“Die Zauberflöte” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart libretto (English)

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two

ACT ONE

The scene is a rocky area, here and there
overgrown with trees, on both sides are smallish
hills; there is also a round temple.
(Tamino descends from a rock to the right, in
splendid Japanese hunting-costume, carrying a bow
but no arrows; a serpent pursues him.)

No.1: Introduction

TAMINO
Help me! oh, help me! or I am lost,
condemned as sacrifice to the cunning serpent –
Merciful gods! It’s coming closer!
Ah! save me, ah! defend me!
(He faints; immediately the door to the temple
opens; three veiled ladies come out, each carrying
a silver spear.)

THE THREE LADIES
Die, monster, by our power!

Victory! Victory! Accomplished
is the heroic deed! He is free,
thanks to our bravery.

FIRST LADY (observing him)
A pleasing youth, gentle and fair!

SECOND LADY
The fairest I have ever seen.

THIRD LADY
Yes, that’s true, pretty as a picture.

ALL THREE
If I ever gave my heart away,
it could be to none but this youth.
Let us hasten to our Queen
and report this news to her.
Perhaps this handsome man
can restore her peace of mind.

FIRST LADY
You go and tell her, then;
meanwhile, I’ll stay here. –

SECOND LADY
No, no, you go ahead;
I’ll keep watch over him!

THIRD LADY
No, no, that may not be;
I’ll protect him!

FIRST LADY
Meanwhile, I’ll stay here...

SECOND LADY
I’ll keep watch over him...

THIRD LADY
I’ll protect him myself...

FIRST LADY
...I’ll stay...

SECOND LADY
...I’ll keep watch...

THIRD LADY
...I’ll protect him...

FIRST LADY
...I!

SECOND LADY
...I!

THIRD LADY
...I!

ALL THREE (each to herself)
Then I must go! Aha, very nice!
They want to be alone with him.
No, no, that’s out of the question!
What would I not give
to live with this youth!
If only I had him to myself!
Still no one goes; it is not to be.
I had better go.
O youth so fair and loveable,

O faithful youth, farewell
until I see thee again.
(The Ladies depart. Tamino comes to, and sees
the dead serpent at his feet; but hearing someone
else approach, he hides. Enter Papageno, dressed
in a coat of feathers, bearing large bird cage on
his back and carrying a panpipe.)

No.2: Aria

PAPAGENO
The birdcatcher am I –
and always merry, tra la la!
As the birdcatcher I am known
by old and young throughout the land.
I know how to set decoys
and whistle just like my prey!
So merry and carefree can I be,
knowing all the birds belong to me.
The birdcatcher am I –
and always merry, tra la la!
As the birdcatcher I am known
by old and young throughout the land.
I wish I had a trap for girls –
I’d catch them by the dozen then.
I’d keep them in a cage at home,
and all the girls would be mine alone.
If all the girls were mine alone,
some I’d trade for high-grade sugar,
then to the one I liked the best
I’d give all the sugar she wanted.

And if she then kissed me tenderly,
she’d be my wife and I her husband.
She would sleep beside me
and I would rock her like a child.
(As Papageno is setting down his bird cage, Tamino
steps forward, and learns that Papageno is a
simple fellow, whose awareness of the world is
confined to his little straw hut and his livelihood –
he exchanges the birds he catches for food and
drink brought him by three Ladies of the Queen of
the Night, whose realm this is. Tamino, on the
other hand, is a prince, whose father rules many
lands and peoples. Papageno, really terrified at the
sight of the dead serpent, pretends to have slain
it, until the Ladies enter, masked, to punish him.
They give him water instead of wine, a stone
instead of sugarloaves, and a lock over his mouth
in place of figs. They give Tamino a portrait of the
Queen’s beautiful daughter, and promise that
happiness can be his if he can love her; they go,
followed by Papageno, leaving Tamino alone, gazing
at the portrait.)

No.3: Aria

TAMINO
This portrait is bewitching,
no eye has ever seen its like before.
I feel as if this angelic picture
were filling my heart with a new emotion.
This something I cannot name,
but I feel it burning here.
Can this sensation be love?
Yes, yes! This can only be love.

Oh, if only I might find her!
If only she stood before me!
I would – would warmly – chastely –
what would I do?
I would, in ecstasy,
press her to my ardent heart,
and she would be mine forever!
(He is about to go when the Ladies return,
announcing the arrival of their Queen. She has
observed his emotions, and commissions him to
rescue her daughter from captivity by Sarastro,
High Priest of Isis and Osiris. Darkness; the Queen
appears from beneath the mountains amid thunder
and lightning.)

No.4: Recitative and Aria

QUEEN
O tremble not, beloved son,
you are guiltless, wise and good –
A youth such as you can best console
this overburdened maternal heart. –
I am condemned to grief,
for my daughter has been taken from me.
With her, all my happiness was lost;
a villain abducted her.
I can see her trembling
with fearful agitation,
shaking with fear,
feebly struggling.
I saw her taken from me.
“Ah, help me!” was all she could say –

but her appeals were in vain,
for my aid was not strong enough.
You shall go to set her free,
you shall be my daughter’s saviour.
And if you succeed,
she shall be yours forever.
(She disappears amid more rolls of thunder, with
her Ladies. The light is restored. Tamino is about
to depart when Papageno stops him, pointing sadly
to the padlock on his mouth.)

No.5: Quintet

PAPAGENO
(pointing sadly to the padlock on his mouth)
Hm! hm! hm! hm!

TAMINO
The poor fellow can well speak of punishment
when it has robbed him of the power of speech!

PAPAGENO
Hm! hm! hm! hm!

TAMINO
I can do nothing but sympathise,
for I am powerless to help!

FIRST LADY
The Queen has had mercy on you,
and she sent me to release you. –
(She takes the padlock from Papageno’s mouth.)

PAPAGENO
Now Papageno can chatter again!

SECOND LADY
Chatter yes – but never lie again!

PAPAGENO
I will never tell another lie, no, never!

LADIES
Let this lock be a warning to you!

PAPAGENO
Let that lock be a warning to me!

ALL
If only every liar had
a lock like this upon his mouth:
then would hate, calumny and rancour
be replaced by love and brotherhood!

FIRST LADY
O Prince, accept this gift
sent to you by our Queen.
(gives Tamino a golden flute)
This magic flute will protect you
even in the gravest misfortune.

LADIES
This flute will confer great power upon you,
to transform the sorrows of mankind;
the mourner will become merry,
the bachelor a lover.

ALL
A flute like this is worth

more than gold or crowns,
for by its power will human joy
and contentment be increased.

PAPAGENO
Now, fair ladies, will you excuse me?
If so, I take my leave.

LADIES
You may certainly depart,
but our lady has chosen you
to accompany the prince
immediately to Sarastro’s castle.

PAPAGENO
No! I thank you very much.
You yourselves have told me
that he is as fierce as a tiger.
Sarastro, I’m sure, would not hesitate
to have me plucked and roasted
and thrown to the dogs.

LADIES
The Prince will protect you, trust him,
so then you will be his servant.

PAPAGENO (aside)
The Prince can go to the devil.
I value my life,
and now, by my honour, it’s likely
he will steal away from me like a thief. –

FIRST LADY
(gives Papageno a chest of bells)
Here, take this treasure, it is yours.

PAPAGENO
Aha! What can it be? –

LADIES
There are bells inside it!

PAPAGENO
And shall I be able to play them?

LADIES
Oh, certainly! yes, certainly!

ALL
Silver bells and magic flute
are needed for your/our protection!
Farewell! We must leave now!
Farewell! – till we meet again.
(All turn to go.)

TAMINO
But tell me, fair ladies...

PAPAGENO
...how shall we find the citadel?

TAMINO and PAPAGENO
...how shall we find the citadel?

