Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion A Romantic Opera, In Two Acts |
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 | Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion |  |
Scene 4.
—A Square in Bagdad with a Triumphal Arch, and a crowd of People assembled, waiting the arrival of Sadak.Chorus of People.
Hail to great Sadak! First in war.
Mightiest mid mighty chieftains, thou.
With captives crouching at thy car,
And victory on thy noble brow!
Hail to great Sadak! Hail!
(During the Chorus, enter a Grand Procession of Soldiers, Flower Girls, &c. preceding a Car, drawn by Captives, in which Sadak is seated. They arrange themselves round the stage to a march.)
Sadak.
Thanks, gentle countrymen! and more than thanks
To ye, my tried companions of the war—
Stout partners of full many a victory!
Soon as the treasure camels come, the wealth
Of these proud traitors shall be yours—a mine
Of glittering gold. But your chief gain hath been
Honour, brave soldiers—that for which great kings
Peril their kingdoms. Each man fought as though
The fate of battle on his single arm
Depended; at each stroke a foeman fell—
He had not time to fly—for your swift sword
Foreran the cowardly purpose. Ye have left
No enemy to conquer. Home, and sheathe
Your scymetars in glory. For to-night
Disport ye in the city—the good people
Love a bold warrior—at to-morrow's dawn
The spoil shall be divided. Then each man
Haste to his happy home—the best reward
Of loyalty and valour.
Air.—Sadak.
Our dangers are done,
Our battles are won,
And joyfully each happy soldier returns;
To read his best praise,
In the loved one's fond gaze,
In the cheek that glows, and the heart that burns.
Our battles are won,
And joyfully each happy soldier returns;
To read his best praise,
In the loved one's fond gaze,
In the cheek that glows, and the heart that burns.
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Sadak.
Selim, what brings thee hither? What great grief?
Good tidings never wore a face so sad.
What evil? Speak.
Selim.
Alas, my lord, I fear—
Sadak.
Speak on: I can endure.
Selim.
Last night, thy palace
Was burnt even to the ground.
Sadak.
And Kalasrade?
I am a soldier—I can bear—bear much.
Thou see'st I do not falter. Kalasrade!
She died?
Selim.
Nay, nay, not so.
Sadak.
She safe! Why then
I have lost nothing. Lead me to her.
Selim.
Sir,
The band that fired the house, bore her away
I know not whither.
Sadak.
And thou liv'st to tell
This tale! and I to hear! Borne off by ruffians!
Oh would that she had died! Yet there may still
Be hope of rescue or of vengeance. Comrades,
Say, will you aid me?
Soldiers.
To the death.
Sadak.
Ye'll follow
Wherever I shall lead?
Soldiers.
On our good swords
We swear.
Sadak.
No need of oaths! Do I not know ye!
Ye'll follow?
Soldiers.
To the death.
Sadak.
Thanks! thanks! which road
Took they?
Selim.
Toward the mountains. Noble sir,
These men were habited as I have seen
The Caliph's guard.
Sadak.
The Caliph's guard! And took
The path toward the mountains—No! No! No!
I'll not suspect him yet—No! No! No! No!
But I'll pursue this band. I'll rescue thee,
Or die for thee, sweet wife. Brave friends, come on.
Soldiers.
Aye, to the death.
(Exeunt.)
| Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion | |