The Rake's Progress

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The Rake's Progress Libretto

SYSTEMACT I

SYSTEMFirst Scene

(The garden of the house of Truelove in the field on

a spring afternoon. On the right side of the house, a

fence with an iron gate. Anne and Tom sit together

under a pergola)

Trio

ANNEThe woods are green

ANNEand bird and beast at play

ANNEfor all things keep

ANNEthis festival of May.

ANNEWith fragrant odours

ANNEand with notes of cheer,

ANNEthe pious earth

ANNEobserves the solemn year.

TOMNow is the season

TOMwhen the Cyprian Queen

TOMwith genial charm

TOMtranslates our mortal scene,

TOMwhen swains their nymphs

TOMin fervent arms enfold

TOMand with a kiss restore the Age of Gold.

ANNEHow sweet within the budding grove

ANNEHow sweet beside the pliant stream

ANNEto walk, to love,

ANNEto lie, to dream.

Truelove leaving the house and remains apart them

TRUELOVEOh may a father's prudent fears

TRUELOVEunfounded prove,

TRUELOVEand ready vows and loving looks

TRUELOVEbe all they seem.

TRUELOVEIn youth we fancy

TRUELOVEwe are wise,

TRUELOVEbut time has shown, alas,

TRUELOVEtoo often and too late,

TRUELOVEwe have not known the hearts

TRUELOVEof others or our own.

ANNELove tells no lies.

ANNEAnd in love's eyes

ANNEwe see our future state,

ANNEever happy, ever fair:

ANNEsorrow, hate, disdain, despair,

ANNErule not there.

ANNEBut love alone reigns o'er his own.

ANNERecitative

Truelove is about Ana

TRUELOVEAnne, my dear.

ANNEYes, father.

TRUELOVEYour advice is needed in the kitchen.

She enters the house

TRUELOVETom, I have news for you.

TRUELOVEI have spoken on your behalf

TRUELOVEto a good friend in the City,

TRUELOVEand he offers you a position

TRUELOVEin his counting house.

TOMYou are too generous, sir.

TOMYou must not think me ungrateful

TOMif I do not immediately accept

TOMwhat you propose,

TOMbut I have other prospects in view.

TRUELOVEYour reluctance to seek employment

TRUELOVEmakes me uneasy.

TOMBe assured,

TOMyour daughter shall not marry a poor man.

TRUELOVESo he be honest,

she may take a poor husband, if she choose.

TRUELOVEBut I am resolved

TRUELOVEshe shall never marry a lazy one.

Truelove enters the house

TOMThe old fool!

TOMRecitative

TOMHere I stand, my constitution sound, my frame

TOMnot ill-favoured, my wit ready, my heart light.

TOMI play the industrious apprentice in a copybook?

TOMI submit to the drudge's yoke?

TOMI slave through a lifetime to enrich others

TOMand then be thrown away like a gnawed bone? Not I!

TOMHave not grave doctors assured us that good works

TOMare of no avail, for heaven predestines all?

TOMIn my fashion, I may profess myself of their party

TOMand herewith entrust myself to Fortune.

TOMAria

TOMSince it is not by merit

we rise or we fall,

TOMbut the favour of Fortune

TOMthat governs us all,

TOMwhy should I labour

TOMfor what in the end

TOMshe will give me for nothing

TOMif she be my friend?

TOMWhile if she be not,

TOMwhy, the wealth I might gain

TOMfor a time by my toil

TOMwould at last be in vain.

TOMTill I die then, of fever,

TOMor by lightning am struck,

TOMlet me live by my wits

TOMand trust to my luck.

TOMMy life lies before me,

TOMthe world is so wide:

TOMcome, wishes, be horses

TOMthis beggar shall ride.

Spoken

TOMI wish I had money!

Nick appears behind fence

TOMRecitative

NICKTom Rakewell?

surprised

NICKI seek Tom Rakewell with a message.

NICKIs this his house?

TOMNo, not his house.

TOMBut you have found him straying

TOMin his thoughts and footsteps.

TOMIn short...

NICKYou are he?

laughing

TOMYes, surely.

TOMTom Rakewell at your service.

NICKWell, well.

NICKNick Shadow, sir,

NICKand at your service.

NICKFor, surely as you bear your name,

NICKI bear you a bright future.

NICKYou recall an uncle, sir?

TOMAn uncle? My parents never mentioned one.

NICKThey quarrelled, I believe, sir.

NICKYet he...

NICKsir, have you friends?

TOMMore than a friend.

TOMThe daughter of this house and ruler of my heart.

NICKA lover's fancy and a lovely thought.

NICKThen call her.

NICKIndeed, let all who will,

NICKmake their joy here of your glad tidings.

(Tom enters the house. Nick comes into the garden.

NICKTom returns with Anne and Truelove)

NICKFair lady, gracious gentlemen,

NICKa servant begs your pardon for your time,

NICKbut there is much to tell.

NICKTom Rakewell had an uncle,

NICKone long parted from his native land.

NICKHim I served many years,

NICKserved him in the many trades

he served in turn, and all to his profit.

NICKYes, profit was perpetually his.

NICKIt was, indeed: his family, his friend,

NICKhis hour of amusement, his life.

NICKBut all his brilliant progeny of gold

NICKcouldn't caress him when he lay dying.

NICKSick for his home,

NICKsick for a memory of pleasure or of love,

NICKhis thoughts were but of England.

NICKThere, at least, he felt, his profit

NICKcould be pleasure to an eager youth.

NICKFor such, by counting years

NICKupon his fumbling fingers,

NICKhe knew that you must be good, sir.

NICKWell, he is dead.

NICKAnd I am here with this commission:

NICKto tell Tom Rakewell that

NICKan unloved and forgotten uncle

NICKloved and remembered.

NICKYou are a rich man.

NICKQuartet

TOMI wished but once!. I knew that surely my wish

TOMwould come true.

TOMThat I had but to speak at last

TOMand Fate would smile

TOMwhen Fortune cast the die.

TOMI knew.

To Nick

TOMYet you, who bring

TOMthe faithful end of questioning,

TOMhere by a new and grateful master's side.

TOMBe thanked.

TOMAnd as my Fortune and my guide,

TOMremain, confirm, deny.

NICKBe thanked, for masterless

NICKshould I abide too long, I soon would die.

ANNEBe thanked, oh God for him!

ANNEAnd may a bride

ANNEsoon to his vows reply.

TRUELOVEBe thanked, oh God, and curb his pride,

that Anne may never sigh.

Tom embraces Anne

TOMMy Anne, behold,

TOMfor doubt had fled our view.

TOMThe skies are clear

TOMand every path is true.

ANNEThe joyous fount I see

ANNEthat brings increase

ANNEto fields of promise and the groves of peace.

ANNEOh clement love!

TRUELOVEMy children, may God bless you

TRUELOVEeven as a father!

NICKSir! may Nick address you

NICKa moment in your bliss?.

NICKEven in carefree May

NICKa thriving fortune has its roots of care:

NICKAttorneys crouched

NICKlike gardeners to pay,

NICKbowers of paper only seals repair.

NICKWe must be off to London.

TOMThey can wait.

TRUELOVENo, Tom, your man is right.

TRUELOVEThings must be done.