LADIES
Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise,
will appear to you on your journey.
They will be your guides;
follow their counsel and theirs alone.

TAMINO and PAPAGENO
Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise,
will appear to us on our journey? –

LADIES
They will be your guides;
follow their counsel and theirs alone.

TAMINO and PAPAGENO
So farewell! we must leave now;
farewell, farewell, until we meet again!

ALL
So farewell! we must leave now;
farewell, farewell, until we meet again!
(Change of scene: a splendid chamber in the
Egyptian style.)
(Two slaves carry in beautiful cushions and an
elaborate Turkish table and spread carpets upon
the floor. Monostatos enters, followed by Pamina
who is led by slaves.)

No.6: Terzetto

MONOSTATOS
My fine little dove, step inside.

PAMINA
Oh, what suffering! What pain!

MONOSTATOS
You are doomed to die.

PAMINA
Death does not frighten me,
I only worry about my mother;
she will surely die of grief.

MONOSTATOS
Hey, slaves, bind her in chains;
my hate will be your ruination!
(Pamina is put in chains.)

PAMINA
O let me rather die, for nothing
will move you, you barbarian.
(She falls unconscious on the sofa.)

MONOSTATOS
Get out, now, get out!
Leave me alone with her.
(The slaves hurry away. Papageno outside at the
window, without at first being seen.)

PAPAGENO
Where am I? Wherever am I?
Aha! someone’s there. Courage! I’ll go in.
(He enters.)
Pretty maiden, young and fair,
whiter than chalk...
(Papageno and Monostatos see one another –
each frightens the other.)

PAPAGENO and MONOSTATOS
Oo! – – that must be – the devil himself!
Have pity – spare me – Oo – Oo –
(They flee in opposite directions. As Pamina
regains consciousness, Papageno returns and
identifies her. He tells her that a handsome prince

loves her and is being sent by her mother to the
rescue. The delighted Pamina commiserates with
the bird-catcher, who has not yet found a wife to
love him.)

No.7: Duet

PAMINA
A man who can feel love
must have a good heart.

PAPAGENO
To share the sweet emotion
is woman’s foremost duty.

BOTH
Gladly we rejoice in love
and live by love alone.

PAMINA
Love sweetens every trouble;
all creatures sacrifice to her.

PAPAGENO
She seasons our daily lives
and helps Nature’s wheels go round.

BOTH
Her higher purpose is our guide,
and nothing is nobler than Wife and Man.
Man and Wife, and Wife and Man,
attain divinity.
(They both leave.)
(The scene changes to a grove. Right at the back
of the stage is a beautiful temple, upon which are
inscribed these words: “Temple of Wisdom”; this
temple leads via pillars to two other temples, the
one on the right bearing the inscription “Temple of
Reason”, the one on the left “Temple of Nature”.)
(Three boys lead in Tamino, each bearing a silver
palm frond.)

No.8: Finale

THE THREE BOYS
This path will lead you to your goal,
but, youth, you must strive like a man.
So give heed to our teaching:
be steadfast, patient and discreet! –

TAMINO
Gracious boys, tell me first:
shall I be able to rescue Pamina? –

THE BOYS
That we may not divulge.
Be steadfast, patient, and discreet;
remember this; in short, be a man. –
Then, youth, you will strive manfully.
(They leave.)

TAMINO
May the wise teaching of these boys
be engraved forever upon my heart.
Where am I now? – What will happen to me?
Is this the domain of the gods? –
These portals, these columns prove
that skill, industry and art reside here.
Where action rules and idleness is banned,

vice cannot easily retain control.
I will pass boldly through that portal;
my task is noble, straightforward and pure.
Tremble, cowardly villain!
My duty is to save Pamina!
(He goes to the door on the right and opens it; as
he is about to enter, a distant voice is heard.)

FIRST VOICE
Go back!

TAMINO
Go back? go back? – then I will try my luck here.
(He goes to the door on the left.)

SECOND VOICE (from within)
Go back!

