Agrippina Opera by George Frideric Handel

Dramma per musica in three acts  Libretto: Vincenzo Grimani  First performance: 26 December 1709 (Venice - Teatro San Giovanni Crisostomo)  Cast:  CLAUDIUS, Roman emperor  AGRIPPINA, Claudius's wife  NERO, Agrippina's son from a previous marriage  POPPEA, a Roman lady  OTHO, commander of the imperial army  PALLAS, a henchman  NARCISSUS, a henchman  LESBUS, servant of Claudius  JUNO, the goddess  Place and Time:  Rome, around the middle of the first century ACT ONE  Sinfonia  SCENE I  Agrippina's private apartments  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  Nero, my beloved son! This is the moment  for you to seize fortune  by the locks and stop her motion.  Today, propitious destiny  holds out to you the crown of the Caesars.  To you alone I reveal what is, as yet, known by none.  Take this, read! And you shall both see  and know that which my mind  plans for your future good.  NERO  reading the document  ''With sorrow in my heart and tears in my eyes,  regal Augusta, I send you this letter.  In dire peril on the stormy seas  the Roman Eagle was submerged,  and Claudius, your husband  and the god we both honour, met his death."  Claudius is dead? What news is this?  AGRIPPINA  The throne of Lazio is empty, and to replenish it  my mind labours on your behalf.  Now ripe for empire, you have arrived today  at the threshold of your twenty-first year.  On this fateful day I intend that Rome  shall wreathe your brow with the imperial laurel.  NERO  What must I do?  AGRIPPINA  Listen carefully!  Keep secret what you know,  put aside your pride and assume humiIity.  Go amongst the crowds, and with a modest glance  greet every one; distribute to the poor  the gold you hold in secret;  sympathise with their lot.  And if within your heart  revenge smoulders, or love burns,  cover the one and hide the other;  consider not inward deception serious.  If you would reign,  you must master your desires,  for laws bow before the desire to rule.  NERO  Your sound advice  shall always be my guide, mother.  AGRIPPINA  Go then, delay no longer! Straightway arrange  the scheme my love has hatched.  One moment lost  can destroy a great undertaking.  Aria  NERO  With your wise counsel  I shall ascend the throne.  Less an emperor than a son,  you, mother, I will adore. SCENE II  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  Let all be set in motion  for this great work.  Well do I know  that Narcissus and Pallas,  whether from  inclination or self-interest,  harbour a hidden desire  to conquer my heart;  let that which I despised  now be artfully welcomed.  Ho there, send for Pallas!  A page sets off.  May cunning and deceit  assist me now.  She seats herself in a melancholy attitude. SCENE III  PALLAS  Upon your sovereign command  behold your faithful Pallas.  (She sadly hides her lovely face,  and lost in thought replies not to me?)  You have proof, Augusta, of my heart's  obedience to your decrees,  and well you know how faithful it is,  and how constant.  AGRIPPINA  Ah Pallas, Pallas!  PALLAS  Why ever does Agrippina sigh?  I would it were in my power  to ease your suffering.  AGRIPPINA  Ah Pallas, Pallas!  PALLAS  (What does this signify? It must be bold!)  Your own Pallas am I,  one whose heart  is yours to command…  AGRIPPINA  Your heart?  PALLAS  Yes, yes, my heart, o queen,  and with my faithful hear  whatever it pleases you...  AGRIPPINA  Yes, yes, your meaning is clear:  like your heart, your sword is at my service.  PALLAS  My sword, my arm, my very soul…  AGRIPPINA  Your loyalty is pleasing to me.  PALLAS  Ah, if only  I could speak my mind!  AGRIPPINA  Speak then, reveal your thoughts.  PALLAS  I fear to …  AGRIPPINA  Do not be afraid.  (I must be cunning.)  PALLAS  For long have t nurtured  a love that devours me,  but natural respect …  AGRIPPINA  No more, you have said enough.  PALLAS  I seek pardon for my love, my fair one.  AGRIPPINA  Let it suffice that I have heard and pardoned you.  Further discussion must be deferred until a later time.  Pallas, you shall know  that which is hidden from all others.  Claudius is dead.  PALLAS  Claudius?  AGRIPPINA  The fate of his successor will be settled  by the army and the people.  Go you to the Capitol,  gather our supporters,  and at the moment  when Caesar's death is made known,  acclaim Nero immediately.  If my son comes to power,  Pallas will reign with Agrippina.  Aria  PALLAS  Propitious fate  descends today from the stars.  through you to me.  For through you alone,  my lovely adored one.  my star shines on me.  making glorious my faithfulness.  He leaves. SCENE IV  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  Now that Pallas is conquered,  let's vanquish Narcissus too.  Ho there, call Narcissus!  A page sets off.  He who knows how to pretend  obtains what he wants. SCENE V  NARCISSUS  A suppliant at your feet …  AGRIPPINA  Enough of that!  To impart a dark secret  I call Narcissus aside;  you alone do I appoint today  to be the doer of a great deed,  and to your confidence entrust  what I have hid until now.  NARCISSUS  You may always rely  on my confidence.  AGRIPPINA  Yet what your true feelings are  I know not: reveal them to me.  NARCISSUS  Ah, sovereign Augusta,  that which I would speak is forbidden  AGRIPPINA  All shall he allowed to you.  NARCISSUS  Then if I am free to speak my mind,  I shall tell you that I love you.  AGRIPPINA  And can you make so bold?  NARCISSUS  A suppliant at your feet  I beg …  AGRIPPINA  What would you ask?  NARCISSUS  That you turn your gaze towards me with pity.  AGRIPPINA  Rise, and let it be a mark if my clemency toward you  that I comprehend your desires and forgive you.  NARCISSUS  Now that you are aware of my love,  I am happy.  AGRIPPINA  How well I trust you,  read and discover  NARCISSUS  Heavens, what do I read?  AGRIPPINA  Now is the moment  to ensure that the sceptre  remain in Agrippina's hands.  Go straightway to where  the populace and soldiers are gathered;  there wait till I have revealed  the fateful news, then subtly introduce  the name of Nero amongst the crowd.  If heaven today allots the throne to Nero.  Narcissus shall reign with Agrippina.  Aria  NARCISSUS  I hurry away, my heart light  at the prospect of happiness.  I shall fly from place to place  on the wings of love,  and with passionate fervour  shall do your bidding.  He leaves SCENE VI  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  As much as destiny's decrees  can do, so can I do, myself!  Let nothing be overlooked.  To work, to work!  All praise to him  who deceives in order to reign.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  Amidst the tempest  my soul hopes to reach its port.  So well have I armed  my breast with constancy,  that with fair land in sight,  even the most baleful storms  seem objects of comfort. SCENE VII  The square in front of the Capitol  Arioso  NERO  surrounded by the populace, distributing gifts  What pleasure it affords a kind heart  to bring relief to the wretched!  Recitative  NERO  Here, you must have some too.  Arioso  NERO  Yet it grieves me to see  that amidst all these crowds  you have no zealous supporter  to commiserate your state.  Recitative  NERO  My friends, I clasp you to my ***;  oh, with what pleasure  I would take your cruel poverty  upon myself!  (May cunning and deceit serve my ends!) SCENE VIII  PALLAS, NARCISSUS  This is the man who shall soon  be emperor of Rome.  PALLAS  (One must win his affection.)  NARCISSUS  (One must bug his favour.)  PALLAS  In these acts, sir.  your virtue shines out.  NARCISSUS  Your tender mercy, here displayed.  is such as to win hearts glory and renown.  NERO  Ah Pallas, ah Narcissus!  It pans me that miserly fate  constrains my wishes.  I would help all those in need - for compassion  is the virtue most pleasing to the gods.  (Mother, I hold to your precepts,  dissembling in order to become emperor.)  PALLAS  Agrippina comes.  NARCISSUS  And accompanied  by people of every rank,  Some weighty matter brings her.  PALLAS  Perhaps you know of it?  NARCISSUS  What it may be, I do not know.  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  (Agrippina made known all to me alone.)  NERO  (This is the day on which  my destiny will be decided.)  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  (Soon I shall reyel in her lovely features.) SCENE IX  AGRIPPINA  She goes to seat herself on the throne.  You who with love,  wisdom and strength  direct the I fortunes  of lofty Rome, to you I am come,  the unhappy bearer  of dread tidings.  My friends. Claudius is dead;  the treacherous sea,  envious that such a treasure  should be left onland,  has snatched it from us,  and of the throne of Rome  has made a widow.  She comes down from the throne.  Lei the authority residing in you  choose another emperor for the throne,  and let him be just, merciful and pious,  as Rome deserves,  and as my heart desires.  Quartet  PALLAS  Your son …  NARCISSUS  Your offspring …  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  … alone deserves sceptre and crown;  long live Nero!  AGRIPPINA  Long live Nero!  Come, my son,  ascend the throne.  Come, o emperor of Rome!  NERO  My soul rejoices within me.  Now I shall reign,  now I shall wreathe my locks with laurel.  Agrippina and Nero ascend the throne.  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  But what sound of joyous trumpets do I hear? SCENE X  Arietta  LESBUS  O joy! Rejoice!  Claudius is arrived  at the port of Anzio;  Otho subdued the vaunting pride  of the ocean, that wished him drowned.  Recitative  PALLAS  What do I hear?  NARCISSUS  O cruel heavens!  AGRIPPINA  Treacherous fate!  NERO  Is there anyone in the world so wretched as I?  AGRIPPINA  My son, do not allow the slings and arrows  of outrageous fortune to trouble you;  you shall ascend the throne  from which you dismounted.  (If ever cunning were needed,  let it now be employed.)  Oh what contentment, my friends,  is born within my afflicted heart:  Claudius is risen from the dead,  and risen with him  are the fortunes of Rome.  At such happy news  let general joy spring gladly forth!  CHORUS  Long live Claudius!  NARCISSUS  (Oh lost happiness!)  PALLAS  (My hopes are dashed!)  NERO  (Pitiless heaven, do you betray me thus?)  LESBUS  My lady, to you is come the valorous Otho,  who dragged Caesar from the ocean's maw.  and restores him to land.  AGRIPPINA, NERO, NARCISSUS, PALLAS  (Here comes the main cause of my affliction.)  LESBUS  (Swiftly I shall fly to Poppea, a messenger of love,  to reveal to her the feelings Claudius nurtures in his breast.) SCENE XI  OTHO  To kneel before you, o Augusta,  fortunate amidst misfortunes, I return.  No sooner had the Britains been defeated,  and while the sea yet bore  our great and swollen triumph,  than, still envious,  the ocean tried with storms  to plunder it from Rome.  Too weak to bear their loaded cargoes,  our ships gave way before the storm clouds  that shattered us between rocks,  and submerged us beneath the waves;  nor did the treacherous billows  respect the emperor more  than the common plebeian,  but dragged him down into themselves,  till all believed him dead.  But, thanks to kindly fate, in the general wreck,  my strong arm brought him forth from death.  AGRIPPINA  For such a great deed,  Claudius, Rome and Agrippina  are all in your debt,  and from the soul of a Caesar  the greater reward shall be more fitting.  OTHO  Already has a grateful monarch's reward  surpassed my deservings;  Caesar's benevolence  appoints me to the throne.  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  (Oh heavens, what do I hear!)  AGRIPPINA  (Caesar?)  NERO  (Alas, what anguish!)  OTHO  At break of day  Rome will marvel at her Claudius triumphant,  and he will then make known  to the people and the Senate  the honour he bestows upon me.  AGRIPPINA  An honour well deserved.  PALLAS  Then Otho shall be …  NARCISSUS  He shall be Caesar?  AGRIPPINA  (Over my dead body!)  NERO  (Alas, what jealousy I suffer!)  OTHO  to Agrippina  If you will permit, my lady,  I would reveal to you a weighty secret,  on which alone depends  all that is most dear to my heart.  AGRIPPINA  (Let us listen with circumspection.)  And you others may leave.  Confide in me, tell me  what is your heart's desire?  NARCISSUS  (Cruel heavens!)  PALLAS  (What a turn of events!)  NERO  (Alas, treacherous fate!)  Nero, Narcissus and Pallas leave. SCENE XII  OTHO  O Augusta, I love Poppea:  throne and sceptre I heed not,  if I am deprived of the adored one,  to whom my life is subject;  on you my fate today depends.  AGRIPPINA  Let feelings of love  for the admired beauty  then sustain your heart,  for mine wil be ready  to grant you assistance.  OTHO  O great and magnanimous  bestower of favours and of blessings,  how much, how much do I owe you!  AGRIPPINA  (Claudius loves Poppea, that I already know;  I hope that my plan willl not come to nought.)  Aria  AGRIPPINA  Right worthy are you  of the laurel.  (My heart meanwhile  is aflame with anger.)  For the one  who inspires your love  a gentle flame  burns in your breast. SCENE XIII  Recitative  OTHO  O fortune you grant me  the very summit of happiness!  To make me blessed,  love today unites the gift of the throne  with that of a countenance  both god-like and beloved.  Aria  OTHO  O flattering hope,  deceive not my heart!  Smiling fate,  do not change your countenance! SCENE XIV  Poppea's chamber  Aria  POPPEA  before the mirror  You precious pearls,  you choice flowers,  adorn my brow!  Increase the rarity  of my beauty.  To awaken love in men's hearts  I have in mine a ready desire.  Recitative  POPPEA  Otho, Claudius and Nero  have all revealed their passion.  Each one is flattered by his own ardour;  they no longer know  whether I speak the truth,  or deceive. SCENE XV  LESBUS  My lady, oh my lady!  POPPEA  (Here is Claudius's servant:  let love's deceptions and cunning be maintained.)  O faithful servant, what comfort  the sight of you brings me!  And what happy news  do you bring me from Claudius?  LESBUS  In his peril on the ocean,  worse than the loss of his own wife,  thoughts of you made Claudius wretched.  Each one called on his gods for help;  he called on Poppea.  POPPEA  Ah, dear Lesbus, I cannot find words  to describe the terribIe sorrow  which such a painful separation  brought to my heart.  Not a moment went by  but he was in my thoughts.  (My heart, well you know  what a liar my tongue is.) SCENE XVI  LESBUS  Then I am the bearer of happy news.  AGRIPPINA  aside  (That servant is here,  let's see what he has to say!)  POPPEA  And what is it, pray?  LESBUS  Alone, in silence and in secret,  this very night  will Claudius come to you.  POPPEA  (Heavens, what do I hear!)  