LEONORA
It is too late!

ALVARO
Then we must
keep calm.

CURRA
Holy Virgin!

LEONORA
to Don Alvaro
Hide in there.
indicating her room

ALVARO
drawing a pistol
No, I must protect you.

LEONORA
Put away that gun. Would you
raise it against my father?

ALVARO
No, against myself.

He replaces the pistol.

LEONORA
Horror!

After several blows, the rear door on the left is noisily thrown open. The Marquis of Calatrava enters in a rage, brandishing a sword; he is followed by two servants carrying lamps.

MARQUIS
Vile seducer! Shameless daughter!

LEONORA
throwing herself at his feet
No, father -

MARQUIS
repulsing her
No longer am I your father!

ALVARO
to the Marquis
I alone am the guilty one.
baring his chest
Strike - take your revenge!

MARQUIS
to Don Alvaro
No, your conduct
shows the baseness of your origins.

ALVARO
offended
My lord!

MARQUIS
to his daughter
Stand aside.
to the servants
Arrest the scoundrel!

STUDENT
lifting his glass
Health here, eternal glory later!

PREZIOSILLA, ALCALDE, GIRLS, MULETEERS, PEASANTS
doing likewise
Hear, hear!

STUDENT
Are you already with the angels, Trabuco?

TRABUCO
What? In this hell-hole?

STUDENT
And did that little thing with you
come for the celebration?

TRABUCO
I don't know.

STUDENT
By the way -
is it a cock or a hen?

TRABUCO
A traveller's money is all I notice.

STUDENT
Very prudent of you.
turning to the Alcalde
You saw him arrive.
Why didn't he come supper?

ALCALDE
I don't know.

STUDENT
It’s said he asked for vinegar and water
ha, ha! to refresh himself.

ALCALDE
It may be.

STUDENT
It’s true that he's delicate and beardless?

ALCALDE
I know nothing.

STUDENT
(He won't talk.)
to Trabuco
I turn to you again.
Did he ride the mule
Side-saddle or astride?

TRABUCO
impatiently
This is a bore!

STUDENT
Where did he come from?

TRABUCO
rising
I know sooner or later I'll go to heaven!

STUDENT
Why?

TRABUCO
Because you're making me
Suffer purgatory.

STUDENT
Where are you going now?

TRABUCO
To the stable,
to sleep with my mules,
who know no Latin
and aren't Bachelors of Arts.
To sleep with my mules,
who know no Latin;
to sleep with my mules
who aren't Bachelors of Arts.

He takes up his saddle and leaves.

PREZIOSILLA, ALCALDE, STUDENT, GIRLS, MULETEERS, PEASANTS
Ha, ha - he's fled!

STUDENT
Since the stranger is beardless,
let's paint him a moustache with lamp-black.
Tomorrow we'll have a good laugh at it.

SOME VOICES
Bravo! Bravo!

ALCALDE
I have to protect all travellers; I'm against this.
It would be better if you told us
where you come from, where you're going and who you are.

STUDENT
Do you want to know? Here's my story.

I am Pereda, rich in honours;
Salamanca made me a Bachelor;
soon I shall be a full-fledged Doctor,
for I've only a few studies to complete.
Vargas took me from there a year ago
and brought me with him to Seville.
Pereda would brook no affront;
his heart spoke out for his friend.

A foreigner, his sister's lover,
had murdered his father there,
and the son, like the brave knight he is,
had sworn to be revenged on him.
We followed them to the coast at Cadiz,
but could not find the guilty pair.
Pereda suffered for his friend,
and his heart spoke out for him.

There and everywhere alike, it was said
that the ruined girl had perished with her father,
and that in a scuffle between the servants and the assassins,
only the vile seducer escaped.
I then separated from Vargas,
who swore to pursue the murderer.
He set sail for America,
and Pereda returned to his studies.

GIRLS, MULETEERS, PEASANTS
Pereda has told a grim story,
and shown his generosity of heart!

Scena, chorus and reprise of the dance

ALCALDE
Very good.

PREZIOSILLA
This Marquis was killed?

STUDENT
Well?

PREZIOSILLA
And the assassin ravished his daughter?

STUDENT
Yes.

PREZIOSILLA
And you, the faithful, noble friend,
went to Cadiz and before that to Seville?
No one takes me in, no, 'pon my word,
tra la la la!

ALCALDE
rising and looking at the clock
My sons, it's late; let us give thanks
To God for our meal and be off.

PREZIOSILLA
Let's be off.

STUDENT
Let's be off.

VILLAGERS, MULETEERS, PEASANTS
Let's be off.

STUDENT
Good night.

