Georg Friedrich Händel
JEPHTHA (1752)
An Oratorio; or Sacred Drama
Words by Thomas Morell
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Jephtha (tenor)
Iphis, his Dauhghter (soprano)
Storgè , his Wife (mezzo-soprano)
Zebul, his Brother (bass)
Hamor, in love with Iphis (alto)
Angel (soprano)
Chorus of IsraelitesChorus of PriestsChorus of Virgins
ACT ONE
1. Overture
Scene 1
Zebul, with his brethren and Chorus.
2. Accompagnato
ZebulIt must be so, or these vile Ammonites,Our lordly tyrants now these eighteen years,Will crush the race of Israel.Since Heav'n vouchsafes not, with immediate choice,To point us out a leader, as before,Ourselves must choose. And who so fit a manAs Gilead's son, our brother, valiant Jephtha?True, we have slighted, scorn'd, expell'd him henceAs of a stranger born, but well I know him:His gen'rous soul disdains a mean revengeWhen his distressful country calls his aid.And perhaps Heav'n may favour our requestIf with repentant hearts we sue for mercy.
3. Air
ZebulPour forth no more unheeded pray'rsTo idols deaf and vain.No more with vile unhallow'd airsThe sacred rites profane.
4. Chorus of Israelites
No more to Ammon's god and king,Fierce Moloch, shall our cymbals ring,In dismal dance around the furnace blue.Chemosh no moreWill we adoreWith timbrell'd anthems to Jehovah due.
Scene 2
Enter Jephtha and Storgè .
5. Recitative
ZebulBut Jephtha comes. Kind Heav'n, assist our plea.O Jephtha, with an eye of pity lookOn thy repentant brethren in distress.Forgetful of thy wrongs, redress thy sireThy friends, thy country in extreme despair.
JephthaI will, so please it Heav'n, and these the terms:If I command in war, the like command,Should Heav'en vouchsafe us a victorious peace,Shall still be mine.
ZebulAgreed. Be witness, Heav'ns
6. Air
JephthaVirtue my soul shall still embrace,Goodness shall make me great.Who builds upon this steady baseDreads no event of fate.Virtue my soul. . . da capo
7. Recitative
Storgè 'Twill be a painful separation, Jephtha,To see thee harness'd for the bloody field.But ah, how trivial are a wife's concernsWhen a whole nation bleeds, and grov'ling lies,Panting for liberty and life.
8. Air
Storgè In gentle murmurs will I mourn,As mourns the mate-forsaken dove,And sighing wish thy dear returnTo liberty and lasting love.
Exeunt.
Scene 3
Enter Hamor and Iphis.
9. Recitative
HamorHappy this embassy, my charming Iphis,Which once more gives thee to my longing eyes,As Cynthia, breaking from th'involving cloudsOn the benighted traveller. The sightOf thee, my love, drives darkness and despair.Again I live, in thy sweet smiles I live,As in thy father's ever-watchful careOur wretched nation feels new life, new joy.Oh haste, and make my happiness complete!
10. Air
HamorDull delay, in piercing anguish,Bids the faithful lover languish,While he pants for bliss in vain.Oh, with gentle smiles relieve me.Let no more false hopes deceive me,Nor vain fears inflict a pain.
11. Recitative
IphisIll suits the voice of love when glory calls,And bids thee follow Jephtha to the field.There act the hero, and let rival deedsProclaim thee worthy to be calI'd his son,And Hamor shall not want his due reward.
12. Air
IphisTake the heart you fondly gave,Lodg'd in your breast with mine.Thus with double ardour brave,Sure conquest shall be thine.
13. Recitative
Hamorl go. My soul, inspir'd by thy command,Thirsts for the battle. I'm already crown'dWith the victorious wreath, and thou, fair prize,More worth than fame or conquest, thou art mine.
14. Duet
Iphis and HamorThese labours past, how happy we!How glorious will they prove,When gath'ring fruit from conquest's tree,We deck the feast of love!These labours past. . . da capo
Scene 4
Jephtha, alone.
