUNT THE SPORT OF GENTLEMEN
THE HUNT
THE JOY OF GALLOPING THROUGH
A COUNTRY GLEN
PURSUING THE OBJECT OF OUR EXPECTATION
SUBDUING OUR ANGER WITH OUR RECREATION

THE HUNT
HOLD BACK THE HOUNDS
TODAY I’M THE ONE
WHO CONFOUNDS
EVERY MAN ON THE TRAIL
STAND BACK
GIVE ME ROOM
I ALONE WILL PREVAIL
AT THE HUNT

(HENRY and DORIAN enter. HENRY is dressed for hunting, DORIAN in his whitest suit, darkest boutonniere.)

--HENRY--
THIS WAS SUCH AN EXCELLENT IDEA
YOU HAD MY FRIEND
A COUNTRY HOLIDAY
IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER END
ROLLING HILLS AND ROLLING THOUGHTS
THAT COME SO LEISURELY

--FIRST HUNTER--
HO WHAT HO
PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY

--HENRY--
SIMPLE PLEASURES
ARE THE ONES I THINK OF LOVINGLY

--FIRST HUNTER--
I THINK I SAW SOME GAME
HIDING CLEVERLY

--HENRY--
BACK IN TOWN
I WILL REMEMBER
CROYDON DOWN
AND LIKE AN EMBER
GLOWING IN MY MEMORY
THIS DAY SO SATISFACTORY

(THE HUNTERS’ LADIES enter with picnic baskets. THEY spread out food as they sing with THE HUNTERS, and LILY enters, staying apart from the others.)

--THE HUNTERS AND WOMEN--
THE HUNT THE SPORT OF GENTLEMEN

--DORIAN--
IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME HENRY
I’M NOT FEELING WELL
I CAN’T TELL YOU
WHAT IS WRONG
FOR ONLY TIME CAN TELL
ROLLING HILLS
AND ROLLING THOUGHTS
ARE NOT WHAT I DESIRE
I AM ANXIOUS
THAT THERE’S SOMETHING EVIL
WILL TRANSPIRE

BACK IN TOWN
I WILL REMEMBER
CROYDON DOWN
AND LIKE AN EMBER
GLOWING IN MY MEMORY
A DAY OF FEAR
AND TREACHERY

--THE HUNTERS AND WOMEN--
(In counterpoint to DORIAN.)
THE HUNT
THE JOY OF GALLOPING THROUGH
A COUNTRY GLEN
PURSUING
THE OBJECT OF
OUR EXPECTATION
SUBDUING
OUR ANGER
WITH OUR
RECREATION
GLOWING IN OUR MEMORY
THIS DAY
SO SATISFACTORY

--HENRY--
Dorian, destiny doesn’t send us heralds. She is either too wise or too cruel for that. Dorian, you’re on holiday. You should be happy. No one wouldn’t be delighted to change places with you.

--DORIAN--
I WISH SOMEONE WOULD
IT’S AS IF MY OWN PERSONALITY
HAS BECOME A BURDEN TO ME
I CAN’T STAY HERE
DON’T YOU FEEL THE GLOOM
IN THE ATMOSPHERE?

--HENRY--
I don’t share in your premonition of doom, Dorian. I came here to hunt!

(HENRY leaves DORIAN and joins THE HUNTERS.)

--SECOND HUNTER--
(The hunters competitively advance toward the women.)
THE HUNT
THE SPORT OF GENTLEMEN

--FIRST HUNTER--
THE HUNT
THE SPORT OF GALLOPING THROUGH
A COUNTRY GLEN

--ALL HUNTERS--
PURSUING THE OBJECT OF OUR
EXPECTATION
SUBDUING OUR ANGER
WITH OUR RECREATION
HOLD BACK THE HOUNDS
TODAY I’M THE ONE
WHO CONFOUNDS
EVERY MAN ON THE TRAIL
STAND BACK
GIVE ME ROOM
I ALONE
WILL PREVAIL

--HUNTERS GROUP TWO AND DORIAN--
WHO CARES ABOUT THE CHASE?

--WOMEN--
WE DO
AS LONG AS IT LEADS TO
A WARM EMBRACE

(THE HUNTERS and WOMEN are all paired, arms about each other.)

--FULL CHORUS--
BACK IN TOWN
WE WILL REMEMBER
CROYDON DOWN
AND LIKE AN EMBER
GLOWING IN OUR MEMORY
THIS DAY SO SATISFACTORY
WE WON’T BE BACK IN TIME FOR TEA
I LOVE MY LOVER’S MYSTERY