"My Dorabella is incapable of such a thing." "Heaven created her as faithful as she is beautiful." "My Fiordiligi would never betray me." "Her constancy is as great as her beauty." "My hair is already grey, I speak with authority." "But let us finish these arguments now." "No, you said they could be unfaithful." "Prove it, if you are an honest man." " Forget about proof." " No, no, we want proof." "Or else draw your sword" "and we'll end this friendship." " This is sheer madness!" " He who lets fall from his lips" "one word that harms her cuts me to the quick." "Trying to find that evil which, when found, makes us unhappy." "Draw your sword and choose your adversary!" "I'm a man of peace and refuse duels, except at table." "Fight, or tell us right now why you think our sweethearts capable of infidelity." "Sweet naivety, how charming you are." "Stop joking, or I swear by heaven..." "And I swear by earth I am not joking, my friends." "Just tell me what kind of creatures these beauties of yours are." "Are they, like us, made of flesh, bones and skin?" "Do they eat like us?" "Do they wear petticoats?" "In short, are they goddesses or women?" "They're women." "But such women...!" "And you claim they're faithful?" "How charming you are, naivety!" "Fidelity in women is like the Arabian phoenix." "Everyone says it exists but where," "nobody knows." " Dorabella is the phoenix." " Fiordiligi is the phoenix." "It is not one nor the other." "It never existed and never will." " Poets' nonsense!" " Old men's ramblings!" "All right, listen." "But without losing your temper." "What proof do you have of your lovers' fidelity?" "What makes you so sure their hearts are true?" " Long experience!" " Noble education!" " Lofty thoughts!" " Similarity of temperament!" " Unselfishness!" " Constancy." " Promises!" " Protests." "Tears and sighs, caresses and swooning..." " Permit me to laugh!" " Enough!" "Stop mocking us!" "One moment..." "What if I could prove to you they are like all the rest?" " Impossible!" " No!" "Let's bet on it." " A hundred gold pieces." " A thousand." " Shake on it?" " Absolutely!" "You swear not a word of this will reach your Penelopes?" " We swear it." " On your honour?" "As soldiers!" "You'll do everything I tell you?" " Everything." " Good men!" "Excellent Don Alfonso!" "We shall amuse ourselves at your expense." "And what shall we do with a hundred gold pieces?" "I shall give a beautiful serenade." "to my wonderful goddess." "In honour of my Venus, I shall throw a great banquet." "Will I be invited too?" "Of course you'll be there!" "And we shall raise many a glass in honour of the god of love!" "Oh look, sister... ls a more beautiful mouth or a nobler face" "to be found anywhere?" "Just look here a moment, see the fire flashing in his eyes!" "See how flaming arrows seem to shoot from them!" "Here you can see features both virile and loving!" "Here you can see a face that both enchants" "and threatens." "I am so happy!" "If ever my heart should change its affections," "may Love" "make me suffer to the end of my days." "I'm in the mood to do something mad this morning." "I can feel a certain fire, a tingling in my veins." "When Guglielmo comes, he'll be in for a surprise!" "I also feel something unusual in my soul." "I'd swear that marriage isn't far away." "Give me your hand, I'll tell your fortune." "Oh, what a lovely M!" "And here's an S." "Splendid:" "Marriage Soon!" " How I'd love that!" " I'd like that too." "But why are our fiancés so late in coming?" " It's gone 6." " Here they are!" " It's gone 6." " Here they are!" "No it isn't." "It's their friend Don Alfonso." "Welcome, Don Alfonso." "My respects." "Why are you alone?" "You're weeping?" "Speak, for pity's sake!" "What has happened?" " My beloved..." " My darling..." "Cruel fate!" "I haven't the heart to tell you." "My lips can only stammer, the words won't come, they stick in my throat." "What will you do?" "What shall I do?" "Oh, calamity!" "Things couldn't be worse!" "I'm sorry for you and for them!" "For pity's sake, Don Alfonso, don't make us die of suspense." "You must try to be steadfast, my children." "Oh, heavens!" "What dreadful thing has happened?" "ls my beloved dead?" " ls mine dead?" " Neither is dead, but as good as dead." "Are they wounded?" " Are they sick?" " Not even that." " What then?" " Summoned to the battlefield" " by royal command." " Alas, what do I hear?" " When do they go?" " At once." " Can we not prevent this?" " No." "Nor say farewell?" "The poor men dare not face you." "But if you wish, they will." " Where are they?" " Come in, my friends." "Oh heavens, I feel that my feet" "are reluctant to approach you." "My lips are trembling and cannot pronounce a word." "It is in the direst moments that the hero shows his courage." "Now that we have heard the news," "only one small thing remains to be done." "Summon up your courage and into our hearts plunge your blades!" "My love, fate is to blame" "for my having to leave you." " Ah no, do not go!" " You shall not go!" "I'll tear out my heart first!" "I'll die at your feet first!" " What do you say to that?" " Do you see that?" "Steady, my friend." ""He who laughs last..."" "Thus fate cheats" "mortal men of their hopes." "Ah, in the midst of such misfortune, who could ever love life?" "Don't cry, my darling!" "Don't despair, my beloved!" "Let them express themselves freely, they have every reason to cry." " Who knows if we shall meet again!" " Who knows if you will return!" "Leave me this sword." "Let it grant me death, if ever cruel fate in that breast so dear to me..." "I would die of grief, I need no sword." "My love, do not make such gloomy predictions." "The gods will protect the peace of your heart along with my life." "Fate is governed by those pretty eyes." "Love