But what about Agrippina?  LESBUS  Have no fear, my lady.  I shall keep careful watch  all around.  POPPEA  Whatever shall I do?  LESBUS  The hour is at hand:  he awaits me in the palace close by.  A single moment's delay  is painful to a loving heart.  POPPEA  Then let Claudias come,  but he must understand  that my heart, even if it is his,  is ever constant in its purity:  I welcome him as sovereign, not as lover.  LESBUS  I ask not that much: I go, farewell!  AGRIPPINA  (Fate seconds my wishes!) SCENE XVII  POPPEA  Why does dear Otho not come,  instead of Claudius?  He would be more welcome  to the heart that loves him;  but what one longs for  is always slow in arriving.  Aria  POPPEA  Love is a fire  that enters the heart.  But how? No one knows.  It ignites very slowly,  but then grows larger  and burns you up completely. SZENE XVIII  Recitative  POPPEA  (But herer comes Agrippina.  Whatever shall I do if Claudius arrives.  Ah, what a problem!  AGRIPPINA  Poppea, you know that I love you,  and care for whatever concerns you -  whether for good or ill.  POPPEA  (If Claudius arrives I shall cry on heaven to help me.)  AGRIPPINA  (I hope to see an end to this little intrigue.)  Tell me without blushing, are you in love with Otho?  POPPEA  Ah, Agrippina, I dare not say!  AGRIPPINA  Confide in me  your heart's feelings.  POPPEA  Then it's true, I love him madly.  AGRIPPINA  Then know that he betrays you;  aware that Claudius  looks longingly on your beauty,  he undertakes to do you a terrible wrong.  Giving way to the stirrings  of secret ambition in his heart,  he gives you up to Claudius,  in order that, as enthroned Caesar,  the joyous Capitol may today acclaim him.  POPPEA  Can all this be true?  AGRIPPINA  It is most true, I do assure you,  and to confirm what I say,  learn that this very night  Claudius will come to you  hidden by the darkness.  POPPEA  (Agrippina knows all about it!)  AGRIPPINA  Listen:  Claudius will be here soon;  let you prepare your revenge.  POPPEA  What should I do?  AGRIPPINA  Make sure  that jealousy enters Claudius's heart;  feign sadness,  say that proud Otho,  emboldened by his new rank,  insists that you not see Claudius,  and himself desires you.  To keep Claudius off,  use flattery and tricks,  and if he declares his love,  promise love in return,  weep, sigh, and beg.  Concede nothing, however,  until he first bow to your wishes.  POPPEA  That much I am ready to do; but if he yield,  the fruit of my promises he will want to enjoy …  and I here all alone and undefended …  How can I ward off so great a danger?  AGRIPPINA  Follow fearlessly my advice.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  There is something in my heart  which instead of sorrow  prompts me to joy;  but I accustom my heart to fear  the voices of pleasure.  Either it no longer listens,  or due to the mind's trickery  the heart perhaps believes them. SCENE XIX  Recitative  POPPEA  All heavens, what strange events  disturbmy peace of mind!  Otho, Otho, are these your promises, your vows?  Do you thus deceive the heart  which in well-bred resignation bore for you  the pangs of love? Do you thus betray  for vain splendour's sake the sincere loyalty  you owed me, and, rashly,  to satisfy your ambitious presumption,  offer me in sacrifice to your wishes?  Aria  POPPEA  Do what you will,  I shall not suffer  your mockery!  Within my breast  I shall awaken scorn and vengeance. SCENE XX  Recitative  LESBUS  The coast is clear. My lady, Claudius is here.  Fear not, you shall be safe: silence lies all around,  not even the sighing of the breeze can be heard here;  and I, Argus-like, will stand guard over your pleasures. SCENE XXI  Aria  CLAUDIUS  Once again I behold you in wonder,  my pretty eyes, my stars of love;  never tired of worshipping you  I offer in tribute my soul and my heart.  Recitative  CLAUDIUS  But, heavens, why so sad and upset,  with nothing to say to me?  What thought troubles you?  You have already witnessed  sincere proofs of my love.  Then why hide your heart's sorrow from me?  Speak, my dear, speak!  POPPEA  If you want me to uncover the reason  for the suffering within me, then know …  But, o god,  She pretends to weep  these heartfelt sobs, intermingled with weeping,  scarcely allow the words to form  on lips that have known bitterness.  (Revenge teaches me to lie thus.)  CLAUDIUS  Do not hide your grief;  you may dispose of whatever lies within my power.  Then ask what you will,  all shall be granted to you by my love.  POPPEA  Alas, then, that I am no longer allowed to love you!  CLAUDIUS  And who forbids you?  POPPEA  O god!  CLAUDIUS  Tell me!  POPPEA  I cannot.  CLAUDIUS  Who has tied your tongue?  Tell me, my dear!  POPPEA  Otho.  CLAUDIUS  Otho?  POPPEA  Yes, Otho, who, full of pride,  tries to force my affection.  CLAUDIUS  Tell me all; whatever do I hear!  The traitor!  POPPEA  A long time ago  he revealed his secret desires to me,  but to no avail:  my constancy in loving you  obliged me to reject him,  until at last he learnt to his annoyance  the reason of my firmness.  Now proud and haughty.  he boasts that tomorrow  his brow shall be adorned with the sacred laurel.  Boldly he commands, impudently he threatens me,  if I cast a single glance on you, my dearest.  Is not this reason enough for my great sorrow?  CLAUDIUS  Does he dare to make so bold?  POPPEA  Deprive, Caesar, deprive an overweening man  of the hope of reigning, and then you will see  the proud one sufficiently humbled  never to dare lift his gaze to me again.  CLAUDIUS  Leave it tome. Don't cry, dear heart!  POPPEA  Is that a promise?  CLAUDIUS  I swear it.  POPPEA  Then Otho shall no longer be Caesar?  CLAUDIUS  No, no, my dear.  This very night I wish to show you  the proofs of my faith and love.  Come, let me take you in my arms;  joined in a sweet embrace,  our love promises us yet sweeter pleasures.  POPPEA  looking around  (The moment of crisis is come: where is Agrippina?)  CLAUDIUS  Give your hand to him who loves you!  Delay no longer in bringing consolation to my love!  POPPEA  looking around again  (The danger increases,  and still no Agrippina.)  CLAUDIUS  What are you staring at, my love?  Guarded by the faithful Lesbus  are the royal thresholds. Come then,  my dear, assuage my desire!  POPPEA  (No sign of Agrippina. Ah, what torment!)  She turns and looks around again.  Arietta  CLAUDIUS  Come, my dear,  so that in a tight embrace  love may prepare  our sweet delight!  Recitative  POPPEA  (Whatever shall I do!)  CLAUDIUS  I understand!  A chaste woman sometimes wants the excuse  that she is taken by force.  Do not fight me off, my heart! SCENE XXII  LESBUS  running in  My lord, my lord,  we must flee immediately!  Here comes your wife Agrippina.  CLAUDIUS  Cruel heavens!  LESBUS  Do not delay!  POPPEA  (My, troubles are over!)  CLAUDIUS  Lesbus, lock the door!  LESBUS  There isn't time.  POPPEA  Ah, Claudius,  you're lost as well as I.  Leave, sir, if you love me!  CLAUDIUS  And be deprived of my pleasure?  LESBUS  No time for arguing!  POPPEA  (Agrippina arrives just in time to save me.)  Trio  CLAUDIUS  And when, my lovely, shall I enjoy your love?  POPPEA  Whenever you wish!  LESBUS  Let's go, my lord!  Claudius and Lesbus leave.  Recitative  POPPEA  At last he has gone! This very day  my happy heart will see the traitor punished. SCENE XXIII  POPPEA  O my liberator,  how much I owe you, and how eagerly  I await the results of your good advice!  