"Leave me be!" "I can manage!" "Oh, sir!" "Your father's been taken ill!" "Is he better?" "He's resting" "Ah!" "Leone!" "A sudden attack?" "I'm better now" "Open the window, please" "Open it!" "Has he won again?" "Yes, he beat them all" "It's like a sickness" "If he didn't win he'd die" "He thinks of nothing but gambling" "It's the same thing every day" "It's still early" "What time is it?" "Three in the afternoon" "Three?" "Fools!" "Will you never learn?" "Give me a drink!" "Quick!" "I'm thirsty, by gad!" "Hurry!" "What the devil...?" "Give it to me!" "Water rots the body" "Cleanliness corrupts, it's well known" "Soap slowly washes away youth" "Everytime you wash, your life is shortened by a minute" "He hates water like a were-wolf" "And, like a were-wolf he wishes it were always night" "He never turned into a were-wolf with me" "What's the matter, sir?" "There's a monkey!" "Here, in my room!" "Keep calm and I'll explain" "Explain what?" "A troupe of players, buffoons, musicians" "You won them last night from the Duke of Santovino" "Don't you remember?" "He'd already lost his vineyards, his stables, his fishing rights" "All he had left was his troupe of players" "And I won them?" "They were to have performed for the birthday of his son Count Andrea, the little monster!" "So?" "You had a double six, and he only a double five" "So, exit the players from Andrea's life.." "...enter the players into yours and your father's" "They will perform tonight" "You're out of your mind!" "I don't want to see them!" "The poor Duke had already paid them" "We'll pay them again!" "But get rid of them!" "Have a care, sir!" "What's the matter?" "It's my garden, I'll do what I please!" "The players..." "can see you from the garden..." "Can they see me?" "So they can see me!" "My God!" "The monkey!" "Who's their manager?" "If they've got one..." "They have!" "I already told him that you don't want a performance" "Here's the situation, your winnings amount..." "Your winnings amount to 100 crowns" "Your Aunt Eleonora owes you 50 écus" "Count Rucellai, half his harvest..." "Not to mention your cousin" "He's owed you 30 écus, for two years" "Your cousin's daughter, Louise, owes you..." "What a bore you are, Viola!" "Are you never happy?" "Do you never amuse yourself?" "Who knows?" "Maybe you're happy, but it doesn't show" "What does that idiot son of Don Gaetano's owe?" "200 ducats, 500 with the interest!" "A tidy sum, poor wretch!" "Stop chasing me!" "I've had enough!" "Shall we run away together?" "With you?" "You're crazy!" "You can't escape me now!" "Let them stay" "I want to see the play" "Give them some food" "They can sleep in the stables" "So there will be a performance tonight?" "I won them didn't I?" "But you didn't want to see them!" "I was wrong" "Viola you'll never understand the sweet thrill of unexpected poisons" "That bee was the bee of melancholy" "The worst of them all, alas!" "Quite right" "The bee of remembrance!" "They say it is the fiercest" "Water can have a really devastating effect!" "Darkness is better after a certain age" "Father!" "So you've remembered that I'm still alive" "Have they told you about the play in the garden?" "Yes, another of your follies..." "It might entertain you" "I've already got my entertainment" "Do you find it so absorbing?" "More than anything that goes on around me" "It is my only amusement, my only pleasure" "You're reproaching me, as usual" "Why should I reproach you?" "For ruining the estate?" "Soon I'll have weeds growing on my body!" "Anyway, I'm a ruin myself" "I don't delude myself" "Taër!" "Where are you, beloved?" "Only comfort of wretched life?" "A monster!" "Who are you?" "You scare me!" "Heavens!" "Where shall I hide?" "Poor, unhappy creature!" "Your Taër lives!" "But you will not see him!" "Yes, you will see him!" "No, you will not see him!" "You'll see him yet you won't see him" "You'll see him... yet you won't see him" "Monster..." "Tell me..." "Under what conditions may I see my beloved?" "Have no fear!" "Look at me!" "The first condition is that you shall see!" "Did I scare you?" "With so little?" "You tremble?" "Listen..." "You desire to win back Taër?" "Come closer!" "Go towards Nankin that you see yonder..." "Go!" "Leave!" "Introduce yourself and before the old king Fanfur, Taër's father ...appear as a man!" "Under a false name, engage in his service" "Your many dress will lead into great perils and a cruel fate but whatever happens do not reveal your name nor that you are a woman and