The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Last year I loved on this very day.Take the omen, madame!
Last year I loved on this very day.Take the omen, madame!
Last year I loved on this very day.Take the omen, madame!
Last year I loved on this very day.
Take the omen, madame!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
We had not met,You and I!
We had not met,You and I!
We had not met,You and I!
We had not met,
You and I!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Ah, ‘tis true! We had not met!—And so, fair as you are, you were not there,In Paimpont Wood, on the Eve of Saint John?
Ah, ‘tis true! We had not met!—And so, fair as you are, you were not there,In Paimpont Wood, on the Eve of Saint John?
Ah, ‘tis true! We had not met!—And so, fair as you are, you were not there,In Paimpont Wood, on the Eve of Saint John?
Ah, ‘tis true! We had not met!—
And so, fair as you are, you were not there,
In Paimpont Wood, on the Eve of Saint John?
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
No!
No!
No!
No!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
I wonder who was!
I wonder who was!
I wonder who was!
I wonder who was!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
In Paimpont Wood!It is haunted!
In Paimpont Wood!It is haunted!
In Paimpont Wood!It is haunted!
In Paimpont Wood!
It is haunted!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
On the Eve of Saint JohnI rode from Morbec here to Chatillon,And through the wood of Paimpont fared alone.It is a forest where enchantments thrive,And a fair dream doth drop from every tree!The old, old world of bitterness and strifeIs remote as winter, remote as death.It was high noon in the turbulent town;But clocks never strike in the elfin wood,And the sun’s ruddy gold is elsewhere spent.The light was dim in the depths of Paimpont,Green, reverend, and dim as the light may beIn a sea king’s palace under the sea.The wind did not blow; the flowering boughWas still as the rose on a dead man’s breast.On velvet hoof the doe and fawn went by;In other woods the lark and linnet sang;A stealthy way was taken by the fox;The badger trod upon the softest moss;And like a shadow flitted past the hare.Without a sound the haunted fountain played.The oak boughs dreamed; the pine was motionless;Its silver arms the beech in silence spread;The poplar had forgot its lullaby.It was as still as cloudland in the wood,For in a hawthorn brake old Merlin sleeps,And every leaf is hushed for love of him.There through the years they sleep and listless dream,The wood of Paimpont and the wizard old.They dream of valleys where the lilies blow;They dream of woodland gods and castles high,Of faun and Pan and of the Table Round,Of dryad trees and of a maiden dark—That Vivien whom old Merlin once did love,Vivien le Gai whose love was poisonous!
On the Eve of Saint JohnI rode from Morbec here to Chatillon,And through the wood of Paimpont fared alone.It is a forest where enchantments thrive,And a fair dream doth drop from every tree!The old, old world of bitterness and strifeIs remote as winter, remote as death.It was high noon in the turbulent town;But clocks never strike in the elfin wood,And the sun’s ruddy gold is elsewhere spent.The light was dim in the depths of Paimpont,Green, reverend, and dim as the light may beIn a sea king’s palace under the sea.The wind did not blow; the flowering boughWas still as the rose on a dead man’s breast.On velvet hoof the doe and fawn went by;In other woods the lark and linnet sang;A stealthy way was taken by the fox;The badger trod upon the softest moss;And like a shadow flitted past the hare.Without a sound the haunted fountain played.The oak boughs dreamed; the pine was motionless;Its silver arms the beech in silence spread;The poplar had forgot its lullaby.It was as still as cloudland in the wood,For in a hawthorn brake old Merlin sleeps,And every leaf is hushed for love of him.There through the years they sleep and listless dream,The wood of Paimpont and the wizard old.They dream of valleys where the lilies blow;They dream of woodland gods and castles high,Of faun and Pan and of the Table Round,Of dryad trees and of a maiden dark—That Vivien whom old Merlin once did love,Vivien le Gai whose love was poisonous!
On the Eve of Saint JohnI rode from Morbec here to Chatillon,And through the wood of Paimpont fared alone.It is a forest where enchantments thrive,And a fair dream doth drop from every tree!The old, old world of bitterness and strifeIs remote as winter, remote as death.It was high noon in the turbulent town;But clocks never strike in the elfin wood,And the sun’s ruddy gold is elsewhere spent.The light was dim in the depths of Paimpont,Green, reverend, and dim as the light may beIn a sea king’s palace under the sea.The wind did not blow; the flowering boughWas still as the rose on a dead man’s breast.On velvet hoof the doe and fawn went by;In other woods the lark and linnet sang;A stealthy way was taken by the fox;The badger trod upon the softest moss;And like a shadow flitted past the hare.Without a sound the haunted fountain played.The oak boughs dreamed; the pine was motionless;Its silver arms the beech in silence spread;The poplar had forgot its lullaby.It was as still as cloudland in the wood,For in a hawthorn brake old Merlin sleeps,And every leaf is hushed for love of him.There through the years they sleep and listless dream,The wood of Paimpont and the wizard old.They dream of valleys where the lilies blow;They dream of woodland gods and castles high,Of faun and Pan and of the Table Round,Of dryad trees and of a maiden dark—That Vivien whom old Merlin once did love,Vivien le Gai whose love was poisonous!
On the Eve of Saint John
I rode from Morbec here to Chatillon,
And through the wood of Paimpont fared alone.
It is a forest where enchantments thrive,
And a fair dream doth drop from every tree!
The old, old world of bitterness and strife
Is remote as winter, remote as death.