AGRIPPINA  Hidden, I heard all.  Today we shall be two happy companions  witnessing our, rather than Caesar's triumph.  I embrace you, my dear. Confide everything to me.  Trust in my heart, which loves you, dear.  (This tangled web unwinds to a happy ending.)  POPPEA  Augusta, my very will depends on you.  AGRIPPINA  This soul of mine hangs suspended from your love.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  My heart exists only to love you;  I shall always be your friend.  With pure and sincere affection  I bind myself to your breast:  may trickery, deception and cunning  never come between us. SCENE XXIV  Recitative  POPPEA  If Otho has deceived me, and if the ingrate  spurns the sweetness of love for pomp,  the vengeance of my betrayed heart is just.  Aria  POPPEA  If something vexatious  wounds the heart,  love changes to fury  in the breast.  He who offends  neither loves, nor follows Cupid;  so the heart defends itself  from a momentary passion. ACT TWO  SCENE I  A street in Rome next to the imperial palace,  decorated for Claudius's triumph.  Recitative  PALLAS  So we have been tricked?  NARCISSUS  My friend, what I told you is true.  PALLAS  And what I told you is not to be doubted.  NARCISSUS  Let us then keep faith with one another,  as is needful in subterfuge.  PALLAS  If Agrippina mocks us,  we must use cunning against her.  NARCISSUS  Yes, yes, our pretence shall uncover her deception,  and whatever she asks of you, do you tell me straightway,  just as I promise to reveal to you truly  whatever she asks of me.  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  Let our right hands he pledge of our fidelity!  PALLAS  But here is Otho.  NARCISSUS  He that is to be Caesar!  PALLAS  Already he receives universal homage. SCENE II  Aria  OTHO  Crowned with the laurel wreath  shall I be, on the Capitol.  But greater still is my desire for the beauty I adore  than for either crown or throne.  Recitative  PALLAS  More than your triumph, sir,  today Rome honours your virtue.  NARCISSUS  The country bows down before your lofty valour.  OTHO  I would wish to own virtue and valour enough  to see Lazio's dominions happy,  her enemies overthrown.  PALLAS  But see, from on high  Poppea descends with Agrippina  to meet with Caesar.  OTHO  The goddess and queen of my heart is come! SCENE III  Agrippina, Poppea and Nero descend from the palace with their retinues.  AGRIPPINA  (Here is that haughty man!)  POPPEA  (Here is the traitor!)  NERO  (I behold my rival,  and feel my heart fill with anger.)  AGRIPPINA  aside, to Poppea  (Poppea, let us be cunning!)  POPPEA  (Let us be cunning!)  OTHO  Most lovely Poppea,  at last I may gaze in wonder  on those beloved eyes.  AGRIPPINA  aside, to Poppea  How treacherous he is!  POPPEA  (Thus he would deceive me!)  NARCISSUS  (How troubling is this sorrow within my breast!)  OTHO  Agrippina will already have told you  what lies in store for me …  POPPEA  I understand your wishes,  and what the fates have arranged in your favour.  AGRIPPINA  to Otho  I have told her of your desires.  aside, to Poppea  He wants me to excuse his misdeeds.  POPPEA  (Ah, the traitor!)  OTHO  That which Agrippna has revealed  is my heart's desire, and you will understand  that without you the pleasures of the throne  would be a penance.  NERO  Here comes Claudius.  AGRIPPINA  (He comes in good time,  to allow my stratagem to remain undiscovered.)  Chorus  POPPEA, NERO , AGRIPPINA, OTHO, NARCISSUS, PALLAS, LESBUS  To the joyous clamour of trumpets and drums  our festal day resounds on every side!  Rome cheers on its great ruler.  Long live triumphant Claudius! SCENE IV  Recitative  CLAUDIUS  upon a triumphal chariot  In conquered Britain  a new realm I bring to Rome  in fetters, and in vain, to frustrate the enterprise,  were let loose all the storms the sea can muster,  all the earth's monsters; since not even the powers of hell  shall prevent that which the destiny of Rome has ordained.  He descends from his chariot.  Aria  CLAUDIUS  Let the subject world itself  become the foundation of the Roman throne.  For what a happy realm  is that subject to the Capitol!  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  My lord, how my heart rejoices  to look on you! And these arms  which, when denied your embrace,  brought me such suffering,  make now a sweet chain of love.  CLAUDIUS  Lovely, Agrippina,  let me clasp you once more to my ***,  to this most constant and loving of hearts.  As a consort I embrace you, and as a lover.  POPPEA  Caesar, I too honour your great triumphs.  CLAUDIUS  I am grateful for your words.  aside, to Poppea  You know how I adore you.  NERO  I offer tribute from faithful devotion.  CLAUDIUS  My so, be sure of my love.  NARCISSUS  Your glory I worship in deep humility.  PALL AS  And the immortal fame of your triumphs  spreads far and wide.  CLAUDIUS  I am aware of the tender thoughts  of Narcissus and Pallas.  OTHO  At your feet, great Caesar,  behold your faithful Otho lying,  who from the ocean …  CLAUDIUS  What do you want?  OTHO  In faith, my lord,  I humbly await my promised reward.  CLAUDIUS  And you have the temerity to appear before me?  OTHO  Of what fault am I guilty?  CLAUDIUS  You are a traitor!  NERO, NARCISSUS, PALLAS  (What is this I hear?)  AGRIPPINA  (Very good!)  POPPEA  (Rejoice, o my heart!)  OTHO  I a traitor?  Who braved mortal dangers fearlessly  to pluck you from death? I a traitor?  CLAUDIUS  Enough! For your transgression  death is the proper reward.  OTHO  Heavens, what do I hear!  CLAUDIUS  (But to he who saved my life, his life will I give back.)  He leaves.  OTHO  Agrippina, come to my aid!  Arietta  AGRIPPINA  Expect no help from me,  you faithless,  treacherous man!  Dazzled by splendour,  was your vicious crime  not apparent to you?  She leaves.  Recitative  OTHO  And you, Poppea, my beloved?  Aria  POPPEA  Your beloved is the throne,  I am she no longer.  Therein lies your happiness,  and, for my part,  I am very happy for you!  She leaves.  Recitative  OTHO  Help me, Nero, for pity's sake!  Aria  NERO  Protected by the laurel on your brow  misfortune and ruin  surely cannot dismay you?  Even the thunderbolt respects  the foliage which today is chosen  to adorn your head.  He leaves.  Recitative  OTHO  I am destiny's plaything. Narcissus, my friend,  do you share the grief that encompasses my breast?  NARCISSUS  A friend remains true only as long as Fortune does.  He leaves.  OTHO  Will you at least take pity onmy tormented soul!  PALLAS  He who is Caesar's enemy, is also Pallas's.  He leaves.  OTHO  Faithful Lesbus, weep you with me for my grief!  LESBUS  Lesbus scorns to give ear to a traitor.  He leaves.  SCENE V  OTHO  O Otho, what dreadful thunderbolt is this!  Ah, ungrateful Caesar, faithless friends, unjust heaven!  Yet how much more unjust, ungrateful and unfaithful than heaven,  Caesar or friends, is Poppea!  I, a traitor? I, a monster of unfaithfulness?  Ah, heavens, ah, wicked fate!  Could any suffering be worse than mine?  Aria  OTHO  You who hear my complaint,  share my grief with me.  I lose a throne, which I despise,  but my beloved, whom I prize so greatly,  ah! what torment it is to lose her,  unmanning my very heart within. SCENE VI  A garden with fountains  Aria  POPPEA  How lovely it would be  to find my beloved innocent.  