Un ballo in maschera” by Giuseppe Verdi libretto (English)

Roles

Riccardo, Earl of Warwick and governor of Boston - tenor
Amelia, wife of Renato, in love with Riccardo - dramatic soprano
Renato, husband of Amelia and Riccardo's secretary, best friend and confidant - baritone
Oscar, Riccardo's page - coloratura soprano
Ulrica - contralto
A judge - tenor
Silvano - bass
Amelia's servant - tenor
Samuel - bass
Tom - bass

ACT ONE

Scene One

A drawing room in the governor’s mansion
(To the rear, a door leading to the Governor’s
apartments. It is morning. In the foreground, deputies,
gentlemen, townsfolk, officers; with them, Samuel,
Tom and their henchman. All are waiting for Riccardo.)


OFFICERS and GENTLEMEN
Let your noble heart rest, Riccardo,
return to your fond dreams,
you are shielded in this dwelling
by the love of a virgin world.
Let you noble heart rest, etc.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
There is hate, too, which readies its revenge,
ever mindful of those who died for you.
Your hopes cannot make forgetfulness
blanket their sad graves

SAMUEL and TOM
No, no.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Your hopes, etc.
(Oscar enters from Riccardo’s rooms.)

OSCAR
His Lordship!

RICCARDO (entering and greeting them)
Friends – soldiers –
(then to the deputies, as he receives their petitions)
And you who are equally dear to me! Give them to me;
You may count on me. I must
protect my children, satisfying
every just desire.
Power has no beauty unless it dry
its subjects’ tears and strive
for uncorrupted glory.

OSCAR (to Riccardo)
Please read the list
of invitations to the ball.

RICCARDO
You have not forgotten
any beauty?

OSCAR (handing him the list)
These are the names.

RICCARDO (to himself, as he reads)
Amelia – ah, she again! My soul
forgets all pomp for love of her!
When I see here, pale and radiant,
my soul will be in ecstasy –
and as I listen to her voice,
it will seem to speak of love.
The sweet night comes down,
fair with its starry gems;

Ah, but she is my only star –
a star the heavens cannot boast!

OSCAR, OFFICERS and GENTLEMEN
With generous love,
lost in his thoughts,
he will take our needs
as the object of his ponderings.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
The time is not yet ripe; everything
here keeps us from action.
It would be better
to leave the enemy’s home.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
Go with the others; I shall call you.
(All move off. Oscar, the last, meets Renato at the
door.)

OSCAR (to Renato)
The way is open to you at last.

RENATO (to himself)
How sad he seems!

RICCARDO (to himself)
Amelia!

RENATO (bowing)
My lord –

RICCARDO (to himself)
Oh heaven! Her husband!

RENATO
My lord, you are unhappy, while everywhere your
name is bright with glory.

RICCARDO
For one’s ambition, that is much; for the heart,
nothing. A secret, bitter care oppresses me.

RENATO
And this is –

RICCARDO
Ah, no – more –

RENATO
I shall tell you the reason.

RICCARDO (to himself)
Great God!

RENATO
I know all.

RICCARDO
That is?

RENATO
I know all. Even this mansion
is no sure refuge for you.

RICCARDO
Go on.

RENATO
An evil plot is being contrived against you;
your life is threatened.

RICCARDO (joyously)
Ah! You are speaking of that?
You know of nothing else?

RENATO
If you wish to know the names –

RICCARDO
What does it matter? I despise them.

RENATO
To tell you is my duty.

RICCARDO
Say nothing; else I must
soil my hands with blood. It shall not be,
I do not wish it. My people’s love
watches over me, and God protects me.

RENATO
Your life, so rich in joy,
so full of hope,
is joined by Fate to thousands
of other lives!
If you are lost, what of our country,
what of its splendid future?
Can you be
forever safe from wounds,
because your people’s love
is shielding you?

Hate is quicker than love
in striking its victims,
if you are lost, etc.

OSCAR (entering)
The Judge.

RICCARDO
Let him enter.

JUDGE
(offering him papers to sign)
My lord!

RICCARDO
What is this! A woman banished?
Why?
What is her name? What is her offence?

JUDGE
Her name is Ulrica – of dark
Negro blood.

OSCAR
But all the races follow her.
She can foretell the future.

JUDGE
To her filthy cave,
she summons the worst; she is suspected
of every evil counsel. She deserves exile;
pray do not veto my decision.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
What have you to say of her?

OSCAR
I wish to defend her.
When she turns
her dusky brow to the stars
how her eyes
flash, like lightning,
as she foretells the course
of their loves
to the belles of the town,
be it happy or sad!
With Lucifer himself
she has a pact!
With Lucifer, etc.

RICCARDO
A charming couple –
what a protector!

OSCAR
Whoever touches
her prophetic gown,
whether he plans to cross the sea
or go off to war,
his future, his fortunes,
be they bitter or sweet,
his doubting heart
will learn from her,
it is with Lucifer himself
she has a pact!
With Lucifer, etc.

JUDGE
Let her be condemned.

OSCAR (to Riccardo)
Deign to absolve her.

RICCARDO
Well, summon everyone:
(Renato and Oscar invite the others to return.)
I have something to tell you.
Gentlemen, I invite you today
to Ulrica’s house;
but come disguised.
I shall be there.

RENATO
Really?

RICCARDO
Yes, I must se this sight.

RENATO
It’s not wise.

RICCARDO
I think, rather, it’s a splendid plan,
and promises great sport.

RENATO
Someone there
might recognise you.

