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^OLLEaiai.  BRANCH 

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^<>T  ,/»Av /V /A>c\^         vX4?^  ^i;^<2^  ^^<n/lX>Xo^/V/d^^^a^^ 


Library 
of  the 
University  of  Toronto 


M    E    D    E    A  , 


TEE  MUSIC  BY  CHERUBINI, 

^roJjuceb  for  tfie  first  time  in  (SnglantJ  at  ^tx  i^afcstg^s  ^tcatre, 
On  Tuesday,  June  6,  1865 : 


AN  ENGLISH  VERSION, 


THE  MUSIC  OF   THE  PRINCIPAL  AIRS 


LONDON: 
DAVIDSON'S  MUSICAL  OPERA-BOOKS, 
THE  MUSIC-PUBLISHING  COMPANY,  19  PETER'S  HILL,  ST.  ,,?i^3>JL'S,  E/fX; 

AND  TO  BE  OBTAINED  OF  ALL  BOOKSELLERS. 


THE     MYTHOLOGICAL  STORY. 

Phrtxus,  one  of  tlie  ancients,  having  suffered  persecution  from  his  step-mother,  Ino,  the  wifie  of 
Athamas,  king  of  Thebes,  fled  through  the  air  with  his  sister  Helle,  on  the  back  of  a  ram  whose  fleece  was 
of  gold.  The  height  to  which  they  were  carried  made  Helle  giddy,  and  she  fell  into  the  sea.  Phryxus 
recovered  her  body  and  buried  it  on  the  sea-shore,  naming  the  place  Hellespont.  He  continued  his  flight 
to  Colchis,  where  he  sacrificed  the  ram  on  the  altar  of  Mars,  preserving  the  golden  fleece.  He  married 
Chalciope,  the  daughter  of  -^Etes,  king  of  Colchis,  the  latter  of  whom  afterwards  caused  him  to  be 
murdered,  through  envy  of  his  possessing  the  golden  fleece. 

Pelias,  king  of  lolchos,  having  usurped  the  crown  which  should  have  descended  to  Jason,  the  son 
of  ^son,  an  accomphshed  warrior,  and  the  latter  having  boldly  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  crown  thus 
unjustly  possessed,  Pelias,  to  cause  delay,  persuaded  him  to  be  avenged  on  ^etes  for  the  murder  of 
Phryxus,  their  mutual  relative,  promising  to  surrender  him  the  crown  if  he  returned  victorious.  Jasi'on 
departed  on  this  adventure,  with  the  youngest  and  bravest  of  the  Greeks,  on  board  the  ship  Argo,  and  v^n 
arriving  at  Colchis,  was  promised  by  ^etes  the  restoration  of  the  golden  fleece,  which  had  been  the  caus^. 
of  the  death  of  Phryxus,  if  he  would  comply  with  the  following  conditions : — Jason  was  to  tame  bulls 
which  breathed  flames,  and  who  had  feet  and  horns  of  brass,  and  to  plough  with  them  a  field  sacred  to 
Mars ;  after  this  he  was  to  sow  in  the  ground  the  teeth  of  a  dragon  from  which  armed  men  would  arise, 
whose  fury  would  be  converted  against  him  who  ploughed  the  field ;  he  was  also  to  kill  a  monstrous 
dragon  which  watched  night  and  day  at  the  foot  of  the  tree  on  which  the  golden  fleece  was  suspended. 

Medea,  the  king's  daughter,  fell  in  love  with  Jason,  and  as  her  knowledge  of  herbs,  enchantments,  and 
incantations  was  uncommon,  she  pledged  herself  to  deliver  her  lover  from  all  his  dangers,  if  he  promised 
her  eternal  fi  lelity.  Jason  vowed  the  required  fidelity  in  the  temple  of  Hecate,  and  received  from  Medea 
the  promised  instruments  and  herbs  to  protect  him  against  the  approaching  dangers.  He  appeared  in  the 
field  of  Mars,  he  tamed  the  fury  of  the  bulls,  ploughed  the  plain,  and  sowed  the  dragon's  teeth.  Imme- 
diately an  army  of  men  sprang  from  the  field  and  ran  towards  Jason :  he  threw  a  stone  among  them,  and 
they  fell  one  upon  the  other  till  all  were  totally  destroyed.  The  vigilance  of  the  dragon  was  lulled  to 
sleep  by  the  power  of  herbs,  and  Jason  took  from  the  tree  the  celebrated  golden  fleece. 

Jason  immediately  set  sail  for  Europe  with  Medea,  who  had  been  so  instrumental  in  his  preservation. 
Upon  this  ^etes,  desirous  to  avenge  the  perfidy  of  his  daughter  Medea,  sent  his  son  Absyrtus  to  pursue 
the  fugitives.  Medea  killed  her  brother,  and  strewed  his  limbs  in  her  father's  way,  that  she  might  more 
easily  escape,  while  he  was  employed  in  collecting  the  remains  of  his  son.  Jason  and  Medea  afterwards 
fled  to  Corinth,  where  they  lived  in  perfect  union  and  love  during  ten  successive  years.  Jason's  partiality 
for  Dirce,  the  daughter  of  Creon,  king  of  the  country,  afterwards  disturbed  their  matrimonial  happiness, 
and  Medea  was  divorced  to  enable  Jason  to  marry  Dirce. 

ARGUMENT    OF     THE  OPERA. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Opera,  Lamia  and  Clyte,  lady  attendants  of  Dirce,  strive  to  remove  a  feeling 
of  despondency  which  affects  her,  from  a  fear  lest  Jason  should  eventually  prove  as  false  to  her  as  he  has 
been  to  Medea.  Jason,  accompanied  by  the  Argonauts,  his  friends  and  warriors,  arrives  at  the  court  of 
Creon,  and,  in  triumphal  procession,  lays  the  golden  fleece  at  the  feet  of  Dirce  and  Creon.  Whilst  Jason 
is  felicitating  himself  on  his  release  from  Medea  and  approaching  union  with  Dirce,  Medea  appears, 
demands  of  Creon  that  he  should  break  off  the  proposed  marriage,  and  bitterly  reproaches  J ason  for  his 
infidelity ;  but  vain  is  her  appeal :  Creon  is  deaf  to  her  prayers,  bids  her  begone,  and  the  first  act  closes 
with  mutual  recrimination  between  Medea  and  her  recreant  husband. 

In  the  second  act,  Medea  renews  her  appeal  to  Creon,  but  succeeds  only  in  extracting  permission  to 
remain  one  day  longer  in  his  dominions,  upon  pain  of  death.  Her  misery  is  next  heightened  by  the 
determination  of  Jason  to  retain  his  two  sons,  and  for  ever  part  them  from  their  wretched  mother. 
Profiting  by  the  day's  delay,  Medea  assumes  an  air  of  submission,  and  resolves  to  accomplish  her  revenge 
by  causing  a  mantle  and  coronet,  which  have  been  steeped  in  deadly  poison,  to  be  presented  by  her 
children  to  Dirce,  and  in  her  agony  of  mind  at  witnessing  the  bridal  procession  of  Jason  and  Dirce, 
determines  to  take  the  lives  of  her  two  children,  and  thus  torture  the  heart  of  her  unfaithful  consort. 

In  the  last  act,  Neris,  the  faithful  attendant  of  Medea,  brings  forward  the  two  children,  to  take  a  last 
farewell  of  their  mother.  In  the  act  of  stabbing  them  with  a  dagger,  Medea  is  overpowered  by  her 
maternal  feelings,  and  being  unable,  at  that  time,  to  accomplish  her  intention,  she  has  them  removed  by 
Neris  into  an  adjacent  temple.  Loud  lamentations  are  soon  heard  proceeding  from  the  palace  of  Creon, 
on  which  Medea  hastily  follows  her  children  into  the  temple.  Jason  and  his  followers  rush  horror- 
stricken  on  the  stage,  vowing  vengeance  upon  Medea  for  causing  the  death  of  Dirce.  At  this  moment, 
Medea  appears  on  the  threshold  of  the  temple,  holding  a  dagger  in  her  hand,  and  surrounded  by  three 
furies.  She  announces  the  destruction  of  his  sons  to  the  horrified  Jason,  and,  after  declaring  that  her 
I  spirit  shall  await  him  in  Avernus,  vanishes  amidst  flames. 

'  DRAMATIS  PERSON>e. 

OViVjO'^',,  King, of  Corinth.  m RCE,  Daughter  of  Creon. 

/ 1 A^i)^,  chief  hf'i1iii,,Arqonauts^  betrothed  to  Dirce.  LAMIA,  )        r j«^v,^«v.#- 

,:  n^\^E\,MidivorcalWife.  ^^^rj.^^^  ^  her  Lady  Atisndants. 

.  '..''JNERIS,  her  Altendati.  The  Two  Children  of  Medea. 

Argonf-Aiis,  Priests,  Soldiers,  and  People  of  Corinth. — The  scene  is  laid  in  Corinth. 


MEDEA, 

— =— _    April  1  e  t^^S 


ATTO  I. 

SOENA  I. — Galleria  nel  Palazzo  di  Creonte. 
Clyte,  Lamia,  Diece,  e  Donne  del  sua  seguito. 


ACT  I. 

SCENE  I. — Vestibule  in  Creon'8  Palace. 
Clyte,  Lamia,  Dirge,  and  Ladies,  her  AttendanU. 


CHE?  OB  CHE  TUTTO  APPBE8TA— WRY,  WHEN  WE  ARE  PREPARINa.  Lamia. 
Andantino  con  moto.  — ^  „  i 


Chel 
Why, 


or  die 
wlien  we 


— 


tut  -  to  ap  -  'pre  -  sta  Per  fe  gio  -  iaea  -  mor,  Per- 
are      pre    -   pa  -  ring   For      thee    love    and    joy,  Oh, 

2 


chh       per  -    si  '  sti  an  -  cor 
where  -  fore    dost    thou  Btill 
e   


6^ 


Di  nO'Str^  al 
Ah,    the  joy 


A  re  -  star  mu  •  ta  e  me  -  -  sta  ? 
In  deep    sad  -  ness   thy    hours   em  -  ploy  ? 


me 
of 


dei  tu  I  -  mi  -  tar  V  al  -  le  -  grez  -  za 
our    hearts    Now  thine  own    should    re  -  fleet, 


n 

For 


.J^  Js. 

■J- —  r— ^ 





del  Vac  -  cor  -  daap-pien  0  -  gni  suoec-cel  -  so  hen;  Di  no  -  sir' al-me  dei 
heavn's  own  choi  -  cest    gifts    We     ne  -  ver  must  re  -  ject;    Ah,  the     joy      of  our 


V- 


i 


V — 


tu 
hearts 


I  •  mi  •  tar  V  al  -  le 
Now    thine     own  should  re 


grez 
fleet, 


za  I 


U  del  f  ac  -  cor  -  du  ap- 
For    heavn's    own    choi  -  cest 


V  2  P— '-P  1/—'  


EE; 


pten 
gifts. 


0  •  gni  suo  ec  -  eel  -  so  hen,  0  -  gni  suo  ec  -  eel  -  so 
Its    choi  -  cest,  choi  -  cest  gifts    We     ne   -  ver      must  re 


hen. 
jecfc. 


CY 


Coro. 


Doman  quando  la  bella  Aurora 
A  questo  lieto  suol, 
II  giorno  annunziera, 
L'  Imen  che  1'  amor  rechera, 
Far?!  schiavo  al  tuo  pie 
L'  amante  che  ti  adora. 
Or  che  tutto,  ec. 


Cly. 


To-morrow,  when  rosy  dawn 
To  this  fair  and  lovely  soil 
The  approach  of  day  proclaims, 
Hymen  and  Cupid  will  bring, 
As  a.  slave  to  thy  feet, 
The  lover  who  thee  adores. 
Cho.    Why,  when  we  are  preparing,  &c. 


MEDEA. 


Lam. 


Dirce.  Ahime !  ben  vel  diro, 

L'  awenir  mi  spaventa  ! 
Gli  dei  m'  offrono  invan 
II  lor  grande  favor ; 
Al  mio  turbato  cor 
L'  Imene  si  presenta, 
All !  fonte  di  eterno  error ! 
Deh !  scaccia  omai, 
Quel  presaggio  si  nero ! 
Bandisci  il  rio  terror, 
Scbiudi  il  seno  all'  amor ! 
Quel  che  predice  il  cor 
E  nuvol  passaggiero, 
Che  strugger  non  potra 
La  tua  felicita. 
Vlrce.  Giuro  Giason  d'  amarmi, 
E  d'  essermi  fedele ; 
E  pur  egli  a  Medea 
Giurato  avea  la  f e ! 
Sei  per  me  la  lascio, 
Ahime !  1'  ingrato  un  di  ben  puo, 
Me  abbandonare  ancora  ? 

Giason  si  libero 
D'  un  terribile  Imen  ! 
Costretto  fu  a  fuggir 
Una  odiata  consorte  ; 
Ma  or  che  a  virtu 
L'  unisce  arnica  sorte, 
Nulla  strappar  da  voi  lo  puo. 


Chj. 


