ACT TWO
Scene 1
42. CHORUS
Envy, eldest born of hell,
Cease in human breasts to dwell,
Ever at all good repining,
Still the happy undermining!
God and man by thee infested,
Thou by God and man detested,
Most thyself thou dost torment,
At once the crime and punishment!
Hide thee in the blackest night:
Virtue sickens at thy sight!
Hence, eldest born of hell,
Cease in human breasts to dwell,
Scene 2
(Jonathan and David)
43. Recitative
JONATHAN
Ah, dearest friend, undone by too much virtue!
Think you, an evil spirit was the cause
Of all my father's rage? It was, indeed,
A spirit of envy, and of mortal hate.
He has resolv'd your death; and sternly charg'
His whole retinue, me especially,
To execute his vengeance.
44. Air
JONATHAN
But sooner Jordan's stream, I swear,
Back to his spring shall swiftly roll,
Than I consent to hurt a hair
Of thee, thou darling of my soul.
45. Recitative
DAVID
Oh, strange vicissitude! But yesterday
He thought me worthy of his daughter's love;
Today he seeks my life.
JONATHAN
My sister Merab, by his own gift thy right,
He hath bestow'd on Adriel.
DAVID
Oh, my prince, would that were all!
It would not grieve me much:
the scornful maid
Didst thou observe?)
with such disdainful pride
Receiv'd the king's command!
But lovely Michal,
As mild as she is fair, outstrips all praise.
46. Air
DAVID
Such haughty beauties rather move
Aversion, than engage our love.
They can only our cares beguile,
Who gently speak,
and sweetly smile.
If virtue in that dress appear,
Who, that sees, can love forbear?
Such beauties... (da capo.)
47. Recitative
JONATHAN
My father comes: retire, my friend, while I
With peaceful accents try to calm his rage.
(Exit David)
Scene 3
(Saul and Jonathan)
48. Recitative
SAUL
Hast thou obey'd my orders, and destroy'd
My mortal enemy, the son of Jesse?
JONATHAN
Alas, my father! He your enemy?
Say, rather, he has done important service
To you, and to the nation;
Hazarded his life for both,
and slain our giant foe,
Whose presence made
the boldest of us tremble.
49. Air
JONATHAN
Sin not, O king, against the youth,
Who ne'er offended you:
Think, to his loyalty and truth,
What great rewards are due!
Think with what joy this godlike man
You saw, that glorious day!
Think, and with ruin, if you can,
Such services repay.
50. Air
SAUL
As great Jehovah lives, I swear,
The youth shall not be slain:
Bid him return, and void of fear
Adorn our court again.
51. Air
JONATHAN
From cities stormed, and battles won,
What glory can accrue?
By this the hero best is known,
He can himself subdue.
Wisest and greatest of his kind,
Who can in reason's fetters bind
The madness of his angry mind!
Scene 4
52. Recitative
JONATHAN
Appear, my friend.
(Enter David)
SAUL
No more imagine danger:
Be first in our esteem; with wonted valour
Repel the insults of the Philistines:
And as a proof of my sincerity,
(aside)
Oh, hardness to dissemble!
(To David)
Instantly espouse my daughter Michal.
53. Air
DAVID
Your words, O king, my loyal heart
With double ardour fire:
If God his usual aid impart,
Your foes shall feel what you inspire.
In all the dangers of the field,
The great Jehovah is my shield.
(Exeunt David and Jonathan)
54. Recitative
SAUL
Yes, he shall wed my daughter!
But how long Shall he enjoy her?
He shall lead my armies!
But have the Philistines no darts, no swords,
To pierce the heart of David?
Yes, this once
To them I leave him; they shall do me right!
Scene 5
(David and Michal)
55. Recitative
MICHAL
A father's will has authorized my love
No longer, Michal, then attempt to hide
The secret of my soul. I love thee, David,
And long have loved. Thy virtue was the cause;
And that be my defence.
56. Duet
MICHAL
O fairest of ten thousand fair,
Yet for thy virtue more admir'd!
Thy words and actions all declare
The wisdom by thy God inspir'd.
