The Project Gutenberg EBook of Le Coq D'Or (The Golden Cock), by
N. (Nikolay) Rimsky-Korsakov
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Title: Le Coq D'Or (The Golden Cock)
An Opera in Three Acts
Author: N. (Nikolay) Rimsky-Korsakov
Release Date: August 24, 2017 [EBook #55423]
Language: English
Character set encoding: UTF-8
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE COQ D'OR (THE GOLDEN COCK) ***
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AN OPERA
IN THREE ACTS BY
N. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
COPYRIGHTED, 1918, BY FRED RULLMAN, INC.
PUBLISHED BY
FRED RULLMAN, Inc.
AT THE
THEATRE TICKET OFFICE. 111 BROADWAY
NEW YORK
This book contains the text of the opera both in French and in English. The original presented the two languages on alternating pages. This is impractical to reproduce in an e-text. Instead, the acts alternate: Act 1 in French, then in English, followed by Act 2, etc.
It seems obvious from the number of errors in the original text that it was not checked by a fluent French speaker before publication. Accents and punctuation have been corrected without note. A fuller list of changes made appears at the end of this text.
King Dodon, a lazy and gluttonous ruler, is greatly worried by his warlike neighbors. He seeks advice but his various advisers fail to comfort him. Finally the Astrologer brings him a wonderful bird, the Golden Cock, who knows how to foretell events. The bird is placed on a spire in Dodon’s capital and from hour to hour sends out from his high perch various messages which either send the crowd scurrying for their weapons, or cause it to scatter and return to its peaceful activities. The bird suddenly sounds a war alarm. Dodon assembles his warriors and they set out on their journey to the enemy’s land.
King Dodon’s army fares rather badly in an encounter with its foe. In the uncertain light of early morning his warriors retreat into a deep gorge where the ground is piled high with the bodies of the dead. Suddenly Dodon and his generals descry a tent. It must be the headquarters of the enemy’s chief.
They prepare the onslaught when suddenly there comes out of the tent a beautiful young woman who sings a bold hymn to the sun in which she dilates complacently upon her own physical beauty. Dodon and his general, Polkan, are at once attracted and listen with pleasure while she tells them that she intends to conquer Dodon’s capital. Her task is only too easy. Dodon is ready and willing to give her anything she may desire, even Polkan’s head.
Dodon and the strange Queen start for Dodon’s capital: he will make her his bride. Their honeymoon is not unmixed bliss; the young Queen compels her old husband to amuse her in ways which are not always as dignified as would beseem Dodon’s position.
They quarrel. The Astrologer appears once more on the scene. He reminds the King of his promise to give him anything he wishes in exchange for the marvelous bird. The Queen herself is the price he demands. Dodon, indignant, strikes him with his scepter and he apparently falls dead. Then the bird flies down from the spire, pecks Dodon on the head and kills him. The Astrologer then resuscitates, informs the audience that the whole story is a fable, and that only he and the Queen are real human beings.
LE COQ D’OR
(Devant le rideau apparaît L’Astrologue, une clef à la main.)
L’Astrologue
(au public).
(Il disparaît.)
(Avant le lever du rideau, on pressent qu’il va se passer quelque chose de grave et de solennel. En effet, on voit une vaste salle, dans le palais du Roi Dodôn, qui fut jadis maître de tous les steppes de la Russie méridionale. Le conseil royal est en séance. La salle est richement ornée de peintures, de sculptures, de dorures. Le vert, le bleu, le jaune, couleurs favorites des sujets du Roi Dodôn, prédominant, sur des bancs recouverts de brocart, siègent des seigneurs graves et barbas. Au milieu, sur un trône richement orné de plumes de paon, est Dodôn, couronne en tête et vêtu d’un habit d’apparat, jaune. Près de lui sont assis ses deux fils, Aphrôn et Gvidôn. Parmi les conseillers le général Polkan, vieux soldat brutal.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(qui paraît accablé de soucis).
(Avec désespoir.)
Un Seigneur
(avec hésitation).
Seconde Seigneur.
Gvidôn.
Tous.
(La querelle devient acharnée. Le Roi reste assis, pensif. A ce moment apparaît sur l’escalier un vieil Astrologue. Il porte un habit bleu, brodé d’étoiles d’or, et un bonnet d’astrakan blanc. Sous son bras il tient un astrolabe et un sac bigarré. Tous, silencieux, le regardent. Il s’approche du Roi, à pas comptés, et salue jusqu’à terre. Puis il s’agenouille.)
L’Astrologue
(à genoux).
Le Roi Dodôn
(un peu incrédule).
(Tous entourent avec curiosité L’Astrologue, qui tire de son sac un petit Coq D’Or. Le Coq se débat entre ses mains et crie.)
