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TITO VESPASIANO, Roman emperor (Tenor) VITELLIA, daughter of the emperor Vitellius (Soprano) SERVILIA, sister of Sextus, Annius's sweetheart (Soprano) SESTO, friend of Titus, Vitellia's lover (Soprano or Mezzosoprano) ANNIO, friend of Sextus, Servilia's lover (Soprano or Mezzosoprano) PUBLIO, commander of the Praetorian guards (Bass) CHORUS Roman people, guards Place Rome Time in the year 79 Vitellia's apartments Overture FIRST SCENE Vitellia, Sextus Recitative VITELLIA What then, will you forever come to tell me the same thing, Sextus? I know that you have won over Lentulus, that his followers are ready, that setting the Capitol on fire will create a tumult. All this I have already heard a thousand times; but I never see my revenge. Are we perhaps waiting for Titus, mad with love, before my very eyes to offer Berenice my throne that he has usurped, and his hand in marriage? Speak then, what are we waiting for? SEXTUS O heavens! VITELLIA You sigh? SEXTUS Think further on it, my dear; reflect on it. Ah, let us not in Titus take from the world its delight, from Rome its father, from us a friend. VITELLIA Have you then come to praise my enemy to my face? And do you not remember that this merciful hero usurps a throne snatched by his father from mine? That he deceived me and (this is his greatest sin) tempted me almost into loving him? And then he faithlessly recalls Berenice once more to the Tiber! He could at least have chosen a rival worthy of me from among the beauties of Rome. But to prefer a barbarian, an exile, Sextus, to me, a queen! SEXTUS Ah, princess, you are jealous. VITELLIA I! SEXTUS Yes. VITELLIA Am I jealous if I do not suffer disdain? SEXTUS And yet... VITELLIA And yet you have not the spirit to win me. SEXTUS I am ... VITELLIA You are released from all your promises. I can find someone more worthy to carry out my hatred. SEXTUS Hear me! VITELLIA I have heard enough. SEXTUS Wait! VITELLIA Farewell. SEXTUS Ah, Vitellia, my goddess, do not leave me! Where are you going? Forgive me; I believe you; I was wrong. No. 1 - Duet SEXTUS Command me as you will; order my every move. You are my destiny; I will do anything for you. VITELLIA Before the sun sets I want the wretch dead. You know he usurps a kingdom that heaven allotted to me. SEXTUS Your fury already sets me aflame. VITELLIA Well, what more are you waiting for? SEXTUS Let one sweet look at least be the reward for my devotion! VITELLIA and SEXTUS A thousand emotions wage pitiless war together within me. There is no soul more tormented than mine. SECOND SCENE Annius and the same Recitative ANNIUS Come quickly, friend; Caesar summons you to him. VITELLIA Ah, do not waste these brief moments that Titus has stolen from Berenice. ANNIUS You insult our hero unjustly, Vitellia. Titus is master of the world and of himself. At his command Berenice has already gone. SEXTUS What? VITELLIA What are you saying? ANNIUS You are right to be surprised. Rome weeps at it in astonishment and pleasure. I myself can hardly believe it; and I was present, Vitellia, at their solemn parting. VITELLIA (My hopes revive!) Sextus, defer carrying out my orders: the time is not yet ripe for the blow. SEXTUS And you do not want me to see ... or to complain, cruel one! VITELLIA Now what did you see? Of what can you complain? SEXTUS Nothing. (O heaven! Who ever suffered torments like mine!) No. 2 - Aria VITELLIA Ah, if you wish to please me, cast aside your suspicions; do not weary me with these irksome doubts. He who blindly believes obliges one to keep faith; he who always expects to be betrayed invites betrayal. Exit THIRD SCENE Annius, Sextus Recitative ANNIUS My friend, this is the moment to make me happy. You promised me Servilia's hand. Nothing is wanting but the Emperor's consent. Now you can ask it of him. SEXTUS Your every wish, Annius, is law to me. I too, Annius, impatiently desire this new bond. No. 3 - Duettino ANNIUS and SEXTUS Ah, let me embrace you dearly, my faithful friend, and may heaven ever keep your friendship constant for me. Exeunt. FOURTH SCENE Chorus, Publius, Annius, Titus, Sextus Part of the Roman Forum, splendidly adorned with arches, obelisks and trophies: in the foreground the exterior of the Capitol and a magnificent street leading up to it. Publius, Roman senators and envoys from the subject Provinces, present to pay the