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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 84

The opera libretto ... romantic opera of the Bohemian girl, as given by the Opera Company

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Balfe's Romantic Opera of the Bohemiin Girl, as Given by the Opera Company.

The Opera Libretto.

Jarrett and Co., Sydney Printers, 100 & 102 Liverpool-Street.

1881

The Bohemian Girl.

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Act I.

Scene I.—The Chateau and Grounds of Count Arnheim, on the Danube, near Presburg.

Chorus.
Up with the banner, and down with the slave,
Who shall dare to dispute the right,
Wherever it folds in their glory wave,
Of the Austrian eagle's flight.
Its pinion flies
As free in the skies,
As that of the airy k, g;
And thro' danger fleets,
Like the heart that beats
Beneath the plumed wing.
Now the foemen lie low, and the battle-fields won,
We may honour in peacc what in war we have done
The stirring chase, the festive board,
The varied charms which each afford,
Shall the day and night beguile:
And care shall be drowned in that glass,
Which nothing on earth can sarpass,
But a lovely woman's smile.
Then up with the banner, &c.

Solo.—Count.
A soldier's life
Has scenes of strife,
In all its forms so much
That no gentler theme,
The world will deem,
A soldier's heart can touch.

Chorus.—Retainers.
Hail to the lord of the soil,
His vassals' love is the spoil,
That lord delights to share.

page 2

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

Count

Ah! who can tell, save he who feels,
The care a parents love reveals:
How dear, fond thing, thou art
To this lone widowed heart.

Cho.

Away to the hill and glen, &c.

Enter Thaddeus breathless and exhausted.

Tha.

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

Recitative.—Thaddeus.

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

Cavatina.
'Tis sad to leave your fatherland,
And friends you loved there well,
To wander on a strange strand,
Where friends but seldom dwell,
Yet, hard as are such ills to bear,
And deeply though they smart,
Their pangs are light to those who are
The orphan of the heart.
Oh, if there were one gentle eye
To weep when I might grieve;
One bosom to receive the sigh
Which sorrow oft will heave;
One heart, the ways of life to cheer
Though rugged they might be;
No language can express how dear
That heart would be to me!

[At the end of song, a troop of Gipsies, headed by Devilshoof, their leader, suddenly appear, and are about to seize and rob Thaddeus.]

Cho.

In the gipsy's life you may read
That life that all would like to lead;
Through the wide world to rove,
But if sunny or drear
With but little to love.
And still less to fear;
Sometimes under roof, and sometimes thrown
Where the wild wolf makes his lair,
page 3 For he who's no home to call his own
Will find a home somewhere,
'Tis the maxim of man,
What's another's to claim !
Then to keep all he can,
And we do the same.
Thus a habit once, 'tis custom grown
And ev'ry man will take care,
If he havn't a home to call his own,
To find a home somewhere.

Tha.

The sight of those wanderers has inspired me [unclear: w] project (To Dev.) Your manner and habit please me. I should like to join your band. I am young, strong, and have, I hope, plenty of courage.

Dev.

Who are you ?

Tha.

One without money, without home, and without

Gip.

Soldiers are coming this way.

Tha.

'Tis me they are in search of !

Dev.

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

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

Dev.

What is this?

Tha.

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

[Snatches and conceals it in his bosom. Soldiers enter in pursuit.]

Officer

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

Dev.

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

Officer

That's him !—thanks, friend !—forward !

Duet and Chorus.

Dev.

Comrade, your hand,
We understand
Each other in a breath;
This grasp secures
Its honour yours
In life and unto death.

Tha.

Long as it hold

With friendly fold,
Mine shall cling to it;
By death he means, but—
"If there's a throat to cut,
"Why you must do it !"

Cho.

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

Tha.

My wants are few—

Dev.

Want we ne'er knew

But what we could supply.
page 4

Tha.

Then what is worse,

I have no purse—

Dev.

We nothing have to buy.

Tha.

My heart 'twill ring—

Dev.

That is a thing

In which we never deal.

Tha.

But all you need—

Dev.

'Twere best indeed,

To borrow, beg, and steal.

Cho.

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

Dev.

Then rest you here while we

Explore each spot, and sec
What luck there is in store.

Tha.

The scenes and days to me

Which seem so blest to be,
No time can e'er restore.

Cha.

Oh, what is the worth of the richest man's wealth,

Which the chances are likely he came to by stealth,

Unless he can roam abroad in the free air,

As free as we are from all sorrow and care.

[Loud shouts and alarms are heard. A large body of Huntsmen are seen. Alarms continue. Florestein rushes in

Song.
Is no succour near at hand?
For my intellect so reels,
I am doubtful if I stand,
On my head or on my heels.
No gentlemen, it's very clear,
Such shocks should ever know;
And when I once become a peer
They shall not treat me sa
Then let every vassal arm,
For my thanks he well deserves.
Who from this state of alarm
Will protect my shattered nerves!
To think that one unused to fear,
Such fright should ever know;
But let them make me once a peer,
They shall not treat me so.