It was high noon in the turbulent town;
But clocks never strike in the elfin wood,
And the sun’s ruddy gold is elsewhere spent.
The light was dim in the depths of Paimpont,
Green, reverend, and dim as the light may be
In a sea king’s palace under the sea.
The wind did not blow; the flowering bough
Was still as the rose on a dead man’s breast.
On velvet hoof the doe and fawn went by;
In other woods the lark and linnet sang;
A stealthy way was taken by the fox;
The badger trod upon the softest moss;
And like a shadow flitted past the hare.
Without a sound the haunted fountain played.
The oak boughs dreamed; the pine was motionless;
Its silver arms the beech in silence spread;
The poplar had forgot its lullaby.
It was as still as cloudland in the wood,
For in a hawthorn brake old Merlin sleeps,
And every leaf is hushed for love of him.
There through the years they sleep and listless dream,
The wood of Paimpont and the wizard old.
They dream of valleys where the lilies blow;
They dream of woodland gods and castles high,
Of faun and Pan and of the Table Round,
Of dryad trees and of a maiden dark—
That Vivien whom old Merlin once did love,
Vivien le Gai whose love was poisonous!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
I’ve heard it said by women spinning flax,“Who wanders in Paimpont wanders in love;Let him who loves in Paimpont Wood beware!”
I’ve heard it said by women spinning flax,“Who wanders in Paimpont wanders in love;Let him who loves in Paimpont Wood beware!”
I’ve heard it said by women spinning flax,“Who wanders in Paimpont wanders in love;Let him who loves in Paimpont Wood beware!”
I’ve heard it said by women spinning flax,
“Who wanders in Paimpont wanders in love;
Let him who loves in Paimpont Wood beware!”
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Ah, idle word! Oh, many silver bellsSince Vivien’s day have rung, Beware, beware!And rung in vain, for in every climeLies Paimpont Wood, dawns the Eve of Saint John!
Ah, idle word! Oh, many silver bellsSince Vivien’s day have rung, Beware, beware!And rung in vain, for in every climeLies Paimpont Wood, dawns the Eve of Saint John!
Ah, idle word! Oh, many silver bellsSince Vivien’s day have rung, Beware, beware!And rung in vain, for in every climeLies Paimpont Wood, dawns the Eve of Saint John!
Ah, idle word! Oh, many silver bells
Since Vivien’s day have rung, Beware, beware!
And rung in vain, for in every clime
Lies Paimpont Wood, dawns the Eve of Saint John!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
And in the forest there whom did you love?
And in the forest there whom did you love?
And in the forest there whom did you love?
And in the forest there whom did you love?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
I do not know. I have not seen her since,Unless—unless I saw her face last night!
I do not know. I have not seen her since,Unless—unless I saw her face last night!
I do not know. I have not seen her since,Unless—unless I saw her face last night!
I do not know. I have not seen her since,
Unless—unless I saw her face last night!
Yvette(behind the base of the statue)
Yvette(behind the base of the statue)
Yvette(behind the base of the statue)
Oh!—
Oh!—
Oh!—
Oh!—
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Did you not hear a voice?
Did you not hear a voice?
Did you not hear a voice?
Did you not hear a voice?
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
‘Tis the wind.—You’re riding through the wood to Chatillon.
‘Tis the wind.—You’re riding through the wood to Chatillon.
‘Tis the wind.—You’re riding through the wood to Chatillon.
‘Tis the wind.—
You’re riding through the wood to Chatillon.
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
It was a lonely forest, deep and vast,A secret and a soundless trysting-place,Where one might meet, nor be surprised to meet,From out his past, or from his life to come,A veilèd shape, a presence bitter-sweet,A thing that was, a thing was yet to be!It seemed a fatal place, a destined day.Down a long aisle of beechen trees I rode,And came upon a small and sunny vale,And there I met a face from out a dream,An ancient dream, a dark and lovely face.—Give me your fan of pearl and ivory!
It was a lonely forest, deep and vast,A secret and a soundless trysting-place,Where one might meet, nor be surprised to meet,From out his past, or from his life to come,A veilèd shape, a presence bitter-sweet,A thing that was, a thing was yet to be!It seemed a fatal place, a destined day.Down a long aisle of beechen trees I rode,And came upon a small and sunny vale,And there I met a face from out a dream,An ancient dream, a dark and lovely face.—Give me your fan of pearl and ivory!
It was a lonely forest, deep and vast,A secret and a soundless trysting-place,Where one might meet, nor be surprised to meet,From out his past, or from his life to come,A veilèd shape, a presence bitter-sweet,A thing that was, a thing was yet to be!It seemed a fatal place, a destined day.Down a long aisle of beechen trees I rode,And came upon a small and sunny vale,And there I met a face from out a dream,An ancient dream, a dark and lovely face.—Give me your fan of pearl and ivory!
It was a lonely forest, deep and vast,
A secret and a soundless trysting-place,
Where one might meet, nor be surprised to meet,
From out his past, or from his life to come,
A veilèd shape, a presence bitter-sweet,
A thing that was, a thing was yet to be!
It seemed a fatal place, a destined day.
Down a long aisle of beechen trees I rode,
And came upon a small and sunny vale,
And there I met a face from out a dream,
An ancient dream, a dark and lovely face.—
Give me your fan of pearl and ivory!
[He takes the fan fromThe Marquise.
[He takes the fan fromThe Marquise.
[He takes the fan fromThe Marquise.
