Billy Budd, op. 50, Act 2: There you are again, Master-at-arms Songtext
von Benjamin Britten
Billy Budd, op. 50, Act 2: There you are again, Master-at-arms Songtext
There you are again, Master-At-Arms
Come up if the matter′s urgent
Now be brief, man, for God's sake
As brief, Your Honor, as my theme allows
I dare not cut it short and I must ask your patience
There′s a man on board who's dangerous
I say again, who's dangerous!
Dangerous?
What mean you?
Disaffected, sir, ripe for the crimes of Spithead and the Nore
A common seaman but a subtle schemer, plotting between
Decks, sapping loyalties, corrupting messmates
Yes, even in this fight, when all hearts should promote
Our common purpose, fomenting, fomenting mutiny
Mutiny?
Mutiny?
I′m not to be scared by words!
Your evidence for this?
Perhaps Your Honor would inspect these guineas?
He crept and offered them at dead of night to a young novice
You will understand how their bright wonder and
Pretty twinkling would tempt a simple boy, but he
Held firm and came at once and handed them to me
How came the boy back home?
A common seaman?
Strange story
What′s his name?
His name is William Budd
Budd?
Billy Budd, fourth topman?
The same
Nay!
Nay!
You're mistaken!
The old police have deceived you!
Don′t come to me with so foggy a tale!
That young fellow I get good reports of!
Fog?
Nay, you're mistaken!
Don′t come to me with so foggy a tale!
You know those notes, the deckhand, the sailor after mast
His name, name- I've seen Billy Budd in my time and I trust him
A man-trap lurks under those ruddy deep bay sways
Ruddy deep bay sways!
You say?
There′s a yearning for a false witness
Sir!
Sir!
Your Honor- No more
I'll see that fellow at once
Boy!
Yes, sir?
You know William Budd, fourth topman?
Oh, yes
Billy Budd, sir
Find him
Bring him aft
Bring him aft to my cabin
Do you understand?
Yes, sir!
You, Master-At-Arms, when you've seen the latter, follow him quietly
I have heard you speak
I wish to speak with him
In a few minutes you will be admitted and confront him
Thank you, Your Honor
I trust that nothing I have done-
Nothing I have done will deliver you!
Come up if the matter′s urgent
Now be brief, man, for God's sake
As brief, Your Honor, as my theme allows
I dare not cut it short and I must ask your patience
There′s a man on board who's dangerous
I say again, who's dangerous!
Dangerous?
What mean you?
Disaffected, sir, ripe for the crimes of Spithead and the Nore
A common seaman but a subtle schemer, plotting between
Decks, sapping loyalties, corrupting messmates
Yes, even in this fight, when all hearts should promote
Our common purpose, fomenting, fomenting mutiny
Mutiny?
Mutiny?
I′m not to be scared by words!
Your evidence for this?
Perhaps Your Honor would inspect these guineas?
He crept and offered them at dead of night to a young novice
You will understand how their bright wonder and
Pretty twinkling would tempt a simple boy, but he
Held firm and came at once and handed them to me
How came the boy back home?
A common seaman?
Strange story
What′s his name?
His name is William Budd
Budd?
Billy Budd, fourth topman?
The same
Nay!
Nay!
You're mistaken!
The old police have deceived you!
Don′t come to me with so foggy a tale!
That young fellow I get good reports of!
Fog?
Nay, you're mistaken!
Don′t come to me with so foggy a tale!
You know those notes, the deckhand, the sailor after mast
His name, name- I've seen Billy Budd in my time and I trust him
A man-trap lurks under those ruddy deep bay sways
Ruddy deep bay sways!
You say?
There′s a yearning for a false witness
Sir!
Sir!
Your Honor- No more
I'll see that fellow at once
Boy!
Yes, sir?
You know William Budd, fourth topman?
Oh, yes
Billy Budd, sir
Find him
Bring him aft
Bring him aft to my cabin
Do you understand?
Yes, sir!
You, Master-At-Arms, when you've seen the latter, follow him quietly
I have heard you speak
I wish to speak with him
In a few minutes you will be admitted and confront him
Thank you, Your Honor
I trust that nothing I have done-
Nothing I have done will deliver you!
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