RICCARDO
What fright!

SAMUEL and TOM (sneering)
Come, come, this counsellor of his
trembles at everything.

RICCARDO (to Oscar)
Prepare for me
a fisherman’s costume.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Who knows,
perhaps the way to vengeance
will be opened to us there?

RICCARDO
Make sure that our sport is successful,
let all come to the magic house;
let us abandon ourselves to this game,
together with the credulous folk.

RENATO
Yes, hasten, but never forget
the dangers which threaten there,
and protect our magnanimous ruler,
so fearless for himself.

OSCAR
The seeress tells remarkable things,
I must question her myself, to hear
whether the stars smile upon me,
what good fortune may be in store for me.

RICCARDO
Make sure that our pleasure is certain.

RENATO
Yes, but let us be cautious, too.

RICCARDO
Well, then gentlemen, I shall expect you
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

ALL
We shall be there promptly,
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

RENATO
Yes, hasten, but never forget, etc.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Ever watchful, we must be alert,
and not miss when the moment strikes,
perhaps the star which rules his fate
must plunge into the abyss

RICCARDO
Make sure that our sport is successful,
let all come to the fateful house:
For one day we shall laugh and joke,
for such is life at its best.

ALL
At last a bit of folly brightens
this life which heaven gave us.
At last, etc.

OSCAR
I shall hear whether the stars smile upon me,
what fortune they tell me through her.
I shall hear, etc.

RENATO
But protect our magnanimous ruler
so fearless for himself.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN
Perhaps the star, etc.

RICCARDO
At three, at three,
well, then, gentlemen, I shall expect you
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

ALL
At three, at three.
We shall be there promptly,
in disguise, at three o’clock,
in the oracle’s cavern,
at the great seeress’ feet.

Scene Two

The seeress’s cavern
(Left, a fireplace. A fire is burning, the magic cauldron
is smoking on its tripod. On the same side, the door of a
dark recess. Right, a winding staircase, hiding a small,
secret door. To the rear, the main entrance, with a big
window to one side. At midstage, a rough table. To the
rear, men and women from the town. Ulrica is seated
at the table; nearby, a lad and a girl are having their
fortunes told.)


WOMEN and CHILDREN
Silence – the charm must not be broken.
the devil will speak to her soon.

ULRICA
King of the depths, make haste,
hurtle down through the ether,
and, sparing thy thunderbolts,
enter into my house,
three times the owl
has sighed from on high.
Three times the fire-eating
Salamander has hissed,
and three times the moaning
of the grave has spoken to me.
(Riccardo, in fisherman’s dress, comes forward in the
crowd, without finding any of his own men.)

RICCARDO
I am the first to arrive!

TOWNSWOMEN
Ruffian, stay back!

ALL
Oh, what is this sombre glow about us?

ULRICA
It is he! It is he! Passionately,
I feel again
the tremendous thrill
of his embrace!
The torch of the future
he bears in his left hand.
He has answered my conjury,
and all shines clear before me;
Nothing, no, nothing is hidden now
from my gaze!

ALL
Hurrah for the sorceress!

ULRICA
Silence, silence!
(Silvano enters, breaking through the crowd.)

SILVANO
Make way, make way; I want my fortune told.
A sailor in his Lordship’s service,
I have defied death for him many a time.
Fifteen years I’ve had of this bitter life,
fifteen years that nothing’s been done for me.

ULRICA
And you ask?

SILVANO
What’s in store for me, after the blood
I’ve shed.

RICCARDO (aside)
He speaks like a true soldier.

ULRICA (to Silvano)
Your hand.

SILVANO
Take it.

ULRICA
Be of good cheer;
Soon you will have gold and rank.
(Riccardo takes out a paper and writes on it.)

SILVANO
You are joking?

ULRICA
Be assured.

RICCARDO
(He puts the sheet secretly into Silvano’s pocket.)
She must not speak false.

SILVANO
So fair a prophecy merits a reward.
(Searching his pockets, he takes out the paper and
reads:)
“Riccardo to his beloved Silvano, officer.”
Ye gods! I am not dreaming! Gold and a commission!

CHORUS
Hurrah for our Immortal Sibyl,
who brings riches and pleasures to all!
(A knock is heard at the secret door.)

ALL
Someone’s knocking!

RICCARDO (to himself)
What’s this! At the secret door –
one of Amelia’s servants!
SERVANT
(whispering to Ulrica; Riccardo overhears what he
says.)
Listen: my mistress,
who is waiting outside, wishes to
ask your advice in secret.

RICCARDO (to himself)
Amelia!

ULRICA
Let her come; I’ll send the others away.
(The servant leaves.)

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not me.
(He hides in the smaller room.)

ULRICA (turns to the others.)
Before I can answer you,
I first must join with Satan;
Go, let me gaze into the face of Truth.

ALL
Let us go, that she may gaze into the face of Truth.
(As the others go out, Riccardo hides. Amelia enters.)

ULRICA
What stirs you so?

AMELIA
A bitter, secret care,
which love has awakened –

RICCARDO (himself)
What is this!

ULRICA
And what do you seek?

AMELIA
Peace – to uproot from my breast,
so fatally ruled be the power I love,
that man – whom heaven made the ruler of all.

RICCARDO (to himself, joyously)
What do I hear! My beloved!

ULRICA
Forgetfulness is granted you.
I know a secret potion, brewed from a magic herb,
which renews the heart. But whoever needs it,
must prick the herb himself
at midnight. The place is ghostly.

