Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti

Cast Amahl (boy soprano) Amahl’s Mother (soprano or mezzo-soprano) King Kaspar (tenor) King Melchior (baritone) King Balthazar (bass) The Page (bass) The Shepherds

ONLY ACT MOTHER (storming out of the house) Amahl sits outside a poor shack of a house, How long must I shout gazing earnestly at the sky. to make you obey?

MOTHER AMAHL (calling from inside the house) I’m sorry, Mother. Amahl! Amahl! MOTHER AMAHL Hurry in! It’s time to go to bed. (replying absently) Oh! AMAHL (pleading with his mother) MOTHER But Mother – (again, coming from somewhere inside) let me stay a little longer. Time to go to bed. MOTHER AMAHL The wind is cold. (answering) Coming... AMAHL (continuing to gaze at the stars above him) But my cloak is warm; let me stay a little longer! MOTHER (her voice a bit terser) MOTHER Amahl! The night is dark.

AMAHL AMAHL (again, the boy replies) But the sky is light, Coming... let me stay a little longer! (but otherwise he seems not to have heard) MOTHER The time is late. 2

AMAHL Come outside and let me show you. But the moon hasn’t risen yet, See for yourself... see for yourself. let me stay a little... MOTHER MOTHER (reprimanding Amahl) (cutting him off curtly) Stop bothering me! There won’t be any moon tonight. Why should I believe you? But there will be a weeping child very soon, You come with a new one every day! if he doesn’t hurry up and obey his mother. First it was a leopard with a woman’s head. Then it was a tree branch that shrieked and bled. AMAHL Then it was a fish as big as a boat, (sighing) with whiskers like a cat, and wings like a bat, ...oh very well... and horns like a goat and now it is a star as big The two go inside. as a window (or was it a carriage)? And if that weren’t enough, MOTHER the star has a tail and the tail is of fire... What was keeping you outside? AMAHL AMAHL But there is a star... and it has a tail... this long. (replying excitedly) Well, maybe only this long... Oh mother! You should go out and see! But it’s there! There’s never been such a sky. Damp clouds have shined it, MOTHER and soft winds have swept it, Amahl! as if to make it ready for a king’s ball. All its lanterns are lit, AMAHL all its torches are burning, (insisting) and its dark floor is shining like crystal. Cross my heart and hope to die... Hanging over our roof, there is a star as large as a window; MOTHER and the star has a tail, and it moves (throwing up her hands in exasperation) across the sky like a chariot on fire. Hunger has gone to your head. Dear God, what is a poor widow to do, MOTHER when her cupboards Oh Amahl! and pockets are empty When will you stop telling lies? and everything sold? All day long you wander about in a dream. Unless we go begging Here we are with nothing to eat – how shall we live through tomorrow? not a stick of wood on the fire, My little son, a beggar! not a drop of oil in the jug, and all you do is to worry your mother AMAHL with fairy tales. (trying to comfort his mother) Oh, Amahl... have you forgotten your promise Don’t cry mother dear; never, never to lie to your mother again? don’t worry for me. If we must go begging, AMAHL a good beggar I’ll be. Mother darling, I’m not lying. I know sweet tunes to set people dancing. Please do believe me... please do believe me. We’ll walk and walk from village to town – 3 you dressed as a gypsy, MOTHER and I as a clown. Amahl! We’ll walk and walk from village to town. At noon, we shall eat roast goose AMAHL and sweet almonds. Yes, mother? At night we shall sleep with the sheep and the stars. MOTHER I’ll play my pipes, you’ll sing and you’ll shout. Go and see who’s knocking at the door. The windows will open and people lean out. The king will ride by Amahl goes over to the door. and hear your loud voice and throw us some gold to stop all the noise. AMAHL At noon we shall eat roast goose and sweet (returning excitedly) almonds; Mother... Mother... come with me! at night we shall sleep with the sheep I want to be sure that you see what I see. and the stars. MOTHER MOTHER (having no patience with Amahl) Kiss me good night. What is the matter with you now? What is all this fuss about? MOTHER, AMAHL Who is it then? (to each other) Good night. AMAHL (unsure how to report the events) They both go to bed. Mother.. outside the door... there is... there is a king with a crown! Three kings stroll through the shadows of the night on their journey to see the Christ child. MOTHER (exasperated) THREE KINGS What shall I do with this boy? From far away we come and farther we must go. What shall I do... what shall I do? How far... how far... If you don’t learn to tell the truth, my crystal star? I’ll have to spank you! The shepherd dreams inside the fold. Go back and see who it is Cold are the sands by the silent sea. and ask them what they want... Frozen the incense in our frozen hands, heavy the gold. After checking the door again, Amahl returns, How far... how far... more insistent than ever. my crystal star? By silence-sunken lakes, AMAHL the antelope leaps. Mother! Mother! Mother, come with me! In paper-painted oasis, I want to be sure that you see what I see. the drunken gypsy weeps. The hungry lion wanders, MOTHER the cobra sleeps. What is the matter with you now? How far... how far... What is all this fuss about? my crystal star?