I feel an urge within me  to be merciful.  Recitative  POPPEA  Otho's torment torments me too;  I should like to hear his explanation.  But here he comes, sad and thoughtful,  perhaps to unburden his heart's bitter pain. SCENE VII  POPPEA  It seems that love is the cause of his suffering;  the better to uncover the truth,  I'll pretend to he asleep.  Unseen by Otho, she seats herself by a fountain, pretending to be asleep.  Arioso  OTHO  Pretty streams that, murmuring the while,  wind along your grassy way...  He sees Poppea.  Recitative  OTHO  But what do I see, o heaven?  Poppea takes her rest amid the flowers,  while I find no respite from my dreadful suffering …  Arioso  OTHO  You sleep, o lovely eyes,  and peace refreshes your heart.  Recitative  POPPEA  pretending to talk in her sleep  Otho betrayed me!  OTHO  Even sleep, o god! deceives you,  since you think me unfaithful!  POPPEA  Cruel deceiver!  OTHO  Tell me, at least, what fault  engenders your coldness?  POPPEA  Otho a traitor!  She appears to wake up.  OTHO  (She wakes; let me hear what she says!)  He withdraws to one side.  POPPEA  Now wide awake, she appears to talk to herself.  O illusions, still you disturb my peace?  You present to me as suppliant  the image of that unworthy traitor?  What could he say in his own defence?  Could he perchance deny that he had ceded  his love, all his promised faith, to Claudius,  so that Rome might see him a Caesar  on the Capitol's throne this day?  OTHO  (Heavens, what is this I hear?)  POPPEA  Tell me, unfaithful one, if you will betray me?  Imperial Agrippina shall bear witness to your transgression,  for your wickedness could not be so brazen  as to gainsay a royal tongue.  OTHO  (I can hear no more.)  Behold at your feet …  Poppea makes as if to leave, Otho holding her back.  You run from me? Stay, my dearest!  (Ah, what anguish!)  At least hear me!  POPPEA  I will hear you no more.  OTHO  Stop!  POPPEA  Leave me alone!  OTHO  Listen!  Take this dagger I place in your right hand,  and if you find me guilty,  then kill me, and I will be content.  POPPEA  She takes the dagger and points it towards Otho.  Speak, then, but be warned  that the punishment for your crime is already ordained.  If you have betrayed me,  you shall fall a mortal victim on this very spot.  OTHO  Unknown to me, yet understood  is the appalling accusation  that provokes you to anger.  That I would give you up to another?  That I would let you go, my very sun,  for a single ray of blind ambition?  Who could ever believe this, who maintain it?  For sceptre and laurel I care not:  my heart has always been turned towards you,  for your lovely face is worth a thousand worlds.  POPPEA  I don't know whether you are to be believed.  What I know was revealed to me by Agrippina.  OTHO  What do I hear?  That treacherous, wicked woman, the cause of my suffering!  Hear, o Poppea, how black her heart is.  POPPEA  Otho, now is not the time, nor the place secure.  Come to my apartments; I shall lay aside my coldness.  If you are guilty, I shall he merciless:  but if innocent, you will find me compassionate.  Aria  OTHO  I would have you just, not meiciful,  my darling, in judging me.  I am completely innocent:  if then you find my heart has lied,  I shall forgive your condemnation. SCENE VIII  Recitative  POPPEA  Of what a tangled skein of lies am I the victim?  Now at last do I perceive your impostures, Agrippina!  To *** from Otho Caesar's laurels, you deceived me.  The overweening scheme that tempts you to advantage Nero  is uncovered. I shall not give way to grief.  If I don't have revenge, I am not Poppea!  Aria  POPPEA  Deceived just once  I can be - but not more.  When it trusts, the heart listens;  but once deception is uncovered  it makes itself deaf, and no longer hearkens  to the one who lied the day before. SCENE IX  LESBUS  At last I find you!  Claudius, impatient to see you again, sends me to you,  requesting a private interview with you  in your apartments.  POPPEA  How shall I decide what to do?  LESBUS  Beautiful lady, he bold,  for the more ardent the love,  the more pleasure lit gives.  POPPEA  (Destiny offers me a fine opportunity for revenge.)  I accept Caesar's favour.  LESBUS  Then he may come?  POPPEA  Yes, let him come.  LESBUS  I fly to bring my lord such welcome news.  POPPEA  (Heaven assist me in my plan!)  LESBUS  Today I hope for a worthy recompense for my labours.) SCENE X  POPPEA  I put myself in no small danger, it's true;  but he who knows no fear has his revenge.  The desire to pursue it inspires me to a daring plan.  Now I would wish Nero here. SCENE XI  NERO  I'm here, my darling.  POPPEA  (Oh how propitious fate seconds my desires!)  Listen, Nero! You have sworn to me  the merit of your love and your faith thousands of times.  I was doubtful of your sincerity,  since men are wont to deceive women,  and esteem our frailty only to treat it with disdain.  NERO  Have no fear, my dearest!  POPPEA  To receive from you sufficient proofs  this place is not sale enough.  Come alone to my apartments;  there, if you can persuade my heart,  as love's reward, you may expect love.  NERO  Oh, my adored one!  POPPEA  Hush!  Do what I say, but be discreet:  love made public brings cares instead of pleasure.  (I hope my little scheme comes off.)  Aria  POPPEA  Against the weight of your love  measure your pleasure  and your hope.  If you heart is faithful,  it hopes for pleasure,  and your hope is well founded. SCENE XII  Recitative  NERO  Fate offers me  a pleasure I have longed for!  Today I hope to kiss that lovely face!  Aria  NERO  When a woman invites her lover,  love's pleasure is close at hand.  When she says: "Come straightaway,''  it's a way of saying: ''Come and enjoy yourself!" SCENE XIII  Agrippina's apartments.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  How you torment me, my restless mind!  May heaven aid my plans!  Let my son reign, smile upon him, you gods!  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  The scheme I labour for lies in great peril.  Believing Claudius dead,  too much I confided in Narcissus and Pallas.  If my stratagem is uncovered,  Otho has the mettle and Poppea the courage  to undo the damage.  Surrounded as I am by so many enemies,  now is the moment, my cunning wiles, to summon you up.  Ah, do not abandon me!  Aria  AGRIPPINA  How you torment me,  my restless mind! SCENE XIV  Recitative  PALLAS  Though my unfriendly fate  smiles not upon my vows,  yet your faithful Pallas's heart  is ever constant in your service.  AGRIPPINA  Then let it be constant  in continuing to serve me willingly.  PALLAS  And in what manner can I obey your orders?  Command me, my lovely one!  AGRIPPINA  Then listen:  Narcissus and Otho are my enemies.  I wish to see both of them dead.  You understand what a risk I expose you to.  PALLAS  In serving you, Agrippina, there is no risk  that is not transformed into glory.  But what will become of my love?  AGRIPPINA  You must hope, PalIas!  PALLAS  (This woman has the heart of Megaera!)  Aria  PALLAS  With a mild ray of hope  my constancy constancy leads me on.  So my heart seeks no more  than her faith and compassion. SCENE XV  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  My will does not despair of reaching its goal.  But is this Narcissus? Let's be bold! SCENE XVI  AGRIPPINA  Now is the time, Narcissus, to bring matters to a conclusion.  