AMELIA
Where is it?

ULRICA
Do you dare?

AMELIA (with decision)
Yes, wherever it may be.

ULRICA
Then listen to me:
To the west of town,
there where the pale moon
shines on the darker side
of that hideous field,
go pick the herb which grows
at the foot of the stones of infamy
where crime is expiated
in the last sigh!

AMELIA
O God! What a place!

ULRICA
You are stupefied, trembling, already!

RICCARDO (to himself)
Poor love!

ULRICA
Your heart fails you?

AMELIA
I am frozen with terror.

ULRICA
But would you dare?

AMELIA
If such be my duty,
even I shall find strength.

ULRICA
Tonight?

AMELIA
Yes.

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not alone:
For I will follow you.

AMELIA
Grant me, O Lord,
strength to purify my heart,
to quiet the fiery tumult
within my breast.

ULRICA
Go, without fear, for the charm
will dry your tears.
Only dare – and you shall drink
forgetfulness of sorrow.

RICCARDO
I burn with love, I am resolved
to follow her even to hell,
if only, beloved Amelia,
I can breathe your sighs.
VOICES (from outside)
Daughter of hell, open the door,
delay no longer in coming to us.

ULRICA (to Amelia)
Quick – go now.

AMELIA
Tonight.
(She leaves by the secret door.)

RICCARDO (to himself)
But not alone:
For I will follow you!

ULRICA
Farewell.
(Ulrica opens the main door, Samuel, Tom and their
group enter
, followed by Oscar, gentlemen and officers
in bizarre disguises. Riccardo joins them.)


CHORUS
Come, seeress, mount your tripod,
chant your prophecy, mount your tripod.

OSCAR
Where is his lordship.

RICCARDO (who has come up to him)
Be silent, do not let them know I am here.
(then turning suddenly to Ulrica)
Now, Sibyl, you who know all
shall speak to me of my stars.

CHORUS
Tell him the future, tell him the future!

RICCARDO
Tell me whether the sea
awaits me, faithful,
whether my beloved,
her face wet with tears,
betrayed my love
after she said goodbye,
with tattered sails,
my soul tempest-tossed,
I still cut my way
through the furious sea,
defying the rage
of heaven and hell,
seeress, explore with care
what the future will bring,
neither thunder
nor the rage of the winds,
not death nor love
can keep me from the sea.

CHORUS
Neither thunder
nor the rage of winds,
not death nor love
can keep him from the sea.

RICCARDO
On the swift ship
within whose womb I am tossed,
when I awaken
in the howling storm,
between the thunder crashes
I sing sweet songs,
I sing sweet songs
of my native land,

which speak of the kisses
of our last farewell,
and my songs rekindle
the fire in my heart.
Come, then, chant again
your mystic prophecy,
tell us what destiny brings,
no matter what it be,
terror cannot
enter our hearts.

CHORUS
Terror cannot
enter our hearts.

ULRICA
Whoever you are, your mad words
can change to sobs one day,
for he who violates the hidden realm
must wash away his crime with tears,
and he who insolently challenges his fate
must pay for his sin in his fate itself.

RICCARDO
Come, my friends.

SAMUEL
Who will go first?

OSCAR
I shall.

RICCARDO (showing his palm to Ulrica)
Please yield me this honour.

OSCAR
So be it.

ULRICA (gravely, examining his hand)
It is the hand of a great man,
living under the sign of Mars.

OSCAR
She has hit the truth.

RICCARDO
Silence!

ULRICA
Wretched man –
Go – leave me – ask no more!

RICCARDO
Come, now, go on.

ULRICA
No – leave me.

RICCARDO
Speak.

ULRICA
I beg you.

CHORUS (to Ulrica)
Finish it now!

RICCARDO
I insist.

ULRICA
Very well, then; soon you will die.

RICCARDO
If on the field of honour, then I am glad.

ULRICA
No – by the hand of a friend.

OSCAR
Great God!

CHORUS
What horror!

ULRICA
So it is written above.

RICCARDO (looking about him)
A joke or madness
is such a prophecy.
How their credulity
amuses me!
A joke or madness, etc.

ULRICA (passing before Samuel and Tom)
Ah, gentlemen, hearing
these sad words of mine,
you dare not laugh:
What things are in your hearts?

SAMUEL and TOM
Her words are like arrows,
her glances like lightning;

through the devil, her confidant,
this woman knows all.

OSCAR and CHORUS
What, then, is his fate?
Shall he die by an assassin’s hand?
The mere thought
makes one’s heart shudder.

RICCARDO
Complete the prophecy.
Tell me, who will the killer be?

ULRICA
The first to touch your hand today.

RICCARDO
Splendid.
(He holds out his hand to each of his companions in
turn; none dares touch it.)
Which one of you will prove the oracle false?
No one!
(Renato appears at the door. Riccardo goes forward
and shakes his hand)
Here he is.

ALL
It is he!

SAMUEL and TOM (aside)
I breathe again; fortune has saved us.

ALL
The oracle has lied.

RICCARDO
Yes, because the hand in mine
is that of my most trusted friend.

RENATO
Riccardo!

ULRICA (recognising him)
The Count!

RICCARDO (to her)
Your genie
did not tell you who I am – nor that today
you were to be banished.

ULRICA
I?

RICCARDO (throwing her a purse)
Silence; take this.

ULRICA
You are magnanimous, but among them
there is a traitor. Perhaps more than one.

SAMUEL and TOM (aside)
Great God!

RICCARDO
Say no more.

