University of Virginia Library

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
To struggle with my fearful destiny.
'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.

(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!

Chorus of Good Spirits.
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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The lava disappears, the Volcano is quiet, and a soft tranquil light is shed over the back of the stage. The snake sees Sadak, and menaces him as he advances.
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,
The untasted waters must be straight conveyed
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.

(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!