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The Parthian prince Farnaspe
asks to be admitted.
Let him come and we shall listen.
My brave men, you offer me an empire
upheld by your blood as much as mine,
and not only I
should enjoy the fruits of our shared endeavours.
On the day that Rome worships you as Caesar
turn your lofty gaze, on which the fate of many realms depends,
on prince Farnaspe. He was your enemy;
now he abandons his anger at your royal feet
and swears deference and allegiance.
(You do not need to stoop so low.)
Rome is the mother to all peoples
and she welcomes all who would like to belong.
She honours her friends, forgives the defeated, and with supreme virtue
raises up the oppressed and casts down the arrogant.
(What insufferable pride !)
It is a customary act of Roman virtue I come to ask for, too.
The daughter of the Parthian king is your prisoner.
What of it?
Dry her country's tears:
restore her to me and take what I have in return.
Send for her father: it is for him I keep her
and meanwhile she will be our responsibility.
After the fateful battle we do not know our king's fate.
But if Caesar is so keen to guard her honour,
put her in her husband's charge.
What! Is Emirena married?
All but for the sacred ceremony.
(Oh, god!) But where is her betrothed?
My lord, it is I.
Prince, let the pretty captive choose her own destiny.
Come to her. If, as you believe, she still loves you,
then... (let me say it)
take her away.
On the lips that fire such sweet passion in you
hangs your fate,
there hangs your fate
(and my fate, too).
I am sorry for your torment;
I sympathize and feel
the pain in your heart is mine as well.
On the lips that fire such sweet passion in you
hangs your fate
(and my fate, too).
Farnaspe, did you understand what Caesar meant?
He is in love with Emirena and to me seems jealous of you
and trusting of her.
Could she love my enemy?
Before your very eyes I would plunge this blade...
No, I do not think so. She is my daughter.
Let me *** from the enemy
the one hostage who can make me tremble,
then let my rage run free.
Arrogant Roman, fear Osroa's anger.
I am defeated but not downcast,
and I shall never cease to oppose you.
The mighty oak scorns the wind's fury,
accustomed to the hardships of countless winters.
And if it does fall to the ground, it takes to the waves,
and by that wind itself stands against the sea.
The mighty oak scorns the wind's fury,
accustomed to the hardships of countless winters.
Ah, if I cannot warn Emirena by some ruse,
I am lost.
Caesar generously gives her back to Farnaspe, though he loves her.
And if he forgets that passion which I cleverly fuelled,
he will return to loving Sabina, whose image is engraved on my heart.
Heavens, where is Emirena hiding?
Here she is. To work.
Is it true, Aquilio, or am I too easily convinced?
- Is my Farnaspe here? - I wish he were not!
Why does my happiness distress you?
Princess, I pity your misfortune.
Ah, if you could see how Caesar rages against you!
Farnaspe asked him for you,
he told him he loves you and that you love him,
and has roused a jealous rage in Caesar.
Raging and threatening, he swears that,
unless you kill your former passion, he will chain you to his chariot
and have you dragged to the Capitol.
Be strong.
I showed you how to avoid this terrible fate.
Alas, what a trial this is!
Prince, is this the face you adore?
Oh, God! It is,
and in my sight it seems ever more beautiful.
(Be strong, my heart !)
Beautiful Emirena, see whom I have brought you.
I know you are more pleased than ever to see me:
speak the truth.
Who is this stranger?
- Stranger? - Don't you recognize him? - Don't you know who I am?
(How painful to pretend !)
I don't remember.
Lovely Emirena, what is this new way of greeting the man who loves you?
- Your Farnaspe... - Are you Farnaspe?
From your name I recognize you now.
I know how much my father owes to your valour.
I remember your many victories
and your qualities.
Forget me again more quickly.
Your forgetfulness offends me less.
How do I offend you if I speak of your qualities and my duties?
(Gods above, how cold she is! I'm losing my mind.)
Which of you is deceiving me?
Is Emirena pretending, or Farnaspe?
Either love or forgetfulness is feigned.
It is not I deceiving you.
Then is it I?
I know well the power
your eyes have on my heart.
One glance is all it takes
to weaken my constancy.
You would blush for shame,
your heart would be filled with remorse;
I could be deluded by your shame
and be filled with pride.
I know well the power
your eyes have on my heart.
One glance is all it takes to weaken my constancy.
My betrothed, Caesar, lord,
this is the moment I so longed for:
it has come and I am by your side.
