mirette libretto
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
1/46
MIRETTE
Opera Comique in Three Acts
written by Michel Carre
composed by Andre Messager
the English lyrics by Fred. E. eatherly
the English !ialogue by "arry #reenban$
Characters
#erard
%obinet
&icorin
Francal
%aron 'an Osborn
%ertuccio
Ma(
The %urgomaster
)otary
Mirette
%ianca *daughter o+ 'an Osborn,The Marquise
%ohemians- oldiers- /adies- and #entlemen.
ACT I. 00 A +orest glade in Flanders.
ACT II. 00 "all in the Chateau o+ the Marquise.
ACT III. 00 A 1illage green.
ACT I.
CE)E. 00 A +orest glade in Flanders. As the curtain rises
#I&IE are disco1ered sitting and lying in picturesque attitudes
around a large +ire- which is lighted in the centre o+ the stage2
some are eating and drin$ing- others smo$ing. FRA)CA/ and an old
#ipsy with a grey beard are playing dice on a tree0trun$. &ICORI)
is going gaily +rom one person to another- but is watching
MIRETTE- who is sitting pensi1ely on the grassy hilloc$ at the
+oot o+ a large tree R. %ERT3CCIO is 4ust +inishing a story he is
telling.
C"OR3.
"a5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5
A splendid story5 %ra1o5 %ra1o5 %ertuccio5
"e6s the man to tell a story.
%ra1o5 %ertuccio5
Ah- what wit5 %ra1o5 bra1o5
%ERT3CCIO. hen you61e roamed the world li$e me-
7ou6ll ha1e stories- too- as well-
trange ad1entures you can tell-
Fit +or story and +or song-
8ust to pass the hours along5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
2/46
&ICORI) *to MIRETTE,. hy this shadow on your brow-
hy so sad and silent now9
MIRETTE *as i+ wa$ing +rom a dream,.
I9 . . . . 6tis nothing- &icorin.
FRA)CA/. 6Tis only that our little :ueen-
To dreamland sweet awhile is going5
C"OR3. Tell us- Mirette5 Tell us- Mirette5
hat- ah5 what are you dreaming o+9
Is it +ame or +ortune9 Or golden lo1e9
E1er alone you $eep apart-
For our songs and dances you ha1e no heart.
Cannot you trust your +riends- Mirette9
All our +aith+ul lo1e do you +orget9
FRA)CA/. !o you not lo1e old Francal still9
&ICORI). Ah5 1e( her not5 he6s sad to0night5
FRA)CA/. )e1er +ear5 I $now Mirette-
"er little heart is wise and true.
And yet 00 that sad and clouded brow-
Those sweet eyes ga;ing to the blue- "ide some deepening sorrow now5
It will not do5
C"OR3. It will not do5
MIRETTE. )o- no5 my sadness all is gone5
And see 00 I6m smiling.
FRA)CA/. ell then- to show
6Tis really so-
ing us the old- old song- you $now.
C"OR3. 7es- yes5 sing us the song.
FRA)CA/. The old re+rain- the dear old song-
That cheers us as we ro1e along-
The song we lo1e- hurrah- hurrah5
The song o+ old %ohemia5
O)#. 00 MIRETTE.
Roaming e1er- night and day-
"ea16n +or a roo+ o6erhead.
/uc$ to guide us on our way-
Only the earth +or a bed.
Though so +ar the bells may ring-
/ong our way and slow-
ho cares9 Merrily we sing-
Onward as we go.
here we6ll +ind a bed to0night
ho o+ us may $now9
ho cares9 Merrily we sing- Onward still we go5
!ance along with merry- merry song-
Though the way be dar$ and long-
)e6er a resting place ha1e we-
The world is the home o+ the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
3/46
)e1er a care ha1e we5
Though the sun be bright on high-
Though the light be low-
ho cares9 Merrily we sing-
Onward as we go5
Though the sun be bright on high-
Though the light be low-
ho cares9 Merrily we sing-
Onward still we go5
!ance along with merry- merry song-
Though the way be dar$ and long-
)e6er a resting place ha1e we-
The world is the home o+ the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
4/46
be5
All the way- song and play- no thorn 6mid the +lowers-
And ne1er a shadow- a shadow to +all on thee.
/et it pass- thy empty dream-
Things are ne1er all they seem5
Ta$e the shade and sunshine- still there6s light
abo1e
thee5
Thou art ours- and we are thine-
7ou- sir- are a little too tall2
And you- sir- too short and ungainly.
7ou6re too shy- sir2 and you are too bold2
7ou6re too young2 you- too old5
E(cuse me pray- e(cuse me pray- I+ I re+use when such a choice is pro1ided-
%ut i+ the truth I now must say-
I6m undecided- still undecided5
I can6t ma$e up my mind- you see2
I really don6t $now what to do2
%ut- i+ I marry- i+ I marry- i+ I marry-
%ut 00 i+ I marry 00 why 00 it won6t be you5
C"OR3. %ut- i+ she marries- i+ she marries- i+ she marries-
%ut- i+ she marries 00 why 00 it won6t be you5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
5/46
FRA)CA/. Come- Mirette- you mustn6t be too particular5 Most
girls would 4ump at the prospect o+ a husband- and be
content to lea1e his si;e and shape to +ortune. 7ou6re
+ar too pretty and bewitching to remain single any
longer. The men will be quarrelling o1er you- and I
don6t want any bloodshed. Ma$e up your mind be+ore we
start to0night.
MIRETTE. I will do as you wish- Francal.
A loud snee;e is heard +rom behind the trees.
A//. ho6s that9 hy- it6s %obinet5
%O%I)ET appears. "e is in a pitiable state- his clothes co1ered
with mud- his wet hair clinging to his +orehead. E1eryone bursts
out laughing as he enters.
C"OR3.
*laughing,. /oo$5 /oo$5 I say- "ere6s %obinet5
Oh5 hat a sight he is5
Oh5 hat a +right he is5
hat can it be-
Is it a plot9
Into some trouble he6s certainly got5
Oh- what an air5
/oo$ at him there5
Oh5 what a picture o+ +right and despair5
"a5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5 ha5
Come tell us pray-
Come- %obinet-
hat is the mischie+ you61e been in to0day9
Come tell us what
%lunder or plot9
For into some trouble you61e certainly got5
%O%I)ET loo$s at them with imperturbable gra1ity- and then-
without saying a word- produces a duc$ +rom under his coat.
FRA)CA/. A duc$5 And is that all you61e got to show5 I
suppose
you61e been swimming a+ter it9
A// *laughing,. "a5 ha5
%O%I)ET. I6m 00 4ust going 00 to 00 tell you 00 atschi5
*nee;es., %ut gi1e me another coat +irst 00 I6m
shi1ering all down my bac$5 Atschi5 *nee;es., There it is5 00 I61e got it5 Oh5 I ne1er swallowed so much water
in my li+e5 My nose is +ull o+ it 00 my eyes are +ull
o+ it5 and all on account o+ a duc$5 *omeone hands him
a coat., Much obliged5 I shall want a brush and comb 00
but to0morrow will do +or them5 I6m not going into
society this e1ening. Atschi5 *nee;es., There it is5
I61e got it 00 there6s no doubt about that5
FRA)CA/. %ut you ha1en6t told us how it happened.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
6/46
%O%I)ET. "ow it happened9 /et me warm mysel+ +irst. *#oes to
the
+ire- re+lecti1ely., "ow it happened9 ell- you $now my
wea$ness +or roast duc$. I daresay it6s +oolish- but
the stu++ing is simply irresistible. "owe1er- I6ll tell
you the whole story.
O)#. 00 %O%I)ET and C"OR3.
I $now a little +arm with stac$s and mows-
ith duc$s- and geese- and pigs- and cows-
And I said to mysel+ as I got to the wall-
?I6ll ha1e that duc$- whate6er be+all5?
o I got to the top-
And down with a +lop-
And into the yard- you see2
hen bow0wow0wow 00
#r0r0r0row- row-
A dog loo$ed out at me5
%ut ?!illy- dilly- dilly-? said I to the duc$-
%ut she would not come 00 not she5 And as I went a+ter the duc$-
00 %ad luc$-
The dog came a+ter me5
C"OR3. ?!illy- dilly- dilly-? said he to the duc$-
%ut she would not come 00 not she5
And as he went a+ter the duc$-
00 %ad luc$-
The dog came 00
%O%I)ET. 00 a+ter me5
Then away went the duc$- and away went I-
3nder the gate- and into the stye2
Till splash5 in the pond with a quac$ she +ell-
And splash5 in the pond went I as well.
And I don6t +orget
That the pond was wet- *snee;ing,
And it6s gi1en me a cold 00 atschi5
%ut I stuc$ to my duc$
ith considerable pluc$-
And that6s how I6m here- you see.
?!illy- dilly- dilly-? it6s a 1ery +ine duc$-
And +ine it ought to be5
For though I61e all o+ the duc$-
00 %ad luc$-
The dog has part o+ me5
C"OR3. ?!illy- dilly- dilly-? it6s a 1ery +ine duc$-
And +ine it ought to be5 For though he6s all o+ the duc$-
00 %ad luc$-
The dog has 00
%O%I)ET. 00 part o+ me5
%O%I)ET sits down.
FRA)CA/. I hope this silly ad1enture won6t lead to the
disco1ery
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
7/46
o+ our hiding0place9
&ICORI). Captain- I should li$e to spea$ to Mirette.
FRA)CA/. Alone9
&ICORI). Alone.
FRA)CA/. Are you in lo1e with her- li$e all the rest9
&ICORI). &erhaps.
FRA)CA/ *to the #ipsies,. !o you hear that- boys9 "ere6s
&icorin in lo1e with Mirette- and a+raid to admit it.
A//. &icorin 00 in lo1e5
FRA)CA/. Come- %obinet- can6t we put down your name- too9
%O%I)ET *1acantly,. &ut down my name9
FRA)CA/. To be married9
%O%I)ET *not understanding,. To be married9
FRA)CA/. My good %obinet- you must ha1e le+t your brains
behind
you 00 in the pond5 *All laugh.,
%O%I)ET. My brains9
FRA)CA/. )ow- comrades- we61e been idle long enough. It6s
time
to get to wor$ again- and let6s hope business will be
better than it was this morning5 7ou- &icorin- can stay with Mirette and spea$ to her 00 i+ you are success+ul-
so much the better2 and you- %obinet- mount guard o1er
the camp- and mind you $eep a sharp loo$0out. There you
are5 *&uts a gun into %O%I)ET6s hands.,
E(eunt all e(cept MIRETTE- %O%I)ET- and &ICORI).
MIRETTE *aside,. I must obey my destiny5 00 and it is
Francal6s
wish5
%O%I)ET. &icorin9
&ICORI). ell9
%O%I)ET. !o you obser1e that they ha1e le+t us alone9
&ICORI). 7es.
%O%I)ET. I don6t li$e the loo$ o+ it.
&ICORI). 7ou great coward5 )ow listen5 I ha1e something to
say
to Mirette 00 something which doesn6t concern you2 so
$indly mount guard a little +arther o++ 00 *pointing, 0
0 there 00 under the trees.
%O%I)ET. 7ou don6t require my protection9
&ICORI). )o- than$ you.
%O%I)ET. %ut you6re not going to lea1e me alone9
&ICORI) *impatiently,. Oh- run along5
%O%I)ET shoulders his gun and goes to bac$ o+ stage- where he is
seen pacing to and +ro with great deliberation- till at length hehalts at the +oot o+ a tree and is only occasionally seen during
the +ollowing.