CHORUS (from far off)
Long live Riccardo!

All
What voices are these?

SILVANO
(from the rear, to his men. Sailors and townsfolk crowd
about the door)
Move quickly, if it is he,
our friend and father.
All of you, bow down with me,
and sing the hymn of our faith.

CHORUS
O son of England,
beloved of this land,
rule in happiness, for health
and glory smile upon you.

OSCAR
The proudest laurel,
more precious than treasure,
shall be entwined upon your brow
by gratitude and faith.

RICCARDO
Can I nurse suspicion
within my breast,
when a thousand hearts exult
in dying for me?

RENATO
Evil fortune forever hovers
even over the greatest triumph,
in which a hypercritical Fate
conceals an evil end.

SAMUEL, TOM and THEIR HENCHMEN (to themselves)
The course of our vengeance is blocked
by the servile multitude
who flatter the public idol
without ever knowing why, etc.

ULRICA
He does not believe his fate,
yet he shall die of his wounds;
he laughed at my prophecy.
But he has a foot in the grave, etc.

OSCAR
The proudest laurel, etc.

RICCARDO
Can I nurse suspicion, etc.

ACT TWO

A deserted field near Boston, at the foot of a rocky hill
(To the left, two columns shine white in the pale
moonlight. Amelia appears on the hillside. She kneels
to pray, then rises to her feet and slowly descends.)


Prelude

AMELIA
Here is the horrid field where crime
and death are joined together!
There, the columns –

there the plants, green their base.
I shall go on.
Ah, my heart is chilled!
Everything, even the sound of my own step,
fills me with terror!
And if I should die?
To die! If such should be my fate,
my duty, then let it some. So be it.
(She moves on.)
When I have plucked the herb,
with my own hand, from its arid stem,
when from my troubled mind
that dear image will have been effaced,
what is left, once love is dead?
Oh! Who is weeping, what power,
what power holds me back,
barring my way on this fearful road?
courage now – o poor heart, be of stone,
do not betray me, nor yield to tears,
of cease to beat, and die,
crumble to nothingness!
(A bell strikes midnight.)
Midnight! Ah, what do I see?
A head rises up from beneath the earth – and sigh!
In its eyes, anger flashes,
and it stares at me – silent, terrible.
(She falls to her knees.)
Ah, help me, give me strength, o Lord,
mercy on a suffering heart!

RICCARDO
I am with you.

AMELIA
Great God!

RICCARDO
Be calm!

AMELIA
Ah!

RICCARDO
What do you fear?

AMELIA
Ah, leave me –
I am a victim, sobbing before you –
Save at least my name –
Or shame and suffering
will kill me.

RICCARDO
I leave you? No never;
I cannot, because within my breast
an eternal love burns for you.

AMELIA
My lord, take pity on me.

RICCARDO
You speak so to one who adores you?
You ask pity? You are still trembling?
Your name shall never be sullied,
nor honour.

AMELIA
But Riccardo, I am another’s –
I belong to your dearest friend –

RICCARDO
Do not say it, Amelia.

AMELIA
I belong to him
who would give his life for you.

RICCARDO
Ah, cruel woman, and you remind me,
you repeat it to me now!
Do you not see that if remorse
corrodes and cuts my soul,
I cannot hear, nor heed its cry,
so long as my soul is full of love?
You do not know what would be left of you
if your heart should cease to beat!
How many sleepless nights, I have longed for you?
How long I have struggled in my anguish!
how many times have I prayed to heaven
for that pity which now you ask from me!
But in spite of all this, have I ever known
a moment’s peace without you?

AMELIA
Ah, heaven, comfort the anguish
of one who lies between disgrace and death:
Merciful God, shine Thy light on the gate
of salvation, guide my erring step.
(then to Riccardo)
Go, now – let me not hear you, leave me.
I belong to him who gave his blood for you.

RICCARDO
My life, the world,
for one word –

AMELIA
Merciful heaven!

RICCARDO
Tell me you love me –

AMELIA
Riccardo, go!

RICCARDO
One word –

AMELIA
Yes, I love you –

RICCARDO
You love me, Amelia!

AMELIA
But you, in your nobility,
protect me from my heart!

RICCARDO (exultant)
You love me, you love me!
Oh, let remorse, friendship, be destroyed
within my breast: let all be dead,
all except my love!
Oh, how sweet the thrill
which fills my heart!
ah, let me hear you

speak those words again!
star of this darkness,
to whom, I dedicate my heart,
shine your lovelight on me,
then day need never come again!

AMELIA
Ah, on this melancholy bed,
where I yearned to quench it,
this love returns, more overpowering,
this love which wounded me!
Why is it not granted me
to pour out my soul to him?
Or, if not, at least to sleep
forever here, in death.

RICCARDO
Amelia! You love me, Amelia?
You love me?

AMELIA
Yes, I love you. But you, in your nobility,
protect me from my heart.

RICCARDO
Shine your lovelight on me.
You love me, Amelia?

AMELIA
On this melancholy bed, etc.

RICCARDO
Oh, how sweet the thrill, etc.

AMELIA
Alas! Someone is coming.

RICCARDO
Who comes to this
Place of death?...Ah, I am not mistaken!
(Renato comes into view.)
Renato!

AMELIA (lowering her veil in fright)
My husband!

RICCARDO (going towards him)
You, here!

RENATO
To save you from those who,
in hiding above, would ambush you.

RICCARDO
Who are they?

RENATO
Conspirators.

AMELIA (to herself)
Oh heaven!

