Song Lyric of the Day (W. S. Gilbert, in the Voice of a ‘Disagreeable Man’)

“I’m sure I’m no ascetic: I’m as pleasant as can be;

You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee;

I’ve an irritating chuckle; I’ve a celebrated sneer;

I’ve an entertaining snigger; I’ve a fascinating leer;

To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;

I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute–and I do–

But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,

Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!

And I can’t think why!”— King Gama in “The Disagreeable Man,” from the operetta Princess Ida (1884), lyrics by W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911), music by Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)

The photo accompanying this post shows actor John Reed, in costume as King Gama, in a 1965 D'Oyly Carte Opera Company production of Princess Ida.

Song Lyric of the Day (Gilbert and Sullivan, on Self-Promotion)

“If you wish in this world to advance,

Your merits you're bound to enhance;

You must stir it and stump it,

And blow your own trumpet,

Or trust me, you haven't a chance!” —English dramatist, poet, illustrator, and most of all, librettist W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911), “My Boy, You May Take It From Me," Ruddigore: or The Witch's Curse, music by Arthur Sullivan (1887)

As far as I’m concerned, these words have been taken way too much to heart—especially on the road from reality TV to Washington, DC, by a certain orange-haired vulgarian.

(Pictured: W.S. Gilbert)

Quote of the Day (W.S. Gilbert, on the Problem With an ‘Unjust World’)

“I'm really very sorry for you all, but it's an unjust world, and virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances.” —W.S. Gilbert, The Mikado (1885)