[At the end of song Thaddeus and Peasantry rush in.

Tha.

What means this alarm?

Pea.

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

Tha.

What do I hear?

[He perceives the rifle that Florestein has left on the stage, seizes it, runs up the rocks, aims, rushes off. Enter Count Arnheim. Devilshoof enters at one side, watching

Count

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

[Thaddeus is seen rushing in, conveying Arline

page 5

Buda

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

Count

Praised be Providence, her life is saved, for she is all that renders mine happy. Let her wound have every attention, though it presents no sign of danger.

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

Count

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

Dev.

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

Count

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

Tha.

I thank your lordship, but—

Count

Pray, my friends, join your entreaties with mine.

Flo.

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

Tha.

Be it as your lordship wishes.

Count

Then be seated, friends and let the Fete begin. I ask you to pledge but once, and that is to the health and long life of your Emperor.

[Here the guests fill their glasses, and, turning towards the statue of the Emperor, drink. Thaddeus alone keeps his seat.

Flo.

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

Count

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

Tha.

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

[Goes up to the statue and throws down the glass with the utmost contempt.

Chorus.
Down with the daring slave
Who disputes the right
Of a people's delight,
And would their anger brave.

Count

Although 'tis vain to mask
The rage such act demands,
Forgive me if I ask
His pardon at your hands :
It from your wrath I venture to have craved
The lite of one any more than life had saved.
Stranger, I answer not.
One momen' for your life;
Quit while you may a spot
Where you have raised strife,
page 6 Your longer presence will more excite.
And this will the service you did me requite.

[Devilshoof rushes in—throws Thaddeus a purse of gold

Where is the hand will dare to touch
One hair of a head I prize so much.

(To Count)

That pulse of pride you boast,
Within me beats as high;
You and your titled host,
Proud lord I do defy.

Flo.

Upon my life 'tis most unpleasant,

Just as one had attacked a pheasant

[Thaddeus, who has taken up the purse, and seeing himself and Devilshoof surrounded by nobles and guests, throws the purse at the Count's feet.

Take back your gold and learn to know
One—above aught you can bestow.

Cho.

Down with the daring slave,
Who would our fury brave.
Dev. Stand back ye craven things,
Who dare obstruct our path,
Upon his rashness brings
The vengeance of my wrath,

[Devilshoof, defending Thaddeus, retreats; the Count orders a party of his retainers to divide them; they seize Devilshoof.

Seize him and bind him, and there let him find Escape from those walls, better men have confined,

[They march Thaddeus off

Dev.

Tho' meshed by numbers in the yoke.
Of one by all abhor'd,
Yet tremble, worthless lord.
At the vengeance you thus provoke.

Cho.

Down with the daring slave

Who would our fury brave.

[Devilshoof is seen descending from the roof of the castle until he reaches Arline's chamber, into which he enters. Buda signifies by her gestures that Arline has disappeared.

Cho.

What sounds break on the air?
What looks of wild despair,
A grief as wild impart?

Count

My child! that word alone,

With agonizing tone.
Bursts in upon my ears.
[Count and Nobles dash into the castle.

Cho.

Be every hand prepared

Their liege lord's halls to guard,
With devotion whose bond
All ties its beyond.

Flor.

Why, what with dancing, screeming, fighting

One really is a shocking plight in,
page 7 And it puzzles one's wit
To find a place to pick a bit.

[The Count drags Buda from the castle, Buda falls on her knees.

Count

Wretch, monster, give me back
The treasure of my soul;
Go—all—the spoiler's footprints track
The treasured prize who stole,
But no, vain hope unless we pray to him
Who heals all sorrows with suppliant limb.

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

[Devilshoof is seen climbing rocks with Arlino.]

Chorus.
Follow, follow, with heart and with arm;
Follow, follow, and shelter from harm,
The pride of Arnheim's live,
Where all its hopes entwine,
Follow, follow,
O'er brake and through the hollow.

Climb the hill and ford the stream,
High in air weapon's gleam;
Dash through where danger lies !
Danger-aye death despise !
To save, let all combined,
The pride of Arnheim's line.

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

page 8

Act II,

Scene I,—Seme in Presburg, Moonlight,—Tent of Arline, On the opposite tide of the stage are houses one of which, an hotel is lighted up.

[Note—Twelve years are supposed to have elapsed between the [First and Second Acts]

[Arline is discovered asleep. Thaddeus is watching her. As the curtain rises, a Patrol of the City Guard march by, and as soon as they have gone off, Devilshoof and A party of Gipsies suddenly appear.