protects them, and heartless stars" "dare not disturb their rest." "My dearest, turn your serene eyes towards me." "I hope that, happily, I shall return to your arms." "The comedy is delightful, both are playing their part well." "Oh, heavens!" "That is the deadly drum which comes to snatch me from my beloved." "My friends, there is the ship." "I am fainting!" "I am dying!" "How wonderful is the life of a soldier!" "Every day a different place." "Much today, little tomorrow." "Either on land, or on sea." "The clamour of trumpets and pipes, the thunder of canons and bombs" "strengthens the arm and urges the spirit on to victory!" "How wonderful is the life of a soldier!" "There is no more time, you must go where destiny or duty calls you." " My dearest!" " My darling!" " My love!" " My life!" "Ah, for one single moment..." "Your regiment's ship has sailed." "You can go to join ship with friends who await in a fishing boat." "Embrace me, my beloved!" "I am dying of sorrow!" "Promise me you will write to me every day!" "Write to me twice a day, if you can." " Do not doubt it, my love!" " Of course I will, my darling!" "I shall burst if I don't laugh!" "Be faithful to me alone!" "Be true to me, as you promised!" "Farewell!" "My heart is breaking in two," "my dearest love!" "I shall burst if I don't laugh!" "Where are they?" "They've gone." "Oh, the cruel bitterness of parting!" "Take heart, dear children." "Look, in the distance your lovers are waving to you." "Bon voyage, my darling!" "Bon voyage!" "Heavens!" "How swiftly that ship is sailing." "It's disappearing already!" "It's out of sight!" "May heaven protect it on its way." "May good luck attend it to the battlefield!" "And may your lovers and my friends be safe!" "May the wind be gentle, may the sea be calm," "and may the elements respond kindly" "to our wishes." "I'm not a bad actor!" "All is going well." "The champions of Venus and Mars will be waiting for me." "I must go and meet them now, without delay." "What grimaces, what buffoonery!" "All the better for me, they'll fall more easily." "They are the kind most likely to be capricious in their affections." "Poor fellows!" "Staking a hundred gold pieces on women!" ""He ploughs the sea and sows in the sand." ""And in the nets of the wanton wind," ""he hopes he will catch" ""the heart of a woman."" "What a lousy life a lady's maid leads!" "From morning till night we sweat and we toil and after it all we get nothing for ourselves!" "I've been beating the chocolate for half an hour now." "Must I stand here and smell it with a dry mouth?" "Isn't my mouth just like yours?" "Oh, gracious ladies, why should you get the real thing and I only the smell?" "By Jove, I shall taste it!" "How good it is!" "Heavens, someone's coming." "It's my mistresses!" "Here is your collation." "Oh dear, what can the matter be?" " What's happened?" " The sword..." " Where is the poison?" " My ladies!" "Out of my way!" "Beware the sad consequence of a desperate love!" "Close those windows." "I hate the light, I hate the air that I breathe!" "I hate myself." "Who mocks my grief?" "Who consoles me?" "Flee, for pity's sake!" "Leave me alone!" "Implacable desires that are tearing my soul, stay with me until my anguish makes me die." "If I remain alive I will show the Furies a miserable example of fatal love with the horrible sound of my sighing." "Miss Dorabella," "Miss Fiordiligi, tell me what's happened." "A dreadful misfortune!" "Quick, tell me!" "Our lovers have left Naples." "Is that all?" "They'll come back." " Who knows?" " What do you mean?" " Where have they gone?" " To battle." "So much the better, they'll return laden with laurels." "But they could die there!" "All the better for you!" " Stupid girl!" " It's the simple truth." "There are plenty more fish in the sea." "If I lost Guglielmo, I think I'd die!" "If I lost Ferrando," "I think I'd go and bury myself alive!" "That's what you think, but it's not true." "There's never yet been a woman who died of love." "Dying for a man!" "There are others to make up for it!" "Let's not talk of that, they're still alive and they'll come back." "But instead of wasting your time crying, think how you can amuse yourselves." " Amuse ourselves?" " Surely." "And even better, make love like the devil, just as your dear lovers will be doing at the front." "Do not insult such splendid souls, paragons of pure love and faithfulness!" "Come on!" "The days of nursery tales are long gone." "You think men and soldiers" "will be faithful?" "Don't let anyone hear you, please!" "They're all made of the same stuff." "The fickle leaves, the inconstant winds are more stable than men." "Crocodile tears, false glances," "insincere voices, unfaithful caresses, these are their fundamental qualities." "They love us for their own pleasure." "Then they despise us and deny us love." "We may as well ask barbarians for mercy!" "Let us pay back in their own coin the pernicious, impertinent race of men!" "Let us love for pleasure and vanity!" "How silent it is!" "What an air of sadness pervades these rooms!" "Poor girls!" "It's not really their fault." "We must console them while the two gullible lovers go to disguise themselves." "Let us see what we can do." "I worry a little about Despina." "The cunning minx might recognise them and upset all our plans." "If a timely little present is required, a gold coin would work wonders." "But just to be sure," "I could let her into the secret bit by bit." "It's an excellent idea." "This is her room." " Despinetta!" " Who's knocking?" " My dear Despina, I need you." " But I don't need you." "It's for your own good." "An old man like you can't do anything for a young girl." " Speak softly, and look." " Is that for me?" " Yes, if you're good to me." " What do you want?" "I've