Senate their annual tribute. Titus, preceded by lictors, followed by the Praetorian Guard and surrounded by a large crowd, comes down from the Capitol. No. 4 - March No. 5 - Chorus CHORUS O gods who guard the fate of Rome, preserve in Titus the just, the strong, the glory of our age. At the end of the chorus Annius and Sextus enter from opposite sides. Recitative PUBLIUS to Titus Today the Senate hails you as father of our country; and never were its decrees more just, O invincible Emperor. ANNIUS The Senate has decreed a lofty temple to you, and there it is desired that Rome shall also, among the divine honours, worship Titus as a god. PUBLIUS We devote to this task the annual tributes of the subject provinces. Do not, Titus, disdain these public tokens of our love. TITUS Romans, hear me: Vesuvius has spewed forth from its throat, more violently than ever, rivers of fire; it has shaken the rocks and filled the fields around and the neighbouring cities with ruins. The wretched people are fleeing: but poverty oppresses those spared by the fire. Let that gold serve to repair the havoc of all those victims. This, O Romans, is to build me a temple. ANNIUS O true hero! PUBLIUS How inadequate for you are all rewards and all praises! TITUS Enough, enough, my loyal subjects. Let Sextus approach; Annius, do not go. All others may withdraw. All leave the atrium: there remain only Titus, Sextus and Annius. (No. 4 - March) (No. 5 - Chorus) CHOIR O gods who guard, etc. Recitative ANNIUS (Now, Sextus, speak for me.) SEXTUS How, my lord, could you send your fair queen away? TITUS Ah, Sextus, my friend, how terrible a moment! I did not think ... Enough: I conquered; she is gone. Let Rome now free itself from all suspicions of seeing her my wife. It wishes to see one of its own daughters on my throne, and I must satisfy it. Since love vainly chose my bonds, I wish at least for friendship to forge them. Let the Imperial blood be united to yours, Sextus. Your sister shall be my bride this day. SEXTUS Servilia! TITUS Exactly. ANNIUS (O woe is me!) SEXTUS (O heavens, Annius is lost.) TITUS Did you hear? What do you say? Have you no answer? SEXTUS Titus ... ANNIUS Caesar, I know Sextus's heart. But you should not heed his counsel. How could you select a bride more worthy of the empire and of you? Virtue, beauty – Servilia has them all. I could see in her face that she was born to rule. This is fulfilment of my presentiments. SEXTUS (Annius saying this? Am I dreaming or awake?) TITUS Then, Annius, you bear her the tidings. And you, dear Sextus, follow me and put aside your doubts. You shall have such a share in the throne, and I will so elevate you that very little will remain of that vast gap which the gods set between Sextus and Titus. SEXTUS This is too much, my lord. At least, Caesar, if you do not wish us to be ungrateful, limit your generosity. TITUS How then? (If you deny me my generosity, what do you leave me?) No. 6 - Aria TITUS This is the sole fruit of the most splendid of thrones: all the rest is torment, all else is servitude. What should I have, were I also to lose the only happy hours I have in helping those in distress, in raising up my friends, in awarding riches to merit and to valour? This is the sole fruit, etc. Exit with Sextus FIFTH SCENE Annius, Servilia Recitative ANNIUS I must not regret it. This was the duty of a generous lover. My heart, put aside your former tenderness: she who was your idol is your sovereign. Love must change to respect. Here she is. O heaven! She has never seemed so lovely to my eyes. SERVILIA My dearest ... ANNIUS Hush, Servilia. Now it is forbidden to call me so. SERVILIA Why? ANNIUS Caesar has chosen you (what martyrdom!) to be his bride. He enjoined me (I feel close to death!) to bring you the tidings (O agony!), and I ... I was ... (I cannot speak). My Empress, farewell! SERVILIA What! Wait! I Caesar's bride? But why? ANNIUS Because he could not find beauty and virtue more worthy of an Empire ... O heavens! What shall I say? Permit me, my Empress, to take my leave. SERVILIA Will you leave me in such confusion? Explain: tell me, how did it happen? In what way? ANNIUS I am lost unless I go, beloved. No. 7- Duet ANNIUS Ah, forgive, my former love, that thoughtless word; it was the fault of lips accustomed always to call you so. SERVILIA Ah, you were the first person whom I ever truly loved; and you will be the