[He takes the fan fromThe Marquise.
I’ll turn enchanter, use it for my rod,And make you see, Marquise, the very place!
I’ll turn enchanter, use it for my rod,And make you see, Marquise, the very place!
I’ll turn enchanter, use it for my rod,And make you see, Marquise, the very place!
I’ll turn enchanter, use it for my rod,
And make you see, Marquise, the very place!
[He points with the fan.
[He points with the fan.
[He points with the fan.
[He points with the fan.
Here sprang the silver column of a beech;There, mossy knees of a most ancient oak;Yonder a wall of thickest foliage rose;And here a misty streamlet flowedWith a voice more low than the dying fallOf a trouvère’s lute in Languedoc,And on its shore the slender flowers grew;Upon a foxglove bell hungpapillon;And all around the grass was long and fine.Within this sylvan space, ah, ages since!The white-robed Druids in the cold moonlightHad reared an altar stone of wondrous height;Thefanewas there, the Druids were away.All fragrant was the air, and sunny still,—On the Eve of Saint John ‘tis ever so!Above, the sky was blue without a cloud;The sun stood sentinel o’er the haunted wood.And there she lay, the woman of a dream,Against the Druid Stone, amid the bloom;Her eyes were on the stream; she leaned her ear;From far away the trouvère played to her;In flakes of gold the sunlight blessed her hair;Her lips were red; she seemed a princess old;Mid purple bloom she lay and gazed afar,In the magic wood on a magic day,Listening to hear the mighty trouvère play.Was she a princess or a peasant maid?I do not know, pardie! She may have beenThat Vivien who wrought old Merlin wrong.I cannot tell if she were rich or poor;I only saw her face; I only knowI loved the dream I met in Paimpont WoodAs I did ride last year to ChatillonOn Saint John’s Eve.—
Here sprang the silver column of a beech;There, mossy knees of a most ancient oak;Yonder a wall of thickest foliage rose;And here a misty streamlet flowedWith a voice more low than the dying fallOf a trouvère’s lute in Languedoc,And on its shore the slender flowers grew;Upon a foxglove bell hungpapillon;And all around the grass was long and fine.Within this sylvan space, ah, ages since!The white-robed Druids in the cold moonlightHad reared an altar stone of wondrous height;Thefanewas there, the Druids were away.All fragrant was the air, and sunny still,—On the Eve of Saint John ‘tis ever so!Above, the sky was blue without a cloud;The sun stood sentinel o’er the haunted wood.And there she lay, the woman of a dream,Against the Druid Stone, amid the bloom;Her eyes were on the stream; she leaned her ear;From far away the trouvère played to her;In flakes of gold the sunlight blessed her hair;Her lips were red; she seemed a princess old;Mid purple bloom she lay and gazed afar,In the magic wood on a magic day,Listening to hear the mighty trouvère play.Was she a princess or a peasant maid?I do not know, pardie! She may have beenThat Vivien who wrought old Merlin wrong.I cannot tell if she were rich or poor;I only saw her face; I only knowI loved the dream I met in Paimpont WoodAs I did ride last year to ChatillonOn Saint John’s Eve.—
Here sprang the silver column of a beech;There, mossy knees of a most ancient oak;Yonder a wall of thickest foliage rose;And here a misty streamlet flowedWith a voice more low than the dying fallOf a trouvère’s lute in Languedoc,And on its shore the slender flowers grew;Upon a foxglove bell hungpapillon;And all around the grass was long and fine.Within this sylvan space, ah, ages since!The white-robed Druids in the cold moonlightHad reared an altar stone of wondrous height;Thefanewas there, the Druids were away.All fragrant was the air, and sunny still,—On the Eve of Saint John ‘tis ever so!Above, the sky was blue without a cloud;The sun stood sentinel o’er the haunted wood.And there she lay, the woman of a dream,Against the Druid Stone, amid the bloom;Her eyes were on the stream; she leaned her ear;From far away the trouvère played to her;In flakes of gold the sunlight blessed her hair;Her lips were red; she seemed a princess old;Mid purple bloom she lay and gazed afar,In the magic wood on a magic day,Listening to hear the mighty trouvère play.Was she a princess or a peasant maid?I do not know, pardie! She may have beenThat Vivien who wrought old Merlin wrong.I cannot tell if she were rich or poor;I only saw her face; I only knowI loved the dream I met in Paimpont WoodAs I did ride last year to ChatillonOn Saint John’s Eve.—
Here sprang the silver column of a beech;
There, mossy knees of a most ancient oak;
Yonder a wall of thickest foliage rose;
And here a misty streamlet flowed
With a voice more low than the dying fall
Of a trouvère’s lute in Languedoc,
And on its shore the slender flowers grew;
Upon a foxglove bell hungpapillon;
And all around the grass was long and fine.
Within this sylvan space, ah, ages since!
The white-robed Druids in the cold moonlight
Had reared an altar stone of wondrous height;
Thefanewas there, the Druids were away.
All fragrant was the air, and sunny still,—
On the Eve of Saint John ‘tis ever so!
Above, the sky was blue without a cloud;
The sun stood sentinel o’er the haunted wood.
And there she lay, the woman of a dream,
Against the Druid Stone, amid the bloom;
Her eyes were on the stream; she leaned her ear;
From far away the trouvère played to her;
In flakes of gold the sunlight blessed her hair;
Her lips were red; she seemed a princess old;
Mid purple bloom she lay and gazed afar,
In the magic wood on a magic day,
Listening to hear the mighty trouvère play.