15. Accompagnato
JephthaWhat mean these doubtful fancies of the brain?Visions of joy rise in my raptur'd soul,There play awhile, and set in darksome night.Strange ardour fires my breast; my arms seem strungWith tenfold vigour, and my crested helmTo reach the skies. Be humble still, my soul!It is the Sp'rit of God, in whose great nameI offer up my vow.If, Lord, sustain'd by Thy almighty pow'r,Ammon I drive, and his insulting bands,From these our long-uncultivated lands,And safe return a glorious conqueror,What, or whoe'er shall first salute mine eyes,Shall be forever Thine, or fall a sacrifice.'Tis said.
Enter Israelites.
Attend, ye chiefs, and with united voiceInvoke the holy name of Israel's God.
16. Chorus of Israelites
O God, behold our sore distress,Omnipotent to plague or bless!But turn thy wrath, and bless once moreThy servants, who thy name adore.
Scene 5
Storgè , alone.
17. Recitative
Storgè Some dire event hangs o'er our heads,Some woeful song we have to singIn misery extreme. O never, neverWas my foreboding mind distrest beforeWith such incessant pangs.
18. Air
Storgè Scenes of horror, scenes of woe,Rising from the shades below,Add new terror to the night;While in never-ceasing pain,That attends the servile chain,Joyless flow the hours of light.Scenes of horror. . . da capo
Scene 6
Enter Iphis.
19. Recitative
IphisSay, my dear mother, whence these piercing criesThat force me, like a frighted bird to flyMy place of rest?
Storgè For thee I fear, my child;Such ghastly dreams last night surpris'd my soul.
IphisHeed not these black illusions of the night,The mocking of unquiet slumbers, heed them not.My father, touch'd with a diviner fire,Already seems to triumph in success,Nor doubt I but Jehovah hears our pray'rs.
20. Air
IphisThe smiling dawn of happy daysPresents a prospect clear,And pleasing hope's all-bright'ning raysDispel each gloomy fear;While ev'ry charm that peace displaysMakes spring-time all the year.The smiling dawn. . . da capo
Scene 7
Enter Zebul, Jephtha and Chorus.
21. Recitative
ZebulSuch, Jephtha, was the haughty king's reply:No terms, but ruin, slavery and death.
JephthaSound, then, the last alarm! And to the field,Ye sons of Israel, with intrepid hearts,Dependent on the might of IsraeI's God.
22. Chorus of Israelites
When His loud voice in thunder spoke,With conscious fear the billows broke,Observant of his dread command.In vain they roll their foaming tide,Confin'd by that great pow'r,That gave them strength to roar.They now contract their boist'rous pride,And lash with idle rage the laughing strand.
ACT TWO
Enter Hamor, Iphis and Chorus.
23. Recitative
HamorGlad tidings of great joy to thee, dear Iphis,And to the house of Israel I bring.Thus then, in brief. Both armies in arrayOf battle rang'd, our general stept forthAnd offer'd haughty Ammon terms of peace,Most just and righteous; these with scorn refus'd,He bade the trumpet sound. But scarce a swordWas ting'd in hostile blood, ere all aroundThe thund'ring Heavens open'd and pour'd forthThousands of armed cherubim, when straightOur general cried: "This is thy signal, Lord,I follow Thee, and Thy bright heav'nly host."Then rushing on proud Ammon, all aghast,He made a bloody slaughter, and pursu'dThe flying foe till night bade sheathe the sword,And taste the joys of victory and peace.
24. Chorus of Israelites
Cherub and seraphim, unbodied forms,The messengers of fate,His dread command await;Of swifter flight, and subtler frameThan lightning's winged flame,They ride on whirlwinds, directing the storms.
25. Air
HamorUp the dreadful steep ascending,While for fame and love contending,Sought I thee, my glorious prize.And now, happy in the blessing,Thee, my sweetest joy possessing,Other honours I despise.Up the dreadful steep. . . da capo
26. Recitative
Iphis'Tis well.Haste, haste, ye maidens, and in richest robesAdorn me, like a stately bride,To meet my father in triumphant pomp.And while around the dancing banners play...