DAVID
O lovely maid! Thy form beheld,
Above all beauty charms our eyes:
Yet still within thy form conceal'd,
Thy mind, a greater beauty, lies.
BOTH
How well in thee does Heav'n at last
Compensate all my sorrows past.
(Exeunt)
57. CHORUS
Is there a man, who all his ways,
Directs, his God alone to please?
In vain his foes against him move:
Superior pow'r their hate disarms;
He makes them yield to virtue's charms,
And melts their fury down to love.
58. Symphony
Scene 6
(David and Michal)
59. Recitative
DAVID
Thy father is as cruel, and as false,
As thou art kind and true.
When I approach'd him, Elissa
New from the slaughter of his enemies,
His eyes with fury flam'd, his arms he rais'd,
With rage grown stronger;
By my guiltless head
The javelin whizzing flew, and in the wall
Mock'd once again his impotence of malice.
60. Duet
DAVID
At persecution I can laugh;
No fear my soul can move,
In God's protection safe,
And blest in Michal's love.
MICHAL
Ah, dearest youth, for thee I fear!
Fly, begone, for death is near!
DAVID
Fear not, lovely fair, for me:
Death, where thou art, cannot be;
Smile, and danger is no more.
MICHAL
Fly, or death is at the door!
See, the murd'rous band comes on!
Stay no longer, fly, begone!
Scene 7
(Michal and Doeg)
61. Recitative
MICHAL
Whom dost thou seek?
And who hast sent thee hither?
DOEG
I seek for David, and am sent by Saul.
MICHAL
Thy errand?
DOEG
'Tis a summons to the Court.
MICHAL
Say he is sick.
DOEG
In sickness or in health,
Alive or dead, he must be brought to Saul;
Show me his chamber.
(David's bed discovered with an image in it)
Do you mock the king?
This disappointment will enrage him more:
Then tremble for th'event.
(Exit)
62. Air
MICHAL
No, no, let the guilty tremble
At ev'ry thought of danger near.
Though numbers, armed with death, assemble,
My innocence disdains to fear.
Though great their power as their spite,
Undaunted still, my soul, remain:
For greater is Jehovah's might,
And will their lawless force restrain.
Scene 8
63. Recitative
MERAB
Mean as he was, he is my brother now,
My sister's husband; and to speak the truth,
Has qualities which justice bids me love,
And pity his distress.
My father's cruelty
Strikes me with horror!
At th'approaching feast
I fear some dire event, unless my brother,
His friend, the faithful Jonathan, avert
Th'impending ruin.
I know he'll do his best.
64. Air
MERAB
Author of peace, who canst control
Every passion of the soul;
To whose good spirit alone we owe
Words that sweet as honey flow:
With thy dear influence his tongue be fill'd,
And cruel wrath to soft persuasion yield.
Scene 9
(Saul at the Feast of the New Moon)
65. Symphony
66. Accompagnato
SAUL
The time at length is come when I shall take
My full revenge on Jesses's son.
No longer shall the stripling make
His sov'reign totter on the throne.
He dies -- this blaster of my fame,
Bane of my peace, and author of my shame!
Scene 10
(Saul and Jonathan)
67. Recitative
SAUL
Where is the son of Jesse? Comes he no
To grace our feast?
JONATHAN
He earnestly ask'd leave
To go to Bethlem, where his father's house,
At solemn rites of annual sacrifice,
Requir'd his presence.
SAUL
O perverse, rebellious!
Thinkst thou I do not know that thou hast chose
The son of Jesse to thy own confusion?
The world will say thou art no son of mine,
Who thus canst love the man I hate; the man
Who, if he lives, will rob thee of thy crown:
Send, fetch him thither; for the wretch must die.
JONATHAN
What has he done? And wherefore must he die?
SAUL
Darest thou oppose my will?
Die then thyself!
(He throws the javelin. Exit Jonathan, then Saul)
68. CHORUS
Oh, fatal consequence
Of rage, by reason uncontroll'd!
With every law he can dispense;
No ties the furious monster hold:
From crime to crime he blindly goes,
Nor end, but with his own destruction knows.
