BELISARIO
Tragedia lirica in tre parti
Music by G. Donizetti Libretto by S. Cammarano
Giustiniano, Emperor of the East Bass
Belisario, Commander in Chief of the Army Baritone
Antonina, Wife of Belisario Soprano
Irene, their Daughter Mezzo-soprano
Alamiro, Prisoner of Belisario Tenor
Eudora, Friend of Irene Soprano
Eutropio, Captain of the Guards Tenor
Eusebio, Custonian of the Jail Bass
Ottario, Leader of the Alans and Bulgarians Tenor
Senators, People, Veterans, Alans and Bulgarians, Maidens
Goth Prisoners, Greek Warriors, Imperial Guards
Shepherds and Shepherdesses of Mount Emo
The Story
Part I. The Triumph.
The time during which the events related in the Opera are supposed to take place, is during the reign of the Emperor of
Justinian, who ruled over the Eastern empire of the Romans at Byzantium. The Opera opens witht the victorious return of
Belisarius, his general, from the Italian wars. His daughter, Irene, rejoicing at the return of her beloved parent, hastens to meet
him with all the ardor of filial love. Meanwhile, Antonina, the wife of the hero, having discovered from the mouth of a deceased
bravo named Proclus, that Belisarius had hired himto murder her son she makes a confidant of Eutropio, the captain of the
Guard who aspires to her love, and it is agreed between them to accuse Belisarius of treasoon. To prove this, Eutropio, having
obtained the service of a `cunning hand', forges additions to letters received by Antonina from her husband, by which it would
appear he had conspired with the enemy against the interest of the Emperor.
Justinian having mounted his throne to give a more honorable reception to his victorious general, the latter demands as a
recompence for his services, the power to pardon his prisoners who, although conquered, had fought bravely in the cause of
their country; the boon is granted to him and the prisoners released. One among them, a youth named Alamiro, refuses to
leave his conqueror, towards whom a secret instinct leads him: when asked the name of his country, he declares himself a
Greek; but states that he has been grough up from infancy by a barbarian, who found him on the shoresof the Bosphorus,
abandoned to his fate. `You shall be in the place of my son' said Belisarius, and the old warrior and his young friend swear
eternal affection.
But the plot of Eutropio has succeeded, and Justinian sends to demand his sword=97he refuses to deliver up the
companiion of his many battles to his accuser. `To the brave alone it shall be given,' he replies, and places the weapon in the
hands of Alamiro.
Belisarius oppressed bycircumstances, acknowledges himself guilty of the death of his son, but declares that the motive
which led him to command the crime was patriotism; that dreaming his country had been overrun by a foreign enemy,he
percieved, still under the influence of slumber, that the enemy was his own son, and to save his country from the fate that
awaited it, he sacrificed his parental feelings and became a murderer.
Part II. The Exile.
The sentence of death is passed upon him by the Emperor; but at length, in consideration of his services, it is commuted
to perpetual exile. Eutropio, his constant enemy, which declared he should never again `cast his eyes on the Emperor.'
deprives the unfortunate man of his eyesight. In this helpless state he has to find his way to his distant place of exile. In the
meantime, Irene, his daughter, resolves to accompany her unfortunate parent, who accepts her services, although in the first
instance, not aware of her identity.
Part III. The Death.
At length, they reach the mountain Emo, when they are suddenly surprised by witnessing the descent of the barbarians,
headed by Alamiro, who has sworn to destroy Byzantium, in revenge for the cruel punishment of Belisarius.
Reproached by Belisarius for thus attacking his countrymen, the old warrior declares he is no Greek by birth; to vinticate
himself, Alamiro, produces the cross and dagger, which were found on him by the barbarian who nurtured him, and these are
recognized by Irene and her father, who acknowledge him as their long lamented brother and son.
Alamiro in despire, at having sworn the destruction of Byzantium, attempts to stab himself: but he is absolved from his
oath by the barbarian chief, Ottario. The barbarians, however, still proceed in their course and overthrow the Roman legions;
lashed into fury by the defeat of his countrymen, the blind old warrior rallies their flying bands, and placing himself at their head,
charges the barbarian host and put them to the rout, but he is mortally wounded in the conflict, and expires in the presence off
his wife who immediately afterwards dies from remorse of conscience and in supportable grief.
THE LIBRETTO
OVERTURE
PARTE PRIMA PART ONE
Il Trionfo The Triumph
SCENA PRIMA SCENE ONE
ATRIO INTERNO DEL PALAGIO IMPERIALE ATRIUM IN THE INTERIOR OF THE IMPERIAL
IMPERIALE PALACE
Trono a destra. A traverso dell'inrercolunnio A throne on the right-hand side; the city of Byzantium
vedute di Bisanzio. Senatori dalla Regia, is seen through the pillars. Senators coming from the
Popolo da piu parti. Palace, people from various parts.
TUTTI ALL
Serto di eterni lauri impongasi alla chioma del Let us adorn with laurel the brow of the valiant, in-
Prode, onde Bisanzio emula fu di Roma vincible Belisarius, the glory of our age.
Invitto Belisario, gloria di nostra eta. Through whom Byzantium became the rival of Rome:
Quando vivranno i secoli il nome tuo vivra. His name will be handed down to the remotest ages.
Entra Irene, Eudora e Donzelle Enter Irene, Eudora and Ladies
IRENE IRENE
Oh! Venite=85voliam sulla sponda Oh! Come - let us hasten to the banks
All'amplesso del forte che arrica=85 And greet the brave warrior on his arrival,
Ve': pe' trivi gia il popolo inonda, Behold! The people flock from all quarters;
Ode il suon della calca festiva=85 Listen to the shouts of the joyous multitude;
Delle trombe frammisto allo squillo The trumpets and drums unite their sounds
Del trionfo gia l'inno intuono. With the song of triumph,
Salutando l'augusto vessillo Saluting the august banner
Che il terror fra i nemici porto Which has spread terror among the enemy.
La man terrible=85del vincitore On the invincible hand of the conqueror,
Di baci fervidi=85io coprio. I shall impring a fervent kiss .
E, al sen stringendomi=85del genitore, And, pressing my noble parent to my bosom,
Rapita in estasi=85d'amor saro. I shall be the happiest woman that ever lived;
Un pianto tenero=85forse gli accenti A tender weeping cuts short
Sul labbro timido=85mi tronchera=85 The accents on my timid lips;
Ma quelle lagrime=85fieno eloquenti: But these tears - more eloquent
Ma quel silenzio=85tutta dira! This silence - tells all.
TUTTI ALL
Giorni di gloria=85giorni ridenti Heaven will grant happy and glorious days
Brillar sul Bosforo=85Il Ciel sara. To the inhabitants of the Bosphorus
[partono] [exit]
Entra Antonia e Eutropio Enter Antonia and Eutropio
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Plauso! Voci di gioia! Praise! Joyous voices!
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Il volgo insano The infatuated people
Corre sul lido a festeggiar l'arrivo Hasten to welcome the arrival
Del reduce tuo sposo. Of your husband.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Mio sposo un parridica! My husband! A parricide!
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Oh!..Che favelli! Oh! What did you say?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Ascolta, e del mio sdegno Listen, and let my words
Abbi sicuro pegno. Be a pledge of my wrath.
Lo schiavo di=85colui, Proclo, morendo His servant, that wretched man Proclus, dying
A me narro, che di svenare il figlio Told me that Belisarius ordered him
Belisario gl'ingiunse, ond' ei lo trasse To kill our son - he took the boy
Fuor di Bisanzio, e a trucidarlo il ferro Far from Byzantium and raised the sword to slay him.
Alzo, ma il ferro dalla man gli caddi But from his hand it fell,
E tutto inorridito And struck with horror, he fled,
Abbandono, fuggendo, il pargoletto And left him on the shore
Sovra deserta sponda=85 To the wild beasts a prey,
Pasto forse alle belve..o in preda all'onda! And to the fury of the waves.
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Che intesi?..Ah! snaturato genitore! What do I hear? AAh, unnatural father!
Io ti compiango. I pity you.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Immenso e il miodolore! My grief knows no bounds,
Sin la tomba e a me negata Even the tomb is denied to me -
Sin le ceneri del figlio! Even the ashes of my son -
Ah! di lagrime il mio ciglio Ah! these eyes with tears
Viva fonte ognor sara.. Shall ever as from a living fountain flow!
Madre, oh Dio! Piu sventurata Oh God! A more miserable mother
Mai la Terra non avra! The earth does not contain!
