Rusalka

A Lyrical Fairy Tale in Three Acts

Jaroslav Kvapil

English translation by Patrick John Corness

Published by Charles University, Karolinum Press

Modern Czech Classics

Series editor: Martin Janeček

Graphic design by Zdeněk Ziegler

Edited by Mike Baugh

Typesetting by Karolinum Press

Conversion to epub and mobi format by Stará škola (staraskola.net)

First Czech-English edition

© Karolinum Press, 2021

Text © Jaroslav Kvapil, 1948

Translation © Patrick John Corness, 2020

Afterword © Geoffrey Chew, 2020

Illustrations and cover image © Jiří Grus, 2020

Jaroslav Kvapil’s Rusalka: Lyrická pohádka o třech dějstvích formed the libretto for Antonín Dvořák’s opera, which premiered 31 March 1901 in Prague’s National Theatre. The libretto was first published in 1901 by F. Topič. The Czech text that appears in this edition comes from 1948’s Souborné dílo Jaroslava Kvapila o čtyřech svazcích. Vol. 3, Divadlo Jaroslava Kvapila (Prague: Dr Václav Tomsa).

ISBN 978-80-246-4705-0 (epub)

ISBN 978-80-246-4704-3 (mobi)

ISBN 978-80-246-4700-5 (pdf)

ISBN 978-80-246-4381-6 (pb)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaroslav Kvapil (1868–1950) was a Czech poet, playwright, translator, and theatre director.

Born in the Bohemian town of Chudenice, when it was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, he was sent to secondary school in Plzeň and moved to Prague to study at Charles University. He studied medicine for a year before switching to philology and then law. When he left university, he went to work as a journalist. As a young man, he came to the attention of Prague’s literary circles primarily for his poetry, which incorporated symbolist and Parnassian influences.

Inspired by his relationship with the actress Hana Kubešová, Kvapil began to focus more on theatrical work, writing scripts, translating plays, and directing. In 1900, he joined the Czech National Theatre as a dramaturg; he became the chief director in 1906 and served as the head of dramaturgy between 1911–1918. In his eighteen years with the National Theatre, he brought Czech drama into the mainstream of European theatre—staging plays by leading European playwrights, such as Ibsen and Chekhov. Kvapil’s work is remarkable in its reflections of emerging artistic movements, shifting from symbolism to realism and naturalism.

During the First World War, Kvapil became a leading voice calling for Czechoslovak independence. When the war ended, Kvapil served three years as the minister of education and culture, before becoming the artistic director of Prague’s Vinohrady Theatre.

A strong proponent of democracy, Kvapil was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 and imprisoned until the end of World War II. When the Communists took power in 1948, Kvapil resisted pressure to support the new regime.

Today, Jaroslav Kvapil is best known for writing the libretto for Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka. A truly European work, it draws inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s “Little Mermaid,” as well as the Czech fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben.

Translator’s dedication:

For Jitka, my fairy tale

CHARACTERS

Wood Nymph

Second Wood Nymph

Third Wood Nymph

Spirit of the Lake (Water Spirit)

Rusalka (Water Nymph)

Water Nymphs

Ježibaba (Forest Witch)

Huntsman

Prince

Gamekeeper

Kitchen Hand

Foreign Princess

ACT ONE

A glade on the shore of a lake, surrounded by forest. Among the trees at the lakeside stands the cottage of the witch Ježibaba.

THREE WOOD NYMPHS – dancing in the glade:

Hey, hey, ho –

the moon lights up the lake below.

She peers right down into the deep,

and glides across the stony bed.

The Water Spirit is asleep –

hey, hey, ho –

nodding away, Old Green Head.

Hey, hey, ho –

who goes there at dead of night?

Water Spirit, the moon shines bright,

she’s bobbing at your window, so

quite soon inside your home she’ll steal –

hey, hey, ho –

upon your silver den she’ll call –

Hey, hey, ho –

the roaming moon lights up the lake.

A gentle breeze is dancing there.

The Water Spirit is awake,

Water Spirit – it’s Old Green Hair –

hey, hey, ho –

blowing bubbles from below!

Spirit of the Lake emerges above the surface of the lake, rubbing his eyes.

WOOD NYMPHS:

Hey, hey, ho –

Here’s Water Spirit from below!

Water Spirit wants a wife;

which one of you will cause some strife,

brush the hair on the old man’s head –

hey, hey, ho –

usurp the Old Green Woman’s bed?

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

You’re welcome on our shore, wood sprites!

If you lively girls feel bored out there,

down here, you know, I’ve nothing but delights.

I’ve golden fish galore, there’s bags to spare;

through rushes I’ll flit,

just reach out a bit,

snatch a damsel’s toe.

catch her leg like so,

draw her down below.

He tries to catch the wood nymphs.

WOOD NYMPHS:

Water Spirit, ha, ha, ha!

come on, catch us if you can!

The one you catch, my dear man,

she will kiss you, ha, ha, ha!

But then your wife, ooh la la!

old Water Spirit, ha, ha, ha!

she’ll box your ears, ha, ha, ha!

