Music by

Wolfgang A. Mozart

Lyrics by
Edgar A. Poe

Book by
Stephen M. Sweeney

Based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe

1
 Nevermore:
The Musical

Characters:

Edgar Poe
Roderick Usher
Lenore Usher
The Raven

Musical Numbers:

Prologue
1. The Haunted Palace ..................................Raven

Act I Scene 1
2. Bridal Ballad.......................................Lenore
3. Song.................................................Usher
4. Evening Star................................Poe and Lenore
5. The Happiest Day ...................................Lenore

Act I Scene 2
6. A Dream.............................................Lenore
7. Romance..............................................Raven
8. The Raven............................................Usher

Act II Scene 1
9. The Sleeper...........................................Raven
10. A Dream Within a Dream Pt. 1..................Poe / Usher
11. Hymn...........................................Usher / Poe
12. Spirits of the Death............................ ....Usher

Act II Scene 2
13. Serenade..............................................
.Poe
14. Imitation...........................................Le
nore
15. A Dream Within a Dream Pt. 2...........................Poe
16. The Bells............................................Raven

Epilogue:
17. To One In
Paradise..................................Lenore

2
 Prologue:

(Edgar Poe enters into a single

spotlight.)

Edgar.
Roderick Usher had been one of my companions but many months had
elapsed since our last meeting. A letter, however, had lately reached
me, a letter from him which, showed evidence of nervous agitation.
The letter, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no
other than a personal reply. In his correspondence he spoke of acute
bodily illness- of a mental disorder which oppressed him – and of
earnest desire to see me, as his best and indeed his only personal
friend. It was the manner in which all this, and much more, which
allowed me no room for hesitation. I accordingly obeyed forthwith
what I still considered a very singular summons. During the whole of
a dull, dark and soundless day in autumn through a singularly dreary
tract of country I found myself within view of the melancholy House
of Usher. With the first glimpse of the building, a sense of
insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. I looked upon the scene before
me upon the mere house with an utter depression of soul which I can
compare to no earthly sensation. There was an iciness, a sinking, a
sickening of the heart. What was it that so unnerved me in the
contemplation of the House of Usher? It was possible, that a mere
different arrangement of the particulars of the details of the
picture, would be sufficient to modify, of perhaps to annihilate its
capacity for sorrowful impression. About the whole mansion and domain
there hung an atmosphere peculiar to themselves and their immediate
vicinity. An atmosphere which had no affinity with the air of heaven,
a pestilent and mystic vapor, dull, sluggish faintly discernible, and
leaden-hued.

(The Raven enters after Overture in front of a projection

of the House of Usher in a dilapidated state.)

Song No. 1 The Haunted Palace

The Raven.
In the greenest of our valleys
Once a fair and stately palace
It stood there!
Banners yellow, glorious, golden,
On its roof did float and flow,
long ago,
And every gentle air that dallied,
Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,
Went away.

And travellers, now, within that valley

3
Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms, that move fantastically
The Raven (cont.).
To a discordant melody,
While, like a ghastly rapid river,
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rush out forever
And laugh-but smile no more.

Wanderers in happy valley,

Through two luminous windows, saw
musically,
The ruler of the realm was seen.
And with pearl and ruby glowing
Evermore,
Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing
A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty
Was to sing,

But evil things, in robes of sorrow,

Assailed the monarch's high estate.
(Ah, let us mourn! - for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed.

And travellers, now, within that valley

Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms, that move fantastically
To a discordant melody,
While, like a ghastly rapid river,
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rush out forever
And laugh-but smile no more.

4
 Act 1
Scene 1

(The scene transitions to 8 months

prior).

Edgar.
The last time I had laid eyes on the House of Usher was during it's
splendor at Roderick's wedding to his beloved, Lenore. Eight Months
ago the “Red Death” had long devastated the country. No pestilence
had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. There were sharp pains, and
sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores. Blood was
it's Avatar and its seal. But Roderick was happy, in love, dauntless
and sagacious. While the dominions were half depopulated, he summoned
to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends to bear
witness to his nuptials. Despite Lenore's pleas to postpone, Roderick
arranged all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there
were improvisatory actors, there were ballet-dancers, there were
musicians, there was beauty and there was wine. All these and
security were within without was the “Red Death”. The most splendid
wedding any dominion had ever scene, Roderick had arranged as a
masked ball, following the ceremony, of the most unusual
magnificence. It was a creation of Roderick's own eccentric yet
august tastes. It was a voluptuous scene which was held in seven
rooms.

(The Raven enters as a priest and stands upstage center.

Roderick enters and stands before him. Edgar crosses to
Roderick's side as best man. Lenore dressed in a wedding
gown enters downstage right.)

Song No. 2 Bridal Ballad

Lenore.
The ring is on my hand,
And the wreath is on my brow;
Satin and jewels
Are all at my command,
And I am happy now.

My lord he loves me well;

When first he breathed his vow,
I felt my bosom swell -
For words rang as a knell,
The voice seemed his who fell
Down in the battle dell
And who is happy now.

Would God I could awaken!

5
 For I dream I know not how
And my soul is sorely shaken
Lenore (cont.).
Lest an evil step be taken, -
Lest the dead who is forsaken
May not be happy now.

But re-assure me,

He kissed my pallid brow,
Reverie came o'er me,
To the church-yard bore me,
I sighed to him before me,
Oh, I am happy now!

Would God I could awaken!

For I dream I know not how
And my soul is sorely shaken
Lest an evil step be taken, -
Lest the dead who is forsaken
May not be happy now.

And thus the words were spoken,

And this the plighted vow,
And, though my faith be broken,
And, though my heart be broken,
Here is a ring, as token
That I am happy now!

Would God I could awaken!

For I dream I know not how
And my soul is sorely shaken
Lest an evil step be taken, -
Lest the dead who is forsaken
May not be happy now.

The Raven.
I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.

(The Raven Exits as Lenore and Roderick kiss.)

Edgar.
My dear friends Congratulations. I couldn't think of any two people
who more deserve each other.

Roderick.
Thank you. Thank you, my friend.

Lenore.
Oh, Edgar, thank you.

6
 Roderick.
So my dear friend, what do you think?

Edgar.
It is very impressive. Where ever did you get that monkey?

Roderick.
Only the best for my beautiful bride.

Lenore.
Oh, my love. I think this spectacle is more for your ego than for my
enjoyment.

Roderick.
My dear, you wound me. Well, maybe just a little bit.

Lenore.
I thought so.

(LENORE laughs. A deep low loud clock gong disrupts the

conversation. The clock strikes six.)

Edgar.
What in the world?

Lenore.
You've heard just about the only thing my new husband and I don't see
eye to eye on.

Edgar.
Yes, I can see why.

Roderick.
It's just a clock.

Edgar.
Just a clock? Nothing is ever just a clock with you Roderick.

Roderick.
Well, it may be a bit large. Perhaps a little loud.

Lenore.
It's dreadful. It's shaped like a coffin and the chimes scare me.

Roderick.
My dear, I assure you it is not a coffin.

Edgar.

7
I say, Roderick, where did you get such a monstrosity?

Roderick.
I was in eastern Europe searching for the perfect acrobats for this
wedding and this clock simply spoke to me.

Edgar.
What exactly did it say?

Lenore.
Bury me...

Roderick.
You two can tease all you want. You'll grow to love it.

Lenore.
You better be right or you'll have a lot to make up to me.

Roderick.
Now do you see why I married this wonderful woman?

Song No. 3 Song

Roderick.
I saw thee on thy bridal day -
When a burning blush came over thee,
Though happiness around thee lay,
The world all love before thee:

And in thine eye a kindling light

(Whatever it might be)
Was all on Earth my aching sight
Of loveliness could see.

That blush, perhaps, was maiden shame-

As such it well may pass -
Though it's glow hath raised a fiercer flame
In the breast of him, alas!

And in thine eye a kindling light

(Whatever it might be)
Was all on Earth my aching sight
Of loveliness could see.

I saw thee on thy bridal day,

When a deep blush came over thee,
Though happiness around thee lay
The world all love before thee.

8
 (Lenore and Roderick kiss. A crash off stage draws
Roderick's attention.)

Roderick.
If you excuse me, allow me to investigate. I'll be back in a moment.
I think, my love, that I leave you in good company.

Lenore.
Go, my dear husband, I will be fine.

(Roderick exits.)

Edgar.
So, it looks as though the better man won.

Lenore.
Edgar, please. I love you but, my heart belongs to Roderick.

Edgar.
I know. I am happier for it. Honestly. I am very happy for you and my
dearest friend. If it were not to be me, I am overjoyed that it is
him.

Lenore.
I do wish it could have been you.

Edgar.
The heart wants what the heart wants. I do not place blame on anyone.
Have you told him?

Lenore.
No. I do not think I could bear to destroy him as well as your
friendship which I know would destroy you.

Edgar.
You are correct. I do not envy a woman who holds so much power.

Lenore.
Power?

Edgar.
Indeed. You hold the power of destruction.

Lenore.
Please, Edgar. Let us not speak of such things. It is my wedding day.
Let us be merry.

Edgar.
Grant me one wish.

9
 Lenore.
Edgar...

Edgar.
Dance with me?

Lenore.
Okay.

Song No. 4 Evening Star

(Edgar and Lenore dance)

Edgar.
'Twas noontide of summer,
And mid-time of night;

Lenore.
And stars, in their orbits,
Shone pale, thro' the light

Edgar.
Of the brighter, cold moon,
'Mid planets her slaves,

Lenore.
Herself in the Heavens,
Her beam on the waves.

Edgar and Lenore.

I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
Too cold – too cold for me-
Thou bearest in Heaven at night,
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,
Than that colder, lowly light.
I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,

Lenore.
There pass'd, as a shroud,
A fleecy cloud,

Edgar.
And I turned away to thee,

10
 Proud Evening Star,

Lenore.
Thy glory afar,
Dearer thy beam shall be;

Edgar.
Joy to my heart
The proud part

Edgar and Lenore.

Joy to my heart
The proud part

I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
Too cold – too cold for me-
Thou bearest in Heaven at night,
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,
Than that colder, lowly light.
I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,

(Lenore and Edgar finish their dance.)

Edgar.
My dear friend, I regretfully must leave.

Lenore.
What? But we've only just begun and what about Roderick?

Edgar.
I wish I could stay. I've got a long journey ahead of me.

Lenore.
Where do you go?

Edgar.
The Americas. I must return home.

Lenore.
Edgar, You are always welcome here. Don't stay away long.

Edgar.
So long my dear friend. I will go and tell Roderick goodbye.

11
 (Edgar exits.)

Lenore.
Oh, you stupid, stupid woman. What have you done?

Song No. 5 The Happiest Day

The happiest day -- the happiest hour

My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.

Lenore. (cont.)
Of power! said I? yes! such I ween;
But they have vanish'd long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been-
But let them pass.
And, pride, what have I now with thee?
Another brow may even inherit
The venom thou hast pour'd on me
Be still, my spirit!

The happiest day -- the happiest hour

Mine eyes shall see -- have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
I feel- have been:

But were that hope of pride and power

Now offer'd with the pain
Even then I felt -- that brightest hour
I would not live again:
For on its wing was dark alloy,
And, as it flutter'd -- fell
An essence -- powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.

The happiest day -- the happiest hour

My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.

(Blackout)

12
 Act I
Scene 2

(Edgar enters into his narration light

back in present day.)

Edgar.
I entered the Gothic archway of the hall in my progress to the studio
of Roderick. Much that I encountered on the way contributed, I know
not how, to heighten the vague sentiments of which I have already
spoken. While the objects around me I had been accustomed from my
infancy I still wondered to find how unfamiliar were the fancies of
which ordinary images were stirring up. I met the physician of the
family. His countenance, I thought, wore a mingled expression of low
cunning and perplexity.

(Raven enters as the Doctor.)

Raven.
Ah, you must be Mr. Poe. Roderick had informed me you may be coming.
I confess that neither he nor his wife are fit for visitor’s however
he insisted he see you.

Edgar.
Where is Roderick? I must see him.

Raven.
He is sleeping and I implore you not to disturb him while he
slumbers. His mental state is not what it once was.

Edgar.
What has happened?

Raven.
An illness of which I have not seen before.

Edgar.
And what of Lenore?

Raven.
She also has fallen ill, however her affliction is more physical.

Edgar.
I must see her.

Raven.
Of course. She is in her room. She is weak, however she is awake.

(Raven exits. Scene transitions to Lenore in bed Edgar

13
 approaches.)

Lenore.
Edgar? What are you doing here? You must leave at once.

Edgar.
Roderick begged me to come. Why must I leave?

Lenore.
It is not safe for you here. Roderick is not himself and something
strange has come over me.

Edgar.
The doctor said you were ill.

Lenore.
No, I’m not merely ill. Do not trust the doctor.

Edgar.
What happened? When did this start?

Lenore.
At the wedding, after you left. The merriment continued and Roderick
had more in store for the rest of the guests.

(The scene transitions to 8 months ago back at the wedding

celebration. Roderick enters as Lenore and Edgar exit.)

Roderick.
At midnight, which is in about twenty minutes time we will all adorn
masks and commence the masquerade ball. Now if you excuse me I must
find my bride.

(Roderick crosses as Lenore enters.)

Roderick.
My love, why are you alone?

Lenore.
I just needed some time. Thank you for a wonderful reception.

Roderick.
It’s not over yet.

Lenore.
I know. I just have this feeling that something is not right.

Roderick.

14
I know Edgar’s leaving has upset you. I too wish that he could have
stayed a bit longer.

Lenore.
It’s not that. Roderick, I had a dream last night. I do not think
things are well.

Song No. 6 A Dream.

Lenore. (cont.)
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.

Ah! What is a dream

To him whose eyes are cast
On things around with ray
Turned back upon the past?

That holy dream – that holy dream,

While all the world were chiding,
Hath cheered me a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.

Ah! What is a dream

To him whose eyes are cast
On things around with ray
Turned back upon the past?

What thought that light, thro’ storm and night,

So trembled from afar-
What could there be more purely bright
In Truths day-star?

Ah! What is a dream

To him whose eyes are cast
On things around with ray
Turned back upon the past?

Roderick.
My love. It was but a dream. What is in your past that I do not know
or that you must be so afraid of?

Lenore.
Roderick, we should leave. We should follow Edgar to America.

Roderick.
But Lenore, our home is here.

15
 Lenore.
But I am frightened.

(The clock chimes twelve.)

Roderick.
Quell your fears. It is time for the Masquerade. Your mask, my love.

(Lenore takes the mask from Roderick and places it on her

face as he does the same with his own. Dr. Raven enters
wearing the garb of the Red Death.)

Roderick.
Who are you? Who dares insults me and my bride!

(Raven crosses the stage and exits. Roderick chases after

him.)

Roderick.
Come back here! I will have you hanged.

Lenore.
Roderick! Please no!

(Lenore begins to cough and collapses to her knees. The

Raven enters without the mask of his costume.)

The Raven.
Lenore…

Song No. 7 Romance

Romance, who loves to nod and sing,

With drowsy head and folded wing,
Among the green leaves as they shake
Far down within some shadowy lake,

A most familiar bird-

Taught me my alphabet
Spoke my very first word
While in the wild wood I did lie,
with a most knowing eye.

