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Cleopatra 1 * Night
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CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
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Mr. Hadley and "Cleopatra's Night
"Cleopatra's Night," which will have its
premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House
Saturday afternoon, January 31st, will be the
tenth work by an American composer to be
produced by General Manager Gatti-Casa/za.
Other American-made operas produced by
this management during the past twelve years
are: Converse's "Pipe of Desire"; Parkers'
"Mona"; Damrosch's "Cyrano"'; Herbert's
"Madeleine"; De Koven's "The Canterbury
Pilgrims"; Cadman's "Shanewis" ; Gilbert's
"Dance in Place Congo"; Breil's "The
Legend", and Hugo's "The Temple Dancer."
Henry K. Hadley is well-known to the
American public. A Massachusetts' Yankee,
but of a music-loving family, he worked at
his art in Hoston and Kit rope, conducting
opera at Mayence and later becoming con-
ductor of the San Francisco Symphony
Orchestra. Hi- already has four symphonies
to his credit, several overtures, a ballet, a
symphonic fantasia, a poetic rhapsody and
four operas : "Safic," "Azora," "The Atone-
ment of Pan" and "Hianca," the latter pro-
duced at the Park Theatre last season.
"Geopatra's Night," Mr. Hadlcy's latest work,
was accepted by Mr. Gatti-Casazza last
winter. Asked to tell something about its
liirth, Mr. Hadley said:
"How did I happen to write this opera?
While a student in Vienna I chanced upon
Thcophile Gautier's fascinating short stor\,
"t'ne Xttit do Cleopatrc," and was much im-
pressed by bis descriptions. P.tit it was only
after I went to Fgypt, saw the landscape and
vivid coloring that I determined to write
something witlt this wonderfully romantic and
mysterious country as its background. Then
I recalled this story, and the possibilities
which it offered not only as an imaginative
flight, but as a practical piece for the theatre.
"The Orient has always had a peculiar
'harm for me. I visited all the Cafe chant-
ants and native theatres in Cairo, determined
to take down sonic material, but found it all
so crude and primitive and atrociously out of
time that I tied into the country to seek
inspiration from nature. For several week
I lived in the outskirts of a little village on
the Suez Canal called Ishmalia on the border
of a tiny lake, camping with another dreamer
who was preparing a work on etymology.
"The glories of the sunsets filled us with
awe and wonder, and the silence spoke
volumes concerning the past. In this secluded
garden of dreams I planned an Oriental Suite
for orchestra on original themes but the spell
of 'Cleopatra' was over me. I procured an-
other copy of Gautier's story in Cairo and
again revelled in his extravagant word-pic-
tures. Returning to Paris I made my first
sketches of thematic material, and now after
the lapse of several years I have remoulded
these themes to Mrs. Pollock's attractive
libretto, and 'One of Cleopatra's Nights' has
Iwcome a short opera.
"During the summer of 1918 I became so
obsessed with the work that I wrote inces-
santly until I had finished the sketches. The
score is more or less freely conceived and
naturally written in the modern idiom. I
have attempted in my orchestral coloring to
portray the strange, mad love of Mciamoun
for his Queen. This is particularly empha-
sized by a short phrase in the clarinet, a
combination of two curious scales which
recurs throughout the work.
"Since my opera was accepted at the Metro
politan I have found the interest and er-
thusiasm of Madame Frances Alda. who will
sing the main role, of the greatest inspiration
in finishing my orchestration. Mr. Norman
Bel Gcddcs has taken keen interest in pre-
paring most gorgeous scenic decorationv
The towering columns and forty-foot door
are quite in keeping with the grandeur of
Kgyptian architecture. Maestro Gennaro Papi
has generously co-operated with me in e\er\
detail of the music, while Mr. Richard
Ordynzki's aid as Stage Director has been
invaluable.
"The work occupies not nv re than one
hour and a half and will be presented in two
acts with an orchestral intermc77o containing
the love *<>ng played by the flute."
4QTiJS-r.
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CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
(Une Nuit de CUojAtre)
LIBRETTO
Cleopatra's Night
(UNE NUIT DE CLEOPATRE)
OPERA
IN TWO ACTS
MUSIC BY
HENRY HADLEY
Op. 90
TEXT BY
ALICE LEAL POLLOCK
(Bated on a story by TheophiU Gautier)
FRENCH VERSION BY
GRACE HALL
BOSTON: OLIVER DITSON COMPANY
NEW YORK : CHAS. H. DITSON & CO. CHICAGO: LYON & HEALY
LONDON: WINTHHOP ROGERS. LTD.
CLJE0P&TR&S NIGHT
OPERA IN TWO ACTS
BOOK BY ALICE LEAL POLLOCK
(BASED ON THE STORY "UNE NUIT DE CLEOPATRA- BY THEOPHILE GAUTIER)
(IN ENGLISH)
MUSIC BY HENRY HADLEY
CLEOPATRA - . FRANCES ALDA
MEIAMOUN . . . .MORGANKINGSTON
MARDION JEANNE GORDON
IRAS MARIE TIFFANY
THE EUNUCH < MILLO PICCO
A ROMAN OFFICER LOUIS D'ANGELO
THE VOICE OF MARK ANTONY .... VI N C EN Z O R ESC H I G LI A N
SLAVES. EUNUCHS, ROWERS, GUESTS, GREEK GIRLS, DESERT GIRLS, JUGGLERS,
MUSICIANS, MARK ANTONY'S HERALD AND RETINUE.
Copyright, 1920, by Oliver Ditson Company
International Copyright Secured
ARGUMENT
It is a period of dry and oppressive midsummer heat. Cleopatra's
favorite attendant, Mardion, and one of her female slaves, Iras, are waiting
at the baths near the summer palace for the return of the Queen from a
festival on the Nile. Their talk is of the Queen's amours, and of
Mardion's unrequited passion for young Melamoun, a brave and chaste
hunter. A eunuch interrupts them to announce the immediate arrival of
Cleopatra for her bath, the heat of the day having made her cut short the
festivities. Cleopatra magnificently appareled, makes her apj>earance in
a gorgeous barge propelled by fifty rowers, and surrounded by a glittering
retinue. While she laments the loneliness of queens, a whistling sound is
heard and a quivering arrow buries its point near her. Almost swooning
with terror, she stifles a scream while Mardion rushes forward and picks
up the arrow, which is wound about with a piece of papyrus. The Queen
fears it is the attempt of an assassin, but no; the papyrus bears the words,
"I love you." While she muses upon this incident, and her women are
disrobing her for the bath, the head of a man swimming is seen in the dis-
tance, and just as Cleopatra prepares to step into the j>ool she utters a
piercing scream, for Melamoun staggers up gasping and glistening from the
water. In the ensuing babble, while the eunuchs spring forward with
lances aimed, Mardion places the papyrus again insinuatingly in Cleo-
patra's hand. She orders the man brought to her. He confesses that it
was he who sent the arrow with its message, prompted by his all absorbing
love and passion for her beauty. Influenced by his ardor, her mood changes
gradually from imperious anger, and yielding to her own a waken big pas-
sion, she offers him a single night of royal splendor and of love's transjM>rts
if he will die at sunrise. Mardion horrified, begs him to kill himself be-
fore l>ecoming the Queen's plaything, but he refuses; and Mardion herself,
seizing a dagger, plunges it into her own heart. The Queen orders her
lifeless body thrown to the crocodiles; and to the sound of truni]>ets and
shouts of courtiers, she and Melamoun seat themselves in the barge and
glide toward the palace, while twilight dee]>ens over the scene.
A gorgeous banquet is prepared on the terraces of the palace; but
while the guests wait, the Queen tarries long with Melamoun. Finally she
apj>ears, jewelled and rol>ed with dazzling brilliam-e, while her lover of a
V
1134473
night is arrayed like a young king. She seats herself on the throne, bidding
Meiamoun take his place beside her; and Greek girls enter and perform a
dance, followed by a wild band of desert maidens, whose dance grows
faster and more furious. Their voluptuous gestures and attitudes of se-
ductiveness excite the guests to unlicensed passion, and the scene becomes
a debauch, when the men snatch at the dancing girls and seize them bodily
to carry them screaming and laughing to hidden parts of the garden. Fin-
ally all disappear, leaving Cleopatra and Meiamoun alone. They are
absorbed in the transports of their love, but the night is waning and Cleo-
patra urges him to accompany her to a hidden white temple in the garden
where they can be alone. He sorrowfully points to the east, where the first
faint glow of the coming day is apparent.
Wildly she insists that it shall remain night for a month, but her royal
power is impotent here, and with the actual appearance of the dawn a
distiller of poisons enters, bearing a vase containing a most deadly drug.
This he offers to Meiamoun who prepares to drink it, but first he begs
of Cleopatra that after his spirit has left its earthly shell she will hold his
body to her heart and kiss his lifeless lips. She promises. He drinks the
poison and falls dead at her feet, just as Iras rushes in to announce the im-
mediate arrival of Mark Antony. Slaves cover Meiamoun's body with
silken cloths. Antony's officers approach the Queen and tell her that
Antony has ridden all night in order that he might greet her with the sun.
Bidding them take word to Antony that she will greet him at once, she
bids them withdraw; and alone with the body of her lover she kneels be-
side him and kisses his lips tenderly, while she pours forth her soul in a
lament of passionate longing and sorrow. The voice of Mark Antony
calls to her from without, and reluctantly she raises herself, and with a
parting kiss on Meiamoun's lips she goes slowly up the stairs of the palace,
while from the distance one hears the solemn chant of priests.
CHARACTERS
CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt Dramatic Soprano
ME!AMOUN, A Young Egyptian Tenor
MARK ANTONY Baritone
MARDION, Favored Maid to the Queen Mezzo Soprano
DIOMEDES, Chief of Cleopatra's rowers
THE DISTILLER OF POISONS
IRAS, A Maiden Mezzo Soprano
A EUNUCH Baritone
ANTONY'S CHIEF OFFICER Baritone
A GUEST Tenor
A HUNGRY GUEST Bass
A FEMALE GUEST Mezzo Soprano
Also
Cleopatra's slaves, Eunuchs, Female attendants, Rowers, Banquet
guests, Greek girls, Desert girls, Hump-backed dwarfs, Magicians,
Musicians, Mark Antony's Herald and his attending Retinue.
ACT I. The baths of Cleopatra at the foot of her Summer Palace at
sunset.
ACT II. The Terraces of the Palace before Sunrise.
PERSONAGES
CLEOPATRE, Reine d'Egypte Soprano
MEIAMOUN, un jeune Egyptien Tenor
MARC ANTOINE Bariton
MARDION, Esclave favorite de Cleopatre Mezzo Soprano
DIOMEDE, Chef des rameurs de Cleopatre
L'ESCLAVE PORTANT LA COUPE DE POISON
IRAS, une jeune esclave Mezzo Soprano
UN EUNUQUE Bariton
CHEF DES OFFICIERS DE MARC ANTOINE Bariton
PREMIER CONVIVE Tenor
DEUXIEME CONVIVE Bariton
UNE INVITEE Mezzo Soprano
Eunuques, Rameurs, Convives, Danseuses, Nains Bossus, Herautes
d'armes de Marc Antoine
ACTE PREMIER: Les Bains de Cleopatre, au pied du Palais d'Ete.
Coucher de Soleil.
ACTE DEUXIEME: Les Terrasses du Palais, avant 1'Aurore.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
(UNE NUIT DE CLEOPATRE)
ACT I
The bath of Cleopatra, sunk in the midst of a
spacious garden, is filled with mimosas,
aloes, carob-trees, citron and Persian apple
trees. The Nile flows silently sinister in the
background. Vast terraces of verdant vege-
tation climb upon gigantic stairways of rose
colored granite which lead to the Palace.
Vases of Pentelic marble bloom at either
side of the steps with huge lily flowers.
Exquisite feminine figures wearing earrings and
necklaces whose bodies terminate in fish
tails, griffen wings or lion haunches,
extend their limbs upon the flower-strewn
ways. A double row of these "delightful
monsters" leads to the bath which occupies
the left center.
The Bath itself is a huge marble basin entered by
porphyry stairways on either side. The
transparent depths of (he water reveal the
bottom strewn with gold dust. On the brink
figures of women terminating as pedestals
spirt slender jets of perfume from their
breasts into the bath. On their heads they
support an entablature in bas relief fur-
nished with bronze rings to which the silken
cords of a velarium are attached. The
implacable blue of the Egyptian sky encases
the whole scene as in a tent.
With the rise of the curtain the stage is empty.
From across the Nile drifts the chant of some
Egyptians imploring the Unseen for rain.
ACTE PREMIER
Les Bains de Cleopdtre, bdtis dans de vastes
jardins remplis de mimosas, d'aloes, de
caroubiers, de citronniers, et de pommes
persiques.
Le Nil, silencieux et sinistre, coule au bas des
bains. D'immenses terrasses, soutenant des
massifs de verdure font monter les fleurs
jusquau palais par de gigantesques escaliers
de granit rose. Des vases de marbre
pentelique s'epanouissent comme de grands
Us au bord de chaque rampe.
De charmantes formes de femme, portant des
boucles d'oreille et des colliers, se bifurquant
en queue de poisson, se deployant en aile de
griffon, s'arrondissant en croupe de lionne,
sont couchees mollement sur le gazon tout
pique de fleurs. Une double rangee de ces
delicieux monstres horde Vallee qui conduit
au bain, situe au centre gauche de la scene.
Le bain meme est un taste bassin avec quatre
escaliers de porphyre de chaque cote. A
trovers la transparence de Veau on voit le fond
sable de poudre d'or. Au bord, des femmes
terminees en gaine comme des cariatides font
jaillir de leurs mamcllcs un filet d'eau par-
fumee quiretombe dans le bassin. Ellesportent
sur leur tele un entablement orne en bas-relief,
et muni d'anneaujr de bronze pour atiacher
les cordes de soie du relarium.
U implacable azur du cifl d"Egypte couvre la
scene entiere comme d'une tente.
Au lever du rideau la scene se trouve vide.
Au dela du Nil le disquc rouge el farouche du
soleil plonge Icntement sous /' horizon. On
entend les voir des Egyptiens adressant leur
pricre au soldi couchant.
Une barque, puis une auirc, paxsent silencieuse-
ment.
10
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
EGYPTIANS (chanting from the distance across the
Nile:)
O Nutar, Nutar am tu heret, Send us the rain !
Thou who causest all growth to fulfill desire
Grant us our prayer!
(MARDION and IRAS enter from the Palace)
IRAS
Let us wait here for the Queen's summons.
Soon the fury of this heat will have been
spent. (Iras flits about among the trees
caressing them.)
Poor parched carob-tree, little mimosa, all you
wearied aloes, citron and Persian apple
trees, I bring you news soon, soon the
purple bowl of night shall drench you with
its nectar. See! (pointing to the sun)
MARDION (mockingly)
Sun, red hot as a buckler fallen from the
furnace of Vulcan ! Do you at last con-
sent to leave us for a few scant hours? I
thank you. (with a mock obeisance)
IRAS
Do you not fear, Mardion, so to mock the Sun-
God?
MARDION
1 fear to mock no one but myself, could I but
find that courage then (clutching her
heart in a frenzy of pain) would I tear out
of my heart's heart this wild-beast's pain
which it seems only my life's blood will
satiate. (She sinks upon a stone seat)
IRAS (stroking her head)
How pale you are paler than moon flowers
bathed in star's light.
MARDION
How should I not be?
IRAS
In a world full of men as this garden of leaves
never would I be as you are.
(Au loin les Egyptiens chantent sur la rive
opposee du Nil.)
O Nutar, Nutar, amtu heret, donne la pluie!
Toi dont vient tout desir, tout apaisement,
ecoute-nous !
(MARDION et IRAS sortent du palais)
IRAS (d MARDION)
Attendons la, le soleil baisse: La fureur de son
regard va s'eteindre. (!RAS court parmi
les arbres et les caresse)
Ah! pauvres caroubiers, mes petits mimosas,
tous desseches! mais toi, mon beau
pommier persique, console-toi, le soir de
son nectar divin abreuve et soulage.
Vois! (indiquant le soleil couchant)
MARDION
Soleil! bouclier ardent tombe de la fournaise du
dieu Vulcain, dis, consens-tu enfin a
detourner tes yeux de nous? (die fait une
reverence moqueuse) Merci, Seigneur!
Ne
crains-tu
celeste?
pas,
IRAS
Mardion,
son courroux
MARDION (avec audace)
Mardion ne craintnul autre qu'elle! Aurai-je
le courage, (pressant sa main sur son coeur
angoisse.) N'arracherai-je pas de mon
coeur cette angoisse fauve, que rien
n'assouvira plus que mon trepas. (Elle
se laisse choir sur un bane de pierre.)
IRAS (caressant les cheveux de MARDION)
Que tu es pale, comme la lune a 1'aurore.
MARDION
Comment ne pas 1'etre?
IRAS
En un monde plein d'hommes comme un jardin
de fleurs je ne voudrais etre toi.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
11
MARDION
In all this world of men, there is but one man.
IRAS
Tell me his name. You gave your promise.
MARDION
He is called Melamoun Melamoun the
strong, the bravely beautiful!
IRAS
Now know I less than ever. Where may one
behold this wondrous being?
MARDION
That may few do. Ix>ng month on month
hunts he the lion in the ocean of sands.
Only the perilous the unreached draws
him ! But no woman if ever I could
think that any woman No No (she is
overcome by her emotion).
(A Eunuch enters from a small boat).
THE EUNUCH
The Queen returns from the Panegyris.
IRAS
Returns so soon?
THE EUNUCH
Her Cangia follows me. The swooning heat
caused her to cut short the celebration.
She bathes ere the sun depart. She would
experience the new perfume from Arabia.
See that all is well prepared naught
forgot! Cleopatra's moods today are
myriad as the sands.
MARDION
And just as little to be built upon.
IRAS
Ouf 'tis plain to see our Queen has tested no
new poison for a whole long month.
MARDION
Nor in all that time bewildered any man with
her caresses. The doom of someone now
draws very near.
MARDION
En tout ce monde d'hommes il n'est qu'un
homme.
IRAS
Dis-moi son nom, j'ai ta promesse.
MARDION
On le nomme Meiamoun, Meiamoun, le fort,
de beaute pareil aux dieux.
IRAS
Pourtant tu ne dis rien ou done peut-on voir
pareil prodige?
MARDION
Qui sait, helas! Des mois entiers il chasse dans
le vaste desert. Le perilleux 1'attire,
Pimpossible 1'appelle, nulle femme. Si je
croyais jamais qu'une femme Non! Non!
(accablee de son emotion)
(Un Eunuque debarque d'une nacelle)
L'EUNUQUE
La Reine revient de la Panagerie.
IRAS
Revient si tot?
L'EUNUQUE
Sa cange approche et cette chaleur impitoyable
la ramene. C'est Pheure du bain royal.
Appretez les parfums de PArabie. Faites
bien tout preparer, n'oubliez. Ses ca-
prices, aujourd'hui sont plus nombreux
que les sables.
MARDION
Aussi, bien fol qui s'y fierait !
IRAS
Ah! cela se voit que not re Reine n'a fait tuer
]>ersonne depuis un long mois.
MARDION
Je sens Papproche tin fatal destin.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
THE EUNUCH
Luminous does she seem, a breathing flame
from her strange abstinence.
IRAS (laughing in derision)
What sense have you of such things.
THE EUNUCH
Enough to feel the Gods themselves might
envy her next love!
(He goes back searches the Nile with his eyes)
MARDION
Do not mock him, Iras, would I were as he
insensible (bowing her head on her arms}.
THE EUNUCH
The Cangia is not far distant I warn you
delay no longer.
MARDION (rising languidly)
You said the new perfume from Arabia? Iras,
summon the attendants.
(Exit Iras)
(Mardion claps her hands two or three times-
From all sides appear Eunuchs with lances
and young slave girls.)
MARDION (to the Eunuchs)
Stand on guard Queen Cleopatra comes to
bathe even now.
(To the girls) Haste your preparations.
(Some of the girls strew flowers on the rim of
the bath, others bring garments for the
bath some Eunuchs start the fountains
the girls playfully catch the spray from the
breasts of the caryatides and throw it on the
Eunuchs who stand immobile).
MARDION (clapping her hands)
To your places. Cleopatra is here.
(The Cangia of Cleopatra glides into view
propelled like velvet by its fifty rowers. The
Cangia is long and narrow, elevated at both
ends into the form of a new moon. The
prow is armed by a ram's head surmounted
by a golden globe, denoting royalty aboard.
L'EUNUQUE
Dans ces jours Cleopatre est une flamme
palpitante.
IRAS (d'un rire derisoire)
Tu t'y connais done, toi? Ha, ha, ha!
L'EUNUQUE
Je sais que les dieux eux memes seraient jaloux
de son amour. (II monte vers lefond de la
scene parcourrant des yeux le Nil.)
MARDION
Ne te moque pas: je 1'envie, moi, je souffre
tant ! (elle incline la tete sur ses bras)
L'EUNUQUE
La cange royale approche,
Ne vous attardez plus.
(MARDION frappe les mains pour appeler les
esclaves. De tons cotes les eunuques ac-
courent, la lance a la main. Entrent
aussi les jeunes esclaves}.
MARDION (aux Eunuques)
Arretez! La Heine Cleopatre se rend au bain.
(aux Esclaves) Veillez qur tout s'apprete.
(Quelques unes des esclaves parsement de fleurs le
bord du bassin, d'autres apportent des
vetements pour la bain. Des Eunuques font
jouer les fontaines. Les fllles en badinani
attrappent de leurs mains la rosee d'argent
qui tombe des seins des cariatides, et en
eclaboussent les Eunuques immobiles.)
(MARDION frappe des mains et fait signe aux
esclaves de se preparer a recevoir la Reine.
La Cange de CLEOPATRE apparit avec la
rapidite veloutee que peuvent lui donner
cinquante rameurs. Au milieu de la barque
s'eleve la tente d'honneur, vivement coloriee
et doree. CLEOPATRE est etendue sur une
couche a pieds de griffon.)
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
13
To the center rises a tent of honor highly
colored and gilded. Two chambers deco-
rated with hieroglyphics occupy the horns of
the crescent. The farther one has a super-
structure which serves as pilot house.
The pilot, a swarthy Egyptian, stands here man-
ipulating two immense carved oars adjusted
upon decorated stakes. In a tent of honor is
a little bed supported upon griffens* feet
reached by a stool with four steps. A semi-
circular pillar of cedar wood fits the nape
of Cleopatra's neck asshe reclines languorous-
ly.
A slave stands beside her waving a large fan of ibis
feathers. A very young slave girl moistens
the little reed blinds with scented water.
Cleopatra wears a golden helmet and many
multi-colored heavy jewels in contrast to a
robe of vapory revealing whiteness.)
CLEOPATRA (who has been lying still, cries out)
I swoon I stifle the God of Fire himself
could not live in this air!
(Mardion claps her hands a black slave ap-
pears balancing a tray laden with cups and
slices of luscious melon he pours a draught
from the vase.)
MARDION
Sip of this
CLEOPATRA (barely touches her lips to the goblet,
pushes it away)
My veins seem filled with molten quicksilver.
My largest i>earl for one drop of rain!
Hut from the inflamed pupil of that im-
placable expanse no tear will fall. O the
desolation of this land! Never a cloud,
never a shadow ever and always the
terrible red eye of that sun searching me
out!
MARDION
Yet once again and soon shall his brazen face l>e
dimmed by his silvered sister Night.
(Une esclave debout pres d'elle balance un grand
eventail de plume d'ibis. Une jeune es-
clave arrose d'une pluie d'eau de senteur les
petites jalousies de roseaux.)
(CLEOPATRE est coiffe d'un casque a" or, elle est
etincelante de pierreries massives et bariolees,
qui contrastent avec la blanche vapeur de sa
robe.)
CLEOPATRE (qui est restee immobile, s' eerie)
Helas! j'etouffe! Le dieu du feu lui meme
perirait dans cet air!
(MARDION frappe des mains. Un esclave
ethiopien entre portant un plateau charge de
tosses. II en rernplil une d'une amphore.)
MARDION (of rant le breurage)
Buvez ceci.
(CLEOPATRE touche a peine la coupe du bout
des lecres et la repousse.)
mes veines. Je
de la pluie!
CLEOPATRE
DU plomb fondu coule en
donncrais mes j>erles
Des jeux des dieux impitoyables nulle
larme ne tomlxra. Oh, la tristesse mo rue de
ce ciel! Point dc fraicheur, pas de images!
Ce soleil rouge ct sanglant comine un oeil
de Cyclope qui me regarde!
MARDION
Cet oeil farouch et fier deviendra plus calme
sous les caresses de la nuit.
14
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
CLEOPATRA
The night will bring no surcease only thoughts
which turn my flesh to stone with terror
The Mummies, Mardion those bandage-
swathed myriads layers on layers of
them forty feet deep! What do they
whisper to each other as they lie face to
face through the long night; what is their
secret? Oh, if the crawling grave- worm,
could be made to speak! What fate un-
merited to be the ill-starred Queen of
Mummies !
IRAS
Are you not our Queen too all we who re-
spond as the quivering harp to life's
lightest touch.
CLEOPATRA (disregarding)
Even were I loved but I am not I am not.
MARDION
How not, O Queen, when every speeding
glance of yours leaves in its wake a shatter-
ed heart?
CLEOPATRA
How should a Queen know whether she be loved
or no? Were I to descend from my throne
might I not fall short of the success of the
first courtesan from Athens? (She rises,
stretches her arms in supplication).
O Gods, give me proof that I am loved,
because I am my woman's self! Give
me some poignant unexpected, some
strangely sweet adventure. Give me
something radiantly rarely different
everything known is staled and unsupport-
able ! Gods, Gods, do not deny me
something to enkindle a fresh spark of life
in my heart, atrophied as this land. Gods,
Gods, do not deny!
(Cleopatra's arms are still extended in the exalta-
tion of invocation, when a curious whistling
sound is heard and a quivering arrow
buries its point near her. CLEOPATRA
swooning with terror stifles a scream and
sinks back on the couch).
CLEOPATRE
Non, rien ne me console, la peur me prend, et
les terreurs me glacent. Les ombres!
Mardion ! ces spectres sinistres! C'est une
ville de morts. La, sous la pierre que
disent-ils dans le tombeau depuis mille ans,
face a face dans la nuit? Qui peut le dire?