They scatter.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Oh, what a cheeky lot! They always rush headlong

up hill, down dale – ah well, they’re young, so young!

RUSALKA – surfacing in the lake:

Water Spirit, father dear!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Oh goodness me, my child,

are you, in this moonlight clear,

seeing my nets get dried?

RUSALKA:

Water Spirit, father dear,

until the water starts to foam,

bide with me a while, stay near,

console me in my gloom.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

You’re sad, I see!

RUSALKA:

I’ll tell you what ails me.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

At home you aren’t happy?

RUSALKA:

So sad it stifles me!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Below we’re such a joyful throng.

This can’t be true. Tell me what’s wrong.

RUSALKA:

Your depths down here I want to shun

to be a human, living in the sun.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

My ears just can’t believe it – why

become a human, destined to die?

RUSALKA:

Strange things you used to tell me of;

that they have souls which we do not,

and souls of humans go to heaven above,

that when they die their bodies turn to nought.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

While cradled by your native wave,

a human soul full of sin do not crave!

RUSALKA:

But it’s full of love!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

The water world do not disgrace,

loving one of the human race!

RUSALKA:

He comes here often, yes,

and by the weir disrobes.

He enters my embrace;

held in my arms he bathes,

but I am just a wave, it’s true,

a being hidden from his view.

I know that human form,

first of all, I must assume.

Then when once more he comes

and I wind him in my arms

he too will hold me close,

with hot passion in his kiss.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

My child, each night your sisters one and all

will shed their tears for you,

for since a human has you in his thrall

there’s nothing more that we can do.

RUSALKA:

He must behold me,

father dear, I know!

Tell me, tell me what to do,

I’m pining, pining so!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

You’re lost, you’re lost for ever and a day,

to a human bartered away.

If paradise down here brings you sorrow,

you must call on Ježibaba,

poor pale Rusalka, go!

He submerges.

Oh woe! Oh woe! Oh woe!

He disappears below the surface of the lake.

RUSALKA:

Dear moon up in the deep dark sky,

your light can reach so very far.

You roam this world from up on high,

see people’s homes, know where they are.

Please stay a while, dear moon, and say,

where is my love who’s gone away?

O silver moon, give him a sign,

my arms it is that him entwine.

And may he dream he’s with me once again,

for just a moment, now and then.

Light up his path and say

who here awaits him every day.

If his human soul dreams of me,

may he wake with this memory.

The moon disappears behind the clouds.

Dear moon, don’t fade away, oh don’t fade!

The water is so cold, so cold!

She trembles in trepidation.

Ježibaba! Ježibaba!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – below the surface of the water:

Poor pale Rusalka!

Oh woe! Oh woe! Oh woe!

RUSALKA – pleading:

Ježibaba! Ježibaba!

JEŽIBABA – in her cottage:

Such wailing, moaning, such heartache!

Who’s waking me before daybreak?

RUSALKA:

O Ježibaba, work on me a spell,

the watery magic’s hold dispel.

JEŽIBABA – emerging from her cottage:

What’s that I hear, what’s that I whiff?

Who’s calling there? Speak up and tell.

RUSALKA:

Rusalka, I’m a water nymph.

Dear lady, cast on me a spell.

JEŽIBABA – approaching the lake:

If you’re a nymph, appear at once.

Fair child, come here and show your face.

RUSALKA:

The waves hold me enchained,

in water lilies I’m entwined.

JEŽIBABA:

Then skip and hop and disentwine,

hurry along and dash to mine.

Wavelet, release this nymph I’ve found,

let her little feet tread the ground.

She helps Rusalka onto the bank.

Come now, little legs – come now, come to me!

Those dainty feet soon learned to walk, you see!

RUSALKA – kneeling before her:

Your age-old wisdom knows it all,

Nature’s secrets are at your beck and call.

You dream of folk at dead of night.

All the age-old forces you know aright.

From earthly poisons and from moonlight rays

with skill a thousand potions you devise.

Your skill can mend or devastate,

can put to death or yet create.

Your age-old wisdom is invoked, and then

men turn to monsters, monsters into men.

Your presence scares the water nymphs at night.

Strange cures you brew to set woes aright,

for us and folk the whole world through.

Eternal death awaits you too.

Primeval you are, yet you are human;

Help me, help me, wondrous woman.

JEŽIBABA:

Yes, I know, yes, I know –

the same old story once again!

But listen, nymph, before it’s done –

you have pearls, you have beauty too.

Now, in return for this good turn,

what will I have from you?

RUSALKA:

Take all I have, it’s yours.

Just make me human, please!

JEŽIBABA:

Is that all? No more?

That’s what you’re begging for?

The water’s lost its old appeal.

Desire for human form is what you feel,

for loving and cuddling,

for kissing, billing and cooing.

Yes, I know – the same refrain,

the same old story once again!

RUSALKA:

You’re wise, you’ve guessed it all –

give me a human body with its soul.

JEŽIBABA:

All right, I will,

by the devil!

For me you have to cast adrift

your diaphanous watery shift,

and if you fail to find love in the world,

back to the depths,

accursed, you will be hurled.

For if this love you crave you cannot keep,

my curse will draw you back into the deep.

