Stephen Sondheim and Elaine Stritch Help Make Amor Mundi More Positive

Here's to the ladies who lunch -- Everybody laugh. Lounging in their caftans and planning a brunch on their own behalf. Off to the gym, then to a fitting, claiming they're fat and looking grim, 'cause they've been sitting choosing a hat. Does anyone still wear a hat? I'll drink to that.

And here's to the girls who play smart -- Aren't they a gas? Rushing to their classes in optical art, wishing it would pass. Another long exhausting day, another thousand dollars, a matinee, a Pinter play, perhaps a piece of Mahler's. I'll drink to that. And one for Mahler!

And here's to the girls who play wife -- Aren't they too much? Keeping house but clutching a copy of LIFE, just to keep in touch. The ones who follow the rules, and meet themselves at the schools, too busy to know that they're fools. Aren't they a gem? I'll drink to them! Let's all drink to them!

And here's to the girls who just watch -- Aren't they the best? When they get depressed it's a bottle of Scotch, plus a little jest. Another chance to disapprove, another brilliant zinger, another reason not to move, another vodka stinger. Aaaahhhh! I'll drink to that.

So here's to the girls on the go -- Everybody tries. Look into their eyes, and you'll see what they know: Everybody dies. A toast to that invincible bunch, the dinosaurs surviving the crunch. Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch -- Everybody rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise!