"Oberon"
(or the Elf King's Oath)
Libretto by J. R. Planché
Music by Carl Maria von Weber
| Cast: |
Oberon, Tenor
Titania, Actor/Dancer
Mermaid, Soprano
Puck, Mezzo soprano
Sir Huon of Bordeaux, Tenor
Sherasmin, Baritone
Rezia, Soprano
Fatima, Mezzo soprano
Calif, Babakhan, Mesrou,
Almanzor, Roshana, Abdallah, Charlemagne
Actors
Chorus of faries, guards, slaves, etc.
|
Act 1:
Scene 1, 2, 3
Act 2: Scene 1, 2
Act 1.
Scene 1
Scene 1, 2, 3
Act 1
Oberon's Bower
At the rising of the curtain, several groups of fairies
and genii are discovered, who sing the following chorus.
NO.1 . Introduction and Chorus "Light as Fairy Foot Can Fall"
CHORUS
Light as fairy foot can fall,
Pace, ye Elves, your master's hall;
All too loud the fountains play,
All too loud the zephers sigh
Chase the noisy gnat away,
Keep the bee from humming by;
Stretch'e upon his lily bed,
Oberon in slumber lies;
Sleep, at length, her balm has shed
O'er his long unclosed eyes.
O may her spell as kindly bring
Peace to the heart of the fairy king!
Peace!
PUCK
How now, how now! Why do ye loiter here?
Are there not tasks to do?
A FAIRY
We did but watch,
that nothing might disturb our master's slumber.
PUCK
Begone!
(Exaunt fairies)
He sleeps then still. 'Tis the first time his lids have closed since he
and fair Titania parted. Mere wife and husband could not well have wrangled.
On slighter grounds. Which was the most inconstant,
woman or man? Debate rose high, in anger, one east, one west,
they speeded as of yore, swearing by all that fairies reverence,
never to meet in love, till some fond pair, through weal and woe, 'mid flood
and chains and fire, should keep their plighted faith inviolate,
unmoved by pleasure and unbent by pain! He wakes!
He moves this way: I will retire and mark his mood, ere I do speak with him.
NO. 2. Aria "Fatal Vow"
OBERON
Fatal vow! Not even slumber
Can thy victim's torture tame!
Of my woes it swells the number,
Of my wrath it feeds the flame,
Still I burn, and still I languish,
Doubled in my dream I feel,
All my rage, and all my anguish!
But no balm their wounds to heal
Fatal vow!
PUCK
(advancing)
Hail, master!
OBERON
Tardy Spirit, is it thou?
PUCK
Round the globe; in hopes of finding
that which might console my king.
OBERON
My faithful Puck! How could
I doubt thy zeal! Speak on, true servant!
PUCK
Some two hours since I stood beside
the throne of Charlemagne,
and heard the strangest sentence
that ever tongue of wrathful monarch spake.
His son waylaid Sir Huon of Bordeaux,
and foully would have slain him;
but, defeated in the attempt, paid with his own live life,
in open fight, the forfeit of his treason.
France with one partial father triumphed
"Hence!" he cried, "Thou hast thy life, but mark on what conditions:
speed thee to Bagdad: seek the caliph's hail;
and there on some high festival, before the assembled court,
sly him who sits upon Haroun's right hand; then kiss,
and claim his daughter as thy bride!"
OBERON
And rides he forth upon this perilous quest?
PUCK
Ay, master.
OBERON
And alone?
PUCK
A single squire, a foolish, faithful varlet, follows him.
OBERON
Hie thee back, Spirit, over land and sea,
swifter than thou thought till thou dost meet with them;
cast a deep sleep on both, and bring them hither
before the breath be cold that bids thee.
(Puck exits)
Yes! The fairy king Sir Huon shall befriend,
and the true knight in turn his woes may end.
(The stage opens, and a flowery bank rises,
on which Sir Huon and Sherasmin are seen asleep;
Puck standing besides them)
PUCK
(runs to Oberon)
King of fairy land, 'tis done.
King and Squire thou lookest on.
OBERON
That's my good goblin!
(observing Sir Huon)
Ha! By starry night! In this mailed beast,
I ween, love a guest hath never been,
but my piercing eye can see,
should he once installed be,
pleasure peril, pomp, or pain, him to shake may strive in vain.
Quickly to his charmed eyes let a pleasing vision rise
of the caliph's lovely child whom now he seeks on errand wild,
and within the same short hour,
in far Bagdad's harem bow'r, to the sleeping lady's sight
shall the image of the knight be shown,
and equal love impart, linking firmly heart to heart.
Spirits, hear your master's spell: Up!
And do my bidding well.
NO. 3. VISION "Oh Why Art Thou Sleeping?"
(The clouds open. The interior of a kiosk.
Rezia is seen seated on a couch
in a melcancholy attitude
with a lute in her hand.)
REZIA
O, why art thou sleeping, Sir Huon the brave?
A maiden is weeping by Babylon's wave,
Up, up, gallant knight, ere a victum she fails,
Guienne to the rescue! 'Tis beauty that calls.
(The vision disappears; clouds again enclose the kiosk,
and then draw off to the fairies' hall, as at first.)
OBERON
Enough! Enough! The spell I break,
Children of the Earth, awake!
SIR HUON
(waking)
Stay, loveliest! For pity's sake!
Gone!-Where am I?
(seeing Oberon)
Ha!