a weakness for gold." "Take this and listen." "Your mistresses have lost their lovers." " I know." " You must know they are weeping." " I know everything." " Well then, to console them and to push one nail out with another, so to speak, if you could introduce to them two charming gentlemen" "who seek..." "I see you understand me." "You'll get a tip of twenty crowns if you succeed." "Your idea appeals to me." "But with these silly girls..." "Enough, listen." "Are they young?" "Are they handsome?" "And above all, do your suitors have plenty of money?" "They have everything discerning ladies could wish for." " Like to see?" " Where?" "Here." "May I bring them in?" "I'd say so." "May I present the lovely Despinetta, my dear friends." "Your heart's consolation depends on her alone." "By this hand, which I kiss with delight, by those eyes so full of charm, may the beautiful eyes of my beloved" "look serenely upon me." "How strange they look!" "What clothes!" "How odd they are!" "What moustaches!" "I don't know whether they are Walachians or Turks." "What do you think of their looks?" "To be honest, they've both got such unusual faces, it's enough to dampen anyone's ardour." "Now the matter is quite certain." "If she doesn't recognise us, there's nothing more to fear." " Despina!" " My mistresses!" "Now is the time!" "Play your cards well." "I'll hide in here." "Worthless, impertinent girl!" "What are you doing here with such people?" "Send them away at once or both you and they will be sorry." "Ah, ladies, forgive us!" "See at your beautiful feet two wretches languishing, burning with passion for your perfection." "Good heavens!" "What do I hear?" "What unworthy creature is behind such a monstrous outrage?" "Oh, calm your indignation!" "I cannot hold back!" "My soul is filled with terror and scorn!" "What delightful rage!" "I'm a little suspicious of all this rage and fury!" "Ah!" "Forgive me, my darling, but my heart is innocent." "What noise!" "What a fuss!" "What confusion!" "Have you gone raving mad?" "Do you want to wake the neighbours?" "What has happened?" "Oh heavens, look!" "Men in our house!" " What's wrong with that?" " What's wrong?" "Today of all days?" "After such a tragic event?" "Heavens!" "Am I dreaming or am I awake!" "My friends!" "My dearest friends!" "You, here?" "How?" "Why?" "When?" "How on earth?" "Goodness, how happy I am!" "Play up to me." " Don Alfonso, my friend!" " My dear friend!" "What a lovely surprise!" " You know them?" " Do I know them!" "They are my dearest friends and they will be your friends too." "What are they doing in my house?" "At your feet are two criminals, two reprobates, my dear ladies!" " Love..." " Heavens!" "What do I hear?" "Love, this god, this all-powerful god, led us here to you." "No sooner had we glimpsed the light from your shining eyes..." "Than, attracted by the bright sparks..." "Like amorous, suffering moths..." " We came flying before you..." " Beside you and behind you..." "To implore your pity" "in plaintive verse!" " Heavens!" "What impudence!" " Sister, what shall we do?" "Reckless men!" "Leave this place at once!" "And do not let the foul breath of your scandalous words sully our hearts, our ears and our affections." "It is futile for you or any other to try and seduce our hearts." "And the steadfast faith that we have already given" "to our dear lovers, we shall preserve intact" "even until death," "despite the world and destiny!" "Just as a rock" "stands unyielding" "against the winds and the storms," "so this soul will always be strong" "in its fidelity and its love." "In us a torch is kindled that both delights us and consoles," "and only death" "can make us change our affections." "So, hard-hearted men," "honour this example of fidelity." "And may no more uncouth hopes make you any bolder." " Do not go!" " Ah, cruel women, stay!" " Well?" " Wait!" "Please, girls, don't make me look so silly." " And what do you want?" " Nothing!" "But it seems to me a little kindness..." "After all, they are gentlemen and friends of mine." "What?" "Do I have to listen..." "To our sufferings, and have pity on them!" "The heavenly beauty of your eyes opened in ours a wound so deep it can only be healed by the balm of love." "Open your hearts for a moment, my lovely, to its sweet light." "And you will see two faithful lovers breathing their last." "Do not be shy, pretty little eyes." "Send over here two tender lights." "Make us happy, love us in return." "And we, in turn, will make you the happiest of women." "Look, touch, take note of all you see." "We're two lovable madmen, we're strong and well-built." "And as anyone can see, whether by merit or by chance, we have nice feet, nice noses and nice eyes." "Look, nice feet." "Observe, nice eyes." "Touch, nice noses!" "Take note of all you see." "And these moustaches can surely be called the triumphs of men, the plumage of love!" " And you're laughing?" " Of course!" " What's wrong?" " We know already." " Laugh quietly." " Don't waste your breath." "They'll recognise you." "All will be spoiled." " I'm bursting with laughter!" " Their laughing makes me laugh!" "But I know it'll all end in tears." "My belly hurts!" "And may one know why you laugh so?" "For goodness' sake, don't you think we have good reason?" "How much will you pay?" "Does the bet still stand?" " Pay half of it." " Just pay" " twenty-four gold pieces." " Poor little innocents!" "Come, I'll show you how to suck your thumb." "Do you still have the nerve to speak?" " We'll talk about it this evening." " Whenever you wish." "Meanwhile, keep mum, and obey me till tomorrow morning." "We're soldiers, we enjoy discipline." "Then go and wait for me in the little garden." "I'll send you my orders there." "And don't we eat today?" "Does it matter?" "When the