would be remobilized, and the enemy would be taken by surprise and annihilated in a decisive battle.
All applaud this plan even more than they applauded the previous one, and Dodon embraces his son and congratulates him on his military genius. But General Polkan objects, saying: The enemy may deceive them and not wait a month before attacking the capital.
The court council falls into a heated discussion and a long debate about divining the future by means of beer dregs, or bean seeds; and while they are thus engaged, the old Astrologer enters and solves the problem. He is bringing the King a gift — a golden cockerel — and he presents it, saying:
— This cockerel should be set upon a column to watch for danger; if the enemy advances, it will warn you with its crowing!
The King is greatly pleased with the precious gift and asks the Astrologer what reward he desires. The Astrologer asks for nothing at that moment, but begs the King to promise him, in writing, a gift in the future. At this the King shows his displeasure at a written pledge, and the Astrologer contents himself with a verbal promise.
The assembly disperses, and a great bed is brought for the old King, whom drowsiness has overcome. Amelfa, the mistress of the household, comes and prepares the bed and some food; then the King sinks into his sleep, and dreams, as sleepers dream, of ravishing maidens dancing a wonderful dance. But the golden cockerel soon crows, warning of imminent danger, and crowds rush to the court; the King issues his order to his two sons to lead
the armies out to face the enemy, then lies down again, and dreams of the dancers and the ravishing maidens. The cockerel wakes him with its crowing, and he realizes that he must do something; so he orders his armor brought to him — old and covered with rust — and his sword — heavier than he can carry — and his horse, which must be a quiet horse. After great effort the King manages to put on his armor and mount his horse with the help of some of his men. As for the mistress of the household, it grieves her that the King should go without taking his food, but he reassures her that he will eat on his way whatever falls into his hands.
And so the King rides out to the field amid the cheers and salutes of the crowds. In vain do they try to dissuade him from his resolve and keep him in the rear, far from danger.
Act Two
The scene: a battlefield
The time is just before dawn, and through the darkness the onlooker makes out corpses strewn here and there, among them the bodies of Guidon and Afron, the King's two sons, each one's body pierced by the other's sword, their two horses standing near them in deep mourning. For in the thick of the fray the two brothers slew one another without knowing it.
The King and his army come upon this dreadful sight, and his voice rises in wailing for the grievous loss that has befallen him. Dawn breaks, and they glimpse in the distance a tent which they believe to be one of the enemy's tents. They load their small cannon with explosives and open fire on it, and presently there emerges from it a beauty attended by Oriental
handmaidens. It is the Queen of Shemakha, and she bursts into the "Hymn to the Sun," a song that tells of the love she could offer her beloved in her distant Eastern land.
King Dodon forgets the painful sight of his two sons once their bodies have been carried away, and approaches her, followed by General Polkan. The Queen offers them wine and invites them to sit beside her on the soft carpets, and tells Dodon that she has come, in fact, to conquer his country. He asks her where her army is, and she replies that a woman of her charm and beauty has no need of any army. Polkan begins to put foolish questions and make silly remarks, and the Queen asks Dodon to dismiss him from her presence. Polkan withdraws and hides behind a rock to watch what will happen.
As for the bewitching, coquettish Queen, she has resolved to win the heart of old King Dodon with her splendid singing and her wonderful dancing. She induces him to sing, and then to dance, despite his hesitation at first, for he hates to have his army see him in such a state.
The Queen goes on flattering him now, teasing him now, until in the end he offers her his hand and his kingdom, and even the head of General Polkan, should she have any desire for it. She accepts what is offered, adorns herself in her most splendid finery, and the procession sets out for the capital to strains of music that are a medley of military marches and the airs played at weddings.
Act Three
The scene: before the court of King Dodon
In the spacious square before the royal court