Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion A Romantic Opera, In Two Acts |
 | 1. |
 | 2. | ACT THE SECOND. |
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 | Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion |  |
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ACT THE SECOND.
Scene 1.
—An Arcade in the Gardens of the Caliph. Double Arches of gilt trellis-work, with gorgeous Plants trailing up them, and almost closing the inmost range of Arches A Chorus of Maidens with Gifts. A troop of Dancing GirlsChorus of Maidens.
Waken to pleasure,
Lady sweet!
Lo! an empire's treasure
Is spread at thy feet.
Here be shawls of Cachmere fine,
Rubies from Bucharia's mine,
The pear-shaped pearls of Oman's bay,
And gold mid Yemen's sands that lay.
Lady sweet!
Lo! an empire's treasure
Is spread at thy feet.
Here be shawls of Cachmere fine,
Rubies from Bucharia's mine,
The pear-shaped pearls of Oman's bay,
And gold mid Yemen's sands that lay.
Waken to pleasure,
Lady bright!
The dance's gay measure,
The song of delight;
The airy dance where glittering feet
Shake the belled anklets as they beat,
And airy songs, as light as they,
Where the merry voices sport and play
Lady bright!
The dance's gay measure,
The song of delight;
The airy dance where glittering feet
Shake the belled anklets as they beat,
And airy songs, as light as they,
Where the merry voices sport and play
A Dance, during which Zulema enters.
Zulema.
Be still kind maids! My joyless sister loathes
All sound of revelry. Once she was gay
As a young antelope amid the hills,
And beautiful as is the lotus flower
Floating above the waters; now she pines
As an imprisoned fawn, and fades and dies
Like a transplanted flower.
(Exeunt Maidens severally during the song)
Song, Zulema.
How beautiful the Lotos flower
Upon its native stream,
Where through the cool Acacia bower
The sun at noontide's fervid hour,
Scarce glanced his trembling beam.
Upon its native stream,
Where through the cool Acacia bower
The sun at noontide's fervid hour,
Scarce glanced his trembling beam.
But drooping now that Lotos flower,
Torn from it's native stream,
Far from the cool Acacia bower,
It languishes in noon's bright hour,
And withers in the beam.
Torn from it's native stream,
Far from the cool Acacia bower,
It languishes in noon's bright hour,
And withers in the beam.
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She comes.
Enter Kalasrade, followed by Amurath.
Kalasrade.
Pursue me not, bold man! Three days
At least are mine. Caliph, thy kingly word
Was pledged to leave me and my misery
In peace for one bright moon. And now thou drag'st me
From the pomegranate thicket's loneliest nook,
Where clustering orange trees do make at noontide
A twilight shade, thou drag'st me from that darkness
So like the tomb, into this sunny world
Of gaudy wretchedness. Away, away.
Amurath.
I could no longer live without the light
Of those fair eyes, my sun. Away from thee
I weary of my splendid destiny.
Song, Amurath.
What are those signs of regal sway,
That mortals envy and obey?
The throne, a strait uneasy couch
Of hard and ponderous gold;
The sceptre palsying to the touch,
Stern, heavy, dull, and cold.
The crown, beneath whose glittering round,
The tightened temples throb and bound;
What are they all but shining pains,
Enamelled fetters, jewelled chains.
That mortals envy and obey?
The throne, a strait uneasy couch
Of hard and ponderous gold;
The sceptre palsying to the touch,
Stern, heavy, dull, and cold.
The crown, beneath whose glittering round,
The tightened temples throb and bound;
What are they all but shining pains,
Enamelled fetters, jewelled chains.
A wealthier monarch I would be;
Lord of a nobler treasury;
My richest diamonds I would seek
In those dark dewy eyes;
My rubies in the blushing cheek
Which shames their orient dyes.
The pageantries and toys of power,
Shew dim beside love's myrtle bower;
I'd yield them all, state, sceptre, throne,
To call young Kalasrade mine own.
Lord of a nobler treasury;
My richest diamonds I would seek
In those dark dewy eyes;
My rubies in the blushing cheek
Which shames their orient dyes.
The pageantries and toys of power,
Shew dim beside love's myrtle bower;
I'd yield them all, state, sceptre, throne,
To call young Kalasrade mine own.
Kalasrade.
That hour shall never come.
Amurath.
Nay, in three days
Thou wilt be mine.
Kalasrade,
Is Sadak dead? Hast heard
That he is dead?