last to be sheltered in my heart. ANNIUS Dear words of my beloved! SERVILIA O my sweet, dear hope! SERVILIA and ANNIUS The more I hear your words, the greater grows my passion. When one soul unites with another, what joy a heart feels! Ah, eliminate from life all that is not love! Exeunt SIXTH SCENE A pleasant apartment in the imperial palace on the Palatine Titus, Servilia Recitative TITUS Servilia! My Empress! SERVILIA Ah, my lord, do not yet confer on me so great a title. Hear me first. I must reveal a secret to you. TITUS Speak ... SERVILIA My heart, my lord, is no longer mine. Annius stole it from me long ago. I have not sufficient courage to forget him. Even were I Empress, despite myself, my thoughts would follow the same path. I know that to oppose an Emperor's will is a crime; but at least let all be made known to my sovereign; then, if he wants me for his bride, here is my hand. TITUS I thank you, O gods in heaven, that one has been found who will dare to speak an unwelcome truth. For your greatness Annius sets aside his own peace! You refuse a throne to be faithful to him! And I was to upset such tender love! Ah, Titus's heart cannot harbour wicked sentiments. Cast aside all fears. I will tie so noble a knot. If only our state had more citizens like you! No. 8 - Aria TITUS Ah, if about a throne every heart were so sincere, a vast empire would be not a torment but bliss. Rulers should not have to suffer such deep anxiety to distinguish hidden truth from deception. Ah, if about a throne, etc. Exit SEVENTH SCENE Servilia, then Vitellia Recitative SERVILIA How happy I am! VITELLIA May I offer my sovereign the first tokens of my respect? May I adore that face for which Titus's heart, wounded by love, has lost its rest? SERVILIA Do not be angry with me; perhaps the imperial hand is destined for you. Exit EIGHTH SCENE Vitellia, then Sextus Recitative VITELLIA Does she still mock me? Must I still suffer shameful scorn? Ah, how ostentatiously she leaves me here. Cruel Titus, was it not enough to choose Berenice before me? I am then the last of the living. Ah, ingrate, tremble, tremble at having offended me! Today your blood ... SEXTUS Beloved... VITELLIA Well, what news do you bring? Is the Capitol on fire? Is it in ashes? Where is Lentulus? Is Titus punished? SEXTUS Nothing has yet been undertaken. VITELLIA Nothing! And you return so coolly before me? SEXTUS It was your command to defer the blow. VITELLIA And did you not hear the new affronts to me? Do you need further spurs? Know then that I loved Titus, that he prevents you from winning my heart; that if he remains alive I may relent; that I could perhaps love him again (I do not trust myself). Now go: if you are unmoved by desire for glory, ambition, love, if you can tolerate a rival who stole my affections, now opposes them and could steal them from you, I will say you are the most despicable of men. SEXTUS You assail me from every side!Enough, enough, no more: your fury, Vitellia, has already inspired me. You soon shall see the Capitol aflame and this dagger in Titus's breast ... VITELLIA And what are you thinking now? Then hurry: what are you doing? Why do you not go? No. 9 - Aria SEXTUS I go, but, my dearest, make peace again with me. I will be what you would most have me be, do whatever you wish. Look at me, and I will forget all and fly to avenge you; I will think only of that glance at me. Ah, ye gods, what power you have given beauty! Exit NINTH SCENE Vitellia, then Publius and Annius Recitative VITELLIA You will see, Titus, that this face is not so unworthy after all. At least it suffices to seduce your friends from you, even if it fails to attract you. You will be sorry... PUBLIUS You here, Vitellia? Ah hurry, Titus is on his way to your apartments. ANNIUS Vitellia, do not delay: the Emperor is looking for you. VITELLIA The Emperor! PUBLIUS Do you not yet know? He has chosen you as his consort. ANNIUS You are our Empress; and we are the first to pay you homage. PUBLIUS Come, princess: the Emperor is waiting. No. 10 - Trio VITELLIA I am coming ... Wait ... Sextus! ... Alas! ... Sextus! ... Has he left? ... O my fatal indignation! O my insane fury! What anguish, what torment! Oh god, I freeze with horror! PUBLIUS and ANNIUS O how great happiness can confuse a heart! Exeunt TENTH SCENE Sextus alone, then Annius, Servilia, Publius, Vitellia The Capitol, as above No. 11 - Accompanied Recitative SEXTUS O heavens, what frenzy this is, what a torment within my heart! I quake, freeze, set out, draw back; every breath, every shadow alarms me. I never thought it so hard to undertake villainy. But I must fulfil my task. At least let me go to my death with courage. Courage? And how can a traitor show that? Unhappy Sextus! You a traitor! How shameful a name! And yet you hasten to earn it. And whom are you betraying? The greatest, the most just, the most merciful prince of earth, to whom you owe everything you possess, everything you are. Handsome reward you make him, in truth. He raised you up to make you his killer. Let the ground swallow me up before I become such. Ah, Vitellia, I have no heart to further your wrath. I would die before striking him this blow. A fire breaks out in the Capitol, gradually increasing. It must be stopped ... but how? The Capitol is already ablaze. I hear a great din of arms and soldiers: alas, repentance is too late. No. 12 - Quintet with Chorus SEXTUS O ye gods, preserve the glory of Rome, or at least also cut short my days with his. ANNIUS Friend, where are you going? SEXTUS I am going ... O heavens, you will know by my shame. He hurriedly enters the Capitol. ELEVENTH SCENE ANNIUS I do not understand Sextus ... But here comes Servilia. SERVILIA Ah, what a dreadful uproar! ANNIUS Fly from here, my dearest. SERVILIA It is feared that the fire may not have started by accident, but was purposely raised with evil intent. CHORUS in the distance Ah! PUBLIUS There is a conspiracy in Rome; alas, I fear for Titus; who could be the author of this treachery? CHORUS Ah! SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS The cries I hear, alas ... CHORUS Ah! SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS ... make me freeze with horror. Enter Vitellia CHORUS Ah! TWELFTH SCENE VITELLIA O heaven! For pity's sake, who can tell me where Sextus is? (I hate myself, and am in terror of myself.) SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS Who could be the author of this treachery? CHORUS Ah! Ah! VITELLIA, SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS The cries I hear, alas, make me freeze with horror. CORO Ah! Ah! Sextus comes from the Capitol THIRTEENTH SCENE SEXTUS (Ah, where can I hide? Earth, open up and swallow me, and enclose a traitor in your deep bosom.) VITELLlA Sextus! SEXTUS What do you want of me? VITELLIA Why do you look around so wildly? SEXTUS The daylight terrifies me. VITELLIA Titus? SEXTUS His pierced breast yielded up his noble soul. SERVILIA, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS What wicked hand could have stained itself with such a crime? SEXTUS It was the most villainous of men, the horror of nature; it was ... VITELLIA Be silent, madman; do not give yourself away. VITELLIA, SERVILIA, SEXTUS, ANNIUS, PUBLIUS Ah, then extinguished is the star, the bearer of peace. TUTTI, CHORUS O black betrayal! O day of sorrow! A pleasant apartment in the imperial palace on the Palatine FIRST SCENE Annius, Sextus Recitative ANNIUS Sextus, the Emperor did not perish, as you thought. Calm your sorrow; at this moment he is returning, unharmed, from the turmoil. SEXTUS O merciful gods! O dear prince! O sweet friend! Ah, let me clasp you ... But you are not deceiving me? ANNIUS Do I deserve so little faith? Then you yourself hasten to him, and you will see him. SEXTUS I present myself to Titus after having betrayed him? ANNIUS You betrayed him? SEXTUS I was the instigator of the tumult. ANNIUS Sextus disloyal! SEXTUS My friend, a moment undid me. Farewell! I fly my country for ever. Remember me. Defend Titus from new plots. I will wander the woods in sorrow, to lament my crime. ANNIUS Stay! O heavens! Let us think ... Many blame accident for this fire;so far conspiracy is not certain ... SEXTUS Well, what would you? ANNIUS Do not go yet. No. 13 - Aria ANNIUS Return to Titus's side; return, and make amends for past error with repeated proofs of loyalty. Your bitter grief is an obvious sign that the image of virtue remains in your heart. Return to Titus's side, etc. Exit SECOND SCENE Sextus, then Vitellia Recitative SEXTUS Should I go or stay? I am in no state to take a decision. VITELLIA Sextus, fly: save your life and my honour. You are lost if anyone finds you, and if you are found my secret will become public. SEXTUS It will remain buried in my