Purcell King Arthur (1691)

Original source for this libretto: http://www.impresario.ch/libretto/libpurkin_e.htm
Cf. libretto of sung parts: http://opera.stanford.edu/Purcell/KingArthur/libretto.html
YouTube playlist

Henry Purcell (music)
John Dryden (libretto) [Cf.]

KING ARTHUR
or
THE BRITISH WORTHY

Semi opera in five acts

Premiere
May or June 1691, London (Dorset Garden Theatre)

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Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Concertus Musicus Wien
Conductor - Nikolaus Harnoncourt
2004
2h49m
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Cast:
Isabel Rey (soprano)
Barbara Bonney (soprano)
Birgit Remmert (contralto)
Michael Schade (tenor)
Oliver Widmer (baritone)
Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Concertus Musicus Wien
Conductor - Nikolaus Harnoncourt

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Choeur et Orchestre du Concert Spirituel, Herve Niquet 2009 performance, 1h40m
(the introduction is in French, but the performance is in English):
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Ana Maria Labin, soprano
Chantal Santon-Jeffery, soprano
Mélodie Ruvio, mezzo-soprano
Mathias Vidal, high tenor
Marc Mauillon, tenor
João Fernandes, bass
Choeur et Orchestre du Concert Spirituel
Herve Niquet


Henry Purcell - King Arthur - HD

http://www.znojmo.tv |
Nastudováno pro Hudební festival Znojmo 2010 |
premiéra 18. 7. 2010 |
http://www.hudbaznojmo.cz

Podtitul této velké výpravné pětiaktové semiopery zní Britská čest. Velká část opery se skládá z mluveného textu a hlavní protagonisté jsou herci. Purcellova hudba, na níž jsou dobře patrné vlivy francouzských tanců, však dosahuje právě v tomto díle nového, lyrického rozměru.

Arthur - Filip Čapka
Oswald -- Michal Čapka
Merlin -- Miloslav Mejzlík
Emmelina -- Petra Hřebíčková
Osmond -- Radovan Král
Conon -- Ivan Palúch
Matylda -- Kristýna Frejová
Phillidel -- Michaela Horká
Grimbald -- Dušan Sitek
Aurelius -- Tomáš Novotný

Soprán -- Michaela Šrůmová
Soprán -- Lívia Obručník Vénosová
Kontratenor -- Jakub Burzynski
Tenor -- Jaroslav Březina /Tomáš Kořínek
Bas -- Roman Janál

Český překlad libreta: Vladimír Chytil
Scéna, kostýmy: Jaroslav Milfajt
Choreografie: Hana Litterová
Light design: Arnošt Janěk
Režie: Jana Janěková

Sbormistr: Tereza Válková
Koncertní mistr: Peter Zajíček
Dirigent: Roman Válek

Orchestr: The Czech Ensemble Baroque
http://www.ebcz.eu

VideoBrothers s.r.o.
http://www.videobrothers.cz | http://www.facebook.com/videobrothers

Published on Dec 18, 2012 by ZnojmoTV (2h50m22s 16:10, upto 1080pHD)

