Libretto for Paderewski's Manru
Transcribed from the score by Zak Ozmo by Alfred Nossig [1]
Scene: Village in the Tatra Mountains. A dancing-green surrounded by poles.
Right and left, peasant's huts, among them that of HEDWIG;
a small flower-garden and bench. Background, the Tatra Mountains. in the glow of sunset.
HEDWIG
From on high darts a hawk with his hungry maw;
Never a cry As he seizes with cruel claw.
Pretty Dove, Daunty love,
Ah! Why wert thou not on guard?
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Tra la la la etc.
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Maidens, advance; maidens advance,
Garnish the green for dance;
green for dance, the dance!
HEDWIG
Child was mine,
But a conjuring Gypsy neared,
Now lonely I pine,
For my dove with the hawk disappeared!
Pretty love, Dainty love,
Why didst thou leave my ward?I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Tra la, la, la etc.
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Bravo! The end
Now to the next pole extend!
You dawdlers, disband!
Up an work! Lend a hand!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Lovelier garland there's none!
Tra la la...
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Deftly done!
Tra la la...
HEDWIG
Daughter mine,
Once thou didst lie up-on my breast
What fate condign
Let a Pagan thy heart invest?
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Tra la la...
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
With blossom bright
Now is the meadow delight!
HEDWIG
Daughter mine!
Wert thou here,
Joy thou'dst bring, and cheer!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Tra la la...
Scarcely begun,
Soon our labor will be done,
soon be done, be done!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ribbons, ho!
Bring more ribbons of red!
Soon will labor be done!
Soon will labor be done!BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
When the setting sun, red glowing,
Fills the sky with blushes,
And his golden disk, still growing,
Sinks behind the trees,
Cattles lowing, shepherd's piping
O'er the landscape gushes, now list!
The chime of vesper bells
Comes floating on the breeze,
The chime of vesper bells comes floating on the breeze.
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Soon will the harvesters all seek their ease!
HEDWIG
Are all things done?
No labor speared?
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Aye, good dameHEDWIG,
All's prepared!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Soon we'll dance!
Oh! What joy!
Dancing is a pleasure
without an alloy!
HEDWIG
Can naugh but the dance
your thoughts employ?
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ah! Good DameHEDWIG,
You one were young.
Hold your tongue!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Let us dance!
Give us joy!A MAIDEN
Cease care and trouble to borrow.
HEDWIG
My child is gone-hence my sorrow!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Gayfrocks, the dance, bring maidens a chance!
Our blood runs warm,
it may be tide, someone will come out a bride,
will come out a bride!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Gayfrocks, the dance...
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Gayfrock, the dance, bring maidens a chance!
No one is thinking of harm.
It may be tide, someone will come out a bride,
will come out a bride!
HEDWIG
Daughter sweet!
Tho'the world to joy incline,
I weep! I weep!
Heavy hearted thoughts are mine.
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
Deeper glows the sun now setting,
Heav'n with crimson's gleaming,
Labor over, joy begetting
Comes the longed-for rest!
Harvest home, all thoughts beguiling,
brings but joy and jest.
Our rapture now be unconfined,
Our faces gladness beaming,
Our rapture now be unconfined,
Our rapture now be unconfined!
La la la...
Tra la la...
The same. Urok.BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
Ha, ha, ha...
UROK ( rushing in)
Ah! Urok! Dragon Spawn!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ah! Screech-owl! Dragon spawn!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
He! He! All is one to me!
UROK
Urok! Devil's own!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Viper! Devil's own! II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Pigmy! Pigmy!
A MAIDEN
Demon! Viper! Pigmy!
Fungus! Screech-owl!
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
He! He!
UROK
Pigmy! Screech-owl!
Screech-owl! Screech-owl!
Ha, ha, ha...
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
What seek'st thou here?
HEDWIG
Ha, ha, ha...
Hear them laugh and sing,
UROK
Now we have our fling!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Now we have our fling!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
E'en our worthy dame
must with joy exclaim!
UROK
And with little blame!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
And with little blame!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
While thy child afar
thou from joy dost bar.
UROK
Ha ha! Ha ha!
Ulana's pleader!!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ha ha! Ha ha!
Ulana's pleader!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
She's dead, idle interceder!
HEDWIG
Interceder for a spectre!
Yet a ghost passed me erstwhile,
vainly seeking rest;
I the question put : "What's thy behest?"
"Ah!" sigh'd the ghost,"Hear what I request:
Long, too long, I'm kept,
From my hearth and home
Open to me a hav'n, no more I'd roam!"
