Rusalka

A Lyrical Fairy-tale in Three Acts

Jaroslav Kvapil, Patrick John Corness

• Publisher: Karolinum Press, Charles University
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9788024643816
• eBook ISBN: 9788024647050
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Classics

Famous as the libretto for Antonín Dvorák's opera of the same name, Jaroslav Kvapil's poem Rusalka is an intriguing work of literature on its own. Directly inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous "The Little Mermaid," Kvapil's reinterpretation adds an array of nuanced poetic techniques, a more dramatic tempo, and dark undertones that echo the work of eminent Czech folklorist Karel Jaromír Erben. All of these influences work in tandem to create a poetic work that is familiar yet innovative.
 
Transposed into the folkloric topos of a landlocked Bohemia, the mermaid is rendered here as a Slavic rusalka—a dangerous water nymph—who must choose between love and immortality. Thus, Rusalka, while certainly paying homage to the original story's Scandinavian roots, is still a distinct work of modern Czech literature. Newly translated by Patrick Corness, Kvapil's work will now find a fresh group of readers looking to get lost in one of Europe's great lyrical fairy tale traditions.

Characters

Wood Nymph

Second Wood Nymph

Third Wood Nymph

Spirit of the Lake (Water Spirit)

Rusalka (Water Nymph)

Water Nymphs

Ježibaba (Forest Witch)

Huntsman

Prince

Gamekeeper

Kitchen Hand

Foreign Princess

Act One

A glade on the shore of a lake, surrounded by forest. Among the trees at the lakeside stands the cottage of the witch Ježibaba.

THREE WOOD NYMPHS – dancing in the glade:

Hey, hey, ho –

the moon lights up the lake below.

She peers right down into the deep,

and glides across the stony bed.

The Water Spirit is asleep –

hey, hey, ho –

nodding away, Old Green Head.

Hey, hey, ho –

who goes there at dead of night?

Water Spirit, the moon shines bright,

she’s bobbing at your window, so

quite soon inside your home she’ll steal –

hey, hey, ho –

upon your silver den she’ll call –

Hey, hey, ho –

the roaming moon lights up the lake.

A gentle breeze is dancing there.

The Water Spirit is awake,

Water Spirit – it’s Old Green Hair –

hey, hey, ho –

blowing bubbles from below!

Spirit of the Lake emerges above the surface of the lake, rubbing his eyes.

WOOD NYMPHS:

Hey, hey, ho –

Here’s Water Spirit from below!

Water Spirit wants a wife;

which one of you will cause some strife,

brush the hair on the old man’s head –

hey, hey, ho –

usurp the Old Green Woman’s bed?

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

You’re welcome on our shore, wood sprites!

If you lively girls feel bored out there,

down here, you know, I’ve nothing but delights.

I’ve golden fish galore, there’s bags to spare;

through rushes I’ll flit,

just reach out a bit,

snatch a damsel’s toe.

catch her leg like so,

draw her down below.

He tries to catch the wood nymphs.

WOOD NYMPHS:

Water Spirit, ha, ha, ha!

come on, catch us if you can!

The one you catch, my dear man,

she will kiss you, ha, ha, ha!

But then your wife, ooh la la!

old Water Spirit, ha, ha, ha!

she’ll box your ears, ha, ha, ha!

They scatter.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Oh, what a cheeky lot! They always rush headlong

up hill, down dale – ah well, they’re young, so young!

RUSALKA – surfacing in the lake:

Water Spirit, father dear!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Oh goodness me, my child,

are you, in this moonlight clear,

seeing my nets get dried?

RUSALKA:

Water Spirit, father dear,

until the water starts to foam,

bide with me a while, stay near,

console me in my gloom.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

You’re sad, I see!

RUSALKA:

I’ll tell you what ails me.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

At home you aren’t happy?

RUSALKA:

So sad it stifles me!

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

Below we’re such a joyful throng.

This can’t be true. Tell me what’s wrong.

RUSALKA:

Your depths down here I want to shun

to be a human, living in the sun.

SPIRIT OF THE LAKE:

My ears just can’t belie...

Table of contents

• About the Author
• Rusalka (EN)
• Rusalka (CZ)
• Afterword Rusalka: A Fairy Tale in Reverse
• Translator’s Note
• About the Translator