The kings knock at the door. 4

AMAHL MOTHER (hanging his head quietly) (feeling more frustrated with Amahl) Mother, I didn’t tell the truth before. Oh, what shall I do with this boy. If you were stronger I’d like to whip you. MOTHER That’s a good boy. AMAHL I knew it. AMAHL There is not a king outside. MOTHER (pulling herself out of bed) MOTHER I’m going to the door myself. I should say not. And then, young man, you’ll have to reckon with me! AMAHL There are two kings. THE KINGS AND THEIR PAGE (greeting the Mother courteously) MOTHER Good evening. Good evening... (losing her patience altogether) What shall I do with this boy? The mother gasps quietly. What shall I do? What shall I do? (admonishing Amahl)) AMAHL Hurry back and see who it is, (behind her) and don’t you dare make up tales... What did I tell you?

AMAHL MOTHER (returning to his mother from the door)) (pushing her son back) Mother! Mother! Mother come with me. Shhhh...! If I tell you the truth, (addressing the kings awkwardly) I know you won’t believe me... Noble sires...

MOTHER THE KINGS Try it for a change. May we rest awhile in your house and warm ourselves by your fireplace? AMAHL But you won’t believe me. MOTHER I am a poor widow. MOTHER A cold fireplace and I’ll believe you, if you tell me the truth... a bed straw are all I have to offer you. To these, you are welcome. AMAHL Sure enough, there are not two kings outside. KASPAR What did she say? MOTHER That is surprising. BALTHAZAR That we are welcome. AMAHL The kings are three, and one of them is black. KASPAR Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! 5

MOTHER BALTHAZAR Come in... come in... Yes.

The three kings and page enter the small house. AMAHL Can I see it? MELCHIOR It is nice here. BALTHAZAR (sighing) MOTHER It is just like yours. I shall go and gather wood for the fire. I’ve nothing in the house. AMAHL What’s the use of having it then? KINGS We can only stay a little while. BALTHAZAR We must not lose sight of our star. (looking quizzically at Amahl) No use. MOTHER ...your star? AMAHL Where is your house? AMAHL (feeling obliged to remind her) BALTHAZAR What did I tell you? I live in a black marble palace (hushing Amahl) full of black panthers and white doves. And you little boy, what do you do? KINGS We still have a long way to go. AMAHL I had a flock of sheep. MOTHER But my mother sold them... sold them! (announcing that she will be going out to gather Now there are no sheep left. some firewood) I had a black goat I shall be right back. who gave me warm sweet milk. And Amahl... don’t be a nuisance. But she died of old age... old age. Now there is no goat left. AMAHL But Mother says that now we shall both go No, mother... begging from door to door. Won’t it be fun? The Mother exits the small creaking doorway into the night air. Amahl, meanwhile, realizes BALTHAZAR that he must entertain their guests) (eyeing the boy closely) It has its points. AMAHL Are you a real king? AMAHL (turning his attention to Kaspar) BALTHAZAR Are you a real king, too? Yes. Kaspar, being hard of hearing, has to ask Amahl AMAHL to repeat himself, and Amahl obliges in a loud Have you regal blood? voice. Finally hearing the boy. 6