UROK
Ha, ha, ha!
A solemn shade! A mournful dame!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
A solemn shade! A solemn shade!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Who was the jade? Out with her name!
Her name! Her name!
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
Thy daughter dead to thee, breathed such doleful plaints!
And yet, by all the saints 'tis all one to me.
UROK
Ha, ha, ha!
Ulana was the grievous ghost,
Ulana!
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
I. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ha, ha!
Ulana was the grievous ghost,
Ulana!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
II. CHORUS OF MAIDENS
And tho'my heart be consumed with grief,
my duty I know.
The while she remains in the home of the thief,
Hers be her woe! No, no!
Scene III
Urok. The Maidens.
HEDWIG
A pretty mess!
He is the Romany bride's new beau!
A MAIDEN
Ha, ha, ha...
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
Her new beau!
Ha, ha, ha...
CHORUS I
When Manru grows weary, their love he'll bless!
(The maidens laugh.)
A MAIDEN
Unworthy are you
to loose a latchet of Ulana's shoe!
UROK
Since our good fellows cast off beauty,
Happy she in the forest imp's duty.
A MAIDEN
From the forest imp receives she duty.
CHORUS I
From the forest imp receives she duty.
(The maidens surround Urok)
CHORUS II
From the forest imp receives she duty,
receives humble duty.
A MAIDEN
A bad, a mad,
Ah! A bad, a mad, a gallant lad.
CHORUS I
A bad, a mad,
a mad, a bad,
a bad, a gallant lad!
CHORUS II
A mad lad! His kiss, ah!
What bliss, ah!
Not a miss!
BOTH CHORUSES
The fools! The fools!
UROK
Give up the search, with me to church!
Ah! hasten!
Caress me! Close press me!
Come take me! Ah take me!
Ah take me! Ah take me!
BOTH CHORUSES
A comelier cub,
old Beelzebub will take you!
UROK
Take me! Take me! No, me!
CHORUS I
Take me! No, me! No, me!
CHORUS II
Your favor lost, none will deplore!
But Ulana do not mention no more!
Yet wherefore should I angry be?
Is it not ever, ever, all the same to me!
UROK
All the same to me!
( mockingly)
A MAID
A poor cuckoo! A parrot too!
UROK
The gallant new beau shall soon have a show!
CHORUS I
Her gallant new beau,
rejoice, rejoice sweet Paddock!
CHORUS II
A parrot, too!
Trumpery trash!
UROK
Rejoice, rejoice sweet Paddock!
Haste to your loving;
never a Gypsy can give up rowing.
CHORUS II
Rejoice sweet Paddock,
Haste to your loving,
never a Gypsy can give up roving.
Can give up rowing.
CHORUS I
A bad, a mad, a bad.
Ah! A bad! A mad!
A gallant lad, the screechowl!
Give up the search, with me to church.
Ah, hasten!
BOTH CHORUSES
Rubbish, nonsense, puerile flash!
Silly sing-song, senseless chaff!
Out of my way, leave my chaff!
(Ulana appears in the distance)
UROK
Give up the search, with me to church!
Ah, hasten! Caress me!
Close press me!
BOTH CHORUSES
Off with thee, thou hideous fright!
Scene IV
The same. Ulana.
A MAIDEN
'Tis she herself approaching!
A MAIDEN
See, see! 'Tis she herself approaching!
Ghastly pale, she seems a ghost!
CHORUS I
See, see!
On mirth encroaching, amid pleasure is lost.
Gay Gitana!
CHORUS II
Why torture me, a heart broken,
poor outcast?
I fear your hate. Ah!
Hapless my fate!
My tears are falling fast!
ULANA
The fault was thine, do not repine!
UROK
Hapless woman, wretched one!
How sad her decline!
The roses cherished have perished!
A MAIDEN
Ah, woman, wretched one!
Ah woman, wretched one!
The roses cherished have perished!
Have perished!
CHORUS II
Have perished!
UROK
Ye wicked ones!
To you what evil have I done?
ULANA
(mockingly)
Ha, ha, ha...
Tra la, la...
CHORUS II
To me all's one!
UROK
In vain the plaints of one desolate,
vain all her pleas for her vilified mate!
ULANA
Tra la, la, la, la!
The hapless man, the poor vilified man!
The hapless man!
Ha, ha, ha...
CHORUS II
Unhappy man! Trice unhappy!
My constancy you prove,
your jeers awake anew my love!
ULANA
Your love shall be requited!
A MAIDEN
Your love shall be requited!
A MAIDEN
Ah, no!
Never your heart be blighted!
CHORUS I
Ah, no!
CHORUS II
A true love could not treat me so!
ULANA
Alas! 'Twill soon be over,
never a Gipsy but was a rover!
CHORUS I
When the full moon floods the night,
errant grows the Gipsy wight!
CHORUS II
Ha, ha, ha...
CHORUS I
Their malice, manifest
too cruel is for jest! Too cruel is for jest!
UROK
When the full moon floods the night,
errant grows the Gipsy wight!
Ha, ha, ha...
CHORUS I
Ha, ha, ha!
CHORUS II
Cease your song! Cease your song!
And why should you my grief prolong?
ULANA
When the full moon floods the night,
errant grows the Gypsy weight.
Burns his soul with longing wild,
forsakes he wife and child !
CHORUS II
Do not drive the game too far,
lest my malice you unbar!
UROK
Give heed! Beware! A loving pair!
CHORUS II
Secrets many I might tell,
meetings, kissings in the dell!
UROK
How sad the plight!
What courteous knight!
Is not contrite?
CHORUS II
Refrain, refrain! Refrain, refrain!
Enough of pain, enough of pain!
(Maidens gradually leave the stage)
CHORUS I
When the full moon floods the night,
errant grows the Gipsy wight!
Ha! Huz-za! Ha! Huz-za!
CHORUS II
Tra la, la, la...
CHORUS I
Ha! Huz-za, huz-za!
Scene V.
Ulana. Urok
CHORUS II
Ah me! A-las!
My suff'rings dire they turn to scorn.
Each fond desire is a pricking thorn;
All mankind jeers. Ah me!
How God's vengeance sears!
ULANA
( behind the scenes)
Tra la, la, la...
CHORUS I
But gaze on me! I suffer sore with thee!
It was thy wish! This thy return,
and truthful are those words that burn
UROK
A mother's heart would soon enfold me,
could but her loving eyes behold me!
Before her gentle face I meet disgrace!
ULANA
In vain thy hope!
She'll not receive thee! Ha, ha!
She, she, will never more forgive thee!
Such were her words a moment since.
UROK
A pleading child must move a mother.
ULANA
Thy chance were better with another!
UROK
Naught else can heal my great dejection!
ULANA
Yet others feel for thee affection!
UROK
E'en tho' I needs must feel her rage,
a mother's love I may engage!
ULANA
Go, stubborn one!
UROK
With hopeful heart I'll near her door;
a gracious God may love restore.
Scene VI.
The Same.
HEDWIG
UROK
Mother! Darling mother!
Seest thou not thy child?
ULANA
( harshly)
Thro'grief my eyes are blind to her exiled.
HEDWIG
Rich were the fields.
The joyous harvest home hath lured me hither.
ULANA
Art thou come alone?
HEDWIG
Aye, faint with hunger, sick with care.
ULANA
Gypsies and vagabonds live on air!
HEDWIG
Mother! What word can move thee?
Great my offence!
ULANA
Turn thou to him, who stole thee hence!
UROK
Lonely, sad, I sit in sorrow.
Naught but grief and pain I borrow.
Manru, hunted by vile slander,
I from childhood's home must wander.
Nights are filled with bitter weeping,
naught can bring me rest.
ULANA
A Gypsy's love is the best!
UROK
Morning finds me vigil keeping by my babe's poor nest!
ULANA
A Gypsy babe up on thy breast!
UROK
Mother, ah, forgive thy children,
turn them not away.
Save them from the curse of begging,
God for death to pray.
ULANA
Dame, believe her not!
She's thee forgot!
UROK
Ah, no!
ULANA
Love has made her blind!
A queen she'll be in mind,
just so long as her royal Manru's kind!
UROK
See, mother, see!
See my misery!
ULANA
Sad the sight! Unhappy one in bitter plight.
I pity thee! All thy sins shall forgiven be!
Cease to pine, art daughter mine!
Leave now thy Gipsy mate!
HEDWIG
Abandon him, my lover?
So gentle, mild...
Take leave of him, the father of my child?
Ne'er was such a wife! Never more!
ULANA
Bring to me, too, the child, the Gypsy child!
HEDWIG
Do't for the child!
UROK
Thanks thou shalt earn alone,
so long as Manru and I are one.
ULANA
O wilful child!
Glance around, tis thy childhoods home!
Here thy cradle was found!
To first communion thou went'st from here!
Here, in the close, there blooms thy rose,
brightening all with its cheer!
HEDWIG
See the green, where though so often wert seen!
UROK
Stay with me, my love, my own!
HEDWIG
No! Unless my Manru and I are one!
ULANA
A pagan, a vagabond here at home?
HEDWIG
Mother!
ULANA
Sooner would I to the churchyard be borne!
HEDWIG
Mother! He loves me!
Forgive, forgive!
ULANA
Such love, thou'lt find, seldom doth live.
The Gypsies are stirring, full soon they'll rove;
Manru will flee!
HEDWIG
Is't true?
And will they compel him?
ULANA
Ha ha!
In fleeing none will excel him,
a chance is all he needs.
UROK
The way is open, come, return!
HEDWIG
Be not deceived by the fleeting joy!
UROK
In vain do ye your arts now employ!
ULANA
Away then from my threshold! Go!
HEDWIG
Mother!
ULANA
Go!
HEDWIG
Now plead thy woe!
UROK
For ever, mark before thou go,
from here thou'rt banished! Go!
(HEDWIG goes into the hut)
HEDWIG
Mother! Mother!
(Ulana sings to the ground)
SCENE VII
Ulana, Urok.
ULANA
Hence! Hence!
ULANA
Come, confess!
Thou'st cooked up a pretty good mess!
UROK
Woe is me! The way is pitiless!
ULANA
( Urok approaches Ulana and attempts to raise her)
Thy grief repress! The outcome I foretold;
but there is still more to unfold!
See! Would'st thou a true friend behold!
Thou mayst still see in me no other!
UROK
Woe's me! My mother's malediction!
No more my childhood home I'll see,
within its garden wander free.
All hopes are faded, none remains, no one!
ULANA
Hope lied again, as she so often has done.
But speak!
Art thou more wretched than before?
The prince is thine, what wouldst thou more!
And I!
UROK
Manru! Yes! Manru still is my treasure!
For him I gave my love's full measure!
Ah! Would I knew that he were constant, that he were true!
Did I but know, faithful ever he to his vow,
then no more would I feel rue!
But he, once the soul of love,
Thro'woods and meadows now doth rove!
Doth rove!
ULANA
And yet in him thou feel'st secure,
although he roves, over fields and groves,
O'er forest, mountain, meadow
Fain to descry
where the dark skinned beauties lure.
Who should trouble borrow?
Ha, ha! Up on my word!
She trusted in her gipsy Lord!
UROK
( listening, pondering)
Her Gipsy lord!
ULANA
His old companions he will find!
UROK
Woe! Gone is peace of mind!
ULANA
His love grown cool,
blind impulse his only rule!
UROK
My God! My God!
ULANA
The Gipsy thief thy youth and charm stealing,
wife and child arouse no feeling!
UROK
(Gazes doubtfully on Urok)
Forbear! My brain is reeling!
ULANA
( Urok seems to think Ulana refers to him)
Ulana!
UROK
In one thing only lies healing!
ULANA
Ulana, hear!
Should Manru faithless prove,
thou'lt find in me for aye a truer love!
In place of one, a prince, unheeding,
Thou'lt have a slave,
one that will do thy bidding!
My latest breath I'll give to thee! ( embarrassed)
(Ulana, still occupied with her thoughts,
looks at him half absently, half wonderingly.)
(Restrains himself)
And yet all, all is one to me!
UROK
Ah! Urok! Wouldst thou faithful prove?
ULANA
Command me! Charge me! Prove my love!
No slave, I swear shall I be more willing
UROK
What wouldst do?
ULANA
Stop not even killing!
UROK
I think of Manru...!
ULANA
Well, what's thy behest?
No trouble, labour will I spare,
Till thou art wholly free from care!
UROK
Be friend in my distress! Mother has said, already Romany bands are seen, o'er him they'll cast their spells infernal,
and turn his heart by means unclean.
ULANA
'Tis true. His mind is deeply tainted.
UROK
All hope is lost without thy aid!
ULANA
Wilt trust in me? Speak!
Shall I drive him from thee?
Shall I not tell him that thou so far excell'st him,
thou now repell'st him, art no more his bride?
UROK
Ah no! That would not do!
It was my plan again his love to waken,
renew the vows which he has taken.
ULANA
(Disappointed, angry)
To this, than, shall I help thee?
UROK
For all I must for thee depend;
Thou art my good, my only friend!
ULANA
'Tis I shall help regain him?
Ha! From leaving thee in peace restrain him?
Thou'rt mad! Mad! Thy wits are wand'ring!
I? I?
UROK
Yes, thou! Thou roam'st the wood,
and ev'ry herb knowest well!
ULANA
He! I know them well!
UROK
Thou know'st what's baleful, harmless, good,
cans't brew a spell!
Cans't brew the potion, that will prove a cure for dying love!
ULANA
Cure dying love?
UROK
Fetch me that drink!
ULANA
If there were a drink that love inspired,
by wife and child I had long be admired.
UROK
Fetch me that drink!
ULANA
I know full well her, for whom I'd play brewer,
nor log pursue her!
UROK
Fetch me that drink!
ULANA
No! No, 'tis not for thee!
I'd ever work him direful harm!
UROK
Fetch me the charm!
ULANA
No! I'll fetch it not!
UROK
Yes, yes! The charm thou must provide me,
protection give, lest woe betide me.
I'm his, to whom my hart belongs!
Thou cannst not chide me.
ULANA
I'll fetch it not!
UROK
Is all then forgot?
ULANA
( astonished)
Hm!
UROK
( Somewhat coquettishly)
Have I thy love?
ULANA
What?
UROK
Have I thy love?
ULANA
Ulana! In pity turn thy eyes away!
My with will go astray!
UROK
O leave me not, my terror see!
ULANA
Too much 'tis thou ask'st from me.
A moment think!
UROK
I! 'Tis I implore! My heart is sore...
ULANA
Were not my heart to melt inclin'd,
and thou not in its folds enshrined...
UROK
Thou'll fetch the drink?
ULANA
( after a struggle)
I will!
UROK
O thanks! O thanks! Now peace is mine.
ULANA
What! Thine? Hop'st thou for ever thus to enchain him?
I'll brew the drink: thou'lt not regain him.
Haste to thy loving! Never yet Gipsy gave up his rowing!
Scene VIII
The Same. Maidens, then Men.
UROK
Tra, la, la...
CHORUS I
When the full moon floods the night,
errant grows the Gipsy wight.
CHORUS II
Dost hear aright?
Then mad grows each wight!
UROK
( The maidens appear on stage)
Burns his soul with longing wild,
then forsakes he wife and child.
BOTH CHORUSES
Ha! Huzza! Ha! Huzza!
Ha huzza! Ha huzza!
Gaily now advance, join the gladsome dance
CHORUS OF MEN
Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! Gaily now advance,
Join the gladsome dance! Let us dance and sing!
Huz-dance! Let us dance and sing,
'till we make the welkin ring! Let us dance!
Let us sing! Ha! Huz-za!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS AND CHORUS OF MEN
( The dance begins, the dancers divided into two groups, men in foreground, maidens at the back.)
Hither, you charmers! Fair hearted warmers,
hither come to our arms!
While skirts are flying, naught denying,
feast we on your charms!
Gaily whirl lad and lass,
pipes now skirl, clangs the brass!
Huzza! Ha-huzza!
Let the glad earth shake with our dancing.
Ha! Ha! Huzza!
Till the skies above us glancing,
in our joy partake!
CHORUS OF MEN
( Two dancers, male and female come forward. Solo dance.
The woman seeks to escape the man, who chases her)
See the pair!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
How fair! Light as air!
CHORUS I
How fair! She how she swings,
as on light wings!
CHORUS II
Would we were swinging,
thus freely winging!
CHORUS I
( Chorus of men calling to the male dancer)
Nimble blade! Forward dash!
Forward dash like a flash!
CHORUS OF MEN
Ha, ha, ha...
BOTH CHORUSES OF MAIDENS
Bravo!
THE MEN
Bravo!
THE MAIDENS
O ho! All but trapped, she proved apt,
the linsome doe!
O ho! All but trapped, she proved apt, the linsome doe!
( End of solo dances. The men dance.)
Lusty we and strong, gladly join the throng!
Lust we and strong, gladly join the throng!
Pretty maidens, fie!
Pretty maidens, do not play so shy!
Do not play so shy, so shy!
THE MAIDENS
To tread the mazes, win your praises,
this is all our joy!
Would you embrace us, deftly chase us,
all your skill employ.
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
With a skip thro' we slip!
Would you fain
Try again?
CHORUS OF MEN
Be spry! We are nigh!
Huzza! Ha Ha Ha!
We are nigh! Ever nigh, nigh, nigh!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Huzza! Ha Huzza!
Nevermore!
Never we submit to capture!
Nevermore!
(The maidens make a show of resistance, but are captured in the end. General dance.)
Nevermore! Nevermore!
CHORUS OF MEN
Now in couples free
We'll reform the ring!
This is the swing!
Yes, this is the swing!
Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!
Be not glum!
Nearer come!
Be one of our band!
ULANA
( trying to escape)
Leave me in peace!
Ah, cease your command!
UROK
Unkind! Unkind!
O would you all were lame and blind!
Fall back! Fall back!
You craven pack!
A woman she!
Fall back! Etc.
THE MAIDENS
An unfeeling jade,
You ne'er will warm her!
An unfeeling jade!
No merriment will bring, no, no, no!
Keep her from the ring!
THE MEN
Pretty prude! Be not rude!
Mingle in the dance! Prude! Prude!
One good fling! That's the thing!
Would your mirth enhance!
Pretty, pretty prude! Etc.
( Manru appears on an elevation at the edge of the forest and looks angrily at the dancers.)
The same. Manru.MANRU
Ulana! She is mine!
CHORUS OF MEN
'Tis the Gypsy! He here!
Audacious!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
He here! Audacious!
ULANA
Manru!
( She tries to reach Manru)
MANRU
Set her free!
CHORUS OF MEN
( restraining Ulana)
She's in our band!
Shall he command?
Hence! She's no Gypsy!
MANRU
Set her free!
Ulana, to me!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS AND CHORUS OF MEN
Ha ha! She's no Gypsy!
No, she's no Gypsy!
UROK
Hush! Silent be!
ULANA
( To the maidens)
Help me flee! Ah, help me flee!
CHORUS OF MEN
Stay, stay, heed him not!
Art of our kin!
The belle of this spot
He must not win!
Ulana, in!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Let her pass!
Let her pass, Dainty Gypsy lass!
UROK
Your rage forbear!
MANRU
Madmen, beware!
CHORUS OF MEN
No! All is over!
Keep her away from the Gypsy rover!
Yes, all is over!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Yes, all is over!
Tra la la la!
MANRU
Ye madmen, beware!
Have a care!
CHORUS OF MEN
Stay! Him we'll chase!
Away, thou lout!
Yes, him we'll chase from this our place!
Thy threats we scout!
CHORUS OF MAIDENS
Ha ha ha ha! Etc.
CHORUS OF MEN
Away, thou lout! Etc.
ULANA
Ah! Help! Ah! Help!
UROK
Ye madmen! What is't ye do?
CHORUS OF MEN
No! Stay! We'll end this babble!
Away he must go to join his rabble!
Hence! The hut of the Gypsy burn to the ground!
Up! Up! Easily faggots are found!
Hence! Hence!
UROK
Fall back! Fall back!
ULANA
Have mercy!
MANRU
Fall back!
No faggots ye'll gather
Or ye heed not the wrath of a father!
CHORUS OF MEN
What's this? He dares us defy?
Thou pagan! Vagabond, now die!
Ha!
The same.HEDWIG.
HEDWIG
( Appears at the door of her hut)
Touch not the lepers!
Back from the pestilent, poisonous pair!
CHORUS OF MEN
( Looking at HEDWIG with astonishment and awe.)
Ah!
( Muttering)
The pestilent!
(While Manru and Ulana are locked in each other's arms, the village folk draw back more and more until they stand quite alone.)
( The curtain falls)
End of Act I.
NOTES
[1].
Manru( 1893-1901), lyrical drama in 3 acts to a libretto by Alfred Nossig, based on Józef Ignacy Kraszewski's novel, Chata za wsi± [A hut beyond the village], published in 1901 by Bote and Bock in Berlin; vocal score by Schirmer in New York with German libretto, English translation by Henry E. Krehbiel. Alfred Nossig (1864-1943) was a writer, sculptor, and Zionist theoretician whose interest in Jewish emigration made him a collaborator with the German authorities. He was executed by the Zydowska Organizacja Bojowa in February 1943. Henry Edward Krehbiel ( 1854–1923) was a well-known American music critic and historian. For more information about Nossig and Krehbiel see notes to Swayne, Piber, Konieczna, and the editorial by Maja Trochimczyk. [Back]
Libretto of Manru, Act II
Copyright 2001 by the Polish Music Journal.
Editor: Maja Trochimczyk. Assistant Editor: Linda Schubert.
Publisher: Polish Music Center, 2001.
Design: Maja Trochimczyk & Marcin Depinski.
Comments and inquiries by e-mail: polmusic@email.usc.edu