battle is over, dinner will be all the more delicious." "A breath of love from our dear treasures" "will be sweet refreshment to our hearts." "Our hearts, which, nourished on hopes and love," "have no need of further enticement." "It's enough to make you laugh." "There are so few constant women in the world and here are two of them!" "Maybe it's not much..." "Come here, my child, and tell me." "What are your mistresses doing and where?" "My poor mistresses are in the garden, moaning to the flies and the breeze about lost lovers." "How will this turn out?" "Will they come to see reason?" "I would." "Where they weep, I'd laugh." "Fancy choking with despair just because your lover goes away!" "What madness!" "If one left, I'd find two more." "What is love, after all?" "Pleasure, convenience, taste, delight, amusement, pastime, enjoyment." "It's no longer love when it becomes inconvenient, when pleasure turns to pain and torment." " But those silly girls..." "Them?" "They'll do our bidding." "Leave everything to me." "When Despina takes charge, things don't go wrong." "I've led thousands of men by the nose." "I can manage two women." "Are they rich, these two gentlemen?" " Very rich!" " Where are they?" "Outside, waiting for me." "Go now and bring them to me by the side entrance." "I'll be waiting for you in my room." "Provided you do everything I tell you, before tomorrow your friends will taste victory." "They'll get the pleasure and I'll get the glory!" "In but a moment my destiny has changed!" "What a sea of torment life has now become for me!" "As long as the stars allowed my dearest love to stay with me," "I did not know suffering," "nor what it was to languish." "Let us die to appease their unkindness." "There's still hope." "Don't do it!" "Heavens!" "What terrible cries!" " Let me go!" " Wait." "Let arsenic deliver me from such cruelty!" " Heavens, was that poison?" " True poison that, in a few instants, will rob them of life." "This tragic spectacle freezes my heart!" "Draw near, cruel ones." "Witness the tragic outcome of a desperate love and at least have pity!" "The sun's rays turn to darkness for me." "I tremble, and my whole being seems to me to falter." "Neither my lips nor my tongue can utter a word!" "As these poor men are so close to death, at least try to show them a little pity." "Come quickly, everyone!" "Heavens, no one hears us!" " Despina!" " Who is calling me?" " Despina!" " What do I see?" "I think the poor things are dead, or on the point of dying!" "Unfortunately it's true!" "Crazed with despair, they poisoned themselves!" "What extraordinary love!" "It would be shameful to abandon these poor creatures." " You must bring them relief!" " What can we do?" "There are still signs of life." "Support them a little with merciful hands." "And you and I will fetch a doctor and an antidote." "My God, what a trial!" "A prettier comedy couldn't be found!" "A worse disaster couldn't be imagined!" "The poor things are sighing!" "What shall we do?" "What do you think?" "At such a terrible time, how could we abandon them?" "How fascinating they are!" "We could go a little nearer." "His head's as cold as ice!" "This one too, he's so cold!" " And his pulse?" " I can't feel it." "This one is beating slowly." "If help doesn't come soon," "I fear all hope will be lost." "They've both become gentler and more obliging." "Poor men!" "It remains to be seen whether their pity will lead to love." "If these poor men died, it would make me weep!" "Here is the doctor, dear ladies!" "Despina in disguise!" "How awful!" "Salvete, amabiles bonae puellae!" "It's a language we don't know!" "I can speak whichever you like:" "Greek, Arabic, Turk, Vandalic." "Swabian or Tartar if you prefer." "Keep all those languages to yourself." "For now, examine these poor creatures." "They're poisoned, what can you do?" "What's to be done, doctor?" "First I must know the reason, then the nature of the poison, whether it was cold or hot, a little or a lot." "Taken all at once or in small doses." "They've taken arsenic, doctor." "They drank it right here." "The cause was love and they drank it in one gulp." "Don't worry, don't upset yourselves." "Here is proof of my proficiency." "He's holding a piece of iron." "This is a magnet, that mesmeric stone" "which originated in Germany then became so famous in France." "How they writhe about, twisting and turning!" "Almost banging their heads!" "Ah, hold up their heads!" "We are ready." "Hold tight!" "Take courage!" "Now you are delivered from death." "They're looking around, regaining their strength," "This doctor is worth all the gold in Peru!" "Where am I?" "Where is this place?" "Who is he?" "Who are they?" "Am I before the throne of Jupiter?" "Are you Pallas?" "Or Venus?" "No, you are the goddess of my soul." "I recognise your sweet face and that hand which I now know so well" "and which alone is my treasure." "It's still the effects of the poison." "Don't be alarmed." "That may be, but such conduct threatens our honour." "I must laugh!" "For pity's sake, my beloved!" "I can no longer resist!" "Turn your radiant gaze on me!" "I fear my lungs will burst." "Give me a kiss, my darling, just one kiss, or I shall die." " Heavens!" "A kiss!" " Grant their request, be kind." "That's asking too much of a faithful lover!" "My faith is outraged!" "My heart is outraged!" "A more charming tableau cannot be seen anywhere in the world." "And what makes me laugh the most is all this rage and fury." "Desperate, poisoned, go to the devil!" "You truly will regret it if my fury grows any fiercer!" "What strange girls you are!" "Dear me!" "What do you want now?" " For me, nothing." " For whom, then?" " For you." " For us?" " Yes, you are women, aren't you?" " So what?" "So you should behave like women." " In