1. "The Whole World Over"
I must say, in this country,
the houses and the contracts are elastic!
Sharpless
The man of bus'ness profits by it.
Pinkerton
Surely.
[invites Sharpless to be seated]
Pinkerton [frankly]
The whole world over, on business and pleasure,
the Yankee travels
all danger scorning.
His anchor boldly he casts at random...
[breaking off to offer Sharpless a drink]
Milk-Punch, or Whisky?
[resuming]
His anchor boldly he casts at random,
until a sudden squall
upsets his ship, then up go sails and rigging.
And life is not worth living
if he can't win the best
and fairest of each country,... |
Viene la sera (``Love duet'') [Butterfly, Pinkerton: I]
Butterfly
They say that in your country
If a butterfly
[with an expression of fear]
is caught by man,
He'll pierce its heart with a needle
[with anguish] And then leave it to perish!
Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling]
Some truth there is in that,
And can you tell me why?
That you may not escape.
[with ardour and embracing her affectionately]
See, I have caught you...
I hold you as you flutter.
Be mine.
Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms]
Yes, yours forever.
Pinkerton
Come, then, come then...
[Butterfly draws back, as though ashamed of having
been too bold]
Love, what fears hold you trembling.
Have done with all misgivings.
[points to the starlit sky]
The night doth enfold us!
See the world lies sleeping!
Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured]
Ah! Night of rapture!
Pinkerton
Come then, come then.
Butterfly
Stars unending!
/ Never have I seen such glory!
| Pinkerton
\ The night doth enfold us!
Ah! hasten, hasten!
The night enfold us!..
See the world lies sleeping!
Butterfly
Night of rapture! Stars unending!
Pinkerton
Hasten, hasten!
Butterfly
Never have I seen such glory!
Pinkerton
Hasten, hasten!
Butterfly
Throbbing, sparkling, each star in heaven
Pinkerton
Come, my dearest!
Butterfly
like a fiery eye is flashing. Oh!
/ Oh! how kindly are the heavens,
| Ev'ry star that shines afar!
| Is gazing on us,
| lighting our future for us...
| Pinkerton [with amorous desire]
| Cast all fear from out your heart!
| Close to my heart I hold you.
| You're mine now,
| Ah! come, come you are mine now
| Ah! come then, see the
\ whole world lies sleeping!..
Close to my heart I hold you,
come!
Butterfly
Oh how kindly are the heavens
on us shining!
Pinkerton
See the world lies sleeping.
/ Ah! come! ah, come then, dearest!
| Ah! come, ah! come then, be mine
| ah come!
| Butterfly
| see the stars!
| Ah, lovely night!
| Thy perfect calm is breathing love
\ near and far!
|