Before you gain this love you’ll suffer dear –

no word you say will humans hear.

For him you love,

you must be mute, is that clear?

RUSALKA:

If his love comes within my reach,

I’ll gladly lose the gift of speech.

JEŽIBABA:

Take care of him

and be aware of this.

If you’re accursed, you must again descend

into the deep. Your loved one will be damned.

He’ll be the victim of your curse,

your eternal curse.

RUSALKA:

My human soul, my pure human soul,

and my true love, will banish every spell.

JEŽIBABA – helping Rusalka:

Then let’s set off at once.

Come, hurry to my place!

We’ll stir the poison in the cauldron.

Rusalka then shall drink the potion.

Henceforth she’ll never speak a word.

Bubble, bubble, boiled and stirred!

She leads Rusalka to her cottage. A red glow flares up inside. Sparks fly from the chimney and the witch’s incantation is heard.

The wood nymphs, attracted by the incantation, run to the cottage and peer in at the window.

JEŽIBABA – in her cottage:

Bubble, bubble, stir it well!

White clouds of steam above the dell!

Blood of dragon, just a tad,

ten drops of bile,

warm heart of bird,

still beating meanwhile.

Jump to it, grimalkin,

stir the bubbles in the cauldron!

Stir it round, bubble, bubble,

Fear not, if there is trouble!

It’s your human dowry,

and it must be swallowed.

This potion we have brewed

shall turn your tongue to wood.

Come, grimalkin, here we go,

Pour it down her, nice and slow!

Bubble, bubble, stirred around.

Now not another sound.

All is quiet in the cottage.

The wood nymphs scatter.

The sky clears and the sound of hunting horns is heard in the distance.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – deep below the surface of the lake:

Poor pale Rusalka!

Oh woe! Oh woe! Oh woe!

A red dawn sky is seen over the lake.

HUNTSMAN – singing in the distance:

A youthful huntsman on a forest ride

a pure white doe at length espied.

She gazed intently, wide-eyed doe.

Will I claim her with my bow?

Young huntsman, go, move on.

Don’t shoot this doe, no not this one.

Beware of her, she’s charmed, you know!

Will I claim her with my bow?

PRINCE – dashes out of the forest, holding a crossbow:

She flashes by and then she’s gone,

through woods, through fields, up hill, down dale,

strange creature flitting by, then on and on.

Upon this spot we’ve lost her trail.

These waters ripple, working charms,

they lure me in with open arms,

as if the wild ardour of the chase

should be abated in their embrace.

I feel longings unknown, slow is my gait,

my weary arms allow my bow to fall,

only just begun, the chase tires me out.

This spell’s so strange; it has me in its thrall.

HUNTSMAN – approaching:

That was no doe. Wait, huntsman, stay!

May God preserve you safe and sound.

Your heart’s distraught for sure today.

Who can it be your arrow’s found?

Huntsmen emerge from the forest.

PRINCE:

Call off the chase now! Ride back home!

Here in the woods strange spells abound.

Yet stranger spells besiege my mind.

Now go, ride back. Leave me alone.

The huntsmen depart.

The prince sits on the shore of the lake.

Rusalka emerges from the cottage, barefoot, dressed as a destitute child. She has beautiful, long golden hair. She is mute.

PRINCE – leaps to his feet on seeing her.

O wondrous vision, lovely, pale,

are you a human or a fairy tale,

come to that rarest creature’s aid

I glimpsed just now within the forest glade?

Come you to intercede,

for sister does to plead?

Or would you, approaching me this way,

become the huntsman’s game I bag today?

Rusalka silently stretches out her arms towards him.

PRINCE:

Are your lips sealed by some strange will?

Must your tongue be forever still?

Well if your lips can’t speak of this,

by God, I’ll make them answer with a kiss.

They’ll tell me of the mystery that’s drawn

me, called me over rock and thorn

this wondrous day, enchanting me at once,

my child, as suddenly I see your face.

What does your heart conceal?

If you love me, show me what you feel.

Rusalka falls into his arms.

WATER NYMPHS – below the surface of the lake:

Sisters, one of us has gone!

Rusalka gives a start and listens in alarm.

WATER NYMPHS:

O sister dear, where are you, missing one?

Rusalka trembles in indecision and fear.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – below the surface of the lake:

Up hill, down dale and on and on.

WATER NYMPHS:

Sister, dear sister, where have you gone?

Rusalka huddles in trepidation in the prince’s embrace.

PRINCE:

I know you’re magic that cannot last,

bound to vanish in a whirl of mist,

but till our time is up please stay,

my fairy tale, do not run away!

The chase is over, time to go.

You are my dear, most precious doe,

bright star, in the dark night you shine –

my fairy tale, come, be mine!

He leads Rusalka away.

ACT TWO

An orchard in the grounds of the prince’s castle.

In the background a colonnade and a banqueting hall.

In the foreground an inlet of the lake beneath mature trees.

It is late afternoon.

GAMEKEEPER – approaching with the kitchen hand:

Well now, my lad, what’s this you say?

Let’s hear the rest. I know there’s more.

What entertainment is in store

here in the castle grounds today?

