Oberon (1826)

Act I

[Ouverture]

Scene I

Oberon's bower. At the rising of the curtain, several picturesque groups of fairies are discovered, who sing the following

Fairies, Fairy

[N. 1 - Introduction]

CHORUS
(pianissimo)

Light as fairy foot can fall,

pace, ye elves, your master's hall;

all too loud the fountains play,

all too loud the zephyrs sigh;

chase the noisy gnat away,

keep the bee from humming by.

Stretch'd upon his lily bed,

Oberon in slumber lies;

sleep, at length, her balm hath shed

o'er his long-unclosed eyes.

O, may her spell as kindly bring

peace to the heart of the fairy king!

(During the Chorus, other fairies and spirits enter and dance.)

Enter Puck, R. U. E.

<- Puck

PUCK

How now? how now? Why do ye loiter here?

Are there not tasks to do? The sinking sun

is not an hour's journey from the sea,

and you will deem it hard, I warrant me,

when winking stars proclaim the time for sport,

to be denied the dance. Should Oberon ~

FAIRY

We did but watch, that nothing might disturb our master's slumber.

PUCK

Dost thou prate, vile scum?

Skip hence! or by the seal of Solomon. ~

Exeunt fairies.

Fairies, Fairy ->

He sleeps then still. 'Tis the first time his lids

have closed since he and fair Titania parted.

Mere wife and husband could not well have wrangled

on slighter grounds, ~ which was the most inconstant,

woman or man? Ha! ha! The queen of course

campion'd her sex, ~ debate rose high, ~ in anger,

one east, one west, ~ they speeded as of yore,

swearing by all that fairies reverence,

never to meet in love, till some fond pair,

through weal and woe, 'mid flood and chains and fire,

should keep their plighted faith inviolate,

unmoved by pleasure and unbent by pain!

And now the moody king would give his crown

to find this pair of turtles, and redeem

his hasty pledge. And, ~ for he knows 'tis vain

to trust to chance, ~ he spares nor sprite nor spell

to bring about the miracle. But hold ~

he wakes! He moves this way: I will

retire and mark his mood, ere I do speak with him.

(Retires to L. S. E.)

Puck ->

Enter Oberon, R. S. E.

<- Oberon

[N. 2 - Air]

OBERON

Fatal oath! not even slumber

can thy victim's torture tame!

Of my woes it swells the number,

of my wrath it feeds the flame.

Still I burn, and still I languish,

doubled in my dream I feel,

all my rage, and all my anguish;

but no balm their wounds to heal.

(♦) (♦)

<- Puck

PUCK
(advancing) R. C.

Hail, master!

OBERON

Tardy spirit, is it thou?

Where hast thou been since cock-crow?

PUCK
L. C.

Round the globe;

through India and Catay, across the sea

which rolls between them and that western world

unknown as yet to Frank or Saracen;

touched at each isle that studs the southern wave;

on his own sands outraced the dromedary;

pass'd the strong-pinioned eagle in his flight

o'er busy Europe; glanced like summer-light'ning

from pole to pole, ~ in hopes of finding that

which might console my king.

OBERON
C.

My faithful Puck!

How could I doubt thy zeal! Speak on, true servant!

PUCK
C.

Alack! I cannot speak what thou wouldst hear.

Faith I have found, which peril could not shake;

love I have seen, which absence could not cool;

passion, which triumph'd over mortal pain;

but none that spotless pass'd the harder trial

of proud prosperity! Nay, good my master,

droop not: ~ come, come, I have a tale for thee,

will wake thy wonder.

OBERON

Thou dost wake it now:

for where's the thing shall make the elf-king wonder,

save that thou'st sought in vain, a constant woman?

PUCK

Some two hours since I stood beside the throne

of Charlemagne, and heard the strangest sentence

pass'ed on a paladin, that ever tongue

of wrathful monarch spake. His son, prince Scharlot,

waylaid the young sir Huon of Bourdeaux,

and foully would have slain him; but, defeated

in the attempt, paid with his own vile life,

in open fight, the forfeit of his treason.

France with one voice declared sir Huon guilless:

noble and knight around the monarch kneeling

sued for his grace; but o'er the juster king

the partial father triumphed. ~ «Hence!» he cried:

«thou hast thy life, but mark on what conditions!

Speed thee to Bagdad: seek the caliph's hall;

and there on some high festival, before

the assembled court, e'en at the banquet board,

slay him who sits upon Haroun's left hand;

then kiss, and claim his daughter as thy bride!»

