“Armida”

CHARACTERS

Goffredo – Tenor Rinaldo – Tenor Idraote – Bass Armida – Soprano Gernando – Tenor Eustazio – Tenor Ubaldo – Tenor Carlo – Tenor Astarotte – Bass Paladins, warriors, demons, spirits, Frankish soldiers, Damascenes, followers of Armida.

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

CHORUS OF PALADINS Joyful, smiling More than usual, In the East The day appears. PART OF THE CHORUS Perhaps glory, Alongside peace, Your victory Is thus foretold. FULL CHORUS Your victory Is thus foretold. Your victory Is thus foretold.

FULL CHORUS Your victory Is thus foretold. GOFFREDO Ah! no: let this Be a day of truce; A fatal duty Shall be fulfilled. Brave men, to anger We shall return. For now, boldness Must yield to pity. CHORUS OF PALADINS Brave men, to anger We shall return. For now, boldness Must yield to pity. GOFFREDO Yes, warriors, sacred shall be Our care for the departed Dudon. A funeral rite for the honored body Let the tomb grant today. Praises, sighs And tribute of tears Let the hero receive, who at life’s end Shows others the path of virtue.

SCENE TWO

EUSTAZIO My kinsman, a royal lady, Weeping, asks of you Now to come before you To implore your aid. GOFFREDO Let her come. (Eustazio exits.) No greater comfort Can the soul find Than in raising a heart Lost in sorrow. CHORUS OF PALADINS Your example, lord, Is wont to guide Every soul to virtue’s haven.

SCENE THREE

GENERAL CHORUS That morning star, Herald of the rays of day, Adorned with such light Has never yet appeared. In that noble face An angelic power Surpasses every splendor, Outshines all brilliance. (Armida descends and, led by Eustazio, presents herself to Goffredo.) ARMIDA My lord, your name resounds so widely That even among your enemies It awakens in their hearts Feelings of wonder and respect. As heir to the throne of Damascus (Whose misfortune surpasses Every cruel misfortune), I present myself to you.

The barbarian Idraote, Bound to me by blood, not only seeks To take from me my ancestral crown, But also threatens my life. If you are magnanimous, as I believe you are, As you are valiant, From you I may hope for my deliverance. GOFFREDO Noble princess, what can I do? Speak. ARMIDA Your compassion I implore. Among so many Exalted heroes who surround you, The desolate Armida Asks of you ten chosen champions.

These will be sufficient To restore me to my throne. My faithful people Await only one to incite them to arms; And if I appear before Damascus With such valiant men at its walls, Leader, my fortune will be fully secured. (Lowering her eyes, with feigned humility, she awaits Goffredo’s reply.) IDRAOTE (What will he say?) EUSTAZIO (That voice, those sorrowful accents Pierce my soul.) GOFFREDO (after reflecting) Queen, listen.

In the service of heaven, We shed blood and sweat. Let Zion Return to freedom; upon that mountain Let the revered emblem Of our faith wave, And then your lost kingdom shall be considered. (Armida appears to weep, Idraote trembles with rage, Eustazio and several paladins show signs of sorrow.) ARMIDA Unhappy woman! what remains for me now If I find no pity in you? More dreadful than death Life has now become for me. GOFFREDO Calm your grief; for you Hope is not yet extinguished.

Remember my promise: Take my word as pledge. IDRAOTE (May you not betray me, friendly hope; Do not weary, O my fury.) EUSTAZIO and CHORUS (He has no heart who does not sigh At her weeping, at her sorrow.) ARMIDA (For me all sigh and lament, Now prey to a mad love.) (To Idraote) Come. EUSTAZIO Where? ARMIDA Wherever The harshness of a hostile fate leads me.

EUSTAZIO (to Armida) Stay... IDRAOTE Alas, unhappy maiden! EUSTAZIO Ah! brother, pity Armida. CHORUS (to Goffredo) Ah! pity her, lord. GOFFREDO (What shall I do? Must I yield? Assist me, O heaven.) ARMIDA I have no hope, I cannot endure... Cruel fate! EUSTAZIO and IDRAOTE (Who can endure Her torment Has no soul.)

CHORUS To see royal beauty Languish in sighs... EUSTAZIO, IDRAOTE and CHORUS (Oh cruelty!) GOFFREDO (Assist me, O heaven.) ARMIDA Cruel fate! CHORUS Lord, have pity. EUSTAZIO Brother, if you remove from the field A small band of us, It will not hinder The triumph of the Franks.

At the besieged walls Let the heroic leaders remain; We, soldiers of fortune, Can fight for her. IDRAOTE Pity, and duty call us To raise the oppressed. CHORUS Glory shows us the path That we must tread. GOFFREDO (after a brief pause) I yield to the common desire: Her wishes shall be fulfilled. ARMIDA And shall it be true? ARMIDA, EUSTAZIO and IDRAOTE (My heart, At last you may hope.)

ARMIDA Fate, now favorable to me, Relents in its severity. Ah! yes, this heart of mine Begins to breathe again. ALL, except GOFFREDO For you, fate is favorable, It relents in its severity. Armida, your fair heart Begins to breathe again. GOFFREDO (An unusual motion, A chilling fear, A foreboding of sorrow, I feel arise within my breast.) I have yielded, warriors, it is true; yet I wish That from among your ranks A successor to the fallen leader be chosen. Let him choose at his pleasure Among you ten champions. Let all know That this favor is granted to her By your consent, not by my counsel. (Goffredo exits with a retinue of warriors, and the ranks withdraw. Meanwhile, a number of paladins go with Eustazio aside and speak among themselves.)

SCENE FOUR

Eustazio, Armida, Idraote, paladins, etc., Gernando. EUSTAZIO (stepping forward) The choice is fitting: Let Rinaldo be successor to Dudon. GERNANDO (Rinaldo!... Do I hear aright?... Oh rage!) ARMIDA (Oh name! Dear name and fatal!) IDRAOTE (aside to Armida) This is the one On whom, before all others, today I would wish, From long-held desire, To vent my wrath. ARMIDA (This is my idol.) EUSTAZIO Royal maiden, the camp Shall for now serve you as refuge. Ready To obey you shall each man be. ARMIDA (I have triumphed.) (Accompanied by Eustazio, Armida enters one of the principal tents with Idraote, with the Damascene retinue and several paladins). EUSTAZIO Companions, with more festive cries Let Rinaldo be proclaimed. (He exits with the remaining paladins.)

SCENE FIVE

Gernando. GERNANDO Oh treacherous fate! What! shall this man succeed Dudon? The rank That could have brought me honor, shall it be his?... Rouse yourself at last, Gernando; Can you endure that an Italian youth So far surpass you?... Ah! never! I will not endure the insult, By this sword I swear it; A soul aflame with glory Knows not how to restrain its rage. And are these the laurels Due to my labors? Ah, what cruel reward Does adverse fate give me! VOICES IN THE DISTANCE Long live Rinaldo!...

GERNANDO Oh anguish! My fate is decided. VOICES AS ABOVE ...The hero who has no equal! GERNANDO Oh grief that has no equal! Fierce tyrannical fate! OTHER VOICES Long live Rinaldo, the strong, The glory of our age. GERNANDO Ah! all of you unite, My furies, within this soul, Which, deprived of hope, Has lost its calm. My furies, come: I long for you with me. (He exits.)

SCENE SIX

Idraote, Armida. IDRAOTE Fortune smiles upon us. Where the loyal band Lies hidden, hasten To direct your steps. The vengeance of Asia—why can I not Fully accomplish it! ARMIDA Into my snares, Not ten alone, but a hundred Shall set their feet. Each one, In defiance of Goffredo, Nurtures in his eager breast The desire to follow me. IDRAOTE But Rinaldo... ARMIDA Ah! IDRAOTE You sigh! why? ARMIDA Do you believe That soul easy to subdue? IDRAOTE Shall the finest prey Be denied to Idraote? ARMIDA There he is... (Oh how My heart leaps!) Go... (Where am I!) Hope... who knows?... IDRAOTE Beloved daughter, farewell. (He exits the field.)