La Voix du Coq.
(Tous s’écrient avec étonnement.)
Les Seigneurs.
Le Roi Dodôn
(À la foule, gaîment.)
(Aux domestiques.)
(À L’Astrologue.)
(Solennellement.)
L’Astrologue.
(L’Astrologue salue jusqu’à terre, et se dirige vers la sortie.)
La Voix du Coq
(du haut de la flèche).
Le Roi Dodôn
(prête l’oreille, et se promène gaîment,
en se frottant les mains d’aise).
(L’intendante Amelfa paraît à la porte des chambres du fond.—S’étirant au soleil.)
(Indécis.)
Amelfa
(empressée et avec une infinie
sollicitude).
(Sur un signe d’elle, les serviteurs se précipitent dans le palais et reparaissent, portant un grand lit d’ivoire, couvert de fourrures; ils le dressent au soleil. Amelfa s’approche de Dodôn; elle apporte un grand plateau chargé de sucreries.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(bâille et s’installe à portée du
plateau.)
(Le Roi a fini sa collation, et regarde du côté du lit. Amelfa arrange les oreillers et rabat les couvertures.)
Amelfa.
La Voix du Coq.
(Dodôn ne plut plus résister au sommeil. Il se couche et s’endort sans plus, avec autant d’insouciance qu’un enfant. L’intendante, penchée au dessus du lit, chasse les mouches.)
Des Gardiens
(dans les coulisses).
(Les Gardiens, font l’appel, d’une voix somnolente, mais bientôt ils succombent à la douceur enchanteresse du sommeil de midi. Tous dorment profondement, sauf Amelfa. La capitale entière est possible. Seules les mouches infatigables bourdonnent autour du lit royal, que le soleil continue d’éclairer d’une lumière égale et douce.)
Amelfa.
(Elle s’accoude au lit du Roi et s’endort à son tour. Dodôn, dans son rêve, sourit comme à une belle inconnue.)
La Voix du Coq.
(Trompettes dans la coulisse.—Bruit. Des gens courent. Des trompettes sonnent de divers côtés. Des chevaux henissent. La foule se précipite autour du palais. Sur les visages interloqués se lit une terreur profonde.)
La Foule
(dans la rue).
Polkan
(accourant).
(Amelfa va se cacher précipitamment.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(encore à moitié endormi).
Polkan.
Le Roi Dodôn
(se lève en bâillant).
Polkan.
La Voix du Coq.
(Dodôn regarde le Coq.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(au peuple).
Le Peuple
(docilement).
(Dodôn s’assied sur son trône. Des chambres intérieures du palais sortent précipitamment Aphrôn et les Seigneurs, tous armés. Gvidôn arrive et, tout en courant, boucle le ceinturon de son épée.—Il embrasse trois fois chacun de ses fils, qui partent, maussades, suivis des Seigneurs.—On entend le bruit de l’armée qui s’ébranle.)
La Voix du Coq
(lorsque tout s’est calmé on entend
la voix du Coq.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
(Le Roi Dodôn, Amelfa, les gardes s’endorment d’un sommeil calme et profond.)
Gardes
(dans la coulisse).
(Le rêve de Dodôn se précise.)
La Voix du Coq.
(De nouveau s’entendent des cris, des pas précipités. Des trompettes sonnent. La foule, en grand désordre, se rassemble dans la rue, devant le palais. Trompettes dans la coulisse.)
Le Peuple
(dans la rue).
(Ils restent tous indécis, n’osant réveiller le roi.—Trompettes dans la coulisse.)
Polkan
(se précipite, suivi de seigneurs en
armes. Amelfa va se cacher
précipitamment.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(réveillé en sursaut).
Polkan.
Le Roi Dodôn
(se frotte les yeux et bâille).
(Il s’approche de la balustrade et regarde en l’air.)
La Voix du Coq.
Le Roi Dodôn
(d’un ton plaintif).
(Il se prépare sans empressement; les domestiques apportent en hâte son équipement couvert de poussière et de rouille. Amelfa regarde le Roi avec tristesse.)
La Voix du Coq.
Le Roi Dodôn
(examinant son bouclier).
(Il est prêt à partir.)
(soufflant.)
La Voix du Coq.
(De nombreux domestiques, soutenant Dodôn par les aisselles, lui font descendre l’escalier, au bas duquel l’attend un cheval blanc. Le peuple pénètre graduellement dans le palais.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(menace du doigt le Coq).
(Sur l’escalier.)
Deuxième Seigneur.
Le Roi Dodôn.
Amelfa
(d’une voix désespérée).
Le Roi Dodôn.