Let me see you crowned by the laurel
that cost my love so many sighs.
- (What shall I say?) - Do you not answer?
Forgive me: serious matters call me away.
Aquilio, I don't understand.
And yet the mystery is easily explained.
Caesar is in love; she is your rival.
Merciful empress,
if heaven may long keep you for Caesar,
then pity an unhappy woman and come to her aid.
A kingdom, my betrothed,
my homeland and my father, I have lost them all.
You are not wretched.
I might have to beg you for the mercy you ask from me.
My chains...
Enough, leave me alone.
(Oh, gods, what anguish !)
Abandoned, captive,
I deserve pity, not unkindness.
You do not do your heart justice
when you spurn me so.
Do not place your trust in fate:
I too was born by a throne;
and one day you too
might sigh in chains.
Abandoned, captive,
I deserve pity, not unkindness.
You do not do your heart justice
when you spurn me so.
I weep !
No, my weakness must not be exposed.
But this terrible blow crushes all virtue.
I come as far as Asia in search of my beloved:
I find him untrue, at my rival's side; the sight of me unsettles him;
he barely listens to me and turns away:
should I not weep?
The very rocks might weep.
Those who can bear to see
their beloved by their rival's side and not weep
either have no heart
or do not know what love is.
Loving souls, if ever you felt it,
bear witness to my bitter sorrow.
Those who can bear to see
their beloved by their rival's side and not weep
either have no heart
or do not know what love is.
Fierce Parthians, the gods have smiled on our daring.
Turn and look on the ruins of the enemy's palace.
This small vengeance is some compensation for our losses.
How the fire takes hold
and balls of flame and sparks rise into the sky!
If only within those walls, now vanquished by the Parthian flames,
the Senate, the Capitol and Rome were all gathered together !
Osroa, my king!
Look, Farnaspe.
That is my handiwork.
- Heavens ! What about your daughter? - Who knows:
amid those flames, in Caesar's embrace,
perhaps she is paying the price for the wrong she did you.
Ah, Emirena, ah, my love!
- Where are you going? - To save her and die.
What ! An ungrateful woman who has betrayed us
- and forgotten... - She broke her word, I know,
but she is the woman I love.
He may lose his life but we shall stay alive to fight another day.
Put down your torches. Go back and hide in the place we know.
And yet,
despite my anger,
I have a father's feelings.
So I cannot go.
I turn once more to those walls.
Let me pay no heed to ignoble affection.
But perhaps my daughter is breathing her last,
perhaps, as she dies, she is calling my name.
At least Farnaspe might have arrived in time.
I want to know their fate.
Where shall I go?
Oh, gods ! People are coming this way,
the crowd is growing over there,
all Caesar's men are on the way.
Oh, my friend ! Oh, my daughter !
Shall I go? Shall I stay? What shall I do?
I would be lost and not have saved them.
But if you wished to take everything from me, gods above,
why leave me these weak emotions?
In one moment I freeze, I burn;
I am not afraid, am fearful; stand firm, surrender;
am determined, change my mind.
What a fateful moment this is for me!
Oh, gods! Who can advise my wavering heart?
My friend... my daughter... the kingdom... life...
But danger approaches and there is no hope.
In one moment I freeze, I burn;
I am not afraid, am fearful; stand firm, surrender;
am determined, change my mind.
What a fateful moment this is for me!
And no one can tell me if my betrothed is safe !
Aquilio, where,
- where is Caesar? - Let me catch my breath.
Where is he? Tell me.
- Here he is. Do not be angry. - Have you seen Emirena?
- I was looking for you. - Where is Emirena?
I seek her but have not found her yet.
Alas for the princess!
Do you care so little for your own safety?
Where are you going amid this tumult in the night?
Let the villain be revealed before you trust anyone.
The villain is already revealed. I know him. It is Farnaspe;
he is in chains: there's nothing left to fear.
- So the fool... - I'll hear nothing till I find Emirena.
- Farnaspe! - Princess!
- Are you a prisoner? -Are you safe?
It is hard for the unhappy to die.
Was it you who set that fire?
- No, but it is thought so. - Why?
Because I am a Parthian, because I am in despair,
because I was caught within those walls.
- What did you come for? - To save you and to die.
I may receive the last gift from the heavens,
but it is not your fate
to owe your life to my death.
You leave me to weep alone in my cruel sorrow,
cruel, unjust fate.
