Excerpt from Lakmé Opera in Three Acts

The action of Lakmé progresses in India, and the opening incidents of the opera occur near the abode of Nilakantha, a brahmin, who, with his followers, still abhors the invading race. Gerald and Frederick, oflicers m the British army, with Rose and Ellen, English ladies visiting the East, while strolling in the environs desecrate the sacred grounds by their presence. Being brought to a sense of their intrusion, they depart, but Gerald remains for the purpose of sketching the design of some jewels which have been forgotten In the garden by Lakmé, the brahmin' s daughter. Lakme now enters, and her beauty at once wins Gerald's heart. Some love passages follow, but they are rudely interrupted by the sudden return of Nilakantha. It is death for a foreigner to profane consecrated soil, and Lakme hastens her lover's departure. He leaves unseen, but Nilakantha finds traces of his visit, and the curtain falls upon the Indian' 3 oath of vengeance. In the second act, the scene is shifted to a neighboring city, where a great festival is in course of celebration. Nilakantha and Lakme disguised as penitents, mingle with the throng, the brahmin intent upon discovering the author of the sacrilege. He commands Lakme to sing, and the voice of the loved one makes Gerald reveal himself. His doom is sealed. Nht comes on, and when the crowd has scattered and the public square is deserted, N ilakantha strikes Gerald down. Lakmé, however, has seen the deed, and With the aid of Hadji, a faithful attendant, she bears the young man, who is not mortally wounded, away. This episode brings the second act of the Opera to a close. When the curtain rises upon the third, it discloses a forest view, with Gerald, who has been restored to health and strength through Lakme' scare, slumbenn g at the maiden' sside. The couple once more exchange assurances of undying love. A chorus of voices is heard in the distance. It is sung by a procession of young people on their way to taste the sacred waters which are said to make love perennial. Gerald and Lakmé must essay their powers, and the girl goes forth to fill a cup at the holy fount. While she is absent, Frederick re -appears to Gerald, who has long been missing, and recalls him from romance to reality. The regiment is about to march away, and Gerald must be at his post. He promises to answer the roll-call after having bidden fare well to Lakme. Frederick accepts his friend's word and leaves him. Lakme returns with the sacred water. As Gerald is about to put the cup to his lips, however, the sound of drum and fife reaches his ears. He starts and Lakme, at a glance, understands everything. In quiet but 0 'ermastering despair, she gathers some poisonous flowers and expresses their juice between her teeth. Death follows In a few minutes, the heart-broken creature expiring in Gerald's arms as Nilakantha and his followers enter and behold the sorrowful picture.

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