So many guests already there,

the kitchen busy as can be,

and strange utensils everywhere

on tables and shelves I see.

KITCHEN HAND:

We’re fair rushed off our feet,

it’s all go and we’re dead beat.

We have to work from morn till night,

without a moment of respite.

Out in the woods the prince has found

some creature – well, she is right weird.

And though it’s quite beyond belief,

they say she’ll soon become his wife!

I’m told he found her in a glade,

within your forest deep and dark.

But be that true, or idle talk,

of her I’d be afraid!

The girl’s struck dumb, you see;

no single drop of blood has she.

She looks bewildered, seems to me;

fine wife indeed I’m sure she’d be!

GAMEKEEPER:

O can this really be,

is what they say all true?

O goodness gracious me,

look what it’s coming to!

May God keep us from harm,

my woodsman’s nouse can tell

this love match is a charm;

it’s worked by some strange spell.

Dread powers haunt us here,

strange creatures are about;

at midnight they come out,

arouse in us dread fear.

Ježibaba can always tell

the faint at heart – they draw her spell.

Approach a weir – before you know,

Water Spirit drags you below.

A man who sees wood nymphs at play –

their flimsy shifts all cast away –

succumbs to lust, they so enthral.

Such ills! – may God preserve us all!

KITCHEN HAND:

Oh, uncle, I’m so scared!

GAMEKEEPER:

Oh well, no wonder!

With God’s grace you’ll be spared,

poor little sinner!

KITCHEN HAND:

He always was our dashing prince

but now he’s very changed, alas!

Unlike the man he used to be,

he just wanders in reverie.

Old Hattie’s worried too –

she prays for him each day.

The priest, when told of this to-do,

came round to warn him straight away.

To that the prince just said “nay, nay!”

He said the wench would stay.

GAMEKEEPER:

That’s why these guests are all here,

that’s why the larder’s so bare.

That’s why I have, real quick,

to lug much game for you to cook.

KITCHEN HAND:

With any luck, it seems,

it never was to be;

someone else, maybe,

will ruin all her dreams.

Old Hattie’s just been telling me

how fickle our prince can be.

His love’s already all but dead;

another’s got into his head –

some foreign princess, she says –

for her alone he now has eyes.

GAMEKEEPER:

The Lord be praised, the Lord be praised!

May God preserve him safe and sound!

If I was the prince, truth to tell,

I’d chase that weird wench away

before she dragged me down to Hell.

The beggar girl should go today!

KITCHEN HAND – abruptly:

Here comes the prince, that weird creature too.

He runs off.

GAMEKEEPER:

Well, I won’t stay! I’m off without ado.

He runs off in a different direction.

PRINCE – approaching shortly afterwards with Rusalka, who is exquisitely dressed.

A week you’ve bided by my side,

the fairy tale vision that I met.

In vain I gaze in your eyes open wide;

your secret being eludes me yet.

Will love’s desire be won at last

only once the wedding feast has passed,

and unbridled passion springs to life

as then you really do become my wife?

O why is your embrace so cold,

all your passion still withheld?

Why must I tremble with fear,

held in your arms, my dear?

In vain, in vain I stifle my sadness,

I can’t escape from your embrace.

Cold and timid though you are, so aloof,

I must make you mine, all mine, my love!

FOREIGN PRINCESS – approaching on seeing the prince with Rusalka:

No it’s not love, I’m angry, seeing red;

another’s taken over in my stead.

And since I could not be his as I wished,

may their happiness be for ever dashed!

She steps forward.

Has it slipped the lover’s mind, I wonder,

what obligations he as host is under?

Should I, a foreign guest, look on,

mutely observe the joys you’ve won?

She steps between the prince and Rusalka.

PRINCE – aroused at the sight of the foreign princess:

Ah, this timely reproach indeed,

from your soft lips I’ll gladly heed.

Even the bridegroom, beautiful princess,

is your servant above all else.

FOREIGN PRINCESS – glancing at Rusalka:

But your love, mistress of your heart,

won’t she chastise you with words that hurt?

Sarcastically:

Or does she give you such a tender look

that you can always read her like a book?

PRINCE – embarrassed:

But her eyes forgot to say

the host’s attention’s drawn away.

For his neglect, if you allow,

he’ll make amends right now.

He offers the princess his arm.

Rusalka nervously seizes the prince’s hand.

PRINCE:

What troubles you? Why do you tremble so?

Dress quickly for the ball, it’s time to go.

He leads the princess away.

FOREIGN PRINCESS – to Rusalka, as she departs:

O! Wear your most luxurious dress, please do!

He’s courting me – his heart belongs to you.

She leaves with the prince.

Rusalka watches helplessly, as though she wants to deter the prince, but then, sad and defeated, she departs along the colonnade.

Meanwhile, dusk has fallen, then darkness follows. Later, the moon comes out. In the hall, ceremonial music strikes up and lights come on. Amongst the proceedings, groups of guests are seen. Later, singing and dancing begin.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – surfacing meanwhile in the inlet:

My poor Rusalka, so, so pale;

the wondrous world has you in thrall!