TAMINO
Here too they say “go back”?
(He looks around.)
One door still remains.
Perhaps I may enter there.
(He knocks; an old priest appears.)

SPEAKER
Where would you enter, bold stranger?
What do you seek in this holy place? –

TAMINO
Whatever belongs to Love and Virtue.

SPEAKER
Your words are lofty –
but how do you expect to find these?
You are not guided by Love and Virtue

but goaded by Death and Vengeance.

TAMINO
Vengeance only against the villain.

SPEAKER
You will find no such person among us.

TAMINO
Does Sarastro rule here?

SPEAKER
Yes, indeed, Sarastro rules here.

TAMINO
But not in the Temple of Wisdom? –

SPEAKER
He rules in the Temple of Wisdom! –

TAMINO
Then all this is hypocrisy! –

SPEAKER
Do you wish to go on your way?

TAMINO
Yes, I shall go, happy and free –
never to see your temple! –

SPEAKER
Explain yourself further;
some deceit has misled you! –

TAMINO
Sarastro resides here,
that is quite enough for me! –

SPEAKER
If you value your life, say so and stay! –
Do you hate Sarastro?

TAMINO
I shall hate him forever! –

SPEAKER
Give me your reasons then! –

TAMINO
He is inhuman, a tyrant! –

SPEAKER
Has what you say been proved?

TAMINO
By an unhappy woman,
oppressed by sorrow and pain!

SPEAKER
Has a woman so deceived you? –
A woman does little, gossips much;
you, youth, believe in wagging tongues? –
If only Sarastro could reveal to you
the purpose of his stratagem. –

TAMINO
His purpose is all too clear!
Did not the robber snatch Pamina
pitilessly from her mother’s arms? –

SPEAKER
Yes, young man, what you say is true! –

TAMINO
Where is she whom he stole from us?
Perhaps she has been already sacrificed? –

SPEAKER
To tell you this, dear son,
is not for me to say at present. –

TAMINO
Explain your riddle, don’t deceive me!

SPEAKER
Oath and duty bind my tongue!

TAMINO
When will this darkness be cast aside? –

SPEAKER
As soon as friendship’s hand has led you
into the shrine for everlasting union.
(He leaves.)

TAMINO
O endless night! When will you vanish?
When shall my eyes see light? –

PRIESTS (from within)
Soon, youth, or never!

TAMINO
Soon, you say, or never? –
You unseen voices, tell me:
is Pamina still alive? –

PRIESTS
Pamina is still alive!

TAMINO
Alive! She is alive!
Thank you for that news.
(He takes out his flute.)
Oh, would that I could
thank you for that news.
Almighty One, honour thee
and show how every note stems
(pointing to his heart)
from the gratitude in my heart.
(He plays. Wild beasts of all kinds come forth and
listen to him. He ceases, and they depart. Birds
sing to his playing.)
How powerful is your magic music,
sweet flute, for when you sound
even wild beasts feel joy.
Yet Pamina stays away.
Pamina! Pamina! hear me! –
In vain, in vain! –
Where, ah, where shall I find you? –
(Papageno answers with his pipes.)
Ha! That was Papageno’s call! –
Perhaps he has already seen Pamina! –
Perhaps she is hastening here with him! –
Perhaps the sound will lead me to her!
(He leaves.)

PAMINA and PAPAGENO
Swift feet and ready courage
protect us from the craft and rage of enemies.
If only we could find Tamino,
or else we may be captured yet!

PAMINA
Gentle youth! –

PAPAGENO
Hush, hush, I have a better way! –
(Papageno plays on his pipes; Tamino answers
from within on his flute.)p>

PAMINA and PAPAGENO
What joy could be greater than this?
Friend Tamino has already heard us;
we heard his flute reply.
What happiness to find him.
We must hurry, hurry!
(are about to enter)

MONOSTATOS (mocking them)
You must hurry, hurry...
Ha! I’ve caught you now!
Bring me swords and fetters;
just wait, I’ll teach you manners!
I’ll teach you to trick Monostatos! –
Bring me chains and ropes,
hey, you slaves, come here! –

PAMINA and PAPAGENO
Ah, now we’re done for!

