ORPHEUS IN HELL. An Opera. By Jean Francois Regnard

Translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock

EText by Dagny
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                     Translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock
                     C 2003

The stage represents the palace of Pluto.

PLUTO: (in the midst of a troupe of infernal divinities)
     Gods of hell, to arms!

CHORUS: To arms! to arms!

PLUTO: An insolent mortal, despite the law of fate
     Is descending still living
     Into the realm of death, and causing me alarm.
     To arms! to arms!
     Tartarus shivers,
     Eberus quakes,
     Cerberus roars,
     Gods of hell, to arms!

CHORUS: To arms! to arms!

(A very soft symphony is heard.)

PLUTO: Why, what songs filled with sweetness!
     What sweet harmony
     Drives barbarism out
     Of a heart given to fury like mine!

ORPHEUS: (entering) Powerful master of shades,
     Love is leading my steps to your enflamed throne.
     Alas, the charming Eurydice
     Has crossed the somber shores;
     Return to me this being full of attractions,
     Or, from pity, give me death.

PLUTO: Much further than you hope you carry your demand;
     But Pluto consents to it if Love commands him.
     Leave, emerge from these shadowy parts;
     But I require that one rule be fulfilled,
     Don't look at Eurydice,
     Until you are returned to day's empire.

(Exit Pluto and his followers.)

ORPHEUS: Sing of victory, my heart
     Love is crowned with glory.
     Laughter and singing
     To sorrow succeed;
     Hell surrenders
     To the charms of two touching eyes.

(Entry of infernal divinities and goblins.)

A SHADE: (happy) Withstand who can, the darts and lightning flashes
     That can be seen beaming from handsome face;
     Beauty finds an easy passage in the heavens
     And even opens the gates of hell.

(They resume dancing.)

EURYDICE: To please the creature that enflames me,
     Cupids, fly everywhere in my soul;
     Flee, pains, sighs, never come back
     To interrupt the peace of my amorous heart.

(They resume dancing.)

ORPHEUS: (passes without looking at Eurydice)

EURYDICE: Orpheus, cast a glance on the one who adores you.

ORPHEUS: (looking at Eurydice) Darling Eurydice,
     At last I am seeing you again!

PLUTO: (returning) Go, flee far from my sight,
     Overbold mortal,
     Since you violate
     The strict decree of gods.

ORPHEUS: O gods!

PLUTO: Let a rapid troupe
     Of bustling demons
     Return this perfidious one to the empire of the air.
     Pluto commands, obey.

ORPHEUS: What pitiless severity!

EURYDICE: Isn't a crime of love pardonable?

(The Demons carry Orpheus away.)

PLUTO: On this day, infernal spirits,
     To chase of the pain that presses her,
     Laugh, dance, show your frivolity.
     Let no one speak of sadness
     Where the torch of love shines.

CHORUS: Let's laugh, sing, dance, show our frivolity;
     Let no one speak of sadness
     Where the torch of love shines.

CURTAIN