From my operetta, Luminescence, below is the recitatives, pre- and post- and the 'voice' of Christine de Pizan, represented by the flower, Honeysuckle:
The lovely essence of Rose’s beauty entices a hungry bee to fly closer. Her petals form a co-mingled scent with those of Honeysuckle, surrounded by Lilies of the Valley and Forget-me-nots. Honeysuckle, through the mind-set of Christine de Pizan, reflects on true respect between men and women as the ultimate example of true love:
I am the Honeysuckle.
The name given to me is Christine de Pizan.
I believe that men and women can and should
live in harmony with each other,
respecting the intellectual
as well as the physical attraction
of man to woman and woman to man.
The bond of the Holy Spirit in one’s life
holds this attraction together.
The tradition of reverent love illustrates
the necessity of the human race
to display loyalty, wisdom, and understanding
in all levels of love relationships.
Through these elements,
love becomes a reflection of the truest gift,
given to us by our Divine Father.
Thus, physical love must accompany
emotional love and intellectual respect
to be complete.
Rose understands this need to combine the elements of intellect and desire in pursuing love. She contemplates her own reaction to the bee’s advances and wonders why this creature hovers intently, yet does not signal to her its true intent.
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