Amahl and the Nightvisitors

Responsief blok lib/tran/syn

Amahl and the Nightvisitors Libretto

SYSTEMONLY ACT

(A child sits outside a poor shack of a

house gazing earnestly at the sky)

SYSTEMHIS MOTHER

calls from within:

Amahl! Amahl!

SYSTEMTHE SON

replies absently

Oh!

SYSTEMHIS MOTHER

again comes from somewhere inside

Time to go to bed.

SYSTEMHER SON

answers

coming...

(however his words belie his actions. He gazes

all the more quizzically at the stars above him)

A third time, calls, her voice a bit terser

THE MOTHERAmahl!

SYSTEMHER SON

Again, the boy replies

THE MOTHERComing...

but otherwise he seems not to have heard

storms out of the house

How long must I shout

THE MOTHERto make you obey?

SYSTEMSON:

THE MOTHERI’ m sorry, Mother.

MOTHERHurry in! It’ s time to go to bed.

pleads with his mother

AMAHLBut Mother –

AMAHLlet me stay a little longer.

MOTHERThe wind is cold.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERBut my cloak is warm;

MOTHERlet me stay a little longer!

MOTHERThe night is dark.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERBut the sky is light,

MOTHERlet me stay a little longer!

MOTHERThe time is late.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERBut the moon hasn’ t risen yet,

MOTHERlet me stay a little...

SYSTEMHIS

cuts him off curtly

MOTHERThere won’ t be any moon tonight.

But there will be a weeping child very soon,

MOTHERif he doesn’ t hurry up and obey his mother.

sighs and gives in

AMAHL...oh very well...

The two go inside

MOTHERWhat was keeping you outside?

SYSTEMTHE SON

replies excitedly

MOTHEROh mother! You should go out and see!

MOTHERThere’ s never been such a sky.

MOTHERDamp clouds have shined it,

MOTHERand soft winds have swept it,

MOTHERas if to make it ready for a king’ s ball.

MOTHERAll its lanterns are lit,

MOTHERall its torches are burning,

MOTHERand its dark floor is shining like crystal.

MOTHERHanging over our roof,

MOTHERthere is a star as large as a window;

MOTHERand the star has a tail, and it moves

MOTHERacross the sky like a chariot on fire.

MOTHEROh Amahl!

MOTHERWhen will you stop telling lies?

MOTHERAll day long you wander about in a dream.

MOTHERHere we are with nothing to eat –

MOTHERnot a stick of wood on the fire,

MOTHERnot a drop of oil in the jug,

MOTHERand all you do is to worry your mother

MOTHERwith fairy tales.

MOTHEROh Amahl... have you forgotten your promise never,

MOTHERnever to lie to your mother again?

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERMother darling, I’ m not lying.

MOTHERPlease do believe me... please do believe me.

MOTHERCome outside and let me show you.

MOTHERSee for yourself... see for yourself.

(bursts into poetry, despite herself, as she

reprimands Amahl)

MOTHERStop bothering me!

MOTHERWhy should I believe you?

MOTHERYou come with a new one every day!

MOTHERFirst it was a leopard with a woman’ s head.

MOTHERThen it was a tree branch that shrieked and bled.

MOTHERThen it was a fish as big as a boat,

MOTHERwith whiskers like a cat, and wings like a bat,

MOTHERand horns like a goat

MOTHERand now it is a star as big

MOTHERas a window (or was it a carriage)?

MOTHERAnd if that weren’ t enough,

MOTHERthe star has a tail and the tail is of fire...

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERBut there is a star... and it has a tail...

this

MOTHERlong. Well, maybe only this long...

MOTHERBut it’ s there!

MOTHERAmahl!

insists

AMAHLCross my heart and hope to die...

throws up her hands

THE MOTHERHunger has gone to your head.

THE MOTHERDear God, what is a poor widow to do,

THE MOTHERwhen her cupboards

THE MOTHERand pockets are empty

THE MOTHERand everything sold?

THE MOTHERUnless we go begging

THE MOTHERhow shall we live through tomorrow?

THE MOTHERMy little son, a beggar!

(hating to see his mother distressed, has a story

he is used to telling for this occasion)

AMAHLDon’ t cry mother dear;

AMAHLdon’ t worry for me.

AMAHLIf we must go begging,

AMAHLa good beggar I’ ll be.

AMAHLI know sweet tunes to set people dancing.

AMAHLWe’ ll walk and walk from village to town –

AMAHLyou dressed as a gypsy,

AMAHLand I as a clown.

AMAHLWe’ ll walk and walk from village to town.

AMAHLAt noon, we shall eat roast goose

AMAHLand sweet almonds.

AMAHLAt night we shall sleep with the sheep

AMAHLand the stars.

I’ ll play my pipes, you’ ll sing and you’ ll shout.

AMAHLThe windows will open and people lean out.

AMAHLThe king will ride by

AMAHLand hear your loud voice

and throw us some gold to stop all the noise.

AMAHLAt noon we shall eat roast goose and sweet almonds;

AMAHLat night we shall sleep with the sheep

AMAHLand the stars.

MOTHERKiss me good night.

SYSTEMMOTHER,

SYSTEMSON

to eachother

MOTHERGood night.

They turn in to bed

(Three kings stroll through the shadows of the night,

and as they go they comfort themselves with a quiet

song)

SYSTEMTHREE KINGS

MOTHERFrom far away we come and farther we must go.

MOTHERHow far... how far...

MOTHERmy crystal star?

MOTHERThe shepherd dreams inside the fold.

MOTHERCold are the sands by the silent sea.

MOTHERFrozen the incense in our frozen hands,

MOTHERheavy the gold.

MOTHERHow far... how far...

MOTHERmy crystal star?

MOTHERBy silence-sunken lakes,

MOTHERthe antelope leaps.

MOTHERIn paper-painted oasis,

the drunken gypsy weeps.

MOTHERThe hungry lion wanders,

MOTHERthe cobra sleeps.

MOTHERHow far... how far...

MOTHERmy crystal star?

the kings knock at the door

MOTHERAmahl!

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERYes, mother?

MOTHERGo and see who’ s knocking at the door.

Amahl goes over to the door

returns excited

AMAHLMother... mother... come with me!

AMAHLI want to be sure that you see what I see.

has no patience for his son’ s energy this late at night

MOTHERWhat is the matter with you now?

MOTHERWhat is all this fuss about?

MOTHERWho is it then?

is unsure how to report the events, and so he hesitates

AMAHLMother.. outside the door... there is...

AMAHLthere is a king with a crown!

is exasperated

MOTHERWhat shall I do with this boy?

MOTHERWhat shall I do... what shall I do?

MOTHERIf you don’ t learn to tell the truth,

MOTHERI’ ll have to spank you!

MOTHERGo back and see who it is

MOTHERand ask them what they want...

(After checking the door again, Amahl

returns, insistent)

AMAHLMother! Mother! Mother, come with me!

AMAHLI want to be sure that you see what I see.

MOTHERWhat is the matter with you now

MOTHERwhat is all this fuss about?

hangs his head quietly

AMAHLMother, I didn’ t tell the truth before.

MOTHERThat’ s a good boy.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERThere is not a king outside.

MOTHERI should say not.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERThere are

two

MOTHERkings.

(is about to lose her patience altogether

MOTHERWhat shall I do with this boy?

MOTHERWhat shall I do? What shall I do?

She admonishes her son

MOTHERHurry back and see who it is,

MOTHERand don’ t you dare make up tales...

(returns to his mother from the door...

but this time he is worried)

AMAHLMother! Mother! Mother come with me;

AMAHLif I tell you the truth,

AMAHLI know you won’ t believe me...

MOTHERTry it for a change.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERBut you won’ t believe me.

MOTHERI’ ll believe you, if you tell me the truth...

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERSure enough, there are not two kings outside.

MOTHERThat is surprising.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERThe kings are three, and one of them is black.

Now mother is angry

MOTHEROh what shall I do with this boy.

MOTHERIf you were stronger I’ d like to whip you.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERI knew it.

pulls herself out of bed

MOTHERI’ m going to the door myself.

MOTHERAnd then young man,

MOTHERyou’ ll have to reckon with me!

SYSTEMTHE KINGS

SYSTEMAND THEIR PAGE

greet the woman when she opens the door

MOTHERGood evening.. good evening...

The mother gasps quietly

behind her, feels a need to remind her

AMAHLWhat did I tell you?

pushes her son back

MOTHERShhhh...!

(and then addresses these apparent nobles

who are at her doorstep)

MOTHERNoble sires...

(She is bemused, however, and not sure exactly

what to say)

SYSTEMTHE KINGS

rescue her from the awkward silence

MOTHERMay we rest awhile in your house

MOTHERand warm ourselves by your fireplace?

MOTHERI am a poor widow.

MOTHERA cold fireplace and

MOTHERa bed straw are all I have to offer you.

MOTHERTo these, you are welcome.

KASPARWhat did she say?

BALTHAZARThat we are welcome.

KASPAROh thank, you thank, you thank you!

THE MOTHERCome in... come in...

Everybody traipses into the small house

MELCHIORIt is nice, here.

THE MOTHERI shall go and gather wood for the fire.

THE MOTHERI’ ve nothing in the house.

SYSTEMKINGS

THE MOTHERWe can only stay a little while.

THE MOTHERWe must not lose sight of our star.

THE MOTHER...your star?

Again, feels obliged to remind her

AMAHLWhat did I tell you?

But his mother shushes him

SYSTEMKINGS

AMAHLWe still have a long way to go.

(announces that she will be going

out to gather some firewood)

MOTHERI shall be right back..

MOTHERand Amahl... don’ t be a nuisance.

AMAHLNo, mother...

(Mother exits the small creaking doorway into the night

air. Amahl, meanwhile, realizes that he must entertain

their guests)

AMAHLAre you a real king?

BALTHAZARyes.

AMAHLHave you regal blood?

BALTHAZARYes.

AMAHLCan I see it?

sighs, and says

BALTHAZARit is just like yours.

AMAHLWhat’ s the use of having it then?

looks at Amahl quizzically and says simply

BALTHAZARNo use.

AMAHLWhere is your house?

BALTHAZARI live in a black marble palace

BALTHAZARfull of black panthers and white doves.

BALTHAZARAnd you little boy, what do you do?

AMAHLI had a flock of sheep.

AMAHLBut my mother sold them... sold them!

AMAHLNow there are no sheep left.

AMAHLI had a black goat who gave me warm sweet milk.

AMAHLBut she died of old age... old age.

AMAHLNow there is no goat left.

AMAHLBut Mother says that now we shall both go

AMAHLbegging from door to door.

AMAHLWon’ t it be fun?

eyeing the boy closely, says

It has its points.

turns his attention to Kaspar

AMAHLAre you a real king, too?

(Kaspar, being hard of hearing, has to ask Amahl

to repeat himself, and Amahl obliges in a loud voice.

Finally hearing the boy)

says jovially

KASPAROh truly truly... truly...

KASPARyes I am a real king...

He then turns to his friend for assurance, and asks

KASPARAm I not?

BALTHAZARYes, Kaspar.

(spots a small animal which Kaspar is carrying

in a cage. He asks)

AMAHLWhat is that?

as he is wont to do, asks the boy to speak up

KASPAREh?

(Amahl repeats his question, and in response,

Kaspar lets him know it’ s a parrot)

AMAHLDoes it talk?

(This question somehow takes Kaspar

by surprise)

KASPARHow do I know?

But there is one last thing which Amahl has to know

AMAHLDoes it bite?

KASPARYes.

(Amahl

points to a decorated wooden box which

Kaspar is carrying)

AMAHLAnd what is this?

KASPARThis is my box, this is my box...

KASPARI never travel without my box.

KASPARIn the first drawer I keep my magic stones.

KASPAROne carnelian against all evil and envy.

KASPAROne moonstone to make you sleep.

KASPAROne red coral to heal your wounds.

KASPAROne lapis lazuli against quartern fever.

KASPAROne small jasper to help you find water.

KASPAROne small topaz to soothe your eyes.

KASPAROne red ruby to protect you from lightning.

KASPARThis is my box. This is my box

KASPARI never travel without my box

KASPARIn the second drawer, I keep all my beads.

KASPAROh! How I love to play with beads...

KASPARall kinds of beads!

KASPARThis is my box... this is my box...

KASPARI never travel without my box.

KASPARIn the third drawer... in the third drawer...

Kaspar looks at Amahl with a gleam in his eye

KASPAROh little boy… oh little boy...

He then looks around at his friends a bit sheepishly

KASPARIn the third drawer I keep...

(Although he himself isn’ t aware of it, Amahl’ s mouth

has dropped open in anticipation about this surprise

which Kaspar is going to reveal to him. The old king

finally blurts it out)

KASPARLicorice! Licorice!

KASPARBlack sweet licorice... black sweet licorice!

KASPARHave some.

(A draft fills the house as Amahl’ s mother opens the

door. She has found what she needed outside. Seeing

how Amahl has become the center of attention, she

admonishes him)

MOTHERAmahl, I told you not to be a nuisance!

replies plaintively

AMAHLBut it isn’ t my fault;

AMAHLthey kept asking me questions.

announces that she has a mission for Amahl

MOTHERI want you to go and call the other shepherds.

MOTHERTell them about our visitors,

MOTHERand ask them to bring whatever they have

MOTHERin the house, as we have nothing to offer them.

MOTHERHurry on!

decides to cooperate, and heads for the door

AMAHLYes, mother.

remarks on the packages the kings have been carrying

MOTHEROh these beautiful things, and all that gold!

MELCHIORThese are the gifts to the child.

THE MOTHERHmmm the child... which child?

MELCHIORWe don’ t know. But the star will guide us to him.

THE MOTHERBut perhaps I know him...

THE MOTHERwhat does he look like?

MELCHIORHave you seen a child the color of wheat...

MELCHIORthe color of dawn?

MELCHIORHis eyes are mild; his hands are those of a king

MELCHIOR– as king he was born.

MELCHIORIncense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side;

MELCHIORand the eastern star is our guide.

THE MOTHERYes, I know a child the color of wheat....

THE MOTHERthe color of dawn.

THE MOTHERHis eyes are mild;

THE MOTHERhis hands are those of a king as king he was born.

THE MOTHERBut no one will bring him incense or gold...

THE MOTHERthough sick and poor and hungry and cold.

THE MOTHERHe is my child my son, my darling my own.

MELCHIORHave you seen a child the color of earth...

MELCHIORthe color of thorn?

MELCHIORHis eyes are sad; his hands are those of the poor

MELCHIORas poor he was born.

MELCHIORIncense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side,

MELCHIORand the eastern star is our guide.

THE MOTHERYes, I know a child the color of earth... the color of thorn.

THE MOTHERHis eyes are sad;

THE MOTHERhis hands are those of the poor,

THE MOTHERas poor he was born.

THE MOTHERBut no one will bring him incense or gold...

THE MOTHERthough sick and poor and and hungry and cold.

THE MOTHERHe is my child, my son, my darling... my own.

MELCHIORThe child we seek holds the seas

MELCHIORand the winds on his palm.

MELCHIORThe child we seek has the moon

MELCHIORand the stars at his feet.

MELCHIORBefore him, the eagle is gentle the lion is meek.

SYSTEMALL THE KINGS

join in a chorus

MELCHIORChoirs of angels hover over his roof

MELCHIORand sing him to sleep.

MELCHIORHe’ s warmed by breath.

MELCHIORHe’ s fed by mother who is both virgin and queen.

MELCHIORIncense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side,

MELCHIORand the eastern star is our guide.

(And at the same time, the mother sings about

her own son)

MOTHERThe child I know

MOTHERon his palm holds my heart.

MOTHERThe child I know at his feet has my life.

MOTHERHe is my child, my son, my darling, my own...

MOTHERAnd his name is Amahl.

peers out the door

MOTHERThe shepherds are coming...

