No. 1 - Overture
ACT I
SCENE I
A gallery
Servants and vassals of the Baron.
No. 2 - Introduction
CHORUS
A fairer day never smiled
upon the House of Kelbar.
A King staying here,
a double wedding to take place …
such feasts, such honours,
what tips for the servants! …
what sumptuous banquets,
and noisy revelries!
There could be no finer day
for the House of Kelbar.
No. 3 - Duettino
Enter the Baron and the Treasurer
BARON
Most amiable Treasurer,
you are acquiring a rare jewel;
she is a precious branch
of a great tree of heroes.
And I am certain that your marriage to her
will never cause you shame.
TREASURER
Yes, Baron, our union
will always be happy and prosperous,
and it will soon produce
famed and honoured offspring
that will make our two families
universally respected.
BARON
Well said, son-in-law!
TREASURER
Great father-in-law!
BARON
I am so pleased.
BARON AND TREASURER
This auspicious marriage
has already raised many eyebrows;
as a witness it will boast
the great King of Poland;
CHORUS
Such feasts, such honour, etc.
BARON AND TREASURER
and on gilt parchment
our vows will he inscribed.
No. 4 - Scene and Cavatina
Enter Delmonte
DELMONTE
His Majesty, gentlemen,
has arisen, and approaches;
he wishes to greet
our host.
CHORUS
May the name of our noble guest
be honoured far and near.
His presence glorifies
our humble abode.
Enter the Chevalier
CHEVALIER
No ceremonies,
gentlemen, I beg you.
I am bored and sated
by the customary rituals.
Your reception,
Baron, pleases me.
Today I shall write to the court
to tell them of you.
Ah, when I reach Poland,
I shall know how to repay you.
BARON
Sire, what do you mean?
I am sufficiently recompensed.
ALL
So welcome a visit
has been its own reward.
CHEVALIER
to himself
(My Parisian companions,
you who consider me totally mad,
come here and decide
if anyone is as wise as I.
The most knavish officer
of the entire regiment,
suddenly assumes the guise
of philosopher and king.)
aloud
As long as I remain here,
gentlemen, I repeat,
that you most treat me
as an ordinary citizen, and as a friend.
The time will come all too soon
when I most be more serious;
too soon will I be burdened
by the heavy sceptre of my ancestors.
THE OTHERS
Sire, all of us around you
are filled with marvel
at the beautiful soul concealed
within your august person.
No. 5 - Recitative
BARON
Will you he present, Sire,
at the double wedding
which will take place at the castle tomorrow?
CHEVALIER
Who are the brides?
BARON
One is my daughter
who will marry the Treasurer;
the other is my niece,
the Marchioness of Poggio.
CHEVALIER
She! (Good heavens!)
BARON
Do you know her?
CHEVALIER
Very well, but only by reputation.
And now, I pray you to leave me in private.
BARON
We shall no longer bother Your Majesty.
Exit with Treasurer and Chorus
CHEVALIER
There is no time to lose ...
I shall write immediately to the court.
I shall he unmasked
when the marchioness arrives.
He writes
"Perhaps the planned enterprise
has already succeeded, and at this moment,
the real Stanislaus, having reached Warsaw,
has been assured of the goodwill of the Diet.
Highness, I entreat you
To cast me from the throne this instant.
If I reign any longer, I will lose my love."
No. 6 - Recitative, Scene, and Duet
Enter Edoardo
EDOARDO
Sire, trembling I throw myself
at your royal feet!
CHEVALIER
Well then. You are the beloved
of the Baron's daughter.
And you are your uncle's rival.
What can I do for you, young man?
EDOARDO
Grant only that I may follow you to Poland.
Allow me to accompany you where honour calls me,
and to devote my useless life to you.
I will prove that I am worthy
of the favour that I request;
I will prove to you in battle
that I am not ungrateful.
CHEVALIER
Oh warrior, the country and the throne
will award you eternal praise;
thus has a proud spirit
always challenged fate.
EDOARDO
You agree then, Sire,
to grant my request?
CHEVALIER
Yes, you will fight at my side
if fight I must.
EDOARDO
prostrating himself
Ah! my gratitude!
CHEVALIER
raising him
No, friendship and trust.
From now on you are my esquire;
remain at my side, always.
