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

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two

ACT TWO

The stage is a palm-grove; all the trees are silvery,
the leaves of gold. 18 seats of leaves; on each
seat there stands a pyramid and a large black horn
set with gold. The largest pyramid and the largest
trees are in the middle.

No.9: March

(Sarastro and his Priests enter in stately
procession, carrying palm fronds; when they have
taken their positions they sound three blasts on
their trumpets. Sarastro announces that he has
sponsored the initiation of Tamino into their order
to strengthen it against the wicked ambitions of
the Queen of the Night. The Prince’s virtue will be
rewarded with the hand of the Queen’s own
daughter, whom Sarastro has taken captive.)

No.10: Aria with Chorus

SARASTRO
O Isis and Osiris, grant the spirit of
wisdom to the new-formed couple!
Direct the Wanderer’s steps to them,
strengthen them with patience when in peril.

PRIESTS
Strengthen them with patience when in peril.

SARASTRO
Let them see the benefits of their trial;
but if they should succumb,
reward their courageous course
and admit them to thy dwelling!

PRIESTS
Admit them to thy dwelling.
(Change of scene: Night, in the court before the
northern temple.)
(Two Priests lead in Tamino and Papageno, still
veiled, then remove their veils and go away.
Papageno confesses his fears, but Tamino
reproaches him for lacking courage. The two
Priests return to challenge their intrusion and to
test Tamino’s determination to rescue Pamina; his
answers prove quite satisfactory. Papageno, if less
brave, is encouraged by the promise of a wife; both
men must take vows of silence, however, in the
presence of their sweethearts.)

No.11: Duet

TWO PRIESTS
Guard yourself from women’s tricks;
this is the first duty of our Order.
Many a wise man has been deceived,
has failed and never seen his error;
finding himself at last abandoned,

his loyalty repaid with scorn! –
In vain were all his efforts:
death and despair were his reward.
(The Priests leave. All remain in darkness until the
three Ladies of the Queen of the Night appear from
below, carrying torches.)

No.12: Quintet

LADIES
What? What? Why are you in this frightful place?
Never! never! never! will you escape from it alive!
Tamino! your doom is sealed!
Papageno, all hope for you is lost!

PAPAGENO
No, no, that is too much.

TAMINO
Papageno, be quiet!
Will you break your vow
never to speak with women here?

PAPAGENO
You heard them;
we are done for!

TAMINO
Quiet, I say – be quiet!

PAPAGENO
Always quiet! Always quiet!

LADIES
The Queen is quite close to you,

she has entered the temple secretly! –

PAPAGENO
What’s that? She’s in the Temple?

TAMINO
Quiet, I say – be quiet! –
Are you so presumptuous
as to always forget your sworn duty? –

LADIES
Listen, Tamino, you are lost!
Think of the Queen!
There are many rumours concerning
the wicked ways of these priests!

TAMINO (aside)
A wise man seeks proof and disregards
what the common rabble say.

LADIES
There are many rumours concerning
the wicked ways of these priests!
They say that whoever joins their order
goes straight to Hell, lock, stock and barrel.

PAPAGENO
The devil they do! That’s outrageous!
Tell me, Tamino, is it true?

TAMINO
Only idle women’s talk,
but invented by deceivers.

PAPAGENO
Yet the Queen says the same!

TAMINO
She is a woman, with a woman’s mind!
Be quiet, let my word suffice;
remember your duty and be prudent.

LADIES (to Tamino)
Why are you so sharp with us?
Papageno is silent too? – Speak!

PAPAGENO
Gladly I would...indeed –

TAMINO
Hush!

PAPAGENO
As you see, I may not! –

TAMINO
Hush!

PAPAGENO
I am really ashamed
that I cannot give up chattering!

TAMINO
You should be ashamed
that you cannot stop chattering!

LADIES
We must withdraw in shame,
for no one will speak to us.

TAMINO and PAPAGENO
You must withdraw in shame,
for no one will speak to you.

ALL
A man is strong in spirit;
he considers what he may say!

INITIATES (from within)
The sacred threshold is defiled!
Away with the women, to Hell!
(thunder, lightning; simultaneous mighty thunder)

LADIES
Alas! Alas!

PAPAGENO
Alas! Alas!
(The stage darkens; thunder and lightning. The
three Ladies drop out of sight, and Papageno falls
on the ground. The Priests return to congratulate
Tamino on his first trial, and to lead the two men
on to their next.)

