| Summary: | Engraved score on vellum music score paper of an opera for adults, 12 and 13 year olds, and 2 pianos. The opera was originally written for an orchestra, but it was reduced for two pianos by the composer. The opera tells the story of the German Children's Crusade of 1212. It was written for youthful voices and features the cambiata role played by Nicholas.Vocal, Piano194 pages; 11 x 13 1/2The Quest
Prologue
NICHOLAS: Oh, my sheep are still tonight; so silent are my sheep this night, they stir not even at dawn of day. Hear they not bells ringing, bringing Easter day? Yet my sheep are still tonight they do not seem to know that Easter time is here. They do not seem to know, Easter time is here again. So innocent are my little sheep, my flock of sheep, my flock of sheep. Oh, yes! I hear thee! I will! I will!
Act I
NICHOLAS: Oh, my sheep are still tonight; So silent are my sheep this night, They stir not even at dawn of day. Hear they not bells ringing, bringing Easter Day? Yet my sheep are still tonight They do not seem to know that Easter time is here. They do not seem to know, Easter time is here again. So innocent are my little sheep, My flock of sheep, my flock of sheep. Oh, yes! I hear thee! I will! I will! Father, wake up! A miracle has happened!
FATHER: Nicholas! What is it?
NICHOLAS: A most wonderful thing has happened to me_
FATHER: Not one of your visions again?
NICHOLAS: Yes, it was a vision, a vision of God!
FATHER: I have heard that before, go back to your sheep and leave me alone!
NICHOLAS: This was no ordinary vision_ I was tending my sheep this morning at dawn, when shadows still were faint, and the dew was heavy, and the stars still shone. My sheep so silent, slept through soft church bells from beyond which filled the still air with sound, and brought forth dawn, so gentle, I thought it never would come. And as I waited, the bells grew stronger until I felt so strange. Oh, what a night was this! What a strange night it was! Suddenly, a ray of light came from the dark sky. It blinded me so! I could not see. A voice then spoke, it spoke to me saying, “Go forth! Go to God to the Holy land, and with your sheep, secure the cross, the cross of Jesus!” This was no ordinary vision. God spoke to me, God spoke to me. I am the chosen one, his shepherd I am. God blessed me.
FATHER: Your dreams have turned into visions again.
NICHOLAS: This was no dream it was a vision from God!
FATHER: (Laugh) A vision from God! (Laugh) We are too poor for vision. Our need is food and clothing and precious gold.
NICHOLAS: But father if I obey God’s command surely he will bless us.
FATHER: Bless us! With another crusade Bless you with misery and suffering.
NICHOLAS: But God’s command…
FATHER: let God provide you with money then.
NICHOLAS: I will have money, have no fear; God will provide this need for me. Has He not blessed me? Am I not the chosen one? Surely he will care for me. I will have money have no fear!
FATHER: But suppose he does not provide you with gold; how will you get it then?
NICHOLAS: I will beg for it if need be.
FATHER: No! You will not beg. No son of mine will be a beggar! I have tried so many times to break this curse of poverty, that you not suffer as I have, and see the misery of life; So you, like the fortunate few, can taste life’s honey and spice. I have tried so many times to break this curse of poverty but each venture has failed and people accuse me of treachery, of ill begotten schemes, In which I see no wrong. Yet the Lord will forgive an honest man who only wants his share of life’s golden treasure. I have tried so many times to break this curse of poverty, that we may be free from the bonds of servitude. So long as breath remains in me, I will seek escape from this wretched poor man’s curse Forget your vision! A crusade is impossible. You cannot travel to the Holy Land.
NICHOLAS: But father, I can walk!
FATHER: Walk! How will you cross the sea?
NICHOLAS: Sea? What sea?
FATHER: There is a vast sea. To cross is dangerous and passage is costly.
NICHOLAS: God will help me! He will find a way
FATHER: Merchants are convinced by gold, not by visions
NICHOLAS: You have no faith! God will provide
FATHER: I cannot reason with you. Tell your visions to others! See if they will listen to you.
1st FRIEND: Nicholas! Nicholas are you there?