Henry Purcell Z.628 King Arthur 1691

@Wikipedia, @IMSLP, YouTube playlist
Act/ Scene	Dramatis Personæ and Libretto - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Salzburger Festspiele Harnoncourt 2004 spoken in German, sung in English, subtitles in English 2h49m	Montpellier Niquet Le Concert Spirituel 2009 spoken in French, sung in English, no subtitles 1h40m
	King Arthur	Micael Maertens
	Oswald	Dietmar König
	Conon	Peter Maertens
	Merlin	Christoph Bantzer
	Osmond	Roland Renner
	Emmeline	Sylvie Rohrer
	Matilda	Ulli Maier
	PHILADEL (Soprano)	Alexandra Henkel
	GRIMBALD (Bass / Baritone)	Werner Wölbern
	SHEPHERD (Tenor)	Michael Schade	Marc Mauillon
	CUPID (Soprano)
	COLD GENIUS (Bass)
	AEOLUS (Bass / Baritone)	Christoph Kail
	VENUS (Soprano)
	Soprano	Isabel Rey
	Soprano	Barbara Bonney
	Alto	Birgit Remmert
	Tenor	Michael Schade
	Baritone	Oliver Widmer
	CHORUS sheperds and shepherdesses, soldiers, spirits, satyrs etc.
	Place Britanny Time Middle Ages
ACT ONE
FIRST SCENE
1/1	King Arthur has secured all of his kingdom except Kent in the course of the battles with the Saxons; they are led by Oswald, who has set out to win not only his throne but his love, the blind Emmeline, daughter of Conon, Duke of Cornwall. Arthur takes leave of her for the final, decisive battle against the heathen invader.	Initial words of Conon, Duke of Cornwall (1/1-Harnoncourt) 1/1-Harnoncourt 1/1/Emmeline-Harnoncourt 1/1/Trumpets-Harnoncourt	Credits-Niquet Conductors_spoken_introduction_in_French-Niquet (1/1-Niquet) 1/1/Curtain-Niquet 1/1-Niquet
SECOND SCENE
1/2	A place of heathen worship; the three saxon gods, Woden, Thor and Freya placed on pedestals; an altar. Oswald, his magician Osmond and the earthly evil spirit Grimbald have brought victims for a sacrifice, to ensure victory in battle, and are preparing for the rites. Grimbald goes to the door, and re-enters with six Saxons in white, with swords in their hands. They range, themselves three and three in opposition to each other. The rest of the stage is filled with priests and singers. BASS Woden, first to thee A milk-white steed, in battle won, We have sacrific'd. CHORUS We have sacrific'd. TENOR II Let our next oblation be To Thor, thy thund'ring son, Of such another. CHORUS We have sacrific'd. BASS A third (of Friesland breed was he) To Woden's wife, and to Thor's mother; And now we have aton'd all three. CHORUS We have sacrific'd. TENOR I & II The white horse neigh'd aloud. To Woden thanks we render, To Woden we have vow'd, To Woden, our defender. CHORUS To Woden thanks we render, To Woden we have vow'd, To Woden, our defender. SOPRANO The lot is cast, and Tanfan pleas'd; Of mortal cares you shall be eas'd. CHORUS Brave souls, to be renown'd in story. Honour prizing, Death despising, Fame acquiring By expiring, Die and reap the fruit of glory. TENOR I I call you all To Woden's Hall, Your temples round With ivy bound In goblets crown'd, And plenteous bowls of burnish'd gold, Where ye shall laugh And dance and quaff The juice that makes the Britons bold. CHORUS To Woden's Hall all, Where in plenteous bowls of burnish'd gold, We shall laugh And dance and quaff The juice that makes the Britons bold. The six Saxons are led off by the priests, in order to be sacrificed. Exeunt omnes. A battle supposed to be given behind the scenes, with drums, trumpets, and military shouts and excursions, after which the Britons, expressing their joy for the victory, sing this song of triumph. TENOR II "Come if you dare," our trumpets sound. "Come if you dare," the foes rebound. We come, we come, we come, we come," Says the double, double, double beat of the thund'ring drum. CHORUS "Come if you dare," our trumpets sound, etc. TENOR II Now they charge on amain. Now they rally again. The Gods from above the mad labour behold, And pity mankind that will perish for gold. CHORUS Now they charge on amain, etc. TENOR II The fainting Saxons quit their ground, Their trumpets languish in their sound, They fly, they fly, they fly, they fly, "Victoria, Victoria," the bold Britons cry. CHORUS The fainting Saxons quit their ground, etc. TENOR II Now the victory's won, To the plunder we run, We return to our lasses like fortunate traders, Triumphant with spoils of the vanquish'd invaders. CHORUS Now the victory's won, etc.	(1/2-Harnoncourt) (1/2/Woden-Harnoncourt) 1/2/Woden-Harnoncourt 1/2/Let_oblation-Harnoncourt (1/2/A_third-Harnoncourt) 1/2/Lot_is_cast-Harnoncourt 1/2/Brave-Harnoncourt 1/2/I_call-Harnoncourt 1/2/The_red_blood-Harnoncourt 1/2/Come_if-Harnoncourt	1/2/March_Saxons_enter-Niquet 1/2/Woden-Niquet 1/2/March_Saxons_enter-Niquet 1/2/We_have_sacrificed-Niquet 1/2/Spoken_dialogue-Niquet 1/2/The_lot_is_cast-Niquet 1/2/Brave_souls-Niquet 1/2/I_call_you_all-Niquet 1/2/To_Wodens_hall-Niquet 1/2/Trumpets/Come_if_you_dare-Niquet 1/2/Act_I_curtain-Niquet
