Complete Fictional Works of Washington Irving (Illustrated) (251 page)

ACT III, SCENE
II

(Bertha’s chamber)

Nina
Dear, dear Bertha — for heaven’s sake don’t look so gloomy on your wedding morn! Upon my word, you frighten me. I had no idea marriage was such a terrible thing. Why, lud! my dear ‘twill soon be over, and then you’ll think no more of it than all the married folks one sees. Come, cheer up and I’ll go get the wedding wreath that old Agatha has just brought from the village. You’ll look as fine as a little queen. And then we’ll be off to the hunting camp.
(Exit).

Bertha
(Remains pensive and musing — clasps her hands and looks upward with a sigh)
Still — still this strange, this unaccountable foreboding presses on my heart. No, no — I’ll not yield to it. There is a Power above that watches over innocence.
(Air — Und ob die Wolke).
— Oh me — would that the day were happily over! What can it be that thus weighs down my spirits and makes me feel more like a victim than a bride?
(Music).
Hark! the bridesmaids are coming! Alas, how strange it is! I feel more as if going to a sacrifice than to a marriage altar.

SONG AND CHORUS OF BRIDESMAIDS. —
ENTER NINA

Nina
Here it is. — Here’s the wedding wreath, Bertha. Come, no more doleful looks; but dress your face in smiles, while I dress your head with flowers. Come
(to the girls),
let’s have your pretty chorus again while I crown the bride.
(While they sing she kneels before Bertha on the little stool, unties the green
ribband which fastens the box and opens it. The girls who are looking over as she opens the box start back with expressions of horror).

Bertha
(Throws herself back in alarm)
Oh, God!

Nina
(Prom whom the contents of the box were hidden by the raised lid)
What’s the matter? (Bertha takes the silver wreath out of the box).

Nina
Oh, horrors!
A death wreath!
This indeed is — (
checks herself)
— is not to be endured. That stupid half-blind old creature Agatha has brought a wrong box from the shop through mistake. (
The girls look at each other with an inquiring air. Bertha fixes her eyes on the silver wreath and clasps her hands together with a look of despondency. Nina considers a moment, then quickly
) — Come
— Away
with this wreath!
(Shuts it up in the box).
We must have one, however — come, let us make one out of the white roses which the good Hermit gave you.

Bertha
Nay, these must I wear in my bosom; they have the Hermit’s blessing.

Nina
Ah, but here remain enough beside. (
Fetches the rest of the roses, etc., seats herself and wreathes them).
Only see what a charming wreath they make and how lovely they look. Now let us go. Come sing, girls, sing. (
They repeat the chorus, but with a saddened tone).
(Exeunt)

ACT III, SCENE I
II

(In the forest, outside of Hunting Lodge)
ENTER CASPAR

Caspar
Three shots — all true to the mark! And with a skill that rivals even witchcraft.’Tis plain the spell of Urian is over, and something holy blesses Albert’s aim. Well then — to my last resort! All his balls exhausted, Andreas must now come to me for further aid. Three of the balls were wasted in the air — one only now remains — the fatal
seventh
— that precious ball which Urian granted me to fly wherever I please. I’ve destined it for Bertha’s heart; and now I’ve a means pat to my purpose to speed it on its way. That ball is the onflowing of my kindness I give to Andreas. He kills the girl and passes for her murderer; so he’ll be hanged in the full blow of wickedness, and buy me three years further grace from Urian. Enough, Albert! if thou must triumph, thy prize shall cost thee dear! This is true management! But hold — the poor tool comes!

ENTER ANDREAS, HASTILY

Andreas
Caspar, well met! I’ve sought you all the forest over.

Caspar
Well met at last then comrade. I greet you on your luck. Did I not tell you these balls would do wonders?

Andreas
Wonders! Yes, by my faith, but with all your infernal confectionery don’t you see that Albert hits the mark as clear as if he also had been cooking overnight in the Wolf’s Glen? And now, i’faith, all my balls are gone — not another shot have I in the locker. So the next bout he wins the prize, and there’s the Devil to pay, without joking.

Caspar
Sure — but you forget that there is still a seventh ball. Seven we cast. Six I gave you, but the seventh I kept as my own.

Andreas
Hold, comrade! Let me think a moment. Was there not something said about that being the fatal ball? I don’t like to meddle with that ball.