Chorus.
Silence ! silence ! the lady moon
Is the only witness awake;
And weary of watching, perchance she soon,
To sleep will herself betake.
Silence! silence ! from her throne in air
She may look on and listen for aught we care;
But if she attend unto our behest,
She will quietly go to her rest.

Solo.—Devilshoof.
There's a deed to do whose gains
Will reward the risk and pains—
Fie ! Fie ! to a gentleman when you appeal.
You may draw his purse without drawing your steel;
With bows, and politeness, and great respect,
You can take more than he can at first detect.
See, where in goblets deep,
What sense they have they steep—
Watch here ! 'till each to his home
Shall reel on his doubtful way
Watch here ! and the goblets foam
Will make him an easy prey.
Silence ! Silence ! this way, this way,

[As the Gipsies retire up the stage, Florestein staggers out of the hotel. He is elegantly dressed, with chain, rings, &c., and a rich medallion round his neck.]

Flo.

Wine, wine, if I am heir,
To the Count—my uncle's line—
Where's the fellow—will dare
To refuse his nephew—wine?
That moon there, staring me in the way,
Can't be as modest as people say,
For meet whom she will, and in whatever spot,
She often looks on what she ought not.
Wine, wine, wine?

[The Gipsies have by this time advanced, and Devilshoof goes politely up to Florestein.

page 9

My ear caught not the clock's last chime,
And I beg to ask the time?

Flo.

(reels, recovers a little, and after eyeing Devilshoof)
(aside) If the bottle has prevailed,
Yet whatever I'm assailed,
Though there may be nothing in it,
I am sobered in a minute—
(to Dev) You are really too polite,
That (taking his watch out of his pocket) 'tis late in the night.

Dev.

(taking the watch and putting it into his fob)

You are very kind—can it really be !
Are you sure 'tis so late?

Flo.

(assuming courage) May I beg to ask ?—

Dev.

I am grieved to see

Any one in such a state,
And will gladly take the utmost care,
Of the rings and chains you chance to wear.

[Taking from Florestein his rings, chain, and the rich medallion. Florestein draws his sword.]

Flo.

What I thought politeness is downright theft,
And at this rate I shall soon have nothing left.

[At a sign from Devilshoof the Gipsies instantly surround Florestein and take every valuable from him.]

Cho.

Advance with caution, let every man,
Seize on, and keep whatever he can,

[During the chorus, Devilshoof makes off with the Medallion, and the others are dividing the rest of the spoil, when a female appears in the midst of them, drops her cloak, and discovers their Queen.]

Queen

To him from whom you stole,
Surrender back the whole.

[The Gipsies return the different things to Florestein

Flo.

(trembling and looking over the things)
Thanks, madam—lady but might I request
A medallion in diamonds worth all the rest,

[At a sign from the Queen, who seems to command its restitution

Chorus of Gipsies.
On our chieftain's share we ne'er encroach,
And he fied with that prize at your approach,

Queen

(to Florestein) Be your safety my care—

Flo.

I'm in precious hands!

Queen

(to Gipsies) Follow, and list to your Queen's commands.

[Exeunt Queen holding Florestein, and beckoning the Gipsies to follow. When they have gone off, Arline comes from the tent followed by Thaddeus.]

Arl.

Where have I been wandering in my sleep? and what curious noise awoke me from its pleasant dream ! Ah, Thaddeus, you would like to know my dream ! Well, I will tell it you.
page 10

The Gipsy Girl's Dream.
I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls
With vassals and serfs by my side !
And of all who assembled within those walls
That I was the hope and the pride,
I had riches too great to count—could boast
Of a high ancestral name,
And I also dreamt, which charmed me most,
That you loved me still the same.

I dreamt that suitors sought my hand,
That knights, upon bended knee,
With vows no maiden heart could withstand
They pledged their faith to me,
And I dreamt that one of that noble host
Came forth my hand to claim;
And I also dreamt, which charmed me most,
Thrt you loved me still the same,

Arl.

And do you love me still?

Tha.

More than life itself.

Arl.

Yet there is a mystery between our affections and their happiness that I fain would unravel. The mark on this arm, which I have seen you so often contemplate, is the key to that mystery. By the love you say you bear me, solve it.

Duet.

Tha.

That wound upon thy arm
Whose mark through life will be
In saving thee from greater harm.
Was there transfixed by me.

Arl.

By thee ?

Tha.

E'er on thy gentle head

Thy sixth sun had its radiance shed,
A wild deer who had lain at bay,
Pursued by hunters cross'd the way
By slaying him I rescued thee,
And in his death throe's agony,
That tender frame by his antler gored
This humble arm to thy home; restored.

Arl.

Strange feelings move this breast

It never knew before,
And bid me here implore
That you reveal the rest.

Tha.