OBERON

And rides he forth upon this perilous quest?

PUCK

Ay, master.

OBERON

And alone?

PUCK

A single 'squire,

a foolish, faithful varlet, follows him.

OBERON

Hie thee back, spirit, over land and sea,

swifter than thought till thou dost meet with them;

cast a deep sleep on both, and bring them hither

before the breath be cold that bids thee.

(Puck vanishes, R. S. E.)

Puck ->

Yes!

The fairy king sir Huon shall befriend,

and the true knight in turn his woes may end.

The stage opens, L. C. and a flowery bank rises, on which sir Huon and Sherasmin are seen asleep; Puck standing besides them.

<- Sir Huon, Sherasmin, Puck

PUCK
(runs to Oberon) R.

King of fairy land, 'tis done.

Knight and 'squire thou lookest on.

OBERON

That's my good goblin!

(observing sir Huon)

R. C.

Ha! by starry night!

In this mailed breast, I ween,

love a guest hath never been!

But my piercing eye can see,

should he once installed be,

pleasure, peril, pomp, or pain,

him to shake may strive in vain!

(Clouds envelope the stage.)

Quickly to his charmed eyes

let a pleasing vision rise

of the caliph's lovely child

whom now he seeks on errand wild.

And within the same short hour,

in far Bagdad's haram bow'r,

to the sleeping lady's sight

shall the image of the knight

be shown, and equal love impart,

linking firmly heart to heart.

Spirits, hear your master's spell:

up! and do my bidding well.

Music. The clouds open, and discover the interior of a Persian kiosk. Reiza is seen seated on a couch in a melancholy attitude, with a lute in her hand. She rises and sings.

<- Reiza

[N. 3 - Vision]

REIZA

O, why art thou sleeping, sir Huon the brave?

A maiden is weeping by Babylon's wave,

up, up, gallant knight, ere a victim she falls,

Guienne to the rescue! 'Tis beauty that calls.

(The vision disappears; clouds again enclose the kiosk, and then draw off to the fairies' hall, as at first.)

Reiza ->

OBERON
C.

Enough! Enough! The spell I break,

children of the earth, awake!

SHERASMIN
(waking)

Eh! oh! o dear! sir! master!

(Shakes sir Huon.)

SIR HUON
(waking)

Stay, loveliest! For pity's sake!

Gone! ~ Where am I? Ha!

(Seeing Oberon.)

OBERON

Fear not, sir Huon of Bourdeaux! Thou seest

a friend who knows thee and thine errand.

I am Oberon, the king of fairy land.

SHERASMIN
(still more frightened)

Fairy! O! O! O! O!

(runs L.)

OBERON
C.

Peace, varlet! Hear me, paladin.

Relentless Charlemagne would have thy blood;

but thou shalt execute his dread command,

and to thy native France triumphantly

bear back thy beauteous bride, rest thou but true

amidst the trials fate prepares for thee.

Therefore receive, sir duke, this iv'ry horn;

whatever dangers may thy path beset,

its slightest sound will bring thee sudden aid;

need'st thou the presence of the fairy king,

a bolder blast will bring me to thy side,

tho' planets roll'd between us.

Now to thee,

friend Sherasmin, I turn.

(Sherasmin advances cautiously.)

Approach ~ nay, nearer ~

take courage, man! Here ~

(Giving him a golden cup.)

drink, and drown thy fears in Gascon wine.

SHERASMIN
(trembling)

An' it please your fairyship, I'm not at all thirsty; and if I were, I have no skill to drink from an empty cup.

(Aside.)

Gascon wine, indeed! A pretty Gascon tale to tell a man!

OBERON

Still faithless ~ still afraid! Quick ~ to thy mouth ~

SHERASMIN

Ye ~ ye ~ yes.

(Aside.)

Heaven preserve me!

(Puts the cup to his lips.)

OBERON

Be to thyself but true, it will not fail. (The cup fills with wine.) How sayst thou now?

SHERASMIN
(after a hearty draught)

Right Gascon, by the mass! S'life! I feel quite another creature; I'm as bold as a lion! O sweet fairy!

OBERON

Keep thou the cup; its golden round will yield

pure wine, fresh springing from a thousand veins,

if touch'd by guiltless mouth; but if base lip

profane its sacred brim, 'tis void, and burns

like molten lead the guilty wretch who grasps it.

