Rigoletto – Mobile Verse Parody Verdi
In this opera by Verdi, with the choicest of libretti
ranging up to alto, down to double bass,
to avoid the nitty-gritty of the plot would be a pity,
so in nineteen stanzas scan the rhymes encased.
Scene is set in some fair city where the search for someone pretty
was the past-time of a Duke with time to waste,
he’s the subject of this ditty which runs true to subject, witty,
wise, and well within the boundaries of taste.
.
Now this Duke had roving eyes bright, marriage ties seemed to despise quite,
all affection had forgotten for Her Grace,
Countess Cipriano one night spies at a party, quickly tries tight
to encircle, during dancing, by fair waist.
Noting, not without surprise where, anger blazing through his eyes’ stare,
the Count in fury fumed at the unchaste, -
she appeared a pretty prize there, perfect in both features, size, fair
and, despite his presence, to the dance made haste.
So the Count became besotto at the ball while most were blotto
when taunted by the jester of the place,
who, by name of Rigoletto did the dirty work, you bet, - oh
adding insult to the injury bare faced.
Through his wit had Rigoletto, using aphorism, motto,
angered every grandee he with wit outfaced,
so the spurned Count Cipriano allied with his friend Marullo
jointly planning jester’s fall and swift disgrace.
For Marullo did discover secret visits to a dove, a
mistress to whose house the jester nightly paced,
when this fact he did unover planned to cary off the lover
and deliver to the Duke her dainty face.
Rigoletto had a daughter, there are many might have thought her
most angelical in crinoline and lace, -
for at church the Duke had sought her and forthwith began to court her,
caring little for her fortune or her race.
Gilda was her name, her mother having passed away, no other
close relation, uncle, brother, had been traced,
Rigoletto tried to smother GIlda’s wish for freedom, lover,
saying in his heart she could not be replaced.
But by opening his purse there Duke bribed Gilda’s worthless nurse, -
woman scarce deserving either trust or place,
thus he triggered off a curse the jealous courtiers did nurse,
leading to the maiden’s murder vile and base.
[...] Read more
poem by Jonathan Robin
Added by Poetry Lover
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