Sir William Schwenck Gilbert byl anglický dramatik, libretista, básník a ilustrátor známý zejména díky svým komickým operám zkomponovaným ve spolupráci se skladatelem Arthurem Sullivanem . Mezi nejznámější patří zejména HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance a The Mikado. Mezi jeho dílo patří také známé Bab Ballads, rozsáhlá sbírka poezie doprovázená vlastními komickými ilustracemi. Za celý svůj život vytvořil přes 75 her a libret, množství příběhů, básní či nových anglických slovních spojení, které se používají dodnes, a svými hrami a realistickým stylem inspiroval množství jiných dramatiků, včetně Oscara Wilda nebo George Bernarda Shawa. Wikipedia
“Is life a boon?
If so it must befall
That death when e're he call
Must call too soon.”
The Yeomen of the Guard (1888)
The disagreeable Man (from Princess Ida).
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
It rolls on.
To the Terrestrial Globe.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
Ruddigore (1887)
The first Lord's Song.
H.M.S. Pinafore (1878)
The Mikado (1885)
Mr Wells' song, Act I.
"Simmery Axe" is the traditional pronunciation of "St. Mary Axe", a road in the City of London.
In Gilbert's day, the last building was number 68, though number 70 was built later.
The Sorcerer (1877)
Song, "As someday it may happen".
The Mikado (1885)
Captain Reese.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
The Suicide's Grave (from The Mikado).
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
The Yarn of the "Nancy Bell". Compare: There were three sailors of Bristol city
Who took a boat and went to sea.
But first with beef and captain's biscuits
And pickled pork they loaded she.
There was gorging Jack and guzzling Jimmy,
And the youngest he was little Billee.
Now when they got as far as the Equator
They'd nothing left but one split pea.
W. M. Thackeray: Little Billee.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
The Lord Chancellor's Song (from Iolanthe).
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
Varianta: The Law is the true embodiment
Of everything that's excellent.
It has no kind of fault or flaw,
And I, my Lords, embody the Law.
The Mikado (1885)
The Gondoliers (1889)