2nd FRIEND: Join us for Easter mass!
3rd FRIEND: Nicholas, come with us!
NICHOLAS: It is Walter, Wilhelmina, and her brother. I must tell them of my vision!
FATHER: Ha- - they will laugh at you!
NICHOLAS: I must tell you- - a wonderful thing has happened this morning. I had a vision, a vision from God.
THE THREE FRIENDS: Tell us of your vision!
NICHOLAS: A voice came from heaven and spoke to me: A command to lead my sheep and journey to the Holy Land.
THE THREE FRIENDS: The Holy Land! Are you certain?
NICHOLAS: Yes! The Holy Land! To free from infidels the land sacred to our faith.
THE THREE FRIENDS: But Nicholas, how can you do this, when armies have failed, and the infidels-still rule?
FATHER: Exactly what I have said- - -
NICHOLAS: With God’s help I go forth in God’s way, not in the spirit of war- But peacefully, as my sheep.
FATHER: Tell him how foolish he is! He will not believe his father.
1st FRIEND: He is not foolish
2nd FRIEND: Nicholas had a vision from God.
FATHER: You believe him?
3rd FRIEND: God’s word is truth!
1st FRIEND: Nicholas has been blessed.
NICHOLAS: See, they believe me.
1st FRIEND: let me go with you!
2nd FRIEND: May I come too?
THE THREE FRIENDS: let us join your Holy Crusade! Lead us to the sacred land!
FATHER: They are mad!
THE THREE FRIENDS: Tell others of your vision- - Let there be armies of crosses!
FATHER: You mean, an army of graves! You’ll never cross the sea.
THE THREE FRIENDS: We will succeed where others have failed.
NICHOLAS: God is on our side- - We cannot fail.
PRIEST: When I awake, I am still with thee, (Rejurrexi, et aohue tecum sum,) Hallelu-jah! (Alleluia) Thou hast laid thine hand upon me, (Posuisti super me mannumtuam,) Hallelujah! (Alleluia:)
CHURCH CHOIR & CAMBIATAS: O’ Lord, thou hast searched me and known me: (Domine probasti, me, cognovitsti me:)
CAMBIATAS: Thou knowest my down sitting and mine--- (Tu cogno visti sessionem mean, et ressurecti--) Up rising. (O nemmeam.)
SOPRANOS & BARITONES: Glory be to the father and to the son: (Gloria Patri, and filio,) And to the Holy Ghost; (Et spiritui sancto;) As it was in the beginning (Sicut erat in principi o,) Is now, and ever shall be: (Et semper,,) World without end. (Et in saecula sae colorum.) Amen (Amen)
PRIEST: When I awake, I am still with thee, (Rejurrexi st adhuc tecum sum,) Hallelujah! (Alleluia!) thou hast laid thine hand upon me, (Posuisti super me manumtuam, Hallelujah! (Alleluia!) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; (Mirabilispacta est scientia tu a,) It is high; I cannot attain unto it Hallelujah! Hallelujah. (Alleluia, Alleluia.)
FATHER: Children are so like sheep; The flock together and follow any shepherd. What will become of them when they arrive at the sea far from home Without food or gold? Return is impossible for them They will perish there, Still seeking a way to cross the sea. What if I should lose my son? No! That must not happen! He shall not leave me—If he goes, I go also to protect Him from evil and harm. But the others are surely doomed- What a waste of young lives if they go! And the pity is, No one will be the better for it. Oh- why must this be? Such useless loss of life! – Unless, unless perhaps I could save them. As servants they would be Fed and clothed. It is better than starving to death. If they brought a fair price- I might become rich- Yes- -I see it! A way to help- and yet profit! I see it now, a way to help their cause- What more can I do for Them? What more can I do for them and my boy! Let them come; the more the better. Like sheep they will follow any Shepherd. My son shall be that shepherd- - And he shall lead them for me, as he leads his flock.
