Peter Grimes 彼得·格莱姆斯 英文剧本

PETER GRIMES An opera in three acts and a prologue derived from the poem of George Crabbe Words by Montagu Slater Music by Benjamin Britten op. 33 CHARACTERS Peter Grimes, a fisherman tenor Boy (John), his apprentice silent Ellen Orford, a widow, schoolmistress of the Borough soprano Captain Balstrode, retired merchant skipper baritone Auntie, landlady of “The Boar” contralto Niece 1 main attractions of “The Boar” } sopranos Niece 2 Robert Boles, fisherman and Methodist tenor Swallow, a lawyer bass Mrs. (Nabob) Sedley, mezzosoprano a rentier widow of an East India Company’s factor Rev. Horace Adams, the rector tenor Ned Keene, apothecary and quack baritone Hobson, carrier bass Dr. Crabbe silent Chorus of townspeople and fisherfolk Scene: The Borough, a small fishing town on the East Coast Time: Towards 1830 Edizioni Boosey & Hawkes, Londra Rappresentante per l’Italia Casa Ricordi, Milano PROLOGUE Interior of the Moot Hall, arranged as for Coroner's Inquest. Coroner, Mr. Swallow, at table on dais, clerk at table below. A crowd of townspeople in the body of the hall is kept back by Hobson acting as Constable. Mr. Swallow is the leading lawyer of the Borough and at the same time its Mayor and ist Coroner. A man of unexceptionable career and talents, he nevertheless disturbs the burgesses by his air of a man with an arrière pensée. Hobson (shouts) Peter Grimes! (Peter Grimes steps forward from among the crowd.) Swallow (reading) Peter Grimes, we are here to investigate the cause of death of your apprentice William Spode, whose body you brought ashore from your boat, “The Boy Billy”, on the 26th ultimo. Do you wish to give evidence? (Peter nods.) Will you step into the box. Peter Grimes. Take the oath. After me. “I swear by Almighty God” Peter “I swear by Almighty God” Swallow “That the evidence I shall give” Peter “That the evidence I shall give” Swallow “Shall be the truth” Peter “Shall be the truth” Swallow “The whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Peter “The whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Swallow Tell the court the story in your own words. (Peter is silent.) You sailed your boat round the coast with the intention of putting in at London. Why did you do this? Peter We'd caught a huge catch, too big to sell here. Swallow And the boy died on the way? Peter The wind turned against us, blew us off our course. We ran out of drinking water. Swallow How long were you at sea? Peter Three days. Swallow What happened next? Peter He died lying there among the fish. Swallow What did you do? Peter Threw them all overboard, set sail for home. Swallow You mean you threw the fish overboard?... When you landed did you call for help? Peter I called Ned Keene. Swallow The apothecary here? (indicates Ned) Was there anybody else called? Peter Somebody brought the parson. Swallow You mean the Rector, Mr. Horace Adams? (The Rector steps forward. – Swallow waves him back.) All right, Mr. Adams. (He turns back to Peter.) Was there a certain amount of excitement? Peter Bob Boles started shouting. Swallow There was a scene in the village street from which you were rescued by our landlady? Peter Yes. By Auntie. Swallow We don't call her that here....You then took to abusing a respectable lady. (Peter glares.) Answer me....You shouted abuse at a certain person? (Mrs. Sedley pushes forward. Mrs. Sedley is the widow of a retired factor of the East India Company and is known locally as 'Mrs. Nabob'. She is 65, self-assertive, inquisitive, unpopular.) Mrs. Sedley Say who! Say who!! Swallow Mrs. Sedley here. Peter (fiercely) I don't like interferers. (A slight hubbub among the spectators resolves itself into a chorus which is more like the confused muttering of a crowd than something fully articulate.) Chorus When women gossip the result Is someone doesn't sleep at night. Hobson (shouting) Silence! Swallow Now tell me this. Who helped you carry the boy home? The schoolmistress, the widow, Mrs. Ellen Orford? (Renewed hubbub. Ellen steps forward to Swallow.) Women’s Chorus O when you pray you shut your eyes And then can't tell the truth from lies. Hobson (shouts) Silence! Swallow Mrs. Orford, as the schoolmistress, the widow, how did you come into this? Ellen I did what I could to help. Swallow Why should you help this kind of fellow – callous, brutal, and coarse? (to Grimes) There's something here perhaps in your favour. I’ m told you rescued the boy from drowning in the March storms. (Peter is silent.) Have you something else to say? No? – Then I have. Peter Grimes, I here advise you – do not get another boy apprentice. Get a fisherman to help you – big enough to stand up for himself. Our verdict is – that William Spode, your apprentice, died in accidental