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Ti conforta: dell;eccesso Comfort yourself: the cruel man
Paghera quell; empio il fio; Shall pay for the excess of his crime;
Ma rammenta che promesso But, remember, that your hand
Era un premio all'amor mio! La tua destra.. Was promised as a reward for my love.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Or dimmi: ordita fu la trama? Now tell me: has the plot been contrived?
EUTROPIO EUTROPIUS
E appien compita. Una man fedele, esperta It has: a faithful and experienced
Gia le cifre simulo. Hand has forged the writing.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
La sua perdita.. His destruction.
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Fia certa. Is certain.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Vendicata almen saro Then I shall be revenged.
O desio della vendetta, I have shed bitter tears,
Tu sei vita a Me soltano But others must
Io versai dirotto pianto Shed the last drop of Blood.
Altri il sangue versera.
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Irne incontro a lui frattanto.. Nevertheless it will be proper
Simular ti converra. For you to go forward and meet him.
((La Guardie imperiale cominciano a disporsi (The imperial Guards range themselves
Per l'atrio.) around the Atrium.)
Antonina and Eutropio partono. Antonina and Eutropio exit
Entra Giustiniano e Guardie Enter Justinian and Guards
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
O Nume degli eserciti, a te sia laude eterna: O Lord of armies, praised forever, praised
Guido ne' campi italici l' aita tua superna for ever be thy name! Your celestial aid led the
Il duce formidable che I Goti debello, formidable chieftain to the fields of Italy, to the
E il serto mio di splendida gemma novella orno, destruction of the Goths, and added a new jewel
[ascende al trono] to my crown. [ascends the throne]
SCENE II SCENE II
(I predetti. Trionfo di Belisario. Esce prima la (Justinian and Guards. Triumph of Belisarius.
banda militare, che cien seguita dal Popolo, quindi The procession is preceded bya military band, fol-
I Magistrati, et il Senato; segue poi con marcia lowed by the People, Magistrates, and Senate:
trionfale l' esercitodi Belisario. Alcuni Guerrieri the army of Belisarius. Warriors carrying the
portano i tesori predati, fra i quali e la corona ed trophies and spoils of the enemy, among which are
il manto di Vitige, re dei Goti.) The crown and mantle of Vitiges, King of the
Goths.)
CORO CHORUS
L'inno della vittoria spanda si forte un grido, Let the hymn of victory rend the air,
Che, valicato il pelago, scorra di lido in lido, across the ocean to the Northern shores, and thun-
E dica ai regni nordici in suono di terror: der these words: `There exists a Belisarius' -
`V'e un Belisario!' e i Barbari dipinga di pallor. Which name strikes the Barbarians with dismay.
SCENA III SCENE III
(Belisario sopra magnifico carro: ha il capo cinto (Belisarius upon a richly ornamented chariot, a
da una corona di alloro, ed un purpureo manto e wreath of laurel adorns his forehead, and a purple
sovrapposto all sua aurea armatura. Sono d' in- mantle thrown over his golden armor. The Goth
torno al Duce I Goti prigionieri, fra il quali e Ala- prisoners, among whom is Alamiro, surround the
miro: e veterani chiudono il trionfo.) chieftain; the veterans close the march.)
CORO CHORUS
Invitto Belisario, gloria di nostra eta: Invincible Belisarius, the glory of our age:
Quanto vivranno i secoli il nome tuo vivra! Your name shall be everlasting!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Cesare, hai vinto; e l'italia contrada, Sire, you have conquered:
Di nature dolcissimo sorriso, And Italy, nature's loveliest land,
Della vittoria e frutto. Is the fruit of victory.
Mira al tuo pie le spoglie opime, e questi Behold at your feet the rich spoils
Giovani prigionieri, al cui valore And the youthful prisoners,
Mal rispondea fortuna. To whom fortune has been adverse.
Deh! Se mercede alcuna If my deeds can claim a reward,
Sperar me lice, tua pietade imploro Let me implore mercy for them.
Per essi, e te, cui la pietade e istinto May the conqueror not'sue in vain to you,
Non preghi indarno il cincitor pel vinto. In whom mercy is an innate virtue.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Tremendoin guerra, umano in pace e sempre O Belisarius, you are formidable in war,
Sei grande, o Belisario! I lor destini Humane in peace, and ever great!
A te commetto. I deliver them into your hands.
(Accennando I prigionieri scende dal trono) (Pointing to the prisoners and descending from the
[throne.]
Abbracciami. Rifulga Embrace me;
Alta letizia intorno, Let this be a day
Tutto festeggi cosi lieto giorno. Of universal joy!
(Parti seguito dai Magistrati, dal Senato e dalle (Exit, followed by the Magistrates, Senate, and the
Guardie. L'esercito ed il popolo escono pel fondo.) Guards. The troops and people leave by the
back part of the stage.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Liberi siete. Addio. Che veggio? Il dono. You are free. Farewell. What do I see?
(Al prigionieri che cadano alle sue ginocchia, tranne (To the prisoners, who fall on their knees, with the
Alamiro. Li rialza, ed essi partono.) exception of Alamiro. He raises them and they leave.)
Spressi forse Alamiro? Do you reject the boon, Alamiro?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Io? Ti son gra I? I am grateful for it:
Ma gia tel dissi, al fianco tuo m'annoda And have always told you,
Tale un poter che liberta m e grave Such strange power binds me to you
Lungi da te. That freedom would be irksome far from you.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Rimani (abbracciandolo.) Remain then Be free. (embracing him)
Adunque meco: in liberta rimani I feel my heart moved with an unknown affection
Ho tutto il cor commosso And I can hardly guess the cause of
Da ignoto affetto, che spiegar non posso! When they dragged you at my feet, loaded
In rive al Trasimeno, tratto me fosti al pie, with chains and covered with wounds, on the
Tenera voce in senso Banks of the Trasimerus, your voice found a
Mi favello per te! response within my breast.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Ah! se mi fia ricetto di Belisario il tetto, If I can Find a shelter under the rood of
Di mia crudel fortuna gli oltraggi scordero. Belisarious, I shall forget the injuries of an ad-
Nel suol che a me fu cuna almen la tomba verse fate! I may at last find a tomb where I
avro! Was born.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Sei tu greco! Il ver dicesti? Are you a Greek? Have you uttered the truth?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Greco io son. I am.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Da chi nascesti? Who were your parents?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Tal mistero il Ciel mi asconde! It is a mystery to me =96
Fui da un Barbaro allevato: I was brought up by a barbarian.
Ei del bosforo alle sponde Who found me on the
Mi rinvenne abbandonato. Shores of the Bosphorus.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
E costui su Greco suolo che traea? What induced this man to visit Greece?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Desio di preda. A wish for plunder.
BELISARIO BELISRIUS
Derelitto in terra e solo piu no sei: per te succeda You are no longer forsaken and alone upon the earth
Di sereno a trista aurora. A serene day succeeds to a gloomy dawn.
Ebbi un figlio, e lo perdei! I had a son, and I lost him!
La sua morte io piango ancora.. I still lament his death.
Or quel figlio! A me tu sei. Do you replace this child in my affection.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Io tuo figlio! A me tu padre I your son - you, my father!
Ah! di gioia ho pieno il cor! Ah, my heart overflows with joy!
BELISARIO BELSIARIUS
Ne' miei lari.. In your home.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Fra la squadre On the field of battle.
BELISARIO e ALAMIRO BELISARIUS and ALAMIRO
Sempre insieme. Uniti ognor. Always together. We will always be united ;
Sul campo della gloria nel pugneremo a lato: We will fight together in the rands of glory:
Frema o sorrida il fato vicino a te saro.. Let fortune smile or frown, I shall ever be my your side
La morte o la vittoria con te dividero. I will share death or victory with you.
[partono] [they leave}
SCENA IV Scene IV
(Appartamento nel palazzo di Belisario. Irene ed (An apartment in the palace of Belisarius. Irene and
Eudora incontrandosi da parti opposte.) Eudora from the opposite side.)
IRENE IRENE
Belisario vedeste? Have you seen Belisarius?
EUDORA EUDORA
Altrove ei mosse il piede, He has gone elsewhere,
E forse al tempio=85 Perhaps to the temple=85
IRENE IRENE
Noi corremmo ver lui; ma all'alta gioia Let us seek him, for with extreme joy
Mal resse il cor di mia Madre, e priva My mother's heart, overpowered,
Resto di sentimento. Remains without feeling.
