I can attest to "Ben Bolt" in Trilby, as I was once Little Billy in a production, and had to listen to it every night!!!! Trilby sings it beautifully "under the spell" and then, at the climactic moment, tries to sing it and breaks down as the hypnotism wears off. Our director read us (I think) a very funny piece from James Thurber where he argues that Alice must be some kind of bizarre neurasthenic woman, weeping with delight at a smile, etc.

yours, Peter T.