ACT TWO
Scene 1
42. CHORUS
Envy, eldest born of hell,
Cease in human breasts to dwell,
Ever at all good repining,
Still the happy undermining!
God and man by thee infested,
Thou by God and man detested,
Most thyself thou dost torment,
At once the crime and punishment!
Hide thee in the blackest night:
Virtue sickens at thy sight!
Hence, eldest born of hell,
Cease in human breasts to dwell,
Scene 2
(Jonathan and David)
43. Recitative
JONATHAN
Ah, dearest friend, undone by too much virtue!
Think you, an evil spirit was the cause
Of all my father's rage? It was, indeed,
A spirit of envy, and of mortal hate.
He has resolv'd your death; and sternly charg'
His whole retinue, me especially,
To execute his vengeance.
44. Air
JONATHAN
But sooner Jordan's stream, I swear,
Back to his spring shall swiftly roll,
Than I consent to hurt a hair
Of thee, thou darling of my soul.
45. Recitative
DAVID
Oh, strange vicissitude! But yesterday
He thought me worthy of his daughter's love;
Today he seeks my life.
JONATHAN
My sister Merab, by his own gift thy right,
He hath bestow'd on Adriel.
DAVID
Oh, my prince, would that were all!
It would not grieve me much:
the scornful maid
Didst thou observe?)
with such disdainful pride
Receiv'd the king's command!
But lovely Michal,
As mild as she is fair, outstrips all praise.
46. Air
DAVID
Such haughty beauties rather move
Aversion, than engage our love.
They can only our cares beguile,
Who gently speak,
and sweetly smile.
If virtue in that dress appear,
Who, that sees, can love forbear?
Such beauties... (da capo.)
47. Recitative
JONATHAN
My father comes: retire, my friend, while I
With peaceful accents try to calm his rage.
(Exit David)
Scene 3
(Saul and Jonathan)
48. Recitative
SAUL
Hast thou obey'd my orders, and destroy'd
My mortal enemy, the son of Jesse?
JONATHAN
Alas, my father! He your enemy?
Say, rather, he has done important service
To you, and to the nation;
Hazarded his life for both,
and slain our giant foe,
Whose presence made
the boldest of us tremble.
49. Air
JONATHAN
Sin not, O king, against the youth,
Who ne'er offended you:
Think, to his loyalty and truth,
What great rewards are due!
Think with what joy this godlike man
You saw, that glorious day!
Think, and with ruin, if you can,
Such services repay.
50. Air
SAUL
As great Jehovah lives, I swear,
The youth shall not be slain:
Bid him return, and void of fear
Adorn our court again.
51. Air
JONATHAN
From cities stormed, and battles won,
What glory can accrue?
By this the hero best is known,
He can himself subdue.
Wisest and greatest of his kind,
Who can in reason's fetters bind
The madness of his angry mind!
Scene 4
52. Recitative
JONATHAN
Appear, my friend.
(Enter David)
SAUL
No more imagine danger:
Be first in our esteem; with wonted valour
Repel the insults of the Philistines:
And as a proof of my sincerity,
(aside)
Oh, hardness to dissemble!
(To David)
Instantly espouse my daughter Michal.
53. Air
DAVID
Your words, O king, my loyal heart
With double ardour fire:
If God his usual aid impart,
Your foes shall feel what you inspire.
In all the dangers of the field,
The great Jehovah is my shield.
(Exeunt David and Jonathan)
54. Recitative
SAUL
Yes, he shall wed my daughter!
But how long Shall he enjoy her?
He shall lead my armies!
But have the Philistines no darts, no swords,
To pierce the heart of David?
Yes, this once
To them I leave him; they shall do me right!
Scene 5
(David and Michal)
55. Recitative
MICHAL
A father's will has authorized my love
No longer, Michal, then attempt to hide
The secret of my soul. I love thee, David,
And long have loved. Thy virtue was the cause;
And that be my defence.
56. Duet
MICHAL
O fairest of ten thousand fair,
Yet for thy virtue more admir'd!
Thy words and actions all declare
The wisdom by thy God inspir'd.
