Last updated: May 13, 1997
THE VAMPIRE
By Heinrich Marschner
English translation by Jutta Romero, Copyright (c) 1997
(My thanks to Ms. Romero for volunteering this text, and to Mike
Richter
for sending it to me, and to David M. Bloom for editing the text. L.N.)
THE VAMPIRE
FIRST ACT
FIRST SCENE
WILDERNESS - AT THE SIDE A CAVE. IN THE BACKGROUND A RAISED PLATEAU. CHORUS OF WITCHES AND GHOSTS IN ODD SHAPES.
NO. 1 INTRODUCTION
CHORUS OF WITCHES AND GHOSTS
You witches and ghosts,
Close cheerfully the circle,
Soon our master will be here with us!
Because of horrible crimes
That is why we are looking for him,
We are looking for his counsel.
Shunning the light, at midnight
When only fear and malice are awake,
By moonlight we prowl
Into the gloomy chasm.
Snake and viper I hear hissing,
Will-o'-the-wisp flickers and among them,
Newts, toads, black cats,
Goblins, witches, devils grimaces
Come on cheerfully, close the circle!
Owl and eagle-owl, you are to shriek,
Yo, hoho, hoho.
The Vampire Master appears leading
Lord Ruthven by the hand.
There comes the master,
In the pale light of the fire!
VAMPIRE MASTER
This one here, who already fell into our service,
Asks for a short time
To stay among free people.
His wish will be granted,
If he fulfills his oath,
That until midnight
He'll bring us three victims:
For three brides, tender and pure,
The vampire shall be granted one more year!
RUTHVEN
By the power of all evil,
I swear to you to keep my word;
But now get away from here,
Because one of the victims soon will be here!
(THE CHORUS WITHOUT THE VAMPIRE MASTER.)
GHOST CHORUS
Softly, softly by the moonlight
Shoo, shoo into the ground!
Thousand crevices, thousand fissures
Are there for us to disappear into.
Let us sit down there and brood,
Until midnight is here.
Softly, softly by the moonlight
Into the ground!
(IT TOLLS ONE O'CLOCK. THEY DISAPPEAR.
RUTHVEN IS ALONE.)
NO. RECITATIVE AND ARIA
RUTHVEN
Ha! Still a whole day!
That time is very long! -
Two victims are already certain
And the third - the third will be found easily.
Ha! What pleasure, from beautiful eyes
On flowering bosom
In blissful quiver
To suck new life with a kiss!
Ha! What pleasure,
With loving caress,
With lascivious courage
The sweetest blood
Like sap of the roses,
From red-purple lips
Adulatingly to sip! -
And when the burning thirst is quenched,
And when the blood oozes from the heart,
And when they groan full of terror,
Haha! What delight!
Ha, what pleasure! -
Her blood gives me new courage;
Her death tremor gives new life! -
Poor darling, pale as snow,
Your heart must have been hurting! -
Alas, once I felt the same aches of fear in my warm heart,
Which heaven feelingly created.
Don't remind me with these sounds,
Which mock heaven insolently,
I understand your call!
Ha! What pleasure!
What delight. What delight. What pleasure!
DIALOGUE
RUTHVEN, JANTHE
RUTHVEN
Do I finally see you, my sweet Janthe!
JANTHE (SHE FALLS INTO HIS ARMS)
Only after midnight was I able to leave the house.
RUTHVEN
O, that was high time! Already tomorrow you would have been lost to me forever. You, the bride of another!
JANTHE
O, furtively I had to leave my father! In tears will he be looking for his child - and not find her!
(SHE TURNS AWAY CRYING.)
NO. DUETT
JANTHE
Beloved parents' only joy.
I reward them with bitter sorrow,
When to honor them should be a sweet duty.
Alas! I have to grieve them,
Because I am forced to love you,
Even so reason speaks against it.
RUTHVEN
Feel by my heartbeat,
More than I am able to say,
That I belong to you forever;
Never will I grieve you,
Forever, forever to love you,
I swear truthfully.
JANTHE
So you are, beloved, mine forever,
And forever, beloved, I am yours!
Ah, only love, love makes me happy,
I devote my life to you alone!
RUTHVEN
Yes, beloved, I belong to you forever,
And forever, beloved, you are mine!
Ah, only love, love makes me happy,
I devote my life to you alone!
JANTHE
When at first you came near me,
I trembled with terror.
RUTHVEN
I know very well, darling, that you did that,
But now you look smilingly at me.
JANTHE
Like with a magic rope
It pulled me later to you. -
RUTHVEN
Our hearts, which found each other,
Are the magic, believe me. -
JANTHE
Yes, I am following an urge,
I am following my heart.
He is mine, forever, forever!
Love smiles from his eyes;
O, how happy shall I be!
RUTHVEN
Ha, in her heart she is afraid,
Poor girl, I feel sorry for her.
But triumph! Now she is mine;
And to suck her sweet blood,
What lust it will be!
RUTHVEN AND JANTHE
Flee towards the back of the cave at the sound of the horn.
HUNTERS, SERVANTS AND PEASANTS
(ARE COMING)
NO. CHORUS AND SOLOISTS
CHORUS
Where can she be? -
Where can she be? -
By torchlight
Search the forest.
Awake the echo,
That the sound of the bugle
Shall echo back a thousand times everywhere.
Janthe! Janthe! Janthe!
(SIR BERKLEY ARRIVES.)
BERKLEY
Woe, my child! In what wilderness
May she be wandering?
Late at night I missed her at home.
For sure robbers must have abducted her.
Whoever finds her track,
I swear to you, he will receive the father's
Deep gratitude and a great reward.
(LOOKING AROUND)
But woe, which place have we come to?
Since hundreds of years malicious
Ghosts dwell here.
The vampire cave it is called by the people.
CHORUS
Woe. The vampire cave!
Quickly leave with soft steps!
Poor father! Poor father!
Hurry away with soft steps!
JANTHE'S VOICE (FROM THE CAVE)
Woe is me!
RUTHVEN'S VOICE (FROM THE CAVE)
Ha ha!
CHORUS
What yelling!
It came from there!
JANTHE (AS BEFORE)
Woe is me!
BERKLEY
That was my child's voice,
Rescue her dear life!
HUNTERS AND SERVANTS
(RUN INTO THE CAVE WITH THEIR TORCHES.)
BERKLEY
Woe is me! My strength is waning!
Fear and joy make me tremble;
In what condition will I find her!
(HE TAKES HEART AND WANTS TO ENTER THE CAVE.)
A FEW SERVANTS APPEAR WITH LORD RUTHVEN
BERKLEY
Nasty robber of my child,
Here take the reward of your deeds.
(HE INJURES RUTHVEN WHO FALLS.)
CHORUS (IN THE CAVE)
She is dead!
BERKLEY
What? My child murdered?
My child murdered!
(HE WANTS TO ENTER THE CAVE.)
HUNTERS AND SERVANTS
(APPROACHING HIM)
ONE SERVANT
Poor father! Woe! Horror!
Chest and neck of your daughter are bloody,
The mark of poison teeth show the horror!
She was a victim of the vampire!
ALL
A vampire! A vampire! Woe! A vampire!
(ALL RUN AWAY, RUTHVEN STAYS BY HIMSELF.)
RUTHVEN (PAINFULLY TRYING TO GET UP)
Woe is me! My strength is waning!
Time will pass idly,
While I am unable to reach the summit,
That while dying I would be able to
Suck in with my eyes the rays of the moon,
Which would give me new strength for living.
Awful! Omnipotent one!
