MERMAN AND MERMAID.
(Grand Operatic Phantasmagoria)
(In Opera and Pantomime)
Words and Music by
Erwin E. Harder.
Prologue.
The Hurricane — Music — Open sea.
(Ship sinks)
"The Depths of Mystery."
(Ocean's bottom, curious denizens)
OWONDLO.
(Merman)
What does this mean?
How came I here,
In this mysterious sphere?
Great God! a sunken ship.
Great Lord! that name, Gigantic,
Once the largest ship afloat.
'Tis strange, these fish about me,
The almighty creator spared my life,
Transformed me in the living sea.
NEPTUNE.
(Draws near with scepter in hand)
I name thee Owondlo,
Twice blessed are ye,
For I, King Neptune, command the sea,
Be brave and seek ye a weapon,
For the ocean has enemies
That your life will threaten.
'Tis in the depths you are confined,
About you lay gardens of the sea.
Now farewell, I must be off,
As my duties of the sea,
Are calling me flee, flee.
(Trumpets and Horns muted as Neptune hurries away)
OWONDLO.
Thrice blessed art thou,
King Neptune of the sea.
(Curtain)