The secret of her birth

To me is only known;
The secret of a life whose worth
I prize beyond my own.

Arl.

The secret of my birth

To him is fully known;
The secret of a life whose worth
I prize beyond my own.
page 11 Speak, Tell me—ease my tortured heart
And that, secret, evil or good impart.

Tha.

I will tell thee although the words may sever

One who so loves thee, from thy love for ever.

Arl.

Where is the spell hath yet effaced

The first fond lines that love hath traced.
And after years hath but impressed
More deep in love's confiding breast.

Tha.

And yet few spells have e'er effaced

The first fond lines that love hath traced,
And after years hath but imprest
More deep in love's confiding breast.

[At the end of the duet, Thaddeus throws himself in an ecstacy at the feet of Arline, when the Queen appears, She advances towards Arline, and pointing to Thaddeus—Queen And dare you aspire to the love of him who possesses the heart of your Queen?

Arl.

I possess his heart, and will yield the possession to no one. He is the saviour of my life, and the only friend I have in all the tribe; he has sworn how much he loves me.

Queen

Loves you !

Arl.

Yes; let him speak for himself, and choose between us. Queen Be it so.

[Thaddeus runs and embraces Arline

Arl.

I make no idle boast; summon our comrades hither.

[The Queen is standing in the centre, while Thaddeus calls the Gipsies together, who enter on all sides and surround the Queen.]

Concerted Piece.
Listen, while I relate
The hopes of the Gipsy's fate;
I am loved by one, by one I love,
All other hearts above,
And the sole delight to me
Is with him united be.

Cho.

Happy the light of heart be those
Who in each bosom one faith repose !

Dev.

A rival's hate you may better tell

By her rage than by her fears;
And it, perchance, may be as well,
To set them both by the ears.

(to Queen)

As the queen of the tribe, 'tis yours by right,

The hands of those you rule to unite.

Cho.

In love and truth, by thee,

Their hands united be.

Queen

Hand and to hind, and heart to heart,

Who shall those I have mated part?
By the spell of my sway
Part them who may.
page 12 Happy and light of heart be those
Who in each Bosom one faith repose.

[During this scene the stage has been growing somewhat lighter. Gipsy enters.

Gip.

Morning is beginning to dawn, and crowds of people are alrtady flocking towards the fair; the sports begin at day light.

Queen

Summon the rest of the tribe, and meet me forth with in the public square, (to Dev.) Do you remain to bear my further orders.

[Exeunt Thaddeus and Arline hand in hand, followed by the other gipsies repeating chorus.

Queen

This is thy deed—seek not to assuage
My jealous fears and a rival's rage.

Dev.

I neither fear nor seek to calm

Queen

Revenge is my wounded bosom's balm.

That Jewel with which thou hast dared to deck
Thy foredoomed neck.
Answer me—where did'st thou get it—where?

Dev.

'Twas entrusted to my care.

Queen

This very night on this very spot,

Thy soul for once its fears forgot,
A drunken galliard who crossed the way
Became the prey.

Dev.

Fiend born, 'twere vain to fly

The glance of her searching eye !

Queen

Down on thy knee and that gem restore,

E'en in thy shame amazed;
Or long years of sin shall deplore
The storm which thou bast raised.

Dev.

It best might be the prize to restore,

Much as I seem amazed;
Or hereafter I may peplore
The storm which I have raised.
Queen—I obey,

Queen

Tis the wisest thing

Thy coward soul could do.

Dev.

Who from my grasp such prize could wring

The doing it may rue.

Queen

Depart and join the rest,

Dev.

I do thy high behest—

The wrongs we forgive not and cannot forget
Will the edge of our vengeance more sharply whet.

Queen

The wrongs we forgive not and cannot forget

Will the edge of our vengeance more sharply whet.

[Exit Queen and Devilshoof.

Scene II—Another Street in Presburg. Enter Arline and Gipsies.

Cho.

In the gipsy's life you may read
The life that all would like to lead.

page 13

Song—Arline.
Come with the gipsy bride
And repair
to the fair,
Where the mazy dance
Will the hours entrance;
Where souls as light preside
Life can give nothing beyond,
One heart you know to be fond,!
Wealth with its hoardes cannot buy
The peace that content cannot supply,
Rank in its halls may not find
The calm of a happy mind—
So repair—to the fair,
And they may be met with there.
Love is the first thing to clasp,
But if he escapes your grasp
Friendship will then be at hand,
In the young rogue's place to stand
Hope, too, will be nothing 10th
To point the way to both,
So repair—to the fair,
And they all may be met with there

Cho,

In the gipsy's life you may read
The life that all may like to lead.

[Expunt Arline and Gipsies.

Scene III—A grand Fair in the public Prantz, Presburg.