PRIEST: Go you are dismissed Hallelujah (I temissa est, Alleluah), Thanks be to God hallelujah (Deo gratias, Alleluah)
CHURCH CHOIR & PRIEST: Hallelujah (Alleluah) Hallelujah (Alleluah)
CHORUS: Surely this is a sign! Tell us all! What do you see? How He appeared. Is He tall, and is He big? Strong and might, O, Nicholas tell us!
NICHOLAS: His voice was strong and might; Commanding me to the Holy Land, Beyond the sea.
CHORUS: The sea! How will it be crossed? Nicholas, do you know how to cross the sea- -the mighty sea?
NICHOLAS: God will part the sea. That is why is has not rained. The land is dry. It is a sign of a miracle-
CHORUS: God will part the sea for us. God will part the sea. Who can resist his message: (Oh, his message;) A mission for our Lord? A journey to the Holy Land, To save the cross beyond the Sea. Nicholas, our leader lead us on! Let us rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!
SOPRANOS: We are going to God, and to the Holy Land. Beyond the sea to Secure the cross, the cross of Jesus- His sacred cross.
CAMBIATAS: We answer His call, And follow His word of truth- To secure the cross of Jesus, the Cross of Jesus, His sacred Cross.
BARITONE: We go to God to answer His call Beyond the sea, and to secure The cross of Jesus-His sacred Cross.
CHORUS: We shall return, Oh let us rejoice Rejoice, let us rejoice in His name- rejoice.
PRIEST: Stop that! The devil must possess You, acting that way!
CAMBIATAS: Nicholas had a vision, a vision From Heaven
SOPRANO: God spoke to him-from Heaven God will is so-
BARITONE: We must obey him; God wills it so.
CHORUS: To carry the cross beyond the sea!
PRIEST: It is no use talking to them; They are possessed, the fever Must be quelled!
FATHER: Come in! The door is open.
PRIEST: I must speak with you- -
FATHER: Sit down and rest your feet.
PRIEST: Do you know what is happening out there?
FATHER: Forgive me I have nothing to offer you.
PRIEST: Do not trouble yourself. It is your son that concerns me. I was passing by and saw a flock of young ones around your son- They were dancing and jumping round the square; Shouting and yelling. They were so loud. What a clamor there was. Oh, such madness- such rashness did I see- What demon- what spirit Can possess their souls? They would not listen; they would not hear me; they paid no heed to what I said- they kept on dancing. I so did scold Them; it was in vain! You are his father, you must speak to him. For he will listen to you; and your pleas will not be in vain. You Must restrain him, for his sake, and others’ too. For this madness May be a fever and spread like a plague- This dancing, this shouting This dancing-
FATHER: Ah, that! They have heard about his vision.
PRIEST: It must be stopped!
FATHER: How does one stop a vision, a vision from God? My son heard a Voice. It came from heaven, a command from God.
PRIEST: Such a vision must come from the devil!
FATHER: Can you deny God’s word?
PRIEST: If they continue this foolish venture nothing but woe and sorrow Shame and pain, will fall on them. Who will protect them? Who Wil clothe and feed them? Who can guide them and show their Way?
FATHER: I shall go along to shepherd these tender sheep. For I will Protect them and spare them from evil.
PRIEST: How can you shield them? How can you protect them from night And darkness, wind and cold?
FATHER: I shall protect them from storm and tempest rage. I shall go with Them, to comfort and aid them.
PRIEST: You cannot help them alone. By yourself, you cannot take care For so many.
FATHER: I shall protect them and guide them from evil, for I go not a-Lone, for God is on our side,
PRIEST: The devil is on your side!
FATHER: No! I want to help them, to protect them from evil.
PRIEST: If you care for them, stop this crusade!
FATHER: My son must obey God’s word. He must follow to lead his sheep And journey to the Holy Land Beyond the sea.
PRIEST: You devil! God sees through you. Your cunning schemes are well Known. You would find a way to sell their souls for silver and gold!
FATHER: Do you think I would sell my son?