Alas, what will become of me?
How can I endure such cruel anguish?
Villains, my love, tyrant!
I wish to die with you.
You leave me to weep alone in my cruel sorrow,
cruel, unjust fate.
Alas, what will become of me?
Oh, dear anger,
oh, endearing rapture of love and of pity,
you make me sure that she is true
and lighten the burden of my chains.
At times the nightingale is heard
still happily singing
in captivity
if its faithful companion
responds to his song, to the sorrow
of his loving complaint
as he yearns for freedom.
He forgets the nest, all sorrow leaves his heart
and alone he sings out his sweet, old affection.
At times the nightingale is heard
still happily singing
in captivity,
singing his loving complaint...
...as he yearns for freedom.
Do you think I look good? How do I seem to you?
Well, what do you think?
I look just like a little cherub
turned into a peasant,
don't I?
Well, I think so. Don't swear to it.
But joking apart,
my dear Fulvia, today that thief is due to pass this way,
dressed as a Polish woman
and calling himself Strumpetta,
the man who robbed my brother and tried to take his life;
now I,
so he won't recognize me,
have dressed up as a peasant lad, changing my sex and the way I speak,
and you have to pretend to be my sister.
With these jewels and these fake gold chains
you'll be the bait to trap him;
our friends are already waiting for my signal.
But if I'm not mistaken,
I can see the rogue coming this way;
let's pretend to be asleep.
To a poor Polish woman,
good people, to Strumpetta
(this one's asleep and can't hear us)
give alms.
They're fast asleep; all the better for us.
Look at all the gold chains she has around her neck and on her ***.
I'm in luck ! See if you can undo one or two.
Could you hang on to this for me. I'm a poor woman
and have to go to work like this.
Hey, Faccenda, fine fellow, sneak up
and unclasp them.
Give alms
to a poor Polish woman.
Idiot, fool, coward, since you've run away
you could have taken with you the chain you undid.
Go back again.
No? Useless idiot,
I'll go myself and let me teach you how to steal.
Take a look at the skill with which I take it off.
Good day to you.
To Strumpetta,
alms, alms,
good people,
give alms.
Stop laughing, or I'll give you a slap!
If she wakes up now, there'll be such a commotion!
Take this and look after it.
Sister, look.
Give alms.
Ah, thief! Murderer! Give it back to me!
Tummy! You're quite right,
I'm pregnant.
You've taken a chain from my sister's neck.
You're mistaken. I'm fasting
and I haven’t taken anyone's snack.
For goodness' sake!
I didn't get that. Where are you from?
I'm a Parisian, I'm French.
What? You're French? I'll stay clear !
- Where are you going? - Don't come near.
I'm pregnant and I'm afraid the French will take my baby.
Come here.
No, monsieur.
What's your name?
I'll tell you who I am...
Are you called Ham?
- That's a salty name. -And yours?
My name is... a secret.
- I can't hear you, oaf. - Don’t take my loaf.
You grasping rogue!
Pass it to me, Faccenda, quickly, you pest.
This way, my dear friends !
Oh, no, I can't run away;
my tummy's too big.
Strip this old man and that woman there.
Oh, my goodness! Monsieur, I'll do as you say and strip,
but don't let the hands of indelicate rustics
sully my virginity for I am a maiden still.
Very well. My sister will strip you.
(I must pluck up my courage.)
- Ah, you scoundrel! - No one come near me: to the death!
Hand me a club !
Let me live, I beg you!
I yield and surrender.
Tie him up, my loyal men!
This is woeful !
Who are you who persecute me so?
I am Livietta.
My dear, for pity's sake.
I want to be avenged !
My love, why are you so hard-hearted to your faithful lover?
If you decide to come with me, I'll make you my bride.
Bride of a villain,
a thief, a murderer !
I can't see a difference between this and a woman, except in method.
- What ! - On a daily basis don't you politely
*** anyone who comes near you?
And why do you come to plague us?
That would really be something if we had to serve you,
to amuse and entertain you for the sake of your lovely eyes,
seeking nothing in return.
A glance from us is a charm,
a priceless gift.
The man who only wants to look at me
through the keyhole
owes me plenty.
Let him do so if he likes to: if not, he can go in peace.
Good luck to him and me.
And why do you come to plague us?
That would really be something if we had to serve you,
to amuse and entertain you for the sake of your lovely eyes,
seeking nothing in return.
