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Scene the first |
A room in Torquilstone.
Ivanohe is alone. He leans on his bed, pale and weak from his wound. |
 Q 
Ivanohe
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Happy with winged feet,
comes the morning softly stealing in;
and to my darling's chamber sweet
this happy light will win!
O, fair procession of the morning hours,
go, bid my love awake with all the flowers.
But let me sleep awhile,
and dream my only wound is from love's dart,
and cunningly my thought beguile,
to deem that thou, fair queen, my gaoler art;
so prison bars and wounds more dear shall be
than all the world, if there I find not thee.
Come, sleep, and let me see my ladt's face;
come, gentle sleep!
| S
 (♦)
(♦)
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| Ivanohe falls asleep. Presently Ulrica steals into the room, followed by Rebecca. | <- Ulrica, Rebecca
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ULRICA |
Tend thou the knight thou lovest:
another and a nobler work be mine!
Look for thy bridal torches!
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| (Exit Ulrica.) | Ulrica ->
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REBECCA |
Aye, she speaks truth; I love him.
Now, in this hour of doubt and danger,
to my weak heart I say, "Be still, I love him."
Ah, would that thou and I might lead our sheep
amid the folded hills!
The winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
the singing birds are come beside the rills.
Arise, beloved one!
I love thee, I love thee; o my love,
my Asahel, o swift as the wild roe,
and terrible as armed hosts that go
with banners onward waving.
How fair and pleasant art thou, o my love ~
A shadow of the rock, a happy fountain springing;
a bird his glad song winging
up to high heaven in a maze of light!
Sleep fountain, bird, and love, for surely sleep is best;
sleep, while I guard thy rest
by day or night;
for only in thy sleep art thou my love.
Ah me, for many waters
quench not the fire of love; and, when he wakes,
his eyes are not for me.
Rest, rest, beloved!
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| (Ivanohe wakes. He raises himself on his bed.) | |
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IVANOHE |
And is it thou, dear maiden?
My gentle nurse!
Now is all well with me since thou art near.
But hark! what sound is in mine ear?
I dreamed, but dream no more. And now
our friends renew their onset.
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REBECCA |
Peace, be still!
I hear no sound of combat.
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IVANOHE |
'Tis but the pause before the onset,
the stillness ere the thunder break in the air.
Anon 'twill break in fury.
(He rises from the bed.)
I pray thee, gentle maiden,
help me to yonder window.
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REBECCA |
Nay, rest, I pray thee! I will stand
at yonder window, and will tell
how flow the tides of war. Fear not for me!
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IVANOHE |
Nay, gentle heart, it must not be,
that thou dare danger for my sake.
My whole life long should I go mourning thee,
wert thou to sleep in death and I to wake.
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REBECCA |
Thy shield then! Proudly will I bear
the glorious shield of Ivanohe!
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| (She takes his shield upon her arm, and mounts to the window. Ivanohe sinks back upon the bed.) | |
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I see them now; the dark wood moves with bows.
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| (Far off the bugle sounds assault. The Norman trumpets answer.) | |
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O god of Israel, shield us in this hour!
On, on they come with bended bows triumphant;
on, on they drive, and now the quiver rattleth;
the noise of the captains and the shouting!
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VOICES
(in the distance) |
De Bracy, De Bracy!
On, free companions!
The temple, the temple!
Strike for the templar!
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IVANOHE |
And I must lie like palsied monk
while the great game is playing!
What of the sable knight? Does he ride forth
like one who goes a-maying,
with joy of battle and the pride of war?
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REBECCA |
With giant blows he hews the palisade;
a mighty axe swings in his mailed hand,
his black plume floats afar,
a raven o'er the stormy fight!
The palisade falls; he enters in ~
onward he drives, a Joab in the battle!
Lion of war ~ now fall his foes before him,
bending like corn that bends before the whirlwind.
They fly, they fly across the moat,
and hurl the plank away; the outwork's won!
Ah woe! The poor men left o' the other side!
They fling them down! they pierce them through!
O god of Israel, pardon in this hour
the men whom thou hast made.
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| (She lets fall the shield, and comes from the window, her hands before her eyes. Ivanohe rises to meet her.) | |
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IVANOHE
How canst thou know what pain it is to lie
all helpless here, while deeds of chivalry
are done so near and yet so far away?