Or ch' Ella e in tutto calma Now that her mind is quieted,
Di letizia, e d'amore esulti l'alma. and love. My soul exults in joy
Vedro al fine il padre amato At length I shall see my beloved father,
Dopo I lunghi miei lamenti, After my lengthened sorrows;
Or che in Grecia sospirato Now that, to Greece, has returned
Torno il Duce de' Valenti The prince of valiant men =96
Quel che ognor sfide cimenti To whom the battle might be trusted,
Che I nemici debello. The dread of his enemies,
I trofei, le vente schiere His trophies, the vanquished proclaim
Prova or son di quel potere His prowess and power,
Che al trionfo lo chiamo. And call him on to triumph.
(Damigelle frettolose) (Enter Ladies hastily)
IRENE IRENE
Ebben! Qual nuova? Well! What news?
CORO CHORUS
Il Padre alla magion sen'viene. Your father returns towards his house.
IRENE IRENE
Oh gioia! Ov' e la Madre? Oh happiness! Where is my mother?
(Eudora parte) (Eudora exits)
Si affretti a un tanto bene. What happiness awaits her.
CORO CHORUS
Forse Ella piu impaziente Perhaps in her great impatience
Ad incontrarlo usci. She has gone forth to meet him.
IRENE (ad Damigelle) IRENE (to the attendants)
Tenere spose madre amorose, Tender consort, loving mother,
Cessate omai di palpitar Cease now, cease to weep =96
Non piu timori non piu perigli, No more fear, no more danger,
A voi si rendono e sposi e figli To you are restored husband and son;
Tornate o Popoli ad esultar. Let us all return to joy again..
CORO CHORUS
Torniam in giubilo ad esultar. Let us all return to joy again.
Entra Belisario, Eudora, Antonina, e Donezelle Enter Belisarius, Eudora, Antonina and Ladies.
IRENE IRENE
Padre!.. (correndogli incontro) Father!.. (rushing into his arms)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Irene m' abbaccia.. Irene, Embrace me.
IRENE IRENE
Alfin son teco! Behold me at last in your arms.
Noi corremmo ver te; ma della gioja We ran to meet you.
Al violento assalto But the heart of your
Mal resse il cor della tua sposa, e priva Consort could not sustain
Finor di sentimento. The violent emotions, weak and faint.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Oh Ciel! Traveggo! Heavens! If my heart does not deceive me
Sulla turbata fronte In your sorrowful countenance I see the marks of grief.
(colpito dal turbamento di Antonina) (surprised at Antonina's troubled countenance)
Del duolo hai tu, non del piacer le impronte! Rather than those of joy?
Che fu? Nuova sciagura=85 What vexes you? New misfortunes?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Nuovo! Ti rassicura: Now =96 be of comfort,
Quale innanzi al partir, tal rivedrai You shall find your home as you left it:
La tua magion..sol Proclo il Ciel..tegliEca Proclus alone has departed
Da questa valle di dolore albergo This valley of tears and guilt.
E di colpe. (con accento vibrato) (in a forcible tone of voice)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
(Il suo fallo Iddio perdoni!..) (Heaven pardon his faults.)
Entra Eutropio, Guardie, e detti Enter Eutropio and Guards
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Cesare a te m' invia: l'acciar deponi. The Emperor send me to you: your sword.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Come? For why?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Vaneggi tu!.. Are you serious?
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Di arditi accenti! This is no time for bold words!
Passo stagion! Quell' orgogliosa fronte Bend your haughty forehead
Piega al voler d'Augusto. To the will of the Emperor.
IRENE IRENE
Ed osi? And you dare?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Audace! Audacious man!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Tacete..E forza l'obbedir..ma il brando Silence! I must needs obey =96 a brave man
Di Belisario non avra che un prode. Alone shall take the sword of Belisarius.
(lo da ad Alamiro) (he gives it to Alamiro)
Andiam. (ad Eutropio con nobile intrepidezza) Come! (to Eutropius with boldness)
IRENE IRENE
Padre.. Father..
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Signor, deh! Lascia.. Permit me, sir!
(volendo seguire Belisario, egli con un gesto autorevole (wishing to follow Belisarius, who bids them to remain,
Impone loro di rimanere, e parte con Eutropio e le and exit with Eutropius and Guards.)
Guardie.)
EUDORA e DONZELLE EUDORA and LADIES
Oh Cielo! Heavens!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
(Comincia la vendetta!) (My vengeance begins!)
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Io fremo! I shudder!
IRENE IRENE
Io Gelo! (partono) I am struck with horror!. (Leaves)
SCENA V SCENE V
AULA SENATORIA The Senate House
(Da un lato molti seggi fra'quali (On one side several seats, among
uno piu elevato per l' Imperatore. Vi e un tavo- which one higher for the Emperor; a table upon
lino, su cui alcuni papiri, il volume delle leggi, ed which are some papers, the book of laws, and a
una spada.) Sword.)
SENATORI SENATORS
TUTTI ALL
Che mai sera! Perche solleciti What can it mean? Why so speedily sum-
Cosi ne aduna? Sovrasta a Cesare moned here? Does any misfortune threaten
Sventura alcuna? Our monarch?
ALCUNI SOME
Forse un colpovole punir si deve? Is the emperor's peace disturbed
GLI ALTRI OTHERS
Forse la patria dano riceve! Or our country in danger?
TUTTI TUTTI
Ma il Pience tacito s' avanza e solo. But the Prince advances in silence, and alone;
Sculto gli sta! Che mai sara! A deep grief is written on his countenance, what can it be?
Entra Giustiniano. (Giustiiniano va a sedere: ad un suo Enter Justinian. (Justinian takes his seat, and by his
cenno tutti si adagiano.) desire the Senators do the same.)
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Sostegni del mio trono, un fero evento Supporters of my throne, a sad event
Ogni gioia distrusse! Innanzi tratto Has all my joy destroyed - Hither brought
Accusto d' orrible misfatto Accused of a horrible crime
Tal vi fia, che il vederlo, il sol vederlo Which to hear of - to see - merely to see
Vi agghiaccera le veno. Will fill your souls with horror!
SENATORI SENATORS
Chi? Who?
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Belisario Belisarius
SENATORI SENATORS
Belisario! Belisarius
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Egli stesso. Behold, he comes.
(Entra Belisario fra Guardie e Eutropio dal lato (Enter Belisarius escorted by Soldiers, and Eutropio on the
opposto.) Other side.)
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
S'apra il giudizio. Let the count open its sitting.
(Un Senatore siedo presso il tavolina, Eutropio va a (A Senator sits by the table, Eutropio places himself by
collocarsi in piedi accanto di esso.) him.)
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Belisario accuso di fellonia. I charge Belisarius with high treason.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Che intendo? What do I hear?
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
Al declinar di questo giorno istesso On the close of this triumphant day,
Del suo trionfo, le ribelli squadre, The rebellious squadrons,
Da lui compre e sedotte, Which he had bribed and seduced,
Dovean, franta ogni legge, e spento il Giusto, Destroying the established law, and taking the life of the
[Just Man]
(indicando Giustiniano con simulato raccapriccio.) (Indicating Justinian.)
Coronare il suo crin del serto augusto. These rebellious squadrons were to adorn his brow with
[the imperial crown]
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Calunnia infame! Infamous lying!
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
A contestar l' accusa In support of my charge
Queste produco sue medesme cifre. I produce his own handwriting.
(accennando i papiri sul tavolino.) (pointing to the papers on the table.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ch' io vegga. E ver, son mie Let me see them - it is true, it is my own handwriting.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Leggile. Read!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
(dopo aver letto) Orrenda inesplicaleil trama! (after having read) A horrible inexplicable treachery!
Son questi i fogli che inviai dal campo These are the papers I sent from the field of battle
Alla consorte..ma d' averno forse to my wife, but an infernal fury
Una furia maligna Added other words
Alle amorose note altre ne aggiunse! To the affectionate ones which love suggested.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Dunque? Then?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Il vero chiarir potria la sposa My wife can explain the truth
Ma che non libra Astrea sull'equa lance? But justice will clear the dark calumny.
L'odio e l' amor m'e noto. The sentiments of love and hatred are known to me.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Ella s' avanzi. Let her come.
(Entra Antonina seguita da Irene, ed Alamiro) (Enter Antonina followed by Irene and Alamiro)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Figlia, consorte..ah! voi no l'crederete.. Daughter, consort,, you can hardly believe it..
