Aldonza

[DON QUIXOTE, spoken]
My lady—

[ALDONZA, spoken]
I am not your lady! I am not any kind of a lady!
(sung)
I was spawned in a ditch by a mother who left me there
Naked and cold and too hungry to cry
I never blamed her, I'm sure she left hoping
That I'd have the good sense to die

Then, of course, there's my father—I'm told that young ladies
Can point to their fathers with maidenly pride
Mine was some regiment here for an hour
I can't even tell you which side

So of course I became, as bеfitted my delicate birth
Thе most casual bride of the murdering scum of the earth!

[DON QUIXOTE, spoken]
And still thou art my lady.

[ALDONZA, spoken]
And still he torments me! How should I be a lady?
(sung)
For a lady has modest and maidenly airs
And a virtue I somehow suspect that I lack
It's hard to remember these maidenly airs
In a stable laid flat on your back

Won't you look at me, look at me?
God, won't you look at me?
Look at the kitchen slut reeking with sweat
Born on a dungheap to die on a dungheap
A strumpet men use and forget

If you feel that you see me not quite at my virginal best
Cross my palm with a coin and I'll willingly show you the rest!

[DON QUIXOTE, spoken]
Never deny, thou art Dulcinea.

[ALDONZA, spoken]
Take the clouds from your eyes and see me as I really am!
(sung)
You have shown me the sky, but what good is the sky
To a creature who'll never do better than crawl?
Of all the cruel bastards who've badgered and battered me
You are the cruelest of all

Can't you see what your gentle insanities do to me?
Rob me of anger and give me despair!
Blows and abuse I can take and give back again
Tenderness I cannot bear!

So please torture me now with your "Sweet Dulcineas" no more
I am no one! I'm nothing! I'm only Aldonza the whore!

[DON QUIXOTE, spoken]
Now and forever thou art my lady Dulcinea!

[ALDONZA, spoken]
No!