Chorus.
Life itself is at the best
One scene in mask of folly dressed,
And there is no part of its wild career
But you will meet with here;
To these symbols of life your voices swell,
Viva la masque, et viva la bagatelle.

Quartette—Arline, Queen, Thaddeus, Devilshoof, From the valleys and the hills,

Where the sweetest buds grow,
And are watered by rills
Which are purest that flow:
Come we ! Come we !
Light of heart, fleet of foot, reckless of slight or gibe,
Who can compare with the free happy gipsy tribe.

Solo.—Arline.
Sir Knight and Lady, listen !
That bright eye seems to glisten
As if his trusted tale
Did o'er thy sense prevail
page 14 Pretty maiden take care, take core,
What havoc love maketh here !
And this token from love you borrow,
Is the perlude of many a sorrow;
There are those who have lived, who knew
The Gipsies' words to be true.

Cho,

Light of heart, fleet of foot, reckless of slight or gibe,

Who can compare with the free happy gipsy tribe.

[Count Arnheim and some other officers of state enter

Flo.

My dear uncle, it delights me to see you amongst us, and here is a little gipsy girl that would delight you still more (aside) if you had my blood in your veins; she s positively a charming creature.

Count

I have lost the taste of joy, and the sight of youth and beauty recalls to my memory that treasure of both—my beloved and lost Arline.

[He gazes attentively on Arline, then exit with his retinue Flo. It's no use restraining me, I am positively smitten. Fair creature, your manner has enchanted me, and I would fain take a lesson from you.

Arl.

Of politeness, sir ? By all means; to begin, then; whenever you address a lady always take off your hat.

Flo.

Very smart, 'pon my word, very smart. Your naviete only increases the feeling of admiration and devotion which a too susceptible heart—

Arl.

Ha, ha.

Flo.

Your indifference will drive me to despair.

Arl.

Will it really?

Flo.

Do not mock me, but pity my too susceptible nature, and let me print one kiss upon—

Queen It is the very person from whom they stole the trinkets I made them give him back again. This too is his, and now my project thrives. You have acted well your part, and thus your Queen rewards you. Places the medallion round Arline's Forget not the hand that gave it. [neck

Arl.

Let this bespeak my gratitude.

Queen

And now let our tribe depart,

[Florenstein perceives his medallion on the neck of Arline

Flo.

Though you treated me so slightly, some moments past you will not do so now. That medallion is mine, my friends here recognise it.

All

We do, we do.

Flo.

And I accuse you of having stolen it.

Arl.

Stolen 1 It was this instant given me by our queen, and she is here to verify my words.

Flo.

That's an every-day sort of subterfuge. Worthy people and friends, that medallion on her neck belongs to me, and I accuse her or her accomplices of having robbed me.

Scene IV.—Interior of Count Arnheim's apartment. Count Arnhiem enters thoughtful.

Whae'er the scenes the present hour calls forth before the sight

page 15

They lose their splendour when compared with scenes of past delight.

The heart bow'd down by weight of woe,
To weakest hopes will cling,
To thought and impulse while they flow,
That can no comfort bring.
With those exciting scenes will blend,
O'er pleasure's pathway thrown;
But memory is the only friend
That grief can call its own

The mind will in its worst despair,
Still ponder o'er the past :
On moments of delight that were
Too beautiful to last.
To long departed years extend,
Its visions with them flown,
For memory is the only friend
That grief can call its own.

[Captain of the Guard enters.

Cap.

A robbery has been committed, and the accused is now in the hall awaiting the pleasure of your lordship, as chief magistrate of the city, for examination.

Count.

Bring the parties before me. Anything to arouse me from these distracting thoughts, though the sole happiness I now enjoy is in the recollection of my long lost child.

Enter Florestein.

Flo.

It is your lordship's nephew—I, who have been robbed.

Count.

Some folly of yours is for ever compromising my name and that of your family.

Flo.

But I am in this instance the victim—I have been robbed, and there stands the culprit.

Count.

'Tis she, I saw but now in the public square. That girl, so young, so beautiful, commit a robbery ? Impossible !

Flo.

She stole this medallion belonging to me—we found it upon her.

Count

Can this be true ?

Arl.

Heaven only knows I am innocent, and if your lordship knew my heart, you would not deem me guilty.

Count.

Her words sink deep into my breast. Childless myself, I fain would spare the child of another. What proofs have you of this ?

Flo.

My witnesses are here, who all can swear they saw it on her neck.

All.

We can.

Count.

Still does my mind misgive me. I wish to establish your innocence—explain this matter to me and without fear.

Art.

That medallion was given to me by the Queen of the tribe to which I belong—how it came into her possession I know not, but a light breaks in upon me—I see it all. I chanced to incur her displeasure, and to revenge herself upon me, she page 16 has laid for me this shameless snare, into which I have innocently fallen, and of which I have become the victim.

