Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion A Romantic Opera, In Two Acts |
 | 1. | ACT THE FIRST. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
 | 2. |
 | Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion |  |
7
ACT THE FIRST.
Scene 1.
—An open Grove of Palms. Soldiers stealing separately from different parts of the stage.Chorus of Soldiers.
Hist! comrades, hist! the sun is low,
Amid the palms cool breezes blow,
The grove of waving palms, where we
Were bid to muster secretly,
One by one, and two by two,
The Caliph's high behest to do.
The sun gleams through the dew-drops clear,
Hist! hist! an armed tread is near.
Soldier.
Tis Azim, our bold captain.
(Enter Azim.)
Azim.
Comrades brave,
I greet ye well; albeit I come not now
To lead ye on to glorious victory
Through glorious toils, but to a slight task, fit
For the harem's slaves. Thus Amurath commands,
That stealthily, yet swiftly, we surround
The peaceful palace, whose light towers ye see
Above the almond grove. And then—Good comrades,
Did ye ne'er pluck a blossom from the tree,
Or snatch a brooding dove from off her nest?
Such work is ours. Would it were done. Haste! haste!
But with a cautious speed.
Chorus of Soldiers.
On, comrades, on! In yonder nest,
The milk-white dove hath sought her rest;
Fragrant and fair, in yonder bower,
Blooms peacefully the milk-white flower.
One by one, and two by two,
We speed the Caliph's will to do,
With stealthy step that none may hear:—
On! on! the fated towers are near.
(Exeunt.)
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Scene 2.
—The Gardens of Kalasrade, with a splendid Palace in the background. Young Maidens forming garlands of roses.—They advance to the front of the stage, still busy with their flowers, and sing—Chorus of Maidens.
Oh weave the rose, the dewy dewy rose,
The peerless queen of flowers,
Till the column'd hall as brightly glows,
With wreath upon wreath of the dewy rose,
As in May the garden bowers.
(Enter Kalasrade.)
Kalasrade.
On gentle maids! ye are deft weavers. On!
On with your pleasant toil. My Sadak comes
Victorious back, and we must welcome him
As best we may, not with vain pageantry,
For such he loves not, but with song and flower,
The peaceful joys of home.
(Enter Zulema.)
My Zulema,
Hast heard the tidings? Sadak comes.
Zulema.
Unhurt?
Thou need'st not answer, Kalasrade; thy smile
Sufficeth. And a conqueror?
Kalasrade.
Aye, be sure
Of that.
Zulema.
Comes he to-night?
Kalasrade.
I fear me, no;
He hath prisoners to deliver. The great traitor,
Othman, who led the rebel host, hath fallen
Alive into his power. But he is safe,
My dear, dear husband! that is joy enough;
And each hour brings him nearer. When he left me
But two moons wedded, for these wars, I wept
As though I were the wretchedest wife alive,
And now I am most blessed. Oh 'tis sweet,
This sunshine after rain.
Duet.—Kalasrade and Zulema.
A fearful and a dreary day
It is to woman's heart,
When to the bloody battle fray,
She sees her love depart.
It is to woman's heart,
When to the bloody battle fray,
She sees her love depart.
But when triumphant he returns
To his dear home again,
The joy that in her bosom burns,
May well repay the pain.
To his dear home again,
The joy that in her bosom burns,
May well repay the pain.
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Kalasrade.
What sounds are those? My Sadak? No! Help! Help!
Azim.
Yield, for ye must, your slaves are overpowered,
Your castle is in flames! Bear them away
To the Palace in the Mountains!
(Exeunt Soldiers, carrying off Kalasrade & Zulema.)
Scene 3.
—An Apartment in the Caliph's Palace.(Enter Amurath and Slaves.)
Amurath.
Hath aught been heard of Azim? Nay, ye know not.
Call the Vizier.
(Exeunt Slaves.)
Romance.—Amurath.
She lay beneath the forest shade,
As midst its leaves a lily fair,
Sleeping she lay, young Kalasrade,
Nor dreamt that mortal hover'd there.
All as she slept, a sudden smile
Played round her lips in dimpling grace;
And softest blushes glanced the while
In roseate beauty o'er her face.
And then those blushes passed away
From her pure cheek, and Kalasrade,
Pale as a new-blown lily, lay
Slumb'ring beneath the forest glade.