EDOARDO
What! (Oh joy!) But must I
remain here and see her?
CHEVALIER
Why not? It takes courage,
but you must resign yourself.
EDOARDO
Majesty, there are no words
sufficient to thank you.
May good fortune smile upon
so magnanimous a ruler,
and confound and frustrate
the plots of any enemies.
CHEVALIER
(When my court goes up in smoke,
his plea will not have been in vain;
if only to ridicule that insane old man,
I shall know how to rule, for one day, at least.)
EDOARDO
Inflamed by a warlike spirit,
I shall seek the paths of glory.
You will see me happy
to defy the perils of death for you.
CHEVALIER
Yes, my young warrior, you will be
at my side when violence threatens!
The garlands reserved for heroes
will be interwoven in your tresses.
Exeunt
No. 7 - Scene and Cavatina
The Marchioness enters cautiously, unseen, and looks at the departing Chevalier.
MARCHIONESS
They have not deceived me! It is he! … It is he!
I arrived unobserved, and here I will know
How so solve the mystery. I shall pretend
To give my hand to the old commander …
We shall see then if the lover will reveal himself …
It is difficult for a loving heart
to restrain its ardour!
It is hard to hide the palpitations
in a passionate breast.
My uncle will surely forgive
the love which has guided me.
It is impossible for my heart
to sigh for another.
If the widow must fall,
may she not fall into a worse predicament;
I despise useless ostentation,
I cannot live on arrogance.
All I seek is love,
love and youth;
but if Belfiore is untrue to me,
I will never love again.
SCENE 2
A garden
Chorus of peasants and servants who bring fruit and flowers.
Giulietta is seated sadly on a bench.
No. 8 - Chorus and Cavatina
CHORUS
So festive a morning
brings joy to every heart.
Milady, accept
this fruit and these flowers.
How fortunate is the man
who will soon wed
this immaculate lily,
this enchanting beauty.
GIULIETTA
rising
Dear friends, your affection
is most gratifying.
(They do not know the anguish
which I suffer in my soul!
Come, beloved Eduardo,
or I shall die of love!)
CHORUS
But why is your lovely face
clouded with grief?
GIULIETTA
You are surprised at my sorrow?
My friends, I shall bare my soul to you.
I do not want that old man; I am not such a fool.
My heart throbs for another.
I wish to marry a handsome youth.
Oh, if that exquisite moment could come at once,
I would he able to return to my former happiness.
CHORUS
May Heaven free you of all your torments,
and transform your sorrow to joy.
Exeunt servants and peasants.
No. 9 - Recitative
Enter the Baron and the Treasurer
BARON
Well, Giulietta,
when you are to be presented to a king,
and your fiancé is at hand,
is that the time to disappear into the garden?
GIULIETTA
Father, you know that
I am inclined to melancholy.
TREASURER
Come now, little rascal …
We know where the sadness of a beautiful
innocent girl comes from;
but you will feel better tomorrow.
Enter the Chevalier and Edoardo
CHEVALIER
Come on, I myself
will present you to your uncle.
TREASURER
(Whom do I see?)
GIULIETTA
(Edoardo! Oh joy!)
CHEVALIER
Treasurer, I should like
to present you with a welcome surprise.
I present to you, in the person of your nephew,
my first esquire.
TREASURER
Sire ... your esquire! Nephew, is this true?
EDOARDO
Sir, the King himself has deigned
to grant me this honour.
CHEVALIER
I appreciate talent wherever I find it.
In fact, I feel a very strong liking
for you two …
to the Baron and the Treasurer
I have so much respect for you,
that I wish to consult you about a matter
which requires deep analytical discussion …
You as a military expert, he as a political one.
BARON
Sire, your kindness ...
TREASURER
I do not mean to boast,
Sire, but in certain matters,
I am extremely tactful.
CHEVALIER
to Edoardo
As for you,
you may not join us.
Your rank does not yet permit you
to know important state secrets.
Keep your future aunt company.
TREASURER
with ill humour
(Be with her …
Good heavens! I don't want ...)
CHEVALIER
You sit here.
He seats him on a bench in such a way that his back is toward Giulietta.
Study the map and decide.
