“Otello” by Giuseppe Verdi libretto (English)

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four

ACT TWO

A large chamber on the ground floor of the
castle. Glazed arches and a terrace divide the
chamber from the gardens beyond.

IAGO
(on the near side of the terrace, to Cassio,
on the far side)
Don’t torment yourself.
Heed what I say, and soon you’ll be restored
to the frolicsome embrace of mistress Bianca,
proud captain with your golden hilt
and decorated sword-belt.

CASSIO
Don’t flatter me.

IAGO
Listen carefully to me.
You must be aware that Desdemona
is now our general’s general;
he lives for her alone.
Do you beseech her that her gentle spirit
may intercede for you,
and your pardon is assured.

CASSIO
But how shall I speak to her?

IAGO
It is her custom in the afternoon to stroll
in the shade of those trees with my wife.
Wait for her there.
The way to your salvation now lies open;
go to it!
(Cassio walks away. Iago watches him.)
Go to it! Your end I see already.
You are driven by your daemon
and I am that daemon,
and I am dragged along by mine,
the inexorable God
in whom I believe.
(walking away from the terrace without another glance
at Cassio, who has now vanished among the trees)
I believe in a cruel God
who created me in his image
and who in fury I name.
From the very vileness of a germ
or an atom, vile was I born.
I am a wretch because I am a man,
and I feel within me the primeval slime.
Yes! This is my creed!
I believe with a heart as steadfast
as that of the widow in church,
that the evil I think
and that which I perform
I think and do by destiny’s decree.
I believe the just man to be a mocking actor
in face and heart;
that all his being is a lie,
tear, kiss, glance,
sacrifice and honour.
And I believe man the sport of evil fate
from the germ of the cradle
to the worm of the grave.
After all this mockery then comes Death.
And then?... And then?
Death is nothingness,
heaven an old wives’ tale.
(Desdemona appears, walking in the garden with Emilia.
Iago darts to the terrace, on the other side of which
Cassio is standing.)
(to Cassio)
There she is!... Cassio... it’s up to you!
Now’s the moment.

Rouse yourself... Here comes Desdemona.
(Cassio goes towards Desdemona, bows to her and steps closer.)
He’s made a move; he bows and approaches her.
Now let Othello be brought hither!...
Satan, assist my enterprise!
Now they speak together...
and, smiling, she turns her lovely face to him.
(Cassio and Desdemona are seen walking up and down
in the garden.)
I need but a single ray of such a smile
to drag Othello to his doom.
Away...
(starting to walk quickly away, then stopping suddenly)
But fate plays into my hands.
Here he comes... to my post, to work!
(He takes up a position by the terrace and stands there
motionless, his eyes fixed upon Cassio and Desdemona.
Othello enters; Iago pretends not to have seen him and
speaks as if to himself.)
I like not that...

OTHELLO (approaching Iago)
What are you saying?

IAGO
Nothing... You here?
An idle word escaped my lips.

OTHELLO
The man now leaving my wife, is that Cassio?
(They both turn away from the terrace.)

IAGO
Cassio? No... that man gave
a guilty start on seeing you.

OTHELLO
I believe it was Cassio.

IAGO
My lord...

OTHELLO
What is it?

IAGO
Did Cassio, in the early days of your courtship,
not know Desdemona?

OTHELLO
He did. Why do you ask?

IAGO
A thought crossed my mind,
whimsical, but without malice.

OTHELLO
Tell me your thought, Iago.

IAGO
Did you confide in Cassio?

OTHELLO
He would often carry
a gift or note to my bride.

IAGO
Indeed?

OTHELLO
Ay, indeed. Do you not think him honest?

IAGO (imitating Othello)
Honest?

OTHELLO
What are you hiding from me?

IAGO
What am I hiding, my lord?

OTHELLO
‘‘What am I hiding, my lord?’’
By heaven, you echo me!...
The inner chamber of your brain
harbours some terrible monster.
Indeed, I heard you saying even now,
‘‘ I like not that!’’
What did you not like? You mentioned Cassio
then did contract and purse your brow together.
Come, speak if you love me!

IAGO
You know that I love you.