As midst its leaves a lily fair,
Sleeping she lay, young Kalasrade,
Nor dreamt that mortal hover'd there.
All as she slept, a sudden smile
Played round her lips in dimpling grace;
And softest blushes glanced the while
In roseate beauty o'er her face.
And then those blushes passed away
From her pure cheek, and Kalasrade,
Pale as a new-blown lily, lay
Slumb'ring beneath the forest glade.
Oh! lovely was that blush so meek,
That smile half playful, half demure;
And lovelier still that pallid cheek,
That look so gentle, yet so pure.
I left her in her purity,
Slumb'ring beneath the forest shade;
I feared to meet her waking eye,
The young, the timid Kalasrade.
I left her; yet, by day, by night,
Dwells in my soul that image fair,
Madd'ning as thoughts of past delight,
As guilty hope, as fierce despair.
That smile half playful, half demure;
And lovelier still that pallid cheek,
That look so gentle, yet so pure.
I left her in her purity,
Slumb'ring beneath the forest shade;
I feared to meet her waking eye,
The young, the timid Kalasrade.
I left her; yet, by day, by night,
Dwells in my soul that image fair,
Madd'ning as thoughts of past delight,
As guilty hope, as fierce despair.
(Enter Achmet.)
Amurath,
Ha! Achmet! Speak Vizier. Is she arrived?
Thou know'st whom I would say—the only she,
Fair Kalasrade.
Achmet.
Dread sir, the beauty comes—
Already, Azim, with his warlike train
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Threading the mountain path.
Amurath.
And Sadak?
Achmet.
He,
This very day leads the stout traitor, Othman,
A prisoner to Bagdad.
Amurath.
Would she were not
His wife! Just mastering a strong rebellion,
And then returning in his pride of conquest
To such a desolation. I must quell
These thoughts. I cannot quell my love.
Achmet.
And he
Is dangerous, sire. A bold ambitious soldier,
Who courts the popular praise. More dangerous
Than Othman was, and in his inmost heart
A deeper traitor.
Amurath.
Thou hast ever been
His enemy.
Achmet.
Because I deemed him thine.
Amurath.
Falsely! He was all loyalty.
Achmet.
The keener
His indignation now. We must secure him
Ere he can move the fickle soldiery
To aid his swift revenge.
Amurath.
Even as thou wilt—
I have no thought save of fair Kalasrade.
Didst thou not say she comes?
Duet.—Amurath and Achmet
Amurath.
She comes, she comes, the vision bright
That I have longed yet feared to see,
And those twin stars of dewy light
Her waking eyes, will dwell on me;
Then like a young gazelle, at sight
Of the bold hunter, turn and flee.
That I have longed yet feared to see,
And those twin stars of dewy light
Her waking eyes, will dwell on me;
Then like a young gazelle, at sight
Of the bold hunter, turn and flee.
She comes, she comes, whose form, whose face,
Give token what the mind must be;
And I shall see her moving grace,
Shall hear her speak, and speak to me;
Thrice happy, tho' in sportive chase,
The young gazelle should turn and flee
Give token what the mind must be;
And I shall see her moving grace,
Shall hear her speak, and speak to me;
Thrice happy, tho' in sportive chase,
The young gazelle should turn and flee
Achmet.
I triumph o'er the haughty foe
That laugh'd to scorn the statesman's care,
But we must deal a craftier blow,
Must lure him by a wilier snare.
Fearful the wounded panther's wrath,
When crossed upon his homeward path.
That laugh'd to scorn the statesman's care,
But we must deal a craftier blow,
Must lure him by a wilier snare.
Fearful the wounded panther's wrath,
When crossed upon his homeward path.
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Yes, yes, I triumph! He must fall;—
But 'twill a deed of danger be,
That mighty chieftain to enthrall,
And lead him on to destiny.
I'd cross the raging panther's path,
Sooner than Sadak in his wrath.
But 'twill a deed of danger be,
That mighty chieftain to enthrall,
And lead him on to destiny.
I'd cross the raging panther's path,
Sooner than Sadak in his wrath.
(Exeunt.)
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.)
Scene 5.
—An Apartment in the Caliph's Palace.(Enter Kalasrade and Zulema)
Zulema.
Nay calm thee, dearest Kalasrade, take patience;
Quell these wild terrors.
13
Patience! aye the word
Is easily spoken. Zulema, did Patience
Ever keep house with Fear or with Despair?