You’ll never find in all the world

water realm’s delights, they’re denied.

You could be human a hundredfold,

yet still be fettered by our bonds of old.

Though a human may love you to despair

you cannot make him yours for ever.

My poor Rusalka, so, so pale;

those human charms have you in thrall!

Your watery home seeks you in vain;

they’d fain embrace you once again,

but on return to your own kind

you’d bring but death, they’d find.

By life you’re altered for the worse;

you’ve succumbed to an elemental curse.

CHORUS – in the hall:

White flowers on our way,

were blooming all the way.

To meet his bride the youth rode on apace;

the day wore a bright smiling face.

To your love, lad, hurry along,

grown man you’ll be ere long;

when you return this way again

red roses will be blooming then.

White flowers faded soon,

shrivelled in the blazing sun,

but roses flaming red

adorn the bridal bed!

The prince appears from time to time amongst the ceremonial proceedings, ostentatiously courting the foreign princess.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

White water lilies dreaming on the lake,

what sad companions they will make;

for your marriage bed,

no blooming roses red!

Rusalka runs out from the hall in deep despair, running across the orchard.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – taken aback:

Daughter dear, look who’s here!

RUSALKA – suddenly acquiring speech, she calls out:

Spirit of the Lake, father dear!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

To your castle I wend my way,

so soon must I behold your dismay?

RUSALKA:

Oh save me, save me, father dear,

I’m gripped by anguish, full of fear.

Alas – I betrayed you, I know;

to love a human spells such woe.

Another fills him with desire,

a human beauty, wild as fire –

he forgets me, knows me no more,

a water nymph modest and pure.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Does he who loved you spurn you now?

You must persist somehow.

RUSALKA:

O, it’s in vain, it’s all in vain,

there’s emptiness within my heart,

the charms I have are all in vain

since I’m not human – only part!

The flame of passion’s in her eyes,

that cursed passion humans prize!

I was born of water, cool and fresh;

such passion I cannot unleash!

Cursed by you all, and lost to him,

the deaf echo of an ancient force,

neither nymph nor woman am I.

I cannot live! I cannot die!

The prince enters the orchard with the foreign princess.

RUSALKA – snuggling up to Spirit of the Lake:

See them, see them? Again they’re here!

Save me, save me, father dear!

FOREIGN PRINCESS:

The strangest glow is in your eyes;

I hear your words as in a daze.

Your passion and charm know no bounds.

O prince, say what this portends.

Where has your bride now fled away,

who has no speech, nor name, they say?

Where has she fled, and can she see

the prince has changed entirely?

PRINCE:

Dear God alone knows where she’s fled.

This change is all your fault, it must be said,

but the summer night will never tell

I’m captivated by another spell.

Yes, once in my capricious ways

I loved another for a while,

but you will be a fiery blaze

where luna’s rays till now shone pale.

FOREIGN PRINCESS:

Once you’re burned by my wildfire,

and driven wild with passion,

when far from you I then retire,

will moonbeams give you satisfaction?

When that mute beauty’s fair arms hold you tight,

embrace you in the pale moonlight,

how then will your ardour be aroused?

It’s such a shame the flame is doused.

O, now at last I see

quite suddenly he’s courting me;

it seems the bridegroom can’t decide

which one of us should be his bride.

PRINCE – becoming passionate:

I care not that the world may blame

my protestations of desire;

you are my flower all aflame,

however soon be quenched your fire.

Only now I know

what ailed my body so,

when it sought your succour –

love’s secret endeavour.

What of that love remains

that trapped me in a snare?

I’d gladly loose those chains;

love you I would dare.

He passionately embraces the foreign princess.

Rusalka tears herself from Spirit of the Lake’s embrace and rushes towards the prince.

PRINCE – in alarm:

I freeze in your embrace,

pale beauty, cold as ice.

He pushes Rusalka away.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – appears in the full light of the moon. In a terrifying tone of voice:

Go to another’s arms; do not delay –

from this embrace you’ll never get away!

He pulls Rusalka into the lake.

PRINCE – astounded:

A magic power clutches me,

save me, save me, save me!

He falls to his knees before the foreign princess.

FOREIGN PRINCESS – laughing wildly:

Into the maw of Hell, gaping wide,

go, hasten to your chosen bride!

She departs.

ACT THREE

A glade on the shore of a lake, as at the beginning.

Late afternoon. The sky is overcast.

RUSALKA – sits on the shore of the lake, white and pale; her hair has turned an ashen grey and the sparkle has gone from her eyes:

Heartless watery power,

you cast me in the deep for ever.

I’m helpless, cold as cold, but why

can I not die, oh why can I not die?

My youth’s been taken away,

no sisters left with whom to play.

For love condemned, I go

to chilly waters down below.

I’ve lost my former charms and graces;

accursed by my dearest one,

in vain I long to see my sisters’ faces,

all hopes of being human — gone.

Where are you, charms of summer nights,

with those water-lily cups, my delights?

I’m helpless, cold as cold; oh why

can I not die, can I not die?

JEŽIBABA – emerging from the forest:

You’re back again so soon, my dear?

Your stay was brief, I fear!

How sad your little face.