what way?" " Treat love lightly." "Never pass up a good opportunity." "Change your mind when necessary, be faithful when necessary." "Flirt with grace, foresee the disgrace that is so common." "And if you trust a man, have your cake and eat it." "Good heavens!" "Behave that way yourself, if you fancy!" "I already do." "And you should do the same, for the glory of the fairer sex." "For example, your Ganymedes have gone off to war." "Until they return, do as soldiers do:" "go recruiting." " Heaven preserve us!" "But we're on earth, not in heaven." "Trust me." "Since these strangers adore you so much, let yourselves be adored." "They are rich, handsome, noble, generous, as Don Alfonso assured you." "They were brave enough to die for you." "These are qualities that should not be despised by pretty young women such as yourselves, who might live without love, but not without lovers." "Almost convinced!" "You'd have us doing all kinds of nonsense!" "Do you think we want to become the subject of idle gossip?" "Do you think we want to cause our dear lovers such pain?" "Who mentioned causing them pain?" "If one knows those men are here with us." "There's a safe way of handling that, too!" "I'll let it be known that they're here to see me." " Who'd believe that!" " Thank you!" "Why shouldn't a maid have two suitors?" "Just trust me." " What do we do?" " Whatever you like." "Are you made of flesh and blood or something else?" "A woman of fifteen should know the ways of the world," "should have all her wits about her, should know what's good and what is bad." "She should know all the clever little tricks that can drive a lover crazy." "Pretending to laugh, pretending to cry, inventing good excuses..." "Listening to a hundred people at once, speaking to a thousand people with her eyes." "She must encourage them, handsome or ugly, know how to hide things without getting confused, know how to lie without blushing," "and like a queen from her throne on high, make everyone obey her with "I can and I will"." "They seem to be enjoying my little lesson!" "Long live Despina, who knows her stuff!" "Sister, what do you say?" "I'm dazed by that girl's devilish wit." "Don't you think it's a crime for two girls who are engaged to do things like that?" "She didn't say we should do anything bad." "It would be bad to be gossiped about." "What if we say they're here to see Despina?" "Your conscience is too accommodating." "And what will our lovers say?" " Nothing." "They'll know nothing about it." "Or if they find out, we can say they came here to see her." " But our hearts?" " They'll stay just as they are." "Amusing ourselves so we don't die of depression isn't being unfaithful." " That's true." " So?" " So you do what you like." "I don't want to be blamed if there's trouble." "There won't be, if we're careful." "But listen, we have to get one thing straight." "Which of them do you prefer?" " You choose, sister." " I've already decided." "I'll take the little dark one, who seems to be more amusing." "And meanwhile, with the little fair one I could laugh and joke." "Playfully, I'll reply to his sweet words." "Sighing, I'll imitate the other one's sighs." "He'll say to me:" ""My love, I'm dying!"" "He'll say to me:" ""My dearest treasure!"" "And meanwhile what pleasure, what fun I'll have!" "Run to the garden, my dear girls!" "What delight, what music, what singing!" "What a spectacle, what enchantment!" "Quickly, run!" " What can it be?" "You'll soon see." "Come to my aid, friendly zephyrs, come to the aid of my desires!" "Carry my sighs" "to the goddesses beloved of my heart." "You who have heard a thousand times" "the substance of my sufferings, repeat to my dear one" "everything you heard then." "Put everything on these tables" "and return to the boat." "What is this masquerade?" "Come now, cheer up!" "Have you lost your tongues?" "I tremble and shake from head to toe." "Love binds the limbs of a true lover." "Be good, encourage them." "Speak." "Tell us freely what you want." " My lady!" " Or rather, Ladies!" " You speak." " No, you speak." "Forget these manners from a forgotten century." "Despinetta, let's get this over with." "You do with her what I do with this one." "Give me your hand!" "Come, stir yourself!" "If you won't speak, I'll speak for you." "A trembling slave begs your forgiveness." "He sees he has offended you, but only for an instant." "Now he is suffering, but is silent." "Now he leaves you in peace..." "He can't have what he wants, he'll want what he can." "Come along, answer!" "You're looking... and laughing?" "I will answer for you." "What's done is done." "Let's forget the past." "Let this bond be broken," "symbol of servitude." "Offer me your arm and sigh no more." "Let's go and leave them to it." "If they don't fall now, they'll be worse than the devil." "Oh, what a lovely day!" "Rather warm." " What pretty little trees!" " Indeed." "They have more leaves than fruit." "How splendid these avenues are!" "Shall we walk a way?" "I'm ready to fulfil your slightest wish, my dear." "You're too kind!" " The moment of truth!" " What did you say?" "I told him to entertain her properly." " Let us go for a walk as well." " As you wish." "Alas!" " What's the matter?" "I feel ill." "So ill, I think I'm going to die." "This will get him nowhere." "It's the after-effects of the poison you took." "How much stronger is the poison I drink from those cruel, fiery volcanoes of love!" "It must be hot:" "fan yourself a little." "Heartless one, you joke while I am dying." "Where the devil have they gone?" " Come, don't do that." " I'm dying, cruel lady, and you make fun of me?" " I make fun of you?" "Then give me a sign, my love, of your pity." " Two, if you wish." "Tell me what I must do and you'll see." "Is she joking, or does