(Change of scene: a garden. )
(Pamina lies sleeping on a couch, shaded by rose
bushes. Monostatos is watching her.)

No.13: Aria

MONOSTATOS
Every creature feels the joy of love,
and bill and coo and hug and kiss –
but I must forego love

because a black man is ugly!
Have I not been given a heart?
Am I not flesh and blood?
To live forever without a wife
would really be like hellfire.
So, because I live, I will
bill and coo, kiss, be tender! –
Dear, good moon, forgive me:
a white skin has seduced me!
White is beautiful, I must kiss her:
therefore, moon, hide your face from me! –
If this upsets you too much,
then close your eyes.
(He steals forward towards Pamina. Thunder and
lightning: the Queen of the Night appears, and
Monostatos withdraws to observe her. The Queen
offers her daughter a dagger with which she must
kill Sarastro.)

No.14: Aria

QUEEN
Hell’s vengeance seethes in my heart;
the flames of death and despair engulf me!
If Sarastro dies not by your hand,
you will be my daughter no more.
Forever repudiated, forever abandoned,
forever destroyed be all the ties of nature
if Sarastro’s blood is not shed by your hand! –
Hear, hear, hear me, ye gods of vengeance – hear!
– a mother’s vow! –

(She disappears; more thunder. Monostatos
returns and snatches the dagger from the stunned
Pamina. If she will love him, he says, he will save
her life. She refuses, and Monostatos is about to
stab her when Sarastro appears, stops him and
sends him away. The Moor rushes off to join with
the Queen of the Night in subverting Sarastro’s
order. Pamina begs Sarastro not to punish her
mother, but Sarastro replies that he must have his
own form of revenge.)

No.15: Aria

SARASTRO
Within these sacred halls
revenge has no place!
And if a man should fall,
Love leads him back to duty.
Then, hand in hand with a friend,
he goes, content and happy, to a better land.
Within these sacred walls,
where each man loves his neighbour –
no traitor can lurk,
for enemies are forgiven.
If one delights not in this teaching,
he is unworthy of the name of Man.
(The stage is transformed into a hall.)
(Tamino and Papageno, without veils, are led in by
the two priests, commanded to keep silent and
then left alone. An ugly old woman – Papagena in
disguise – hobbles in and chats with Papageno,
telling him that she is eighteen years old and that
she has a sweetheart named Papageno. Just as
she is about to reveal her name, a loud peal of
thunder sends her hobbling off. The three Boys
bring in the magic flute and bells.)

No.16: Terzetto

THE BOYS
Welcome for the second time,
you mortals, in Sarastro’s realm! –
He sends you what was taken from you,
your flute and your chime of bells.
(A table with food and drink rises from the ground.)
If you do not scorn food,
then eat and drink of it with pleasure! –
When we meet for the third time,
joy will reward your courage!
Tamino, take heart! – Your goal is near!
You, Papageno, keep quiet! –
(They give the magic instruments to Tamino and
Papageno, and withdraw. Papageno is eating and
Tamino playing on his flute when Pamina enters,
drawn by the sound. Recognising her lover, she
questions him, but he holds to his vow of silence
and motions her away. Even Papageno is silent, for
his mouth is full.)

No.17: Aria

PAMINA
Ah, I feel that the joy of love
has gone for evermore! –
Never will happiness
return to my heart!
See, Tamino, see these tears

that flow, beloved, for you alone.
If you do not feel love’s yearning –
I must seek peace in the grave! –
(She goes out slowly and sadly. Papageno and
Tamino hear trumpets calling them onward; the
bird-catcher is forcibly led away by his master.)
(Change of scene: The interior of a pyramid.)
(The Priests march in, led by Sarastro.)

No.18: Chorus of Priests

CHORUS
O Isis and Osiris! What delight!
The dark night retreats from the light of the sun! –
Soon will the noble youth experience a new life,
soon will he be wholly dedicated to our Order.
His spirit is bold, his heart is pure,
soon will he be worthy of us.
(Tamino is brought in, and Sarastro commends him
on his steadfastness. Pamina too is led in and
unveiled, but then commanded to bid Tamino a last
farewell.)

No.19: Terzetto

PAMINA
Shall I, beloved, never see you again? –

SARASTRO
There will be a happy reunion! –

PAMINA
Deadly dangers await you!