Everything, everything desolate and empty,
Horrible silence everywhere!
Only Hell's scornful laughter I am hearing.
EDGAR AUBRY
(APPEARS ON THE PLATEAU)
AUBRY
Is there no way out?
There is an empty place here,
But which way shall I turn?
Quiet, over there, quiet, something is moving.
(THE MUSIC ENDS)
DIALOGUE
RUTHVEN
Cheer up! I hear a human voice!
Whoever you may be -
AUBRY
Ha, an injured person is here on the ground.
RUTHVEN
Whoever you may be have pity -
AUBRY
Whose voice? What do I see! If my eyes are not fooling me at the faint moonlight you must be Ruthven.
RUTHVEN
Aubry it's you? My angel sent you, I was assaulted by robbers.
AUBRY
Good God! Dear friend, what can I do for you? Is your injury deadly? Can you be helped?
RUTHVEN
No, human help is too late - but yet - Aubry - if I ever was your friend - render me an important service.
AUBRY
Oh tell, what can I do for you? Once you saved my life, oh if only I could repay you, that I could sacrifice my life for yours.
RUTHVEN
There is nothing that can be done for my life - but - Aubry -
I beg you -
AUBRY
Don't hesitate to tell me! What
Is it? Should I avenge your
Death? Did you recognize the robbers?
RUTHVEN
No, it's not that which I desire of you! Oh!
AUBRY
So speak already, what is it? What can I do for you?
What strange restlessness in your behavior - is there someone about whom you are anxious? Is some heavy guilt bothering your conscience? Tell, what is it?
RUTHVEN
Nothing Like That - I Just Beg You - Aubry - Guide Me Up To Those Rocks (HE POINTS TOWARDS THE ROCKS ABOVE THE CAVE) and put my face in such a way that the rays of the moon will penetrate my eyes.
AUBRY
Strange - and what shall - ? Ha, what foreboding! They say that those horrible creatures -
RUTHVEN
Quiet! Carry out my request!
Aubry
So it is true what I was told in London? Monster! You are a v -
RUTHVEN
Stop, unfortunate one, don't finish! In that hour, as I saved your life, you promised to do for me what I would ask you. Now then, fulfill now what I am asking you for. But promise me first that everything you know about me or what you still might learn about me, or what you may only sense, to keep to yourself.
AUBRY (HESITANT)
RUTHVEN
Only twenty four hours.
AUBRY
Ruthven!
RUTHVEN
Swear! Swear by everything which you hold holy, by your soul's salvation!
AUBRY
You were the savior of my life - alas - I swear.
RUTHVEN
And cursed you shall be into the abyss of hell, all the punishment of perjury shall weigh upon your soul if you break your oath! Cursed shall you be and whoever is a member of your family! Cursed shall be whomever you love and who loves you! Swear it!
AUBRY
I swear! Horrible!
NO. MELODRAMA
RUTHVEN
Ah! - well, now I will await my fate calmly, - guide me up there. (HE GETS UP LABORIOUSLY WITH THE HELP OF AUBRY.)
AUBRY (SLOWLY GUIDING RUTHVEN TO THE ROCKS ABOVE THE CAVE, HELPS HIM TO LIE DOWN, SO THAT THE RAYS OF THE MOON HIT RUTHVEN'S FACE. THEN HE FLEES IN TERROR TOWARDS THE LEFT.)
RUTHVEN'S FACE STARTS STIRRING. HE SITS UP BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY THE RAYS OF THE MOONLIGHT.
SECOND SCENE
NO. 6 SCENE AND ARIA
(A HALL IN THE CASTLE OF LAIRD DAVENAUT. MALWINA BY HERSELF.)
MALWINA
Cheerfully the golden spring sun smiles over the colorful, newborn field.
Ah, everything I see is only a reflection of a bliss my heart never divined!
(FULL OF JOYOUS FEELINGS BUT WITHOUT PASSION.)
The fields in their colorful outfits,
The tree dressed up in its fragrant flower dress,
The chorus of birds, which sounds all around me and exalts to heaven,
Ah, everything rejoices and shares my happiness!
Today it surges in me,
Yes, "today" it reverberates from outside!
Yes, today the beloved will come back! -
Swing you too, my loving heart,
Glowing with joy skywards,
And in the urge of pleasure and joy,
Beat your creator praise and thanks!
Quiet! Who is nearing the gate?
He is looking up, it is his glance!
It is he, Edgar! It is he! -
Ah, forgive my sin,
When drunk with joy
I don't find words of thanks
In the excess of joy.
(SHE HURRIES OUT TOWARDS AUBRY.)
EDGAR AUBRY AND MALWINA
(ARE COMING IN JOYOUS HASTE)
No. 7 DUETT
BOTH
It's you, it's you, it is no dream,
Ah, this happiness, I can hardly grasp.
Is it really you? Am I seeing you again?
The joy of heaven pours down on me.
DIALOGUE
MALWINA
Already early in the morning you are here?
AUBRY
To be the first to congratulate you on your birthday.
MALWINA
O, Edgar, I am so happy. Since some time ago my father has been talking about you with respect. Since the time that you closed the business deal for him in London against all expectations successfully, he doesn't see in you anymore the unimportant man f
Or whom he always took you. Just a few days ago he told me: "what a pity that I don't have a son like him who would be able to preserve the splendor of the House of Davenaut!"
AUBRY
Ah, Malwina, I just see in that the worry about the splendor of his house. Only the fact that I am a distant relative makes me worthy in his eyes. Believe me, he will never give me the hand of his only daughter in marriage.
MALWINA
No, don't be afraid, I believe he has a hunch about our love and approves. Often his eyes rest significantly on me like he is waiting for my confession! After he received your message that the large estate will be undisputed his property the otherwise very strict father kissed my forehead and told me moved and full of love: "To see you happy, my daughter, is now my only worry!"
AUBRY
Ah, just status and wealth are his happiness, and I myself have increased the obstacles, which will forever separate me from you.
MALWINA
O, don't cloud with your doubts my glad hopes. This very day, on my birthday, on which my father promised the fulfillment of any request, I will reveal to him the secret of our love. - quiet, he is coming!
SIR HUMPHREY, LAIRD OF DAVENAUT
(ENTERS FROM THE RIGHT REAR DOOR)
MALWINA (RUSHING TOWARDS DAVENAUT)
Father! Father! Edgar is back!
DAVENAUT
Sir Aubry, a hearty welcome! (HE SHAKES AUBRY'S HAND.) You performed an important task for the Davenauts. But what you did honors yourself! Because you, too, belong to a branch of this noble house and the greater the splendor and wealth of the Laird, the more fame and honor for all the members of the house. Accept my thanks and your happiness shall henceforth be the concern of your father.
AUBRY
Sir, this kindness - !
MALWINA
O, my father!
DAVENAUT
My daughter! It is true that often I have grumbled that a son was not born to me, that the name of Davenaut, since centuries one of the noblest in Scotland, would die with me. Let me embrace you, dear daughter! The day, which brought you to me eighteen years ago, it gives to me today through you a son, worthy of my house, worthy of your love.
MALWINA
My father!
DAVENAUT
I have noticed before what your mouth concealed. I guessed your wish, and I anticipated your request, I greet you as bride.
MALWINA
My father, this kindness!
DAVENAUT
You are standing apart from us, Sir Aubry? Don't you want to share our joy?
AUBRY (RUSHES HAPPILY TOWARDS DAVENAUT)
Is it possible? May I hope?
DAVENAUT
Do you believe I want to stay in your debt? I promised to take care of your happiness. The name of my son-in-law, it is your guarantee, that he will always act like I would: it is the Earl of Marsden!
SIDE 3
NO. 8 TRIO
MALWINA
What, my father!
AUBRY
Woe, I have lost!
DAVENAUT
Yes, it is the Earl of Marsden,
Whom I choose as my son.
MALWINA AND AUBRY
What, who is it? The Earl of Marsden?
DAVENAUT
Ha, they seem to like my choice.
AUBRY AND MALWINA (TO THE SIDE)
Ah, my good luck was just a dream,
Did it need to leave me so quickly?
Woe, this misfortune to fathom,
My poor heart doesn't have enough space!
DAVENAUT (TO HIMSELF)
Ha, they seem to like my choice!
Yes, he is through rank and nobility,
As well as manners without fault,
Worth to be a Davenaut!
MALWINA
Look at me, down at your feet;
Father, can you forgive me?
Father, alas, to the Earl of Marsden
I could never be a wife!
DAVENAUT
What am I hearing!
Ha, is it possible!
MALWINA
This heart -
DAVENAUT
What?
MALWINA
Has already chosen.
DAVENAUT
Ha! Is it possible!
MALWINA
Alas, I feel, I did wrong,
That I concealed it until now.
DAVENAUT
Who is the audacious one? Speak!
AUBRY
The audacious one, sir, is I!
DAVENAUT
Ha, I hardly can take hold of myself out of anger!
How, depraved one! Can you dare,
To tell me this to my face?
AUBRY
Alas, since the days of my childhood
This heart beat for her,
To make your daughter happy
Is my only desire!
DAVENAUT
Away, you implore in vain, away! -
MALWINA (IMPLORING)
Alas, since the days of my childhood
This heart beat for him,
Take pity on your daughter
Only with him can I be happy!
DAVENAUT
Away, you implore in vain, away,
Because I gave the Earl my word.
And never was broken,
What a Davenaut promised!
(THE FORMER AND GEORGE)
GEORGE (ANNOUNCING)
Sir, the Earl of Marsden
Just came riding through the gate,
And the lively youths of the village
Are nearing, singing a merry chorus,
To greet your daughter
Today on her birthday.
DAVENAUT
Lead the merry guests
Into the hall to my daughter.
(HE LEAVES)
NO. 9 FINALE
CHORUS OF THE PEASANTS AND GUESTS
Flowers and blossoms in zephyr caress,
Lovely unfolded from the adulating west,
Flower of the highlands, you Davenaut rose,
Wind we for you on today's feast!
May the future strew the happiest destiny,
Like roses, on your path of life,
Flower of the highlands, you Davenaut rose,
Today we dedicate the flowers and blossoms to you.
GEORGE
Look, there comes the son-in-law
Held by the hand of the old squire,
Start the song, you know the one,
Which the old one likes to hear!
(DAVENAUT APPEARS IN THE REAR WITH LORD RUTHVEN.)
CHORUS
Sing loud and rejoice,
That it rings throughout the land:
Hail, hail to the House of Davenaut,
Hail to anyone who is related to it,
Which stands strong like our mountains,
Which will go down only with the rest of the world,
Which luster does not give way to the crown,
Which is as bright and shiny as the sun,
Sing loud and rejoice,
That it rings throughout the land;
Hail, hail to the House of Davenaut,
Hail to anyone who is related to it.
(DAVENAUT AND RUTHVEN STEP UP.)
DAVENAUT
Here, Malwina, is the man
Whom I think worthy of you,
Worthy of the House of Davenaut.
RUTHVEN
Your choice indeed makes me happy!
But I shall count myself truly happy only
When my ladies eyes smile friendly at me.
MALWINA (WITHOUT LOOKING AT HIM)
Esteemed sir! (SHE LOOKS AT HIM)
Ha! - woe is me!
AUBRY
God, whom do I see!
DAVENAUT
Unbelievable!
AUBRY
Do I see right - you are - Lord Ruthven?
RUTHVEN (CALMLY)
No, sir! Ruthven is my brother,
Who has been traveling for years
On the continent.
I would be glad to find out,
What you might know about him.
AUBRY (CONFUSED)
What do I know? - he was today -
RUTHVEN
Well?
AUBRY
Woe - no, sir, I know nothing -
Striking is the resemblance of his - your face.
Cutting, like a poison arrow
Flashes his glance through my soul,
This resemblance to his brother,
Forebodes nothing good.
RUTHVEN
Cutting, like a poison arrow
Flashes his glance through my soul,
Ha, to find that dreamer here,
Forebodes nothing good.
DAVENAUT
Cutting, like a poison arrow
Flashes his glance through her soul,
To offend his pride like that,
Forebodes nothing good.
MALWINA
Cutting, like a poison arrow
Flashes his glance through my soul,
That my heart trembles before him,
That forebodes nothing good.
CHORUS
Cutting, like a poison arrow
Flashes his glance through her soul,
That her heart trembles before him,
That forebodes nothing good.
DAVENAUT
Well, Malwina, is that the custom?
Don't you know to receive your bridegroom in a friendlier manner?
RUTHVEN (TO DAVENAUT)
Leave her, venerable sir, I beg you.
MALWINA
Sir, I don't know how it came to be,
That a horrible strange fear -
RUTHVEN
Beautiful lady, o pardon me!
Like the youthful rose smiles,
Which blooms solitary by the wayside,
That is how my innermost mind
Delighted in seeing you;
I will hope, that time
Will be able to make you endure
My poor looks.
AUBRY (TO HIMSELF)
No, my eyes are not deceiving me,
The way he laughs and talks,
All of it shows me clearly,
It is Ruthven, the vampire!
(TO RUTHVEN)
Sir, just two words, please!
Horrible one, I recognized you!
Here is the scar on your hand!
Unfortunate one, how do you dare,
To look at her,
Horrible monster of nature!
RUTHVEN
Quiet! Remember your oath!
DAVENAUT
The pastor has been asked,
The guests are invited,
Prepare everything for the joyful wedding,
Before midnight passes,
You will be forever his.
MALWINA (BESIDES HERSELF)
Ah, my father!
AUBRY
I beg you!
MALWINA
Ah, this rush, grant me a delay,
For a few days I am asking!
DAVENAUT
Be silent!
AUBRY
Sir, delay it just 'til tomorrow!
DAVENAUT
No, impossible!
MALWINA
Ah, my father!
AUBRY
Well, so know -
RUTHVEN
Quiet! Remember your oath!
DAVENAUT
Still today, I gave my word,
The Earl has to leave tomorrow!
It is well known, that he was
Made an envoy to Madrid,
He cannot lose time.
AUBRY
Let him just stay 'til tomorrow.
Sir, don't be so stubborn.
Ah, postpone just 'til tomorrow,
And you save your child!
RUTHVEN
Quiet! Remember your oath!
AUBRY
Ha, I hardly can contain my rage!
But my oath holds me captive
Woe is me, his pale cheeks
Languish already for her blood.
RUTHVEN
I laugh at his rage,
Because his oath holds him captive.
Girl, with your blushing cheeks,
Soon your sweet blood will be mine.
Voices of ghosts, which surround me,
Shouting with joy: the deed must succeed!
DAVENAUT
(STEPPING BACK TOWARDS THE GUESTS AND PEASANTS)
I invite all of you to the feast,
Everyone shall rejoice and be cheerful!
Because still today, I swear aloud,
Marsden will lead the bride to the altar.
You may tell everyone,
That Marsden and Davenaut unite.