Count.

I believe your tale, and from my heart I pity the inexperience which has led to the ruin of one who seeme above the grade of those she herds with—but in the fulfilment of duty I must compromise the feelings of nature, and I am forced to deliver you into the hands of justice.

Arl.

To you my earthly, to Him my heavenly judge, I reassert my innocence. I may be accused, but will not be degraded; and from the infamy with which I am unjustly threatened, thus I free myself.

[She draws a dagger from beneath her scarf, and is about to stab herself.

Count.

Hold ! Hold !
We cannot give the life we take,
Nor, sad thing—re-unite the heart we break.

]Taking the hand of Arline and suddenly seeing the wound on her arm.

What visions round me rise,
And cloud with mists of the past, mine eyes ?
That mark ! those features, and thy youth !
[Dragging Arline forward, and in great agitation
My very life hangs on thy truth—
How came that mark?

Arl.

Ere on my head
My sixth sun had its radiance shed,
A wild deer who had Ian at bay.
Pursued by hunters, crossed my way;
My tender frame by its antler gored,
A humble youth to my home restored;
The tale he but this day confess'd,
And is near at hand to relate the rest.

[Thaddeus having escaped from those who confined him breaks into the room, and rushes into the arms of Arline.]

Count,

With the force of fear and hope
My feelings have to cope.

Arl.

'Tis he the danger braved !

,Tis he my life who saved,

Solo

Count.

My Own, my long lost child;
Oh, seek not to control
This frantic joy, this wild
Delirium of my soul.
Bound in a father's arms,
And pillowed upon his breast.
Bid all the rude alarms
That assailed thy feelings, rest,

Arl.

Speak—speak; this shaken frame;

This doubt, this torture, see—
My hopes—my very life—my frame
Depend on thee.
page 17

Tha.

Dear as thou long hast been ?

Dear as thou long will be !
Mourned as this passing scene
Will be through life by me—

Though his heart, and no other, like mine can adore thee,

Yet, thou art not deceived—'Tis thy father before thee.

Cho.

Praised be the will of heaven :
Whose light on them smiled,
And whose bounty hath given
A father his child.

Count

Praised be the will of heaven :

Whose light o'er me smiled,
And whose bounty hath given
A father his child.

Arl.

Praised be the will of heaven !

Whose light o'er me smiled.
And whose bounty hath given
A father his child.

Tha.

Though from this bosom riven,

That heart is beguiled;
The bereavement hath given
The father his child.

Dev.

Better to go, ere driven,

Than e'er be reviled :
For the bounty hath given
The father his child.

Cho.

Praised be the will of heaven;

Whose light on them smiled,
And whose bounty hath given.
The father his child.

Act III.

Scene I.—A Splindid Saloon in the Castle of Count Arnheim, Enter Arline, elegantly dressed for a ball.

Arl.

The past appears to me but a dream from which I have at length awoken; yet my heart recalls enough to convince me it was all reality. When 1 think of the wandering life I led, my memory will revert to him who in every trial preserved its honor, who twice restored me to a father's arms, and at length to a father's home.

[Count Arnheim enters with Floresten. Count Every moment you leave me is a moment of unhappiness; I am Jealous of whatever divides us, short as the interval. On a night of so much joy, when so many friends are to assemble and participate in your father's delight, let me intercede for one you have too much cause to be angry with.

Arl.

The very sight of him disturbs me. The wishes of my dear father I would cheerfully comply with, but repugnance I cannot overcome.
page 18

Flo.

Fair cousin, let me plead my own cause, and express the—aw, sorrow I really feel at having for an instant believed it possible in fact, I never in reality—] Enter a servant

What the devil do you want in such a critical part of one's conversation.

Ser.

The castle is filling with guests, who inquire for your lordship.

Count

Let us hasten to meet them, and afford me the joy [unclear: o] making you known to all.

Arl.

Allow me but time to fortify myself for a ceremony I am a stranger to, and I will follow you.

Flo.

That is but reasonable, Uncle—I will live in hopes of my cousin's forgiveness, which can alone restore my—peace of mind I shall positively expire if I don't lead off the first quadrille with her. [Exeunt Count and Florestein

Arl.

I am once more left to my thoughts and all the deep regrets which accompany them. Nothing can drive the recollection lection of Thaddeus from my mind, and the lonely life I led was to me far happier then the constrained one I now pass; and the graceful dress of the gipsy girl becomes me more than this gaudy apparel of nobility. No eye beholds me, I may at least indulge in a remembrance of the past. The sight of this recalls the memory of happy days, and of him who made them happy.

[Devilshoof springs into the appartment

Arl.

Ah ! what seek you here with me ?

Dev.

Hush ! fear not, but be silent. I come to ask you to rejoin our tribe—we have never ceased to feel the loss of one liked more than all the rest.