MIRETTE. 7ou wanted to spea$ to me- &icorin9
&ICORI). 7es- Mirette- I 00 that is 00
MIRETTE. 7ou need not hesitate. I am ready to listen to all
you
ha1e to say.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
8/46
&ICORI). )o- Mirette- I will not spea$ to0day. 7ou seem so
sad-
so unhappy5
MIRETTE *with a +orced smile,. hy should I be unhappy9 I am
going to be married2 surely there is no cause +or
unhappiness in that5
&ICORI). 7ou cannot decei1e me- Mirette.
MIRETTE. Must I not do as Francal wishes9 Is he not my
master9
"e commands me- and my duty is to obey. hy are you
here9
&ICORI). I9
MIRETTE. 7es 00 you. hy ha1e they le+t us alone together-
e(cept that you may obtain +rom me the consent which I
ha1e not e1en the right to re+use9 7ou lo1e me-
&icorin. 'ery well 00 there is my hand. I will be your
wi+e.
&ICORI) *sadly,. )o5
MIRETTE. 7ou re+use9
&ICORI). 7es- I re+use. Forgi1e me +or my presumption-
Mirette. I was mista$en. I had a dream 00 a dream so sweet that
00 wa$ing 00 I belie1ed it true.
MIRETTE *loo$ing at him,. A dream- &icorin5 hat was it9
&ICORI). 7ou6ll only laugh at me 00 now.
O)#. 00 &ICORI).
hen all was young- I went a0dreaming-
The days were sweet- and e1ery s$y was blue2
7ou were a child with bright eyes beaming-
And I a boy- a boy with you.
7ou ga;ed at me- so tall abo1e you-
I was your sweetheart 00 dear- do you +orget9
And in my dream you clung to me and as$ed me i+ I
lo1ed
you-
And I 00 I was happy then- Mirette5
%ut when- the night is round us +alling-
And by your tent my happy watch I $eep-
?#ood0night5? I hear your sweet 1oice calling-
For 1ery 4oy- I weep- I weep.
%ut when- in all your beauty beaming-
7ou spurn me- scorn me- and +orget-
Then all my heart grows cold- and then I wa$e +rom
dreaming-
I $now 00 I $now you lo1e me not- Mirette5
MIRETTE. My poor &icorin5
&ICORI). 7ou pity me9
MIRETTE. ith all my heart 00 but *sadly, I do not lo1e you5
&ICORI). Ah5
MIRETTE. !o not be angry with me +or spea$ing so plainly- but
your goodness- your sincerity compel me to. I will not
be your wi+e- but no other o+ your band shall be my
husband. I shall ne1er marry a gipsy5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
9/46
&ICORI). hat will Francal say9
MIRETTE. Francal cannot understand what I +eel. I $now that I
was ne1er intended +or this wandering li+e- this li+e
o+ robbery and bloodshed. It re1olts and sic$ens me-
and I shall tell him so5
&ICORI). And i+ he is angry 00 i+ he threatens you9
MIRETTE. Then I shall run away.
%O%I)ET *at the bac$ in a +rightened 1oice,. ho goes there9
"elp- help5
&ICORI) *turning round,. hat6s the matter9
%O%I)ET. It6s nobody5 It6s only a tree5 */aughs to himsel+.,
&ICORI). Idiot5
The sun begins to set. MIRETTE has seated hersel+ R.- and hidden
her +ace in her hands.
&ICORI) *returning to MIRETTE,. Mirette 00 you are crying5
MIRETTE. It is nothing5 It does me good. /ea1e me +or a
little
while5
&ICORI) *to %O%I)ET,. The +ire6s nearly out. #o and pic$ upa
+ew stic$s- %obinet.
%O%I)ET. I go9 )o- than$ you5 It6s getting dar$- and I don6t
want to run against a lot o+ nasty bogies and
hobgoblins. 3gh5
&ICORI). Then stay here- and $eep a sharp loo$0out. I6ll go
mysel+.
&ICORI) approaches MIRETTE who has stretched hersel+ on the
grassy slope- and is already hal+ asleep. "e ga;es at her +or a
moment- then- without saying a word- he ta$es o++ his coat- and
co1ers her with it.
&ICORI) *to %O%I)ET,. Ta$e care that no harm happens to
Mirette5
E(it &ICORI).
%O%I)ET *wal$ing up and down with his gun,. Ta$e care that
no
harm happens to Mirette5 "ow can I pre1ent it9 An
unprotected man li$e me- alone in a +orest with a girl
asleep 00 I don6t li$e the situation at all. %esides-
the +orest isn6t sa+e. I61e been told that it6s +ull o+
robbers. *tops., Ah- how stupid o+ me5 e are the
robbers- o+ course5 */aughs., "a5 ha5 ha5
EC"O. "a5 ha5 ha5 %O%I)ET *turning round- +rightened,. Eh9 ho was that rude
person9 *to MIRETTE., !id you laugh- mam6;elle9 I6m 00
*stops., )o 00 she6s asleep. */oo$s through the trees.,
ho goes there9 7our name9 )o 00 it6s another tree5 I
wish the trees wouldn6t wal$ about so 00 it does ma$e
one so ner1ous5 I really don6t +eel at all well.
&erhaps I could $eep my spirits up by singing. That6s
not a bad idea 00 I6ll try a song.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
10/46
O)#. 00 %O%I)ET.
/ong ago in Alcala-
Ta ra ra- ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
There dwelt a tall Alcade grand-
ho was the terror o+ the land-
Ta ra ra- ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
*+rightened,. "ola5
*resuming the song,. "e lo1ed a maid o+ Alcala-
Ta ra ra- ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
For he was +ine- and +ran$- and +ree-
And she was +air as a maid should be-
Tra la la- tra la la- tra la la5
*+rightened,. "ola5 ho goes there9
*resuming the song gaily,. "e was a terrible tall Alcade-
he was a lo1ely lady-
Alca 00 Alca 00 Alca 00 de 0da5
The lo1ely lady o+ Alcala-
Ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra- ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
*wal$s up and down in great agitation,.
They met one e1e in Alcala- Ta ra ra- ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
"e said- ?weet maiden- come with me5?
%ut she was coy as a maid should be-
Tra la la- tra la la- tra la la- la la- la la5
o they too$ a boat and went to sea-
Ta ra ra- ta ra ra- ra ra- ra ra5
The boat came bac$- but ah5 not they 00
And that6s the end o+ the tale- they say-
Tra la la- tra la la- tra la la- ra ra- ra ra5
7es- that6s the end o+ the tall Alcade-
The boat and the sea and the lo1ely lady.
Alca 00 Alca 00 de 0da 00
Tra la la5
Finishes with a dance.
%O%I)ET. Oh- it6s a sad story5 And it doesn6t seem to ha1e
cheered me up in the least. *Calling., Mirette5
Mirette5 how +oolish it is to go on sleeping li$e
that. *uddenly., hat6s that9 */istening., Footsteps
00 and coming in this direction5 hat6s to be done9
I6d better climb a tree. It will be nice and quiet up
there amongst the little green lea1es 00 and so sa+e5
*&uts down gun and climbs up tree., "ow 1ery
annoying5 I61e le+t my gun at the bottom. *eeing
#ERAR! and MA@., Ah5 it6s a gendarme5 )o5 It6s a
game$eeper- with his master. And my gun is down below5
#ERAR! enters- +ollowed by his #ame$eeper- MA@.
#ERAR!. Come- Ma(- we61e no time to lose. The hounds ha1e
passed the hollow 00 they are turning down towards
the pond.
MA@. e6d better be turning homewards- sir. E1ening is
+alling- and the +orest is not sa+e.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
11/46
%O%I)ET *aside,. That6s e(actly what I said5
MA@. /oo$- sir- there6s been a +ire lighted here.
#ERAR!. And it6s only 4ust gone out.
MA@ *seeing %O%I)ET6s gun,. And here6s a gun.
#ERAR!. A gun9
%O%I)ET *aside,. hat an inquisiti1e person5
MA@. /oaded too5 e6re on the trac$- sir. Those rascals
who robbed the 1illage yesterday must be here 00 in
this +orest.
#ERAR!- who has been loo$ing round the glade- sees MIRETTE
asleep- and suppresses an e(clamation.
#ERAR!. Ah5
MA@ *running to him,. hat is it- sir9 "a1e you caught
one o+ them9
#ERAR!. ee- Ma(5 A pretty little girl +ast asleep. Isn6t
she
charming9
MA@. 7ou always were one +or admiring the petticoats- sir.
#ERAR!. #o away- Ma(5 7ou will +righten her. I6ll spea$ to her.
MA@. he6s nothing but a gipsy- sir5 #et her to tell you
where her companions are hiding2 that will be better
than +illing her head with pretty nonsense. *Aside.,
I6ll go and in+orm the %urgomaster 00 *to #ERAR!-
con+identially., I shouldn6t ad1ise you to stay here
too long- sir.
#ERAR!. )onsense- my good +ellow. 7ou don6t $now what you6re
tal$ing about.
E(it MA@.
%O%I)ET *aside,. "e6s wal$ing o++ with my gun5 And I can6t
get down to warn the others5
#ERAR! so+tly approaches MIRETTE and loo$s at her.
!3ET. 00 #ERAR! and MIRETTE.
#ERAR!. he is asleep5 ah- how +air is she5
"er little head at rest upon her +olded arm.
hence does she come9 ho can she be9
hat tender grace5 what wondrous charm5
%low so+t- ye bree;es- where she lies2
%end down- ye lea1es- and $iss her dreaming2
%ut see- she opes her lo1ely eyes-
And through the woods a light is beaming5MIRETTE *starting,. Ah5
#ERAR!. !id I a++right thee9
MIRETTE. 7es.
#ERAR!. Forgi1e me5
I+ I had dreamed that thou wouldst +ear-
I had not dared to 1enture near.
MIRETTE. It was not thou I thought to see-
And that is why thy coming +rightened me.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
12/46
%O%I)ET *aside,. I ought to warn him 00 where is &icorin9
#ERAR!. Roaming on through 1alley deep-
On through +orest +airy0haunted-
"ere I saw thee so+t asleep-
"ere I stopped- as one enchanted5
MIRETTE. Ah5 it were better thou hadst gone
ithout a single thought +or me
"ere to li1e my li+e alone-
%reathing out my destiny
ithout a star or hope to cheer.
#ERAR!. ho- then- art thou9
MIRETTE. hy see$ to $now9
#ERAR!. Ah5 tell me why so sad9
hould not thy li+e be glad9
hat sorrow clouds thy coming years9
here is thy home9 and who art thou9
MIRETTE. As$ the dar$ness abo1e me5
Child o+ the homeless night am I2
/o1ing none 00 and none to lo1e me-
)one to heed as I go by. Though my heart may weep +or e1er-
I must sing and dance +or pay-
E1er and aye- light and gay
!ancing +or pay 00 resting ne1er5
3nder the +riendless s$ies +or e1er5
#ERAR!. "ow so9 . . . +or one so sweet as thou-
The coming years should all be bright5
MIRETTE. It is too late +or gladness now-
The coming years are dar$ as night.
#ERAR!. %ut- i+ so sad thou art-
hat can I do +or thee9
MIRETTE. )othing5 ta$e hence thy gentle heart-
&ass on- and let me be.
#ERAR!. )ay- do not thin$ I can +orget thee-
Or this sweet wood- when +ar apart-
This twilight hour- when +irst I met thee-
And learnt the secret o+ thy heart.