she mean it?" "Please accept this little present." " A heart?" " A heart." "It is a symbol of the one that burns, languishes and suffers for you." " What a precious gift!" " You accept it?" "Cruel man, do not try to tempt a faithful heart." "The mountain is swaying." "Sorry, but my honour as a soldier is at stake." " I adore you!" " For pity's sake!" " Yield, my dearest!" " You'll make me die." "Let us die together, my hoped-for love!" "Do you accept it?" "I accept." "Poor Ferrando!" "What delight!" "I give this heart to you, my beloved." "But I want yours too." "Come, give it to me." "You give it to me, I take it, but I cannot give mine in return." "It is no use asking me for it, it is no longer mine to give." "If you no longer have it, why is it beating here?" "If you gave it to me, what is that pounding there?" "It is my little heart which is no longer mine." "It has gone to be with you" "and is beating like this." "Let me put it here." "It can't go there." "I understand, you sly girl!" "What are you doing?" "Don't look." "It feels like I have Vesuvius in my breast!" "Poor Ferrando, it doesn't seem possible!" "Turn your eyes towards me." "What do you want?" "Just look," "and see if anything could be better." "Oh, happy exchange" "of hearts and affections!" "Such new delights, such sweet suffering!" "Heartless woman!" "Why do you run away?" " I saw an asp, a hydra, a basilisk!" "Ah, cruel woman, I understand!" "The asp, the hydra, the basilisk and all the fiercest beasts of the Libyan desert, all these you see in me alone." "It's true!" "You want to disturb my peace of mind!" "But to make you happy." "Stop tormenting me!" "Only for a look from you." " Go!" " Don't even hope for that until you have looked less fiercely at me." "But you look at me" "and then sigh!" "He is going..." "Listen..." "Oh no, let him go!" "So that I may no longer see the unhappy object of my weakness." "In what wretchedness has the cruel man left me!" "This is the reward I deserved for my sins!" "At such a time as this, how could I listen to the sighs of a new lover?" "How could I mock someone else's lamenting?" "You justly condemn my heart, o righteous love!" "I burn with passion, but it is no longer fuelled by a virtuous love." "It is frenzy, suffering, remorse, regret, frivolity, deceit" "and betrayal!" "Have mercy, my love, and forgive" "the error of this loving soul." "In these shadows, amongst these flowers," "it shall remain forever hidden, o heavens!" "My ardour, my constancy will empty the veins of this unholy desire," "will drive away the memory" "that causes me such shame and such horror." "And whom did this betray, this empty, worthless heart!" "You deserved greater reward, my love, for your sincerity." " My friend, we've won!" " With a pass mark?" "With full marks!" "Fiordiligi is chastity itself." "Nothing less?" " Not in the slightest." " Good for you!" "Good for me!" "Good for my Penelope!" "Let me embrace you for bringing such good news, my faithful Mercury!" "And my Dorabella?" "How did she behave?" "Oh, I haven't the slightest doubt." "I know her heart too well." "Mind you, between you and me, perhaps you should have your doubts." "What?" "Heavens!" "Did she succumb to your flattery?" "Ah, if I should even suspect it!" "It's always a good thing to have a few suspicions." "Eternal gods!" "Speak!" "Don't let me die in slow torment." "No, you're just joking with me." "She loves and adores nobody but me." "Of course." "And as proof of her love and fidelity, she gave me this little portrait." "My portrait!" "Ah, treacherous girl!" "Where are you going?" "To tear the heart from her wicked breast and avenge my betrayed love." " Stop." " Let me go!" "Are you mad?" "Would you ruin yourself for a worthless woman?" "I wouldn't want him to do anything silly." "Great gods!" "So many promises, tears, sighs and vows," "how could she forget them all in an instant?" " By my faith, I know not." " What should I do now?" "How should I decide?" "How should I act?" "Have pity on me," "give me advice!" "My friend, I don't know how to advise you." "Cruel and heartless woman!" "In one day!" "In a few hours!" "It certainly is a shocking situation." "Ladies, you behave this way to so many" "that, to tell the truth, I'm beginning to see why your lovers complain of you." "I love your sex, you know that, everyone knows that, I show that I do every day," "I give you proof of friendship." "But the way you deceive so many truly saddens me." "Thousands of times I've seized my sword to defend your honour." "A thousand times I've defended you with words and, more, with my heart." "But the way you deceive so many is a nasty little failing." "You are charming, you are lovely, heaven has given you many gifts and you are wreathed in grace from head to toe." "But you deceive so many that it's unbelievable." "When your lovers complain, they have good reason to." "In what savage conflict, in what turmoil of thoughts and emotions do I find myself now?" "This situation is so unusual and so new to me, that I can't see what to do and nobody can advise me." "Alfonso!" "How you'll laugh at my stupidity!" "But I'll have my revenge." "I'll erase from my heart all thoughts of that wicked woman..." "Forget her?" "But oh, God, my heart" "my heart speaks to me too strongly on her behalf!" "Betrayed, scorned, by that treacherous heart," "I feel my soul still adores her." "I feel the voice of love for her." "Bravo!" "This is true constancy!" "Go away, cruel man!" "It's your fault" "I'm unhappy." " If you're good," "I'll give you back your peace of mind." "Listen!" "Fiordiligi has stayed faithful to Guglielmo and Dorabella has been unfaithful to you." " To my shame." " Dear friend, one must make distinctions in everything." "Could a woman ever be unfaithful to a man