do not seek to save your life on pain of death" "Or Taër is lost to you forever!" "Now go since you must believe me!" "Hellish monster, happen what may!" "Never shall I reveal my female state" "I swear I shall face all perils" "The Heavens, the Gods will aid an unhappy, weak woman who is now a warm, faithful lover" "You scared me" "I wanted to admire you more closely" "The play isn't over, they're acting for you." "It's embarrassing" "You're very beautiful!" "Really?" "Did you like my performance?" "I didn't notice, as far as the others..." "Well?" "Terrible!" "Well, thank you very much!" "We did our best, but it was for little Andrea" "I know." "Too bad his father's a rotten gambler" "He always loses" "That we understood!" "At least you could have invited Andrea" "Are you easily distracted when you're on stage" "That's none of your business!" "Listen to me!" "You're too lovely to be wasted on a strolling player!" "Don't you want a different life?" "I could help you..." "Help me?" "First, go away, I must dress" "No, you haven't understood" "I've understood perfectly" "Come up to the villa, I'll show you the garden" "No, thank you!" "And keep the garden in better order" "I could speak to your father..." "Do as you please." "I've never met him!" "Are you making fun of me?" "You're arrogant and drunk!" "Is that so terrible?" "Try some, it's excellent" "This afternoon I was going to kick you out" "I won you at dice" "That's true" "But it doesn't matter, now that I've seen you" "It prickles!" "In the morning we leave for the south" "I could make you stay" "Our Manager wouldn't accept." "You presume too much!" "You don't believe me?" "Come..." "Come any closer and I'll scream!" "Am I so repulsive?" "Yes!" "Pardon her, she is young, too young!" "She's not used to certain compliments" "I can't see it" "Who are you?" "An actor" "Stay!" "They're waiting for me, I must go" "What part do you play?" "The king" "That's right, sir" "But you're such a wretched creature!" "You are unkind!" "Unfortunately the truth is rarely kind" "No, you can't be the king!" "You got up early!" "For the first time in years" "The light is so beautiful" "I wish I were a painter, I'd do your portrait" "I'm an actress, I like to move" "I'm only asking you not to go away" "I don't deserve so much attention" "Let me be the judge of that" "You weren't very nice to me last night" "How old are you?" "What does it matter?" "I'm seventeen" "Is that why you find me repulsive?" "Oh, no!" "I like old people" "But you think that you can do as you please" "What are you talking about?" "You stink of wine, typical, I suppose!" "Why do you avoid me?" "You're not awake yet you're probably dreaming" "You look strange" "Please leave me alone" "Why are you so scared of me?" "Your hands scare me, they're like worms!" "Like what?" "Your face scares me, and your eyes, without love!" "You're very sure of yourself" "The more I see, the more I'm convinced!" "Those pursed lips, the way you look!" "There's no love!" "You don't know what you're saying!" "I can't bear the sight of you!" "You exaggerate!" "You're repulsive!" "Don't expect my apologies, you don't deserve them" "I was drunk, but I know my sentiments" "You're only 17, but you're old!" "You're a poor old woman!" "I hate you!" "Good morning, sir!" "Good morning, Viola!" "Leone!" "Come here!" "Quickly!" "Do you want some?" "They're excellent" "At twenty my son was the handsomest boy in the world" "All the girls wanted to marry him!" "Look at him now!" "A wastrel good for nothing but drinking and gambling" "And winning!" "Right!" "Crazy, but lucky" "He's reached rock bottom... the garden is a wilderness of weeds" " We used to have a gardener" " I fired him" "Precisely..." "How sad!" "Even the sounds have changed" "The scents are not the same" "I'm sorry, Father, I'm too tired to listen to you" "You live without memories" "You've wiped out every sentimental and emotional memory buried them all in your discontent" "My balls!" "I left them on the grass!" "It's too late, Saskia!" "Certainly the nobility pays well!" "But, somehow when we find a pitch ourselves... it's different!" "You go on and..." "You shouldn't have discarded that card!" "I know what I've got in my hand!" "He doesn't like us playing cards!" "He?" "He's smoking with her, he won't bother with us" "You're exaggerating!" "Play a card, Tatiana!" "Go on!" "There comes a moment, Iris, when you're on stage it comes suddenly.. that you feel free!" "You can do what you like!" "It's