Amurath.
No tidings have arrived
Of him or of his vessel. When ye parted
(I speak it in his honour) he dispersed
And quieted the murmuring soldiery,
Who had followed for thy rescue; then embarked
On board a gallant ship. But he went forth
To certain death. The bow string or the block
Were not a surer fate.
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And I that loved him
Better than life—I was the fatal cause
Of this so fatal voyage. Yet why despair,
Till those three days be ended. I have faith
In that sweet music of the air; high faith
In him and in his righteous purpose. No,
I'll not despair.
Duet, Amurath and Kalasrade.
Kalasrade.
One trembling hope remains to cheer
My throbbing heart amidst it's fear;
Trembling, yet strong as woman's trust,
And our thrice holy cause and just
Amurath.
One lingering hope remains to cheer
Thy trembling heart amidst its fear,
Ah! lovely lady, thou wilt rue
That fear unkind, that hope untrue.
Kalasrade.
If fail that hope, then, tyrant, know
The enduring might of woman's woe;
Content all tortures to abide,
Rather than reign the Caliph's bride.
Amurath.
Yes, when arrives the fatal hour,
Proud beauty, thou shalt own my power;
Yes, in that hour, whate'er betide,
I'll bear thee hence the Caliph's bride.
[Exeunt.
Scene 2.
The Enchanted Island.A Volcano, emitting smoke and occasional fire, in the back ground. The Mountain sinks gradually as it approaches the front, and a stream of burning lava is seen issuing from the Crater, and crossing diagonally from one side of the stage to the other, beginning near the top, and disappearing behind the opposite wing, about half way up the scene. Behind the lava, between that and the crater of the volcano, a magical tree is seen, bearing clusters of splendid fruit; and in front extending half-way to the roof of the theatre, is a nearly perpendicular rock, so constructed as to open and disclose the interior of a cavern.
(Enter Sadak)
Grand Scena.—Sadak.
Yes! I am saved, I only! From the wreck
None 'scaped but my most wretched self, alone
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'Tis scarce
An hour since we were gently gliding on
With lightsome summer airs, o'er summer seas,
Hope in each heart. The mariner aloft,
Saw the lone Isle and gaily shouted “Land!”
“Land!” “Land!” A moment paused he, then again
With voice subdued and deepened, “Land!” he cried,
Land!” “Land! They fiery hill! The enchanted Isle!”
‘And with that word of fate drop'd on the deck
Death struck. Fear came on all; and then the storm
Burst in its terrible glory; lightning flashed,
And thunder pealed, and the wind lashed the deep
To fury, tossing the fierce eddying wave
To meet the fiercer hail. The vessel rocked;
Sails shivered; cordage cracked; and strong masts fell;
The straining hull panted, and heaved, and groaned,
As mourning her brave crew; one crash, one shriek,
Stunning and piercing, and the good ship sank,
And her stout seamen were as sea-weed strewn
Upon the ocean surge;—I only saved,
I only, to abide my mystic doom.
Hold firm my heart! I live: saved to endure,
To dare—Why not to do? Hear me, bright Sun,
That I have worshipped as a symbol pure,
Of the Immortal Essence, fount of light,
Friend of bold aims and deeds that court the day,
Hear me and aid! and thou, young glittering moon,
A milder sun, and ye fair planet-stars,
That smile around her crescent argentine,
Mute witnesses of many a true-love vow,
Hear me, Oh hear! And ye, stern elements,
Yet in your sternness kind, the stormy winds
That wafted me, the ocean that disgorged,
The cold earth that received me, and the red
And sulphurous fire beneath whose smouldering glow,
The magic fountain flows, hear me, Oh hear!
Air—Sadak.
Sun, king of day and light,
Friend of the brave;
Moon, queen of tranquil night,
Calm as the grave;
Stars, in your hour of might,
Listen and save!
Friend of the brave;
Moon, queen of tranquil night,
Calm as the grave;
Stars, in your hour of might,
Listen and save!
Sea, o'er whose pearly crest,
Stormy winds rave;
Earth, from whose mountain breast,
Lurid fires wave;
And thou, pure Fount of Rest,
Listen and save!
Stormy winds rave;
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Lurid fires wave;
And thou, pure Fount of Rest,
Listen and save!
(At the end of the Air, a wild Chorus of Laughter is heard from Invisible Spirits under the stage.
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
Sadak.
What sounds unfriendly break upon mine ear,
Unfriendly and derisive? Sure some demon!