ACT TWO
2	Philidel, a repentant airy spirit, reports to Merlin that Grimbald is approaching and will attempt to mislead the conquering Britons to cliffs, where they will fall to their deaths, by telling them that they are pursuing the retreating Saxons. Merlin commands Philidel, assisted by his band of spirits, to protect the Britons and counter Grimbald's forces. Exit Merlin in this chariot. Merlin's spirits stay with Philidel. Enter Grimbald in the habit of a shepherd, followed by King Arthur, Conon, Aurelius, Albanact and soldiers, who wander at a distance in the scenes. PHILIDEL Hither, this way, this way bend, Trust not the malicious fiend. Those are false deluding lights Wafted far and near by sprites. Trust 'em not, for they'll deceive ye, And in bogs and marshes leave ye. CHORUS OF PHILIDEL'S SPIRITS Hither, this way, this way bend. CHORUS OF GRIMBALD' S SPIRITS This way, hither, this way bend. PHILIDEL If you step no longer thinking, Down you fall, a furlong sinking. 'Tis a fiend who has annoy'd ye: Name but Heav'n, and he'll avoid ye. Hither, this way. PHILIDEL' S SPIRITS Hither, this way, this way bend. GRIMBALD' S SPIRITS This way, hither, this way bend. PHILIDEL' S SPIRITS Trust not the malicious fiend. Hither, this way, etc. Conon and Albanact are persuaded not to follow Grimbald any further, but Grimbald produces fresh footprints as proof that they are following the Saxons. GRIMBALD Let not a moon-born elf mislead ye From your prey and from your glory; To fear, alas, he has betray'd ye; Follow the flames that wave before ye, Sometimes sev'n, and sometimes one. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry on. Ritornello GRIMBALD See, see the footsteps plain appearing. That way Oswald chose for flying. Firm is the turf and fit for bearing, Where yonder pearly dews are lying. Far he cannot hence be gone. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry on. All are going to follow Grimbald. Ritornello PHILIDEL'S SPIRITS Hither, this way, this way bend. GRIMBALD' S SPIRITS Hither, this way, this way bend. PHILIDEL'S SPIRITS Trust not that malicious fiend. Hither, this way, etc. They all incline to Philidel. Grimbald curses Philidel and sinks with a flash. Arthur gives thanks that the fiend has vanished. PHILIDEL Come, follow me. SOLOS Come, follow me, And me, and me, and me, and me. CHORUS Come, follow me. PHILIDEL, SOPRANO And green-sward all your way shall be. CHORUS Come, follow me. BASS No goblin or elf shall dare to offend ye. CHORUS No goblin or elf shall dare to offend ye. Ritornello TWO SOPRANOS, TENOR We brethren of air You heroes will bear To the kind and the fair that attend ye. CHORUS We brethren of air, etc. Philidel and the spirits go off singing, with King Arthur and the rest in the middle of them.	2/Philidel/Its_war-Harnoncourt 2/What_comes-Harnoncourt 2/Britons_enter-Harnoncourt 2/Grimbald_enters_Follow_me-Harnoncourt 2/Philidel/Hither_this_way-Harnoncourt 2/Grimbald/Let_not-Harnoncourt 2/Grimbald/Ritornello-Harnoncourt 2/Spirits/Hither-Harnoncourt 2/Philadel/Come_follow-Harnoncourt	Note: Here Grimbald has a crown! 2/Miscellaneous_buffonery-Niquet 2/Curtain-Niquet 2/Play_begins-Niquet 2/Philidel/Hither-Niquet 2/Grimbald/Let_not-Niquet 2/Philidel/Come_follow-Niquet 2/Ritornello-Niquet 2/We_brethern-Niquet
Pavilion Scene.
