Beauty in the World by Patti LuPone Lyrics

[HELENA, spoken]
Nobody else remembers, do they?

[ELIZABETH, spoken]
Remembers what?

[HELENA]
Back when there was beauty in the world
Women had such elegance and grace
Fashion came and fashion went
But inner style was permanent
At least, when there was beauty in the world

[ELIZABETH]
Long before the circus came to town
Every woman's drama was her face
Eyes that glittered like a gem
The lovers we bewitched with them
Back then, when there was beauty in the world

[HELENA]
Taste and poise were universal
[ELIZABETH]
Now it's noise

[HELENA]
A dress rehearsal

[BOTH]
Warn the past
The age of everlasting beauty in the world

[HELENA, spoken]
So tell me: you think it's good, this lipstick?

[ELIZABETH, spoken]
You're asking me?

[HELENA, spoken]
I want a useful opinion, who else am I to ask?

[ELIZABETH, spoken]
Very well then
It congeals

[HELENA, spoken]
What? Congeals? No
You wear it too thick
Hold still
With a product of quality, you have to know how to apply i
No glop! A thin layer with a deft hand
It's a pity, eh?
[ELIZABETH, spoken]
Yes?

[HELENA, spoken]
With your pretty pink pots, and my crème?
We might have ruled the world

[ELIZABETH]
Now we stand among the many

[HELENA]
Grains of sand
The same as any

[BOTH]
Strange with you
I see it all again like new
A glimpse of beauty in the world

Time plays funny tricks on you and me
I never dreamed that we'd be
Standing here so near the end

[HELENA]
My life long foe
[ELIZABETH]
My never friend

[BOTH]
Perhaps we helped each other to survive
And thrive
Uphold the flame of yesterday
Let's let the chips fall where they may

For two who knew true beauty in the world