MIRETTE. %id me good0bye. I must +orget thee-
I cannot +ollow where thou art2
It is my +ate that I ha1e met thee-
It is my +ate that we must part.
E)EM%/E.
MIRETTE. And i+ e1er in thy dreaming
Thoughts o+ me should linger yet-
/et them pass li$e summer gleaming-
I am not worthy one regret5 #ERAR!. Tho6 so brie+ this summer gleaming-
Though we part I6ll not +orget-
till +or e1er in my dreaming-
Thy sweet +ace will linger yet5
%O%I)ET *aside,. "ow that girl is thawing5 he was ne1er as
nice as that to me.
&ICORI) re0enters- with a bundle o+ wood on his shoulders.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
13/46
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
14/46
As you6ll allow-
O+ bandits6 a1ocation.
O/O. 00 FRA)CA/.
Oh- we61e been 1isiting our +riends-
As +ol$s do 00 in society2
And o+ course we $now that much depends
On the manners o+ strict propriety.
To +ind them at home when we call- no doubt-
Is charming +or a 1ariety-
%ut we much pre+er to +ind them out-
As +ol$s do 00 in society.
o now that we61e got all we could-
As +ol$s do 00 in society-
e61e returned to our com+ortable wood-
Tra0la0la0la0la0la0liety5
?tay at home? is a ma(im good- no doubt2
Ta$e this +or a slight 1ariety-
!on6t be +ound in- or you6ll be +ound out- As +ol$s are 00 in society.
FRA)CA/ *seated on a tree trun$,. )ow let6s see what we61e
got. &ichet 00 a couple o+ +owls- a sac$ o+ corn.
&ICORI). Francal5
FRA)CA/. !on6t interrupt me. %ertuccio 00 a sheep5 *%ERT3CCIO
show the sheep- which he is leading by his waist0
belt., And what ha1e you got there- &oischiche9
#I&7. A 1el1et coat- captain.
FRA)CA/ *ta$ing it,. I6m much obliged to you.
#I&7. And a real lace petticoat +or Mam6;elle Mirette.
FRA)CA/ *imitating him,. For Mam6;elle Mirette5 Oh- these
lo1ers5 ell- &icorin- are you to be the +a1oured
one9
&ICORI). Captain- we ha1e not time to tal$ o+ these things
when danger threatens us.
A//. *rising and surrounding &ICORI),. !anger9
&ICORI). %obinet has disappeared.
A//. %obinet5
&ICORI). I went to collect a +ew stic$s +or the +ire- and on
returning +ound- instead o+ %obinet- a huntsman- who
without a doubt had +ollowed our trac$s- and who will
be able to in+orm against us.
The #I&IE murmur. !uring the +oregoing- the +ire has been
lighted- and the smo$e is now rising through the trees.
%O%I)ET *aside,. Oh- bother the smo$e5 I shall cho$e in
another minute5 *Coughs.,
A//. /isten5
%O%I)ET *snee;es,. Atschi5 )ow I61e done +or mysel+5 They6ll
certainly +ind me out.
&ICORI). That sound came +rom that tree.
#IR/. hy- it6s %obinet5
%O%I)ET. O+ course it is. Can6t you lea1e a respectable
person
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
15/46
in peace9 I didn6t come up here to be smo$ed 00 li$e
a herring.
FRA)CA/. hat are you doing up there9 Roosting9
%O%I)ET. !on6t be rude to a gentleman who occupies a more
ele1ated position than you do.
FRA)CA/. I assure you it6s no laughing matter. Come down.
%O%I)ET. 7ou won6t hurt me9
FRA)CA/ *signi+icantly,. e shall see.
%O%I)ET. I+ there6s any doubt about it- I6ll stay where I am.
FRA)CA/ *ta$ing a gun,. Ma$e haste- or I shall ha1e to hurry
you up.
%O%I)ET. Oh- what an un$ind thing to do5 I6m coming. *8umps
down.,
FRA)CA/. )ow- what ha1e you seen9 hat ha1e you heard9 pea$5
%O%I)ET. Must I tell you e1erything9
A//. 7es- yes5
MIRETTE *aside,. hat does he $now9
%O%I)ET. I saw the same gentleman that &icorin has 4ust
alluded to. "e stayed here quite a long time- and
$ept on throwing sidelong glances at Mirette. Then he
made eyes at her- and +irst o+ all she loo$ed down at her shoes 00 li$e that2 and then she loo$ed at him 00
li$e that.
FRA)CA/. Mirette5 who was this man9
MIRETTE. I do not $now him. *Murmurs.,
FRA)CA/. pea$5 "is name5
MIRETTE. "e told me that he was called #erard. That is all I
$now o+ him.
&ICORI). It6s true- captain- I was there. %ut let us be o++
00
we ha1e no time to lose5
%ERT3CCIO *his ear to the ground,. Too late5
A// *spea$ing low,. hat is it9
%ERT3CCIO. The tramp o+ soldiers5
A//. oldiers5
FRA)CA/. &ut out the lights5
The +ire and the torches are e(tinguished. All is dar$- and
there is complete silence. The steps o+ oldiers are heard
approaching.
FRA)CA/ *in a whisper,. It6s all right. They will pass
without seeing us.
8ust as the oldiers- led by MA@ and the %3R#OMATER- appear at
the bac$- the moon emerges +rom a cloud and the whole scene is
lighted up.
%O%I)ET. Caught5
FRA)CA/. "ea1en is against us5
FI)A/E OF ACT I.
%3R#OMATER. #ood e1ening- gentlemen5
Ahem5 /adies and gentlemen5
%O%I)ET. "ow polite5 All is right.
%3R#OMATER. I +ear I disarrange you.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
16/46
%O%I)ET. )o- not at all.
%3R#OMATER. ho6s this9
C"OR3. hy- %obinet5 6tis %obinet5 6tis %obinet5
%3R#OMATER. ell- %obinet- get away5
*to the rest,. )ow then- your names-
And each one6s occupation5
%O%I)ET. I6ll gi1e the in+ormation.
This- sir- is Francal-
The leader o+ our company.
%3R#OMATER. I understand- the leader o+ your band.
O/!IER. "a5 ha5 ha5 ha5 I see5 I see5
The leader o+ your company.
%O%I)ET. /ea1e it to me. I6ll settle it- you6ll see.
trolling players- sir- are we- and most o+ us are cle1er.
Can sing- and dance- and ma$e you 1erses.
%3R#OMATER. And pic$ what you can +rom people6s purses.
%O%I)ET. Oh- no- sir 00 ne1er5
%3R#OMATER. Too cle1er. Arrest them5
%O%I)ET. Touch me i+ you dare5
%3R#OMATER. Arrest him5 Arrest them all5
truggle. #ipsies o1erpowered.
MA@ *to MIRETTE,. 7ou need not +ear-
My pretty dear-
7our case is clear.
FRA)CA/. "er case is clear-
he has betrayed us5
#I&IE. Traitress5 spy5 she has betrayed us.
MIRETTE. It is a lie5
At heart I am not one o+ you2
I hate your li+e and all you do 00
%ut yet you ha1e been good to me.
*turning to FRA)CA/., "a1e cherished me so tenderly-
I6d not betray you- +riends-
)ot i+ my li+e depend on such an in+amy.
#ERAR!. 6Tis true- sir- as you $now.
he6s not to blame. he was with me-
And I demand her liberty.
MIRETTE. Than$s- than$s5 it cannot be-
I was with them- with them I go.
It is my destiny.
#ERAR!. It shall not be5
*to %3R#OMATER,. he6s not to blame- you $now.
%3R#OMATER. The girl may go.
C"OR3. Free5 Mirette is +ree5
Traitress- spy5
#ERAR!. Fear not5 I will pro1ide +or thee. Ma(- ta$e her home2 tell the Marquise I sent her.
*to &ICORI),. hat dost thou want9
&ICORI). To +ollow her. I lo1e her so2
here she goes- let me go too.
/et me +ollow her +or aye-
/i$e a dog his master6s way.
Tend her- ser1e her- do her will-
/et me only +ollow still.
atch her- guard her night and day-
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
17/46
/et me +ollow her +or aye.
MIRETTE. 7es- let him come2 he is my +aith+ul +riend.
&ICORI). 7es- till the end5
#ERAR! *to %3R#OMATER,. /et him go +ree5
%3R#OMATER. ell- as you will. Thou6rt +ree.
FRA)CA/ *to MIRETTE,. I6ll +ind thee- dear- some day.
MIRETTE *aside- hal+ dreaming,. ome day5 ho $nows9
%O%I)ET. ell- I declare5 hat can it be9
Mirette and &icorin- both o+ them +ree5
&ray what is then to become o+ me9
%3R#OMATER. Come- then. :uic$ march5
O/!IER. Come along- come along- quic$ march5
#I&IE. Come along then- so let it be.
MIRETTE *to FRA)CA/- hal+ dreaming,.
#ood0bye5 ome day5 ho $nows9
C"OR3. Follow then- with laugh and song-
Though the way be dar$ and long-
Fettered or +ree- what care we9
"urrah +or the li+e o+ the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
18/46
?Come bac$5 she lo1es thee e1ermore5
Come bac$- ir =night- come bac$ and stay5?
And then- ah5 then- the word was said-
And then- ah5 then- the $iss was gi1en2
And all the birds sang o6erhead-
And earth was hea1en.
MAR:. ell- Mirette- it is a month to0day since you +irst
came to the Chateau. !o you regret ha1ing abandoned
your wild- gipsy li+e9
MIRETTE. That would be ungrate+ul- a+ter all your goodness to
me.
MAR:. &rettily spo$en- my dear- but not entirely
con1incing. )ow suppose I were to guess that you had
le+t some +riend behind you 00 some lo1er- perhaps.
hould I be 1ery +ar wrong9
MIRETTE *so+tly,. ome lo1er5
MAR: *aside,. I6ll put her to the test. *Aloud., &erhaps
you ha1e been building castles in the air- li$e the
shepherdesses in the old legend. A handsome prince chanced to pass by. /i$e a true gallant- he murmured
some sweet nonsense in their pretty ears- and they
belie1ed that he was in earnest5 I dare say the lady
o+ your song- who was deserted by a $night- was only
a shepherdess.
MIRETTE. I+ he had not come bac$- she would ha1e died5
MAR:. Then she would ha1e done a 1ery silly thing5 )ow-
loo$ at me 00 I was an e(tremely pretty girl once
upon a time. 7ou smile5 I assure you that I was5 One
day a $ing- a young $ing- told me that he lo1ed me. I
will not mention his name- because he has a large
+amily now- and it would not be discreet. I belie1ed
the delicious nonsense that he breathed in my ear. I
blushed 00 I palpitated2 and +or two whole days and
nights 00 ah- what nights5 00 I dreamed that I was a
queen. The end o+ it all was that I married a marquis
00 an old marquis5 And I6m not dead yet5
MIRETTE. 7ou are 1ery $ind to me- Madame2 but I ha1e been so
unhappy that sometimes 00 *she stops,. "owe1er- all
that is +inished. *he rises- shuts her boo$- and
lays it on the table.,
MAR: *aside,. he lo1es #erard. And I +ear that he 00 but
we must put a stop to that.
Enter #ERAR! in hunting costume.