Now, Huon, haste where love and honour call:

be bold, be constant, and be happy.

Oberon waves his wand; fairies appear to the symphony, from R. and L.

<- Fairies

[N. 4 - Trio and Chorus]

FAIRIES

Honour and joy to the true and the brave,

a friend they shall find in the elfin king;

but oh! to the traitor, the coward, the slave,

for ever the fairy's curse shall cling!

SIR HUON
(to Oberon)

Deign, fair spirit my steps to guide,

to the foot of the unbeliever's throne;

there let my arm and my heart be tried,

there be the truth and thy Huon known.

OBERON

The sun is kissing the purple tide,

that flows round my fairy bowers,

oft must he set in those waters wide

ere mortal knight from their shore could ride

to Bagdad's distant tow'rs.

But, lo! I wave my lily wand,

once, twice, three times o'er thee,

on the banks of the Tigris thou dost stand,

and Bagdad is before thee.

The scene changes to the banks of the Tigris, with the city of Bagdad in the distance.

SHERASMIN

By saint Denis, but he's right!

SIR HUON

Can I trust my startled sight?

Yes, the gilded domes are there,

in the last bright sunbeams glowing,

and the river broad and fair,

swiftly to the sea is flowing!

But where, alas! is she who shed

love's own light upon my slumbers?

Is that form forever fled,

hush'd for aye those magic numbers?

OBERON

Grieve not, sir knight; but, bold in glory's chase,

go forth; the living maid in Babylon embrace.

FAIRIES

Speed, Huon, speed; love and renown

soon shall they courage and constancy crown.

(Fairies disappear.)

Fairies ->

Oberon waves his wand; the bank changes to a car, drawn by swans; in which Oberon ascends, and disappears.

Oberon ->

SHERASMIN
R. C.

(After a pause, during which sir Huon and he appear lost in wonder.)

Master! are you awake, master? if your eyes be wide open, I pray you shake me, that I may open mine too. I would fain be assured whether I be really, bewitched or no.

SIR HUON

I hear the murmur of the waves; I feel the evening breeze upon by cheek. Will that foaming river, those glittering minarets, vanish in their turn?

SHERASMIN

I would wager my wits that they do, and no bad stake neither; for I know not how I shall save them otherwise, an' the fairies serve me another trick of this kidney. Now any one would swear this were a cup I hold in may hand; and I dream'd but now I drank out of it; I should like to dream that dream again ~ but 'tis empty; ~ see, see, it fills, master, it fills!

(Puts it to his mouth.)

O kind fairy! dainty Oberon! better wine was never tasted.

BABEKAN
(without)

Oh save me! Help! help! save me!

SIR HUON

Hark! what cry was that! Ha! look, Sherasmin!

SHERASMIN
(looking out)

A single horseman attacked by a lion!

SIR HUON

He has fastened on the steed ~ it falls! ~ draw, knave, and save the rider.

Sherasmin puts down the cup and exit with sir Huon. Babekan enters and sinks terrified on the ground. Sherasmin and sir Huon re-enter, hasten to him, and raise him.

<- Babekan

SHERASMIN
C.

Art hurt man? Cheerly, cheerly! Marry, thou hast an ugly customer to deal with there.

(Aside to sir Huon.)

Master, this man has a most villainously looking heathen habit. If we be out of fairy land, I trow we be near Bagdad in good earnest.

(Aloud to Babekan.)

What! shaking still? Nay then, here's what will cure thee,

(Takes up the cup.)

I warrant me. Drink man, and praise the power who sent us here to save thee.

(Putting the cup to his lips.)

BABEKAN

(screaming and dashing the cup on the ground)

Ha! Tortures! Slave of Eblis, my lips are scorched to cinders. ~ Curse thee, and ~

SIR HUON

Hold, blasphemer! The knave meant well; ~ 'tis thine own guilt hath turned the wine to fire.

BABEKAN

Dog of a Frank! here come my scattered train: their scimitars shall teach thee manners.

(Enter four Saracens, armed.)

<- First Saracen, Second Saracen, Third Saracen, Fourth Saracen

BABEKAN

Upon them, slaves!

(Saracens attack sir Huon and Sherasmin.)

SIR HUON

Ha! France! Ha! saint Denis!

SHERASMIN

Guienne! Guienne for the noble duke!