necessary for life, not just the theater" "Well almost" "When that happens, you're lost!" "You have to go on stage for the rest of your life!" "Every night I make the gestures and say the lines you've taught me ...like a child." "I'm not a child anymore!" "We all realize that!" "Very well we'll change your part" "Change your part!" "But what part shall we give you?" "Lorenzo?" "Is he still waiting?" "Show him in" "Are you Elia?" "In person and at your service" "Ah, your masks are really superb" "I'm glad to hear you say so" "They deserve more than to be thrown away after one evening" "Most kind" "I've seen many masks and I know how carelessly they're used" "They are worn to hide an identity... a face" "This I define as a negative use of a mask" "Negative?" "The mask wipes out the face it covers" "Precisely!" "I think that it should transform it" "Don't you think that's an exaggeration?" "They say that your masks can..." "Have you got anything to drink?" "Lorenzo!" "A glass of liquor!" "Not merely hide a face but add something to it." "Don't you think so?" "Certainly even more firmly than you do after all, I make them" "Where do you keep them?" "What a strange taste!" "Follow me" "Do you want to try some on?" "How marvellous!" "They are all splendid!" "I want them all!" "I'll pay you well" "Not so fast!" "Don't be so impatient" "Keep calm, sir, you must keep very calm!" "I have to wear a mask!" "So I guessed, and not for a ball or a performance" "Correct!" "I want to win a girl's love" "She is as lovely as a flower..." "But I also want to scare her!" "No, not scare her..." "Punish her!" "Yes, I want to punish her!" "Punish her?" "What terrible thing did she do to you?" "She's very beautiful and exciting" "She's a little animal..." "then suddenly she's austere" "Do you realize that I frighten her?" "Am I so repulsive?" "Perhaps, with a mask like this..." "Do you think that one mask will be enough?" "No!" "You'll need much more than that, believe me!" "You'll have to try various solutions" "If you'll follow my advice..." "The masks you see here have solved many problems over the years" "And these?" "Each one is unique." "They're not for sale" "I want them" "You are far too hasty" "They're special masks, they can't be worn without preparation" "Let us begin at once!" "It seems to be dead" "You see?" "Do you like it?" "Magnificent!" "Well done, Chico!" "Up you get!" "Iris, where are you going?" "Along the river?" "Daddy, may I go with her?" "Don't be scared" "Have no fear" "Don't scream" "I beg you!" "You don't scare me, really you don't" "Who are you?" "That's a very original mask you have" "What are you doing in the woods?" "Perhaps I'm looking for someone" "And when you find them?" "I will have found peace of mind at last" "And if you don't find them?" "You are cruel" "After all I found you!" "You came to me" "I didn't want to" "Then why did you come here?" "A chance..." "Nothing...happens by chance" "Iris?" "Is that your name?" "Yes" "What's your name?" "I..." "I have no name" "I am the elf of the woods" "You must go now" "Your companions are waiting for you" "Go!" "Come and see me perform tonight, I'm an actress" "No, I can't" "I live in the woods" "Now, go!" "Can I see you again?" "Saskia!" "Always money!" "What good is it?" "You can't keep still for a minute" "You don't know the meaning of the verb:" "to look!" "Next time you go to Venice buy me some new lenses for my telescope" "I am waiting for a distant star to come closer" "A comet." "I need stronger lenses" "A comet?" "Precisely." "It will be visible at the end of the year" "But I want to see it before that" "What do you mean?" "What I say" "Do you know the play with the line:" ""One can die of the sickness that strikes loveless lovers"?" "What the devil!" "A bee stung me!" "A bee?" "What have you found out?" "They are performing along the river." "Easy to find them" "There's no trace of the cart, the bad weather's made them leave" "Hold your tongue!" "Five!" "I've won!" "Poor Leonardo!" "Gentlemen, place your bets!" "Unbelievable!" "He has lost again!" "Duke Santovino, it's your lucky evening!" "With my losses, one lucky evening's not enough" "My dear Leonardo, you haven't played at my table for ages" "All bets placed, gentlemen?" "Leonardo, what's the matter?" "Drink some of my wine" "It'll bring you luck" "No, I can't!" "Don't ask me to un-mask!" "Don't ask me!" "I can't do it!" "Why do you want to see me?" "Isn't it enough to be happy?" "Yes, I wear a mask" "No, don't