Mi trasse iniqua sorte A contrary fate ledb me through
Pel cammin del triofo incontro a morte. The path of triumph to death.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
A morte! To death!
IRENE IRENE
Oh Dio! Oh God!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Rimira! Su questi fogli, Behold! On these papers,
Che smarristi al certo; Which you must have mislaid:
Nemica man fra le mie cifre intruse Some enemy has written in my hand
Sensi ribelli. Or leggi! These traitorus words =96 read!
(da fogli ad Antonina) (gives the letters to Antonina)
E di se tu gli avesti Say if you received,
Tali, o donna, da me. Lady, in this state, from me.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Si! (rinfrancata da uno sguardo di Eutropio) Yes! (encouraged by a look from Eutropio)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Si, dicesti? You did?
Come colpito da un fulmine. Irene, Alamiro (Thunderstruck; Irene, Alamiro, Justinian
Giustiniano ed I Senatori fanno un movimente and Senators expressing their suprise
di sorpresa e di orrore.) And horror.)
IRENE IRENE
Ah madre! Ah, mother!
GIUSTINIANO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
E reo? Is he guilty?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Sincero fu il labbro mio. I have uttered the truth.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Crudel! Monster!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Sposa, ed attesti! Wife,and you dare attest?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Il vero The truth.
GIUSTINIANO et SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
Reo Belisario! Belisarius is a Criminal
TUTTI (tranne Antonina et Eutropio) ALL (except Antonian and Eutropio)
Oh Ciel! Oh, heavens!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ah! Da che son io tradito! By whom am I betrayed?
Non reggo a tanto duol! I yield to my excess of grief.
E ancora inorridito Does not the glorious sun shudder
Non ti nascondi, o Sol! At such wickedness?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
(Renda il mio core ardito tutto il materno duol=85 (My maternal grief will give me courage
L' iniquo sia punito, e poi m' inghiotti il suol.) Let the wretch be punished, and then may I die at once.)
IRENE IRENE
(Non regge il cor ferito (My tortured heart
Non regge a tanto duol! Is too overpowered with sorrow,
Ah! fugga inorrridito, May the bright sun withdraw it rays
A noi si ascondi, o sol!) From such a scene of horror!)
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
(Eccesso empio, inaudito! (Tis a monstrous unheard of crime =96
Ira m' ingombra, e duol, It fills me with wrath and grief,
Non ti nascondi, o Sol!) May the bright sun withdraw!)
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
(Renda quel core ardito tutto il materno duol.) (May her maternal grief inspire her with courage.)
GIUSTIANIO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
(Tramontera vestito per noi di lutto il sol!) (Alas! The sun will set dim and dark for us!)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Madre tu fosti, e moglie: You are a mother and a wife
(conduccendo la figlia innanzi ad Antonina) (leading his daughter before Antonina
L'infame accusa or toglie la vite a me, But this infamous accusation robs me at once of life
L' onore; ad esso il genitore! And honor, and my daughter of a father!
Se taque nel tuo petto il maritale affetto, If conjugal affection was silent for me in you breast
Dovea nell' alma impura tacerti ancor natura? Could nature stifle its feeling in your treacherous heart?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
(volgendosi al Senatori.) Natura invoca, (Turning to the Senators) He appeals to nature,
E scempio egli ne fea..quell'empio!.. And that impious man trampled it under his feet!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Che! What!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Proclo=85 Proclus=85
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ebben! Well!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Procio morendo svelo l' arcano orrendo. Proclus disclosed the horrible mystery at his death bed.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Dio! Oh God!
(Retrocede vacillando, e coprendosi il volto con (He staggers, and covers his face with the expression
estremo terrore.) of utmost terror.)
IRENE ed ALAMIRO IRENE and ALAMIRO
Freme! He shudders with horror!
GIUSTINIANO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
Asconde il ciglio=85 He covers his face=85
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Quel mostro uccise il figlio! That monster murdered his own son.
IRENE ed ALAMIRO IRENE and ALAMIRO
Ahi! Ah!
GIUSTINIANO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
Parricida ancor! A parricide also!
IRENE, ALAMIRO, GUISTINIANO, ed SENATORI IRENE, ALAMIRO, JUSTINIAN, and SENATORS
Oh giorno di terror! Oh miserable day!
(Guistiniano ed i Senatori si alzano e circondano Belisario (Justinian and the Senators get up from their seats and
rabbriiditi Belisario e consulso a segno di non poter parlare: surround Belisarius, expressing their horror of him:
egli accenna all' Imperator ed al Senato di frenare Belisarius is so far overpowered as to be unable to speak:
il raccapriccio ascoltarlo: e dopo si volge He entreats, by his gestures, the Emperor and Senators
ad essi con voce interrotta.) to repress their feeling of horror, and to hear him:
Then he addresses them with a faltering voice.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Sognai..fra genti..barbare..terrible un Guerriero.. I dreamt of a formidable warrior among the barbarous nations
Che minacciava..i cardini crollar..del Greco Impero. Threatening to overthrow the foundations of the Grecian
[Empire]
Chiesi di lui..ripetere del figlio intesi il nome.. I asked who he was, and I heard the name of my son.
Nel sen mi sorse un briviido!..mi si drizzar le chiome!` My blood ran cold through my veins, my hair stood on end!
Interpreto lo spirito del sogno unuon di Dio, A man endowed with the gift of prophecy, interpreted the
[dream]
Ed all'Oriente infausto predisse il sangue mio And predicted that my offspring would prove fatal to the east
Fremetti..della patria crudo mi fe il periglio Danger made me cruel
Mando Natura un gemito..e cadde estinto il figlio. Nature raised a cry, and my son fell a corpse.
IRENE ed ALAMIRO IRENE and ALAMIRO
Misero genitor! Miserable father!
GIUSTIANIO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
Barbaro genitor! Wretched father!
GIUSTIANIO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
Oh giorno di terror! Oh horrible day!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Pera l' empio che offese Natura.. Death to the monster who offended nature =96
Cielo e Terra colpevole il grida. Heaven and Earth cry down vengeance on his head!
Non lo sposo, il crudel parricida It is not the consort, but the cruel parricide
Spento plachi il mio giusto furor. Who alone can appease by his death my just fury!
Ah! dovunque mi volgo, m' aggiro Alas! Wherever I turn my looks, Wherever I direct
[my steps]
L' ombra inulta del figlio rimiro! I behold the unrevenged shade of my son =96
La sua voce, il suo gemito estremo His voice, his last groans,
Mi ricerca le fibre del cor! Pierce through my heart!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Per me suona gia l ora funesta. The fatal hour is approaching,
Empia sposa la scure mi appresta! Cruel consort, prepare the axe!
Ah! tu almen sulla tomba paterna Do you at least, oh my daughter,
Spari, o figlia, una lagrima, un fior. Shed a tear over my tomb, throw a flower on your father's
[grave]
Se mi danna l' offesa Natura, (al Senato) If offended nature proclaim me guilty, (to the Senate)
Se di morte colpevol mi grida. If deemed worthy of death,
Grecia taccia =96 mi fe parricida Let Greece be silent, the holy love of my native country
Della patria il santissimo amor! Made me a parricide!
IRENE ed ALAMIRO IRENE and ALAMIRO
(Le sue leggi sconvolse Natura! (Nature has overthrown its laws
Reo di morte una sposa lo appella! A wife calls him guilty of death!
Ahi! Del padre tramonta la stella! Alas, my father's star is setting
Tutto e duolo, spavento ed orror!) All is consternation and horror!)
EUTROPIO EUTROPIO
(Il rigor dell' estreme sciagura (The rigor of the law
Su quel capo abborrito gia piomba: Is now depending over the devoted head:
La sua colpa gli aperse la tomba, His crime led him to the grave,
Ve lo spinge vendetta ed amor.) Love and vengeance hurled him into it.)
GIUSTINIANO ed SENATORI JUSTINIAN and SENATORS
(Freme il turbine, il Cielo si oscura, The tempest is approaching, the sky is lowering!
Mugghia il tuono, ed in tanta procella The clashing of the thunderbolt is heard
D'Oriente sparisce la stella! And in the midst of the storm, the star of the East
[grows dim]
Tutto e duolo, spavento ed orror!) All is grief, fright, and horror!)
(Belisario e condotto altrove della Guardie; Irene ed (Belasarius is carried away by the Guards; Irene and
Alamiro lo seguono desolti. Antonina ed Eutropio Almiro follow him mournfully, Antonina and Eutropio
allontanano per lato opposto. Giustinianio ed i exit on the opposite side. Justinian and the Senators
Senatori rimangono atteggiati di grave dolore.) remain in the attitude of the deepest sorrow.)