Song—Kalasrade.
Preach patience to the startled dove,
When angry storms uproot the tree,
Where she had built her home of love,
And thought with her fond mate to be
Happy, poor bird, and true and free;
Soothe her:—then talk of peace to me!
When angry storms uproot the tree,
Where she had built her home of love,
And thought with her fond mate to be
Happy, poor bird, and true and free;
Soothe her:—then talk of peace to me!
Bid her be calm, the mountain roe,
When struggling in the hunter's snare,
She feels the bonds that laid her low,
Looks round with wild and sudden stare,
Starts, shivers, plunges, gasps for air;
Still her:—then quiet my despair.
When struggling in the hunter's snare,
She feels the bonds that laid her low,
Looks round with wild and sudden stare,
Starts, shivers, plunges, gasps for air;
Still her:—then quiet my despair.
Zulema.
Would I could soothe thee, dear one. Azim here!
(Enter Azim.)
Azim.
Alas, dear lady, I am sent to thee
On an ungrateful errand. Amurath
Requires thy presence.
Kalasrade.
Wherefore?
Azim.
He would see
The beauteous wife of Sadak.
Kalasrade.
Dares he name
The friend whom he hath wronged? The loyal heart,
His perfidy hath broken? Tell the Caliph
The wife of Sadak bows to no man's mandate,
Save her dear husband's.
Azim.
Yet beseech thee, lady,
Listen.
Zulema.
Aye, listen, sister! Azim means us
Fairly and kindly.
Azim.
By this fairest hand,
I do. Who could deceive such innocence,
Such trusting innocence? ye knew me first
A foe, a cowardly foe, the wretched slave
Of a thrice wretched duty. But my heart
Was traitor to mine office, even before
I saw those maiden charms. And now,—oh would
My life might be your ransom!
Kalasrade.
Save us, Azim,
Release us, set us free! I know my home,
My pleasant home, lies a black smouldering heap
Of smoking ruins. Send me forth a wanderer,
A houseless wanderer, through the weary world,
And my life long shall be one ceaseless prayer
For my deliverer.
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Ah gentle captives,
Guard upon guard, spy upon spy, strong towers,
Walls inaccessible and gates of brass,
Bar ye from freedom. But for Sadak's sake—
Kalasrade.
He lives then! say he lives!
Azim.
Surely he lives.
Kalasrade.
Thanks gracious powers, he lives! Oh blessings rest
On him that spake that blessed word! He lives!
And he will rescue us!
Azim.
But thou must sooth
Great Amurath. He sent me to implore
Your instant presence; to demand if aught
Within a monarch's power could pleasure yield
To the fair Kalasrade?
Zulema.
Bethink thee, Azim,
How we may dally with him:—Yester-morn
I could have piled fantastic wish on wish,
Would have ta'en a month to tell them.
Chorus of Good Spirits
—(All along invisible.)
Hark Lady! Hark!
Kalasrade.
Who speaks?
Chorus of Good Spirits,
Hark Lady! Hark!
Zulema.
Whence comes this ravishing music?
Chorus of Good Spirits,
Hark Lady! Hark!
We are above, beneath, around,
Over the clouds we dwell, under the ground,
Spirits of air we be, Spirits of sound,
Hark Lady! Hark!
Kalasrade.
Aye I will harken. From such voices nought
Save good can issue. Spirits I attend.
Chorus of Good Spirits,
Mark Lady! Mark!
Bid them to seek the mystic fountain,
That wells underneath the burning mountain;
The fiery hill, in whose caverns low,
The Waves of Oblivion tranquilly flow;
Bid them to bring of those Waters clear,
Untasted till Amurath quaff them here;
So shalt thou 'scape the danger near.
Mark Lady! Mark!
Zulema.
All's still again. Thou wilt obey?
Kalasrade.
How said they?
The Waters of Oblivion? I have heard
Of such a quest.
15
Full oft they have been sought,
And in the search have many fallen; few
'Tis deemed e'er reached the enchanted isle, where flows
The mystic fountain; None hath e'er returned
To tell the bold adventure.
Kalasrade.
I'll demand
The waters. Those sweet airs dwell on mine ear
All soothingly as pity. I have faith
In such wild melodies. Nature herself
Is full of choicest music.
Trio.—Azim, Kalasrade, and Zulema.
