Tragedia lirica in quattro atti

POESIA DI

ARRIGO BOITO

MUSICA DI

FRANCO FACCIO

Lyric tragedy in four acts

POETRY BY

ARRIGO BOITO

MUSIC BY

FRANCO FACCIO

PERSONAGGI
Amleto, Principe di Danimarca
Claudio, Re di Danimarca
Polonio, Lord ciamberlano
Orazio, amico di Amleto
Marcello, uffiziale
Laerte, figlio di Polonio
Ofelia, figlia di Polonio
Geltrude, Regina di Danimarca,
madre di Amleto
Lo Spettro
Un Sacerdote
Un Araldo
Tre cantori
Primo becchino
Secondo becchino

ARTISTI
Primo Tenore
Primo Baritono
Basso Comprimario Basso Secondo Basso
Secondo Basso
Altro Tenore
Primo Soprano
Primo Mezzo-
Soprano
Primo Basso
Secondo Basso
Secondo Tenore
Soprano, Tenore, Basso
Secondo Basso
Corifeo

Cortigiani, Dame, Uffiziali, Soldati, Popolo

La Scena è in Elsinore

Courtiers, Ladies, Officials, Soldiers, People

The scene is set  in Elsinore

ATTO PRIMO

PARTE PRIMA.

FIRST ACT

FIRST PART.

Frailty, thy name is woman!

Gran Sala reale nel Castello d’Elsinora.

Il Re, la Regina, Amleto, Polonio, Laerte, Ofelia, Dame,
   Cortigiani, Ciamberlani, Ufficiali, poscia Marcello e
   Orazio.  Festa d’incoronazione.  Il nuovo Re beve a
   mensa; ad ogni tazza ch’egli vuota scoppiano gli evviva
   per tutta la reggia.

TUTTI   Viva il Re!
RE                         Di giullivi clamori
                   Sorga un tuon per le splendide sale,
                   fra i suoni, le danze, i fulgori,
                   S’alzi un carme che narri di me.
                   Nè si vuoti una tazza regale
                   Se pria l’Orbe il suo plauso non diè!
                Alla vostra salute, o signori!
LAE. e POL.      Viva il Re!
COR. e DAM.                  Viva il Re!
UFF.                                               Viva il Re!
AML.       (Ah si dissolva quest’abbietta forma
                Di duolo e colpe! si dissolva in nulla.
                Deh! se il rejetto suicida non fosse
                Fulminato da Dio!… per me la vita
                È dannazione, e la terra un immondo
                Loto maligno - E qui si danza, e un mese
                Non è compiuto che morì mio padre!…
                Ahi vituperio! e le incestuose membra
                Con impaziente foja abbandonava
                La sposa del magnanimo defunto
                Nell’adre braccia di quel drudo! Orrore!
                Ti frena o lingua, e non tradir lo sdegno
                Che nel profondo cor fatal mi lancia.)
LAE.           Su beviam negli eletti bicchieri,
                     Fra il gioir delle danze cocenti.
I. COR.    Altra danza da prodi guerrieri
                     Danzerem ove il voglia la fè.
UFF.             Ove il fier Fortebraccio s’attenti
                     Di levar la sua spada su te.
RE              Alla vostra salute, o messeri!
LAE., POL.          Viva il Re!
COR.                                  Viva il Re!
UFF.                                                 Viva il re!           (segue
                                                                             una danza)
RE              Caro Amleto, e qual t’ange rancura
                      Che t’arruga la fronte pensosa?
AML.          Nulla, o re, sol contrasta l’oscura
                      Veste e il lutto fra tanto splendor.
REG.           Caro Amleto, men triste e crucciosa
                      Volgi al re la parola del cor.
COR.e      Su, danziam, per le splendide mura
DAME           Tutto esulta di luce e d’amor.
OFE.           Leva, o prence, lo sguardo giocondo.
LAE.              Non t’attristi de’ morti il pensiero.
REG.              Egli è fato comune che al mondo
                      Ciò che ha vita è dannato a perir.
AML.          (amaramente)
                   Ben parlate, signora, davvero.
COR.              Dunque ognuno s’affretti al gioir,
                      Poich’è fato comune che al mondo
                      Ciò che ha vita è dannato a perir.
          (Entra Ofelia e s’avvicina gentilmente ad Amleto.)