GIRLS, MULETEERS, PEASANTS
Good night.

STUDENT
Good night.

PREZIOSILLA
Good night.

ACT THREE

Italy, near Velletri

SCENE ONE

A wood on a pitch-dark night.
Don Alvaro is in the uniform of a Spanish captain in the Royal Grenadiers. Voices are heard off-stage to the right.

Scena and Romanza

SOLDIERS
within
Keep your eyes on the game.

FIRST SOLDIER
An ace on the right.

SECOND SOLDIER
I’ve won!

SOLDIERS
Keep your eyes on the game.

FIRST SOLDIER
A three on the right.

SECOND SOLDIER
A five on the left.

FIRST SOLDIER
I’ve lost!

SOLDIERS
Pay attention!

Don Alvaro comes forward slowly.

ALVARO
Life is a hell to the unfortunate. In vain
do I long for death. Seville! Leonora!
Oh, memories! Oh, night
that robbed me of all joy!
I shall be unhappy forever - so it is written.
My father wished to shatter the foreign yoke
on his native land, and by uniting himself
with the last of the Incas, thought to assume
the crown. The attempt was in vain!
I was born in prison, educated
in the desert; I live only because my royal birth
is known to none! My parents
dreamed of a throne; the axe awakened them!
Oh, when will my misfortunes end?

Oh, you who have ascended, forever pure,
to the bosom of the angels,
lovely and untouched
by mortal sorrow,
do not forget
to look down on me, unhappy wretch,
who, nameless and exiled,
the prey of fate,
longingly seeks to encounter death,
unfortunate that I am!
Leonora, help me,
have pity on my anguish.
Help me, have pity on me!

Scena and Duettino

CARLOS
in the distance
Treachery!

VOICES
in the distance
Let him die!

ALVARO
What is that shouting?

CARLOS
Help!

ALVARO
I must help.

VOICES
Kill him!

Don Alvaro runs off towards where the cries came from: the clash of swords is heard. Some officers cross the scene from right to left, fleeing in disorder. Don Alvaro returns with Don Carlos.

ALVARO
They've escaped. Are you wounded?

CARLOS
No. I owe
my life to you.

ALVARO
Who were they?

CARLOS
Assassins.

ALVARO
So near
camp?

CARLOS
I will be frank:
it was a quarrel over cards.

ALVARO
I see - over there to the right?

CARLOS
Yes.

ALVARO
But how did you,
so noble of bearing, become involved
in that den of thieves?

CARLOS
I’m new here.
I arrived with orders from the general
only yesterdav; without you I should now
be dead. Tell me, to whom do I owe my life?

ALVARO
To chance -

CARLOS
First tell you my name;
(he must not know the truth!);
Don Felix de Bornos, aide
to the commander.

ALVARO
I am Don Federico Herreros,
captain of Grenadiers.

CARLOS
The pride of the army!

ALVARO
Sir -

CARLOS
I desire your friendship; I ask and hope for it.

ALVARO
And I shall be proud to have yours!

They shake hands.

ALVARO and CARLOS
Friends in life and death
The world shall see us.
United in life and death
it shall find us both.

Scena

It is morning. The quarters of a senior officer of the Spanish army, in Italy, not far from Velletri. At the rear are two doors, that on the left leading to a bedroom, the other being the main door. A window on the left near the proscenium. The sounds of the nearby battle can be heard.

Battle

An army surgeon and some orderlies enter through the main door and run to the window.

ORDERLIES
The battle is fierce!

SURGEON
looking through his telescope
The grenadiers are valiant!

ORDERLIES
Herreros is leading them -

SURGEON
looking through his telescope
My God, he has fallen
wounded! His men are giving way! His aide
is rallying them, leading them in a charge!
The enemy is on the run now. Our men have won!

SOLDIERS
Glory to Spain!
Long live Italy!
Victory!

SURGEON
They’re bringing the Captain here, wounded.

Scena and Duettino

Don Alvaro, wounded and unconscious, is brought in in on a stretcher by four grenadiers. On one side of him the surgeon, on the other Don Carlos, covered with dust and very distressed. A soldier sets a dispatch-case down on a small table. The stretcher is laid down almost in the centre of the scene.

CARLOS
Gently - put him here - prepare my bed for him.

SURGEON
Quiet!

CARLOS
Is he in danger?

SURGEON
The bullet in his chest causes me concern.

CARLOS
Oh, save him!

ALVARO
gaining consciousness
Where am I?

CARLOS
With your friend.

ALVARO
Let me die.

CARLOS
Our treatment will save you. You will be awarded
The Order of Calatrava.

