ML. /92O Hadlej Cleopatra 1 * Night THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT Mrs. C.L. de Marohena PRICE 35 CENTS OPERA[iOU! GRAND OPERA iVi! GIULIO GATTI-CASAZZA GENERAL MANAGER. u THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN, FRENCH OR GERMAN LIBRETTO WiTH A CORRECT ENGLISH ^TRANSLATION. CLEOPATRA'S NIGHT FRED. PUBLISHED BY ~^~- * w> *. UrfANJNc. TffBATRt TICKET OFFICE III BROADWAY. NEW YORK TRINITY BUILDING THE. ONLY CORRECT AND AUTHORIZED EDITION (HARDMAN PIANO USED EXCLUSIVELY.) RULLMAN'S Theatre Ticket Office 111 Broadway, New York City TELEPHONES RECTOR 8817, 8818, 8819 Official Publishers of OPERA LIBRETTOS AND PLAY BOOKS In All Languages 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. <^=,&==>o>*=*&= N MLJyi u> vj <,o coni IF -I 0) 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) FlN DE L'OPERA RULLMAN'S Theatre Ticket Office 111 Broadway, New York City TELEPHONES RECTOR 8817, 8818, 8819 Official Publishers of OPERA LIBRETTOS AND PLAY BOOKS In All Languages r THE HARDMAN AUTOTONE THE PERFECT PLAYER-PIANO 4 superb Hardman Upright with the be^t Player-Adion manufac- tured. Made in its entirety by us in our own factories Easy terms if desired. HARDMAN, PECK & CO. FOUHDED 1840. 433 Fifth Ave..NewYorkCi1y BROOKLYN STORE: 47-51 FLATBUSH AVE. PAMPHLET BINDEI Syrocute, N. Stockton, Colif. UCLA - Music Library ML 50 H109C5 1920 L 006 975 601 3 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FA C[^ A A 000032990 4 University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which It was borrowed.