MAR:. Ah- here is #erard5#ERAR!. #ood a+ternoon- aunt. *Embraces her.,
MAR:. hy- you61e only 4ust come in +rom riding5 #o and
change your clothes at once5 urely you ha1en6t
+orgotten that this e1ening you are to celebrate your
betrothal9
MIRETTE *aside,. Ah5
MAR:. The %aron 1an Osborn- your +uture +ather0in0law- and
one o+ my old admirers- will be here directly with
your charming +iancee- %ianca.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
19/46
#ERAR!. 7es 00 I $now.
MAR:. 7ou don6t seem e(cited about it5 #ood gracious5 In
my
time lo1ers were made o+ more in+lammable stu++5
%esides- %ianca is cle1er- rich- and pretty.
#ERAR!. 7es- Aunt5
MAR: *imitating him,. 7es- Aunt5 3pon my word- you pu;;le
me5 7ou are li$e Mirette. I don6t $now what6s come to
her.
MIRETTE *with an e++ort,. Ah- Madame- I 00 I am glad to hear
o+ the happiness in store +or Monsieur #erard.
MAR:. O+ course5
#ERAR! *coldly,. 7ou $now that I am +ond o+ %ianca. This
marriage is your wish- and I obey you2 but you must
gi1e me time to get accustomed to the idea.
MAR: *rising,. 7ou are a +ool- #erard5 I $now what is best
+or your happiness- and I shall act accordingly.
*Rings bell. er1ant enters. Aside to him., "a1e you
done as I told you9
ER'A)T. Francal and the #ipsies were set at liberty this
morning.MAR:. #ood5 Mirette- +ollow me5
E(it MAR:3IE- +ollowed by MIRETTE.
#ERAR!. Mademoiselle %ianca 1an Osborn will be here
directly5
I shall see her2 I shall spea$ to her2 I suppose I
shall ha1e to tell her that I lo1e her- as they
e(pect her to become my wi+e5 And yet- i+ truth be
told- it is not the thought o+ %ianca that sets my
heart beating so5
O)#. 00 #ERAR!.
I+ lo1e were calculation-
And men were only wise-
They6d thin$ o+ ran$ and station-
And not o+ %eauty6s eyes.
True hearts might go unheeded-
weet lips might smile +or nought-
I+ ran$ were all men needed-
And wealth were all they sought.
%ut ah5 what o+ wealth or o+ station9
hat- all the world6s wisdom and lore5
I+ lo1e were but cold calculation-
And hearts had no hearts to adore5
%ut oh5 i+ lo1e were gi1en-
3n+ettered- pure- and +ree-
It ma$es o+ earth a "ea1en-
hate6er its ran$ may be.
It trusts 00 through e1ery season-
It lets the world go by-
It lo1es and as$s no reason-
It lo1es and $nows not why.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
20/46
Then let us be sages herea+ter-
To0morrow be wise as we may-
hile li+e has its +olly and laughter-
The heart has its lo1e +or to0day5
MIRETTE passes under the gallery.
#ERAR! *seeing her,. Mirette5 *MIRETTE turns round and
stops., hy do you a1oid me- Mirette9 ince you ha1e
been here I ha1e scarcely been able to catch a
glimpse o+ you. I wanted to spea$ to you- +or I had
so much to tell you.
MIRETTE. Oh- Monsieur #erard- you must not tal$ to me li$e
this at the 1ery moment when you are e(pecting your
+iancee5
#ERAR!. This marriage is my aunt6s wish2 but I shall meet
%ianca with a hea1y heart- +or another has ta$en her
place in my a++ections 00 another holds all my
happiness in her hands 00 and you Mirette- you are
that other5
!3ET. 00 MIRETTE and #ERAR!.
#ERAR!. "ast thou +orgot the hour we met-
The +orest deep- the magic s$ies-
And how I +ound you there- Mirette-
And loo$ed into thy opening eyes.
MIRETTE. Ah5 spea$ no more o+ how we met-
O+ +orest deep- o+ magic s$ies-
That hour- that night- we must +orget-
It is the time +or our good0byes.
#ERAR!. Ah5 say not so5 It shall not be-
I cannot li1e +rom thee apart-
For since that hour I swear to thee-
Thou art the mistress o+ my heart.
MIRETTE. hy tell me that9 It is too late-
Ta$e bac$- ta$e bac$- thy +oolish 1ow2
Thou art too noble and too great
I am not +it +or such as thou.
#ERAR!. Thou art my star- thou art my +ate-
The idol o+ my e1ery 1ow-
And all the world o+ rich and great
"as nought so beauti+ul as thou.
MIRETTE. Ah5 say not so5 #ood0bye5 Forget5
A nameless girl is not +or thee.
#ERAR!. hat matters name9 Thou art Mirette-
And that is all the world to me5MIRETTE. )o 00 let me go5 I must +orget
The dream o+ what can ne1er be2
Thou hast another 00 not Mirette5
Thou art another6s 00 not +or me5
#ERAR!. I ha1e no lo1e but thou- Mirette2
I lo1e but thee5 I lo1e but thee5
MIRETTE *aside,. "e lo1es me5 lo1es me5 can it be9
#ERAR!. pea$- dearest- spea$5 why timid be9
MIRETTE. Thou art too high- too great +or me5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
21/46
E)EM%/E.
#ERAR!. Ah5 dearest- turn thine eyes to me-
And tell me i+ thou lo1est me.
MIRETTE. Ah5 loo$ into mine eyes and see-
I lo1e but thee5 I lo1e but thee5
%OT". As the earth loo$s up to "ea16n-
As the ri1er +lows to sea-
o my heart to thine is gi1en-
All my li+e- my lo1e to thee.
At the end o+ duet #ERAR! ta$es MIRETTE in his arms. They
separate on hearing a step approaching under the gallery. The
MAR:3IE enters- +ollowed by a ER'A)T- to whom she is gi1ing
orders.
MAR:3IE *to the ER'A)T- indicating the banqueting room /.,.
7ou understand 00 do you not9 I wish e1erything
arranged in that room. *he sees #ERAR! and MIRETTE 0
0 aside., Together5 *he comes down between them. To #ERAR!., )ot ready yet9
MIRETTE *aside,. The Marquise5
MAR:3IE *turning to MIRETTE,. My nephew6s +iancee-
Mademoiselle %ianca 1an Osborn- is e(pected e1ery
minute. I am gi1ing an entertainment in her honour-
and I wish you to ta$e part in it- Mirette. #o and
put on one o+ your gipsy dresses 00 the smartest you
can +ind.
MIRETTE. Oh5 madame.
#ERAR! *aside,. hat6s in the wind now9
MAR:. It is my wish5 And you- #erard- go and get ready 00
there is only 4ust time.
E(eunt MIRETTE and #ERAR! at opposite sides.
MAR:. o this is the result o+ the $indness which I was
+oolish enough to show to this little gipsy baggage.
he has turned the head o+ that pretty nephew o+
mine. "appily it is not too late to put a stop to
such +olly. *er1ant enters., hat is it9
ER'A)T. A man wishes to spea$ with you- Madame.
MAR:. It is he. how him in.
Enter %O%I)ET bowing 1ery e(tra1agantly.
%O%I)ET. Madame- I ha1e the honour to lay at your +eet the
best respects o+ your most obedient ser1ant5MAR:3IE *aside,. The rascal $now how to beha1e himsel+.
%O%I)ET *aside,. hat a splendid woman5 *"e seats himsel+ in
an armchair.,
MAR:. 7ou are Monsieur 000000 9
%O%I)ET. Celestin %obinet- poet- musician and dancer2 leading
comedian o+ the celebrated Francal6s +amous company.
MAR:. "e has sent you here9
%O%I)ET. I ha1e 4ust le+t him 00 in a pitiable state- Madame
0
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
22/46
0 a really pitiable state. 8ustice as usual declines
to show us any consideration whate1er. 7ou $now the
sort o+ straw they put down in cells- nasty damp
stu++ 00 but perhaps Madame has ne1er tried it9 Ah-
well2 the prison is 1ery unhealthy- and we ha1e spent
a most unpleasant month there.
MAR:. I interceded +or you.
%O%I)ET. And obtained our release9 I can see Madame has a
large and o1er+lowing heart. And what is Madame6s
pleasure9
MAR:. This e1ening the marriage contract between my nephew
and Mademoiselle %ianca 1an Osborn is to be signed.
%O%I)ET *interrupting her,. And you wish to in1ite us9
*armly., My dear Madame- we shall be delighted5
MAR:. I+ I in1ite you- it will be to amuse our +riends.
%O%I)ET. :uite so. *Aside., An entertainment on the cheap5
MAR:. %ut I should li$e to ha1e some idea o+ what you
propose doing.
%O%I)ET. 7ou want to $now what our programme will be9 "ere is
one o+ our last per+ormances 00 gi1en be+ore Royalty.
It ought to ha1e been printed on white satin- but the Chancellor o+ the E(chequer didn6t see his way to
including the additional e(pense in the estimates.
!3ET. 00 MAR:3IE and %O%I)ET.
MAR:3IE. )ow +or the programme 00
%O%I)ET. The programme will begin
ith a roll and a delicate rum0ti0tum.
MAR:3IE. A delicate rum0ti0tum5
%O%I)ET. &er+ormed by Francal on the drum5
MAR:3IE. On the drum5
%O%I)ET. Few are his equal on the drum5
MAR:3IE. ell- then- what ne(t will come9
%O%I)ET. )e(t turn- %ertuccio5
MAR:3IE. ho is he9
%O%I)ET. The only strong man.
MAR:3IE. That can6t be.
There are so many.
%O%I)ET. Oh- no5 no5
There6s only one %ertuccio5
"e can hold- when hung-
An o(- or elephant- on his tongue
MAR:3IE. They always do
%O%I)ET *pointedly,. Or anyone else who6ll oblige.
MAR:3IE *declining the suggestion,. )o5 no5
%O%I)ET. ell- he draws the line- sometimes- I $now5
)e(t turn 00 the +in de siecle +leas- ho can dance a pas-
ith a gay tra0la-
Or a serpentine dance on a lady6s an$les-
And the erpent Man- and the iamese Twins-
And the bearded lady who li1es on pins.
MAR:3IE. %ut is that all9
%O%I)ET. The ne(t turn6s the better2 you will see-
The songs and dances o+ the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
23/46
The star o+ the troupe-
Mirette5
MAR:3IE. O+ course- Mirette must sing and dance-
%ut tell me- pray-
Is nothing done by %obinet9
%O%I)ET. %obinet9
MAR:3IE. The celebrated %obinet5
%O%I)ET. I close the programme with a dance.
MAR:3IE. 7ou dance9
%O%I)ET. Can6t you see
At a glance
I dance5
7es- yes 00
ee me dance
The gay cha0hut-
erpentine glance
And butter+ly toe.
hirling 00
Twirling-
Round I go-
Tee0to0tum- ith my tum0ti0toe5
ee me dance5
Isn6t it +ine9
!id you e1er see
In pain or France
uch a style as mine9
o particular
&erpendicular-
3p to date
And super+ine5
E)EM%/E.
MAR:3IE. %O%I)ET.
ee him dance ee me dance
The gay cha0hut5 The gay cha0hut5
erpentine glance- erpentine glance-
And butter+ly too5 And butter+ly too5
Isn6t it grand9 Isn6t it grand9
Isn6t it great9 Isn6t it great9
And especially too And especially too
It6s up to date5 It6s up to date5
&A !E !E3@.
%O%I)ET. I will not conceal +rom you- Madame- the +act that
these e(ertions ha1e made me +eel unusually hungry2
and I cannot help thin$ing that i+ I were allowed to attac$ a ham- in company with a large loa+ and some
+lagons o+ old wine- I should be in a position this
e1ening to gi1e an e(hibition o+ my talents on a
scale ne1er be+ore attempted.