circumstances. But that's the kind of thing people are apt to remember. Chorus But when the crowner sits upon it, Who can dare to fix the guilt? Hobson (shouts) Silence! Silence! (Peter has stepped forward and is trying to speak.) Peter Your honour! Like every other fisherman I have to hire an apprentice. I must have help – Swallow Then get a woman help you look after him. Peter That's what I want – but not yet – Swallow Why not? Peter Not till I've stopped people's mouths. (The hubbub begins again.) Swallow (makes a gesture of dismissal) Stand down! Clear the court. Stand down! Peter “Stand down” you say. You wash your hands. Libretto PETER 18-03-2005 11:35 Pagina 5 The case goes on in people's minds The charges that no court has made Will be shouted at my head. Then let me speak, let me stand trial, Bring the accusers into the hall. Let me thrust into their mouths, The truth itself, the simple truth. (He shouts this excitedly against the hubbub chorus.) Chorus When women gossip, the result Is someone doesn't sleep at night. But when the crowner sits upon it, Who can dare to fix the guilt? (Against them all Constable Hobson shouts his:) Hobson Clear the court! (Swallow rises with slow dignity. Everybody stands up while he makes his ceremonial exit. – The crowd then begins to go out. – Peter and Ellen are left alone.) Peter The truth – the pity – and the truth. Ellen Peter, come away! Peter Where the walls themselves Gossip of inquest. Ellen But we'll gossip, too, And talk and rest. Peter While Peeping Toms Nod as you go. You'll share the name Of outlaw, too. Ellen Peter, we shall restore your name. Warmed by the new esteem That you will find. Peter Until the Borough hate Poisons your mind. Libretto PETER 18-03-2005 11:35 Pagina 6 Ellen There'll be new shoals to catch: Life will be kind. Peter Ay! only of drowning ghosts: Time will not forget: The dead are witness And fate is blind. Ellen Unclouded, The hot sun Will spread his rays around. Both My voice out of the pain, Is like a hand That I can feel and know: Here is a friend. (They walk off slowly as the curtain falls.) Interlude 1 Dawn ACT I Scene 1 Street by the sea: Moot Hall exterior with its outside staircase, next door to which is “The Boar”. Ned Keene's apothecary’s shop is at the street corner. On the other side breakwaters run down to the sea. It is morning, before high tide, several days later. Two fishermen are turning the capstan, hauling in their boat. Prolonged cries as the boat is hauled ashore. Women come from mending nets to take the fish baskets from other fishermen who now disembark. Captain Balstrode sits on the breakwater looking out to sea through his glass. Balstrode is a retired merchant sea-captain, shrewd as a travelled man should be, but with a general sympathy that makes him the favourite rentier of the whole Borough. He chews a plug of tobacco while he watches. Chorus of Fishermen and Women: Chorus Oh hang at open doors the net, the cork, While squalid sea-dames at their mending work Welcome the hour when fishing through the tide The weary husband throws his freight aside. Fishermen O cold and wet and driven by the tide, Beat your tired arms against your tarry side. Find rest in public bars where fiery gin Will aid the warmth that languishes within. (Several fishermen cross to “ The Boar” where Auntie stands in the doorway.) Fisherman Auntie! Auntie Come in gentlemen, come in. Boles Her vats flow with poisoned gin! (Boles the Methodist fisherman stands aside from all this dram drinking.) Fisherman Boles has gone Methody! (Points and laughs.) Auntie Aman should have Hobbies to cheer his private life. (Fishermen go into “The Boar”. Others remain with their wives at the nets and boats.) Women’s Chorus Dabbling on shore half-naked sea-boys crowd, Swim round a ship, or swing upon a shroud Or in a boat purloined with paddles play And grow familiar with the watery way. (While the second boat is being hauled in, boys are scrambling over the first.) Balstrode Shoo, you little barnacles! Up your anchors, hoist your sails! (Balstrode chases them from the boat. A more respectable figure now begins, with much hat-raising, his morning progress down the High Street. He makes straight for “The Boar”.) Fisherman (touches cap) Dr. Crabbe. Boles (points as the swing door closes) He drinks “Good Health” to all diseases! Another Fisherman Storm? A few Fishermen Storm? (They shade their eyes looking out to sea.) Balstrode (glass to his eye) A long way out. Sea horses. The wind is holding back the tide. If it veers round, watch for your lives. Chorus of Fishers And if the spring tide eats the land again Till even the cottages and cobbled walls of fishermen Are billets for the thievish waves which take As if in sleep, thieving for thieving's