(à Polkan.)
La Voix du Coq.
Polkan.
Le Roi Dodôn.
Amelfa.
(Dodôn est à cheval.)
Le Peuple
(à tue-tête).
RIDEAU.
THE GOLDEN COCK
(The Astrologer appears before the curtain with a magic key in his hand.)
The Astrologer
(to the audience).
I am a magician. By the occult sciences I am endowed with the extraordinary gift of evoking the shades, and in dead bodies breathing an enchanted life. Here before you will live again the droll masks of an old fairy tale. The tale’s not true, but there’s a hint in it; a lesson to all of you, good people.
(Disappears.)
(Before the curtain rises there is a feeling that something extraordinarily important and solemn is to be presented. And in fact one sees a vast hall in the palace of the famous King Dodon during the sitting of the Council of Boyars. The hall is richly ornamented with Russian carving, gilded and painted, by which it is clearly evident that green, blue, and yellow are the favorite colors of King Dodon’s people. On benches covered with brocade, the Boyars are seated in a semicircle,—grave and bearded men. Upon a throne in the middle, magnificently decorated with peacock feathers, is seated King Dodon himself, wearing a golden crown and in royal vestments of yellow. On either side of him are the impatient Princes—his sons Afron and Guidon. Amongst the Boyars is the old and rude Voevoda[1] Polkan.)
[1] Voevoda—a head of the army.
King Dodon
(appears overwhelmed with cares).
One Boyar
(hesitatingly).
Second Boyar.
Guidon.
Chorus of Boyars.
(The dispute becomes more violent. The King is in a state of indecision. At this moment the very old Astrologer appears on the stairway, in a white hat and blue garment with gold stars. Under his arms he carries an astrolabe and bag. All follow the movements of the Astrologer in silence, who, with the short steps of an old man, approaches The King and bows low before him.)
The Astrologer
(on his knees).
King Dodon
(still unbelieving).
(They all surround The Astrologer, full of curiosity. The Astrologer takes out of his bag the cleverly-made Golden Cock, who flaps his wings and crows.)
Voice of the Bird.
(Exclamations of delight.)
The Princes and the Boyars.
King Dodon
(with joy, to all).
(To the servants.)
(To The Astrologer.)
The Astrologer.
(The Astrologer bows to the earth and goes towards the entrance.)
Voice of the Bird
(from the spire).
(Dodon walking up and down, rubbing his hands together joyfully.)
King Dodon.
(The housekeeper Amelfa appears, standing on the threshold of a door leading to the inner apartments.)
(Stretching himself out in the sun.)
(Looking about hesitatingly.)
Amelfa
(clasping her hands in boundless
devotion).
(At a sign from her the servants rush to the palace and carry out into the sun a bed of ivory with fur coverings. Amelfa herself comes to him with a large tray filled with delicacies.)
(Dodon, yawning, sits down before the dishes.)
King Dodon.
(Having finished the delicacies, he glances at the bed. Amelfa shakes up the pillow and arranges the bed.)
Voice of the Bird.
(Dodon lies down, and instantly goes to sleep, as free from care as a child. Amelfa drives away the flies, bending over the bed. At first the guards sleepily call out to one another the words: “Reign, lying at ease.” Then the sweet charm of the mid-day nap overcomes them. All except Amelfa indulge in a long, sweet sleep. Silence reigns throughout the capital. The indefatigable flies alone buzz about Dodon, and the everlasting sun shines as before with his steady and welcome light.)
Amelfa.
(She leans her elbows on the royal bed, and falls asleep beside Dodon, who smiles in his sleep, dreaming of some wonderful beauty who never existed.)
Voice of the Bird.
(Uproar, and running to and fro. Horses neigh. Sound of trumpets—sometimes here, sometimes there. People appear on the street. Terrible fear is depicted upon their pitiful faces.)
People on the Street.
Polkan
(running in).
(The Housekeeper jumps up and hurriedly disappears.)
King Dodon
(not quite awake).
Polkan.
King Dodon
(getting up and yawning).
Polkan.
Voice of the Bird.
(His own eyes assure Dodon of the restlessness of the bird.)
King Dodon
(to the people).
People on the Street
(abasing themselves).
(Dodon sits on his throne. Afron and the Boyars rush in, armed. Guidon runs in, buckling his sword belt. Dodon kisses each of his sons thrice. The sons, much cast down, go out with The Boyars. The noise of the departing army is heard; then all is silent.)
Voice of the Bird.
King Dodon
(yawning).
(Dodon falls asleep; also Amelfa and the Guards. His dreams about the wonderful beauty become more definite and insistent.)
Voice of the Bird.
(Again noise and running to and fro. Trumpets. A terrified crowd of people assemble at the Palace, not daring to awake Dodon.)
People on the Street.
(Polkan rushes in with armed Boyars. Amelfa runs away.)
Polkan.
King Dodon
(leaping from the bed).
Polkan.
King Dodon
(rubbing his eyes and yawning).
(Goes to the balustrade and looks up at the roof.)
Voice of the Bird.
King Dodon
(plaintively).
(He gets ready without any animation.)
(The servants quickly fetch the dusty and rusty arms and invest Dodon.)
(They fetch the shield.)
Voice of the Bird.
Dodon
(examining his shield.)
(Entirely armed.)
(panting.)
Voice of the Bird.
(A crowd of servants take him under the arms and carry him to the staircase, where his white horse awaits him. The people little by little penetrate into the palace.)
Dodon
(pointing his finger threateningly at
the bird.)
The Boyars.
King Dodon.
Amelfa
(in despair).
King Dodon
(seating himself on the horse).
(To Polkan.)
Voice of the Bird.
Polkan.
King Dodon.
Amelfa.
(Dodon mounts his horse.)
People
(exclaiming).
CURTAIN.
(Nuit obscure. Les troubles rayons de la lune éclairent de lueurs sanglantes un défilé étroit, parsemé de petits buissons, et les roches escarpées. Le brouillard de montagne remplit toutes les cavités d’un voile blanc. Parmi les buissons ou sur les pentes nues des collines, gisent les cadavres des guerriers: on les dirait pétrifiés au milieu de leur dernière bataille. Des aigles et d’autres rapaces, en bandes, se sont abattus sur les corps; à chaque coup de vent, ils s’envolent, effarés. Deux chevaux se tiennent immobiles, la tête inclinée sur les cadavres de leurs maîtres, les fils de Dodôn. Tout est calme, silencieux et menaçant.)
(On entend au loin un bruit de pas. C’est l’armée de Dodôn qui avance, craintivement. Des guerriers paraissent, suivant le défilé. Ils vont deux par deux, s’arrêtent, se retournent.)
Les Soldats.
(Le Roi Dodôn, tourmenté par de sombres pensées, arrive au pas avec son vieux général. Ils trébuchent contre les corps des deux princes.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(se précipitant sur les corps de ses
fils).
Chœur
(tous sanglotent).
Le Roi Dodôn
(plaintivement).
(Il pleure de nouveau.)
Polkan
(à Dodôn).
(Il se tourne vers l’armée.)
Chœur.
(Rien ne répond. Le jour commence à poindre. Le brouillard se disperse graduellement, et l’on aperçoit, sortant de terre une tente. Les rayons de l’aurore se jouent sur les arabesques de ses parois de brocart bigarré.—Consternation générale.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
(Les premiers rayons du soleil paraissent; on voit remuer les parois de la tente.)
(Les canonniers s’enfuient en débandade, abandonnant leur pièce.)
(De la tente sort une belle jeune femme à la démarche legère, mais majestueuse. Elle est suivie de quatre esclaves qui portent des instruments de musique: goussli (psalterions), goudok (viole), chalumeau et tambour. Sa longue robe de soie rouge est richement brodée d’or. Elle porte un turban blanc, orné d’une haute plume. Elle paraît ne rien voir, et, les bras levés comme pour la prière, chante en s’adressant au soleil qui brille.)
La Reine de Chémakha.
(Ayant fini de chanter, elle se retourne vers le roi, et le regarde longtemps sans rien dire.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(à voix basse, et poussant Polkan
du coude.)
Polkan
(de même).
(Dodôn s’approche gravement de la reine. Polkan le suit. Les autres n’osent point s’approcher.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
La Reine de Chémakha
(timide, et les yeux baissés).
Le Roi Dodôn
(avec stupéfaction).
La Reine de Chémakha
(toujours avec timidité).
(Elle frappe dans ses mains. De la tente sortent deux esclaves qui portent des vaisseaux d’argent, et remplissent de vin des coupes.)
(Elle s’incline et offre une coupe pleine au Roi Dodôn, qui recule avec méfiance.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
La Reine de Chémakha.
(Elle lève les yeux, en souriant. Dodôn, troublé, boit, et Polkan suit son exemple. Les esclaves reviennent; elles étendent un tapis au milieu de la scène, et disposent autour trois coussins en guise de sièges. Sur un signe de Polkan, les soldats, au fond de la scène, s’installent commodément. On enlève les cadavres. Dodôn, Polkan et la reine s’assoient. Les deux hommes sont tout décontenancés. La reine a un sourire énigmatique.)
Polkan
(reprenant courage, et se penchant
brusquement vers la reine, avec
l’intention d’être aimable).