OTHELLO
Speak then without concealment
or ambiguity.
Speak as you think,

and give your worst of thoughts
the worst of words!

IAGO
Even if my heart were in your hand
that thought you would not know.

OTHELLO
Ah!...

IAGO
(coming very close to Othello and speaking in an undertone)
Beware, my lord, of jealousy!
’Tis a spiteful monster, livid,
blind, with her own venom
self-poisoned, with a vivid
wound upon her bosom.

OTHELLO
O misery!
No! I have no use for baseless doubts.
Before doubt comes enquiry,
after doubt comes proof,
after the proof –
Othello has his supreme laws –
away with love and jealousy together.

IAGO (with greater urgency)
A statement such as that
breaks the seal upon my lips.
I speak not yet of proof,
but, bounteous Othello, look to it,
for often natures that are free and noble
do not suspect deception: look to it.
Observe well Desdemona’s speech;
a word could restore trust
or reaffirm suspicion.

DISTANT VOICES
Whereso’er you turn your gaze
light shines, hearts are afire,
whereso’er you walk cascades
of blossoms fill the air.
Here among lilies and roses,
as if to an altar chaste,
fathers, children and matrons,
come with serenades.

IAGO (in an undertone as before)
Here she comes... Observe her well!

(Desdemona reappears in the garden, on the
far side of the great central arch; she is
surrounded by women of the island, children
and Cypriot and Albanian sailors, who approach to offer
flowers, branches of blossom and other gifts. Some
accompany their own singing on the ‘‘guzla’’, a kind of
mandolin, others play on small harps which hang
around their necks.)

GROUP AROUND DESDEMONA
Whereso’er you turn your gaze
light shines, hearts are afire,
whereso’er you walk, cascades
of blossoms fill the air.
Here among lilies and roses,
as if to an altar chaste,
fathers, children and matrons
come with serenades.

CHILDREN
We proffer lilies, tender flowers,
by angels borne to heavenly bowers,
which ornament the gleaming mantle
and gown of the Madonna gentle
and her holy veil.

MEN AND WOMEN
While on the breezes wing
aloft the accents gay,
the nimble mandolin
accompanies the lay.

SAILORS
(offering trinkets of coral and pearl to Desdemona)
For you these shells and pearls and dyes
we culled from caves beneath the brine.
Desdemona with our gifts would we
bedeck like an image in a shrine.

CHILDREN AND WOMEN
While on the breezes, etc.

WOMEN (scattering leaves and flowers)
Take this flowery harvest we strew
from our kirtles upon the ground for you,
in showers upon the ground.
The April air the bride’s golden hair
doth in a shimmering aura of dew,
sunlit, surround.

CHILDREN, MEN
While on the breezes wing, etc.

ALL
Whereso’er you turn your gaze,
light shines, hearts are afire;
whereso’er you walk, cascades
of blossoms fill the air.
To this bower of lilies and roses,
as if to an altar chaste,
fathers, children and matrons
come with serenades.

DESDEMONA
The sky is shining, breezes
dance, flowers scent the air...

OTHELLO (gently moved)
That song subdues my heart!

DESDEMONA
... In my heart the songs
of joy, love, hope I hear.

IAGO (aside)
Beauty and love are in sweet harmony.

CHILDREN, MEN AND WOMEN
May you be happy!...

OTHELLO
If she be false to me...

DESDEMONA
Joy and love sing in my breast!

OTHELLO
...then Heaven mocks itself!

IAGO
...But I’ll untune the strings that make this music!

CHILDREN, MEN AND WOMEN
... May you be happy! Farewell!
Here Love is lord!

OTHELLO
That song subdues my heart.

IAGO (under his breath)
I’ll untune the strings that make this music!

(Desdemona kisses the heads of some of the children,
several women kiss the hem of her gown and she
presents a purse to the sailors. The group disperses.
Desdemona, followed by Emilia, enters the chamber and
approaches Othello.)

DESDEMONA (to Othello)
A man that languishes in your displeasure
has sent me with a suit.

OTHELLO
Who is’t you mean?

DESDEMONA
Cassio.