RENATO
I ran past, wrapped in my cloak;
they took me for one of themselves.
I heard someone call out, “I’ve seen him;
It’s Riccardo, with an unknown beauty.”
Then another said, “A brief conquest!
since he dies, if my swift hand
succeeds in ending his tender embrace.”

AMELIA (to herself)
I am dying!

RICCARDO (to her)
Take heart.

RENATO (covering him with his cloak)
Here, take this.
(then, pointing out narrow path)
Take care, the way to safety is over there.

RICCARDO (taking Amelia’s hand)
I must save you.

AMELIA (sottovoce, to Riccardo)
Wretched me! Go –

RENATO (approaching Amelia)
But you would only expose him, madame,
to their pitiless daggers!
(He goes to see if the enemy is coming.)

AMELIA (to Riccardo)
Please, escape alone!

RICCARDO
And leave you here?

AMELIA
The road is still open to you – flee –

RICCARDO
And leave you alone,
here, with him? No, never! I would sooner die.

AMELIA
Either you escape or I will remove my veil.

RICCARDO
What are you saying?

AMELIA
Decide.

RICCARDO
Desist.

AMELIA
You must.
(to herself)
If it be granted me to save him,
I shall never fear my cruel fate again.

RICCARDO (gravely, to Renato)
My friend, I entrust you with a delicate mission:
Let the love you bear me be your warrant.

RENATO
Trust me, ask what you will.

RICCARDO (indicating Amelia)
Promise me, swear
that you will take her veiled, to the town,
without speaking to her, or looking at her.

RENATO
I swear.

RICCARDO
And that once at the gates, you will go
alone in the opposite direction.

RENATO
I swear it.

AMELIA (softly, to Riccardo)
Do you hear the sombre tones
of death sounding in the night?
From up there, among the black rocks,
the enemy’s signal has been given.
Wrath is burning in their breasts,
they are coming down, encircling you,
their fury is directed full upon you –
for mercy’s sake, go, fly from here.
Go, flee, go!

RENATO (coming beck from his inspection)
Flee, flee; down over the horrid trail,
I hear their pitiless step advancing.
And each of the impious ruffians
brandishes a dagger in his hand.
Go, save yourself, or the pass
will soon be closed;
go save yourself: the life you would throw away
is the life of the people.
Go, flee, go!

RICCARDO (to himself)
Traitors, conspirators, these men
who threaten my life?

Ah, I too am a traitor to my friend –
it is I who have wounded his heart.
Were I innocent, I should challenge them.
Now, guilty of love, I must flee.
May the mercy of the Lord be upon her,
protecting her life!

AMELIA
Do you hear, etc.

RENATO
Flee, flee, etc.

RICCARDO
Traitors, etc.
(Riccardo goes out.)


RENATO
Follow me.

AMELIA (to herself)
O God!

RENATO
Why do you tremble?
You can trust in me. Let a friend’s voice
encourage you!
(Samuel, Tom and their men enter from above.)

AMELIA
Here they come.

RENATO
Quick! Lean against me.

AMELIA
I am dying.

CHORUS (in the distance, gradually coming nearer)
Let us fall upon him,
the hour at last has struck.
The rising sun
will find his corpse.

SAMUEL (to Tom)
Do you see his goddess
there all veiled in white?

TOM
Let us plunge him from heaven
into hell.

RENATO (shouting)
Who goes there?

SAMUEL
That’s no he.

TOM
Oh, fury!

CHORUS
It is not his lordship.

RENATO
No, it is I
who stand before you.

TOM
His trusted friend!

SAMUEL
We have been
less fortunate than you;
we waited in vain
for a beautiful woman’s smile.

TOM
I at least should like to see
this goddess’ face.

RENATO
Not one step more: if you dare,
I’ll draw my sword –

SAMUEL
You threaten us?

TOM
I do not fear you.
(The moon is now shining brightly.)

AMELIA
Oh, heaven help us!

CHORUS (to Renato)
Put down sword –

RENATO
Traitors!

TOM (tries to pull off Amelia’s veil)
Enough of this –

RENATO (drawing his sword)
Then your life
will pay for this insult.
(All attack Renato; at this moment, Amelia beside
herself, intervenes, and in doing so lets fail her veil.)

AMELIA
No – stop –

RENATO (thunderstruck)
What! Amelia!

SAMUEL and TOM
She! His wife!

AMELIA
Oh, heaven! Mercy!

SAMUEL and TOM
His wife!

RENATO
Amelia!

SAMUEL
See how, at night, the enamoured hero
comes here to rest with his bride,
and how in the honeyed moonlight
he lies on a bed of dew!

SAMUEL and TOM
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha ha!
What gossiping there’ll be about this,
what comments we’ll hear in the town!

RENATO
This is my reward for saving him!
He has defiled my wife!
Because of him, I dare not lift my head,
he has destroyed my heart forever!

AMELIA
To whom, in this ever crueller world,
can you turn, O wretched Amelia?
Where will you find a compassionate hand
to dry your miserable tears?

SAMUEL and TOM
Ha, ha, ha! ha, ha. ha!
What gossiping there’ll be, etc.

RENATO
Because of him I dare not, etc.

AMELIA
To whom in this ever crueller, etc.

RENATO
(approaches Samuel and Tom, then resolutely)
Will you meet with me
at my home tomorrow morning?

SAMUEL and TOM
Are you asking for satisfaction?

RENATO
No. Something quite different is in my mind.

SAMUEL and TOM
What is it?