27. Air
IphisTune the soft melodious lute,Pleasant harp and warbling flute,To sounds of rapt'rous joy;Such as on our solemn days,Singing great Jehovah's praise,The holy choir employ.Tune the soft. . . da capo
Enter Zebul, Jephtha, Hamor and Chorus.
28. Recitative
ZebulHeav'n smiles once more on His repentant people,And victory spreads wide her silver wingsTo soothe our sorrows with a peaceful calm.
29. Air
ZebulFreedom now once more possessing,Peace shall spread with ev'ry blessingTriumphant joy around.Sion now no more complainingShall, in blissful plenty reigning,Thy glorious praise resound.Freedom now. . . da capo
30. Recitative
JephthaZebuI, thy·deeds were vaIiant,Nor Iess thine, my Hamor;But the glory is the Lord's.
31. Air
JephthaHis mighty arm, with sudden blow,Dispers'd and quell'd the haughty foe.They fell before him, as when through the skyHe bids the sweeping winds in vengeance fly.His mighty arm. . . da capo
32. Chorus
In glory high, in might serene,He sees, moves all, unmov'd, unseen.His mighty arm, with sudden blowDispers'd and quell'd the haughty foe.
33. Symphony
Enter Iphis, Storgè and Chorus of Virgins.
34. Recitative
IphisHail, glorious conqueror, much lov'd father, hail!Behold thy daughter, and her virgin train,Come to salute thee with all duteous love.
35. Air
IphisWelcome as the cheerful light,Driving darkest shades of night,Welcome as the spring that rainsPeace and plenty o'er the plains.Not cheerful day,Nor spring so gay,Such mighty blessings bringsAs peace on her triumphant wings.
36. Chorus of Virgins
Welcome thou, whose deeds conspireTo provoke the warbling lyre,Welcome thou, whom God ordain'dGuardian angel of our land!Thou wert born His glorious nameAnd great wonders to proclaim.
37. Recitative
JephthaHorror, confusion! Harsh this music gratesUpon my tasteless ears. Begone, my child,Thou hast undone thy father! Fly, begone,And leave me to the rack of wild despair!
Exit Iphis.
38. Air
JephthaOpen thy marble jaws, O tomb,And hide me, earth, in thy dark womb,Ere I the name of father stain,And deepest woe from conquest gain.Open. . . da capo
39. Recitative
ZebulWhy is my brother thus afflicted? Say,Why didst thou spurn thy daughter's gratulations,And fling her from thee with unkind disdain?
JephthaO Zebul, Hamor and my dearest wife,Behold a wretched man,Thrown from the summit of presumptuous joy,Down to the lowest depth of misery.Know, then, I vow'd the first I saw should fallA victim to the living God. My daughter,Alas, it was my daughter, and she dies.
40. Accompagnato
Storgè First perish thou, and perish all the world!Hath Heav'n then bless'd us with this only pledgeOf all our love, this one dear child, for theeTo be her murderer? No, cruel man!
41. Air
Storgè Let other creatures die?Or Heav'n, earth, seas and skyIn one confusion lie,Ere in a daughter's blood,So fair, so chaste, so good,A father's hand's embrued.
42. Recitative
HamorIf such thy cruel purpose, lo, your friendOffers himself a willing sacrifice,To save the innocent and beauteous maid!
43. Air
HamorOn me let blind mistaken zealHer utmost rage employ.'Twill be a mercy there to killWhere life can taste no joy.On me. . . da capo
44. Quartet
ZebulOh, spare your daughter,
Storgè Spare my child,
HamorMy love!
JephthaRecorded stands my vow in Heav'n above.
Storgè Recall the impious vow, ere 'tis too late.
JephthaI'll hear no more, her doom is fix'd as fate!
Hamor, Zebul, Storgè And think not Heav'n delightsIn Moloch's horrid rites.
45. Accompagnato
IphisSuch news flies swift. I've heard the mournful causeOf all your sorrows. Of my father's vowHeav'n spoke its approbation by success.Jephtha has triumph'd, Israel is free.For joys so vast too little is the priceOf one poor life. But oh, accept it, Heav'n,A grateful victim, and thy blessing stillPour on my country, friends, and dearest father!
46. Air
IphisHappy they! This vital breath...
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