I'll Follow My Secret Heart - Noël Coward

Paul:

Now then;

business, Melanie.

What did Lord Sheere say to you last night?

Melanie:

Not very much, but he was very ardent

Paul:

Good.

He is coming here this morning

Melanie:

This morning?

Paul:

Yes, I wrote him a note from you.

I will recieve him, and when I have talked

with him for a little he will propose marriage

Melanie:

He seemed last night to wish for something a little less binding

Paul:

Never mind.

When he proposes, you will accept him

Melanie:

When may I love somebody, please?

Paul:

Not until you are safely married—and then only with the greatest discretion

Melanie:

I see

Paul:

What is the matter?

Melanie:

It doesn’t feel like my birthday anymore

A cloud has passed across the sun

The morning seems no longer gay

Paul:

I had better get on with these bills.

You had better go and dress

Melanie:

Very well

With so much business to be done

Even the sea looks grey

Paul:

Do not be silly

Melanie:

C’est vrai

C’est vrai

It seems that all the joy has faded from the day

As though the foolish world no longer wants to play

Paul:

Do go and dress, Melanie

Melanie:

What shall I wear?

A balck crêpe, with a lace bonnet?

Paul:

What is the matter with you this morning?

Melanie:

White, white for a bride—but the sun ought to shine on a bride

Paul:

You are not a bride—yet

Melanie:

But I shall be soon.

Shall I not?

A very quiet aristocratic bride with a

discrete heart

You ask me to have a discreet heart

Until marriage is out of the way

But what if I meet

With a sweetheart so sweet

That my wayward heart cannot obey?

A single word that you may say?

Paul:

Then we shall have to go away

Melanie:

No. For there is nowhere we could go

Where we could hide from what we know

Is true

Paul:

Do stop talking nonsense

Melanie:

It is not nonsense.

You are so sure that everything in life can be

arranged—just so—like arithmetic

Paul:

Why not?

Emotion is so very untidy

Melanie:

The sun has come out again.

I feel a little better

Paul:

Good

Melanie:

I’m sorry

Paul:

Merci ma chéri

Melanie:

Don’t be afraid I’ll betray you

And destroy all the plans you have made

But even your schemes

Must leave room for my dreams

So when all I owe to you is paid

I’ll still have something of my own

A little prize that’s mine alone

I’ll follow my secret heart

My whole life through

I’ll keep all my dreams apart

Till one comes true

No matter what price is paid

What stars may fade

Above

I’ll follow my secret heart

Till I find love