Was she a princess or a peasant maid?
I do not know, pardie! She may have been
That Vivien who wrought old Merlin wrong.
I cannot tell if she were rich or poor;
I only saw her face; I only know
I loved the dream I met in Paimpont Wood
As I did ride last year to Chatillon
On Saint John’s Eve.—
[He lays the fan upon the table.
[He lays the fan upon the table.
[He lays the fan upon the table.
[He lays the fan upon the table.
So I have loved, Marquise!
So I have loved, Marquise!
So I have loved, Marquise!
So I have loved, Marquise!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
What did your pretty dream?
What did your pretty dream?
What did your pretty dream?
What did your pretty dream?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
As other dreams;She fled!
As other dreams;She fled!
As other dreams;She fled!
As other dreams;
She fled!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
And you pursued?
And you pursued?
And you pursued?
And you pursued?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Yes, but in vain!Trouble no dream that is dreamed in Paimpont!The wood closed around her; she vanished quite.It must have been that evil Vivien,Since you, Marquise, have never trod the wood!
Yes, but in vain!Trouble no dream that is dreamed in Paimpont!The wood closed around her; she vanished quite.It must have been that evil Vivien,Since you, Marquise, have never trod the wood!
Yes, but in vain!Trouble no dream that is dreamed in Paimpont!The wood closed around her; she vanished quite.It must have been that evil Vivien,Since you, Marquise, have never trod the wood!
Yes, but in vain!
Trouble no dream that is dreamed in Paimpont!
The wood closed around her; she vanished quite.
It must have been that evil Vivien,
Since you, Marquise, have never trod the wood!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
Would I have fled?
Would I have fled?
Would I have fled?
Would I have fled?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Why, then, without doubtIt was Vivien! But yet do you know‘Tis the Eve of Saint John, and here, last night,I dreamed that I saw my dream again!
Why, then, without doubtIt was Vivien! But yet do you know‘Tis the Eve of Saint John, and here, last night,I dreamed that I saw my dream again!
Why, then, without doubtIt was Vivien! But yet do you know‘Tis the Eve of Saint John, and here, last night,I dreamed that I saw my dream again!
Why, then, without doubt
It was Vivien! But yet do you know
‘Tis the Eve of Saint John, and here, last night,
I dreamed that I saw my dream again!
[The hand and arm of the statue fall, broken, to theground at the feet ofThe Marquise.
[The hand and arm of the statue fall, broken, to theground at the feet ofThe Marquise.
[The hand and arm of the statue fall, broken, to theground at the feet ofThe Marquise.
[The hand and arm of the statue fall, broken, to the
ground at the feet ofThe Marquise.
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
De Vardes(pushes the marble aside with his foot)
De Vardes(pushes the marble aside with his foot)
De Vardes(pushes the marble aside with his foot)
It is nothing! The stone was cracked last night.Some crack-brained peasant had no better mark!
It is nothing! The stone was cracked last night.Some crack-brained peasant had no better mark!
It is nothing! The stone was cracked last night.Some crack-brained peasant had no better mark!
It is nothing! The stone was cracked last night.
Some crack-brained peasant had no better mark!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
‘Tis aprésigne!—I feel it.—
‘Tis aprésigne!—I feel it.—
‘Tis aprésigne!—I feel it.—
‘Tis aprésigne!—I feel it.—
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
You shudder!
You shudder!
You shudder!
You shudder!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
One trod near my grave! I’m suddenly cold!
One trod near my grave! I’m suddenly cold!
One trod near my grave! I’m suddenly cold!
One trod near my grave! I’m suddenly cold!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
The sun never shines on this terrace!
The sun never shines on this terrace!
The sun never shines on this terrace!
The sun never shines on this terrace!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
No!‘Twas an air from the Forest of PaimpontCame over me!
No!‘Twas an air from the Forest of PaimpontCame over me!
No!‘Twas an air from the Forest of PaimpontCame over me!
No!
‘Twas an air from the Forest of Paimpont
Came over me!
[Voices within.De L’Orientsings.
[Voices within.De L’Orientsings.
[Voices within.De L’Orientsings.
[Voices within.De L’Orientsings.
De L’Orient
De L’Orient
De L’Orient
In Ys they did rejoice,In Ys the wine was free;The Ocean lent its voiceUnto that revelry!
In Ys they did rejoice,In Ys the wine was free;The Ocean lent its voiceUnto that revelry!
In Ys they did rejoice,In Ys the wine was free;The Ocean lent its voiceUnto that revelry!
In Ys they did rejoice,
In Ys the wine was free;
The Ocean lent its voice
Unto that revelry!
The Marquise
The Marquise
The Marquise
Oh, come away!Let us find the violins and the sun!There are other woods than Paimpont. Come away!
Oh, come away!Let us find the violins and the sun!There are other woods than Paimpont. Come away!
Oh, come away!Let us find the violins and the sun!There are other woods than Paimpont. Come away!
Oh, come away!
Let us find the violins and the sun!
There are other woods than Paimpont. Come away!
[ExeuntDe VardesandThe Marquise.
[ExeuntDe VardesandThe Marquise.
[ExeuntDe VardesandThe Marquise.
[ExeuntDe VardesandThe Marquise.
