Lesson 31: The Magic Flute - Act I. Scenes X-XII.
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 X.
PAPAGENO - The same.
PAPAGENO.
Where am I now? where can I be?
Aha! I see some people.
I'll even venture in.
A maiden, young and fair,
With garments rich and rare.
PAPAGENO AND MONOSTATOS.
[Seeing each other.]
That is the devil, sure as fate.
Have mercy, and commiserate.
Ah, ah, ah.
[They run off.]
ACT I. SCENE XI.
PAMINA, afterwards PAPAGENO
PAMINA.
Heavens! What did you say? My dear mother? And thou knowest my mother?
PAPAGENO.
The Queen I know, but not her daughter.
[Looking at the portrait.]
PAMINA.
Permit me. Yes, yes, 'tis I. From whom did you get it?
PAPAGENO.
Well, it was given from one to the other, but the story is a long one. The Prince is dying for you. Will you come or no?
PAMINA.
Pardon me, I come. Love has inflamed my heart, and all my sympathies awakened.
"THE MANLY HEART"
Duet.
PAMINA AND PAPAGENO.
The manly heart with love overflowing
Each fairer Virtue calls its own.
'Tis beauty's task, soft smiles bestowing,
To share and soothe the lover's moan.
Hail, sacred love! thro' heav'n and earth.
Hail, sacred flame, that gave us birth!
And love, the ills of life beguiling.
The soul in willing bondage leads.
And while to peace each trouble smiling
Its potent sway all nature pleads.
Nor aught can dearer raptures prove.
Than two fond hearts that truly love,
Love and truth, and truth and love,
Emulate the joys above.
[Exuent]
ACT I. SCENE XII.
A Sacred Grove. TAMINO and Three Boys.
Finale
THE THREE BOYS.
To the goal this path will lead thee.
But thou. O youth, must bravely conquer.
Still though must our caution hear:
Be steadfast, patient, and discreet.
TAMINO.
Ye gracious fairy ones, oh say.
Whether Pamina I may save.
THE THREE BOYS.
To make this known is not for us.
Be steadfast, patient, and discreet.
Think of our words, and be a man.
Then, O youth, thou'lt chance to conquer.
[Exuent]
TAMINO.
The wise instruction of these youths
Be ever on my heart engraved
Where am I now? what will come next?
SOME VOICES.
Soon, youth, or never.
TAMINO.
Soon, you say, or never.
Ye invisible ones, oh, tell me,
Does Pamina still live?
VOICES.
Pamina still lives.
TAMINO.
[Takes his Flute.]
She lives! I thank thee.
Thanks ye celestial deities!
Oh, could I by this express
The feelings of my heart.
Its every tone would speak my gratitude.
Puts his hand upon his heart, then plays.
"OH, THIS SWEET FLUTE'S SOFT MAGIC TONE."
Air.
TAMINO.
Oh, this sweet flute's soft magic tone,
Can melt a heart of hardest stone.
And senseless things to rapture move.
But not Pamina's breast to love.
Pamina, hear, oh, hear me
In vain! Where can I hope to find thee?
[Plays again. Papageno answers.]
Ha, that's Papageno's dulcet tone!
[He plays again. Papageno answers.]
Perhaps he has already seen Pamina.
Perhaps she comes in haste to me.
Perhaps these notes will lead me to her.
[Exeunt.]
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