OFE.        Principe Amleto! Tutto mesto e nero
                Fra gli splendori del regal connubio,
                Rassomigli alla larva del Mistero.

AML.   (cupamente)
                O al fantasma del Dubbio!

OFE.  (sempre ad Amleto)
                                Dubita pur che brillino
                                Degli astri le carole,
                                Dubita pur che il sole
                                Fulga, e che sulla rorida
                                Zolla germogli il fior;
                                Dubita delle lagrime,
                                Dubita del sorriso,
                                E dubita degli angeli
                                Che sono in paradiso,
                                Ma credi nell’amor!

RE           È pertinace invero un tal corruccio,
                Cugino mio; d’un travïato core
                E’ mi discopre le violenti fibre
                Immansuete. Al cielo offendi, o insano,
                Cogli eterni sospir; la rassegnata
                Pazïentar è virtù, smetti il cordoglio.
                Nello immutabil fato ell’è follia
                Coll’umana cervice dar di cozzo.
                Ed or ch’esulta Danimarca intera
                Non venga il duolo a rattristarci: ai morti
                Tributiamo un pensier di ricordanza,
                Pur misto al gaudio di procaci pose
                E di bicchieri spumeggianti; il riso
                Stia del labbro signore, e nel profondo  
                Petto s’accolga la pietà del pianto. –
                Così, messeri; e un pio brindisi or scioglo
                Per darvi il retto esempio.
CORT.                                                     E noi ti udiamo.
RE              Requie ai defunti – e colmisi
                      D’almo liquor la tazza,
                      Oriam per essi – e il calice
                      Sia vittima ed altar.
                   Tal che fra i suoni e i cantici
                      Dell’ora ardente e pazza,
                      Scenda rugiada e balsamo
                      Sui morti il pio libar.
                                Libiam! La lagrima
                                   Sul ciglio spunti.
                                   Oriam! – e tremulo
                                     Vacilli il piè.
                                   Requie ai defunti!
CORT.                        E gloria al re!!
REG.           Requie ai defunti – e intreccinsi
                      Poëtiche carole.
                      Oriam per essi – e un cantico
                      Alziam di voluttà.
                   Lungi dai morti il lugubre
                      Cipresso e le vïole.
                      La danza ai mesti spiriti
                      Più dolce assai sarà.
                                Libiam! la lagrima
                                   Sul ciglio spunti.
                                   Oriam! ed agile
                                   Trasvoli il piè.
                                   Requie ai defunti!
CORT.                        E gloria al re!
AML.          (Dell’ebra la bestemmia
                      Punisci, o Dio possente,
                      Fa che non giunga all’anima
                      Del padre mio dormente.
                      La requie eterna i perfidi
                      Pregan pel genitor,
                   Ma la lor prece è folgore
                      Che ricadrà su lor.)
OFE.           (La pace eterna e il placido
                      Riposo dei beati
                      Invoco io pur sull’anime
                      Dei giusti trapassati.
                      Ma le mie labbra al calice
                      Non posso avvicinar.)
LAE.           Su bevi, Ofelia, e allegrati…            (porgendole
OFE.              Lasciatemi pregar.                           una tazza)
CORT. E DAME      Libiam! la lagrima
                                   Sul ciglio spunti.
                                   Oriam! ed agile
                                   Trasvoli il piè.
RE                               Requie ai defunti!
TUTTI                         E gloria al re!!
        (Entrano Marcello ed Orazio, e s’accostano ad Amleto)
MAR.       (Prence.
ORA.                    Signor.
AML.                             Mio buon Marcello… Orazio…)
LAE.        (al Re)
                Bello il brindisi affè. – Per le purganti
                Anime tristi avrà valso mill’anni