PARTE SECONDA PART TWO
L'Esilo The Exile
SCENA PRIMA SCENE ONE
PARTE REMOTA DI BISANZIO A REMOTE SPOT OUTSIDE OF BYZANTIUM.
DA UN LATO INGRESSO DELLE ON ONE SIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE
PRIGIONI. PRISONS.
(Molti Veterani ed alcuni del popolo, sparsi (Many veteran soldiers, and
per la scena in diversi gruppi.) Some of the people forming groups.)
TUTTI ALL
Oh duce! Oh chieftain!
VETERANI VETERANS
Oh eccesso orrible! Oh horrible condemnation!
POPOLO PEOPLE
Oh di funesto! Oh fatal day!
TUTTI ALL
Questo di tue vittorie, il frutto e questo! Is this the reward of thy victory!
Entra Alamiro Enter Alamiro
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Voi piangete, amici! Do you sorrow, oh my friends!
Di Belisario voi piangete! Ah! dunque You weep for Belisarius! Ah! then the report was false
Fama bugiarda a me suono che avea That the emperor had commuted into an exile
Cesare in bando la mortal sestenza The sentence of death passed upon Belisarius!
Di Belisario commutata Iniqua A cruel sentence, suggessted by malice,
Sentenza, che livor detto per certo And not by justice, to the Senate.
E non giustizia, al rio Senato!
CORO CHORUS
Il vero udisti, si; ma d'un misfatto estremo You have heard the truth! But as yet the report
Non giunse il grido a te: lo ascolta. Of the worst has not reached you; listen!
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Io tremo! I tremble!
CORO CHORUS
Comando fu di Cesare, che il volto suo giammai It was ordained by the emperor that Belisarius
Veder piu non doves sero di Belisario i rai: Should never more look on him;
Eutropio scellerato, da un demone inspirato, Eutropio, inspired by a fiend, through a sanguinary fraud,
Con sanguinosa frode il cenno perverti Perverted the order.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Che oso quel vil? What did the monster attempt?
CORO CHORUS
Del prode sugli occhi estinse il de. He deprived the warrior of his eye-sight.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
(inorridito, si copre il viso con amge le manii.) (Struck with horror, covers his face with both his hands.)
A si tremendo annunzio gelar m'intesi is core! My heart is filled with dismay at this fatal intelligence!
Entro le vene un fremito correr me fe l'orrore: Astonishment and grief dry the sources of my tears!
E le cadenti lagrime sul ciglio m'impietro! May daylight vanish from by eyes
Del di la luce infausta per sempre a me a'asconda, And the dark nightwhich surround him,
Copra me pur la squallida notte che lui circonda-- Envelope me also in its gloom
Almen l'orrendo strazie deil prode io non vedro. That I may not witness the painful sight of the brave warrior!
CORO CHORUS
Vien la figlia! His daughter approaches!
ALAMIRA ALAMIRO
In quale stato! How unhappy she looks~
Entra Irene, Eudora e Donzelle. Enter Irene, Eudora and Ladies.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Il tuo duolo, il tuo spavento You grief and despair indicate you
Ben m'attestan che svelate know about the atrocious event.
T' era gia l'atroce evento.
IRENE IRENE
Ah!..pur troppo! Alas! But too well!
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Chi fia guida nell' esilo Who will guide the steps of the wounded
A quel tradito? And betrayed man to his exile?
IRENE IRENE
Io! Myself!
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Sia pur: Let it be so!
A me s'affida altro incarco, e fia compito. Another duty devolves on me, and it shall be fulfilled.
(Non a caso questo brando Belisario a me dono! (It was not in vain that Belisarius gave me this sword!
L' empia trama..il crudo bando vendicar ben io sapio.) I shall revenge the trecherous plot, and his unjust banishment.)
Misera figlia..Irene..addio. Di me favella col genitor. Fatherless daughter, Irene, farewell: speak often of me to
[your father]
(Il suo tormento accresce il mio! (Her sufferings add to my own,
Quel pianto amora me scende al cor!) Her tears break my heart.)
Trema Bisanzio! Sterminatrice su te le guerra discentera Tremble, Byzantium! A war of extermination
Ed ogni lagrima dell'infelice Shall level thy walls ot the ground
Un rio di sangue ti costera! And torrents of blood shall atone
For every tear of the unfortunate man!
IRENE IRENE
Ahi! La tua vista, padre infelico, Ah, your very presence, o, wretched father,
Il cor nel petto squarcera! Will break my heart!
CORO CHORUS
Chi non compiange quest'infelice He must be a tiger, or be destitute of feeling
Ha cor di tigre..o cor non ha. Who does not pity the forlorn creature.
(Alamiro parte) (Alamiro exits)
IRENE IRENE
Amici, e forza separarci..a voi My friends, we must part! I trust
Raccomando la madre.. My mother to your care..
Deh! Non piangete: or di costanza ho d'uopo, Do not weep: my situation will require courage,
Quando lungi saro, de' casi miei When I shall be far from you!
Parlando nel pensier, spargete allora May the remembrance of my misfortunes
Del sovv
sovvernir la lagrima pietosa. Cause you to shed a tear of affection for me.
[gli abbraccia] [she embraces them]
Non piu..Vi arrida il Ciel. May heaven prove friendly to you.
(a tutti, che allontanano piangendo. Ella rimane (to all who depart in tears. She remains
un moment in tetro silenzio, quindi e scossa, for a moment in mournful silence,
dallo strepito della ferrea porta dells prigioni, Until the clash of the iron gates of the prison
che si dischiude.) start her from her reverie.)
S'apre le trista The mournful gates open.
Soglia crudel..Chi n' esce?..Oh fera vista! Who comes? Oh, cruel sight!
[retrocedendo innorridita. [steppiing backward, in dismay.]
Entra Belisario, Eusebio e Guardie. Enter Belisarius, Eusebio and Guards.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Aura piu lieve qui respiro! Ah dunque Here I breathe a purer air! Ah I am
Fui dal mio carcer tratto! Then taken out of my dungeon.
[ha una benda oscura sugli occhi.] [his eyes are covered with a black band.]
IRENE IRENE
(Ahi! Non oso mirarlo!) (Ah! I dare not look at him!)
EUSEBIO EUSEBIO
E qui dappresso stuolo guerrier che deve A troop of soldiers is here at hand
Al boreal confine tradurti. To escort you to the northern borders.
(Irene porge ad Eusebio un papiro, ed egli lo legge con (Irene give a paper to Eustabio, who reads it with
sorpresa.) surprise.)
Belisario un regal cenno chi ti conduca nell'esilio invin. Beliasrius, a person has been sent, by royal command
to accompany you to your exile.
(Ho di pieta compresa, di duol, di maraviglia (My heart is moved with pity, sorrow and astonishment!
L' anima tutta! O sovrumana figlia!) Ah! heaven sent child!)
(parte) (leaves)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
O tu che della eterna, orribil notte Oh! You who are to be the guiding star in the dark
[gloomy night]
Che ricopre il mio ciglio Which forever closes my eyes.
Esser devi la stella, a me t' appressa. Approach.
IRENE IRENE
(Ciel!) (Heavens!)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Dove sei? Tu dunque Where are you?
(Irene gli porge la destra.) (Irene gives him her hand.)
Nell' aspro esilio vuoi seguirmi? Ah! certo Will you then follow me in my exile? Ah!
Infelice esser dei, che pieta senti Know doubt you much likewise be happy
D' un infelice! Since you feel for me!
IRENE IRENE
(Il mal..frenato pianto.. (My supresses tears
Niega al labbro gli accenti!) Prevent the utterance of speech!)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ai lari miei Hasten to my dwelling;
Vanne..vola..ritorna..io qui t' aspetto-- I shall wait here for your speedy return.
Vo' per l' ultima volta Oh! God to see her!
Veder mia figlia..Oh Dio! Vederla!..il labbro, My lips, my very lips cannot express the harshness of my
[sentence.]
Fino il mio labbro istesso, If I am not allowed to see my daughter for the last time.
Prestar fede no puote ail' empio eccesso! I wish to listen to the sound of her voice.
Se vederla a me non lice, Lead her here
Bramo udirla=97udirla almeno! That I may press her to my bosom!
Qui l' adduci=97ah! fa che al seno Let it not be forbidden
La mia figlia io stringa ancor. For a father to bless his miserable child.