As the Chevalier points to a map, the other two concentrate on it. Edoardo and Giulietta speak confidentially. From time to time, the Chevalier smiles at the Treasurer's discomfort.
No. 10 - Sextet
EDOARDO
Dear Giulia, I am with you at last!
I can finally speak to you.
GIULIETTA
My dear friend, I can hardly believe
the extent of my happiness.
BARON
Majesty, the position
is guarded by a cannon.
CHEVALIER
observing the lovers
Baron, as far as I can see
the enemy is out of range.
GIULIETTA
to Edoardo
I am relying heavily upon my cousin.
TREASURER
Ah! How close he is to her!
CHEVALIER
Treasurer, you are not paying attention!
TREASURER
Ah! I am watching, have no fear!
EDOARDO
to Giulietta
You fill me with hope!
TREASURER
fuming
(The traitor! How he advances!)
CHEVALIER
forcing him to look at the map
Confound it! Pay attention!
TREASURER
I am both watching and listening, Majesty,
BARON
intent on the map
The enemy charges …
TREASURER
speaking of Edoardo
and under our very eyes.
CHEVALIER AND BARON
No, heavens, the artillery
can check them on this side;
the enemy is fired upon
by this other battery;
within a few moments
they flee in terror.
TREASURER
Sire, it is true. (How ardent he is!)
The artillery can do a great deal …
(Ah! Rascal of a nephew!)
they disregard the battery …
(The knave constantly advances …
he will rue his ardour!)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
Ah, this unexpected pleasure,
so long denied to us,
reassures my troubled heart,
and fills my soul with happiness;
it lets me hope, beloved,
for an end to our tears.
The Chevalier rises and the lovers separate.
CHEVALIER
Enough for now. The situation
warrants further study.
TREASURER
(I breathe again!)
Enter a servant
SERVANT
The Marchioness
Has just arrived.
GIULIETTA AND BARON
Let us go to meet her.
CHEVALIER
(Alas, if only I could avoid her!)
GIULIETTA
Here she is now.
CHEVALIER
(I can no longer escape.)
The Marchioness enters. The Baron and Giulietta hurry to embrace her. The Treasurer and Edoardo greet her politely.
The Chevalier attempts to remain apart, and to hide his embarrassment.
BARON
Niece!
MARCHIONESS
Uncle! Cousin!
Let me embrace you.
to the Baron
You see, sir,
that I am a woman of my word.
(Giulietta, it was for you alone
that I came so quickly.)
BARON
Be quiet, chatterbox;
kneel down before the King of Poland.
MARCHIONESS
What! The King!
BARON
The King, in person ...
GIULIETTA
A guest in our home.
MARCHIONESS
indicating the Chevalier who remains with the Treasurer and Edoardo, feigning indifference.
Oh Majesty, please forgive
my unintentional affront.
I did not expect to meet
so illustrious a personage.
CHEVALIER
(Have courage!) It is nothing.
MARCHIONESS
(Heavens! Is it a deception or the truth?
That is certainly
my lover's face!
How my heart
beats in my breast!
Perhaps love
goads me to see
the faithless one's
image everywhere.)
GIULIETTA, EDOARDO, BARON, AND TREASURER
(I do not understand
her amazement.)
CHEVALIER
(How well I understand
her amazement.)
Ladies, my esquire
will keep you company.
Gentlemen, I have need
of your talents.
(If I get out of this successfully,
it will truly be a miracle.)
MARCHIONESS
(In speech and in manner,
he is that roguish Chevalier;
But my uncle treats him like a king,
and he speaks like a king.
I will restrain myself for now,
we will see what happens later.)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(The good King unknowingly
has granted us great pleasure;
in this manner he helps
our love, and does not know it.
Without those old bores,
we can speak freely.)
BARON AND TREASURER
Councillor to a king!
What an honour! What joy!
We are surprised and confused
by such an excess of kindness.
(Ah, we are both clear-headed,
and the King puts us to the test.)
Exit Chevalier with Baron and Treasurer
No. 11 - Recitative
The two lovers promptly turn to the Marchioness.
She paces back and forth lost in thought.
GIULIETTA
I have great faith in you, cousin.
EDOARDO
My fate
is in your hands.
GIULIETTA
At least answer us!
MARCHIONESS
returning to the situation at hand
Easy, easy!!
