AMAHL Y LOS VISITANTES DE LA NOCHE

Personajes AMAHL LA MADRE Madre de Amahl MELCHOR GASPAR BALTASAR PAJE Rey Mago Rey Mago Rey Mago Paje de los Reyes Soprano Bartono Tenor Bajo Bajo Nio cojo, de unos 12 aos Voz blanca

La accin se desarrolla en una aldea de Palestina, en los primeros das de nuestra era.

ONLY ACT
(A child sits outside a poor shack of a house gazing earnestly at the sky) HIS MOTHER (calls from within:) Amahl! Amahl! THE SON (replies absently) Oh! HIS MOTHER (again comes from somewhere inside) Time to go to bed. HER SON (answers) coming... (however his words belie his actions. He gazes all the more quizzically at the stars above him) THE MOTHER

ACTO NICO
(Un nio est sentado en el umbral de la puerta de una humilde choza y mira fijamente el cielo) SU MADRE (llama desde dentro) Amahl! Amahl! EL HIJO (contesta distrado), Oh! SU MADRE (de nuevo desde adentro) Es hora de acostarse! SU HIJO (Responde) Voy!... (sin embargo, a pesar de su respuesta, mira fijamente las estrellas que hay sobre l) SU MADRE

(A third time, calls, her voice a bit terser) Amahl! HER SON (Again, the boy replies) Coming... (but otherwise he seems not to have heard) THE MOTHER (storms out of the house) How long must I shout to make you obey? SON: Im sorry, Mother. MOTHER Hurry in! Its time to go to bed. AMAHL (pleads with his mother) But Mother let me stay a little longer. MOTHER The wind is cold. SON But my cloak is warm; let me stay a little longer! MOTHER The night is dark. SON But the sky is light, let me stay a little longer! MOTHER The time is late. SON But the moon hasnt risen yet, let me stay a little... HIS MOTHER (cuts him off curtly) There wont be any moon tonight. But there will be a weeping child very soon, if he doesnt hurry up and obey his mother. AMAHL (sighs and gives in) ...oh very well... (The two go inside) MOTHER What was keeping you outside?

(Ms enrgica, llama por tercera vez) Amahl! SU HIJO (De nuevo, contesta) Ya voy!... (pero acta como si no hubiese odo nada) LA MADRE (sale de la casa enfadada) Cunto tiempo debo gritar para que me obedezcas? EL HIJO Lo siento, madre. LA MADRE Date prisa! Es hora de acostarse. AMAHL (suplica a su madre) Pero Madre... djame quedarme un poco ms. LA MADRE El aire es fro. EL HIJO Pero la capa me abriga. Djame quedarme un poco ms! LA MADRE La noche es oscura. EL HIJO Pero el cielo est despejado... Djame quedarme un poco ms! LA MADRE Es muy tarde. EL HIJO Pero la luna no ha salido todava... Djame quedarme un poco... SU MADRE (cortndolo lacnicamente) No habr luna esta noche, pero s habr un nio llorando si no se da prisa y obedece a su madre! AMAHL (suspira y cede) ... Oh, est bien!... (Los dos entran en la choza) LA MADRE Qu estabas mirando ah fuera?

THE SON (replies excitedly) Oh mother! You should go out and see! Theres never been such a sky. Damp clouds have shined it, and soft winds have swept it, as if to make it ready for a kings ball. All its lanterns are lit, all its torches are burning, and its dark floor is shining like crystal. Hanging over our roof, there is a star as large as a window; and the star has a tail, and it moves across the sky like a chariot on fire. MOTHER Oh Amahl! When will you stop telling lies? All day long you wander about in a dream. Here we are with nothing to eat not a stick of wood on the fire, not a drop of oil in the jug, and all you do is to worry your mother with fairy tales. Oh Amahl... have you forgotten your promise never, never to lie to your mother again? SON Mother darling, Im not lying. Please do believe me... please do believe me. Come outside and let me show you. See for yourself... see for yourself. THE MOTHER (bursts into poetry, despite herself, as she reprimands Amahl) Stop bothering me! Why should I believe you? You come with a new one every day! First it was a leopard with a womans head. Then it was a tree branch that shrieked and bled. Then it was a fish as big as a boat, with whiskers like a cat, and wings like a bat, and horns like a goat and now it is a star as big as a window (or was it a carriage)? And if that werent enough, the star has a tail and the tail is of fire... SON But there is a star... and it has a tail... this long. Well, maybe only this long... But its there! MOTHER Amahl! AMAHL (insists)

EL HIJO (contesta excitado) Oh, madre! Debes salir y ver! Nunca hubo un cielo igual. La brisa ha barrido las nubes, han desaparecido, es como si se preparara el baile de un rey... Todas sus linternas estn encendidas, todas sus antorchas estn ardiendo, y su fondo oscuro est brillando como el cristal. Colgando encima de nuestro tejado, hay una estrella tan grande como una ventana; y la estrella tiene cola, y se mueve por el cielo como un carro en llamas. LA MADRE Oh, Amahl! Cundo dejars de decir tantas mentiras? Todo el da vagas navegando en sueos. Aqu, no tenemos nada que comer... ni un palo de madera para el fuego, ni una gota de aceite en el cntaro, y todo lo que t haces es preocupar a tu madre con cuentos de hadas. Oh, Amahl... Has olvidado tu promesa de nunca volver a mentir a tu madre? EL HIJO Madre querida, no soy mentiroso. Por favor, creme... Por favor creme! Ven fuera y djame que te lo ensee. Mralo t misma!... T misma! LA MADRE (a su pesar, estalla en un verso, lleno de reprimendas para Amahl) Deja de molestarme! Por qu he de creerte? Vienes con un nuevo cuento todos los das! Primero fue un leopardo con cabeza de mujer. Luego, la rama del rbol que chill y sangr. Despus fue un pez tan grande como un barco, con bigotes de gato, alas de murcilago y cuernos como una cabra. Y ahora es una estrella tan grande como una ventana... O era un carruaje? Y como si todo eso no fuera bastante, la estrella tiene una cola y la cola es de fuego... EL HIJO Pero hay una estrella... y tiene una cola... As de larga!. Quiz slo de este paso... Pero est ah! LA MADRE Amahl! AMAHL (insistente)