You're absolutely right. Have you calmed down?
Calmed down? On the contrary, I'm even angrier.
Enough:
I'm going to send you to the magistrate!
Ah, no, please don't!
Don’t waste your breath.
I've made up my mind.
- Oh, God ! - I want you dead.
This is what I want.
Poor me! Who can I turn to?
Yes, to you, gods of the underworld,
Proserpinas, Plutos, Hydras, Cerberuses, Sphinxes,
tempestuous tempests,
thunderbolts, lightning and thunder;
and you, ill-omened
palm-tailed comets.
Fixed and wandering stars,
no moon and full moon,
halt on your course
to look at my tragic predicament.
Behold poor Tracollo facing doom.
I can just see the noose around my neck,
I can feel myself choking.
This is my last gasp,
my soul is in my gullet,
it's going now,
it's on its way.
Behold poor Tracollo
facing doom.
Now death is approaching me.
How ugly it is !
See the sort of face it threatens me with,
and from my head to my feet
it chills me
and makes me tremble.
Behold poor Tracollo
facing doom.
I can see the noose around my neck,
I can feel myself choking.
This is my last gasp,
my soul is in my gullet,
it's going now,
it's on its way.
Behold poor Tracollo facing doom.
You're fooling yourself to think you can make me change my mind.
The more you beg, the more you harden my heart.
What a savage nature! Is there no hope, then?
- The die is cast. - Cruel woman, is this what you want?
I go to my death.
I go, I go; have you the heart to see the man who loves you so
in the hands of justice, like a strangled chicken,
thrashing,
thrashing and trembling?
Go, go! I have no heart. I don't know how much
in the hands of justice,
like a strangled chicken, you'll have to thrash,
thrash and tremble.
- Please relent ! - You're wasting your breath !
- Forgive me ! - What a torment!
- My life! - Go to your death!
There's no mercy.
Such anguish, such cruelty !
- Do you have the heart? - Yes, I do.
- Relent ! Forgive me! - No, I shan't.
- My life! - No, sir!
- What torment ! Go to your death ! - Such anguish ! Such cruelty!
You really are quicker and prompter than I thought.
The fire has only just been put out and here you are in Caesar's rooms.
Oh, God, Sabina, you do me an injustice!
Caesar's love is not my fault; it is a cause of anguish to me.
I'm concerned about Farnaspe's danger:
that is why I have come here.
Must I see him perish and say nothing?
Farnaspe is my beloved after all.
Go: he is safe. Prepare to leave.
I shall come with your betrothed to the great fountain in the gardens.
Wait for me there before midday.
Will you come? I am so used to being thwarted by fate...
Here is my hand; take it as my pledge.
Such great happiness for my grieving heart!
How happy I am ! O generous empress !
Perhaps when Emirena has gone
my husband will return to loving me once more.
- Emirena, my love. (What have I said!) - Why are you running away, Adriano?
Don't deny me your presence, just for a moment,
then go back to your love if you wish.
What can I say when everything has me in confusion?
I know you are right to insult me.
But to what end?
I was in the camp when Emirena was brought before me.
When I saw her in chains, begging me for mercy,
bathing in tears my hand that she clasped,
looking beseechingly into my eyes so sweetly...
If you had seen her by me at that moment,
I would deserve forgiveness even from Sabina.
This is too much.
When was there ever greater cruelty?
Is this the reward I deserve from you? Savage!
False man! Liar! Ingrate!
Sabina, you have won.
I happily return to you.
- (Heavens !) - What are you saying? - That I am defeated,
that I surrender my heart to you.
- I don't believe you. - (A remedy is needed.)
- If you ever see Emirena again... - I shall not see her.
- But can you trust yourself? - I am determined
and one can do anything when one wishes.
The prisoner wishes to bow before you.
Let Emirena leave without seeing me.
Aquilio, take her this command.
Ah, poor princess, what will you say!
- What are you saying? - Nothing, sir. I run to obey you.
Wait. It would be better for her to learn her fate from me.
After all, what harm would it do
to hear her for a moment?
Ah, you are deceiving me
in giving me hope;
swearing to be true you betray me once more.
You cannot forget your new love.
You are restless, you sigh,
you go in search of her:
when you are far from her you feel you are dying.
Ah, you are deceiving me
in giving me hope;
swearing to be true you betray me once more.
Patience, my heart.
Although your victory is not far off this is not yet the time.
