CHANDOS

CHAN 3119 BOOK.qxd 20/9/06 12:00 pm Page 86Where will you find one true unto death andconstant forever?Chosen for you alone, chosen by Heaven.Senta (carried away by a sudden inspiration, andspringing up from the chair)I’ll be the one who by her love will save you!God’s angel hosts will help you find me!Through me then, you shall find salvation!Mary and Girls (jumping up, terrified)God help us! Senta! Senta!Erik (who has come through the door andoverheard Senta’s outcry)Senta! Senta! Do you want to kill me?GirlsHelp, Erik, help! She’s lost her senses!MaryMy blood runs cold to hear this madness!Destroy that wretched picture now.Wait till her father’s in the house.Erik (sadly)Her father’s here.Senta (who has remained still and absorbed,springs up as if awaking)My father’s here?ErikI saw his ship across the bay.Girls (joyfully)They’re home at last! They’re home at last!2Mary (bustling around )Now look how idle we’ll appear;we’ve hardly done a stroke all day!GirlsNo time to waste!Mary (calling the girls together)Stop! And no one leave their place!Now follow my precise directions!GirlsI have so many burning questions!MaryTo the kitchen and the cellar first!GirlsThat I must ask before I burst!MaryAnd hold your tongues, that’s my suggestion;Till they’ve had food and quenched their thirst!I think you’d better feed them first!GirlsAll right! We’ll see to their digestion,but pleasure’s last and duty’s first!(Mary drives the girls out and follows them.)No. 5: Duet(Senta also wants to leave but Erik restrains her.)ErikStay, Senta! Stay awhile and talk with me;and set me free from all my pain!Or will you tear out my living heart!Senta (lingering)What’s real? What now?ErikOh, Senta, say, what’s to become of me?Your father’s here, before he leaves againhe needs to realise one of his ambitions.SentaWhat can you mean?ErikHe wants you married safely!My heart is yours till death divides us;my worldly goods, my steady hand,what wealth my hunter’s skill provides us;these would not suit your father’s plan!Then, if my heart is torn in two,speak, Senta, will your heart be true?SentaAh! Erik, that’s enough!Father is here, he’ll count on me to meet him.He won’t forgive a duty not fulfilled,if I’m not there to greet him.ErikYou leave me now?SentaHe’s there, I know.ErikIs this the end?SentaAh, let me go!ErikDo you not see the wounds you gave me?Can you ignore a heart in pain?Ah, hear me, Senta, you alone can save me.Answer my question once again.When this, my heart, is torn in two,speak, Senta, will your heart be true?Who’ll speak for me, will it be you?Senta (despairingly)What! Can you doubt my true affection?And question if my love is real?Why must you wallow in affliction?Or is this jealousy you feel?ErikYour father sees the riches you will gain.And, Senta, you, how could I ever trust you?When all my prayers have gone without an answer,day after day, my heart is torn.SentaYour heart?ErikYou know the reason… It’s that face!SentaThat face?ErikWill you forget this childish dream of love?8687