                Di bëata indulgenza.
POL.                                       Ed all’arsiccio
                Gorgozzule bramoso una felice
                Innaffïata.
AML.       (ad Orazio e Marcell)
                                    È ver; seguîr le nozze
            Ben presto ai funerali – Oh! padre mio!…
            Parmi vederlo.
MAR.                             E dove?…
AML.                                               Coll’ardente
                Pupilla del pensiero.
ORA.                                    O mio buon prence,
                Nella passata notte io sì che ‘l vidi.
AML.       Chi?…
ORA.                  Vostro padre?…
MAR.                                          Il vidi anch’io!!..)
LAE.        (colla tazza alzata)                   Versate.
                      Sovra il desco innebriato
                         Piovan canti, incenso e fiori,
                         Piovan nembi di fulgori,
                         Piovan vergini beltà!
CORO            E la reggia un incantato
                         Paradiso ci parrà!…
ORA.       (Nell’ora dei morti – vegliava Marcello
(a Aml.)  Soligno in vedetta – lunghesso il castello.
MAR.         Vegghiavo in vedetta – quand’ecco ver me
                   S’avanza tremendo – lo spettro del re.
                Tre volte l’immota – pupilla da morto
                   Brillar di corusche – scintille v’ho scorto.
                   Tre volte le cupe – mascelle sbarrò,
                   E presso al mio corpo – tre volte passò.)
POL.        (dal desco)
                                Son discesi in questa reggia
                                   Una turba di giullari.
LAE.(scher-                Con prestigi e giochi rari
zosamente)                  E diaboliche virtù.
AML.       (Nè motto a lui feste?
MAR.                                       Richiesîl tremante,
                   Pur muto ed immobil – mi stette davante.
ORA.          Sol credo una volta – volesse parlar.
MAR.          Ma sparve repente – d’un gallo al cantar.)
OFE.                        Sì davver?… (Dal desco)
LAE.                                        Nullo pareggia
                                   A codesti cerretani.
POL.                           Son di climi assai lontani.
LAE.                           Figli son di Belzebù.
AML.       (E avea la sembianza?…
MAR.                                           Sdegnosa ed altera
ORA.       E ritta sull’elmo – tenea la visiera.)
CORT.                     Su, la danza si scateni
                                   Furibonda ardente e pazza.
UFF.                           Dall’ebbrezza della tazza
                                   All’ebbrezza dell’amor.
ORA.       (ad Amleto)
                (Signor, questa notte – di scolta sarò.
AML.          Ebben questa notte – pur io ci verrò.)
CORT.                     Ve’ l’ansar de’ bianchi seni,
                                   Ve’ degli ochi la baldanza
UFF.                           Danza, danza, danza, danza!
                                   Tutto è riso, luce e amor!
AML.       (Ben io gli parlerò, se pur l’averno
                Tutto s’armasse contro me; sepolto
                Resti in voi l’accaduto. E in questa notte
                Vo’ veder l’ombra di mio padre.)
RE           (gridando dal desco)                       Ai morti
                La requie eterna, e ai vivi la follia!
LAE.        Ben dice il re. Danziamo!
AML.                                             (Io d’un mal gioco
                Sospetto assai)
MAR                                             Che pensi Amleto?
AML.                                                      Andiamo.    (parte
TUTTI       Su la danza si scateni                 con Ora. e Mar.)
                     Furibonda, ardente e pazza,
                     E si getti al suol la tazza,
                     E trasvoli ardente il piè.
CORT.        Ve’ l’ansar de’ bianchi seni,
UFF.              Ve’ degli occhi la baldanza.
TUTTI          Danza, danza, danza, danza!
CORT.           Al re gloria!
TUTTI                             Gloria al re!
                (Il Re abbandona la festa accompagnato della
                Regina e dai ciamberlani. – Grida di evviva).

The King, the Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Ophelia,          Ladies, Courtesans, Chamberlans, Officials, then
Marcellus and Horatio.  Coronation festival.  The new king
drinks at the table; cheers explode through the whole
kingdom every time he empties a glass.