Dirce.  The  truth  I  -will  reveal : 
The  future  alarms  me. 
The  gods  in  vain  bestow 
Their  great  and  wondrous  favour ; 
To  my  disturbed  soul 
Hymen  himself  presents, 
Full  of  horror  and  dread. 

Lam.  A.h  !  I  pray  thee,  drive  hence 
Such  direful  foreboding ! 
Banish  all  such  dark  fears, 
Yield  thy  heart  up  to  love ! 
That  which  thy  soul  predicts 
Is  a  mere  passing  cloud, 
That  can  never  destroy 
The  joy  that  awaits  thee. 

Dirce.  Jason  swore  to  love  me, 
To  be  faithful  and  true ; 
And  yet  to  Medea 
He  once  plighted  his  vows  ! 
If  for  me  he  leave  her, 
False  and  perjur'd,  one  day 
Me  also  he  may  leave ! 

Cly.       Jason  has  freed  himself 
From  a  horrible  tie  ! 
And  he  was  forced  to  fly 
From  a  most  hateful  spouse  ; 
But,  now  that  kindly  fate 
To  virtue  unites  him, 
He  will  be  constant  and  true. 


SCACCIA  DAL  SEN—DWlYB  FROM  THY  SOUL.    Chorus  of  Women. 
 A  — -V  1— ^-te- 


 —  m^---ml-]-^  ^—l^, — \^  g-^-^  ^-H-^  f 


Scac  -  cia  dot  sen  Tac  -  cia  tri  -  ste  'pre  -  sag  -  gio,  Ta  -  ce  tri  -  ste  pre- 
Drive    from  thy      soul    All  such  drea  -  ry     fore  -  bo  -  ding,  All  such  drea  -  ly  fore- 


jpre  -  sag  -  gio, —  1 


sag  -  gio ;  Scac  -  cia  dal  sen  Tac  -  cia  tri  -  ste  pre  -  sag  -  gio, —  I  vo  -  ti  tuoi  il 
bo-ding ;  Drive  from    thy  soul    All  such  drea  -  ry  fore  -  bo -ding, — Thy  pure  and  faith-ful 


del  Be  -  ni-  gno  a  -  scol  -  te  -  rd,  I  vo  -  ti  tuoi  il  del  Be  -  ni-gno  a^scol  -  te 
vow  Heav'n  sure  -  ly    will   ac  -  cept.  Thy  pure   and   faith  -  ful  vow  Heav  n  sure  -  ly  will  ac- 


ra. 
cept. 


Ben 
And 


to  -  sto  il  ca  -  ro  I  -  men 
Hy  -  men    kind  -  ly  will 


Ti 
To 


rt 

COM 


da  -  rd  il  co  - 
rage    soon    res  - 


rag  •  gio,  Ben  to  -  sto  il  ca  -  ro  I  -  men 
tore    thee,    And     Hy  -  men    kind  -  ly  will 


Ti  ri  -  da  -  rd  il  co  -  rag  -  gio . 
To       cou  -  rage  soon    res  -  tore  thee. 


E  dal  cor,  E  dal  cor  .  .  .  scac  -  ce  '  rd  il  ti  -  mor,  Ben  to  -  sto  il  ca  -  ro  !• 
From  thy  heart,  From  thy   heart,    then,  dis  -  pel     all    fear,  And    Hy  -  men  kind  -  ly 


-X 


MEDEA 


men 


Ti  ri  -  da  '  rd  il  co 
To      cou  -  rage  soon  res 


rag  -  gio,  Ben 
tore   thee,  And 


to  -  sto  il  ca  -  TO  I 
Hy  -  men  kind  -  ly 


men 
wiU 


Ti 
To 


-F-f  ^  y-^-^M- 

 1  ^  kl-J 

ri  •  da  •  rd  il  co  -  rag-gio; 
cou  -  rage  soon   res  -  tore  thee ; 


IE  dal  cor,  E  dal  cor  .  .  .  scac  -  ce  •  rd  il  ti 
From  thy  heart.  From  thy    heart,  then,  dis  -  pel  all 


9M-  -^-^ 


mor,  scac  -  ce  -  m  tJaZ  cor  il 
fear,  From  thy  heart  dis   -  pel 

Dirce.  M'  e  grato  n  conforto,  oh  dilette ! 
Dolce  amista, 
Tu  rinfranchi  il  mio  cor. 
E  tu,  che  m'  oflPri  alfin 
Un  si  dolce  tesor, 
Amor !  non  ingannar 
La  misera  innocente ! 


ti  -  mor,  Scac  -  ce  '  rd     dal  cor 
all   fear.  From  thy  heart  dis    -  pel 


ti  -  mor. 
all  fear. 


Dirce.  Thanks,  friends,  for  this  comfort  I 
Sweet  friendship, 
Bring  strength  into  my  soul. 
And  thou,  love,  who  to  me 
So  great  a  boon  doth  offer. 
Ah  !  do  not  thou  deceive 
My  helpless  innocence ! 


IMEN,  YIEN  DISSIPAB—OB.,  HYMEN,  COME.   Air.  Dirce. 


31 


3 


J  -  men,  vien  dis  -  si  -  par 
Oh,     Hy   -    men,     come,  dis  -  pel 


II  mio  va  -  no  ti  -  mor  I  Vien  di 
AU    my    vain  fool  -  ish   fears!     And  of 


1^^ 


Bir 
Dir 


ce  a  cal 
ce  for 


.__s:^_ 


t--.  c  ip — t 


-1- 


lorn 


I  tor  •  men  -  tieil  do 
Soothe  the   sor  -  rows  and 


lo  -  re, 
tears, 


Vien  di  Bir 
And  of  Dir 


ce  a  cal- 
ce  for* 


mar 
lorn 


I 

Soothe 


tor 
the 


men  -tieil 
sor  -  rows 


do 
and 


i 


V- 


lo  -  re  / 

tears! 


i 


Come, 


rav- 
re- 


- — — s —  r-^ — r 


vt  -  vail  mio  cor,  Vien,  vien,  rav  •  vi  -  vail  mio  cor, 
vive    in    my  heart.  Come,  come,   re  -  vive   in  my  heart 


33: 


Del  tuo  di  -  vi  -  no 
Thy  pure   and   ho  -  ly 


fo^  -  CO,  Del    tuo      di  -  vi  -  no  fo 

spi  -  rit,  Thy  pure    and   ho  -  ly  spi 


CO,  Del  tuo  di  •  vi  -  no  fo  - 
rit,    Thy  pure   and  ho   •   ly      spi  - 


CO 


-  rit! 


Da  te  sol. 
Ah,     from  thee, 


Da  te  sol. 
Ah,     from  thee. 


Da  te 
Ah,  from 


MEDEA. 


Sol     da     ie,        da      te      sol,  si,      da  te 


sol    V  al  -  ma    Mia  spe-raan-cor 
tliee  does  my     soul    ga  -  ther  hope ;    Ah,  from  thee,     Ah,  from  thee, 


from   thee  my 


— ^— 


sol, 
soul, 


V  al  -  ma  Mia  spe  -  raan  -  cor : 
yes,  my    soul      ga  -  thers    hope : 


Vien,  rav  -  vi  -  va  il  mio  cor, 
Come,    re  -  vive  in    my  hearl 


C5 

Del 

beart  Thy 
Q  ^i^^^^^  I*^-T 


tuo  di  -  VI 
pure  and  ho 


no        fo  -  CO;     Si,    da       te      sol,       si,  da 
ly        spi  -  rit ;    Ah,  yes,    from  thee,  from  thee. 


te  sol  V  al  -  ma 
from    thee    does  my 


Mia  spe  -  ra  an -cor,  V  al  ■  ma  Mia  spe  -  raan-  cor,  V  al  -  ma  Mia  spe  •  ra  an  -  cor. 
Boul    ga  -  ther  hope,  does  my  soul    ga  -  ther  hope,  does    my    soul    ga  -  ther  hope. 


Da  me  aUontana  tu 

QueUa  donna  fatale, 

La  cui  triste  virtu 

Ha  sedotto  Giason ! 

Che  il  suo  rigor. 

La  sua  presenza, 

Non  venghi  1'  alma  mia  a  turbar. 

SCENA  II. — Ceeonte,  Dirge,  Giason,  e  seguito 
di  Dirce,  Truppe  di  Argonotti,  Soldaii,  Donne,  e  Po- 
polo  di  Corinto. 

Cre.  [A  Giason.']  Prence  ti  calma !    I  figli  tuoi 

Son  salvi  in  queste  mura. 
Dirce.  [A  Creonte.']  Tu  sei  turhato  ? 
Cre.    Di  PeHas,  il  figHo,  onde  punir  Medea, 
I  suoi  due  figU  a  morte  trar  volea. 
[Giasonefa  un  movimento  d'  orrore — Creonte  lo  ras- 
sicura  di  un  gesto. 
Gia.  l_A  Dirce.]  Mentre  V  Imen  si  appresta, 
Oh,  bella  Dirce,  rispondi  ai  voti  miei. 
Lascia  che  i  prodi  depongano  al  tuo  pie 
L'  armi  e  i  trofei. 
[Creonte  e  Dirce  ascendono  il  trono ;  la  Truppa  sfila 
avanti  di  loro  portando  in  trionfo  il  Toson 
d'  oro,  ed  il  modello  del  vascel  Argo. 
Cora.  [Durante  la  Marcia.] 
Dirce,  a  te  vien, 
L'  invincihil  Giason, 
Ed  al  tuo  pie 
Di  sua  vittoria  il  frutto ; 
Ei  domanda  depor, 
E  gli  allori  e  i  trofei, 
E  di  Colchos  U  real  vello  d'or. 
Colchos ! 

Quel  che  siano  gli  allori 
Che  comparte  Bellona, 
I  mirti  di  Paphos 
Hanno  ognor  piii  valor : 
Vener  stessa  fu  un  di, 
Che  al  dio  marte  li  die. 
Quest'  e  la  piu  beUa  corona. 
Cora.  Dirce,  a  tc  vien,  ec. 


Dirce 
Lam. 


Oh,  keep  far  from  my  sight 
That  cruel  dreadful  monster, 
Whose  fatal  influence 
So  lately  Jason  lured ! 
Let  not  her  fiend-like  rage, 
With  fearful  tiger  glance, 
My  trembling  spirit  scare. 

SCENE  II.— Creon,  Dirge,  Jason,  and  At- 
tendants of  Dirce,  Troops  of  Argonauts,  Soldiers, 
Woinen,  and  People  of  Corinth. 

Cre.  [To  Jason^  Calm  thee,  prince !    Thy  sons 

Are  safe  within  these  walls. 
Dirce.  [To  Creon.]  Thou  art  disturbed  P 
Cre.    The  son  of  Pelias,  to  punish  Medea, 
Has  sought  her  two  sons  to  destroy. 
[Jason  starts  with  horror — Creon  hy  a  gestwre  re- 
assures him. 

Jas.  [To  Dirce.]  Whilst  our  nuptials  are  preparing, 

Grant  me,  fair  Dirce,  assurance  of  thy  love. 

Permit  my  brave  companions  at  thy  feet 

To  lay  their  arms  and  trophies. 
[Creon  and  Dirce  ascend  the  throne ;  the  Troops 

defile  before  them,  carrying  in  triumph  the 

Golden  Fleece,  and  the  model  of  the  ship  Argo. 
Cho.  [During  the  March.] 

Dirce,  towards  thee  comes 

AU-conqueiing  Jason, 

Who  at  thy  feet 

Of  his  great  victories 

The  fruits  desires  to  place  ; 

Also,  from  far-famed  Colchis, 

The  royal  golden  fleece. 
Dirce.  Colchis! 

Lam.  Though  great  are  the  laurels 

Dread  Bellona  bestows. 

The  myrtles  of  Paphos 

Are  more  worthy  to  wear : 

This  did  Yenus  proclaim, 

When  she  gave  them  to  Mars, 

As  the  brightest  of  crowns. 
Cho.    Dirce,  towards  thee,  &c. 


MEDEA, 


Gia. 
Cre. 


Dirce.  Oolchos !  nome  fatal ! 

Oh,  funesto  presaggio !  ^ 
[Dirce  scende  dal  trono,  seguUa  da  Creonie  e  Gia- 
sone,  ed  il  Popolo  manifesta  anzietcL  per  V 
inquietudine  di  Dirce. 
Che  vedo  ?  perclie  il  divo  raggio ! 
Del  tuo  sgnardo  attristi  mio  ben ! 
Mia  figlia  clie  ti  assal  ?  Parla. 
Dirce.  Signor ! 
Cre.    Lo  voglio !        ^  ^ 
Dirce.  Perdon  se  col  mio  pianto, 

Si  lieto  giorno  attristo — ma  di  Medea 
L'  immagin.  mi  persegue  ovunque. 
Gia.    Non  temer ! — ben  lungi  in  bando 

L'  iniqua  espia  sue  colpe ! 
Dirce.  Ma  e  tna  sposa ! 

E  r  infernal  sua  possa 

Potria  condurla  per  incanto  a  noi, 

Per  reclamar  i  sacri  dritti  snoi ! 