ALVARO
starting up
Of Calatrava! Never! Never!

CARLOS
(What! You shudder at the name of Calatrava!)

ALVARO
My friend …

SURGEON
If you talk …

ALVARO
One word only.

CARLOS
to the surgeon
Be good enough to leave us.

The surgeon withdraws to the background. Don Alvaro beckons to Don Carlos to come nearer.

ALVARO
You must swear to me, in this solemn hour,
to carry out a wish of mine.

CARLOS
much moved
I swear.

ALVARO
Look above
My heart.

CARLOS
He does so and discovers a key.
A key!

ALVARO
pointing to the case
With it you will take out
A hidden packet. I entrust it to your honour.
Within is a secret which must die with me.
Burn it when I am dead.

CARLOS
It shall be done, I swear.

ALVARO
Now I can die in peace. I press you to my heart.

CARLOS
embracing him with great emotion
My friend, trust in heaven. Farewell.

ALVARO
Farewell.

The surgeon and orderlies carry the wounded man into the bedroom.

Scena and Aria

CARLOS
To die! A terrible thing -
so fearless, so valiant,
yet he must die! A strange man, this!
He shuddered at the name
of Calatrava! Has he perhaps heard
of our dishonour? Heavens! A sudden thought!
What if he were the seducer?
And in my hands - alive!
But if I am wrong? This key will tell me!
In agitation he opens the case and takes out a sealed envelope.
Here are the papers!
about to open it
What am I doing?
stops
And the oath I swore? And my life
that I owe to his bravery? But I saved him, too!
And what if he were the cursed Indian ,
who soiled my blood?
determinedly
I will break the seal,
goes to do so
no one can see me here.
stops
No? But I can see myself.
He throws down the envelope and backs away in horror.

Away with you, fatal urn of my destiny;
you tempt me in vain.
I came here to redeem my honour, and in madness
will not stain it with this new shame.
An oath is sacred to a man of honour;
these papers shall keep their secret.
Perish the evil thought
that spurred me to the unworthy deed.

But if I could find some other proof?
Let's see.
He again rummages in the case, and finds a small locket.
Here is a portrait.
He examines it.
It has no seal. He said nothing about this.
I promised nothing. Let me open it then.
He does so.
Heavens! Leonora!
excitedly
The wounded man is Don Alvaro!
Now let him live, and then die by my hand!

SURGEON
appearing joyfully at the door of the room
Good news; he's saved.

He goes in again.

CARLOS
He is saved! Oh joy!
He is saved! What immense joy
I feel flooding my heart!
At last I can avenge
the betrayal on the vile wretch!
Leonora, where are you hiding?
Tell me, have you followed into this camp
the man who reddened your face
with your father's blood?
Ah, I should be overjoyed
if this sword of mine with a single stroke
could send them both forever
down to the Prince of Darkness!

He is saved! etc.

He goes out quickly, right.

SCENE THREE

A military encampment near Velletri. In the foreground, left, a pedlar's booth; on the right another where food, drink and fruit are sold. All around, military tents, hucksters' huts, etc. It is night, and the scene is deserted.
A patrol enters cautiously, exploring the camp.

Patrol Chorus (Ronda)

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS
Comrades, let's halt
and explore the camp;
not a sound is heard.
Not a glimmer of light shines;
everyone is buried
in profound sleep.

Companions, let's halt
and explore the camp;
soon reveille
will be sounded.
making a tour of the scene
Let's explore the camp; etc.

Comrades, let's go on;
soon reveille
will be sounded.
Not a sound is heard.
Let's go, let's go,
comrades, let's go.

They move away.

Scena and Duet

Dawn is slowly breaking. Don Alvaro enters, deep in thought.

ALVARO
It is not given to me to enjoy
one hour of peace; my soul is wracked
by the cruel strife.
Peace and oblivion do I ask in vain of heaven.

CARLOS
entering
Captain …

ALVARO
Who calls me?
coming closer and recognizing Don Carlos, to whom he says with affection
You who lavished
such great care on me?

CARLOS
Is your wound fully healed?

ALVARO
Yes.

CARLOS
Are you strong?

ALVARO
As before.

CARLOS
Could you fight a duel?

ALVARO
With whom?

CARLOS
Have you no enemies?

ALVARO
We all have … but
I hardly understand …

CARLOS
No? Did Don Alvaro the Indian
send you no message?

ALVARO
Oh, treachery!
Faithless man! So the secret was violated?

CARLOS
That packet remained unread; the portrait gave it away.
Tremble, for I am Don Carlos de Vargas.

ALVARO
I am not perturbed by the sound of violent threats.