What life is there but in the battle brave,
and who would live one day
of sloth and shame, that in the clash of fight,
the battle's fierce delight,
might find 'mid warriors bold the glory and the grave?
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REBECCA |
Ah me! not thus did Judah's warriors go
forth to the fight, but breathing prayer and praise
not in the shield nor sword
they trusted, but in him whose mighty arm
rolled back the flood, till pharaoh's hosts of war
were whelmed in rushing waters.
But now, alas! no Jewish girl may see
the warriors of her rice go forth to war.
Our harps are hung upon the willow tree,
and all our songs of sorrow; Judah's star
is sunk in vasty night.
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And yet be witness, heaven, with what delight,
what rapture would I give
my life-blood drop, so I might live
but for one hour to see
Judah redeemed from her captivity.
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VOICES
(without) |
De Bracy, De Bracy!
The temple, the temple!
Cross-bows and lances,
brave hearts and noble,
strike for the templar!
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OTHER VOICES
(without) |
Saint George for merry England!
Arrowa and sword play!
On for Saint George!
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REBECCA |
But see! What angry redness
flushes the heaven above us?
The castle burns with fire.
Now do I know thee,
fiend with thy briding torches!
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| The door is flung open. Enter Brian. | <- Brian
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BRIAN |
The castle burns. Away with me!
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| (Ivanohe seizes a sword, but Brian strikes it from his hand. Ivanohe falls fainting. Brian seizes Rebecca, and drags her away.) | |
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REBECCA |
In mercy save him!
Wilfred! Wilfred!
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| Exit Brian, with Rebecca. The walls begin to burn and fall. Enter through the ruins King Richard and Yeomen. | Brian, Rebecca ->
<- King, Yeomen
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IVANOHE
(on his knees) |
The king! The king!
Long live the king!
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| (The Outlaws fall back in amazement, then uncover.) | |
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OUTLAWS |
The king! It is the king!
Richard the lion-hearted, the black knight!
Pardon! Pardon! Long live the king!
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| More ruin falls, and on high is seen Ulrica, a burnt-out torch in hand. | <- Ulrica
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ULRICA |
Far leaps the fire-flame, render of forests;
far floats the smoke-wreath, wings of the eagle;
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whet the bright steel, then,
sons of the dragon!
Kindle the torches,
daughters of Hengist!
I come, o Zernebock, I come in glory!
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| (She leaps down and disappears.) | Ulrica ->
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Scene the second |
In the forest.
Outlaws cross the glade singing and dancing. |
Q
Outlaws
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OUTLAWS
Light foot upon the dancing green,
light hand upon the bow,
with glancing eye and laughing mien
adown the glade we go.
And, marching, sing like yeomen true,
"Our bows are made of English yew."
Like merry birds our arrow fly,
a shadow from the sun,
and where they light the foemen die,
and so the battle's won.
We march and sing beneath the blue,
“Our bows are made of English yew.”
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| Enter King Richard, lute in hand. Ivanohe follows him. | <- King, Ivanohe
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KING |
Oh, I would be an outlaw bold,
to strike the flying deer,
or leave the lover's tale half told
in lingering maiden's ear.
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(To Ivanohe.) |
Hither, dear lad, and lean on me;
this air of woodland wild and free
shall brace the arm that hangs so weak,
and bring the wild rose to thy cheek.
Here will we rest and wile the time away
with dainty lute and jocund roundelay.
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IVANOHE |
Thy love is more to me, my king,
than breath of May that poets sing,
and dear as maiden's love to me
the hope to live and fight for thee
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KING
(to his lute) |
Oh, forest ways are dark enow,
though shine the silver moon,
and dark beneath the forest bough,
the stricken deer shall swoon.
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(To Ivanohe.) |
Here seat thee, lad, and rest thy bones;
this knoll shall be the best of thrones;
and 'neath my canopy of singing birds
I'll judge me like a king o' the ancient world.
What ho! What ho, there! Bring my prisoner forth.
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| Enter De Bracy, guarded. | <- De Bracy, guards
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KING |
Maurice De Bracy, faithless knight,
since thou didst seize upon the road
ladies and liegemen of the king,
now tell me why, in heaven's sight,
of noble tree a thankless load
thou shouldst not swing?
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DE BRACY |
My liege, I have no word to say,
but only of thy mercy pray,
cover my face; I would not fright
the little birds from their delight;
cover my face, and let me swing
the highest servant of my king.
