BEAUTY & BEAST FINALE
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>The Beast:

Who am I now? I thought
flesh was a mask, and I
was trapped inside, was caught
within the lie --
Surely the man was real, the beast was not,
surely my beastly ways were a disguise --
I keep telling myself this, not sure why
I need to. Or if it’s wise . . .
I shall have to get used to it.

>Beauty:

I shall have to get used to it.
Ah, what could I be thinking of?
The prince with handsomeness restored
is not the beast I grew to love.
For years, I know, his face will haunt my sleep,
though I fell in love with the soul inside,
and I know appearance is skin deep.
I shall have to get used to it.

I shall have to get used to it.
That gentle voice that was so rough before;
a growl that I learned to understand,
and will not hear anymore --
Those eyes that shone through his face
with the light of his mind.
I shall miss my hideous friend for a very long time.
I shall have to get used to it.

I shall have to get used to it.
Hands that are fine, in no way resembling
the paws that yearned toward me
yet held back, trembling,
That knew how easily hearts --
like teacups -- could break.
I admired that restraint; but perhaps I admired a mistake.
I shall have to get used to it.

[the sun begins to rise]

>The Beast:

When sunlight warms the forest’s heart, do not be blinded by the day,
The darkness is not lost -- the dark is never lost -- nor has the wildness gone away.
but . . .

>Both:

I shall have to get used to it.

[curtain]
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