OTHELLO
Was it he who spoke with you just now
under those trees?

DESDEMONA
It was he, and his grief
so moved me by its sincerity
that he deserves forgiveness.
For him I intercede, for him I plead.
Forgive him.

OTHELLO
Not now.

DESDEMONA
Do not deny me.
Forgive him.

OTHELLO
Not now!

DESDEMONA
Why does your voice sound harsh?
Are you not well?

OTHELLO
My temples throb.

DESDEMONA (taking out her handkerchief and
making as if to bind Othello’s temples)
The troublesome fever will away
if with this soft linen
I bind your head.

OTHELLO (throwing the handkerchief to the ground)
I have no need of that.

DESDEMONA
You’re vexed, my lord.

OTHELLO
Leave me alone!
(Emilia picks up the handkerchief.)

DESDEMONA
If I in ignorance, my lord, have you offended,
O say the sweet and happy word of pardon.

OTHELLO (aside)
Haply because I am not practised
in the deceitful arts of love...

DESDEMONA
Your loving bride am I,
humble and submissive;
but sighs fall from your lips,
your eyes are fixed on the ground.
Look in my face and see
how love is there expressed!
Come, let me lighten your heart...

OTHELLO
... or for I am declined
into the vale of years,
or that my complexion
is of this dusky hue,
and that I am not practised
in love’s deceitful arts,
or that I am declined
into the vale of years,
or that my complexion
is of this dusky hue...

IAGO (aside, to Emilia)
Give me that handkerchief
you picked up just now!

EMILIA (to Iago)
What mischief’s in your mind?
I can read your face.

IAGO
You resist in vain
when I command!

EMILIA
Your wicked envy
well I know.

IAGO
Foolish suspicion!

EMILIA
A faithful guardian
is my hand...

IAGO
Give me that handkerchief!

EMILIA
... a faithful guardian
is my hand!

IAGO (siezing Emilia’s arm savagely)
My hand is poised
o’er you in anger!

EMILIA
Your wife am I,
not your slave!

IAGO
The unchaste slave
of Iago are you!

EMILIA
My heart forewarns me
of some calamity.

IAGO
Do you not fear me?

EMILIA
Cruel man!

IAGO
Give me...

EMILIA
What would you?

IAGO
Give me that handkerchief!

EMILIA
Cruel man!
(Iago snatches the handkerchief from Emilia.)

DESDEMONA
... let me soothe your pain!

EMILIA
Cruelty and cowardice
have clawed a victory.

OTHELLO
... she is lost
and I am mocked...

DESDEMONA
Look in my face and see
how love is there expressed!

OTHELLO
... and my heart is broken
and trampled in the mire
I see my dream of bliss!

EMILIA
May God ever keep us
safe from all danger!

IAGO
My hands already
grasp the threads;
now, Iago,
to weave the web!

EMILIA
Cruelty and cowardice
have clawed a victory!

OTHELLO
She is lost
and I am mocked...

DESDEMONA
Look in my face and see
how love is there expressed, etc.

OTHELLO
... and my heart is broken, etc.

EMILIA
May God ever keep us, etc.

IAGO
My hands already, etc.

DESDEMONA
Say the sweet and happy word of pardon!

OTHELLO
Hence! I would be alone.

IAGO (covertly, to Emilia who is about to leave)
Say nothing of this. You understand?
(Desdemona and Emilia leave. Iago makes a pretence of
leaving through the door at the back, but when he
reaches it he stops.)

OTHELLO (sinking exhausted upon a stool)
Desdemona false!...

IAGO
(at the back, looking surreptitiously at the handkerchief,
then replacing it carefully in his doublet)
With these threads shall I weave
the proof of the sin of love.
It shall be hidden in Cassio’s lodging.

OTHELLO
... Monstrous thought!

IAGO (looking fixedly at Othello)
My poison does its work.

OTHELLO
... False toward me! Toward me!!!

IAGO
Suffer and roar!

OTHELLO
Monstrous! Monstrous!

IAGO
(having approached Othello, good-naturedly)
Think no more of it.

