"May I?" "May I?" "Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me if I appear alone" "I am the Prologue" "Because the author is putting the old maskers on stage he wants to revive some of the old customs" "And so he's sent me to you" "But not to tell you, as in the past that the tears we shed are false" "Not to be alarmed by what we suffer" "No Instead the author wants to portray a slice of life" "His only principle is that artists are human" "And it is for humanity that he has to write" "And he was inspired by a real event" "A store of memories was nesting in his heart one day" "And he wrote with real tears marking the time with sobs" "So you' ll see love like it is in real life" "You' ll see the bitter fruits of hatred" "You' ll hear pangs of grief, screams of anger and cynical laughter" "Rather than thinking of our poor actors' costumes think of our souls" "Because we are human beings too, flesh and blood" "We breathe the air of this lonely world just like you" "I've told you the idea, now hear how it works out" "Let the show begin" "They' re here" "They' re back." "It's Pagliaccio" "Everyone laughs at his jokes" "Look how serious he is" "He waves, then he beats the big drum" "Whip the donkey, Arlecchino" "Stand back, here they come" "Hurrah for Pagliaccio" "Hurrah for the Prince of Clowns" "Your good humour keeps sorrow at bay" "Everyone laughs at his jokes" "And he looks so serious" "Thank you." "If I may..." "When's the show?" "Stop, it's deafening" "May I have a word?" "We have to be quiet and listen" "At eleven o'clock there will be a spectacular show prepared by your humble servant" "You' ll see old Pagliaccio in anguish" "And how he gets his revenge" "You'll see Tonio's bulk trembling and a whole web of intrigue" "Honour us with your presence ladies and gentlemen" "At eleven o'clock" "We' ll be there, so save your good humour for us" "At eleven o'clock" "Get away" "Take that for your gallantry" "That's nice!" "You' ll pay for that, you thug" "Why don't you come and have a drink with us?" " With pleasure" " Wait for me I' ll come too" "Hey, Tonio" "Are you coming?" "I' m brushing the donkey." "I' ll catch you up" "Watch out, he wants to be left alone to chat up Nedda" "Is that what you think?" "You' re better off not making jokes like that with me" "And I mean Tonio and everyone else" "The stage and real life are not the same thing" "If it's on stage that Pagliaccio catches his wife with another man he reads a comic sermon" "Then he calms down or surrenders to a beating" "And the audience laughs and applauds" "But if I really caught Nedda out things would turn out differently, I assure you" "You' re better off not making jokes like that with me" "That's puzzling" "Did you take it so seriously?" "Me?" "Of course not" "I worship my wife" "The pipes." "Everyone's going to church" "They play to accompany the couples going off to vespers" "The bells call us to the Lord" "But don't forget at eleven o'clock" "Off we go" "The vespers bell is ringing" "Let's hurry to church, two by two" "The sun is touching the hilltops" "Our mothers have their eye on us" "Everything is filled with light and love" "But the old people keep watch on shameless lovers" "His eyes were on fire" "I lowered my eyes in case he read my secret thoughts" "What if he found me out, brutal as he is" "Enough of that" "These are silly, fearful dreams" "Oh, the lovely mid-August sun" "I feel of life, and full of mysterious desires" "I don't know what it is I' m looking for" "So many birds are singing in the sky" "What do they want?" "Where do they go?" "My mother used to tell fortunes" "She could understand their singing" "This is what she sang to me, when I was a child" "The birds sing in the air freely darting aloft" "They defy the clouds and the burning sun" "They travel the paths of the sky" "Let them wander through the atmosphere thirsting for the blue sky and the light" "They are following a dream as well" "Away they go, between the golden clouds" "Let the wind blow, the tempest howl" "With wings outstretched, they defy it all" "Rain and lightning, nothing ever stops them" "On they go, across gorges and seas" "Down they go, towards a strange land which perhaps they dream of and seek in vain" "But the sky's gypsies follow the power that leads them on" "On they go" "It's you." "I thought you'd gone" "Your singing is to blame" "I was fascinated by it" "Very poetic" " Don't laugh, Nedda" " On your