PRIEST: Not your son, but the others-
FATHER: I would never sell my child-
PRIEST: Lord protect them,
FATHER: For he is my flesh and blood-
PRIEST: So innocent and easily led astray-
FATHER: I would never sell my child. Never would I part with him, for he Is my only son-
PRIEST: For harm can come to them- they are in evil hands-
FATHER: I would never sell my child-
PRIES: Lord, protect them from evil and harm-
FATHER: For he is my only one. Never would I part with him; nothing Matters but him.
PRIEST: They are marching to destruction but not to God no, not to his Kingdom in heaven to eternal salvation-
FATHER: You accuse me unjustly. I do no wrong but only wish to help his Cause. He had a vision, a holy vision. God called to him; my son Must obey God’s command.
PRIEST: Lord protect them from evil-
FATHER: You accuse me with your prayers and pleas. I only wish to help His cause.
PRIEST: Lord, have mercy on them. Give them strength to endure the suffering they will find on their pilgrimage.
FATHER: Why do you accuse me with your prayers and pleas? I only wish to Help his cause. Yet you accuse an innocent man!
PRIEST: Hear my prayers-and my pleas. Oh Lord in heaven, hear my call.
FATHER: Yes- you accuse an innocent man! Do you think I would sell my child? For he is my flesh and blood. I would never sell my child, for Is my flesh and blood, my only son I have.
PRIEST: God, protect them from temptation, Lord, save them Lord, show Them; save their souls and lead them, my Lord in heaven, protect Them from evil and sin. Lord have mercy on them.
FATHER: And do you think I would sell him-like a slave and bargain for His price? Never would I sacrifice my son for gold. Never would I part with him. I would never let him go-for silver and gold.
CHOIR: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God, and man of The son, thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, thou, my soul is Glory, joy and crown- -
FATHER: Listen to them! While you talk of God-they ace in his name.
PRIEST: I have failed-to deliver them-from the devil’s hands.
FATHER: Is that the work of the devil? Look how they crowd in upon him. See How they gaze on his face!
PRIEST: All I can do is pray for them-
FATHER: Pray and open your eyes to the vision of God-around you-
CHOIR: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the son, Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy and Crown. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man The son, thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown-Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the son, thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, Thou My soul’s glory, joy and crown- On thou of God, man the son, my soul’s Glory, joy-and crown- -
CURTAIN
ACT 2
1st CRUSADER: It is cold here-in the mountains
2nd CRUSADER: We need more wood. The fire soon will go out.
3rd CRUSADER: Why did we come here, to such a barren place?
4th CRUSADER: God will provide. You shall see. Be not discouraged when we are so Near. He will reward us when we reach the sea.
5th CRUSADER: Up so high, we must be near to heaven.
1st CRUSADER: Nearer, I will surely freeze
2nd CRUSADER: Do not tease her
5th CRUSADER: Nicholas said we are God’s children.
4th CRUSADER: Yes, we are.
5th CRUSADER: But why do we freeze if we are God’s children? If this be heaven, my hands are cold. If this be heaven, my feet are numb. Why should This be when we are here near God’s own home? Did he forget to Heat his house? Has He no fire to warm Himself? Are His hands so Cold as mine? Is it always cold up high, near God’s heavenly home? If this be heaven up so high, If this be heaven, it’s much too Cold. I’d rather be back home again for heaven is, yes, heaven is My home. I am so tired, do not leave me.
4th CRUSADER: God’s little helper, falling asleep, rest your little weary head And dream of pleasant things, dream of things that are to be, of Wonders and delight. Sorrows pass away from you and angels watch All night. God’s little helper falling asleep, rest your little Head and dream of pleasant things. Dream of things we all must dream to Make life good and right-when we have such dreams, you know, God will Never leave your heart. So rest your weary head and dream of pleasant things, God’s little helper, now fall asleep-
1st CRUSADER: She is too young. She will not make it.
4th CRUSADER: Do not talk so. We must help her.
2nd CRUSADER: We cannot even help ourselves against the bands of men that attack Us.
4th CRUSADER: Pray God, they never come again.
2nd CRUSADER: We must stay awake in case they come. Do not fall asleep. Stay awake. Wake up! Move around! Get up!
FATHER: What has happened? Who was screaming? What is wrong with him? Who did this?
