Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer...

[PHANTOM]
Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair!
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!
Down that path into darkness, deep as hell!
[He rounds on her, bitterly]
Why, you ask, was I bound and chained
In this cold and dismal place?
Not for any mortal sin
But the wickedness of my abhorrent face!
[MOB (offstage)]
Track down this murderer!
He must be found!
[PHANTOM]
Hounded out by everyone!
Met with hatred everywhere!
No kind word from anyone!
No compassion anywhere!
Christine, Christine ...
Why, why...?
[RAOUL and GIRY appear above. They make their way down, meeting a pack of rats. MADAME GIRY screams and lowers her guard. The rats and the RATCATCHER pass them. MADAME GIRY raises her hand again]
[MADAME GIRY]
Your hand at the level of your eyes!
[RAOUL]
... at the level of your eyes...
[MOB]
Your hand at the level of your eyes!
Your hand at the level of your eyes!
[GIRY turns to go back up the slope. RAOUL looks at the water. He removes his coat and plunges in. The MOB appears at the top of the slope. They come down to the lake edge, their torches flickering]
[MOB]
Track down this murderer, he must be found!
Track down this murderer, he must be found!
Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!
Too long he's preyed on us, but now we know
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera is here
Deep down inside!
He's here, the Phantom of the Opera...
He's here, the Phantom of the Opera...
[They turn back up the slope. Perhaps there is another way in. The gate to the lair descends, as the rest of the lair appears]
[The dummy of CHRISTINE sits crumpled on a large throne. The PHANTOM brings CHRISTINE roughly out of the boat. She frees herself and backs away as he stares blackly out front. Braving her terror, she addresses him fiercely]
[CHRISTINE]
Have you gorged yourself, at last, in your lust for blood?
Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?
[PHANTOM (coldly)]
That fate which condemns me to wallow in blood
Has also denied me the joys of the flesh
This face—the infection which poisons our love
[He takes the bridal veil from the dummy, and moves slowly towards her]
This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing
A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing
[He places the veil on her head]
Pity comes too late—
Turn around and face your fate:
An eternity of this before your eyes!
[They are almost touching. She looks coldly into his face. He puts the ring in her hand]
[CHRISTINE]
This haunted face holds no horror for me now
It's in your soul that the true distortion lies
[The PHANTOM suddenly senses RAOUL's presence. Behind the portcullis, RAOUL comes out of the water]
[PHANTOM]
Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!
Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight!
I had rather hoped that you would come
And now my wish comes true—
You have truly made my night!
[RAOUL (pleading, grasping the bars of the gate)]
Free her!
Do what you like, only free her!
Have you no pity?
[PHANTOM]
Your lover makes a passionate plea!
[CHRISTINE]
Please Raoul, it's useless!
[RAOUL]
I love her!
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion...
[PHANTOM]
The world showed no compassion to me!
[RAOUL]
Christine, Christine
Let me see her...
[PHANTOM]
Be my guest, sir...
[He gestures, and the gate rises. RAOUL enters]
Monsieur, I bid you welcome!
Did you think that I would harm her?
Why should I make her pay, for the sins which are yours?
[So saying, he takes the Punjab lasso and, before RAOUL has a chance to move, catches him by the neck. The end of the rope, of which the PHANTOM has let go, remains magically suspended in mid-air]
Order your fine horses now!
Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes!
Nothing can save you now—except perhaps Christine...
[He turns to her]
Start a new life with me—
Buy his freedom with your love!
Refuse me, and you send your lover to his death!
This is the choice—
This is the point of no return!
[CHRISTINE]
The tears I might have shed for your dark fate
Grow cold, and turn to tears of hate!