way" "Go to the inn" "I know that I' m deformed and misshapen" "That I inspire mockery and horror" "And yet I have dreams and desires" "And a beating heart" "When you pass by me with your nose in the air don't you know how it makes me weep?" "Because, in spite of myself I've been bewitched and conquered by love" "Let me tell you you love me?" "You' ll have plenty of time to tell me this evening, if you want" "This evening" "When you' re pulling faces up there on stage" "Don't laugh, Nedda" "You can spare me your pain" "No, I' m going to tell you here and now" "And you' ll hear me out" "I love and desire you I' ll have you" "Tell me, Tonio, is your back itchy today?" "Or will a scolding cool your passion?" "Are you making fun of me?" "Watch out, you'll pay dearly" "Shall I call Canio?" "Not before I've kissed you I' ll soon have you" "By Our Lady of the Assumption I swear I' ll make you pay for that" "Snake, on your way" "You've shown your true self" "Fool!" "Your soul is just as twisted as your body" "Disgusting" "Silvio, at this time of day" "It's risky" "I knew there was no risk" "I saw Canio and Beppe at the inn" "But I was careful to take the secret path I know" "Any earlier and you'd have bumped into Tonio" " Tonio the hunchback" " He's a dangerous man" "He's in love with me." "He just told me so" "He threw himself on me, trying to kiss me" "But I calmed the filthy dog's fury with the whip" "Are you always going to live with these worries?" "Decide my fate and stay with me" "The holiday's ending, and everyone will be gone tomorrow" "And when you've gone what will become of me and my life?" "Answer me, Nedda" "If it's true that you never loved Canio if it's true you hate this gypsy life and the work you do" "And if your great love is not just a story then come away tonight with me" "Don't tempt me" "Do you want me to lose my life?" "Don't speak of it, Silvio, it's madness" "I've given you my trust and my heart" "Don't take advantage of my passionate love" " Don't tempt me" " Please come" "Have pity on me" "No, you don't love me any more" "I've caught you, you harlot" "Yes, I love you" "But you' re going to leave tomorrow?" "Then tell me why you bewitched me... ..if you' re going to leave me?" "Why did you kiss me with such passion and love?" "You may have forgotten those fleeting moments but I cannot, and I want that passion again" "And those hot kisses that set my heart on fire" "I've forgotten nothing" "The love that shines from your eyes has overwhelmed me" "I want to live a peaceful life of love by your side" "I give myself to you, you are my only master" "I abandon myself completely to you" "Let's forget everything" "Look into my eyes" "Kiss me, and we' ll forget everything" " Will you come?" " Yes, kiss me" "Look into my eyes and kiss me" "I love you" "Walk softly and you' ll catch them" "At dead of night I' ll be there" "Be careful." "I' ll be waiting" "Till tonight and I' ll be yours for ever" "Run!" "Lord, help him" "Coward!" "Where are you hiding?" " Well done, Tonio" " I do what I can" " That's what I thought" " But I hope to do much better" "You disgust me" "You don't know how happy that makes me" "Mocking and sneering" "Not there." "He knows the path too well" "Anyway, you' re going to tell me..." "...who your lover is" " Who?" "You, by God" "If I haven't yet slit your throat it's because before your blood is dripping from this knife I want his name" "Don't waste your breath, I won't say a thing" "Hurry up, his name" " l' ll never tell" " By the holy Virgin" "What are you doing, for God's sake?" "The people are coming out of church and are on their way to the show" "Let me go, Beppe." "Tell me his name" "Hold him, Tonio" "The audience is coming" "Go and get changed" "Canio is violent, but he's a good man" "The shame" "It's better to pretend." "He' ll be back, mark my words" "I' ll keep an eye on her." "Now let's do the play" "Perhaps he' ll come to the show and betray himself" "You have to keep up the pretence in order to win" "Get into your costume" "Beat the drum, Tonio" "To act!" "While I' m in a frenzy not knowing what I' m saying or doing" "Yet I have to." "Force yourself" "Aren't you a man?" "You' re the clown" "Put on your costume and whiten your face" "The people pay their money and want to laugh" "And if Harlequin steals Columbine away from you laugh, clown and everyone will applaud you" "Make a joke of your anguish and tears" "Make a wry face from