sake – (The Rector comes down the High Street. He is followed as always by the Borough's second most famous rentier, the widow, Mrs. [Nabob] Sedley. From “The Boar” come the two 'nieces' who give Auntie her nickname. They stand in front of the pub taking the morning sun. Ned Keene, seeing Mrs. Sedley, pops out of his shop door.) Rector (right and left) Good morning, good morning! Nieces Good morning! Mrs. Sedley Good morning, dear Rector. Ned Had Auntie no nieces we'd never respect her. Swallow Good morning! Good morning! Nieces Good morning! Mrs. Sedley Good morning, your worship, Mr. Swallow. Auntie (to Keene) You jeer, but if they wink you're eager to follow! (The Rector and Mrs. Sedley continue towards the church.) Ned (shouts across to Auntie) I’m coming tonight to see your nieces. Auntie (dignified) The Boar is at its patron’s service. Boles God’s storm will drown your hot desires! Balstrode God stay the tide, or I shall share your fears. Chorus For us sea-dwellers, this sea-birth can be Death to our gardens of fertility. Yet only such contemptuous springtide can Tickle the virile impotence of man. Peter (calls off) Hi! Give us a hand! (Chorus stops.) Peter Haul the boat! Boles (shouts back) Haul it yourself, Grimes! Peter (off) Hi! Somebody bring the rope! (Nobody does. Presently he appears and takes the capstan rope himself and pulls it after him [off] to the boat. Then he returns. The fishermen and women turn their backs on him and slouch away awkwardly.) Balstrode (going to capstan) I'll give a hand, the tide is near the turn. (Going to capstan.) Ned We’ll drown the gossips in a tidal storm. (Peter Grimes goes back to the boat. Balstrode and Keene turn the capstan.) Auntie (at the door of the Boar) Parsons may moralise and fools decide, But a good publican takes neither side. Balstrode O haul away! The tide is near the turn. Ned Man invented morals but tides have none. Boles (with arms akimbo watches their labour) This lost soul of a fisherman must be Shunned by respectable society. Oh let the captains hear, let the scholars learn: Shielding the sin, they share the people's scorn. Auntie I have my business. Let the preachers learn: Hell may be fiery but the pub won't burn. Balstrode and Ned The tide that floods will ebb, the tide, the tide will turn. (The boat is hauled up. Grimes appears.) Ned Grimes, you won't need help from now. I've got a prentice for you. Balstrode Aworkhouse brat? Ned I called at the workhouse yesterday. All you do now is fetch the boy. We'll send the carter with a note. He’ll bring your bargain on his cart. (shouts) Jim Hobson, we've a job for you. Hobson (enters) Cart’s full sir. More than I can do. Ned Listen, Jim. You’ll go to the workhouse And ask for Mr. Keene his purchase. Bring him back to Grimes. Hobson Cart's full sir. I have no room. Ned Hobson, you’ll do what there is to be done. (It is near enough to an argument to attract a crowd. Fishermen and women gather round. Boles takes his chance.) Boles Is this a Christian country? Are pauper children so enslaved That their bodies go for cash? Ned Hobson, will you do your job? (Ellen Orford has come in. She is a widow of about 40. Her children have died, or grown up and gone away, and in her loneliness she has become the Borough schoolmistress. A hard life has not hardened her. It has made her the more charitable.) Hobson I have to go from pub to pub Picking up parcels, standing about. My journey back is late at night. Mister, find some other way To bring your boy back. Chorus He’s right. Dirty jobs! Hobson Mister, find some other way... Ellen Carter! I’ll mind your passenger. Chorus What! And be Grimes’s messenger? You? Ellen Whatever you say, I’m not ashamed. Somebody must do the job. The carter goes from pub to pub, Picking up parcels, standing about. The boy needs comfort late at night, He needs a welcome on the road, Coming here strange he’ll be afraid. I’ll mind your passenger! Ned Mrs. Orford is talking sense. Chorus Ellen – you’re leading us a dance, Fetching boys of Peter Grimes, Because the Borough is afraid You who help will share the blame. Ellen Whatever you say… Let her among you without fault Cast the first stone And let the Pharisees and Sadducees Give way to none. But whosoever feels his pride Humbled so deep There is no corner he can hide Even in sleep! Will have no trouble to find out How a poor teacher Widowed and loney finds delight In shouldering care. (as she moves up the street) Mr. Hobson, where’s your cart? I’m ready. Hobson Up here, ma’am. I can wait. (The crowd stands round and watches. Some follow Ellen and Hobson. On the edge of the crowd are other activities.) Mrs. Sedley (whispers to Ned) Have you my pills? Ned I’m sorry, ma’am. Mrs. Sedley My sleeping draught? Ned The laudanum