SCENE SEVEN

Rinaldo, Armida. RINALDO Princess, is it you! In seeing you again What joy I feel... and what anguish together! I have heard of your misfortunes, and my heart grieves. Ah! why has Zion not yet fallen! Perhaps, to restore you to your throne, The honor would have been granted To this sword to clear your path. But you look at me with disdain and do not reply? ARMIDA In the state in which I am, Deeds, not empty words, are what I need. Oh how different This heart of mine is from yours! Barbarians, Your Europe calls us; But he is no barbarian who can give life To an unhappy woman—and does not. RINALDO Listen: by others’ favor I am made leader of a valiant band... See, It is not my fault if among your followers...

ARMIDA Be silent... do not continue; would you mock me? RINALDO Mock you? You are mistaken. From the day I first beheld you, I preserved respect and... (almost I would say love). (Ah, alas, I adore her!) ARMIDA Go, cruel man! RINALDO Of what do you accuse me? ARMIDA Do you pretend Not to understand my words? Or have you forgotten When, on a lonely path, A wandering knight—and at what moment?...

RINALDO All—do not doubt it—I remember all. Your magical power Snatched my life away From the fury of my enemies. This soul, grateful, Shall ever preserve A faithful memory of it. ARMIDA Yet into dark oblivion You cast my love. Yes, Armida’s love, Which revealed her weakness To you. And what fruit did I obtain?

Marked disdain, A cruel abandonment... RINALDO Cease, ah! cease To pierce me, Armida. If I turned away from you, the warlike trumpet Called me to the field, martial ardor, Desire for glory. ARMIDA And love has brought me here. RINALDO Love... (Powerful name! How it resounds, oh how Upon those gentle lips, Within my suffering heart.)

ARMIDA Yes, love... If a proud soul Nature has given you, Then bring me death, And love shall be extinguished in me. RINALDO Armida... (Oh heaven!) ARMIDA What do you want? RINALDO Fate demands... ARMIDA What is it? RINALDO That I flee your fair eyes: Duty has commanded it.

ARMIDA Flee from me!... And yet heroes Have often been wounded by love. RINALDO (Those words make me waver, My resolve fails me. Wretched man! no longer Have I hope of freedom.) ARMIDA (At these words he wavers, His constancy fails. My sweet hope Is not yet lost.)

RINALDO Ah! I cannot resist... Yes, I will love you faithfully. ARMIDA Oh unexpected joy! Oh fortunate moment! ARMIDA and RINALDO Dear one, for you this soul Feels sweet tremblings That I cannot express. (They depart.)

SCENE EIGHT

Gernando, some paladins. GERNANDO (indicating Rinaldo as he departs with Armida) Behold the warrior, the leader, The foremost of heroes, That Rinaldo rightly chosen by you. Oh how many, how many laurels You shall reap for him! His invincible blade I already see hung in the temple of glory. Here is a clear sign of his deeds: Conqueror of maidens, a most worthy hero! CHORUS OF PALADINS Do not continue; respect, Lord, his virtue. GERNANDO Virtue! He is deceived Who hopes to find it in him. Virtue in Rinaldo!

SCENE NINE

Rinaldo. The preceding characters. RINALDO (stopping as he crosses the field) (My name!) GERNANDO This man— What can he boast of? Does he dare compare himself To one who boasts vast dominion and subject peoples? Oh! let the hero be respected, Who has nothing but the barren heritage Of ancestors and distant scepters. A fine, great choice You have made in him; he deserved the gift Of being your leader; indeed, I am pleased. RINALDO (Unworthy!)

GERNANDO And he accepted? Madman! ah, such boldness From a lord of unworthy rank, A lord born in servile Italy! RINALDO (I tremble with rage.) GERNANDO And did you not think That the shade of Dudon, While it turns its gaze upon this proud man, Trembles above in heaven with noble wrath?