MONOSTATOS
Hey, you slaves, come here!
(Slaves enter with chains.)

PAPAGENO
He who dares much has much to gain!
Come, my pretty set of chimes,
let your bells ring out, ring out,
so that their ears sing.
(He plays upon his instrument.)

MONOSTATOS and SLAVES
That sounds so pretty, that sounds so fine!
La ra la la la la la ra la la la la ra la.
Never did I hear and see anything like it!
La ra la la la la la ra la la la la ra la.
(They exit, marching.)

PAMINA and PAPAGENO (laughing)
If every good man
could find such bells,
he could easily dispose
of his enemies,
and, without them,
lead a peaceful life.
Only friendship’s harmony
eases all hardships,
and without this sympathy
there is no joy on earth.

ATTENDANTS (from within)
Long live Sarastro! Sarastro, all hail! –

PAPAGENO
What can that mean? I’m shivering and shaking! –

PAMINA
Oh, my friend, now we’re finished!
This announces Sarastro’s approach!

PAPAGENO
If only I were a mouse,
how I’d hide myself –
if only I were tiny as a snail,
I’d creep into my house! –
My child, what shall we say? –

PAMINA
The truth – the truth, even though it be a crime! –
(A procession of attendants; Sarastro enters last
in a triumphal chariot drawn by six lions.)

ATTENDANTS
Long live Sarastro, Sarastro all hail!
To him we consecrate ourselves with joy!
May he always enjoy his sage’s life! –
He is the master to whom we are dedicated!

PAMINA (kneeling)
My lord! I have transgressed! –
I wished to escape from your power. –
Yet the guilt is not mine!
The wicked Moor demanded love,
and therefore, my lord, I ran away! –

SARASTRO
Arise, be of good cheer, beloved one,
for even without questioning you I know
more from your very own heart:
you love another deeply.
I will not force your affection,
yet I will not grant you freedom either.

PAMINA
I am bound by filial duty,
because my mother –

SARASTRO
lies in my power.
Your happiness would be destroyed forever
if I delivered you into her hands. –

PAMINA
How sweet the name of mother sounds.
She is – she is –

SARASTRO
she is an arrogant woman. –
A man must guide your heart,
for without that, every woman
tends to overstep her natural sphere.

MONOSTATOS
Now, proud youth, come here!
Here is Sarastro, our master! –

PAMINA
It is he,

TAMINO
It is she,

PAMINA
I can hardly believe it,

TAMINO
it is she,

PAMINA
it is he.

TAMINO
I’m not dreaming.

PAMINA and TAMINO
I shall embrace him/her,
even if it means my death!

ATTENDANTS
What are they thinking of?

MONOSTATOS
What impertinence!
Keep quite apart, you go too far!
(He separates them and then kneels.)
Your slave lies at your feet:
let the rash wanton be punished!
Think how bold the boy is!
With the help of this strange bird’s cunning,
he meant to steal Pamina away,
and I alone succeeded in tracking him.
You know me! – my vigilance –

SARASTRO
merits that laurel-leaves be strewn before you!
Ho! Give unto the worthy man at once –

MONOSTATOS
Your favour already makes me rich! –

SARASTRO
only seventy-seven strokes on his feet.

MONOSTATOS
Ah, sir! I wasn’t expecting a reward.

SARASTRO
Do not thank me! It is my duty!
(Monostatos is led away.)

ATTENDANTS
Long live Sarastro, the divinely wise,
he rewards and punishes in equal degree.

SARASTRO
Take these two strangers
into our temple of trial;
cover their heads –
for first they must be purified.
(Two priests bring in a kind of sack and cover the
heads of the two strangers.)

ATTENDANTS
If virtue and righteousness
pave the Great Path with honour,
then earth will be a paradise
and mortals resemble gods.

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two