While sir Huon and Sherasmin defend themselves against the Saracens, Babekan steals behind sir Huon and attempts to stab him in the back; Sherasmin perceives him, and strikes the weapon from his hand. Babekan and his attendants fly, pursued by sir Huon and Sherasmin. Go off R.

Babekan, First Saracen, Second Saracen, Third Saracen, Fourth Saracen, Sir Huon, Sherasmin ->

Scene II

The interior of Namouna's cottage.
Enter Namouna, L. S. E.

<- Namouna

NAMOUNA

So, so, so, ~ a fine piece of news I've picked up at the palace this evening. ~ A pretty panic Bagdad will be in to-morrow, if the wind still blows from the same quarter. ~ Ul! Ul! Ul! What freaks young women take in their heads, ~ their heads, forsooth! young women have no heads! they think in their hearts! they are led by their hearts! and when they lose their hearts, their wits are gone into the bargain. ~ A plain proof ~ a plain proof. ~ Holy prophet! talking of heads, some will be in jeopardy to-morrow, I fancy. Should the princess keep in her present mood, the caliph will make heads as cheap as turnips, before the sun goes down again.

(A knocking without, R.)

Who is there, I wonder?

(Opens the door.)

Enter sir Huon and Sherasmin.

<- Sir Huon, Sherasmin

SHERASMIN
R. C.

A word, good mother, an'it like you.

NAMOUNA
C.

Allah guard us! What would ye, strangers?

SHERASMIN

Don't be frightened, good mother. ~ We are only two poor travellers, who would fain inquire where we may lodge in this strange town. We have had a long journey, ~

(aside)

jump, I should say ~

(aloud)

and need rest and refreshment.

NAMOUNA

'Tis a good step to the nearest caravanserai, and I question then if you don't find it full. But, if you are not too proud, this is my humble dwelling; and if a plain, wholesome supper may content you, and clean straw till the morning, you can then look for a better lodging by daylight.

SIR HUON
C.

Thou sayst well, dame: we will be thy guests this night.

SHERASMIN
(aside)

A better lodging! ay, and a prettier landlady; or we're come a long way to little purpose.

NAMOUNA

Enough, sir stranger; I'll spread for supper directly.

(exit)

Namouna ->

SHERASMIN

Master, I would this good dame could tell us who the craven caitiff might be, that would have murdered you out of pure gratitude for saving his worthless life from the lion, and then fled as nimbly from us, as he did from the beast before.

SIR HUON
L.

His dress and attendants bespeak him of rank, but his deeds had shamed the poorest serf that ever tended swine.

Re-enter Namouna, with a lamp.

<- Namouna

NAMOUNA

Now, an' it please you, walk this way. Some milk, and a few figs, with a plate of rice, or so, is all I have to offer you; but you must make up for it at the feast to-morrow.

SIR HUON
C.

The feast! what feast?

NAMOUNA
L. C.

What feast? Why, was it not for the feast ye came to Bagdad then? The wedding feast, to be sure. Is not the caliph's daughter to be married to-morrow?

SIR HUON

The caliph's daughter! to whom, good mother, I pray you?

NAMOUNA

Why, by what road came you hither, sir stranger, that the tidings have not reached your ears? The whole country round rings with them.

SHERASMIN
C.

We came by a shortcut ~ a by-road: we travelled too fast to pick up much intelligence. On with thy tale.

NAMOUNA

Marry then, stranger, the bridegroom is prince Babekan. He's as rich as the sea, and plays at chess better than any man in Bagdad.

SHERASMIN
(Aside) L. C.

Does he? An'our knight's move do not puzzle him, say I know nothing of the game, that's all.

NAMOUNA

Ah! and a good-looking man too; in short, a prince whom all confess born for our Reiza; but, between you and I, the princess would rather marry a dragon.

SIR HUON

Ha! sayst thou?

SHERASMIN

Marry a dragon! S'death! that would be getting a check mate.

NAMOUNA

I say it again, sir, a dragon. Ay, ay, you may well stare; but I know what I know. There may be no feast to-morrow after all. I ~ I had it in confidence, and promised not to breathe a syllable; but as you are strangers, and look as if you might be trusted, I'll tell you all about it. You wonder, no doubt, how a poor old soul like me should learn such state secrets, for the commander of the faithful himself knows it not as yet. One word will explain all. My grandaughter is the princess's favourite attendant.

SIR HUON

'Tis well; but your story.

