 | The Bohemian Girl |  |
Scene I.
—Street in Presburg, by moonlight—Tent of the queen of the Gipsies, large curtains at the back—it is lighted by a lamp. On the opposite side of the stage are houses—one of which, an hotel, is lighted up.[Arline is discovered asleep on a tiger's skin—Thaddeus is watching over her. As the curtain rises a Patrol of the City Guard marches by, and as soon as they are gone off Devilshoof and a party of Gipsies, wrapped up in cloaks, suddenly appear.
CHORUS.
Silence, silence!—the lady moon
Is the only witness now awake,
And weary of watching, perchance she soon
To sleep will herself betake.
Silence, silence! from her throne in air
She may look on and listen, for aught we care;
But if she attend unto our behest,
She will quietly go unto her rest.
SOLO.—Devilshoof.
There's a deed to do whose gains
Will reward the risk and the pains—
[The Gipsies all draw their daggers and appear delighted.
Fie, fie! to a gentleman when you appeal,
You may draw his purse without drawing your steel;
With bows, and politeness, and great respect,
You may take more than he can at first detect.
[Pointing to the lighted windows of the hotel.
See, where in goblets deep
What sense they have they steep.
Watch here! till each to his home
Shall reel on his doubtful way.
Watch here! and the goblet's foam
Will make him an easy prey.
Silence, silence! this way, this way!
[As the Gipsies retire up the stage, Florestein staggers out of the hotel—he is elegantly dressed, with chain, rings, &c., and a rich medallion round his neck.
Flo.
Wine, wine! If I am heir
To the Count—my uncle's—line,—
[Hiccup.
Where's the fellow—will dare
To refuse his nephew—wine?
[Hiccup.
That moon there, staring me in the way,
Can't be as modest as people say,
For meet whom she will, and in whatever spot,
She often looks on at what she ought not.
Wine! wine! wine!
[The Gipsies have by this time advanced, and Devilshoof goes politely up to Florestein.
Dev.
My ear caught not the clock's last chime,
And I beg to ask the time?
[Florestein reels, recovers a little, and after eyeing Devilshoof—
Flo.
(aside.)
If the bottle has prevailed,
Yet whenever I'm assailed,
Though there may be nothing in it,
I am sobered in a minute—
(To Dev.)
You are really so polite,
That (pulling out his watch)
'tis late into the night.
Dev.
(taking the watch and putting it into his fob.)
You are very kind—can it really be!
Are you sure it is so late?
Flo.
(assuming courage.)
May I beg to ask—?
Dev.
I am grieved to see
Any one in such a state,
And will gladly take the utmost care
Of the rings and chains you chance to wear.
[Taking from Florestein his rings, chain, and the rich medallion. Florestein draws his sword.
Flo.
What I thought was politeness is downright theft,
And at this rate I soon shall have nothing left.
[At a sign from Devilshoof the Gipsies instantly surround Florestein, and take every valuable from him.
Cho.
Advance with caution, let every man
Seize on, and keep whatever he can.
[During the Chorus Devilshoof makes off with the medallion, and the others are dividing the rest of the spoil, when a female appears in the midst of them, drops her cloak, and discovers their Queen. The Gipsies appear stupefied.
Queen.
To him from whom you stole,
Surrender back the WHOLE.
[The Gipsies return the different things to Florestein.
Flo.
(trembling and looking over the things.)
Thanks, madam,—lady—but might I request
A medallion in diamonds—worth all the rest.
[At a sign from the Queen, who seems to command its restitution,
CHORUS OF GIPSIES.
On our chieftain's share we ne'er encroach,
And he fled with that prize at your approach.
Que.
(to Florestein.)
Be your safety my care—
Flo.
(trembling.)
I'm in precious hands.
Que.
(to Gipsies.)
Follow and list to your Queen's commands.
Cho.
Yes, we will list to our Queen's commands.
[Exit Queen, holding Florestein, all of a tremble, with
one hand, and beckoning the Gipsies to follow, with the
other. As soon as they have gone off, Arline, who has
been awakened by the noise, comes from the tent, followed
by Thaddeus.
Silence, silence!—the lady moon
Is the only witness now awake,
And weary of watching, perchance she soon
To sleep will herself betake.
Silence, silence! from her throne in air
She may look on and listen, for aught we care;
But if she attend unto our behest,
She will quietly go unto her rest.
SOLO.—Devilshoof.
There's a deed to do whose gains
Will reward the risk and the pains—
[The Gipsies all draw their daggers and appear delighted.
Fie, fie! to a gentleman when you appeal,
You may draw his purse without drawing your steel;
With bows, and politeness, and great respect,
You may take more than he can at first detect.
[Pointing to the lighted windows of the hotel.
See, where in goblets deep
What sense they have they steep.
Watch here! till each to his home
Shall reel on his doubtful way.
Watch here! and the goblet's foam
Will make him an easy prey.