Cross my heart and hope to die... THE MOTHER (throws up her hands) Hunger has gone to your head. Dear God, what is a poor widow to do, when her cupboards and pockets are empty and everything sold? Unless we go begging how shall we live through tomorrow? My little son, a beggar! AMAHL (hating to see his mother distressed, has a story he is used to telling for this occasion) Dont cry mother dear; dont worry for me. If we must go begging, a good beggar Ill be. I know sweet tunes to set people dancing. Well walk and walk from village to town you dressed as a gypsy, and I as a clown. Well walk and walk from village to town. At noon, we shall eat roast goose and sweet almonds. At night we shall sleep with the sheep and the stars. Ill play my pipes, youll sing and youll shout. The windows will open and people lean out. The king will ride by and hear your loud voice and throw us some gold to stop all the noise. At noon we shall eat roast goose and sweet almonds; at night we shall sleep with the sheep and the stars. MOTHER Kiss me good night. MOTHER, SON (to eachother) Good night. (They turn in to bed) (Three kings stroll through the shadows of the night, and as they go they comfort themselves with a quiet song) THREE KINGS From far away we come and farther we must go. How far... how far... my crystal star? The shepherd dreams inside the fold. Cold are the sands by the silent sea. Frozen the incense in our frozen hands, heavy the gold. How far... how far...

Te juro que es cierto y espero que... LA MADRE (levanta la mano amenazante) El hambre se te ha subido a la cabeza. Querido Dios, Qu puede hacer una pobre viuda, cundo sus armarios y sus bolsillos estn vacos y ya lo ha vendido todo? A menos que mendiguemos, cmo sobreviviremos maana? Mi hijito, un mendigo! AMAHL (al ver a su madre triste, emplea una narracin que l se usa para este tipo de ocasiones) No llores querida madre; no te preocupes por m. Si tenemos que mendigar, un buen mendigo ser. Yo s dulces canciones para que baile la gente. Iremos de pueblo en pueblo... T vestirs como una gitana, y yo como un payaso. Iremos de pueblo en pueblo. Al medioda, comeremos ganso asado y almendras dulces. Por la noche, dormiremos con las ovejas, bajo las estrellas. Yo tocar mi flauta, y t cantars y recitars. Las ventanas se abrirn y la gente se asomar. El rey pasar en su caballo y al or tu voz, nos tirar algunas monedas para detener todo el bullicio. A medioda, comeremos ganso asado y almendras dulces; por la noche, dormiremos con las ovejas, bajo las estrellas. LA MADRE Bsame y dame las buenas noches! LA MADRE, EL HIJO (mutuamente) Buenas noches! (van a acostarse) (Los tres Reyes atraviesan la oscuridad de la noche, y mientras avanzan, se confortan con una apacible cancin) LOS TRES REYES De lejos venimos y ms lejos debemos ir. Hasta dnde?... Hasta dnde... estrella de cristal? El pastor suea dentro del redil. Fras estn las arenas en el mar silencioso. Helado el incienso en nuestras manos heladas, pesado el oro. Hasta dnde?...

my crystal star? By silence-sunken lakes, the antelope leaps. In paper-painted oasis, the drunken gypsy weeps. The hungry lion wanders, the cobra sleeps. How far... how far... my crystal star? (the kings knock at the door) MOTHER Amahl! SON Yes, mother? MOTHER Go and see whos knocking at the door. (Amahl goes over to the door) AMAHL (returns excited) Mother... mother... come with me! I want to be sure that you see what I see. THE MOTHER (has no patience for his sons energy this late at night) What is the matter with you now? What is all this fuss about? Who is it then? AMAHL (is unsure how to report the events, and so he hesitates) Mother.. outside the door... there is... there is a king with a crown! MOTHER (is exasperated) What shall I do with this boy? What shall I do... what shall I do? If you dont learn to tell the truth, Ill have to spank you! Go back and see who it is and ask them what they want... (After checking the door again, Amahl returns, insistent) AMAHL Mother! Mother! Mother, come with me! I want to be sure that you see what I see. MOTHER What is the matter with you now what is all this fuss about? AMAHL

Hasta dnde... estrella de cristal? Por los lagos silenciosos, retoza el antlope. En el colorido oasis, llora el gitano borracho. Deambula el len hambriento, la cobra duerme. Hasta dnde?... Hasta dnde... estrella de cristal? (los Reyes golpean a la puerta) LA MADRE Amahl! EL HIJO S, madre? LA MADRE Ve a ver quin est golpeando la puerta. (Amahl va hacia la puerta) AMAHL (vuelve excitado) Madre!... Madre!...Ven conmigo! Quiero estar seguro de que ves lo que yo veo. LA MADRE (que ya no soporta la excitacin de su hijo a tan altas horas de la noche) Qu sucede ahora? Qu es todo ese alboroto? Quin es? AMAHL (dudando, muy excitado) Madre... fuera... en la puerta... hay... Un rey con corona! LA MADRE (se exaspera) Qu har con este muchacho? Qu har?... Qu har? Si no aprendes a decir la verdad, tendr que castigarte! Regresa y pregunta que quiere... (Despus de verificar la puerta de nuevo, Amahl vuelve, insistente) AMAHL Madre! Madre! Madre, ven conmigo! Quiero estar seguro de que ves lo que yo veo. LA MADRE Qu pasa ahora contigo, qu es todo este alboroto? AMAHL