Dirce.  Colcbis !  dreaded  name  I 

Ob,  evil  omen ! 
[Dirce  descends  from  the  throne,  followed  hy  Creon 

and  Jason. — The  People  show  amxiety  on  seeing 

Directs  distress. 
Jas.     What  do  I  behold? 

Ah,  why,  beloved,  art  thou  sad  ? 
Cre.    My  child,  what  doth  disturb  thy  mind  P 
Dirce.  My  gracious  father ! 
Cre.    Speak !  I  insist ! 

Dinrce.  Forgive  my  tears  on  such  a  joyous  day, 

But  the  fatal  image  of  Medea 

Pursues  me  where'er  I  turn. 
Jas.     Fear  nothing — in  distant  exile, 

The  impious  creature  expiates  her  crimes. 
Dirce.  Still  she  is  thy  wife  ! 

And  her  infernal  arts 

May  by  enchantment  bring  her  hither, 

To  reclaim  her  sacred  rights ! 


OB  CHE  BCIOLTO  MI  SON— NOW  THAT  ONCE  MORE  I'M  FREE.  Am.  Jason. 
Larghetto.  ^  


=l==^ 


fmi 


Or  che  sciol  -  to  mi  son 
Now  that  once  more  I'm  free 


D'u  -  na  spo  •  sa  cru  -  de  -  le, 
From    a     spouse  I       de  -  test  -  ed. 


D' u  •  na 

From  a 


1 


spo  -  sa  cru  -  de  •  le,  Che  fa  mia  on  -  ta  e  di  -  so  -  nor,  Che  fu  mia 
spouse    I      de  -  test  -  ed,  Who  was   my     dire    dis-grace    and  shame.  Who    was  my 


4 

1  i^-l 

-*-F- 

-    -    ta,    mia    on  -  tae     di  -  so 


nor. 


dire    dis  -  grace,  my    dire   dis  -  grace  and  shame,  xie  -  nj 

nir       D'untan-to     lun  -  go  er  -  ror,   Eil    mio  de   -  stin,  E 

flies        Of  sin  that    I      des  -  pise,  And   for  -    -  tune  smiles.  Ad 


To  per  -  do  il  sov  -  ve- 
Re  -  membrance  from  me 


D'  un  tan  -  to     lun  -goer  -  ror,   E  il  mio 
Of  sin  that    I      des  -  pise.  And  for 


i— — ^z=L^ — 


de   -  stin,   E  il   mio  de 
-  tune  smiles.  And  for  -    -    -  tune 


stin,  tor  -  na 
smiles   up  -  on 


piu 
me 


lie  - 
kind  - 


to.  Fuil  mio  tor  -  men  -  to  I  •  men,  Fiiil 
ly.  Through  Hy  -  men  tor  -  tur'd  once,  Through 
Cres. 


mio  tor  -  msn  -  tol  -  men,  Or  sa  -  ra 
Hy  -  men  tor  -  tur'd  once.  Now  for  bliss 


ter-no  hen;  Fuil  mio  tor -men -to  I- 
I  may  hope ;  Through  Hy  -  men  tor  -  tur'd 


men,  Or  sa  -  rae  •  ter  -  no  hen.  Or  sa  -  rae  -  tei'  -  no  hen. 
once,  Now   for  bliss     I     may  hope,  Now  for  bliss     I    may  hope. 


Or  che 
Now  that 


8 

MEDEA. 

9J 

p  -r-    — r1 

[  ^  5«_t 

sciol  -  to  mi  son 
once  more  I'm  free 


D'  ^t  -  -Ma  spo  -  sa  cru  -  de  -  le, 
From     a    spouse  I     de  -  test  -  ed. 


lo  per  -  do  il  sov  -  ve- 
Re  -  membrance  from  me 


nr       ^tJ^  ian  •  to      hm  -  g'O  er-ror,       iZ     mio  -  stin,    e  il      mio    de  -  stin,  Piu 

fliea    Of   siu    that     I     des  -  pise.  And     for  -  tune  smiles.  And    for  -  tune  smiles  up- 


lie  -  to  tor  -  na !  II  can  -  dor  del  tua  cor,  Che  spi  -  ra  ca  -  sto  a  -  mor,  In  e- 
on    me     kind  -  ly !  Tes,  thy  pure    gen  -  tie  heart,  In  -  spir'd  by  cbast-est   love,  Hath  for 


i 


ier  '  noa  -  te  m'  in  -  ca  -  te  - 
ev  -  er  bound  and    en  -  slav'd 


no  ! 
me ! 


Or  che 
That  I 


be  '  a 
am  tru 


to  son  Giu- 
ly  bless'd,  Here 


— ^  

rar  vogV  io  al  tuo  pie :  Nul  -  la  al  mon  •  do  po 
at     thy    feet     I  —  ^ 


m 


trd,    Nul  -  la  al     mon  -  do  po- 
vow :  Earth  no    pow'r  doth  p"os  -  sess,  Earth  no     pow'r  doth  pos- 


 /  1^- 


tra, 


M' al-lon  •  ta-nar  da  te;  Nul-laal  mon-do  po  -  tra,  Nul -la  al  mon  -  do  po- 
To   tear  me  from  thee  now ;  Earth  no  pow'r  doth  pos  -  sess.  Earth  no  pow'r  doth  pos- 


4J*- 


tra,  M' al-lon -ta  -  nar  da  te;  Nul-laal  mon-do  po  -  tra,  Nul-laal  mon-do  po- 
sess      To  tear  thee  from  me   now ;  Earth  no  pow'r  doth  pos  -  sess,  Earth  no  pow'r  doth  pos- 


tra,  3r  al-lon  -  ta  -  nar  da  te,  M'  al  •  Ion  -  ta  -  nar  da  te,  M'  al  -  Ion  -  ta  -  nar  da  te  I 
sess  To  tear  thee  from  me  now,  To    tear  thee  from  me  now,  To    tear  thee  from  me  now ! 


Cre. 


Ah !  deh  !  scaccia  dal  cor 

Quelle  larve  funeste ; 

Mia  figlia,  uop'  e  sperar 

Nella  bonta  celeste ! 

Ed  iddio  invoca  Sol 

L'  Imcn  a  benedir, 

Ei  col  suo  amore  puo 

Lieto  far  1'  avvenir. 

Deh  !  veglia  tu,  gran  dio  possente ! 

Su  i  figli  miei  dal  ciel, 

T'  implora  il  core  anel, 

Ch'  io  non  chiegga  invan, 

Tal  favore !  sian  essi 

Al  santo  Imcn  fedel ! 

Ed  io  saro  beato  genitore ! 

Sian  dessi  oguor  fedel  I 


Cre.    Ah !  chase  from  thy  mind 
Those  dreadful  fancies ; 
And  let  us,  my  child, 
In  heaven  place  our  faith  ! 
Let  us  ask  its  great  aid, 
Which  in  its  high  bounty 
This  union  will  bless, 
And  lasting  joy  will  bestow. 
Oh  !  power  supreme ! 
Look  down  from  heaven. 
On  these  my  well-loved  children  ; 
Let  me  not  vainly  ask 
Thy  saving  grace ! 
True  to  their  nuptial  vows. 
Oh !  keep  them,  I  implore, 
And  make  me  thus  a  happy  sire ! 


MEDEA. 


Gia.   Beato  genitore ! 
Coro.  Lieto  Imen ! 

Yieni  a  stringere  il  nodo  d'  amor ! 

E  degna  ascoltar  la  preghiera ! 
Dir.  e  Gia.  Dolce  Imen,  1'  alto  tuo  poter 

Poi-ta  la  calma  nel  mio  seno  I 

Le  tue  leggi  si  il  tuo  voler, 

Noi  costanti  ognor  seguiremo. 
Coro.  Infondi  a  entrambi  in  cor 

II  santo  tuo  vigor ! 

Dei  mirti  tuoi  immortal, 

Yien,  gli  sposi  corona  ! 

Promette  la  gioia  1'  amor. 

Ma  e  Imene  Sol, 

Sei  tu  Sol  che  a  noi  la  doni. 
II  Messo.  \_A  Creonte.'\  Signor,  d'  Apollo 

Una  sacerdotessa  chiede  1'  ingresso. 
Ore.    A  noi  la  guida. 
Dirce.  Oh,  ciel ! 
II  Messo.  Ella  s'  avvanza. 
Dirce.  In  cor  mi  serpe  un  gelo ! 

[Medea  fatto  qualche  passo,  avanzandosi  coperta 

di  un  lungo  vela — parla  di  un  tuono  nohile  e 

calmo. 

Med.   Salve,  signor,  e  popol  di  Corinto ! 

Non  verso  voi  mi  spinge  il  crudo  fato. 

Ma  verso  il  reo  Giason. 
[Avvanzandosi  verso  Giassone  a  chi  si  scopre. 

Mi  riconosci  ingrato. 
Coro.  Medea !  giusto  ciel ! 

Fuggiam !  salvaci  o  ciel ! 
[II  Popolo  fugge  atterrito. — Dirce  cade  svenuia  suite 

braccia  delle  sue  Fide,  Creonte  resta  stupefatto, 

Giasone  confuso,  Medea  irmnohile  fissando 

lo  sguardo  furente  sopra  il  suo  consorte. 
Med.  [A  Giasone.'] 

Ben  lungi  mi  credevi,  oh,  sciagurato  ! 

E  ti  apprestavi  a  nuovo  Imen ; 

Ma  vivo  ancora,  e  della  mia  vendetta 
giunta  r  or  a ! 
Cre.  [A  Medea.]  Audace ! 

Che  ti  guida  in  queste  soglie  ? 
Med.  [Confiera  calma.] 

Di  consorte  e  di  madre  il  sacro  dritto ! 

Se  Dirce,  se  Giason,  cari  ti  sono, 

Rompi  il  fatale  Imen, 

Ma  se  persisti  paventa  il  mio  furor ! 
Cre.  [A  Dirce.]  Deh !  calma  il  tuo  terror ! 

Morra  la  donna  rea ! 
Med.  [Ben  ma/rcato  e  con  for za.] 

indegna  di  un  sovran  tale  minaccia ! 

Yendicarmi  potrebbe  un  solo  accento. 

Ma  nulla  tema  quei  ch'  io  non  pavento  ! 
Cre.    Qui  tremar,  dei  tu  Sol, 

Empia  donna,  e  perversa ! 

Dei  tuoi  delitti  il  vol 

Creonte  puo  troncar ; 

Premer  dei  degli  orror 

Che  r  averno  t'  appresta, 

Questo  sara  si  1'  estremo  tuo  di ! 
Diree.  Sciagurata! 
Cre.    Ten  va ! 
Coro.  Gran  dio !  oh  ciel ! 

La  tua  man  stendi  a  noi !  [Partoiiio. 
Med.  Tu  taci  ingrato ! 


9 

Jae.    A  happy  sire ! 
Cho.    Blessed  Hymen ! 

Deign  to  listen  to  our  prayers  ! 

Come,  sanctify  the  bonds  of  love ! 
Dir.  &  Jas.  Kind  Hymen,  thy  great  power 

Soothes  our  souls  and  calms  our  fears ! 

Ever  faithful  to  thy  laws, 

Shall  our  lives  in  bliss  be  spent. 
Cho.    Into  their  souls  infuse 

Thy  great  and  holy  grace  ! 

And  crown  with  myrtle-wreaths 

The  truthful  faithful  pair ! 

Love  doth  pleasure  promise, 

But  with  the  marriage  tie. 

Thou  alone  dost  give  it. 
Mes.  [Entering,  to  Creon.]  Sire,  a  priestess 

Of  Apollo  desires  admission. 
Cre.    Conduct  her  hither. 
Dirce.  Oh,  heav'n ! 
Mes.    She  approaches. 
Dirce.  A  chill  pervades  my  soul ! 

[Medea  enters,  covered  with  a  long  veil — having  ad- 
vanced a  few  steps,  she  speahs  iu  a  calm  and 

dignified  manner. 
Med.  Hail,  sire,  and  ye,  people  of  Corinth ! 

Not  to  thee  am  I  sent  by  cruel  fate, 

But  unto  recreant  Jason. 

[Advancing  towards  Jason,  she  discovers  herself. 

Dost  thou  know  me,  ingrate  ? 
Cho.    Medea !  heavenly  powers  ! 

Preserve  us !  let  us  fly ! 
[The  People  fly  in  alarm. — Dirce  faints  i/n  the 

arms  of  an  Attendant,  Creon  stands  stupified, 

Jason  is  confused,  Medea  immovable,  looking 

fiercely  at  Jason. 
Med.  [To  Jason.] 

Thou  believedst  me  far  away,  oh,  wretch ! 

And  didst  prepare  to  wed  again ; 

But  I  yet  live,  and  the  hour 

Of  my  vengeance  hath  arrived  ! 
Cre.  [To  Medea.]  Audacious  woman ! 

"What  hath  brought  thee  hither  ? 
Med.  [With  haughty  calmness.] 

The  sacred  rights  of  wife  and  mother ! 

If  Dirce  and  Jason  are  dear  to  thee, 

Break  off  this  fatal  marriage, 

Or,  persisting,  dread  my  utmost  fary ! 
Cre.  [To  Dirce.]  Pray,  calm  thy  fears ! 