Caesar's love and Sabina's anger are fighting on our behalf.
Battle has been joined; but it must not be hurried.
The seasoned, wise warrior never wounds in haste.
He observes his enemy, waits for the advantage,
and is never carried away in the heat of anger.
He moves his arm, his foot, feints, advances, yields,
until the moment arrives that brings him victory.
The seasoned, wise warrior never wounds in haste.
He observes his enemy, waits for the advantage,
and is never carried away in the heat of anger.
I don't see Sabina here.
She told me to wait by this fountain but she hasn't come yet.
- Here is your betrothed. - Beautiful Emirena.
Is it you, dear prince? I can hardly believe it.
- At last, my love... - This is no time for tenderness.
You must escape.
Go safely to your homeland; may fortune watch over you
and love be your guide.
May a ray of friendly starlight shine peace fully on you
and take you to breathe again on the shore you love.
And may my fate change, too,
rousing in one heart
that pity which I am not ashamed to show to another.
May a ray of friendly starlight shine peace fully on you
and take you to breathe again on that shore you love.
Is it true you are mine?
I'm unsure and almost think I'm still dreaming.
All that remains for us to be completely happy
is to find my father.
How happy he will be to see me again!
- Stop! - Why?
Do you not hear a clash of arms?
I do, but do not know where it is coming from.
- From the very path we must take. -Alas !
We must not be disheartened.
Hide while I discover the reason for the fighting.
What will happen? Let fate not abandon me.
Now let him go and boast of his Roman trophies among the shades.
Where are you rushing to dressed like this?
We are avenged. Our land is free of the tyrant.
- Here is the lucky weapon that killed Adriano. - What !
The detested Roman was accustomed
to using this path to reach Emirena's room in secret.
One of his followers revealed the secret to me.
Gold found a traitor among these Roman heroes.
I lay in wait for him, disguised like this,
until he passed with his servant and then I stabbed him.
(Who is this Roman? He is armed and seems bloodthirsty.)
(If only I could see his face.)
Stay hidden over there. I shall hurry back.
Be quick or I shall leave alone.
This... No. That path... Yes, I'll choose this one.
- Stop, traitor ! - Gods, what is this!
Guards, block every path.
- I am dumbfounded. - (We have been discovered!)
Are you amazed to see me alive?
Your silence accuses you.
Take the villain to the darkest dungeon.
Stop ! Listen: he is innocent.
Princess, what are you doing?
Are you here again with Farnaspe? Can you defend the traitor?
He is not the traitor. Over there...
- Silence! - ...the villain is hiding,
the man who wielded the rebellious blade.
(Oh, God ! She doesn't know it's her father.)
See him, Caesar.
It's true, it is I.
Ah, father!
The Parthian king in Roman dress !
How many of you traitors are there?
Only I thirst for your blood.
The blow failed, but if you leave me alive, I shall make amends.
Villain ! You abuse my tolerance.
Men, take these guilty people
and confine them to fitting cells.
Emirena too?
Yes, the ungrateful woman as well.
Ah, such injustice!
What has she done wrong to merit punishment?
You are all evil enemies,
all of you must tremble:
you know this, traitors, and yet you still insult me?
How my heart is in thrall
to rage, secret remorse, love and jealousy!
Hell has no more furies to tear my heart in two.
You are all evil enemies, all of you must tremble:
you know this, traitors,
and yet you still insult me?
Father... Oh, God !
How can I bear to call you father when I am the cause of your death?
If you still have...
Go,
do not undermine my steadfastness.
You are right to reject me. Forgive me, father;
see, I am at your feet.
Leave me be, my daughter.
No, I am not angry; I embrace you,
I forgive you. Farewell,
dearest part of my soul.
Oh, terrible farewell !
Oh, bitter parting!
That embrace and that forgiveness,
that look and that sigh
make my suffering more fitting,
make me more guilty.
What you were to me and what I am to you
is keenly felt by my broken heart,
which measures its wrongdoing
by your mercy.
That embrace and that forgiveness,
that look and that sigh
make my suffering more fitting,
make me more guilty.
If only all my blood were enough
to save my king and my bride.
My friend, I was weak enough.
Do not conspire further against my fortitude.
Let my enemy blush to see me rise above his anger.
At the final moment
let him see me fall and still fear me.
The fatally wounded lion feels its life slip away,
it looks at its wound but is not yet cast down.
In its last moments it so roars, threatens and rages,
that in dying it can still make the hunter tremble.
