Corigliano: The Ghosts of Versailles / Act II - "Once There Was A Golden Bird"

Marie-Antoinette
Once there was a golden bird
a bird who lived in a silver cage.
I never saw the world outside.
I never knew the world of pain.
Dreams, which every hour
and every day bloom more beautiful,
and with their heavenly tidings
blissfully pervade my mind?
Dreams, which like sublime light
penetrate my soul
to paint there an eternal image:
forgetting all, remembering one!
Dreams, like the spring sun
kissing the flowers from the snow—
to a welcome of undreamed-of joys
from the new day,
To grow, to bloom,
to impart their scent as they dream,
fading softly at your breast
to then sink into the grave
I did not know, did not know!
I have to stay, Beaumarchais,
and I have to die.
For there was no peace,
I wandered, cold, bitter, empty,
until with your art and love you called me.
You taught me that acceptance is the only
road to freedom
and forgiveness sets our spirit free to fly.
Floating, rising, soaring,
delight, rapture, paradise!
Thank you for this moment of peace.
I suffered here in endless night.
And then you came and brought me light.
I love you.