ask me to" "Please!" "Don't ask me" "Are you spying on me?" "What's the matter?" "What are you saying?" "What mask?" "Un-mask!" "Un-mask!" "It's only a nightmare..." "Calm down" "You're stealing everything" "Ah, at last!" "I hope you're satisfied" "Yes... it's satisfactory" "Actually, it's cooked 30 seconds too long" "What a pity!" "This garden is a disgrace!" "Filthy water, full of weeds!" "Get the gardener to clean it up!" "You fired him!" "To save money!" "Hire him again!" "This neglect must stop!" "I'll have to make a new budget!" "# What luck!" "What joy!" "#" "# To be in the country with my love #" "# For when I don't see her I die of despair #" "# Come # # my sun, let me sing of my loving!" "#" "# I love you #" "# I love you now and forever #" "# Hark!" "She comes!" "#" "# I'll hide in here!" "#" "# My love!" "My love!" "#" "# Where are you, my dear love?" "#" "# Now I give you # # naught but tears #" "# And do not be sad # # if bitter tears # # wring your heart #" "# If your heart # # refuses my love # # and my appearance #" "# O tender love!" "#" "# Tomorrow I shall be no more #" "# I shall die with the rising sun!" "#" "# May you rot in hell!" "#" "# With love #" "# I am burning #" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Ready?" "# May you rot in hell!" "#" "# With love I am burning #" "# You worm!" "Why did you # # disappear?" "#" "All right!" "We'll rehearse without her" "# With love I am burning #" "# Forgive me # #my love!" "#" " # He is not sincere # - #'Tis true, I have erred!" "#" " # Who has abandoned me # - # But I have returned #" " # I hesitate to forgive you # - # Only to love you!" "#" "# I can no longer say #" "# I love you #" " # I'll say no more, I love you!" "# - # Oh, say no more, I love you!" "#" "# Listen, dear lady #" "# Do not ask why #" "# A cruel # # cruel fate # # condemns me to secrecy #" "# a pledge of love #" "# What is it that binds me?" "#" "# Lady fair, only you # # have the power # # to break the spell #" "# Only in this way # # my dear love # # can the heart triumph #" "# and be filled with love #" "Who is it?" "I don't know" "Don't you know him?" "No... yes... maybe" "No..." "You can't disturb him!" "Well, sir?" "you seem excited and eager to see me" "Believe me, you should never be in too much of a hurry hasty" "It ruins the health with possible serious consequences" "Just look at this combination of colors!" "Fascinating, isn't it?" "Indeed!" "The mask that you sent me..." "Was a success?" "I was sure of it!" "The young lady was... surprised?" "Stupefied!" "But I fear she may discover me" "I don't want to disappoint her" "Now you are disappointing me!" "You want to give up already?" "I thought you had courage" "Retreat now and all is lost" "To stop now, at the crucial moment is impossible" "Only too well do I know the subtle game of illusions" "Now is the moment to press home your attack" "Does she still attract you?" "More than ever!" "I sang, and she answered, not like an actress but like a woman in love!" "You are my masterpiece!" "You too, should look at these marvels" "There she is!" "There!" "Well done!" "We're almost there!" "Yes!" "The old woman is hateful" "She's repulsive!" "Old and raddled!" "The elderly lady, Tatia is in the company and she's staying!" "Understand?" "And that's that!" "Look at me!" "What's the matter with you these days?" "Liverish?" "Or is it the new part?" "Too small for your Royal Highness?" "Study the part!" "Learn the lines!" "Know what lines are?" "You don't understand anything!" "Your memory is poor, no!" "Non-existent!" "And then as far as talent goes where has it gone?" "I can't see it anywhere" "Has that vanished too?" "Well, well!" "Your attention, please!" "Tatia!" "Wake up!" "The manager announces to the distinguished company that the leading lady's talent has disappeared!" "And is hiding behind who knows what thoughts!" "It's a mystery!" "All right laugh!" "You won't laugh when I'm gone!" "What's the matter?" "Why take it like that?" "I'm so tired!" "He's come back!" "My God!" "The mask from the riverside!" "He's here!" "Here!" "Do you understand?" "What's he like?" "What shall I do?" "What's the matter, Saskia?" "Aren't you glad?" "I don't know, I'm glad, but a little sad, too" "Shall we go, Dolores?" "No, Saskia, go with the others, go on!" "Is it you?" "But you're..." "Yes?" "You're still masked" "Does it frighten you?" "No, it's magnificent" "I've never seen anything so perfect" "Yes, they told me it is a masterpiece" "I hope