Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)

[MOLOKOV]
We wish, no must, make our disgust,
For this abuse perfectly clear.
We're here for chess--
Are the U.S.?
If so, why foul the atmosphere?

[FLORENCE]
I must protest--our delegation
Has a host of valid points to raise

[ARBITER]
It's not just black and white
If I may coin a phrase
As any neutral would attest

[FLORENCE]
Though we concede
The fact your masters bend the rules is maybe not your fault.
If they withdraw their psychological assault
Then under protest he'll proceed

[MOLOKOV]
If your man's so sweet
Then why his fighting talk?
If he says we cheat
Then why on earth did he go take a walk?

[FLORENCE]
I am not surprised he wanted fresher air
Once he realized there was no hope
Of your guys playing fair

[FLORENCE & ANATOLY]
How
Sad
To
See
[MOLOKOV & ARBITER]
It's very sad to see
The ancient and
Distinguished game
That used to be
[ALL]
A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee

[ANATOLY]
I would say
With regard to him
It is hard to rebut
Ever-growing suspicions
My opposition's a nut

[FLORENCE]
I would have said
You'd understand the strain and pressure getting where he's got
For then you'd simply call him highly-strung and not
Imply that he was off his head

[ANATOLY]
But how on earth can someone even
Half and civilized and nice as you
Be part of such a self-destructive
Point of view
I hope he pays you
What you're worth!

[ARBITER]
I call this tune
No one's immune
To my power
Once in that hall

[MOLOKOV]
In that case
I must ask you
Why you now
Preside over a brawl

[FLORENCE]
I'm not getting rich
My only interest
Is in something which
Gives me a chance
Of working with the best

[ANATOLY]
I can only say
I hope your dream comes true
Till that far-off day
I hope you cope
With helping number two

[FLORENCE & ANATOLY]
How
Sad
To
See
[MOLOKOV & ARBITER]
It's very sad to see
The ancient and
Distinguished game
That used to be
[ALL]
A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee

[FLORENCE]
It is very sad to
See
Sad to see a
Game that once used to
Be a model
Of calm and
Tranquility

Sad when it
Becomes like any
Other sport
Just a battleground,
A battleground
For ideologies

It's very sad
To see the ancient
And distinguished game that
Used to be a
Model of decorum
And tranquility
Become like any other
Sport
Like a
Battleground for rival
Ideologies
It's very sad
So sad to see
[ARBITER]
It's so sad to
See a game that
Really should
Be
Like a model of
Decorum
Become

Just like any other
Sport a battleground for
Rival
Ideologies to slug
Slug it out
Slug it out
It is very

Sad so sad
To see
It's a
Battleground for
Rival
Ideologies
It becomes
A battleground for
Ideologies
A battleground
It's very sad
To see a game
A battle ground
[ANATOLY]
Sad
It is very sad to
See
This distinguished and
Old game that
Used to, that
Used to be

Tranquility
Has become
Battleground
Slug it out with glee
Any other sport
Like a battleground
Sad to see

So
Sad
To
See a
Model of decorum
And tranquility
Just like any other
Sport how sad
To see
How the game that
Used to be
Tranquility
A battleground
[MOLOKOV]
How sad
To see
A
Distinguished
Game that
Always
Used to be

Like a
Model
Of
Decorum
And of
Pure
Tranquility

It is very
Sad to see the
Old distinguished game that
Used to be
Model of
Tranquility
When it
Becomes a
Battleground then it
Is very
Sad it's very sad
When this ancient game
Becomes a battleground
[ALL]
A place to slug it out with glee!