Cousin, truly
is that Stanislaus?
GIULIETTA
What a question!
What about me?
MARCHIONESS
carelessly
I've already thought about you!
GIULIETTA
Indeed? And may
I know what you have thought?
MARCHIONESS
(Ungrateful Chevalier!
You do not know how I am suffering!)
EDOARDO
I am ready to do
anything you say,
GIULIETTA
For heaven's sake, answer!
MARCHIONESS
Oh! you bother me.
A brief silence. The Marchioness continues to talk to herself, while the two lovers look at each other, rnortified
No. 12 - Trio
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(A fine hope, indeed!
A fine ally we have!
Dearest, now we are lost;
even she deserts us.)
MARCHIONESS
(I don't know what I hope for,
I can't say what I want;
I only know that I still love him,
and that he has deceived me.)
EDOARDO
Excuse me if I have tried
your patience.
GIULIETTA
You have amply demonstrated
that I mean nothing to you.
They are about to leave.
MARCHIONESS
recovering, and detaining them
Stop... forgive me …
I am ashamed of myself;
I have something on my mind
which upsets me greatly;
but everything I promised you,
my dears, I shall do.
GIULIETTA
contented
Ah! You are yourself again.
EDOARDO
I will be ever grateful to you.
GIULIETTA
Do you think that the old man …
MARCHIONESS
He will be well duped.
EDOARDO
If her father opposes …
MARCHIONESS
He will be convinced.
You must realise
that I, too, know what love is.
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
We're in love and we're young,
we have spirit and warmth;
if Fate has been against us,
love is on our side;
with its help, it is possible
to fight even Destiny.
Exeunt
SCENE 3
A gallery, as before.
The Chevalier and the Treasurer.
No. 13 - Recitative
CHEVALIER
Your words reveal a great talent
Which the world should see.
TREASURER
Sire, I'm modest by nature,
but in matters of finance
I declare it is true.
CHEVALIER
Ah! If you were not
committed to the Baron, I would say:
"Treasurer, accept the Ministry,
the Princess Ineska, and with her
valuable property with large returns."
TREASURER
Sire, I shall free myself
of all commitments immediately.
CHEVALIER
Then we are agreed.
Exit.
TREASURER
I owe everything to my cleverness!
Now to withdraw from my promise.
I will find some excuse for the Baron ...
I wonder if he will understand the reason.
Oh! Confound it ... a king ...
the Princess Ineska ... a fortune ...
These factors
are of such importance
that in the end he will forebear.
No. 11 - Duetto buffo
BARON
entering with a document in his hand
Cherished son-in-law, I have come
in high spirits to show you
the draft of the marriage contract
which I have just completed.
Read it, my boy, with good cheer.
TREASURER
Most esteemed Baron ... (here goes)
your Giulia is worthy of a throne,
and the pride I would feel as her husband
would be so great I know not how to express it.
But I must tell you of some remarkable news.
BARON
Let's forget all that for now.
Come, put on your glasses;
here ace the terms of the contract:
"I, the undersigned Gasparo Antonio" …
TREASURER
Baron, it's pointless; don't bother.
BARON
There are certain details you should know;
the dowry, gifts, property, etc.
before you sign the document.
TREASURER
I will not sign it.
BARON
You're joking, of course.
TREASURER
I'm perfectly serious.
BARON
Oh! Come on, now.
TREASURER
I'll take nothing.
BARON
What? Have you gone mad?
TREASURER
Baron, listen ... this contract …
BARON
Give me patience!
TREASURER
Cannot be.
BARON
And why not?
TREASURER
Because ... because …
(Come on now, out with it!)
BARON
I'm waiting.
TREASURER
I have decided not to marry.
BARON
What? You reject my daughter?
TREASURER
I am not rejecting her.
BARON
Then you accept her!
TREASURER
Well, no.
BARON
Explain quickly!
TREASURER
The King wants me as a minister and prince.
BARON
(What's this I hear? Oh, my noble ancestors!
Must I suffer this affront?
I feel the blood rushing to my head.
I would cheerfully slit his throat, right now!)
TREASURER
Both you and your daughter, Baron,
are descendants of demi-gods;
but this unexpected event
frees me of obligation, and excuses me.