heart. No one knew it. I shall die concealing it. THIRD SCENE Publius with guards, and the same Recitative PUBLIUS Sextus! SEXTUS What do you want? PUBLIUS Your sword. SEXTUS And why? PUBLIUS The one who, clad in regal attire, fell wounded to the ground before your eyes, and whom, misled by his appearance, you took for Titus, was Lentulus; the blow did not deprive him of life. The rest you know. Come. VITELLIA (O fatal blow!) SEXTUS surrendering his sword So at last, tyrant ... PUBLIUS Sextus, we must go. The Senate is already assembled to hear you, and I cannot delay conducting you there. SEXTUS Farewell, ungrateful woman FOURTH SCENE No. 14 - Trio SEXTUS If ever you feel a light breeze playing on your face, that breath will be my dying sighs. VITELLIA (Through me he is being taken to his death; ah, wherever can I hide?‑ Very soon my crime will be known to the world.) PUBLIUS Come ... SEXTUS to Publius I follow you ... to Vitellia Farewell. VITELLIA to Sextus Listen ... I am lost ... O god! to Publius How cruel! SEXTUS to Vitellia, as he is going Remember the one who loves you still, even in this plight. Let your pity at least be solace for my pain. VITELLIA Remorse, horror and fear rend my heart! What I feel in my soul will make me die of grief.) PUBLIUS (The stinging, bitter tears that pour from her eyes move my soul, but pity is useless!) Exeunt Publius and Sextus with the guards; exit Vitellia on the opposite side. FIFTH SCENE A great hall designed for public hearings. A throne, chair and small table Titus, Publius, patricians, Praetorian Guard and populace No. 15 - Chorus CHORUS Ah, let us render thanks to the supreme Creator who in Titus preserved the glory of the throne. TITUS Ah no, I am not so unfortunate if my lot finds sympathy in Rome, if prayers are still offered up for Titus. CHORUS Ali, let us render thanks, etc. Recitative PUBLIUS The people are all assembled there at the festive arena, and nothing is lacking but your presence. TITUS We will go soon, Publius. I could not rest if I did not first know Sextus's fate. The Senate will now have heard his defence; it will have found, you will see, that he is innocent; and the verdict should not be long delayed. Go, ask What is happening, what they are waiting for. I wish to know all before leaving. PUBLIUS I go, but fear I shall not return the bearer of happy tidings. TITUS Can you believe Sextus disloyal? I measure his feelings by my own; and it seems an impossibility to me that he could have betrayed me. PUBLIUS But my lard, not all have hearts like Titus. No. 16 - Aria PUBLIUS He is late to notice betrayal who has never known what it is to be disloyal. It is no wonder if a true heart, full of honour, believes all other hearts incapable of disloyalty. He is late, etc. Exit SIXTH SCENE Titus, then Annius Recitative TITUS No, I do not believe my Sextus so wicked. A heart could not change so greatly. Annius, what do you bring? Sextus 's innocence? Reassure me. ANNIUS My lord, I come to beg mercy for him. SEVENTH SCENE The same, Publius carrying a piece of paper Recitative PUBLIUS Caesar, did I not say so? Sextus was the author of the cruel plot. TITUS And is this true, Publius? PUBLIUS Only too true: he admitted everything with his own lips. The Senate has condemned him, with his accomplices, to be thrown to the wild beasts. Here is the terrible, but just, decree; giving the paper to Titus only the Emperor's name, my lord, is lacking. TITUS throwing himself into a chair Almighty gods! PUBLIUS kneeling Ah, merciful sovereign... TITUS Annius, for the moment leave me in peace. PUBLIUS You know that the people are now assembled for the great show... TITUS I know. Leave me! ANNIUS Oh, forgive me if I speak on behalf of a madman. He is the brother of my dear bride. No. 17- Aria ANNIUS You were betrayed: he deserves to die,but yet Titus's heart allows room for hope. Ah, take counsel, my lord, of your heart: deign to look upon our grief. Exeunt Publius and Annius. EIGHTH SCENE Titus alone, seated Accompanied Recitative TITUS O horror! What treachery! What black disloyalty! To pretend friendship and be always at my side; at every moment exacting from me some token of love, and meanwhile plotting my death! And I still delay the punishment and do not sign the sentence? He takes the pen to sign, then pauses. Ah yes, let the miscreant die! He shall die ... but am I sending Sextus to his