2/Pavilion	Enter Emmeline led by Matilda. Emmeline and Matilda discuss King Arthur. Matilda entreats Emmeline to forget her cares and let a group of Kentish lads and lasses entertain her while she awaits Arthur's return. Enter shepherds and shepherdesses. SHEPHERD How blest are shepherds, how happy their lasses, While drums and trumpets are sounding alarms. Over our lowly sheds all the storm passes And when we die, 'tis in each other's arms All the day on our herds and flocks employing, All the night on our flutes and in enjoying. CHORUS How blest are shepherds, how happy their lasses, etc. SHEPHERD Bright nymphs of Britain with graces attended, Let not your days without pleasure expire. Honour's but empty, and when youth is ended, All men will praise you but none will desire. Let not youth fly away without contenting; Age will come time enough for your repenting. CHORUS Bright nymphs of Britain with graces attended, etc. Here the men offer their flutes to the women, which they refuse. Symphony TWO SHEPHERDESSES Shepherd, shepherd, leave decoying: Pipes are sweet on summer's day, But a little after toying, Women have the shot to pay. Here are marriage-vows for signing: Set their marks that cannot write. After that, without repining, Play, and welcome, day and night. Here the women give the men contracts, which they accept. CHORUS Come, shepherds, lead up a lively measure The cares of wedlock are cares of pleasure: But whether marriage bring joy or sorrow. Make sure of this day and hang tomorrow. Hornpipe The dance after the song, and exeunt shepherds and shepherdesses. Second Act Tune: Air Emmeline and Matilda are captured by Oswald, who has refused to release them during a parley with Arthur. The Britons prepare to rescue Emmeline from the Saxon fortress.	2/Pavilion-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Enter_Kentish-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Shepherd_How_blest-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Symphony-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Shepherdesses-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Emmeline_captured-Harnoncourt 2/Pavilion/Emmeline_captured-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
ACT THREE
FIRST SCENE
3/1	The Britons are panicked by the magic horrors that have been put around the Saxon fortress to protect it and want to retreat. Arthur, however, is prepared to attempt to penetrate them alone. Merlin advises him to wait until after the spells have been broken, but does promise to spirit him off to the captive Emmeline, and to restore her sight.	3/1???-Harnoncourt 3/1/Merlin-Harnoncourt 3/1/Music&Dance-Harnoncourt 3/1/Philadel_enters-Harnoncourt 3/1/Grimbald_enters-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
SECOND SCENE
3/2	A Deep Wood Philidel is captured by Grimbald while trying to find Emmeline, but he escapes and casts a strong spell over the evil spirit. Merlin and Arthur enter; Merlin gives Philidel a vial containing the drops that will restore Emmeline's sight and leaves to attempt to dispel the dire enchantments in the wood. Emmeline and Matilda enter from the far end of the wood. Arthur withdraws as Philidel approaches Emmeline, sprinkling some of the water out of the vial over her eyes. Emmeline sees Arthur for the first time, and tells him that not only Oswald, but also Osmond desires her love. Airy spirits appear to congratulate her on the recovery of her sight, but then vanish when Philidel announces the approach of their foes. Emmeline and Matilda are left alone. Osmond, whom Emmeline now sees for the first time, ardently woos her and boasts how he has thrown Oswald into prison. Emmeline, frozen with terror, refuses his advances, but Osmond assures her that Love will thaw her, and demonstrates by using his magic wand to change Britain's mild clime to Iceland and farthest Thule's frost.	3/2-Harnoncourt 3/2/Merlin&Arthur_enter-Harnoncourt 3/2/Emmeline&Matilda_enter-Harnoncourt 3/2/Philadel_sprinkles_on_Emmeline-Harnoncourt 3/2/Philidel_exits_Emmeline_sees-Harnoncourt 3/2/Airy_sprites-Harnoncourt 3/2/You_say-Harnoncourt 3/2/??_enters-Harnoncourt 3/2/Osmond_Tis_not-Harnoncourt 3/2/Let_us_love-Harnoncourt [Discussed here] 3/2/My_sovereign-Harnoncourt 3/2/Arthur_exits-Harnoncourt 3/2/Osmond_enters-Harnoncourt 3/2/Emmeline_turn_my_blood_to_ice-Harnoncourt 3/2/Osmond_magic_wand-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
THE FROST SCENE