Caspar
Pish, man! that’s the very best of the whole —— worth all the rest — and therefore have I kept it for myself. It is endowed with wondrous magic power and will return to the pouch of the owner however often he fires it. But had it ten times its power I’d give it thee, for I’ve conceived a wondrous friendship for thee. With that ball you may task Albert’s skill till Doomsday — though he had all the powers of witchcraft to befriend him.

Andreas
Say you so? Why then, i’faith, give me the ball, and the day is mine!

Caspar
Here it is; but hark ye, do not fire until I give the signal. The ball depends upon my will.

Andreas
’Tis well.

ENTER HUNTER

Hunter
The time for the second round is arrived. The Duke and all the Court are already in the meadow. You are asked for, Andreas.

Andreas
I’ll be there in a twinkling. Caspar, when I am Ranger of the forest you know where to look for a venison party — a pretty girl and a jolly bottle. (
Exit with an air of exultation).

Caspar
Now for my master stroke! (
Horns sound cheerfully in the distance).
Aye, sound your horns and fill the air with music! I for once can bear it. Yes, I can even join the nuptial throng and swell the strain that greets a rival’s triumph. Aye, aye — prepare your wreaths; bring forth the bride and strew her path with flowers; but have a care there’s not a serpent under them. The seventh ball must fly at my command,
and Bertha’s heart shall be its fatal mark!
Help, Urian, for my master stroke! Bertha,
thou’st slighted me.
Enough! — no hated rival shalt thou ever bless. Thy wedding morn shall be a scene of horror; thy nuptial wreath shall be a funeral crown; thy bridal song shall be a death shriek!
(Exit)

LAST SCENE — AFTER GRAND CHOR
US

[The final scene of the opera shows, in its most recent representations, the following picture as the curtain rises: an attractive landscape with the tents of the Duke on one side, the courtiers and hunters drinking and enjoying themselves in the tents. With the Duke is his Chief Forester, Conrad, while Albert, outside the Duke’s tent, leans upon his rifle. Behind a tree on the opposite side, Caspar the villain is watching the proceedings. Later Bertha and Nina, with the bridesmaids, the good Hermit and various country people, enter. Irving’s version necessitates the appearance of Andreas from the very beginning of the scene. The Grand Chorus mentioned in Irving’s MS. is the “Huntsmen’s Chorus” with which the scene opens. The lines are as follows: —

The joy of the hunter on earth all surpasses,
The fountain of pleasure for him doth abound.
Thro wood and thro flood where the stag flits and passes,
He flies in pursuit while the horns gayly sound.
]

Duke
’Tis well. And now for the last trial of skill. Never did I see a closer match, nor better shooting. I wish to be impartial, but somehow or other, Albert has my good will. I like not the saucy swaggering air of this opponent; and there’s a pretty love story whose sequel hangs upon the fortunes of the day.

Conrad
Your Grace!

Duke
This is a worthy youth — this Albert.

Conrad
A trustier heart, my lord, beats not in any bosom of Bohemia. And for a shot there’s none could e’er match him in these forests.

Duke
Still, methinks he’s met his match today. That strutting scapegrace keeps even shot with him. But where’s your pretty daughter, Conrad?

Conrad
She will be here anon, my lord. I feared to bring her earlier to the field — her heart was too full of anxiety for the event of this trial. But now that Albert has his usual luck I fear no longer.

Duke
He has my hearty wishes. But when is the wedding, good Conrad?

Conrad
This very day, my lord, should Albert be successful. The shot that makes him Ranger of the forest and proves him worthy to succeed me in my hereditary office gives him my daughter’s hand.

Duke
He must succeed — Cupid will guide the ball. And now give signal with the horn for the candidates to make ready. (Horns. Albert advances to the front of the stage, pauses for a moment, looks upward, lays his hand upon his heart: “Now Bertha!” Shoots. A shout:—”He has hit the mark! He has hit the mark close to the centre!”).

Conrad
‘Twill puzzle Andreas to equal that.

Andreas
(Comes forward, with a swaggering, self-confident air)
That’s yet to be seen. Now magic, do your duty. ‘S-blood! how heavy the ball feels in my hand — heavier than all the others put together. No matter, it has the magic in it of ten thousand; so here goes.
(Puts it in the rifle).
But first I must see Caspar give the signal, for unless he directs the ball it will miss the mark.

Caspar
Where can the bride be lingering? I fear she will come too late for my plan.
(Gets up on a rock)
— Ah — there I see her at a distance, with her wedding train winding through the trees. Urian, thou makest all happen pat to the purpose.
[Here Caspar gives Andreas the signal to shoot. The magic ball seems to strike Bertha, casting her to the ground; but the blessed wreath she wears changes its course and it lands in the breast of Caspar. The Powers of Evil have been foiled by the Powers of Good.]