United, Pallas and Otho are our joint enemies.  If you feel love for me, and if you are courageous,  our outlook is secure.  NARCISSUS  What must I do?  AGRIPPINA  Kill them both.  NARCISSUS  I shall do all,  but what shall be my final reward?  AGRIPPINA  Trust me, and you may hope for everything!  NARCISSUS  (What a hard heart this woman has!)  Aria  NARCISSUS  Then I shall hope,  since these lovely lips tell me to, o regal one.  And if I hope to he happy,  such hope is reasonable. SCENE XVII  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  To bring peace tomy heart  I sow the seeds of war and hatred.  In Claudius lies the end of my labours.  Here he comes. Prepare to deceive him, my, heart! SCENE XVIII  CLAUDIUS  I come to gaze, my sweet,  on these rays of love from your beautiful eyes.  AGRIPPINA  I would I had  the mighty advantage of beauty  to recompense your love;  but where it lacks, my heart,  which beats for you alone, atones.  But, o god, an inner pain  stirs within my breast, tormenting me,  and bringing perturbation to my soul.  CLAUDIUS  What fear assails you? Reveal it, my dearest!  AGRIPPINA  I sense the very security  of your being in peril, and seem to hear  the clash of weapons on every side.  CLAUDIUS  And what bold upstart  could plot betrayal in Rome?  AGRIPPINA  Ah, my dear one,  Otho rages with indignation,  and makes known to all the grave wrong done him.  If one does not with all despatch  stifle a small flame,  a mighty, ruinous blaze will be born.  CLAUDIUS  What is your counsel?  AGRIPPINA  It is needful  to pIuck a poisonous root out of the ground.  Since Otho still hopes to leap onto the throne,  his arrogant heart will hatch schemes,  lies and stratagems;  he will seek out supporters  motivated by self-interest, and the common herd,  dazzled by gold,  will wish to see his brow crowned  with the sacred laurel.  Confound his schemes,  forestall his subterfuges,  acclaim a new Caesar;  at a stroke shall Otho be abandoned.  for all will worship the rising sun.  CLAUDIUS  But whom could I place on the throne  without fearing that, in love with power,  he would be ungrateful for my kindness?  For jealousy is the companion of authority.  AGRIPPINA  Do you believe, Claudius, that I love you?  CLAUDIUS  Of your love I am certain.  AGRIPPINA  Then grant my son Nero  be made Emperor of Rome!  He will be ever obedient to your wishes.  His respect for me, his mother,  will make his heart submissive to you, as a father.  CLAUDIUS  I commend your proposal, a wise notion.  AGRIPPINA  (Courage, my heart! We're close to our goal.)  Then do not delay.  CLAUDIUS  Let me think awhile  on this important matter.  AGRIPPINA  The danger is acute!  CLAUDIUS  I will do all, but leave me to …  AGRIPPINA  Ah, he who hesitates  is lost. SCENE XIX  LESBUS  aside, to Claudius  My lord, Poppea …  CLAUDIUS  aside, to Lesbus  What did you say?  LESBUS  aside, to Claudius  She awaits you.  AGRIPPINA  A moment's delay  puts you in peril.  CLAUDIUS  Doubt not, you shall have your wish.  AGRIPPINA  But when?  LESBUS  aside, to Claudius  Come quickly, my lord!  CLAUDIUS  aside, to Lesbus  I'm coming!  to Agrippina  It shall be soon. Farewell!  Another matter calls me away.  AGRIPPINA  No, no, you shall not go,  unless you first promise me this.  LESBUS  aside, to Claudius  Time presses.  CLAUDIUS  aside, to Lesbus  l'm coming!  to Agrippina  Very well, so be it: I promise.  AGRIPPINA  This very day,  Nero shall be emperor, seated on the throne?  CLAUDIUS  This very day.  AGRIPPINA  (I ask no more.)  Aria  CLAUDIUS  It is enough for you to ask  for me to give,  my pretty lips.  As soon as I see you,  my heart is lost,  my pretty cheeks. SCENE XX  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  Fate smiles favourably on me today,  provided that my beloved son is Caesar,  I can meet any danger.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  Whatever wind blow him to port,  no matter how fiercely threaten the tempest,  the mariner spreads wide his sails.  If my son reign, my one hope,  let the stars show however dismal an aspect,  yet will I look on unconcerned. ACT THREE  SCENE I  Poppea's room, with a facing door and two others, one on each side.  Recitative  POPPEA  I pushed dear Otho to the very brink,  but premeditated trickery,  planted within me a desire to avenge myself  by outwitting her who outwitted me. SCENE II  OTHO  Ah my Poppea! I pray you,  do not think me guilty  of this vile betrayal.  That wicked woman tricked me, when, at my pleas,  she offered sympathetic protection  to my faithful love.  I am love's follower, heeding naught else,  and to you, my beloved, I swear eternal faith.  POPPEA  And I, with whatever heart I have within me,  my dearest, accept it.  I have made ready the means  of our revenge, and if I was the cause  of harm, it is meet for me to repair it.  Now hide yourselfl here, and stay silent.  Doubt not my faith, nor be jealous  of what I may say or do.  For a little while you must suffer grievous torment,  which shall result in another's punishment,  and your content.  Aria  OTHO  I will be silent,  as long as you truly love me.  I will endure,  though your coldness  towards me be cruel.  He hides in a doorway behind a curtain. SCENE III  Recitative  POPPEA  I still await Nero and Claudius.  My, spirit has become impatient  to avenge the offence. SCENE IV  NERO  I arrive breathless, my darling,  to receive the reward of my true faithfulness.  POPPEA  I see full well in your delay  that ardour has not spurred you on.  That happy time appointed you  is already past; it is necessary  to delay the suffering heart's cure.  But, o god. I am afraid …  NERO  Of what?  POPPEA  That Agrippina may come here, and discover us.  She looks around.  NERO  My mother may come here?  POPPEA  And very soon.  But so that you may discern my feelings,  see what proofs of them I give you:  I want you to hide yourself here,  and wait till she leaves.  Then you will see how much Poppea,  her fears once set aside, loves and adores you.  NERO  How sweet the pleasure I feel in my breast already!  POPPEA  (My cruel torment grows moment by moment.)  Aria  NERO  May your dear heart's passion  make the moments pass more quickly!  For my love is already quite ravenous  for its satisfaction.  He hides in a curtain-draped doorway opposite to the one in which Otho is hidden. SCENE V  Recitative  POPPEA  Kindly heaven, second my plan.  I'm sure that Otho' heart is bursting with anger:  but he who loves must always suffer. SCENE VI  LESBUS  There is no one here, my lord;  love will heal the wound in your heart.  He leaves.  POPPEA  Claudius, you flatter me,  but do not really love me.  CLAUDIUS  What? Can you still doubt my love?  My dear, you saw what I did for you!  POPPEA  Tell me, then, what you did.  More brazen and daring than ever is he  who disturbs my peace.  CLAUDIUS  Perhaps the impudent man  does not consider the punishment adequate?  POPPEA  What punishment is that?  CLAUDIUS  Can one thrown off the throne  still harbour such audacity?  POPPEA  I do not understand, my !ord;  more than ever he hopes to ascend the throne.  CLAUDIUS  Could Otho harbour such effrontery?  POPPEA  Otho? What are you talking about, my lord?  Ah, Claudius, at last I comprehend  my fatal ill-luck and my misfortune.  She pretends to weep.  CLAUDIUS  You weep, my lovely? Tell me, what must I do!  Give me your orders!  As I promised you before,  the laurel shall he plucked from Otho's brow.  NERO  (If only I could hear what they are saying!)  OTHO  (I suffer this, and do not die?)  POPPEA  From Otho's brow?  CLAUDIUS  Yes, that bold man who lays down  laws for your love.  POPPEA  That wasn't, my lord, Otho.  CLAUDIUS  But who then?  POPPEA  It was Nero! Of Nero I complained,  who forbade me to gaze on you ever again.  CLAUDIUS  What? You said Otho!  POPPEA  I said Nero, my lord. You can't have understood.  CLAUDIUS  Nero? And all that talk of Otho's desire to reign,  to wield the sceptre and sit on the throne?  You have deceived me, Poppea!  POPPEA  I deceive you? My lord, perhaps you know not  that before you reached Rome  at Agrippina's wish Nero was raised to the throne,  and acclaimed Caesar? Or are you just pretending?  NERO  (Oh heavens, if only he would leave!)  OTHO  (The pain is killing me!)  CLAUDIUS  What strange things you tell me!  But did you not say Otho? Come on, answer me.  POPPEA  My lord, perhaps you mixed the two names up.  Nero and Otho sound mach alike.  CLAUDIUS  I don't know what I did; how confusing this is.  POPPEA  Do you still doubt me?  Trust me, and if you like. I will prove to you  that he who lays unwelcome siege to my heart  is Nero alone. What will you do then, my lord?  CLAUDIUS  Avenge you.  POPPEA  You promise me?  CLAUDIUS  I swear it.  POPPEA  Exactly as I hoped.  You will see whether my heart is honest or deceitful.  Come this way, my lord, and stand there.  Poppea leads Claudius within the central door, and then goes over to Nero.  NERO  (Has Claudius left?)  OTHO  (This waiting is unbearable!)  POPPEA  Nero, where are you?  NERO  I'm here, my dear. SCENE VII  CLAUDIUS  You presumptuous, impudent lout!  NERO  (Heaven help me!)  CLAUDIUS  Within the very palace itself, you arrogant boy,  you brazenly and indecently  insult the virtue of blameless maidens?  NERO  Hear me, my lord!  CLAUDIUS  Be quiet!  POPPEA  (Well and good.)  OTHO  (Rejoice, my heart!)  CLAUDIUS  Leave my presence,  nor ever dare to appear before me again!  As Nero leaves, Poppea approaches him.  POPPEA  aside, to Nero  Go to Agrippina, and tell her...  NERO  (Alas, cruel fate!)  POPPEA  … that he who seeks to deceive shall be deceived.  NERO  going  From her imperial spirit, you wicked creature,  await what comes. Agrippina knows how to have revenge. SCENE VIII  POPPEA  Now Claudius, what do you say?  CLAUDIUS  I am convinced.  POPPEA  Now the sincerity of my heart is revealed.  (I must be cunning to rid myself of Claudius.)  But Agrippina, alas, will let loose all her furies.  Nero runs to his mother in a temper.  Ah, I see myself beset by problems!  CLAUDIUS  Fear nothing, my dear; dry those eyes.  POPPEA  Your love has placed me in great danger.  This is not the time, o Caesar, my mind is disturbed  and bent on anything but pleasure.  Agrippina will soon be here: what torture!  CLAUDIUS  No, she shall not come.  POPPEA  Ah, leave me!  You shall obtain nothing from me.  CLAUDIUS  Then shall my love be ever unhappy?  POPPEA  First moderate the anger of your consort.  Make me safe from her fury:  then ask, and you shall know what my heart feels.  Aria  CLAUDIUS  I am the Jupiter of Rome,  and share my power with none.  Around the foot of my throne  flit the ambitions of others. SCENE IX  Recitative  POPPEA  looking around to make sure that Claudius has gone  At last he's left!  How sweet revenge delights the heart!  Claudius has gone. The trick has surely worked.  Now to free may darling from his unhappy vigil.  She opens the door where Otho is hiding. SCENE X  POPPEA  Well, Otho. what do you say?  You see Nero made a fool of,  and my heart have its revenge on Agrippina.  You see that I scorn the ruler of the world,  and for you alone, my darling,  live enveloped in love's fetters.  OTHO  Most lortunate fetters,  that bind us together in eternal knots  which, touched by love's hand,  make of two hearts one single heart.  POPPEA  Then can I place my trust  in your sincere faithfulness?  OTHO  I shall die a thousand times, beloved,  before failing you.  POPPEA  You promise?  OTHO  And join to that promise an oath:  may heaven rain down thunderbolts upon me, if I lie.  POPPEA  But if Claudius …  OTHO  I do not care.  POPPEA  Agrippina, Nero …  OTHO  I despise them.  POPPEA  The splendours of the throne?  OTHO  So long as I may clasp you to my breast,  all will I give up.  POPPEA  My love, I am entirely yours.  Aria  OTHO  So long as I may clasp you to toy breast,  my sweetest love, I am happy.  But without you, my own heart,  I am nothing but pain and torment.  He leaves.  Recitative  POPPEA  Then fold your wings, my Cupid,  to repose within the sweet nest of my heart  Aria  POPPEA  To enjoy faithful love  is true pleasure!  It brings the heart contentment.  Beauty's splendour has no worth  unless its source is a faithful heart. SCENE XI  The imperial hall.  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  Poppea dared do this?  NERO  Just as I told you,  she enticed me, invited me, welcomed me,  and then betrayed me to Claudius!  He was furious, she laughed, and I, terrified,  came running to you, mother, to save me  from Claudius's anger and the danger that threatens.  After all, he is your husband,  you my mother, and I your son.  AGRIPPINA  Ah! Rash Nero,  just when I am employing every possible stratagem  to raise you to the throne,  you pursue a blind and foolish love  to the very edge of doom?  NERO  It is true, I made a mistake.  But Poppea has now uncovered your stratagems and spoils.  "Go" - she said - "to Agrippina, and tell her  that he who deceives shall be deceived.''  AGRIPPINA  Yet not on that account  shall my hope quite wither away.  My son, smother this base passion within your breast.  Look on Poppea as an enemy.  Think no object worthy but empire alone.  She leaves.  Aria  NERO  As a cloud flies from the wind,  I renounce her despised face.  The fire now cold within my breast,  my heart has already loosed its chain. SCENE XII  Recitative  PALLAS  Was ever a wornan more wicked?  NARCISSUS  And what greater coldness  could be nurtured within a heart?  What shall we do?  PALLAS  We must reveal all to Claudius:  his goodwill towards us  exceeds that he bears to all others.  Let the accusation be forestalled,  and Agrippina excuse what we have done  NARCISSUS  In our great danger  your advice seem to me good.  PALLAS  But here comes Caesar.  NARCISSUS  This is a favourable moment  to advance our plan as you suggest.  PALLAS  Leave it to me, but back me up. SCENE XIII  CLAUDIUS  Agrippina, Nero, Otho and Poppea  trouble my peace of mind  in accusing one another.  Nor do I knew who is telling the truth and who lying,  to punish with severity the guilty one.  PALLAS  At your imperial feet, sir,  behold the unhappy Pallas fall.  NARCISSUS  To save his life, Caesar,  Narcissus asks for your help.  CLAUDIUS  My loyal friends, whatever may be the conspiracy  plotted against you, reveal it!  PALLAS  Meekly, and by way of exculpation, my lord,  I render the accusation, since from Agrippina alone  comes the threat of utter ruin upon us.  CLAUDIUS  How is this?  PALLAS  Before you reached Rome,  she placed Nero as Caesar on the throne.  She availed herself of out labours -  but he who acts through being tricked,  should not be held at fault.  NARCISSUS  Our belief that you had died is our excuse.  