CHORUS
Sing loud and rejoice,
That it rings throughout the land:
Hail to the House of Davenaut,
Hail to anyone who is related to it!
AUBRY, RUTHVEN, DAVENAUT, MALWINA
Terribly urgent the time is pressing,
And I am far from my goal,
But I am not going to tremble!
AUBRY, DAVENAUT, MALWINA
The one who believes in his own strength,
And banks on God's help,
Nothing can move him!
RUTHVEN
The one who believes in his own strength,
Who has seen the might of hell,
Nothing can move him!
AUBRY, DAVENAUT, MALWINA
May the clouds gather,
May it roar and bluster,
Nothing shall move me!
With the calamities nearness
His courage increases sky-high,
While the elements bluster
He raises his eyes upwards.
RUTHVEN (TO HIMSELF)
May the clouds gather,
May it roar and bluster,
May the dark night cover the future,
And fate sneer at us teasingly,
Who has seen the might of hell,
Is familiar with horror,
Nothing can move him!
AUBRY, DAVENAUT, MALWINA
When lightning flashes, when it crashes,
He sees only the might of heaven,
Laughs at thunderstorms.
RUTHVEN
With the calamities' nearness
My courage increases sky-high,
Sneeringly I look up!
When lightning flashes, when it crashes,
I am glad about the might of the evil one!
With the calamities nearness,
My courage increases sky-high,
Sneeringly I look up!
In the bluster of the elements!
SIDE 4
SECOND ACT
FIRST SCENE
SQUARE IN FRONT OF MARSDEN CASTLE WITH TABLES AND ARBORS.
WEDDING. PERTH AS THE HOST IN AMONG GUESTS. LATER BLUNT, GADSHILL, GREEN, SCROP.
NO. 10 CHORUS
CHORUS OF THE DRINKERS
Be merry, dear drinkers, be merry,
Delicious is the wine!
Look, the sun is already setting,
Let us be industrious!
Ah, the day finds soon it's end
And there is still so much wine,
Therefore drink a lot!
CHORUS OF THE DANCERS
Do you hear the violins,
Do you see the dance
Cheerfully and merrily go on?
Hurry to the dance
To joyfully turn in the round dance of the youth!
Banish your worries!
Today and tomorrow
Joy is smiling and no danger is threatening.
Use the hours,
Before they disappear,
So that your youth was not without joy.
When you are older
More stiff and colder,
Life is pressing on you, troublesome and heavy;
Then, alas, you folks,
Unfortunately it isn't anymore as today,
O no, unfortunately not anymore.
Always agile, never ending,
The circle turns now this way and that way.
Lively, just lively,
Curly and more colorful,
This way and that way,
From one side to the other.
CHORUS OF THE DRINKERS (MEN ONLY)
May the young folks rock
In a fast dance.
Drinking is also fun
Here in the evenings glow!
Even so we are too old to dance,
Just drink, and soon
Everything will turn around you!
MIXED CHORUS
Yippee! That is cheerfulness,
Everyone swims in blissfulness,
Everyone jubilates and revels,
Everyone blusters and everyone is noisy,
Everyone shouts with joy:
That's the way to celebrate a wedding!
Yippee!
DIALOGUE
GADSHILL
But where are the bride and bridegroom?
BLUNT
Yes, where are they, the bride and bridegroom?
SCROP
Are we supposed to celebrate the wedding without bride and bridegroom?
BLUNT
I never celebrated a wedding without bride and bridegroom.
PERTH
The bridegroom must be late at Davenaut, my daughter went to meet him.
MRS. BLUNT
There she is coming.
MRS. BLUNT
Well, Toms, be careful and don't drink again too much!
BLUNT
Suse, you are right, many times I have drunk too much, but never enough, never enough!
EMMY PERTH (COMING)
PERTH
What is it, you look so sad, Emmy? A bride is supposed to be cheerful.
BLUNT
Yes, a bride is supposed to have a happy face! Do you remember, Suse, when you were a bride -
MRS. BLUNT
Be quiet! Do you always have to talk!
BLUNT
Yes, if I am not supposed to talk, then I have to drink!
PERTH
Well, Emmy, what's going on?
NO. 11 SONG
EMMY
Over there on that cliff
I was listening,
To see if I would see George;
Mountain and valley were glowing
In the evening suns rays,
But he was nowhere to be seen!
When at the merry wedding
The groom keeps me waiting!
Shouldn't that make me sad?
Over there in the shrubs
The nightingale lures with beautiful song,
And he is still far;
Through the green branches of the trees
Looms the full moon;
Quietly the stars are flickering!
Everything shows that evening is here,
And still the bridegroom is missing:
Shouldn't that make me sad?
DIALOGUE
PERTH (TALKS)
Well now, he will be coming! You know today was the ladies birthday, and therefore the poor chap probably couldn't get away on time.
EMMY
I would like to be such a distinguished lady, father, then George would probably not let me wait.
BLUNT
He will be coming, I tell you. A bride is like a full bottle, one doesn't forget her.
GREEN (WHO HAD BEEN SPEAKING SOFTLY WITH SCROP)
Yes, yes, like I am telling you, neighbor, last night!
SCROP
That would be horrible!
PERTH
Well, what's going on here?
SCROP
Green is saying that the daughter of the rich Berkley, three hours away from Davenaut, was murdered last night by a vampire.
ALL
What? What are you saying? A vampire?
GREEN
Nothing else; I was there this morning. The daughter was a bride, today was supposed to be the wedding. During the night, at midnight, the father was missing his daughter. Everyone went looking for her! Finally they found her in the vampire cave.
EMMY
That poor girl!
THE GIRLS
Have they found the vampire?
GREEN
Certainly, the father stabbed him to death.
THE GIRLS
Thank God!
GREEN
Yes, what good does it do, such a creature is impossible to kill! You stab it to death today, tomorrow it's alive again!
SCROP (TO GREEN)
Have you ever seen a vampire?
GREEN
No, thank God! But I was told they look deadly pale and take their victims during moonlight because it gives them strength and special protection.
EMMY
My dear departed mother often told me an old tale about a vampire.
THE GIRLS
Ah, let us hear it, let us hear it.
SCROP
But it is already dark!
GREEN
So much the better! Those stories are the best when told in the dark.
NO. 12 ROMANCE
EMMY
Look, mother, there that pale man with a soulless look. Child, don't look at the pale man, or soon he will do you in.
Move away from him!
Already many girls, young and beautiful,
Looked too deeply into his eyes,
And paid for it with bitter agony
And their blood!
I tell you quietly and secretly:
That pale man is a vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like him!
CHORUS
Quietly and secretly I am telling you:
That pale man is a vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like him!
EMMY
He smiles at me, that pale man,
And cheerful becomes his glance.
Child, are you still looking at him?
Woe is me, you are done for.
Move quickly away from him!
His first glance, with pain of death,
Flashed through your pious heart,
Ah, let that warn you,
Otherwise he will ensnare you!
For quietly and secretly I am telling you:
That pale man is a vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like him!
CHORUS
Quietly and secretly I am telling you:
That pale man is a vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like him!
EMMY
The girl followed the pale man,
His glance lured her.
She did not take heed of her mother's warning,
And soon she was done in,
She never returned!
A victim to his lust,
With bloody marks on her neck and chest
Her body was found;
She descended into hell!
Now she herself, believe me,
Walks around as a horrible vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like her!
CHORUS
Now she herself, believe me,
Walks around as a horrible vampire!
May God protect us in this world,
Not to be like her!
LORD RUTHVEN (APPEARS AND STANDS AMONG THE PEOPLE)
DIALOGUE
THE FORMER, RUTHVEN
RUTHVEN (TALKS)
Good evening!
THE GIRLS (STARTLE WITH A CRY OF FRIGHT)
Ha!
EMMY
Almighty!
RUTHVEN
Is John Perth here?
PERTH
Here I am, at your order.
RUTHVEN
You don't recognize me?
PERTH
Ah, is it you milord? Of course I recognize you. You are the brother of our dead master and now the Earl of Marsden. A hearty welcome to your estate; we thought you were still traveling.
RUTHVEN
I can stay only a few hours, some business brought me here to Davenaut. There I heard about your daughters marriage. Your loyal duty to my estate requires my thankfulness. I want the wedding to be celebrated at my expense and as splendidly as possible.
Consider the estate cellar today as your own.
ALL (EXCLAIMING)
That is a noble sir! Cheer him! Long live the noble sir! Three cheers!
RUTHVEN (TO PERTH)
Light up the great hall right away, - There I want to wind the myrtle wreath into the brides hair. (MOST OF THE CHORUS LEAVES.)
EMMY
So you came on my account, gracious sir?
RUTHVEN
Is that your daughter, John?
PERTH
Yes, gracious sir, my daughter Emmy.
RUTHVEN
Of course I came on your account, beautiful Emmy.
EMMY
Alas, forgive me, gracious sir, that I was so startled when I saw you but we just had told a horrible tale when you came unexpectantly.
RUTHVEN (TAKING A RING OFF HIS FINGER)
Here, take this ring as compensation for the scare I caused you. (HE PUTS THE RING ON HER FINGER.)
EMMY
What, gracious sir, you are giving me this precious ring?
RUTHVEN
As a wedding guest I am obliged to give you a present! Besides that I will give you a dowry and if you want to you future husband can work on my estate.
EMMY
Gracious sir, so much kindness -
RUTHVEN (TELLS SOME OF THE CHORUS)
Go now, dear folks, get the hall ready.
RUTHVEN (TO PERTH)
In the meantime I am going to talk to Emmy about her future. Call me when everything is ready so I start the dance with the beautiful Emmy.
ALL (LEAVE EXCEPT EMMY AND LORD RUTHVEN)
EMMY
Alas, gracious sir, with what have I earned so much kindness?
RUTHVEN
Through your beauty, dear Emmy, which made me like you at first sight and through your kindness which draws me near you.
NO. 13 TRIO
EMMY
You just want to put me to shame,
I am not that conceited,
To take seriously,
What you are saying.
RUTHVEN
No, dear, sweet little one,
Believe me, I am not joking;
It is only your beauty,
Which captivates me.
GEORGE (TO HIMSELF)
O God, what do I see!
They are very intimate!
Can I trust my eyes,
Is that not my bride?
RUTHVEN
What bliss without equal,
Softly to caress your cheek,
To squeeze your soft hand,
Lovingly to look into your eyes,
To put my arm around you,
To press you to my chest!
Alas, what sacrifice I would make,
If you would grant me this pleasure!
EMMY (TENDERLY WARDING HIM OFF)
You just want to put me to shame,
I am not that conceited, to take seriously,
What you are saying.
GEORGE (TO HIMSELF)
Damn, what do I see,
Now he is squeezing her hand,
And she lets him,
That is quite charming.
RUTHVEN
I should almost scold you,
I have done so much for you,
And you don't want to reward me,
Tell me, is that not cruel?
EMMY
You want to lay the foundation for my happiness,
I can see that!
Alas, I don't find words, to tell you my thanks!
RUTHVEN
For my endeavor
You can give me the greatest reward!
A single kiss from you,
Means more to me than money!
GEORGE
A kiss! What do I hear!
EMMY
What? A kiss?
GEORGE
He wants to kiss her? What?
EMMY
What? A kiss? You just want to put me to shame,
I am not that conceited,
To take seriously,
What you are saying.
RUTHVEN
No, dear, sweet little one,
Believe me, I am not joking,
It is only your beauty,
Which captivates me.
(HE KISSES EMMY) (TO HIMSELF)
So, now she fell for me,
And the goal is not far,
(HE LAUGHS) Haha!
EMMY (TO HERSELF)
To be liked by such a gentleman,
Is no small thing!
Should that not make me vain?
RUTHVEN
Now, she fell for me!
Ha, I hear hell laughing!
GEORGE (TO HIMSELF)
What, she lets him do that?
Ha, by God, he goes too far!
Should that not enrage me?
(HE STEPS INSIDE)
Good evening, my dear.
RUTHVEN
Indeed, see there, the bridegroom!
EMMY
Are you finally coming to the celebration?
GEORGE
Yes, and high time it was that I came.
EMMY
Our new master wants to
Make you Estate Supervisor.
GEORGE
Yes, I can see that, nice affair,
And himself he makes as owner.
RUTHVEN
Jealous? What a laugh!
Poor wretch, I feel sorry for you!
EMMY
Jealous on the first day!
Now really, that is too early!
GEORGE (TO THE SIDE)
Yes, she is right, the old tale:
Women you can trust, but cats never!
RUTHVEN (TO EMMY)
Well, I'm leaving, lovers
Like to be by themselves!
But don't forget, that today
You have to dance with me. -
Ha, my heart quivers with joy,
Now I have my third victim!
You, who are unseen around me,
Rejoice! Soon she will be yours! (GOES OFF)
EMMY
My heart wavers between fear and love,
And I feel good and bad;
A mysterious urge
Draws me to that stranger!
GEORGE
Like when malicious ghosts hang around,
I'm overcome with a sinister feeling!
A cold horror grips me,
Woe is me! This is not going to end well!
DIALOGUE
GEORGE
He is leaving! Now I feel better!
EMMY
You know, George, it is not nice of you that you came so late today.
GEORGE
So, that is just right that you reproach me! But that is a nice thing for you to do, to flirt with a strange young man, that he squeezes your hand, embraces you and at the end even kisses you? Is it not so, that is nice?
EMMY
Ah, that was our new gracious Lord! And he will take care of us! (SHE SHOWS THE RING ON HER FINGER.) Look at the precious ring which he gave me. He is so good, so kind, so ---
GEORGE
Well, just come out with it: so nice, so kind, that compared to him I'm just a blockhead.
EMMY
How you carry on. I'm just nice to him on account of you, so he'll give you a good position.
GEORGE (IRONICALLY)
So? On account of me? Do you think I didn't notice how you looked at him? (HE POINTS TO HIS PISTOL.) Do you see the pistol here? I brought it along because I was told the road was not safe. With it I'll shoot myself if you look again at him like that.
EMMY
Don't be so upset, dear George, he is leaving today and who knows if I ever will see him again.
GEORGE
Yes, he has to go back today to Davenaut because he is marrying the young lady. But she is not like you. She loves the young Mr. Aubry and she was not that friendly towards the young Earl. With tears in her eyes she begged her father to let the young lord go away.
EMMY
So he is going to marry the young lady?
GEORGE
Yes, you don't seem to like it? You yourself could become a lady, right? That is your greatest wish! O I'm a fool! To bring you joy, because I know how much you like it that our wedding is fancy, I asked the gracious lord to come here. He must have had a hunch that you would be so friendly to him. I hardly had told him about the wedding, when he jumped up, had his horse saddled, hardly took leave from our old lord and came galloping here. I panted behind to have the pleasure to see him kissing my bride.
EDGAR AUBRY (COMING)
AUBRY
Good evening, George. Is the Earl here?
GEORGE
Yes, the gracious Sir is in the hall.
AUBRY
Please ask him to come right away to me.
GEORGE
I'm going.
EMMY
I'm going with you to the hall.
(AUBRY BY HIMSELF)
AUBRY
I have to save her, even if it costs my life! If my entreaties cannot move him to give up his plan, I will hurry back to the old Laird to break my terrible oath and tell him the horrible secret, come what may.
LORD RUTHVEN (COMING)
RUTHVEN
What, Sir Aubry, you here
AUBRY
Yes, I will follow you everywhere and watch your steps and will beg you to give up the horrible thought; everywhere I will stand up against you to take away with force your victim, Ruthven. I love Malwina and she loves me, too! Leave her alone, don't kill the happiness of two people. I beg you, get away from her, I will ask the Lord to have mercy on you - and the knowledge of this one good deed will be like saving grace for you in the hour of reckoning!
RUTHVEN
Don't waste words. My terrible fate is driving me. Be angry, rage, and rave against the cycle of nature! Can you make it stand still? Ha, I would thank you on my knees! Stay away from me.
GREAT SCENE
AUBRY
All right, you are forcing me to commit the crime,
To break my oath,
God in heaven will forgive me!
If I am able to achieve that you get away from her,
The sin is small indeed.
RUTHVEN
If you stumble on the straight path,
You will fall to the evil might,
Even if the fault seems small;
If they win you,
They spin their web around you,
And hell doesn't let you go.
AUBRY
I will be happy
To endure tortures;
What worse can happen?
Does it give a worse crime,
Than to see the dearly beloved die,
And die so horribly!
RUTHVEN
You think so? Ha, just try it!
And with horror you will see,
What can be worse.
Do you think that nature
Meant me to be this
At my birth?
Then go, betray me!
You will be a perjurer,
And with sweet triumph
You will marry your beloved;
You'll be a husband, then a father,
And a happy man!
But the time will come,
When your soul will be torn from you,
By a thousand viper bites;
She has to step up to the Lord, afraid,
And he says:
"Repentance does not atone for perjury;
You have to go back with horror
Into the house you just left."
Now you go around, a horrible corpse,
Destined to nourish yourself from the blood of those,
Who love you the most and honor you;
In your heart you have burning ardor.
By your life you had to swear:
Who lives through you, is lost through you;
The blood of the wife, the sons, the daughters,
First it calms your terrible anger,
And before their end they know you
And curse you - and curse themselves!
But what on earth was your most dearest,
A lovely girl with curly hair
Puts beggingly her little hands around you.
The tears are coming into her eyes.
She says: father, spare me,
On earth I will pray for you!
You look into her innocent pure face,
You would like to spare her, but can't!
The devil teases you, anger drives you.
You have to suck it, the precious blood!
So you live, until you go to hell,
To which you belong forever;
Even there the band of depraved
Shy away from you in terror:
Because compared to you they are pure,
And the damned one is you alone! -
AUBRY (LOOKS AT HIM IN TERROR)
RUTHVEN
You stare? You stand before me in terror?
Haha! I pictured nature,
I told you my own story.
Now go! - break your oath! (HE LEAVES)
AUBRY (BY HIMSELF)
AUBRY
Ha, how that horrible picture
Fills me with terror:
No consolation, no way out I see.
She is lost! Woe is me!
NO. 15 ARIA
AUBRY
Like a beautiful spring morning,
Life was before me.
All my wishes, all my thoughts
Were a cheerful look from her.
Field and forest just seemed to live
To mirror her.
And with sweet sounds
Just to sing of her.
Her beautiful face
Smiled from every flower,
From the sunsets gold,
From the stars shine,
Zephyr seemed to caress her.
Only of her sang spring and tree,
And sleeping under roses,
The dream dreamt of her. -
But now, darkness surrounds me,
I despair of God's might;
Only calamity bringing demons
Seem to be around.
Sneeringly they triumph,
What I wanted to start
Has to lead to ruin. -
And above all, what threatens me,
Is the least terrible:
Madness! Madness, or death! (HE LEAVES)
NO. 16 DUETT
(RUTHVEN AND EMMY ARE COMING, EMBRACING EACH OTHER.)
RUTHVEN
Let's go quietly to the arbor over there,
Where we will be undisturbed.
EMMY
Gracious sir, I think someone is coming -
RUTHVEN
No, dear sweet child!
EMMY
Yes, yes, someone is coming!
RUTHVEN
Just follow me a few steps -
EMMY
Gracious sir! No, I beg you -
George will miss me in the hall!
RUTHVEN
Frightened little fool, let me kiss you!
EMMY
No, ah, let me go back,
Gracious sir, ah, spare me!
If George would see me with you,
He would never forgive me.
RUTHVEN
Do I have to lament still longer?
Does my begging not move you!
Will your eye never tell me,
That your little heart beats for me?
EMMY (TO HERSELF)
Alas, I feel like with a thousand strings,
My whole heart hangs on him.
RUTHVEN (TO HIMSELF)
For a long time she has resisted me,
But now she gives way to impetuosity.
Come now, come, my sweet life!
Lovely light of my eyes!
EMMY
I am not able to withstand
Him much longer.
RUTHVEN
Now then, come only a few more steps -
EMMY
Now then, ah, gracious sir, I beg -
RUTHVEN
Sweet girl, follow me!
EMMY
Gracious sir!
RUTHVEN
O follow me!
EMMY
Alas, I tremble!
RUTHVEN
Follow me!
Are you going to be much longer cruel?
EMMY
Cruel against you? Ah, no!
RUTHVEN
Follow me!
EMMY
All right, so be it! I follow you! (SHE SINKS ONTO HIS CHEST)
BOTH
Softly, softly in the moonshine,
Quietly and secretly we are going forth
Towards the discreet place;
You are mine, I am yours forever!
Moon and stars may listen,
How we exchange soul for soul,
And intoxicate us with love.
(THEY ARE GOING TO THE ARBOR.)
DIALOGUE
JAMES GADSHILL, RICHARD SCROP, ROBERT GREEN TOMS BLUNT (COMING)
BLUNT
Come here, here we will be undisturbed.
SCORP
The hall is so hot.
GREEN
And so much noise that we can't even drink in peace.
GADSHILL
Here it is comfortably cool and the clear moonlight -
BLUNT
Alas, brother, the world is so beautiful!
Do you have a bottle with you?
GADSHILL (PULLS A BOTTLE OUT OF HIS POCKET)
That is understood!
SCROP (AS WELL)
Me too!
GREEN (AS WELL)
Me too!
BLUNT (AS WELL)
Look, I have two in my pocket; because drinking, brother, see, drinking is the thing, you see d r i n k i n g ! It gives many comforts in the world, but only three main pleasures.
GADSHILL
Ah, I know what you mean: Wine, Women and Song.
BLUNT
You are a good Christian, but you are not correct. You see, brother, the first is: drinking! And the second is: drinking! And the third is: drinking!
ALL (LAUGH)
BLUNT
Hahaha! Isn't it so, am I right? Because see: singing? Singing is nice, I sing myself, but one can't always sing, one gets tired of it. And women? O yes! O yes! - but - well, we won't talk about it, me and my Suse know about it. But drinking?
You see, drinking, that it: drinking!
ALL THREE
Yes, brother, you are right, brother!
NO. 17 DRINKING SONG AND QUINTET WITH CHORUS
BLUNT
In fall one needs to drink!
ALL
In fall one should drink!
That is the right time;
That's when the blood of the grape ripens,
And the wine tastes so good;
In fall one should drink.
BLUNT
In winter one should drink!