DAVID
O lovely maid! Thy form beheld,
Above all beauty charms our eyes:
Yet still within thy form conceal'd,
Thy mind, a greater beauty, lies.
BOTH
How well in thee does Heav'n at last
Compensate all my sorrows past.
(Exeunt)
57. CHORUS
Is there a man, who all his ways,
Directs, his God alone to please?
In vain his foes against him move:
Superior pow'r their hate disarms;
He makes them yield to virtue's charms,
And melts their fury down to love.
58. Symphony
Scene 6
(David and Michal)
59. Recitative
DAVID
Thy father is as cruel, and as false,
As thou art kind and true.
When I approach'd him, Elissa
New from the slaughter of his enemies,
His eyes with fury flam'd, his arms he rais'd,
With rage grown stronger;
By my guiltless head
The javelin whizzing flew, and in the wall
Mock'd once again his impotence of malice.
60. Duet
DAVID
At persecution I can laugh;
No fear my soul can move,
In God's protection safe,
And blest in Michal's love.
MICHAL
Ah, dearest youth, for thee I fear!
Fly, begone, for death is near!
DAVID
Fear not, lovely fair, for me:
Death, where thou art, cannot be;
Smile, and danger is no more.
MICHAL
Fly, or death is at the door!
See, the murd'rous band comes on!
Stay no longer, fly, begone!
Scene 7
(Michal and Doeg)
61. Recitative
MICHAL
Whom dost thou seek?
And who hast sent thee hither?
DOEG
I seek for David, and am sent by Saul.
MICHAL
Thy errand?
DOEG
'Tis a summons to the Court.
MICHAL
Say he is sick.
DOEG
In sickness or in health,
Alive or dead, he must be brought to Saul;
Show me his chamber.
(David's bed discovered with an image in it)
Do you mock the king?
This disappointment will enrage him more:
Then tremble for th'event.
(Exit)
62. Air
MICHAL
No, no, let the guilty tremble
At ev'ry thought of danger near.
Though numbers, armed with death, assemble,
My innocence disdains to fear.
Though great their power as their spite,
Undaunted still, my soul, remain:
For greater is Jehovah's might,
And will their lawless force restrain.
Scene 8
63. Recitative
MERAB
Mean as he was, he is my brother now,
My sister's husband; and to speak the truth,
Has qualities which justice bids me love,
And pity his distress.
My father's cruelty
Strikes me with horror!
At th'approaching feast
I fear some dire event, unless my brother,
His friend, the faithful Jonathan, avert
Th'impending ruin.
I know he'll do his best.
64. Air
MERAB
Author of peace, who canst control
Every passion of the soul;
To whose good spirit alone we owe
Words that sweet as honey flow:
With thy dear influence his tongue be fill'd,
And cruel wrath to soft persuasion yield.
Scene 9
(Saul at the Feast of the New Moon)
65. Symphony
66. Accompagnato
SAUL
The time at length is come when I shall take
My full revenge on Jesses's son.
No longer shall the stripling make
His sov'reign totter on the throne.
He dies -- this blaster of my fame,
Bane of my peace, and author of my shame!
Scene 10
(Saul and Jonathan)
67. Recitative
SAUL
Where is the son of Jesse? Comes he no
To grace our feast?
JONATHAN
He earnestly ask'd leave
To go to Bethlem, where his father's house,
At solemn rites of annual sacrifice,
Requir'd his presence.
SAUL
O perverse, rebellious!
Thinkst thou I do not know that thou hast chose
The son of Jesse to thy own confusion?
The world will say thou art no son of mine,
Who thus canst love the man I hate; the man
Who, if he lives, will rob thee of thy crown:
Send, fetch him thither; for the wretch must die.
JONATHAN
What has he done? And wherefore must he die?
SAUL
Darest thou oppose my will?
Die then thyself!
(He throws the javelin. Exit Jonathan, then Saul)
68. CHORUS
Oh, fatal consequence
Of rage, by reason uncontroll'd!
With every law he can dispense;
No ties the furious monster hold:
From crime to crime he blindly goes,
Nor end, but with his own destruction knows.
最終更新：2013年02月23日 09:34