MAR:. 7our wishes are commands5
%O%I)ET *aside,. he6s a splendid woman5
The MAR:3IE rings. Enter &ICORI).
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
24/46
MAR:. &icorin- bring Monsieur %obinet a bottle o+
8ohannisberg 00 and a ham.
&ICORI) *surprised,. %obinet5
%O%I)ET. &icorin5 *They loo$ at each other., o you61e put on
li1ery5 *Contemptuously.,
MAR: *to &ICORI),. !id you hear9
%O%I)ET. A bottle o+ 8ohannisberg and a ham5 Ma$e haste5
&ICORI) *aside- as he e(its,. hat does this mean9
%O%I)ET. ithin an hour- Madame- Francal and his company will
arri1e at the Chateau.
MAR:. I will gi1e orders +or them to be admitted.
%O%I)ET. And i+ you will spare them a +ew sandwiches and a
4ug
o+ water- it would re+resh them wonder+ully. *Aside.,
I mustn6t be sel+ish.
MAR:. #ood0bye +or the present- Mr. %obinet. *E(it.,
%O%I)ET. #ood0bye +or the present- Madame5 *Aside., Oh- she6s
a splendid woman5 And so well preser1ed5 The prison
was not all that I could wish- but this Chateau
appears to be an e(tremely com+ortable place. Francal
is waiting +or me. "e will not come until I bring him word. )e1er mind5 I shall ha1e time to eat a morsel.
&ICORI) enters- with two ser1ants- who lay the table.
%O%I)ET. ell done- &icorin. 7ou are ma4or0domo here- I
suppose9 3pon my word- you6re getting +at5 *&ICORI)
is silent., "e won6t answer me. &icorin is touchy5
*The ham is brought in., And is all that +or me9 *"e
wal$s round the table., Oh- what an e(quisite per+ume
lingers round that ham5 And what plump and chubby
bottles5
&ICORI) *aside,. I wonder what brought him here. *Aloud.,
!inner is ready- monsieur.
%O%I)ET *aside,. Monsieur5 "e is alluding to me5 *Aloud.,
Than$ you- &icorin. *eats himsel+., Then you are
going to wait on me. That6s 1ery nice o+ you.
&ICORI) *+illing %O%I)ET6s glass,. 8ohannisberg- 6B.
%O%I)ET. ill you $indly say that again9
&ICORI) *coldly,. 8ohannisberg- 6B.
%O%I)ET. 6B 00 *sips it, 00 you6re sure it6s 6B. I $now
something about wine. The 1intage they supplied us
with at the prison ga1e me a touch o+ the gout. It
was too +ull0bodied2 but this 00 hum5 *!rin$s., I
will ha1e another glass. Than$ you5 The ham ought to
gi1e it +la1our. *Eats with his mouth +ull., it
down- &icorin- and ha1e a glass with me.
&ICORI). I don6t $now whether I ought to 00%O%I)ET. &ooh5 there6s nobody loo$ing5
O)#. 00 %O%I)ET.
hen )oah went aboard the Ar$-
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin2
"e was a thirsty patriarch-
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin.
%ut when the ar$ began to roll-
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
25/46
And the sea to hea1e and roar2
"e +elt 1ery ill- as captains will-
I+ they61e ne1er been to sea be+ore.
%ut when his pain had all passed by-
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin2
aid )oah- ?I am getting dry-?
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin.
o when they came to the good Rhineland
"e couldn6t hold out any more2
?ater-? he said- ?don6t agree with me-
/et6s see what they sell on shore.?
o he too$ a boat and rowed ashore-
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin-
And bought him a bottle- ?6B-?
Tiquetin- tin- tin- tin.
And down he sat and dran$ his wine-
And did li$e other men-
?ater-? said he- ?don6t agree with me-?
And he6s ne1er drun$ a drop since then.
%O%I)ET *drin$ing,. 7ou say this is 6BD9
&ICORI) *drin$ing,. ell- one can hardly 4udge at the +irst
glass.
%O%I)ET. That6s true. *"e eats., The ham6s a tri+le salt.
&ICORI) *+illing %O%I)ET6s glass,. It ma$es you thirsty9
%O%I)ET. And when the wine is good 00 eh9 *!rin$s., "ow
quic$ly the delight+ul 6BD gets into one6s head5
7ou6re sure it is 6BD9 &erhaps it6s 6B.
&ICORI). Oh- the Marquise has a wonder+ul cellar5
%O%I)ET. he6s a splendid woman5 *The wine gradually begins
to
a++ect him., &oor Marquise5
&ICORI). hy poor Marquise9
%O%I)ET. he is +urious 00 because 00 her 00 nephew 00 is
cra;y o1er Mirette. 7ou $now Mirette. %ut that
doesn6t concern you.
&ICORI). )o. "a1e another glass9
%O%I)ET. Than$ you. *!rin$s., It doesn6t concern you- but I6m
going to tell you- all the same. ell- she has had an
idea. e are coming to her party this e1ening 00 you
understand 00
&ICORI). Francal- and the others9
%O%I)ET. 7es 00 all o+ them. And as soon as we arri1e 00
you6re quite sure you understand me9
&ICORI). 7es 00 yes5 "a1e another glass9
%O%I)ET. Than$ you. *!rin$s., As soon as we arri1e- she will send +or Mirette2 she will ma$e her dance be+ore
e1erybody- and 00 hey- presto5 00 there is an end o+
Monsieur #erard6s in+atuation5
&ICORI) *aside,. &oor Mirette5
%O%I)ET. O+ course I am telling you this in con+idence.
&ICORI). )aturally5
%O%I)ET. %ut Francal has his plans as well as the Marquise-
and i+ Mirette will not return to her old comrades-
then 00 to0night 00 a+ter the +ete 00 we are going to
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
26/46
carry her o++.
&ICORI) *rising,. To carry o++ Mirette9 %ut how9
%O%I)ET. Francal will ha1e horses ready- at the gate 00 ah5 I
can6t tal$ any more5 *Falls asleep with his head on
the table.,
&ICORI). "e as$s me i+ I understand 00 but I understand only
too well. &oor Mirette5 The Marquise has disco1ered
her lo1e +or #erard- and has contri1ed this plan +or
separating them. %ut it will be better +or Mirette to
return with Francal than to submit to this
humiliation. I will sa1e her in spite o+ hersel+5
*ha$es %O%I)ET., %obinet5 %obinet5
%O%I)ET. It6s that idiot o+ a gaoler again. /et me sleep- you
bloc$0head5
&ICORI). )o 00 no5 It is I 00 &icorin5 here is Francal
waiting +or you9
%O%I)ET *trying to pull himsel+ together,. Francal9 In the
+orest 00
&ICORI). 'ery well. 7ou must run and warn him at once.
*%O%I)ET +alls asleep again., I +illed his glass too
o+ten- I6m a+raid. "e doesn6t hear me. I must write 0 0 that will do 4ust as well. *riting., ?Come at
once- and ha1e the horses ready. Mirette consents.
&icorin.? There- %obinet5 The Marquise6s orders5
%O%I)ET. The Marquise9
&ICORI). This letter must be ta$en to Francal immediately.
%O%I)ET *getting up,. To Francal9 The Marquise 00 *ta$es the
paper and then goes up humming- ?ans +atigue- sans
arret-? but nearly +alls down in trying to wal$., It
is the 8ohannisberg5 */oo$ing at the paper., hat6s
this9
&ICORI). For Francal 00 +rom the Marquise.
%O%I)ET. Oh- o+ course. I61e got such a headache. *E(it.,
&ICORI). The +resh air will soon bring him to his senses.
*/oo$ing out., There he goes5 )ow to warn Mirette. e
must try to ma$e our escape be+ore the entertainment-
so that the Marquise may not be able to carry out her
plan 00 and so #erard may not see Mirette again5
*tops., Am I acting +or the best9 Is it not rather
+or my own sa$e9 %ut no5 *adly., he has said that
she does not lo1e me5 Ah5 here comes the Marquise and
her guests. I will go and +ind Mirette.
E(it 4ust as the MAR:3IE enters with %IA)CA and the %ARO).
%IA)CA *1ery gaily,. Oh- we61e had a delight+ul 4ourney5
The
country is loo$ing charming. It ma$es one wish that it were always spring time.
%ARO). Ah- Marquise- it always is spring time in the
radiance o+ your bright eyes5
MAR:3IE *smiling,. I percei1e that winter has not yet snowed
up the %aron6s heart.
%ARO). I+ it had- the snowdri+ts would melt in the sunshine
o+ your presence- Marquise.
%IA)CA *at bac$,. "ere is #erard.
MAR:3IE *aside,. I do hope he6ll beha1e himsel+. *Enter
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
27/46
#ERAR!., Come- #erard 00 you ha1e $ept us waiting.
#ERAR!. A thousand pardons- my dear %aron5 *ha$es hands.,
Ah- %ianca5 *%owing to her.,
%IA)CA *holding out her hand to him- +ran$ly,. "ow do you
do- #erard9
MAR:. #i1e me your arm- %aron. I $now these young people
ha1e a thousand and one things to say to each other-
so we had better lea1e them together.
%ARO) *going,. Then this marriage pleases you9
MAR:. 'ery much.
%ARO). #erard6s manner stri$es me as being rather cold.
MAR:. !o you thin$ so9 It is only your +ancy- %aron.
E(eunt MAR:3IE and %ARO).
%IA)CA. "ow ceremonious we are5 That6s my +ather6s way. %ut
there6s no need +or anything o+ the sort between you
and me 00 *coyly, especially now 00 is there9
#ERAR!. Certainly not.
%IA)CA. "ow pretty it is all around- the lo1ely par$- the
+ine old trees. hall we li1e here- #erard9#ERAR!. e9 Oh- yes- I suppose so.
%IA)CA. hat6s the matter with you- to0day9 !oes papa annoy
you with his little ways9 I+ he does- I6ll scold him.
%ut i+ you don6t tal$ to me- I shall begin to be
a+raid o+ you 00 I 00 a+raid o+ you.
#ERAR!. Forgi1e me5
%IA)CA. O+ course I will. %ut you mustn6t be angry with me
i+
I chatter- because I6m so happy- so happy5
O)#. 00 %IA)CA.
%ut yesterday in con1ent gray-
%y gloomy walls en+olded-
I was at lessons all the day-
And sometimes 00 o+ten 00 scolded.
6Twas A1e5 A1e5 noon and night-
For e1er and +or e1er5
The only man we saw was white-
And as +or dancing 00 ne1er5
To0day the s$y is bright on high-
To0day the world uncloses-
I see un+old its gates o+ gold-
And all the way is roses5
To0day5 to0day- my dream comes true5
And all through you5
%ut yesterday in con1ent gray-
I studied willy0nilly-
I always did what I was bid-
I was a school0girl silly2
And i+ at night we soared away-
In golden dreams ecstatic-
The isters brought us bac$ ne(t day
To sums and scales chromatic.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
28/46
To0day- good0bye to lessons dry5
I hear my bride0bells ringing-
?Thou art a woman now-? they cry-
And lo1e is all they6re singing5
To0day5 to0day- my dreams come true5
And all through you5
#ERAR! *aside, "ow happy she is5
%IA)CA. 7ou ha1en6t much to say +or yoursel+.
#ERAR!. I was listening to you- %ianca.
%IA)CA. 7ou might do something more than listen to me. Are
you not my +iancee9 Am I not to be your wi+e9
#ERAR!. My wi+e9 Certainly.
%IA)CA. Really- #erard- I can6t ma$e you out at all5 This is
hardly the sort o+ welcome I e(pected.
#ERAR!. 7ou must e(cuse me- %ianca- I lead such a lonely
li+e
here. e see so little o+ the world that I am aw$ward
and clumsy without meaning to be.
%IA)CA *a little disturbed,. 7es- I daresay that accounts +or it. *Aside., uppose he should not lo1e me9
*ilence.,
#ERAR!. 7ou are 1e(ed with me9
%IA)CA. )ot 1e(ed- #erard- only a little grie1ed.
Enter the MAR:3IE.
MAR:. ell- you lo1ers- ha1e you come to an understanding9
*ilence., hy are you silent9 hat does it mean9
%IA)CA. As$ #erard- Madame5 &erhaps he will con+ide to you
what he has not 1entured to say to me.
MAR:. #erard 00
#ERAR!. I as$ your pardon- aunt- and yours also- %ianca2 but
I cannot e(plain mysel+ now. I $now that my beha1iour
must seem strange to you- and with your permission I
will retire. *E(it.,
MAR:. My dear- he6s mad5
%IA)CA. )o- Madame. "e does not lo1e me.
MAR:. Ah5 you don6t $now him- little one. "e6s a bear- and
you must learn to tame him.
%IA)CA. There is nothing I should li$e better.
MAR:. They didn6t teach you much at the con1ent-
e1idently.
%IA)CA *laughing,. )ot 1ery much5
MAR:. Ah5 my child- you don6t $now men as well as I do.
O)#. 00 MAR:3IE.
/i+e is a +airyland- with wonders hung-
7ou cannot understand- you are too young-
One day you6ll reali;e all we $now now-
/i+e6s empty +antasies- lo1e6s idle 1ow.
%ut let it be5
Ah- ne1er cry5
7ou will grow wiser- dear-
As time goes by5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
29/46
7ou6ll learn that time has wings- heeds not your call-
/i+e6s +ull o+ croo$ed things- man worst o+ all.
#i1e him lo1e +ond and true- he6ll cast it down-
eep and he6ll laugh at you- laugh and he6ll +rown.
%ut weep no more-
/augh light instead-
"e is not worth the tears
"e ma$es you shed.
%ut i+ his heart one day see$s pastures new-
hat are you to say9 what can you do9
%e neither coy nor bold- close +ast your door-
And- when he +inds you cold- he6ll lo1e you the more.
%id him depart-
/ea1e him to burn>
And i+ he6s worth your lo1e
"e6ll soon return5
Enter the %ARO)- +ollowed by &ICORI).
%ARO). Marquise5 your guests ha1e arri1ed5
&ICORI) *aside,. And I cannot +ind Mirette to warn her5
Enter the #uests and #ERAR!.
C"OR3 OF #3ET.
Obedient to your $ind command-
7our courteous in1itations2
e come to gi1e with heart and hand
Our true congratulations5
/ong li+e- O happy pair-
/ong li+e- and +ree +rom care5
ith hearts o+ lo1e your days we bless-
And wish you 4oy and happiness.
May "ea16n be+riend you-
/o1e attend you-
And all your days be happiness5
TE)OR. hine on her- golden sun-
Fall on her- roses-
Till all her li+e is done-
Till twilight closes.
D)! O&RA)O. %loom +or him- +lowers o+ earth-
%less him +or e1er-
Crown all his days with mirth-
All his endea1our.T O&RA)O. Then in your twilight hours-
In dar$ !ecember-
All your sweet summer +lowers
7e shall remember.
%AE. o till the e1en+all-
Till your li+e closes-
/o1e shall be gladness all-
One path o+ roses.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
30/46
A//. 8oy5 8oy5
#ladness be yours5
/o1e that endures5
Obedient to your $ind command-
7our courteous in1itations-
e come to gi1e with heart and hand
Our true congratulations5
/ong li+e to you- O happy pair-
e sing to you- we sing to you-
arm hearts o+ lo1e and hope+ul prayer
e bring to you- we bring to you2
May all your day
%e blithe and gay-
ith roses- roses all the way5
ME) *to #ERAR!,. Our best congratulations5
/A!IE *to MAR:3IE,. %ut where6s the bride9
MAR:3IE *presenting %IA)CA,. &ermit me 00
C"OR3. "ow sweet and +air5
"appy husband5 "appy pair5 8oy attend them-
/o1e be+riend them-
All their days and e1erywhere5
#ERAR! *aside to MAR:3IE,. A moment- pray-
I ha1e a word to say.
MAR:3IE. )ot now. #o to your bride- whose heart
7ou ha1e so wounded5
#ERAR! *to MAR:3IE,. Only one word. *MAR:3IE mo1es away.,
%IA)CA *to #ERAR!,. till lost in dreams9
#ERAR!. Forgi1e me- pray5
*aside,. I must be bright and gay2
And yet my heart is sad 00 ah- well0a0day5
!ance stops. 'oices are heard without.
C"OR3. hat sounds are those so bright and gay9
MAR:3IE. 6Tis the merry gipsy band-
Come to0night at my command2
Come to dance and sing +or you-
ong and dance o+ gipsy0land.
#I&IE *entering,. e are your ser1ants- lady +air5
Come to0night at your command2
"ere to show the best we $now-
ong and dance o+ gipsy0land.
MAR:3IE. 6Tis well. %ut stay5 00 ere ye begin-
here is Mirette9 *To a ser1ant., %id her come in5
#ERAR! *aside to MAR:3IE,. hat do you mean9
A//. Mirette5 Mirette5
#ERAR! *aside to MAR:3IE,. hy bring her here9
A//. Mirette5
FRA)CA/ *to #I&IE,. Mirette- the +aithless- here5
he6ll despise us. That is clear5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
31/46
MIRETTE appears.
MIRETTE. hat5 Francal here- and my old +riends5
#I&IE. "ow +ine she6s grown5
MIRETTE *aside,. Alas5 what shall I do9
MAR:3IE *to #3ET,. My +riends- let me present to you
This gipsy girl- brought up among these gipsies here.
My nephew #erard- passing through the woods-
Found her one day- a wai+- a stray-
And rescued her +rom prison.
A//. From prison9
MAR:3IE. A gipsy6s proper home- they say.
A//. "a5 ha5
#ERAR! *ad1ancing,. It is not true.
Mirette had ne6er deser1ed that +ate.
Mirette is innocent o+ wrong.
MIRETTE *aside to #ERAR!,. Than$s +or thy word5
%IA)CA *aside,. "ow he de+ends her5
MAR:3IE. )o matter5 he will dance to0night-
And sing +or your a gipsy song.
A//. %ra1o5 %ra1o5MAR:3IE. The dancing girl must earn her pay.
#ERAR! *aside to MAR:3IE,. hy are you so un$ind9
MAR:3IE *aside to him,. "old your tongue5
FRA)CA/. he does not spea$5
MAR:3IE *to MIRETTE,. ell- girl- do you +orget your +riends9
MIRETTE. 7our $indness- lady- ma$es me +orget the past-
Forgi1e me. /et me ma$e amends5
*aside,. he wants to humble me be+ore the man I lo1e-
%ut no5 I will not weep5 )ot yet- not yet5
I can but struggle and +orget5
A//. Come then- Mirette-
ing to us- dance to us. Come then- Mirette5
MIRETTE *to #I&IE,. Come then- my +riends in days o+ old-
hen we were ragged- hungry- cold-
e used to sing a merry lay
Then why not sing it to0day-
hen all is happy- *sobbing, bright and gay9
A//. %ra1o5 %ra1o5 ing on Mirette5
MIRETTE sings- and the #ipsies accompany her.
MIRETTE. ho is li$e the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
32/46
ing care away-
hile the s$y is bright-
And gay.
/ea1e your sorrow
For to0morrow
/o1e is $ing o+ all
To0day5
A//. /o1e is $ing to0day5
MIRETTE. ho is li$e the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
33/46
MAR:3IE *to the #ipsies,. 7ou can retire.
FRA)CA/ *aside to %O%I)ET,. !on6t +orget the signal5
%O%I)ET. At this window 00 the crowing o+ a coc$ 00 all
right5
The #ipsies e(eunt.
MAR:. 7our arm- %aron. e will go in to supper. *The doors
are thrown open., ee that she has e1erything she
wants- &icorin. *To #ERAR! and %IA)CA., Come along-
you lo1ers5 Really- %aron 00 people will be saying
that we are the engaged couple5
%IA)CA *aside- loo$ing at MIRETTE,. &oor girl5
E(eunt all e(cept MIRETTE- &ICORI)- and %O%I)ET.
&ICORI) *to MIRETTE,. Are you better9
MIRETTE *letting hersel+ +all into &ICORI)6s arms,. Oh-
&icorin- I6m so unhappy. I ha1e had a beauti+ul
dream- but it was a dream that could ne1er come true. #erard is not to blame- and the Marquise is right.
%O%I)ET. The Marquise is a splendid woman5
MIRETTE. The +ault was mine alone5 hen I reali;ed that I
lo1ed him- I ought to ha1e run away +rom here. e
must lea1e this place at once.
%O%I)ET. #ood5
A 'OICE *heard o++ /A.,. The health o+ the +iances5
*/aughter
heard o++.,
MIRETTE. "ow merry they are5 &oor Mirette is +orgotten
already. May happiness attend them. Come- let us go5
&ICORI). )ow that your decision is ta$en- I will tell you
all.
Francal is waiting at the gates o+ the Chateau with
saddled horses- and 00
MIRETTE. Return to the gipsies. )e1er5
%O%I)ET. I call that 1ery rude. e lo1e you- Mirette 00 why
not come bac$ to us9 Ours is the true li+e 00 so
careless- so independent- so particularly +ree0and0
easy5 7ou ha1e only to say the word 00 the horses are
ready.
&ICORI) *aside to MIRETTE,. ill you trust yoursel+ to me9
*Aloud., 7es- you are right- %obinet. #i1e the
signal. *%O%I)ET goes to bac$ o+ stage.,
MIRETTE *beseechingly,. &icorin5
&ICORI). )ot a word5 Once in the saddle- we will +ind means
o+ escaping.
%O%I)ET *at bac$,. Coc$0a0doodle0do5
A 'OICE *in the distance,. Coc$0a0doodle0do5
MIRETTE. #ood0bye- #erard- and may you be happy5
&ICORI). uppose they should attempt a pursuit9
%O%I)ET. /ea1e me to loo$ a+ter that.
&ICORI) and MIRETTE e(eunt. %O%I)ET goes to the window. The
)OTAR7 appears under the gallery.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
34/46
%O%I)ET. Only 4ust in time.
)OTAR7 *calling,. &itois5 &itois5 hat on earth has become
o+ him9
%O%I)ET. It is the )otary.
)OTAR7 *seeing %O%I)ET,. E(cuse me- sir- but this is where
I
am wanted to read a contract- is it not9
%O%I)ET. 7es 00 you6re all right.
)OTAR7. I am so short0sighted. I told my cler$ to meet me
here- but I don6t see him anywhere.
%O%I)ET *aside,. A capital idea5 "e is short0sighted- and
he6ll ne1er notice it5 *#oes up stage- pulls his hat
o1er his eyes- and alters his 1oice.,
)OTAR7 *calling,. &itois5 &itois5
%O%I)ET *coming +orward,. "ere I am5
)OTAR7. Ah5 that6s 1ery +ortunate5 *#i1es him his papers
4ust
as the doors open and the #uests appear.,
%O%I)ET *aside,. And now to play my unaccustomed part5
Re0enter MAR:3IE- %ARO)- #ERAR!- %IA)CA- and all the #uests.
