A Masked Ball, Act I Scene 1: Please reflect upon your duty (Anckarstroem)

Please reflect upon your duty

And the hopes of this glorious nation

Here the people in their thousands

Look to you for inspiration

If we lose you, if we lose you what will happen?

If we lose you what will happen

In the years that lie ahead?

Will your life be free forever

From the work of cruel assassins?

Can the love of friend or stranger

Always shelter you from danger?

Love is weak compared to hatred

Which may quickly strike its victim dead

If we lose you, if we lose you what will happen?

If we lose you what will happen

In the years that lie ahead?

Love is weak compared to hatred

Which may quickly, quickly strike its victim dead

If we lose you what will happen?

Ah, if we lose you, then what will happen

Ah

In the years that lie ahead?