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KING |
Maurice De Bracy, I pronounce thy doom:
get thee to horse, strike spur and ride away!
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DE BRACY |
To horse! and free!
Surely my king doth jest with me!
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KING |
Not I. I bid thee up and fly!
Ride as the fiend were after thee!
Ride till thou find my brother John,
thy whilom play-fellow:
charge him he yield him to our grace
ere ten days pass, or, by the holy cross,
I will so maul him that his Louis o' France
shall know him not, and I'll so bend his neck
that his back break. Go! Let thy horse be fleet!
Kneele not, speak not, but live in honesty.
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| (Exit De Bracy.) | De Bracy, guards ->
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(to Ivanohe) |
Look, where thy moody father walks apart,
and by his side thy gentle lady fair,
like fawn that scents the happy woodland air,
and moves in dappled light.
Lad, will thy sire forgive thee?
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IVANOHE |
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KING |
We'll bend him yet. Look, where he comes this way;
stand thou apart, and I will strive with him
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| Enter Cedric and Rowena. | <- Cedric, Rowena
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KING |
Cedric, good friend, didst thou not promise me
a boon for lusty fighting? What if I ask
free pardon for thy son and a fair wife?
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CEDRIC |
I am grown infirm of purpose; I know not ~
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If for the love of woman's face
my life-long task must ended be,
and lost the hope of Harold's race,
what work remains for me,
beneath the sun?
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KING |
Maiden, if e'er in forest free
the sun shone fair for love's delight,
kneel down and pray for charity,
for so by thy brave knight
shall bride be won.
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ROWENA |
Cedric, o father, hear me pray
by days of childhood's lost delight,
when he and I were wont to play,
forgive thy son.
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IVANOHE |
Cedric, o father, hear me pray
that I find favour in thy sight,
and take me to thy heart to-day,
true man, and trusty knight,
and thine own son.
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CEDRIC |
Be it as thou wilt! God knows I pardon thee!
Wilfred, my son ~ but let me hence awhile ~
follow me not! I pray thee, let me go!
(Exit.)
| Cedric ->
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KING |
The pliant willow waves,
but the oak groans in bending.
And I'll go too, for well wot I
that man and lily maid
well met i' the forest shade,
desire no king for company.
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Oh! I would be an outlaw bold,
to strike the flying deer;
for hearts are young in forest old,
and spring in all the year.
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| (Exit King Richard.) | King ->
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IVANOHE |
How oft beneath the far-off Syrian skies
have I looked up and seen amid the stars,
twin lights of home in land of distant wars,
these star-like eyes.
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ROWENA |
How oft, when thou wert far beyond the foam,
and mine was woman's part of weary rest,
dreamed I my head lay happy on this breast,
thy heart my home!
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| Enter Isaac, pale and in haste. | <- Isaac
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ISAAC |
Knight, Knight of Ivanohe, I come for thee!
My child is doomed to die.
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IVANOHE |
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ISAAC |
Nay, hear me. When the fierce templar
snatched her from burning Torquilstone, he bore her
to the next house of the Order.
There have they sat in judgment on my child,
for witchcraft practiced on that evil knight,
and she must die by fire.
My child has asked a champion; thou wilt come ~
I pray thee at thy feet ~ away with me!
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ROWENA |
Wilfred, bethink thee, thou art weak with wounds.
In mercy stay with me ~ Wilfred, my love!
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IVANOHE |
And shall she die by fire?
She led me back to life and love of thee.
Though I were weaker than an ailing girl,
must I not go?
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ROWENA |
I would not have thee stay
with me and shame. O Wilfred, o my love,
go, go, lest I entreat thee back again!
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IVANOHE |
My heart, my queen!
Be brave till next I clasp thee in my arms.
Farewell, dear love!
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| (He embraces Rowena, and rushes out followed by Isaac. Rowena falls fainting.) | Ivanohe, Isaac ->
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Scene the third |
The preceptory of the templars.
A funeral pile. A crowd of common folk kept back by temple servants. The Templars enter in order singing.. Rebecca is led in with them. Among them is Brian, silent and pale, armed but without his helmet. |
Q
Crowd, Temple servants
<- Templars, Grand master, Rebecca, Brian
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TEMPLARS
Fremuere principes,
irruere turbidi:
in hoc templo una spes,
una salus domini!