The fatally wounded lion
feels its life slip away,
it looks at its wound
but is not yet cast down.
Are you not in tears,
don't you sigh, sad heart?
Overwhelmed by sorrow, are you silent, do you endure it
and not complain of your cruel fate?
Do you not, then, feel it?
No: this is the deceit.
Your very silence,
which leaves you stunned, makes me tremble and I rightly fear
that, when you come to, your torment will suddenly overwhelm you.
Turbulent and dark,
with no thunder in the air,
the sea seems silent and swollen
with not a breath of wind,
and those who travel on it feel their hearts race.
Hidden in that horror the whirlwind is growing;
that silence is a sign of the tempest to come
which rouses the winds contained within the sea.
Turbulent and dark,
with no thunder in the air,
the sea seems silent and swollen with not a breath of wind,
and those who travel on it feel their hearts race.
I see the sky is growing dark;
there's not a star to be seen.
The sun and moon are hiding away.
What will happen?
For what it's worth, shall I make a prediction?
There will be rain and thunder.
I'm getting a taste for this.
I wouldn’t want, by pretending, to really have to, as they say,
go completely loopy.
I need to be patient.
Only by this ruse was I able to cheat death.
I hear someone coming. Watch out, it's Livietta.
Right on time. I'll give her a taste of her own medicine.
Who's this?
It looks like Tracollo.
It is him.
But why is he dressed like this and out of prison?
Ah, Mars, Mars,
- I know what you're thinking but you're wrong. - What's that?
Either he's mad or pretending to be.
I mean to find out the truth.
My dear sir?
Don't disturb the discussion
that we’re having with the stars. What is it you want?
Nothing at all, sir. (I'll play along.)
Come over here: we want to comfort you.
What do you need? Speak out.
But before anything else kiss my hand.
- I'm happy to. - Do you know who I am?
- Unless you tell me... - I am...
I'm the great Chiaravalle of Milan.
And what are you doing in this dark and lonely place?
Compiling almanacs, dairies, calendars, chandeliers,
mountaineers.
And what is your name, charming nymph?
What ! Aren't you an astrologer?
- Yes, of course. - Don't you know, then?
Not at all.
The praetor does not concern himself with trifles.
Then I'm more of an astrologer than you.
- Why? - I know your name.
I just told you, sweetheart: Don Chiaravalle.
You weren't telling the truth. You're called...
You're called Tracollo.
I was, you mean: for I am no longer alive.
Yes, I am that man's shade,
which, unavenged, cannot cross the sluggish Lethe
and reach the other shore.
(He's good at pretending! Now I'll clarify.)
Ah, come, my cruel murderess,
and lead me to the realm of Acheron.
- Keep your hands to yourself ! - Silence,
and come, cruel woman. Without you
I shall never ever cross the Styx.
Here, here ! To the boat !
For the love of God !
- We must ! - Let me...
- Not on your life ! - ...for just one moment...
- You beg in vain. - ...catch my breath.
- I'm not listening. - I'm exhausted.
- Die ! - I'm dead. - Drop down dead!
Are we nearly there yet?
Still a way to go!
(I may not win her over but at least I'll get even.)
Who will revive me?
Help...
Be so kind...
I'm fainting, I'm dying.
Forgive me, my love,
don't be angry;
take my hand as a sign of peace.
I leave you,
farewell; my Tracollo,
don’t forget Livietta.
Ah ! Before death closes my eyes,
stern gods, if you are just
return him to his senses for a moment
so that he can better see
his vengeance accomplished
and my soul depart.
Forgive me, my love, don't be angry;
take my hand as a sign of peace.
I leave you, farewell; my Tracollo,
don’t forget Livietta.
Can I believe her or not?
Shall I approach or not?
Shall I soften or stand firm?
I'm afraid of getting entangled.
She's too clever by half.
On the one hand, that's true,
but, on the other, I feel sorry for her.
Her fear, my mistreatment,
could have made her faint.
I'm so tempted!
There's nothing else for it: I've thought it through.
I'll creep up close
and, if I see her make a tiny movement,
I'll go back to playing mad and not believe her.
She's not moving,
she's not breathing.
Her eyes are shut,
her nose is cold.
This might indeed be serious.
I'll call her: Livietta!
Dance a French jig on the grass.
She's still now.
Those tremors might be her last movements.
Poor girl ! Dead already.