Arl.

Impossible ! Leave me, I pray, and let me forget we have ever been acquainted.

Dev.

I have brought with me one who has undoubtedly greater powers of persuasion than I can pretend to.

[Thaddeus enters the room.

Tha.

In the midst of so much luxury, so much wealth and grandeur, I thouget you had forgotten me.

Arl.

Forgotten you ! Had I nothing else to remind me of, this would always speak to me of you. Forgotten you !

Tha.

The scenes in which you now move may drive from your memory every trace of the past, and I only come to ask—so hope that you will sometimes think upon me—

When other lips and other hearts
Their tales of love shall tell,
In language whose excess imparts
The power they feel so well.
There may, perhaps, in such a scene,
Some recollection be
Of days that have so happy been.
Then you'll remember me.
When coldness and deceit shall slight
The beauty now they prize.
And deem it but a faded light.
page 19 Which beams within your eyes;
When hollow hearts shall wear a mask
'Twill break your own to see;
In such a moment I but ask
That you'll remember me.

Arl.

Whatever be our future lot, nothing should persuade you that I can ever cease to think of, ever cease to love you.

Tha.

My heart is overpowered with happiness—yet, alas, alas but of short duration, for I must leave you now for ever.

Arl.

Oh, no, no, say not so ! I cannot live without you.

Tha.

And will you, then, forsake your home and kindred all and follow me?

Trio

Tha.

Through the world wilt thou fly
From the world with me?
Wilt thou fortune's frowns defy,
As I will for thee ?

Arl.

Through the world I will fly

From the would with thee;
Could I hush a father's sigh
That would heave for me.

Dev.

Ml the world hither fly,

Come away with me;
Never let a lover's sigh
Ruin bring on thee !
Hasten, hasten, thy safety calls;
See where they throng the halls !
This way.

Arl.

Stop ! do not snap the string

Of the fondest tie
In my memory
To which the heart can cling.

Tha.

I am chained to the spot.

Dev.

Nearer they come.

Arl.

Oh, leave me not !

Tha.

Oh, where should affections feelings rest,

If they may repose on affection's breast ?
Better to die than live to grieve
Over the pangs such partings leave !

Dev.

A moment more your doom is cast !

Arl.

The hopes that were brightest, the dreams of the

In the fullness of promise recede, [past
And render the prospect dark indeed.

Dev.

Escape is hopeless

Arl.

Enter here,

Where detection we need not fear.

Tha.

If it were not for thee, I would here await

The venomed shafts of their deadliest hate.
Though here you may linger I will not await
The certain blow of their power and hate.
page 20

Arl.

Oh, if only for me, no longer await

The venomed shafts of their deadliest hate.

[Thaddeus takes refuge in the cabinet. A brilliant assemblage enters, led by Count Arnheim.

Count Welcome, welcome, all—share with me all the joy I feel while I present my loved and long-lost daughter.

Cho.

Welcome the present, oh, ponder not
On the days departed now;
Let the cares that were theirs be forgot,
And raised from pleasure's brow :
Never mind time, nor what he has done,
If he only the present will smile upon.

Flo.

This is not an ornament fit to grace,

At such a moment such stately place;
And perchance 'twere best to hide the prize,
In this recess, from his lordship's eyes.

Arl.

That room and its treasures belong to me,

And from all intrusion must sacred be.

Cho.

Never mind time, nor what he has done,

If he only the present will smile upon !
Welcome the present, oh, ponder not
On the days departed now;
Let the cares that were the is be forgot,
And raised from pleasure's brow:
What sounds break on the ear,
Checking young joy's career?

[A female closely veiled, enters apartment and goes up to Count Arnheim.

Female

Heed the warning voice !
Wail, and not rejoice !
The foe to the rest
Is one thou lov'st best.

Count

Who and what art thou?

Whom dost thou deem my foe?

Queen

Think not my warning wild !

'Tis thy re-found child!
She loves a youth of the tribe I sway,
And braves the world's reproof;
List to the words I say—
He is now concealed under thy roof !

Count

Base wretch, thou liest!

Queen

Thy faith I begrudge—

[Count rushing to the door of the cabinet, which Arline in vain opposes.

Stand not across my path,
Brave not a father's wrath.

Arl.

Thrown thus across thy path.
Let me abide thy wrath.

[The Count pushes Arline aside, opens the door, and Thaddeus appears.]

page 21

Quintette and Chorus.

Cou.

To shame and feeling dead,
Now hopeless to deplore,
The thunder bursting on thy head,
Had not surprised me more.

Flo.

And this is why she said,

I must not touch the door:
It clearly would have been ill-bred,
For rivals are a bore.

Tha.

Though every hope be fled.