NAMOUNA

Well, well, I'm coming to it. Every body knows that, for some time past, the caliph has been looking out for a husband for the beautiful Reiza. Offers were made in plenty, but the princess treated every suitor with the most perfect indifference. Among them came prince Babekan, who fared no better than the rest; but the caliph, taking a great fancy to him, told the princess that, as she would not choose for herself, he must e'en choose for her, and, as she loved nobody better, she might as well marry prince Babekan; to this, at first, she made no violent objection, but within these few hours a wonderful change has taken place, and ~ would you believe it? all on account of a dream.

SIR HUON, SHERASMIN

A dream!

NAMOUNA

Ay, a dream. She fancied she was transformed to a hind, and that prince Babekan hunted her through a forest, when suddenly a young knight, whose strange arms showed him not of eastern birth, appeared, and saved her from the darts of the huntsmen. And now, though the preparations are completed for the banquet, and the ceremony is to take place to-morrow, she has sworn never to be the bride of any one but this phantom knight; and, holy Allah! when the caliph shall hear ~

SIR HUON
(with ardour)

It matters not! The lady shall keep her vow; the knight will mar the feasting else, I promise thee!

NAMOUNA

The prophet preserve us! What do I hear?

(Viewing sir Huon from head to foot.)

And what do I see? An armed knight, too! ~ Habit as strange as his speech! Allah il Allah! Your pardon for a moment, ~ I ~ I'll be back anon. ~ You'll find supper laid within. ~

(Aside.)

I must to the palace as fast as my old limbs will carry me.

(exit hastily)

Namouna ->

SHERASMIN
R.

The old hag will raise the city on us!

SIR HUON
C.

Fear not! She works the will of fate, and fate is friendly to us! O Sherasmin, the beautiful vision which the fairy raised was no delusion. ~ Such a being lives, and for me!

SHERASMIN

The caliph's daughter, too! The very woman the emperor named for your bride! An' a fool might advise, sir, I would cut the matter as short as possible. ~ You are commanded to kill the man who sits on the right of the caliph, and marry the princess. ~ Stick to the latter part of the promise, and forget the rest, master mine! Slicing off a head is but a bad preface to courtship. ~ Let the infidel 'scape free, and cleave to the lady. ~ I'll have everything prepared for flight, and ~

SIR HUON

Knave, I have pledged my knightly word to Charlemagne, and must redeem it to the letter. ~ Huon, beyond his life, ~ beyond his love, ~ esteems his honour!

[N. 5 - Recitative and Aria]

Yes, even love to fame must yield;

no carpet knight am I:

my home it is the battle field ~

my song the battle cry!

O 'tis a glorious sight to see

the charge of the christian chivalry,

when thundering over the ground they go,

their lances levell'd in long, long row!

One shock, and their lances are shiver'd all,

but they shiver not in vain, ~

they have raised for the foe a rampart wall,

with the bodies of the slain!

On they spur over dying and dead ~

swords are flashing round ev'ry head ~

they are raised again, but they glitter no more,

ev'ry blade is dimm'd with gore!

The fight is done! ~ The field is won! ~

Their trumpets startle the singing sun!

As the night winds whirl the red leaves afar,

they have scatter'd the might of the moslemah!

Mourn ye maidens of Palestine,

your lovers lie stark in the cold moonshine,

the eyes ye kiss'd ere ye bade them go,

are food for the kits and the hooded crow!

Joy to the highborn dame of France!

Conquest waits n her warrior's lance!

Joy to the girls of fair Guienne!

Their lovers are hast'ning home again!

Hark! they come! the brave ones see,

who have humbled the pride of Paynimrie.

Twine the wreath, the feast prepare,

fill to the brim the goblet fair;

strike the harp; ~ and loud and high

swell the song of victory!

(exit)

Sir Huon ->

Scene III

Vestibule in the haram, looking on the Tigris, which is seen by moonlight through a balustrade in the background.
Enter Reiza, followed by Fatima, L. U. E.

<- Reiza, Fatima

REIZA
(C.)

Name not the prince, dear Fatima; I hate, I loathe him! Wed him! I would wed a serpent sooner! Since the wretch hath harbour'd in this court, I scarcely recognise my father. ~ O Fatima! what a hapless lot is ours! ~ shut up in this splendid prison, ~ no liberty but that of thought, which cannot be debarred us, but which only serves to aggravate the sense of our misfortune. ~

The slaves, the toys, of a sex that despises us. ~ Our very lives dependent upon the caprice of a tyrant! Surely, surely, in those western climes, to which the sun hastens every evening, as though he loved to look on them, woman's fate must be a fairer one! Ah! do not, I beseech thee, friend, strive to crush the solitary hope, which saves me from madness! Trust to my heart's fond bodings. ~ The knight of my dream! ~ my destined lord ~ is near me, and will break this dreadful bondage.