Yvette(leaves the shadow of the statue)
Yvette(leaves the shadow of the statue)
Yvette(leaves the shadow of the statue)
‘Twas he! That horseman who did waken meThat Saint John’s Eve I strayed in Paimpont Wood!O Our Lady—
‘Twas he! That horseman who did waken meThat Saint John’s Eve I strayed in Paimpont Wood!O Our Lady—
‘Twas he! That horseman who did waken meThat Saint John’s Eve I strayed in Paimpont Wood!O Our Lady—
‘Twas he! That horseman who did waken me
That Saint John’s Eve I strayed in Paimpont Wood!
O Our Lady—
Séraphine(from the statue)
Séraphine(from the statue)
Séraphine(from the statue)
Saint Yves! There is bread!
Saint Yves! There is bread!
Saint Yves! There is bread!
Saint Yves! There is bread!
[Yvettetakes from the table a loaf of bread andthrows it toSéraphine,who springs upon it like afamished wolf.
[Yvettetakes from the table a loaf of bread andthrows it toSéraphine,who springs upon it like afamished wolf.
[Yvettetakes from the table a loaf of bread andthrows it toSéraphine,who springs upon it like afamished wolf.
[Yvettetakes from the table a loaf of bread and
throws it toSéraphine,who springs upon it like a
famished wolf.
Ah—h—h!
Ah—h—h!
Ah—h—h!
Ah—h—h!
[Setting her teeth in the loaf.[Yvette,about to lay her hand upon another round ofbread, sees the fan lying upon the cloth. She leavesthe bread and takes up the fan. It opens in her hand.
[Setting her teeth in the loaf.[Yvette,about to lay her hand upon another round ofbread, sees the fan lying upon the cloth. She leavesthe bread and takes up the fan. It opens in her hand.
[Setting her teeth in the loaf.
[Setting her teeth in the loaf.
[Yvette,about to lay her hand upon another round ofbread, sees the fan lying upon the cloth. She leavesthe bread and takes up the fan. It opens in her hand.
[Yvette,about to lay her hand upon another round of
bread, sees the fan lying upon the cloth. She leaves
the bread and takes up the fan. It opens in her hand.
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Oh!—
Oh!—
Oh!—
Oh!—
[She sits in the great chair and waves the fan slowlyto and fro.
[She sits in the great chair and waves the fan slowlyto and fro.
[She sits in the great chair and waves the fan slowlyto and fro.
[She sits in the great chair and waves the fan slowly
to and fro.
Were I a lady fair and free,I would powder my hair with dust of gold,I would clasp a necklace around my throat,Of jewels rare, and a gown I would wear,Blue silk like Our Lady ofToute Remède!My shoes should be made of golden stuff,And a broidered glove should dress my hand,My hand so white that a lord might kiss!I would spin fine flax from a silver wheel,I would weave a web for my bridal sheets,I would sing of King Gradlon under the sea,Were I a lady fair and free!
Were I a lady fair and free,I would powder my hair with dust of gold,I would clasp a necklace around my throat,Of jewels rare, and a gown I would wear,Blue silk like Our Lady ofToute Remède!My shoes should be made of golden stuff,And a broidered glove should dress my hand,My hand so white that a lord might kiss!I would spin fine flax from a silver wheel,I would weave a web for my bridal sheets,I would sing of King Gradlon under the sea,Were I a lady fair and free!
Were I a lady fair and free,I would powder my hair with dust of gold,I would clasp a necklace around my throat,Of jewels rare, and a gown I would wear,Blue silk like Our Lady ofToute Remède!My shoes should be made of golden stuff,And a broidered glove should dress my hand,My hand so white that a lord might kiss!I would spin fine flax from a silver wheel,I would weave a web for my bridal sheets,I would sing of King Gradlon under the sea,Were I a lady fair and free!
Were I a lady fair and free,
I would powder my hair with dust of gold,
I would clasp a necklace around my throat,
Of jewels rare, and a gown I would wear,
Blue silk like Our Lady ofToute Remède!
My shoes should be made of golden stuff,
And a broidered glove should dress my hand,
My hand so white that a lord might kiss!
I would spin fine flax from a silver wheel,
I would weave a web for my bridal sheets,
I would sing of King Gradlon under the sea,
Were I a lady fair and free!
EnterGrégoire.
EnterGrégoire.
EnterGrégoire.
Séraphine(from the statue)
Séraphine(from the statue)
Séraphine(from the statue)
Yvette!Yvette!
Yvette!Yvette!
Yvette!Yvette!
Yvette!
Yvette!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Peace, peace!
Peace, peace!
Peace, peace!
Peace, peace!
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
What have you there?
What have you there?
What have you there?
What have you there?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
A fan.So long I’ve wanted one!
A fan.So long I’ve wanted one!
A fan.So long I’ve wanted one!
A fan.
So long I’ve wanted one!
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
A fan, forsooth!You cannot eat a fan, drink it, wear it!
A fan, forsooth!You cannot eat a fan, drink it, wear it!
A fan, forsooth!You cannot eat a fan, drink it, wear it!
A fan, forsooth!
You cannot eat a fan, drink it, wear it!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
I would look on’t.One day at Vannes the deputy’s sisterShowed me a fan, but it was not like this!Oh, not like this with these wreaths of roses,These painted clouds, this fairy ship!
I would look on’t.One day at Vannes the deputy’s sisterShowed me a fan, but it was not like this!Oh, not like this with these wreaths of roses,These painted clouds, this fairy ship!
I would look on’t.One day at Vannes the deputy’s sisterShowed me a fan, but it was not like this!Oh, not like this with these wreaths of roses,These painted clouds, this fairy ship!