CHORUS OF PALADINS Rinaldo is valiant. GERNANDO Foolish Rashness, fury— Not true martial valor— Who does not see this in him? RINALDO (advancing) Ah, liar! If your soul is as bold As your words, Then prepare, false man, To grasp that blade. (He draws his sword.) GERNANDO Shall I fear your wrath? Unworthy man, you deceive yourself. My hand and my steel Are ready to strike you down. (He does the same.)

SCENE TEN

Paladins and warriors of every rank appear from all sides. Armida. The preceding characters. GENERAL CHORUS Stop... RINALDO Stand aside... ARMIDA (Rinaldo in danger! ...) ARMIDA and CHORUS Ah! brave men, cease... RINALDO and GERNANDO I hear no counsel. In vain is my fury Attempted to be restrained. (The two paladins clash; Rinaldo drives Gernando behind the tents).

SCENE ELEVEN

The preceding characters, except Gernando. RINALDO (from within) Die... CHORUS What a blow! (All rush toward the place where the two combatants went). ARMIDA (rushing toward Rinaldo) What have you done! RINALDO (withdrawing) That wretch is already punished. Rinaldo was insulted, His honor has been avenged. CHORUS Oh misfortune! Cruel slaughter! What an example of terror! ARMIDA What a terrible moment! Ah! my grief overwhelms me! CHORUS Let the leader know the dreadful event. (All depart, except Rinaldo and Armida.)

SCENE TWELVE

Armida, Rinaldo. ARMIDA Ah! beware... RINALDO Here I await him. ARMIDA Go, hide yourself from his wrath. Ah! if I am dear to you, Do not expose so fair a life. RINALDO If I do not yield to your desire, Duty compels me to it. ARMIDA How, oh God, my heart trembles! RINALDO My idol, calm your heart!

SCENE THIRTEEN

FIRST CHORUS Come, leader, punish the offense. ARMIDA (to Rinaldo) Ah! my beloved... GOFFREDO Just heaven, what have I heard! SECOND CHORUS Rinaldo’s honor was offended: FIRST CHORUS In fury, he seized the steel. SECOND CHORUS Provoked, he seized the steel.

GOFFREDO Where does this villain wander? RINALDO I am not such. Behold Rinaldo. GOFFREDO Impious man! tremble. RINALDO I have committed no crimes. ARMIDA (Do not betray me, deceitful hope.) CHORUS Discord, with its dreadful torch, Has brought a vast blaze into the camp.

GOFFREDO Yield to the bonds, as an example to the guilty, That furious and faithless hand. RINALDO This hand, to palms and trophies, Has never yet been accustomed to chains. ARMIDA (softly to Rinaldo) Go: go before Armida; Soon I shall know how to follow you.

ALL except ARMIDA and RINALDO A star of blood Appears from the sky; Every soul already languishes, Frozen by grief. A gloom all around Darkens the day, And threatens the camp With anguish and terror. RINALDO (Fate invites me, Let me seize its hair.

Mighty, divine Twists of love, In you alone My heart places its hope.) (He exits.) ARMIDA (Friendly fate Offers me its hair. Mighty, divine Twists of love, Armida entrusts to you The hope of her heart.)

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE

CHORUS At the mighty voice of Armida We have crossed Acheron and Cocytus. This silent and inhospitable shore Must be animated by our work. ASTAROTTE and PART OF THE CHORUS Come, companions, here let your steps be stayed, Here extinguish the dreadful torches, Lay down the viperous scourge; So commands she who gives the law.

FULL CHORUS At Armida’s new wonder All hell shall be obedient. PART OF THE CHORUS The royal niece of Idraote Is wont to restrain the roaring of shades. ANOTHER PART OF THE CHORUS Her magic notes have the power To double the howling and the roaring Where sorrow knows no limit. FULL CHORUS This silent and inhospitable shore Must be animated by our work.