Albert
(Wildly)
Bertha! Bertha! My love, look up! Speak to your wretched Albert.
(Puts aside her hair which has fallen over her eyes).
She lives! She lives! Oh God, oh God, I thank Thee!

All
She
lives
! She lives!

Bertha
My Father — my Albert!

Albert
But art thou wounded, love?

Bertha
I scarce can tell. It seemed as if a flash of lightning struck me. I feel no pain, but I am wondrous faint.

Nina
Dear Bertha, lean on me. (They place her in the Duke’s chair, and Caspar is led tottering forward between two hunters).

Hunter
My Lord, this man is wounded. The ball has pierced him in the breast.

Duke
How can that be, he stood not in the range of fire — yet ’tis most true, the man is wounded.

Caspar
Stand off and let me gaze upon my victim. Ah (
with malignant joy),
have I reach’d thy heart, thou
scorner?
Nay then, I care not for myself. Now Albert, take thy bride and boast thy triumph, but spare your pains. No power on earth can save her—’twas a charm’d ball, and faithful to its errand.

Albert
Horrible wretch, what hast thou done?

Hermit
(Who has been near Bertha)
Almighty Providence, I thank Thee. My prayers were heard — the lamb preserved from danger. See here, my friends (
pointing to the roses),
these holy flowers have saved her spotless heart; their leaves are scorched and withered. The magic ball has struck them, but being repelled by their sacred power, has winged its mischief to the murderer’s breast.

Caspar
What! caught in my own snare — defeated —— lost? And is thy power so frail, thou mighty Spirit of air, that a poor rose can foil thee? Must I then fall and pull no ruin with me?
(To Andreas)
— Ah, trembling coward, thou at least must bear me company.
(Gasps).
Let me get hence — the day grows black around me — the air is thick and stifling. What sulphurous steams are these that choke me? Stand off and let me breathe!
(Pants).
Further, further!
(Tears open his bosom).
Oh — scorching — scorching hell is within me! Ah, these flames, these flames! Water! Water! Plunge me in the fountain! Ah, Urian here? Oh let me live another year — a little, little month — a day — an hour! Oh save me, save me! (
Staggers among the crowd and seizes upon one of the hunters).

Hunter
(Dismayed )
Heaven have mercy on thee!

Caspar
I have no hopes of Heaven! (
Falls and dies). Duke
Horrible! horrible! Haste! — take this dreadful object from my sight! Where is the hunter Andreas?

Andreas
(Amazed and overwhelmed by the preceding events, comes forward completely crestfallen) Here, my good lord.

Duke
What was the meaning of those dreadful words which Caspar uttered? Wert thou accomplice in his crime?

Andreas
Alas my lord, I scarce know what to say. Last night, when foolish with vanity and wine, this man beset me — betalked me of magic balls by which I could make my fortune; and of the Wild Huntsman; and so bewildered my poor brain that I agreed to meet him in the Wolf’s Glen when he cast these balls which I have used today.

Duke
Hast thou then dealt in magic?

Andreas
I hope not, my lord. I meant no such thing —— whatever Caspar meant. There were strange sights and sounds, but then I crossed myself and prayed. I meant no harm today, whate’er I’ve done. I hope I have not sinned past all forgiveness.

Duke
Thy free confession and thy penitence obtain my mercy. To this good father’s keeping I commit thee. Follow his councils — fast and pray, and seek to make thyself a better man.

Andreas
My lord, I’ve had a lesson today that I shall not easily forget. I feel that I am more an ass than I had any idea of. Henceforth I renounce all vanity and vainglory. Wine, women and play I abjure. If bread and water have any efficacy I’ll take them ten times a day. Go on, holy father, I’ll follow thee.
(Aside, going out)
—’S-blood, I long to be at my prayers, if it’s only to pay the Devil for the trick he’s played me.
(Exeunt Andreas and Hermit).

Duke
And now to turn our thoughts to happier objects. Albert, be thine the place of Ranger. Well hast thou won it by thy skill, but full more by thy virtue.
(To Conrad)
— I know thy will, excuse me if I play your part.
(Advances to Bertha and takes her hand, which he places in Albert’s).
Thus let me recompense thee, lovely maid, for all thy troubles past. Continue to be virtuous, my friends, and Heaven will bless you.
(Tableau).

THE END