There is a pure and holy spell,
In all sweet sounds on earth that dwell;
The pleasant hum of the early bee,
As she plies her cheerful industry;
The whir of the golden beetle's wing,
Sailing heavily by at evening;
And the nightingale, so poets say,
Wooing the rose in his matchless lay.
In all sweet sounds on earth that dwell;
The pleasant hum of the early bee,
As she plies her cheerful industry;
The whir of the golden beetle's wing,
Sailing heavily by at evening;
And the nightingale, so poets say,
Wooing the rose in his matchless lay.
There is a pure and holy spell,
In all sweet sounds on earth that dwell:
The Indian shell whose faithful strain,
Echoes the song of the distant main;
The streamlet gurgling thro' the trees;
The welcome sigh of the cool night breeze;
The cataract loud, the whirlwind high,
Hath each its thrilling melody.
In all sweet sounds on earth that dwell:
The Indian shell whose faithful strain,
Echoes the song of the distant main;
The streamlet gurgling thro' the trees;
The welcome sigh of the cool night breeze;
The cataract loud, the whirlwind high,
Hath each its thrilling melody.
(Exeunt)
Scene 6.
—A Splendid Hall in Amurath's Palace, Throne, &c. Amurath, Achmet, Slaves, and Guards, enter to a Grand March.Amurath.
Go tell the lady Kalasrade, Abdallah.
That we await her presence.
(Enter Azim, Kalasrade, and Zulema)
Lovely lady,
Welcome a thousand fold! Thy beauty lights
Our mountain fortress with a gladdening beam,
Even as that sun-like gem, the carbuncle,
Illumes its native mine. Wilt thou not speak
One word? only one word?
Kalasrade.
Alas I must.
I am a slave, a captive, I have lost
The power of silence.
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Fairest, it is I
That am thy captive. Name but thy desire,
And it shall wait thy bidding.
Kalasrade.
Liberty!
The prisoner hath one only wish.
Amurath.
No! No!
I cannot part with thee! gold, jewels, cities,
Kingdoms, my very Empire, all are thine,
Except the boon that parts us.
Kalasrade.
Next to freedom
I'd crave forgetfulness. Didst ever hear
Of the Waters of Oblivion?
Amurath.
Many times— (noise without)
What noise is that? Bid them be still without;
This is no place for brawling centinel,
Or clashing sword.—Full often lovely lady,
Have I heard stories of brave men who sought
Those wondrous Waters. An old prophecy
Saith, that in happy hour for love and Persia,
Shall Persia's monarch quaff the untasted cup.
Kalasrade.
Such sire is my demand. Expect no favor
Of Kalasrade till thou procure that draught
Of mystic power.
Amurath.
Thy will shall be obeyed.
(noise again)
Again that noise? Sadak!
(Enter Sadak)
Achmet.
Disarm him!
Sadak.
Men
Take heed!
Achmet.
Disarm him slaves.
Sadak.
Slaves that ye be,
Take heed! I am a soldier; I have won
Alone through guarded gates, through crowded courts,
Leapt from the trembling drawbridge as it rose,
Just cleared the grim portcullis ere it fell,
Have dared a thousand deaths to rescue her,
My Kalasrade, my wife! and do ye think
With her dear self before me I shall yield,
To an army such as ye? My faithful bands
Are near at hand. Oh could I but have reined
My hot impatience to their pace, we had ta'en
Thy mountain fortress.
Amurath
—(To an Officer of the Guard)
Meet them in the pass,
They cannot fight ye there. Hold parley with them,
(Exit Officer.)
Audacious rebel, now for thee!
17
For thee,
Fell tyrant.
Kalasrade.
Sadak, calm thee! For my sake
Be calmer, mine own Sadak! reason with them,
Plead with them, Sadak! I am in their power.
Sadak.
Plead! and to him, the ingrate!
Kalasrade.
For my sake.
Sadak.
For thy dear sake—Well—Well!
My Kalasrade.
All thy life long thy lightest wish hath been
A law to me.
Song—Sadak.
I've stemm'd the torrent's sternest power,
To pluck for thee a wilding flower;
I've climbed the tall rock's beetling crest,
To win for thee a falcon's nest;
I've tilted in the tourney fray,
And triumphed in the battle day,
For thy dear sake!
