Richard Stilgoe - Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer... lyrics

[Down below, we see the PHANTOM and CHRISTINE in the boat, crossing the underground lair] [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 compa**ion 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 pa** 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 pa**ionate plea! [CHRISTINE] Please Raoul, it's useless! [RAOUL] I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compa**ion... [PHANTOM] The world showed no compa**ion 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 la**o 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 d**h! 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! [RAOUL] Christine, forgive me, please forgive me I did it all for you, and all for nothing Say you love him And my life is ​over Either way you choose He has to win Why make her lie to you, to save me? For pity's sake, Christine, say no! Don't throw your life away for my sake! I fought so hard to free you... [CHRISTINE] Farewell my fallen idol and false friend One by one, all my delusions shattered! Angel of Music... Who ​deserves this? When ​will you see reason? Angel of Music, you deceived me I gave my mind blindly [PHANTOM] Too late for turning back, too late for prayers and useless pity! All hope of cries for help No point in fighting! For either way you choose You cannot win! So, do you end your days with me Or do you send him to his grave? Past the point of ​no return The final ​threshold His life ​is now the prize which you must earn! You've pa**ed the point of no return... [PHANTOM] You try my patience—make your choice! [She reflects for a moment, then with resolution moves slowly towards the PHANTOM] [CHRISTINE] Pitiful creature of darkness What kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you You are not alone [Instrumental interlude: CHRISTINE kisses him long and full on the lips. The embrace lasts a long time. RAOUL watches in horror and wonder. The PHANTOM takes a lighted candle and holds it above RAOUL's head. A tense moment. But the suspended rope suddenly falls harmlessly—the PHANTOM has burnt the thread by which the noose was held. Resigned, he addresses RAOUL, as we hear the offstage voices of the approaching MOB] [MOB (Some)] 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 is there, deep down below! [MOB (Others)] Who is this monster, this murdering beast? Revenge for Piangi! Revenge for Buquet! This creature ​must never go free... [PHANTOM] Take her, forget me, forget all of this... Leave me alone,​ ​forget all you've seen... Go now, don't let them find ​you! Take the boat, leave me here, go now, don't wait Just take her and go, before it's too late Go! Go now! Go now and leave me! [RAOUL and CHRISTINE move off towards the boat. The PHANTOM looks mockingly at his mask. The musical box starts up magically, and he listens to it] [PHANTOM] Masquerade Paper faces on parade Masquerade Hide your face, so the world will never find you [CHRISTINE re-enters and walks slowly towards him. She takes off her ring and gives it to the PHANTOM] Christine, I love you... [She hurries off. The PHANTOM puts the ring on his finger] [CHRISTINE (in the distance, to RAOUL as the boat pulls away in the distance)] Say you'll share with me One love, one lifetime Say the word and I will follow you [RAOUL] Share each day with me [CHRISTINE] Each night [RAOUL/CHRISTINE] Each morning... [PHANTOM] You alone can make my song take flight— It's over now, the music of the night! [The PHANTOM walks slowly towards the throne. He takes his place on it., sitting on his cloak. The MOB, including MEG, appears above, climbing down the portcullis. They enter the lair. MEG crosses to the throne and picks up his mask in her small hand]