OTHELLO (taken by surprise)
You! Hence! Avaunt!
You have lashed me to the cross! Alas!...
More monstrous than the most monstrous abuse
of abuse itself is suspicion.
Of her stolen hours of lust
(and stolen from me!)
had I no presentiment in my breast?
I was contented, merry...
Nothing knew I as yet;
I found not on her sweet body
which I so love
or on her lying lips
Cassio’s ardent kisses!
And now!... And now...
Now, and forever farewell, sacred memories,
farewell, sublime enchantments of the mind!
Farewell, shining battalions and victories,
the flying arrow and the flying steed!
Farewell to the standard triumphant and holy
and the shrill fife that sounded to reveille!
Pride, pomp and circumstance of war,
farewell! Farewell, Othello’s glory’s at an end!

IAGO
Be calm, my lord.

OTHELLO
Villain! Be sure to find a proof secure
that Desdemona’s unchaste...
Stay! Do not flee!
It would avail you nought!
Bring me the sure, the ocular proof!
Or on your head accumulate
and fall the bolts
of my terrible
wakened wrath!
(He seizes Iago by the throat and hurls him to the floor.)

IAGO
0 heavenly grace defend me!
(rising)
May heaven protect you!
1 am no longer your ensign.
The world may be my witness
that honesty is dangerous.
(He turns as if to leave.)

OTHELLO
No... stay.
You may be honest.

IAGO (by the door, making a pretence of leaving)
’Twere better had I been a charlatan.

OTHELLO
By the world!
I believe Desdemona to be loyal
and believe her not to be so;
I think that you are honest
and think you disloyal...
I’ll have some proof!
I must have certainty!

IAGO (moving towards Othello)
My lord, curb your anxieties.
What proof would satisfy you?
To see them clasped together?

OTHELLO
Oh! Death and damnation!

IAGO
That would be a difficult undertaking;
but of what assurance are you dreaming
if the filthy deed itself
forever must escape you?
But yet if reason be the guide to truth
I may propose a circumstance so strong
that it will lead you near to certainty.
Listen.
(approaching close to Othello)
It was night, Cassio lay sleeping,
I was close by him.
In broken phrases he was revealing
an inward enchantment.
Slowly, slowly his lips were moving
in the abandon of passionate dreams;
then he did speak with faint murmuring voice:
“Sweet Desdemona!
Let us hide our loves.
Let us be wary!
I am quite bathed in heavenly ecstasy!”
The pleasure of his dream intensified;
softly enraptured,
he seemed to almost kiss the inner vision,
then did he say:
“I curse the cruel fate

that gave thee to the Moor.”
And then the dream was changed
into blind lethargy.

OTHELLO
0 monstrous guilt!

IAGO
1 told you but a dream.

OTHELLO
A dream that reveals a fact.

IAGO
A dream that may
give substance to another circumstance.

OTHELLO
And which is that?

IAGO
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
embroidered with flowers in Desdemona’s hand,
of finer stuff than lawn?

OTHELLO
That is the handkerchief I gave her,
first token of my love.

IAGO
That handkerchief I saw – I am sure of it –
yesterday in the hand of Cassio!

OTHELLO
O, that God had given him a thousand lives!
One is too poor a prey for my revenge!
Iago, my heart is ice.
Banished be the spirits of mercy.
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
Watch me...’tis gone!
In its snaky coils
the hydra has entwined me!
O, blood, blood, blood!
(He kneels.)
Now, by yond marble heaven!
By the jagged lightning-flash!
By Death, and by the dark
death-dealing ocean flood!
In fury and dire compulsion
shall thunder-bolts soon rain

(raising his hands to the sky)
from this hand that I raise outstretched!
(He starts to rise; Iago prevents him.)

IAGO (kneeling also)
Do not rise yet!
Witness, you sun that I gaze on,
which lights me and which animates
the broad earth and the spiritual expanse
of the whole universe,
that to Othello I do consecrate
ardently heart, hands and soul
even though on bloody business
his will be bent!

OTHELLO, IAGO
(raising their hands to heaven in an oath-taking gesture)
Now, by yond marble heaven!
By the jagged lightning-flash, etc.
God of vengeance!

libretto by Avril Bardoni

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four