MELCHIORWake up, Kaspar.

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

(greet eachother as they stroll towards eachother

on the prairie)

MELCHIOREmily... Emily, Michael, Bartholomew –

MELCHIORhow are your children and how are your sheep?

MELCHIORDorothy... Dorothy, Peter, Evangeline –

MELCHIORgive me your hand come along with me.

MELCHIORAll the children have mumps.

MELCHIORAll the flocks are asleep.

MELCHIORWe are going with Amahl...

MELCHIORbringing gifts to the kings.

MELCHIORBenjamin... Benjamin, Lucas, Elizabeth –

MELCHIORhow are your children and how are your sheep?

MELCHIORCarolyn Carolyn Mathew Veronica

MELCHIORgive me your hand come along with me.

MELCHIORBrrr... how cold is the night!

MELCHIORBrr... how icy the wind!

MELCHIORHold me very very very tight.

MELCHIOROh how warm is your cloak!

MELCHIORKatherine... Katherine, Christopher, Babila –

MELCHIORhow are your children and how are your sheep?

MELCHIORJosephine... Josephine, Angela, Jeremy –

MELCHIORcome along with me!

(The shepherds arrive at the door of the cottage.

They peer inside, being struck with awe)

MELCHIOROh look, oh look!

THE MOTHERCome in, come in... what are you afraid of?

THE MOTHERDon’ t be bashful silly girl,

THE MOTHERdon’ t be bashful silly boy. They won’ t eat you.

THE MOTHERShow what you brought them.

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

(stumble over eachother, as they try to force their

way in the door all at once)

THE MOTHERGo on...! No, you go on!

(The shepherds

tell

of what they’ ve brought)

THE MOTHEROlives and quinces, apples and raisins,

THE MOTHERnutmeg and myrtle, medlars and chestnuts.

THE MOTHERThis is all we shepherds

THE MOTHERcan offer you.

THE MOTHERCitrons and lemon, musk and pomegranates,

THE MOTHERgoat cheese and walnuts, figs and cucumbers.

THE MOTHERThis is all we shepherds

THE MOTHERcan offer you.

THE MOTHERAzelnuts and camomile,

THE MOTHERmignonettes and laurel, honeycombs

THE MOTHERand cinnamon, thyme, mint and garlic.

THE MOTHERThis is all we shepherds

THE MOTHERcan offer you.

(The kings express earnest appreciation as

the shepherds recite the list of their gifts)

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

eagerly press the gifts into the kings’ arms

THE MOTHERTake them, take them... you are welcome.

THE MOTHERTake them... eat them... you are welcome, too.

(All of a sudden, a squirrely little girl makes a break

for the door... and a little boy gets up, also thinking

through how he will negotiate his way through the

mass of bodies. Some of the young men pull the two

children back. After much nudging, the children return

into the middle of the one-room cottage, somewhat red

faced and embarassed)

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

(scold the children using the same words with which

the householder mother scolded them earlier)

THE MOTHERDon’ t be bashful silly girl

THE MOTHERDon’ t be bashful silly boy!

THE MOTHERThey won’ t eat you.

After an interlude of dancing, Balthazar announces

BALTHAZARThank you good friends,

BALTHAZARfor your dances and your gifts.

BALTHAZARBut now, we must bid you good night.

BALTHAZARWe have little time for sleep,

BALTHAZARand a long journey ahead.

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

agree, and move towards the door

BALTHAZARGood night, my good Kings,

BALTHAZARgood night and farewell.

BALTHAZARThe pale stars foretell

BALTHAZARthat dawn is in sight.

BALTHAZARGood night, my good kings.

BALTHAZARGood night and farewell.

BALTHAZARThe night wind foretells

BALTHAZARthe day will be bright.

(As the shepherds exeunt, Amahl seizes the

opportunity in the shuffle to ask Kaspar a question)

AMAHLExcuse me, sir...

AMAHLamongst your magic stones, is there...

AMAHLis there one that could cure

AMAHLa crippled boy?

Unfortunately, again, Kaspar’ s hearing fails him

KASPAREh?