(hangs his head quietly) Mother, I didnt tell the truth before. MOTHER Thats a good boy. SON There is not a king outside. MOTHER I should say not. SON There are two kings. MOTHER (is about to lose her patience altogether What shall I do with this boy? What shall I do? What shall I do? (She admonishes her son) Hurry back and see who it is, and dont you dare make up tales... AMAHL (returns to his mother from the door... but this time he is worried) Mother! Mother! Mother come with me; if I tell you the truth, I know you wont believe me... MOTHER Try it for a change. SON But you wont believe me. MOTHER Ill believe you, if you tell me the truth... SON Sure enough, there are not two kings outside. MOTHER That is surprising. SON The kings are three, and one of them is black. MOTHER (Now mother is angry) Oh what shall I do with this boy. If you were stronger Id like to whip you. SON I knew it. MOTHER (pulls herself out of bed)

(Baja la cabeza resignado) Madre, no te dije la verdad antes... LA MADRE se es un buen muchacho! EL HIJO Afuera no hay un rey. LA MADRE As me gusta! EL HIJO Hay dos reyes. LA MADRE (a punto de perder la paciencia) Qu har con este muchacho? Qu har? Qu har? (amonestando a su hijo) Date prisa y ve a ver quin es! Y no te atrevas a seguir con tus historias... AMAHL (Regresa de la puerta junto a su madre... pero esta vez con angustia) Madre! Madre! Madre ven conmigo! Si te digo la verdad, s que no vas a creerme... LA MADRE Trata de hacerlo. EL HIJO Pero no me creers. LA MADRE Te creer, si me dices la verdad... EL HIJO Con seguridad, no hay dos reyes ah fuera. LA MADRE Vaya, menos mal!... EL HIJO Los reyes son tres... y uno es negro! LA MADRE (Ahora s, muy enfadada) Oh qu har con este muchacho! Si estuviera sana me encantara azotarlo. EL HIJO Lo saba. LA MADRE (Salta de la cama)

Im going to the door myself. And then young man, youll have to reckon with me! THE KINGS AND THEIR PAGE (greet the woman when she opens the door) Good evening.. good evening... (The mother gasps quietly) AMAHL (behind her, feels a need to remind her) What did I tell you? MOTHER (pushes her son back) Shhhh...! (and then addresses these apparent nobles who are at her doorstep) Noble sires... (She is bemused, however, and not sure exactly what to say) THE KINGS (rescue her from the awkward silence) May we rest awhile in your house and warm ourselves by your fireplace? THE MOTHER I am a poor widow. A cold fireplace and a bed straw are all I have to offer you. To these, you are welcome. KASPAR What did she say? BALTHAZAR That we are welcome. KASPAR Oh thank, you thank, you thank you! THE MOTHER Come in... come in... (Everybody traipses into the small house) MELCHIOR It is nice, here. THE MOTHER I shall go and gather wood for the fire. Ive nothing in the house. KINGS We can only stay a little while.

Voy a ir hasta la puerta, y entonces, muchachito, te las vers conmigo! LOS REYES Y SU PAJE (saludan a la mujer cuando ella abre la puerta) Buenas tardes , buenas tardes!... (La madre queda con la boca abierta). AMAHL (detrs de ella, tratando de reanimarla) Qu te dije yo? LA MADRE (Empujando a su hijo) Shhhh!... (dirigindose a los nobles personajes que estn en la puerta) Nobles seores... (Sin embargo, aturdida, no sabe exactamente qu decir) LOS REYES (la rescatan de su torpe silencio) Podemos descansar un rato en su casa y calentarnos en el hogar? LA MADRE Soy una viuda pobre. Slo tengo para ofrecerles un hogar fro y una cama de paja. No obstante... sean ustedes bienvenidos! GASPAR Qu dijo? BALTASAR Que somos bienvenidos . GASPAR Oh, gracias, gracias, se lo agradezco! LA MADRE Entren... entren... (Todos entran en la pequea choza) MELCHOR Se est bien aqu. LA MADRE Ir y buscar madera para el fuego. No tengo nada en la casa. LOS REYES Slo nos quedaremos unos minutos.

We must not lose sight of our star. THE MOTHER ...your star? AMAHL (Again, feels obliged to remind her) What did I tell you? (But his mother shushes him) KINGS We still have a long way to go. MOTHER (announces that she will be going out to gather some firewood) I shall be right back.. and Amahl... dont be a nuisance. AMAHL No, mother...

No debemos perder de vista nuestra estrella. LA MADRE Su estrella? AMAHL (una vez ms trata de recordarle) Qu te dije yo? (Pero ella lo obliga a callar). LOS REYES An tenemos un largo camino que recorrer. LA MADRE (indica que saldr afuera para recoger un poco de lea) Volver en seguida... Amahl... no molestes. AMAHL No, madre...

(Mother exits the small creaking doorway into the night (La madre sale por la puerta hacia la oscura air. Amahl, meanwhile, realizes that he must entertain noche. Amahl, entretanto, comprende their guests) que l debe entretener a sus invitados) AMAHL Are you a real king? BALTHAZAR yes. AMAHL Have you regal blood? BALTHAZAR Yes. AMAHL Can I see it? BALTHAZAR (sighs, and says) it is just like yours. AMAHL Whats the use of having it then? BALTHAZAR (looks at Amahl quizzically and says simply) No use. AMAHL Where is your house? BALTHAZAR I live in a black marble palace full of black panthers and white doves. And you little boy, what do you do? AMAHL Es usted un rey verdadero? BALTASAR S. AMAHL Y tiene sangre real? BALTASAR S. AMAHL Puedo verla? BALTASAR (suspira y dice) Simplemente es como la tuya. AMAHL Cul es la diferencia de tenerla entonces? BALTASAR (Mira con curiosidad a Amahl y dice) Ninguna. AMAHL Dnde est su casa? BALTASAR Vivo en un oscuro palacio jaspeado, lleno de panteras negras y palomas blancas. Y t muchachito, qu haces?