TRUELOVEThe sooner you settle your estate,

TRUELOVEthe sooner you and Anne can be as one.

ANNEFather is right, dear Tom.

NICKA coach in wait is down the road.

TOMWell then, if Fortune sow a crop

TOMthat wax and pen must cultivate,

TOMlet's fly to husbandry

TOMand make it grow.

TOMRecitative

NICKI'll call the coachman, sir.

To Nick

TRUELOVEShould you not mind,

TRUELOVEI'll tell you of his needs.

NICKSir, you are kind.

Truelove and Nick go through the gate of the garden

NICKDuet

ANNEFarewell, farewell for now!

ANNEMy heart is with you,

ANNEwhen you go, however you may fare.

TOMWherever, when apart, I may be,

TOMI shall know that you are with me there.

Truelove and Nick return

TOMRecitative

NICKAll is ready, sir.

TOMTell me, good Shadow:

TOMsince, born and bred in indigence,

TOMI am unacquainted with such matters,

TOMwhat wages you customarily receive?.

NICKLet us not speak of that, master,

NICKtill you know better

NICKwhat my services are worth.

NICKA year and a day hence,

NICKwe will settle our account.

NICKAnd then, I promise you, you shall pay me

NICKno more and no less than what you yourself

NICKacknowledge to be just.

TOMA fair offer. 'Tis agreed.

TOMDear father Truelove,

TOMthe very moment my affairs are settled,

TOMI shall send for you and my dearest Anne.

TOMAnd when she arrives,

TOMall London shall be at her feet.

TOMFor all London shall be mine,

TOMand what is mine must of needs at least adore

TOMwhat I must with all my being worship.

Tom and Truelove shake hands

TOMTrio

Tom speaks low voice

TOMLaughter and light and all charms that endear,

TOMall that dazzles or dins,

TOMwisdom and wit shall adorn the career of him

TOMwho can play and who wins.

speaks low voice

ANNEHeart, you are happy,

ANNEyet why should a tear

ANNEdim our joyous designs?

speaks low voice

TRUELOVEFortune so swift

TRUELOVEand so easy, I fear,

TRUELOVEmay only encourage his sins.

To Tom

TRUELOVEBe well advised.

ANNEBe always near!

TRUELOVEFarewell!

TRUELOVE(Anne, Tom and Truelove go through

TRUELOVEthe gate of the garden)

To audience

NICKThe progress of a rake begins.

SYSTEMSecond Scene

London, the Mother Goose's brothel

NICKChorus

RAKESWith air commanding and weapons handy,

RAKESwe rove in a band

RAKESthrough the streets at night.

RAKESOur only notion, to make commotion

RAKESand find occasion to provoke a fight.

PROSTITUTESIn triumph glorious,

PROSTITUTESwith trophies curious,

PROSTITUTESwe return victorious

PROSTITUTESfrom love's campaigns.

PROSTITUTESNo troops more practised

PROSTITUTESin Cupid's tactics,

PROSTITUTESby feint and ambush the day to gain.

RAKESFor what is sweeter to human nature

RAKESthan to quarrel over nothing at all,

RAKESto hear the crashing

RAKESof furniture smashing

RAKESor heads being bashed

RAKESin a tavern brawl?

PROSTITUTESWith darting glances and bold advances

PROSTITUTESwe open fire on young and old.

PROSTITUTESSurprised by rapture,

PROSTITUTEStheir hearts are captured,

PROSTITUTESand into our laps they pour their gold.

PROSTITUTESA toast to our commanders,

PROSTITUTESthen from their irregulars.

PROSTITUTESA toast, ladies and gentlemen,

PROSTITUTESto Venus and to Mars!

PROSTITUTESRecitative

NICKCome, Tom.

NICKI would fain have our hostess,

NICKgood Mother Goose,

NICKlearn how faithfully I have discharged

NICKmy duties as a godfather

NICKin preparing you for the delights

NICKto which your newly-found state of manhood

NICKis about to call you.

NICKSo tell my Lady-Bishop of the game

NICKwhat I did vow and promise in thy name.

TOMOne aim in all things to pursue:

TOMmy duty to myself to do.

To Mother Goose

NICKIs he not apt?

MOTHER GOOSEAnd handsome, too.

NICKWhat is thy duty to thyself?

TOMTo shut my ears to prude and preacher

TOMand follow nature as my teacher.

MOTHER GOOSEWhat is the secret nature knows?

TOMWhat Beauty is and where it grows.

NICKCanst thou define the beautiful?

TOMI can.

TOMThat source of pleasure to the eyes,

TOMyouth owns, wit snatches, money buys,

TOMenvy affects to scorn, but lies.

TOMOne fatal flaw it has: it dies.

NICKExact, my scholar.

MOTHER GOOSEWhat is pleasure then?

TOMThe idol of all dreams, the same

TOMwhatever shape it wear or name.

TOMWhom flirts imagine as a hat,

TOMold maids believe to be a cat.

MOTHER GOOSEBravo!

NICKOne final question: love is...?

Aside

TOMLove!

TOMThat precious word is like a fiery coal,

TOMit burns my lips, strikes terror to my soul.

NICKNo answer?

NICKWill my scholar fail me?

TOMNo, no more!.

NICKWell, well.

MOTHER GOOSEMore wine, love?

TOMLet me go.

NICKAre you afraid?

Stand up

TOMBefore it is too late.

NICKWait.

NICKSee!, time is yours!.

NICKThe hours obey your pleasure.

NICKFear not, enjoy!.

NICKYou may repent at leisure.

Tom sit down and drink

NICKChorus

PROSTITUTESSoon dawn will glitter

PROSTITUTESoutside the shutter,

PROSTITUTESand small birds twitter,

PROSTITUTESbut what of that?.

PROSTITUTESSo long as we're able

PROSTITUTESand wine's on the table,

PROSTITUTESwho cares what?

PROSTITUTESthe troubling day is at?.

PROSTITUTESWhile food has flavour

PROSTITUTESand limbs are shapely

PROSTITUTESand hearts beat bravely

PROSTITUTESto fiddle or drum,

PROSTITUTESour proper employment

PROSTITUTESis reckless enjoyment.

PROSTITUTESFor too soon the noiseless night will come.

PROSTITUTESRecitative

Stand up

NICKSisters of Venus, bothers of Mars,

NICKfellow worshipers in the temple of delight,

NICKit is my privilege to present to you

NICKa stranger to our rites,

NICKwho, following our custom,

begs leave to sing you a song

NICKin earnest of his desire to be initiated.

NICKAs you see, he is young.

NICKAs you shall discover, he is rich.

NICKmy master, and,

NICKif he will pardon the liberty,

NICKmy friend, Mr. Tom Rakewell.

NICKAria

TOMLove, too frequently betrayed

TOMfor some plausible desire

TOMor the world's enchanted fire.

TOMStill, thy traitor,

TOMin his sleep renews the vow

TOMhe did not keep.

Weeping, he kneels before

TOMthy wounded shade.

TOMLove, my sorrow and my shame,

TOMthough thou daily be forgot,

TOMGoddess, oh forget me not.

TOMLest I perish, oh be nigh,

TOMin my darkest hour

TOMthat l, dying, may call upon

TOMthy sacred name.