The  wicked  woman  shall  perish ! 
Med.  [Pointedly  and  emphatically.] 

Such  a  threat  is  unworthy  of  a  king ! 

I  could  with  a  word  avenge  me, 

But  fear  not  those  I  can  make  to  tremble ! 
Cre.    Thou  alone  shouldst  tremble. 

Wicked  shameless  woman ! 

The  course  of  thy  fell  crimes 

Creon  now  can  stay ; 

Tremble  at  the  tortures 

Which  hell  for  thee  prepares, 

For  this  day  is  thy  last ! 
Dir.    Wretched  being ! 
Cre.    Begone ! 
Cho.    Oh,  heav'n !  to  us 

Thy  helping  hand  extend !  [Exeunt. 
Med.  Thou  art  silent,  ungrateful  man ! 


MEDEA. 


Gia. 


Med. 


In  premio  io  dei  miei  doni  m'  abbandonasti, 

Mi  tradisti,  e  i  figli  sin  mi  strappasti ! 

Oro  ti  diedi  e  liistro 

Mi  coprii  di  delitti, 

E  tutto  osai  crudel  per  il  tuo  amore ! 

Or  per  punirti  osar  tutto  potro, 

Yil  traditore ! 

Mi  scusa  il  tuo  furor — spezzar  io  volli, 

L'  obbrobrioso  Imen  ! — sicuro  asilo 

Pei  figli  qui  cercai ! 

Ma  in  Corinto  or  tu  sei 

E  umil  le  leggi  rispettar  ne  dei ! 

L'  ultima  volta  allor  m'  ascolta, 

Infido  core ! 


Jas. 


Med. 


In  reward  for  kindness  thou  bast  forsaken  me, 

Betrayed  me,  and  tore  my  children  from  me  ! 

I  covered  myself  with  infamy. 

To  procure  thee  gold  and  honours. 

And  dared  all,  cruel  one,  for  thy  love ! 

Now  I  could  dare  all  to  punish  thee,  • 

Base  perjurer ! 

Thy  crimes  are  my  excuse — 

An  unhallowed  marriage  I  strove  to  annul ! 

A  safe  asylum  here  for  my  sons  I  sought. 

Now  thou  art  in  Corinth, 

And  to  its  laws  thou  must  submit ! 

Then,  for  the  last  time,  hear  me, 

Unfaithful  that  thou  art ! 


DEI  TUOI  FIGLI  E  AL  TUO  PIE— AT  THY  FEET  SEE  ME  KNEELING.   Aik.  Medea. 

Larghetto. 


^9- 


Dei  tuoi     fi  -  glie  al  tuo     pie,  La    ma  -  dre    sven  -  tu  -  ra  -  ta !  Che  col- 

At  thy    feet     see    me   kneel  -  ing,  Thy  chil  -  dren's  wretched    mo  -  ther !       Who  for 


;pe  -  vol  per  te,  Da  ie  fio  ah -ban  -  do  -  na  -  ta !  Tu  hen  sai  quanf  es  •  sa  ti  a- 
thee    sin  com  -  mitted,  And  yet  thou  hast  be  -  tray'd  me !  Well  thou  know'st  the   love  I  pos- 


mo     fe  -  del,     E       ti      fu    ca  -  raun  di 

sess'd  for   thee.  And   once   that  love  thou  didst    re  -  turn, —  ah,    yes ! 


cru  -  del,      cru  -  del!         Si,      ti  fk 


That  love  thou 


m    -p  •  ■?  - 

J?-e-3-'- 

-•■Ft      ?  f 

— *  ' 

ca  • 
didst 


ra  un  d/i !  La  la  -  scia  -  sti  in  •  fe  -  del.  Pro  -  scrit  -  ta,  scia  -  gu- 
re   -    -   turn !  Per  -  jur'd  one,    me   you    left         In    mis'  -  ry      and  pro- 


ra  -  ta !  Pro  -  scrit  -  ta,  scia  •  gu  -  ra  -  ta !  Pria  d'  es 
Bcrip-tion!  In    mis'  -  ry     and    pro  -  scrip -tion!  Be  -  fore 


-   se  -  re  iua 

with    thee  I 


spo  -  sa, 
wed  -  ded. 


1  r  r^— r  9  r-=^— IP  


S'  e   -  -   ra  a  vir  -  tu  ser 

Rear'd        in    the  strict  -  est 


ha  -  ta, 
vir  -  tue, 


Pria  d'  es  -  se  -  re  tua  spo  -  sa,  S*  e- 
Be  -  fore        with  thoe      I       wed  -  ded.  In 


raavir-tu     ser  -  ha     -    -  ta, 
strict    -    est   vir  -  tue  rear'd, 


Al  -  lor, 
Un  -  known 


il 
to 


8U0  cor  I  -  gno  -  ra  -  va  gli  or- 
my  heart  was    the  thought  of  all 


1 


.    no    rio    ve  •  len, 
Or  bane  -  ful  pois'ning  pang 


Di  tan  -  ti  a  -  tro  -  ce  af  -  fet 
Of  dark    and    tor  -  tur'd  feel 


.  -  ti. 
-  ings. 


MEDEA. 


11 


Dor  -  mi  -  vai  so  -  gni  de  -  glie  -  let  -  ti,  Ed  i  suoi  gior  •  ni  e  -  ran  se  - 
My   days  were  pass'd  in  peace-ful    plea-siires,      An  -  gels'  sweet    slum  -  bers   bless'd  my 


...J*. 


— j  


ren ;        Dor  -  mi  •  vai    so  -  gni     de  -  gli  e  -  let  -  ti,  Ed     i       suoi     gior  -  m  e 

nights ;      My  days  were  pass'd  in    peace-ful      pleasures,      An  -  gels'  sweet    slum  -  bers 


-g-  !  fe-r — I  


.1  ly  ly  i/—  1  


ran  se  -  ren  1 
bless'd     my  nights! 


lo  pos  -  se  -  de  •  voal  -  lor  Pa  -  tria,  pa  -  ren  •  ti, 
Then,  too,    did     I      pos  -  sess     A    home,   a      coun  -  try. 


e 
a 


pa  -  dre !  Ma  V  im  -  mo  -  lai  per  il  tuo  a  -  mor  j 
fa  -  ther!  All  these    for  thy   sake   did      I  leave; 


DelV  u  •  ni  '  ver  -  so  in 
Now   lone  -  ly     o'er  the 


m 


i 


sen 
world. 


I 

AU 


gno  -  ra  ' 
un  -  known, 


ia 
do 


son 
I 


i  -  -  of  Per  ial  per  •  du  -  to 
wan  -  der !    These  bless  -  ings    have  I 


hen!  Deh,  miren-di  il  tuo  a  -  mor  f  Tut  -  to  per  -  dei  per  te,—  Deh,  mi  ren  -  di  il  tuo  a- 
lost !  Oh,  re  -  store  me  thy  love !    All   have  I      lost    for   thee, — Oh,  re  -  store  me  thy 


— K 

fi 

K— h—  ^ 

t-                         t  ' 

— F— F— J  

^'—^  /  — 

mor  I 
love! 

— 1— 


Cru  -  del ! 
Ah,   yes ! 

- — ^ 


cru  -  del ! 


ah, 

4^- 


yes, 


lo     non  vo 
Give    me  back 


che  il  tuo 
but  thy 


cor! 
heart ! 


Bi- 
I 


nun  -  zio  alV  i  -  raar  -  den  -  te. 
now      re-nounce   all     an  -  ger. 


-V- 
Me  '  de  -  a, 
Me  -  de  -  a. 


i 


—¥  ¥  P  y- 

Pro  -  stra  -  ta  sta  al  iuo 
And  pros-trate    at  thy 


Me  -  de  -  a,  or  qui  pian-gen  -  te, 
Me  -  de  -   a,     see,      is   weep  -  ing. 


pih ;  Me  -  dea  pian  -  gen  -  te  Pre  •  ga  o  -  ra  al  tuo 
feet ;    Me  -  de   -    a     weep  -  eth,  Pros  -  trate    at  thy 


 :  .  / 

pie.  Cru  -  del !  ren  -  di  a  me,  Deh !  mi  ren  -  di  il  tuo  a  -  mor,  Cru  •  del !  ren-di  a 
feet.       To     me       pi  -  ty    show.    Oh !    res  -  tore      me    thy    love.    To    me      pi  -  ty 

-A  iS-i-»  ^_2^-r-p^  fi.  a—, — 

me,     De7i  /  re»i  -  di  il  tuo  a  -  mor —   Si,       deh,  mi      ren  -  di  il  tuo  a  -  mor 


show,    Oh!  res  -  tore  me     thy    love —  Yes,     now  res  -  tore      me     thy  love. 


12  MEDEA. 


Oia.    Tardo  rimorsG ! 

Di  Creonte  1'  ira  tu  destasti ; 

Se  il  re  F  asil  ci  niega  

Med.  [Interrompendolo.']  Vien !  fuggiam! 

Gia.    Giammai — morir  piuttosto! 

Med.  [Con  accento  terrihile  e  voce  soffocata.'] 

Ebben — sii  sposo  a  Dirce ! — ma  ti  aspetta — 

Da  me  scliernita  orribile  vendetta ! 

Or  bene  contro  me, 

Yoi  tutti  cospirate ! 

Or  Erebo  ed  il  Ciel, 

Mi  saran  testimon, 

Cb'  io  compir  non  faro, 

Quest'  orribile  Imen,  no  ! 
Gia.    Tu  raffrena,  oh  signor, 

L'  inuman  suo  rigore, 

E  deUa  rea  non  far 

Clie  1'  orribil  furor ! 

Turbi  il  mio  protettor 

In  questo  reggio  asil ! 
A  2.    Ob,  fatalveUod'or! 

Oh,  conquista  funesta ! 

Ab !  fonte  sarai  tu, 

E  di  pianto  e  di  orror ! 
Med.   Ob,  Colcbos,  per  punir ! 

L'  ingrato  cb'  io  detesto, 

Colcbos,  m'  ispira  tu 

I  piu  atroci  martir ! 
Gia.    Possente  re  l^en  puo 

Condannarti  se  irato ! 
Med.  Mio  padre  ancor  regno, — 

Per  te  il  tradivo  ingrato ! 
Gia.    A  morir  corri  tu. 
Med.  Ma  ben  pria  di  morir, 

Io  lasciar  ti  sa,pro, 

Un  crudel  sowenir. 
Gia.    Ten  va !  t'  invola  va  ? 

Al  fato  cbe  t'  attende ! 

FINE  dell'  ATTO  PEIMO. 


Jas.    Repentance  comes  too  late ! 

Tbou  bast  aroused  tbe  anger  of  Creon ; 

And  if  tbe  king  an  asylum  sbould  refuse  

Med.  [Interrupting  him.']  Come !  let  us  fly ! 
Jets.     Never — sooner  will  I  perisb ! 
Med.  [With  smothered  fearful  evvphasis.'] 

Tben  marry  Dirce — but  expect 

From  tbe  despised  one  a  fearful  revenge  ! 

Now,  since  against  me 

All  bere  are  now  conjoined, 

Higb  beaven  and  dark  hell, 

Be  ye  my  witnesses. 

This  hated  marriage 

I'll  not  suffer  to  proceed. 
Jas.     Heaven,  do  thou  restrain 

Her  dread  and  fiend-Hke  nature  : 

Let  not  this  guilty  wretch, 

"With  horrible  fury. 

The  peaceful  realm  disturb 

Of  this  my  kind  protector ! 
Both.  Oh,  fatal  golden  fleece, 

Dire  unlucky  conquest, 

For  ever  fruitful  source 

Of  horror  and  of  tears ! 
Med.   Oh,  Colcliis,  to  punish 

The  ingrate  my  soul  abhors, 

Bring  to  my  thoughts 

The  direst  fiercest  pangs ! 
Jas.     A  mighty  monarcn  s  wrath, 

Thee  to  death  may  condemn ! 
Med.   My  father  also  reigned, — 

For  thee,  I  betrayed  him  ! 
Jas.     Tbou  rushest  on  thy  doom. 
Med.  Ay,  but  before  I  die, 

I  will  not  fail  to  leave  thee 

A  fearful  remembrance. 
Jas.     Hence !  begone  with  speed ! 

Fly  the  fate  that  awaits  thee ! 

END  OF  THE  FIRST  ACT. 


MEDEA. 


13 


AT  T  O  II. 

ZZ  Teatro  rappresenta  da  un  lato  una  parte  del  Palazzo 
di  Creonte ;  dal  quale  si  discende  per  mezzo  di  una 
gran  gradinata. — AW  estremitd  di  questa,  un  por- 
tico elegante  e  vasto  conduce  al  Tempio  di  Giunone, 
situato  di  rimpetto  e  colocato  ohliquamente,  di 
maniera  die  la  facciata  e  la  porta  siano  in  vista 
dello  spettatore. 

SCENA  1.  —  Medea,  Neris,  e  poi  Creon  e 
Guardie. — Medea  scendendo  precipitosamente  la 
gradinata  del  Palazzo. 