ASTAROTTE A power beyond human. Gods of the dark abyss now summon us here. All around, fame Spreads the name of Rinaldo, the foremost Among the feared champions Of him who above the stars, For our eternal torment, Moves and governs all at his will. Yet by a bond of love the mighty warrior Has become prey; Armida dared to rob him Of reason, honor, freedom, so that there may be lacking Among the hated Franks The greatest sword of the supreme captain’s host, And to wrest Zion from its destined fate. To assist her, O gods, Is it not a light task for us? In our deeds The king of shadows places trust; Let Goffredo tremble for us, let Armida rejoice. CHORUS Clad in iron and flame, Against the heavenly empire There in the highest realm You know that once we fought. It is true, we fell defeated; But of our former valor Within our breast The seed has not yet withered. (A cloud appears from above.)

ASTAROTTE Well then, the moment has come To put into action both power and daring. Look, Armida approaches. Hidden, At the hiss of her magic wand, Let each of you be ready; Such is the command of our greatest deity. (They vanish.)

SCENE TWO

RINALDO Where am I!... ARMIDA At my side. RINALDO Oh blessed am I! ARMIDA My fair treasure! RINALDO If you call me yours... ARMIDA Dear one, if you love me,

ARMIDA and RINALDO I defy all the harshness Of fate. ARMIDA My beloved, this upon which you tread Is called the Isle of Fortune, Known to me alone. Here let all our past bitterness Be laid aside, And here let all breathe peace and love. Desire to see you again, Hope to possess you, made me yield To others’ will—not cruel intent. I feigned with the Frankish leader Against my will, and your blade, Breaking the chains, Punished the plot Of my followers, of Idraote and myself.

RINALDO See if my heart loves you: Let all be forgotten; only Idraote I deem guilty. Now let us not think Of anything but our mutual love... But as a prisoner, Why lead me into a dreadful forest? ARMIDA No; this is the realm of Love, Behold the center of pleasure. (At Armida’s signal, the scene transforms into the interior of a magnificent palace. Spirits in the form of genii, nymphs, cupids, and pleasures fill the stage, forming various groups.)

CHORUS Yes, this is the realm of Love, This is the center of delight. ARMIDA and RINALDO [(To that/this soul such a wonder Seems a flattering dream. At so strange and joyful an event Its thought is confounded.) ARMIDA, RINALDO and CHORUS Yes, this is the realm of Love, This is the center of delight.]

SOME NYMPHS Songs of love, Festive dances, Sing, form yourselves, Followers of Love. ALL THE NYMPHS Songs of love, Festive dances, Let us sing, let us form, Followers of Love. (Dances follow, from time to time interwoven with song. Cupids present to Rinaldo garlands of flowers.)

ARMIDA To Love’s sweet dominion Nature ever yields. Where is that daring soul That does not value Love? He who, wretched, does not feel Its powerful flame, Has a heart of stone in his breast, Or never had a heart at all. CHORUS Where is that daring soul That does not value Love?

ARMIDA Birds among the branches Express love in song; Even the mute dwellers Of the waters love. Savage beasts love There in the Hyrcanian forests, Even the plants themselves Are made fruitful by love. CHORUS Where is that daring soul That does not value Love?

ARMIDA Youth swiftly fades, Beauty is but a flash, For both are consumed By devouring time. Therefore, lovers, enjoy Your happy moments, Now that upon your faces smiles The flower of youth. (Armida sits beside Rinaldo.) CHORUS Ah! yes, lovers, enjoy Your happy moments, Now that upon your faces smiles The flower of youth.

DANCE and GENERAL CHORUS All that appears of Armida breathes Peace, love, delight, and joy. All is subject to Armida’s realm, All yields where beauty reigns.

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE

Ubaldo, Carlo. UBALDO How gently the breezes Blow among the grass and flowers! CARLO It seems that of love they speak, The cheerful singing birds Around us. UBALDO And the echo that answers... CARLO And the murmur of the waves... UBALDO and CARLO Everything seems to tell us: Behold the dwelling Sacred to friendly nature. But no: by dreadful art These are deceptions; A gift of impious hell Is what appears as nature. Here the dread, serpent-haired Furies shake their locks, Spreading deadly poison To infect all fears.

