“Maria Stuarda” – Act 3
by Gaetano Donizetti libretto (English)
| Act Three |
| SCENE I |
| Gallery in the Palace of Westminster. The Queen is seated at a small table on which lies a document, while Cecil stands nearby. |
| No. 12: Short Duet Cecil Still thinking? Still delaying? And does she still live, who scorned you? Who rallied all Europe against you, And so often threatened your very life? Elisabetta At your words I feel descending upon my heart The full force of my wounded honor. But - oh God! - who will protect me from unjust accusations? Cecil Heaven, loyal Albion, and the entire world, Where the fame of your virtues resounds, As does the wickedness of Maria’s heart, her crimes, And the insults she has inflicted upon you ... Elisabetta Ah! Silence. I have been insulted. How that proud woman rejoiced in her triumph! What looks she cast upon me! Ah! My faithful friend, I long for peace, And she steals it from me. Cecil Nor will she cease To trouble you while she lives. Elisabetta I have decided. Let her die. (She takes up the pen to sign the document, then hesitates, stops, and rises.) That life, so dangerous to me, I would, ah! Yes, I would end. But my hand and heart falter, A veil obscures my thoughts. I seem to see the wicked woman, to hear her, Terrifying me, filling me with dread, And threatening to rob me Of every hope of peace. Ah! Righteous heaven! Guide a soul So easily overcome by doubt. Cecil Ah! Why has your mind So suddenly become troubled? Do not fear that your former honor Will ever be taken from you. For the words she has spoken, For the insults left unpunished, Every Englishman at this moment Would gladly avenge you. Sign the document, for sovereigns Will surely forgive you for it. |
| SCENE II |
| No. 13: Trio Elisabetta Yes. (Elisabetta hesitates; seeing Leicester enter, she quickly signs the document and hands it to Cecil.) Leicester My Queen! Elisabetta Let her execution be hastened. Leicester Oh, heaven, what words! (seeing the document) Can that be ... Cecil The sentence. Leicester The sentence? Elisabetta Yes, the sentence, you traitor. I am satisfied! Leicester And you condemn an innocent woman! Elisabetta And still you dare to speak? Leicester Ah! Pray, have mercy and delay At least the final blow; Yield to my pleas, Or strike the blow against my heart. No one can compel you, Your will is free. Cecil (quietly to Elisabetta) Do not listen to that unworthy man, Now that you are safe at last. Elisabetta Your plea is in vain, I am firm in my decision. With that proud woman’s end My danger will end. Through her blood my power Shall rise again, more secure. Leicester Ah! Mercy! Ah! My Queen! No one can compel you, etc. Cecil Ah! You must no longer tremble For the one who threatened your kingdom. The day that is the wicked woman’s last Will be the first day of peace. Leicester You cruel woman, you have signed Your own sister’s death warrant! Elisabetta And I want you to witness Her final fate; Your beloved must perish After the fatal moment When the cannon’s thunder Has sounded three times. Leicester And you want me to watch? Elisabetta Be silent, be silent. Leicester And you would have me...? Elisabetta Be silent. All pity is dead. Leicester My Queen! My Queen! Elisabetta Go, unworthy man; your face reveals The terror that strikes your heart. Prepare a tomb for your beloved, For Maria Stuart shall die. Cecil Ah, my Queen, let your face grow serene, Return to peace and glory; This, ah, this will be the happiest of days For your throne and for England. Leicester I go, I go, I read upon your face That you are delirious, burning with rage. The unhappy woman shall find comfort, A friend and a protector in my heart. Elisabetta Go, unworthy man! Prepare a tomb for your beloved, etc. |
| SCENE III |
| Maria Stuart’s prison apartment in Fotheringay Castle. No. 14: Scene Maria That treacherous woman wished to insult me Even in my tomb, But the disgrace fell upon her instead. Oh, vile woman! Am I not a daughter of the Tudors? Vile woman! But Roberto ... Perhaps the tyrant’s wrath now threatens him. Ah, I alone bring misfortune upon everyone! (Cecil enters with the death sentence, accompanied by Talbot.) |
| SCENE IV |
| Maria What do you want? Cecil I come to carry out a sorrowful duty. This is the document that now marks The last of your days. Maria Is this how a Queen is judged in England? Oh, you wicked men! And the forged documents ... Cecil The kingdom ... Maria Enough. Cecil But ... Maria Enough now. Go. Talbot, stay. Cecil Do you wish one of our ministers to guide you On your journey to death? Maria I refuse. I shall remain as I have always been, a stranger to your faith. Cecil (leaving) (Still so proud and defiant!) |
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