Med.  Era  breve  a  Dirce  sposo, 
Ed  anco  i  figli  mi  niega  ! 
Oh,  mio  furor — Satan,  vendetta ! 
Peran  Dirce  e  Creonte — 
Si,  cli'  ei  viva  pm% 
Ma  fra  i  rimorsi  e  1'  onte ! 
[^Giunge,  atterita  ed  ansante.'] 
Medea,  ti  salva  del  tuo  fato  orrendo — 
I  carnefici  tnoi  fnggi ! 
[Con  terribile  calma^  lo  li  attendo ! 
Mostro  infernal ! 
Potrei  dannarti  a  morte. 
Ma  per  Giasone  la  tua  grazia  ottenne. 
Vanne  raminga — parti ! 
[Con  ironia.']  Come ! 
Si  lieve  pena  alle  mie  colpe  ? 
Ma  pur  con  qual  dritto,  oli,  signer, 
Osi  air  esilio  condannarmi  ancor  ? 
Temo  per  Dirce,  per  Giason,  pei  figli ! 
[Con  ironia.']  Temi  il  delitto ! 
E  pur  tu  godi  ingrato 
Dei  beni  che  il  delitto 
Ti  ha  serbato ! 


Ner. 


Med. 
Cre. 


Med. 


Cre. 
Med. 


ACT  II. 

The  Stage  represents  on  one  side  a  part  of  Creon^s 
Palace,  from  which  the  descent  is  hy  a  flight  of  steps. 
— At  the  end  of  the  Palace,  a  large  handsome  colon, 
nade  leads  to  the  Temple  of  Juno,  which  is  placed 
obliquely  on  the  opposite  side,  so  that  the  facade  and 
the  door  are  in  view  of  the  spectators. 

SCENE  I— Medea,  ISTeris,  and  afterwards  Creon 
and  Guards. — Medea  hastily  descends  the  steps  of 
the  Palace. 

Med.   Soon  he  will  espouse  Dirce, 

And  even  keep  my  children  from  me  ! 

Oh,  rage — Saturn,  avenge  me  ! 

Cause  Creon  and  Dirce  to  perish — 

Let  him,  however,  live, 

In  shame  and  misery ! 
Ner.  [Entering,  terrified  and  breathless.'] 

Medea,  save  thyself  from  a  dreadful  fate — 

Fly  from  thy  murderers  ! 
Med.  [With  terrible  calmness.]  I  will  await  them  ! 
Cre.    Fiendish  woman ! 

To  death  I  could  condemn  thee, 

But  Jason  has  procured  thee  grace. 

Go,  wander  forth — depart ! 
Med.  [Ironically.]  How! 

So  small  a  penalty  for  my  offence  ? 

But  by  what  right  darest  thou,  oh,  king. 

To  exile  again  condemn  me  ? 
Cre.    I  fear  for  Dirce,  for  J ason,  and  his  sons  ! 
Med.  [Ironically.]  Thou  fearest  a  crime ! 

And  yet  thou  canst  enjoy 

The  advantages  which  crime 

Has  procured  for  thee ! 


A  MEDEA  DEGNA,  OH  SIBE-TO  MEDEA,  GREAT  MONARCH.   Air.  Medea. 


Allegro. 


 i  >  fS- 


A      Me  -  dea      de-gna,oh  si  •  re  Ac- cor  -  dar      dol-cea  -  si  -   lo !    Lai    gior  •  ni 
To     Me    -    -    dea,  great  mo  -  narch,  Ac  -  cord     an     a  -  sy  -  lum !     To      fi  -  nish 


miei 
there 


my 


-t  ^       I  1^  I 

nir,  Eil  mio  ar -den  -  te  de  •  si  -  re, 
days,     Now    is     all        I      as  -  pire  to, 


Eil  mio  ar- den 
Now    is  all 


te  de- 
I  as- 


m 


si  -  re,  Sei  fi  .  .  gli  miei  ve  -  dro, 
pire    to,         My    chil-dren   if     I        be  -  hold, 


=t3 

k:3 


Sei  fi  -  -  gli  miei  ve  - 
My    chil-dren  if     I        be  - 


dro,  De  -  si  -  ar 
hold,    Naught  shall  I 


piii  non  so,  De  -  si  •  ar  piu  non  so ;  Che  Gia- 
then    re  -  gret,   Naught  shall    I        then    re  -  gi-et ;      And  that 


son  mi  tra  -  ^,  0  '  hli  •  ar  hen  sa  -  pro,  Che  Gia  -  son  mi  tra- 
Ja  -  son    was  false,      I    shall  learn     to     for  -  get,      And  that    Ja  -  son  -was 


i 


S3: 


false. 


0  -   hli  -  ar  hen 

1  shall  learn  to 


Cre. 


Med. 

Cre. 

Med, 


Ner. 


Cre.  e 


Med. 


Ore. 
Med. 

Cre. 

Med. 
Cre. 

Med. 
Cre. 


Acontrito  dolor 
Or  tu  fingi  esser  volta  ? 
Tu  dei  da  qui  partir ! 
No,  non  cede  il  mio  cor ! 
Ilea  fratricida  figlia  iniqua ! 
Ten  va !  tu  dei  da  qui  partir ! 
Qui  mi  prostro  al  tuo  pie  ! 
Ten  va,  no  piu  speme  non  v'  e. 
Gran  dio  del  mal ! 
La  cagion  di  mie  pene, 
Non  sfugga  il  mostro  a  te, 
Al  tuo  sguardo  infernal ! 
Oh  ciel !  possente  re 
Preso  e  d'  odio  e  vendetta ! 
Calma  tu  del  suo  cor, 
II  tremendo  furor ! 
Coro.  Ciel,  ci  proteggi  ognor 
Dal  furor  di  quel  mostro  ! 
Dal  presaggio  fatale, 
Ci  salva,  oh  Giove,  ancor ! 
E  ben  !   lo  partiro : 
Poi  che  ognun  m'  abbandona 
Si  nell'  esilio  andro 
Che  imposto  m'  ha  lo  rapito, 
Ma  soltanto  di  un  di 
Concedi  il  diflferir 
Accio  il  mio  triste  cor, 
Piu  calmo  fosse  allor. 
Tu  chiedi  un  giomo  ancor 
Per  qualche  reo  delitto ! 
Che  posso  contro  te  ? 
CI  colmo  del  dolor 
Rifiutar  non  puoi  tu, 
Un  giorno  al  triste  cor. 
Porse  di  mia  bonta 
La  vittima  mi  rendo, 
Tiranno  il  cor  non  ho : 
Mitigar  vo  il  rigor ; 
Ed  un  giorno  ti  do ; 
Sebben  costi  al  mio  cor. 
e  Ner.  Che  d'  un  cotale  don 
Ripaghi  il  dio  d'  eterno  amore ! 
Or  trionfaste  del  mio  core ; 
Ma  tremar  dei  tu,  ben  t'  aspetta 
B  piu  crudel  martir, 
Se  giammai  al  nuovo  sol, 
Non  sei  prest'  a  partir ! 
[Con  estremo  dolore.'] 
Oh,  mio  padre !  oh,  Colchos, 
Ah !  mia  p  atria  adorata ! 
Torna  pur  a  Colchos, 
Che  tu  tradisti  ingrata  I 


sa  -  pro, —  Si,  o  -  hli  -  ar  hen  sa  •  pro, 
for  -  get, —  Yes,  shaU  learn     to       for  -  get. 

Cre,    A  penitent  sorrow 

Dost  thou  now  assume  ? 
Thou  must  away  from  hence ! 
No,  my  heart  will  not  yield ! 
Fratricide  and  traitress ! 
Away,  depart ! 
Med.  On  my  knees  I  implore ! 
Cre.    For  thee  there  is  no  hope ! 
Med.  Dread  powers  of  evil ! 

The  cause  of  my  great  grief. 
Thy  fell  and  fearful  wrath 
Let  not  the  wretch  escape ! 
Ner.    Heavens !  our  migb  ty  king 

Is  stiiT'd  with  wrath  and  hate  I 
Oh,  appease  in  his  heart 
This  overwhelming  rage ! 
Cre.  &  Cho.  Great  heaven,  protect  us 
From  the  fury  of  this  fiend ; 
And  from  the  dire  omen 
Save  us,  oh,  great  Jove,  save  us  I 
Med.  Be  it  so !    I  go  hence : 

Since  aU  have  forsaken  me, 
In  hopes  of  forgiveness. 
To  sad  exile  I'll  go : 
But  do  thou  of  one  day. 
At  least,  grant  the  delay. 
That  my  sorrowing  soul 
May  its  calmness  regain. 
Cre,    For  some  evil  purpose 

Thou  seekest  a  day's  delay ! 
Med.   What  against  thee  can  I  do  P 
To  calm  the  cruel  grief 
Of  a  sorrowing  heart, 
One  day  do  not  refuse ! 
Cre.    Of  my  kindness,  I  fear, 
I  the  victim  may  be ; 
But  I  am  no  tyrant : 
Thy  sad  fate  I  would  ease. 
And  grant  thee  a  day. 
Though  my  reason  condemns. 
Med.  &  Fer.  May  the  great  god  of  love 

Reward  thee  for  this  deed ! 
Cre.    Thy  purpose  thou  hast  gained; 
But  know  that  await  thee 
Tortures  dire  and  dreadful. 
If  by  the  morning  light 
Thou  on  this  soil  art  found  ! 
Med.  [In  extreme  anguish.'] 

Oh,  my  father !  oh,  Colchis ! 
Oh,  my  country  adored ! 
Cre.    Return,  then,  to  Colchis, 
Which  thou  didst  betray ! 


MEDEA. 


15 


Coro.  Deh,  rendi  alfin  la  calma 

Al  nostro  pnro  ciel  I 
Ner.  e  Coro.  Oh.,  dio  d'  amor,  calma  tu 

Quell'  orrendo  furore ! 
[Creonte  e  le  Guar  die  partono,  Medea  li  segue,  e  cade 

sulla  gradinata,  e  resta  assorbita  nella  piu 

profonda  e  sinistra  meditazione. 
Ner.  \Fra  se,  guardando  Medea.'] 

Oh-,  sventurata  donna, 

Da  tutti  abbandonata ! 

Teco  dividero  nell'  aspro  esiglio 

E  fame  e  stenti,  ed  ogni  rio  periglio ! 


Cho. 


Free  us  from  tliy  presence. 
Which  infects  our  pure  sky  ! 
Ner.  &  Cho.  Oh,  calm,  god  of  love, 
This  frenzied  fearful  rage ! 
[Creon  and  the  Guards  depart,  Medea  follows,  and 
falls  on  the  steps,  where  she  remains  absorbed 
in  deep  and  angry  meditation. 
Ner.  [To  herself,  looMng  at  Medea.] 
Oh,  unhappy  woman ! 
By  all  deserted, 

Want,  suffering,  and  every  danger 
Of  thy  cruel  exile  I  will  share. 


Andantino. 


81,  LE  PmE—YES,  THY  SORROW.   Air.  Neeis. 
-J  


h--|  1  •  H  


Si,  le  pe  '  ne,  Si,  le  pe  •  ne  di  •  vi  -  de  -  re  •  mo,  Vi  -  vo  af- 
Yes,  thy      sor  -  row,       Yes,   thy      sor  -  row    di  -  vi  -  ding  with    thee,     In  a 


fet  -  to  sin  -  cer,  Al  fa  -  to  tuo  u  -  ni,  Al  fa  -  to  tuo  m'  u  -  ni,  Al 
friend  -  ship  that's  true    I'll  my    fate  join    to   thine.    My  fate     I'll  join    to     thine.  My 


m 


fa  -  to    tuo     m/u  -  nl; 
fate    I'll  join      to  thine; 


Si, 
Yes, 


yes, 


Com  -  pa  •  gna  del 
Com  -  pa  -  nion  of 


le      tue   sven    •    tu  •  re, 
all     thy    af    -  flic-tions, 


Ti     se  -  gui 


rb, 


ti  se 


1 


ro,     ti  se  -  gui  ■ 

rn    fol  -  low  -  thee,    I'U  fol  -  low    thee,  I'll  fol- low 


-  lo 


rb,  ti  se  -  g 
thee,   I'U    fol  -  Ic 


ui  -  rb  si  -  no  al  -V  a  -  vcl,  Ti  se  -  gui  -  rb,  ti  se  -  gui  - 
ow     thee   e'en        to     the  tomb,  I'll  fol  -  thee,     thee,  I'll   fol  -  low 


ro 

thee 


Ma  che  vedo !  qual  rio  deliro 

Reca  le  smanie  del  suo  cor 

Si  scuote  e  freme, 

E  il  suo  respiro, 

Lo  sguardo  e  cupo  ancor, 

Agitar  vedo  il  sen  ! 

E  meditar  al  certo 

Un  delitto  essa  de ! 

Sventurata,  e  abbietta  regina ! 

Chi  potria  trattenere 

II  pianto,  al  tuo  destin  ? 

Sventurata,  sventurata, 

Si  piangera  il  mio  core  affranto, 

Sino  alia  morte  piangero ! 


ow  thee 


si  '  no  al  -  V  a  -  vel. 
e'en      to     the  tomb. 


