WS Gilbert was given to intricacy, and the libretto of Trial by Jury is a satire to rank with Dickens, completely interwoven - the Judge has done the same as the defendant, and we are all more or less as bad as each other. Hypocrite lecteur, said Baudelaire, but Gilbert is more fun.
Things are not as they seem, and neither is this famous song, which is usually seen as Yum Yum singing about her own desirability. This is completely out of character - Katisha would have ruled the world, but Yum Yum was happy to be herself and would doubtless have become a yummy mummy.
The sun who "scorns to tell a story" is Sullivan, who unlike Gilbert, does not need to "blush for shame and crave indulgence". The moon who "borrows light" is Gilbert. And pray, make no mistake, we are not shy..they really know their worth. A hint, no doubt, to D'Oly Carte.
Merry Christmas, one and all.