TOMChorus

PROSTITUTESHow sad a song!,

PROSTITUTESbut sadness charms.

PROSTITUTES¡How handsomely he cries!

PROSTITUTESCome, drown your sorrows in these arms.

PROSTITUTESForget it in these eyes, upon these lips,

Mother Goose takes by the hand to Tom

MOTHER GOOSEAway!

MOTHER GOOSETonight I exercise my elder right

MOTHER GOOSEand claim him for my prize.

PROSTITUTESThe sun is bright, the grass is green.

PROSTITUTESLanterloo, lanterloo.

PROSTITUTESThe king is courting his young queen.

PROSTITUTESlanterloo my lady.

MENThey go a walking. What do they see?

WOMENAn almanac in a walnut tree.

WOMENThey go a riding,

WOMENwhom do they meet?

MENThree scarecrows and a pair of feet.

MENWhat will she do when they sit at table?

WOMENEat as much as she is able.

WOMENWhat will he do when they lie in bed?

WOMENLanterloo, lanterloo.

Draw his sword and chop off her head.

MENLanterloo, my lady.

Hike the cup

NICKSweet dreams, my master.

NICKDreams may lie, but dream.

NICKFor when you wake, you die.

SYSTEMThird Scene

(The same of first scene. Anne leaves her house.

NICKIt's night)

ANNENo word from Tom.

ANNEHas love no voice?

ANNECan love not keep a May-time vow in cities?

ANNEFades it as the rose cut for a rich display?

ANNEForgot!

ANNEBut no! To weep is not enough.

ANNEHe needs my help.

ANNELove hears, love knows,

ANNELove answers him

ANNEacross the silent miles and goes.

ANNEAria

ANNEQuietly, night, oh! find him and caress.

ANNEAnd may thou quiet find his heart,

ANNEalthough it be unkind. nor may its beat confess,

although I weep, it knows of loneliness.

ANNEGuide me, oh! moon, chastely

ANNEwhen I depart.

ANNEAnd warmly be the same

ANNEhe watches without grief or shame.

ANNEIt can not be thou art a colder moon

ANNEupon a colder heart.

Into the house

TRUELOVEAnne!

TRUELOVERecitative

ANNEMy father!

ANNECan I desert him and his devotion

ANNEfor a love who has deserted me?

She returns

ANNENo.

ANNEMy father has strength of purpose,

ANNEwhile Tom is weak and needs

ANNEthe comfort of a helping hand.

ANNEOh God! protect dear Tom,

ANNEsupport my father and

ANNEstrengthen my resolve.

ANNEAria

ANNEI go to him.

ANNELove can not falter, can not desert.

ANNEThough it be shunned, or be forgotten,

ANNEthough it be hurt., if love be love,

ANNEit will not alter.

ANNEShould I see my love in need,

ANNEit shall not matter what he may be.

She goes through the gate of the garden

SYSTEMACT II

SYSTEMFirst Scene

Tom' house in London

ANNEAria

TOMVary the song,

TOMoh London, change!.

TOMDisband your notes and let them range.

TOMLet rumour scream,

TOMlet folly purr,

TOMlet tone desert the flatterer.

TOMLet harmony no more obey

TOMthe strident choristers of prey.

TOMYet...all your music can not fill

TOMthe gap that in my heart is still.

TOMRecitative

TOMOh, nature,

TOMgreen unnatural mother,

TOMhow I have followed

TOMwhere you led.

TOMIs it for this I left the country?

TOMNo ploughman is more a slave

TOMto sun, moon, and season

TOMthan a gentleman to the clock of fashion.

TOMCity!

TOMWhat Caesar could have imagined

TOMthe curious viands I have tasted!.

TOMThey choke me.

TOMLet Oporto and Provence

TOMkeep all their precious wines.

TOMI would as soon be dry

TOMand wrinkled as a raisin

TOMas ever taste another.

TOMCards! Living pictures!

TOMAnd, dear God, the matrons

TOMwith marriageable girls!.

TOMCover their charms a little,

TOMyou well-bred bawds,

TOMor your goods will catch their death

TOMof the rheum long before they learn

TOMof the green sickness.

TOMThe others, too,

TOMwith their more candid charms.

TOMPah!

TOMWho's honest, chaste, or kind?

TOMOne, only one, and of her I dare not think.

He stands up

TOMUp, nature, up!

TOMThe hunt is on,

TOMthy pack is in full cry!

TOMThey smell the blood upon the bracing air.

TOMOn, on, on!

TOMThrough every street and mansion,

TOMfor every candle in this capital of light

TOMattends thy appetising progress

TOMand burns in honour at thy shrine.

TOMAria

TOMAlways the quarry

TOMthat I stalk fades, or evades me.

TOMAnd I walk an endless hall of chandeliers

TOMin light that blinds, in light that sears,

TOMreflected from a million smiles.

TOMAll empty as the country miles

TOMof silly wood and senseless park.

TOMAnd only in my heart… the dark.

He sits down

TOMI wish I were happy.

Nick comes into the room

TOMRecitative

NICKMaster, are you alone?

TOMAnd sick at heart. What is it?

He shows the poster

NICKDo you know this lady?

NICKBaba the Turk!

NICKI have not visited St. Giles' fair as yet.

NICKThey say brave warriors who

NICKnever flinched at the sound of musketry

NICKhave swooned after a mere glimpse of her.

NICKIs such a thing possible in nature?

NICKTwo noted physicians have sworn

NICKthat she is no impostor.

NICKWould you go see her?

TOMNick, I know that manner of yours.

TOMYou have some scheme afoot.

TOMCome, sir, out with it!

NICKConsider her picture.

TOMWould you see me turned to stone?

NICKDo you desire her?

Like the gout or the falling sickness.

NICKAre you obliged to her?

TOMHeaven forbid.

NICKThen marry her.

TOMHave you taken leave of your senses?

NICKI was never saner.

NICKCome, master,

NICKobserve the host of mankind.

NICKHow are they? wretched.

NICKWhy? because they are not free.

NICKWhy? because the giddy multitude are driven

NICKby the unpredictable "Must" of their pleasures.

NICKAnd the sober few are bound

NICKby the inflexible "Ought"

NICKof their duty.

NICKBetween which slaveries

NICKthere is nothing to choose.

NICKWould you be happy?

NICKthen learn to act freely.

NICKWould you act freely?

NICKthen learn to ignore those twin tyrants

NICKof appetite and conscience.

NICKTherefore, I counsel you, master:

NICKTake Baba the Turk to wife.

NICKConsider her picture once more,

NICKand, as you do so,

NICKreflect upon my words.

NICKAria

NICKIn youth the panting slave

NICKpursues the fair evasive dame.

NICKThen, caught in colder fetters,

NICKwoos wealth, office, or a name.

NICKTill, old, dishonoured,

NICKsick, downcast

NICKand failing in his wits,

NICKin virtue's narrow cell at last

NICKthe withered bondsman sits.

NICKThat man alone his fate fulfills.

NICKFor he alone, for he alone is free

NICKwho chooses what to will,

NICKand wills his choice as destiny.

NICKNo eye his future can foretell,

NICKno law his past explain,

NICKwhom neither passion

NICKmay compel,

NICKnor reason can restrain.

NICKWell?