TAMINO
The Gods will protect me!

PAMINA
Deadly dangers await you! –

TAMINO
The Gods will protect me!

SARASTRO
The Gods will protect him!

PAMINA
You will not escape death,
I have a premonition.

TAMINO
The will of the Gods be done,
their prompting shall be my law!

SARASTRO
The will of the Gods be done
their prompting shall be his law.

PAMINA
Oh, if you loved as I love you,
you would not be so calm.

TAMINO
Believe me, I share your desire,
and will be forever true.

SARASTRO
Believe me, he shares your desire,
and will be forever true.
The hour has come for you to part!

PAMINA and TAMINO
How bitter separation is!

SARASTRO
Tamino must go on his way!
The hour has come for you to part,
Tamino must go on his way!
He must go on his way!

TAMINO
Pamina, now I must be on my way!
How bitter separation is!
Pamina, now I must be on my way!
I must be on my way!

PAMINA
Tamino must really be on his way!
Tamino! Tamino! must you go?

TAMINO
Pamina! farewell!

PAMINA
Tamino! farewell!

SARASTRO
Hasten on, your vow summons you!
The time has come; we shall meet again!

PAMINA and TAMINO
Ah, sweet contentment, return!
Farewell!
(Two Priests lead Pamina away. Sarastro leads off
Tamino in the opposite direction, and the other
Priests follow them. Darkness. Papageno enters
and finds himself locked in the chamber by walls of
flame. He wishes nothing more than a cup of wine,
he tells his unseen guardians, but when that
appears and he drinks it, he is suddenly overcome
by new emotions in his heart. He opens the bells
and plays during the following.)

No.20: Aria

PAPAGENO
A sweet heart or a wife
is what Papageno wants!
Oh, a soft little dove
would be bliss!
Then food and drink would be pleasant,
and I could match wits with a prince,
enjoy life as much as a sage
and think myself in Heaven!
A sweetheart, etc.
Ah, can I not please even one
of all the charming girls in the world?
One must come to my aid,
or else I shall surely die of grief.
A sweetheart, etc.

If none will offer to love me,
the flames of desire will consume me;
but if I am kissed by a woman –
I shall be happy once more.
(The old woman dances in, supporting herself with
a walking stick. She tells Papageno that he must
accept her or die alone, and he agrees to be
faithful to her. The disguise falls and Papagena is
revealed in her true form, feathered exactly like
Papageno. But she is led away by the Speaker, for
he has not yet proved himself worthy of her.)
(Change of scene: a small garden among palm
trees, shortly before dawn.)
(The three boys watch over Pamina from a
distance.)

No.21: Finale

THE BOYS
The sun, the splendid herald of the morn,
will soon set off upon his golden course –
soon will doubts disappear,
soon the wise man will triumph! –
O sweet contentment, descend upon us,
return to human hearts;
then earth shall be a paradise
and mortals be like Gods.

FIRST BOY
But see, Pamina is troubled by some doubt! –

SECOND and THIRD BOYS
Where is she now?

FIRST BOY
She is bereft of reason! –

THE BOYS
The sorrow of rejected love torments her.
Let’s try to comfort the poor girl! –
Truly, her fate is close to our hearts! –
Oh, if only her young man were here! –
She’s coming; let’s hide
and see what she intends to do.
(Pamina, half out of her senses, comes in with a dagger.)

PAMINA
You will, then, be my bridegroom –
With you I shall end my grief! –

THE BOYS (aside)
What did those sinister words portend? –
The poor girl is close to madness! –

PAMINA
Patience, beloved, I am yours –
and soon we shall be wed!

THE BOYS
Madness rages in her brain –
suicide is writ in her face –
(to Pamina)
Dear maiden, look at us!

PAMINA
I mean to die – for the man,
whom I could never, never hate,
was able to leave his dear one! –
(showing them the dagger)
My mother gave me this –

THE BOYS
God will punish your suicide! –

PAMINA
Better to die by this dagger
then be ruined by love’s sorrow. –
Mother! because of you I suffer,
and your curse pursues me!

THE BOYS
Maiden, will you come with us?