La Reine.
Polkan
(jovial).
La Reine
(bondissant de son siège).
(Polkan paraît déconcerté.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
(Polkan se lève, docile, et va derrière la tente, d’où à chaque moment il sort un peu son nez et sa longue barbe. La reine rapproche son coussin de celui de Dodôn.)
La Reine
(presque à l’oreille de Dodôn).
Le Roi Dodôn
(plus décontenancé que jamais).
La Reine.
(Elle regarde Dodôn bien dans les yeux.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(bégayant).
La Reine.
(Comme éprise d’elle même, et avec une animation croissante.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(avec effort).
La Reine.
(Fait silence.)
(D’un coup d’œil elle ordonne aux esclaves d’accompagner son chant.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
La Reine.
(À travers ses larmes.)
(Encore comme en rêve.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(solennel).
La Reine
(abasourdie).
(D’un ton gai.)
(Dans l’excès de sa joie, elle saisit les deux mains de Dodôn.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(effrayé).
La Reine.
Le Roi Dodôn
(fâché).
La Reine.
(Polkan avance la tête, mais n’ose point bouger de sa cachette.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(conciliateur).
La Reine.
(Timidement, Polkan et les guerriers s’approchent du tapis et forment le cercle; ils s’efforcent de ne point regarder Dodôn. Les esclaves entament un air de danse lente. Un tambourin à la main, la reine avance, gracieuse et légère.)
La Reine
(Elle danse).
(Dodôn danse selon ces indications et arrive auprès de la reine.)
(Dodôn danse de nouveau.—Se fâchant.)
(La danse devient plus animée.)
(Dodôn, agitant les bras avec désespoir, commence une danse frénétique. La reine s’est assise à un bout du tapis; elle rit aux éclats en voyant les pirouettes de Dodôn.—De petits nègres sortent de la tente et se rangent autour de Dodôn.—Exténué, Dodôn se laisse tomber sur le tapis. Les musiciens cessent de jouer. Les petits nègres s’enfuient.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(se dressant sur les genoux).
(Debout.)
La Reine
(avec dédain).
Le Roi Dodôn.
La Reine.
(De la tente sortent des esclaves qui portent des miroirs, des éventails, des bijoux, des tapis. Ils aident la reine à se préparer pour le voyage. Dans le camp de Dodôn, même agitation.)
Le Roi Dodôn.
La Reine
(se plaçant à côté de Dodôn).
Les Esclaves de la Reine.
Le Roi Dodôn
(ne se contenant plus).
(Fanfares; les soldats crient. Le cortège s’ébranle.)
Les Soldats.
RIDEAU.
(A dark night. A dim moon casts a ruddy glow over a narrow gorge covered with small bushes and hemmed in by cliffs. The mountain mist, slightly stirred by the wind, fills all the hollows with a milky shroud. In the midst of the bushes, and on the bare hillocks, wherever one looks, lie in heaps the bodies of dead warriors killed in battle. Eagles and other birds of prey sit on the corpses in flocks, flying away in fright at every gust of wind. Two horses stand motionless with heads lowered over the bodies of their masters. All is quiet, silent, and ominous. There is heard in the distance the sound of the unsteady footsteps of the discouraged army of King Dodon. In the gorge, looking about and stopping, the warriors come down in a file, two abreast.)
Warriors.
(Enter, riding their horses at a walk, King Dodon with his old Voevoda, plunged in gloomy thoughts, and stumble against the bodies of both the Princes.)
King Dodon
(throwing himself upon the bodies
of his sons).
(All sob.)
King Dodon
(pitifully).
(Renewed sobbing.)
Polkan
(to Dodon).
(To the army.)
Warriors.
(No answer. It begins to grow light. The mist rises a little, and the outline of a tent is seen. The rosy reflection of the dawn falls upon the bright, many coloured patterns of the brocade flaps of the tent. All are amazed.)
King Dodon.
(The first rays of the rising sun.)
(The flaps of the tent move. The warriors hastily disperse, leaving the cannon. From the tent emerges with an easy but imposing gait a beautiful, bright-eyed woman, accompanied by four female slaves with dulcimer, rebec, reed, and a drum. She wears a long silk garment of raspberry colour, plentifully adorned with pearls and gold. On her head a white turban with a high feather. The beautiful woman, as if she had noticed nothing, turns towards the bright sun, raising her hands to it in prayer.)
Queen of Shemakhan.
(The song being ended The Queen turns towards The King and looks for a long time at him in silence.)
King Dodon
(quietly poking Polkan with his
elbow).
Polkan
(with a wink).
(Dodon gravely goes nearer to the Queen. Polkan follows him. The others remain at a distance, not daring to approach.)