Is out of stock, and being brought By Mr. Carrier Hobson’s cart. He’s back tonight. Mrs. Sedley Good Lord, good Lord – Ned Meet us both at this pub, “The Boar” Auntie’s we call it. It’s quite safe. Mrs. Sedley I’ve never been in a pub in my life. Ned You’ll come? Mrs. Sedley All right. Ned Tonight? Mrs. Sedley All right. (She moves off up the street.) Ned If the old dear takes much more laudanum She’ll land herself one day in Bedlam! Balstrode (looks seaward through his glass) Look! The storm cone! The wind veers In from the sea At gale force. Chorus Look out for squalls! The wind veers In from the sea At gale force. Make your boat fast! Shutter your windows! And bring in all the nets! All Now the flood tide And the sea-horses Will gallop over The eroded coast Flooding, flooding Our seasonal fears. Look! The storm cone The wind veers. A high tide coming Will eat the land A tide no breakwaters can withstand. Fasten your boats. The springtide’s here With a gale behind. Chorus Is there much to fear? Ned Only for the goods you’re rich in: It won’t drown your conscience, it might flood your kitchen. Boles (passionately) God has his ways which are not ours: His high tide swallows up the shores. Repent! Ned And keep your wife upstairs. Omnes O Tide that waits for no man Spare our coasts! (There is a general exeunt – mostly through the swing doors of “The Boar”. Dr. Crabbe’s hat blows away, is rescued for him by Ned Keene, who bows him into the pub. Finally only Peter and Balstrode are left, Peter gazing seward, Balstrode hesitating at the pub door.) Balstrode And do you prefer the storm To Auntie's parlour and the rum? Peter I live alone. The habit grows. Balstrode Grimes, since you’re a lonely soul Born to blocks and spars and ropes Why not try the wider sea With merchantman or privateer? Peter I am native, rooted here. Balstrode Rooted by what? Peter By familiar fields, Marsh and sand, Ordinary streets, Prevailing wind. Balstrode You’d slip these moorings if you had the mind. Peter By the shut faces Of the Borough clans; And by teh kindness Of a casual glance. Balstrode You’ll find no comfort there. When an urchin’s quarrelsome Brawling at his little games, Mother stops him with a threat, “You’ll be sold to Peter Grimes!”. Peter Selling me new apprentices, Children taught to be ashamed Of the legend on their faces – “You’ve been sold to Peter Grimes!”. Balstrode Then the Crowner sits to Hint, but not to mention crimes, And publishes an open verdict Whispered about this “Peter Grimes”. Your boy was workhouse starved – Maybe you’re not to blame he died. Peter Picture what that day was like That evil day. We strained into the wind Heavily laden, We plunged into the wave’s Shuddering challenge Then the sea rose to a storm Over the gunwales, And the boy’s silent reproach Turned to illness. Then home Among fishing nets Alone, alone, alone With a childish death! Balstrode This storm is useful. You can speak your mind And never mind the Borough commentary. There is more grandeur in a gale of wind To free confession, set a conscience free. Peter They listen to money These Borough gossips I have my visions Fiery visions. They call me dreamer They scoff at my dreams And my ambition. But I know a way To answer the Borough I’ll win them over. Balstrode With the new prentice? Peter We’ll sail together. These Borough gossips Listen to money Only to money: I’ll fish the sea dry, Sell the good catches– That wealthy merchant Grimes will set up Household and shop You will all see it! I’ll marry Ellen! Balstrode Man – go and ask her Without your booty, She’ll have you now. Peter No – not for pity!... Balstrode Then the old tragedy Is in store: New start with new prentice Just as before. Peter What Peter Grimes decides Is his affair. Balstrode You fool, man, fool! (The wind has risen. Balstrode is shouting above it. Peter faces him angrily.) Peter Are you my conscience? Balstrode Might as well Try shout the wind down as to tell The obvious truth. Peter Take your advice – Put it where your money is. Balstrode The storm is here. O come away. Peter The storm is here and I shall stay. (The storm is rising. Auntie comes out of “The Boar” to fasten the shutters, in front of the windows. – Balstrode goes to help her. – He looks back towards Peter, then goes into the pub.) Peter What harbour shelters peace? Away from tidal waves, away from storm What harbour can embrace Terrors and tragedies? With her there'll be no quarrels, With her the mood will stay, A harbour evermore Where night is turned to day. (The wind rises. He stands a moment as if leaning against the wind. – Curtain.) Interlude II Storm Scene 2 Interior of “The Boar”, typical main room of a country pub. No bar. Upright settles, tables, log fire. When the curtain r