So lonely bitter tears you shed!

Not so sweet, the human’s kiss?

Not nice and warm, the human’s bed?

RUSALKA:

Oh, woe, dear lady, my downfall!

By all betrayed, I’ve lost it all!

JEŽIBABA:

This love you could not long sustain,

but very long you will complain.

Sweet were the kisses from the lips of man,

but now you face an endless ban.

A human is but human, nature’s slime,

uprooted from the earth since ancient time.

Woe on her who for his love did thirst,

for now she is betrayed by him, she’s cursed.

RUSALKA:

Tell me dear lady, for you’re so wise,

help me, help; what do you advise?

JEŽIBABA:

Your lover’s left you – his love did not last –

now Ježibaba must help, as in the past?

You’ve seen the world, my child, and once again

you’d like to join your sisters’ own domain.

This good advice I now propose,

but will you take it? – Devil only knows!

With human blood you must erase

the curse of elemental laws,

– you loved a human, that’s the cause –

you longed for his embrace.

You’ll be again the carefree wraith

you were before the world betrayed your faith.

Hot human blood can yet restore

your former health once more.

At once your woes will fade away,

your happiness return the day

that your seducer dies –

at your own hand meets his demise.

RUSALKA – horrified:

Ježibaba, what did you say?

JEŽIBABA – draws a knife from her bosom and presses it into Rusalka’s hand:

Just take this knife and promise you’ll obey!

RUSALKA – casting the knife into the lake:

You horrify me, let me be!

I’d rather face eternal agony.

I will for ever bear this dreadful curse

and unrequited love, what could be worse? –

submitting to my fate, my own hopes waived,

for he must, he must be saved!

JEŽIBABA – bursts into laughter:

Lured by passions that you seek

into the human world’s falsehood,

suddenly you are too weak

to spill a human’s blood?

A human is a human only when

by his hand another’s blood is shed,

when passion’s aroused and he is then

intoxicated by a brother’s blood.

You say you wanted to be human

and captivate a man with passion,

You wan water spray, you empty bubble,

ephemeral, pale moonlight ray!

Go, suffer then, for evermore you must;

yearning for your man, you’ll turn to dust.

She hobbles off to her cottage.

RUSALKA:

Outcast am I from life,

a solitary waif.

My realm now calls, it calls, and so,

my dearest love, I know,

I’m your damnation, I’m your curse.

We both are damned – woe is us!

She submerges in the lake.

WATER NYMPHS – below the surface of the lake:

Into the world you went away,

you fled the games we play.

O sister, you are damned, my dear,

do not return to us down here!

None who’s known a man’s embrace

may join us in our dance.

We’ll flee, away we’ll fly

if ever you come by.

Your sadness gives us fright,

disturbs our fun and games.

Will o’ the wisp, you’ll fly by night

above the swamp, your new domain.

Your light will lure the folk below

at crossroads as you flit and rave;

your faintly bluish glow

will light them to their graves!

By crossroads and by graves you’ll find

new sisters’ games to play.

Where sisters of the water frolic, mind,

you must stay away.

Silence. Red rays of sunset light up the western sky.

GAMEKEEPER – bringing with him the kitchen hand:

You’re scared? Oh piffle! Nought to fear.

You’re not the first to visit here.

Now knock and tell her why you’ve come,

just as they told you back at home.

The prince has something on his mind.

He’s quite distraught, we find.

Some cursed creature out of Hell

came to our castle, cast a spell.

Old Hattie asks the witch’s view;

Ježibaba, tell us what to do!

KITCHEN HAND – resisting him:

My legs begin to shake,

my eyes are blurred, I cannot see,

Oh uncle, for goodness sake,

go on without me!

GAMEKEEPER:

Many a time I’ve passed this way,

it often was at dead of night,

so you’re a scaredypants then, eh?

Does this old bag give you a fright?

KITCHEN HAND:

But uncle, just remember how

your scary tales once took away my breath.

It’s no surprise that now

the forest frightens me to death.

GAMEKEEPER:

I know I chatter a good deal.

Sometimes I lay it on a little thick,

but now come on, get real,

you have to find an answer quick,

so brace yourself and don’t think twice.

just ask the witch for her advice.

KITCHEN HAND:

I’m bound to um and er;

I’m such a bag of nerves I dread

to go, so I’d prefer

if you would ask instead.

GAMEKEEPER:

I would not want a son

so keen to cut and run,

but so that you can see

nothing worries me –

Hey, Ježibaba, come on out!

JEŽIBABA – emerging from her cottage:

Who’s that shouting? What’s it about?

The kitchen hand hides behind the gamekeeper.

GAMEKEEPER:

Old Hattie sends us here to you

to ask advice – what should we do?

JEŽIBABA:

For that advice, some native wit,

she sends me this puny titbit?

She touches the kitchen hand.

He needs some fattening up, I’d say,

to make a tender roast one day.

KITCHEN HAND – desperately protesting:

Let’s go, let’s go – a curse dwells here!

She wants to eat me up, I fear!

JEŽIBABA – laughing:

You little freak of nature,

such a silly creature.

Not much to feast on there!