3/Frost	Prelude Osmond strikes the ground with his wand, the scene changes to a prospect of winter in frozen countries. Cupid descends. CUPID What ho! thou genius of this isle, what ho! Liest thou asleep beneath those hills of snow? Stretch out thy lazy limbs. Awake, awake! And winter from thy furry mantle shake. Prelude Genius arises. COLD GENIUS What power art thou, who from below Hast made me rise unwillingly and slow From beds of everlasting snow? See'st thou not how stiff and wondrous old, Far unfit to bear the bitter cold, I can scarcely move or draw my breath? Let me, let me freeze again to death. CUPID Thou doting fool forbear, forbear! What dost thou mean by freezing here? At Love's appearing, All the sky clearing, The stormy winds their fury spare. Winter subduing, And Spring renewing, My beams create a more glorious year. Thou doting fool, forbear, forbear! What dost thou mean by freezing here? COLD GENIUS Great Love, I know thee now: Eldest of the gods art thou. Heav'n and earth by thee were made. Human nature is thy creature, Ev'rywhere thou art obey'd. CUPID No part of my dominion shall he waste: To spread my sway and sing my praise E'en here I will a people raise Of kind embracing lovers, and embrac'd. Cupid waves his wand, upon which the scene opens, discovers a prospect of ice and snow. Singers and dancers, men and women, appear. Prelude CHORUS OF COLD PEOPLE See, see, we assemble Thy revels to hold: Tho' quiv'ring with cold We chatter and tremble. Dance CUPID 'Tis I, 'tis I, 'tis I that have warm'd ye. In spite of cold weather I've brought ye together. 'Tis I, 'tis I, 'tis I that have warm'd ye, Ritornello CHORUS 'Tis Love, 'tis Love, 'tis Love that has warm'd us. In spite of the weather He brought us together. 'Tis Love, 'tis Love, 'tis Love that has warm'd us. CUPID & COLD GENIUS Sound a parley, ye fair, and surrender, Set yourselves and your lovers at ease. He's a grateful offender Who pleasure dare seize: But the whining pretender Is sure to displease. Sound a parley, ye fair, and surrender. Since the fruit of desire is possessing, 'Tis unmanly to sigh and complain. When we kneel for redressing, We move your disdain. Love was made for a blessing And not for a pain. Ritornello CHORUS 'Tis Love, 'tis Love, 'tis Love that has warm'd us, etc. Third Act Tune: Hornpipe A dance; after which the singers and dancers depart. Emmeline is saved from Osmond's lustful advances when the ensnared Grimbald cries out, compelling the magician to go to the rescue of his evil spirit.	3/Frost/Prelude_Cupid_enters-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Cupid_What_ho-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Prelude_Genius-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Genius_What_power-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Dance-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Chorus/See-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Cupid/Tis_I-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Ritornello-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Chorus/Tis_Love-Harnoncourt (3/Frost/C&CG/Sound-Harnoncourt) 3/Frost/C&CG/Sound-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Chorus/Tis_Love-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Emmeline/Very_skillful-Harnoncourt 3/Frost/Emmeline_exits-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
ACT FOUR
FIRST SCENE
4/1	Osmond learns that Merlin has broken his spells but plans to cast new spells and seduce Arthur with visions of beauty.	4-Harnoncourt 4/1/In_audience_interruption-Harnoncourt 4/1/Arthur_appears-Harnoncourt 4/1/Philidel_appears-Harnoncourt 4/1/Audience_interruption_ends-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
SECOND SCENE