Ah, le ver du sepulchre devrait parler!
C'est un destin que je ne merite point,
etre Reine des ombres!
IRAS
N'etes-vous pas, O Reine, la divinite des peuples
entiers prosternes devant vous?
CLEOPATRE (dedaignant d'ecouter)
Ah, si Ton m'aimait! mais nul ne m'aime!
MARDION
O Reine! Chaque doux regard de vos yeux
perce un coeur comme une fleche.
CLEOPATRE
Comment la Reine saurait-elle qu'on 1'aime?
(CLEOPATRE etend les bras d'un geste exalte)
O dieux, accordez-moi une vie nouvelle
d'amour, de joie, de reves, d'aventures
imprevues. Dieux! dieux! Dans ma soli-
tude envoyez un songe, un songe enivrant
qui charme mon coeur. Dieux! dieux!
veuillez m'entendre!
(Les bras de CLEOPATRE sont encore etendus
en un geste d'invocation, quand un siffle-
ment se fait entendre et une fleche vient se
planter en tremblant pres d'elle. CLEO-
PATRE, presque defaillante retient un cri,
et se laisse retomber sur la couche.}
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
15
(MARDION rushes forward, picks up the arrow
which is wound round with a piece of
papyrus.)
CLEOPATRA
Even unto my utmost privacy do these assassins
penetrate Someone shall pay tenfold
for every suffocating heart-beat this out-
rage causes me.
MARDION (who has looked at the papyrus and
quickly crushes it to her)
Let your fears abate, O Queen this was
not sped by an assassin.
CLEOPATRA
By whom then? (MARDION mutely shakes her
head). What hold you to your heart?
Nothing!
MARDION
CLEOPATRA
From nothing much may come. Give it to me
- 1 command ! (MARDION gives her the
papyrus. She reads in her siren's voice)
"I love you" (She repeats softly) "I love
you," "nothing?" Ye immortal Gods!
Nothing! The three most magical words
in all the universe! "I love you." (She
steps her bare feet into sandals, throws a
"Byssus" over her shoulders). From which
direction sped this ? (MARDION is silent,
brooding).
IRAS
From the Nile, O Queen.
CLEOPATRA (rushing to MARDION* who stands
gazing moodily out over the water).
Iras speaks true See far over there a
man propels a frail lx>at! He crosses that
path of light he (trailing) I cannot see
him more Quick, Mardion quick, sum-
mon Diomedes, he is my fastest rower.
(MARDION s'elance pour ramasser la fleche doni
le bois est entoure d'un rouleau de papyrus) .
CLEOPATRE (courroucee)
Ah, on veut done ma vie? Saisissez le traitre,
pour cet outrage a 1'instant mfcme qu'il paie
de sa mort.
(MARDION deroule de la fleche le papyrus, le lit,
et le serre contre son coeur.)
Votre crainte est vaine, O Heine, cette flfiche
n'est d'aucun traitre.
CLEOPATRE
De qui done? (MARDION secoue la tete
silence) Dans ta main que tiens-tu?
en
Rien
MARDION
CLEOPATRE
D'un rien tout peut venir, Donne, donne!
Je commande! (MARDION lui donne le
papyrus. Lisant de sa voix de sirene)
"Je t'aime!" Dieux immortels! "Rien!"
"Je t'aime!" Ce sont bien la les mots les
plus puissants an monde! Merci, dieux!
(CLEOPATRE appelle MARDION afln de lui
montrer le papyrus.)
Mardion, Mardion! "Je t'aime!"
(MARDION reste muette)
De quel c6te vint la flche?
I HAS
Du c6te du Nil.
CLEOPATRE (s'elanc.ant rers MARDION qui reste
les yeux mornes fixes au hintain sur Veau.)
Elle dit vrai. Vois-tu labas lateted'unhomme
qui nage passant dans la clartc. On ne
peut plus le voir. H&tez-vous! De mes
rameurs envoyez le plus rapide.
(Kntre DIOMEDE)
16
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
MARDION
He is here. (DIOMEDES stands ready, huge and
shining black).
CLEOPATRA
Diomedes a man is out there I saw him
but a moment since. Bring him to me
he battles alone against the river's swiftest
current your task is easy bring him to
me swiftly and alive. Alive, or your
own life answers.
(DIOMEDES bows low and enters a boat, the
swishing sound of the oars is heard)
(CLEOPATRA, looking at the papyrus)
Splendid audacity to pierce my heart with
one swift dart." I love you I love you!"
This is the message my whole being stood
quivering to receive. Gods, gods, I thank
you ! From no sear mummy's heart came
these words potent to transmute the
dross of this existence into treasure un-
appraisable. "I love you" but three
little words yet would I not barter them for
tunics of purple thrice dyed and freighted
with pearls, nor for flawless mirrors of mol-
ten steel, nor yet for chariots of silver
starred with sapphires. Yes even were
the very Cestus of Venus offered me in-
stead, I should say, No No !
"I love you," what genius invisible could so
mysteriously have divined my innermost
hunger?
Gods, let me behold him I desire but to be-
hold this man!
Loose my hair. (They loosen her hair it
falls in a dark cloud to her feet, shielding her
almost as a cloak.
Crown me but with blossoms of lotus. To-
night let me be less than queen, yet more
woman than all others, because a brave
man has dared to say, "I love you."
(She is crowned with lotus blossoms).
(Her hair about her, she stands revealed in her
last gossamer tunic, confined at the shoulder
by a single jeweled clasp. She descends the
steps of the bath with four slave girls who
shield her from the stolid gaze of the eunuchs,
with uplifted gauzes of turquoise banded with
gold.)
MARDION
Le voici.
CLEOPATRE
Qu'on aille a la poursuite de 1'inconnu. Qu'on
le ramene, vivant, vivant, si non, de ta
mort meme sois certain! (DIOMEDE
s'incline profondement et entre dans sa
barque. Les esclaves du bain commencent
a devetir CLEOPATRE, qui, preoccupee du
papyrus ne fait nulle attention a elles.
L'on entend le bruit des rames dans I'eau)
CLEOPATRE (lisant de nouveau)
"Je t'aime!" Splendide audace, blesser mon
coeur d'um trait soudain! "Je t'aime,
je t'aime." C'est le message que, fremis-
sant, tout mon etre attendait. Dieux
tout puissants, je vous remercie, ces trois
mots de vive flamme, viennent d'un coeur
qui lut dans mon ame le secret de mon
ardent desir. "Je t'aime!" Mots si
caressants, ouvrant tout un monde de
douce magie et que je n'echangerais pas
pour toutes les richesses du dieu Plutus.
Si Jupiter m'offrait le trone de 1'Olympe,
Aphrodite meme m'offrait son ceste, haut-
aine et fiere je dirais non ! Non ! "Je t'aime,
je t'aime." Rayons ineffables illuminant
la nuit de ma sombre destinee! Dieux
tout puissants, cet homme qui m'aime,
qu'il soit a moi !
(Une esclave denoue les cheveux de CLEOPATRE
Us se repandent en une cascade noire jus-
qu'a ses pieds, la recouvrant comme d'un
manteau.)
Mardion, ce soir couronnez-moi de fleurs de
lotus, que je sois moins Reine et plus
femme que toute autre. Un homme, un
brave osa me dire, "Je t'aime."
(On la couronne de fleurs de lotus. Entouree
de ses cheveux denoues, et paree d'une seule
tunique diaphane retenue a Vepaule par une
agrafe incrustee de pierres precieuses, elle
descend les marches du bassin accompagnee
de quatre esclaves, qui la mettent a Vabri du
regard impassible des eunuques en elevant
au devant d'elle des echarpes en tissu tur-
quoise borde d'or.)
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
17
CLEOPATRA (giving her the papyrus)
Guard well this treasure for me, Mardion.
(putting a foot into the water draws it back
q uickly)
How cold the water ! (the clasp is unfas-
tened on one shoulder the filmy garment
starts to slip. Cleopatra utters a piercing
scream and wraps herself in the gauzes held
by the girls, as a man staggers up gasping
and glistening through the bath. He is
young. The polished smoothness of his
tawny orange skin covers sinews of steel.
His blue black hair is flung from a brow
serene as marble. His nostrils quiver like
some lithe war horse's on the eve of battle.
Babel ensues. The Eunuchs leap forward,
lances aimed, prepared stolidly to kill.
MARDION insinuatingly places the papyrus
in CLEOPATRA'S hand.)
CLEOPATRA (glances at it commands im-
periously)
Hold ! Bring him before me then do your will.
(The Eunuchs cast ME!AMOUN at her feet he
does not cringe in fear he might be taken
for a bronze statue in the exalted attitude of
supplication to his chosen goddess.)
CLEOPATRA
Who are you? Answer me! (he does not answer)
Why do I ask? Only another assassin
bril>ed by Rome.
i\ mutely shakes /u'.v head.)
CLEOPATRE (trempe dans Veau son pied)
Oh ! que 1'eau est froide !
CLEOPATRA (imperiously)
Know you 'tis death to enter here?
By Onus, the dog of Hell I envy you your dar-
ing. What evil intent propelled you to this
sacred ground? What was your motive ?
Tell me, or never more l>e heard.
(Elle pousse un cri aigu et s'envelope dans les
echarpes de gaze soutenues par les esclaves
au moment ou un homme haletant et ruis-
selant se jette en chancelant hors de Veau du
bain).
(Un bruit confus de roix s'ensuit. Les eunuques
accourent la lance au poin. L'un d'eux
s'apprete, impassible, a tuer. MARDION
glisse d'une faqon insidieuse le papyrus
dans la main de CLEOPATRE)
CLEOPATRE (commande imperieusement)
Non! amenez cet homme la devant moi!
(Les eunuques jettant MEIAMOUN aux pieds de
la Reine; II ne montre nulle crainte devant
elle).
Ton nom ?
CLEOPATHE
Quel est il? N'est-tu
quelqu 'assassin gage? Dis,
Reponds-moi !
rN garde le silence)
de Rome
rejMMids.
CLEOPATRE
La mort certaine t'attend. Par les Dieux des
Knfers, j 'admire ton audace.
(Avec colere montante)
Pour quel dessein approchas-tu si pres de moi?
Viens-tu te rendre? Infame, parle, ou
meurs.
18
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
MEIAMOUN (as if strangling at first)
I love you.
CLEOPATRA (starts looks at the papyrus)
Those words!
MEIAMOUN
May my soul be found light in the balance of
eternity, if ever I hoped to follow that
arrow the whirlpool of fate seized and
cast me before you you believe me my
Queen.
(covers his face with his hands)
CLEOPATRA
Now I know you; like a complaining shade
have you traced my steps.
MEIAMOUN
Where you dwell there can be no shade, only
a radiance engulfing all in blinding light,
my Queen of Queens. As if one loved a
star far-furled in the limitless spaces. For
months, in secret, have I fed on its
mysterious sweetness until my senses
swoon through sheer surfeit of ecstasy.
Each night my star comes forth to lure me
in its heaven.
Madman !
CLEOPATRA
MEIAMOUN
I was until today when I beheld you in all
your enchantment. I gave my oath even
as I am yours, so should you be mine
though but for a night a single hour
a few pulse beats out of all time, I swore it.
All that I am, or hope to be, lies confessed,
quivering before you. Be merciful, O my
Queen.
CLEOPATRA (snarling)
Ah, so you can cringe. What mercy dare you
ask?
MEIAMOUN (se leve avec dignite)
Je t'aime.
CLEOPATRE
Ces mots !
MEIAMOUN
Que les dieux me detruisent si j'eus jamais
1'esperance folle de te regarde ainsi dans les
yeux. La main du destin meme me jette
a tes pieds, que je baise, enfin.
(II se couvre le visage des mains)
CLEOPATRE (saisissant les mains de MEIAMOUN
lui decouvre le visage qu'elle fixe des yeux.)
Ah! Depuis longtemps je te vois errer comme
une ombre pale.
MEIAMOUN
Oh, souveraine etoile, qui m'innondes de clarte,
tu m'apparais, enfin, O Reine, j'ai con-
temple Petoile dans les lointains espaces,
pendant des siecles j'ai cheri la splendeur
rayonnante de son image dans mon coeur
enivre de son reve d'extase.
Et maintenant 1'etoile descend de son ciel.
Chimere !
CLEOPATRE
MEIAMOUN
Chimere jusqu'a ce jour ou je te vis dans tout
1'attrait de tes charmes. Je me jurai
puisque je t'aimais que tu m'aimerais,
meme pour une nuit, pour un moment, un
seul instant de 1'eternite.
Je le jure!
Ma vie entiere est a toi, mon ame, tout mon
etre. Ah! prends pitie de moi, clemente
Reine!
CLEOPATRE
Now, c'est la mort certaine, la mort t'attend.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
ME!AMOUN
A swift sure death. We have breathed the
same air now I can die.
CLEOPATRA
But if your Queen should give you life?
ME!AMOUN
What should I do with life now?
CLEOPATRA
Then merciful I'll be You shall die.
ME!AMOUN (indicating the Eunuchs')
Bid them strike deep, I implore, and at my
heart's heart, that I may prove
CLEOPATRA (interrupting)
Not yet. A mood for miracles is upon me.
What if your madman's evanescent dream
should be transmuted into reality? WTiat
if all the glories, the lightnings I am
capable of should engulf you?
ME!AMOUN
Cease to torture me, O my Queen. What is
your will of me?
CLEOPATRA (coming near to him)
To raise you to the heights of your "star" for
anight! (her tone changing to baleful tri-
umph) Then when the hour comes plunge
you back into nothingness.
MARDION (who has been listening to this last in
the greatest agitation, screams)
Let it strike at once, Melamoun. Take his life
now. Queen !
CLEOPATRA
Nay I will not take his life. I will buy it.
My coin the ensilvered hours of one
night a lifetime in a night alone with me.
Ah!
MEIAMOUN
La mort certaine, Je t'ai baise les pieds.
Vienne la mort!
CLEOPATRE
Et si je te donnais la vie?
MEIAMOUN
Que ferais-je d'elle? Non.
CLEOPATRE
Vienne done cette mort, que tu demandes!
MEIAMOUN
Qu'on me frappe, je t'implore, vite et fort,
dans le fond de mon coeur.
CLEOPATRE
Attends. D'etre clemente j'ai le caprice.
Que dirais-tu, si de ton reve d'or je faisais
une realite, soudain, si tous les eclairs, les
splendeurs dont je suis Heine t'innon-
daient?
MEIAMOUN
Tu me mets a la torture. Que veux-tu de moi?
CLEOPATRE
Je pourrais te conduire du neant aux etoiles,
et puis quand 1'heure sonne dans l'ab!me
te replonger.
MARDION (qui a ecoutce arec agitation croissante,
s' eerie.)
Meiamoun, n'ecoute pas! Sa vie, prenez-la!
CLEOPATRE
Non, je ne la prendrai pus, je 1'achete, mon or
une unit d'amouret dc merveille, une nuit
en tic re a u pros de Cleopatre! Suffira-t-cllc?
MARDION (rushing toward ME!AMOUN) MARDION (s'clan$ant i-ers MEIAMOUN)
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
Make no bargain with her. The coin she'd
pay you in is tainted with much usage.
(she gives him a little dagger} Your life,
Me'iamoun, is yours now, yours alone!
Put it beyond her reach e'er she for-
ever befoul it.
(CLEOPATRA claps her hands three times, points
to MARDION. The Eunuchs seize her}
CLEOPATRA (strides up to her in a white
fury).
This man and you you you (she ends
speechless.)
MARDION (glorified)
Long have my thoughts dwelt with him even
as his with you.
CLEOPATRA (sweeping past her)
What is she to you?
MEIAMOUN
I know her not.
CLEOPATRA
How am I to believe?
MARDION
He is beloved by many Me'iamoun whom
but to see is to burn for.
CLEOPATRA
So you are beloved by many?
MEIAMOUN
I know naught of them.
MARDION
Truth he speaks. No maiden benumbed by j
Ah ! ne 1'ecoute pas ! Get or dont elle t'achete
est infame. (MARDION lui donne un
poignard.) Ta vie est a toi, a toi seul,
Meiamoun. Mets la sans hesiter a 1'abri
de son pouvoir.
(CLEOPATRE frappe trois fois des mains, indique
MARDION que les Eunuques saisissent.)
CLEOPATRE (en unefurie blanche)
Get homme et toi, toi toi toi!
MARDION (exaltee)
Depuis longtemps je 1'aime Comme il vous
ainie.
CLEOPATRE
Que veut-elle dire?
MEIAMOUN
Je ne saurais.
CLEOPATRE
Que faut-il supposer?
MARDION
II est aime de toutes celles que le voient, et
qu'il ne voit pas.
CLEOPATRE (se rapprochant de MEIAMOUN)
Ah ! le bien-aime des femmes
Je 1'ignore.
MEIAMOUN
MARDION
II dit vrai. L'insensible Hippolyte de Thesee,
the icy shadow of her mother hath been fut moins glacial, moins chaste que ne
more shy than he of us. Test Meiamoun.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
21
CLEOPATRA (with the voice of the serpent)
Melamoun, the much beloved! Melamoun,
the chaste! What is your desire? To re-
main insensible as the snows to us? (sway-
ing him with a thousand currents). I'll
not sway you to decision -- 'tis in your
own hand. Do you take your life, or sell
it to me for a night?
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, le bien-aime! Meiamoun, le chaste!
Quel est ton desir? Ton sort est dans tes
mains. Je te donne la vie. T'est-elle
chere, plus chere que I'amour et que moi?
MARDION MARDION
Go now, Melamoun. My love of life, go now Ah, va! Meiamoun, ne reste pas! Va, va,
unsullied, unassailed by her to better
things!
ME!AMOUN
To better things! (raises the dagger as if to
plunge it into his heart flings it from him
with a cry) I cannot. One night, one
hour; one heart beat of eternity with you,
my Queen. Let the abyss yawn wide as
it will, it must wait your whim ere it en-
gulf me.
CLEOPATRA (reaching him her hand he de-
vours it with kisses)
Be it so.
MARDION
So it shall never be while I live! (she breaks
from the Eunuchs, makes a rush for the dag-
ger and kills herself falling at ME!AMOUN'S
feet. The sun sets the afterglow suf-
fuses the sky with sensational colors of vio-
let, orange and turquoise. The water in the
curious light shines like quicksilver. All
the objects along the river's far bank are
brought out in a sharp black relief against
the crepuscular glow).
CLEOPATRA (pointing to MARDION)
More food for crocodiles. Throw her to them.
(The Eunuchs remove Mardion's l)ody)
(Cleopatra looks down at ME!AMOUN)
What, still at my feet? Stand face to
face with your Queen. For tonight you
are equal of a god. Give me your arm.
sans tache, vers la vie plus pure et plus
belle plus pure et plus belle.
MEIAMOUN (// leve le poignard comme pour
le plonger dans son coeur il le jette avec
un cri sourd.)
Ah, Reine, pitie une nuit une heure avec toi,
ma Reine!
(CLEOPATRE lui tend la main quil devore de
baisers)
MARDION
Ce ne sera jamais moi vivante! (Elle s'elance
des mains des Eunuques, saisit le poignard,
le plonge dans son sein et tombe aux pieds
de MEIAMOUN)
(Le soleil se couche. La lueur crepusculaire
produit dans les deux des reflets violets,
oranges et turquoise. L'eau par cette
etrange lumiere a V eclat mat d'une glace
vue du cott du tain. A la faveur de cette
clarte tous les accidents de la rire lointaine
de fleuve se decoupent en traits fermes et
noirs contre /' horizon.)
CLEOPATRE (indiquant MARDION)
Que ceci so it jete aux eaux du Nil. (Les
Eunuques cmportent le cadarrc de MARDION)
CLEOPATRE
Pas a mes pieds. Non!
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
(Puts her hand on his bare arm half
swooning as she leans against him). I de-
sire I desire to return to the palace
(CLEOPATRA with MEIAMOUN half support-
ing her goes up the terrace toward the palace.
The attendants, eunuchs, etc., form a cortege
which follows them chanting)
O living Queen of the regions above, and below !
Cleopatra! Sister of Ptolemy proclaimed
Goddess Evergetes. Eye of Light! chosen
of the world! Cleopatra! Cleopatra!
(CLEOPATRA enters the Cangia. MEIAMOUN
follows and places himself at her feet. The
Cangia slowly begins to glide.}
CLEOPATRA (looking down on him)
Mei'amoun !
MEIAMOUN (in adoration)
Cleopatra !
CLEOPATRA (pointing to the deepening twilight)
See, our night !
MEIAMOUN
Now reigns supreme, my only star
CLEOPATRA
Gift of all the gods !
END OF ACT I.
(MEIAMOUN se leve)
Leve-toi jusqu'a moi. Pour ce soir je fais de
toi 1'egal d'un dieu.
(presque defaillante)
Donne ta main pour rentrer au Palais avec moi
viens. {Au son de la fanfare les assistants,
les Eunuques etc., s'assemblent pour pre-
parer la scene dernier e. Le cortege se
forme, et monte lentement les marches de la
terrasse vers le Palais)
Femme de Ptolemee, nominee deesse Evergete,
et souveraine d'en bas et d'en haul!
Souveraine, choisie du monde ! Cleopatre,
Cleopatre! Souveraine, choisie du monde!
(CLEOPATRE entre dans la Conge. MEIAMOUN
la fait et s'assied a ses pieds, Quelques
suivants et suivantes entrent aussi, d'autres
restent debout sur les marches pendant que la
Cahge commence a glisser doucement sur
I'eau.)
CLEOPATRE (se penchant vers lui)
Meiamoun !
MEIAMOUN (extasie)
Cleopatre !
CLEOPATRE (montrant le crepuscule qui s'assom-
brif)
C'est notre nuit!
MEIAMOUN
Regne sur elle, sublime Etoile !
CLEOPATRE
Don de tous les dieux!
RIDEAU
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
23
ACT II
The action transpires just before sunrise on the
Terraces of CLEOPATRA'S Palace.
Short thick columns variegated with hieroglyphics
sustain the first tier of the terraces. Be-
tween them at intervals crouches a colossal
sphynx of basalt, croumed with the "pshent."
Above them rise the columns of the second tier
croumed unth female heads; bull-headed
idols on thrones of stone, squat impassive
between them.
The third tier seems to reach the sky, From it,
great elephants of bronze lift their trunks in
trumpeting attitude. Carved gates open
from the second and third tiers into the
Palace.
Stairways of polished porphyry connect the. whole.
"A wilderness of building and self withdrawn
into a wondrous depth."
On the second tier is a throne with golden griff ens
on either side. Ranged around it are the
banquet tables for Cleopatra's guests. Tri-
pods of brass and giant candelabra shed their
disheveled light through the vapors of in-
cense. Giant flowers bloom in vases and
strew the steps, at the bottom of which play
perfumed fountains. The roof is the star-
freighted Egyptian night, made luminous by
the mystic oriental moon.
The curtain rises as the slaves prepare the banquet.
The guests stream out, some from the gates of the
second terrace and some from the gardens.
All are magnificent the women seduction
incarnate the men boundlessly licentious.
A GUEST (catching a slave girl as she passes)
Here is a dainty morsel for you not before
espied.
A HUNGRY GUEST
I care not. The pangs of hunger dull all
others. Were we not hidden to a feast?
ACTE DEUXIEME
L'action se passe avant I'aube, sur les terrasses du
Palais d'Ete de Cleopdtre.
Des colonnes courtes, trapues, bigarrees d'hier-
oglyphes, soutiennent de leurs chapiteaux
le premier etage des terrasses. Entre chaque
pilier s'allonge un sphinx colossal de
besalte, coiffe du pschent.
Au second etage les chapiteaux des colonnes sont
formes par des tetes de femme. Des idoles
impossibles a tete de taureau soni assis
entre les colonnes.
Un troisieme etage parait se dresser jusquaux
deux. Des elephants de bronze a trompe
levee le couronnent.
Au second et au troisieme etage des grilles dselees
donnent entree au palais.
Des escaliers de porphyre tient entre elles ces
grandes masses a" architecture.
Au second etage se trouve un trdne soutenu de
griffons of or. Les tables du festin sont
disposees autour de le trone.
Des trepieds d'airain et des candelabres gigan-
tesques secouert leur lumiere echevelee a
trovers un brouillard d'encens.
D'enormes fleurs s 'epanouijsent dans les vases,
ou sont repandues sur les marches des
escaliers, au bos des qucls coulent des fon-
taines d'eau de senteur.
Formant coupole, le del etoile, s'ouvre comme un
gouffre bleu ecloire par la mystique lune de
VOrient.
Au lever du ridcau les esclaves preparent le festin.
Les convives arrivent les uns par leu grilles de la
seconde terrasse, les autres par le jardin.
Tons sont superbes. Les femmes sont la
seduction meme. Les homines d'une licence
sans borne.
PREMIER CONVIVE (saisissani une esclave qui
posse.)
Ou vas-tu en telle hate, l>elle enfante?
PEUXIEME CONVIVE
Qu'imj>orte! N'est-il pa,s 1'heure du festin?
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
A FEMALE GUEST
I would see this Mei'amoun. Never before had
any man not even Antony the power
to cause her to forget the banquet hour.
IRAS
Queen Cleopatra sends greeting. She robes
herself even now for the repast.
A HUNGRY GUEST
The gods be thanked.
IRAS
She bids you make ready to drink her health
and that of Meiamoun.
A HUNGRY GUEST
Even to this outcast dog so that we but
drink (goblets of gold are passed and filled
with wine the 9 guests hold them poised as
A EUNUCH (announces)
They are here. (CLEOPATRA and MEIAMOUN
appear at the top of the terrace)
CHORUS
Cleopatra Cleopatra Eye of Light ! May
you dwell on us forever !
CLEOPATRA
Drink yet again and this time to Mei'amoun.
THE GUESTS
To Meiamoun Mei'amoun chosen of the Sun!
CLEOPATRA
Be happy, all as I am this night.
(She descends the stairways leaning upon the
arm of MEIAMOUN. The air is shattered
with the shouts of guests, the croakings and
tumblings of dwarfs the blare of music.
CLEOPATRA seats herself on the throne.
MEIAMOUN makes as if to lie at her feet.)
CLEOPATRA
Nay, sit beside me.
UNE INVITEE
Je veux voir ce Meiamoun, parmi les hommes le
premier qui cut jamais le don de faire
oublier un festin a Cleopatre.
IRAS (entre de la terrasse)
Cleopatre approche. Royale soeur d'Aphro-
dite et de Hathor.
DEUXIEME CONVIVE
Grands dieux merci!
IRAS
Voulez-vous boire a sa sante et celle de Meia-
moun.
DEUXIEME CONVIVE
Buvons meme a ce chien et surtout, buvons !
(On fait circuler des coupes d'or remplies de vin
parmi les convives qui les tiennent a hauteur
de bras.)
L'EUNUQUE
Us approchent. (MEJAMOUN et CLEOPATRE
apparaissent sur la seconde terrasse)
CHOEUR
Cleopatre, Cleopatre, Oeil du monde, que ton
regne soit eternel!
CLEOPATRE
Buvez encore, buvez a Meiamoun.
CHOEUR
Meiamoun, Meiamoun, choisi du Soleil!
CLEOPATRE (die descend appuyee au bras de
MEIAMOUN)
Soyez heureux ! heureux comme moi !
(L'air retentit aux acclamations des convives et
aux cris des nains bossus. CLEOPATRE
s'assied sur le trone. MEIAMOUN se pre-
pare a s'etrendre a ses pieds.)
CLEOPATRE
Non, viens aupres de moi.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
25
ME!AMOUN (pointing to the throne)
There?
CLEOPATRA
Here level with my heart.
ME!AMOUN
Where your heart is mine entwined hence-
forth and forever on.
CLEOPATRA
Melamoun, Melamoun do not look at me
more still do I swoon 'neath your gaze.
ME!AMOUN
How in this world shall I envisage aught again
save you my Star of Fate?
CLEOPATRA
But if I command ! (she claps her hands). Let
the maidens from Greece dance for us.
(Viands are passed on great carved golden
trenchers and the wine poured from jewel in-
crusted long snouted vessels. The guests fall
to greedily. A boar roasted entire is carried
on cut into, it emits a flock of living birds.
(CLEOPATRA is hungry she eats vora-
ciously at first finally notices that ME!A-
MOUN has refused every dish)
CLEOPATRA
Is there naught here will satisfy does my re-
past not please you?
MEIAMOUN
Ne'er has man feasted as I this night, yet hun-
gered as I still do.
CLEOPATRA (purposely misunderstanding)
Then here l>e Phenicopters' tongues (ME!A-
MOUN wares them off}
ME!AMOUN
They'll not ap|>ease the vultures that yet raven
me (clutching his heart)
MEIAMOUN (indiquant le trone)
La!
CLEOPATRE
Oui, tout pres de mon coeur.
MEIAMOUN
Mon coeur bat ou bat le tien.
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, je me sens mourir sous ton regard
ardent et doux.
Au monde il n'est plus rien, mes yeux me
cherchent ici bas que toi toi, O Heine de
mon destin.
CLEOPATRE
Mais, si je commande? Que les filles de Grece
dansent. (De riches mets sur des plateaux
en or cisele parmi les convives attables.
On verse le vin de grandes amphores incrus-
tees de pierreries. On apporte un sanglicr
roti entier, dont sort, quand on le coupe une
voice d'oiseaux vivants. CLEOPATRE mange,
mais elle s'apperqoit que MEIAMOUN refuse
de tous les plat*.)
CLEOPATRE
N'est-il ici nulle chose qui te plaise on tente?
MEIAMOUN
Apres un tel festin nul autre que moi, n'aurait
voulu d'avantage.
CLEOPATRE (indiquant un plat)
Des langues de Phenicopteres?
MEIAMOUN
Non, rien ne calmera les vautours qui me ron-
gent.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
CLEOPATRA
Mayhap this dish of peacock's brains stewed
in rare wine will allay their pangs.
MEIAMOUN
As naught were all the brains of peacocks that
e'er strutted.
CLEOPATRA
What then will glut this monstrous appetite
Meiamoun the insatiable?
MEIAMOUN
Let me devour that soul-shattering face, which
men will die for down the ages.
CLEOPATRA (leaning across MEIAMOUN her face
upturned to him)
MEIAMOUN (holding her yearningly}
Like white of flames do you creep athwart my
heart. This jewel crusted hour as all the
others your bounty has made mine, is
packed with more than all eternity holds
for most men. O wondrous star set in my
lifetime of a night!
CLEOPATRA
Fuller still I'll pack it. My desert maidens
shall weave their dances of madness for
you. Come forth ! Held inviolate they
for the jaded kings of earth. Tonight
they shall be for the quick. Come forth
my maidens Dance! Dance for
Meiamoun as you ne'er have danced for
any Emperor!
( The band of desert maidens weave out sinuously
from all directions. Incited by the dance,
the guests grow more licentious. Some lie
entwined as they watch. Others snatch
at the dancing girls who, too exhausted to
resist, are seized bodily and carried scream-
ing and laughing to hidden spots of the gar-
dens).
MEIAMOUN'S head is pillowed against CLEO-
PATRA'S heart.
( A grotesque of hunchbacked dwarfs lash the
tired girls on with garlands of flowers,
tumbling and shouting among them).
CLEOPATRE
Et ces cervelles de paon, ne pourraient-elles
apaiser ta faim?
MEIAMOUN
Non, rien n'apaisera ma faim sans limite.
CLEOPATRE
Que te faut-il alors, mon Meiamoun, Meiamoun
1'insatiable?
MEIAMOUN
Ah, laisse, laisse que je devore de baisers ton
visage.
(CLEOPATRE se laissant tomber sur la poitrine
de MEIAMOUN, leve vers lui son visage)
(MEIAMOUN (avec un elan de passion el de ten-
dresse)
Ce visage que les hommes dans les siecles loin-
tains mourront d'aimer, et qui change une
heure en une eternite entiere. Ah, laisse
ma pauvre ame s'egarer dans tes yeux!
CLEOPATRE
Cette heure divine, je veux remplir de toute
extase, de tout plaisir. (Une bande de
filles du desert se glisse sinuesement de tous
cotes sur la scene) La danse! Dansez,
mes filles, filles du desert, votre danse
folle pour Meiamoun! (Pendant que la
danse avance avec frenesie croissant, les
convives s'emparent de filles trop epuisees
pour se debattre, et les emportant criant et
riant aux allees solitaires et cachees du
jardin. Une grotesque bande de nains se
ruant en criant parmi celles qui continuent
a danser fouettent les filles epuisees avec de
longues guirlandes de fleurs. Enfin tous
quittent la scene sauf CLEOPATRE et MEIA-
MOUN).
(La tele de MEIAMOUN est penchee sur Vepaule de
CLEOPATRE)
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
CLEOPATRA
M <-IHMI< urn. how did you find my desert girls?
ME!AMOUN
Though I looked, I saw them not.
CLEOPATRA
MeTamoun, Meiamoun, where were you
schooled in love?
ME!AMOUN
I have but counted o'er and o'er the sum of
your enchantments.
CLEOPATRA
Dullards are all compared with you Mela-
moun my gift of the waters. Tell me
yet once again.
MEIAMOUN
What can I tell you more that shall not weary
you?
CLEOPATRA
Ne'er do I tire of those three magic words,
which flung wide the portals of my heart.
MEIAMOUN
I love you I love you. How shall I tell you
how! I love you simply as the flowers
turn to the sun yet mysteriously as the
ether's unpierced vastness. I love you
gently as a father lifts his new born girl-
child, yet wildly as a lost soul staggering
down to hell's infernal. I love you as men
cling to life. Star aflaming enshrined
in my soul's soul. And when strange planes
I tread if gods be just I still shall love
you more.
CLEOPATRA (her hand on his mouth)
Nay tell me no more here where greedy
ears may steal the honey of your words.
In my garden's heart hides a white temple
- there can we again be alone.
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, ma danse te plait-elle?
MEIAMOUN
Je n'ai vu que toi.
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, Meiamoun, Roi de 1'amour vain-
queur!
MEIAMOUN
Et je revais sur ton coeur de neige et de flamme.
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, fils du Nil sacr, redis-les moi,
ces mots.
MEIAMOUN
Quels mots veux-tu que je te disc, je t'ai tout
dit.
CLEOPATRE
Redis ces mots, si simples et tendres qui pour
jamais charmerent tout mon coeur.
MEIAMOUN
Je t'aime, je t'aime! Quels mots te le dirant?
Je t'aime comme aiment les fleurs au doux
printemps; je t'aime avec tout le mystere
des firmaments. Je t'aime comme line
mere berce son enfant. Je t'aime comme
aiment les ames dans les enfers, et les
tourments. Je t'aime, je t'aime! Quels
mots te le diront? Je t'aime plus que
I'esperance, Cleopatre, enchassee dans
mon ame; et dans la mort je t'aimerais,
cleesse, plus que jamais!
CLEOPATRE
Viens avec moi, au jardin solitaire, la, nous
nous trouverons dans le petit temple blanc.