you are not making mock of me" "Oh, no!" "That would be too easy!" "What do you mean?" "Although you don't know me, you trust me" "Who are you?" "What's your name?" "Where are you from?" "And take off that mask or I'll leave!" "No, I beg you!" "Don't get annoyed" "I only wanted to provoke you and be sure of you" "It must be uncomfortable to wear a mask all the time" "Isn't it hot?" "Doesn't it itch?" "You're incredible!" "I knew a person who wore a mask all the time" "A very beautiful woman" "She said she wore it because men notice only outward beauty and don't understand the beauty of the soul!" "Is it the same for you?" "I don't think I'm beautiful" "With the mask you are, it suits you perfectly that I can't imagine that underneath you could be deformed" "May I touch you?" "Of course" "But no tricks!" "It's stifling in here, let's go outside" "Luis!" "I shall call you Luis" "Like the prince of Aragon, 20 years older than his bride" "You've given yourself away!" "You're 20 years my senior!" "Luis fell in love with a girl who was chasing a butterfly" "When did I chase a butterfly?" "I've seen you act" "Did you like me?" "You were chasing a butterfly" "Will you come away with me?" "With you?" "I can't, my father..." "Your father?" "Are you surprised?" "My father...is...a king" "A king?" "Well, he plays the part of a king" "Even if he is over 70" "So, the king is your father" "Have you never been in love?" "Me?" "Many times" "He who falls in love with me had better take care" "I disdain him, I make him suffer" "You are a cruel mistress" "Love usually comes in only in the last act" "No..." "I've never been in love" "Have we come too far?" "It'll be dark soon?" "Are you frightened, Iris?" "No, of what?" "Of being disappointed" "In you un-masked?" "Who knows?" "No, I'm not frightened" "Why did you run away that night at the theater?" "I got frightened of myself" "I don't want you to be frightened" "Will you take me to your villa?" "Surrounded by trees and the murmur of running water" "A fountain... with four stone horses" "Do you remember, Iris?" "A fountain with four horses?" "No, I don't remember" "I remember the spirit of the woods" "Yes the elf of the woods" "You must rest try to sleep" "No, not yet, go on telling me stories" "It was Christmas, and your mother..." "We were going to Venice" "She was wearing a fur cap" "I remember her perfume" "She was sweet and affectionate" "We went down the Canal Grande" "She was always gay, she had fun..." "And then...she disappeared" "Are you still awake?" "Will you still love me?" "Without your mask?" "Will we love each other?" "How long have I been in this bed?" "I don't remember" "I did it all wrong" "And you corrupted me with your masks" "Why did I listen to you?" "Of course, it was pleasant in the beginning" "She trusted me" "It was all too easy" "I lost my head" "I disappointed her" "Just look at the state I'm in!" "Is this my punishment?" "I no longer have the courage of my actions" "I hate you" "I don't drink any more, gamble any more" "I don't do anything anymore." "I'm nothing!" "It's terrible!" "I must forget" "You are the devil" "That's for making a fool of me!" "That's for running away!" "That's for being frightened!" "And that's for saving my life" "Stop it, Iris!" "Mind your own business!" "Why spoil that beautiful mask?" "There!" "Why did you run away?" "Why were you frightened?" "Why?" "When my mother went away and I was alone with you I became so melancholy" "It was unbearable!" "Sometimes I heard another voice talking over mine, talking to me  reproving me" "Do you still hear this voice?" "No" "The wine has drowned it" "Your mother spoiled you" "She took you everywhere with her" "But she taught me how to play, too" "Precisely!" "When I raise my eyes and look at the sky I feel lost, confused" "As if it could suck me up" "You haven't learnt to know it" "By now the stars are my friends" "I call them by name" "They give me a little of their mystery" "From the immensity of their silence they speak to me" "When I observe them I no longer feel the weight of my body" "I forget time, myself, where I am" "Infinity, Leonardo, is magnificent!" "Believe me!" "Dear Iris, the game of illusions cannot last" "One always wakes up after a dream" "I've woken up, I've seen you and have understood" "I am he whom you despised" "Remember?" "The villa, a fountain with 4 horses and a man who was repulsive" "With you, I found love." "For you I must give it up" "Farewell!" "Leonardo" "You're really crazy!"