4/2	The Wood Arthur, having first been warned by Merlin that everything he sees is illusion, is left alone in the wood under the watchful eye of Philidel, who can reveal any evil spirits with a wave of Merlin's wand. Arthur is amazed that instead of the horrors and dangers he had expected, he hears soft music and sees a golden bridge spanning a silver stream. Though suspecting a trap, he approaches the bridge. Two sirens naked to the waist, emerge, begging him to lay aside his sword and join them. TWO SIRENS Two daughters of this aged stream are we, And both our sea-green locks have comb'd for ye. Come bathe with us an hour or two; Come naked in, for we are so. What danger from a naked foe? Come bathe with us, come bathe, and share What pleasures in the floods appear. We'll beat the waters till they bound And circle round, and circle round. Though sorely tempted, Arthur resists and presses on. As he is going forward, nymphs and sylvans come out from behind the trees. Dance with song, all with branches in their bands. Passacaglia [The 2004 Salzburg Festival/Harnoncourt performance moved the remainder of Act Four to the end of Act Five, performed starting here.] TENOR I How happy the lover, How easy his chain! How sweet to discover He sighs not in vain. CHORUS How happy the lover, etc. Ritornello SYLVAN & NYMPH For love ev'ry creature Is form'd by his nature. No joys are above The pleasures of love. CHORUS No joys are above. The pleasures of love. THREE NYMPHS In vain are our graces, In vain are your eyes. In vain are our graces If love you despise. When age furrows faces, 'Tis too late to be wise. THREE SYLVANS Then use the sweet blessing While now in possessing. No joys are above The pleasures of love. THREE NYMPHS No joys are above The pleasures of love. CHORUS No joys are above The pleasures of love. Fourth Act Tune: Air Arthur commands the sylvans, nymphs and sirens begone and they vanish. In an attempt to break the spells, he draws his sword and strikes a blow at the finest tree in the wood. A vision of Emmeline appears from its trunk, her arm wounded by the blow; it persuades him to lay down his sword and take her hand. Philidel rushes in, and with a touch of the wand reveals the vision to be Grimbald in disguise, Arthur then fells the tree, breaking the spells and opening a safe passage for the Britons to the Saxon fortress. Grimbald is bound up by Philidel and led out into daylight.	4/2/Sirens-Harnoncourt 4/2/Two-daughters-Harnoncourt 4/2/Arthur/A_lazy_pleasure-Harnoncourt 4/2/Emmeline_rises-Harnoncourt 4/2/Philidel_enters-Harnoncourt 4/2/Osmond_enters-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
ACT FIVE
FIRST SCENE
5/1	Osmond's spells have been broken and his spirit Grimbald captured. He decides to release Oswald from the prison in the hope that together they may at last defeat Arthur.	-Harnoncourt	-Niquet
SECOND SCENE
5/2	The Britons march on the Saxon fortress, and are met by Oswald, who proposes the war be decided in single combat with Arthur. After a very close fight, in which the two magicians are also pitted against each other, Arthur finally succeeds in disarming Oswald, but grants him his life. Trumpet Tune A consort of trumpets within, proclaiming Arthur's victory. While they sound, Arthur and Oswald seem to confer. Arthur commands Oswald to return to Saxony with his men. Emmeline is restored to Arthur. Merlin imprisons Osmond and proclaims the triumph of British sovereignty, faith and love. Merlin waves his wand; the scene changes, and discovers the British Ocean in a storm. Aeolus in a cloud above: Four Winds hanging, etc. AEOLUS Ye blust'ring brethren of the skies, Whose breath has ruffled all the wat'ry plain, Retire, and let Britannia rise In triumph o'er the main. Serene and calm, and void of fear, The Queen of Islands must appear. Aeolus ascends, and the Four Winds fly off. The scene opens, and discovers a calm sea, to the end of the house. An island arises, to a soft tune; Britannia seated in the island, with fishermen at her feet, etc. The tune changes; the fisher men come ashore, and dance a while; after which, Pan and a Nereid come on the stage, and sing. Symphony NEREID, PAN Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain, For thy guard our waters flow: Proteus all his herd admitting On thy green to graze below: Foreign lands thy fish are tasting; Learn from thee luxurious fasting. CHORUS Round thy coast, fair nymph of Britain, etc. ALTO, TENOR, BASS For folded flocks, and fruitful plains, The shepherd's and the farmer's gains, Fair Britain all the world outvies; And Pan, as in Arcadia, reigns Where pleasure mix'd with profit lies. Tho' Jason's fleece was fam'd of old, The British wool is growing gold; No mines can more of wealth supply: It keeps the peasants from the cold, And takes for kings the