University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

Scene I.

—The Chateau and grounds of Count Arnheim on the Danube, near Presburg. On one side, the principal entrance to the Castle; opposite is a Statue of the Emperor, above which a party is employed raising the Austrian flag.
[On the rising of the curtain, the Retainers of Count Arnheim are discovered preparing for the chase.
CHORUS.
[After they have fixed the flag, they all come forward

[At the end of the Chorus, Count Arnheim and Florestein enter from Chateau (S.E.L.), followed by various neighbouring Nobles, Pages, Huntsmen, &c., and his child, Arline, attended by Buda, &c.
SOLO.—Count.
A soldier's life
Has been of strife,
In all its forms so much,
That no gentler theme
The world will deem
A soldier's heart can touch.

CHORUS.—Retainers.
Hail to the lord of the soil,
His vassal's love is the spoil
That lord delights to share.

CHORUS.—Hunters.
Away to the hill and glen,
Where the hunter's belted men
With bugles shake the air.

[The Count, after bowing to his friends, sees Arline and takes her in his arms.
Cou.
Ah! who can tell, save he who feels
The care a parent's love reveals,
How dear, fond thing, thou art
To this lone, widowed heart!

Cho.
Away to the hill and glen, &c.

[During this, a Retainer brings down (R.) a rifle to Florestein, who puts it away from him. Count Arnheim exits into Chateau. Nobles and Hunters ascend rocks and exeunt. Arline petitions Buda to let her accompany them, and goes off by a footpath, at side of rocks, with her and Florestein.
Enter Thaddeus, breathless and exhausted, in a state of great alarm.
Tha.

A guard of Austrian soldiers are on my track, and I can
no longer elude their vigilance. An exile from my wretched
country, now a prey to the inveterate invader, my only hope is in
some friendly shelter. (Sees the statue of Emperor.)
Ah, that
tells me I am here on the very threshold of our enemies!

RECITATIVE.—Thaddeus.

Without a country, without a home, without friends, and without
fortune!—Oh, what will become of the proscribed orphan,
Thaddeus of Poland!

CAVATINA.

[At the end of song, a troop of Gipsies, headed by Devilshoof, their leader, suddenly appear (R.), and are about to seize and rob Thaddeus, but presuming by his dress that he is a soldier, they stop and examine him.
CHORUS.

Tha.

The sight of these wanderers has inspired me with a
project. (To Dev.)
Your manner and habit please me. I
should like to join your band. I am young, strong, and have, I
hope, plenty of courage.

Dev.

Who are you?

Tha.

One without money, without home, and without hope.

Dev.

You're just the fellow for us, then!

Gip.
(who is on the look out on rock, R.)

Soldiers are coming
this way.

Tha.

'Tis me they are in search of.

Dev.

Indeed! then they'll be cunning if they find you.

[In a moment they strip the soldier's dress off Thaddeus, and as they are putting a gipsy's frock, &c., over him, a roll of parchment, with seal attached, falls at the feet of Devilshoof, who seizes it.
Dev.

What's this?

Tha.

My commission! It is the only thing I possess on earth,
and I will never part with it.

[Snatches it and conceals it in his bosom, and has just time to mix himself with the Gipsies, when a body of the Emperor's soldiers enter in pursuit.
Offi.
(scrutinizing Gipsies.)

Have you seen any one pass this way
—any stranger?

Dev.

No one—stay—yes; a young Polish soldier ran by just
now, and passed up those rocks.

Offi.

That's he—thanks, friend!—Forward!

[Exeunt Soldiers up rocks.
DUET AND CHORUS.
Dev.
Comrade, your hand.
We understand
Each other in a breath.
[Shaking his hand.
This grasp secures
Its owner yours,
In life, and until death.

Tha.

Cho.
In the gipsy's life you may read, &c.

Tha.
My wants are few—

Dev.
Want we ne'er knew,
But what we could supply.

Tha.
Then what is worse
I have no purse—

Dev.
We nothing have to buy.

Tha.
My heart 'twill ring—

Dev.
That is a thing
In which we never deal.

Tha.
But all I need—

Dev.
'Twere best indeed
To borrow, beg, or steal.

Cho.
In the gipsy's life you may read, &c.