ALL
In winter one should drink!
In winter it is cold;
The blood of the grape warms us then
And the wine tastes so good;
In winter one should drink!
BLUNT
In summer one should drink!
ALL
In summer one should drink!
In summer it is hot,
The blood of the grape cools us
And the wine tastes so good,
In summer one should drink!
BLUNT
In spring one should drink!
ALL
In spring one should drink!
Then it's not hot nor cold!
Then the blood of the grape refreshes us,
Then the wine tastes twice as good;
In spring one should drink!
Yippee! That is cheerfulness,
Everyone swims in blissfulness,
Everyone shouts with joy,
That's the way to celebrate a wedding!
Yippee!
MRS. SUSE BLUNT (HURRIES IN)
QUINTET
MRS. BLUNT
Finally, old man, I'm finding you!
BLUNT
Suse, yes, I am the one.
MRS. BLUNT
For a long time I have been looking for you,
Nowhere were you to be found.
I swore and cursed,
God forgive my sins!
Here with your drinking pals
I finally find you!
O you dishonorable man,
You are coming with me right away!
BLUNT
Dear little wife don't look at me askance,
Alas, I am as merry as a cricket.
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Woman, why do you look askance at us,
Today is the wedding feast.
MRS. BLUNT
Quiet! - quiet, before my gallbladder swells!
If you dare to make a sound,
I will tell each one of you,
Who he is and of what value he is.
BLUNT
O dear!
MRS. BLUNT
Robert Green! You are known
Throughout the land
As a bad husband.
Who now and then
Likes to look at other women
And gambles and drinks.
You, toms, are an old fool!
Who never did and never will amount to anything,
Gambler, glutton, barfly!
Scrop here is identical!
You, James Gadshill, you are a moron,
To make it short, all of you are worthless!
BLUNT
Dear Suse, don't fight,
Look, I am full of bliss!
MRS. BLUNT
Yes, I am telling all of you,
Every single one is worthless!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Quiet! No, by God, that is too much!
(TO BLUNT)
Tell her to be quiet.
BLUNT
Suse, leave us in peace!
Drink a little! I'll give some to you!
MRS. BLUNT
What? What was that? I'm supposed to be quiet?
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Yes, we don't want to hear you anymore.
MRS. BLUNT
Who wants to shut me up?
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Alas, we don't want to hear you anymore!
MRS. BLUNT
No, no, no, no!
Now I'm going to shout even louder!
BLUNT
Suse, leave us in peace!
MRS. BLUNT
No, no, no, no, no, no!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Quiet now! Let her be quiet!
MRS. BLUNT
I don't want to be quiet!
Just wait, I'll show you
That I can and want to speak!
Did you not like what I said?
Well then, just to spite you,
I'll start all over!
Robert Green, you are known
Throughout the land
As a bad husband!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Has that woman totally lost her senses!
MRS. BLUNT
Who now and then
Likes to look at other women
And gambles and drinks.
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL (TO BLUNT)
Neighbor, say, what are you going to do?
MRS. BLUNT
You, Toms, are an old fool,
Who never did and never will amount to anything,
A loose boozer,
Gambler, glutton, barfly,
Who never did and never will amount to anything
Than a loose boozer!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Has that woman totally lost her senses?
MRS. BLUNT
Scrop here is identical;
You, James Gadshill, are a moron!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Neighbor, say, what are you going to do?
BLUNT
Do like I do and stay calm,
If it gets too bad, laugh about it!
Even so, she is a dear little wife,
Clink your glasses and cheer her!
MRS. BLUNT
To make it short, all of you are worthless!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
BLUNT, GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Clink your glasses and cheer her!
(CHORUS APPEARS)
BLUNT
Three cheers for her! Three cheers for her!
GREEN, SCROP, GADSHILL
Hahaha! Hahahahahahaha!
CHORUS
What a noise! What has happened?
Tell us, what is the meaning of it?
No one can hear a word,
Is it serious or fun?
This scolding, this laughing
Confuses all of us!
Do you want to make us crazy?
Woman, finally be quiet!
(A SHOT RINGS OUT)
DIALOGUE
ALL OF THE ABOVE
PERTH
Listen - what was that?
GREEN (TALKS)
It was a shot!
(THERE IS ANOTHER SHOT AT LEFT FRONT)
PERTH
And another one! What can that be?
But look - there - George Dibdin is in haste!
GEORGE DIBDIN (COMES OUT OF BREATH)
GEORGE (LIKE MAD)
Ah, friends - ah, ah friends!
PERTH
What has happened - what has happened?
GEORGE
Ah, Emmy was murdered. And I shot the gracious sir!
PERTH
What terrible crime: how did it happen?
GEORGE
Ah, it was terrible to see, as the moon shone upon the pale face. I won't find anymore peace on this earth. The bad deed drives me into the wide world! (HE RUNS AWAY)
(THE CORPSE OF EMMY IS BROUGHT IN.)
NO. 18 CHORUS
Joy and sorrow in this life
Change as quickly as the hours go by!
We were so cheerful and lively,
To unite the bride with her husband.
Alas, now we move heavy and afraid,
To bury her corpse in the tomb!
SECOND SCENE
(HALL IN THE DAVENAUT CASTLE, LIKE IN THE FIRST ACT.)
DIALOGUE
AUBRY (SITTING BY HIMSELF, HIS HEAD BURIED IN HIS HANDS. AFTER A WHILE COMES MALWINA.)
MALWINA (DRESSED FOR THE WEDDING, SINKING EMOTIONALLY INTO HIS ARMS.)
Edgar!
AUBRY
Malwina, you were crying!
MALWINA
Alas, it did no good to beg my father with tears, futile to ask him for a delay; he made up his mind. The guests are there, the chapel decorated, the return of the Earl is awaited to bless my misfortune by the pastor. In front of the chapel is the coach of the Earl to leave right after the wedding -
NO. 19 DUETT
AUBRY
Don't say more, I cannot bear it,
You are lost! Woe to you!
And woe is me, I despair,
Only madness stays with me!
O would I be able to quickly end
By my own hands this horrorful life!
MALWINA
O, beloved, let me beg you
Not to lose your courage!
There is still a God, who hears us,
If he so wants, all ends well!
With childlike trust
Let us hope for his help.
AUBRY
Time is short, Malwina,
Be forewarned,
O, just hesitate 'til morning comes:
Cunning and great is hell's might,
With evil trickery she ensnares.
MALWINA
What are you saying? What should I fear?
I fear only my father's order!
From everything which otherwise might harm me,
My pure heart and spirit will protect me.
For him who is pious,
The dark might of hell escapes,
No evil spell can touch him.
AUBRY
Greetings beautiful light of heaven!
Which shines through the darkness of doubt!
With great joy, from bright spheres,
It jubilates with thousand angel choirs.
BOTH
For him who is pious,
Who fosters true love in his bosom,
The dark might of hell escapes,
No evil spell can touch him!
(THEY EMBRACE)
NO. 20 FINALE
(DAVENAUT AND GUESTS)
CHORUS OF THE GUESTS
Flowers and blossoms in zephyr caress,
Lovely unfolded from the adulating west,
Flower of the highlands, you Davenaut rose,
Wind we for you on today's feast!
DAVENAUT
Dear friends come, start the wedding feast
With glad spirit and cheerfulness;
My only child, dear to her fathers heart,
Today I marry her to her noble husband!
MALWINA
Your will, Lord in Heaven, may be,
In trusting humility I submit myself;
O show me a sign of your grace,
I am your creature, have pity on me!
