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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 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. 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. 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 |