KASPAR This is my box. This is my box (saying jovially) I never travel without my box Oh truly, truly... truly... In the second drawer, I keep all my beads. Yes, I am a real king... Oh! How I love to play with beads... (turning to Balthazar for assurance.) all kinds of beads! Am I not? This is my box... this is my box... BALTHAZAR I never travel without my box. Yes, Kaspar. In the third drawer... in the third drawer... (looking at Amahl with a gleam in his eye) AMAHL Oh, little boy… oh little boy... (spotting a small animal in a cage) (looking around at the other kings a bit What is that? sheepishly.) In the third drawer… I keep... KASPAR Licorice! Licorice! (asking Amahl to speak up) Black sweet licorice... black sweet licorice! Eh? Have some.

AMAHL Amahl’s mother opens the door. Seeing how Does it talk? Amahl has become the center of attention, she admonishes him. KASPAR (pointing to his ear) MOTHER How do I know? Amahl, I told you not to be a nuisance!

AMAHL AMAHL Does it bite? But it isn’t my fault; they kept asking me questions. KASPAR (holding up his bandaged finger.) MOTHER Yes. I want you to go and call the other shepherds. Tell them about our visitors, Amahl points to a decorated wooden box which and ask them to bring whatever they have Kaspar is carrying. in the house, as we have nothing to offer them. Hurry on! AMAHL And what is this? AMAHL (heading for the door) KASPAR Yes, mother. This is my box, this is my box... I never travel without my box. MOTHER In the first drawer I keep my magic stones. (remarking on the pile of gifts) One carnelian against all evil and envy. Oh, these beautiful things, and all that gold! One moonstone to make you sleep. One red coral to heal your wounds. MELCHIOR One lapis lazuli against quart and fever. These are the gifts to the child. One small jasper to help you find water. One small topaz to soothe your eyes. MOTHER One red ruby to protect you from lightning. The child... which child? 7

MELCHIOR and the stars at his feet. We don’t know. Before him, the eagle is gentle the lion is meek. But the star will guide us to him. THE THREE KINGS MOTHER Choirs of angels hover over his roof But, perhaps I know him... and sing him to sleep. what does he look like? He’s warmed by breath. He’s fed by mother MELCHIOR who is both virgin and queen. Have you seen a child the color of wheat... Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side, the color of dawn? and the eastern star is our guide. His eyes are mild; his hands are those of a king — as king he was born. MOTHER Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side; (thinking of Amahl) and the eastern star is our guide. The child I know on his palm holds my heart. MOTHER The child I know at his feet has my life. Yes, I know a child the color of wheat.... He is my child, my son, my darling, my own... the color of dawn. And his name is Amahl. His eyes are mild; his hands are those of a king AMAHL as king he was born. (peering out the door) But no one will bring him incense or gold... The shepherds are coming... though sick and poor and hungry and cold. He is my child my son, my darling my own. MELCHIOR Wake up, Kaspar. MELCHIOR Have you seen a child the color of earth... THE SHEPHERDS the color of thorn? (greeting each other as they get closer) His eyes are sad; his hands are those of the poor Emily... Emily, Michael, Bartholomew — as poor he was born. how are your children and how are your sheep? Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side, Dorothy... Dorothy, Peter, Evangeline — and the eastern star is our guide. give me your hand come along with me.

MOTHER All the children have mumps. Yes, I know a child the color of earth... All the flocks are asleep. the color of thorn. We are going with Amahl... His eyes are sad; bringing gifts to the kings. his hands are those of the poor, as poor he was born. Benjamin... Benjamin, Lucas, Elizabeth — But no one will bring him incense or gold... how are your children and how are your sheep? though sick and poor and hungry and cold. Carolyn, Carolyn, Mathew, Veronica, He is my child, my son, my darling... my own. give me your hand, come along with me.

