The Tales of Hoffmann Part 17

(Hoffmann is in a stupor looking at Giulietta.)

DAPERTUTTO (to Giulietta).

What will you do with him now?

GIULIETTA.

I'll turn him over to you.

PITICHINACCIO (entering the gondola)

Dear angel.

(Giulietta takes him in her arms.)

HOFFMAN (comprehending the infamy of Giulietta).

Vile wretch!

NICKLAUSSE.

Hoffman! Hoffman--the police!

(Nicklausse drags Hoffmann away. Giulietta and Pitichinaccia laugh.)

ACT IV.

(At Munich at CRESPEL'S. A room furnished in a bizarre fashion.)

ANTONIA (alone. She is seated at the clavichord).

She has fled, the dove She has fled far from thee!

(She stops and rises.)

Ah memory too sweet, image too cruel!

Alas at my knees I hear, I see him!

She has fled, the dove.

She has fled far from thee; She is faithful ever, And she keeps her troth.

Beloved, my voice calls thee, All my heart is thine.

(She approaches the clavichord again.)

Dear flower but now open, In pity answer me, Thou that knowest if still he loves me, If he keeps his troth.

Beloved my voice implores thee.

May thy heart come to me.

(She falls in a chair.)

CRESPEL (entering suddenly).

Unhappy child, beloved daughter, You promised to no longer sing.

ANTONIA.

My mother in me lived again; My heart while singing thought it heard her.

CRESPEL.

There is my torment. Thy loved mother Left thee her voice. Vain regrets!

Through thee I hear her. No, no, I beg...

ANTONIA (sadly).

Your Antonia will sing no more!

(She goes out slowly.)

CRESPEL (alone).

Despair! A little while again I saw those spots of fire Mark her face. G.o.d!

Must I lose her I adore?

Ah, that Hoffman... 'tis he Who put in her heart this craze. I fled Far as Munich...

(Enter Frantz.)

CRESPEL.

You, Frantz, open to n.o.body.

FRANTZ (false exit).