id="pgepubid00052">Santuzza and Alfio.

SANTUZZA.

Oh! the dear Saviour has sent you, Master Alfio!

ALFIO.

At what point is the service?

SANTUZZA.

It is now late;
But for you—Lola has just gone with Turiddu!

ALFIO.

What have you spoken?

SANTUZZA.

That while you were braving
The wind and weather, to earn your honest living,
Lola has turned your home into a brothel!

ALFIO.

Ah! in the name of heaven, Santa! What say you!

SANTUZZA.

The truth—Turiddu betrayed me, despoiled me of honor;
And your bad wife has taken him from me.

ALFIO (threatening.)

If you are lying, I will tear out your heart.

SANTUZZA.

My lips were never used to lying. No, no, no, they are not liars!
By all my infamy! By my deepest sorrow!—
The saddest verity is before you! Ah, me!

ALFIO (after a pause.)

Dear Mistress Santa, then I to you am grateful.

SANTUZZA.

'Twas wicked in me to have spoken thus!

ALFIO.

No! you are innocent, and I forgiving;
To utter hate my love has found a way;
But they are infamous, unfit for living!
And blood I'll have before the close of day!

(They go out.)

SCENA VIII.

Santuzza e Alfio.

SANTUZZA.

Oh! il Signore vi manda, compar Alfio!

ALFIO.

A che punto è la messa?

SANTUZZA.

È tardi omai,
Ma per voi, Lola è andata con Turiddu!

ALFIO.

Che avete detto?

SANTUZZA.

Che mentre correte
all'acqua e al vento a guadagnarvi il pane,
Lola v'adorna il tetto in malo modo!

ALFIO.

Ah! nel nome di Dio, Santa, che dite?

SANTUZZA.

Il ver. Turiddu mi tolso l'onore,
e vostra moglie lui rapiva a me!

ALFIO.

Se voi mentite, vo' schiantarvi il core!

SANTUZZA.

Uso a mentire il labbro mio non è!
Per la vergogna mia, pel mio dolore
la trista verità vi dissi, ahimè!

ALFIO.

Comare Santa, allor grato vi sono.

SANTUZZA.

Infame io son che vi parlai così!

ALFIO.

No, giusta siete stata, io vi condono;
in odio tutto l'amor mio finì....
Infami loro; ad essi non perdono;
vendetta avrò pria che tramonti il dì.

(escono)

SCENE NINTH.

All come out of church, Lucia crosses the scene and enters her house.

Lola, Turiddu and Chorus.

CHORUS OF MEN.

Now homeward, companions, where we expect to see
Our wives and sweethearts, we'll go!
Let wildest revel lead us up to ecstasy!
Quickly let the wine flow!

(The chorus starts to go away.)

TURIDDU (to Lola, who is going.)

Well, Mistress Lola, are you going away
Without even saying "good-bye?"

LOLA.

I'm going home;
I have not yet seen my husband!

TURIDDU.

O never mind him! He will come here;

(To the chorus.)

And, meanwhile, friends, approach!
A drink before I leave you!

(They all come to the table and take drinking cups.)

TURIDDU.

See the wine, as foaming whitely
In the glass it sparkles lightly,
Like a lover smiling brightly,
Gently whisp'ring words that bless!
See the honest cup so cheery!
It refreshes us when weary!
Drives away all humors dreary!
Gives ecstatic happiness!

CHORUS.

See the wine, as foaming whitely.

(They repeat the verse.)

TURIDDU (to Lola.)

To your true lovers! (drinks.)

LOLA (to Turiddu.)

To your most happy fortune! (drinks.)

TURIDDU.

We'll drink!

CHORUS.

Let us keep up the contest!

SCENA IX.

Tutti escono di chiesa, Lucia traversa la scena ed entra in
casa.

Lola, Turiddu e Coro.

UOMINI.

A casa, a casa, amici, ove ci aspettano
le nostre donne, andiam,
Or che letizia rasserena gli animi
senza indugio corriam.—

(il Coro si avvia)

TURIDDU (a Lola che s'avvia.)

Comare Lola, ve ne andate via
senza nemmeno salutare?

LOLA.

Vado
a casa e non ho visto compar Alfio!

TURIDDU.

Non ci pensate, verrà in piazza.

(al Coro)

Intanto amici, qua,
beviamone un bicchiere.

(tutti si avvicinano alla tavola dell'osteria e prendono i bicchieri)

TURIDDU.

Viva il vino spumeggiante
nel bicchiere scintillante
come il riso dell'amante
mite infonde il giubilo!
Viva il vino ch' è sincero
che ci allieta ogni pensiero,
e che annega l'umor nero
nell'ebbrezza tenera.

CORO.

Viva il vino spumeggiante, ecc., ecc.

(si ripete il brindisi)

TURIDDU (a Lola.)

Ai vostri amori! (beve)

LOLA (a Turiddu.)

Alla fortuna vostra! (beve)

TURIDDU.

Beviam!

CORO.

Beviam! Rinnovisi la giostra!

SCENE TENTH.

Alfio and THE OTHERS.

ALFIO.

To all I give my greeting!

CHORUS.

Master Alfio, we hail you!

TURIDDU.

You are welcome! and with us must be drinking!

(he fills a glass.)

Look now, the cup I fill you!

ALFIO (pushing away his arm and the glass.)

Thanks, sir! Your cup of wine is not accepted!
In me it would be poison, my heart's blood chilling!

TURIDDU (throwing away the wine backward.)

Then, at your pleasure!

LOLA.

Ah me! what will this bring!

SOME WOMEN (to Lola.)

Dear Mistress Lola! let's go away from here!

(All the women go out, taking Lola.)

TURIDDU.

Have you, sir, something to tell me?

ALFIO.

I? Nothing.

TURIDDU.

Well then, sir,
I am quite at your service.

ALFIO.

This moment?

TURIDDU.

This moment!

(Alfio and Turiddu embrace. Turiddu bites
Alfio's right ear.)[1]

ALFIO.

Master Turiddu, you have bitten quite firmly,
And we will both endeavor to do likewise.

TURIDDU.

Master Alfio, I know that the fault is my own;
To you I swear, in the name of heaven,
That like a dog I should be slaughtered.
But ... if I live not ... she will be abandoned,...
My own poor Santa! Would I had been faithful! (with fury)
But I know how to put my knife in your heart!

ALFIO (coldly.)

Well then, sir, do as it may suit your pleasure.
I will await you without, beyond the orchard.