King Dodon.
Queen of Shemakhan
(modestly lowering her eyes).
King Dodon
(in astonishment, almost roughly).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Claps her hands. Two more slaves come out of the tent with silver pitchers and pour wine into goblets.)
(She bows and strikes the face of Dodon who recoils in distrust.)
King Dodon.
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Smilingly she raises her eyelashes. Dodon, in confusion, drinks the wine. Polkan does the same. The slaves who brought the pitchers again appear, spread out a carpet in their midst, and arrange pillows for them to sit on. At a sign given by the Voevoda, the warriors withdraw to a distance, for a prolonged rest and to gather the bodies of the slain. Dodon, Polkan, and The Queen seat themselves. The first two are perplexed and silent. The Queen smiles enigmatically.)
Polkan
(making an effort, suddenly bows to
The Queen, trying to be easy in
manner and agreeable).
Queen of Shemakhan.
Polkan
(with a smile).
(The Queen arises in great emotion.)
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Polkan is put out of countenance.)
King Dodon.
(Polkan gets up hurriedly and goes behind the tent, from where his long beard is seen sticking out from time to time. The Queen moves her pillow close to Dodon.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(almost in Dodon’s ear).
King Dodon
(still more confused by the danger of
propinquity).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Looks straight into Dodon’s eyes.)
King Dodon
(hesitating).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Thoughtfully admiring herself. Becomes more and more carried away.)
King Dodon
(controlling himself).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(With a look commands her slaves to accompany her.)
King Dodon.
Queen of Shemakhan.
(through her tears)
(as in a dream)
King Dodon
(solemnly).
Queen of Shemakhan
(in amazement).
(joyfully)
(Takes Dodon by both hands, who is unutterably happy.)
King Dodon
(in fear).
Queen of Shemakhan.
King Dodon
(gloomily).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Polkan sticks his head out from behind the tent, but dares not to approach.)
King Dodon
(seeks a reconciliation).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Polkan and the Warriors cautiously draw near to the carpet, stand in a circle and try not to look at Dodon. The female slaves begin a measured and graceful dance; The Queen with a tambourine joins in, slowly and light as air.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(dancing).
(Dodon dances as commanded and awkwardly jostles the Queen.)
(Dodon dances again.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(angrily).
(Dance becomes livelier.)
(The Queen sits to one side and laughs continually, amused at Dodon. Dodon waves his hand despairingly and starts the mad dance. Black boys run out from the tent and form a circle around Dodon. His strength exhausted, he falls down on the carpet. The dance ends, and the black boys re-enter the tent.)
King Dodon
(on his knees).
(Gets up.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(disdainfully).
King Dodon.
Queen of Shemakhan.
(Out of the tent there come in an endless file, every time moving apart the flaps of the tent, the slaves of The Queen, carrying looking-glasses, fans, coffers of precious things, pitchers, carpets, etc. They array The Queen. The army also get ready to move.)
King Dodon.
Queen of Shemakhan
(standing beside Dodon).
(To her slaves.)
Slaves.
(They bring in the chariot.)
King Dodon
(beside himself with joy).
(Trumpets, and cries of the army.)
The Soldiers.
CURTAIN.
(Journée chaude et ensoleillée; mais à l’est, un lourd nuage noir avance lentement; l’air est chargé d’orage. De temps en temps arrivent des messagers essoufflés, qui apportent les dernières nouvelles. Ils montent l’escalier et disparaissent à l’intérieur. Tout le monde attend anxieusement l’arrivée du roi.)
Le Peuple.
(Au haut de l’escalier apparaît l’intendante Amelfa; tous se précipitent vers elle.)
Le Peuple
(avec de grands saluts).
Amelfa
(d’une voix saccadée).
Le Peuple.
(Plusieurs assistants s’approchent d’Amelfa et s’efforcent de baiser le bas de sa robe. Elle les repousse.)
Amelfa.
(Pour se défaire d’eux.)
Le Peuple
(sans beaucoup de joie).
Amelfa.
Le Peuple
(avec effroi).
Amelfa
(avec indifférence).
(Sur un ton de menace.)
Le Peuple
(ils se grattent la nuque et sourient
stupidement).
(On entend le son des trompettes.)
Amelfa.
(Les menaçant du doigt, elle rentre dans le palais. Dans la rue commence le cortège triomphal. D’abord, les miliciens du roi, avec des airs importants et fanfarons; puis, la suite de la Reine de Chémakha, bariolée et bizarre, comme sortie d’un conte oriental: certains personnages n’ont qu’un œil, au milieu du front; d’autres ont des cornes, d’autres des têtes de chiens. Géants, nains. Éthiopiens grands et petits, esclaves voilées portant des cassettes et des vaisseaux précieux. Cette pompe insolite dissipe pour un instant l’anxiété du peuple. Tous s’amusent comme des enfants.—Le cortège de la reine.)