Nobis sit victoria,
nostro templo gloria,
gloria sancto nomini!
Cordibus ac mentibus
proni veneramur te:
salus esto gentibus
in hoc templo, domine!
Nobis sit victoria,
nostro templo gloria,
gloria sancto nomine!
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| (When the templars have taken their seats, their Grand master remains standing. | |
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GRAND MASTER |
Thou Jewish girl, who art condemned to die
for practice of thy vile unholy arts
against a noble christian knight, attend.
Thou didst demand a champion, and our Order
erring perchance, as 'tis most meet to err,
in mercy, heard thy prayer;
wherefore we named our tried and valiant brother,
Brian, the knight of whom thou art accused,
to meet thy champion, should a champion come.
But now the hours decline, and sinks the sun
as sinks thy life. The hour of doom is near.
Repent and free thy soul! Confess thy crime.
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REBECCA |
I am innocent.
Now, if god will, even in this last dark hour
he will appoint a champion.
But if no champion come, I bow
before his holy will, and am content to die.
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GRAND MASTER |
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| (A flourish of trumpets ~ then a pause.) | |
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Now since no champion makes answer here,
draw near and bind the maiden to the stake;
for surely she shall die.
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| (As the servants approach Rebecca, Brian comes quickly down.) | |
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BRIAN |
It shall not be.
Fools! Dotards! Will ye slay the innocent?
Butchers and burners!
She is mine, I say; I say she shall not burn.
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GRAND MASTER |
What need of further proof? The witchcraft works
even in his lips, and breeds their blasphemy.
Take her and bind her to the stake.
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BRIAN |
(to servants)
Back! as you hope to live!
(to Rebecca)
Swear to be mine, and I will save thee now.
My horse is nigh at hand, Zamor my horse
who never failed me yet; and he will bear thee
to life and love. One word, and thou shalt live!
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REBECCA
(in prayer) |
Guard me, Jehovah, guard me!
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| Brian covers his face and turns aside. Rebecca offers her hands to the servants. They bind her to the stake. They are about to fire the pile, when there is a movement in the crowd, and a great shout.) | |
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VOICES |
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| Through the crowd comes Ivanohe on foot, pale, dusty, with drawn sword. | <- Ivanohe
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IVANOHE |
Forbear, forbear!
I come, her champion, ere set of sun,
Wilfred of Ivanohe.
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REBECCA |
He is weak and wounded,
he must not fight for me;
oh! as you hope for mercy at the last,
forbid the combat!
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BRIAN |
This is the man she loves!
Now is the hour,
death-hour for him or me.
Look to thy life, thou wretch of Ivanohe!
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| He attacks Ivanohe with fury. The Grand master rises as if to stop the combat, but stands gazing. Enter King Richard, Cedric, Rowena, Isaac, and Others. Ivanohe gives ground, fighting desperately. He is beaten to his knee. Brian swings his sword for a last blow, then drops the point and stands. A silence; then Brian falls. Ivanohe goes to him, wondering, and kneels beside him. | <- King, Cedric, Rowena, Isaac, Others
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IVANOHE |
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ALL |
A judgment! A judgment!
The evil passions warring in his soul
have rent him like the seven fiends of hell:
bow down before the judgment of the lord!
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| (They unbind Rebecca. She moves towards Ivanohe, but stops as he goes towards Rowena. Isaac goes timidly and touches the hand of Rebecca, who is gazing at Ivanohe and Rowena. At his touch, she turns and takes his hand in hers.) | |
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KING |
I charge thee, Conrad, master of the temple,
on whose foul sport we have intruded here,
up and begone, thou and thy trait'rous knights,
and at your peril shame our coasts no more.
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GRAND MASTER |
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TEMPLARS |
The temple stands above the wrath of kings!
We will appeal to Rome!
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KING |
Appeal! Appeal!
But if I find thee yet on English ground,
I will so harry thee, thou foreign knight,
that thou shalt have no voice to plead in Rome.
See where the banner of England floats afar
above thy temple pennants!
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| (The royal banner of England is raised.) | |
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TEMPLARS
Wide as the world our temple stands,
to mock the pride of kings!
ALL
O Love, that holdst the world in fee,
and strongest knights in thrall,
our hymn we raise to thee,
and hail thee lord of all!
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Together
REBECCA
Our temple was not made with hands,
but high as heaven it springs.
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| End of opera. | |
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