That roast is pretty bare!

May your damned race end up in Hell!

Now tell me quick, what have you got to tell?

KITCHEN HAND – in trepidation:

Our prince is ill; it’s very serious.

His heart’s bewitched by a sorceress.

He brought her to the castle, treated her well.

He loved her just as much as his own life.

She would have then become his wife;

but the fair sorceress, she did not stay;

once the prince had fallen under her spell,

the unfaithful witch then flitted away.

The castle’s all still smitten by her spell –

The devil’s dragged that beauty off to Hell.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – suddenly emerging on the surface of the lake:

Who’s taken her, and whom did she betray?

Shame on the tribe that sends you here to us!

There is no truth in what you bad lot say –

he betrayed her and brought on her a curse!

GAMEKEEPER – beating a fast retreat:

Water Spirit! Water Spirit!

KITCHEN HAND – following him:

Uncle! Uncle! For goodness sake, uncle!

They run away.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – in a terrifying tone of voice:

I’ll seek revenge, revenge, throughout my realm!

JEŽIBABA – hobbling off to her cottage:

Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!

The red rays of sunset in the west have meanwhile faded away. Darkness falls and shortly the moon emerges. The wood nymphs come running, gathering in the glade.

A WOOD NYMPH – dancing:

Mine, mine, soft golden hair, all mine,

attracts fireflies, it draws them all.

From my pale hands the tresses fall,

caressed by silvery light from the moon.

SECOND WOOD NYMPH – dancing:

Mine, mine, tiny light feet, all mine,

across the lakeside glade I flew,

bare feet refreshed by evening dew,

moonbeams for slippers, golden, fine.

THIRD WOOD NYMPH – dancing:

Mine, mine, fair dainty body, all mine.

By night it elegantly gleams,

as I run free, my alabaster limbs

are swathed in silver-gold moonshine.

THE WOOD NYMPHS – in unison:

Dance round and round, dear sisters all,

in gentle evening breeze.

Green Water Spirit soon will call

from down amongst the reeds.

They see Spirit of the Lake.

Here he is, now he’s here,

mending his nets — old dear!

Water Spirit, ha, ha, ha!

come on, catch us if you can!

The one you catch, dear man,

will kiss you, kiss you, ooh la la,

But then your wife, ha! ha! ha!

she’ll box your ears, ha! ha! ha!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – sadly:

Don’t gaily frolic on tiptoes,

my golden-haired young daughters,

our home in native waters

is defiled by human woes.

THE WOOD NYMPHS – coming to a standstill:

What is it spoils our happy play today?

Tell us, kind mannikin, what can you say?

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Poor pale Rusalka’s wailing in despair,

deep in the lake, down there.

Her sister nymphs don’t want to know.

O woe! O woe! O woe!

He submerges in the lake.

A WOOD NYMPH:

My eyes are filled with tears,

I feel at once a chilly shroud.

The moon disappears behind the clouds.

SECOND WOOD NYMPH:

The kindly moon now disappears

behind a dark grey cloud.

THIRD WOOD NYMPH:

I sense dark thoughts oppressing me.

Sisters, sisters, let us flee!

They scatter.

PRINCE – runs out of the forest, confused:

O my white doe! O my white doe!

My fairy tale! Mute vision, white as snow!

Will never more be granted any rest

from my laments, my ceaseless quest?

My yearning day by day still drives me on.

I seek you breathless in those forests yon.

When nightfall comes I sense your presence near.

In moonlit mist I reach out for your hand.

I seek you everywhere throughout the land.

Fairy tale, fairy tale, return, my dear!

He stops.

This is the place! Mute forests, speak!

Sweet vision, my love, where are you, kept apart?

By all that still remains in my dead heart,

a curse on heaven and earth alike,

a curse on God and all the devils too!

Speak out, speak out, o where are you?

The moon emerges from the clouds.

RUSALKA – appears above the lake in the light of the moon:

My love, do you know me, I wonder?

My love, do you still remember?

PRINCE – in astonishment:

If you’re long dead, destroy me now!

If you still live, save me somehow!

RUSALKA:

Neither alive nor dead, woman nor nymph,

condemned to roam as a phantom wraith

when briefly in your arms I dreamt again

of love — the wretched love I sought in vain.

Once I could give you love, plight my troth,

now all I bring to you is death.

PRINCE:

Without you I cannot live,

can you, can you still forgive?

RUSALKA:

Why did you take me, hold me tight?

Why did your lips have to lie?

I’m but a vision in the moonlight

that will torment you for ever and aye.

As darkness falls, I lure you back

a will o’ the wisp above the lake,

my honour lost, at night I may not sleep,

condemned to draw you down into the deep.

You sought a passion, I know, I know,

you sought a passion I could not show,

and if I kiss you now, nought could be worse –

you’re cursed, for ever cursed.

The prince staggers towards her.

PRINCE:

Kiss me, kiss me, grant me peace,

let worldly joys for ever cease.

Kiss me to death, kiss me please.

RUSALKA:

I gained so much, so much from you,

o love of mine, why did you not stay true?

PRINCE:

All shall be yours again to have and hold.