But  see !  what  wild  passion 

Is  raging  in  her  heart, 

And  makes  her  labouring  breath 

Come  forth  in  gasping  spasms  ! 

Her  frenzied  rolling  eye, 

Her  heaving  bosom,  her  mien, 

Her  gestures,  all  too  plainly  show 

Some  fearful  deed  she  plans  ! 

Unhappy  wretched  queen ! 

Who  can  forbear  to  weep 

At  thy  most  luckless  fate  ? 

To  see  thy  fearful  misery, 

My  aching  bursting  heart 

A  death-like  grief  doth  feel ! 


16 


MEDEA. 


Med.  [Nella  stessa  aUitudine  come  sopra.'] 
Profittero  del  di  clie  m'  e  concesso ! 

[  Si  alza  furihonda. 
Morran ! — ^ma  no — ^non  basta  vendicarmi. 
Ah !  perclie  egli  non  ha  fratelli  o  figli  ? 

[Con  passione,  coprendosi  il  volto  colle  mani. 
Che  dissi  e  i  figli  miei ! — orror ! 
Ma — fuggi  da  me  fatale  idea 
Bipugna  tal  delitto  anco  a  Medea ! 

[Neris  piange. 
[Con  esaltazione.']  Non  piangere — 
Mi  resta  ancora  un  giorno  ! 
Ner.    Alcun  s'  awanza — egli  e  Giason. 
Med.  L*  ingrato — ed  osa  ancor ! 

SOENA  il.— GiASONE,  e  detti. 

[Neris  si  ritira  infondo  delta  scena. 
Gia.    H  tuo  furor,  le  tue  minaccie  fero, 

Yolger  oontro  te  il  popolo  intero. 

E  pur  mi  duole. 
Med.  Or  basta  iniquo  core  ? 
Gia.    Ma  tu,  crudel,  rimproveri  ? 
Med.  Saranno  ben  gH  ultimi,  oh,  signor. 

[Con  violenza^  Rendimi  i  figli ! 
Gia.    Che  decidi,  oh,  donna  ? 
Med.  Sia  per  grazia  o  dritto, 

A  prezzo  tal  perdono  il  tuo  delitto. 
Gia.    Morir  piuttosto ! 
Med.  [Fra  se,  con  esaltazione  feroce.'] 

Ei  li  ama ! — oh,  rio  pensier ! 

[A  Giasone,  confinta  rassegnazione. 

Ceder  mi  e  forza ! 

Oh,  dolor  !  or  lasciar 

I  figli  miei  degg'  io ! 

Dal  seno  mio  strappar, 

Li  vuol  Giason  crudel ! 

Da  voi  lungi  vivro  : 

Oh,  destino  crudele, 

Di  dolore  io  morro,— 

Mai  piu  vi  rivedro. 
Gia.    Goder  potrai  tu  ancor 

Dei  lor  teneri  amplessi ; 

Finche  devi  partir, 

Ne  potrai  tu  gioir ! 
Med.  Oh,  signor,  un  cotale  don 

Non  restera  senza  compenso ! 

Si  rivedrolli  ancor. 

Oh,  figli  di  Giason, 

Rammenteranno  aJ  cor 

D'  amor  i  lieti  di ! 
Gia.    Oh,  crudel  sowenir ! 

Oh,  terribil  martir ! 

Ah,  si,  invan  dal  mio  cor, 

Vi  tento  cancellar. 
Med.  Oh,  giustizia  suprema ! 

Oh,  del  ciel  possa  estrema, 

Pagherai  il  pianto  ancor 

Ch'  ora  fingo  versar. 
Gia.    Creonte,  all'  ara  andra, 

OfFrire  un  sacrifizio. 

E  i  num'  invochera 

Pei  figli  lI  core  anel, 

A  pregar  vado  il  ciel ! 

Pregare  voglio  il  ciel 

Perche  siati  propizio. 


Med.  [In  the  same  attitude  as  before.'] 

I  wiU  profit  by  the  day  conceded  me  ! 

[Bising,  with  sudden  fury. 
They  die ! — ^but  for  vengeance  'twill  not  suffice. 
Ah !  why  has  he  neither  brothers  nor  sons  ? 
[Passionately,  covering  her  face  with  her  hands. 
What  have  I  said  ? — and  my  children ! 
Oh,  horror — ^hence,  terrible  thought, — 
Such  a  crime  is  too  great  even  for  Medea ! 

[Neris  sheds  tears. 

[Excitedly.']  Do  not  weep — 

I  have  yet  a  day. 
Ner.    Some  one  approaches — it  is  Jason. 
Med.  Ungrateful  wretch — and  can  he  venture  ? 

SCENE  II. — Jason,  and  the  same. 

[Neris  retires  to  the  hach  of  the  stage. 
Jas.    Thy  fury,  thy  fierce  menaces, 

Have  turned  aU  hearts  against  thee. 

I,  however,  grieve  for  thee. 
Med.  Is  thy  base  heart  now  satisfied  ? 
Jas.    Canst  thou,  unfeeling  one,  reproach  me  ? 
Med.  'Tis  for  the  last  time. 

[Violently.]  Restore  me  my  children ! 
Jas.     What  saidst  thou,  woman  ? 
Med.  Be  it  as  a  favour  or  a  right. 

On  such  terms  I  pardon  thy  offences. 
Jas.     Sooner  wiU  I  die ! 
Med.  [To  herself,  with  savage  exultation.] 

He  loves  them ! — ah,  wretched  thought ! 

[To  Jason,  with  feigned  resignation. 

I  must,  then,  submit ! 

Oh,  misery ! 

My  children  I  must  leave ! 

The  heartless  cruel  Jason 

Doth  tear  them  from  my  arms ! 

Far  from  you  I  shall  live. 

Never  more  shall  we  meet : 

Oh,  cruel  destiny, — 

Such  grief  is  death ! 
Jas.    Their  tender  embraces 

As  yet  thou  canst  enjoy ; 

Until  thou  dost  depart. 

That  solace  thou  canst  have ! 
Med.  Oh,  be  sure  such  kindness ! 

Will  meet  its  due  reward ! 

Ah !  children  of  Jason, 

I  shall  see  you  again. 

And  my  heart  will  be  reminded 

Of  past  and  happy  days ! 
Jas.    Oh,  fatal  remembrance ! 

Oh,  cruel  suffering ! 

My  heart  in  vain  doth  seek 

The  sad  past  to  forget. 
Med.  Oh,  justice  supreme ! 

Ye  powers  of  Heaven, 

The  wretch  shall  yet  repay 

The  tears  I  feign  to  shed. 
Jas.     Creon,  at  the  altar, 

A  sacrifice  doth  offer. 

The  gods  he  would  invoke ; 

For  his  children  his  soul  pants, 

His  prayers  to  heaven  to  raise ! 

I  also  heaven  would  pray 

To  be  to  thee  propitious. 


Med.  Mi  lasci  ahime,  Giason ! 

Questo  addio  m'  e  mortal ! 
Gia.    Deh,  vivi  pur  felice  ! 
Med.   Credi,  ingrato  sleal, 

Ch.'  io  il  possa  senza  te  ? 
Gia.    Deh,  vivi  pur  felice !  [Giasone  parte. 

Med.  Fa  voti  pur,  per  la  tua  prole,  oh.  mostro ! 

Li  compiro  ben  io  ! 
Ner.    Vola  i  tuoi  figli  ad  abbracciar,  se  lice. 
Med.  Io  li  detesto  !  lor  madre  piu  non  son ! 

Ascolta !  apporta  qui  il  manto  e  la  corona ; 
.   A  Dirce  li  offriranno  i  pargoletti. 

Quei  doni  pregni  di  fatal  veleno  ? 

Le  arrecheranno  cruda  morte  in  seno. 
Ner.    Eccesso  tale  ardisci ! 
Med.  Taci!  obbediscil 

[A  questo  momento  comparisce  il  Corteggio,  commin- 

ciando  della  banda  militare. — Medea  e  Neris 

restano  sul  proscenia  il  Corteggio  si  dirige  al 
,  Tempio. 


MEDEA.  17 

Med.  Ah,  thou  goest,  Jason  I 

To  leave  me  thus  is  death ! 
Jas.     I  pray  thee,  be  content ! 
Med.  Thinkest  thou,  perjured  traitor, 
That  without  thee  I  can  be  so  ? 
Jas.     Ah,  I  pray  you,  be  content !        [Exit  Jason. 
Med.  Olfer  up  vows  for  thy  children,  monster  ! 

'Tis  I  that  wiU  fulfil  them ! 
Ner.    If  thou  hast  leave,  go  andembrace  thy  chiJ  dren . 
Med.  I  abhor  them  !  I  am  no  more  their  mother, 
Harken !  bring  me  the  mantle  and  crown ; 
The  children  snail  offer  them  to  Dirce. 
They  are  steeped  in  a  fatal  poison. 
That  will  make  her  die  in  torments. 
Ner.    Canst  thou  venture  on  such  a  deed  ? 
Med.  Be  silent !  and  obey ! 

[At  this  moment  the  Procession  appears,  preceded  hy 
a  military  hand. — Medea  and  Neris  remain  in 
the  Proscenivm,  the  Procession  proceeds  to  the 
Temple. 


Tempo  di  Marcia. 


FIGLIO  DJ  BACCO—On,  SON  OF  BACCHUS.  Chorus. 


m 


Fi  -  glio      di    Bac     -     co,    vien     dal       del,       Or    -    na    -    to       gia,  im  -  mor- 

Oh,     son      of    Bacchus,  from  heav'n  dea  -  cend,    Thy   crown     im  -  mor    -    tal  thy 


i 


ta  '  le  CO 
bright  brow  a 


ro  -  na ! 
dorn  -  ing! 


Fi  -  glio 
Oh,  son 


di 
of 


Bac   -  CO, 
Bac  -  chus, 


seen 
from 


-  di  dal 
heav'n  dea  - 
6 


del,  Or  •  na  '  io  gia 
cend,     Thy   crown     im  -  mor 


im-mor  •  ta  -  le  co  •  ro  -  na ! 
tal  thy  bright  brow    a  -  dorn  -  ing ! 


3S 


1 — 1-1 


Bol 
Hy 


•  ce  I-men,  deh,a  -  scol  •  tac  -  ci     tu,       I  -  men,  ac  •  cet    -    -   tai     no  -  stri 

•  men,  hear,   oh    hear,  we    im-plore.   Oh,   Hy  -  men,  ac  -  cept         our  grate-ful 


EEi 


do  - 
off'  - 


rings. 


Dol  •  eel  -  men, 
Hy  -  men,  hear, 


dol  -  ce  I  -  men, 
Hy  -  men,  hear. 


3=1 


deh,  a '  scol  -  tac  -  ci 
Oh  hear,     we  im- 


i 


tu, 
plore, 


I  -  men, 
Hy  -  men, 


J  -  men, 
Hy  -  men. 


ac 
ac 


cet  ' 
cept 


ta  i 
our 


no  stri  do 

grate  f^l  off' 

5 


Seen  -  di  dal  del, 
From  heav'n  des  -  cend. 


seen  -  di  dal  del ! 
from  heav'n  des  -  cend  ! 


Fi 
Oh, 


glio 
son 


di 
of 


18 


MEDEA, 


Bac 
Bao 


-  -  CO,  vim  dol  del, 
chus,    from  lieav'n   des  -  cend, 


A  -  scol 
Oh  hear. 


tac 
we 


—1-4— 



ci  tu, 
im  -  plore, 


-I — 
"t — 

A- 

Oh 


1^1 


scol  -  tao  -  ci  tu, 
hear,     we     im -plore, 


Ac  -  cet  -  tai    no  -  stri     do  -  ni. 
Ac  -  cept     our  grate  -  ful      off  -  rings. 


I  '  men,  ac- 
Ac  -  cept,  ac- 


 i_q  ,  ^-t  ^..1 


cet  •  tai  no  '  stri  do  -  ni,  Deha-scol  -  tac  •  ci  tu,  A  scol  -  tac  -  ci  tu,  A  - 
cept   our  grate  -  ful    off' -  rings.  Oh,  hear,    we    im- plore.    Oh  hear,    we      im -plore.  Oh 


[3Iedea  e  Neris  si  nascondono  dietro  un  piedestallo 
che  dev'  esser  piazzato  avanti  al  proscenio  dallo 
stesso  lato  del  Palazzo  di  Creonte. 
Med.  [Furihonda  parlando.'] 

Ah,  come  grati  giungono 
Al  mio  cor  quel  canti ! 


[Medea  and  Neris  conceal  themselves  behind  a  pe- 
destal, placed  near  the  proscenimn,  on  the  same 
side  as  Creon's  Palace. 
Med.  [SpeaMng  impetuously.'] 

Ah,  how  sweet  to  my  soul 
Are  these  delightful  chants ! 


VIEN,  GLI  SPOSI  AD  UNIB— COME,  THESE  LOYERS  UNITE.  Chorus. 


Men. 


Women. 


Men. 


 r- 

Vie7i,  gli   spo  -  si  ad    u  -   nir,     Vien,   gli   spo  -  si  ad    u  -  nir,    Tu     li      dei    he  -  ne- 
Come, these  lov  -  ers      u  -  nite.  Come,  these  lov  -  ers      u  -  nite.  With  thy    pre-sence  bless 
Chouus. 


r- 


EEE 


-i-- 


dir,       Tu      li     dei      he   -  ne  •  dir, 
them,    With    thy    pre  -  sence  bless  them. 


EgEEE=S=gE| 


Co  -  ro  -  na,  oh  dol  -  eel  -  men. 
And  crown  them,  Hy  -  men  kind, 


Co- 
And 


ro  -  na,  oh  dol  -eel-  men,    Que  -  sto  dh 
crown  them,  Hy  -  men  kind.  With  the     choi  -  cest 

8 


M  jxAUegro. 


lie  -  to  ap  -  pien, 
de  -  light. 

Men. 


Que  -  sto 
With  the 


EES: 


dl     lie  -  to  ap 
choi -cest    de  - 

-^I    -  Women. 


pien  I 
Ho-ht! 


Vwn    gli    spo  -  si  ad 
Come,  these  lov  -  ers 
Women. 


 ?  1 

u  •  nir,     Vien  gli 
u  -  nite.  Come,  these 


ne  -  dir ! 

ers      u  -  nite,  With  thy    pre-sence  them  bless.  With  thy    pre  -  sence  them  bless!  And 


MEDEA. 


19 




£ — ^  ^ 

— 1 — 1 — 

ro  -  na,  dol  -  eel  -  men.    Que  -  sto      M    lie  -  toa/p  •  pien,       Que  -  sto  lie  -  to  ap' 

crown  them,  Hy  -  men  kind,  With  the    choi-cest     de  -  light,    With  the   choi*cest    de  - 


pie 
light, 


-  no, 


Que  -  sto  di  . 
With    the  choi 


Med.  \_Parlando.']  Ascolta  ancora  la  mia  voce  Imene ! 
Cre.    La  mia  preghiera  ascolta ! 
Dirce.  Benedici  il  mio  amor ! 
Gia.    Proteggio  il  nostro  amor ! 
Med.  [Parlando.']  Canta,  fehce  sposa ! 

[ZZ  Corteggio  sorte  dal  Tempio,  e  ritorna  al  Palazzo. 

Coro.  n  fronte  cinto  di  mirti  immortal, 

Scendi  al  fine  affretta. 

Oh,  celeste  Imeneo ! 
Med.  Anch'  io  verro 

A  piedi  del  tuo  altar, 

Reclamar  vo  la  fe 

Che  Giason  m'  ha  rapita. 
Coro.  II  fronte,  &c. 

Deh,  vieni  a  benedir  questo  amor, 

Un  Eden  di  piacer 

Forma  del  nodo  santo 

E  benedici  il  nostro  amor ! 
Med.  Anche  per  me  quei 

Giuri  annettasti  tu  un  di ! 

Sorridi  a  mia  vendetta  ! 
[Medea  si  slancia  verso  V  ara  situata  sul  proscenia, 

ne  prende  un  tizzone  acceso,  e  lo  agita  sortendo 

con  Neris. 


lie  -  to  ap  -  pie    -    -    •    no  ! 
-    -    cest,  the    choi  -  cest  de  •  light ! 

Med.  ISpeahing.']  Me  also,  oh.  Hymen,  hear ! 

Cre.    Listen  to  my  prayer ! 

Dirce,  And  bless  my  love ! 

Jas.     Oh,  protect  our  love ! 

Med.  [Speahing.']  Pray  on,  happy  spouse ! 

[The  Procession  leaves  the  Temple,  and  returns  to 

the  Palace. 
Cho.    Crowned  with  everlasting  myrtle. 

Hasten  to  descend, 

Oh,  heaven-born  Hymen ! 
Med.   I  also  will  come 

To  the  foot  of  thy  altar. 

The  vows  to  reclaim 

Which  Jason  has  betray'd ! 
Cho.    Crowned,  &c. 

We  pray  thee,  come, 

Our  faithful  love  to  bless, 

And  of  this  holy  union 

Make  a  paradise  of  joy ! 
Med.    Thou  didst  one  day  for  me. 

Also,  such  vows  attest ! 

Hymen,  aid  my  revenge  ! 
[Medea  rushes  to  the  altar  placed  near  the  prosce- 
nium, seizes  a  lighted  brand,  and,  shaking  it 

aloft,  goes  off  with  Neris. 


FINE  dell'  ATTO  SECONDO. 


END  OF  THE  SECOND  ACT. 


20  MEDEA. 


ATTO  III. 

SOENA  I. — llfondo  del  teatrorappresenta,  a  sinistra, 
una  parte  del  Palazzo  di  Creonte — nel  mezzo,  a 
Tempio,  con  porte  e  gradinata — ed  a  destra,  una 
Montagna,  scosesa  confolti  alberi  a  dirupi. — Oscuro 
e  it  cielo. — Mugge  il  tuono. 

Si  vede  Neris  coi  Figli  di  Medea  scendere  la  mon- 
tagna, col  manto  e  la  corona  per  Di/rce,  e  passare 
salutano  il  Tempio,  e  si  ritirano  nel  Palazzo  di 
Creonte. — Medea,,  vestita  di  roggio,  col  pugnale  in 
mano,  scende  dalla  montagna. 

Med.  Piombi  su  lor !  la  morte  ed  il  terrore ! 

Yenite,  oh,  figli  di  Giason, — 

Su  voi  io  vendicare  deggio  i  torti  suoi  \ 
Ner.  [Conducendo per  mano  i  due  Figli  di  Medea.] 

lie  la  madre  ad  abbracciar ! 
Med.  [Precipitosamente  allontanandosi  atterita.] 

Fuggite!  fuggite! 
Ner.  [A  Figli.]  A  lei  volate. 

Bambini  corrono  verso  la  Madre — Medea  tenta 

nllontanarsi. 
Med.  Sveiiturati  figli,  non  mi  toccafce ! 
Ner.    Sei  sua  madre  ! 

Med.  ICommosso,  stringendo  colla  mano  sinistra  i  Figli 
sul  suo  cuore,  ed  alia  dritta  il  pugnale.  j 
Oh,  numi  !— si  spezza  il  cor ! 

[Lascia  cader  il  pugnale. 
Kinunzio  alia  vendetta ! 

Ner.    Che  vedo  ?    Oh,  ciel !  tu  forse  

Med.  \_8tnngendo  con  espanzione  i  Figli  at  suo  seno.'] 
Amati  figli ! 

Ner.  [Cade  inginoccJiio  in  atto  di  pregare  il  cielo  ] 
Proteggi,  eterno  iddio,  questi  innocenti ! 

Bled.  [Grandiosa,  con  anima  ed  affetto.'] 
Oh,  di  natura  portentosi  accenti ! 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  I. —  The  hach  of  the  stage  represents,  on  the 
left,  a  portion  of  Cr eon's  Palace — in  the  centre,  a 
Temple,  with  a  door  and  steps — and  on  the  right, 
a  steep  Mountain,  with  heavy -foliaged  trees  and 
rochs. — The  shy  is  darh. — Continuous  thunder. 

Neeis  and  the  Children  of  Medea  are  seen  descending 
the  mountain,  carrying  the  mantle  and  coronet  for 
Dirce,  and  in  passing  they  salute  the  Temple,  and 
enter  Creon's  Palace. — Medea,  dressed  in  red, 
with  a  dagger  in  her  hand,  descends  the  mountain. 

Med.  Death  and  terror  fall  on  their  heads  I 
Come,  ye  sons  of  Jason, — 
On  thee  I  wiU  avenge  his  crimes  ! 
Ner.  [Leading  Medea's  Children  by  the  hand.] 

Go  and  embrace  your  mother ! 
Med.  [Horrified,  rushing  away  from  them.] 

Fly !  begone ! 
Ner.  [To  the  Children.]  Hasten  to  her. 

[The  Children  run  to  their  Mother — Medea  tries  to 
d/rine  them  away. 

Unhappy  children,  touch  me  not  I 
Thou  art  their  mother ! 

[With  emotion,  pressing  her  Children  to  her 
heart  with  her  left  hand,  and  holding  the 
dagger  in  her  right.] 
Oh,  heaven ! — my  heart  will  burst ! 
[Drops  the  dagger.]  My  vengeance  I  renounce ! 
What  do  I  see  ?  Oh,  heav'n  !  thou  wouldst — 
Med.  [Warmly  embracing  her  Children.] 

Beloved  children ! 
Ner.  [Falling  on  her  hnees  in  an  attitude  of  prayer.] 

Eternal  powers,  protect  these  innocents ! 
Med.  [Majestically,  and  with  feeling.] 

Oh,  the  wondrous  voice  of  nature  I 


Med. 
Ner. 
Med. 


Ner. 


Largo. 


DEL  BIO  DOLOB—OIP  THAT  DEEP  GRIEF.   Air.  Medea. 


Del  rio  do  •  lor  che  mi  di  -  vo  -  ra,  Nul  -  la  pub 
Of  that  deep  grief    that  now    con-sumes  me,    No  -  thing  can 


su  -  pe  '  rar, 
the    des  -  pair. 


Nul  -  la  pub  su  -  pe  '  rar  V  or  -  ror ; 
No  -  thing  can    the    des  -  pair      ex  -  ceed; 


Del  rio  de  -  stin 
Of    that    deep  grief 


che  mi  di  - 
that  now  con- 


vo  -  ra,  Nid  -  la  pub  su  -  pe  -  rar  V  or  -  ror ; 
eumes    me.      No  -  thing  can    the    des -pair      ex  -  ceed; 

--1- 


No! 
No! 


oh,  fi  -  gli  alii- 
oh,    chil  -  dren 


V- 


mc, 
dear. 


Oh,    fi  -  gli  ahi  -  me, 
Oh,  chil  -  dren  dear, 


Io  v' a-mo  o,n  '  CO  -  ra!  Oh,  miei  fi  -  gh\vh,  miei 
still  do       I       love  thee!    Oh,     my      cliil-dren  still 


MEDEA. 


21 


fi  -  gli  io  v'  a  •  mo  an  •  co  - 
do,     still      do       I  love 


-  ra !       E       squar  -  ciar  -  viio      vo  -  le    '    a  il 
thee!    Yet        I     would   both    your  lives  des- 


l!id: 


cor!  E  squar -ciar  -  viio  vo  -  le  ail  cor\ 
troy !   Yet     I    would  both  your  lives    des  -  troy ! 


Bio       im  -  mor  -  ial ! 
Pow  -  er       8u  -  preme ! 


i 


Dio      im  -  wor  -  iaZ  / 
Pow  -  er      su- preme! 
AUegro  moderato. 


Pa  -  dre  a-gli  af '  flit 
Fa  -  ther    of  suf 


ti! 

f 'rers ! 


La  mia 
Thou  my 


-F-F- 


mot^i,        jDa    mia   maw    di  -  sar  -  ma  -  to  ?^ai  fit  A 
hand,      Thou  my  hand  just  •  ly    hath  dis-arm'd! 


La  mia  man, 
Thou   my  hand, 


La  mia 
Thou  my 


maw  <Zi  -  sar  -  m^  -  /a  hai  tu !  Per  pie  -  ta  non  per  •  met  -  ter  piii,  non  per  -  met  -  ter 
hand  just  -  ly   hath  dis-arm'd!    Pi  -  ty  have,   ne  -  ver  more  per  -  mit,    ne  -  ver  more  per- 


1=1 


piu, 
mit 


Ta  '  lei  '  nu  •  ma  -  ni,  Ta  •  lei  '  nu  •  ma  •  ni  rei  de 
Crimes    so      in  -  hu   -  man,  Crimes     so     in  -  hu  -  man  and  so 

.L  - 


-F-F- 


— — =rj==--p 


Zzi  -  ti  ; 
fear  •  ful; 


Per  pie  -  <a, 
Pi  -  ty  have. 


per  pie  -  ta  non  per  -  met  -  ier  jpm, 
pi  -  ty   have,    ne  -  ver  more    per  -  mit, 


Per  pie- 
Pi  •  ty 


m-m- 


F=F-F= 


^1^— J: 


ta,  per  pie  -  ta  non  per  -  met  -  ter  piu,  Ta  -  le  i 
have,       pi  •  ty  have,  ne  -  ver  more  per  -  mit  Crimes  so 


2 


nu  '   ma  '  ni,    Ta  -  le 
in   -   hu  -  man.  Crimes  so 


in 


ma 
hu  - 


-  nie  rei  de 
•    man    and  so 


lit  .  .  .  ti,  Ta-le  i  ••  nu 
fear    -    -    ful.  Crimes  so  in 


i 


ma  -  m,  ^  Ta  le  i  '  nu 
hu  -  man.  Crimes  so  in 

—\  J  


ma  - 
hu  - 


m  e  rei 
man  and 


de  •  lit    •    •    •  ti;  Del    rio    do  -  lor  Che   mi  di- 

so    fear    -   -    ful .  Of  that  deep  grief         that  now  con- 


j=f--. 


vo    -  ra, 

sumes  me 


che  mi  di  -  vo  -  ra, 
that    now     con -sumes  me, 


Nul  -  la 
No  -  thing  can 


su 
the 


pe  -  rar  V  or- 
les  -  pail'  ex- 


22 


MEDEA. 


4 



—(0  — 

— 

-I  U 
-J— F-F-"W— 

1 — 1  !- 

"  r 

-F — F — p^-- 

ror, 
ceed, 

No. 

-  Za 

thing 

can 

the 

- 

des 

-  rar 
•  pair 

Z'or  - 
ex  - 

ror Ah ! 
ceed !      Oh ! 

^  -  gli  ahi  -  me, 
chil  -  dren  dear. 

Oh! 

-5  1-  1^- 


-  grZ-i  ahi  -  me, 
chil  -  dren  dear. 


a  -  hi  -  me, 
chil-dren  dear, 

-JS  _J  ^ 


fi  -  gli  ahi -me !  io  v'  a 
chil-dren  dear!  still  do 


moan-co  •  raf  Figliahi 
I    love  thee!  Chil-dren 


me, 
dear. 


fi-gli  ahi  -  me 
chil-dren  dear. 


10 

still 


V  a 
do 


mo  an  -  co 
I  love 


ra, 
thee, 


sen 
still 


za 
do 


vo 

I 


ler 
love. 


io  sen-to  an- 
stni  do  I 


co  -  ra, 
love  thee. 


io    sen-to  an  •  co  -  ra !        Bi    -    na  •  see  -  re  il    fu    -  ror, 
stni   do     I     love   thee !     The     sight   of     thee  once  more. 


Bi  - 

The 


na  -  see  -  re  il    fu  •  ror, 
sight   of     thee  once  more. 


Bi  -  na  -  see  -  re  il    fu  -  ror, 
The  sight    of  thee  once  more, 


Sol  nel 
Would  all 


ve  -  der  -  vi  an- 
my  fu  -  ry 


cor, 
raise. 


Sol  nel 
Would  all 


ve  - 

my 


der 
fu 


cor,  . 
raise, 


Bi  - 
Would 


na 
aU 


see  il  mio  fu  -  ror 


my 


fu 


ry   raise  i 


Ner. 


Regina,  Dirce  del  tuo  don  fatale 
Ornossi  al  nuovo  di — forse  e  gia  spenta ! 
Una  vittima  basti ! 
Med.  [Furihonda.']  A  tanto  oltraggio — 

No,  non  basta ! 
Ner.  \Onde  salvare  i  Bambini.']  Ti  calma — 

In  pochi  istanti,  io  deggio  i  figli  ricondur. 
Med.  Li  salva — da  me  H  salva, 

Pria  che  si  ridesti  1'  ira  fatal ! 
Ner.    Ma  dove  ? 

Med.  [Additandole  il  Tempio!]  A  pic  dell'  ara, — 

Proteggali  da  me  quel  dio  su^Dremo  ! 
Ner.  [Partendo  coi  Fanciulli.'] 

Oh,  sventurati,  andiam — 
D'  orror  io  fremo  ! 
[Neris  entra  coi  Bambini  nel  Tempio,  e  ne  richiudc 
la  porta. 

Ma  che !  son  io  Medea ! 
E  pur  li  lascio  in  vita ! 
Che  fee'  io  ?  dove  son  ? 
Non  li  ritrovo  piu. 
Sono  figli  a  Giason ! 
Picta  non  provi  il  cor ! 
Ma  pur  son  mici ! 
Ma  non  e  lui  lor  padre  ? 
Sciagurata !  c  puoi  tu 


Med. 


Ner. 


Med. 
Ner. 


Med. 


Queen,  Dirce  put  on  thy  fatal  gift 
At  break  of  day — she  is  perhaps  dead ! 
Let  one  victim  suffice ! 
[^Beside  herself]  For  such  an  outrage — 
No,  one  will  not  sufiice ! 
\_To  save  the  Children.]  Be  calm — 
Soon  I  must  take  back  the  children. 
Save  them — take  them  hence. 
Before  my  fatal  fury  is  again  aroused ! 
Ner.    But  whither  ? 

Med.  [Pointing  to  the  Temple.]  To  the  foot  of  the  altar, — 

Heaven  there  will  protect  them  ! 
Ner.  [Going  away  with  the  Children.] 

Oh,  unfortunates,  let  us  hence — 
I  tremble  with  horror ! 
[She  enters  the  Temple  with  the  Children,  and  then 
closes  the  door. 
But  how !  am  I  Medea ! 
And  yet  I  let  them  live ! 
What  was  I  doing  ?  where  are  they  ? 
I  can  no  longer  sec  them. 
They  are  Jason's  children ! 
Away,  all  thoughts  of  pity! 
Still,  are  they  not  my  children  ? 
But  is  he  not  their  father  ? 
Wretched  creature !  and  yet 


Med. 


MEDEA. 


23 


Esser  loro  ancor  madre  ? 
Tu  ignorar  devi  appien. 
La  voce  di  natura  ? 
No  provar  piii  non  dei 
Materno  amore  in  sen. 
Clie  faro  ?    lo  li  lasciar  ? 

I  figli  abbandonar  ? 
E  confidar  li  deggio 

Al  poter  d'  un  spergiuro  ? 
Mi  potria  prevenir, 
E  colpirli  il  primier. — No ! 
Compiasi  il  delitto, 
E  sia  pur  tntto  intier. 
Oh,  tu  del  male, 
Implacabile  dio, 
Deh  spegni  nel  mio  cor 
L'  umano  istinto  ancor  ! 
La  sposa  di  Giason, 
Non  esitera,  no ! 
'  II  parricidio  a  consumar. 

iBialza  il  pugnale  da  term. 

Coro.  Signor ! 

\_Si  sentono  lamenti  dal  Palazzo. 

Ti  volgi  a  noi  signor ! 

Oh,  folgor  di  vendetta ! 
Med.   II  grido  del  dolor 

Penetra  in  sino  a  me ! 
Coro.  Oh,  fonte  di  terror ! 

Oh,  spettacol  di  orror ! 
Med.   Quel  grido  e  grato  al  cor, 

Piii  che  il  canto  di  festa  ! 
lAppena  Medea  e  entrata  nel  Tempio,  Giason  ed  il 

Popolo  entrano  sidla  scena  in  gran  tumulto. 
Coro.  Deh,  punisci  tu,  oh  ciel, 

L'  atroce  e  reo  misfatto  ! 
Gia.    Ciel,  rendi  i  figli  a  me ! 

Proteggali  il  tuo  santo  amore  ! 

Oh,  mia  Dirce  !  oh,  mio  ben ! 

A  morte  tratta  sia — 

Pera  pur  paghi  alfin, 

II  sangue  ch'  or  essa  verso ! 
Coro.  Oh,  padre  sventurato ! — 

La  colpevol  si  cerchi  ? 
\_Neris  sorte  dal  tempio  con  precipitazione  va  verso 
Giason. 

Ner.    Ah,  signor !  la  tua  sposa — 

La  crudele — la  nel  tempio— 

Gia.    Parla,  di,  giusto  ciel,  che  mai  tenta  ? 

Ner.    Insegue  i  figli,  ahime ! 
E  truccidar  li  vuol ! 

Coro.  Oh,  ciel !  oh,  madre  snaturata ! 

Jas.  Se  giungo  a  tempo  ancor, 
Spegner  v6  il  suo  furor ! 
[8guainando  la  spada  si  avvia  al  Tempio. — Medea 
apparisce  sulla  soglia  del  Tempio,  tenendo  in 
tnano  ancora  il  pugnale,  e  circondata  da  tre 
Eumenedi,  che  lefan  scoria. — Giasone  si  arresta 
atterito,  ed  il  Popolo  indietreggia  spaventato. 

Med.   T'  arresta  !  e  fissa 

Ben  r  oltragiata  tua  sposa ! 

Gia.    Giusto  ciel,  qual  terror ! 
Crudele,  i  figli  ove  son  ? 

Med.  Yendicommi  il  lor  sangue ! 

Gia.    GV  innocenti  che  fer  ? 

Med.  Nati  eran  ben  da  te ! 


Canst  thou  be  their  mother  ? 

Must  thou  for  ever  silence 

The  tender  voice  of  nature  ? 

Oh !  must  thou  no  longer  feci 

In  thy  heai-t  a  mother's  love  ? 

I  fly  P    I  leave  them  ? 

I  my  children  forsake  ? 

And  must  I  then  confide  them 

To  a  base  perjurer's  care  ? 

He  may  prevent  my  hurting  them. 

Yet  be  the  first  himself  to  injure  them ! 

No,  let  the  deed  be  done ; 

Let  it  be  for  ever  and  complete. 

Oh,  dread  power  of  evil, 

Whose  fury  none  can  calm. 

Do  thou  in  my  soul  destroy 

Each  soft  and  human  feeling ! 

No,  the  wife  of  Jason 

Should  not  hesitate 

E'en  parricide  to  commit. 

IPichs  up  the  dagger. 

Clio.    Oh,  power  divine ! 

[Lamentations  are  heard  from  the  Palace. 

Avenging  deity, 

To  our  assistance  come ! 
Med.  The  sound  of  loud  lament 

Doth  reach  my  ear ! 
Cho.    Oh,  source  of  woe ! 

Oh,  sight  of  horror ! 
Med.  That  cry  is  to  my  soul 

Sweeter  than  songs  of  joy ! 
[Medea  has  harely  entered  the  Temple,  lohen  Jason 

and  the  People  rush  in  confusion  on  the  stage. 
Cho.    Great  heaven,  punish 

This  atrocious  wicked  deed ! 
Jas.     Heaven,  to  me  my  sons  restore ! 

Oh,  let  thy  holy  love  protect  them ! 

Oh,  Dirce !  oh,  my  best-beloved ! 

Pursue  the  guilty  wretch — 

Her  death  can  alone  atone 

For  the  lives  she  has  destroyed. 
Cho.    Oh,  unhappy  father ! — 

Let  us  seek  the  wicked  fiend ! 
[JVb'is  enters  hurriedly  from,  the  Temple  and  goes 

towards  Jason. 
Ner.    Ah,  sire !  your  cruel  spouse — 

Yonder — in  the  temple— 
Jas.     Speak,  say,  what  does  she  now  design  ? 
Ner.    Alas !  her  children  she  pursues. 

In  order  to  destroy  them ! 
Cho.    Oh,  heavens !  oh,  unns.tural  mother ! 
Jas.     If  at  the  temple  I  arrive  in  time, 

I  will  her  fiend-like  fury  crush ! 
[Drawing  his  svxm'd,  he  approaches  the  Temple. — 

Medea  appears  on  the  threshold,  still  holding 

the  dagger  in  her  hand,  and  surrounded  by 

Three  Furies. — Jason  stops,  horrified,  and  the 

People  fall  hack  in  alo/tm. 
Med.  Stand !  and  look  upon 

Thy  outraged  injured  wife  ! 
Jas.     Just  heaven,  what  a  fearful  sight ! 

Cruel  fiend,  where  are  my  sons  ? 
Med.  Their  death  has  avenged  my  wrongs ! 
Jas.     How  have  these  innocents  injur 'd  thee  ? 
Med.  They  were  thy  children ! 


24 


MEDEA. 


Gia.  Dio! 

Med.  Pin  felice  di  te, 

lo  per  r  aria  men  vo, 

Per  ben  noto  cammin, 

Per  me  discliiuso  ognor; 

E  nell'  Averno  alfin, 

Discenderai  tu  nn  giorno ! 

La  1'  ombra,  mia  laggiu, 

T'  attende  nell'  infernal  soggiomo ! 
[Dopo  V  ultima  parola,  il  Tempio  cade,  e  si  vede 

Medea,  circondata  dalle  Furie,  che  si  alza  nelV 

aria,  in  un  carro  tirato  di  d/ragoni  gettando 

fuoco. — H  Popolo  fugge,  atterito  da  tutti  i  lati. 

— Qui  si  sente  il  tuono,  e  continua  sino  alia  fine. 
Coro.  Giusto  ciel !  schiuso  e  gia 

Or  ben  1'  antro  infernal ! 

Puggiamo  dal  luogo  fatal  I 


Jas.     Oh,  heaven ! 

Med.  More  happy  than  thou, 

Through  the  air  I  go  hence. 

By  a  well-known  way 

Always  open  to  me  ; 

To  Avernus  in  time 

Thou  wilt  also  descend ! 

In  the  infernal  abodes. 

My  spirit  awaits  thee,  Jason  ! 
[After  these  last  words,  the  Temple  falls,  and  Medea, 

attended  by  Furies,  is  discovered  rising  in  the 

air,  in  a  car  drawn  by  fiery  dragons. —  The 

People  fiy,  alarrtied,  in  every  direction. — Thun- 

der  is  heard,  and  continues  to  the  end. 
Cho.    Merciful  heaven !  already 

Hell  opens  to  our  view ! 

Let  us  leave  this  fearful  spot  1 


THE  END. 


« 


BOOK  ROOM 


/ 


