Christine's Conflict

Raoul de Chagny—he’s perfect.

I’ve never met a man so gentle, and

With eyes like delphiniums, he resembles

An angel. But no—the only true angel

Is the Angel of Music, who haunts my dreams

And inspires my songs. Can he hear my thoughts?

What would he say if he discovered

That I felt so tenderly towards another?

I shouldn’t feel this way—the Voice

Is my only love. Not Raoul, not Raoul!

Oh, Raoul—laying my eyes upon his beautiful face

And soft cadence and thoughtful expression,

This evening, for the first time in ages.

I wanted to embrace him, after so long

A separation, but the Voice wouldn’t like that.

I must listen to the Voice, obey him, love him

And no one else, but it’s so hard.

The Angel is my night sky, everywhere I look,

But Raoul is the glimmering stars that

I can’t quite reach, no matter how close they seem.

He looked so sad today, after I played dumb

And pretended I’d forgotten those eyes. All a lie—

I remember him clearer than day, from a pure,

Golden age of youth and innocence.

With him, I feel enchanted, but

With the Angel of Music I feel protected.

What do I do when I’m faced with the choice

Between the king of my heart

And the keeper of my soul?