Tyrian dye. Enter Comus with peasants. COMUS Your hay, it is mow'd and your corn is reap'd, Your barns will be full and your hovels heap'd. Come, boys, come, Come, boys, come, And merrily roar out our harvest home. CHORUS OF PEASANTS Harvest home, Harvest home, And merrily roar out our harvest home. COMUS We've cheated the parson, we'll cheat him again, For why shou'd a blockhead have one in ten? One in ten, one in ten, For why shou'd a blockhead have one in ten? PEASANTS One in ten, one in ten, For why shou'd a blockhead have one in ten? COMUS For prating so long, like a book-learn'd sot, Till pudding and dumpling are burnt to the pot: Burnt to pot, burnt to pot, Till pudding and dumpling are burnt to pot. PEASANTS Burnt to pot, burnt to pot, Till pudding and dumpling are burnt to the pot. COMUS We'll toss off our ale till we cannot stand; And heigh for the honour of old England; Old England, Old England, And heigh for the honour of old England. PEASANTS Old England, Old England, And heigh for the honour of old England. Dance The dance varied into a round country-dance. Enter Venus. VENUS Fairest isle, all isles excelling, Seat of pleasure and of love; Venus here will choose her dwelling, And forsake her Cyprian grove. Cupid from his fav'rite nation, Care and envy will remove; Jealousy that poisons passion, And despair that dies for love. Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining, Sighs that blow the fire of love; Soft repulses, Kind disdaining, Shall be all the pains you prove. Ev'ry swain shall pay his duty, Grateful ev'ry nymph shall prove; And as these excel in beauty, Those shall be renown'd for love. [The remainder of Act Five was not performed in the 2004 Salzburg Festival/Harnoncourt performance, rather the end of Act Four was substituted here.] SHE You say, 'tis Love creates the pain, Of which so sadly you complain, And yet would fain engage my heart In that uneasy cruel part; But how, alas! think you that I Can bear the wounds of which you die? HE 'Tis not my passion makes my care, But your indiff'rence gives despair: The lusty sun begets no spring Till gentle show'rs assistance bring; So Love, that scorches and destroys, Till kindness aids, can cause no joys. SHE Love has a thousand ways to please, But more to rob us of our ease; For waking nights and careful days, Some hours of pleasure he repays; But absence soon, or jealous fears, O'erflows the joy with floods of tears. HE But one soft moment makes amends For all the torment that attends. BOTH Let us love, let us love and to happiness haste. Age and wisdom come too fast. Youth for loving was design'd. HE I'll be constant, you be kind. SHE You be constant, I'll be kind. BOTH Heav'n can give no greater blessing Than faithful love and kind possessing. Trumpet Tune (Warlike Consort) The scene opens above, and discovers the Order of the Garter. Enter Honour, attended by heroes. HONOUR Saint George, the patron of our Isle, A soldier and a saint, On this auspicious order smile, Which love and arms will plant. CHORUS Our natives not alone appear To court the martial prize; But foreign kings adopted here Their crowns at home despise. Our Sov'reign high, 'in awful state, His honours shall bestow; and see his sceptred subjects wait On his commands below.	5/2/Britons_march-Harnoncourt 5/2/Oswald_enters-Harnoncourt 5/2/Fight_begins-Harnoncourt 5/2/Trumpet_tune-Harnoncourt 5/2/Fight_winner_declared-Harnoncourt 5/2/Trumpet_tune&procession-Harnoncourt 5/2/Emmeline_enters-Harnoncourt 5/2/Merlin_enters-Harnoncourt 5/2/Osmond_enters-Harnoncourt 5/2/Britons&Saxons_shall_be_one_people-Harnoncourt 5/2/Aeolus_enters-Harnoncourt 5/2/Aeolus/Ye-Harnoncourt 5/2/Nereid&Pan_appear-Harnoncourt 5/2/Chorus/Round-Harnoncourt 5/2/Arthur/You_know-Harnoncourt 5/2/Comus&Peasants-Harnoncourt 5/2/Comus/Your_hay-Harnoncourt 5/2/Venus-Harnoncourt 5/2/Venus/Fairest-Harnoncourt 5/2/Arthur/Merline-Harnoncourt 5/2/Dance-Harnoncourt (See Act 4, Scene 2:) 5/2/How_happy-Harnoncourt (See Act 4, Scene 2:) 5/2/For_love-Harnoncourt (See Act 4, Scene 2:) 5/2/In_vain-Harnoncourt (See Act 4, Scene 2:) 5/2/Then_use-Harnoncourt (See Act 4, Scene 2:) 5/2/No_joys-Harnoncourt End-of-music&Curtain-call-Harnoncourt Credits-Harnoncourt	-Niquet