Zolotoy Petushok
The Golden Cockerel
King Dodon takes counsel with his nobles in order to
devise a means whereby the constant plotting of a neighbouring hostile ruler may
be frustrated. Ere a practicable scheme has been evolved, there enters an
Astrologer, who proffers a golden cockerel. With the bird watching over the city
the king may sleep; danger will be sounded by a warning crow. At the cockerel's
first alarm the king despatches his two sons to lead his army; at the second he
decides to betake himself to the field of battle. The first sight that meets his
gaze is that of his two sons, who have done each other to death. At dawn he
perceives a tent. Dodon and his General mistake this as belonging to the leader
of the opposing army, but to their astonishment there emerges from it the lovely
Queen of Shemakha. She completely infatuates and ruthlessly fools the old Dodon,
who finally asks her to share his throne. On their return in state to the
capital, Dodon is reminded by the Astrologer of his promised token of gratitude.
The king, asking his price, is horrified by a demand for the person of his
bride. Infuriated, he slays the Astrologer. The queen deserts him, and he is
killed by the golden beak of the avenging cockerel.
(In a brief Epilogue, the Astrologer returns to life and assures the
spectators that only he and the queen are mortals; what they have witnessed is
but a fantasy.)
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