such as Guglielmo?" "Let's weigh it up." "I'm not blowing my own trumpet." "You see, my friend, a little more merit..." "That's just what I think." "In the meantime you must pay me fifty gold pieces." "Willingly." "But before paying," "I'd like us to make one more attempt." " What?" " Be patient." "Until tomorrow, you are both my slaves." "You gave me your word as soldiers to do anything I told you." "Come, I hope to show you clearly how foolish it is to sell the bearskin while the bear is still alive." "Now I see you're a woman of the world." "I tried in vain to resist, Despina." "That little devil has such a way, such eloquence, a way to charm you, though you were made of stone." "The devil!" "It's knowing what to do!" "It's so rare for us poor girls to have a bit of affection that we need to grab it when it comes." "Here's your sister." "What a face!" "Wretched things!" "Look what a state I'm in through your fault!" " What has happened, dear lady?" " Is something wrong, sister?" "May the devil take me, you, her, Don Alfonso, the strangers and all other madmen!" " Have you lost your reason?" " Worse than that." "You will be horrified." "I am in love, and not only with Guglielmo." "Good for you!" "Have you really fallen for the gallant fair one?" "Unfortunately for us!" "Here, seventy thousand kisses." "You the fair one, I the dark one." "Then we are both brides!" " What is this?" "And those poor things who left this morning?" "Are you forgetting their tears, their constancy?" "Can you be sure our original lovers won't die in the war?" "We'd both be left empty-handed." "There's a wide gap between a sure thing and an uncertainty!" "What if they do come back?" "Then it's hard luck for them!" "We shall be married then and a thousand miles away." "I don't understand how a heart can change so much in a single day." "Believe me, sister, it would be better if you gave in." "Love's a little thief, a little serpent is Love." "He brings peace to our hearts or takes it away, on a whim." "He has hardly opened a path to our hearts through our eyes, when he chains up our soul and takes away its freedom." "He brings sweetness, sweetness and pleasure, if you let him have his way." "But he fills you with loathing should you dare to fight back." "If he settles in your heart, if he bites you there, do everything he asks, just as I'll do myself." "How everything conspires to seduce my heart!" "No!" "I'd rather die than yield!" "Well done, my chaste Artemis!" " Despina!" " What is it?" "Take this key and, without asking questions at all, go to the wardrobe and bring me two of our fiancés' swords, caps and uniforms." " What will you do?" " Go, don't ask questions!" "Dame Arrogance gives terse orders!" "I hope that Dorabella will follow my example." "To the battlefield!" "This is the only way to save our honour." "I understand." "Go, fear not." "Go and send for six post horses." "Tell Dorabella that I wish to speak to her." "It shall be done." "She must have taken leave of her senses." "Ferrando's uniform will fit me perfectly." "Dorabella can have Guglielmo's." "In this attire we can go to find our lovers." "We can fight at their sides, and die, if need be." "Go to the devil, hateful ornament, I detest you!" "Could there ever be a love like this?" "Do not hope to present yourself to me until I return with my beloved." "In your place I'll put on this hat." "How it transforms my appearance and my face!" "I can hardly even recognise myself!" "In a very short time I shall be" "in my faithful lover's arms." "A stranger," "I shall come before him in this disguise." "Oh, what joy will fill his heart when he recognises me!" "And meanwhile," "I, wretched man, shall die of sorrow." "What do I see?" "I am betrayed!" "Leave me!" "Oh, no!" "My beloved!" "This dagger you will grasp and plunge into my breast." "And if, oh God, you lack in strength," "I shall guide your hand." "Be silent!" "Alas, I am tormented and unhappy enough already." "Now, my constancy..." "At those looks, at those words..." "My constancy begins to falter." " Rise, rise!" " You hope for that in vain." "For pity's sake, what do you want of me?" "Your heart or my death." " I am no longer strong!" " Yield, my dearest!" "Turn your eyes to me with pity." "In me alone can you find a husband," "a lover, and more, if you wish." "My beloved, do not hesitate any more." "Merciful heaven!" "Cruel man!" "My beloved!" "Do with me what you will." "Embrace me, oh, my dearest." "Let it be a consolation for so much suffering to languish in sweet affection, to sigh with delight." "Ah, poor wretch that I am, what have I heard!" "What have I seen!" " Please, be silent!" " I'll pluck out my beard," "I'll lacerate my skin, and charge at the stars with my horns!" "Was that Fiordiligi, the Penelope, the Artemis of the age?" "The cheat, the murderer, the rogue, the thief, the bitch!" "Let him blow out his rage." "Where is she?" " Who?" "Your Fiordiligi?" " My flower, my devil's flower." "Strangle her first then me after." "You see, one must make distinctions in everything." "A little more merit..." " Stop tormenting me." "Rather let us find a way to punish them soundly." "I know a way." "Marry them." "I'd rather marry Charon's boat!" " Vulcan's cave!" " The gates of hell!" "Then remain single for ever." "Would men like us ever want for women?" "The world teems with them." "What will others do, if these have done this?" "Deep down you love them, those plucked crows of yours." "Unfortunately!" "Then take them as they are." "Nature can't make an exception and create two women for your handsome faces alone." "One must be philosophical about everything." "Come with me, we'll find a way to sort things out." "I want a double wedding to take place this very evening." "In the meantime, listen to this