To pluck for thee a wilding flower;
I've climbed the tall rock's beetling crest,
To win for thee a falcon's nest;
I've tilted in the tourney fray,
And triumphed in the battle day,
For thy dear sake!
And shall I not attempt for thee,
A higher, holier victory!
Curb Passion strong, by stronger Will,
Bid Wrath be mute, and Valour still,
Smooth Anger's frown, and Scorn's proud smile,
And cry to Vengeance, Wait awhile!
For thy dear sake!
A higher, holier victory!
Curb Passion strong, by stronger Will,
Bid Wrath be mute, and Valour still,
Smooth Anger's frown, and Scorn's proud smile,
And cry to Vengeance, Wait awhile!
For thy dear sake!
Amurath.
What dalliance is here?
Sadak.
Caliph, I come
For justice. I thy subject and thy friend,
(Kings have not many friends) I come to thee
To do me a great justice. See I fling
My sword away. I come to thee a suppliant.
Being in the wars, thy wars, leading thy armies,
Quelling a strong rebellion, conquering
A bold and subtle traitor, thy fierce ruffians
Entered my quiet dwelling, fired my house,
(But that were nothing!) carried off my wife,
The fair, the dear, the faithful! Look on her!
See how she weeps! Restore her to me, Caliph,
Or she will die before thine eyes! Restore her,
And save two lives!
Kalasrade.
Oh listen, mighty Caliph!
Low at thy knees I bend; I kiss thy feet;
Restore me to my Sadak! My dear husband!
Mine own dear husband!
Amurath.
Kalasrade! I cannot
Endure to part from her!
18
What hinders, sire,
But we should slay the rebel?
Amurath.
No. Thou art here,
Captive unarmed, defenceless; but I fain
Would spare thee—yield thy wife.
Sadak.
Never!
Amurath.
Then seek,
The Waters of Oblivion—I would give thee
Another chance for life—and bring the cup
Untasted hither.
Sadak.
Wherefore?
Amurath.
Kalasrade
Demands them.
Sadak.
Kalasrade?
Kalasrade.
Alas! Alas!
A viewless voice that seemed of Heaven—Hark! Hark!
It comes again.
Chorus of Good Spirits.
On Sadak! on!
Seek thou the deep and limpid fountain
That wells underneath the burning mountain;
The fiery hill, in whose caverns low
The Waves of Oblivion tranquilly, flow;
If true and bold, and pure from sin,
Thou the charmed wave shalt win.
On, Sadak, on!
Amurath.
What jugglery is this?
Sadak.
I'll go! I'll go!
She shall be safe till my return, and pure?
Thy word for this, a monarch's word!
Amurath.
Aye, safe,
And pure. But thou must bring the waters back
Untasted, ere a month have past.
Sadak.
The time
Is short.
Amurath.
One month even from this hour.
(March without)
Thou hear'st
The watch is changing: Well thou know'st the clang
Of those wild instruments; punctual are they
Even as the sun. A moment hence thou'lt hear
The echoing stroke, that tells the household slaves
When evening passes into night. Return
Ere that hour strike.
Kalasrade.
Alas! Great Caliph spare
This desperate quest! or lengthen out the time!
(a Gong is struck)
Amurath.
Thou hear'st. Ee'r that hour strike.
19
I'll go! I'll go!
All hitherto have perished—But I'll go,
And I'll return.
Sestette.
Amurath, Sadak, Achmet, Azim, Kalasrade and Zulema
Sadak.
I'll go and I'll return, sweet wife!
Shed not a tear for me;
Fearless as to the battle strife
I go for love and thee.
Kalasrade, Zulema, and Azim.
Oh! Caliph hear thy suppliant's prayer,
We bend before thy power;
This agonizing trial spare!
Oh! spare this bitter hour!
Amurath and Achmet.
Look that thou keep thy time aright,
Or, let what will betide,
Thy Kalasrade in beauty bright
Shall be the Caliph's bride.
Kalasrade.
Sadak farewell! If go thou must,
Mine only love, farewell!
Sadak.
In those blest spirits put thy trust,
And in our holy cause and just;
Farewell, sweet wife, farewell!
Chorus.
Away, away, no more delay!
Look that thou keep the fated day!
When the Caliph sits in his regal hall,
And the watch is changed at the trumpet's call.
And the gong sends forth its thunder peal;
Then is the hour of woe or weal.
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
| Sadak And Kalasrade ; Or, The Waters of Oblivion | |