Of late, eternal Condor years

So shake the very Heaven on high
With tumult as they thunder by,
I have no time for idle cares

A most familiar bird-

16
 Taught me my alphabet
Spoke my very first word
While in the wild wood I did lie,
with a most knowing eye.

Gazing, unquiet sky

A painted paroquet
My Heart to be a crime!
The Raven. (cont.)
And when an hour with calmer wings
Its down upon my spirit flings-
To while away- forbidden things!
trembled with the strings.

A most familiar bird-

Taught me my alphabet
Spoke my very first word
While in the wild wood I did lie,
with a most knowing eye.

Lenore...

(The Raven helps Lenore back into the bed, lights fade out
as he bends to drink from her neck. Scene transitions to 8
months later back to present. When the lights come back up
Raven is gone and Edgar is as he was at Lenore’s bed.)

Edgar.
So it was this stranger who is the cause of this? Did Roderick catch
him?

Lenore.
No. Roderick could not find him and it drove him into madness. I fell
ill and the house into decay. As you find us… (coughs).

Edgar.
I’m going to go see Roderick. You rest. I’ll return.

(Edgar rises to exit. Raven enters as the doctor.)

Raven.
Lenore, it is time for your treatment.

Lenore.
Edgar.

Raven.
I assure you this will help her ailment.

17
 Edgar.
Get well, my friend.

(Edgar exits.)

Lenore.
Edgar!

(Scene transitions to Roderick’s study which is very dark

with the curtains drawn. Roderick sits in a chair. Edgar
enters.)

Roderick.
Edgar! Thank heavens you’ve come. We are doomed! Lenore and I.

Edgar.
Roderick, what are you speaking of? Why are you doomed?

Roderick.
It’s this house! We cannot leave! It is the name of Usher, it will
consume us! I shall perish. I must perish in this deplorable folly.
Thus, thus, and not otherwise, shall I be lost. I dread the events of
the future, not in themselves, but in their results. I shudder at the
thought of any, even the most trivial incident, which may operate
upon this intolerable agitation of soul. I have, indeed, no
abhorrence of danger, except in it’s absolute effect in terror. In
this unnerved in this pitiable condition. I feel that the period will
sooner or later arrive when I must abandon life and reason together,
in some struggle with the grim phantasm, Fear!

Edgar.
Roderick, you make little sense.

Roderick.
It is the curse! The curse of the House of Usher. My family is in
decent. I am the last. With Lenore ill we are doomed. We cannot
conceive to extend the line.

Edgar.
Roderick, Lenore spoke of a stranger at the wedding is he the cause
of all this?

Roderick.
Yes! Yes! The Raven! That creature has haunted my family for years!
He has returned to finally destroy us!

Edgar.
The Raven?

18
Song No. 8 The Raven

Roderick.
Once upon a midnight dreary,
while I pondered, weak and weary,
While I nodded, nearly napping,
suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping,
rapping at my chamber door.
And the silken sad uncertain
rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic
terrors never felt before;
Roderick. (cont.)
So that now, to still the beating
of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance
at my chamber door -
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger;
hesitating then no longer,
here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering,
long I stood there wondering, fearing,
But the silence was unbroken,
and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken
was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning,
all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping
somewhat louder than before.

Open here I flung the shutter,

when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven
of the saintly days of yore;
not a minute stopped or stayed he
perched above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling
my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum
of the countenance it wore.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven
wandering from the Nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is

19
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

But the raven, sitting lonely

on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul
in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered-
not a feather then he fluttered -
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
But the Raven still beguiling
all my fancy into smiling,
Fancy unto fancy, thinking
what this ominous bird of yore –
Roderick. (cont.)
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly,
gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
Then methought the air grew denser,
perfumed from an unseen censer
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee –
by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite - respite and repent me,
from thy memories of Lenore:
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! –
prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether Tempter sent,
or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted,
On this home by horror haunted-
tell me truly, I implore -
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil –

prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us –
It shall clasp a sainted maiden
whom the angels name Lenore -
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting,
bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting -
"Get thee back into the tempest
Leave no black plume as a token
of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!-
Take thy beak from out my heart,
and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

20
 And the Raven, never flitting,
still is sitting, still is sitting
just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming
of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming
throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow
that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Edgar.
My Friend, you are not well. You are raving…

Roderick.
The Raven!

Edgar.
Please Roderick, you need rest. Let me help you to your bed. I will
fetch the doctor.

(Edgar helps Roderick exit. Blackout End Act 1)

21
 Act 2
Scene 1

(The scene opens to Lenore dead on her

bed with The Raven over her. Fresh
blood is at the corner of his mouth.)

Song No. 9 The Sleeper

Raven.

At midnight, in the month of June,

I stand beneath the mystic moon.
An opiate vapour, dewy, dim,
Exhales from out her golden rim,
And, softly dripping, drop by drop,
Upon the quiet mountain top,
Steal drowsily and musically
Into the universal valley.

The rosemary nods upon the grave;

The lily lolls upon the wave;
Wrapping the fog about its breast,
The ruin moulders into rest;
Looking like Lethe, see! the lake
A conscious slumber seems to take,
And would not, for the world, awake.
All beauty sleeps! - and lo! where lies

Lenore, with her Destinies!