FI)A/E OF ACT II.
C"OR3. Ta$e your places all. Come in-
Time +or the business to begin.
ilence5 ilence5 )ow present
The Matrimonial !ocument.
ilence- silence- silence- pray5
here6s the )otary9 "e comes this way.
All ta$e their places- )OTAR7 and %O%I)ET as his cler$- C.
)OTAR7. I am the )otary
%O%I)ET. I6m the cler$.
)OTAR7. Most illustrious.
%O%I)ET. /egal spar$.
)OTAR7. &aper- pens and in$.
%O%I)ET. e bring.
)OTAR7. Ready to draw up 00
%O%I)ET. Anything.
MAR:3IE. Read the contract.
A//. ilence- pray2
)OTAR7 *to #ERAR! and %IA)CA,. Approach5
%O%I)ET. Approach5
)OTAR7. 7e happy pair5
%O%I)ET. "appy pair5)OTAR7. 7our consent you must declare.
%O%I)ET. !eclare5
)OTAR7. And lest aught should sha$e-
%O%I)ET. Or shi1er it.
)OTAR7 *pointing to deed,. ign it5 eal it5
%O%I)ET. And deli1er it5
A//. And lest aught should sha$e- or shi1er it.
ign it- seal it- and deli1er it5
%O%I)ET. Come then- Mam6;elle5 *%IA)CA signs.,
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
35/46
And now the bridegroom. *#ERAR! ta$es the pen.,
MAR:3IE *aside,. At last5
A//. ign it- seal it- and deli1er it5
8ust as the )OTAR7 hands the pen to #ERAR!- MIRETTE6s 1oice is
heard singing in the distance.
MIRETTE. #uide o+ the way- by night and day- etc.
#ERAR! *stopping,. "er 1oice5
#I&IE are heard in the distance singing so+tly.
#I&IE. #uide o+ the way- by night and day- etc.
)OTAR7. Come- Monsieur 00 sign5
#ERAR!. )o- I cannot- I cannot5
"e throws down the pen and rushes madly +rom the "all.
C"OR3.
C3RTAI).
ACT III.
CE)E. 00 A 1illage green2 the 1illage +ete is being held.
&eople coming and going. %ooths are erected on all sides.
&easants in holiday dresses. &edlars selling all sorts o+
thins. 'arious sports- 1illage dances. Men drin$ing be+ore a
cabaret. The bells ringing.
C"OR3.
Oh5 the light o+ the golden weather-
Oh- the clang o+ the merry chime-
!ance away- girls- all together-
Oh- 6tis a happy time.
Flounces glancing-
%right eyes dancing
To the clang o+ the merry chime-
Faster- +aster-
/o1e is master-
&ays our wages with a $iss.
!ance away then- all together-
here6s there e1er
A 4oy li$e this9
ME) *drin$ing,. Then li+t your glass and clin$ away-
&our out the wine and drin$ away-
For us they dance- Their bright eyes glance-
Then here6s their health and drin$ away5
E)EM%/E.
&E!/AR #IR/.
*o++ering their goods
to the young girls,.
Come- buy my 4ewels- Come- show your 4ewels
%uy my laces- how your laces-
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
36/46
&retty things +or &retty things to
&retty +aces. uit our +aces.
Feathers- slippers- Feathers- slippers-
Fans and glo1es- Fans and glo1es-
Meant +or you- Oh- what beauties-
My pretty lo1es. Oh- what lo1es5
#ood and cheap- Ta$e the money-
And use+ul- too- Ta$e it- do-
Come and buy I+ you cheat us
They6re all +or you. oe to you5
C"OR3. Oh5 the light o+ the golden weather-
To the clang o+ the merry chime-
!ance away- girls- all together-
Oh- 6tis a happy time5
&ICORI) and MIRETTE- whose booth stands at the side on the
right- come gaily down and are surrounded by the crowd.
MIRETTE and &ICORI).
al$ up- wal$ up- and see the show- al$ up- my lads and lasses-
The cheapest- +inest show you $now-
A show that all surpasses.
al$ up- wal$ up- 6twill ma$e you mirth-
For 6tis the greatest show on earth5
&ICORI). A 1ery +amous 4uggler I-
"ey presto 4erry 4orum.
I smash your watches- ma$e them +ly-
And in a trice restore 6em5
MIRETTE. And I can tell your +ortunes well-
7our +uture- past and present2
hich lo1er true will be to you-
And which will pro1e unpleasant.
&ICORI). I61e made the hah o+ &ersia smile5
MIRETTE. The ultan lo1es me dearly5
&ICORI). I61e $issed the :ueen o+ cilly Isle5
MIRETTE. hat5 what5
&ICORI). ell 00 1ery nearly5
A//. al$ up- wal$ up- and see the show-
The cheapest- +inest show you $now-
al$ up- wal$ up- 6twill ma$e you mirth-
For 6tis the +inest show on earth5
&ICORI) *1olubly,. )ow- ladies and gentlemen- watch me
care+ully 00 there is no deception5 I ha1e nothing up
my slee1e- or concealed about my person- but simply
by my s$ill and de(terity I shall endea1our to astonish those who are good enough to honour me with
their attention +or a +ew minutes. !on6t be shy-
ladies and gentlemen5 Come nearer- there6s no e(tra
charge5
The crowd gather round him- he stands be+ore a little table and
does a +ew con4uring tric$s.
MIRETTE *to a young girl who holds out her hand to be
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
37/46
e(amined,.A cross upon 8upiter5 7ou will ma$e a lo1e0
match. *To another girl., !o not marry the man to
whom you ha1e gi1en your heart2 he will decei1e you5
*To a stout man., %eware o+ the dar$ lady who meets
you e1ery e1ening behind the third pillar on the le+t
in the church o+ 0000
T"E TO3T MA) *1ery red,. All right. *E1ery one laughs.,
%O%I)ET *heard o++ /A., pecial edition5 "orrible murder5
pecial5
A//. /isten5
%O%I)ET appears at bac$ selling newspapers.
%O%I)ET. pecial edition5 All the winners5
A//. Oh5 let6s go and see. *They go up stage and crowd
round %O%I)ET.,
&ICORI) *calling out,. al$ up- ladies and gentlemen- wal$
up5 There6s no e(tra charge5 *"e stops., Ah- well5
They won6t listen to me any longer.
%O%I)ET comes down stage- +ollowed by Crowd.
TO&ICA/ O)#. 00 %O%I)ET.
"ere6s the news o+ the day +or a sou5
It6s e(ceedingly cheap +or the money2
ome shoc$ing sensations-
And +resh re1elations-
ith much that6s instructi1e and +unny.
There6s an Anarchist outrage or two2
A murder- and railway collision2
The toc$ E(change prices2
A Cabinet crisis 00
E(pected de+eat on di1ision.
Oh- i+ any one cares
For his stoc$s and his shares-
And their present or +uture position-
The day6s +luctuations
And latest quotations-
Are all in my pecial Edition5
"ere6s the +oreign intelligence- too5
ith the end o+ a year lean and thin come-
An additional penny-
On se1en too many-
Is ta(ed o++ the %ritisher6s income2
hile a +orce +rom the land o+ the
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
38/46
T"E CRO!. %ra1o5 %ra1o5
Money is thrown into %O%I)ET6s hat.
&ICORI) *aside,. urely I $now that +ace5
The Crowd gradually disperses. %O%I)ET goes up stage.
%O%I)ET *aside,. It is they- right enough5 I6ll come bac$
again *Aloud., pecial edition5 pecial5
"e goes o++- still calling out- his 1oice dying away in the
distance. &ICORI) has been carrying bac$ to the booth all the
articles he and MIRETTE ha1e been using while amusing the
crowd. MIRETTE counts their ta$ings.
MIRETTE. /oo$- &icorin5 Eight and a hal+ +rancs5 hy- it6s a
+ortune5 e shall be rich +or a whole wee$5
&ICORI). Ah- Mirette- how glad I am to see you smile again5
MIRETTE. I61e been a di++erent creature +or the last three wee$s 00 I had a +oolish dream2 but I ha1e come to my
senses again. )ow- go into the 1illage to buy
something +or our brea$+ast 00 *earnestly, and try to
bring me some news.
&ICORI). I6ll try- Mirette. *Aside., he is decei1ing me- or
else she is decei1ing hersel+. he has not +orgotten
him.
E(it &ICORI). %O%I)ET re0appears at bac$ with %IA)CA- to whom
he points out MIRETTE and &ICORI)- then he gi1es her a sign and
leads her /A. behind a booth- where she conceals hersel+.
%O%I)ET *aside,. I must spea$ to Mirette +irst5
MIRETTE *aside,. "ow I long +or news o+ #erard5
%O%I)ET. Mirette5
MIRETTE *ner1ously,. ho called me9
%O%I)ET. I did. !on6t you recogni;e me9
MIRETTE *loo$ing at him,. %obinet5
%O%I)ET. At your ser1ice5
MIRETTE. I can hardly belie1e my eyes. %obinet must be a
human
chameleon who trans+orms himsel+ at will. !id Francal
send you9
%O%I)ET. Francal9 I don6t e1en $now where he is5 Oh- no5 )ot
Francal. omeone else.
MIRETTE. ho9
%O%I)ET. A woman. MIRETTE. A woman5 And what woman concerns hersel+ with a
gipsy
00 a +ortune0teller 00 li$e Mirette9
%IA)CA *coming +orward,. I do- Mademoiselle.
MIRETTE. %ianca5
%IA)CA. )ow- %obinet- lea1e us together- but $eep watch.
E(it %O%I)ET.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
39/46
MIRETTE *a+ter a pause,. hat can I do +or you-
Mademoiselle9
%IA)CA. Ah- Mirette- I $now that the sight o+ me must recall
unhappy memories- and I reproach mysel+ +or not
ha1ing spo$en to you when we +irst met2 but through
you- I ha1e been in great trouble.
MIRETTE. 7our trouble is o1er- you are happy now.
%IA)CA. "appy5
MIRETTE. I stood in your way- and I $new I had no right to. I
le+t the Chateau- and to0day you are #erard6s wi+e5
%IA)CA *surprised,. #erard6s wi+e9 Then you do not $now9
MIRETTE. hat do you mean9
%IA)CA. A+ter you had gone- #erard- in despair at your
+light- re+used to sign the contract.
MIRETTE. #erard 00 re+used5
%IA)CA. 7ou can imagine the scene there was5 The Marquise
ill
00 my +ather +urious 00 I in tears 00 the guests
lea1ing in haste 00 e1erything in con+usion 00 and
#erard shut in his room- and re+using to see any one.
MIRETTE. &oor %ianca5 %IA)CA. ince then he has been searching e1erywhere +or you-
and I $now that i+ he learns you are at this +air- he
will come here at once in hope o+ seeing you.
MIRETTE. And what is it you wish me to do9
%IA)CA *a+ter hesitating a moment,. Mirette- I am going to
as$ you something- and it will depend upon your
answer whether I lea1e this place with my heart +ull
o+ hope- or o+ despair5
MIRETTE. Tell me what it is9
!3ET. 00 %IA)CA and MIRETTE.