MELCHIOR Brrrr... how cold is the night! The child we seek holds the seas Brrrr... how icy the wind! and the winds on his palm. Hold me very, very, very tight. The child we seek has the moon Oh, how warm is your cloak! 8

Katherine, Katherine, Christopher, Babila — men pull the two children back. After much How are your children and how are your sheep? nudging, the children return into the middle of Josephine, Josephine, Angela, Jeremy — the one-room cottage, somewhat red-faced and Come along with me! embarrassed.

The shepherds arrive at the door of the cottage THE SHEPHERDS and peer inside. (scolding the children using the same words with which the householder mother scolded Oh, look! Oh, look! them earlier) Don’t be bashful, silly girl MOTHER Don’t be bashful, silly boy! Come in, come in... What are you afraid of? They won’t eat you. Don’t be bashful silly girl. Don’t be bashful silly boy. After an interlude of dancing, Balthazar thanks They won’t eat you. the shepherds. Show what you brought them. BALTHAZAR THE SHEPHERDS Thank you, good friends, (stumbling over each other, as they try to force for your dances and your gifts. their way in the door) But now we must bid you good night. Go on...! No, you go on! We have little time for sleep, and a long journey ahead. The shepherds present what they’ve brought the kings. THE SHEPHERDS (moving towards the door) Olives and quinces, apples and raisins, Good night, my good Kings, nutmeg and myrtle, medlars and chestnuts. good night and farewell. This is all we shepherds can offer you. The pale stars foretell that dawn is in sight. Citrons and lemon, musk and pomegranates, Good night, my good kings. goat cheese and walnuts, figs and cucumbers. Good night and farewell. This is all we shepherds can offer you. The night wind foretells the day will be bright. Hazelnuts and chamomile, mignonettes and laurel, honeycombs As the shepherds leave, Amahl goes over to and cinnamon, thyme, mint and garlic. Kaspar. This is all we shepherds can offer you. AMAHL The kings express earnest appreciation. Excuse me, sir... amongst your magic stones, is there... THE SHEPHERDS is there one that could cure (eagerly pressing the gifts into the kings’ arms) a crippled boy? Take them, take them... you are welcome. Take them... eat them... you are welcome, too. KASPAR Eh? All of a sudden, a squirrely little girl makes a break for the door... and a little boy gets up, also AMAHL thinking through how he will negotiate his way (looking down dejectedly) through the mass of bodies. Some of the young 9

Never mind... good night. THE PAGE (shuffling off to his his bed) (seeing a shadow moving near the pile of gifts, he awakens) THE SHEPHERDS Thief! Thief! (outside, they can still be heard as they disperse to their own houses and fields.) (One of the kings stirs.) Good night, good night... the dawn is in sight... good night, farewell... KING good night... good night... What is it?

Amahl listens intently as the shepherds bid each THE PAGE other good night throughout the small village. (shouting) The mother tucks Amahl into bed and then turns I’ve seen her steal some of the gold. to look at the kings.) She’s a thief! Don’t let her go! She’s stolen the gold. MOTHER (thinking to herself) THE THREE KINGS All that gold! All that gold! (joining the ruckus with loud voices) I wonder if rich people know Shame, shame! what to do with their gold? Do they know how a child could be fed? PAGE Do rich people know? Give it back, or I’ll tear it out of you! Do they know that a house Give it back, or I’ll tear it out of you. can be kept warm all day with burning logs? Give it back...give it back. Do rich people know? Do they know how to roast sweet corn Amahl has, by this time, been awakened by the on the fire? ruckus and is peering over towards the argument Do they know do they know how to fill in the center of the room. Then, seeing his mother a courtyard with doves? involved in a struggle, he leaps out of bed and Do they know... do they know? tries to intervene. This is a side of Amahl the Do they know how to milk a clover fed goat? kings haven’t seen yet.) Do they know? Do they know how to spice hot wine AMAHL on cold winter nights? Don’t you dare, ugly man Do they know... do they know? hurt my mother! All that gold... all that gold! I’ll smash in your face; I’ll knock out your teeth. Oh what I could do I you dare! Don’t you dare! for my child with that gold! Don’t you dare... ugly man... Why should it all go to a child hurt my mother! they don’t even know? Oh, Mr. king, They are asleep. don’t let him hurt my mother. Do I dare? If I take some, My mother is good. they’ll never miss it... She cannot do anything wrong. (moving towards the boxes of gold…) I’m the one who lies; I’m the one who steals. ...for my child for my child... Don’t you dare... for my child... for my child... I’ll break all your bones; I’ll bash in your head. Don’t you dare... ugly man... hurt my mother. 10