OBERON
Fear not, Sir Huon of Bordeaux!
Thou seest a friend who knows thee and thine errand.
I am Oberon, the king of fairyland.
SHERASMIN
Of fairyland! O master!
OBERON
Peace, varlet! Hear me, Paladin.
Relentless Charlemagne would have thy blood;
but thou shalt execute his dread command,
and to thy native France triumphantly bear
back thy beauteous bride;
rest thou but true amidst the trials fate prepares for thee.
Therefore receive, Sir Duke, this magic horn;
whatever dangers may thy path beset,
its slightest sound will bring thee sudden aid;
need'st thou the presence of the fairy king,
a bolder blast will bring me to thy side.
Tho' planets roll between us/ Hon, Huon,
haste where love and honour call:
be bold, be constant, and be happy.
(Oberon waves his wand;
Fairies appear to the symphony.)
NO. 4. Ensemble "Honour and Joy"
ALL
Honour and joy to the true and the brave!
A friend they shall find in the Elfin king…
But oh! To the traitor, the coward, the slave,
For ever the fairy's curse shall cling!
HUON
Deign, fair Spirit my steps to guide,
To the foot of the unbeliever's throne;
There let my arm and my heart be tried,
There be the truth and thy Huon shown,
There let my arm and my heart be tried,
There be the truth of thy Huon shown.
OBERON
The sun is kissing the purple tide,
That flows round my fairy bow'r,
Oft must he set in those waters wide
Ere mortal knight from this shore
Could ride to Bagdad's distant tow'rs.
But lo! I wave my lily wand! And
Bagdad is before thee.
SHERASMIN
By St. Denis, but he's right!
HUON
Can I trust my startled sight?
Yes, the gilded domes are there,
In the last bright sunbeam glowing,
And the river broad and fair,
Swiftly to the sea if flowing!
But where alas! Is she
Who shed love's own light upon my slumbers?
Is that form forever fled?
Hush'd for aye those magic numbers?
OBERON
Fear not, Sir Knight! Fear not!
But hold in glory's chase go forth!
The living maid in Babylon embrace.
ENSEMBLE CHORUS
Speed, Huon, speed! Love and renown
Soon shall they courage and constancy crown.
HUON
Deign, fair Spirit, my steps to guide to the unbeliever's throne!
There let my arm and my heart be tried.
(Oberon and Fairies disappear.)
SHERASMIN
(After a pause, during which Sir Huon
and he appear lost in wonder.)
Master! Are you awake, master?
If your eyes be wide open.
I pray you shake me, that I may open mine, too.
I would fain be assured whether
I be really bewitched or no.
SIR HUON
I hear the murmur of the waves;
I feel the evening breeze upon by cheek.
Will that foaming river, those glittering minarets,
vanish in their turn?
SHERASMIN
I would wager my wits that they do, and no bad stake neither;
for I know not how I shall save them otherwise,
an' the fairies serve me another trick of this kidney.
SIR HUON
O Sherasmin, the beautiful vision which the fairy raised
was no delusion. Such a being lives, and for me!
SHERASMIN
The caliph's daughter, too!
The very woman the emperor named for your bride!
An' a fool might advise, sir, I would cut the matter
as short as possible. You are commanded to kill the man
who sits on the right of the caliph, and marry the princess.
Stick to the latter part of the promise,
and forget the rest, master mine!
Slicing off a head is but a bad preface to courtship.
Let the infidel 'scape free, and cleave to the lady.
I'll have everything prepared for flight, and-
SIR HUON
Knave, I have pledged my knightly word to Charlemagne,
and must redeem it to the letter.
Huon, beyond his life, beyond his love,
esteem his honour!
NO. 5. Recitative and Aria "Oh, 'Tis a Glorious Sight."
SIR HUON
Yes, even love to fame must yield,
No recreant knight am I;
My home it is the battlefield,
My song, the battle cry!
Oh! 'tis a glorious sight to see!
The charge of the Christian chivalry,
When thundering over the ground they go,
Their lances levell'd in long, long row!
One shock, and their lances are shiver'd all;
But they shiver not in vain,
They have raised for the foe a rampart wall,
With the bodies of the slain!
On they spur over dying and dead,
Swords are flashing round ev'ry head,
They are raised again, but they gleam, no more,
Ev'ry blade is dimm'd with gore!
The fight is done!
The field is won!
Their trumpets startle the singing sun!
As the night-winds whirl the red leaves afar,
They have scatter'd the might of the Moslemah!
Mourn ye maidens, ye maidens of Palestine,
Your lover's lie stark in the cold moonshine!
The eyes ye kiss'd ere ye bade them go,
Are food for the kits and the hooded crow!
Mourn ye maidens of Palestine,
Your lovers lie stark in the cold moonshine!
Joy to the highborn dame of France!
Conquest waits n her warrior's lance!
Joy to the girls of fair Guienne,
Their lovers are hast'ning home again!
Hark they come!
The brave ones see!
Who have humbled the pride of Paynimrie,
Twine the wreath, the feast prepare!
Fill to the brim the goblet fair.
Strike the harp and loud and high
Swell the song of victory.
Scene 2
Scene 1, 2, 3
Act 1
(Vestibule in the harem, looking on the Tigris,
which is seen by moonlight through a balustrade in the background.
Enter Rezia, followed by Fatima.)
REZIA
Name not the prince, dear Fatima; I hate, I loathe him! Wed him!