AMAHL I had a flock of sheep. But my mother sold them... sold them! Now there are no sheep left. I had a black goat who gave me warm sweet milk. But she died of old age... old age. Now there is no goat left. But Mother says that now we shall both go begging from door to door. Wont it be fun? BALTHAZAR (eyeing the boy closely, says) It has its points. AMAHL (turns his attention to Kaspar) Are you a real king, too? (Kaspar, being hard of hearing, has to ask Amahl to repeat himself, and Amahl obliges in a loud voice. Finally hearing the boy) KASPAR (says jovially) Oh truly truly... truly... yes I am a real king... (He then turns to his friend for assurance, and asks)

AMAHL Tena un rebao de ovejas. Pero mi madre las vendi... las vendi todas! Ahora ya no tenemos ninguna. Tena una cabra negra que daba leche tibia y dulce. Pero se muri de vieja... Ahora no tengo ninguna cabra. Mi madre dice que ahora nosotros dos iremos a mendigar de puerta en puerta. Ser divertido? BALTASAR (Mirando al muchacho con cario) Eso tiene sus problemas... AMAHL (vuelve su atencin a Gaspar) Y usted tambin es un rey de verdad? (Gaspar, que es un poco sordo, le pide a Amahl que repita su pregunta. Amahl lo hace en voz alta. Oyendo al muchacho finalmente Gaspar dice) GASPAR (jovialmente) Oh si de verdad!... Autntico!... S soy un rey de verdad!... (se vuelve entonces a sus compaeros)

Am I not? No es cierto? BALTHAZAR Yes, Kaspar. AMAHL (spots a small animal which Kaspar is carrying in a cage. He asks) What is that? KASPAR (as he is wont to do, asks the boy to speak up) Eh? (Amahl repeats his question, and in response, Kaspar lets him know its a parrot) AMAHL Does it talk? (This question somehow takes Kaspar by surprise) KASPAR How do I know? (But there is one last thing which Amahl has to know) AMAHL Does it bite? BALTASAR S, Gaspar. AMAHL (descubre un animalito que Gaspar lleva en una jaula) Qu es? GASPAR (le pide al muchacho que hable ms alto) Eh? (Amahl repite su pregunta, y Gaspar le hace saber que el animal es un loro) AMAHL Habla? (Esta pregunta toma a Gaspar por la sorpresa) GASPAR Cmo puedo saberlo? (Pero hay otra cosa que Amahl quiere saber) AMAHL

Muerde? KASPAR Yes. (Amahl points to a decorated wooden box which Kaspar is carrying) AMAHL And what is this? KASPAR This is my box, this is my box... I never travel without my box. In the first drawer I keep my magic stones. One carnelian against all evil and envy. One moonstone to make you sleep. One red coral to heal your wounds. One lapis lazuli against quartern fever. One small jasper to help you find water. One small topaz to soothe your eyes. One red ruby to protect you from lightning. This is my box. This is my box I never travel without my box In the second drawer, I keep all my beads. Oh! How I love to play with beads... all kinds of beads! This is my box... this is my box... I never travel without my box. In the third drawer... in the third drawer... (Kaspar looks at Amahl with a gleam in his eye) (Gaspar mira con picarda a Amahl) Oh little boy oh little boy... Oh, muchachito!... Muchachito!... (He then looks around at his friends a bit sheepishly) (mira a sus amigos con un poco de timidez) In the third drawer I keep... En el tercer cajn guardo... (Although he himself isnt aware of it, Amahls mouth has dropped open in anticipation about this surprise which Kaspar is going to reveal to him. The old king finally blurts it out) Licorice! Licorice! Black sweet licorice... black sweet licorice! Have some. (A draft fills the house as Amahls mother opens the door. She has found what she needed outside. Seeing how Amahl has become the center of attention, she admonishes him) MOTHER Amahl, I told you not to be a nuisance! AMAHL (replies plaintively) But it isnt my fault; (Aunque no se da cuenta de ello, la boca de Amahl se ha abierto adelantndose a la sorpresa que recibir de Gaspar. El viejo rey finalmente dice bruscamente) Regaliz! Orozuz! Regaliz dulce y negro!... La golosina dulce y negra! Toma algunas. (En ese instante la madre abre la puerta, trae la lea que necesitaba. Viendo cmo Amahl se ha transformado en el centro de atencin del grupo, lo amonesta) LA MADRE Amahl, te dije que no molestaras! AMAHL (contesta melanclicamente) GASPAR S. (Amahl seala un cofre de madera decorada que transporta Gaspar) AMAHL Y qu es eso? GASPAR ste es mi cofre, ste es mi cofre... Nunca viajo sin mi cofre. En el primer cajn guardo mis piedras mgicas. Una cornalina contra todo mal y la envidia. Una piedra lunar para ayudar a dormir. Un coral rojo para sanar heridas. Un lapislzuli contra la fiebre. Un jaspe pequeo que ayuda a encontrar agua. Un topacio pequeo para aliviar los ojos. Un rub rojo para proteger de los relmpagos. ste es mi cofre... este es mi cofre. Nunca viajo sin mi cofre. En el segundo cajn, guardo todas mis canicas. Oh, cmo me gusta jugar con las canicas!... Con todo tipo de canicas! ste es mi cofre... ste es mi cofre... Nunca viajo sin mi cofre. En el tercer cajn... en el tercer cajn...

they kept asking me questions. MOTHER (announces that she has a mission for Amahl) I want you to go and call the other shepherds. Tell them about our visitors, and ask them to bring whatever they have in the house, as we have nothing to offer them. Hurry on! AMAHL (decides to cooperate, and heads for the door) Yes, mother.

Pero yo no tengo la culpa... Ellos siguieron hacindome preguntas. LA MADRE (dirigindose a Amahl le encomienda una misin) Quiero que vayas y llames a los otros pastores. Cuntales sobre nuestros visitantes, y pdeles que traigan cualquier cosa que ellos tengan en la casa, pues nosotros no tenemos nada que ofrecerles. Date prisa, ve! AMAHL (decidido a obedecer se dirige hacia la puerta) S, madre.

