Libretto: Fidelio

ACT ONE Overture FIRST SCENE Marzellina, Jaquino. No. 1 - Duet JAQUINO Now, Sweetheart, at last we are alone Let us have now a quiet chat. MARZELLINA It cannot be all that important, I must go on, with my work. JAQUINO One word, you obstinate girl! MARZELLINA Go on then, I'm listening to you. JAQUINO If you don't look friendlier at me I shall not be able to talk. MARZELLINA Put up with me as l am, Or else I shan't Iisten at all. JAQUINO One minute, please, hear what I say, Thereafter I'll leave you in peace. MARZELLINA You never will leave me in peace, Let hear me what you've got to say. JAQUINO I've chosen you for my wife, You understand? MARZELLINA This is quite clear. JAQUINO And if you did only consent - You follow? MARZELLINA We're husband and wife. JAQUINO We could within very few weeks - MARZELLINA How nicely you've worked it all out. JAQUINO To Hell with this continuous knocking! MARZELLINA At last he will leave me in peace. JAQUINO I was getting so nicely along -, - Again she has slipped through my net. MARZELLINA His love, how sad does it make me, The hours seem never to end. I know that the poor devil suffers And I am so sorry for him. Fidelio's the one I have chosen, To love him makes happy my life. JAQUINO Where was I - she's looking away. MARZELLINA Here he is - he'll start it again. JAQUINO When will you give me your consent? It easily could be today. MARZELLINA Oh dear, he embitters my life. Once and for ever, no! JAQUINO Your heart is as hard as a stone! Unmoved by my wishes, my prayers. MARZELLINA I must be so cruel with him, Not give him a glimmer of hope. JAQUINO Is there nothing that would change your mind? Do tell me! MARZELLINA Please, leave me alone. JAQUINO To look at you, you can't forbid me, Or will you? MARZELLINA Stay here, if you want to! JAQUINO How often you've given your promise - MARZELLINA My promise? No, this goes too far! JAQUINO To Hell with this continuous knocking! MARZELLINA At last he will leave me in peace! JAQUINO She really seemed quite concerned, Who knows, I might win her at last. MARZELLINA How welcome this sound is to me, I almost got frightened to death. ROCCO Jaquino, Jaquino! MARZELLINA Listen, Father is calling! JAQUINO I'm coming! I'm coming! MARZELLINA Poor Jaquino, I'm sorry for him. I used to be quite fond of him. But then Fidelio came into our house, and since then everything around me and within me has changed. SECOND SCENE Marzellina alone No. 2 - Aria MARZELLINA I wished we were united yet And I could husband call you! A girl may never what she thinks, Tell anyone aloud. But when I never have to blush From kisses of a loving heart, When nothing ever will us part - And hope already swells my chest With untold sweet desire, How happy shall I be then! In peace and quiet homeliness I'll wake up every morning, We greet each other tenderly, Hard work dispels anxiety. And when the day's work has been done, The gentle night will quietly fall, Then we shall rest from all our toil. And hope already swells my chest With untold sweet desire, How happy shall I be then! THIRD SCENE Marzellina, Rocco, Jaquino. ROCCO Good morning, Marzellina. Has Fidelio not returned yet? MARZELLINA No, Father! ROCCO I'm waiting for him with impatience. MARZELLINA Here he is, here he is! FOURTH SCENE The former, Leonora. ROCCO Well, Fidelio? LEONORA The blacksmith took so much time over mending the chains. Here is the receipt. ROCCO Very good, you buy much cheaper than I. LEONORA I'm trying my best. ROCCO Yes, you are good and you shall have your reward. LEONORA Please, do not believe it is because of a reward that I … ROCCO Hush! Do you think I could not see into your heart? No. 3 - Quartet MARZELLINA A feeling never known, It tightly grips my heart, He loves me, it is clear, Happy I shall be. LEONORA How great the danger is, The rays of hope so weak! She loves me, it is clear, My sufferings never end. ROCCO She loves him, it is clear; Yes, girl, he will be yours. A couple, young and good, Happy they will be. JAQUINO My hair, it stands on end, The