Kiss me, kiss me a thousand-fold!

RUSALKA – with open arms:

Know you, my love, my dearest one,

from my embrace you never can return?

For in my arms through death you must atone.

PRINCE – throwing himself into her arms:

I never will return, happy will I die.

All thoughts of my return I now deny.

RUSALKA – embracing and kissing him:

My love will turn all feelings into ice,

I’ll hold you now, in my freezing embrace,

I must put you to death, I must, alas!

PRINCE:

My sin shall be absolved by your kiss.

Happy I die, held in your embrace!

He dies.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE – deep below the surface of the water:

Held in your arms, he’ll die in vain,

all sacrifices nought but pain!

Poor Rusalka, so pale, oh woe!

O woe! O woe! O woe!

RUSALKA – kissing the dead prince for the last time:

For your love and for your beauty,

for your human passion’s elusive state,

for all the curses that resolved my fate –

upon your human soul God have mercy!

She submerges in the lake.

END OF THE FAIRY TALE

OSOBY

Lesní žínka

Druhá žínka

Třetí žínka

Vodník (Hastrman, Hastrmánek)

Rusalka

Rusalky

Ježibaba

Lovec

Princ

Hajný

Kuchtík

Cizí kněžna

PRVNÍ DĚJSTVÍ

Palouk na pokraji jezera. Kolkolem lesy, v nich na břehu jezera chalupa čarodějnice Ježibaby.

TŘI LESNÍ ŽÍNKY – tančí na palouku:

Hou, hou, hou,

stojí měsíc nad vodou!

Zvědavě se v hloubku dívá,

po kameni ke dnu splývá,

hastrmánek hlavou kývá,

hou, hou, hou,

starou hlavou zelenou.

Hou, hou, hou,

kdo to chodí nocí tou?

Hastrmánku, měsíc stoupá,

už se tobě v okně houpá,

za chvíli se k tobě vloupá,

hou, hou, hou,

ve tvou síňku stříbrnou!

Hou, hou, hou,

měsíc bloudí nad vodou![1]

Po jezeře tančí vánek,

probudil se hastrmánek,

hastrmánek, tatrmánek,

hou, hou, hou,

bublinky už ze dna jdou.

Vodník se vynoří z jezera a mne si oči.

LESNÍ ŽÍNKY:

Hou, hou, hou,

hastrmánek nad vodou!

Hastrmánek chce se ženit,

která z vás chce vodu pěnit,

dědka česat, lože změnit,

hou, hou, hou,

s babkou hastrmanovou?

VODNÍK:

I, pěkně vítám z lesa k jezeru!

Jakž, je tam smutno bujným slečinkám?

Mám dole na dně samu nádheru

a zlatých rybek na pytle tam mám;

rákosím se kmitnu,

ruku svou jen napnu,

po slečince chňapnu,

za nožky ji chytnu,

stáhnu si ji k nám!

Lapá po lesních žínkách.

LESNÍ ŽÍNKY:

Hastrmánku, heja hej,

tedy si nás nachytej!

Kterou chytíš, mužíčku,

dá ti pěknou hubičku!

Ale žena, hahaha,

hastrmánku, hahaha,

za uši ti vytahá!

Rozutekou se.

VODNÍK:

Uličnická havěť! Kterak zbrkle pádí!

Horem dolem polem – inu, mládí, mládí!

RUSALKA – vynoří se z jezera:

Hastrmánku tatíčku!

VODNÍK:

Kýho šlaka, dítě,

snad mi tady v měsíčku

nesušíš mé sítě?

RUSALKA:

Hastrmánku tatíčku,

než se vody zpění,

sečkej se mnou chviličku,

ať mi smutno není!

VODNÍK:

I vida, smutno!

RUSALKA:

Všechno řeknu ti!

VODNÍK:

A dole taky?

RUSALKA:

Smutno k zalknutí!

VODNÍK:

Dole, kde je samý rej?

Není možná – povídej!

RUSALKA:

Chtěla bych od vás, hlubin těch se zbýti,

člověkem být a v zlatém slunci žíti!

VODNÍK:

Mohu-liž věřit vlastním uším svým?

Člověkem býti? Tvorem smrtelným?

RUSALKA:

Sám vyprávěls ty zvěsti neznámé,

že mají duši, jíž my nemáme,

a duše lidí že jde nebi vstříc,

když člověk zhyne a když znikne v nic!

VODNÍK:

Dokud rodná kolébá tě vlna,

nechtěj duši, ta je hříchu plna!

RUSALKA:

A plna lásky!

VODNÍK:

Vodo pravěká –

snad nemiluješ, dítě, člověka?

RUSALKA:

Sem často přichází

a v objetí mé stoupá,

šat shodí na hrázi

a v loktech mých se koupá.

Však pouhou vlnou jsem,

mou bytost nesmí zříti —

ó vím, že člověkem

dřív musila bych býti,

jak já jej objímám

a jak jej vinu v ruce,

by on mne objal sám

a zulíbal mne prudce!

EXCERPT FROM THE E-BOOK

Table of Contents

About the Author

Rusalka (EN)

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Rusalka (CZ)

První dějství