SOPRANO & BARITONES: We were dancing to warm ourselves when there was, there was a scream-
CAMBIATAS: We were dancing to warm ourselves, when suddenly heard a scream-
SOPRANO, BARITONE, & CAMBIATAS: Three men with swords appeared. They took our friends away. Then he Tried to save her so they struck him- -they struck him down- they shoved No mercy, no mercy at all. We were dancing to warm ourselves when They came, when they came.
FATHER: Take him away! No one must hear of this- -Do you hear? No one- -be quick about it!
CHORUS: God have mercy on us-protect us, and drive our fears away-we need thy Help-to follow thee-forgive our sins. Oh Lord, have mercy on us-and Forgive his sins. Receive him in heaven-Amen.
FATHER: What are you doing here?
NICHOLAS: I bear no arms, but only grief, Why must this be? Oh God- -Oh God! Where are thou, now? Forgive me, Oh my Lord. But I feel weak and alone Where are thou, now? I need thy strength. Where art thou, now my Lord? Thy spirit forsakes me. I feel so weak. I am alone.
FATHER: Never wander far at night. What would we do, with our leader gone?
NICHOLAS: I am their leader?
FATHER: Of course you are! Do not talk so! Remember your vision, God’s command!
NICHOLAS: I remember. But so many have died from hunger and cold, from evil men.
FATHER: Yes, god’s ways are mysterious, no easily seen. You must continue. More than twenty thousand march on. They depend upon you. Obey God’s command-
NICHOLAS: I should go on-for God wills it. I must not fail His word, but I feel so weak and alone. God help me, God help-me! I will go on, and follow God’s command!
FATHER: Good! Now go and sleep. We will start early. At last, all is quiet, like stillness after a storm. How long such quiet? How long such peace? How long before another tempest wrests them from my grasp? How long, how long, will it be- tonight I have lost even more of them, and many nights, I fear, remain. How many will be lost to me? How many shall reach the sea? Yet many still remain. What matters two or three? When our journey ends, and merchants greet me with gold, I will buy all than I ever imagined-will be mine. This have I earned: lives-have I saved, the sick have I aided-and the weak have I strengthened. Without my help who would have cared for them? Am I not more blessed for the good I have done? Those who call me evil: to them I pay no heed. My conscious is clear my heart is pure. So let this stillness be-and preserve my sleeping. Sleep, my precious sheep. I care for them-as the shepherd who tends his flock. I also must tend these young ones of mine and wait, wait patiently for my reward-
4th CRUSADER: God’s little helper, falling asleep, rest your little weary head and dream of pleasant things. Dream of things we all must dream to make life good and right- God’s little helper, now fall asleep now fall asleep-
CAMBIATA & BARITONE: Dear God in heaven, God in heaven, Oh God in heave, hear our prayer, Oh God in heave, Bless us here, Oh God. Open the waters, open the sea-
SOPRANO: Dear God hear our prayer. We follow thy word-bless s here-we follow thy word. Open the waters that we may walk, walk thru the sea-that- -
CAMBIATAS: Oh God-
CHORUS: We may walk-to the Holy land. Answer our prayer, show thy strength, Command the sea to part. Hear our plea, Oh, bless our crusade Oh Lord, Answer our prayer, Oh Lord; show thy strength, part the sea. Let us enter thy kingdom, the land of Christus son of God, Prince of peace. Part the sea for us, Lord in heaven.
6th CRUSADER: We pray, but the sea remains the same.
7th CRUSADER: It mocks our words- -
8th CRUSADER: The sea will not part-
CHORUS: Dear God in heaven, hear our calling.
9th CRUSADER: The path is not there- -
6th CRUSADER: How long must we wait?
7th CRUSADER: Part the sea, let us through,
7th CRUSADER & BARITONE: Part the sea, let us through!
SOPRANO & CAMBIATA: Part the sea, let us thru,
SOP., BAR., & 7th CRUSADER: Part the sea, let us thru-
SOP., & BAR.: Part the sea, -
SOPRANO: Let us thru, -Part the sea, let us thru,
CHORUS: Let us through, part the sea,
SOPRANO: Part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru, part the sea, let us thru,
CAMBIATAS & BARITONES: Let us through, part the sea, let us through, part the sea, let us thru!! part the sea, let us thru!