UBALDO Oh how much, my friend, to the wise man of Ascalon We are indebted! The long journey seemed To us a short path. This golden wand and this script Were divine aid to us. CARLO We saw flee The guardian serpent and every beast That opposed our path. Now there remains for us to accomplish The desired end of our mission. UBALDO Here (the writing reveals it) We shall see Rinaldo prey to a mad love.

CARLO Ah! may heaven grant that he yield To the call of honor. UBALDO The place is deserted. CARLO You are mistaken. Toward us comes A troop of graceful nymphs. Hear the harmony... (A slow music, gradually approaching and growing stronger). UBALDO This is the moment for firmness and courage.

SCENE TWO

CHORUS Here all is calm, Delight, love; Here the soul finds Refuge from sorrow. PART OF THE CHORUS Here the dark spheres Have no power, Adverse fate Has no force. ANOTHER PART OF THE CHORUS This is the blessed Dwelling of love; The golden age Has returned here; Oh fortunate He who possesses a heart! FULL CHORUS Here all is calm, Delight, love; Here the soul finds Refuge from sorrow. UBALDO Flee, infernal monsters; go back whence you came. (Shaking the golden wand, the spirits vanish.)

SCENE THREE

Carlo, Ubaldo. CARLO A new wonder! UBALDO Ah! may it Thus drive from the heart Of the wretched Rinaldo a mad love. CARLO I hope so. Heaven will complete the work. UBALDO Oh how dear To Guelfo will be the longed-for return Of his beloved nephew!

CARLO To the whole camp, To Goffredo himself, Who wished to punish him, and now forgives him, It will be joy to see such a hero again... UBALDO Silence... If I am not mistaken, From that path a slow tread I seem to hear. CARLO Yes... UBALDO Oh fate! Behold him.

CARLO It is he... Oh happy we! UBALDO And with him Comes she who keeps him A humbled prisoner on these shores. CARLO Let us approach... UBALDO No. For now hide yourself with me, There among those plants. CARLO But to reveal ourselves to him... UBALDO This is not the moment. (They hide in a thicket.)

SCENE FOUR

Armida, Rinaldo, holding each other by the hand. ARMIDA and RINALDO Sweet chains, If love has woven you, Forever to my beloved Unite me thus. ARMIDA O my Rinaldo, behold This pleasant dwelling. Now, though burning Sirius Shines in the sky, by my power The flowering season And fruitful autumn Join hands In this fortunate rural refuge.

RINALDO All makes me happy, But above all Armida, Provided I may live secure In her constancy... ARMIDA What! would you doubt... RINALDO Such rare beauty, that could make A monarch happy... Royal maiden... far From your native realm for my sake... ARMIDA Have I no reign over your heart, and you over mine? Is that not enough? Love has conquered me.

RINALDO And with it, Armida, you rivaled him When with your lovely glances you imprisoned me. Indeed, yours is greater Than Love’s triumph; he was a god who could do all: You are mortal... But what do I say? She is not mortal who can make herself Absolute queen of every heart, Who contains within herself such divine beauty. O adored eyes, While you bind a heart, you make it blessed. This heart grows proud of its happy bonds In proving, fair eyes, in you what Love’s power is. And its former freedom It casts into oblivion for you, If it would compare it With such beautiful servitude. ARMIDA Stay, my beloved. Must I for a few moments Be far from you... RINALDO What!... ARMIDA No slight concern Calls me elsewhere. Farewell. Soon I shall return to your side. (She departs).

SCENE FIVE

Rinaldo. RINALDO If for a single instant I lose the splendor of those eyes, I seem to lose my peace... But what other brilliance dazzles my sight!... Those are arms... and Frankish arms!... scarcely Do I trust my own eyes...

SCENE SIX

Ubaldo, Carlo, Rinaldo. UBALDO (to Carlo) Friend, step forward. RINALDO Heaven!... whom do I see!