NICKDuet

TOMMy tale shall be told

TOMboth by young and by old.

NICKCome, master, prepare

NICKyour fate to dare.

TOMA favourite narration

TOMthroughout the nation,

TOMremembered by all,

TOMin cottage and hall,

TOMwith song and laughter for ever after.

NICKPerfumed, well-dressed,

NICKand looking your best,

NICKa bachelor of fashion,

NICKeyes hinting at passion.

NICKYour carriage young

NICKand upon your tongue

NICKthe gallant speeches that Cupid teaches.

TOMFor tongues will not tire around the fire.

TOMOh! sitting at meat, the tale to repeat

TOMof the wooing and wedding,

TOMlikewise the bedding of Baba,

TOMthat masterwork whom nature created

TOMto be celebrated for her features dire.

NICKShadow will guide, seek your bride.

NICKOn Baba the Turk, your charms work.

NICKWhat deed is as great as

NICKthis gorgon to mate?

NICKAll will admire Tom Rakewell, Esquire.

TOMMy heart beats faster.

TOMCome, come Shadow.

NICKCome, master, and do not falter,

NICKTo Hymen's altar!

NICKYe powers, inspire Tom Rakewell Esquire!

SYSTEMSecond Scene

NICK(Outside Tom's home. It's getting dark.

NICKAnne comes in)

NICKRecitative

ANNEHow strange!

ANNEAlthough the heart for love dares everything,

the hand draws back and

ANNEfinds no spring of courage.

ANNELondon! alone!

ANNEseems all that it can say.

ANNEOh heart, be stronger.

ANNEThat which this coward hand

ANNEwishes beyond all bravery,

ANNEthe touch of his,

ANNEmay bring its daring to a close, unneeded,

ANNEand love be all your bounty.

ANNEAria

ANNENo step in fear shall wander

ANNEnor in weakness delay.

ANNEHear thou or not,

ANNEmerciful heaven,

ANNEease thou or not my way.

ANNEA love that is sworn,

ANNEsworn before thee can plunder hell of its prey!

ANNERecitative

ANNE(It's getting dark. Some servants come in

ANNEwith several presents)

ANNEWhat can this mean?

ANNEA ball? a journey? a dream?

ANNEHow evil in the purple dark they seem!.

ANNELoot from dead fingers!. Living mockery!.

ANNEI tremble, tremble with no reason.

surprised

ANNELights!

Tom go out from his home

ANNE'Tis he!

Anne walks to Tom

Confused

TOMAnne! here!

ANNEAnd Tom, such splendour!

TOMLeave pretences, Anne. Ask me! accuse me!

ANNETom, no.

TOMDenounce me to the world and go.

ANNETom, no!

TOMReturn to your home, forget in your senses

TOMwhat, senseless, you pursue.

ANNEDo you return?

SYSTEMI!

ANNEThen how shall I go?

TOMYou must!

Aside

TOMOh wilful powers, pummel to dust

TOMand drive into the void one thought: return!.

Aside

ANNEAssist me, heaven, since love

ANNEI must to calm his raging heart,

ANNEhis eyes that burn.

TOMListen to me, for I know London well.

TOMHere virtue is a day coquette,

for what night hides,

TOMit can forget.

TOMAnd virtue is, till gallants talk,

TOMand tell!.

TOMOh Anne!

TOMThat is the air we breathe.

TOMGo home!

TOM'Tis wisdom here to be afraid.

ANNEHow should I fear,

ANNEwho have your aid

ANNEand all my love for you beside, dear Tom.

TOMMy aid? My aid!

TOMLondon has done all that it can with me.

TOMUnworthy am l, less than weak.

TOMGo back!

ANNELet worthiness.

ANNESo you still love, reside in that.

TOMOh Anne!

Baba appears

Exasperate

BABAMy love, am I to remain in here forever?

BABAYou know that I am not in the habit

BABAof stepping from my sedan unaided.

BABANor shall I wait, unmoved, much longer!

BABAFinish, if you please,

BABAwhatever business is detaining you with this person!

surprised

ANNETom? What...?

TOMMy wife, Anne.

ANNEYour wife?

ANNEI see. Then it is I who was unworthy.

She's going away . Aside

ANNETrio

ANNECould it then have been known?

ANNEWhen spring was love and love took all our ken.

ANNEThat I and I alone and on the frozen ground

ANNEshould see love dead?

Aside

TOMIt is done, it is done.

I turn away, yet should I turn again,

TOMthe arbour would be gone

TOMupon that forsworn ground

TOMthe birds lie dead

BABAWho is it pray, he prefers to me

BABAon our wedding day?

TOMOh bury the heart there deeper

TOMupon its only bridal bed.

TOMAnd should it dreaming, ask when

TOMshall I awaken once again I say: never.

TOMWe shall this wintry promise keep.

TOMObey thy exile, honour sleep...

ANNEOh promise the heart to winter

ANNEswear it bound, to nothing live and you shall wed.

ANNEBut should you vow to love,

ANNEOh then see that you shall not feel again never

ANNElest you, you alone, your promise keep

walk the long aisle and walking, weep...

BABAA family friend?

BABAAn ancient flame?

BABAI'm quite perplexed.

BABAAnd, more, I confess,

BABAthan a little vexed.

BABAEnough is enough!

BABABaba is not used to be so abused.

BABAHeavens above!

BABAWill you permit me to sit

BABAin this conveyance forever?

ANNE... forever.

I have not run away, dear heart.

BABABaba is still waiting patiently for her gallant.

Tom walks to Baba

TOMI am with you, dear wife.

BABAWho was that girl, my life?

TOMOnly a milkmaid, pet,

TOMto whom I was in debt.

Tom and Baba are going into your home

VOICESBaba is here!

PEOPLEBaba the Turk, Baba the Turk,

PEOPLEbefore you retire

PEOPLEshow thyself once,

PEOPLEOh grant us our desire!

Baba takes off the veil showing a black beard

PEOPLEAh, Baba! Baba! Ah!

Tom and Baba enters

SYSTEMThird Scene

PEOPLE(The same room of first scene of second act with some

PEOPLEbirds, minerals, glasses, animals to stuff...Tom and

PEOPLEBaba are sitting having a breakfast)

PEOPLEAria

BABAAs I was saying

BABAboth brothers wore moustaches,

BABAbut Sir John was taller.

BABAThey gave me the musical glasses

BABAin Vienna, no, it must have been Milan.

BABABecause of the donkeys.

BABAVienna was the Chinese fan.

BABAOr was it the bottle of water

BABAfrom the river Jordan?

BABAI'm certain, at least,

BABAit was Vienna and Lord Gordon.

BABAI get so confused about all my travels.

BABAThe snuff boxes came from Paris

BABAand the fulminous gravels

BABAfrom a cardinal who admired me

BABAvastly in Rome.

BABAYou're not eating, my love.

BABACount Moldau gave me the gnome

BABAand Prince Obolovsky

BABAthe little statues of the twelve apostles,

BABAwhich I like best of my treasures

BABAexcept my fossils.

BABAOh, I must tell Bridget

BABAnever not to touch the mummies.

BABAI'll dust them myself.

BABAShe can do the waxwork dummies.

BABAOf course, I love my birds,

BABAespecially my great auk.