(Le Roi et La Reine apparaissent sur leur char doré. Le Roi paraît vieilli. Il a perdu sa prestance majestueuse. Son air est soucieux. Il regarde continuellement, avec tendresse, La Reine. Celle-ci s’est capricieusement tournée de côté et trahit de temps en temps par ses gestes brusques, un énervement caché. La foule se trémousse, saute, tournoie, pousse de joyeuses acclamations.)
Le Peuple.
(Sur le perron d’une des maisons apparaît l’Astrologue, toujours vêtu de sa robe bleue et la tête couverte de son bonnet.—Ayant aperçu l’Astrologue, La Reine l’examine longuement et avec attention.—Le Roi s’apprête à descendre, mais La Reine le retient, et, désignant du doigt l’Astrologue.)
La Reine
(d’un ton inquiet).
(La foule recule devant l’Astrologue et attend, silencieuse. La Reine observe toujours l’Astrologue. Coup de tonnerre lointain.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(joyeux de reconnaître son vieil ami).
(L’Astrologue traverse la foule et s’approche du char royal. Il ne quitte point des yeux La Reine.)
L’Astrologue.
Le Roi Dodôn.
(Les gardes entraînent le vieillard, qui se débat.)
L’Astrologue.
Le Roi Dodôn
(furieux.)
(Il lui applique un coup de sceptre sur la tête. L’Astrologue tombe inanimé et rend l’esprit. Frémissement dans l’assistance. Des nuages voilent le soleil; le tonnerre gronde.)
La Reine
(à part, éclate de rire).
(Dodôn est fort troublé, mais il continue de regarder La Reine en souriant.)
Le Roi Dodôn
(avec une terreur superstitieuse).
La Reine
(sèchement).
Le Roi Dodôn
(tranquillisé et avec ivresse).
(Il veut embrasser La Reine, mais elle le repousse avec fureur et dégoût).
La Reine.
Le Roi Dodôn
(avec un sourire contraint).
La Reine.
(Ils montent l’escalier.)
La Voix du Coq.
Chœur.
(Subitement, Le Coq s’envole de sa flèche et voltige au-dessus de la foule. Tous, épouvantés, agitent les bras pour le chasser.—Le Coq donne un grand coup de bec sur la tête du Roi, qui tombe mort. Épouvante générale: violent coup de tonnerre.—Une obscurité complète se fait pour un moment, durant lequel on entend le rire tranquille de La Reine.)
La Voix de la Reine.
(Quand la nuit s’est dissipée, on ne voit plus La Reine, ni Le Coq.)
Le Peuple
(avec stupéfaction).
(avec espoir.)
(Tristement.)
(Écrasé de douleur, Le Peuple entier entonne une lamentation funèbre.)
(avec un profond désespoir.)
(Ils s’écroulent par terre et sanglotent.)
RIDEAU.
(L’Astrologue, écartant le rideau, se présente.)
L’Astrologue
(aux spectateurs).
(Il salue et disparaît.)
(Stifling heat. Although the sun is shining, a heavy black cloud is creeping from the East and the air is charged with a presentiment of a dreadful thunderstorm. From time to time runners, out of breath, enter, ascend the staircase and disappear within the palace. All await the royal cortege in vague alarm.)
People
(amongst themselves).
(The Royal Housekeeper, Amelfa, appears on the upper steps of the stairway. All rush towards her.)
People
(bowing).
Amelfa
(curtly).
People.
(Many of them run to Amelfa and try to kiss the hem of her dress. She pushes them away.)
Amelfa.
(Wishing to get rid of them.)
People
(without any special joy).
Amelfa.
People
(shuddering).
Amelfa
(indifferently).
(threateningly.)
People
(scratching their heads and stupidly
smiling).
(A sound of trumpets is heard.)
Amelfa.
(Threatening them once again with her finger, Amelfa enters the palace. The triumphant procession begins to pass by. First come the Royal Warriors, on foot and mounted, with faces puffed up with pride. Then the suite of The Queen of Shemakhan, of as many colours and as fantastic as those in Eastern fairy tales. There are giants and dwarfs, people with one eye in the middle of their forehead, people with horns, with heads like a dog, negros and negro boys, female slaves covered with veils carrying coffers and precious plate. The curious splendour of the procession disperses for a time the weight of expectation. All become as gay as children.)
