Lesson 30: The Magic Flute - Act I. Scenes VII-IX.
by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartPerformer: European Archive
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
Astrofiammante, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.
PAMINA, her daughter.
PAPAGENO, a bird-catcher.
TAMINO, a handsome Egyptian prince.
MONOSTATOS, chief slave of the temple.
SARASTRO, high priest of Isis.
PAPAGENA.
Three Ladies-in-Waiting to the QUEEN OF THE NIGHT; Three Youths of the Temple; Priests, Priestesses, Slaves, etc.
ACT I. SCENE VII.
PAPAGENO, TAMINO.
TAMINO.
Have I heard? have I seen her?
Is it true? or is it but a delusion?
Oh, love, direct this hand, this steel!
PAPAGENO.
Hm! hm! hm!
TAMINO.
He was guilty of a falsehood,
And for a punishment he is struck dumb.
PAPAGENO.
Hm! hm! hm! (Lips still padlocked.)
TAMINO.
I can only pity thee,
I have no power to aid.
PAPAGENO.
Hm! hm! hm!
ACT I. SCENE VIII.
THE LADIES. The same.
FIRST LADY.
(Takes the padlock off Papageno's lips.)
The Queen is merciful.
And remits thy punishment through me.
PAPAGENO.
Now may Papageno chatter on?
SECOND LADY.
Yes, chatter, but never lie again.
PAPAGENO.
I never will lie again. No, never.
THE LADIES.
Let this be the pledge.
ALL FIVE.
If every tongue, when falsehood speaking
Could have a lock to make it whist,
Instead or gall and scandal seeking,
Love and friendship would exist.
FIRST LADY.
Presenting a golden flute to Tamino.
The goddess, who thy cause befriends,
To thee this noble present sends:
Its wondrous music has the power
To guide thee safe in danger's hour.
SECOND LADY.
The bosom's wish it can reveal,
And tell the vow the heart would seal.
Its sounds the wretch's woes remove,
And melt the coldest heart to love.
ALL FIVE.
So, this magic flute is more
Than gold and kingdoms worth:
All grief and sorrow turning
To joy, o'er all the earth.
PAPAGENO.
And now, ladies,
With your leave, I'll go.
THE LADIES.
Thou couldst freely go, but that
The Princess here commands thee
With the Prince to go thy way
Unto Sarastro's tower.
PAPAGENO.
I thank her for the honor
But even from yourselves I've heard
That he's a very tiger:
And that this said Sarastro
Would have me plucked
And roasted for his dogs.
THE LADIES.
Think on the Prince, he will protect thee,
And thou his faithful guide shalt be.
PAPAGENO.
The Prince may risk his royal being.
But I more value mine.
He may repent when all too late:
I'd rather, now, decline.
FIRST LADY.
Nay, take this jewel, 'tis for thee.
[Gives him the magic flute and bells, which produce a magical sound.]
PAPAGENO.
Eh, eh! What has it got within?
SECOND LADY.
Within thou hear'st that bells are ringing.
PAPAGENO.
Can I play it, lovely ladies?
ALL FIVE.
Oh yes, the birdcatcher himself.
Silver bells and flute of magic.
Shielding all who hear their tones.
Fare thee well, may honor crown.
And may'st thou win a fair renown.
TAMINO AND PAPAGENO.
Fair ladies, tell us now, we pray,
Where we this monster may waylay?
THE LADIES.
Three winged youths will fly before ye,
And point you out the way.
Follow the counsel they may give.
Farewell! Away, away!
TAMINO AND PAPAGENO.
Three youths, with golden wings, will rise
And point us out the way.
THE LADIES.
Fare thee well, to stay were vain,
Farewell, farewell, until we meet again.
[Exeunt all.]
ACT I. SCENE IX.
Egyptian Room. MONOSTATOS, PAMINA, conducted by Slaves.
MONOSTATOS.
Thou pretty little darling one!
PAMINA.
Oh, wretched martyr! direful pain!
MONOSTATOS.
How precious is thy love!
PAMINA.
The pains of death I fear not,
But thou, my mother, pin'st in grief,
With none to bring thy heart relief.
MONOSTATOS.
Ah, slaves there! Let her straight be bound.
[Slaves put chains on Pamina.]
My rage shall sure be sated.
PAMINA.
Oh, let me rather dead be found,
If thus to worse than woe I'm fated.
MONOSTATOS.
Away, and leave us two alone.
[Exeunt slaves.]
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