I would look on’t.
One day at Vannes the deputy’s sister
Showed me a fan, but it was not like this!
Oh, not like this with these wreaths of roses,
These painted clouds, this fairy ship!
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
The priceWould keep a peasant from starvation!And belike it fell from the lifted handOf Madame la Marquise de Blanchefôret!
The priceWould keep a peasant from starvation!And belike it fell from the lifted handOf Madame la Marquise de Blanchefôret!
The priceWould keep a peasant from starvation!And belike it fell from the lifted handOf Madame la Marquise de Blanchefôret!
The price
Would keep a peasant from starvation!
And belike it fell from the lifted hand
Of Madame la Marquise de Blanchefôret!
[The fan breaks inYvette’shand.
[The fan breaks inYvette’shand.
[The fan breaks inYvette’shand.
[The fan breaks inYvette’shand.
Séraphine(leaving the statue)
Séraphine(leaving the statue)
Séraphine(leaving the statue)
Thou evil-starred!
Thou evil-starred!
Thou evil-starred!
Thou evil-starred!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
What have I done?
What have I done?
What have I done?
What have I done?
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
Diantre!Now you will be beaten as well as hanged!
Diantre!Now you will be beaten as well as hanged!
Diantre!Now you will be beaten as well as hanged!
Diantre!
Now you will be beaten as well as hanged!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
She called us miserable brigands!
She called us miserable brigands!
She called us miserable brigands!
She called us miserable brigands!
EnterDe Vardes.
EnterDe Vardes.
EnterDe Vardes.
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Saint Yves! Saint Hervé! Saint Herbot!
Saint Yves! Saint Hervé! Saint Herbot!
Saint Yves! Saint Hervé! Saint Herbot!
Saint Yves! Saint Hervé! Saint Herbot!
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
Voices?
Voices?
Voices?
Voices?
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
The fan of Madame la Marquise.
The fan of Madame la Marquise.
The fan of Madame la Marquise.
The fan of Madame la Marquise.
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
Monseigneur?
De Vardes(perceivingYvetteandSéraphine)
De Vardes(perceivingYvetteandSéraphine)
De Vardes(perceivingYvetteandSéraphine)
What will you have, good people?
What will you have, good people?
What will you have, good people?
What will you have, good people?
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Saint Guenolé! Saint Thromeur! Saint Sulic!—He did not see us in the dark last night!
Saint Guenolé! Saint Thromeur! Saint Sulic!—He did not see us in the dark last night!
Saint Guenolé! Saint Thromeur! Saint Sulic!—He did not see us in the dark last night!
Saint Guenolé! Saint Thromeur! Saint Sulic!—
He did not see us in the dark last night!
[De Vardesregards them more closely.
[De Vardesregards them more closely.
[De Vardesregards them more closely.
[De Vardesregards them more closely.
Grégoire
Grégoire
Grégoire
Séraphine Robin—Yvette Charruel—They are not bad folk, monseigneur!
Séraphine Robin—Yvette Charruel—They are not bad folk, monseigneur!
Séraphine Robin—Yvette Charruel—They are not bad folk, monseigneur!
Séraphine Robin—Yvette Charruel—
They are not bad folk, monseigneur!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
No, faith!
No, faith!
No, faith!
No, faith!
[De Vardesstudies the name written upon a playingcard which he holds in his hand.
[De Vardesstudies the name written upon a playingcard which he holds in his hand.
[De Vardesstudies the name written upon a playingcard which he holds in his hand.
[De Vardesstudies the name written upon a playing
card which he holds in his hand.
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
De Vardes(toGrégoire)
Say to Monsieur the Deputy from VannesThat I await him here.
Say to Monsieur the Deputy from VannesThat I await him here.
Say to Monsieur the Deputy from VannesThat I await him here.
Say to Monsieur the Deputy from Vannes
That I await him here.
[ExitGrégoire.De Vardeslooks intently atYvette.
[ExitGrégoire.De Vardeslooks intently atYvette.
[ExitGrégoire.De Vardeslooks intently atYvette.
[ExitGrégoire.De Vardeslooks intently at
Yvette.
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
It was so beautiful,The fan—I took it in my hand—it broke!
It was so beautiful,The fan—I took it in my hand—it broke!
It was so beautiful,The fan—I took it in my hand—it broke!
It was so beautiful,
The fan—I took it in my hand—it broke!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
All that she touches breaks!
All that she touches breaks!
All that she touches breaks!
All that she touches breaks!
De Vardes(toYvette)
De Vardes(toYvette)
De Vardes(toYvette)
Wast ever thouIn the Forest of Paimpont?
Wast ever thouIn the Forest of Paimpont?
Wast ever thouIn the Forest of Paimpont?
Wast ever thou
In the Forest of Paimpont?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Oh, monseigneur!Last Eve of Saint John, by the Druid Stone!
Oh, monseigneur!Last Eve of Saint John, by the Druid Stone!
Oh, monseigneur!Last Eve of Saint John, by the Druid Stone!
Oh, monseigneur!
Last Eve of Saint John, by the Druid Stone!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Ah!—
Ah!—
Ah!—
Ah!—
[He takes the fan fromYvette’shand and examines it.
[He takes the fan fromYvette’shand and examines it.
[He takes the fan fromYvette’shand and examines it.
[He takes the fan fromYvette’shand and examines it.