UBALDO Dishonored warrior, slave of love, In us behold Ubaldo and Carlo. Observe what honorable duty Clothes our limbs. And while steel Girds us, and while the sword Hangs at our side, must we See adorned with roses and in white garments The strongest among Franks and Latins? RINALDO (Oh bitter reproach!)

CARLO The whole camp Eagerly longs To raise upon Zion’s lofty walls Its august banner. The trumpet’s call awakens Every soldier, even the weakest; and only Rinaldo, brave Rinaldo, The indomitable warrior, Lives unknown and as a prisoner? RINALDO Ah! friends... It is true, I am he... I am unhappy!... But how have you come here, Since this lonely path... UBALDO Heavenly power, Not Stygian art, has guided us. CARLO Let the unjust Armida yield To the power of Him who rules all. RINALDO Armida!... she is my beloved... CARLO Do you dream?

UBALDO Do you rave? In this shield displayed See to what extreme your valor has fallen. (He unveils an adamantine shield.) RINALDO In what weak aspect Do I see myself, oh heavens!... What an object of cowardice!... Oh my immense shame! (He remains motionless and almost beside himself.) CARLO (He languishes.) UBALDO (He sighs.)

CARLO (He groans.) UBALDO and CARLO (Already he feels the stirrings of honor. O deity! may our prayers Be aided by your favor.) UBALDO (to Rinaldo) See what guilty dominion An impious passion holds over you. CARLO If you have a heart within your breast, Resist such horror.

RINALDO (continuing to look into the shield) What an object of cowardice!... Oh my immense shame! CARLO Your duty calls you. UBALDO Glory invites you to battle. UBALDO and CARLO The trumpet of fame Awakens your valor.

RINALDO Cease... alas! cease... What barbarous torment! I vile?... No: I remember That I am still Rinaldo. (He tears off and casts away every ornament of softness.) UBALDO and CARLO Now indeed in you I find again The hero you always were. RINALDO (Ah! what conflict I feel Of sorrow, of glory, and of love!)

UBALDO and CARLO Come. RINALDO I follow you... (Oh God! Can I ever leave her!) CARLO Why do you hesitate? RINALDO Armida! For you my heart fails me... UBALDO and CARLO Now sternly rebukes you The voice of honor.

(A brief pause.) RINALDO Unite together Virtue and valor, To conquer the love That gives me torment. (A brief pause. Meanwhile Rinaldo raises his eyes to heaven in supplication.) But a sudden ray Illuminates this soul... Ah! yes, I behold you, Heavenly goodness. UBALDO and CARLO Glory of heroes, Come away with us; Heaven declares Its mercy for you. (They depart.)

SCENE SEVEN

(Armida, hurried and distraught.) ARMIDA Where is he?... where does he hide?... And yet just now I left him here... I am beside myself! There lies Upon the threshold the fierce guardian slain... Oh heavens! shall my power then be defeated? Let me go... But what do I see! Two warriors of Goffredo!... Alas! Rinaldo Follows their steps... Stop... My anguish Chokes my words... Listen... Traitor! he does not hear me... Then let the power Of hell be invoked. Furies, hear me: (shaking the magic wand) By dreadful Dis, let that traitor Be brought to me.

(Pause). But no voice responds From the infernal shores. Alas!... fatal moment!... What shall I do?... Let me follow the traitor... Oh fierce torment! (She exits swiftly). Exterior of Armida’s palace.

SCENE EIGHT

Ubaldo, Carlo, Rinaldo. UBALDO Praise be to heaven, from those wicked walls We have at last escaped.

CARLO A short path remains; Let us go to the boat. RINALDO Friends, ah! you, Have pity, strengthen This weak heart. Alone I cannot Overcome myself. CARLO Quickly to the shore, Come, let us turn our steps. ARMIDA (from afar) Stop, traitor!

RINALDO It is she... Oh God!... did you hear her? CARLO With courage, Friend, you must arm yourself. RINALDO Alas! UBALDO It may serve you to hear her. If you resist her charms, Her tears, You will rightly be the greatest of heroes.