Dev., Tha.
[Ensemble.]
Then rest ye here while we/The scenes and days to me,
Explore each spot and see/Which seem'd so blest to be,
What luck there is in store./No time can e'er restore.

Cho.
Oh, what is the worth of the richest man's wealth,
Which, the chances are likely, he came to by stealth,
Unless he can rove abroad in the free air,
As free as are we, from all sorrow and care.

[All exeunt R.—Loud shouts and alarms are heard, which become more and more distinct, when a body of Huntsmen are seen to cross the tree over the rocks, &c., and exeunt by the path where Arline, &c., went off. Alarms continue, when Florestein rushes in apparently frightened to death.
SONG.
Flo.

[At end of song Thaddeus and Peasantry rush in, evincing the greatest alarm and terror.
Tha.

What means this alarm?

Pea.

The Count's child and her attendant have been attacked
by an infuriated animal, and are probably killed ere this!

Tha.

What do I hear?

[He perceives the rifle that Florestein has left on the stage, utters an exclamation, seizes it, runs up the rocks, aims, fires, and instantly rushes off. The discharge of the rifle and the alarm of the Peasantry bring Count Arnheim and his party to the spot. Devilshoof enters at one side, at the same time, watching.
Cou.

Whence proceed these sounds of fear, and where is my
darling child?

[All maintain a painful silence, when Thaddeus is seen rushing in, conveying Arline, who is wounded in the arm, and seems faint.
Bud.
(falling at the Count's feet.)

We were pursued by the
wild deer they were chasing, and but for the bravery of this
young man (pointing to Tha.)
the life of your child would have
been sacrificed.

Cou.
(clasping his child in his arms.)

Praised be Providence,
her life is saved, for she is all that renders mine happy. (Looking at her arm, then addressing Buda.)

Let her wound have every
attention, though it presents no sign of danger.

[Buda goes into the castle with Arline, and Count Arnheim advances to Thaddeus.

Stranger, accept the hand of one who, however different to you
in station, can never sufficiently thank you for the services you
have rendered him.

Dev.
(aside.)

First to serve, and then be thanked by, the persecutor
of his country. The fellow's mad!

Cou.

I trust you will remain, and join the festivities we are
about to indulge in; and 'twill gratify me to hear how I can be
useful to you.

Tha.

I thank your lordship; but—

Cou.
(to the Nobles.)

Pray, my friends, join your entreaties to
mine.

[Here the Nobles all surround the Count and Thaddeus, and Florestein, coming up to him, says—
Flo.

I'm extremely obliged to you for not shooting me as well
as my little cousin—and I beg you'll—aw—stay— (aside)
—A
very common sort of personage, apparently.

Tha.
(to the Count.)

Be it as your lordship wishes.

Cou.

Then be seated, friends, and let the fête begin.

[They all seat themselves at the tables, which have previously been laid on the O.P. opposite the castle. Thaddeus takes his seat at the farther end, Florestein occupying a prominent position. When they are seated, a variety of dances are introduced, during which Buda is seen at one of the windows holding on her knee the child, whose arm is bound up. At the termination of the dancing the Count rises.
Cou.

I ask you to pledge but once, and that is, to the health
and long life of your Emperor.

[Here the Guests fill their glasses, rise, and, turning towards the statue of the Emperor, drink, while the Peasantry surround it respectfully. Thaddeus alone keeps his seat, on perceiving which, Florestein goes up to the Count, and points it out to him.
Flo.

Your new acquaintance, my dear uncle, is not overburdened
with politeness or loyalty, for he neither fills his glass,
nor fulfils your wishes.

Cou.
(filling a glass and going up to Thaddeus.)

I challenge
you to empty this to the health of our Emperor.

Tha.
(taking the glass.)

I accept the challenge, and thus I
empty the goblet.

[Goes up to the statue and throws down the glass with the utmost contempt. A general burst of indignation follows.
CHORUS OF GUESTS,
Who rise, draw their swords and rush towards Thaddeus.
Down with the daring slave
Who disputes the right
Of a people's delight,
And would their anger brave.

Cou.
(To the Nobles and Guests, interposing between them and Thaddeus.)
(To Thad.)

[Throws Thaddeus a purse of gold. Devilshoof rushes in,
Dev.
Where is the hand will dare to touch
One hair of a head I prize so much.
[Taking the hand of Thaddeus.
(To Cou.)
That pulse of pride you boast
Within me beats as high;
You and your titled host,
Proud lord, I do defy.