BABABut the moths will get in them.

BABAMy love,

BABAWhat's the matter?, why don't you talk?

TOMNothing.

BABASpeak to me!

TOMWhy?

Baba stands up and embraced him

BABACome, sweet, come.

BABAWhy so glum?.

BABASmile at Baba who, loving, smiles at you.

BABADo not frown, husband dear

Pushing her back

TOMSit down!

Baba weeps

TOMAria

BABAScorned! abused! neglected! baited!

BABAWretched me!

BABAWhy is this?

BABAI can see.

BABAI know who is your bliss,

BABAyour love, your life.

BABAWhile l, your loving wife,

BABAlie not!, ... am hated.

BABAYoung, demure, delightful, clever!

BABAIs she not? not as l.

That is what I know you sigh.

BABAThen sigh, then cry!

BABAFor she your wife shall never,

BABAshall never be. Oh, no, never!

BABA¡ne...!

Tom stands up and knocks her

My heart is cold. I can not weep.

TOMOne remedy is left me: sleep.

TOM(Tom knocks over sofa and sleeps. Nick appears

TOMwith a estrange machine)

NICKFa, la, la

Dreaming

TOMOh, I wish it were true!

NICKAwake?

Waking up

TOMWho's there?

NICKYour Shadow, master.

TOMYou!

TOMOh Nick, I've had the strangest dream. I thought...

TOMCan I know what I was never taught?

TOMOr fancy objects I have never seen?

TOMI had devised a marvellous machine,

TOMan engine that converted stones to bread,

TOMwhereby all peoples were for nothing fed.

TOMI saw all want abolished by my skill,

TOMand earth become an Eden of goodwill.

Nick shows the fantastic machine

NICKDid your machine look anything like this?

TOMI must be still asleep. That is my dream!

NICKHow does it work?

TOMI need a stone.

NICKTry this.

I place it here. I turn the wheel,

TOMand then: the bread!

NICKBe certain. Taste!

TOM(Tom eats bread

TOMOh miracle!

TOMOh may I not, forgiven all my past

TOMfor one good deed, deserve dear Anne at last?

TOMDuet

TOMThanks to this excellent device,

man shall re-enter paradise

TOMfrom which he was once driven.

TOMSecure from need, the cause of crime,

TOMthe world shall for the second time

TOMbe similar to heaven.

Looking to the audience

NICKA word to all my friends,

NICKwhere're you sit,

NICKthe men of sense, in boxes or the pit.

NICKMy master is a fool as you can see,

NICKbut you may do good business with me.

TOMWhen, to his infinite relief,

TOMtoil, hunger, poverty, and grief

TOMhave vanished like a dream,

TOMthis engine Adam shall excite

TOMto hallelujahs of delight

TOMand ecstasy extreme.

Looking to the audience

NICKThe idle and the poor

NICKwill give good money for this toy,

NICKbe sure.

NICKFor, so it please,

NICKthere's no fantastic lie

NICKyou can not make

NICKmen swallow if you try.

TOMOmnipotent when armed with this,

TOMin secular abundant bliss...

TOMHe'll ascend to win

TOMthe throne of nature and begin

TOMhis everlasting reign.

Looking to the audience

NICKSo, know your proper interest.

NICKHere's your chance. Invest!.

NICKCome, friends, praise the folly

NICKthat pays dividends.

NICKRecitative

To Tom

NICKForgive me, master,

NICKfor intruding upon your transports,

NICKbut your dream is still

NICKa long way from fulfillment.

NICKHere is the machine, it is true,

NICKbut it must be manufactured

NICKin great quantities.

NICKIt must be advertised, it must be sold.

NICKWe shall need money and advice.

NICKWe shall need partners, merchants of probity

NICKand reputation in the City.

TOMAlas, good Shadow!

TOMyour admonitions are only too just

TOMand they chill my spirit.

TOMFor who am l, who am become

TOMa byword for extravagance and folly,

TOMto approach such men?

TOMIs this dream, too, this noble vision,

TOMto prove as empty as the rest?

TOMWhat shall I do?

NICKHave no fear, master.

Leave such matters to me.

NICKIndeed I've spoken to several notable

NICKcitizens concerning your invention,

NICKand they are as eager to see it as you to show.

TOMIngenious Shadow!

TOMHow could I live without you?

TOMI cannot wait!

TOMLet's visit them immediately!

They beginning to push the machine

NICKShould you not tell

NICKthe good news to your wife.

TOMMy wife? I have not wife

TOMI bury her.

SYSTEMACT III

SYSTEMFirst Scene

TOM(Baba and Tom's room, dirty and untidy. Baba

TOMremains seated, immobile and dirty)

TOMChorus

THE FIRST GROUPWhat curious phenomena are up today for sale!

THE SECOND GROUPWhat manner of remarkables!

THE THIRD GROUPWhat squalor!

THE FIRST GROUPWhat detail!

Coming into the room

THE FOURTH GROUPI'm so glad I did not miss the auction!

THE SECOND GROUPSo am I!

THE THIRD GROUPI can't begin admiring.

THE FOURTH GROUPOh fantastic!

ALLLet us buy!

Out side

VOICESRuin, disaster, shame!

Looking to the people

CROWDBlasted, so many hopes of gain!

CROWDHundreds of sober merchants are insane.

CROWDWidows have sold

CROWDtheir mourning clothes to eat.

CROWDHerds of pale orphans forage in the street.

CROWDMany a duchess, divested of gems,

CROWDhas crossed the dread Styx by way of the Thames.

CROWDOh stricken, take heart in placing the blame.

CROWDRakewell, Rakewell. Ruin, disaster, shame!.

The crow breaks up

Anne comes into the room

ANNEDo you know where Tom Rakewell is?

THE FIRST GROUPAmerica. He fled.

THE SECOND GROUPSpontaneous combustion caught him hurrying.

THE SECOND GROUPHe's dead.

ANNEDo you know what's become of him?

THE THIRD GROUPHow should we?

THE FOURTH GROUPHe's Methodist.

THE THIRD GROUPHe's Papist.

THE FOURTH GROUPHe's converting Jewry.

ANNECan no one tell me where he is?

CROWDWe're certain he's in debt.

CROWDThey're after him and they will catch him yet.

Aside

ANNEI'll seek him in the house myself.

She goes out

THE FIRST AND THE SECOND GROUPI wonder at her quest.

THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GROUPShe's probably some silly girl,

THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GROUPhe ruined like the rest.

THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GROUP(The door opened. Sellem comes into the room with

THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GROUPhis servants. They bring a platform)

SELLEMAha!

CROWDHe's here, the auctioneer.

To the servants

SELLEMNo! Over there!

SELLEMBe quick. Take care.

Each other

CROWDYour bids prepare.

CROWDBe quick!. Take care!.

Sellem stands up over platform

CROWDRecitative

SELLEMLadies, both fair and gracious, gentlemen:

SELLEMBe al I welcome to this miracle of,

SELLEMthis most widely heralded of,

SELLEMthis, I am sure you follow me,

SELLEM"nec plus ultra" of auctions.

SELLEMTruly there is a divine balance in nature.

SELLEMA thousand lose

SELLEMthat a thousand may gain.