I would wed a serpent sooner! Hear me, girl!
Methought I was transformed into a fawn
and hunted by Prince Babekan through forest,
when suddenly a young knight, whose habit showed him
not of eastern birth, appeared
and rescued me from the darts of the huntsmen.
FATIMA
How can the daughter of the mighty Haroun suffer
an idle vision to get the better of her judgement?
REZIA
And canst thou speak of such a vision, as of an ordinary dream?
No, no: be sure it is the work of fate. The hour draws nigh!
The chains already sound! But think not I will them.
If this heart indeed deceived I have yet a hope in store,
which cannot fail. Yes Fatima!
(in a low but determined tone,
and half drawing her dagger)
Love or death shall free me!
FATIMA
Merciful Allah! Sheathe that dreadful weapon!
(knocking without)
Hark, hark, lady! Some one knocks at the little door
that opens on the private passage,
but I dare not leave you in this desperate mood.
REZIA
Fear nothing, girl! The time hath not yet arrived:
I will act firmly, but not rashly.
(knocking again)
They are impatient, away and see who knocks.
(exit Fatima)
No, no, my hope of happiness is yet too strong
to rush undriven on so stern an alternative!
NO. 6. Finale I "Haste, Gallant Knight."
REZIA
Haste, gallant knight,
O haste and save thy Rezia from the yawning grave!
For round this hand the worm shall twine,
Ere link'd in other grasp than thine!
Yes, my lord, my joy, my blessing,
Rezia lives for thee alone!
On this heart thy signet pressing,
Love hath claim'd it for thine own!
Yes, its core thine image beareth,
There it must for ever burn,
Like the spot the tulip weareth,
Death within its dewy urn.
(Re-enter Fatima hastily.)
FATIMA
Joy! Joy! We are rescued in the hour of need,
Joy, he is found, the knight is ours indeed.
REZIA
Found? Where? Sweet Fatima, oh quickly tell!
FATIMA
To old Namouna's cot, as evening fell.
He came, by Fate directed,
There he heard they dream as
I had told her, word for word,
And vow'd, with glowing cheek
and flashing eye to rescue thee, or die!
REZIA
Said I not, said I not?
Ensemble
REZIA
Ah, happy maid!
Near me is my own true knight,
Ah, happy maid!
Hope hath not my heart betray'd,
Love hath read my dream aright,
FATIMA
Ah, happy maid!
Near me is thy own true knight,
Ah, happy maid!
Hope hath not thy heart betray'd,
Love hath read thy dream aright,
FATIMA
Hark, lady hark! On the terrace near,
The tread of the Harem guard I hear,
And lo, thy slaves that hither hie
Show that the hour rest is nigh.
(Rezia and Fatima interchange signs of secrecy.
A band of white and black slaves enter from the garden,
headed by Mesrou and female slaves of the princess.)
TENOR and BASSES
Now the evening watch is set.
ALL
And from ev'ry Minaret,
Soon the Muezzin's call to pray'r
Will sweetly float on the quiet air,
Here no later must we stray,
Hence to rest away, away!
REZIA
Oh my wild exalting soul,
How shall I thy joy control,
Far too well my burning cheek
And kindling eye thy tumult speak,
Ere they rapture they betray,
Let me hence away, away!
REZIA
Oh my wild exalting soul,
How shall I thy joy control,
Far too well my burning cheek
And kindling eye thy tumult speak.
CHORUS
Here no later must we stray,
Here no later must we stray, hence to rest.
No. 7. Chorus "Glory to the Caliph."
(A magnificent saloon in the palace of Haroun.
In the distance a divan on which the Caliph is discovered seated.
On his right is Prince Babekan.
On each side of the divan hands a rich veil,
behind which are supposed to be the apartments of the females.
Embroidered carpets are spread before the Caliph and the Prince.
The great officers of the Caliph's court, Arab Sheiks
and chiefs of various tribes, black and white eunichs, guards, etc.,
form a line on each side of the stage.)
MEN
Glory to the Caliph, to Haroun the Just,
Bow ye, true believers, before him to the dust,
Woe betide the infidel who dares the Caliph's might.
When on the breeze he floating sees the "shadow and the "night."
CALIPH
(to Babekan)
Prince, the hour is arrived, which, my astrologers have assured, is
marked upon the table of light as the one destined by Allah for the
marriage of our daughter Rezia.
BABEKAN
Commander of the faithful!
The impatience of Babekan is at its height.
May it please you to give for the instant solemnization
of our nuptials?
CALIPH
Bring forth the bride.
(The veil on the right of the Caliph is withdrawn
and a train of dancing girls enter, preceding Rezia,
who advances supported by Fatima
and followed by the female slaves of the harem.)
No. 8
REZIA
(aside to Fatima)
He is not here! Should he desert me now
(Gazes rout her in great agitation,
and grasps the hilt of her dagger.)
FATIMA
(alarmed)
Lady, he will not.
Be of good cheer, sweet mistress
CALIPH
Daughter, approach!
(Clashing of swords without.)
Ha! the clash of swords! Head of my father!
What desperate slaves are these?
(Enter Sir Huon and Sherasmin sword in hand.)
SIR HUON
Where is my love? my bride,
REZIA
Ah! 'tis he! save me!
(Rushes into Sir Huon's arms)
SIR HUON
(kissing her)
Thus, thus thy Huon claims thee for his own!