CARLOS
Come out at once: one of us must die …

ALVARO
I scorn death, but it grieves me to revile
one who at first offered me friendship.

CARLOS
No, no, let that name not be profaned.

ALVARO
It was not I, but destiny, that killed your father;
nor did I seduce that angel of love.
They both look down on us, and from heaven
they tell you in your heart that I am innocent.

CARLOS
And she?

ALVARO
That fatal night
I fell, with two grievous wounds.
When I recovered, I searched for a year …
Alas, I found that Leonora was no more!

CARLOS
You lie, you lie!
An old relative gave my sister shelter;
I went to her, but it was too late …

ALVARO
anxiously
And she? …

CARLOS
Had fled.

ALVARO
springing up
And is alive! She lives, great God!!

CARLOS
Yes, she lives.

ALVARO
Don Carlos, my friend, let the tremor
that shakes my every fibre
tell you that my soul
is incapable of baseness …
She lives! Great God, that angel!

CARLOS
But soon she shall die.
She lives, but soon shall die.

ALVARO
No, let the hope of Hymen's bond
draw us together;
and if she is alive, let us together
seek where she has fled to.

CARLOS
Fool!

ALVARO
I swear that a noble origin
makes me your equal,
and that my escutcheon
shines as brightly as the day.
Ah! If she is alive, let us together
seek where she has fled to.

CARLOS
Fool! Between us there gapes
a bloody sepulchre;
how can I call brother
one who has robbed me of everything?
Whether your origin is noble or base,
I have to kill you,
and after you the worthless creature
who betrayed her own flesh and blood.

ALVARO
What are you saying?

CARLOS
She shall die.

ALVARO
Do not say that.

CARLOS
I swear it
before God: the infamous creature shall die.

ALVARO
You shall fall first in mortal combat.

CARLOS
Death! Before I fall lifeless
I will reach Leonora
and plunge into her this blade,
still reddened with your blood.

ALVARO
Death, yes! … With my sword
I will kill a murderer.
Turn your thoughts to God;
your hour has struck at last.

CARLOS
I will plunge into her this blade,
still reddened with your blood.
Let us go! To death we go … to death!

ALVARO
Death! Death! Death!
Now turn your thoughts to God;
your hour has struck at last.
Let us go! To death we go … to death!

They draw their swords and fight furiously. The camp patrol rushes up to separate them.

SOLDIERS
Stop! Hold hard!

CARLOS
furiously
No. His life
or mine … at once.

SOLDIERS
Lead them
away from here.

ALVARO
(Perhaps heaven
is lending me aid.)

CARLOS
He shall die!

SOLDIERS
to Don Carlos, who is attempting to free himself
Come!

CARLOS
to Don Alvaro
My father's murderer!

Don Carlos is dragged away by the patrol.

ALVARO
Now what is left me? Merciful God,
inspire and enlighten my thoughts.
casting aside his sword
Let the warrior seek peace and oblivion
in the cloister, in the hermitage, at the holy altars.

Exit.

Chorus and Verses

The sun rises. A roll of drums and a blare of trumpets give the signal for reveille. The scene gradually becomes more animated. Spanish and Italian soldiers of all branches of the army come out of their tents, cleaning rifles, swords, uniforms, etc. Military cadets play at dice on the drums. Vivandières sell drinks, fruit, bread, etc. From the top of a booth, Preziosilla is telling fortunes. - An extremely lively scene.

VIVANDIERES and SOLDIERS
When fifes and drums
seem to deafen the earth
we are happy, for to the soldier
war is life and joy.

OTHER SOLDIERS
coming out of the tents and happily hurrying to join the others
A gay, adventurous life
for one who cares not for tomorrow
or yesterday, and loves to concentrate
his thoughts only on today.

VIVANDIERES and SOLDIERS
When fifes and drums, etc.

PREZIOSILLA
to the women
Come to the fortune‑teller,
who has come from afar,
and can interpret for you
the mysterious future.
to the soldiers
Come, gather round her,
show her your hands!
You will learn if your sweethearts
are remaining true to you.
Ah!

VIVANDIERES
Go to the fortune-teller,
give her your hands;
you will learn if your fair ones
are remaining true to you.

SOLDIERS
Let us go to the fortune-teller
and show her our hands;
we can hear if our fair ones
are remaining true to us.

PREZIOSILLA
He who longs for paradise
must burn with valour
and prepare to drive out
the barbarous invader
Come, come, come,
you shall hear me predict
what prize you will win
from your fighting.
Ah!

VIVANDIERES
Go on, go on, go on,
you shall hear her predict
what prize you will win
from your fighting.

SOLDIERS
Come on, come on, come on,
we will hear her predict
what prize we shall win
from our fighting.

PREZIOSILLA
Come on!

Scena and Arietta

SOLDIERS
Here, girls, a drink!

The vivandières pour them drinks.

FIRST SOLDIER
Here's to us!

ALL
drinking
Good health!

SECOND SOLDIER
I’ve a bracelet; what'll you give me for it?
showing it

THIRD SOLDIER
Here's a necklace. I'll sell it if you like.
showing it

FIRST SOLDIER
What'll you pay for these earrings?
showing them

SOLDIERS
showing watches, rings, etc.
We want to sell -

TRABUCO
But as far as I can see
it's all trash, worthless trash!

SOLDIERS
Just like your face, you rogue.

TRABUCO
Still, let's agree; thirty soldi
for each article.

SOLDIERS
shouting
That's plain robbery!

TRABUCO
Hey, what a rage! Let's come to terms.
We'll add a few more soldi.
Give me the things, quick!

SOLDIERS
On condition the money's forthcoming,
shiny and ringing.

TRABUCO
First the goods, here, one at a time.

SOLDIERS
handing him the objects
Here you are.

OTHERS
Here you are.

OTHERS
Here you are.

TRABUCO
taking the things and paying
Here you are - good!

SOLDIERS
driving him away
Yes, but now be off with you!

TRABUCO
happily
(That was good business!)
going off to the other side of the camp
Who wants to buy cheap?

Chorus

A group of begging peasants enter, holding their sons by the hand.

PEASANTS
Bread, bread, for pity's sake!
The war has destroyed
our homes and fields. We are starving
and beg for bread, for mercy's sake!

Some conscripts enter under escort, weeping.

CONSCRIPTS
By brute force we were made to leave
our poor mothers, deserted and in tears.
We've been torn away from all we love;
we want to go back home.

VIVANDIERES
gaily approaching the conscripts and offering them drinks
Don't cry, lads,
for your mothers and sweethearts.
We will love you like sisters,
and know how to console you.
Certainly we're not devils.
So dry your tears;
you can see it's no use
to think about the past.

PREZIOSILLA
Entering among the conscripts, she takes a couple by the arm and chaffingly says to them:
Shame on you! Come, be brave!
Handsome lads, are you mad?
If you cry like babies,
you'll be laughed at.
Take a look around you;
I'll bet you can guess
there'll be more than one pretty face
that will be able to console you.

VIVANDIERES
We will love you like sisters, etc.

PREZIOSILLA
Ah! If you cry like babies, etc.
Come, courage!

Chorus - Tarantella

The vivandières brazenly take the conscripts by the arms and begin a very lively general dance. Very soon the confusion and noise are at their height.

PREZIOSILLA, VIVANDIERES, CONSCRIPTS, SOLDIERS
In war it's foolery
which must enliven the camp.
Three cheers for frivolity,
which alone should reign here!
Three cheers for frivolity!

Sermon

Enter Fra Melitone, who is caught up in the whirl of the dance and for a moment is constrained to dance with the vivandières; finally, managing to extricate himself, he exclaims:

MELITONE
Whew! Good gracious, what a world! What are things coming to?
A fine to-do! And here I am;
I came from Spain to heal wounds
and appeal for souls. What do I see? Is this
a Christian camp, or are you Turks?
Where was such derision of the holy Sabbath
ever seen? You're more concerned
with bottles than with battles,
and instead of donning sackcloth and ashes,
here you're involved with Venus and Bacchus.
The world has become a vale of tears;
every monastery
now is a den of empty air! Sanctuaries
have become the lairs of the sanguinary;
even Christ's tabernacles
have been made to receive villains.
Everything's topsy‑turvy. And why?
Pro peccata vestra, because of your
sins.

ITALIAN SOLDIERS
Oh, brother, brother!

MELITONE
You profane the feast days,
you rob, you blaspheme …

ITALIAN SOLDIERS
You villain in monk's attire!

SPANISH SOLDIERS
Go on, old father!

MELITONE
Limbs and head, you're all alike,
all heretics,
all sewers of iniquity,
and so long as the world stinks of such pitch,
let the earth not hope for any peace.
With such pitch there's no peace …

ITALIAN SOLDIERS
crowding round him
Let him have it!

SPANISH SOLDIERS
defending him
Run away, run away!

The Italian soldiers try to beat Fra Melitone, but he makes his escape, still fulminating.

Rataplan

PREZIOSILLA
to the soldiers pursuing Fra Melitone as he flees from the scene
Let him go …
Beating a monk! … A fine thing! …
They won't hear me? … Then let the drum save him.
She picks up a drum at random and imitates the sound of a side-drum. The soldiers promptly  hasten to surround her; they are followed by all the crowd.
Rataplan, rataplan, rataplan.

VIVANDIERES, SOLDIERS, CONSCRIPTS
from within
Rataplan, rataplan, rataplan.
All come running in to the scene.
Rataplan, plan, plan, plan, plan.
Rataplan, plan, pim, pum, pum.

PREZIOSILLA
Rataplan, rataplan, strengthens
the love of glory in the soldier;
rataplan, rataplan, this sound
signals victory to come!

Rataplan, rataplan, the ranks are forming
and are led to combat!
Rataplan, rataplan, the enemy's flag
is seen to retreat!

Rataplan, plan, pim, pum, pum, pursue
those who turn tail and flee!
Destiny has crowned
your glorious wounds with triumph.

Rataplan, rataplan, the victory of one's country
shines brighter for her sons' gallantry.
Rataplan, rataplan, victory
wins every heart for the soldier.

All pretend to fire rifles, and rush off.

ACT FOUR

The vicinity of Hornachuelos

SCENE ONE

Interior of the monastery of Our Lady of the Angels. A battered colonnade surrounds a small courtyard with oranges, oleanders, jasmine. On the spectator's left is the door leading to the road; on the right, another door above which can be read the word "Enclosure".
The Father Superior is gravely pacing up and down, reading his breviary. From the left enter a crowd of beggars of both sexes and all ages, carrying crude bowls, pots and dishes.

Chorus and Aria buffa

CHORUS OF BEGGARS
Give us charity,
we've been waiting for an hour! …
We must be on our way.
Charity!

Fra Melitone enters from the right, his stomach covered by a broad white apron. Aided by another lay brother, he is carrying a large two-handled cauldron, which they set down in the centre. The lay brother goes in again.

MELITONE
What? Are you at the inn? Quietly …

He begins to distribute the soup with a ladle.

BEGGARS
pushing and shoving
Here, quick, give me some.

MELITONE
Quietly, quietly!

BEGGARS
How many portions they're getting!
They want the lot for themselves.
Maria's had three helpings already!

A WOMAN
to Fra Melitone
Four for me …

BEGGARS
Four for her!

THE WOMAN
Yes, because I've six children …

MELITONE
And why have you got six?

THE WOMAN
Because the good Lord sent them.

MELITONE
Yes, of course, the good Lord.
You wouldn't have them if, like me,
with harsh discipline you scourged your back,
and moreover spent whole nights reciting rosaries and Misereres …

THE SUPERIOR
Brother …

MELITONE
But those beggars are really
dreadfully prolific.

THE SUPERIOR
Be charitable.

BEGGARS
Give us a drop more of those dregs.

MELITONE
You rascals, you call this manna from heaven dregs?

SOME BEGGARS
holding out their bowls
Me, Father, me, me.

OTHER BEGGARS
holding out their bowls
Me, me.

MELITONE
Oh, go to blazes,
or I'll give you one on the head with this ladle right now!
I'm losing patience!

THE SUPERIOR
Be kind to them!

WOMEN
Father Raphael was kinder to us.

MELITONE
Yes, yes, but in a week he'd had enough
of the poor and the soup and stayed in his room,
unloading the burden on to Melitone's shoulders.
Anyway, must I treat such rabble gently?

THE SUPERIOR
The poor suffer so much … Charity is a duty.

MELITONE
Charity for people who make a living from it?
Who'd be happy to knock down a bell-tower with their fists,
and call this manna from heaven dregs? Rogues and rascals!

BEGGARS
Oh, Father Raphael … He was an angel, a saint!

MELITONE
Don't pester me so! Don't pester me so!

BEGGARS
Yes, a saint!

MELITONE
kicking the pot over
Here, take what's left;
I don't want another word.
Get out of here, leave me, yes,
out you go into the sun.
You're beggars worse than Lazarus,
sacks of depravity.
Be off, rascals, to the devil with you,
get out of here!

He drives them away, hitting them with his apron.

BEGGARS
Oh, Father Raphael, etc.

Scena and Duet

MELITONE
mopping the sweat from his brow with a white handkerchief tucked up a sleeve
Ouf! One couldn't have enough patience for this.

THE SUPERIOR
The Lord
didn't give you too much of it.
To give charity is to fulfil a duty
that would make any angel proud …

MELITONE
taking snuff
Who, after three days
in my job, would end
by ladling out blows …

THE SUPERIOR
Hush! Melitone must be humble and not
irritated to see Raphael preferred to him.

MELITONE
Me? No. I'm his friend, but he has certain ways …
he talks to himself … he has a certain look …

THE SUPERIOR
It's the prayers
and the fasting.

MELITONE
Yesterday in the kitchen garden he was working
so furiously that in jest I said,
"Father, you're working
like a black". He glared at me,
and clenched his fists, and …

THE SUPERIOR
Well?

MELITONE
When lightning
struck the belfry, and he went out
into the storm, I called after him,
"You're like a wild Indian!" He let out
a howl that froze my blood.

THE SUPERIOR
What's worth repeating in that?

MELITONE
Nothing, but I look at him and think;
you told us that the devil
once stayed here in monk's clothing.
Could Father Raphael be a relative of his?

THE SUPERIOR
Rash judgments; I spoke the truth,
but it was revealed to the Father Superior
then … not to me.

MELITONE
That's true,
but the father's very odd. Why is it?

THE SUPERIOR
Disillusionment with the world,
assiduous penance,
vigils and abstinence
trouble his mind.

MELITONE
It'll be the disillusionment
assiduous penance,
vigils and abstinence
that have addled his brain.

Scena

The gate-bell rings loudly.

THE SUPERIOR
to Fra Melitone
Someone has come. Open the door.

The Father Superior goes out. Don Carlos, enveloped in a large cloak, enters imperiously.

CARLOS
haughtily
Are you the doorkeeper?

MELITONE
(He's a dolt!)
As I just opened it, I should think …

CARLOS
Father Raphael?

MELITONE
(Another one!) We have two of them -
one from Porcuna, fat,
deaf as a post; the other lean,
dark, his eyes (Heaven, what eyes!) … which one do you want?

CARLOS
The one from hell.

MELITONE
(That's him.) And who shall I announce?

CARLOS
A gentleman.

MELITONE
as he goes
(What arrogance! An unpleasant fellow!)

Scena and Duet

CARLOS
In vain, Alvaro, have you concealed yourself
from the world, and hypocritically made
a monk's habit a shield for your baseness.
Hatred and the thirst for revenge have pointed me
the way to the monastery where you are hiding.
There will be no one here to intervene between us.
Blood, your blood alone, can wash away
the outrage that stained my honour;
and I will spill it all, I swear to God!

Don Alvaro enters in a monk's habit.

ALVARO
Brother …

CARLOS
Know who I am!

ALVARO
Don Carlos! You - alive!

CARLOS
For five years I have searched for you;
at last I've found you.
With blood alone can the disgrace
and the crime be wiped out.
That I should punish you
is written in the book of fate.

Once you were brave;
now, as a monk, you have no sword …
I must spill your blood:
choose, for I have brought two …

ALVARO
Once I lived in the world, so I understand;
now this robe, this retreat,
show that I am making amends for my misdeeds,
and that my heart is penitent.
Leave me!

CARLOS
Neither that monk's habit
nor this solitary place
can protect you, coward!

ALVARO
starting forward
Coward! You dare to say …
restraining himself
Ah, no! Help me, Lord!
to Don Carlos
Let threats and violent words
be carried away by the winds.
Forgive me; have pity,
brother, have pity!
Why so insult one
who was only unfortunate?
Come, let us bow before fate;
brother, have pity!

CARLOS
You sully such a word.
Ah! You left to me a sister
who, betrayed, you abandoned
to infamy and dishonour.

ALVARO
No, she was not dishonoured -
I swear it to you as a priest.
On earth, I adored her
as one can love in heaven.
I love her still; if she still loves me,
my heart asks for nothing more.

CARLOS
My rage is not to be placated
by lying and cowardly words;
take up a sword, traitor,
and do battle with me!

ALVARO
If remorse and tears
no longer plead for me,
I will do what no one has ever seen me do -
throw myself at your feet!

He does so.

CARLOS
Ah, you have proved the stain
on your escutcheon by this act.

ALVARO
leaping to his feet in fury
It shines brighter than a jewel.

CARLOS
It is tinted with your half-breed's blood.

ALVARO
unable to restrain himself
You lie in your throat!
Give me a sword, a sword - lead on!

He snatches one from his hand.

CARLOS
At last!

setting out

ALVARO
recovering himself
No - the devil
shall not triumph. Go, leave me.

He throws down his sword.

CARLOS
So you mock me?

ALVARO
Go.

CARLOS
If now, coward, you lack courage
to measure swords with me,
I condemn you to dishonour.

He slaps his face.

ALVARO
in a fury
Ah, now you have sealed your fate!
seizing the sword again
Death!
Ah! death, come forth to death! Let us go!

CARLOS
Death … death to both!
Ah! death, come forth to death! Let us go!

They rush off, left.

SCENE TWO

A valley amid precipitous rocks, traversed by a stream. In the background, to the spectator's left, is a cave with a practicable door, above which is a bell that can be rung from within. The sun is going down. The scene darkens slowly; the moon appears, extremely bright.
Donna Leonora, pale and worn, emerges from the cave in a state of great agitation.

Melody

LEONORA
Peace, peace, O God!
She comes down.
Cruel misfortune
compels me, alas, to languish;
my suffering has lasted for so many years,
as profound as on the first day.
Peace, peace, O God!
I loved him, it is true! But God had blessed him
with such beauty and courage
that I love him still, and cannot efface his image
from my heart.
Fatal destiny! A crime
has divided us down here!
Alvaro, I love you and in heaven above it is written
that I shall never see you again!
O God, God, let me die, for only death
can bring me peace.
In vain this soul of mine here sought peace,
a prey to so much woe.
She goes to a rock on which the Father Superior has left food for her.
Wretched bread, you come to prolong
my inconsolable life. - But who comes here,
daring to profane this sacred retreat?
A curse! A curse!

She retreats rapidly into the cave, closing it behind her.

Scena and Final Terzetto

The clash of swords is heard.

CARLOS
within
I am dying! … Confession!  … Save my soul.

ALVARO
entering with a drawn sword
This again is the blood of a Vargas! …

CARLOS
still within
Confession …
confession …

ALVARO
throwing aside his sword
I am accursed; but … nearby
is a hermit …
He runs to the cave and knocks at the door.
Come quickly, to console
a dying man.

LEONORA
from within
I cannot.

ALVARO
Brother! In the name of the Lord …

LEONORA
I cannot.

ALVARO
knocking louder
You must!

LEONORA
ringing the bell
Help, help!

ALVARO
Oh come!

Leonora appears at the door.

LEONORA
Rash man, flee the wrath of heaven!

ALVARO
A woman! That voice! … Ah, no … a ghost …

LEONORA
recognizing Don Alvaro
What do I see!

ALVARO
You … Leonora …

LEONORA
It is really he …
approaching Don Alvaro
I see you once more …

ALVARO
Keep away from me … these hands of mine
are dripping blood … Stand back!

LEONORA
Whatever are you saying?

ALVARO
pointing
Yonder lies a dead man.

LEONORA
You killed him?

ALVARO
I tried everything to avoid the fight.
I sought to end my days in a monastery.
He found me … insulted me … I killed him.

LEONORA
And who was he?

ALVARO
Your brother!

LEONORA
Great God!

She rushes towards the wood.

ALVARO
Hostile fate,
how you mock me! …
Leonora is alive, and I have to find her again
now that I have spilled her brother's blood!

LEONORA
crying from within
Ah!

ALVARO
What a cry! … What has happened?
Leonora comes in, wounded, supported by the Father Superior.
She … wounded!

LEONORA
dying
In his final hour he could not forgive …
and he avenged the shame with my blood.

ALVARO
And you were not to be recompensed,
o God of vengeance! … Curses!

THE SUPERIOR
Do not curse: humble yourself
before Him who is just and holy,
who leads us to eternal joys
by a path of tears …
Do not utter a word of anger
and sacrilegious fury.
You see, this angel is winging her way
to the throne of God …
Kneel!

LEONORA
Yes, weep and pray.

ALVARO
I am a reprobate
and accursed.
A wave of blood rises
between us …

LEONORA
I promise
that God will pardon you …
Weep … pray.
Pray.

ALVARO
I can resist that voice
no longer.
throwing himself at Leonora's feet
Leonora, I am redeemed,
by heaven I am pardoned!

THE SUPERIOR
Kneel! Heaven!
Praise be to Thee, Lord!

LEONORA
Ah! Heaven!
Praise be to Thee, Lord!
to Alvaro
Gladly I can precede you
to the promised land …
There war shall cease,
and love will be holy.

ALVARO
You condemn me to live,
and meanwhile abandon me!
The guilty one alone
then will go unpunished!

LEONORA
Gladly I can precede you
to the promised land …
I await you in heaven. Farewell!

ALVARO
Meanwhile you abandon me!
Ah, do not leave me, Leonora!
Ah no! do not leave me!

THE SUPERIOR
Holy in her martyrdom,
she is ascending to the Lord,
and her death
teaches us mercy!

LEONORA
Ah, I precede you … Alvaro …
Ah … Alvar … Ah!

She dies.

ALVARO
She is dead!

THE SUPERIOR
She has gone to God!