SELLEMAnd you, who are the fortunate,

SELLEMare not so only in yourselves,

SELLEMbut also in being nature's missionaries.

SELLEMYou are her instruments

SELLEMfor the restoration of that order

SELLEMwe al I so worship.

SELLEMAnd it is granted to,

SELLEMah, so few of us, to serve.

Applause

SELLEMLet us proceed at once.

SELLEMLots one and two:

SELLEMal I objects in the categories

SELLEManimal, vegetable, and mineral.

SELLEMAria

SELLEMWho hears me,

SELLEMknows me a man with value.

He shows an stuffed animal

SELLEMLook at this! What is it? Wit and profit!

SELLEMNo one could fail to conquer, fail to charm,

SELLEMwho had it by to watch.

SELLEMAnd who couldn't be a nimble planner

SELLEMhaving this before him. Bid!

He shows an stuffed fishes

SELLEMBid to get them!

The crow begins the bid: ¡one, two, three, five...

SELLEMGet them, hurry!

SELLEMLa! Come bid!

SELLEMHmm! Come buy!

SELLEM-One

SELLEMAha! The auk.

SELLEMWitty, lovely, wealthy.

SELLEMPoof! Go high!

SELLEM-Two

SELLEMLa! Some more!

SELLEM-Three

SELLEMWhee! Come on!

SELLEM-Five

SELLEMAha! The pike!

SELLEM-seven!

SELLEMseven

SELLEM-eleven!

SELLEMeleven

SELLEM-fourteen!

SELLEMfourteen

SELLEM-nineteen!

SELLEMnineteen

SELLEM-twenty!

SELLEMtwenty

SELLEM-twenty-three!

SELLEMtwenty-three

SELLEMGoing at twenty-three,

SELLEMgoing, going! gone.

CROWDHurrah!

He shows a marble statue

SELLEMBehold it, Roman, moral.

SELLEMThe man who has it, has it forever, yes!

He shows a palm

SELLEMAnd holy, curing the body,

SELLEMsoul and spirit, a gift of God!

He shows some things

SELLEMAnd not to mention this or the other,

SELLEMmore and more, and, so help me, more!

SELLEMThen bid!

SELLEMOh get them, Hurry!

SELLEMLa! Come bid!

SELLEMHmm! Come buy!

SELLEM-Four!

SELLEMAha! The bust!

SELLEMFeel them, life eternal.

SELLEMPoof! Go high!

SELLEM-Six!

SELLEMLa! Some more!

SELLEM-Nine!

SELLEMHmm! Come on!

SELLEM-Ten!

SELLEMAha! The palm!

SELLEM-Fifteen!

SELLEMFifteen!

SELLEM-And a half!

SELLEMAnd a half!

SELLEM-Three quarters!

SELLEMThree quarters!

SELLEM-Sixteen!

SELLEMSixteen!

SELLEM-Seventeen!

SELLEMSeventeen!

SELLEMGoing, going, gone.

CROWDHurrah!

SELLEMWonderful, yes, yes.

SELLEMAnd now, for the truly adventurous,

an unknown object draws us near.

He goes up Baba

SELLEMA cake? An organ?

SELLEMGolden apple tree?

SELLEMA block of copal?

SELLEMMint of alchemy?

SELLEMOracle? Pillar?

SELLEMOctopus?

SELLEMWho'll see?

SELLEMBe brave!

SELLEMPerhaps an angel will appear.

SELLEMLa! Come bid!

SELLEM-Ten!

SELLEMHmm! Come buy!

SELLEM-Twenty!

SELLEM-Twenty-five!

SELLEMAha! The it!

SELLEM-Twenty-one!

SELLEM-Twenty-two!

SELLEMThis may be salvation!.

SELLEM-Twenty-three!

SELLEM-Twenty-five

SELLEMPoof! Go high!

SELLEM-Twenty-six!

SELLEM-Twenty-seven!

SELLEMLa! Some more!

SELLEM-Twenty-three!

SELLEM-Twenty-five!

SELLEMHmm! Come on!

SELLEM-Twenty-six

SELLEM-Twenty-eight

SELLEMAha! The what!

SELLEM-Fifty!

SELLEMFifty!

SELLEM-Fifty-five!

SELLEMFifty-five!

SELLEM-Sixty!

SELLEMsixty!

SELLEM-Sixty-one!

SELLEMsixty-one!

SELLEM-Sixty-two!

SELLEMsixty-two!

SELLEMSeventy! Ninety!

SELLEMGoing at ninety!

SELLEMGoing at a hundred!

SELLEMGoing, going, gone!

Baba says the last syllable of the last scene

BABA¡...ever!

She begins to clean oneself

BABASold! annoyed! I've caught you thieving!

BABAIf you dare touch a thing

BABAthen beware my reckoning.

BABABe off, be gone, desist:

I, Baba, must insist upon your leaving.

CROWDIt's Baba, his wife. It passes believing.

Nick´s and Tom's voices are listened out of scene

NICKOld wives for sale!

NICKStale wives, prim wives,

NICKsilly and grim wives!

NICKOld wives for sale!

SELLEMNow...what was that?

Aside

BABAThe pigs of plunder!

Anne comes into the room and she goes to windows

ANNEWas that his voice?

SELLEMWhat next, I wonder?

BABAThe milkmaid haunts me.

From the windows

ANNEGone!

BABAAll I possessed seems gone.

BABAWell, well.

To Anne

BABAMy dear!

ANNEHis wife!

BABAHis jest, no matter now.

BABACome here, my child, to Baba.

Anne goes to Baba

SELLEMLadies, the sale,

SELLEMif you could go out.

BABARobber! Don't interrupt!

To Sellem

RESPECTABLE CITIZENSDon't interrupt or rail.

VOICESA scene like this is better than a sale.

VOICESDuet

To Anne

BABAYou love him, seek to set him right.

BABAHe's but a shuttle-headed lad.

BABANot quite a gentleman,

BABAnor quite completely vanquished

BABAby the bad.

BABAWho knows what care and love might do?

BABABut good or bad,

BABAI know he still loves you.

ANNEHe loves me still!

Then I alone in weeping doubt

ANNEhave been untrue.

ANNEOh hope, endear my love.

ANNEAtone, grace whatever may ensue. Enlighten,

SELLEMHe loves her.

THE SECOND GROUPWho?

SELLEMThat isn't known.

THE SECOND GROUPHe loves her still.

SELLEMThe tale is sad, if true.

BABASo find him and his man beware!

BABAI may have made a bad mistake,

BABAyet I can tell who in that pair

BABAis poisoned victim and who snake!

BABAThen go!

ANNEBut where shall you...?

BABAMy dear, a gifted lady

BABAnever need have fear.

BABAI shall go back and grace the stage

BABAwhere manner rules and wealth attends.

BABACan I deny my time its rage?

BABAMy self-indulgent intermezzo ends.

ANNECan I for him all love engage and yet

ANNEbelieve her happy when love ends?

CROWDShe will go back.

CROWDHer view is sage. That's life.

CROWDWe came to buy. See how it ends.

SELLEMMoney farewell. Who'll buy?.

SELLEMThe auction ends.

VOICESIf boys had wings

VOICESand girls had stings

VOICESand gold fell from the sky,

VOICESif new-laid eggs

VOICESwore wooden legs

I should not laugh or cry.