THE MOTHER (remarks on the packages the kings have been carrying) Oh these beautiful things, and all that gold! LA MADRE (observando los paquetes que llevan los Reyes) MELCHIOR Oh, que cosas tan hermosas!... Y todo ese oro! These are the gifts to the child. MELCHOR THE MOTHER Son regalos para el nio. Hmmm the child... which child? LA MADRE MELCHIOR Hmmm... El nio... Qu nio? We dont know. But the star will guide us to him. MELCHOR THE MOTHER No lo sabemos, pero la estrella nos guiar hasta But perhaps I know him... l. what does he look like? LA MADRE MELCHIOR Quizs yo lo conozca... Have you seen a child the color of wheat... Cmo es? the color of dawn? His eyes are mild; his hands are those of a king MELCHOR as king he was born. Ha visto usted a un nio del color del trigo... Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side; del color del alba? and the eastern star is our guide. Ojos dulces y manos como las de un rey, puesto que como rey naci. THE MOTHER Le traemos incienso, mirra, y oro; Yes, I know a child the color of wheat.... y la Estrella del Oriente es nuestra gua. the color of dawn. His eyes are mild; LA MADRE his hands are those of a king as king he was born. S, yo conozco a un nio del color del trigo... But no one will bring him incense or gold... del color del alba. though sick and poor and hungry and cold. Sus ojos son dulces y sus manos son He is my child my son, my darling my own. como las de un rey, pues como rey naci. Pero nadie le traer incienso u oro... MELCHIOR aunque est enfermo, pobre, hambriento y Have you seen a child the color of earth... helado. the color of thorn? se es mi nio, mi hijo, mi querido hijo. His eyes are sad; his hands are those of the poor as poor he was born. MELCHOR Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side, Ha visto usted a un nio del color de la tierra... and the eastern star is our guide. del color del espino? Sus ojos son tristes y sus manos son como THE MOTHER las de los pobres, porque como pobre naci. Yes, I know a child the color of earth... the color of Le traemos incienso, mirra y oro; thorn. y la Estrella del Oriente es nuestra gua. His eyes are sad;

his hands are those of the poor, as poor he was born. But no one will bring him incense or gold... though sick and poor and and hungry and cold. He is my child, my son, my darling... my own. MELCHIOR The child we seek holds the seas and the winds on his palm. The child we seek has the moon and the stars at his feet. Before him, the eagle is gentle the lion is meek. ALL THE KINGS (join in a chorus) Choirs of angels hover over his roof and sing him to sleep. Hes warmed by breath. Hes fed by mother who is both virgin and queen. Incense, myrrh, and gold we bring to his side, and the eastern star is our guide. THE MOTHER (And at the same time, the mother sings about her own son) The child I know on his palm holds my heart. The child I know at his feet has my life. He is my child, my son, my darling, my own... And his name is Amahl. (peers out the door) The shepherds are coming...

LA MADRE S, conozco a un nio del color de la tierra... del color del espino. Sus ojos son tristes y sus manos son como la de los pobres, pues pobre naci. Pero nadie le traer incienso u oro... aunque est enfermo, pobre, hambriento y helado. se es mi nio, mi hijo, mi querido hijo. MELCHOR El nio que buscamos tiene los mares y los vientos en la palma de sus manos. El nio que buscamos tiene la luna y las estrellas a sus pies. Ante l, el guila es gentil y el len manso. LOS TRES REYES (a coro) Los coros de los ngeles cubren con sus alas su tejado y le cantan para que se duerma. Se calienta con el aliento. Se alimenta de su madre que es virgen y reina. Le traemos incienso, mirra y oro; y la Estrella del Oriente es nuestra gua. LA MADRE (al mismo tiempo, la madre canta refirindose a su propio hijo) El nio que yo conozco tiene en sus manos mi corazn. El nio que yo conozco tiene a sus pies mi vida. se es mi nio, mi hijo, mi amado hijo... Su nombre es Amahl. (Asomndose a la puerta)

MELCHIOR Wake up, Kaspar. THE SHEPHERDS (greet eachother as they stroll towards eachother on the prairie) Emily... Emily, Michael, Bartholomew how are your children and how are your sheep? Dorothy... Dorothy, Peter, Evangeline give me your hand come along with me. All the children have mumps. All the flocks are asleep. We are going with Amahl... bringing gifts to the kings. Benjamin... Benjamin, Lucas, Elizabeth how are your children and how are your sheep? Carolyn Carolyn Mathew Veronica give me your hand come along with me. Brrr... how cold is the night! Brr... how icy the wind! Hold me very very very tight. Oh how warm is your cloak!

Los pastores estn llegando... MELCHOR Despierta, Gaspar! LOS PASTORES (se saludan unos a otros mientras se acercan a la choza) Emily!... Emily, Michael, Bartolom!... Cmo estn tus nios? Y tus ovejas? Dorothy!... Dorothy, Peter, Evangeline!... Dame la mano, ven conmigo! Todos los nios tienen paperas. Todos los rebaos estn dormidos. Vayamos con Amahl... para llevar regalos a los Reyes. Benjamn!... Benjamn, Lucas, Elizabeth!... Cmo estn tus nios? Y tus ovejas? Carolyn! Carolyn Mathew Vernica!... Dame la mano, ven conmigo! Brrr!... Qu fra est la noche!