CALIPH
Am I awake? Slaves! Dogs! Hew him in pieces!
BABEKAN
Hold! Might Caliph! Be mine that task!
(Babekan and Sir Huon attack each other.
Babekan is slain.)
CALIPH
(stamping with fury)
Allah il Allah! Tear out his heart!
SHERASMIN
(to Sir Huon quickly)
Master! the horn! the horn!
(Sir Huon winds the horn.
Thunder and lightning.
The Saracens stand terror-stricken.
The stage fills with clouds,
which open in the center,
and Oberon appears.)
OBERON
Huon, thou hast redeemed thy knightly pledge,
and I am well content, the maid is thine.
(Waves his wand.
The clouds disperse, and discover the sea-shore,
with the port of Ascalon: a vessel lying at anchor.)
Behold the port of Ascalon! Yon bark is bound for Greece.
Hie thee on board. Whatev'r may hap,
remember Oberon befriends ye,
whilst his friendship you deserve.
Farewell! Be true, and triumph.
(Oberon vanishes.)
(Exaunt Sir Huon and Rezia
SHERASMIN
What sayest thou, my girl? dost think thou canst love me?
Wilt thou follow me? And wilt thou follow nobody else afterwards?
For such things do happen in France, once in a century or so.
FATIMA
I hardly know how to answer you; I think I may promise.
No. 9. Aria "A Lonely Arab Maid"
FATIMA
A lonely Arab maid,
The desert's simple child,
Unskill'd in arts by which, 'tis said,
Men's love may be beguil'd.
A lonely Arab maid,
The desert's simple child.
Like some uprooted flow'r am I!
Upon a river a little hour, then die,
Unheeded as I sprung.
But if thy friendly hand
Should lift me from the tide,
And bear me to some distant land,
To bloom thy bosom's pride,
O, sooner from his darling rose
The nightingale shall roam,
Than I disturb that heart's repose,
Which love hath made me home.
SHERASMIN
Enough, my little warbler, thou art mine.
This kiss to seal the bargin.
(Enter Sir Huon and Rezia)
SIR HUON
Now, Sherasmin, to the port.
The wind is fair for Greece.
The captain stays for us. Dear Rezia,
I burn to kneel with thee before
the throne of Charlesmagne!
That sweet revenge is all I ask of heaven!
No. 10. Quartet "Over the Dark Blue Waters."
HUON and SHERASMIN
Over the dark blue waters,
Over the wide, wide sea,
Fairest of Araby's daughters,
Say, wilt thou sail with me!
REZIA and FATIMA
Were there no bounds to thewater,
No shore to the wide, wide sea,
Still fearless would Araby's daughters
Sail thro' life with thee.
ALL FOUR
On board then, while the skies are light,
And friendly blows the gale,
Our hearts are as true as our bark, and bright
Our hopes as its sunlit sail.
No. 11. Solo and Chorus "Spirits of Air."
PUCK
Spirits of air, and earth, and swa,
Spirits of fire, which holy be,
All that have pow'r o'er wind and wave,
Come hither, come hither, my spirits so brave.
Whether ye be in the caverns dark
Lighted alone by the diamond spark;
Or beneath the waters deep,
Where the prison'd pearl doth sleep;
Or in skies beyond the one,
Mortal eyes do lock upon;
Or in the womb of some groaning hill,
Where the lava streams is boiling still;
Spirits, wherever you chance to be,
Come hither, come hither to me!
I charge ye by the magic ring
Of your faithful friend the fairy king.
(The spirits of the four Elements
appear in various parts of the stage.)
SPIRITS
We are here, we are here,
Say, what must be done?
Must we cleave the moon's sphere?
Must we darken the sun?
Must we empty the ocean upon its own shore?
Speak! we heave pow'r to do this and more.
PUCK
Nay, nay, your task will be at most,
To wreck a bark upon the coast,
Which simple fairy may not do,
And, therefore have I summon'd you.
SPIRITS
Nought but that?
Na,
Lighter labour none we know.
Winds and waves obey the spell
Hark! 'tis done!
Farewell!
Scene 3.
Scene 1, 2, 3
Act 1
Cavern on the sea-beach.
The ocean seen through the mouth of it.
Other perforations lead through the rock
to the interior of the island.
Storm continued. Stage wery dark;
fragments of wreck are thrown upon the stage.
(Enter Sir Huon supporting Rezia,
who is nearly exhausted.)
SIR HUON
Look up, my love! my wife!
O heaven, she dies! my Rezia dies!
And I am her murderer!
'Twas for my sake she gave up all a throne!
And father! - O spare her, gracious heaven!
No. 12. Prayer "Ruler of This Awful Hour."
SIR HUON
Ruler of this awful hour,
Spare, oh spare you tender flow'r!
If Thou must strike, oh let Thy thunder fall on me,
the wretched cause of all!
REZIA
(recovering)
Huon!
SIR HUON
Ah! she speaks! She speaks! But wretch that I am,
where shall I find food and shelter for her on this frightful shore?
O my sweet bride! To see thee thus forlorn and desolate,
and know myself the cause drives me to madness.
REZIA
Dearest Huon, do not speak thus. If I must die,
it is enough that I breathe my last upon thy bosom.
SIR HUON
My fond, true girl! - this kindness but augments my agony!
That such should be the fate of love like thine!
O Oberon! is this thy friendship?
Cruel spirit! no help! no hope.