She's dead.
Oh, my lovely corpse, lovely, lovely Livietta.
So, so, fa, fa, mi, so, do, do, re...
Ah, my Livietta, you're passing away.
But when?
Either hurry up and die, or get up and live.
I think I'm suffering convulsions, too.
That was definitely her last breath.
She's gone; no doubt about it.
I've squished her!
Wait, my love;
first hear my defence.
If I pretended to be mad, it was to save my skin,
and I never thought the little shove I gave you
to add colour to the pretence would ever lead you...
You rascal !
- How dare you! - I knew it !
I should strangle myself with my own hands !
Now I'll fix you myself.
No, stop !
I want to be the one to fulfil your wishes.
Since you want me dead I do not reject death.
I shall go on my own two feet and turn myself in.
You'll see. But first, let me tell you that I have
a huge stash of money under that tree. Take a look.
I leave it to you,
together with, listen everyone,
grass, boughs, flowers,
tigers, panthers, wolves, bears, boars, sheep and shepherds,
you are witnesses to my last request:
I leave you my heart,
token of my love; abuse it no more!
Tyrant,
tyrant, farewell.
He makes me laugh and feel sorry at the same time.
Listen...
What do you want?
Do you really love me?
What do you think? You must be the judge of that.
I wouldn't like to... Very well.
Here goes! What's done is done.
If you promise to change your life
and give up this wicked occupation, I'll be your wife.
- I swear ! - Be careful!
What for? I've said it now.
Very well, here is my hand.
I've come back from the dead. Blessed pretence!
- Will you be an honest man? - Honest as the day is long.
- Faithful to your wife? - Faithful as can be.
And you, beloved wife, will you be faithful to your husband?
Utterly faithful.
Like a dove staying close to her big dove mate
I'll always say, cru...
cruel boy, come to me.
Like a ram staying close to his beloved ewe
I'll be saying, be...
beloved, I'm coming to you.
- Oh, what fun ! - What delight!
The joy in my heart is turning me to jelly.
What ! Am I to leave?
Is he so blind,
is he so un just?
What is it that Adriano wants to punish me for?
He knows that you advised Emirena and Farnaspe to flee.
Oh, gods!
- Must I leave without seeing him? - Yes.
- When? - The ships are ready to set sail.
Such a command need not be obeyed.
No, this would mean ruin for you. Go, trust me.
You'll defeat him by not resisting.
I'll wait for the moment
to bring him to his senses.
- But at least tell him... - Go without another word,
I know what you mean to say.
Tell him he's unfaithful; tell him he betrayed me.
Listen, don't say that.
Tell him I shall leave;
tell him that I love him.
Ah, if at my pain you see him sigh,
come back and comfort me;
for before I die there's nothing more I desire.
Tell him he's unfaithful; tell him he betrayed me.
Listen, don't say that.
Tell him I shall leave;
tell him that I love him.
I plotted to have Sabina sent away,
and yet I'm distressed to see her go.
My heart, remember you will lose her if she stays.
She wakens Caesar's virtue.
You cannot endure it when your love is away;
but if you want to be happy, that is what you must endure.
Perhaps I could live happily in my torment
if I could ever make the woman I adore
faithful to my love, faithful to my heart.
But if she remains
close to the one she long has loved,
how can I hope for peace,
how can I hope for love?
Perhaps I could live happily in my torment
if I could ever make the woman I adore
faithful to my love, faithful to my heart.
- Aquilio, what did you achieve? - Nothing, sir.
I obeyed you and gave every reason for Sabina to remain.
She is resolved and wishes to go.
Now consider acting on my advice.
One sign from Osroa will be enough for Emirena to love you.
She spurns you in order not to displease her father,
and her father will consider himself fortunate
to regain his kingdom through her marriage.
Listen. And if then...
- No more indecision, sir. - Do as you wish.
What will the world say?
It is the law of nature to wish to live:
and I could not live in such anguish without Emirena.
- What do you want from me? - For the Parthian king to sit
and hear me out.
Osroa, in this world everything changes,
and it would be strange if only our enmity were eternal.
Peace, after all, is needed by the vanquished
and useful to the victor.
My peace lies in your hands,
as your life lies in mine.
You only need to speak and the princess is mine;
I need only wish it and you will be free and king.
If I am not wed to the beautiful Emirena,
I shall have no happiness or peace
and no life.
If it takes so little to make you happy,
I am content to have my daughter summoned.