Katherine... Katherine, Christopher, Babila how are your children and how are your sheep? Josephine... Josephine, Angela, Jeremy come along with me! (The shepherds arrive at the door of the cottage. They peer inside, being struck with awe) Oh look, oh look! THE MOTHER Come in, come in... what are you afraid of? Dont be bashful silly girl, dont be bashful silly boy. They wont eat you. Show what you brought them. THE SHEPHERDS (stumble over eachother, as they try to force their way in the door all at once) Go on...! No, you go on! (The shepherds tell of what theyve brought) Olives and quinces, apples and raisins, nutmeg and myrtle, medlars and chestnuts. This is all we shepherds can offer you. Citrons and lemon, musk and pomegranates, goat cheese and walnuts, figs and cucumbers. This is all we shepherds can offer you. Azelnuts and camomile, mignonettes and laurel, honeycombs and cinnamon, thyme, mint and garlic. This is all we shepherds can offer you. (The kings express earnest appreciation as the shepherds recite the list of their gifts) THE SHEPHERDS (eagerly press the gifts into the kings arms) Take them, take them... you are welcome. Take them... eat them... you are welcome, too. (All of a sudden, a squirrely little girl makes a break for the door... and a little boy gets up, also thinking through how he will negotiate his way through the mass of bodies. Some of the young men pull the two children back. After much nudging, the children return into the middle of the one-room cottage, somewhat red faced and embarassed) THE SHEPHERDS (scold the children using the same words with which the householder mother scolded them earlier) Dont be bashful silly girl

Brrr!... Qu viento tan helado! Agrrame muy, muy, muy firme! Oh, qu abrigada es tu capa! Katherine!... Katherine, Christopher, Babila!... Cmo estn tus nios? Y tus ovejas? Josephine!... Josephine, ngela, Jeremy!... Ven conmigo! (Los pastores llegan a la puerta de la choza. Se asoman al interior y golpean con temor) Oh mira, mira! LA MADRE Entrad, entrad... De qu tenis miedo? No seas vergonzosa muchacha, tonta! No seas vergonzoso muchacho tonto! No te comern. Mustrale lo que les trajiste. LOS PASTORES (tropiezan entre s, cuando tratan de cruzar el umbral de la puerta) Vamos...! No, entra t primero! (Los pastores describen lo que han trado) Aceitunas y membrillos, manzanas y pasas, nuez moscada y mirto, nsperos y castaas. Esto es todo lo que los pastores podemos ofrecerles. Cidras y limones, almizcle y granadas, queso de la cabra y nueces, higos y pepinos. Esto es todo lo que los pastores podemos ofrecerles. Avellanas y manzanilla, reseda y laurel, panales de miel y canela, tomillo, menta y ajo. Esto es todo lo que los pastores podemos ofrecerles. (Los Reyes expresan su agradecimiento mientras los pastores recitan la lista de sus regalos) LOS PASTORES (entregan sus regalos a los Reyes) Tmenlos, tmenlos!... Bienvenidos sean! Tmenlos!... Coman!... Bienvenidos sean! (Una inquieta muchachita aparece en el umbral de la puerta, y un muchachito se levanta; ambos piensan cmo abrirse paso entre tanta gente. Algunos jvenes empujan a los dos nios hacia adelante. Despus, con mucho empeo, los nios vuelven al centro de la choza avergonzados y ruborizados) LOS PASTORES

Dont be bashful silly boy! They wont eat you. (After an interlude of dancing, Balthazar announces) BALTHAZAR Thank you good friends, for your dances and your gifts. But now, we must bid you good night. We have little time for sleep, and a long journey ahead. THE SHEPHERDS (agree, and move towards the door) Good night, my good Kings, good night and farewell. The pale stars foretell that dawn is in sight. Good night, my good kings. Good night and farewell. The night wind foretells the day will be bright. (As the shepherds exeunt, Amahl seizes the opportunity in the shuffle to ask Kaspar a question) AMAHL Excuse me, sir... amongst your magic stones, is there... is there one that could cure a crippled boy? (Unfortunately, again, Kaspars hearing fails him) KASPAR Eh? AMAHL (Amahl looks down dejectedly) Never mind.. good night. (and shuffles off to his corner of the room to his bed) THE SHEPHERDS (Outside, can still be heard as they disperse to their own houses and fields) Good night, good night... the dawn is in sight... good night, farewell... good night... good night... (Amahl listens intently as these folks bid eachother good night throughout the small streets of his village.After the mother tucks her son into bed... she turns to see that the kings have ceased their bedtime mumbling, and at least one has begun to snore) THE MOTHER (thinks to herself) All that gold! All that gold! I wonder if rich people know

(regaan a los nios usando las mismas palabras que la madre us) No seas tonta muchacha vergonzosa, no seas tonto muchacho vergonzoso! No te van a comer! (Tras un interludio bailable, Baltasar anuncia) BALTASAR Agradecemos a los buenos amigos, sus bailes y regalos. Pero ahora, debemos darles las buenas noches. Tenemos poco tiempo para dormir, y maana nos espera una larga jornada. LOS PASTORES (se dirigen hacia la puerta) Buenas noches, buenos reyes! Buenas noches y adis! Las plidas estrellas anuncian que el alba est prxima. Buenas noches, buenos reyes! Buenas noches y adis! El viento nocturno predice que el da ser luminoso. (Cuando los pastores han salido, Amahl decide hacerle una nueva pregunta a Gaspar) AMAHL Disclpeme, seor... Entre sus piedras mgicas, hay... hay alguna que pudiera curar a un muchacho lisiado? (Gaspar no entiende al muchacho) GASPAR Eh? AMAHL (baja la vista desalentado) No importa.. buenas noches! (va a su cama en un rincn de la habitacin) LOS PASTORES (todava pueden orse afuera, mientras se dirigen a sus casas) Buenas noches, buenas noches!... El alba est prxima... Buenas noches, adis!... Buenas noches!... Buenas noches!... (Amahl escucha atentamente como los pastores se dan las buenas noches. Despus que la madre arropa a su hijo en la cama, ella se vuelve para ver que los Reyes se han acostado, y comprueba que al menos uno de ellos ha empezado a roncar)