AUBRY
An angel descended to comfort me with hope;
But quickly cold fear grabs me again,
Sneeringly hell comes down on me!
CHORUS
Yes, friends, come and start the wedding feast
With glad spirit and cheerfulness;
The only child, dear to her father's heart,
Today he marries her to her noble husband!
Sing loudly and jubilate!
LORD RUTHVEN (ENTERS QUICKLY)
MALWINA
Almighty!
AUBRY
Woe, horrible!
CHORUS
Ha, welcome!
DAVENAUT
Ha, welcome!
RUTHVEN (TO DAVENAUT)
Sir, I can't excuse myself
For missing my duty,
To delay my happiness;
My mistake I want to commend,
Praise my misfortune,
Even milady looked angrily
At the bridegroom, who came late to the wedding.
DAVENAUT
Save your words, dear son,
Everything is ready!
Lets go then to the chapel,
There I will put her hand into yours
With the blessings of the pastor.
MALWINA
Ah, my father, have pity!
DAVENAUT
Let's go, friends! With cheerful song
Accompany us to the wedding!
AUBRY
Transfixed and lifeless I am standing here -
O God, how will this end?
MALWINA
Woe is me! Ah, woe!
My father!
RUTHVEN
Ha! Triumph! The goal is near!
She is in my hands!
Triumph! The goal is near!
CHORUS
May the future strew roses
On the path of your life:
Flower of the highlands, you Davenaut rose,
How today flowers -
AUBRY
Stop it!
No, never shall she be your victim!
CHORUS
Ha! What is this?
What a strange beginning!
DAVENAUT
Silly boy!
Get away quickly!
Crazy one, away with you, back!
Your passion is driving you too far.
AUBRY
Ha, nevermore!
Time is pressing!
(HE EMBRACES MALWINA)
I have courage and strength in me,
I will and must rescue the beloved!
DAVENAUT
Ha, throw the raging one into chains!
CHORUS
Ha! What is this?
What a strange beginning!
AUBRY
I will hold onto her
And only let her go with my life!
DAVENAUT
Away with him!
Separate them, he has lost his senses!
AUBRY
Ha, nevermore!
Ah, have pity!
Cheated father, ah, you don't know
What you are doing.
You will lose your child before dawn,
If you let her be the bride of this monster.
DAVENAUT
What, raging one!
You dare to insult the man
Who the Laird chose for his son-in-law?
Ha, be afraid of my anger!
RUTHVEN
Time is passing!
It is getting late! -
Horror shivers through my limbs!
MALWINA
Courage and trust are leaving me,
God in Heaven, have pity!
CHORUS
Whatever turn this will take,
Woe, it will not end well,
What I hear, what I see,
Shows me misfortune is near!
AUBRY
Ha, don't trust that villain!
Look at his depraved face!
His eyes flame like hellfire!
He languishes for her blood!
You will never, never see her again!
CHORUS
Woe, what was that?
What a strange beginning!
RUTHVEN
The hopeless loves flame
Burns in him in wild fury!
Ha, tie up his impetuosity!
You can hear that madness speaks from him!
DAVENAUT
Yes, tie up his impetuosity,
You can hear that madness speaks from him!
Away with him, he lost his senses.
RUTHVEN
Yes, away with him, he lost his senses!
CHORUS
You can hear that madness speaks from him!
Away with him, he lost his senses.
AUBRY (BESIDES HIMSELF)
Malwina, hear me!
In mortal dread I beg you!
Ruin threatens you this night!
O delay just until daybreak,
O delay just -
SERVANTS (TAKING AUBRY AWAY)
The others without Aubry.
Then Aubry's voice.
DAVENAUT
Away!
RUTHVEN
Time is passing, it is getting late!
Horror shivers through my limbs!
MALWINA
Courage and trust are leaving me,
God in heaven, have pity!
AUBRY (OUTSIDE)
Malwina - Malwina!
CHORUS
Whatever turn this will take,
Woe, it will not end well!
What I hear, what I see,
Shows me misfortune is near!
RUTHVEN (TO DAVENAUT)
Time is passing, it is getting late,
Let us get on with the deed.
DAVENAUT
My friends, on with cheerful song
Accompany us to the wedding.
MALWINA
Father, ah, father! With tears
Let me beg you!
Father! Ah, father! Have pity
With my poor soul!
My strength is waning,
O let your daughter find pity!
O allow me time, daybreak is not far!
Alas, let us wait 'til tomorrow!
CHORUS
O allow her time, daybreak is not far!
Why such a hurry?
RUTHVEN
My time is pressing!
DAVENAUT
Say, can't we wait?
RUTHVEN
You know what duty requires!
DAVENAUT
I would like to give in!
RUTHVEN
I can't wait any longer!
DAVENAUT
Sir, let us wait until tomorrow.
RUTHVEN
No! Nevermore!
It cannot and must not be!
You gave me your word.
Do you want to dishonorably break it?
DAVENAUT (VEHEMENTLY)
Ha! Who dares to talk like that to me?
RUTHVEN
Do you want to dishonorably break it?
DAVENAUT
Ha! Who dares to talk like that to me?
On! On then to the wedding!
MALWINA
No, nevermore!
DAVENAUT
On to the wedding!
MALWINA
I will never consent!
Ha, not love, just horror,
I feel for this man.
DAVENAUT
Ha! You dare to oppose?
Ha! Degenerate one! all right then!
So strike you your father's curse!
MALWINA AND CHORUS
Woe!
CHORUS
What has happened?
DAVENAUT (WITH RELUCTANCE)
On! Start the wedding procession!
CHORUS
After the terrible weather noise
Joy smiles cheerfully,
Flower of the highlands, you Davenaut rose,
May every danger turn to luck!
AUBRY
In vain you curb my frenzied strength,
I must get inside!
I will destroy this demons deed.
RUTHVEN
Don't let him in!
AUBRY (CRASHES IN)
Stop it!
RUTHVEN
I am lost! Woe is me!
AUBRY
Know, this monster of nature -
RUTHVEN
Aubry! Think about your oath -
Ruin threatens you!
CHORUS
Woe!
AUBRY
I don't hesitate before the Almighty's fury -
I shout it with thundering voice:
RUTHVEN
Ruin threatens you!
CHORUS
Woe, what will we hear?
AUBRY
This monster here -
RUTHVEN
Torment shivers through my limbs!
The thunder of God throws me down!
Woe is me!
AUBRY (MIGHTILY)
This monster here -
Is a vampire!
ALL (WITH SHOUTS OF TERROR)
Woe!
A flash of lightning smashes Ruthven.
All fall down, stunned.
CHORUS
Ha! What was that? What has happened here?
DAVENAUT
God, my child, what misfortune threatened you!
MALWINA
For him who is pious,
Who fosters true love in his bosom,
The dark might of Hell escapes,
No evil spell can touch him!
AUBRY, MALWINA, CHORUS
For him who is pious,
Who fosters true love in his bosom,
The dark might of hell escapes,
No evil spell can touch him!
DAVENAUT
I lost the right of the father!
Beloved daughter, can you forgive me?
So that I may win you back,
With my blessing as a father
I will put your hand into his!
(TO AUBRY)
You will be my son and the heir of my name!
(HE UNITES THE LOVERS)
MALWINA
Deep in my heart
Thankfully I feel your kindness,
Father, I don't find words.
AUBRY
May I believe, may I hope?
Alas, I see heaven open!
This bliss I can't bear.
CHORUS
Out of ruins lap
Blossomed a beautiful fate;
To the almighty praise and thanks!
To him our song of praise is dedicated!