Entr'acte; Masquerade

Masquerade
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade
Hide your face so the world will never find you.

Masquerade
Every face a different shade
Masquerade
Look around there's another mask behind you!

Flash of mauve
Splash of puce
Fool and king
Ghoul and goose
Green and black
Queen and priest
Trace of rouge
Face of beast...

Faces
Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round
in an inhuman race...

Eye of gold
Thigh of blue
True is false
Who is who
Curl of lip
Swirl of gown
Ace of hearts
Face of clown...

Faces
Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned
in the light
in the sound
But who can name the face?

Masquerade
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade
Take your fill let the spectacle astound you!

Masquerade
Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

Masquerade
Seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade
You can fool any friend who ever knew you!

Masquerade
Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade
Run and hide but a face will still pursue you!

What a night
What a crowd
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the creme de la creme
Watching us watching them
And all our fears are in the past!

Six months
Of relief! Of delight
Of Elysian peace
And we can breathe at last
No more notes
No more ghost
Here's a health
Here's a toast: to a prosperous year
To the new chandelier!
And may its splendour never fade
Six months
What a joy
What a change
What a blessed release
And what a masquerade!

Think of it
A secret engagement
Look - your future bride
Just think of it
But why is it secret
What have we to hide
Please, let's not fight
Christine, you're free
Wait till the time is right When will that be?
It's an engagement, not a crime!

Christine
What are you afraid of
Let's not argue
Let's not argue...

Please pretend
I can only hope I'll
You will understand in time...

Masquerade
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade
Hide your face, so the world will never find you
Masquerade
Every face a different shade
Masquerade
Look around there's another mask behind you!

Masquerade
Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade
Take your fill let the spectacle astound you!

Why so silent, good messieurs
Did you think that I had left you for good
Have you missed me, good messieurs
I have written you an opera
Here I bring the finished score
"Don Juan Triumphant"
I advise you to comply my instructions should be clear
Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier
Your chains are still mine you will sing for me!