REZIA
These are but trials surely, and though severe they be,
will end in happiness.
SIR HUON
I must needs think so, but alas!
My poor varlet! my trusty Sherasmin!
drowned! Drowned!
REZIA
And Fatima, the kind devoted Fatima, she too,
I fear, hath perished.Unfortunates!
SIR HUON
But what must mow be done? The storm is now abating,
as if satisfied with the destruction it hath made;
this cavern is dry and overgrown with moss.
What if thou should'st rest thee here while I ascend the cliffs,
and look around to see if aught like human aid be near us?
REZIA
Be it so. But stay not long from me.
SIR HUON
I will not sweetest. Ah! where is now the magic horn
that would have brought us succour instantly!
(Exit Sir Huon)
No. 13. Recitative and Aria "Ocean! Thou Mighty Monster"
REZIA
Ocean! thou mighty monster, that liest curl'd
like a green serpent round about the world,
To musing eye thou art an awful sight,
When calmly sleeping in the morning light,
But when thou risest in thy wrath, as now,
And fling'st thy folds around some fatal prow,
Crushing the strong ribb'd bark as 'twere a reed,
Then, Ocean, art thou terrible indeed.
Still I see thy billows flashing,
Through the gloom their white foaming flinging,
And the breakers, sullen dashing,
In mine ear hope's knell is rising,
But lo! methinks a light is breaking,
Slowly o'er the distant deep,
Like a second morn awaking,
Pale and feeble from its sleep.
Brighter now behold 'tis beaming!
On the storm whose misty train,
Like some shatter'd flag is streaming,
Or a wild steed's flying mane.
And now the sun bursts forth,
The wind is lulling fast,
And the broad wave but pants from fury past.
Cloudless o'er the blushing water
Now the setting sun is burning,
Like a victor, red with slaughter,
To his tent in triumph turning,
Ah, perchance these eyes may never
Look upon its light again,
Fare-the-well, bright orb, forever,
Thou for me wilt rise in vain!
But what gleams so white and fair,
Heaving with the heaving billow?
'Tis a seabird, wheeling there
O'er some wretch's wat'ry pillow,
No, it is no bird! A sail!
And yonder rides a gallant bark
Unimpair'd by the gale!
O transport! My Huon! haste down the shore,
Quick, for a signal, this scarf shall be wav'd,
They see me! they answer! they ply the strong oar.
Huon, my husband, my love! we are sav'd!
(During the scene, the storm clears off as described;
the setting sun breaks forth in full splendour;
a small boat is seen, and immediately afterwards a large vessel.
Towards the conclusion of the scene
the boat disappears as making for the shore.)
REZIA
Huon! Huon! why tarriest thou?
Se, they near the beach!
they leap into the surf--they come.
(Enter Abdallah and Pirates.)
ABDALLAH
Hah! A fair prize , by Mahomet! Seize her, my lads,
and away to sea again: she's worth a fortune to us!
(They seize her.)
REZIA
What mean ye, strangers? I cannot go alone!
One dear to me as life is ranging o'er the cliffs;
but he will return speedily. Huon-Huon!
Save me, help! help!
(Sir Huon rushes in.)
SIR HUON
Madness and misery! villians, release her!
ABDALLAH
Down with the dog.
(Sir Huon is struck to the ground senseless,
they drag off Rezia, Sir Huon remains insensible.
As soon as they have quitted the stage,
a symphony is heard. Oberon appears.)
OBERON
Alas! poor mortal! Oberon deplores the cruel fate which bids him
to the quick so free from all the leaven of his race! But keep thou true;
and once thy trials o'er, the fairy friend, released from his rash vow,
shall pay thee, for each moment past of pain, years of high honour
and unfading love! Puck! My brave spirits!
PUCK
(entering)
Here, great Oberon!
OBERON
Servant, here is more to do;
thou must guard this child of clay from
the night's unwholesome dew,
from the scorching beams of day,
'till yon sun, about to set,
hath seven times the water met;
for when seven days have past,
the pirate shall his anchor cast in Tunis' bay.
Then through the air, as quick as light this mortal bear
and lay him gently down
before old Ibrahim the gard'ner's door,
Lo! upon his lids I shed sleep
like that which binds the dead.
Sound nor shock the spell shall brake,
'till thou in Tunis bid him wake.
PUCK
Mighty king of fairy land, be it as thou, dost command,
him to shield from sun and shower,
Puck will build a fairy bow'r here upon this desert shore,
where never flow'ret bloomed before.
(Puck waves his wand;
a pavilion of flowers rises
and encloses Sir Huon;
the sun sets and the stars appear.)
See, 'tis done; nor noxious dew nor scorching
ray shall pierce it through,
though ev'ry gentle beam and air may freely find
an entrance there. But, Master!
mark where in the sky the night star opes its silver eye,
the herald of the lady moon,
whose light will gladden the waters soon!
And, hark! the mermaids' witching strain steals
o'er the lull'd and list'ning main.
(Puck and Oberon exit.)
No. 15b. Finale "O 'Tis Pleasant to Float on the Sea"
MERMAID
O 'tis pleasant to float on the sea,
When the wearied waves in a deep sleep by,
And the last faint light of the sun hath fled,
And the stars are must'ring overhead,
And breeze comes with its breath so bland,
Laden with sweets from a distant land,
O 'tis pleasant to float and sing,
While ever our dripping locks we wring.
