The Tales of Hoffmann Part 12

SPALANZANI.

Bandit!

COPPeLIUS.

Pirate!

HOFFMAN (pale and terror stricken).

An automaton, an automaton.

(He falls into an armchair. General laughter.)

THE CHORUS.

Ha, ha, ha, the bomb has burst, He loved an automaton.

SPALANZANI (despairingly).

My automaton.

ALL.

An automaton, Ha, ha, ha, ha!

ACT III.

(In Venice. A gallery, in festival attire, in a palace on the Grand Ca.n.a.l.)

(The guests of GIULIETTA are grouped about on cus.h.i.+ons.)

Barcarole.

GIULIETTA AND NICKLAUSSE (in the wings).

Oh soft night, oh night of love, Smile on our bliss serene, All the stars that s.h.i.+ne above Surround the heaven's queen!

Time it flies without return, Forgetting our tenderness!

Far from thee I'll ever burn, In lonely strait and stress.

Pa.s.sioned zephyrs Waft your caresses, Pa.s.sioned zephyrs Soft are your kisses.

O soft night, oh night of love, Smile on our bliss serene; All the stars that s.h.i.+ne above Surround the heaven's queen.

(Giulietta and Nicklausse enter.)

HOFFMAN.

For me, by Jove, that is not what's enchanting!

At the feet of the beauty who gives us joy Does pleasure sigh?

No, with laughing mouth no sorrows 'ere descanting.

BACCHIC SONG.

Friends... love tender with terror, Error!

Love in noise and wine!

Divine That a burning desire Your heart enflames In the fevers of pleasure Consume your soul!

Transports of love, Last a day To the devil he who weeps For two soft eyes, To us the better bliss Of joyous cries!

Let's live a day In heaven.

THE CHORUS.

To the devil whoever weeps For two soft eyes!

To us the better bliss Of joyous song We'll live a day In Heaven!

HOFFMAN.

The sky lends you its brightness, Beauty, But you hide in hearts of steel, h.e.l.l!

Bliss of paradise Where love meets, Oaths, cursed spirits, Dreams of life!

Oh chast.i.ty, Oh purity, Lies!

THE CHORUS.

To the devil those who weep, etc., etc.

SCHLEMIL (entering).

I see all is joy. Congratulations, madame.

GUILIETTA.

What! Why, I've wept for you three whole days.