CLAUDIUS  Agrippina dared do this?  What Poppea told me is here confirmed.  Within the very palace lie my secret enemies;  yet fear engenders rightful suspicion in me,  and it the midst of confusion they are confounded.  You are loyal men, and my mighty arm  shall be your shield. Fear no more! SCENE XIV  AGRIPPINA  My adored husband, now is the moment  when I await the outcome of your promises.  Let Nero be crowned with laurel this very day,  and you shall see every rebel  prostrate at your feet.  CLAUDIUS  Not so fast, Agrippina.  AGRIPPINA  (He is angry with me.)  Your danger is now known to you,  and its certain remedy obvious.  My lord, why delay further?  Forthwith make good the imminent ruin,  stop your enemies …  CLAUDIUS  And Agrippina?  AGRIPPINA  (It's useless to pretend,  with Narcissus and Pallas present:  I shall have to brazen it out.)  PALLAS, NARCISSUS  (What a poisonous look Agrippina gives me!)  AGRIPPINA  From your tone I suspect  the malicious arts of your and my enemies.  Speak, then, speak,  what is the reason for your anger?  CLAUDIUS  Caesar will speak and Nero shall know.  AGRIPPINA  Ah! Claudius, I realise now  that a good deed can sometimes be a crime.  NARCISSUS  (What will she say now?)  PALLAS  (Let's hear her excuse.)  CLAUDIUS  You call it a good deed brazenly  to attempt to usurp my throne?  And, seizing the opportunity of my absence,  to set Nero upon it?  What excuse can you put forward  to justify your behaviour?  AGRIPPINA  A heart that's sincere does not make excuses.  What you say, my lord, is perfectly true.  CLAUDIUS  So you confess your error, you audacious woman?  AGRIPPINA  To save your throne and your life was no error.  How happy I am  that Narcissus and Pallas are here present.  NARCISSUS  (What steady nerves!)  PALLAS  (How cool she is!)  AGRIPPINA  It was falsely (thank heaven!) rumoured abroad  that in the fatal shipwreck  your very life had perished.  The army, the people and the Senate were already  minded to rebel in favour of your successor.  I foresaw that a proud spirit, raised to the throne,  with that aspect of novelty which always pleases,  would do great damage to our interests.  To ward off the danger  I had my son proclaimed.  He ascended the throne - but solely  to preserve it for you, my dear husband!  In defending your life, and maintaining your throne,  am I then an enemy, a rebel?  PALLAS  (How crafty she is!)  NARCISSUS  (How cunning!)  AGRIPPINA  Let Pallas and Narcissus bear witness to my deeds.  Did I not ask you to help me in my task?  Say, then, whether upon the news  that Claudius's life was saved,  Nero did not humbly dismount the throne,  and whether he, at one with my wishes,  did not cause the whole of Rome  to cheer at the very name of Claudius?  Let each of you speak frankly.  CLAUDIUS  Well speak up!  NARCISSUS, PALLAS  My lord, it is perfectly true.  AGRIPPINA  And who but my own son,  having once reigned,  and made proud by popular approbation,  would have resigned the sceptre?  In defending your very Iife,  in maintaining your throne,  and I then an enemy, a rebel?  CLAUDIUS  (Agrippina has outwitted me;  her own accusers defend her!)  NARCISSUS  (I am amazed!)  He leaves  PALLAS  (Her own crime brings her her reward!)  He leaves  CLAUDIUS  Of your loyalty and love, my dear, I have no doubt.  AGRIPPINA  But, dear god, I am certain  neither of your loyalty, nor your love.  I believe that I am guilty in your eyes  because your heart listens to …  CLAUDIUS  To whom?  AGRIPPINA  Poppea.  It pains me only  that her deceit is not apparent to you.  CLAUDIUS  Their reveal it.  AGRIPPINA  This woman, desired by Otho …  CLAUDIUS  Agrippina, you are deceived: it was Nero.  Ho there! Send for Otho, Nero and Poppea immediateiy.  AGRIPPINA  You will see whether I am lying or she guilty.  (I have already foreseen the outcome.)  CLAUDIUS  With such turns of events  I must know who resists my authority.  I want peace and tranquillity to reign in our hearts.  Aria  AGRIPPINA  If you want peace, my handsome lover,  chase vile hatred from you!  See in me, my worshipped and adored one,  love and loyalty. SCENE XV  Recitative  AGRIPPINA  (Here comes my hated rival.)  POPPEA  (Here is the shameless cause of much unhappiness.)  NERO  (Whatever will become of me?)  OTHO  (Heavens, what will happen?)  CLAUDIUS  See, Agrippina, your son,  that unruly boy, who dares to insult  the honour of blameless maidens  in the palace itself.  AGRIPPINA  You are deceived, Caesar.  CLAUDIUS  No, I am not deceived, he confesses his error.  Did I not find you hidden in Poppea's apartments?  AGRIPPINA  Heavens, what do I hear?  NERO  (I'd better say nothing.)  CLAUDIUS  His silence accuses him.  You can witness this, Poppea, sincerely.  POPPEA  As you saw, my lord, it is all too true.  AGRIPPINA  (Her schemes shall still be thwarted.)  OTHO  (How cleverly Poppea has had her revenge!)  CLAUDIUS  Such a blatant crime  should have exemplary correction.  AGRIPPINA  (My heart is still hopeful.)  POPPEA  (How I am enjoying this!)  CLAUDIUS  Let sweet ***'s illustrious kno  join Nero and Poppea.  POPPEA  (Whatever is this?)  AGRIPPINA  (What do I hear?)  NERO  Your graciousness, sir, quite conquers me.  OTHO  Behold, o Caesar,  Otho prostrate with grief!  CLAUDIUS  Henceforth be appeased,  I am disabused of your guilt!  I promised you the laurel wreath,  and Caesar you shall be.  AGRIPPINA  (I hear this and do not die!)  OTHO  I refuse the laurel,  for I care not for power;  all I prize is my dear Poppea.  If fate ordained that I should save your life,  in depriving me of my beloved,  you bring about my death  AGRIPPINA  Now see who it is whose soul is the blacker,  whether it be Nero or Otho that loves Poppea.  CLAUDIUS  to Nero  And you Nero, what say you?  NERO  I will abide by your wishes,  but my punishment is a double one:  to be deprived of empire, and given a wife.  POPPEA  And you have nothing to say to me?  Let Nero have all the sceptres, power and empires  that he will, I shall be none other's but Otho's.  CLAUDIUS  I wish to make a trial of your desires.  to Nero  If you give up beauty for the laurel wreath,  to Otho  if you disdain Rome itself for love,  to posterity, you shall be right worthy heroes,  of love, and of empire.  Let Nero be Caesar, while you, Otho,  shall clasp your faithful Poppea!  (My heart is freed, if she is another's lover.)  NERO, POPPEA  How happy I am!  OTHO  Grief no longer torments me.  AGRIPPINA  (Now that Nero is emperor, I can die happy.)  CLAUDIUS  Let hatred be at an end,  and let Rome greet the longed-for day,  that brings contentment and good fortune to all.  At Caesar's behest,  to honour this auspicious wedding of the lovely Poppea,  Juno, goddess of marriage,  in her magnificence attends.  Now she descends, and let Rome  entwine the laurel to Nero's brow.  Juno descends with her retinue.  Chorus  CHORUS  May the happy Tiber curl its waves  beneath the new laurel's glitter,  and may the god of love  disport himself gaily to the shore!  Recitative  JUNO  To celebrate the joining of Otho and Poppea  Juno descends from heaven to scatter lilies,  and from the bridal bed the happy goddess expects  new vassals for Claudius, new sons for honoured Rome.  Aria  JUNO  The starlight lights our torches,  which shine the more brilliantly  in honour of such faithfulness.  There follows a dance of Juno's followers.  Dance