Benedir quell'infelice non si vieti al genitor.
IRENE IRENE
(Chi mi regge=97chi m' aita in si barbaro momento (Ah! who for pity's sake=97who assists=97
L'alma, oh Dio! Mancar mi sento! Who supports me in this fatal hour?
Sento, oh Dio! Spezzarmi il cor! I faint=97the excess of grief overpowers me
Ah! per me, per me la vita Ah! my life will be
Sara tutta di dolor!) A life of wretchedness.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Va, la guida a questa braccia. Go, guide her to my arms
(Irene gli bacia la mano bagnandola di lagrime.) (She kisses his hand and bathes it with her tears.)
Che! Tu piangi! What! Do you weep?
IRENE IRENE
Padre! (cadendo alle sue ginocchia.) Father! (Falling on her knees.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Oh Dio=97la sua voce! Oh God! Her voice
IRENE IRENE
Ah! padre mio! Ah! Father!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Sei tu, figlia? Is it my daughter?
IRENE IRENE
Ed al tuo pie. At your feet.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Sorgi Irene=97il padre abbraccia=97e fia ver? Arise, Irene, embrace your father. Can it be true?
IRENE IRENE
Son io-- It is I=97
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Con me=97ah de potessi piangere With me! Ah! if I could weep
Di duol non piangerei=97per tenerezza lagrime My tears would not flow from grief; I would shed those of joy!
Di gioia io spargerei=97non son, non son piu miesro, I am no longer miserable,
Figlia, vinco a te! Oh my daughter! Near you.
IRENE IRENE
Seguirti io vo', dividere il tuo crudel destino, I wish to follow you=97to share your cruel fate,
Le pene dell'esilio, gli stenti del cammino-- The sufferings of the exile, the fatigues of the journey,
E nella tomba scendere, o padre mio, con te. And sink into the grave with you, oh, my father!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ma tu, seguendo un povero, But you will often be exposed to penury,
Di cibo e di recetto And destitute of food and home,
Sovente avrai penuria. If you follow your unfortunate father.
IRENE IRENE
Un antro a me fia tetto, A cavern will shelter me=97
E frutti avro dagli alberi The fruit of the forest will be my food=97
Umor dal fonte avro. The fountain shall quench my thirst!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ma sola per gl' inospiti deserti! But alone through dreary deserts!
IRENE IRENE
E non son teco? Am I not with you?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
E se d' affanni carico, piu che d'etade, If more oppressed by sorrow than by age,
Il cieco succumbe? The old man should die?
IRENE IRENE
Alor degli orfani il padre invochero. I shall then emplore the father of orphans
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Dunque andiam: de' giorni miei (commoso) Come then!. You are the angel (moved)
Tu sei l'angelo, tu il duce: You are the guide of my days!
Tua fra l'ombre sei la luce del traditor genitor-- You admidst the darkness that surround me
E degli occhi che perdei, tu mi sei piu cara ancor. Are the light of the betrayed father, and dearer to me
[than life.]
IRENE IRENE
O Signor, tu sei ristoro (volgendosi at Cielo.) Oh God! Who affords consolation (turning up her eyes to
[heaven)]
Di chi soffre ingiusto oltraggio: To those who suffer unjustly,
Deh! Su noi tu spandi un raggio Send down a ray of celestial favor upon us;
Del celeste tuo favor. For my father I implore you,
Per mio padre io sol t' imploro, Oh God of peace and love.
Dio di pace, Dio d'amor.
(partono circondati dalle Guardie.) (they depart, under the escort of the Guards.)
PARTE TERZA PART THREE
La Morte The Death
SCENA PRIMA SCENE ONE
IN FONDO I GIOGHI ALTISSIMI IN THE BACKGROUND THE SUMMIT
DELL'EMO. IL DAVANTI E' OF MOUNT EMO. THE FOREGROUND IS
INGOMBRO DI ALBERI E SASSI INTERSPERSED WITH TREES AND
MUSCOSI. MOSSY ROCKS.
(Entra Belisario, senza benda, ed Irene; entrabi (Enter Belisarius, without any bandage over his eyes
avanzandosi a stento, come persone travagliate and Irene; both advance slowly, like persons
da lunge viaggio.) tired from a long journey.)
IRENE IRENE
Qui siedi, o padre, e le tue stanche membra Here rest yourself, oh father! And repose
Abbian dopo il penoso. Your wearied limbs
Lunghissimo cammin breve riposo. After your most painful journey.
(facendolo sedere sopra di un sasso ella si adagia (helping him to sit upon a rock; she places
a' suoi piedi, appoggiando il capo alle ginocchia di lui.) herself at his feet, reclining her head on his knee.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
(in tuono querulo, ed accarezzando il capo.) (with bitterness and patting her head.)
Di te m' incresce - Ah! l' astro I am sorry for you - Ah! the star
Che si fulgente at nacer tuo splendea Which shone so bright at your birth,
Con gli occhi miei si estinse! Has vansihed with my sight!
(Si ode da lontano squillar di trombe, che vien (a sound of trumpets is heard, which is
tuto da tutti gli echi delle balze circostanti.) repeated by the surrounding rocks.)
Al clangor di barbarici metalli I hear the mountains echo, and the valleys
Odo I monti muggir, muggir le valli. Sound by the clang of barbarous instruments.
(Irene ascende una roccia per osservare da lontano.) (Irene climbs a rock, to reconnoiter.)
E dunque ver quanto narrare udimmo, Then the report is true, that numbers
Che un torrente di Barbari dall' Emo of barbarians are hastening from the Emo.
Precipita, ed il corse ad arrestarne And that the Emperor's armies are
M;uovon l' armi d'Augusto! Marching to stop their course?
IRENE IRENE
Oh Ciel! Heavens!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Che vedi? What do you see?
IRENE IRENE
Lunga tratta d' armati a questa volta A large band of armed me is
Rapida move..Ah! padre (tornando a Belisario) Rapidly advancing this way. Ah! father (turning to Belisarius)
Fuggiam.. Let us fly.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Non fugge Belisario. Belisarius has hever fled.
IRENE IRENE
Almeno meco ritratti di quest' antro in seno Will you please retire to this cavern.
( conducendolo entro uno speci incavato a pie (she leads him to a hollow cavern at the foot
d'una rupe.) of the rock.)
SCENA II SCENE II
(Dalle sommita dell' emo discende un' orda di (A horde of Alans and Bulgarians descend from the
Alani e Bulgari. Alamiro ed Ottario sono fra i duci. Summit of Mount Emo. Alamiro and Ottario head them.
Al suono di Barbari strumenti si dice il seguente To the sound of harsh instruments they sing
Coro ripetuto sempre dall' eco.) The following Chorus, which the echo repeats.)
CORO CHORUS
Diffondasi terribile grido di guerra: Let the terrible war-cry be raised everywhere:
Tremi la Terra, rimbombi il Ciel. The earth tremble - Heaven resound.
E all' urto irresistible di nostra possa And let the shock of our strength strike
Scorva per l' ossa De'Greci reci un gel. The hearts of the Greeks with terror.
(Belisario ed Irene compariscono sul limitare dell' antro) (Belisarius and Irene appear at the entrance to the cavern)
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Impavidi Guerrieri, Intrepid warriors,
Quel che vedemmo veleggiar da lungi The cloud we observed at a distance
nembo di polve, le coorti asconde Conceals the army which draws near
Del Greco Imperador: l'oro s' appressa The Greek Emperor;
Delle pugne. The hour for battle approaches.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Qual voce! What voices!
IRENE IRENE
E Alamiro. (sommessamente fra loro.) It is Alamiro. (in a whisper to each other.)
OTTARIO OTTARIO
E tu credei che all' opra ne fian ligi? And do you think they will be faithful to us?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Si, risuonar di Belisario il nome , Yes, no sooner do they hear the name of Belisarius.
Udrassi appena, e i prodi. Than the brave soldiers who have grown old
Che sotto l' elmo incanutir, seguendo Under the banners of the invincible Chieftain,
L' invitto Duce, a vendicarne i torti Will be our companions
Pugnando avrem consorti. And fight to redress our wrongs.
OTTARIO OTTARIO
Dunque s' incontri l' inimico. Then let us meet the enemy.
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
All' auree delle battaglie alzate il grido. To arms! Raise the war-cry, to arms.
OTTARIO OTTARIO
All' armi To arms!
CORO CHORUS
All' armi To arms!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ola fermate. Stay.