Oh, lady bright! can it be right-

The window open to the night?
The wanton airs, from the tree-top,
Laughingly through the lattice drop -
The bodiless airs, a wizard rout,
Flit through thy chamber in and out,
And wave the curtain canopy

22
So fitfully - so fearfully -
Above the closed and fringéd lid
'Neath which thy slumb'ring soul lies hid,
That, o'er the floor and down the wall,
Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall!

Oh, lady dear, hast thou no fear?

Why and what art thou dreaming here?
Sure thou art come o'er far-off seas
A wonder to these garden trees!
Strange is thy pallor! strange thy dress!
Strange, above all, thy length of tress,
And this all solemn silentness!

(Roderick and Edgar enter as the Raven exits. Roderick

falls upon Lenore's body as Edgar stands back.)

Roderick.

The lady sleeps! Oh, may her sleep,

Which is enduring, so be deep!
Heaven have her in its sacred keep!
This chamber changed for one more holy,
This bed for one more melancholy,
I pray to God that she may lie
Forever with unopened eye,
While the pale sheeted ghosts go by!

My love, she sleeps! Oh, may her sleep,

As it is lasting, so be deep!
Soft may the worms about her creep!
Far in the forest, dim and old,
23
 For her may some tall vault unfold -
Some vault that oft hath flung its black
And wingéd panels fluttering back,
Triumphant, o'er the crested palls,

(The Raven appears in the large coffin clock.)

Roderick and The Raven.

So fitfully - so fearfully -
Above the closed and fringéd lid
'Neath which thy slumb'ring soul lies hid,
That, o'er the floor and down the wall,
Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall!

Of her grand family funerals -

Some sepulchre, remote, alone,
Against whose portal she hath thrown,
In childhood, many an idle stone -
Some tomb from out whose sounding door
She ne'er shall force an echo more,
Thrilling to think, poor child of sin!
It was the dead who groaned within.

(The scene blacks out. Edgar appears in his narration

spot.)

Edgar.
Lenore died that evening. We were so overcome with grief that neither
of us spoke of “The Raven”.

(The lights come up on Lenore’s body laid upon a bed in her

wedding gown.)

Edgar.
At the request of Roderick, I personally aided him in the
24
arrangements for the temporary entombment. The body having been
encoffined, we two alone bore it to it’s rest.

Song No. 10 A Dream Within A Dream Part 1

Roderick.
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

Song No. 11 Hymn

Edgar.
At morn–at noon–at twilight dim-
Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!
In joy and woe–in good and ill-
Mother of God, be with me still!
When the hours flew brightly by,
And not a cloud obscured the sky,

My soul, lest it should truant be,

Thy grace did guide to thine and thee;
Now, when storms of Fate o'ercast
Darkly my Present and my Past,
Let my Future radiant shine
With sweet hopes of thee and thine!

Roderick and Edgar.

At morn–at noon–at twilight dim-
Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!
In joy and woe–in good and ill-
Mother of God, be with me still!
When the hours flew brightly by,
And not a cloud obscured the sky,

My soul, lest it should truant be,

Thy grace did guide to thine and thee;

Now, when storms of Fate o'ercast

Roderick and Edgar. (cont.)
Darkly my Present and my Past,

25
 Let my Future radiant shine
With sweet hopes of thee and thine!

(The lights fade on Lenore. Edgar returns to his narration

spot as Roderick moved to his chair. The scene transitions
to his study.)

Edgar.
For several days ensuing, her name was unmentioned by either Roderick
or myself. Some days of bitter grief having elapsed I busied in
earnest to alleviate the melancholy of my friend. I shall ever bear
about me a memory of the many solemn hours I thus spent alone with
him. An observable change came over the features of the mental
disorder of my friend. It had seemed his ordinary manner had
returned.

Roderick.
You know in the weeks you have been her you haven't mentioned your
family.

Edgar.
What is to mention?

Roderick.
Your foster father still being a loathsome ogre I take it.

Edgar.
He has disowned me. I fear I am twice an orphan.

Roderick.
Where will you live?

Edgar.
I've setup a flat in New York.

Roderick.
New York? Ah, the writer's dream, huh? Tell me Edgar, how goes the
writing?

Edgar.
I am about to publish my third volume of poems.

Roderick.
How funny it is to me that Mr. Poe writes Poems.

Edgar.
I think you've had too much wine.

26
 Roderick.
What ever happened to those ghastly tales you used to tell. You
Roderick. (cont.)
should publish those. You could even write one about me.

Edgar.
Your tale is hardly ghastly.

Roderick.
More than you know, my friend.

Edgar.
Roderick.

Roderick.
Hmm.

Edgar.
I don’t want to upset you however there is something bothering me
about something you said.

Roderick.
What is that?

Edgar.
This Curse…

Roderick.
Oh that.

Edgar.
How is your family cursed?

Roderick.
It goes back to my great-great-great-great grandfather. You see he
set out to build this magnificent house and he found the location he
wanted however there was something else in it’s place. A graveyard
known as the Rue Morgue. There were women who were murdered. No one
knew by who. The rumor was an ape with a razor.

Edgar.
How absurd.

Roderick.
Yes, well, He had it moved and built the house in it’s place. However
he did not know that the Morgue was the home to a sinister creature
my family refers to as the Raven.

27
 Edgar.
Yes you mentioned him.

Roderick.
Well, he placed a curse on the family. One that seems is nearing the
end. With Lenore gone and no children to carry on the line this curse
Roderick. (cont.)
will end.

Edgar.
But clearly your family has carried on this far.

Roderick.
Yes, however we became less and less until there was only me.

Edgar.
This Raven… Haven’t you seen it?

Roderick.
That’s the thing. This creature of darkness can change his shape. I
wouldn’t know it when I saw it.

Edgar.
How do you know all this?

Roderick.
This legend has been passed down to all of us once we turned 18.

Edgar.
How is this the first that I am hearing of this?

Roderick.
Edgar, it’s always been a story to me until now.

Edgar.
You are awfully relaxed for all that is going on.

Roderick.
I have accepted it. I have accepted that I will die. I thank you for
being here for me though this dark time.

Edgar.
Listen to yourself. This is not the man I know. There has to be a way
to break this curse.

Roderick.
As I’ve said. The Raven changes shape and appearance so I wouldn’t
know who to kill if I even could. For all I know you could be the
Raven.

28
 Edgar.
I assure you that I am not.

Roderick.
Yes, but that is precisely what the Raven would say if you were him.
But, I know you are not. You are the same friend you have always been
and I thank you.

Edgar.
That I am. Now if you don't mind I shall retire. Goodnight my friend.

(Edgar exits.)

Roderick.
Good night. Even though you are here with me, my friend, I am still
alone.

Song No. 12 Spirits of the Dead

Thy soul shall find itself alone

'Mid dark thoughts of the grey tomb-stone;
Not one, of all the crowd, to pry
Into thine hour of secrecy.

Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness–for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee, and their will
Shall overshadow thee; be still.

The night, though clear, shall frown,

And the stars shall not look down
From their high thrones in the Heaven
With light like hope to mortals given,
But their red orbs, without beam,
To thy weariness shall seem
As a burning and a fever
Which would cling to thee for ever.

29
Be silent in that solitude,
Which is not loneliness–for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee, and their will
Shall overshadow thee; be still.

Now are thoughts thou shalt not banish,

Now are visions ne'er to vanish;
From thy spirit shall they pass
No more, like dew-drop from the grass.

Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness–for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
Roderick. (cont.)

In death around thee, and their will

Shall overshadow thee; be still.

The breeze, the breath of God, is still,

And the mist upon the hill
Shadowy, shadowy, yet unbroken,
Is a symbol and a token.
How it hangs upon the trees,
A mystery of mysteries!

Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness–for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee, and their will
30
Shall overshadow thee; be still.

(Blackout.)

31
 ACT II
Scene 2

(Edgar enters into his narration spot

as the scene transitions into
flashback. Lenore is standing under a
tree in a meadow.)

Edgar.
On my way back to my room that evening I remembered Lenore. I
remembered when she broke my heart. I remembered that feeling. The
same feeling my friend is having now.

(Edgar joins her.)

Lenore.
There you are. I was wondering if you were going to keep me waiting.
And where is Roderick?

Edgar.
He is in the house still gathering the last of the belongings before
we head back to school.

Lenore.
Our final year. Can you imagine? And what, Mr Poe, do you plan on
doing after our year ends.

Edgar.
That all depends.

Lenore.
Depends on what?

Edgar.
A great many of things.

Lenore.
Oh, Edgar. Always so mysterious.

Edgar.
Lenore I must confess…

Lenore.
Edgar, stop. You know this must not continue.

Edgar.
But I love you.

Lenore.

32
Edgar. You know I cannot. I have been betrothed to Roderick since we
were children. Our parents arranged this upon our birth. I can not
simply break it.

Edgar.
And what of love? You would rather stand by some barbaric practice
rather than marry for love?

Lenore.
But I do love Roderick.

Edgar.
And what of your love for me?

Lenore.
Edgar…

Song No. 13 Serenade

Edgar.
So sweet the hour, so calm the time,
I feel it more than half a crime,
When Nature sleeps and stars are mute,
To mar the silence ev'n with lute.
At rest on ocean's brilliant dyes
An image of Elysium lies:

Seven Pleiades entranced in Heaven,

Form in the deep another seven:
Endymion nodding from above
Sees in the sea a second love.
Within the valleys dim and brown,
And on the spectral mountain's crown,
The wearied light is dying down,

And earth, and stars, and sea, and sky

Are redolent of sleep, as I
Am redolent of thee and thine
Enthralling love, my Adeline.
But list, O list,- so soft and low
Thy lover's voice tonight shall flow,

Seven Pleiades entranced in Heaven,

Form in the deep another seven:
Endymion nodding from above
Sees in the sea a second love.
Within the valleys dim and brown,
And on the spectral mountain's crown,
The wearied light is dying down,

33
 That, scarce awake, thy soul shall deem
My words the music of a dream.
Thus, while no single sound too rude
Edgar. (cont.)
Upon thy slumber shall intrude,
Our thoughts, our souls- O God above!
In every deed shall mingle, love.

Lenore.
Do not do that, Edgar! Do not profess your love to me. I have made up
my mind. I will marry Roderick. It is what is expected of me.