O 'tis pleasant to float on the sea,
When nothing stirs on its breast but we,
The warder leans at the twilight hour,
Over the wall of the time worn tow'r
And signs himself and mutters a pray'r,
Then listen again to the witching air!
O 'tis pleasant to float and sing,
While ever our dripping locks we wring.
PUCK
Master! say, our toil is o'er,
May we dance upon this shore?
And a merry burden bear
To the mermaids' ditty rare?
OBERON
Better boon thy zeal hath won;
I will stay and see it done.
BOTH
Hither, hither, ye elfin throng,
Come, dance on the sands to the mermaids' song.
Hasten and prove to the nymphs of the sea,
That the spirits of earth can as jocund be,
Come as lightly, and look as fair,
As blossoms that sail on the summer air.
CHORUS OF MERMAIDS and FAIRIES
Who would stay in her coral cave,
When the moon shines o'er the quiet wave,
And the stars are studding the dark blue arch,
Through which she speeds on her nightly march,
Merrily, merrily, let us sail!
Over the sea, by her light so pale!
Act 2
Scene 1.
Scene 1, 2,
Act 2
Court of Ibrahim the gardener's house in Tunis.
(Enter Fatima, in a slave dress.)
FATIMA
Alas! poor Fatima, how changed is thy lot!
The favourite attendant of a mighty princess,
become the slave of Ibrahim, the gardener of the Emir of Tunis.
And that beloved mistress, where is she?
Drowned, or perishing on some barren rock.
No, no, my own unlooked-for preservation makes me cherish
the hope that we may yet meet again; besides,
I had a dream last night which bodes good fortunes.
No. 16. Arietta "Oh, Araby."
FATIMA
Oh, Araby, dear Araby,
My own, my native land!
Methought I cross'd the dark blue sea,
And trod again thy strand,
And there I saw my father's tent,
Beneath the tall date trees,
And the sound of music and merriment
Came sweetly on the breeze.
And thus to the lightly touch'd guitar,
I heard a maiden tell
Of one who fled from proud Serdar,
With the youth she lov'd so well.
Al! Though high the nightstar be,
Al! 'Tis the morning of love for my Yusuf and me;
Though the flow'rs of the garden have clos'd ev'ry one,
The rose of the heart blooms in love's rising sun.
Al! Soon will Zeenad be far,
From the drear Anderun of cruel Serdar,
Al, Al!
Al! 'Tis the neigh of his steed,
Al! Oh, prove my good barb, thou art worthy thy breed!
Now o'er the salt desert we fly like the wind;
And our fears fade as fast as the turrets behind,
Al! We the frontier have won,
And may laugh at the lord of the drear Anderun,
Ah, Al!
(Enter Sherasmin in a garden's dress,
with a spade in one hand,
and a basket of flowers in the other.)
SHERASMIN
Well, Fatima. Here am I in the garb
of my new occupation.
Hast seen our master this way?
FATIMA
No, he is gone into the city. Ah, Sherasmin,
how kind it was of him to buy us both,
our lot would have been truly miserable
had we been separated. O, that our poor lord and lady.
SHERASMIN
Ah! that's a bad business, Fatima,
but not so bad I hope as it seems.
I have a strong faith in that fairy!
Even if the magic horn be lost,
the giver is as powerful as ever,
so let us make up our minds to be happy;
there's a good deal in that I can tell you.
Oh, the merry days I have seen in my time,
and I hope to see some sore yet, Fatima.
No. 17. Duet "On the Banks of Sweet Garonne."
SHERASMIN
On the banks of sweet Garonne,
I was born one fine spring morning,
Soon as I could run alone,
Kicks, and cuffs, and tumbles, scoring,
Shirking labour, loving fun,
Quaffing wine, and hating water,
Fighting ev'ry neighbor's daughter,
And courting every neighbor's daughter,
Oh the days that I have known,
On the banks of the sweet Garonne,
FATIMA
On the waves of Bundemir,
First I saw the sunbeams quiver,
There I wander'd year by year,
On the banks of that fair river.
Roaming with my roaming race,
Whereso'er the date tree lur'd them,
On a greener resting place,
Pasture for their flocks ensur'd them.
Never knew I grief or fear,
On the banks of Bundemir!
SHERASMIN
Times have alter'd, mistress mine!
FATIMA
Fled is fortune's sunny weather,
We are slaves! slaves!
SHERASMIN
Yet why repine?
While, my dear, we're slaves together!
Let's be merry while we may;
Love our song, and joy the chorus,
Dance and sing, and sport and play,
While hope still brightly shines before us.
(Exaunt)
(Puck descends with Sir Huon.)
PUCK
Seven times hath blush'd the morn,
since thy love was from thee torn;
seven times the sun hath set,
since thine eyes has light hath met.
Now in port the bark doth ride,
which contains thy captive bride.
Wake! a faithful friend is nigh!
Back to fairy-land I fly.
(Exit Puck.)
(Sir Huon wakes, starts up,
and looks around him with amazement.)
(Enter Sherasmin.)
SHERASMIN
Holy St. Denis! who is this?
my master, or his ghost!
SIR HUON
Sherasmin!
SHERASMIN
It is! It is my dear master! alive!
I shall go crazy with joy!
SIR HUON
My faithful Sherasmin! Where are we?
And how came we hither?