CHORUS: NICHOLAS! How dare he show when God deserts us!
NICHOLAS: A miracle has happened.
CHORUS: A miracle? He says a miracle! The sea did not part!
NICHOLAS: A miracle has happened. God shows His mercy on us!
CHORUS: Nicholas, you deceive us! There is no path to cross the sea.
NICHOLAS: Believe me, God has provided! It is more than we hoped. Merchant ships are waiting to take us to the Holy Land.
CHORUS: You are mad! We should not have listened to your foolish vision.
FATHER: Wait! It is true. I have made terms with the merchants! Their ships will carry you to the Holy Land.
CHORUS: How can we pay? We have no gold!
FATHER: The merchants ask no payment. They sail to the Holy Land. It is better than walking. There is little time- -board the ships now!
CHORUS: Can this be? God’s miracle-Oh, have we been blessed!
FATHER: Also, there is food and clothing. The merchants help you-they do it out of kindness.
CHORUS: We cross the sea! God’s miracle ahs happened to us. Our prayers have been answered, our faith is restored! We answer thy call, we go to God. We follow thy word oh Lord, our savior!
FATHER: Little time remains- -start boarding the ships at once!
CHORUS: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, o thou of God and man the son, Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown.
NICHOLAS: Let us board ship!
FATHER: No! Not yet-we must wait until all are aboard. No one must be left!
CHORUS: Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou my soul’s glory, joy and fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, Oh thou of God, - -
FATHER: You cannot go!
CHORUS: And man the son- - -
NICHOLAS: I must go!
FATHER: Nicholas, listen! Those ships are not sailing to the Holy Land. Those merchants are not friends, they are dealers in slaves! Your friends will be sold, sold as slaves!
NICHOLAS: No! I do not believe you-you would never do that! No, never let me go!
FATHER: Nicholas, believe me! I have sold them. I have sold your friends. Just as slaves, as slaves, to merchants. I have sold them for silver and gold-soon merchants come with silver and gold. It is the terms of our agreement we need not wait long our treasure will come with silver and gold. Wait for just a while, until they come with silver and gold! We at last will have our wealth when merchants come with silver and gold. Nicholas, just wait and see the precious glittering gold! We have our wealth at last when merchants come. We will eat and dress as the rich men do. Never shall we live in poverty, in servitude always we’ll be free form the bonds of misery
CHORUS: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, Oh thou of God, and man the son, thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown-
FATHER: Come stay with me-they do not know where they’re going. They will be slaves forever. Nicholas, listen to me! You cannot cross the sea with them!
NICHOLAS: I do not believe you-let me go!
FATHER: Nicholas, believe your father! I tell you the truth. You cannot leave me. Now, I will not let you go! You must stay with me. Our destiny at last will triumph! Oh Nicholas believe me-I did the right thing to sell them. I could not see them starve. I could not see them perish. I had to save their lives! There was no other way to help your friends but to sell them as slaves-
NICHOLAS: I must go it is God’s will!
FATHER: God’s will be damned!
CHORUS: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, Oh thou of God and man the son, thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy. And crown fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, Oh thou of God and man the son- -
Father: Look, Nicholas! The merchants, they come with the gold. It is our payment, we are rich!
CHORUS: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, Oh thou of God and man the son, thee will cherish, thee will I honor, thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature- -
FATHER: Yes, it is all here, the exact amount of our agreement, Look at all that gold! Nicholas, we are Nicholas, where are you? Have you seen my son? He could not have left he would not leave his Father, No, not my son! The ships are setting sail, Nicholas, come back! Do not leave me, do not leave me Nicholas, come back! Do you hear me? Nicholas, come back- - What have I done? I have lost my only son, for this silver and gold. I have let him go to be sold as a slave, for silver and gold. Look! Nicholas gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold gold- - -
CHORUS: Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature- -
Very slowly the curtain closes.
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