ALL   Long live the King!
KING                                 May a thunder of merry noise
                Rise through the magnificent halls,
                And among the sounds, the dances, and the lights,
                May a poem telling of me rise up.
                Nor may one empty a royal cup
                Before the Earth gives its approval!
          To your health, o sirs!
LAE. and POL.   Long live the King!
COR. and LADIES                 Long live the King!
OFF.                                                     Long live the King!
HAM.      (May this vile form of sadness and
                Guilt dissolve! May it dissolve into nothing.
                Ah! Would that the outcast suicide were not
                Struck down by God!... Life is damnation
                For me, and the earth an unclean malignant
                Lotus - And here they dance, and not even a
                Month has gone by since my father died!...
                Ah insult! And the wife of this departed,
                Magnanimous man abandoned her incestuous
                Limbs to the ardent arms of that lover with
                Impatient lust! Oh horror! Hold your tongue, and
                Do not betray the scorn that throws itself
                Into my profound and fatal heart.)
LAE.        Come let’s drink from the select glasses,
                   Among the rejoicing of the scorching dances.
COUR.        We will dance another dance of brave warriors
                   Wherever fate dictates it.
OFF.           Wherever the proud Fortunbras attacks
                   And raises his sword above you.
KING       To your health, oh sirs!
LAE., POL.    Long live the King!
COUR                      Long live the King!
OFF.                               Long live the king!           (a dance
                                                                               follows)
KING       Dear Hamlet, what rancor torments you
                   What wrinkles your thoughtful brow?
HAM.      Nothing, o king, only the contrast of gloomy
                   Clothes and mourning among so much splendor.
QU.          Dear Hamlet, offer a less sad and scornful word      
                   From your heart to the King.
COUR.        Come let’s dance, among the splendid walls
LAD.          Everything exults with light and love.
LAE..       O Prince, raise a happy glance.
                 Do not sadden yourself with thoughts of the dead.
QU.             It is a common fact that in this world that which
                   Has life is damned to perish.
HAM.      (bitterly)
                Well spoken, madam, in truth.
COUR.        Therefore let everyone hasten to rejoice,
                   Since it is a common fact that in this world that
                   Which has life is damned to perish.
        (Ophelia enters and gently approaches Hamlet.)

OPH.       Prince Hamlet! All saddened and black
                Among the splendors of the royal marriage,
                You resemble the ghost of Mystery.

HAM.      (sullenly)
                Or the phantom of Doubt!

OPH.       (always to Hamlet)
                                Doubt that the songs
                                Of the stars sparkle,
                                Doubt  that the sun
                                Shines, and that a flower
                                Sprouts on the dewy turf;
                                Doubt tears,
                                Doubt smiles,
                                And doubt the angels
                                That are in paradise,
                                But believe in love!