No. 15 - Finale I
BARON
Treasurer! I would like to believe
that this is some joke.
threatening
Otherwise! …
TREASURER
frightened
(Good Lord! What a predicament!
He is like gunpowder about to explode!)
BARON
Answer me, or by Jove …
TREASURER
dodging him
I cannot now; other duties call.
BARON
stopping him
Stop right there! Draw your sword!
TREASURER
I will return; I must go now.
BARON
Traitor! Wretch!
Villain! Miscreant!
You will defend yourself now
or I will tear your heart out!
chases him to seize him
TREASURER
frightened
Oh! Oh! Oh! Help! Aid!
Ah! I am dead!
Enter Giulietta, the Marchioness, Edoardo, and servants, running in from various sides
ALL
What a racket!
What is it? What has happened?
What is the cause of such rage?
TREASURER
Ah! Nephew, I am done for
if you do not defend me.
BARON
An insult to my family honour!
Traitor, I want your blood!
MARCHIONESS
Listen …
GIULIETTA
Oh Lord, what's going on?
EDOARDO
At least tell us what has happened.
BARON
You will tremble with rage when you hear
of the scoundrel's black villainy!
He has broken his word to me …
he renounces my daughter ...
he renounces you ... my poor Giulietta!
GIULIETTA
joyously
He does not want me?
BARON
No. I'll have vengeance!
MARCHIONESS
The most sure revenge
would be to marry her immediately
to a young man I know.
GIULIETTA
Yes, father, with your permission,
I'll marry his nephew.
EDOARDO
My lord, calm yourself.
I will correct the blunder.
BARON
No ... the house of Kelbar
has not sunk that low.
I will not accept so poor a trade.
I demand blood! Let us fight …
ALL
Easy, easy …
Enter the Chevalier
CHEVALIER
from the doorway
Ho there! Stop!
ALL
The King!
CHEVALIER
with authority
What is going on?
All are embarrassed. The Chevalier enters slowly, studying them, one by one.
BARON
(What a time for the King to surprise us.
I dare not look at him.
To quarrel in the presence of a monarch
is to insult his majesty!)
TREASURER
(Now that the King is here
I may get out of this alive.
For the sake of his financier,
he will disarm the Baron.)
MARCHIONESS
(This happy turn of events
gives you cause to hope.
The King will be seen to assert
his royal authority.)
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
(This happy turn of events
gives us cause to hope.
The King will be seen to assert
his royal authority.)
CHORUS
(What a time for the King
to surprise us.
I dare not look at him.)
BARON AND CHORUS
(To quarrel in the presence of a monarch
is to insult his majesty!)
CHEVALIER
(She looks down …
he does not dare to move.
I understand now, the Treasurer
has renounced his promise.)
No. 16
CHEVALIER
Baron, tell me quickly
the cause of this dispute.
BARON
Sire, an injury ...
TREASURER
Sire, an insult ...
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
Sire, an unimportant quarrel …
BARON
A repulse …
TREASURER
A threat …
BARON
He has offended me ...
TREASURER
He has threatened me …
MARCHIONESS, GIULIETTA, AND EDOARDO
Please stop them! Sire, forbid …
CHEVALIER
forcefully
Quiet! Calm down! You are deafening me!
Without emotion, each of you will tell me
your reasons, one by one ...
BARON
Sire, the glory of my ancestry ...
TREASURER
Sire, the quarrel came about like this ...
BARON
I want immediate satisfaction ...
TREASURER
I want the Baron to ...
CHEVALIER
angrily
Quiet there!
Keep your tempers, and go.
Anyone who attempts to resume the quarrel
before the cause of the trouble is known
will incur the royal wrath!
THE OTHERS
We pray you, Majesty, forgive us.
CHEVALIER AND ALL
Have (We must have) confidence
in the royal judgement.
It will bring justice,
it will prevent scandal and injury,
it will determine who is right or wrong,
and it will settle all differences
as justice and fairness demand.
I (He) will bring back the previous harmony,
I (he) will restore the previous friendships.
ACT II
SCENE 1
A gallery.
Servants of the Baron.
No. 17 - Chorus and Aria
CHORUS
1ST GROUP
Then the wedding won't take place?
2ND GROUP
Everything has gone up in smoke.