Beyond all remedy!—Well, ‘tis done.Do not tremble so!
Beyond all remedy!—Well, ‘tis done.Do not tremble so!
Beyond all remedy!—Well, ‘tis done.Do not tremble so!
Beyond all remedy!—Well, ‘tis done.
Do not tremble so!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
I tremble not!
I tremble not!
I tremble not!
I tremble not!
EnterLalain.
EnterLalain.
EnterLalain.
Séraphine(toYvette)
Séraphine(toYvette)
Séraphine(toYvette)
Here’s Monsieur Lalain!
Here’s Monsieur Lalain!
Here’s Monsieur Lalain!
Here’s Monsieur Lalain!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
I care not, I!
I care not, I!
I care not, I!
I care not, I!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Ah,Rémond Lalain!
Ah,Rémond Lalain!
Ah,Rémond Lalain!
Ah,
Rémond Lalain!
Lalain(stiffly)
Lalain(stiffly)
Lalain(stiffly)
Monsieur—
Monsieur—
Monsieur—
Monsieur—
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
A moment, pray,Until I’ve spoken with these worthy folk!
A moment, pray,Until I’ve spoken with these worthy folk!
A moment, pray,Until I’ve spoken with these worthy folk!
A moment, pray,
Until I’ve spoken with these worthy folk!
Lalain(coldly)
Lalain(coldly)
Lalain(coldly)
Monsieur the Baron’s pleasure!
Monsieur the Baron’s pleasure!
Monsieur the Baron’s pleasure!
Monsieur the Baron’s pleasure!
[He moves aside, but in passing speaks toYvette.
[He moves aside, but in passing speaks toYvette.
[He moves aside, but in passing speaks toYvette.
[He moves aside, but in passing speaks toYvette.
Yvette! Yvette!
Yvette! Yvette!
Yvette! Yvette!
Yvette! Yvette!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Monsieur the Deputy?
Monsieur the Deputy?
Monsieur the Deputy?
Monsieur the Deputy?
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
Too fair art thou!Beware! This is the Seigneur of Morbec!
Too fair art thou!Beware! This is the Seigneur of Morbec!
Too fair art thou!Beware! This is the Seigneur of Morbec!
Too fair art thou!
Beware! This is the Seigneur of Morbec!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
He is the foe of France!
He is the foe of France!
He is the foe of France!
He is the foe of France!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
De Vardes(toSéraphine)
De Vardes(toSéraphine)
De Vardes(toSéraphine)
Your business, well?
Your business, well?
Your business, well?
Your business, well?
Séraphine(stammering)
Séraphine(stammering)
Séraphine(stammering)
Our business, monseigneur?—Oh, give me help, Saint Yves le Véridique!—Our business?—Saint Michel!—Well, since we’re here!—Monseigneur, was the pullet plump and sweet?
Our business, monseigneur?—Oh, give me help, Saint Yves le Véridique!—Our business?—Saint Michel!—Well, since we’re here!—Monseigneur, was the pullet plump and sweet?
Our business, monseigneur?—Oh, give me help, Saint Yves le Véridique!—Our business?—Saint Michel!—Well, since we’re here!—Monseigneur, was the pullet plump and sweet?
Our business, monseigneur?—
Oh, give me help, Saint Yves le Véridique!—
Our business?—Saint Michel!—Well, since we’re here!—
Monseigneur, was the pullet plump and sweet?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
The pullet?
The pullet?
The pullet?
The pullet?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Our pullet, monseigneur.
Our pullet, monseigneur.
Our pullet, monseigneur.
Our pullet, monseigneur.
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
Distrained for rent!
Distrained for rent!
Distrained for rent!
Distrained for rent!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
And Lisette, monseigneur?May we enquire for Lisette’s health?
And Lisette, monseigneur?May we enquire for Lisette’s health?
And Lisette, monseigneur?May we enquire for Lisette’s health?
And Lisette, monseigneur?
May we enquire for Lisette’s health?
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Lisette?
Lisette?
Lisette?
Lisette?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Our cow, monseigneur.
Our cow, monseigneur.
Our cow, monseigneur.
Our cow, monseigneur.
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
Taken for taxes!
Taken for taxes!
Taken for taxes!
Taken for taxes!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
It was the best Lisette!
It was the best Lisette!
It was the best Lisette!
It was the best Lisette!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
She followed meThrough the green lanes, and o’er the meadows salt.Her breath was sweet as May!
She followed meThrough the green lanes, and o’er the meadows salt.Her breath was sweet as May!
She followed meThrough the green lanes, and o’er the meadows salt.Her breath was sweet as May!
She followed me
Through the green lanes, and o’er the meadows salt.
Her breath was sweet as May!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
It would please youTo have your cow again?
It would please youTo have your cow again?
It would please youTo have your cow again?
It would please you
To have your cow again?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Oh, monseigneur!Monseigneur, I’m the herd girl of Morbec!
Oh, monseigneur!Monseigneur, I’m the herd girl of Morbec!
Oh, monseigneur!Monseigneur, I’m the herd girl of Morbec!
Oh, monseigneur!
Monseigneur, I’m the herd girl of Morbec!
Lalain(aside)
Lalain(aside)
Lalain(aside)
They gaze into each other’s eyes!
They gaze into each other’s eyes!
They gaze into each other’s eyes!
They gaze into each other’s eyes!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
What isThy name?
What isThy name?
What isThy name?
What is
Thy name?
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette.
Yvette.