your grief and your sobs" "Laugh, clown at your shattered love" "Laugh at the sadness that's poisoning your heart" "Let's get there quickly" "Step up, step up!" "The show must be about to start" "It's beginning!" "Look at the girls running along" "Take your seats, ladies" "Take your places" "We' re trying to get to the front" "For the show's about to begin" "Hurry up and start" "What's keeping you?" "Everyone's here" "What's keeping you?" "Hurry up and begin" "Let's cause a fuss." "It's already eleven o'clock" "It's starting." "Keep quiet" "My husband Pagliaccio won't be back until late" "Why hasn't that idiot Taddeo arrived yet?" "O Columbine, tender, faithful Harlequin is here" "Calling and sighing for you, poor chap" "Let me see your pretty face" "I can't wait to kiss your little lips." "I' m tormented by love" "O Columbine, open your window to me" "Poor Harlequin is here, calling and sighing for you" "The time has nearly come to give the signal" "And Harlequin is waiting" "There she is" "Ye gods, she's so lovely!" "Should I tell her of my love which would make the rocks weep?" "Her husband's away" "Why don't I try?" "We're alone and unsuspected" "Let's have a go" "Is that you, idiot?" "Yes, it's me" " Has Pagliaccio gone?" " He's gone" "What are you doing there?" "Did you buy the chicken?" "Here it is, heavenly virgin" "In fact here we both are at your feet" "Because the time has come for me to reveal my feelings, o Columbine" "Will you listen?" "Since the day..." "What did you pay the butcher?" "One fifty" "Since that day, my heart..." "Don't get on my nerves, Taddeo" "I know you' re chaste" "As pure as the driven snow" "Although you treat me coldly I can't get you out of my mind" "Get out of here" "Heavens, they' re lovers." "I' ll heed your words" "I give you my blessing I' ll watch over you from there" " Harlequin" " Columbine" "Love has answered our prayers at last" "Let's have supper" "Look what a splendid meal I've prepared" "Look what heavenly nectar I've brought" "Love is partial to wine and food" "Greedy little Columbine" "Lovable sot" "Take this drug" "Give it to Pagliaccio before he goes to sleep" " Then let's run away together" " Yes, let me have it" "Watch out, it's Pagliaccio." "He's in a rage" "He's looking for a weapon, he knows everything I' m going to hide" "Run!" "Pour the philtre into his cup" "Till tonight" "And for ever I' ll be yours" "Good God, the very same words" "Be strong" "You had a man with you" "Nonsense." "Are you drunk?" "Drunk?" "Yes, since an hour ago" "You' re back early" "But just in time" "Are you upset, sweet little wife?" "I thought you were alone, but two places are set" "Taddeo was with me, but now he's hiding in fear" "Come on, speak" "Believe her, she's innocent" "No lie ever crosses those pious lips" "For God's sake, that's enough" "I have the same rights as any man" " What's his name?" " Who?" "I want your lover's name" "The man whose arms you fell into you vile woman" "Pagliaccio" "No, I' m not Pagliaccio" "If my face is pale, it's with shame and thirst for vengeance" "I take back my rights as a man" "And a bleeding heart wants blood to wash away the shame" "No, I' m not Pagliaccio I' m the fool who picked you up from the street" "You were dying of hunger, and I gave you a name and a love that was madness" " He's making me cry" " This scene seems real" "Keep your voices down" "I can hardly contain myself" "Blinded by love, I hoped if not for love, for pity" "I happily made every sacrifice" "I believed more in you than in God" "But there is only badness in your slatternly soul" "You have no heart, you obey only your urges" "You don't deserve my grief you cheap slut" "I' ll crush you underfoot in disgust" "If you think I' m unworthy then let me go" "Don't ask me to let you run straight into your lover's arms" "You' re clever" "No, by God, you' ll stay and tell me your lover's name" "I never expected you could be so frightening" "There's nothing tragic here." "Tell him, Taddeo" "The man sitting beside me a moment ago was harmless Harlequin" "You defy me and still you haven't understood I' m not letting you go" "His name or your life" "I may be unworthy..." "I can't stand back any longer ...but I' m no coward" " Get onstage Tonio" " Shut up" "My love is stronger than your hate" "I won't speak" "Even if you kill me" "This is real" "With your dying breath you' ll tell me" "Help, Silvio" "So it's you." "Welcome" "The play is over"