Narrator:
It is the year 1853.
In Vienna rules the young emperor Franz Josef,
his power is secured by a standing army of soldiers,
a sitting army of administrators
and a kneeling army of priests
and a crawling army of informers---
And he relies heavily on the advice of his mother
People say she is the only man at Court.
Sophie (His mother):
Be determined, be strong, be cold, be hard
Court people:
He gives everybody what he deserves
He does everything for the greater good
God Save and Protect our young emperor.
Guard:
THE ARCHBISHOP...
Archbishop:
Majesty, the Holy Church encounters resistance.
Sophie:
OUTRAGEOUS!
Archbishop:
Majesty, the church wishes to
have the supervision of schools in the country.
Emperor:
Granted!
Court:
He gives everybody what he deserves....
Guard:
A Mother
Woman:
Majesty, my son loves freedom
and now he is in jail.
Sophie:
GOOD!
Woman:
Mercy, Mercy, whatever he has done
he does not deserve to die.
Sophie:
Be Determined...
Franz Josef:
If I could do what I would like to...
Sophie:
Be Strong...
Franz Josef:
If I would not have to rule the way an emperor should
Sophie:
Be hard....Be hard...
Franz Josef:
Declined.
Sophie:
What other business do we have?
Advisor:
Assessment of the current political situation:
Majesty the war at Crimea threatens to spread over to other countries.
It is unavoidable that we becomes Russia's ally this time.
We have to thank Russia for saving us from the revolution (?)
and besides we get a piece of Turkey for our services.
Franz Josef:
What do you think of the political development, Count Gruemme?
Count:
If we defend Russia, England will be against us
but if we become England's ally, the Russians will be upset,
in any case an alliance would be fatal.
Franz Josef:
We have to decide!
Sophie:
The emperor of Austria does not have to do anything!
Repeat choruses:
He gives everybody what he deserves...
Sophie:
Be sly, be smart...
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