Flo.
(Aside, with a glass in one hand, and a leg of a bird in the other.)
Upon my life, 'tis most unpleasant
Just as one had attack'd a pheasant.

[Thaddeus, who had taken up the purse, and seeing himself and Devilshoof surrounded by the Nobles and Guests, throws the purse at the Count's feet.
Tha.
Take back your gold, and learn to know
One—above aught you can bestow.

CHORUS OF NOBLES, &c.
Down with the daring slave
Who would our fury brave.

Dev.
Stand back, ye craven things;
Who dares obstruct our path
Upon his rashness brings
The vengeance of my wrath.

[Devilshoof, defending Thaddeus, retreats, pressed upon by the Nobles, Guests, &c., when the Count orders a party of his Retainers to divide them; they seize Devilshoof and take him into the castle.
Cou.
Seize him and bind him, and there let him find
Escape from those walls better men have confined.

[Here a party of the Huntsmen and Retainers separate Thaddeus and Devilshoof; they march Thaddeus off, and exeunt among the rocks, while Devilshoof is dragged into castle.
Dev.
(As they are dragging him off.)
Tho' meshed by numbers in the yoke
Of one by all abhorr'd,
Yet tremble, worthless lord,
At the vengeance you thus provoke.

Cho.
Down with the daring slave
Who would our fury brave.

[Devilshoof is dragged off into the castle; the Count, Nobles, &c., reseat themselves, when other dances are introduced and the festival continues. Buda is seen to leave the window at which she has been seated with Arline, and she enters and converses with the Count. In the midst of the most joyous movements of the dance, Devilshoof is seen descending from the roof of the castle, until he reaches the window of Arline's chamber, into which he is seen to enter and to shut it immediately. Buda then enters the castle, and in a minute afterwards the festivities are interrupted by a violent shrieking, the window is thrown open, and Buda, pale, and with dishevelled hair, signifies by her gestures that Arline has disappeared.
Cho.
What sounds break on the air?
What looks of wild despair
A grief as wild impart.

Cou.
My child! that word alone,
With agonizing tone,
Bursts in upon my heart!

[Count and Nobles dash into the castle. A general movement of all—some are seen at the window of Arline's chamber signifying that she is gone.
Cho.
Be every hand prepared
Their liege lord's halls to guard,
With devotion whose bond
All ties is beyond.

Flo.
(kneeling, and appearing greatly alarmed.)
Why, what with dancing, screaming, fighting,
One really is a shocking plight in,
And it puzzles quite one's wit
To find a place to pick a bit.

[The Count rushes from the castle, dragging Buda, and followed by Nobles. Buda, trembling, falls on her knees.
Cou.
Wretch! monster! give me back
The treasure of my soul;
Go—all—the spoiler's footsteps track
That treasured prize who stole.
But no, vain hope! unless we pray to Him
Who healeth all sorrow, with suppliant limb.


PRAYER.
Thou, who in might supreme,
O'er the fate of all reignest,
Thou, who hope's palest beam
In the mourner sustainest;
Vouchsafe to lend an ear
To the grief of the wailer,
Cut short the dark career
Of the ruthless assailer.

[During the prayer, Devilshoof is seen climbing up the rocks with Arline in his arms.
CHORUS.
Follow, follow, with heart and with arm,
Follow, follow, and shelter from harm
The pride of Arnheim's line,
Where all its hopes entwine.
Follow, follow,
O'er brake and through hollow!
Climb the hill, ford the stream,
High in air weapons gleam!
Dash through where danger lies;
Danger—aye, death, despise!
To save, let all combine,
The pride of Arnheim's line.

[At the most animated part of the Chorus, bodies of Gentry, Retainers, Servants, &c., are seen rushing towards the rocks, and over every part, in pursuit of Devilshoof, who, perceiving his situation, knocks away, the moment he has crossed it, the trunk of the tree which serves as a bridge between the two rocks, and thus bars their passage. Count Arnheim, in his distraction, is about to throw himself into the gulf— he is held back by attendants, into whose arms he falls senseless. Some are in the attitude of prayer—others menace Devilshoof, who, folding Arline in his large cloak, disappears in the depths of the forest.