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
MEIAMOUN (who has started with her his arms
around her suddenly seems to stiffen as
with an icy chill his arms drop from her
as he cries)
We cannot reach it now!
CLEOPATRA
Why not? 'Tis but a few swift steps.
MEIAMOUN
Yet may I not take them (pointing to a faint
glow the first premonition of day) See!
The first outriders of the great White
Queen Here must I await them.
CLEOPATRA (clapping her hands)
Draw all the canopies. We'll not admit them.
MEIAMOUN
Much may you do, yet the day must follow the
night.
CLEOPATRA (in a fury of impotence)
It will not! It shall not! I'll shut it out
for a whole month shall darkness reign.
MEIAMOUN (putting his arms around her)
Yet I do love her more for this than all her
other moods of wonder, Cleopatra my
beautiful
CLEOPATRA (pushing him from her)
Nay, you do not love me, else the very light of
day would you deny for me.
MEIAMOUN
For you have I not foresworn the light that
shall guide my soul to peace? Greater
love can no man show.
CLEOPATRA
Mei'amoun, Meiamoun, the night is still yours
yours but to desire!
MEIAMOUN (proudly refusing the bait of his life)
Naught have you left me to desire.
MEIAMOUN (qui est en train de sm'we CLEOPATRE,
I'entourant de ses bras, s'arrete, soudain,
comme frappe d'un fusson mortel. II
laisse retomber ses bras a ses cotes.)
Nous n'y parviendrons pas.
CLEOPATRE
Pourquoi? Nous le voyons d'ici.
MEIAMOUN
II est trop tard. (II indique dans les deux une
luer incertaine, premier pressentiment du
jour.)
Vois-tu labas 1'aube naissante; mon sort est
decide.
CLEOPATRE (frappant des mains pour appeler
les esclaves)
N'admettez pas le jour; Qu'on 1'eteigne!
MEIAMOUN
Malgre ta puissance, le jour doit suivre la nuit.
CLEOPATRE (avec fureur impuissante)
II faut jeveux, j'ordonnequela nuit continue
tout un long mois !
MEIAMOUN (I'entourant de ses bras)
Ah, pour ces mots je t'aime plus encore que
pour tous tes autres appas sublimes, ma
Cleopatre !
CLEOPATRE (le repoussant doucement)
Tu ne m'aimes pas, si tu m'aimes, pour moi tu
nierais le jour, mon Meiamoun.
MEIAMOUN
Ah, n'ai-je pas renonce pour toi a la vie, a la
lumiere. Quel amour veux-tu plus grand?
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, Meiamoun. La nuit est jeune
encore. Elle est a toi!
MEIAMOUN
Tous mes desirs sont satisfaits.
29
CLEOPATRA
Melamoun yet there is time yours
any gift to ask.
ME!AMOUN
But one when my soul first wings faltering
to the far countries will you hold its
earthly shell to your heart, as now you do?
CLEOPATRA
I will, Melamoun.
ME!AMOUN
And sometimes in the dark still hours of night,
when you start suddenly awake, will you
think of me?
CLEOPATRA
Too much, I fear, shall my thoughts be of you.
(sees the rosy light of dawn, utters a piercing cry)
The dawn!
( The distiller of poisons enters, stepping as if to
a dirge. His aspect is chillingly sinister.
He holds high a horn vase so powerful is
the poison it contains a bluish vapor es-
capes it. He stalks up to ME!AMOUN and
presents him with it)
MEIAMOUN
Gods, I salute you. Through other ethers shall
you still blaze for me, my star! Farewell !
(he raises the vase to his lips)
CLEOPATRA (cries out drawing his arm down)
Nay, live! Live! but to love me here
I desire it I
ME!AMOUN (seems to weaken)
My Queen of Stars, I -
IRAS (ipamingly)
'Tis Antonv's horn.
CLEOPATRE
Meiamoun, tout est a toi, tu n'as qu'a demander.
MEIAMOUN
Alors, quand mon ame fuira vers les regions
funestes tiendras-tu mon coeur perdu sur
ton coeur, comme a present?
CLEOPATRE
Oh, oui, Meiamoun.
MEIAMOUN
Et dans les heures de la nuit penseras-tu parfois
a moi?
CLEOPATRE
Oui, Meiamoun, je le jure. (En toumant la tete
CLEOPATRE appergoit la clarte de Vaube.)
L'aurore! (Un esclave entre portant a hauteur
de bras un vase de corne contenant un poison
si violent qu'une vapeur bleudtre s'en eleve.
II s'avance vers MEIAMOUN auquel il
presente la coupe)
MEIAMOUN (extasie)
Dieux, je vous salue! En d'autres spheres tu
brilleras pour moi, etoile!
(II leve la coupe) Adieu!
CLEOPATRE
Non, non, vis pour moi! Je te le commande!
MEJAMOUN
Ah, Cleopatre!
IRAS (accourant)
("est Marr Antoine!
30
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
(CLEOPATRA loosens her grasp on MEIAMOUN'S
arm her own drops dejectedly to her side)
MEIAMOUN
'Tis the siren call of Destiny inescapable.
Farewell, O my wondrous one!
CLEOPATRA
Farewell. Meiamoun unlike all others.
(He drains the poison and falls at her feet as if
shot, as four heralds at arms enter on horse-
back officers of Antony.}
(As CLEOPATRA claps her hands the Eunuchs
enter and cover MEIAMOUN'S body with silken
cloths.)
ANTONY'S CHIEF OFFICER
Greeting from Antony O Queen.
CLEOPATRA (imperiously)
Ride back ! Tell him I await him eagerly. (Her
voice falters . Antony's men exit.)
CLEOPATRA (holding MEIAMOUN to her heart
her voice breaking)
Meiamoun, Meiamoun, see, I keep my promise.
I hold you close. All-precious gift of the
gods. Where are you now? Where
wings that fire-purged soul? Almost
I too would soar there with you alone
Meiamoun I shall think of you in the
cool of moonlight nights, as in sterile
stretching days oft shall I be with you.
You were right even our night of
dreams has vanished. Shattered and
scattered where? Into Emptiness! No
more no more my gift of the waters.
ANTONY (calls ringingly from the Palace)
Cleopatra !
MEIAMOUN
C'est 1'appel inevitable de la destinee.
etoile d'amour!
Adieu,
CLEOPATRE
Adieu, O Meiamoun. Adieu, mon reve !
(MEIAMOUN vide la coupe et tombe comme
frappe de lafoudre aux pieds de CLEOPATRE)
(CLEOPATRE frappe des mains. Les Eunuques
entrent et posent sur le cadavre de MEIA-
MOUN un voile de soie. Entrent quatre
herauts d'armes, officiers de Marc Antoine)
PREMIER OFFICIER DE MARC ANTOINE
Marc Antoine vous salue, O Reine.
CLEOPATRE
Allez, dites-lui qu'ici je 1'attends. (Aussitot
que les herauts de MARC ANTOINE sont partis,
CLEOPATRE qui s'est laissee choir sur un
bane de pierre se leve et s'avance lentement
vers le cadavre de MEIAMOUN. Durant
les arpeges des harpes elle le decouvre et
regard avec tendresse.
CLEOPATRE (tenant dans ses bras MEIAMOUN.
le coeur et la voix brises)
Je tiens ma promesse, je te presse sur mon coeur.
Don precieux de nos Dieux, ou done as-tu
fui? Ame si pure et si fiere, pour tou jours
je veux vers toi m'envoler. O Meiamoun,
de nos reves la nuit meme n'a laisse qu'un
vide immense. Je tiens ma promesse, je
te presse sur mon coeur. Oh, reponds-
moi, mon Meiamoun. Helas! Don
precieux de nos Dieux, toi que seul j'aimais !
(Elle s'agenouille aupres de lui et Vembrasse
avec tendresse.}
MARC ANTOINE (au dehors)
Cleopatre !
CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT
31
CLEOPATRA
Yes, my Antony I come.
(CLEOPATRA once more yearningly holds ME!A-
MOUN to her heart then resolutely walks
toward the terrace steps and ascends them as
the priests continue)
THE PRIESTS
O Nutar, Nutar amtu heret send us the rain !
(CLEOPATRA slowly enters the palace.)
Thou, who causest all growth to fulfill desire
grant our one prayer.
(She slowly ascends the terrace.)
(THE CURTAIN DESCENDS)
END OF THE OPERA
CLEOPATRE (se leve)
Marc Antoine, je viens.
(Aprls un moment CLEOPATRE s'achemine vers
le palais mats se tourne. Elle revient
lentement sur ses pas)
LES PRETRES (chantent au loin)
O Nutar, Nutar, amtu heret, donne la pluie!
(CLEOPATRE regarde tristement MEIAMOUN,
lui prend la tete entre les mains et baise ses
levres)
Toi dont vient tout desir, tout apaisement,
ecoute-nous. (Elle monte lentement les
marches de la terrasse.)
(RlDEAU)
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