Yvette.
Yvette.
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Ay, ay, ‘tis so!—Yvette.Called also The Right of the Seigneur!—
Ay, ay, ‘tis so!—Yvette.Called also The Right of the Seigneur!—
Ay, ay, ‘tis so!—Yvette.Called also The Right of the Seigneur!—
Ay, ay, ‘tis so!—Yvette.
Called also The Right of the Seigneur!—
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
The Right of the Seigneur!
The Right of the Seigneur!
The Right of the Seigneur!
The Right of the Seigneur!
Séraphine(nodding)
Séraphine(nodding)
Séraphine(nodding)
Just so.
Just so.
Just so.
Just so.
Lalain(aside)
Lalain(aside)
Lalain(aside)
RecallJust one of a great seigneur’s privileges!Baiser des mariées, in short, my friend!
RecallJust one of a great seigneur’s privileges!Baiser des mariées, in short, my friend!
RecallJust one of a great seigneur’s privileges!Baiser des mariées, in short, my friend!
Recall
Just one of a great seigneur’s privileges!
Baiser des mariées, in short, my friend!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
O holy Saints! the night that she was born!The thunder pealed, the sea gave forth a cry,The forked lightnings played, the winds were outAnd in the hut her mother lay and wailed,And called on all the saints, the while Jehan(That was her mother’s husband, monseigneur),He stood and struck his heel against the logs.Up flew the sparks, for all the wood was drift,Salt with the sea, and every flame was blue.I held the babe—Yvette, show monseigneurThe mark beneath the ear!
O holy Saints! the night that she was born!The thunder pealed, the sea gave forth a cry,The forked lightnings played, the winds were outAnd in the hut her mother lay and wailed,And called on all the saints, the while Jehan(That was her mother’s husband, monseigneur),He stood and struck his heel against the logs.Up flew the sparks, for all the wood was drift,Salt with the sea, and every flame was blue.I held the babe—Yvette, show monseigneurThe mark beneath the ear!
O holy Saints! the night that she was born!The thunder pealed, the sea gave forth a cry,The forked lightnings played, the winds were outAnd in the hut her mother lay and wailed,And called on all the saints, the while Jehan(That was her mother’s husband, monseigneur),He stood and struck his heel against the logs.Up flew the sparks, for all the wood was drift,Salt with the sea, and every flame was blue.I held the babe—Yvette, show monseigneurThe mark beneath the ear!
O holy Saints! the night that she was born!
The thunder pealed, the sea gave forth a cry,
The forked lightnings played, the winds were out
And in the hut her mother lay and wailed,
And called on all the saints, the while Jehan
(That was her mother’s husband, monseigneur),
He stood and struck his heel against the logs.
Up flew the sparks, for all the wood was drift,
Salt with the sea, and every flame was blue.
I held the babe—Yvette, show monseigneur
The mark beneath the ear!
Yvette
Yvette
Yvette
No!
No!
No!
No!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Stubbornness!‘Tis there!
Stubbornness!‘Tis there!
Stubbornness!‘Tis there!
Stubbornness!
‘Tis there!
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
A birthmark—a small blue flower!
A birthmark—a small blue flower!
A birthmark—a small blue flower!
A birthmark—a small blue flower!
De Vardes
De Vardes
De Vardes
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Ay! a little mark.—Jehan Charruel!He was a violent man,—the sea breeds such!He cursed Yvonne upon her pallet there,So pale she was, and dying with the tide!He cursed the saints, the purple mark, the babe,And some one else I dare not name—
Ay! a little mark.—Jehan Charruel!He was a violent man,—the sea breeds such!He cursed Yvonne upon her pallet there,So pale she was, and dying with the tide!He cursed the saints, the purple mark, the babe,And some one else I dare not name—
Ay! a little mark.—Jehan Charruel!He was a violent man,—the sea breeds such!He cursed Yvonne upon her pallet there,So pale she was, and dying with the tide!He cursed the saints, the purple mark, the babe,And some one else I dare not name—
Ay! a little mark.—Jehan Charruel!
He was a violent man,—the sea breeds such!
He cursed Yvonne upon her pallet there,
So pale she was, and dying with the tide!
He cursed the saints, the purple mark, the babe,
And some one else I dare not name—
Lalain
Lalain
Lalain
I dare!Henri-Etienne-Amaury de Vardes,Late Baron of Morbec!
I dare!Henri-Etienne-Amaury de Vardes,Late Baron of Morbec!
I dare!Henri-Etienne-Amaury de Vardes,Late Baron of Morbec!
I dare!
Henri-Etienne-Amaury de Vardes,
Late Baron of Morbec!
Séraphine
Séraphine
Séraphine
Then out he goes,A-weeping hard—Jehan—into the night.Ouf!how it blew!—The sea ran high, he met it in the dark,Was drowned! Yvonne went with the ebb. BeholdYvette!
Then out he goes,A-weeping hard—Jehan—into the night.Ouf!how it blew!—The sea ran high, he met it in the dark,Was drowned! Yvonne went with the ebb. BeholdYvette!
Then out he goes,A-weeping hard—Jehan—into the night.Ouf!how it blew!—The sea ran high, he met it in the dark,Was drowned! Yvonne went with the ebb. BeholdYvette!
Then out he goes,
A-weeping hard—Jehan—into the night.
Ouf!how it blew!—
The sea ran high, he met it in the dark,
Was drowned! Yvonne went with the ebb. Behold
Yvette!