SCENE NINE

(Armida, hurried; the preceding characters.) ARMIDA Is it truly so?... and you would abandon me? Cruel man! RINALDO Fate wills That I turn my steps away from you... Glory calls me To the field of honor... ARMIDA And shall it be glory To betray love, to betray faith?

RINALDO (departing) Sweet memory You shall always be for me... Remain in peace... (Ah! my heart is breaking.) ARMIDA (holding him back) Peace! and can my sorrow find peace? UBALDO (softly to Rinaldo) Resist. CARLO (as above) Hide from her Your anguish, your pain.

ARMIDA Go, if you will; I ask only To follow your steps... (Rinaldo gently pushes her away, turning his face to conceal his turmoil, and is about to depart.) ARMIDA (following him) You may dispose of me As you please; if it pleases you, As a humble servant I shall cut my hair short, Now that I am made base for you. In servile guise I shall follow you wherever the martial ardor Burns most fiercely. I feel within me strength enough To lead your steeds and bear your arms; You shall have in me a faithful follower, not a lover. RINALDO (softly to his two companions) Alas! what words. UBALDO (as above to Rinaldo) Deceptions. CARLO (as above) Snares.

ARMIDA And you are silent?... Yes, whatever you wish, I shall be your squire or shield. Perhaps no warrior so cruel Will be found who, wishing to strike you, Would pierce my breast... But speak. RINALDO Armida, it is time That my errors and yours Be cast into oblivion. Remain... (Departing.) ARMIDA Ah! stop, And do you not groan? RINALDO (What anguish!) ARMIDA And do you still keep Your eyes dry, cruel man? And have you the heart to leave me in this state?

If to my cruel torment You give no sign of sorrow, You never had A spark of pity. A savage Hyrcanian tigress Gave you life, And your soul was nurtured Always in cruelty. RINALDO (sighing and departing) You cannot change your fate: Nor can I change it. ARMIDA (holding him back) Ah! grant me at least death: Put an end to my suffering.

UBALDO and CARLO (to Rinaldo) Resist now with strength. UBALDO Come. CARLO Decide. UBALDO and CARLO To the sea. RINALDO Farewell... ARMIDA Listen, my idol!... I ask but a single instant... UBALDO No more.

CARLO (dragging Rinaldo) We must depart. ARMIDA I falter... my step... I cannot stand... I feel... oh God!... I fail... (She falls unconscious). (Rinaldo, who had moved away, hurries back). RINALDO Armida!... beloved!... Ah! let her be helped— UBALDO and CARLO To the sea. (They lead him away by force).

SCENE TEN

Armida. After Rinaldo has gone, she gradually recovers, then rises, looks around, and says: ARMIDA Where am I!... He has fled! Alas, could the ungrateful one Leave me thus? And do I still live?... does my desolate heart Still beat?... (wandering uncertainly) What shall I do?... Vengeance... Love... Which of you shall I heed?... Can there be A more dreadful state than mine!

(She remains absorbed in her thoughts). (Meanwhile a spirit arises in the form of Vengeance). Vengeance... (rousing herself) Ah! yes, I see you: You alone I invoke: come... (As she tries to approach that spirit, another appears in the form of Love, sighing and weeping). Love... with that sigh Why do you restrain my wrath?... Perhaps you are cruel, Though you weep, O Love.

(Turning toward Vengeance). Perhaps there is pity in her, Though surrounded by horror. (She reflects a moment, then runs to the first spirit). It is true... this soul finds delight In you, fatal Vengeance. Fly from me at once, Faithless Love; be gone. (The spirit of Love disappears). If to my power, you Furies, Are not yet deaf, Lead me to pursue A wicked man, a traitor.

FINAL SCENE

(Chorus of demons, bearing Armida’s chariot drawn by dragons.) CHORUS You shall be avenged. ARMIDA Destroyed— Let everything here remain destroyed. (The demons, armed with torches, carry out the command, and the scene returns to its original horror). ARMIDA and CHORUS If nothing else can, Let hell inspire its fury in you. (Armida ascends the chariot and rises into the air amid globes of flame and smoke. The curtain falls).

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev