MOTHER’S RING

ACT II Yannakis’ Dream

The scene presents the interior of a rich mythical palace in arabo-byzantine style. A high domed ceiling supported by sculptured columns. Multi –coloured curtains all around. Backstage a door and a series of windows of arabesque design. Lamps similarly adorned hanging from above. In the centre, stands the gold-ivory throne of Dame Destiny flanked by the looms of fate. (semi-darkness) As the scene opens, a bent old woman leaning heavily on her cane leads Yannakis into the palace. She resembles Yannakis’ mother but is older than her.

OLD WOMAN

E, palikari ftasame. Edo ‘ne ta ksotika palatia pu sindichenun Neraides ke Ksothies s’ ores apokrifes, s’ ores mistikes. Ma esi pios ise, palikari, pu diavikes etsi apokota sti magemeni afti chora stu oniru t’ achno vasilio stis Miras ta palatia? The na ‘se andriomenos!

Hey, young hero, we’ve arrived. Here are the exotic palaces where Nereids and Nymphs gather in their apocryphal moments their mystic hours. But you, who are you, young hero who wanders so audaciously into this enchanted land, this kingdom of misty dreams, the palaces of Destiny? You’must be brave!

YANNAKIS

Ego me o tragudistis go pu paratisa ti gis na rtho st’ anaera vasilia, ti Neraida na vro, pu ksafnu irthe spiti yia n’ arpaksi tis Manas mu to eftapetro dachtilidi pu m’ efta diamandia olofota san tin pulia andifegizi.

I am the troubadour who abandoned the earth in order to come to this airy kingdom, to seek out the Mountain Nereid who mysteriously poured into my room and seized my mother’s ring of the seven gems, whose diamonds burn like the Pleiades.

OLD WOMAN

Go pu os tora se parastathika pista tha s’ arminepso pos na to vris tachia. Tora se ligo tha ‘rthi edo pera i Mira opu orizi s’ afta ‘do ta palatia. Ton argalio tis zois i dules tis tha stisun ki ekini to chrisomilo sta cheria tis tha peksi. Mi diliasis. Me via na drasis ki eftis to milo gorga n’ arpaksis ti etsi mono tha su pi ti dromo tha traviksis.

I, who have so long stood loyally by you, will advise you how to retrieve it fast. In a short while, Dame Destiny who rules all these palaces shall arrive here. Her maids will work the loom of life while she plays with the golden apple. Do not cower! Act with speed, and grab the apple! Only then will she reveal to you what path to follow.

YANNAKIS

Kira – Mana s’ olo to ine mu Si ksanadinis zoi.

Good old mother, deep in my being you give me life again.

OLD WOMAN

E, filaka tu oniru su sklave ton kaimon su ora kali ke kala na ‘chis teli.

Hey, guardian of your dreams, slave of your yearnings, good fortune to you and may all end well.

The old woman turns to go. Yannakis bows and kisses her hand. She blesses him.

OLD WOMAN looks around fearfully

Na, tora ftanune. Edo se ligo the na ‘rthun Ksothies kalokirades. Tora na fevgo ine keros edo na mi me vrune.

Here they come. Soon they’ll all arrive exotic creatures and fair maids. It’s time for me to leave. They must not find me here.

CHORUS

of maids in waiting and attendants of the Dame.

Perna saita mu gorgi me to psilo metaksi taku – taku ‘feni o argalios mu taku i mira olu tu kosmu.

Pass through swift shuttle with your silk so fine. Taku – taku weaves my loom Taku, all man’s fate is thine.

DAME

T’ achno mirografto pani ston kosmo na fandaksi. Taku ‘fene o argalios mu taku ti mira olu tu kosmu.

Destiny I write into the web of cloth Cosmos’ first cause and light. Taku – taku weave my loom. Taku, the world will feel my might.

MAID

Áfendissa prototimi ke prototimimeni archis o Theos se timise ki istera o kosmos olos.

Most honoured Mistress, first God honoured you and then the entire world.

DAME – MAID

Taku – taku tora’ fenun ti vuli su ke ti denun.

Taku – taku thus my/your will can make the moving orbs stand still.

MAID

Áfendra p’ ondas thelises Yia na lustis, n’ allaksis, i papia su ‘fere nero ki i fasa to sapuni. Taku. Pekse to chrisomilo sta krinodachtila su.

Mistress, when you wish to wash your hair or change, the duck will bring you water, the pheasant will bear the soap. Taku. The golden apple your lily fingers grope.

CHORUS

Peta saita mu gorgi. Chtipa chriso mu chteni. Sta cheria mas lipi, chara san oniro diaveni.

Pass through swift shuttle. Tap my golden comb. Smiles and tears in filaments are writ in dream’s great tome.

DAME – CHORUS

Taku ifeni o argalios mu. Taku ti mira olu tu kosmu.

Taku, taku the looms we weave make men’s hearts rejoice or grieve!

Yannakis springs out of his hiding place and grabs the golden apple.

CHORUS

startled they scream and disappear

Á! Á!

Ah! Ah!

DAME

descending from her throne

Pios ine aftos pu m’ arpakse to chriso to milo?

Who is this who has seized the golden apple?

YANNAKIS

Im’ o Yannakis, tis chiras o gios pu tragudondas perno ton kero mu ke ton kaimo mu ksechno s’ ena ichoskopi gliko.

I’m Yannakis, the widow’s son. I pass the time singing and forget my woes with dulcet tunes.

DAME

Dos’ mu to piso ke me fluria tha se gemiso.

Give it back to me, and I’ll gold florins give to you.

YANNAKIS

Fotia na kapsi ta fluria ke ta chrisa su.

Burn your gold and your florins!

DAME

Dos’ mu to piso an thes ti Mira su n’ allakso.

Give it back to me, and I’ll change your Destiny!

YANNAKIS

To riziko mu den to tremo ki ut’ irtha Yia n’ allakso tin aponia su. Pali tha su to doso pali t’ olochriso to milo ftani si na mu diksis to dromo pu me vgazi sta Neraidenia alonia pu tu vunu i Neraida chorevi san achnos.

I don’t tremble before my fate, nor do I wish to change your unfeeling indifference! I will return the apple only if you show me the path which leads to the plateau of the Mountain Nereid who dances about with her Nymphs in languid vaporous ecstasy.

DAME

Toso monacha epithimas? Me mian eftis pos vgazo diata th’ anikso ebros su ti strata ‘ki pu chorevune planeftres i Ksothies ti Neraida tha su dikso eftis, pu sta Neraidenia alonia to choro krati. Labrofegi mes’ tis alles san t’ asteri tis avgis. Sto magnadi tis diasmena tremun t’ astra ekstatika. Án to paris, dikia su ki ipotachtikia.

This is all you ask? With a sole command I can open before you the path to the fields where the seductive Nymphs and the deceitful Nereid romp and play. She shines among the others like the morning star. On her veil the stars twinkle in clustered bands. If you take the veil from her, she’s yours to command.

YANNAKIS

Kira diko su pali to chrisomilo.

Dame, yours again is the golden apple.

DAME

Holding the golden apple which now glows, she stretches out her hands and begins her magic incantation.

Ebros, ksipnate kosmi paramithenii. Ebros ksipnate.

Hear! Awake, mythical worlds. Hear me, awake!

She makes various movements of sorcery.

Ma t’ astriku tu drakonda krazo sas tin ormi ke ma t’ agrio labadiasma ton eft’ astron prostazo. Ne! Lampse kosme tu oniru. Palatia peste. Kapni skorpiste, alli plasi na fani. Ástron plimmira lampse trigira. Dikse, o, alithia me maYia plithia lampse me mias lampse, kosme tis omorfias.

I call on the fury of the stellar dragon! I command the conflagration of the seven stars. Yes! Light up O world of dreams! Your palaces fall. Clouds disperse. Let another reality appear. Myriad stars flash all around a new creation glisten, astound flood with magic and splendour ideal, make the world of forms seem real! Break forth O world of beauty!

Low light

Obedient to the magic commands of the Dame, the palace with its columns and gold throne, looms and all the awesome richness disappears into thin air. A mysterious cloud hides the clarity which one can distinguish farther back. The cloud lifts and we can perceive a verdant plateau where the Naiads of the sea and Dryads of the land are executing their exotic dances. High up, the hostile snow – capped peak of the mountain gleams with white light. Yannakis hidden behind thick branches bides his time. The Nereids enter with rhythmic paces.

CHORUS OF NEREIDS

Elate nifes tis sterias ke nifes tu pelagu sta nera t’ aspropotamu ta nera drosolusmenes nifes. Elate nifes. Elate, ebate sto choro pera o Christos genniete. Áfiste pia tis ochtrites ke to Savvato edo ‘ne. Tora stis akropotamias tin anthismeni altana doste adelfes ta cheria sas ke to choro archinate, Yiati se ligo t’ akrachta mesanichta simenun me ti lalia tu petinu me ti strigia foni tu.

Come brides, Naiads and Water Nymphs Mermaids of the sea, Fairies of the shore to the white river banks bathed in coolness. Come Nymphs, join the dance. Elsewhere Christ is come again. Forget your discord and the Sabbath. Come join hands on the flowered banks. Begin the dance, before midnight and its mystery are interrupted by the cock’s crow.

They all dance. The Satyrs enter dancing ponderously teasing and taunting the Nymphs.

CHORUS OF SATYRS

Bate aderfia sto choro, to tragudi archino irthe i ora yia chara os n’ agiasun ta nera, ta nera, ta nera, os n’ ayiasun ta nera.

Join the dance brothers. We’ll begin the song. The time for pleasure has come till the waters are blessed again, are blessed again, till the waters are blessed again.

Radiant, the mountain Nereid, resembling Erofili, appears on one of the peaks. All stare at her with awe and subservience.

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Echo tetrapsilo vasilio tis agichtes vunokorfes ke mes’ ton pagon ta diamandia stino kristallina palatia, lefkotera ki ap’ tin avgi. Iskios puliu den ta patai mati thnitu den tha ta di mite kanis stin aspili korfi th’ anevi A! Aa! Ánthrope oso ki an zitas oso ki an zitas, oso ki an ponas tin korfi den patas. A! ine diko mu to dachtilidi. Aa! me ta diamandia ololabro. Aa! ke mes’ ton pagon ta diamandia fegi m’ asosti fegovolia. Aa!

I have a kingdom four times high. The peaks of all these mountains rule I! And in the diamond icebergs even whiter than the dawn I build palaces crystalline. Shadow of bird there cannot be, nor mortal eye can ever see, for none up here can climb! Ah! Aah! The mountain peak is chaste and pure. Mortal, do not ask for more. Beg and cry, suffer and die, the dizzy height you can’t endure. Ah! The ring belongs to me. The ring is where it ought to be! Crystals, icicles, gams so bright bathe me in eternal light.

The Naiads follow the Mountain Nereid’s song with plastic movements. Yannakis sneaks out of his hiding place, whirls behind the Mountain Nereid and pulls the veil from her hair. She tries to frighten him by changing forms. She turns into various beasts, lizards, even into fire, but Yannakis boldly and fearlessly holds fast the veil. The cock crows.

CHORUS OF NEREIDS

O petinos elalise. Pai i aderfi mas.

The cock crows. Our sister is lost.

All fairies, Nymphs, Naiads and Nereids withdraw frightened and depressed.

YANNAKIS

to the Mountain Nereid as soon as they are alone with an attitude somewhat contemptuous and proud.

Si ise i Neraida tu Vunu?

You are the Mountain Nereid?

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Ne ego, ti thelis?

Yes, I. What do you want from me?

YANNAKIS

Prota to dachtilidi na mu dosis pu m’ adikia mu ‘chis arpaksi.

First give me the ring which you wrested from me unjustly.

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Nichta katarameni mu ‘stises ta vrochia ke tin katara su akuo sta fillokardia mu. Omos, mes’ sta dio mu matia panda th’ achnolabi o avgerinos ki o aposperitis. Na tin pulia!..

Accursed night, you’ve set your snare your curse echoes in the depths of my heart but in my eyes always resplendent shine the morning and evening stars. The ring is yours.

She gives him the ring

S’ afino yia psili korfi ke timimeni san tin avgi provalli o ilios ke de m’ evri, dos’ tu ta mavra nefala yia na foresi ti emena kerdise tis gis o gios ke serni sklava me serni ke gineka tu me perni.

I leave you now, farewell great and honoured mountain. When the sun bursts forth and finds me not, make him a shroud of black nebuli to mourn my loss, for a son of the earth has won me, takes me a slave,claims me his wife!

YANNAKIS

E, ti tharrepses Neraida ‘go gineka den se thelo ki an sta dio su matia pezi to fegari ma stis kalis mu smigun ta onira mu. Ki an st’ agerino magnadi su kremet’ i pulia ki o avgerinos ma yia mena i plasi olakeri telioni sti sastiki mu, tin Erofili.

Eh, what did you think O Nymph? I do not want you for my wife. And if in your eyes the moon doth shine, in my beloved’s my dreams abide. And if in your starry veil are suspended stellar orbs or the morning star itself, for me all creation resides in my own promised Erofili!

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Tote ti zitas apo emena?

Then what do you want from me?

YANNAKIS

Os tin psili korfi n’ anevo. Monach’ afto zito. Ki opu puli den fterose, mite to ide anthropu mati, mes’ ton pagon t’ akatalito kristallino palati. ‘Ki me via me ferni o pothos mu me serni ki i psichi mu.

To climb the tallest peak! That’s all I ask. There where no bird takes wing, where no human eyes have seen, to the invincible crystal palace of the ice. There violent desire urges me to go! My soul’s coercion takes me!

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Mi girevis palikari t’ akatorthoto in’ anibor’ i thniti n’ anevun sto vuno pu monacha orizi o Ilios, Rigas, Vasilias ki i Neraides, tu agera ta pedia.

Do not seek the impossible. Mortals cannot scale these heights. They are ruled only by the sun, Emperor and King and Nereids, the daughters of the air.

YANNAKIS

De me skiazi emena, to anevasma pros ta psila ke st’ aftasta na ftaso de diliazo.

I do not fear the ascent to the heights I do not cower in face of the unreachable.

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Pios ise si pu andikri stekis sti Mira ke sto Thanato?

Who are you, who stands confronting Destiny and Death?

YANNAKIS

proudly

Im’ o Yannakis o tragudistis tis chiras o gios pu to tragudi egemisa ston pathitiko skopo tis giteftras mu liras benune ston ksotiko choro ksothies anemopodes.

I am Yannakis the troubadour, the widow’s son. I have filled with song the passionate strains of my enchanted lyre which draws the Naiads, on legs of wind, into exotic dances.

The Naiads enter dancing and singing.

CHORUS

In’ o Yannakis o tragudistis. Chronia s’ akuo ke s’ apandecho glike tragudisti.

He is Yannakis the troubadour. For years I’ve called to you and expected you, sweet singer!

THE MOUNTAIN NEREID

Se prosmeni panda ke se lachtara, ton ksothion i plasi m’ anichta ftera sto choro n’ aplosi orio to kormi me tu tragudiu su tin planeftra ormi.

Always waiting, yearning for you our ethereal reality opens its wings to you in dance opening its fair body to your song’s seductive force.

YANNAKIS

Tha ksanartho pali me plithia chara, Rigissa tu oniru ke kalokira.

I will return again replete with joy Queen of Dreams, good Lady.

CHORUS

In’ o Yannakis, o tragudistis chronia s’ akuo ke s’ apandecho, glikie tragudisti.

He is Yannakis the troubadour. For years I’ve called you and expected you, sweet singer!

THE VOICE OF THE MOTHER

audible only to Yannakis while the Nymphs dance.

Kale ki akrive mu ke tragudisti ton ksothion lirari ke kseplanefti, o chamos se krazi ap’ to agrio vuno pu chima olo lampsi sto chlomo urano.

Good and dear one, troubadour vagabond lyrist, seducer of Nymphs, the voice of doom calls out to you from the wild mountain peak which erupts its radiance into the pale sky!

The Chorus slowly recedes and disappears.

YANNAKIS

Ke tora Neraida dikse mu to dromo thelo ton Ilio psila na cheretiso.

And now, Nereid, show me the way. I wish to greet the sun.

THE VOICE OF THE MOTHER

E! Filaka tu oniru su sklave ton kaimon su, mi zitas olo psila na petas.

Hey, guardian of your dreams, slave of your yearnings! Do not seek to fly so high!

YANNAKIS

Mi m’ andiskovis gnorimi foni

p’ akuo stin kardia mu,