%IA)CA. That night5 that night you went away-
In silence and disdain2
I hoped your lo1e +or him was o6er-
And now I plead with you to0day-
Ah- tell him i+ you lo1e no more-
Maybe he6ll come to me again5
MIRETTE *aside,. he lo1es him more than I 00
%IA)CA. Ah- hear me- ere the day is cast.
7ou hold my gladness and my pain-
"e is my +irst lo1e and my last-
I shall not lo1e again.
corn me 00 hate me 00 i+ you will-
%ut tell me- do you lo1e him still9
MIRETTE *hesitating,. )o- no5 that +olly6s past-
I do not lo1e him 00 no5%IA)CA. And yet your eyes are wet-
7ou lo1e him still- Mirette.
MIRETTE. I lo1e him not.
%IA)CA. Ah5 i+ you lo1e him call him bac$
And ma$e him happy e1ermore.
MIRETTE. 6Twas but a dream.
%IA)CA. A dream9
MIRETTE. 7es- yes 00 a dream +or him . . . . and me5
"e lo1es you still5
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
40/46
%IA)CA. "e lo1es me still5
MIRETTE. And you his bride will be-
For I 00 will tell him.
%IA)CA *4oyously,. 7ou will do this 00 +or me9
MIRETTE. 7es- yes- why not9 I lo1e him now no more5
"e lo1es you still5
E)EM%/E.
%IA)CA. All is happy- all is gay-
orrow past- weeping done-
All the dar$ness gone away-
/i$e a mist be+ore the sun.
Tender heart- so good to me-
3ncomplaining and +orgi1ing-
Thou hast gi1en all to me-
All that ma$es my li+e worth li1ing5
MIRETTE. All is happy- all is gay-
All the dream is past and done-
All the +olly +lown away-
/i$e a mist be+ore the sun.
Ta$e the 4oy- and happy be- #o to him with heart +orgi1ing-
Thus I gi1e him bac$ to thee-
All that ma$es my li+e worth li1ing5
%O%I)ET runs on.
%O%I)ET. :uic$5 quic$5 get out o+ the way at once5 I61e 4ust
seen the Marquise and Monsieur #erard turning the
corner o+ the road. They are coming in this
direction5
MIRETTE. I will not see him again5 *To %IA)CA., Come in here-
Mademoiselle- and trust me5
%IA)CA *with a loo$ o+ gratitude,. Than$ you5
MIRETTE ma$es %IA)CA enter the booth- and then +ollows her in.
)oise outside.
T"E CRO!. "urrah5 "urrah5
%O%I)ET. hat is the matter now9
Entrance o+ the procession o+ young men who are going to
compete in the sac$ races- and the archery and cross0bow
contests. The crowd enters in +ront o+ them- shouting and
wa1ing hats. The pri;es 00 sil1er spoons- +or$s- and co++ee0
pots 00 are attached to shields and carried in triumph by men
dressed li$e church0beadles. #rand march.
=ERMAE. 00 C"OR3.
Come- march along- and ma$e a din-
hy should we glum and silent be-
The +un is going to begin-
Then march along in company5
Come- march along then- girls and boys-
Come- men and matrons- all in glee-
There6s nothing hal+ so nice as noise-
Then shout hurrah- in company.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
41/46
"urrah- hurrah5
For the show and dances-
Fights and pri;es-
/otteries- chances-
Flowers and $isses-
/o1es and glances-
!id e1er you $now such a show as this is9
Come- march along- and ma$e a din-
hy should we glum and silent be-
The +un is going to begin-
Then shout hurrah- in company5
%O%I)ET. hy shouldn6t I try my luc$ too9 I6ll go and see i+
I
can win a co++ee0pot. *E(it.,
E1eryone +ollows the procession. e1eral persons- among whom is
the %ARO) 'A) O%OR)- cross the green and meet the MAR:3IE and
#ERAR!- who enter /A. The MAR:3IE and the %ARO) e(change 1ery
+ormal bows- and the %ARO) wal$s on sti++ly.
MAR:3IE *to #ERAR!,. 7ou see what you e(pose me to- #erard5
The %aron scarcely deigns to notice me.
#ERAR!. The %aron is nothing to us5
MAR:. )othing to you- perhaps- but to me 00 a great deal.
7ou are beha1ing shame+ully towards him and his
daughter.
#ERAR!. My dear Aunt 0000
O)#. 00 MAR:3IE.
o the past is dead in your +ic$le heart-
7ou ha1e bro$en your empty 1ow-
And without a tear or care you part
From her who was yours but now.
Man6s lo1e5 man6s heart5 6tis e1er- they say-
E1er the old re+rain-
The true lo1e +lung li$e +lower away-
For the lo1e that soon will wane.
Ah5 by the heart that li1es +or you-
For the sa$e o+ the happy days-
Forget the gleam o+ the light untrue-
And the phantom that moc$s your ga;e.
Ah5 be not blind5 once more be true-
True to the past again-
For the silent lo1e that waits +or you
Is a lo1e that will not wane5
MAR:. For the +uture I shall cease to trouble mysel+ about
your a++airs. I shall disinherit you- and you may
star1e in a garret with any ballet0dancer you choose
to marry5 &robably you6ll end by appearing in public-
on some +ete day li$e this- in pin$ tights and a
tinsel crown- li$e a pantomime $ing5 *E(it.,
#ERAR! *to MAR:3IE,. Many than$s5 *Alone., I+ she is here
I
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
42/46
must +ind her. *E(it.,
&ICORI) enters- carrying the bas$et with pro1isions +or
brea$+ast- and begins to lay the things on a little table.
&ICORI). There is no time to lose. I +ancy I caught a glimpse
o+ Monsieur #erard 4ust now. )o doubt he is see$ing
+or Mirette. Ah5 he lo1es her still5 And she 00 has
she really +orgotten him9 hat ha1e I to hope +or in
remaining near her9 he will ne1er lo1e me5 It is
better to part5 %ut how shall I tell her9
Enter MIRETTE +rom the booth.
MIRETTE. ell- &icorin- are you busy with your dreams-
instead
o+ thin$ing about brea$+ast9
&ICORI). I was waiting +or you- Mirette.
!3ET. 00 MIRETTE and &ICORI).
MIRETTE. hat5 brea$+ast really ready- sir9
it down- then 00 let6s begin2
7ou are a splendid manager-
My dearest &icorin.
&ICORI). Mirette- you are too $ind to me-
7ou $now 6tis all +or you.
MIRETTE *aside,. !ear +ellow- how he loo$s at me5
I6m sure his lo1e is true.
*Aloud- gaily,. %ut- come along5 ee- there6s the wine-
And here6s your chair-
And here *placing hers beside him, is mine.
They seat themsel1es at table.
&ICORI) *aside,. "ow shall I tell her9 Can I dare9
MIRETTE *aside,. "e6s not so ugly- I declare.
"e really is 00
&ICORI) *o++ering her a dish,. 00 A little cheese.
MIRETTE *aside,. 00 o +ond o+ me.
&ICORI) *o++ering wine,. ome %urgundy9
MIRETTE *aside,. I almost thin$ I will 00
*Aloud,. 7es- please.
Oh- how delight+ul 6tis to dine.
&ICORI). And all alone together.
MIRETTE *turning the con1ersation,.
hat 1ery 00 1ery 00 *tasting, 00 splendid wine5
&ICORI) *at a loss,. hat lo1ely weather5MIRETTE *stopping suddenly,. 7ou are not eating- &icorin.
&ICORI). I am not hungry5
MIRETTE. hy9
hat ma$es you sad9
&ICORI). %ecause- dear- we must say good0bye.
MIRETTE. Must say good0bye9 %ut why9
&ICORI). %ecause we6re children now no more-
All that is o6er.
7ou are grown up 00 almost a woman-
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
43/46
And well- the world- Mirette- is human.
And so the carping world will chide
I+ we are always side by side.
MIRETTE *aside,. hat does he mean9
&ICORI). 3nless 00 we could 00 be something more.
MIRETTE *aside,. I ne1er thought. *Aloud., hat will you do9
&ICORI). /ea1e you.
MIRETTE. here will you go9 And what o+ me9
&ICORI). 7ou will go where swallows +ly-
To some happy land a+ar 00
I 00 where all the hapless are.
MIRETTE *aside,. "e lets me go without a sigh.
&ICORI) *aside,. And is it thus we say good0bye9
E)EM%/E.
MIRETTE *aside,. &ICORI) *aside,.
Oh5 i+ he would but dare Oh5 i+ I did but dare
To tell me all his heart- To tell her all my heart-
%ut no5 %ut no5 %ut no5 %ut no5
"e lets me go he lets me go
ithout a sigh- ithout a sigh- Or one good0bye2 Or one good0bye2
Alas5 we part. Alas5 we part.
They +inish the meal in silence.
MIRETTE. hen do you go- &icorin9
&ICORI). To0night.
MIRETTE. I want you to do me a ser1ice +irst.
&ICORI). A ser1ice9
MIRETTE. It is a delicate thing to as$ you 00 but I ha1e
promised %ianca. #erard is coming here- and 00
*hesitates.,
&ICORI). And what9
MIRETTE. ell- in order to turn his a++ections +rom me- you
must 00 oh- &icorin- you should not +ind it
di++icult- +or I thin$ you were +ond o+ me not 1ery
long ago9
&ICORI). %ut what must I do9
MIRETTE. 7ou must pretend to ma$e lo1e to me 00 be+ore him.
&ICORI). To ma$e lo1e to you 00 Mirette5
MIRETTE. hat I as$ you to do is not so 1ery di++icult 00 is
it9 &erhaps you will earn a $iss +or your trouble.
&ICORI). A $iss5
MIRETTE. I do not $now 00 I say- perhaps. It will be our
parting $iss- will it not9 7ou ha1e quite decided to
go9
&ICORI). 7es- quite decided.MIRETTE. Then you will do what I as$9
&ICORI). I+ it will ma$e you happy- yes- Mirette.
MIRETTE. Only 4ust in time. "ere is #erard. )ow- go down on
your $nees2 there- close to me.
&ICORI). 7ou wish it9
MIRETTE. 7es- quic$.
MIRETTE is seated at the table. &ICORI) drops on his $nees
beside her- 4ust as #ERAR! enters at bac$.
-
8/13/2019 Mirette Libretto
44/46
#ERAR! *aside,. It is she5
MIRETTE. 7es- &icorin- I lo1e you- and I ha1e ne1er lo1ed any
one but you. For one moment I +orgot mysel+- but I
quic$ly reali;ed my +olly- and I ha1e come bac$ to
you- to be your wi+e 00 your wi+e- &icorin5
&ICORI) *aside,. I+ only she were in earnest.
MIRETTE *aside to &ICORI),. )ow get up and embrace me5
&ICORI) ta$es her in his arms and $isses her- then lets her go-
o1ercome with emotion.
&ICORI) *seeing #ERAR!,. Ah5 we are not alone5
#ERAR! *coldly,. I beg your pardon.
MIRETTE *play+ully,. hy- it is Monsieur #erard5 I did not
$now you again. o you61e heard the pretty 1ows that
&icorin and I ha1e been e(changing under the blue
hea1ens9 That6s our gay gipsy +ashion- you $now5
*/aughing., "a5 ha5 hen I thin$ o+ it5 "ow +oolish
we were5 I dreamt o+ being your wi+e5 Can6t you see
me 00 in a dress with a long train 00 amongst all your +ine +riends9 "ow ridiculous I should ha1e
loo$ed5 Ah- no 00 *pointing to the booth., 00 there
is my home- and here 00 *indicating &ICORI), 00 is