KING      Such indignation is pertinacious in truth,
                My cousin; It reveals to me the violent
                Untamed fibers of a lost heart.
                Oh madman, you offend heaven
                With your eternal sighs; Resigned
                Patience is a virtue, stop this sorrow.
                It is folly for the human will to be in
                Opposition to unchangeable destiny.
                And now that all of Denmark exults
                May sorrow not come to sadden us: Let us
                Pay tribute to the dead with a thought of
                Remembrance, yet mixed with the joy of
                Provocative poses and bubbling glasses;
                May laughter be on your lips my lord, and
                May you welcome the pity of tears in the depths
                of your bosom. – And thus my lords, to give you
                A proper example I’ll unleash a pious Brindisi.
COURT.                                  And we will listen to you.
KING.         Rest to the deceased – and let your
                      Cups be filled with spirited liquor
                      Let us pray for them – and may the
                      Chalice be casualty and altar.
                   Such that the pious libation drops
                      Dew and balm on the dead
                      Among sounds and songs
                      Of the ardent and mad hour,
                                Let us drink! May a tear
                                   Sprout on your eye.
                                   Let us pray! – and let
                                    Your feet tremulously sway
                                    Rest to the deceased!
COURT.                      And glory to the king!!
QUEEN.     Rest to the deceased – and may
                      Poetic carols be woven.
                      Let us pray for them – and let us raise a
                      Canticle of pleasure.
                   Distance from the dead the lugubrious
                      Cypresses and violets.
                      A dance will be much sweeter
                      To the saddened spirits.
                                   Let us drink! May a tear
                                      Sprout on your eye.
                                      Let us pray! And may your
                                      Feet tread with agility.
                                      Rest to the deceased
COURT.                        And glory to the king!
HAM.         (O powerful God, punish the
                      Blasphemy of this drunkard,
                      Let it not reach the soul
                      Of my sleeping father.                              
                      The treacherous pray the
                      Eternal peace for him,
                   But their prayer is a thunderbolt
                      That will fall back on them.)
OFE.           (I too invoke eternal peace
                      And the placid repose of the
                      Blessed for the souls of the
                      Fair deceased.
                      But my lips cannot
                      Approach the chalice.)
LAE.           Come drink, Ophelia, and be merry…   (offering
OPH.             Let me pray.                                     her a cup)
COURT. and LAD.  Let us drink! May a tear
                                   Sprout on your eye.
                                    Let us pray! And may your
                                   Feet tread with agility.
KING                          Rest to the deceased!
ALL                            And glory to the king!
       (Marcellus and Horatio enter and approach Hamlet)
MAR.       (Prince.
HOR.                   My lord.
HAM.                              My good Marcellus... Horatio...)
LAE.        (to the King)
                In faith the brindisi is beautiful – It will have
                Earned the sad, purgative souls one thousand
                Years of blessed indulgence.
POL.                                        And a happy
                Watering for a yearning,
                Parched throat.
HAM.      (to Horatio and Marcellus)
