(Elgar)
S.B. from Glasgow
The GLASGOW STATION CHOIR
THE GLASGOW STATION ORCHESTRA
This 'Ballad for Chorus and Orchestra' was written about 1897. The poem, by Shapcot Wensley, is a concise treatment of the well-known legend of St. George and the Dragon. There are two Scenes and an Epilogue; but, whereas the First Scene is separate from the Second, the Second runs straight into the Epilogue.
SCENE I.
The Dragon lives hard by the town of Sylene. Daily he exacts the sacrifice of a maiden of the town, and all Sylene is lamenting its misfortune. Then-
Forth from the palace, beautiful as day,
Fair Sabra comes, the daughter of the king,
Night in her eyes and sunshine in her hair.
Sabra tries to comfort the people, and tells them she is to sacrifice herself to the dragon to free Sylene (Sabra's words are sung by Sopranos).
The First Scene ends in quiet meditation.
O beauteous Love ! thou flower of heaven,
Transplanted to a world of care.
SCENE II.
At the opening of the Second
Scene the princess Sabra has gone forth and awaits the Dragon She bids her father a quiet farewell. Very softly is heard again-
O beauteous Love ! thou flower of heaven!
Then comes a quickening of tho beat, and 'Tis the ringing hoof of steed, A warrior comes at foaming speed.
All that follows is vividly descriptive. The Dragon soon appears, and a fierce struggle follows. Saint George is unhorsed, but kills tho Dragon with his sword, Ascalon' Ascalon, keen and bright... Never unsheathed but to defend the right.' The people hail him with great shouts; but ho soon bids them farewell - he must go to other lands.
This leads to the Epilogue. four stanzas, of which the first begins-
It comes from the misty ages, The banner of England's might,
The blood-red cross of the brave St. George, That burns on a field of white!
The second stanza recalls how 'O'er many a cloud of battle The banner has floated wide.' The third stanza begins 'O ne'er may the flag beloved Unfurl in a strife unblest.' The fourth stanza acclaims the ' Great Queen ' who had long reigned and still reigned when this work was written.