PAMINA
Ha! The measure of my pain is full!
False youth, farewell!
See, Pamina dies because of you!
(attempting to stab herself)
Let this dagger kill me! –

THE BOYS (restraining her arm)
Ha! Unhappy girl, forbear!
Should your young man see this,
he would die of grief,
for he loves only you. –

PAMINA (recovering)
What? Did he return my love
yet hide his feelings from me –
and turn away his face?
Why did he not speak to me? –

THE BOYS
We may not tell you,
but we will show him to you,
and you will see with wonder
that his heart is wholly yours,
and that he would risk death for you!
Come, let’s go find him.

PAMINA
Lead on, for I must see him.

ALL
Two hearts aflame with love
can never be parted by human weakness. –
Their enemies strive in vain,
for the Gods themselves protect them.
(They all leave.)
(The scene is transformed into two large
mountains; one with a thundering waterfall, the
other belching out fire; each mountain has an open
grid, through which fire and water may be seen;
where the fire burns the horizon is coloured brightly
red, and where the water is there lies a black fog.
The wings represent rocks, each with a closed, iron
door. )
(Tamino is lightly clad, without sandals. Two men in
black amour lead Tamino in. Fire burns on their
helmets; they read him the transparent words
inscribed on one of the pyramids. This stands
centre-stage, raised high, close to the grid.)

ARMED MEN
(Their melody is that of the choral tune `Ach Gott,
vom Himmel sieh’ darein', set to Luther’s versification
of the 12th Psalm. Luther’s poem was the basis
for the text for Bach’s Cantata BWV2.)
He who travels these laborious paths will be
purified by fire, water, air and earth.
If he overcomes his fear of death, he will
raise himself from earth, soar heavenwards!
in the light of this higher level he can
dedicate himself wholly to Isis’s mysteries.

TAMINO
I fear not to face death like a man,
nor to tread the path of duty! –
Unlock the gates of fear –
I gladly dare the perilous road! –
(He is about to leave.)

PAMINA (from within)
Tamino, Stop! I must see you!

TAMINO
What was that? Pamina’s voice? –

ARMED MEN
Yes, yes, that is Pamina’s voice! –

TAMINO
What happiness, now she can go with me!
Now no fate can part us ever again
even though death should be our lot.

ARMED MEN
What happiness, now she can go with you!
Now no fate can ever part you again,
even though death should be your lot.

TAMINO
Have I permission to speak to her? –

ARMED MEN
You have permission to speak to her!

TAMINO
What joy to meet again and enter
the temple happily, hand in hand.
A woman who does not fear darkness
and death is worthy and will be made initiate.

ARMED MEN
What joy to meet again and enter
the temple happily, hand in hand.
A woman who does not fear darkness
and death is worthy and will be made initiate.
(The door is opened,
Tamino and Pamina embrace.)

PAMINA
My Tamino! Oh, what happiness!

TAMINO
My Pamina! Oh, what happiness!
Here are the gates of fear,
that threaten me with danger and with death.

PAMINA
Wherever you go,
I shall be at your side. –
I myself shall lead you –
Love is my guide –
(takes him by the hand)
She will strew the way with roses,
for roses are always found with thorns.
Play on your magic flute;
it will protect us on our way.
In a magic hour, my father
cut it from the deepest roots
of a thousand-year-old oak
amid thunder, lightning – storm and rain. –
Come, now, and play the flute!
It will guide us on the dread path.

PAMINA and TAMINO
We walk, by the power of music,
in joy through death’s dark night.

ARMED MEN
You walk, by the power of music,
in joy through death’s dark night.
(The doors are closed behind them; Tamino and
Pamina are seen making their way. Tamino plays on
his flute. As soon as they have emerged from the
fire they embrace one another and remain at the
centre of the stage.)

PAMINA and TAMINO
We passed through the glowing fire
and bravely faced the danger.
May your music protect us in the flood
as it did in the fire.

(Tamino plays; they are seen making their way
down and after a time coming up again;
immediately a door opens; the entrance to a
brightly lit temple is revealed.)

PAMINA and TAMINO
Ye Gods, what a joyful moment!
The joy of Isis is accorded to us! –

ATTENDANTS and PRIESTS (from within)
Victory, victory, victory, o noble pair,
You have overcome the danger!
Isis’s rites are now yours!
Come, come, enter the Temple.
(The scene changes back
to the previous garden.)