Remove those chains from the Parthian king.
It is not yet time, Adriano.
I would en joy your gift before you en joy mine.
- Beautiful Emirena... - It would be better
- for me to explain first. - Indeed.
- What do you mean to say? - That all-consuming passion...
- Allow me to finish. - As you wish.
The friendly heavens put such power in your eyes
that our victor is enslaved
and hates life without you whom he worships.
So you can...
I have not finished.
This slowness is killing me.
I want... Hear me, daughter,
and engrave your father’s final wish deep within your heart.
As I die, I want to leave you to avenge me.
Hate the tyrant as much as I have hated him;
let this be your inheritance.
Osroa, what are you saying !
Do not be bound to him by fear or hope;
but see him in a permanent fury and torment,
raging with anger and wild with love.
Almighty gods ! He mocks me.
Let Caesar now speak:
Osroa has finished.
Caesar will soon speak,
seated on the throne.
He will give his due reply:
as judge to the villain,
as victor to the vanquished.
You scorned my forgiveness: you will repent too late,
in vain you will turn against your unwarranted rage.
Caesar will soon speak,
seated on the throne.
He will give his due reply:
as victor to the vanquished.
Alas, where can I turn for advice?
- Run, Emirena. - Where? - To Caesar. - Why?
Make him retract his command against your father.
What is it?
He wants him to go shamed and in chains...
- To his death? - No, worse.
- Where to? - To Rome.
What can I do for him?
Go, beseech, weep, offer to be Adriano's bride:
forget every obstacle, consideration, hope and love.
Let everything be lost, but the king to be saved.
Just now he ordered me to hate Caesar for ever.
You must not obey a command uttered in anger.
Osroa is dying while we think of saving him.
- Goodbye. - Let me speak.
- What is it you want? - Go...
Stay... Oh, gods!
I want her to leave me and I don't.
At least receive my final pledge in this farewell,
receive a pledge of my constant love.
My love, with those words you wish to tear,
to tear the heart out of my breast.
- Go. - I leave you.
Ah, listen...
What anguish ! Speak, my love.
Remember me.
Oh, God, perhaps dying
is not so bitter.
You did not speak the truth,
my love, when you said
that you were born for me alone,
that I was born for none but you.
At least receive my final pledge in this farewell,
receive a pledge of my constant love.
My love, with those words you wish to tear,
to tear the heart out of my breast.
- Go. - Farewell.
- Listen. - Speak.
Perhaps dying
is not so bitter.
I leave you. Farewell, my love.
My beloved.
Remember me.
Oh, God, perhaps dying
is not so bitter.
- Sabina, listen. -Alas !
Heavens! What do you want?
Am I, then, so hateful to you
that you want to leave without seeing me?
No, don't spurn me again.
You chase me away, you bar me from your presence...
I? When?
Aquilio, did Sabina not ask permission to abandon me?
Oh, gods!
Did Caesar not command that I should leave without seeing him?
I condemn myself whether I speak or not.
- Guards, take him. - Cruel fate!
And let my bride remain with me.
Your bride! When?
Soon. I ask only for a moment to breathe again.
- Caesar, have mercy ! - Mercy, sire !
- On whom? - On my father. - On my oppressed king.
Rome and the Senate will decide his fate.
Have you no thought, then, for Emirena, who weeps,
who will be your bride if you wish?
Bride?
No, I know her heart too well.
No, no. Her father’s hatred, her own first love are too strong.
As my wife she would still be my enemy.
No, Caesar, you are mistaken.
My duty will lead to love.
Revoke your order,
pardon my father,
with this unconquered hand, which upholds the world,
which I kiss and clasp and bathe with my tears.
Caesar,
I see and sadly all can see
that in vain you struggle to control yourself.
I free you from all obligations, I forgive all your offences
and I myself shall defend you.
You have a generous heart
worthy of a thousand empires! Great soul !
What exceptional example of virtue is this?
I am roused from the torpor that held me captive:
I am freed, I am myself.
I want everyone to be happy this day.
I give Osroa his kingdom and freedom;
I restore the lovely Emirena to Farnaspe;
I absolve Aquilio of his misdeeds;
and to you, worthy of you, I give myself.
- What joy! - What love !
What sudden happiness!
Here is the true Adriano.
Now I recognize him.
Caesar, let your name
thus resound for ever in the heavens;
and let us inscribe on white stone
this auspicious day.