ANNEIt's Tom, I know!

BABAThe two, then go!

SELLEMThe thief, below!

SELLEMThen go to him!.

SELLEMHis crime was grave.

ANNEI go to him.

ANNEOh love, be brave, be strong for him and save.

To Baba

ANNEMay God bless you.

BABAThey're after him.

BABABe swift, be true.

BABABe swift if you want time enough to save.

Anne lets go

NICKWho cares a fig for Tory or Whig?

NICKNot l, not l...

To Sellem

BABAYou! Summon my carriage!

Sellem goes to the door

To the crowd

BABAOut of my way!

BABAThe next time you see Baba you shall pay!

She goes

CROWDWe've never been through such a hectic day!

SYSTEMSecond Scene

It's night. A cemetery with a empty grave

Tom and Nick come in. Nick carries a little sack

CROWDDuet

TOMHow dark, and dreadful is this place!.

TOMWhy have you led me here?

TOMThere's something, Shadow, in your face

TOMthat fills my soul with fear.

NICKA year and a day, have passed away

NICKsince first to you I came.

NICKAll things you bid, I duly did

NICKand now my wages claim.

TOMShadow!, Good Shadow!

TOMBe patient.

TOMI am beggared, as you know.

TOMBut promise when I am rich again

TOMto pay you, to pay you all I owe.

NICK'Tis not your money but your soul

NICKwhich I this night require.

NICKLook in my eyes and recognise

NICKwhom, fool, you chose to hire.

He points to grave

NICKBehold your waiting grave!

NICKBehold!

He takes out a steel, a gun...

NICKSteel, halter,

NICKpoison, gun.

NICKMake no excuse,

your exit choose.

NICKTom Rakewell's race is run.

TOMOh let the wild hills cover me

TOMor the abounding wave.

NICKThe sins you did may not be hid.

NICKThink not your soul to save.

TOMOh why did an uncle I never knew

TOMselect me for his heir?

NICKIt pleases well the damned in hell

NICKto bring another there.

NICKMidnight is come.

NICKBy rope or gun

NICKor medicine or knife,

NICKon the stroke of twelve

NICKyou shall slay yourself,

NICKfor forfeit is your life.

It's hearing the stroke clock

NICKCount one, count two,

NICKcount three, count four,

NICKcount five,

TOMHave mercy!

NICKcount six, count seven,

TOMHave mercy on me, heaven!

NICKcount eight,

TOMToo late!

NICKNo. Wait.

He makes a face and the clock stops

NICKRecitative

NICKVery well, then.

NICKMy dear and good Tom,

NICKperhaps you impose a bit

NICKupon our friendship.

NICKBut Nick, as you know,

NICKis a gentleman at heart,

NICKforgives your dilatoriness

NICKand suggests a game.

TOMA game?

NICKA game of chance to finally decide your fate.

NICKHave you a pack of cards?

He takes out a pack of cards

TOMAll that remains me

TOMof this world and for the next.

NICKYou jest. Fine, fine.

NICKGood spirits make a game go well.

NICKI shall explain.

NICKThe rules are simple and the outcome simpler still.

NICKNick will cut three cards.

NICKIf you can name them, you are free.

He points to mortal instruments

NICKIf not, you choose the path to follow me.

NICKYou understand?

Tom nods

NICKLet us begin.

NICKDuet

NICKWell, then.

TOMMy heart is wild with fear.

TOMMy throat is dry.

NICKCome, try!

TOMI can not think.

TOMI dare, I dare not wish.

NICKLet wish be thought

NICKand think on one to name.

NICKYou wish in all your fear

NICKto rule the game,

NICKinstead of Shadow.

Aside

TOMAnne!

To Nick

TOMMy fear departs.

TOMI name the Queen of Hearts.

He shows the card

NICKThe Queen of Hearts.

It's hearing one stroke clock

NICKYou see, it's quite a simple game.

To audience

NICKTo win at once in love or cards is dull.

NICKThe gentleman loves sport, for sport is rare.

NICKThe positive appalls him:

NICKHe plays the pence of hope

NICKto yield the guineas of despair.

To Tom

NICKAgain, good Tom.

NICKYou are my master yet.

Nick shuffles

TOMWhat shall I trust in now?

How throw the die to win,

TOMto win my soul back for myself?

NICKCome, try!.

NICKWas Fortune not your mistress once?

Be fair. Give her at least a second chance

NICKto bare the hand of Shadow.

Suddenly, the spade falls down noisily

Scary

TOMThe deuce!

He looks at the spade

TOMShe lights the shades and shows the two of spades.

angry

NICKThe two of spades

It's hearing another stroke clock

NICKCongratulations.

NICKThe goddess still is faithful.

NICKBut we have one more, you know, the very last.

NICKThink for a while, my Tom. I would not

NICKwant your last of chances thoughtless.

NICKI am, you may often have observed,

NICKreally compassionate.

NICKThink on your hopes.

TOMOh God! What hopes have I?

Nick, furtively, picks up the Queen of Hearts

To audience

NICKThe simpler the trick, the simpler the deceit.

NICKAnd there is no return.

NICKI've taught him well. And repetition palls him.

NICKThe Queen of Hearts again

NICKshall be for him the Queen of Hell.

Nick shuffles

NICKRouse yourself, Tom.

NICKYour travail soon will end.

NICKCome, try!

Aside

TOMNow in his words I find no aid.

TOMWill Fortune give another sign?

Aside

NICKNow in my words he'll find no aid.

NICKAnd Fortune gives no other sign.

To Tom

NICKAfraid, love-lucky Tom?

NICKCome, try!

TOMDear God, a track of cloven hooves

NICKThe knavish goats are back

NICKto crop the spring's return.

TOMReturn and love!

TOMThe banished words torment.

NICKYou cannot now repent.

TOMReturn, Oh love!

Out of scene

ANNE'S VOICEA love that is sworn before Thee

ANNE'S VOICEcan plunder hell of its prey.

TOMI wish for nothing else.

TOMLove, first and last,

TOMassume eternal reign.

TOMRenew my life,

TOMoh Queen of Hearts again!

TOM(It's hearing the twelfth stroke clock.

TOMTom faints)

NICKI burn! I freeze!

NICKIn shame I hear

NICKmy famished legions roar:

NICKMy own delay lost me my prey

NICKand damns myself the more.

NICKDefeated, mocked,

NICKagain I sink in ice and flame to lie.

NICKBut Heaven's will I'll hate and till

NICKeternity defy.

He looks at Tom

NICKYour sins, my foe,

NICKbefore I go, give me some power to pain:

He makes a magic face

NICKTo reason blind

NICKshall be your mind.

NICKHenceforth be you insane!

He goes down the grave

It's dawning. Tom wakes up and sings

TOMWith roses crowned, I sit on ground.

TOMAdonis is my name.

TOMThe only dear of Venus fair:

TOMMe thinks it is no shame.

SYSTEMThird Scene

A mental hospital in London

TOM(Tom is with a blind man with a violin, a cripple

TOMsoldier, a man with a telescope and three old witches.

TOMOn the wall, a straw mattress)

TOMAria

TOMPrepare yourselves, ye heroic shades.

TOMWash you and make you clean.