PAPAGENO
Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
(playing his pipes)
Little wife! my dove! my beauty! –
In vain! Ah, she is lost!
I was born to be unlucky! –
I chattered, and that was naughty,
so I got what I deserved! –
Ever since I tasted that wine –
ever since I saw that pretty girl,
my heart has been burning
and it pinches me here and there!
Papagena! Wife of my bosom!
Papagena, dearest dove!
It is in vain, all useless!
I am weary of life!

Death puts an end to love
when it burns your heart like this.
(takes a rope from around his waist)
I shall ornament this tree
by hanging myself from it
because my life has gone all wrong.
Goodnight, deceiving world! –
You treated me badly
and denied me a pretty mate,
so it is all over, so I shall die.
Pretty maiden, think of me! –
If someone takes pity on me,
poor wretch, before I hang myself –
I will let it go this time!
Speak up: yes, or no! –
No one hears me; all is silent!
So this, then, is your decision!
Papageno, get on with it
and end your weary life.
I’ll wait a little longer –
while I count: one, two, three!
(He pipes, looking around him.)
one! two! three!
Well, that’s it, then!
As no one holds me back,
good night, deceiving world!
(He is about to hang himself.)

THE BOYS (flying down)
Stop, Papageno, and be wise!
You only live once, let that suffice!

PAPAGENO
Well may you counsel, well may you laugh;
but if your hearts were burning like mine,
you too would be looking for girls.

THE BOYS
Then play your bells;
they will bring your mate along.

PAPAGENO
What a fool I am I forgot the magic instrument!
(takes out his instrument)
Resound, magic bells, resound,
I must see my darling girl!
(The boys run to their flying-gondola and bring out
the woman.)
Ring, little bells, ring,
send my sweetheart here to me!
Ring, little bells, ring,
bring my mate here!
Ring, little bells, ring,
bring my little wife here!
Bring her here!
my sweetheart, my little wife!

THE BOYS
Hey! Papageno, look over here!
(They fly up. Papageno looks around.)

PAPAGENO
Pa-pa-ge-na!

PAPAGENA
Pa-pa-ge-no!

PAPAGENO
Do you pledge yourself to me? –

PAPAGENA
Yes, I pledge myself to you!

PAPAGENO
So, now you’re my little dear wife!

PAPAGENA
So, now you’re my heart’s little dove!

BOTH
How happy we will be
if the Gods are gracious
and bless our love with children,
with darling little children!

PAPAGENO
First a little Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Then a little Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Then another Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Then another Papagena!

PAPAGENO
Papageno!

PAPAGENA
Papagena!

BOTH
The greatest joy of all
will be when many Papagenas/Papagenos
bless their parents!
(They leave. The Moor, and the Queen with her
three Ladies enter from the two trap doors. They
carry black torches in their hands.)

MONOSTATOS
Now softly! softly! softly!
soon we will be within the Temple!

QUEEN and LADIES
Now softly! softly! softly!
soon we will be within the Temple!

MONOSTATOS
But Lady, keep your promise!
that your child shall be my wife! –

QUEEN
I shall keep my word, it is my will,
my child shall be your wife!

LADIES
Her child shall be your wife!
(Muffled thunder and the sound of rushing water are heard.)

MONOSTATOS
But hush, I hear a fearful rushing noise,
like rolling thunder and cascading water. –

QUEEN and LADIES
Yes, that rushing noise is terrifying,
like the distant echo of thunder! –

MONOSTATOS
They are in the hall of the Temple.

ALL
We will attack them there,
stamp out the bigots from the earth
with fierce fire and mighty sword!

MONOSTATOS and LADIES (kneeling)
To see, great Queen of the Night,
our revenge shall be brought as an offering!
(thunder, lightning, storm)

ALL
Our power is shattered,
we are all cast down into eternal night!
(They sink into the ground.)
(The entire stage is immediately transformed into a
sun. Sarastro stands elevated; Tamino and Pamina
are both in priestly raiment. The Egyptian priests
stand either side of them. The three boys are
holding flowers.)

SARASTRO
The rays of the sun
chase night away;
the hypocrite’s surreptitious power
is utterly destroyed!

CHORUS
Hail to the initiates!
You have penetrated the darkness!
Thanks be to thee-, Osiris!
Thanks to thee, Isis!
Fortitude is victorious,
and, in reward,
crowns Beauty and Wisdom
with its eternal diadem!

English translation © Capitol Records Inc.

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two