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 II. SCENE I.

A Forest at night. Thunder, at a distance.

SARASTRO, and Chorus of Priests.

Music of a march, by several instruments.



SARASTRO.

You, in the Temple of Wisdom, initiated servants of the great gods. Osiris and Isis, with all truth I declare to you, that our meeting today is one of the utmost importance. Tamino is the son of a king, he waits at the northern door of our temple; in short, he wishes to tear off the veil of darkness, and gaze into the sanctuary of light. To guard this virtuous youth will today be one of our most important duties.



SPEAKER.

I now deem him worthy to follow the example of Sarastro.



SARASTRO.

Oh, happy conquest of souls, in vain will wrath conspire against our peace.



Air and Chorus.

Oh, Isis and Osiris, grant

The spirit of wisdom to the young couple!

You, that guide the steps of the wanderer.

Strengthen them with patience under dangers,

Let them see the fruits of their probation.

But should they go to the grave,

Then reward their struggle to be virtuous.

Receive them into your abodes.

[Exeunt.]



LOVE IN EV'RY HEART.

Air.



MONOSTATOS.

Love in ev'ry heart is reigning,

Joy may ev'ry creature crown.

But the wanton frowns disdaining,

Spurns, because my skin is brown.



Have I not a heart within me?

Am I not of flesh and blood?

Might not a woman's smile, then, win me,

Make me blessed, and brave, and good?



Therefore, will I. whilst I live,

Bill and kiss, and tender be.

Dear, good moon, forgive, forgive,

A fair white maid has charmed me.

White is lovely. I must kiss her.

Moon, oh hide thyself the while.

Or, if much it vexeth thee.

Close thine eyes, nor deign to see.

[Steals to Pamina.]



ACT II. SCENE II.

The QUEEN rises from beneath the earth. PAMINA asleep, and the above. It thunders.



QUEEN.

Back!



PAMINA.

(Awakes.) Ye gods! That voice!



MONOSTATOS.

Oh dear! that is the Goddess of Night. [Retiring alarmed.]



PAMINA.

Mother! my mother! [Recognizing her.]



MONOSTATOS.

(Aside.) Her mother! I shall listen. [Steals away and conceals himself.]



QUEEN.

Wretched daughter?



PAMINA.

Heavens, why call you me so?



QUEEN.

I will reveal to you a melancholy secret: my spouse, when dying, bestowed upon these ministers of horror and impiety the sacred symbol of the sun, which had conferred so much honor upon him. >in vain I entreated wept, and opposed the deed—and now in the bosom of Sarastro yon have enkindled that terrible flame. Here is a dagger. Go kill him. hasten my vengeance and thine. Take back from him the golden symbol, by whose power he prevails against us. then will I press you again to my bosom: under these conditions only can Tamino be yours.



PAMINA.

Ah! what horror chilis me!



QUEEN.

You have heard your mother's last command.



Air.

Of hell the vengeance boils within my heart,

Death and despair are flaming all around me.

If through thee Sarastro feels not death,

Then thou shalt never be my daughter more.

If through three Sarastro dies not now.

Rejected be forever and forlorn.

To pieces all the ties of nature torn.

Hear, gods of vengeance! Hear a mother's vow!



ACT II. SCENE III.

PAMINA, with Dagger, and MONOSTATOS.



PAMINA.

Oh law! Oh vow! I pierce his breast! No. it is not possible.



MONOSTATOS.

[Aside.] I heard all. I'll manage affairs well.



PAMINA.

And if my mother, incensed at my disobedience, forsakes me, what must I do?



MONOSTATOS.

Trust to the black. [Approaches her.]



PAMINA.

Oh, heavens! What would you?



MONOSTATOS.

Love.



PAMINA.

Oh Gods!



MONOSTATOS.

[Aside.] She begins to yield. [Aloud.] Well, do you consent?



PAMINA.

No.



ACT II. SCENE IV.

SARASTRO, and the above.



MONOSTATOS.

Then die. [In the act of striking PAMINA.]



SARASTRO.

Hold!



MONOSTATOS.

Sir, what would you do? [Throwing himself at Sarastro's feet.] You save a fury, who conspires against you with her mother. Know...



SARASTRO.

Wretch, begone! Nor dare again to venture into my sight.



PAMINA.

Ah, pardon, sir, the just sorrows of a wretched mother.



SARASTRO.

Ah, let remorse suffice to punish her! And if Tamino returns victorious. If you are married to the Prince, and happy, dear daughter, Sarastro will be amply revenged.



"WITHIN THESE SACRED BOWERS."

Air.



SARASTRO.

Within these sacred bowers.

Nor guilt nor crime we know,

No blighting vengeance lowers,

Soft pity heals each woe.

While friendship's band each heart entwines,

And bright the day of freedom shines.

Here, 'neath a mask of smiling,

Hate lurks not to destroy.

But grief and pain beguiling.

We share each other's joy.

Thus shall our days with peace be blessed,

Till great Osiris calls us to his rest.

[Exeunt.]