1ST GROUP
Who caused the trouble?
2ND GROUP
Whs does everyone look so sad?
ALL
This has always been the fashion
of the world of the aristocracy;
they change their moods as easily
as they change their clothes.
We are happy and content,
although we are only lowly servants.
We don't stand on ceremony
in either marriage or love.
We have no secrets,
we are frank and honest.
On festive occasions or on work days,
we are always the same.
Enter Edoardo
EDOARDO
My good friends! You know
how cruelly fate has treated me.
CHORUS
But sir, what do you expect?
The world has always been like that.
Money, not virtue,
has the power to buy love.
EDOARDO
Then, my dear friends,
you don't know everything.
I'll confide in you.
Mercifully, after much weeping,
love has finally smiled upon me.
She who has set me aflame
will at last become my wife.
This treasure, whom I almost lost,
will always be beside me.
This happy thought
dispels all sorrow.
CHORUS
Then your sorrows are over?
We are truly delighted.
EDOARDO
Pray, allow a loving soul
a single ray of hope,
So that for one moment of joy
he may abandon his sad heart.
Ah! But if one lacks the faint pleasure
that is born of hope,
there is no point in any other good;
love is an agony.
CHORUS
Ah yes, days of happiness
have returned,
and your heart can once more
be at peace.
Exeunt servants
Enter the Chevalier, Giulietta, and the Treasurer
No. 18 - Recitative
CHEVALIER
Well, esquire, I have found you in time;
And you Baroness, and Minister. Tell me,
why does the Baron so vigorously oppose
the marriage of his daughter and Edoardo?
GIULIETTA
Ah, Sire!
Because he is poor
while the Treasurer wallows in money.
CHEVALIER
If that's the problem, there is a solution.
EDOARDO
What is that, Sire?
CHEVALIER
The Treasurer will give you
one of his castles, and an income
of five thousand crowns per year …
TREASURER
Let's consider a moment ...
CHEVALIER
There is no time now
to waste on meditation. You must
decide at once.
TREASURER
Sire ... alright.
All leave except the Treasurer.
No. 19 - Recitative and Duet
TREASURER
One of my castles! 5000 crowns!
Ah, but the Ministry ...
Oh dear, there's the Baron,
and he is still furious.
Enter the Baron
BARON
Well, sir!
We are alone, and I want satisfaction
for your villainy.
TREASURER
(Courage!) You want war ...
then war you shall have!
BARON
You may use all the weapons
of both worlds, the old and the new,
but I will devour you like an egg,
I will destroy you!
TREASURER
Idle chatter. Before entering
the fatal combat,
mention in your will
where they have to bury you.
BARON
Bury me?
TREASURER
It is inevitable.
BARON
I will die?
TREASURER
It goes without saying.
BARON
(He seems very sure of himself,
but he is just bragging.
I didn't credit that buffoon
with such determination or courage.)
TREASURER
(Death is difficult to swallow
even for the Baron.
One needs the heart of a lion
to face death.)
BARON
Now then! Tell me
what weapons you plan to use.
TREASURER
You want to know?
BARON
Of course.
TREASURER
Then listen to me.
Imagine a barrel
full of gunpowder;
you and I firmly seated on it,
as if on horseback,
proud as two Romans.
With a fuse in hand
we bid each other good night,
and ignite the barrel.
Boom! A head flies here,
the legs there, here an arm …
sir, this is the route
which I wish to take from this life.
BARON
Eh! Fuses? Barrels?
These are vile, cowardly pretexts.
One such as you may ride
barrels, as if they were horses.
Only to you ... only to a villain
would fuses seem appropriate.
A brave warrior like myself
relies upon his sword,
and with this, at once,
we will measure up to each other.
TREASURER
My way is much faster.
What I want …
BARON
snorting
Pouf... what peevishness!
Come with me.
TREASURER
With a fuse …
BARON
With a sword …
TREASURER
With a barrel …
BARON
Go, coward; I will venture no further
in weapons with you.
I will have you chastised with a cane
by my servants.
TREASURER
I, too, have servants
who can handle a cane.
BARON
(I swelter and burn, I rage and quake,
my breast is a volcano …
if I stay any longer, my head
will begin to spin.)