what to do with their gold? Do they know how a child could be fed? Do rich people know? Do they know that a house can be kept warm all day with burning logs? Do rich people know? Do they know how to roast sweet corn on the fire? Do they know do they know how to fill a courtyard with doves? Do they know... do they know? Do they know how to milk a clover fed goat? Do they know? Do they know how to spice hot wine on cold winter nights? Do they know... do they know? All that gold... all that gold! Oh what I could do for my child with that gold! Why should it all go to a child they dont even know? They are asleep. Do I dare? If I take some, theyll never miss it... (She prods herself on as her hand moves towards the boxes of gold... she thinks) ...for my child for my child... for my child... for my child... THE PAGE (stirs, because he has seen a shadow moving over the pile of gifts) Thief! Thief! (One of the kings stirs) KING What is it? THE PAGE (shouts) Ive seen her steal some of the gold. Shes a thief! Dont let her go! Shes stolen the gold. THE KINGS (join the hubbub with loud voices) Shame shame! PAGE Give it back, or Ill tear it out of you! Give it back, or Ill tear it out of you. Give it back...give it back. AMAHL (He has, by this time, been awoken by the ruckus and is peering over towards the argument in the center of the room. Then, seeing his mother involved in a struggle, he leaps out of bed and tries to intervene. This is a side of Amahl the kings havent seen yet)

LA MADRE (meditativa) Todo ese oro! Todo ese oro! Y yo me pregunto: sabrn los ricos todo lo que se podra hacer con su oro? Saben que se podra alimentar a muchos nios? Lo saben, los ricos? Saben que una casa podra estar caldeada todo el da con leos encendidos? Lo saben, los ricos? Saben lo que es asar el maz tierno en el fuego? Saben lo que es llenar un patio con palomas? Lo saben?... Lo saben? Saben lo que es ordear una cabra? Lo saben? Saben especiar el vino caliente en las fras noches del invierno? Lo saben?... Lo saben? Todo ese oro!... Todo ese oro! Oh, todo lo que yo podra hacer por mi nio con ese oro! Por qu deben drselo todo a un nio que ni siquiera conocen? Estn dormidos... Me arriesgo? Si tomo algunas monedas, no se darn cuenta... (avanza con sus manos tendidas hacia los cofres de oro... y piensa) ...por mi hijo, por mi hijo... por mi hijo... por mi hijo... EL PAJE DE LOS REYES (sobresaltndose al ver una sombra que se acerca al montn de regalos) Ladrn! Ladrn! (Uno de los reyes se levanta) EL REY Qu sucede? EL PAJE (Gritando) He visto a alguien robando el oro! Ella es una ladrona! Que no escape! Ella ha robado el oro! LOS REYES (Juntos y a grades voces) Qu vergenza, qu vergenza! EL PAJE Devulvelo, o te lo arranco de las manos! Devulvelo, o te lo quito por la fuerza! Devulvelo!... Devulvelo! AMAHL

Dont you dare, ugly man hurt my mother! Ill smash in your face; Ill knock out your teeth. I you dare! Dont you dare! Dont you dare... ugly man... hurt my mother! Oh Mr. king, dont let him hurt my mother. My mother is good. She cannot do anything wrong. Im the one who lies; Im the one who steals. Dont you dare... Ill break all your bones; Ill bash in your head. Dont you dare... ugly man... hurt my mother. MELCHIOR (seeing what has erupted) Oh woman, you may keep the gold. The child we seek doesnt need our gold. On love, on love alone he will build his kingdom. His pierced hand will hold no scepter. His haloed head will wear no crown. His might will not be built on your toil. Swifter than lightning, he will soon walk among us. He will bring us new life, and receive our death, and the keys to his city belong to the poor. Let us leave, my friends. THE MOTHER Oh no wait! Take back your gold! For such a king Ive waited all my life... and if I werent so poor I would send a gift of my own to such a child. AMAHL (pipes up) But mother, let me send him my crutch. Who knows, he may need one, and this, I made myself. HIS MOTHER (draws in a breath sharply) But that you cant, you cant! (But then a wondrous thing happens) AMAHL (announces) I walk, mother. I walk mother. KINGS He walks! It is a sign from the holy child. We must give praise to the newborn king. We must praise him. This is a sign from God.

(Que se ha despertado por el alboroto, mira hacia el centro del cuarto y viendo a su madre involucrada en un forcejeo, salta fuera de cama e intenta intervenir. ste es una faceta de Amahl que los reyes no conocan) No te atrevas, malvado, a herir a mi madre! Te romper la cara! Si lo haces, te arrancar los dientes! No te atrevas! No te atrevas! No te atrevas, malvado, a herir a mi madre! Oh, seor Rey, no deje que lastimen a mi madre. Mi madre es buena. Ella no puede hacer nada malo. Yo soy el que miente y el que roba! No te atrevas!... Te romper todos los huesos! Te aplastar a golpes la cabeza! No te atrevas... malvado... a herir a mi madre! MELCHOR (interviniendo) Oh, mujer, puedes quedarte con el oro! El nio que nosotros buscamos no necesita nuestro oro. l construir su reino exclusivamente con amor. Su mano agujereada no sostendr ningn cetro. Su aureolada cabeza no llevar ninguna corona. Su poder no se construir con luchas. Ms rpido que la luz, caminar pronto entre nosotros. l nos traer nueva vida, y nos recibir en nuestra muerte, y las llaves a su ciudad pertenecern a los pobres. Dejmoselo, amigos mos! LA MADRE Oh, no, esperen! Tengan su oro! He esperado toda mi vida un rey como se... Si yo no fuera tan pobre, le enviara un regalo a semejante nio. AMAHL (Tomando sus muletas) Madre, djame enviarle mi muleta! Quin sabe? l puede necesitar una, y sta la hice yo mismo. SU MADRE (angustiada) Pero t no puedes, no puedes! (entonces ocurre un milagro) AMAHL (solemne) Madre, puedo caminar! Yo camino, madre1