death without hearing him? Yes; the Senate has already heard enough. Yet suppose he had some secret to reveal to me? Ho there! He puts down his pen; a guard enters (Let him be heard, and then he can go to execution.) Bring Sextus to me. Exit guard How unhappy is the fate of those who reign! To us is denied what is given to the lowliest. That needy peasant in the depths of the woods, whose rough sides are clad in coarse wool, whose shapeless hovel is an unreliable shelter from the inclement elements, sleeps peacefully, passes his days in tranquillity. He asks little: he knows who hates him, who loves him: in company or alone he goes safely to the forest and to the mountain, and sees everyone's hearts mirrored in their faces. NINTH SCENE Titus, Publius, Sextus and guards Sextus has barely entered when he halts. No. 18 - Trio SEXTUS (Is that the face of Titus? Ah, ye stars, where has his usual mildness gone? Now he makes me tremble!) TITUS (Eternal gods! Are these then the features of Sextus? O how a crime can transform a face!) PUBLIUS (A thousand conflicting emotions are at war within Titus. If he feels such torment, he still loves him.) TITUS Draw near! SEXTUS (O voice that weighs so heavy on my heart!) TITUS Do you not hear? SEXTUS (O heaven, I feel myself bathed in sweat! O god! A dying man could not suffer more.) TITUS and PUBLIUS (The traitor trembles and dares not raise his eyes.) Exeunt Publius and the guards Recitative TITUS Hear me, Sextus; we are alone; your sovereign is not present. Open your heart to Titus; confide in your friend. I ask this at least in return for friendship, SEXTUS (Here is a new kind of torment! Either displease Titus or accuse Vitellia.) TITUS beginning to grow uneasy Do you still doubt? SEXTUS My lord ... know then ... TITUS Speak,then: what did you wish to tell me? SEXTUS That I am the object of the gods' wrath; that I no longer have the strength to face my fate; that I confess myself a traitor, call myself a villain; that I deserve death and desire it. TITUS Ungrateful wretch! And you shall have it! to the guards, who have entered Guards, take the culprit out of my sight! SEXTUS One last kiss on that invincible hand. TITUS without looking at him Go; it is too late; now I am your judge. SEXTUS Ah my lord, let this be your last favour. No. 19 - Rondo SEXTUS Ah, for this single moment remember our former love, for your anger, your severity, make me die of grief. Unworthy of pity, it is true, I ought only to inspire horror. Yet you would be less harsh if you could read my heart. In despair I go to death, but dying does not affright me. The thought that I was a traitor to you tortures me! (A heart can suffer such anguish and yet not die of sorrow!) Exit TENTH SCENE Titus alone Recitative TITUS Where was more insolent disloyalty ever heard? I must avenge his disregard and scorn for my clemency. Avenge! ... Can the heart of Titus nurture such feelings? ... Well, let him live ... Then do the laws mean nothing? He sits down Sextus is guilty: Sextus shall die. He signs But then I do violence to my feelings. Shall I at least be sure that others will approve? Ah, let me not forsake my usual path ... tearing up the sheet Let my friend live, though he is faithless. And if the world wants to accuse me of some failing, let it accuse me of mercy, throwing away the torn sheet not of harshness. ELEVENTH SCENE Titus, Publius Recitative TITUS Publius! PUBLIUS My Emperor? TITUS Let us go to the people, who are waiting. PUBLIUS And Sextus? TITUS And let Sextus, too, come to the arena. PUBLIUS Then his fate ...? TITUS Yes, Publius, it is already decided. PUBLIUS (O wretched man!) No. 20 - Aria TITUS If a hard heart is necessary to a ruler, ye benevolent gods, either take the empire from me or give me another heart. If I cannot assure the loyalty of my realms by love, I care not for a loyalty that is born of fear. If a hard heart is necessary, etc. Exit, followed by Publius TWELFTH SCENE Vitellia, and then Servilia and Annius from opposite sides Recitative SERVILIA Ah, Vitellia! ANNIUS Ah, princess! SERVILIA My poor brother ... ANNIUS My dear friend ... SERVILIA ... is being taken to his death. VITELLIA But what can I do for him? SERVILIA Everything: at your pleas Titus will pardon him. ANNIUS He cannot refuse it to his new Empress. VITELLIA Annius, I am not the Empress yet. ANNIUS Before the sun sets, Titus will be your