TREASURER
(To escape this latest peril,
my method has worked well.
Devotees of the sword,
what do you say, how does it strike you?)
Exeunt
SCENE 2
A hall, separated from the garden by glass doors.
The Marchioness, and the Chevalier to one side.
No. 20 - Duet
MARCHIONESS
(Why can't I understand it?
Why should I let myself be ridiculed?
Chevalier, stop pretending,
I want you to confess everything.)
CHEVALIER
aside
(The Marchioness is very angry.
She tries, in vain, to pretend;
Chevalier, remain firm and unyielding,
be careful not to stumble.)
approaching her
All alone, Marchioness?
MARCHIONESS
greeting him coolly
Sire … I have my thoughts for company.
CHEVALIER
off-handedly
It is easy to see
you are thinking of the Chevalier.
MARCHIONESS
Yes, I was thinking of how
to punish that fickle one.
CHEVALIER
You will not do it; anger is transient
in the heart of a woman in love.
MARCHIONESS
On the contrary, Sire, I have decided;
he is not the husband for me.
CHEVALIER
I don't believe it.
MARCHIONESS
Pardon, but I am resolute.
CHEVALIER
(She is pretending ... Oh, I know you.)
MARCHIONESS
(He is about to fall.)
MARCHIONESS AND CHEVALIER
(I know cunning
and its final objective;
I know it
as well as you do.)
CHEVALIER
Then you are ...
MARCHIONESS
I have decided.
CHEVALIER
Won't you forgive him?
MARCHIONESS
There is no pardon for him.
CHEVALIER
(The vixen is pretending.)
MARCHIONESS
(He's talking to himself.)
MARCHIONESS AND CHEVALIER
(I know cunning
and its final objective;
I know it
as well as you do.)
No. 21 - Recitative
Enter the Baron
BARON
hastily
Niece, I have just
heard from the Commander;
he will soon arrive
at the castle.
Exits hurriedly
MARCHIONESS
I am grateful to the Count.
He loves me sincerely,
and I would wed him today.
CHEVALIER
And the Chevalier?
MARCHIONESS
The Chevalier has
mocked me sufficiently.
He abandons me
as prey to his rival.
CHEVALIER
No, you will see him
fight for your hand
with all the Counts of Brittany.
No. 22 - Aria
MARCHIONESS
Then why doesn't he come?
What is he doing?
What does he hope for?
If he would reveal himself to the one
who adores him, beg my pardon,
explain, even though I'm angry,
I could calm down.
(If he does not reveal himself now,
if he is not yet conquered,
wiles of the fair sex,
you are powerless.)
You remain silent, Sire.
Tell me …
CHEVALIER
pretending
I don't know what to say.
MARCHIONESS
Ah, then the Count shall have
My hand and my pledge.
Enter the servants of the Baron
SERVANTS
Quickly, quickly, the Count is arriving.
His retinue approaches.
CHEVALIER
(Courage!)
MARCHIONESS
I shall go
to greet my groom.
Yes, I'll forget that unfaithful one.
I will shun his presence.
His callous indifference
will cost him dearly.
(Sly wiles of the fair sex,
you have served me well.)
CHEVALIER
(I am so confused now,
that I am really trembling.)
SERVANTS
Hurry, let us go. The Count is near.
We must go to meet him.
Exit Marchioness and servants one way, the Chevalier the other
No. 23 - Scene and Duet
Enter Giulietta
GIULIETTA
Ah, my happiness is complete!
Kindly King, only because of you does my father
allow me to wed Edoardo.
Enter Edoardo
EDOARDO
agitated
Ah, my Giulietta …
in a few moments,
the King will depart.
GIULIETTA
Then let him go.
EDOARDO
And I
must go with him.
GIULIETTA
Go with him?
Are you mad?
EDOARDO
He commands it.
GIULIETTA
And I command
That you stay here with me.
EDOARDO
Honour, dearest,
demands the sacrifice.
I am esquire to the King.
GIULIETTA
Esquire! King! You are my bridegroom.
EDOARDO
I swore to follow him into battle,
and to fight for him.
Not even you, my love, would want
me to forget my honour.
GIULIETTA
I do not know about battlefields,
I do not know about weapons.
I know that you should marry me,
and that you owe me your love!
