John Reed - The Law Is The True Embodiment (Iolanthe).avi

And every word of the hilarious lyric understandable. That’s an actor in command of his talent and the material.

The Law is the true embodiment
Of everything that's excellent
It has no kind of fault or flaw
And I, my Lords, embody the Law
The constitutional guardian I
Of pretty young Wards in Chancery
All very agreeable girls, and none
Are over the age of 21
A pleasant occupation for
A rather susceptible Chancellor!

A pleasant occupation for
A rather susceptible Chancellor!

But though the compliment implied
Inflates me with legitimate pride
It nevertheless can't be denied
That it has its inconvenient side
For I'm not so old, and not so plain
And I'm quite prepared to marry again
But there'd be the deuce for pay in the Lords
If I fell in love with one of my Wards!
Which rather tries my temper, for
I'm such a susceptible Chancellor!

Which rather tries his temper, for
He's such a susceptible Chancellor!

And everyone who'd marry a Ward
Must come to me for my accord
And in my court I sit all day
Giving agreeable girls away
With one for him and one for he
And one for you and one for ye
And one for thou and one for thee
But never, oh, never a one for me!
Which is exasperating for
A highly susceptible Chancellor

Which is exasperating for
A highly susceptible Chancellor

Hmmm what year was this? If I remember correctly it was around the 1960s with Potter and Masterson…

What I hear in the words is a man complaining that, despite his high station and esteem, he cannot have the girl he desires, because she is way to much younger than him for it to really be very appropriate even for the time period. He's upset because he's in love with her, but he knows that if he acts on these desires, his social peers, the house of lords, will possibly act against him in some manner.