Edgar.
I see. Well, I suppose I have nothing more to say. Let me return to
help Roderick load the carriage.

Song No. 14 Imitation

Lenore.
A dark unfathomed tide
Of continual pride -
A mystery, a dream,
Should my early life seem;

I say that dream was fraught

With a wild and waking thought
Of beings that have been,
Which my spirit hath not seen,
Had I let them pass me by,
With a dreaming eye!

Let none of earth inherit

That vision of my spirit;
Those thoughts I would control,
As a spell upon his soul:
For that bright hope at last
And that light time have past,

I say that dream was fraught

With a wild and waking thought
Of beings that have been,
Which my spirit hath not seen,
Had I let them pass me by,
With a dreaming eye!

my worldly rest hath gone

With a sigh as it passed on:
I care not it perish

34
 With thought I cherish.

(Edgar enters into his narration spot )

Edgar.
Once back in my chamber, it was, especially, upon retiring to bed
late in the night of the seventh or eighth day after the placing of
Lenore within the donjon, that I experienced the full power of such
feelings. Sleep came not. While the hours waned and waned away I
struggled to reason off the nervousness which had dominion over me. I
endeavored to believe that much, if not all of what I felt was due to
the bewildering influence of the gloomy furniture of the room. And
finally in the deepest slumber… no, in delirium… no, in a swoon… I
found myself within a dream…

(Raven dressed in black robes with a hood appears his face

glowing white. Edgar is now on his bed. Behind him we see
an endless pit.)

Edgar.
I can’t move. Why can’t I move… Who are you? What is that? Please god
no!
(The shadow of a pendulum swings back and forth. We hear it
get closer and closer as Edgar struggles. We hear each
click and drop of the pendulum as it gets closer.)
Please. Why are you doing this to me? Please… let me go.
(The pendulum gets closer.)
HELP! Someone Please Help me!
(The pendulum gets closer.)
I can get out of this… I think… Oh, god!
(The pendulum gets closer.)
You will not have me! Do you hear me! You cannot have me!
(The pendulum gets closer.)
Ok. Ok. Stay calm. One… Two… Three…
(Edgar rolls forward off the bed as we hear the pendulum
cut into the bed Edgar was on. Edgar now is at the edge of
a pit. The Walls begin to glow red with heat and fire and
begin to close in on him.)
The walls. They are moving… My god! You don’t mean for me to… Death…
Any death but the pit… Fool. I might have known that into the pit was
the object of the burning walls…

Song No. 15 Dream Within a Dream pt 2

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand

35
 Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep–while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?

Edgar. (cont.)

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

(As the walls get closer Edgar wakes in his bed and all the
nightmares are gone.)
NOOOO! A dream… it was a dream… Something is not right…

(We hear Roderick scream off stage. Edgar springs from the
bed and rushes off stage as the lights blackout. Roderick
enters on stage with a lit candle. All we can see is his
face. Edgar enters with a candle unlit and Roderick lights
his candle. There is a storm outside. We can hear the wind
howling outside.)

Roderick.
Have you seen it?... You have not then seen it? But stay! You shall…

(The wind howls louder. The shutters of a window blow

open.)

Edgar.
You must not! You shall not behold this! These appearances, which
bewilder you, are merely electrical phenomena not uncommon- or they
may be that they have their ghastly origin in the rank miasma of the
tarn. Let us close this casement. The air is chilling and dangerous
to your frame. Here is one of your favorite romances. I will read,
and you shall listen and so we will pass away this terrible night
together.

(Edgar grabs a book and begins to read.)

Edgar.

And Ethelred, who was by nature of a doughty heart, and who was now

36
mighty withal, on account of the powerfulness of the wine which he
had drunken, waited no longer to hold parley with the hermit, who, in
sooth, was of an obstinate and maliceful turn, but, feeling the rain
upon his shoulders, and fearing the rising of the tempest, uplifted
his mace outright, and, with blows, made quickly room in the
plankings of the door for his gauntleted hand; and now pulling there-
with sturdily, he so cracked, and ripped, and tore all asunder, that
the noise of the dry and hollow-sounding wood alarmed and
reverberated throughout the forest.

(We hear the sound of wood creaking like a crypt opening.

The wind howls louder.)

Edgar.

But the good champion Ethelred, now entering within the door, was
sore enraged and amazed to perceive no signal of the maliceful
hermit; but, in the stead thereof, a dragon of a scaly and prodigious
demeanour, and of a fiery tongue, which sate in guard before a palace
of gold, with a floor of silver; and upon the wall there hung a

Edgar. (cont.)

shield of shining brass with this legend enwritten --

Who entereth herein, a conqueror hath bin;

Who slayeth the dragon, the shield he shall win;

And Ethelred uplifted his mace, and struck upon the head of the
dragon, which fell before him, and gave up his pesty breath, with a
shriek so horrid and harsh, and withal so piercing, that Ethelred had
fain to close his ears with his hands against the dreadful noise of
it, the like whereof was never before heard.
(The storm picks up with lightning and thunder, the wind
howls.)
And now, the champion, having escaped from the terrible fury of the
dragon, bethinking himself of the brazen shield, and of the breaking
up of the enchantment which was upon it, removed the carcass from out
of the way before him, and approached valorously over the silver
pavement of the castle to where the shield was upon the wall; which
37
in sooth tarried not for his full coming, but fell down at his feet
upon the silver floor, with a mighty great and terrible ringing
sound.