Which seemed so bright before,
The vengeance I scorn to dread
Which they can on me pour.

Arl.

To all but vengeance dead,

She stands mine eyes before;
Its thunders waiting on my head,
In all her hate to pour.

Queen

All other feeling dead.

Revenge can hope restore;
Its thunders on her daring head,
I only live to pour.

Cho.

Although to feeling dead,

This sorrow we deplore:
The thunder bursting o'er our head,
Had not surprised us more.

Count

Leave the place thy polluting step hath cross'd—
Depart, or thou art lost.

Tha.

(casting a sorrowful look on Arline.)

To threats I should contemn.
For thy dear sake I yield.

Arl.

The bursting torrent I will stem,

And him I live to shield.
Break not the only tie,
That bids my heart rejoice,
For whom contented I would die,
The husband of my choice.

Count

Depart, ere my thirsty weapon stains

These halls with the Wood of thy recreant veins.

(to Arl.)

False thing, beloved too long, too well,

Brave not the madness thou canst not quell.

Queen

List to the warning voice that calls thee !

Fly from the peril which enthralls thee !
Weep rivers—for ages pine !
He shall never be thine.

Arl.

Your pardon, if I seek

With my father alone to speak.

[Exeunt everyone at the large doors on each side of the windows, which close upon them; the Queen is seen to pass out of the window.

page 22

Arl.

(falling at the Count's feet)
See at your feet a suppliant—one
Whose place should be your heart;
Behold the only living thing
To which she had to cling;
Who saved her life, watched o'er her years,
With all the fondness faith endears,
And her affections won—
Rend not such ties apart,

Count

Child, Arline, wilt thou—darcst thou heap

A stain thine after life will weep
On these hairs by thee and sorrow bleached ?
On this heart dishonour never reached ?

Arl.

(rising and seeking refuge in the arms of Thaddeus.

Whatever the danger, the ruin, the strife,
It must fail, united we are for life.

Cooat

(with rage)

United, and would'st thou link my name
In a chain of such deep disgrace?
My rank, my very blood defame,
With a blot no time can efface!
The child of my heart, of my house the pride
An outcast Gipsy's bride.

Tha.

Proud lord, although this head proscribed,

Should fall by the weapons thy wealth hath bribed;
Although in revealing the name I bear,
The home I shall see no more;
The land which to thee in its deepest despair
The deadliest hatred bore.
I may fall as have fallen the bravest of foes—
'Twere better like them to die,
And in dishonored earth to lie,
Than bear unresented reproaches like those.
Start not, but listen—
When the fair land of Poland was ploughed by the [unclear: hoo]
Of the ruthless invader; when might
With steel to the bosom and flame to the roof,
Completed her triumph o'er right:
In the moment of danger when freedom invoked
All fatherless sons of her pride,
In a phalanx as dauntless as freedom e'er yoked
I fought and fell by her side.
My birth is noble, unstained my crest
As is thine own—let this attest.

[Takes his commission, as seen in Act I, from him bosom, and gives it to the Count, who stands fixed and bewildered.

Pity for one in childhood torn
From kindred with whom she dwelt,
Ripened in after years to love.
Has made me thus far faith renew
With outlaw's chance first linked me too;
page 23 As a foe on this head let your hatred be piled,
But despise not one who has so loved your child.

Cho.

The feuds of a nation's strife,
The parly storms of life,
Should never their sorrows impart,
To the calmer scenes of the heart.
By this hand let thine hold,
Till the blood of its vein be cold.

[Thaddeus is about to fall at the Count's feet.

Not at mine—be that homage paid at hers
Who the fond one of feeling on her confers.

Trio.

Count

Let not the soul over sorrows grieve,
With which the bosom hath ceased to heave;
Let us not think of the tempest past
If we reach the haven at last.

Arl.

Ne'er should the soul over sorrows grieve,

With which the bosom hath ceased to heave;
Nor should we think of the tempest past
If we reach the haven at last.

Tha.

Why should thy soul over sorrows grieve,

With which the bosom hath ceased to heave;
Why should we think of the tempest past
If we reach the haven at last?

[During the trio the Queen has been seen at the window in the back; and at the end of it, as Thaddeus is about to embrace Arline, the Queen points him out to a Gipsy by her side, who is in the act of firing at him, when Devilshoof averts the gipsy's aim, and turns the musket towards the Queen—it goes off and she falls.]

Count

Guard every portal—summon each guest and friend,
And this festive scene.

Arline and Chorus.
Oh! what full delight
Through my bosom thrills
And a wilder glow
In my heart instils !
Bliss, unfelt before,
Hope without alloy
Speak with raptured tone
Of that heart the joy.

[As the curtain descends, is heard under the window at back

The Gipsies' Chorus,
In the Gipsy's life you may read
The life that all would like to lead.

The End.

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