Silence, silence! this way, this way!
[As the Gipsies retire up the stage, Florestein staggers out of the hotel—he is elegantly dressed, with chain, rings, &c., and a rich medallion round his neck.
Flo.
Wine, wine! If I am heir
To the Count—my uncle's—line,—
[Hiccup.
Where's the fellow—will dare
To refuse his nephew—wine?
[Hiccup.
13
Can't be as modest as people say,
For meet whom she will, and in whatever spot,
She often looks on at what she ought not.
Wine! wine! wine!
[The Gipsies have by this time advanced, and Devilshoof goes politely up to Florestein.
Dev.
My ear caught not the clock's last chime,
And I beg to ask the time?
[Florestein reels, recovers a little, and after eyeing Devilshoof—
Flo.
(aside.)
If the bottle has prevailed,
Yet whenever I'm assailed,
Though there may be nothing in it,
I am sobered in a minute—
(To Dev.)
You are really so polite,
That (pulling out his watch)
'tis late into the night.
Dev.
(taking the watch and putting it into his fob.)
You are very kind—can it really be!
Are you sure it is so late?
Flo.
(assuming courage.)
May I beg to ask—?
Dev.
I am grieved to see
Any one in such a state,
And will gladly take the utmost care
Of the rings and chains you chance to wear.
[Taking from Florestein his rings, chain, and the rich medallion. Florestein draws his sword.
Flo.
What I thought was politeness is downright theft,
And at this rate I soon shall have nothing left.
[At a sign from Devilshoof the Gipsies instantly surround Florestein, and take every valuable from him.
Cho.
Advance with caution, let every man
Seize on, and keep whatever he can.
[During the Chorus Devilshoof makes off with the medallion, and the others are dividing the rest of the spoil, when a female appears in the midst of them, drops her cloak, and discovers their Queen. The Gipsies appear stupefied.
Queen.
To him from whom you stole,
Surrender back the WHOLE.
[The Gipsies return the different things to Florestein.
Flo.
(trembling and looking over the things.)
Thanks, madam,—lady—but might I request
A medallion in diamonds—worth all the rest.
[At a sign from the Queen, who seems to command its restitution,
CHORUS OF GIPSIES.
On our chieftain's share we ne'er encroach,
And he fled with that prize at your approach.
14
(to Florestein.)
Be your safety my care—
Flo.
(trembling.)
I'm in precious hands.
Que.
(to Gipsies.)
Follow and list to your Queen's commands.
Cho.
Yes, we will list to our Queen's commands.
Arl.
Where have I been wandering in my sleep? and what
curious noise awoke me from its pleasant dream? Ah, Thaddeus,
would you not like to know my dream? Well, I will tell it you.
I dream'd that I dwelt in marble halls,
With vassals and serfs at my side,
And of all who assembled within those walls
That I was the hope and pride.
I had riches too great to count—could boast
Of a high ancestral name;
And I also dream'd, which charm'd me most,
[Taking both his hands in hers.
That you lov'd me still the same.
With vassals and serfs at my side,
And of all who assembled within those walls
That I was the hope and pride.
I had riches too great to count—could boast
Of a high ancestral name;
And I also dream'd, which charm'd me most,
[Taking both his hands in hers.
That you lov'd me still the same.
I dream'd that suitors besought my hand,
That knights upon bended knee,
And with vows no maiden heart could withstand,
That they pledged their faith to me.
And I dream'd that one of this noble host
Came forth my hand to claim;
Yet I also dream'd, which charm'd me most,
That you lov'd me still the same.
That knights upon bended knee,
And with vows no maiden heart could withstand,
That they pledged their faith to me.
And I dream'd that one of this noble host
Came forth my hand to claim;
Yet I also dream'd, which charm'd me most,
That you lov'd me still the same.
[At the end of the ballad Thaddeus presses Arline to his heart.
Arl.
And do you love me still?
Tha.
More than life itself.
Arl.
Yet is there a mystery between our affections and their
happiness that I would fain unravel
(pointing to her arm).
The
mark on this arm, which I have seen you so often contemplate,
is the key to that mystery. By the love you say you bear me,
solve it.
DUET.
Tha.
(taking her hand and pointing to the mark.)
That wound upon thine arm,
Whose mark through life will be,
In saving thee from greater harm
Was there transfixed by me.
Arl.
By thee?
Tha.
Ere on thy gentle head
Thy sixth sun had its radiance shed,
A wild deer, who had lain at bay,
Pursued by hunters cross'd thy way;
But slaying him I rescued thee,
And in his death-throes' agony
That tender frame, by his antler gor'd,
This humble arm to thy home restor'd.
15
Strange feelings move this breast
It never knew before,
And bid me here implore
That you reveal the rest.
Tha., Arl.
