Abydos bride

The Abydos Bride was created by the twenty-six-year-old Byron in a very short time: for four nights (entry in the diary of November 16) or for one week (letter to Gifford of November 12) in the first half of November 1813 ^[3] . The first edition was published on December 2. ^[4] In his diary on November 16, the poet wrote that he created the “Abydos bride” “stans pede in uno” (“standing on one leg”; quote from Horace , Sat. I 4 10 ^[5] ), referring to the quick spelling bad poems for money. Despite this, it is known that he revised the text of the story several times, although only small changes are reflected in the surviving manuscripts. In one of his letters ^[6], Byron expressed his intention to base the plot on the forbidden love between siblings, but the final version was chosen even before the work on the story began.

The Abydos Bride was published before the final edition of Byron’s first “eastern poem, ” “Giara” (December 27, 1813). Thus, work on the second poem wedged into the refinement of the first.

• Yafar ( Giaffir ) - Ottoman Pasha .
• Selim is the son of Yafar.
• Zuleika ( Zuleika ) ^[7] - the daughter of Yafar.
• Haroun is a servant.

"Abydos bride" consists of two songs ( English cantos ), divided into stanzas unequal in number of verses. There are 1214 verses in the story. He was sent an epigraph from Robert Burns (from the poem “Ae fond kiss”) and a dedication to Lord Holland.

The beginning of the song first resembles the famous Minions song “Kennst du das Land” from Goethe ’s novel “The Years of Wilhelm Meister’s Teaching ”. In contrast to the detailed introduction to Giaur, Byron here is limited only to a brief description of the East (stanza I) and immediately takes the reader to Yafar’s sofa . Selim apologizes to his father for strolling secretly in the garden with Zuleika at night. Pasha swears at him and warns him not to do so in the future. They hate each other. On the contrary, to Zuleika Yafar has the most tender feelings (II – V). Her appearance makes him cry. He announces that Zuleika will be given in marriage to the old Osman, in alliance with whom Yafaru will not be afraid of the Sultan himself. The girl is upset, and Pasha goes to watch the troops (VI — VIII).

Zuleika comes to the yearning Selim and tries to cheer him up: she splashes with water, brings a rose with singing, but all is in vain (IX — X). Then, in desperation, she announces that she will not give her hand to Osman without the consent of Selim and hopes not to part with her brother (XI). This recognition prompts him to a response outpouring of feelings, he threatens to take revenge on Yafar (XII). Zuleika is surprised at the change in him. They kiss and decide to run. Selim promises to sneak into the harem at night and take her away (XIII — XIV).

The second song begins with a description of the Hellespont and surrounding lands (I-IV). Zuleika leaves her chambers and comes with Selim to the cave, where she is used to spending time. Now there are folded weapons. Selim himself will change clothes as a robber (V — IX). He admits that Yafar is not his father and tells how Pasha insidiously poisoned his own brother Abdal, but spared his young son Selim. He learned this story from the faithful servant of Abdala Garun. Selim hopes to gather the enemies of Yafar and take revenge (X — XVI). Secretly from pasha, he contacted the robbers and has long been involved in their exploits, while Yafar considers him effeminate and incapable of battle (XVII-XXI). Amazed, Zuleika is silent in response.

The silence is broken by the approach of Yafar with the detachment. Zuleika returns to the palace, and Selim remains to fight in the hope of the imminent arrival of robbers sailing to the cave. A fight ensues, he almost manages to retreat, but Yafar shoots, and the waves carry away the body of Selim (XXII-XXVI). Zuleika dies of despair, an unfading rose grows on her grave (XXVII — XXVIII).

• “The Bride of Abydos,” a poetic translation by I. I. Kozlov .
• “Abydos bride”, poetic translation by G. A. Shengeli (1940).

Opera

In July 1863, Camille Duse , recently appointed chief executive of state theaters, announced a competition among the winners of the Rome Prize for the best opera in three acts on the libretto by ( La fiancée d'Abydos ) for the Abydos bride. , , Samuel David , Emile Paladille and Theodore Dubois took part in it. In late October and early November 1864 auditions were held at the Conservatory , according to the results of which the jury unanimously chose Adrian Barth as the winner. The first performance of his opera took place on December 30, 1865, but was unsuccessful and was performed only nineteen times. ^[eight]

In 1897, the “Abydos Bride” ( La fiancée d'Abydos ) of the Belgian composer was staged.

Picture

Brushes Eugene Delacroix belongs to the famous painting ( La fiancée d'Abydos ; Selim et Zuleika ) (1857) , which depicts two lovers on the coast.

• Russian translation by I.I. Kozlov.