TOMAnoint your limbs with oil,

TOMput on your wedding garments

TOMand crown your heads with flowers.

TOMLet music strike.

TOMVenus, queen of love,

TOMwill visit her unworthy Adonis.

MADMENMadmen's words are all untrue.

MADMENShe will never come to you.

TOMShe gave me her promise.

TOMRecitative

MADMENMadness cancels every vow.

MADMENShe will never keep it now.

TOMCome quickly, Venus, or I die.

TOMChorus

Dancing

Leave all love and hope behind.

MADMENOut of sight is out of mind

MADMENin these caverns of the dead.

MADMENIn the city overhead

MADMENformer lover, former foe

MADMENto their works and pleasures go

MADMENnor consider who beneath

weep and howl and gnash their teeth.

MADMENDown in hell as up in heaven

MADMENno hands are in marriage given,

MADMENnor is honour or degree

MADMENknown in our society.

MADMENBanker, beggar, whore, and wit

MADMENin a common darkness sit.

MADMENSeasons, fashions, never change,

MADMENall is stale yet all is strange.

MADMENAll are foes and none are friends

MADMENin a night that never ends.

It's listening the lock sound

MADMENHark! Minos comes, who cruel is and strong.

MADMENBeware! Away!

MADMENHis whip is keen and long!

All the people runs. Anne comes with a guardian

MADMENRecitative

He points to Tom

GUARDIANThere he is.

GUARDIANHave no fear. He is not dangerous.

ANNETom!

Tom doesn't knows Anne

GUARDIANHe believes that he is Adonis

GUARDIANand will answer to no other name.

GUARDIANHumour him in that,

GUARDIANand you will find him easy to manage.

So, as you desire, I'll leave you.

She gives him a coin

ANNEYou are kind.

He goes out

GUARDIANI thank you, lady.

To Tom

ANNEAdonis.

ANNEAria

He stands up

TOMVenus! My queen! My bride!

TOMAt last. I have waited for thee so long,

TOMtill I almost believed those madmen

TOMwho blasphemed against thy honour.

TOMThey are rebuked.

TOMMount, Venus, mount thy throne.

(Anne sits down on the straw mattress. Tom kneels

TOMdown)

TOMOh merciful goddess!,

TOMhear the confession of my sins.

TOMDuet

TOMIn a foolish dream, in a gloomy labyrinth,

TOMI hunted shadows, disdaining thy true love.

TOMForgive thy servant, who repents his madness.

TOMForgive Adonis and he shall faithful prove.

ANNEWhat should I forgive? Thy ravishing penitence

ANNEblesses me, dear heart, and brightens all the past.

ANNEKiss me, Adonis, the wild boar is vanquished.

TOMEmbrace me, Venus: I've come home at last!

ANNERejoice, beloved: In these fields of Elysium,

ANNEspace can not alter, nor time our love abate.

ANNEHere has no words for absence or estrangement,

ANNEnor now a notion of ''almost'' or ''too late.''

ANNERecitative

TOMI am exceeding weary.

TOMImmortal queen, permit thy mortal bridegroom

TOMto lay his head upon thy breast.

TOMThe heavens are merciful and all is well.

TOMSing, my beloved, sing me to sleep.

TOMCradle Song

ANNEGently, little boat

ANNEacross the ocean float,

ANNEthe crystal waves dividing.

ANNEThe sun in the west

ANNEis going to rest.

ANNEGlide toward the islands of the blessed.

MADMENWhat voice is this?

MADMENWhat heavenly strains

MADMENbring solace to tormented brains?

ANNEOrchards greenly grace

ANNEthat undisturbed place.

ANNEThe weary soul recalling

ANNEto slumber and dream,

ANNEwhile many a stream

falls descanting on a child-like theme.

MADMENOh sacred music of the spheres!

MADMENWhere are our rages and our fears?

ANNELion, lamb, and deer,

ANNEuntouched by greed or fear

ANNEabout the woods are straying.

ANNEAnd quietly now the blossoming bough

ANNEsway above the fair, unclouded brow.

MADMENSing on! Forever sing!

MADMENRelease our frantic souls and bring us peace.

Truelove and the guardian come in

MADMENRecitative

TRUELOVEAnne, my dear,

TRUELOVEthe tale is ended now.

TRUELOVECome home.

ANNEYes, Father.

To Tom

ANNETom, my vow holds ever,

ANNEbut it is no longer I you need.

ANNESleep well, my dearest dear, good-bye.

ANNEDuet

ANNEEvery wearied body must

ANNElate or soon return to dust.

ANNEIn this earthly city we shall not meet again,

ANNElove, yet never think that I forget.

TRUELOVEGod is merciful and just,

TRUELOVEset the frantic spirit free.

TRUELOVEGod ordains what ought to be,

TRUELOVEbut a father's eyes are wet.

TRUELOVE(Anne, the guardian and Truelove go out, Tom

TRUELOVEwakes up)

TRUELOVERecitative

TOMWhere art thou, Venus? Venus? where art thou?

TOMThe flowers open to the sun.

TOMThe birds renew their song.

TOMIt is spring.

TOMThe bridal couch is prepared.

TOMCome quickly, beloved, and we will celebrate

TOMthe holy rites of love.

He shouts

TOMHolla! Achilles! Helen!

TOMEurydice, Orpheus, Persephone!

TOMAll my courtiers. Holla!

The madmen appear

TOMWhere is my Venus?,

TOMwhy have you stolen her while I slept?.

TOMMadmen! where have you hidden her?

MADMENVenus? stolen?

MADMENhidden? where?

MADMENMadman! no one has been here.

TOMMy heart breaks,

TOMI feel the chill of death's approaching wing.

TOMOrpheus! strike from thy lyre

TOMa swan-like music.

And weep, ye nymphs

TOMand shepherds of these Stygian fields,

weep for Adonis, the beautiful, the young.

Weep for Adonis, whom Venus loved.

He falls to the ground

CHORUS MOURNERSMourn for Adonis, ever young.

CHORUS MOURNERSVenus dear,

weep, tread softly

CHORUS MOURNERSround his bier.

EPILOGUE(Baba, Tom, Nick, Anne and Troulove come in.

EPILOGUEThe men aren't wig and Baba beard)

ALLGood people, just a moment.

ALLThough our story now is ended,

there's a moral to draw

ALLfrom what you saw

ALLsince the curtain first ascended.

ANNENot every rake is rescued

ANNEat the last by love and beauty.

ANNENot every man is given an Anne

to take the place of duty.

BABALet Baba warn the ladies:

BABAyou will find out soon or later

BABAthat, good or bad, all men are mad,

BABAall they say or do is theatre.

TOMBeware young men who fancy

TOMyou are Virgil or Julius Caesar,

TOMlest when you wake you be only a rake.

TRUELOVEI heartily agree, sir.

NICKDay in, day out, poor Shadow

NICKmust do as he is bidden.

NICKMany insist I do not exist.

NICKAt times I wish I didn't.

ALLSo let us sing as one.

ALLAt all times, in all lands

ALLbeneath the moon and sun,

ALLthis proverb has proved true

ALLsince Eve went out with Adam:

ALLFor idle hands and hearts and minds

ALLthe devil finds works that to do.

ALLHe has a work for you,

ALLfor you and also for you.