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
Sun and Moon and Earth and Fire
Have heard and scorned thy vain desire.
Ha! ha! ha!
Ne'er till the fruit from the burning mountain,
Be laid by the side of the mystic fountain;
Ne'er till beneath the single shock
Of a human arm burst yon massive rock;
Ne'er till be vanquish the Snake of the Cave,
Shall mortal approach the charmed wave.
Ha! ha! ha!
Sadak.
Be still fell augury!—Ah gentler strains,
I know ye and I love ye! Cheeringly
Ye fall upon my heart.
Chorus of Good Spirits.
On Sadak! on!
Pluck the fruit from the fiery mountain,
To lay at the side of the mystic fountain;
If true and bold and pure from sin,
Thou the charmed wave shalt win.
On Sadak! on!
Sadak.
Blest spirits, I obey. Strengthen me, Heaven.
[Sadak begins to climb with great apparent difficulty the face of the precipice, and afterwards crosses the stream of lava and plucks the magic fruit, as indicated by the several directions and exclamations of the alternate Choruses.
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
These mortals woo death as the bridegroom his bride!
Fifty have fallen from the slippery side,
Fifty have sunk in the burning tide.
Ha! ha! ha!
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The brave man woos peril, as the bridegroom his bride,
On and climb the slippery side;
Fear not thou the burning tide!
On Sadak! on!
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha! He's on the brink;
It crumbles! It crumbles!
Chorus of Good Spirits.
He shall not sink!
He doth not quail! He doth not shrink!
On Sadak! on!
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! The mellow fruit grows high;
And the fire-shower mounts between that and the sky.
Ha! ha! ha!
Chorus of Good Spirits.
He clings to the bough;
He hath pluck'd it now.
The work is begun:
The fruit is won.
[Sadak rushes from the Mountain with the fruit in his hand, which he places on a detached fragment of rock by the side of the stage, and draws his sword.
Sadak.
So far I triumph. Now the cave! Good sword,
That never failed me yet, frail instrument
Wert thou 'gainst this charmed rock, but that I trust
In holier spells, in virtuous wedded love,
Valour and truth and dauntless constancy,
And those invisible spirits whose soft airs
Breathe as a hope around me.
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
Sadak.
Avaunt fell fiends! one stroke for Kalasrade.
It parts! It parts!
[The rock parts, discovering a cave with the magic fountain flowing at the back, and the Nymph of the fountain leaning over it. Before the water a huge serpent is represented coiling round the naked branches of a withered tree. The snake should extend nearly from side to side of the cavern and be placed so high as to admit of the fountain and the Nymph being seen underneath.
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Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Dost mark yonder serpent who hisses so loud,
With the eye so bright and the crest so proud;
Ha! ha! ha!
Chorus of Good Spirits.
On Sadak! on!
[Sadak is advancing with his sword against the serpent who glides on to meet him, when pausing, he recollects himself and turns back for the fruit.
Sadak.
The fruit! the magic fruit.
Chorus of Good Spirits.
On Sadak! on!
Place thou the fruit of the fiery mount,
Close by the side of the mystic fount,
Place it full in the serpent's sight;
So shalt thou quell his glittering might;
On Sadak! on!
[Sadak places the fruit by the side of the fountain, the serpent sees and feeds on it and remains quiet.
Sadak.
He tastes and he is still: Nymph of the fount,
Gracious and fair, may mortal dare approach
Thy charmed wave?
Nymph of the Fountain.
Come near and taste the cup!
Drink! Thirst is born of toil; and thou hast toiled
Heavily.
Sadak.
Thanks bright spirit!
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
Nymph of the Fountain.
Why dost thou pause! Drink! drink! the draught is cool,
And thou art weary. Wherefore dost thou pause?
Chorus of Good Spirits.
Alas! Alas!
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Ha! ha! ha!
Sadak.
Again! Nay if the fiends rejoice, some evil
Lurks in the sparkling cup. Now I remember,
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To Amurath.
Nymph of the Fountain.
Art thou so happy, then,
That thou refusest man's chief balm, Oblivion?
Drink! Thou art faint.
Sadak.
Fair Spirit, man is born
Still to remember, never to forget
His duty or his love. I will not taste
The enchanted wave.
Chorus of Evil Spirits.
Lost! lost! lost!
Our last hope is crossed,
And we muust go
To the realms of woe.
Lost! lost! lost!
Chorus of Good Spirits.
