A Greek Slave
Invocation and Ensemble
Song No. 12
Maia, Antonia, Doimed and Chorus of Slaves
MIDI File 37K, 4min. 30 seconds.
(Joined in by Antonia and Chorus of Slaves before end of which Heliodorus draws aside the curtains and discloses the incarnate status who joins in and avows his love for the woman who is destined for him)
(NOTE: During this, Maia may be igniting a fire on an altar or something mystical)
- Maia:
- What homage of human lovers,
- Can drawn from this realm above,
- In the height of heav'n where he hovers
- The winged wonderful love.
- Shall we swing the censer before him,
- Shall we pour out blood or wine?
- What way shall we best adore him,
- Who is chief of the race divine?
- What shall we give that the stone may live?
- Chorus:
- Eros, Eros!
- Antonia:
- What shall we vow?
- Answer us now.
- Chorus:
- Eros, Eros!
- Maia:
- By the eating fire
- Of a fierce desire,
- Chorus:
- Answer, Answer!
- Antonia:
- By the pang and bliss
- Of a lovers kiss,
- Chorus:
- Eros, Eros!
- Maia:
- By the heart that cries
- To the midnight skies.
- Chorus:
- Answer, Answer!
- Antonia:
- By the hope and fear
- Of a burning tear.
- Chorus:
- Appear, Appear!
(Curtain drawn back by Heliodorus. Gradually as Diomed sings)
- Diomed (as Eros):
- Far above you is my throne
- In the world undying,
- But the power of love unknown
- In a maiden's thrilling tone
- Draws me down to seek my own,
- Far through æther flying.
- For the image is my shrine,
- Feels my presence hover
- And the stone becomes divine,
- For a portent and a sign
- That the maid I love is mine,
- ........I am Love, her lover.
| ENSEMBLE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maia | Antonia | Diomed | Chorus |
| Fairest mortal | |||
| Of the land, | |||
| Love immortal, | At thy portal | Love immortal, | |
| We demand, | I will stand; | We demand, | |
| Love immortal Take |
When the shaken Stars awake |
At her portal | |
| At her portal Thou |
my hand. | I will waken | Though should'st stand |
| should'st stand | At my portal | For thy sake. | When the shaken |
| When the shaken | Deign | When the | stars awake |
| Stars awake | to stand; When the shaken |
shaken Stars awake. |
Thou wilt waken |
| Thou wilt | Stars awake | For her sake, | |
| waken | Do thou waken | I will waken | Wilt waken |
| For her sake. | For my sake. | For thy sake. | For her sake. |
| Gods are many | |||
| Gods are many | I will | Throned | |
| Throned above, | Gods are | waken | above, |
| Is there any | many Throned above |
For thy sake. | Is there any Strong as love? |
| Strong as love? | |||
| Is there any | Is there | Is there any | |
| Strong as love? | any Strong as love? |
I will waken | Strong as love? |
| Is there any | Is there any | Is there any | |
| Strong as love? | Strong as love? | For thy sake | Strong as love? |
- Chorus:
- He is great and shall prevail.
- Hail to Eros, Eros hail.
- Hail to Eros!
- Hail to Eros!
- Hail to Eros!
- Eros hail!
(At the end of the number, curtains descend, shutting out Diomed/Eros)
Page created 10 November 2001