‘A Dragon is Coming!’ Act II, Scene vi
This narrative poem, presented by Musician, is accompanied by a two person pantomime. Creature of Few Words presents Dragon and Sword, switching as needed, while Appolonius presents the Knight and Dead Dragon. The pantomime and poem both conceal the Sword’s identity as a third person until the last two verses, whereupon the true tragedy of the tale is revealed, thus shedding light on the past of one of the play’s most sinister characters.
In this recording of ‘When Darkness Falls’ Christine presents a dramatic rendition of the story, as Musician might. Enjoy!
* * * * *
When Darkness Falls
(MUSICIAN: Plays upon Stringless Lute and begins Dramatic recitation.)
– – – – –
Scarce had the Sun ris’n o’er the lofty cliff,
Spilling its light across the tum’ltous Sea,
When gallant Knight, enchargéd by tariff,
Did mount the crag where vild’st Dragon Be;
– – – – –
The dew did dream like diamonds in the grass
As with ‘ware step Knight quietly approached,
To spy the Beast, sprawled out like bonny lass
Within the throes of Morpheus enpoached;
– – – – –
Enheartened thus at so easy a kill,
Good Knight, with smile, surveyed impotent prey
And raised up Sword, intending quick to spill
A Heart’s warm blood, and blessen thus the day;
– – – – –
Sharp bit the wind as Lethal Blade did rise,
Then Darkened cloud as Silent Steel bore down,
Yet at the last a gleaming Light did prise
And sweep aside, turning Knight’s smile to frown;
– – – – –
The Dragon’s Sword was Bright as shatter’d glass
And fast as Hermes’ wings to stop each blow,
With massive Will, the Knight was forced to pass
Unto the brink, high o’er Sea’s foaming Woe;
– – – – –
They teetered thus, a mile o’er Neptune’s Cove
As storming gales rose violently around,
Then Lo! Fate’s blinding flash Fell Sharp and Dove,
Jove’s Lightning smiting ‘part asunder’d ground;
– – – – –
With horrid cry, the Dragon leapt in Fear,
Grasping at air where once its Sword was Seen,
With grievous wail, it spun upon a Tear
And found the Knight, Blade Sharp and waiting Keen;
– – – – –
(CREATURE OF FEW WORDS: After dying as Dragon, becomes Sword.)
(APPOLONIUS: Becomes Dead Dragon as Sword revives.)
– – – – –
Long hours pass’d by; Slowly the Clouds did part,
As painful moved a Sword upon the rocks,
To climb a cliff and find its Charge’s Heart
Run thru with iron ‘midst once unbloodied locks;
– – – – –
Long lay the Sword upon belovéd breast,
Wishing for Death that failed to venture near,
Until a Crow alighted ‘pon its chest,
And lifted Wings, the Shadows to Revere;
– – – – –
(Sound and Lighting: Dim Echo of fluttering shadows and murder cawing softly
permeates theater as the CROW alights and lifts wings.)
– – – – –
Ne’er can a Sword exist without its Charge;
When Love is Dead, naught stays Despair’s Sharp claws.
