L'ombre descend des cieux

English Libretto or Translation:

CHORUS
in the distance

La, la, la, la, la!
Darkness is descending from heaven,
night is spreading its veils
and the white stars
are bathing in the azure
of the silent waves!
Darkness is descending from heaven,
night is spreading its veils, etc.

NOURABAD
going up to Leila
The boats are back on the beach,
our task is over for tonight, Leila!
You can sleep here.

LEILA
Alas, will you leave me alone?

NOURABAD
Yes, but you need not quake,
have no fear!
Over there, inaccessible rocks
are guarded by the roaring waves.
On that side is the camp, and there, terrifying sentinels,
with rifles on their shoulders and daggers between their teeth,
our friends will keep watch!

LEILA
May Brahma protect me!

NOURABAD
If your heart remains pure, if you keep your promise,
sleep peacefully under my protection and fear no snare!

LEILA
In the face of death itself,
I was once strong enough to keep
the promise I had made!

NOURABAD
You? How?

LEILA
I was still a child one night, I remember,
a man, a fugitive, begging for my help,
took refuge in our humble dwelling;
and I, my heart moved by his prayer, promised
to hide him from everyone and to protect his life.
Soon, a wild horde ran in and began to threaten me.
I was surrounded, a dagger was raised over my head...
I kept silent!
Night came, he fled, he was saved.
But before he escaped to the distant savannah:
"O brave child," he said, "here, take this chain
and keep it always, in remembrance of me!
And I shall remember!"
I had saved his life and kept my promise.

NOURABAD
Very well! Bear this in mind,
Zurga may hold you responsible for all our ills.
Bear this in mind, think of God!

Nourabad leaves with the fakirs.

CHORUS
in the distance
La, la, la, la, etc.