“Forsaken” seems to be based on “Phantoms” by Ivan Turgenev, which can be read here: https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/t/turgenev/ivan/dream/chapter2.html
In addition to sharing a plot about a man being visited in the night by a vampiress, there are several references to the story within Petrucci’s lyrics. Again, here’s what I found…
– Forsaken:
For a while I thought I fell asleep
Lying motionless inside a dream
– Turgenev:
“After a little while I fell asleep—or I thought I fell asleep. I had an extraordinary dream.”
– Forsaken:
Then rising suddenly
I felt a chilling breath upon me
She softly whispered in my ear
(Forsaken)
– Turgenev:
“…suddenly I gave an involuntary shudder: there was a chilly breath upon me. And then I was not lying down, but sitting up in my bed…”
“All at once I felt that some one had tight hold of me from behind, and was whispering in my very ear…”
– Forsaken:
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
– Turgenev:
” ‘Give yourself up to me, ‘was whispered me again in reply.
‘Give myself up to you! But you are a phantom; you have no body even.’ A strange animation came upon me. ‘What are you—smoke, air, vapour? Give myself up to you! Answer me first, Who are you? Have you lived upon the earth? Whence have you come?’
‘Give yourself up to me. I will do you no harm. Only say two words: “Take me.”’
– Forsaken:
I waited faithfully
For night to fall again
Trying to silence the fear within me
– Turgenev:
“The day passed somehow. I tried, I remember, to read, to work … everything was a failure. The night came. My heart was throbbing within me, as though it expected something. I lay down, and turned with my face to the wall.”
– Forsaken:
Out of the night and mist
I felt a stinging kiss
And saw a crimson stain on her lips
– Turgenev:
“Her face turned and moved towards my face…. I felt on my lips a strange sensation, like the faintest prick of a soft and delicate sting…”
“Her eyes were closed, and on her tightly shut lips stood a fleck of crimson stain.”
– Forsaken:
I have to know your name
Where have I seen your face before
My dear one don’t you be afraid
– Turgenev:
“What is your name, or, at least, what was it?”
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Alice, ‘don’t be afraid, my dear one!’”
– Forsaken:
Take me far away
Close your eyes
And hold your breath
‘Til the ends of the earth
– Turgenev:
“‘I am to blame, I take back my word. Take me away, Alice, I beseech you.”
“‘Very well; only shut your eyes and hold your breath.’”
“Let us fly till dawn, that is all. I can bear you away wherever you fancy—to the ends of the earth. Give yourself up to me! Say only: “Take me!”’”
‘Well … take me!’”