eight-line stanza." "You'd do well to learn in by heart." "All men accuse women, but I excuse them for changing their heart a thousand times a day." "Some call it vice, others a habit, but I see it as a necessity of the heart." "The lover who finds himself deceived in the end should not condemn others' folly but his own." "For whether young or old, beautiful or ugly, repeat with me:" "all women behave like this!" "Victory, my dear masters!" "Your beloved ladies are willing to marry you." "I've promised them in your name that in three days they'll leave with you." "They bade me find a lawyer to draw up the marriage contract." "They're waiting for you in their room." "Are you satisfied?" " Very satisfied!" "You always see results when Despina gets involved in something!" "Be quick, dear friends, light the candles and prepare the table richly and nobly." "Our dear mistresses' wedding is already arranged." "Take your places before the bridegrooms arrive." "Well done!" "Most excellent!" "What abundance!" "What elegance!" "Both the bridegrooms will give you a suitable tip." "The two couples are drawing near." "Applaud their arrival." "May a joyful song fill the air with merriment!" "A prettier comedy has never been seen." "Blessed be the two husbands!" "And their loving brides!" "May heaven look on them with favour!" "And, just as hens, may they produce many children all as beautiful as they are!" "Oh my beloved, everything is now responding to my ardour." "The elation running in my veins is growing and spreading." "You are so beautiful!" "You are so charming!" "What lovely eyes!" "What a lovely mouth!" "Let's clink glasses and drink!" "And in your glass as in mine," "may every thought be drowned." "And may no memory of what is past" "remain in our hearts." "If only it were poison they were drinking," "these dishonourable bitches!" "Gentlemen, all is ready." "With the marriage contract, the notary is on the stair and will soon be here." " Bravo!" "Bring him in!" " I will call him." "Here he is." "With all good wishes, the notary Beccavivi comes to you with all the dignity of his office" "and the stipulated contract, standard regulations according to judicial form." "First coughing, then sitting down, he will read to you in a clear voice." "Splendid, truly splendid!" "By means of the contract I have drawn up, these persons will be joined in matrimony:" "Fiordiligi with Sempronio," "Tizio with Dorabella, her legitimate sister." "These ladies are from Ferrara, these noblemen from Albania," "And as to dowries and settlements..." "We know!" "We believe you!" "We trust you!" "We'll sign, just show us." "What sound, what singing is that?" "Keep calm, I'll go and see." "Mercy!" "Heavenly gods!" "What a terrible thing!" "I tremble and chill!" " Your lovers..." " My lover!" "...are now arriving." "They're landing on the shore!" "Oh, cruel destiny!" "What shall we do at such a time?" "Go, quickly!" "Hide yourselves, for pity's sake!" "Gods, help us!" "What can we do?" "Who can deliver us now?" "Trust in me, all will be well." "A thousand cruel thoughts are torturing my heart." "If they discover the deception, whatever will become of us?" "Safe and sound we return to the loving embraces" "of our faithful fiancées." "We return, full of exultant joy" "to reward their fidelity!" "Good heavens!" "Guglielmo!" "Ferrando!" "Oh, what joy!" "Where?" "How?" "And when?" "Recalled home by royal orders," "our hearts full of happiness and joy, we return to our adored sweethearts," "we return to your friendship." "But why this pallor, this silence?" "My beloved, why so sad?" "Confused and amazed with joy..." "Words fail me." "If I don't die it'll be a miracle." "Let me have this trunk put in that room." "Gods, what do I see?" "A man hidden here?" "A notary!" "What's he doing here?" "No, sir, it isn't a notary." "It's Despina in fancy dress," "just back from a ball and changing her clothes." "ls any schemer equal to this one?" "I dropped the papers, pick them up surreptitiously." "What are these papers?" "A marriage contract?" "Great heavens!" "You've signed this, there's no point denying it!" "Treachery!" "Let us find out all about it and then blood will flow in torrents, in rivers, in seas!" "Ah, sir, I am mortally guilty" "and death is all I ask." "I saw my error of my ways too late." "With this sword pierce my breast which is not worthy of mercy!" "What happened?" "Let them speak for us, that cruel man and that temptress!" "What they say is all too true and the proof is locked in here." "My blood runs cold with fear, I tremble." "Why ever did he give them away?" "The Albanian cavalier bows before you, beautiful lady!" "The portrait in exchange for the heart." "I do return it, dear lady." "And to our magnetic doctor," "I render the honour he deserves!" " Heavens!" "What do I see?" " They are dumbfounded!" " I cannot bear such grief!" " They're half demented!" "There's the cruel man who deceived us!" "I deceived you, but it was a deception that undeceived your lovers." "They will be wiser now and will do whatever I want." "Give your hands now, you are married." "Embrace one another and be silent." "Now all four may laugh as I am still laughing." "My beloved, if this is true," "with fidelity and love" "I shall know how to reward your heart," "I shall know how to love you for ever." "I believe it, my sweet joy, but I don't want to put it to the test!" "I don't know if I'm sleeping or awake." "I'm confused and ashamed." "What they've done to me I've done myself to many others." "How happy is the man who looks on the bright side of everything" "and, through all vicissitudes, lets himself be guided by reason." "Something that only makes others weep is for him a source of laughter." "Amid the storms of this world" "he will find perfect peace."