RENATO
If you come, you shall know.

SAMUEL and TOM
We shall not fail.
(as they go out, with their companions)
Let us go, then: each separate
from the others, each by a different way!

SAMUEL, TOM and CHORUS
Tomorrow morning
will see great things.
Let us go, let us go.
See how the tragedy changed to farce.
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
What gossiping there’ll be, etc.

RENATO (alone with Amelia)
I have sworn to escort you
to the gates of the town.
Let us go! Let us go!

AMELIA (to herself)
How like the knell of death
his voice strikes on my heart!
(to Renato)
Oh no! Have pity!

CHORUS (from the distance)
What gossiping there’ll be, etc.

ACT THREE

Scene One

The library of Renato’s house
(On the mantel, at one side, two bronze vases.
Opposite, bookshelves, on the rear wall, a magnificent,
full-length portrait of Riccardo. In the centre, a table.
Renato and Amelia enter. Renato lays down his sword
and closes the door.)


RENATO
For such an offence, tears are useless,
being powerless to efface it or excuse it.
Now all prayers are in vain;
Blood must flow, and you shall die.

AMELIA
But if the guilt, my guilt,
lies only in the fact which accuses me?

RENATO
Silence, adulterous woman.

AMELIA
Great God!

RENATO
Ask Him rather for mercy.

AMELIA
Does a single suspicion suffice for you?
And you want to kill me?
You insult me, no longer feeling
justice nor pity?

RENATO
Blood must flow, and you shall die.

AMELIA
For a moment, it is true, I loved him,
but I did not disgrace your name.
God knows this, that in my breast
no unworthy passion ever burned.

RENATO (taking up his sword)
You have finished; it is now too late –
blood must flow, and you shall die.

AMELIA
Ah! You would kill me! So be it, then.
One grace I pray –

RENATO
Not from me.
Address your prayers to Heaven.

AMELIA (kneeling)
Only one word more to you.
Hear me out, it will be the last time.
I shall die, but first, in kindness,
ah, let me at least
clasp to my breast
my only child.
And if to your wife
you deny this last favour,
do not refuse the prayer
of a mother’s heart.
I shall die, but let his kisses
console this body,
now that the end has come

to my brief life.
Once she is dead by his father’s hand
let him touch with his hand
these eyes of a mother
whom he will never see again.

RENATO
(without looking at her, pointing towards the door)
Arise; there is your son,
I permit you to see him. In the darkness
and the silence, there,
hide your blushes and my shame.
(Amelia goes out.)
It is not she, nor her breast
that I must strike.
Another’s blood must wash away the sin!
(gazing at the portrait)
Your blood!
and my dagger,
avenger of my tears,
shall draw it from your traitor’s heart!
You it was who stained that soul;
which was the joy of my own,
who inspired my trust, then loathsomely
poisoned all life for me.
Traitor, who in such a way regarded
the faith of your dearest friend!
Oh sweetness, lost; O memory
of a heavenly embrace,
when Amelia, in her pure beauty,
lay on my breast, in the warmth of love!
all is finished – now only hate
and death live in my widowed heart!
Oh, sweetness lost, oh, hope of love!
(Samuel and Tom enter, greeting him coolly.)

RENATO
We are alone. Listen to me, I know your plans in full.
You are determined to kill Riccardo.

TOM
You are dreaming.

RENATO (showing them papers on the table)
Here is the proof!

SAMUEL
And now you will reveal the plot to his lordship?

RENATO
No, I want
a part of it

TOM
You are joking.

RENATO
And not just words;
now, with facts, I shall quiet your suspicions,
I am yours, in me you will have a tireless comrade
in this bloody work;
my son shall be my warrant.
Kill him if I fail you.

TOM
Such a change
is scarcely credible.

RENATO
You must not try to know the cause,
I am yours, by the life of my only son!

SAMUEL and TOM (talking together)
He is not lying. No, he is not lying.

RENATO
You hesitate.
SAM and TOM
No more.

RENATO, SAMUEL and TOM
The shame of each, then, the shame of it all,
single that vengeance in our hearts
which shall fall on that damnable head,
tremendous, unappeasable in its fury.
The shame of each, etc.

RENATO
I ask only one thing of you.

SAMUEL
And that is?

RENATO
That I may be the one to kill him.

SAMUEL
No, Renato: he took the home
of my forefathers from me; that right is mine.

TOM
And to me, whose brother he killed,
who have been devoured by the anguish
of revenge, ceaselessly, for ten years,
what part would you give?

RENATO
Silence. Only by lot can we decide.
(He takes a vase from the mantel and places it on the
table. Samuel writes their names on three pieces of
paper and puts them into the vase.)
Who is coming?
(Amelia enters.)
You?

AMELIA
Oscar has come,
bringing an invitation from his lordship.

RENATO
From him!
Let him wait. Stay here. You must,
since it seems Heaven has sent you.

AMELIA (to herself)
What sadness comes over me, what sorrow!
What a flash of terror!

RENATO (indicating his wife to the two men)
She knows nothing – have no fear,
on the contrary, she will bring us luck,
(to Amelia, leading her to the table)
There are three names in this vase.
Your hand must choose one.

AMELIA
But why?

RENATO
Obey – ask no questions.

AMELIA (to herself)
There is no doubt – a fierce destiny
will have me partner in a murder.
(With trembling hand, she draws a slip from the vase
and gives it to her husband, who passes it to Samuel.)

RENATO
Who, then, is the chosen one?

SAMUEL
Renato.