father will consent; A feeling never known, There's nothing I can do. ROCCO Listen, Fidelio, as soon as the governor has departed for Sevilla, I shall make you my son-in-law. The day after I shall join you in wedlock. MARZELLINA The day after his departure? Oh yes, dear Father! ROCCO Well, my children, you love each other, don't you? But for good housekeeping one also needs … No. 4 - Aria ROCCO Unless there is gold to live on, Quite happy you will never be; Sadly life will carry on, Many a sorrow will set in. But if in the pockets it tinkles and rolls, The fate you will have at your mercy, And gold will provide you with power and love, Will still your boldest desires. You pay for luck to serve you well, It is a wonderful thing, the gold. If nought and nought is put together, The total is and will be small; If you find only love at table, You'll be hungry afterwards. So may fortune prove to you gracious and kind And bless and guide your striving; The beloved at your side, the gold in your purse, For many a year you may live thus. You pay for luck to serve you well, It is a mighty thing, the gold. LEONORA It is for you to say this, Father Rocco, but I maintain that the union of two like-minded hearts is the fount of true happiness in marriage. There is, however, something no less dear to my heart. ROCCO And this is? LEONORA Why do you not allow me to accompany you into the underground vaults? ROCCO You know that I have the strictest orders not allow anyone near the prisoners of state. MARZELLINA But you work yourself to death, dear Father. ROCCO Yet, Fidelio, there is one prison into which I shall probably never be allowed to take you. MARZELLINA Probably where the prisoner is ... ROCCO Yes, yes LEONORA I believe it must be a long time since he has been taken prisoner? ROCCO More than two years. LEONORA Two years, you said? He must be a great criminal? ROCCO Or he must have great, enemies. He cannot last much longer. Now, on Pizarro's orders, he gets no more than a little bread and water, no light, no straw, nothing. MARZELLINA Dear Father, please, don't lead Fidelio to him. He could not stand his sight. LEONORA Why not? I have courage and strength. No. 5 - Terzetto ROCCO Good, my lad, good, Courageous you must be, Then you will master life; The heart grows hard If you can face The horrors of this world. LEONORA Courage I possess! With cold blood Boldly I'll go down: For high reward Love will be able To suffer greatest pain. MARZELLINA Your kind heart Will many a pain Suffer in those vaults; Thereafter will return Happiness of love And many untold pleasures. ROCCO You'll build your fortune on firm ground. LEONORA In God and justice faith I'll have. MARZELLINA Why don't you look me into the eyes, The power of love is by no means small. Yes, happy we shall be. LEONORA Yes, happy I can still be. ROCCO Yes, happy you will be. The governor shall today permit That you share all my work with me. LEONORA You'll deprive me of all my peace If till tomorrow you did wait. MARZELLINA Yes, dearest Father, ask him now, Married we could then shortly be. ROCCO I soon shall be the prey of the grave, I need assistance, this is true. LEONORA How long I've been the prey of grief! Oh hope, do give me strength. MARZELLINA Father, dear, what did you say? Our friend and councillor you must remain. ROCCO Be on your toes, then all ends well, Your longing will be stilled. Both take your bands, united be In sweet tears of joy. LEONORA You are so good, give courage me, My longing will soon be stilled … aside I gave my hand to the tender tie, It costs me bitter tears. MARZELLINA Oh have courage! Oh what fire! Oh what deep desire! Firm be the tie with heart and hand, Oh sweet, sweet tears! No. 6 - March FIFTH SCENE Rocco, Pizarro, Officers, Guards. PIZARRO Captain! Three guards on the rampart, six men on the drawbridge, and anyone approaching the fortress will be brought to me at once. Rocco! ROCCO Sir? PIZARRO Where are the dispatches? ROCCO Here they are, Sir. PIZARRO Well - Always recommendations or reproaches. I know this hand-writing: "I wish to tell you that the Minister has learned that the state prisons illegally detain a number of victims. He will depart tomorrow for a surprise inspection." If he found that man Florestan whom he believes to be dead. But there is a way out - a courageous deed … No. 7 - Aria with Chorus PIZARRO Ah, time has come now! Revenge I'll take on him, Your fate is calling you! I shall probe his heart, Oh joy, oh great delight! I almost was in the dust, At the sneering scoffer's mercy, Knocked miserably down. But come has now my chance, To be the, murderer's slayer; In his final hour, The steel deep in his wound, To shout into his ears: Triumph! Victory is mine! CHORUS OF THE GUARDS He speaks of death and wounds! Let's go on our rounds, How important it must be! He speaks of death and wounds! Look out, when on your rounds! How important it must be! PIZARRO Captain, these are my orders: Watch the road from Seville continuously and with the greatest care. As soon as you see a coach approaching, the bugler will sound the signal. Man your posts! - Rocco! ROCCO Sir! No. 8 - Duet PIZARRO Old man, we've got to hurry, A fortune will be yours, A rich man you will be; Take this for a start! ROCCO Please, tell me in a hurry What I shall have to do. PIZARRO A man of cold blood are you, Fearless and courageous Years of service have made you. ROCCO What's my duty? Tell me! PIZARRO Murder! ROCCO What? PIZARRO Listen to me now! You're trembling! Are you a man? No time is to be lost; In the interest of the state The criminal subject must Quickly be removed. ROCCO Sir ... PIZARRO Why hesitate? He must no longer live, My ruin it would be. Pizarro were afraid? You'll die - and I shall live. ROCCO Trembling I am all over; How could I do such a thing? I shall not take his life, Whatever may happen to me. No, Sir, committing murder, My duty this is not. PIZARRO Then I myself shall do it If you the courage lack; Now hurry at this instant To that man down below - You know . ROCCO Who hardly lives And like a shadow looks? PIZARRO To him, to him go down! I'll wait not far away Whilst you dig in the cistern Very quickly a grave. ROCCO And then? PIZARRO Then I shall in disguise Quietly enter the dungeon - One stroke - and he'll,be dead! ROCCO Starving in his fetters He suffered endless pains, To kill him means salvation, The dagger'll make him free. PIZARRO He die now in his fetters, Too short his suffering was, His death alone can save me, I shall be quiet then. Old man, we've got to hurry, Have you understood me? You give the signal! Then I shall in disguise Quietly enter the dungeon - One stroke - and he'll be dead! ROCCO Starving in his fetters He suffered endless pains, To kill him, means salvation, The dagger'll make him free. PIZARRO He die now in his fetters, Too short his suffering was, His death alone can save me, I shall be quiet then. SIXTH SCENE Leonora alone. LEONORA No. 9 - Recitativo and Aria You monster! Where will you go? What have you planned in cruel fury? The call of pity, the voice of mankind, Will nothing move your tiger's wrath? Though surge like ocean's waves Ire and anger in your heart, A rainbow on my path still shines, Which brightly rests on sombre clouds: It looks so calmy, peacefully at me, Of happier days reminding me And soothes thus my troubled heart. Come hope, let not the last bright star In my anguish be obscured! Light up my goal, however far, Through love I shall still reach it. I follow my inner calling, Waver I shall not, Strength I derive From faithfulness and love. Oh you -,- for whom I bore so much, If I could penetrate Where malice has imprisoned you And bring to you sweet comfort! I follow my inner calling, Waver, I shall not, Strength I derive From faithfulness and love. SEVENTH SCENE Marzellina, Jaquino. JAQUINO But Marzellina! Once I was your dear, good Jaquino, but since this Fidelio ... MARZELLINA I do not deny ... EIGHTH SCENE The former, Rocco, Leonora. ROCCO What have you two got to quarrel again? MARZELLINA Father, he keeps on following me. He wants that I should marry