husband. just now, in my presence, he gave orders for the festivities. VITELLIA (Then Sextus kept silent! What love! What faith!) Annius, Servilia, let us go. (But where can I go like this without thought?) leave me, friends, I will come. No. 21 - Aria SERVILIAIf you do nothing for him but shed tears, all your weeping will be of no avail. Oh, how like to cruelty is this useless pity that you feel. If you do nothing for him, etc. Exit THIRTEENTH SCENE Vitellia alone No. 22 - Accompanied Recitative VITELLIA Now is the moment, O Vitellia, to test your firmess: will you have sufficient courage to look upon your faithful Sextus lifeless? Sextus, who loves you more than his own life, who for your sake committed a crime, who obeyed you, cruel one, and adored you, unjust as you are; who in the face of death remains so true to you, while you, aware of this, calmly go to Caesar's bridal bed? Ah, I should always see Sextus near me and fear the breezes and the stones might speak and betray me to Titus. Let me go and confess all at his feet. Let Sextus's crime, If it cannot be forgiven, be lessened through my guilt. Ah farewell, hopes of dominion and marriage! No. 23 - Rondo VITELLIA No more shall Hymen descend to weave fair garlands of flowers. Bound in harsh, cruel chains, I see death advance towards me. O wretched me! How horrible! Ah, what will be said of me? Yet he who could see my distress would have pity on me. Exit FOURTEENTH SCENE A splendid scene showing a vast amphitheatre. Already in the arena can be seen the accomplices in the plot, who have been condemned to be thrown to the wild beasts. During the following chorus Titus enters, preceded by lictors, surrounded by the Praetorian Guard. After him, Annius and Servilia. No. 24 - Chorus CHORUS That you are the care, the darling of heaven and of the gods, great hero, has been shown in the brief course of this day. But there is no cause for wonder, fortunate Augustus, that the gods thus watch over one so like them. FIFTEENTH SCENE Titus, Publius and Sextus between lictors, Annius and Servilia, and then Vitellia Recitative TITUS Sextus, you know the range of your crimes and what punishment is due to you. Rome in turmoil, majesty offended, laws affronted, friendship betrayed ‑ the world and heaven call for your death. Yet you know that I am the sole object of your treachery: now listen. VITELLIA entering hastily Here, mighty Emperor, kneeling here at your feet is the most troubled ... TITUS Ah, rise! What are you doing? What do you desire? VITELLIA I bring before you the author of the wicked plot. TITUS Where is he? Who ever planned such threats to my life? VITELLIA You will not believe it. TITUS Why not? VITELLIA Because it is I. TITUS You too? SEXTUS and SERVILIA Ye stars! ANNIUS and PUBLIUS Ye gods! TITUS And how many are there, however many to betray me? VITELLIA I am the most guilty of all! I conceived the plot. I seduced from you your most faithful friend: I took advantage of his blind love for me. TITUS But what was the cause of your anger? VITELLIA Your goodness. I thought that this was love. I hoped for your hand and the throne as a gift from you, and then I was repeatedly passed over, and sought revenge. No. 25 - Accompanied Recitative TITUS But what a day this is! At the very moment that I absolve one wrongdoer, I discover another? When, just gods, shall I find a loyal soul? I believe the stars conspire to oblige me, despite myself, to turn cruel. No: they shall not have this satisfaction. My strength is already pledged to continue the contest. Let us see whether others' perfidy or my clemency will be the more enduring. Ho there! Release Sextus: Lentulus and his followers shall again enjoy life and liberty.Be it known in Rome that I am the same, that I know all, forgive everyone and forget it all. No. 26 - Sextet with Chorus SEXTUS You forgive me, Caesar, it is true; but my heart, that will lament its error as long as memory lasts, does not forgive me. TITUS The true repentance of which you are capable is worth more than a truly constant fidelity. VITELLIA, SERVILIA, ANNIUS O generous and noble soul! Who ever attained such heights? His supreme goodness draws tears from my eyes. TUTTI and CHORUS (except TITUS) Eternal gods, watch over his sacred days: preserve in him Rome's happiness. TITUS Cut short, eternal gods, cut short my days on that day when the good of Rome ceases to be my care. |