(gettando il bastone ed atteggiandosi a maetoso contegno.) (throwing away his staff and assuming an imposing attitude.)
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Belisario! Belisarius!
OTTARIO e CORO OTTARIO and CHORUS
Egli! He!
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Ah! stringo le tue ginocchia=85 Ah! do I press your knees?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Scostati=85degno non sei tu de baciar la polve Away, you are not worthy to touch the dust I walk on:
Che calpesta il mio pie. D' ingiusta guerra You make my name the instrument of an unjust war,
Far strumento il mio none! E' me che amasti And you dared call me a father! And you are a Greek?
Padre! E Greco sei tu? Vil menzognero! Base imposter!
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Quel detto al cor m' e feroo Your words inflict a deeper wound that the most deadly
[weapon]
Piu di mortal saetta! I never uttered a falsehood.
Non son uso a mentir=85Su Greco lido, I was found on the shores of Greece
Da Vandalo noccier lattante ancora By a Vandalian mariner.
Fui raccolto.
IRENE IRENE
Ah! che dici? Ah! what do you say?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Qual grido! E perche tremi? Why so astonished? Why do you tremble?
(sempre appoggiato all' omero d' Irene) (still leaning on Irene's shoulder.)
IRENE IRENE
O Padre, il giorno Oh father, on the day
Che dal fatal consesso uscia la madre That my mother left the fatal assembly of senators,
A me svelo che il servo tuo non spense She disclosed to me that your servant did not murder
Il pargoletto Alessi, ma sul margo The young Alexis but that he
Lo abbandono del mar.. abandoned him on the seashore.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Che ascolto? What do I hear?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Ah! forse! Perhaps?
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Tu dunque? You then?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Il vero io dissi. I have uttered the truth.
(si trae dal seno una croce, annodata ad una catena.) (he take out of his bosom a chain, from which hangs a cross.)
Su questo della Fe simbolo augusto. I swear on this noble symbol of faith
Che sino dalle fasce Which I have worn from my infancy.
Al collo mi pendea, lo giuro.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Oh figlia, deh! tu rimira. Daughter, observe
IRENE IRENE
Avvi sull'orlo il motto There is a motto on one side:
In questo segno vincerai. You will conquer by this sign.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
La madre d' Alessi al collo in divin segno appese Alexis's mother hung the divine cross round his neck on the
day of his birth
Nel di che a lui die vita, ed egualmente.. And the pious motto was thereon engraved.
Il pio motto sculto vi..stava
IRENE ed ALAMIRO IRENE and ALAMIRO
Eterno Iddio! Eternal God!
BELISARIO, IRENE ed ALAMIRO BELASARIUS, IRENE and ALAMIRO
Ch' ei io fosse! Oh quai momenti! Could it be! Oh what a moment!
Parla=85prosegui ancor. Speak, continue!
Mi mancano gli accenti la gioja opprime il cor! I lack words, My heart overflows with joy!
IRENE IRENE
Di!..su qual riva il Barbaro t' invenne? Say on..What shore di the Barbarian find you?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Ove con l' onde del maetoso Bosforo..Il Ponto..si confonde. Where the Pontus joins the waves of the majestic Bosphorus.
IRENE IRENE
Fu quivi! There it was!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Ah! frena I palpiti cor mio.. Cease throbbing, oh my poor heart!
IRENE IRENE
Ne dell'evento unpegno..un qualche indizio.. Acesti! Had you no other pledge of this event
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Or mi rammento!..questo pugnale il Vandalo. Now I remember the Vandalian
Raccolse a me d'appresso. Found this dagger near me.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Oh s'io vedessi! Oh could I but see!
IRENE IRENE
Ah porgilo-- Show it to me.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
E qui sull' elsa espresso..forse un romano? Is there a Roman figure engraved on the hilt?
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
E Giunio che immola I figli-- Julius sacrificing his own children.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
E il mio, e =96 Il mio pugnal! It is my own! It is my dagger!
IRENE IRENE
Piu dubbio non resta ormai-- There is no doubt.
resta
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Son io..figlio di Belisario? Am I the son of Belisarius?
OTTARIO e CORO OTTARIO and CHORUS
Suo figlio! His son!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Alessi..qui.. (stendendogli le braccia.) Alexis=97here. (Stretching out his arms to embrace him.)
ALAMIRO ALAMIRO
Padre! Father!
IRENE IRENE
Fratello! Brother!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Abbracciami.. Embrace me!
TUTTI ALL
Oh avventurato di! Oh happy day!
(Alamiro ora Alessi, si e precipitato fra le braccia del Alamiro now Alexis, throws himself into his father's arms,
padre, che gli tiene la destra sul capo: Irene stringe who lays the right hand on the head of his son; Irene
teneramente il fratello al seno. Analogo movi- embraces her brother tenderly. A Similar
mento dei Barbari.) movement from the Barbarian)
BELISARIO, IRENE, ALESSI BELISARIUS, IRENE, ALEXIS
Se il figlio/fratel/padre/ stringere. Son/Brother/ Father I embrace you at last.
Mi e dato al seno, Piu non desidero, All my wisher are fulfulled. I despise your thunders
Son lieto:/a/a pieno. Sfido I tuoi fulmini, Oh cruel fate. Heaven unfolds itself in this
Sorte crudel. A questo tenero soave amplesso Tender embrace.
Tanto del giublio E' in me l'eccesso
Che parmi d'essere Rapito a in ciel!
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Figlii, partiam: qui l' aura My children, let us depart:
E d' atre nebbie infesta, Here the air is infected with dark mists,
Ma non fia tardo a sperderle il vento. But the wind will soon disperse them.
OTTARIO e CORO OTTARIO and CHORUS
Ola, t' arresta. Rendine il Duce: mutuo Stay restore our captain to us!
Ne stringe un giuramento fin che non sia Bisanzio A mutual oath binds us until Byzanti;um
Spianata al suol. Be leveled to the ground.
BELISARIO BELSARIUS
Che sento! What do I hear?
OTTARIO e CORO OTTARIO and CHORUS
E il patto inviolabile And we will never infringe
Non scioglierem giammai. The inviolable condition.
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Giurasti? (ad Alessi che gli sta d' accanto interdetto.) Did you swear? (To Alexis who stands speechless by him.
ALESSI ALEXIS
Allor=85 Then=85
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Rispondimi guirasti? (con forza.) Answer me. Did you swear? (with force.)
ALESSI ALEXIS
E' ver, giurai. Sol morte il voto infrangere It is true, I did. Death alone can break the oath
Puo che me stringe seco..dunque si muoia. That binds me to him: then let me die.
(per trafiggersi.) (going to stab himself.)
IRENE e OTTARIO IRENE and OTTARIO
Arrestati.. (trattenendogli il braccio) Stay.. (Stopping his arm)
OTTARIO OTTARIO
No =91l fermi tu? (scuotendo Belisario) Do you not stay his arm? (Shaking Belisarius by the arm.)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
Son cieco. I am blind.
OTTARIO e CORO OTTARIUS and CHORUS
Vivi: io sciologo la sacra alleanza. Live: I release you from the sacred promise.
(Ottario disarma Alessi e lo spinge verso Belisarius.) (Ottario disarms Alexis and pushes him towards Belisarius)
Noi rechiamo a' nemici la morte.. We carry death to our enemies
E segnata de Greci la sorte.. The doom of Greece is fixed.
Belisario fra lor non sara! Belisarius will not be among them.
BELISARIO, ALESSI e IRENE BELISARIUS, ALEXIS and IRENE
Fia delusa l' ardita speranza: Your hopes will be frustrated:
Regge un nume de' Greci la sorte: God directs the fate of Greece:
Per la patria pugnando da forte Every Greek will be a Belisarius
Belisario ogni Greco sara. When fighting for his country
(Squillano le trombe dei Barbari, (The trumpets of the Barbarians sound
ed essi partono guidti da Ottario. And they depart with Ottario, their captain.
Belisario con figli entra dal lato medesimo Belisarius with his children exit by the same gate
Ma per altra via.) But by a different road.)
SCENA III SCENE III
TENDA DI GIUSTINIANO THE TENT OF JUSTINIAN
Aprendosi nel mezzo, lascia scorgere nell'ultima On drawing the curtain the summit of Mount Emo
distanza le sommita dell' Emo. Is discovered in the distance.
GIUSTINIANO e Guardie JUSTINIAN and Guards
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Itene al campo, e sia palese al Duce Go, and acquaint the captain with my arrival here,
Ch' io giunsi, e che prefiggo And that the next day is fixed for the battle.