(The golden chariot appears with the King and Queen. The King has aged somewhat, has become restless, has lost his majestic carriage, and all the time looks fondly into the eyes of the haughty Queen. The Queen capriciously turns away, expressing her secret impatient irritation by jerky movements. The People move about, jump, turn somersaults, and shout a joyful welcome.)
People
(shouting).
(Begin to sing.)
(The Astrologer appears in the portico of one of the houses, in the same blue garment and high hat. Having observed the Astrologer, the Queen looks at him long and steadfastly. The King, wishing to descend, is stopped by the Queen, who points out the Astrologer to him.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(uneasily).
(The crowd parts before the Astrologer, and is dumb with expectation. The Queen follows his movements.)
King Dodon
(delighted to see his old acquaintance).
(The Astrologer wends his way through the crowd to the chariot, not taking his eyes off the Queen.)
Astrologer.
King Dodon
(trying to bring The Astrologer to
his senses).
(The guards drag The Astrologer away. He resists.)
Astrologer.
King Dodon
(raging).
(Strikes him on the forehead with his sceptre. He falls down dead. All the people shudder. The sun goes behind a cloud and a clap of thunder is heard.)
Queen of Shemakhan
(laughing to herself).
(Dodon very agitated, but still smiles fondly upon The Queen.)
King Dodon
(superstitiously).
Queen of Shemakhan
(curtly).
King Dodon
(tranquilly, in a caressing tone).
(Dodon tries to embrace and kiss The Queen. She, with anger and aversion, pushes him away.)
Queen of Shemakhan.
King Dodon
(smiling pitifully).
Queen of Shemakhan.
(They ascend the staircase. Suddenly the cock begins to fly and circles above their heads. All wave him off with their hands.)
Voice of the Bird.
Chorus.
(The Cock pecks Dodon on the head, and he falls dead. A clap of thunder. All struck dumb. For a moment total darkness, in which is heard the quiet laugh of The Queen. When it grows light again neither Queen nor the bird is seen.)
People
(to each other, in astonishment).
(Hopefully.)
(Sadly.)
(Crushed by despair, the people finally break into mournful sobbing.)
(In perplexity.)
(They fall on their faces and weep inconsolably.)
CURTAIN.
(Moving apart the folds of the curtain, The Astrologer looks out.)
Astrologer
(to the audience).
(Disappears.)
Liste des modifications au texte (and a few changes to the English too).
“viel” -> vieil (un vieil Astrologue)
Solonnellement -> Solennellement (Solennellement.)
chambre -> chambres (à la porte des chambres du fond)
paleis -> palais (les serviteurs se précipitent dans le palais)
prèpicitamment -> précipitamment (Amelfa va se cacher précipitamment.)
s’endorment d’endorment d’un sommeil -> s’endorment d’un sommeil
e -> et (Règne et dors)
trampettes -> trompettes (Des trompettes sonnent.)
dacher précipitament -> cacher précipitamment (Amelfa va se cacher précipitamment.)
lours -> lourd (Ce glaive, qu’il est lourd!)
on -> en (allons, en route!)
las -> les (on les dirait pétrifiés)
pleine -> pleins (Leurs yeux fixes pleins)
le -> la (la steppe solitaire)
(deux fois) Saint-on -> sait-on (Sait-on charmer)
l’armant -> l’amant (l’amant, l’heureux amant)
Avant -> Ayant (Ayant fini de chanter)
ae -> de (Dodôn s’approche gravement de la reine.)
N’ais -> N’aie (N’aie pas peur de nous)
I -> De (De Chémakha je suis la reine)
Fais -> Fait (Fait silence.)
viens l’ombre -> viens dans l’ombre
solonnel -> solennel (Le Roi Dodôn (solennel).)
appallent -> appellent (Celui que tes vœux appellent)
Le -> La (La Reine (abasourdie).)
bland -> blanc (tout sauf le merle blanc)
ta -> la (Chantez la gloire du fiancé!)
fancé -> fiancé (Je suis fiancé: victoire!)
ges -> gets (Polkan gets up hurriedly)
tht -> the (the blue sea)
lours -> lourd (un lourd nuage noir avance lentement)
A Grêlera -> Il grêlera (Il pleuvra! Il grêlera!)
bariolé -> bariolée (la suite de la Reine de Chémakha, bariolée et bizarre)
rice -> rire (La Reine (à part, éclate de rire).)
vera -> verra (Hé bien, qui vivra verra)
Parresseux -> Paresseux (Paresseux, rêveur, bonasse!)
So -> Sa (Sa colère était terrible)
What is? -> What is it? (It is dreadful! What is it?)
chidren -> children (And for thee we have had children)
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Le Coq D'Or (The Golden Cock), by
N. (Nikolay) Rimsky-Korsakov
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