him. ROCCO No, Jaquino, there is no question of your marrying her now. I have other things in mind. MARZELLINA I understand, father, Fidelio… LEONORA Father Rocco, several times I have asked you to allow the poor prisoners into the fortress garden. Today the weather is so beautiful. ROCCO Without the governor's permission? MARZELLINA But he talked to you so long, perhaps ... ROCCO You are right, Marzellina, I can risk it. Come along, Jaquino and Fidelio, open the lighter prisons. NINTH SCENE Prisoners' Chorus. No. 10 - Finale PRISONERS' CHORUS Oh what joy, in the open air Freely to breathe again! Up here alone is life! The dungeon is a grave. FIRST PRISONER We shall with all our faith Trust in the help of God! Hope whispers softly in my ears! We shall be free, we shall find peace. ALL THE OTHERS Oh Heaven! Salvation! Happiness! Oh Freedom! Will you be given us? SECOND PRISONER Speak softly! Be on your guard! We are watched with eye and ear. ALL Speak softly! Be on your guard! We are watched with eye and ear. Oh what joy, in the open air Freely to breathe again! Up here alone is life. Speak softly! Be on your guard! We are watched with eye and ear. TENTH SCENE Rocco, Leonora. Recitativo LEONORA How did it go? ROCCO Quite well, quite well. All my courage I plucked up And put it all to him. And would you believe it, What he replied to me? The marriage and that you help me, he will permit; Today already I shall lead you down into the dungeon. Duet LEONORA Today! Today! What happiness, what great joy! ROCCO I can see your joy, It'll only be one moment And 'We shall go together - LEONORA Where? ROCCO To that man down below To whom I gave for weeks Less and less to eat. LEONORA Ah! - Will he be released? ROCCO Oh no! LEONORA Do speak! ROCCO Oh no, oh, no! We have to - how shall'I say - free him, He must within one hour - No one else may know - Be burried by us both! LEONORA So he is dead? ROCCO Not yet, not yet. LEONORA To kill him, is your duty this? ROCCO No, my deat boy, don't be afraid; For murder Rocco won't be hired. The governor himself comes down, We two, we only dig his grave. LEONORA To dig perhaps the husband's grave, Is there anything more cruel? ROCCO I'm not allowed to give him food, The grave will be relief for him. - We have to go to work at once, You must assist me, come with me; Hard is the jailer's life. LEONORA I follow you, were it to my death. ROCCO In the crumbling cistern We easily dig the grave, Believe me, I am loath to do it; You, too, are shuddering, it seems. LEONORA I only am not used to it. ROCCO I wished, I could have spared you this, For me alone it gets too much, And so severe our master is. LEONORA Oh, what great grief! ROCCO I think, he's crying. No, you stay here - I'll go alone, I'll go alone. LEONORA Oh no, oh no! I must see him; see the poor man, If I should perish over this. ROCCO, LEONORA So let's no longer hesitate, We have to do our cruel work. ELEVENTH SCENE The former, Jaquino and Marzellina. MARZELLINA Quick, Father, quick! ROCCO What is it now? JAQUINO No longer wait! ROCCO What's happened now? MARZELLINA Pizarro follows me furiously! He's threatening you. ROCCO Keep calm, keep calm! LEONORA Hurry along! ROCCO Just tell me this: He knows it all? JAQUINO Yes, he knows it all. MARZELLINA The officer Told him what we Have the prisoners allowed. ROCCO Let quickly all of them return. MARZELLINA We've seen him rage before And know his anger well. LEONORA My heart is full of rage, Indignant is my blood. ROCCO My heart, it gives me right, May the tyrant rage. TWELFTH SCENE The former, Pizarro, later on the prisoners. PIZARRO Insolent old man! By what rights Have you assumed such frivolous behaviour? Does it befit a hired servant To give the prisoners free? ROCCO Oh Sir! PIZARRO Speak up! ROCCO The spring's arrival, The bright and warm sunshine, And: Have you ever thought of it, It might acquit me of my guilt? His Majesty's birthday is today, We celebrate it in this way. The one below die - but let the others Walk gaily to and fro; For him be all your hatred spared. PIZARRO