RENATO
My name! O just fate,
vengeance is granted to me!

AMELIA (to herself)
Ah! You seek his lordship’s death!
The cruel words did not speak false.
Their daggers, already bared,
flash above his head.
Ah! you seek his lordship’s death:
Their daggers already flash!

RENATO, SAMUEL and TOM
The grief of America shall be paid for
by the traitor whose glory it was.
Let him who has struck fall stricken,
such is his just reward!

RENATO (at the door)
Let the messenger enter.

OSCAR (to Amelia, as he enters)
My lord requests
your presence, with your husband,
at a masked ball
this evening.

AMELIA
I cannot come.

RENATO
Will his lordship be there too?

OSCAR
Of course.

SAMUEL and TOM (to each other)
Oh fate!

RENATO
(to the Page, while watching his companions)
Such an invitation
is precious, I know.

OSCAR
It will be a magnificent
masked ball.

RENATO
Splendid!
(indicating to Amelia)
She will come with me.

AMELIA (to herself)
Great God!

SAMUEL and TOM (aside)
We too shall go, if such a masquerade
will hasten the moment of our revenge.

OSCAR
Ah! what brilliance, what music
will fill the mansion
where the flower of our youth
will gather together,
the blossoms so fair
of our beautiful city.

AMELIA (to herself)
And it was I, wretched one,
who drew the pitiless sheet
from the evil urn
for my husband in his fury:
The sheet where death is written
for the noblest of all men.

RENATO (to himself)
My mind depicts him there,
lifeless among the dancers,
staining the floor
with his blood
the doer of evil will die,
he shall have no pity from us.

SAMUEL and TOM (to each other)
A revenge in masquerade –
it couldn’t be better,
in the press of the ball,

our plan will not fail;
It will be a funeral dance,
attended by pale beauties.

AMELIA (to herself)
If only I could warn him –
without betraying my husband!

OSCAR
You will be Queen of the ball.

AMELIA (to herself)
Perhaps Ulrica can do it.

SAMUEL and TOM (to Renato)
What costume shall I wear?

RENATO
Blue the domino, with a red sash tied in a knot at the
left.

SAMUEL and TOM
And what will our password be?

RENATO (sottovoce)
Death!

AMELIA (to herself)
If only I could warn him!

OSCAR
You will be Queen!

RENATO, SAMUEL and TOM
Death!

Scene Two

A luxurious room in Riccardo’s home
(A table with writing materials; to the rear, a great
curtain separating the study from the ballroom.)

RICCARDO (alone)
Perhaps she has reached home
and is safe at last. Honour
and duty have destroyed the abyss
between us. Ah yes, Renato
will return to England – and his wife
with him. Let the great ocean divide us,
with no farewell – and let the heart keep silent.
(He writes; and as he is about to sign the document, he
lets the pen fall.)
I still hesitate? But O heaven, must I not?
(He signs and puts the document in his shirt-front.)
Ah, I have signed my sacrifice!
But if I must lose you
forever, light of my life,
my love will reach you
wherever you may be,
once the memory of you
is locked inside my heart,
and now what dark misgivings
assail my heart,
with the fatal desire
to see you once again –
as if this were the last hour
of our love?
(dance music from within)
Ah! She is there – I could see her once more –
could speak to her again –
but no: for now everything has torn me from her.
(Oscar enters, with a letter in his hand.)

OSCAR
An unknown lady gave me this letter.
“It is for his lordship,” she said, “take it to him
secretly.”

RICCARDO
It says that during the ball
someone will attempt to kill me.
But if I don’t go then
they will think me a coward. This, no: no one
must even suspect it. Go – get ready,
immediately, to attend the ball with me.
(Oscar goes out.)
Yes, to see you again, Amelia.
As I look upon your beauty,
once again my heart
will burn with love.

Scene Three

A spacious, richly hung ballroom
(As the curtain opens, a crowd of guests is seen. Most
are wearing masks, some in costume, while others are
in evening dress, without masks. Some are seeking
friends, others trying to escape discovery, some
greeting, others pursuing. The whole scene glows with
richness and gaiety.)


CHORUS
Love and the dance go on
in these joyous halls,
while life is only
a fleeting dream.

O night of precious moments,
of romance and of song,
why dost thou not halt thy flight,
to repose on the wave of pleasure?
(Samuel, Tom and their men, dressed in blue dominos
and red sashes, put in their appearance. Renato, in a
similar costume, comes slowly forward.)

SAMUEL (pointing to Tom)
There is another of our men.
(then, approaching Renato, sottovoce)
Death!

RENATO (bitterly)
Yes, death!
But he will not come.

SAMUEL and TOM
What do you mean?

RENATO
It’s useless to wait.

SAMUEL and TOM
Useless? Why?

RENATO
He is elsewhere.

SAMUEL
Oh deceiving fate!

TOM
He will escape us forever!

RENATO
Speak softly; someone is watching us.

SAMUEL
Who is it?

RENATO
The man to the left, in the short domino.
(They separate in the crowd, but Oscar, masked, follows
Renato.)

OSCAR
I shall not leave you,
you disguise yourself badly.

RENATO (avoiding him)
Away with you!

OSCAR
You are Renato.

RENATO (pulling off Oscar’s mask)
And you are Oscar.

OSCAR
How rude!

RENATO
Good enough – but is it right for you to steal down
to the ball while is lordship is asleep?

OSCAR
He is here –

RENATO
What! Where is he?

OSCAR
I’ve told you –

RENATO
Well – which is he?