[Ensemble]
The secret of her birth/The secret of my birth
To me is only known,/To him is fully known,
The secret of a life whose worth/The secret of a life whose worth
I prize beyond my own./I prized beyond my own.
Arl.
Speak, tell me—ease my tortured heart,
And that secret, evil or good, impart.
Tha.
I will tell thee, although the words may sever
One who so loves thee, from thy love for ever.
Arl., Tha.
[Ensemble]
Where is the spell hath yet effaced/And yet few spells have e'er effaced
The first fond lines that love hath traced,/The first fond lines that love hath traced,
And after years have but imprest/And after years have but imprest
More deep in love's confiding breast?/More deep in love's confiding breast.
[At the end of the duet Thaddeus throws himself, in an ecstasy, at the feet of Arline, and is bathing her hand with kisses, when the back curtains of the tent are withdrawn, and the Queen appears, pale and trembling with passion. She advances towards Arline, and pointing to Thaddeus—
Que.
And dare you aspire to the love of him who possesses the
heart of your Queen?
Arl.
I possess his heart, and will yield the possession to no one.
He is the saviour of my life, and the only friend I have in all the
tribe: he has sworn how much he loves me.
Que.
Loves you!
Arl.
Yes; let him speak for himself, and choose between us.
Que.
Be it so.
[Thaddeus, who has been anxiously watching the two, here runs and embraces Arline. She surveys the Queen with an air of triumph.
Arl.
(to the Queen.)
I made no idle boast.
(Then to Thaddeus.)
Summon our comrades hither.
[The Queen is standing in the centre, while Thaddeus calls the Gipsies together, who enter on all sides and surround the Queen, and appear to ask what is going on.
CONCERTED PIECE.
Arl.
Listen, while I relate
The hopes of the Gipsy's fate.
I am loved by one, by one I love
All other hearts above,
And the sole delight to me
[Taking the hand of Thaddeus.
Is with him united to be.
16
Happy and light of heart be those
Who in each bosom one faith repose!
Dev.
(aside—maliciously pointing to the Queen.)
A rival's hate you may better tell
By her rage than by her tears,
And it, perchance, may be as well
To set them both by the ears.
(To Queen)
As Queen of the tribe, 'tis yours by right,
The hands of those you rule to unite.
Cho.
(to the Queen, who draws back and hesitates.)
In love and truth, by thee
Their hands united be.
Arl.
(partly inclining in supplication.)
A rival no more, but a subject see,
Asking thy blessing on bended knee.
Tha.
(raising her.)
Debase not thyself, but rather lose
The boon, and a fate less wayward choose.
Cho.
(urging the Queen.)
In love and truth, by thee
Their hands united be.
Que.
(haughtily advancing and taking the hands of Arline and Thaddeus.)
Hand to hand, and heart to heart,
Who shall those I have mated part?
By the spell of my sway,
Part them who may?
[Joining their hands.
Cho.
Happy and light of heart be those
Who in each bosom one faith repose.
[During this scene the stage has been growing somewhat lighter.
A Gipsy enters.
Gip.
Morning is beginning to dawn, and crowds of people are
already flocking towards the fair; the sports begin with daylight.
Que.
Summon the rest of the tribe, and meet me forthwith in
the public square.
(To Devilshoof.)
Do you remain to bear my
further orders.
[Exeunt Thaddeus and Arline, hand in hand, followed by the other Gipsies, repeating Chorus.
DUET.
Que.
This is thy deed—seek not to assuage
My jealous fears and a rival's rage.
Dev.
I neither fear nor seek to calm—
Que.
(aside to Devilshoof.)
Revenge is the wounded bosom's balm.
That jewel with which thou hast dared to deck
Thy foredoomed neck,
Answer me—where didst thou get it—where?
Dev.
'Twas entrusted to my care.
Que.
This very night, on this very spot,
Thy soul for once its fears forgot,
And a drunken galliard, who cross'd thy way,
Became thy prey—
17
Fiend born, 'twere vain to fly
The glances of her searching eye.
Que., Dev.
(aside) [Ensemble]
Down on thy knee, and that gem restore,/It best might be the prize to restore,
E'en in thy shame amaz'd,/Much as I seem amaz'd;
Or long years of sin shall deplore/Or hereafter I may deplore
The storm which thou hast rais'd./The storm which I have rais'd.
[Kneeling and presenting the medallion to the Queen.
Queen, I obey.
Que.
'Tis the wisest thing
Thy coward soul could do.
[Takes medallion.
Dev.
(aside)
Who from my grasp such prize could ring,
The doing it may rue.
Que.
Depart and join the rest.
Dev.
I do thy high behest.
Dev., Que.
(Aside) [Ensemble]
The wrongs we forgive not and cannot forget,/The wrongs we forgive not and cannot forget,
Will the edge of our vengeance more sharply whet./Will the edge of our vengeance more sharply whet.
[Exeunt the Queen and Devilshoof at separate sides
| The Bohemian Girl | |