'Tis done! 'tis done!
The waters are won!
The waters are won!
Firm to resist, as in peril he's brave,
Sadak hath vanquished the fiend of the cave;
And the nymph of the fountain, our mistress so gay,
O'er earth, air, and ocean, may frolic and play,
Free as the moonbeams that round her stray.
Sadak hath vanquished the fiend of the cave;
And the nymph of the fountain, our mistress so gay,
O'er earth, air, and ocean, may frolic and play,
Free as the moonbeams that round her stray.
(The Nymph of the Fountain advances.)
Nymph of the Fountain.
Thanks, Sadak, thanks! whose valour hath released
Me, thrice three hundred years a captive. Thanks,
Bold warrior! Bear with thee the untasted cup
Evil to the evil. We must hence; for time
Flew by unnoted in thy magic voyage,
And the great hour approaches. Radiant car
I mount thee once again! Mount with me thou
Brave warrior. Gentle spirits circle us.
(Sadak and the Nymph mount her car, which has descended during the foregoing speech, and are borne away over the back of the stage, whilst the Good Spirits sing—
Chorus of Good Spirits.
'Tis done! 'tis done!
The waters are won!
And the nymph of the fountain, our mistress so gay,
O'er earth, air, and ocean, may frolic and play,
Free as the moonbeams that round her stray.
The waters are won!
'Tis done! 'tis done!
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Scene III.
—An Apartment in the Caliph's Palace, with a lattice window, after the Eastern fashion, half open and looking into a garden. The light, never being strong, gradually darkens, as evening comes on.Enter Azim, Kalasrade & Zulema.
Kalasrade.
Hast thou heard aught of Sadak?
Azim.
Lady, no!
But Amurath approaches. He hath sent
To warn us of his coming, and commands
That the loud gong, whose sound proclaims the time
As measured by the sinking water-cup,
Shall be suspended in the regal hall,
And thou in presence there; that he may claim
At the true moment his appointed bride.
Kalasrade.
Alas! alas!
Zulema.
How fast the hours have flown!
Twilight is thickening, soon those stars of day,
The jasmine flowers, will disappear, replaced
By the bright fire-flies flickering through the grove.
Kalasrade.
Look out again. See if my Sadak come.
Trio.—Azim, Kalasrade & Zulema.
Kalasrade.
O'er the far mountain, and through the deep valley,
Doth none come to succour the poor Kalasrade?
Look where the path gleams through yon forest alley,
Look where it winds round the rock's darkening shade.
All.
O'er the far mountain and through the deep valley,
None comes to succour the poor Kalasrade;
None where the path gleams through yon forest alley,
None where it winds round the rock's darkening shade.
Zulema.
See yonder flash like a bright spear advancing:
Comes Sadak to succour the poor Kalasrade?
No, 'twas but the light on the rice bird's wing glancing,
As she sought her high nest in the bowery glade.
All.
O'er the far mountain and through the deep valley,
None comes to succour the poor Kalasrade;
None where the path gleams through yon forest alley,
None where it winds round the rocks darkening shade.
Azim.
Hark to yon sound like a fiery steed rushing,
Comes Sadak to succour the poor Kalasrade?
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As foaming and chafing the tiny waves played.
All.
O'er the far mountain and through the deep valley,
None comes to succour the poor Kalasrade;
None where the path gleams through yon forest alley,
None where it winds rounds the rock's darkening shade.
Zulema.
See, how she sinks upon the couch! 'Twere best
Leave her awhile; a moment's breathing space,
Ere Amurath demands her presence.
Azim.
I
Must seek the Caliph. Would that I might hope
To change his purpose.
(Exeunt Azim & Zulema.)
(Kalasrade remains on the Couch. A March is heard at a distance, and she starts up and comes to the front of the stage.)
Grand Scena.—Kalasrade.
What do I hear? The hated sounds that tell
The tyrant's dread approach. Oh! strengthen me,
To bear this trial, Love, pure wedded Love,
And brave Despair! Living or dead, I'll still
Be faithful to my Sadak. Could he live
And fail me at this fatal hour? No! no!
He's dead! He's dead! But I'll be faithful. Spirits!
Blest spirits of the air! at whose behest
I craved those mystic waters, listen now,
Look down upon me, aid me! They are silent;
And darkness comes apace. Earth, air, and heaven,
Abandon me in my extremest need.
Air,
My dreaded foe is here,
In pomp of power arrayed;
The fearful hour of doom draws near,
And none arrives to aid.