EDOARDO
But think a bit ...
GIULIETTA
Think?
I never think,
EDOARDO
Would you have the greatest of princes …
GIULIETTA
I'm even greater.
EDOARDO
What would you have me do?
GIULIETTA
Just as I want.
EDOARDO
Dear, that's impossible.
GIULIETTA
Oh, it will be possible.
I'll go to the King. I can defend
my rights against his.
He will listen to me. Then we'll see
if he can take you from me.
EDOARDO
The King has more on his mind than to listen
to your chatter about your rights.
Believe me, you cannot change
his royal prerogative.
GIULIETTA
He will listen to me. Then we'll see
if he can take you from me.
We can at least hope …
EDOARDO
You think there is hope?
GIULIETTA
Enough; at least, let's try.
EDOARDO
My honour ... consider it seriously.
GIULIETTA
Your honour will not suffer.
GIULIETTA AND EDOARDO
Oh, may the hope in (my) your heart
not be false, my love;
I will he happy if (I promise you that) love
and duty will combine.
A friendly fate will smile
upon such a sweet and faithful love.
Exeunt
SCENE 3
A gallery.
The Baron, the Marchioness, Count Ivrea, and the Treasurer.
No. 24 - Recitative and Septet
BARON
Yes, my dear Count, the Marchioness herself
will assure you. She has changed completely.
She no longer thinks of that madman;
she hates him as much as she loved him.
MARCHIONESS
I am ready
to marry you, sir, but there is a condition
that my feelings must impose.
COUNT
Command me, madame.
MARCHIONESS
That the Chevalier does not return
within the hour.
Enter the Chevalier, Edoardo, and Giulietta
CHEVALIER
Gentlemen!
COUNT
bowing
Majesty!
BARON
Sire!
CHEVALIER
Baron,
An important reason
necessitates my departure.
MARCHIONESS
I am near to becoming the wife
of Count Ivrea, I had hoped
that you would be present at my wedding.
CHEVALIER
Madame, a weighty matter will not permit it.
MARCHIONESS
Then let the marriage contract
be signed at once.
CHEVALIER
I am very sorry,
but an order from the court
requires that the Count must accompany me
on a secret state mission.
MARCHIONESS
chagrined
He!
BARON
Pity!
General surprise
MARCHIONESS
(I was not prepared, Chevalier,
For that type of blow.
I am perplexed.
Lord! I don't know which way to turn.)
CHEVALIER
(She is much chagrined,
she didn't expect this;
I am beginning to enjoy it,
I have repaid her in kind.)
COUNT, BARON, GIULIETTA, TREASURER, AND EDOARDO
(This latest event
has really caused displeasure.
I (The Count) cannot hide
the annoyance I (he) feel(s).)
No. 25 - Finale II
Enter Delmonte
DELMONTE
Sire, a court courier
has just arrived.
He says that he bears
an important letter.
CHEVALIER
Give it, give it.
reading it
(Oh, kindly fate, you crown my thoughts.)
to the others
I have just received good news,
and now I will tell you the mystery.
But first give Giulia's hand
to this officer.
The witnesses will be
the treasurer and the King.
EDOARDO AND GIULIETTA
He is the champion
of our cause.
BARON
What can I say? Marry him,
the King wishes it ... orders it.
ALL
Long live the happy couple!
CHEVALIER
Listen.
This was written to me.
Opens the letter and reads:
"Stanislaus has finally
arrived in Warsaw. The Diet
has decided in his favour, and you may
relinquish the crown as soon as you like.
The loss of the throne
should not cause you regret, however,
as you have acquired
the title and honour of Marshall."
BARON
Then who are you?
CHEVALIER
The Chevalier Belfior …
ALL
Belfior?
MARCHIONESS
Ah yes!
CHEVALIER
embracing the Marchioness
Faithful to his first love!
TREASURER
Count!
COUNT
Baron!
BARON
I was a fool.
What's to be done now?
COUNT, TREASURER, AND BARON
Let its be men of good cheer,
and agree to hold our tongues.
ALL
Ah, let's all be good friends,
and forget the past.
Hail to the King who is now safe,
this day will be sacred to him.
Moreover, two very happy marriages
have been accomplished today.
So perhaps the joke has spared us
many sighs and tears.