OSCAR
I won’t tell!

RENATO
A fine thing!

OSCAR
Find him yourself.

RENATO
Come, now!

OSCAR
You want to play the same trick on him?

RENATO
Calm yourself; can’t you tell me at least how he’s
dressed?

OSCAR
You want to know
how he is dressed,
while that is a thing

he doesn’t want known.
Oscar knows,
but will not tell,
Tra-la-la-la!
My heart is aflame,
in a tumult of love,
but I still know how
secrets are kept.
Neither rank nor beauty
can make me tell –
Tra –la-la-la,
la, la, la!
(Oscar and Renato are separated by maskers and
groups of dancers.)

CHORUS
Love and the dance go on, etc.

RENATO
(catching up with him)
I know that you know who his friends are.

OSCAR
You want to ask him something,
or joke with him?

RENATO
Precisely.

OSCAR
And then to betray the person who told you?

RENATO
You offend me.
Believe me, I know all I need to know.

OSCAR
It’s quite important to you?

RENATO
There are urgent matters
which I must discuss with him. It will be
your fault if I don’t succeed.

OSCAR
Well, then!

RENATO
If you tell me, it’s a favour to him.

OSCAR (rapidly coming closer)
He is wearing a black cape, with a pink ribbon on his
chest.

RENATO
One word more.

OSCAR (moving off into the crowd)
I have said more than enough.

CHORUS
Love and the dance, etc.
(The dancers move about. Renato sights one of his men
across the room and leaves. Shortly, the movement of
the dance brings Riccardo to the fore, he is dressed in a
black costume with a pink ribbon. He is lost in thought.
Behind him is Amelia, in a white costume.)

AMELIA
(softly, in an altered, unrecognisable voice)
Ah! Why are you here? Go away –

RICCARDO
It was you who sent the letter?

AMELIA
Here you are surrounded by death.

RICCARDO
I am not frightened.

AMELIA
Go, go, or you will fall here,
stabbed to death!

RICCARDO
Tell me your name.

AMELIA
Great God! I cannot

RICCARDO
Then why do you weep – plead, so frightened?
Why do you feel such concern for my life?

AMELIA
For your life, I would sacrifice my own!

RICCARDO
You cannot hide yourself: you are that angel, Amelia!

AMELIA (desperately)
I love you, yes, I love you, and in tears
I fall at your feet,
here where an unknown dagger
of vengeance is thirsting for your blood.
If you stay here,
tomorrow you will be dead.
Save yourself – go – leave me,
fly from those that hate you.

RICCARDO
As long as you love me, Amelia,
I care nothing for my fate!

AMELIA
Fly!

RICCARDO
I have nothing to save you in my soul,
and the rest of the world is forgotten.

AMELIA
Save yourself!

RICCARDO
Nor am I afraid of death –

AMELIA
Go!

RICCARDO
Because even stronger than death –

AMELIA
Ah! Save yourself!

RICCARDO
Is the breath of your love
which intoxicates me.
Because even stronger than death
is the breath of your love
which intoxicates me.

AMELIA
Tomorrow you will be dead
if you stay here.
Save yourself, leave me, fly,
fly from those that hate you!
Then you insist on seeing me
die of anguish and shame?

RICCARDO
I want to save you.
Tomorrow, with Renato, you will go –

AMELIA
Where?

RICCARDO
To your native land.

AMELIA
To England?

RICCARDO
My heart is breaking – but you will leave – farewell!

AMELIA
Riccardo!

RICCARDO
My heart is breaking – I leave you, Amelia!

AMELIA
Riccardo!

RICCARDO
Once more, farewell!

AMELIA
Alas!

RICCARDO
For the last time! Farewell!

AMELIA
Farewell!

RENATO
(unobserved, he throws himself between and stabs
Riccardo)
And this is my farewell to you!

RICCARDO
Ah!

AMELIA
Help!

OSCAR (running to Riccardo’s side)
Oh heaven! He is murdered!
(Ladies, officers and guards rushing from all sides.)

SOME GUESTS
Who did it?

OTHERS
Where is the villain?

OSCAR (indicating Renato)
There he is!
(All surround him and tear off his mask.)

ALL
Renato! Ah! Death, infamy
our swords upon him,
our avenging swords!
Death to the traitor!
Death, death to the traitor!
Death, infamy to the traitor!

RICCARDO
No, no – leave him.
(to Renato)
You must listen to me,
She is pure: in the arms of death,
while God hears my words, I swear it.
I, who loved your wife,
respected her purity.
(He gives him the document.)
Advanced to a new post,
you were to leave with her –
I loved her, but would not have
either her heart or your name offended!

AMELIA
Oh, what remorse of love
devours my heart,

between the guilty, bloodied one
and his victim, who lies dying!

OSCAR
O boundless grief!
O dreadful tragedy!
His brow is already moist
with the sweat of death!

RENATO
Heaven! What have I done! And what
awaits me, accursed man, on earth!
What thirst for vengeance and for blood
was inspired by my tragic error!

RICCARDO
My thanks to all; I still am ruler here,
any my pardon absolves everyone.

ALL except RICCARDO
Spare us, merciful God,
so great and generous a heart!
To us wretched ones on earth,
He is a ray of Thy heavenly love!
He is dying –

RICCARDO
Farewell, forever, my children –
farewell – beloved America –

ALL
He is dying!

RICCARDO
Farewell, forever, my children – ah –
Ah! I am dying! My children, forever – farewell!

ALL
Night of horror, night of horror!

END
 

 

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