                                   It is true; the wedding ceremonies
                Quickly followed the funeral – Oh! My father!...
                I seem to see him.
MAR.                                 Where?...
HAM.                                              With the burning
                Pupil of my thoughts.
HOR.                                       O my good prince,
                I too saw him last night.
HAM.      Who?...
HOR.                  Your father?...
MAR.                                       I too saw him!!...)
LAE.        (with a raised cup)                             Pour.
                   May songs, incense and flowers
                      Rain down upon this inebriated table,
                      Let clouds of lightening shower down
                      Let virgin beauties rain down!
CHORUS     And the kingdom will seem an
                      Enchanted paradise to us!...
HOR.       (In the hour of the dead – Marcellus was keeping
(to HA.)   Watch all alone – along the fortress.
MAR.            I was keeping watch – when the terrible ghost
                     Of the king advanced towards me.
                Three times – the unmoving pupil of the dead man
                     I noticed it shimmering – with glowing sparks.
                     Three times the dark – jaws blocked my way
                     And he passed near my body – three times.)
POL.        (from the table)     
                                A throng of jesters
                                   Has descended on this kingdom.
LAE. (jok-                  With prestige and rare games
ingly)                          And diabolical virtue.
HAM.      (You didn’t speak a word to him?
MAR.                                               Trembling I asked him
                   Yet silent and immobile he remained.
HOR.          I believe he only wanted to speak one time.
MAR.          He disappeared quickly at the cock’s crowing.)
OPH.              Yes really?.... (From the table)
LAE.                                        There’s no comparison
                           With these charlatans.
POL.                   They are from far away climates.
LAE.                   They are sons of Beelzebub.
HAM.      (And he had the features?...
MAR.                                               Disdainful and proud
HOR.       And he kept his visor straight on his helmet.)
COURT.                  Come, let the dance break out
                                   Furious passionate and mad.
OFF.                           From the intoxication of the glass
                                   To the intoxication of love.
HOR.       (to Hamlet)
                (My lord, this night – I will keep watch.
HAM.      Well then this night – I will also come.)
COURT.        See the heaving of white bosoms,
                         See the eyes’ boldness
OFF.                 Dance, dance, dance, dance!
                         Everything is laughing, light and love!
HAM.      (Good, I will speak to him, should all of
                Avernus arm itself against me;  May this event
                Remained buried in you. And in this night
                I will see the shadow of my father.)
KING      (yelling from the table)                   To the dead
                Eternal rest, and to the living madness!
LAE.        Well said King. Let us dance!
HAM.                                                 (I very much
                Suspect foul play)
MAR                                 What do you think Hamlet?
HAM.                                      Let’s go           (he leaves with
ALL         Come, let the dance break out         Hor. and Mar.)
                   Furious passionate and mad.
                   Let your glass be thrown to the ground,
                   And let your feet fly ardently.
COURT.  See the heaving of white bosoms,
OFF.           See the eyes’ boldness.
ALL            Dance, dance, dance, dance!
COURT.     Glory to the king!
ALL                                        Glory to the king!
                (The king abandons the festivities accompanied by
                the queen and by chamberlains. – Shouts of evviva).

PARTE SECONDA.

SECOND PART.

O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible!

O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible!

(Una piattaforma. È oscura notte; nel lontano il Castello d’Elisinora).

Amleto, Orazio, Marcello, avvolti in lunghi mantelli
s’avanzano lentamente, poscia lo Spettro.

(A platform. It is darest night; in the distance is the Castel of Elsinore)..

Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus, wrapped in long cloaks
Slowly advance, later the Ghost.

AML.       Soffia la brezza acuta.
ORA.                                       Il freddo punge.
AML.       Quante ore son?
MAR.                               Cred’io che poco manchi
                A mezzanotte
ORA.                          È già scoccata.
MAR.                                                   Allora
                Non posi mente. – Il tempo s’avvicina 
                Che suol lo spettro errar fra questi spaldi.
       (s’odono musiche dal Castello, i tre rimangono muti
                per qualche istante.  Apparisce lo spettro)
MAR.       Ecco egli vien…
AML.                                Gran Dio… misericordia!…
                Vegliate su di me, santi del cielo!!
                E te, spettro vagante, angelo o furia,
                Spirto di pace o di martiri, invoco!
                Sotto care sembianze a me ne vieni,
                Te nomo padre, a me rispondi, e il velo
                Di mia mente dirada. A me rispondi!
                E qual misterio la tua salma avviva,
                Che dall’avello ne risorgi, e getti
                Il lenzuol della morte, e vagolando
                Cadavere vivente e d’armi cinto
                Vieni nell’alta notte a spaventare
                Col morto aspetto i vivi? A me rispondi! –
                (lo Spettro accenna col braccio ad Orazio e Marcello)
ORA.       Ei d’andar ne fa cenno.  Al solo Amleto
                Parlar vorrà.
AML.                         V’allontanate.
MAR.                                             O prence,
                Nè temi?…
AML.                       Io nulla; ite, ven prego.
MAR.      (a Orazio)                                    (Orazio,
                Poco discosti gli starem; col morto
                Mal for a abbandonarlo. Andiam qui presso.)
                                            (s’internano verso la piattaforma)
                                                                        (lungo silenzio)
SPE.            Tu dêi saper ch’io son l’anima lesa
                      Del morto padre tuo, su cui lo sdegno
                      Dell’Eterna Giustizia incombe e pesa.
                   Me stesso fei per mio fallire indegno
                      Ed or le colpe nella vita lieta
                      Purgo col foco del dolente regno.
                   Oh! se non fosse il ciel che lo mi vieta
                      Io ti direi del mio patir, che ghiaccio
                      Per lo terror ti si faria la creta.
                   Pur alte cose udir t’è forza; impaccio
                      Non ti sia lo spavento. O figlio! o figlio!!
                      Vendetta io vo’ del maledetto braccio
                   Che mi diè morte…
AML.       (con impeto immenso) Orror! Deh narra, e quale…
                      Qual fu colui?… ch’io lo conosca, e ratto
                      Come un desio d’amor voli e l’uccida!!!
                                     (s’odono ancora le musiche di danza)
SPE.         Or se la tua parola è in cuor nudriva,
                   Ascolta o figlio: in Danimarca suona
                   D’un serpe reo che mi furò la vita,
                E ognun di ciò come del ver ragiona,
                   Ma il ver tu sappi; il serpe che m’ha spento
                   O porta in capo la regal corona.
AML.       Ahi! veggente cor mio!!
SPE.                                             Ma intorno io sento
                   Come un olir di soffio mattutino;
                   Breve adunque sarò. – Era il momento
                Dopo il meriggio, e sceso nel giardino
                   Dormia sonno di pace, allor che il tristo
                   Fratello mio s’appiatta a me vicino.
                E con orrenda man, goccia, non visto,
                   Nel mio orecchio un venen sì rio che d’angue
                   Soperchia ogni puntura, e d’improvvisto
                Congela il cor nell’attoscato sangue.
                   E tal morimmi d’atra scabbia impura
                   Lasciando maculato il corpo esangue.
                L’anima poi dei vizi la lordura
                   Lava soffrendo, e nella cupa notte
                   Così vestita errando si rancura.
                Orribil cosa! e tu se pur corrotte
                   Non hai le fonti d’ogni senso umano
                   Faimi vendetta! – Or riedo alle mie grotte:
                Fra l’ignei guai, poichè là nel lontano
                   Scerno del ciel la nube piccioletta
                   Biancheggiar di splendore antelucano,
                E languidir la stanca luccioletta.
                   Io m’accommando, ti sorregga Iddio.
                   Ricorditi di me, della vendetta.
                Già più non dico, è giunta l’ora; addio.     (si spro-
AML.          Angioli e Santi! inferno e ciel! reggete      fonda)
                   Queste mie membra e questa mente, e il core
                   Non divenga pusillo. Ah! mio buon padre,
                   Vendicato sarai, lo giuro.        (entrano affannosi
ORA.                                         Amleto…   Orazio e Marc.)
MAR.          Signor?
ORA.                      (Lo guardi Iddio!)
AML.                                               Miei cari, un lieve
                Favor non mi negate; il gran prodigio
                   Che in questa note apparve alcun nol sappia.
ORA.          Nulla direm.
AML.                            Giurate.
ORA.                                        Sulla fede.
MARC.   Sulla fede giuriamo.
ORA.                                    E sulla spada.          (sguainano
SPETTRO  (di sotterra)                                          le spade)
                    Giurate!…
AML.                          Sì, scenda su te la requie,
                   Spirto affannato.
SPET.                                  Per la fe’ giurate!
                              AML., ORA. e MAR.
                   Giurammo, sì.                   (incrociando le spade)
SPET.                              Giurate!
AML.                                           O miei compagni,
                   Preghiam per lui.
AML., ORA. e MAR. (inginocchiandosi)
                                                De profundis clamavi….

HAM.      The sharp breeze blows.
HOR.                                         The cold stings.
HAM.      What time is it?
MAR.                              I believe that it is a little
                Before midnight.
HOR.                              It has already struck
MAR.                                                            Then do not let
                Your mind rest. – The time is nearing when
                Only the ghost wanders among these terraces.
                (music is heard from the Castle, the three remain
                mute for a few moments. The ghost appears)
MAR.       There he comes...
HAM.                                  Good God!... mercy!
                Watch over me, saints in heaven!!
                And you, wandering ghost, angel or demon,
                Spirit of peace or suffering, I invoke!
                You come to me under beloved appearances,
                I call you father, answer me, and lift
                The veil from my mind. Answer me!
                And what mystery can your remains animate,
                That from the tomb you rise, and throw off
                Your death sheet, living cadaver, and wandering
                Uncertain and encircled in armor you come in
                High night to frighten the living with the  
                Appearance of a dead man. Answer me! –
                (The Ghost points out Horatio and Marcellus with his arm)
HOR.       He gives us the signal to leave. He only wishes to
                Speak with Hamlet.
HAM.                                     Go away.
MAR.                                                   O prince,
                You don’t fear him?...
HAM.                      I fear nothing, go, I beg you.
MAR.      (to Horatio)                                        (Horatio,
                We will stay close to him; it would be bad to
                Leave him with the dead man. Let us go nearby.)
                                   (They withdraw towards the platform)
                                                                         (long silence)
GH.             You must know that I am the injured soul
                      Of your dead father, upon which the scorn
                      Of Eternal Justice hangs over and weighs.
                   I myself did this by my shameful failures
                      And now the guilt of my happy life
                      I purge with the fire of a sorrowful kingdom.
                   Oh! Would that heaven had not forbidden me
                      I would tell you of my suffering, which would
                      Freeze you from terror, and turn you into clay.
                   Yet noble things force you to listen; may fear
                      Not be an obstacle. O son! O son!!
                      I want vengeance from the damned arm
                   That gave me death…
HAM.      (with immense force) Horror! Tell me, and who…
                      Who was it?... Let me know him, and quickly
                       Like love’s desire let me fly to kill him!!!
                                    (music from the dance is heard again)
GH.             Now if your word of honor is felt in your heart,    
                      Listen my son: in Denmark they say that an
                      Evil serpent took my life,
                   And everyone reasons that this is the truth,
                      But know the truth; the serpent that killed me
                      Now wears on his head the royal crown.
HAM.         Ahi! My prophetic (seeing) heart!!
GH.                                                    But around me I smell
                      The morning breeze like a perfume;
                      Therefore I will be brief. – It was the moment
                   After midday, and having descended into the     
                      Garden, I slept in peace, when my wicked
                      Brother hid himself near me. And with
                   A terrible hand, unseen, dripped into my
                      Ear a poison so evil that it overpowered
                      Every snake bite, and suddenly
                   My heart froze with poisoned blood.
                      And such I died of black impure desiccation
                      Leaving my immaculate body bloodless.
                   Then my soul purifies the filth of my vice
                      through suffering, and in the dark night
                      Dressed thus grieves wandering about.
                   Horrible thing! And you, if the sources of all
                      Your human feelings are not yet corrupted,
                      Avenge me! – Now I return to my cave:
                   Among fervid difficulties, since there in the
                      Distance I see a tiny cloud from heaven
                      Whiten with pre-dawn splendor,
                   And the tired little glow-worm languishes.
                      I implore you, may God support, you.
                      Remember me, remember vengeance.
                   I will say no more, the time has come; adieu.        (he
HAM.          Angels and Saints! Heaven and Hell!           vanishes)
                    Support my limbs and mind, and may my
                    Heart not become cowardly. Ah! My good
                    Father, you will be avenged, I swear.         (Hor and
HOR.                       Hamlet...                Marc. enter breathlessly)
MAR.             My lord?
HOR.                               (May God watch over him!)
HAM.                                                     My friends, do not
            Deny me a small favor; may nobody know of the
                   Great wonder that appeared this night.
HOR.          We won’t say anything.
HAM.                                         Swear.
HOR.                                                   On my faith.
MARC.   Let us swear on our faith.
HOR.                                     And on our swords                (they
GH. (from underground)                           unsheathe their swords)
              Swear!...
HAM.                  Yes, may rest descend upon you,
                   Troubled spirit.
GH.                                   Swear by your faith!
                           HAM., HOR., and MAR.
                   We swear, yes.                    (they cross their swords)
GH.                                    Swear!
HAM.                                            O my companions,
                   Pray for him.
HAM., HOR., and MAR. (kneeling)
                                                      De profundis clamavi….

Cala la tela.

FINE DELL’ATTO PRIMO.

The curtain falls.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ATTO SECONDO

PARTE PRIMA.

SECOND ACT

FIRST PART.

To be, or not to be!

To be, or not to be!

Una Sala nel Castello.

Il Re, la Regina, Polonio, poscia Amleto.

A Hall in the Castle.

The King, the Queen, Polonius, then Hamlet.