Amahl looks down dejectedly

AMAHLNever mind.. good night.

and shuffles off to his corner of the room to his bed

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

(Outside, can still be heard as they disperse

to their own houses and fields)

AMAHLGood night, good night...

AMAHLthe dawn is in sight... good night, farewell...

AMAHLgood night... good night...

(Amahl listens intently as these folks bid eachother

good night throughout the small streets of his

village. After the mother tucks her son into bed... she

turns to see that the kings have ceased their bedtime

mumbling, and at least one has begun to snore)

thinks to herself

THE MOTHERAll that gold! All that gold!

THE MOTHERI wonder if rich people know

THE MOTHERwhat to do with their gold?

THE MOTHERDo they know how a child could be fed?

THE MOTHERDo rich people know?

THE MOTHERDo they know that a house can be kept warm

THE MOTHERall day with burning logs?

THE MOTHERDo rich people know?

THE MOTHERDo they know how to roast sweet corn on the fire?

THE MOTHERDo they know do they know how to fill

THE MOTHERa courtyard with doves?

THE MOTHERDo they know... do they know?

THE MOTHERDo they know how to milk a clover fed goat?

THE MOTHERDo they know?

THE MOTHERDo they know how to spice hot wine

THE MOTHERon cold winter nights?

THE MOTHERDo they know... do they know?

THE MOTHERAll that gold... all that gold!

THE MOTHEROh what I could do

THE MOTHERfor my child with that gold!

THE MOTHERWhy should it all go to a child they don’ t even know?

THE MOTHERThey are asleep.

THE MOTHERDo I dare? If I take some,

THE MOTHERthey’ ll never miss it...

(She prods herself on as her hand moves

towards the boxes of gold... she thinks)

THE MOTHER...for my child for my child...

THE MOTHERfor my child... for my child...

(stirs, because he has seen a shadow moving

over the pile of gifts)

THE PAGEThief! Thief!

One of the kings stirs

KINGWhat is it?

shouts

THE PAGEI’ ve seen her steal some of the gold.

THE PAGEShe’ s a thief! Don’ t let her go!

THE PAGEShe’ s stolen the gold.

SYSTEMTHE KINGS

join the hubbub with loud voices

THE PAGEShame shame!

PAGEGive it back, or I’ ll tear it out of you!

PAGEGive it back, or I’ ll tear it out of you.

PAGEGive it back...give it back.

(He has, by this time, been awoken by the ruckus and

is peering over towards the argument in the center

of the room. Then, seeing his mother involved in a

struggle, he leaps out of bed and tries to intervene.

This is a side of Amahl the kings haven’ t seen yet)

AMAHLDon’ t you dare, ugly man

AMAHLhurt my mother!

AMAHLI’ ll smash in your face; I’ ll knock out your teeth.

AMAHLI you dare! Don’ t you dare!

AMAHLDon’ t you dare... ugly man...

AMAHLhurt my mother!

AMAHLOh Mr. king,

AMAHLdon’ t let him hurt my mother.

AMAHLMy mother is good.

AMAHLShe cannot do anything wrong.

AMAHLI’ m the one who lies; I’ m the one who steals.

AMAHLDon’ t you dare...

AMAHLI’ ll break all your bones;

AMAHLI’ ll bash in your head.

AMAHLDon’ t you dare... ugly man...

AMAHLhurt my mother.

seeing what has erupted

MELCHIOROh woman, you may keep the gold.

MELCHIORThe child we seek

MELCHIORdoesn’ t need our gold.

MELCHIOROn love, on love alone he will build his kingdom.

MELCHIORHis pierced hand will hold no scepter.

MELCHIORHis haloed head will wear no crown.

MELCHIORHis might will not be built on your toil.

MELCHIORSwifter than lightning,

MELCHIORhe will soon walk among us.

MELCHIORHe will bring us new life,

MELCHIORand receive our death,

MELCHIORand the keys to his city belong to the poor.

Let us leave, my friends.

THE MOTHEROh no wait! Take back your gold!

THE MOTHERFor such a king I’ ve waited all my life...

