I watched the movie “Brick” the other night, a film of the film-noir genre. I liked the movie, but there was one part where the lead female reads part of a poem while playing the piano. It stuck with me, so I searched around and found it is actually a snippet from an old opera called The Mikado.

Here is the whole poem/aria:
The sun, whose rays are all ablaze

Yum-yum’s aria from The Mikado

The sun, whose rays are all ablaze with ever-living glory,
does not deny his majesty–he scorns to tell a story!
He don’t exclaim, “I blush for shame, so kindly be indulgent”;
but fierce and bold, in fiery gold, he glories all effulgent.

I mean to rule the earth, as he the sky–
We really know our worth, the sun and I!

Observe his flame, that placid dame, the moon’s celestial highness;
There’s not a trace upon her face of diffidence or shyness:
She borrows light, that, through the night, mankind may all acclaim her!
And, truth to tell, she lights up well; So I, for one, don’t blame her.

Ah, pray make no mistake, we are not shy;
We’re very wide awake, the moon and I!

I may just have to buy the music from iTunes here.