Truly he can dance, he can jump, he can run! Ah! THE MOTHER (admonishes Amahl) Please my darling, be careful now. You must take care not to hurt yourself. (Something has crystallized in the kings minds as they have watched this whole event play out. They realize that they must admonish the mother to treat her child differently) THE KINGS Oh good woman, you must not be afraid, for he is loved by the son of God. (Playing along with the boys ruse, the kings ask) Oh blessed child, may I touch you? AMAHL (seems betwixt and between. Peering over at Melchior with a sharp gaze) Well, I dont know if Im going to let you touch me... HIS MOTHER (says sharply) Amahl! (And so Amahl thinks better of his reticence) AMAHL Oh all right... but just once. AMAHL (goes on to announce in song) Look mother, I can fight, I can work, I can play. Oh mother, let me go with the kings. I want to take the crutch to the child, myself. THE KINGS (eagerly entreat the mother) Yes, good woman let him come with us. Well take good care of him. Well bring him back on a camels back. THE MOTHER Do you really want to go? AMAHL Yes, mother. MOTHER Are you sure sure sure? SON

LOS REYES l camina! Es una seal del santo nio! Debemos alabar al rey recin nacido. Debemos alabarlo. sta es una seal de Dios! Realmente l puede bailar, saltar y correr! Ah! LA MADRE (amonestando a Amahl) Por favor querido, ten cuidado ahora. Debes tener cuidado de no lastimarte. (Algo se ha cristalizado en la mente de los reyes, puesto que han sido observadores imparciales. Se dan cuenta de que deben amonestar a la madre por el tratamiento hacia su hijo) LOS REYES Oh, buena mujer, no debes tener miedo, porque l es amado por el hijo de Dios! (En broma y con malicia) Oh, bendito nio! Puedo tocarte? AMAHL (asomndose entre ellos. A Melchor con sagaz mirada) Bueno, yo no s si voy a permitirles que me toquen... SU MADRE (Cortante) Amahl! (Amahl recapacita y pensndolo mejor dice) AMAHL Est bien... pero slamente una vez. AMAHL (anuncia cantando) Mira madre, puedo luchar, puedo trabajar, puedo jugar! Oh, madre, djame ir con los reyes! Quiero darle la muleta al nio, yo mismo. LOS REYES (rogando a la madre) S, buena mujer, djalo venir con nosotros. Lo cuidaremos bien. Lo traeremos devuelta en un camello. LA MADRE Realmente quieres ir? AMAHL

Im sure. THE MOTHER (pauses a moment, reflecting. Then she concedes) Yes, I think you should go... and bring thanks to the child yourself. AMAHL (parrots her query) Are you sure sure sure? MOTHER Go on... get ready. KASPAR (wanting to be kept abreast of all the events, asks) What did she say? BALTHAZAR (bends over and speaks loudly in Kaspars ear) She said he can come. KASPAR (cant contain his enthusiasm) Oh lovely lovely lo... BALTHAZAR (cuts him off, curtly) Kaspar! MOTHER (and son prepare Amahl for his journey. She asks) What to do with your crutch? AMAHL (suggests) You can tie it to my back. (Amahl and his mother then say their goodbyes to eachother) MOTHER Dont forget to wear your hat! SON I shall always wear my hat. TOGETHER So, my darling goodbye! I shall miss you very much. MOTHER Wash your ears. SON Yes, I promise. MOTHER Dont tell lies.

S, madre. LA MADRE Ests realmente seguro, seguro? EL HIJO Estoy seguro. LA MADRE (hace una pausa reflexionando, luego concede) S, pienso que debes ir... y dar las gracias al nio, t mismo. AMAHL (repite como un loro su pregunta) Ests realmente segura, segura? LA MADRE Ve... preprate. GASPAR (Trata de entender, por no haber odo bien) Qu ha dicho ella? BALTASAR (se inclina hacia Gaspar y le grita) Ella dice que el nio puede venir! GASPAR (sin poder contener su entusiasmo) Oh, qu hermoso! Qu hermoso!... BALTASAR (lo interrumpe lacnicamente) Gaspar! LA MADRE (preparando a Amahl para su viaje, pregunta) Qu vas a hacer con tu muleta? AMAHL (sugiere) Puedo atarla a mi espalda. (Amahl y su madre se dicen adis llenos de emocin y ternura) LA MADRE No olvides llevar tu sombrero! EL HIJO Siempre llevar mi sombrero. AMBOS Entonces, querida madre/ querido hijo adis! Te voy a extraar mucho. LA MADRE Lvate las orejas!

SON No, I promise. TOGETHER I shall miss you very much. SON Feed my bird. MOTHER Yes, I promise. SON Watch the cat. MOTHER Yes I promise. TOGETHER I shall miss you very much. (Amahl finishes his preparations) MELCHIOR (asks Amahl) Are you ready? AMAHL Yes, Im ready. MELCHIOR Lets go then. (Amahl and his newfound friends 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.

EL HIJO Lo har, te lo prometo. LA MADRE Y no digas mentiras. EL HIJO No lo har, te lo prometo. AMBOS Te extraar mucho. EL HIJO Dale de comer a mi pajarito. LA MADRE Lo har, te lo prometo. EL HIJO Cuida el gato. LA MADRE S, lo har te lo prometo. AMBOS Te voy a extraar mucho. (Amahl termina sus preparativos) MELCHOR (le pregunta a Amahl) Ests listo? AMAHL S, estoy listo. MELCHOR Vamos entonces! (Amahl y sus nuevos amigos parten por las praderas en penumbras. A medida que avanzan, oyen las canciones de los pastores, que cantan al amanecer en sus campos y casas) LOS PASTORES Pastores, levantaros! Venid, oh pastores, salid fuera! Todas las estrellas han abandonado el cielo. Dulce amanecer, oh, aurora de paz!

Escaneado y traducido por: Jos Luis Roviaro 2010