THE MOTHERand if I weren’ t so poor

THE MOTHERI would send a gift of my own to such a child.

pipes up

AMAHLBut mother, let me send him my crutch.

AMAHLWho knows, he may need one,

AMAHLand this, I made myself.

SYSTEMHIS MOTHER

draws in a breath sharply

AMAHLBut that you can’ t, you can’ t!

But then a wondrous thing happens

announces

AMAHLI walk, mother. I walk mother.

SYSTEMKINGS

AMAHLHe walks! It is a sign from the holy child.

AMAHLWe must give praise to the newborn king.

AMAHLWe must praise him.

AMAHLThis is a sign from God.

AMAHLTruly he can dance, he can jump,

AMAHLhe can run! Ah!

admonishes Amahl

THE MOTHERPlease my darling, be careful now.

THE MOTHERYou must take care not to hurt yourself.

(Something has crystallized in the kings’

minds as they

have watched this whole event play out. They realize

that they must admonish the mother to treat her child

differently)

SYSTEMTHE KINGS

THE MOTHEROh good woman,

THE MOTHERyou must not be afraid,

THE MOTHERfor he is loved by the son of God.

(Playing along with the boy’ s ruse, the kings

ask)

THE MOTHEROh blessed child, may I touch you?

(seems betwixt and between. Peering over

at Melchior with a sharp gaze)

AMAHLWell, I don’ t know if I’ m going to let

AMAHLyou

AMAHLtouch me...

SYSTEMHIS MOTHER

says sharply

AMAHLAmahl!

And so Amahl thinks better of his reticence

AMAHLOh all right... but just once.

goes on to announce in song

AMAHLLook mother, I can fight,

AMAHLI can work, I can play.

AMAHLOh mother, let me go with the kings.

I want to take the crutch to the child, myself.

SYSTEMTHE KINGS

eagerly entreat the mother

AMAHLYes, good woman let him come with us.

AMAHLWe’ ll take good care of him.

AMAHLWe’ ll bring him back on a camel’ s back.

THE MOTHERDo you really want to go?

AMAHLYes, mother.

MOTHERAre you sure sure sure?

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERI’ m sure.

pauses a moment, reflecting. Then she concedes

THE MOTHERYes, I think you should go...

THE MOTHERand bring thanks to the child yourself.

parrots her query

AMAHLAre you sure sure sure?

MOTHERGo on... get ready.

wanting to be kept abreast of all the events, asks

KASPARWhat did she say?

bends over and speaks loudly in Kaspar’ s ear

BALTHAZARShe said he can come.

can’ t contain his enthusiasm

KASPAROh lovely lovely lo...

cuts him off, curtly

BALTHAZARKaspar!

and son prepare Amahl for his journey. She asks

MOTHERWhat to do with your crutch?

suggests

AMAHLYou can tie it to my back.

(Amahl and his mother then say their

goodbyes to eachother)

MOTHERDon’ t forget to wear your hat!

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERI shall always wear my hat.

SYSTEMTOGETHER

MOTHERSo, my darling goodbye!

MOTHERI shall miss you very much.

MOTHERWash your ears.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERYes, I promise.

MOTHERDon’ t tell lies.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERNo, I promise.

SYSTEMTOGETHER

MOTHERI shall miss you very much.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERFeed my bird.

MOTHERYes, I promise.

SYSTEMSON

MOTHERWatch the cat.

MOTHERYes I promise.

SYSTEMTOGETHER

MOTHERI shall miss you very much.

Amahl finishes his preparations

asks Amahl

MELCHIORAre you ready?

AMAHLYes, I’ m ready.

MELCHIORLet’ s go then.

(Amahl and his newfound friends set out across the

darkened prairies. And as they trek, they hear the

sounds of the shepherds singing the songs

of the morning in their fields and homes)

SYSTEMTHE SHEPHERDS

MELCHIORShepherds arise!

MELCHIORCome, oh shepherds, come outside!

MELCHIORAll the stars have left the sky.

MELCHIORSweet dawn – oh dawn of peace.