Chess [musical] - Quartet [A Model of Decorum and Tranquility]

[MOLOKOV:]

We wish, no, must

Make our disgust

At this abuse perfectly clear

We're here for chess

Are the U.S.?

If so, why foul the atmosphere?

[FLORENCE:] + (MOLOKOV:)

I must protest (We wish)

Our delegation (No, must)

Has a host of valid points to raise (Make our disgust)

Our player's sporting attitude's (At this)

Beyond all praise (Abuse)

As any neutral would attest (Perfectly clear)

But we concede (We're here)

The fact his masters bend the rules (For chess)

Is not a player's fault (Are the U.S.?)

We'll overlook their crude (How)

Political assault (Can you)

And under protest will proceed (Make such a claim?)

[MOLOKOV:] + (THE ARBITER:)

If your man's so sweet (Point 17)

Then why his fighting talk? (No one-way screen)

If he's not a cheat (Will be allowed)

Then why on earth (In the hall)

Did he go take a walk?

[MOLOKOV:] + (FLORENCE:)

Why let him loose? (I am not surprised)

He'll soon reduce (He wanted fresher air)

This great (Once he realized)

Event (There was no hope)

To a brawl (Of your lot playing fair)

It's very sad (How sad)

To see the ancient and (To see)

Distinguished game (What used)

That used to be (To be)

[FLORENCE + MOLOKOV:]

A model of decorum and tranquillity

Become like any other sport

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee

[THE RUSSIAN:] + (MOLOKOV:)

Through the elegant yelling (We wish, no, must, make our disgust)

Of this compelling (At this abuse)

Dispute (Perfectly clear)

Comes the ghastly suspicion (We're here for chess, are the U.S.?)

My opposition's a fruit (If so, why foul the atmosphere?)

[FLORENCE:] + (THE ARBITER:)

I don't suppose you'd understand (Point 23)

The strain and pressure (The board)

Getting where he's got (Will be)

For then you'd simply call him (Made in)

Highly strung and not (Sweden)

Imply that he was one of those (Non-aligned wood)

[THE RUSSIAN:] + (MOLOKOV:)

But how (It seems to us)

Can you (There's little point in waiting)

Work for one who (Here all night for his return)

Treats you (And since a peaceful match)

Like dirt? (Is our sole concern)

Pay must be good (We won't make an official fuss)

[FLORENCE:] + (MOLOKOV:)

I'm not getting rich (In short we rise)

My only interest is (Above your guy's)

In something which (Tantrums)

Gives me the chance (Dramas)

Of working with the best (Dirty tricks)

[THE RUSSIAN:] + (THE ARBITER:)

I can only say (Point 31)

I hope your dream comes true (No game)

Till that far-off day (Begun)

I hope you cope (By noon goes on)

With helping number two (After six)

[THE ARBITER + MOLOKOV:] + (THE RUSSIAN + FLORENCE:)

It's very sad (How)

To see the ancient (Sad)

And distinguished game (To)

That used to be (See)

[ALL:]

A model of decorum and tranquillity

Become like any other sport

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee

• Artist:Chess (musical)
• Album:ss