MELCHIOR Please, my darling, be careful now. (seeing what has erupted) You must take care not to hurt yourself. Oh, good woman, you may keep the gold. The child we seek doesn’t need our gold. Something has crystallized in the kings’ minds as On love, on love alone they have watched this whole event play out. he will build his kingdom. They realize that they must admonish the mother His pierced hand will hold no scepter. to treat her child differently. His haloed head will wear no crown. His might will not be built on your toil. THE KINGS Swifter than lightning, Oh good woman, he will soon walk among us. you must not be afraid, He will bring us new life, for he is loved by the son of God. and receive our death, (playing along with the boy’s ruse) and the keys to his city belong to the poor. Oh, blessed child, may I touch you? Let us leave, my friends. AMAHL MOTHER (Seeming confused, he looks at the Page with a Oh, no! Wait! Take back your gold! sharp gaze.) For such a king I’ve waited all my life... Well, I don’t know and if I weren’t so poor if I’m going to let you touch me... I would send a gift of my own to such a child. MOTHER AMAHL (admonishing Amahl sharply) (pipes up) Amahl! But, Mother, let me send him my crutch. Who knows, he may need one, AMAHL and this, I made myself. (thinking better of his reticence) Oh, all right... but just once. MOTHER (drawing in a breath sharply) AMAHL But that you can’t, you can’t! (showing off his new ability) Look, Mother, I can fight, Suddenly, Amahl begins to walk without his I can work, I can play. crutch. Oh, mother, let me go with the kings. I want to take the crutch to the child, myself. AMAHL I walk, Mother. I walk, Mother. THE THREE KINGS (eagerly entreating the mother) KINGS Yes, good woman, let him come with us. He walks! It is a sign from the holy child. We’ll take good care of him. We must give praise to the newborn king. We’ll bring him back on a camel’s back. We must praise him. This is a sign from God. MOTHER Truly, he can dance, he can jump, (turning to Amahl) he can run! Ah! Do you really want to go?

MOTHER AMAHL (admonishing Amahl) Yes, Mother. 11

MOTHER TOGETHER Are you sure, sure, sure? So, my darling goodbye! I shall miss you very much. AMAHL I’m sure. MOTHER Wash your ears. MOTHER (pausing for a moment) AMAHL Yes, I think you should go... Yes, I promise. and bring thanks to the child yourself. MOTHER AMAHL Don’t tell lies. (parroting her query) Are you sure, sure, sure? AMAHL No, I promise. MOTHER Go on... get ready. TOGETHER I shall miss you very much. KASPAR (not really hearing what is going on) AMAHL What did she say? Feed my bird.

BALTHAZAR MOTHER (bending over and speaking loudly in Kaspar’s Yes, I promise. ear) She said he can come. AMAHL Watch the cat. KASPAR (unable to contain his enthusiasm) MOTHER Oh, lovely, lovely, lo... Yes, I promise.

BALTHAZAR TOGETHER (cutting him off curtly) I shall miss you very much. Kaspar! Amahl finishes his preparations. MOTHER (preparing Amahl for his journey.) MELCHIOR What to do with your crutch? (checking with Amahl) Are you ready? AMAHL You can tie it to my back. AMAHL Yes, I’m ready. MOTHER Don’t forget to wear your hat! MELCHIOR Let’s go, then. AMAHL I shall always wear my hat. 12

Amahl and the kings set out across the darkened prairies. And as they trek, they hear the sounds of the shepherds singing the songs of the morning in their fields and homes.

THE SHEPHERDS Shepherds, arise! Come, oh shepherds, come outside! All the stars have left the sky. Sweet dawn — oh dawn of peace.

Curtain