(A loud clang is hear the window opens again, the clock

strikes four and a woman’s scream is heard.)

Roderick.
Not hear it? --yes, I hear it, and have heard it. Long --long --long
--many minutes, many hours, many days, have I heard it --yet I dared
not --oh, pity me, miserable wretch that I am! --I dared not --I
dared not speak! We have put her living in the tomb! Said I not that
my senses were acute? I now tell you that I heard her first feeble
movements in the hollow coffin. I heard them --many, many days ago
--yet I dared not --I dared not speak! And now --to-night --Ethelred
--ha! ha! --the breaking of the hermit's door, and the death-cry of
the dragon, and the clangour of the shield! --say, rather, the
rending of her coffin, and the grating of the iron hinges of her
prison, and her struggles within the coppered archway of the vault!
Oh whither shall I fly? Will she not be here anon? Is she not
hurrying to upbraid me for my haste? Have I not heard her footstep on
the stair? Do I not distinguish that heavy and horrible beating of
her heart? MADMAN! MADMAN! I TELL YOU THAT SHE NOW STANDS WITHOUT THE
DOOR!

(The clock opens and Lenore jumps out and attacks Roderick
drinking his blood. The lights fade on Lenore and Roderick
Edgar, backs away in horror. The Raven appears as the clock
tolls again. The clock continuously chimes.)

Edgar.
You! You are the Raven.

Raven.
Nice to meet you. You have exactly sixty seconds to leave this place
before you are buried with the rest of them.

(Edgar flees the stage.)

Song No. 16 The Bells

Raven.

Hear the loud alarm bells-

Brazen bells!
What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!
In the startled ear of night
How they scream out their affright!

38
Too much horrified to speak,
They can only shriek, shriek,
Out of tune,

Of the bells-
Of the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells-

In a clamorous appealing to the mercy of the fire,

In a mad expostulation with the deaf and frantic fire,
Leaping higher, higher, higher,
With a desperate desire,
And a resolute endeavor,
Now-now to sit or never,
By the side of the pale-faced moon.
Oh, the bells, bells, bells!
What a tale their terror tells
Of Despair!

How they clang, and clash, and roar!

What a horror they outpour
On the bosom of the palpitating air!
Yet the ear it fully knows,
By the twanging,
And the clanging,
How the danger ebbs and flows:
Yet the ear distinctly tells,
In the jangling,
And the wrangling,
How the danger sinks and swells,
By the sinking or the swelling in the anger of the bells-

Of the bells-
Of the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells-
In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!

39
Hear the tolling of the bells-

The Raven. (cont).

Iron Bells!
What a world of solemn thought their monody compels!
In the silence of the night,
How we shiver with affright
At the melancholy menace of their tone!

Of the bells-
Of the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells-

For every sound that floats

From the rust within their throats
Is a groan.

And the people-ah, the people-

They that dwell up in the steeple,
All Alone
And who, tolling, tolling, tolling,
In that muffled monotone,
Feel a glory in so rolling
On the human heart a stone-
They are neither man nor woman-
They are neither brute nor human-
They are Ghouls:

And their king it is who tolls;

And he rolls, rolls, rolls,
Rolls
A paean from the bells!
And his merry bosom swells
40
With the paean of the bells!
And he dances, and he yells;
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the paean of the bells-
Of the bells:
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the throbbing of the bells-
Of the bells, bells, bells-
To the sobbing of the bells;
Keeping time,

Of the bells, bells, bells, bells-

Bells, bells, bells-
To the moaning and the groaning of the bells

Bells of Hell

(Blackout.)

41
 Epilogue:

(Edgar appears in his narration spot.)

Edgar.
From that chamber, and from that mansion, I fled aghast. The storm
was still abroad in all its wrath as I found myself crossing the old
causeway. Suddenly there shot along the path a wild light, and I
turned to see whence a gleam so unusual issued; for the vast house
and its shadows were alone behind me. The radiance was that of the
full, setting, and blood-red moon which now shone vividly through
that once barely-discernible fissure as extending from the roof of
the building, in a zigzag direction, to the base.

Song 17. To One in Paradise

Thou wast all that to me, love,

For which my soul did pine-
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.

Ah, dream too bright to last!

Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
"On! on!"- but o'er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!

For, alas! alas! me

The light of Life is o'er!
"No more- no more- no more-"
(Such language holds the solemn sea
To the sands upon the shore)
Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree
Or the stricken eagle soar!

Ah, dream too bright to last!

Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
"On! on!"- but o'er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!

And all my days are trances,

And all my nightly dreams

42
 Are where thy grey eye glances,
Edgar. (cont.)
And where thy footstep gleams-
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams.

While I gazed, this fissure rapidly widened --there came a fierce

breath of the whirlwind --the entire orb of the satellite burst at
once upon my sight --my brain reeled as I saw the mighty walls
rushing asunder --there was a long tumultuous shouting sound like the
voice of a thousand waters --and the deep and dank tarn at my feet
closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the "HOUSE OF
USHER.

(Blackout. The End.)

43