So hurry up and dig his grave, Up here I will have strictest peace. Lock the prisoners up again, May you never be insolent! THE PRISONERS Farewell, warm sunshine, Too quickly we must leave you; Already night is falling down From which so soon no morrow dawns. MARZELLINA How gaily did they greet the sun And now they part so sadly. The others whisper to themselves, This is no place for joy and pleasure. LEONORA You heard the word, don't hesitate, Return into your prisons now. Anxiety makes me tremble, Is there no justice for the wicked? JAQUINO You heard the word, don't hesitate, Return into your prisons, They whisper to each other, I cannot hear what they all say. PIZARRO Now Rocco, no longer hesitate, Descend down to the dungeon. No sooner you'll return, Ere I have judgement passed on him. ROCCO No, Sir, I shall not hesitate, I'll hurriedly go down. Trembling I am all over, Oh dreadful, cruel duty! ACT TWO FIRST SCENE Florestan (alone). No. 11 - Recitativo and Aria FLORESTAN God! what darkness this! What terrifying silence! I'm living in a desert. Death only reigns down here. How hard my trials! - But just is the Lord's pleasure! I don't complain! What I've to suffer, You decree. In the spring days of my life Happiness deserted me! Truth I dared to utter boldly And the chains are my reward. Willingly I bear my tortures, End in ignomy my life; To my heart this is sweet solace: My duty I have always done! And do I not feel soft whispering air? What brightness shines into my grave? I see how an angel fragrant like a rose Comforting stands by my side, An angel, Leonora, my wife so alike To lead met to freedom, to the kingdom of God. SECOND SCENE Florestan, Rocco and Leonora. No. 12 - Melodrama and Duet Melodrama LEONORA How cold it is in this underground vault! ROCCO This is only natural; it is so deep. LEONORA I thought we should never find the entrance. ROCCO Here it is. LEONORA He seems quite motionless. ROCCO Perhaps he is dead. LEONORA Do you think so? ROCCO No, no, he is asleep. - We ought to make use of this and commence work at once; we must not lose any time. LEONORA It is impossible to make out his face. - God help me, if it is he! ROCCO Here, underneath this rubble there is the cistern I was telling you about. - There is no need to dig much to get at the opening. Give me a pick-axe and you stay here. You are trembling, are you afraid? LEONORA Oh no, it only is so cold. ROCCO Get on with it, when working you'll get warm. Duet ROCCO Be quick and let us dig the grave, It won't be long and he'll arrive. LEONORA You shall not have to complain of me, You shall be satisfied with me. ROCCO Come, help to lift this stone with me - Look out! Look out, it weighs a lot! LEONORA I help you - do not be afraid; I promise you to do my best. ROCCO A little morel LEONORA Be patient! ROCCO It moves. LEONORA A little more!, ROCCO Hard work it is! ROCCO Be quick and let us dig the grave, It won't be long and he'll arrive. LEONORA Let me regain a little strength, We'll soon have finished our work. By God! His prey you shall not be! I surely will undo your chains, And make you free, you poor, poor man. ROCCO Why hesitate about your work? LEONORA My Father, I'II go on with it. ROCCO Be quick and let us dig the grave, It won't be long and he'll arrive. LEONORA You shall not have to complain of me, Let me regain a little strength, No work will be too much for me. LEONORA He's waking up! ROCCO He is waking up, you said? LEONORA Yes, he lifted his head. ROCCO I must talk to him alone. Well, have you been resting again for a few moments? FLORESTAN Resting? How could I find rest? LEONORA If I could- only see his face for one moment - God, it is him! FLORESTAN Tell me at last, who is the governor of this prison? ROCCO The governor of this prison is Don Pizarro. FLORESTAN Pizarro! Send someone to Seville as soon as possible and ask for Leonora Florestan, tell her that I am imprisoned here. ROCCO It is impossible, I tell you. I should ruin myself without accomplishing anything for you. FLORESTAN If it is my destiny then to end my life, do not let my slowly die of thirst. Give me just one drop of water. ROCCO All I can offer you is a drop of wine which I have left in my jar. Fidelio! LEONORA Here it is, here it is! ROCCO How agitated you are, Fidelio! LEONORA Who should not be? You yourself, Master Rocco - ROCCO It is true, this voice - LEONORA Yes, it penetrates into the depth of the heart. No. 13 - Terzetto FLORESTAN Reward be yours in better worlds, You have been sent to me by God. Oh thanks, you've sweetly me refreshed; Your kindness I cannot repay. ROCCO I refreshed him gladly, the poor man, It will be over soon with him. LEONORA How furiously throbs my heart, In joy it surges and stinging pain, FLORESTAN This youth I see so deeply moved, Compassion also shows this man, Oh God, fresh hope you've given me, May it become true in the end. LEONORA The great and anxious hour nears, Which brings salvation me or death. ROCCO I always act in duty bound, But also hate all cruelty. LEONORA This piece of bread - yes, for two days I've carried it around with me. ROCCO I want to, but believe you me, This is to venture a great deal. LEONORA This poor man gladly you refreshed. ROCCO This cannot be, this cannot be. LEONORA It will be over soon with him. ROCCO So be it - yes, so be it - you may do it. LEONORA Here, take the bread - you poor, poor man! FLORESTAN Oh thanks to you! Oh thanks! Oh thanks! Reward be yours in better worlds, You, have been sent to me by God. Oh thanks! You've sweetly me refreshed, Your kindness I cannot repay. LEONORA May Heaven grant salvation you, Then high reward will come to me. ROCCO Your suffering has often moved me, But I've not been allowed to help. I refreshed him gl adly, the poor man, It will be over soon with him. LEONORA Oh, this is more than I can bear! FLORESTAN Oh that I can give you no reward! ROCCO Everything is ready. Fidelio, you stay here, I shall go to give the governor the signal. FLORESTAN Where does he go? Does this mean that my end has come? LEONORA Be calm and do not forget that there is providence everywhere - yes, there is a providence! THIRD SCENE The former, Pizarro. PIZARRO Is everything ready? ROCCO Yes, the cistern has only to be opened. PIZARRO Alright, the boy shall go away. ROCCO Go, Fidelio. - Shall I take the chains off the prisoner? PIZARRO No, but detach him from the stone. -There is no time to be lost. No. 14 - Quartet PIZARRO He die - But first he shall be told Who'll tear to pieces his proud heart. The dark veil of revenge be torn. Look here! Deceive me you could not! Pizarro, whom you hoped to bring to fall, Pizarro, whom you ought to fear, As avenger he faces you. FLORESTAN A murderer faces me! PIZARRO Once more you shall recall What you have done to me; Only one short moment And this steel - LEONORA Stand back! FLORESTAN Oh God! ROCCO What's up? LEONORA Pierce You must first my heart; Death I have sworn to you For your murderous mind. PIZARRO Madman! ROCCO Stop it! PIZARRO Punished he shall be! LEONORA Kill first his wife! ROCCO, PIZARRO His wife? FLORESTAN My wife? LEONORA Yes, see here Leonora! FLORESTAN Leonora! LEONORA I am his wife, I vowed Him help and death to you! PIZARRO What unheard-of courage! FLORESTAN My heart stops over-joyed! ROCCO My heart stops out of fear. LEONORA I shall defy his wrath. PIZARRO Shall I a woman fear? LEONORA I have sworn you death. PIZARRO Both shall my hatred's victims be. LEONORA This heart you must pierce first! PIZARRO You have shared your life with him, You shall now share his death with him. LEONORA One more word - and you'll be dead! Ah! You are saved! Great God! FLORESTAN Ah! I am saved! Great God! PIZARRO Ah! The Minister! Hell and Death! ROCCO Oh! What is this! Gracious God! FOURTH SCENE The former, Jaquino, soldiers JAQUINO Father Rocco, the Minister is arriving, his retinue is at the castle-gates already. ROCCO The Lord be praised! We are coming, yes, we are coming at once. And our men shall come down to accompany the governor up. LEONORA / FLORESTAN The hour of vengeance has come. This means you shall be saved; Our love, it will in union With courage make you free. PIZARRO Damned be this fateful hour! The traitors laugh at me; Dispair, it will in union With my revenge now be. ROCCO Oh hour full of horror! Oh God, what's awaiting me? I will not be in union With this villain any more. FIFTH SCENE Leonora, Florestan. FLORESTAN My Leonora, what have you done for me! LEONORA Nothing, my Florestan! No. 15 - Duet LEONORA Oh what boundless happiness! My husband in my arms! FLORESTAN Oh what boundless happiness! Leonora in my arms! BOTH After untold sorrows Such unbelievable joy! LEONORA I hold you in my arms again! FLORESTAN Oh God, how great your mercy is! BOTH My wife, I hold her in my arms! My husband I hold in my arms! We thank you, Lord, for this great bliss! FLORESTAN You here! LEONORA I'm here! FLORESTAN Oh heavenly delight! Leonora! LEONORA Florestan! BOTH Oh what boundless happiness! My wife, I hold her in my arms! My husband I hold in my arms! We thank you, Lord, for this great bliss! SIXTH SCENE The Prisoners, Don Fernando, Pizarro, Marzellina and Jaquino. No. 16 - Finale CHORUS of the prisoners and of the people Blessed the day, blessed the hour, We've been longing for with little hope, Justice with graciousness in union To the gate of our graves has come! FERNANDO Our gracious Majesty's will and pleasure Has sent me here to you poor men, That I disclose the crimes of darkness Which, has enveloped all of you. No longer kneel like slaves before me, Tyrant's grimness I detest. A brother's come to seek his brethren, And can he help, he gladly helps. CHORUS, Blessed the day, blessed the hour! FERNANDO A brother's come to seek his brethren, And can he help, he gladly helps. SEVENTH SCENE The former, Rocco, Leonora, Florestan. ROCCO Well, Sir, you help now! Help the poor! PIZARRO What do I see? ROCCO Are you moved now? PIZARRO Away! Away! FERNANDO No! Speak up! ROCCO All your mercy Be given to this pair. Don Florestan - FERNANDO Whom we thought dead, The noble man who fought for truth? ROCCO And sufferd tortures numberless. FERNANDO My friend! My friend! He is alive? In chains and pale he faces me. ROCCO, LEONORA Yes, Florestan, you see him here. ROCCO And Leonora - FERNANDO Leonora? ROCCO The best of wives I bring you here. She came to me - PIZARRO Two words allow me - FERNANDO Be quiet! She came - ROCCO There to my door, So that my servant she became, And worked so loyally for me That I made her my son-in-law. MARZELLINA Dear me, what do I have to hear! ROCCO This villain, in this very hour He meant to murder Florestan. PIZARRO, With his support! ROCCO With our help! Your arrival only called him away. CHORUS Punished be the villain now Who innocence oppressed. Justice holds for punishment The sword of vengeance up. Pizarro is lead away FERNANDO You unlocked this brave man's grave, Now take his chains off him - But no! You, noble lady alone, You have the right to make him wholly free. LEONORA Oh Lord! - What a moment this! FLORESTAN Oh unspeakable happiness! FERNANDO Just, oh Lord, your judgement is. MARZELLINA, ROCCO You try us, you desert us not. ALL Oh Lord! - What a moment this! Oh unspeakable happiness! Just, oh Lord, your judgement is, You try us, you desert us not. CHORUS Who calls a faithful wife, his own, Join in our song of joy! Never be it praised too highly Your husband's saviour to become. FLORESTAN My life your faithfulness has saved, Virtue makes the villain fear. LEONORA Love alone my efforts guided, Real love is not afraid. CHORUS Praise with greatest joy and warmth Leonora's noble mind. FLORESTAN Who calls such, a wife his own, Join in our song of joy! Never be it praised too highly The husband's saviour to become., LEONORA Love alone has given me To liberate you from your chains. Lovingly I sing with joy: Florestan is mine again! CHORUS Who calls a faithful wife his own, Join in our song of joy! Never be it praised too highly Your husband's saviour to become. LEONORA Lovingly I sing with joy: Florestan is mine again! ALL Never be it praised too highly Your husband's saviour to become.