|
|
Article: FIVE SONGS FROM ACT 1, SCENE 1: The Wreck of the Batavia.(opera)(Excerpt)
- Article from:
- Quadrant
- Article date:
- December 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Quadrant Magazine Company, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
1. Pelsaert's Monologue
Once more I stand at Holland's rim,
On the very rind of all the Fruits
Of civil Life I hold most sweet,
Staring discontented at the Sea.
Ten years I dwelt in Eastern Lands,
Ten years from golden Amsterdam,
Driven less by merchant's Duty,
Than by private, restless Odyssey.
Too soon my Holiday is passed,
Home's sweet respite is done.
No true Penelope awaited me,
No Telemachus, faithful son,
Alone, despite ship's Company,
I pass again beyond the Dike,
Suffering the cruellest of needs,
The lust to know and find.
For Knowledge is an Opium,
And as the capstan-ratchet winds
...