SHERASMIN
By the mass I cannot tell how you came, sir,
but Fatima and I were picked up by a corsair
and sold here in Tunis to the Emir's gardener.
SIR HUON
In Tunis? I am in Tunis with thee and Fatmia?
SHERASMIN
That's for certain; but where's my lady?
SIR HUON
Alas! I know not. A band of pirates tore her
from the rock on which the waves had cast us.
(Enter Fatima.)
FATIMA
Oh Sherasmin! such tidings! Mercy on me, Sir Huon!
SHERASMIN
Alive, and well! Praised be the kind fairy!
FATIMA
O joy! and came my lord with my lady?
SIR HUON
With Rezia! alas! I know not in whose power she pines!
FATIMA
Wonder on wonder then! for 'twas of her
I came to speak, my lady is in Tunis!
BOTH MEN
Here! In Tunis.
FATIMA
This morning a bark came into port
and within this hour the captain has presented
to the Emir a lovely lady found on a desert island.
The crew have blazoned her beauty through the city
and from their description I feel satisfied
that it is the Princess.
SIR HUON
Yes! yes! 'tis she; my conscious heart assures me
'tis my Rezia. Your counsel,
my kind friends, what's to be done?
SHERASMIN
I will pray Ibrahim to take you also into his service,
and if I succeed you must e'en be content to dig beside
your poor Sherasmin old man is from home at present;
ere he return we must find you some humbler garb than this.
No. 18. Terzettino "And Must I Then Disemble?"
SIR HUON
And must I then dissemble?
SHERASMIN
No other hope I know.
SIR HUON
But let the tyrant tremble,
Unscath'd he shall not go!
FATIMA
Viewless Spirit of pow'r light,
Thou who mak'st virtue and love thy care,
Restore to the best and the bravest knight
The fondest and fairest of all the fair.
ALL THREE
Spirit ador'd!
Strike on our part!
Bless the good sword,
And the faithful heart.
(Exaunt.)
No. 19. Cavatina "Mourn Thou, Poor Heart."
REZIA
Mourn thou, poor heart, for the joys that are dead,
Flow ye, sad tears, for the joys that are fled;
Sorrow is now the sad treasure I prize,
As Peris on perfume, I feed on its sighs;
And bitter to some as its fountain may be,
'Tis sweet as the waters of Gelum to me.
Ye that are basking in pleasure's gay beam,
Ye that are sailing on hope's golden stream,
A cloud may come o'er ye, a wave sweep the deck,
And picture a future of darkness and wreck!
But the scourge of the desert o'er my heart hath pass'd,
And the tree that's blighted fears no second blast.
Scene 2.
Scene 1, 2,
Act 2
An apartment in the harem of the Emir.
(A female slave lifts the curtain of one of the smaller doors
and looks about her cautiously, then beckons,
and enters followed by Sir Huon muffled in a Moorish mantle.)
SIR HUON
Where is she, gentle guide!
Where is my love!
(The slave signs to him to remain there
and he shall behold her,
then retires through curtains of centre arch.)
My mind misgives me!
Should it not be Rezia
who has sent this silent messenger,
and yet who else? No, no, it must be she!
The eye of love can pierce through all disguise
and she has gained this slave
to bring me to her! Yes! my own true Rezia,
a few brief seconds and
I shall clasp her again to this devoted heart!
No. 20. Rondo "I Revel in Hope and Joy Again."
SIR HUON
I revel in hope and joy again,
A ray shines over my breaking chain,
Beams like a beacon, the gloom above,
And lights my path to my lady love!
I feel like a mountain stream set free
From the stern frost spirit's mastery.
Rushing down from its rocky heights,
Leaping and sparking in wild delight.
I revel in hope and joy again,
I seek my love as that stream the main,
They shall turn the tide with silent glove,
Ere they bar my way to my lady love.
SIR HUON
She comes not yet; how torturing is this suspense.
(The curtains of the arch open suddenly
and discover Roshana reclining
in a brilliantly lighted recess,
and covered with a rich veil.)
Ah! she is there! my love! my life!
(rushing to her as she rises and unveils herself.)
Merciful powers! I am betrayed!
ROSHANA
Thou hast no cause for fear. I love thee, Christian!
Let not thy colder nature start at the avowal.
The passions of the daughters of Africa burn as fiercely
as the sun which blazes over them!
Two of the wildest now rage within my breast –
vengeance and love! Nerve but thine arm to gratify the first,
the latter shall reward thee beyond thy most sanguine wishes!
SIR HUON
(aside)
Whither has my rashness led me!
ROSHANA
I will lead thee this night to the couch of Almanzor.
When his brain swims with the forbidden wine,
and his lids are heavy with the fumes of the banquet,
stab him to the heart!
SIR HUON
Never! If Almanzor has wronged thee, lady,
give me a sword and let me hand to hand strive with the tyrant!
I will shed my blood freely to right an injured woman,
but I am no assassin to stab a sleeping man!
ROSHANA
Destruction to my hopes! But shall this be? Shall I be baffled thus?
Come all yet arts of woman to my aid!
He must be more or less than man
if he break through the net I cast around him.
(She claps her hands, a troop of dancing girls and female slaves
enter and surround Sir Huon with garlands,
one presents him with a goblet of wine.)
No. 21. Chorus and Ballet "For Thee Hath Beauty"
CHORUS
For thee hath beauty deck'd her bow'r,
For thee the cup of joy is fill'd,
Oh drain the draught and cull the flow'r,
Ere the rose be dead, and the wine be spill'd.