Alla battagla il nuovo di.
Entra Antonina. (Pallida e scarmigliaate) Enter Antonina. (Pale and disheveled)
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Chi Veggio? Who do I see?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Un' empia. An impious woman.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
A che venissti? Why here?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
A far palese delitto orrendo. To disclose a horrible crime.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
E scioglierai tu sempre ad accusar le labbra! And will you ever open your lips to accuse?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Oh! Chiuse allora morte la avesse Oh, had death but closed them for ever,
Che menzogna infame ad attestar si aprio! When they opened to tell an infamous falshood.
Inorridisci, o Cesare: quel Grande, Llisten, oh Sire, and you will be struck with horror
Che mio consorte piu nomar non oso, e innocente. The great man, whom I dare no longer call my consorte
[is innocent]
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Che dici? What say you?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Le cifre accusatrici man compra simulo: A treacherous hand forged his writing:
Del tradimento Eutropio ebbi ministro. Eutropio was the instrument of the treachery.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Ah! scellerati! Morte ad entrabi.. Ah, you shall die, both of you, wretched creatures!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Morte! Death!
E giusta..la desio..Per queste balze It is just: I wish for it=97
Corro in traccia di lui=97Morire io voglio, I am going in quest of him through these rocks:
Ma pentita al suo pie=97ma ch' io distolga I wish to die but repentant at his feet:
Dal nefando mio capo
L' alta minaccia del flagello eterno, Could I thus avert the terrible threat
S' apra per me la tomba e non l' Averno of the eternal punishment!
Da quel di, che l' innocente May the grave and not the infernal regions receive me
Spinsi in preda a tanti affanni, I am become hateful to every being:
Da quel di che il Ciel clemente
Cancellar dovea dagli anni I hold myself in abhorrence.
De' viventi l' odio io sono-- Since the day that I plunged the innocent man
Di me stessa io son l' orror-- Into a gulf of miseries:
la speranza del perdono Since that fatal day on which I betrayed my husband.
Sol mi regge in vita ancor. The hope of pardon alone sustaitns me.
(odesi fuor dell tenda un rummore che si avvicina.) (a noise is heard without the tent and cries of victory)
VOCI DI DENTRO VOICES FROM INSIDE
Vittoria Victory.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Intorno echeggia di liete grida il Ciel! The air resounds with shouts of joy!
Che fia? - Si' veggia-- What can it be? Let us see.
SCENA IV SCENE IV
(Irene circondata dai Pastori del' Emo e dalle (Irene surrounded by Shepherds of Mount Emo, and
Guardie imperiali, e detti.) the Imperial Guards and the same.)
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Irene! Irene!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Figlia! My daughter!
IRENE IRENE
Oh! Madre! Oh, mother!
Fauste nouve ad entrambe? - Happy tidings for both of us.
Il figlio tuo spento non e! Your son is not dead!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Che parli? What do you say?
IRENE IRENE
In Alamiro abbracciarlo potrai. You can embrace him in Alamiro.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Ciel? - Non deliro? - Tu non m' inganni? Heavens! Am I in my senses! Do you not decieve me?
IRENE IRENE
Fugge l' oste nemica. (a Guistiniano) The enemy has been put to flight. (to Justinian)
ANTONINA e GIUSTINIANO ANTONINA and JUSTINIAN
Fugge! Flight!
IRENE IRENE
Inarcherai per la sorpressa il ciglio, Your surprise will be great when you hear
Allor che noto il vincitor de' Barbari ti fia. The name of the conqkueror.
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Chi? - Parla. Who? Speak.
IRENE IRENE
Belisario Belisarius
GIUSTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Oh! Gioia! - Oh Belisario Oh joy! - Oh Belisarius.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Ah! pria ch =91io muoia Ah! before I die
Una lagrima ancor sparge di gioia! I may shed a tear of joy!
(si sente di lontano un funebre suono di trombe (a mournful sound of trumpets is heard at a distance.
misto di grida dolorose. Tutti sono colpiti dal A presentiment of misfortune prevades everybody's mind.)
presentimento di somma sciagura.)
TUTTI ALL
Di pianto di gemiti il Cielo rimbomba! The air resounds with cries and lamentations!
In suono funereo echeggia la tromba! The trumpet re-echoes mournful sounds!
Ignoto terror me scende nel cor! An unknown terro fills my heart!
(Entra Alessi.) (Enter Alexis.)
ALESSI ALEXIS
Piangete: son nunzio, di nuova dolente.. Weep; I bring you sad tidings.
IRENE IRENE
Il Padre? My father?
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Quai palpiti! What emotions!
ALESSI ALEXIS
Dall' orda fuggente un dardo parti, An arrow, shot from the fugitive horde,
E a morte il feri. Struck him as dead.
IRENE IRENE
Ah! padre! Ah! father!
ANTONINA e GIUSTINIANO ANTONINA and JUSTINIAN
Qual fulmine! What an unexpected misery!
ALESSI ALEXIS
Ei tratto qui viene.. They bring him..
SCENE ULTIMA SCENE THE LAST
Accompagnato da lugubre musica vien condotto Belisarius is carried on the shields of the Veterans
Belisario sugli scudi dei Veterani, Guardie, e detti. And Guards accompanied by the sound of a funeral
[march]
TUTTI ALL
( tranne Belisario) Funesto spettacolo! (except Belisarius) Mournful sight.
IRENE IRENE
(correndo al padre) Me misera! (running to her father) Alas, miserable creature.
TUTTI ALL
(tranne Belisario) (except Belisarius)
Ricopriti, o Ciel, d' un lugubre vel. Oh, heaven, spread with darkness the firmament.
GUISTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Amico. My friend.
(con voce soffogata dal pianto, e stringendo la destra (with a stiffled voice, and pressing his hannd)
di Belisario)
BELISARIO BELISARIUS
A te, Cesare, de' figli..la sorte To you, oh Sire! I entrust the fate of my
Affido=97rammentalo=97nell' ora=97di=97morte. Children, remember, in the hour of=97death.
GUISTINIANO JUSTINIAN
Lor padre saro! I will be a father to them!
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Perdono=85 Pardon!
(Cadendo a piedi di Belisario. Che fa per alzarsi, ma un (falling at the feet of Belisarius. Who attempts to raise
tremore lo investe, e ricade estinto.) himself, but is seized with tremor, and dies.)
TUTTI ALL
Spiro! He has expired!
(silenzio universale. Antonina resta immobile guardan- (general silence. Antonina is speechless, looking dis-
do il corpo di Belisario.) tractedly at the corpse of Belisarius.)
ANTONINA (disperandos) ANTONINA (hopelessly)
Egli e spento, e del perdono la parola He is dead, and did not utter a word
A me non disse. Di mia voce udendo il suono of pardon to me: hearing the sound of my voice,
Forse in cor me maledisse..forse in Ciel del fallo mio.. Perhaps he cursed me within his heart, perhaps he
Or m' accusa innanzi a Dio [accuses me before Heaven!]
Ah toglietemi la vita Ah! take my life,
Che la morte e un ben per me! For death alone can put an end to my sufferings.
GIUSTINIANO e CORO JUSTINIAN and CHORUS
Abborrita dai mortali, Condannata dall' Eterno, Abbhorred by every mortal, accursed by Heaven=97
Vivi, iniqua, e tutti mali prova in Terra dell' Averno-- Live, impious woman, and feel all the evils of Avernus
Frema il Cielo a te d' intorno-- May heaven prove adverse to you: [upon this earth]
Nieghi a te la luce il giorno-- The daylight deprive you of its blessing;
Ogni istante di tua vita cruda morte sia per te. And may every instant of your life prove a cruel death to you.
ANTONINA ANTONINA
Cielo irato hai sciolto il corso al tremendo tuo furore Angry Heaven! You have let lose your fury!
Non ha speme il mio rimorso-- My remorse has no hope!
Non ha pianto il mio dolore-- My grief is not relieved by tears=97
Calpestata, oppressa, abbietta, sin da figli maledetta, Despised, spurned and cursed by my own children'
Ogni istante di mia vita un supplizio fia per me. Every moment of my life is a torment to me.
ALESSI e IRENE ALEXIS and IRENE
La sciagura e omai compita! My misfortune is complete!
Tutto il Ciel rapisco a me! Heaven has robbed me of everything.
(movimento universale di orrore.) (a general movement of horror.)
END OF THE OPERA
contributed by John F. Cook