FATIMA

How can the daughter of the mighty Haroun suffer an idle vision to get the better of her judgment? Let my mistress listen to the words of her slave.

REIZA

Fatima, dear Fatima! ~ How often must I pray thee not to address me in the language of servitude. Thou art my companion, my friend! The slavish phrases of our eastern tongue were from childhood unpleasing to me, and now, methinks, they sound more vilely than ever. ~ The elected of my heart is a Frank ~ a christian. ~ The same power which raised his form to my sight, hath also whispered truths in mine ear, which I fear to repeat even to thee, my Fatima! And canst thou speak of such a vision, as of an ordinary dream? No, no; be sure it is the work of fate. The hour draws nigh! The chains already sound! ~ But think not I will wear them. If this heart be indeed deceived, I have yet a hope in store, which cannot fail. ~ Yes, Fatima!

(In a low but determined tone, and half drawing her dagger.)

Love or death shall free me!

FATIMA

Merciful Allah! sheathe that dreadful weapon!

(Knockhig without, L.)

Hark! hark, lady! some one knocks at the little door that opens on the private passage, but I dare not leave you in this desperate mood.

REIZA

Fear nothing, girl! The time hath not yet arrived. ~ I will act firmly, but not rashly.

(Knocking again.)

They are impatient, ~ away, and see who knocks.

(exit L.)

Fatima ->

No, no; ~ my hope of happiness is yet too strong for me, to rush undriven, on so stern an alternative!

[N. 6 - Finale]

Haste, gallant knight! Oh, haste and save

thy Reiza from the yawning grave!

For round this hand the worm shall twine,

ere linked in other grasp than thine!

Yes, ~ my lord! ~ my joy! ~ my blessing!

Reiza lives for thee alone!

On this heart his signet pressing,

love hath claim'd it for thine own!

Yes, its core thine image beareth,

there it must for ever burn,

like the spot the tulip weareth

deep within its dewy urn! *

* «La tulipe est chez eux (les Persans et les Turcs) le symbole d'un amant passionné, à cause que cette fleur a ordinairement ses feuilles rouges, et qu'elle est marquée au fond d'une noirceur qui a quelque ressemblance à la marque que laisse l'application ou l'impression d'un baton de feu. Ainsi, disent-ils, l'amant a le feu sur le visage, et la blessure dans le cœur.» D'Herbelot: «Bibliotèque Orientale» Art. Laleh.

Re-enter Fatima hastily, L.

<- Fatima

FATIMA

Joy! ~ we are rescued in the hour of need!

Joy! ~ he is found! ~ the knight is ours indeed!

REIZA

Found? where? Sweet Fatima, oh quickly tell!

FATIMA

To old Namouna's cot, as evening fell,

he came, by fate directed: there he heard

they dream as I had told her, ~ word for word, ~

and vow'd, with glowing cheek and flashing eye

to rescue thee, or die!

REIZA
(exulting)

Said I not, said I not?

REIZA

Ah! happy maid!

REIZA

Near me is my own true knight!

Hope hath not my heart betray'd!

Love hath read my dream aright!

Together

FATIMA

Near thee is thy own true knight!

Hope hath not thy heart betray'd!

Love hath read my dream aright!

FATIMA

Hark, lady hark! On the terrace near,

the tread of the haram guard I hear ~

and lo! thy slaves that hither hie,

show that the hour of rest is nigh.

(Reiza and Fatima interchange signs of secrecy. A band of black and white slaves enter from all parts of the gardens, and the female slaves of the princess from the wings.)

REIZA

Oh, my wild, exulting soul!

How shall I thy joy controul?

My kindling eye, my burning cheek,

far, oh! far too plainly speak.

Ere thy tumult they betray,

let me hence! ~ Away! Away!

CHORUS

Now the evening watch is set,

and from ev'ry minaret

soon the muezzin's call to prayer

will sweetly float on the quiet air.

Here no later must we stray,

hence to rest ~ Away! Away!

The end (Act I)

Act I Act II Act III