SIR HUON
Hence! The flow'rs ye proffer fair
Poison in their fragrance bear;
And the goblet's purple flood,
Seems to me a draught of blood.
(He breaks from the garlands and is met by Roshana,
who clings to him and prevents his flight.)
CHORUS
When woman's eye with love is bright
Canst thou shun its witching light.
Bearest thou the heart to flee,
When her white arms circle thee?
SIR HUON
There is no beauty in woman's eye,
When it burns with unholy brilliancy!
'Tis like the glare of the sightless dead,
When the soul which should kindle their orbs hath fled,
There is no charm that can yield delight,
In the wanton's hand, be it never so white,
Sooner its fingers should o'er me stray
When the worm hath eaten the flesh away!
(He escapes from Roshana, and is hastening to the entrance,
when he is interrupted and surrounded
by the dancing girls and slaves so that he cannot escape.)
CHORUS
Oh turn not away from the banquet of bliss,
Oh lose not a moment so precious as this!
Remember the sage who sung o'er his repast:
"How pleasant were life if a shadow could last."
Then, mortal, be happy, and laugh at the wise,
Who know life's shadow, yet wait till it flies,
For thee hath beauty deck'd her bow'r.
For the cup of joy isfilled,
Oh drain the draught, and cull the flow'r,
Ere the rose be dead and the wine be spill'd.
SIR HUON
Off! let ne pass! Give way I say!
(As he is about to force his way, the slaves disperse, and
Almanzor enters, followed by some armed negroes.
Roshana and the dancers fly in terror.)
ALMANZOR
Eternal curses! A man within these walls! Dog!
In the palace court thou shalt be burned
alive within this hour.
(Enter Rezia. They seize Sir Huon.)
SIR HUON
Rezia!
ALMANZOR
The lovely stranger!
REZIA
At thy feet, Almanzor, I crave a first and only boon.
ALMANZOR
Speak; it is thine.
REZIA
Pardon for him your has but now condemned
to a most cruel and unmerited death!
ALMANZOR
How! for that vile slave who dared profane the harem.
Waste not a thought upon a wretch like that.
REZIA
Almanzor, hear me; he is my husband!
ALMANZOR
Hah! thy husband! Praised be the Prophet!
Now then, hear Almanzor! Smile upon my love,
and I will not only spare his life,
but load him with riches and give him safe
conduct to his native land.
REZIA
Never!
ALMANZOR
Beware! the bowstring o'erstrained may break.
REZIA
I fear thee not. The man I love would shame to live
on terms so base, and I would rather share his dreadful fate,
than free him from it by such infamy!
ALMANZOR
(furiously)
Then be it so. Thou hast condemned thyself;
for yield thou shalt, or mount the pile with him.
Hence with him to the stake.
SIR HUON
O heavy hour!
(Slaves seize Rezia.)
REZIA
O happy hour! Huon, we die together.
(As the slaves are about
to force them from the stage,
the sound of the horn is heard.
Almanzor becomes motionless,
the slaves release Sir Huon and Rezia,
and dance the following)
No. 22. Finale "Hark! What Notes Are Swelling?"
CHORUS OF SLAVES
Hark! What notes are swelling?
Hark! Whence that wondrous sound?
Whence?
Ev'ry foot compelling
In merry dance to bound?
Hark! hark!
(Enter Sherasmin and Fatima)
QUARTET
Rejoice, rejoice, 'tis the horn of pow'r,
They dance in the court, they dance in the tow'r,
They dance in the garden, they dance in the hall.
On the ocean's beach, and the city walls,
A second and louder blast shall bring
The donor himself, the elfin king.
(The Stage fills with clouds, as in the Second Act.
Almanzor and negroes fly in terror.
The clouds open and discover Oberon and Titania.)
OBERON
Hail, faithful pair, your woes are ended,
Your friend in turn you have befriended,
His pledge by you redeem'd hath been,
Again in love he clasps his fairy queen.
Swift as the lightning's glance,
Brave knight, behold, I bring
Thee and thine to thy native France,
And the palace of thy king,
Kneel at his feet, with the bride thou has won,
Europe shall ring with the deed thou hast done,
Now for e'er I break the spell,
With the grateful fairy's last farewell.
Farewell, farewell.
(The clouds envelope Oberon and Titania,
they disperse and discover the Palace of Charlemagne.)
No. 23. March
(Enter soldiers, knights, nobles,
and ladies of the Emperor's court
and lastly Charlemagne.
He ascends the throne. Flourish.
Sir Huon, Rezia, Sherasmin and Fatima,
who have left the stage at change of scene,
reenter, Sir Huon, armed as in first scene;
leads Rezia to the foot of the throne, they kneel.)
SIR HUON
Behold! obedient to the oath he swore,
Huon is kneeling at thy feet once more,
For by the help of heav'n his hand
that done the daring deed,
And from the Caliph won
This lovely maid, by ev'ry peril tried,
The heiress of his throne!
And now thy vassal's bride!
(Charlemagne rises and welcomes Sir Huon and Rezia.)
CHORUS
Hail to the knight, with his own good brand,
Who hath won a fair bride from the Saracen's hand,
Hail to the maiden who o'er the sea
Hath follow'd her champion so faithfully.
By bards yet unborn of the tale shall be told
Of Rezia the lovely and Huon the bold.
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