In Act 4, Scene 1 of Vaughn Williams opera The Pilgrim’s Progress (based on John Bunyan’s 1678 morality play), the Pilgrim meets Mister and Madam By-ends. Mister By-Ends claims to be a gentleman of quality and offers to accompany the Pilgrim on his journey from the City of Destruction (this world) to the Celestial City (heaven). Their religious path, however, differs significantly from the path the Pilgrim has chosen, since the By-Ends want to follow Christ when it’s easy, with no attention to Christ’s suffering and death. You can hear their conversation, excerpted here, by clicking on the video below.
MADAM BY-ENDS (indicating the Pilgrim to her husband): We hear of some that are righteous over much, they rush on their journey all weathers. But we are for waiting for wind and tide. They are for hazarding all for God at a clap. But we are for taking all advantages to secure our estate. They are for religion in rags and contempt, but we are for him when he walks in his golden slippers in the sunshine and with applause. […]
PILGRIM: If you would go with me you must go against the wind and tide. You must own religion in his rags and stand by him too when bound in irons.
MADAM BY-ENDS: You must not impose, nor lord it over our faith. Leave us to our liberty and let us go with you.
PILGRIM: Not a step further unless you will do as I do in what I propose.
MISTER BY-ENDS: I will never desert my old principles, since they are harmless and profitable. If I may not go with you I must e’en go by myself, till some overtake me that will be glad of my company. (Bowing low) Your servant!
MADAM BY-ENDS (bowing low): Your servant!
BOTH: Your servant! (He gives his arm to his wife. They both bow low, promenade round, make a final bow, and go off.)
PILGRIM: If this man cannot stand before the judgement of men, how shall he stand before the judgement of God?
To hear this scene performed by the London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, click on the video below (or on the word video):
PILGRIM: Not a step further unless you will do as I do in what I propose.
MISTER BY-ENDS: I will never desert my old principles, since they are harmless and profitable. If I may not go with you I must e’en go by myself, till some overtake me that will be glad of my company. (Bowing low) Your servant!
MADAM BY-ENDS (bowing low): Your servant!
BOTH: Your servant! (He gives his arm to his wife. They both bow low, promenade round, make a final bow, and go off.)
PILGRIM: If this man cannot stand before the judgement of men, how shall he stand before the judgement of God?
--R. Vaughn Williams, The Pilgrim’s Progress
To hear this scene performed by the London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, click on the video below (or on the word video):
Image source: Timothy Robinson and Ann Murray as Mister and Madam By-Ends in the English National Opera production of The Pilgrim’s Progress, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/timothy-robinson-as-mister-by-ends-and-ann-murray-as-madam-news-photo/539859754
No comments:
Post a Comment