In pomp of power arrayed;
The fearful hour of doom draws near,
And none arrives to aid.
One only stay have I,
Grim death, the wretch's friend;
I can but die, I can but die,
And bid my sorrows end!
Grim death, the wretch's friend;
I can but die, I can but die,
And bid my sorrows end!
[Exit.
Scene IV.
—The same Hall in Amurath's Palace, which closed the first act. A throne, &c. A large gong suspended at the back of the stage, and one man mounted near it with a hammer as if to strike, whilst another near him is watching the sinking of a cup in the water. The stage filled with Guards, Slaves, &c. Amurath, on the throne. Achmet standing near him, Azim, Kalasrade and Zulema on one side.30
Hail! hail to Amurath! hail! hail!
Thou greatest King of many great,
Whose will is law, whose word is fate,
Hail! hail to Amurath! hail! hail!
Amurath.
Fair Kalasrade; nay turn not thus aside,
I would but tell thee, that as yet we hear
Nothing of Sadak; that the fated hour
Approaches. See, the cup is sinking! Hark!
They change the watch!
Pass but a few brief moments,
And thou art mine.
Kalasrade.
All human hope is vain;
Once more let us invoke a higher power.
Invocation.—Kalasrade, Zulema, Azim, and the rest.
Spirits, whose song was of no earthly mould,
If e'er ye may again communion hold
With erring mortals, aid us, guide us now;
Spirits, before your gentle power we bow!
Amurath.
Surely the time is up! Prepare to strike,
A thunder peal! Now! now!
(Sadak and the Nymph of the Fountain appear in the car and descend slowly to the centre of the stage.)
Chorus of Good Spirits.
'Tis done! 'tis done!
The waters are won!
And the Nymph of the fountain, our mistress so gay,
O'er earth, air, and ocean, may frolic and play,
Free as the moonbeams that round her stray.
Amurath.
Again this jugglery! And Sadak here
Smiling and triumphing! But they are still
My captives! She shall yet be mine.
Sadak.
(advancing from the car)
Dread sire.
I bring the Waters of Oblivion. Lo!
The untasted cup!
Nymph of the Fountain.
Drink, Caliph!
Sadak.
Kalasrade!
Kalasrade.
My Sadak!
Amurath.
Touch her not. She still is mine.
Will no one part them?
Nymph of the Fountain.
Caliph, drink!
Amurath.
I will,
Remembering the antient prophecy,
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Would be the draught. Part them.
(The Caliph drinks and falls down dead.)
Achmet.
He dies!
Nymph of the Fountain.
He's dead!
Death is the price man pays for cold oblivion;
Memory and life are one. Great Amurath
Is dead! Happy for Persia, that hath lost
A ruler all unskilled to rule himself;
And fortunate for love, chaste wedded love,
For Sadak and for Kalasrade! Farewell!
Ye to your home! I to the upper air!
(The Nymph ascends slowly in her car, which is supported by clouds, that meet about her from different parts of the stage, and during her ascent the following chorus is sung:—
Chorus.
She sails away in her radiant car,
Pure and bright as a Planet-star;
And viewless spirits circle her round,
The gentle spirits of air and sound.
Blessings be with them where'er they go,
Who brought us bliss in the hour of woe.
(During the ascent of the car, the scene has been changed to the second scene of the first act, the Garden of Kalasrade's Palace with the Palace itself splendidly illuminated in the back ground, and as the singers of the preceding chorus part, the Chorus of Maidens with their garlands advance and sing.)
Chorus of Maidens.
Oh! weave the rose, the dewy dewy rose,
The peerless queen of flowers,
Till the columned hall as brightly glows,
With wreath upon wreath of the dewy rose,
As in May the garden bowers.
Chorus of all the Singers.
For Sadak is come
Victorious home
To gladden his own Kalasrade;
His dangers are done,
And his battles are won,
By the spirit's beneficent aid.
Victorious home
To gladden his own Kalasrade;
His dangers are done,
And his battles are won,
By the spirit's beneficent aid.
Then weave the rose, the dewy, dewy rose,
The peerless queen of flowers,
Till the columned hall as brightly glows,
With wreath upon wreath of the dewy rose,
As in May the garden bowers.
The peerless queen of flowers,
Till the columned hall as brightly glows,
With wreath upon wreath of the dewy rose,
As in May the garden bowers.
END OF THE OPERA.
| Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion | |