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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow SCENE IV.—: Enter a Page of the Duchess. - Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts

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Subject Area: Music
Topic: Opera and Liberty

SCENE IV.—: Enter a Page of the Duchess. - Giuseppe Verdi, Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts [1851]

Edition used:

Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts, words by Victor Hugo (New York: Fred Rullman, n.d.). Metropolitan Opera House, Grand Opera, Libretto.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


SCENE IV.—

Enter a Page of the Duchess.

Page.

The duchess is anxious to see the duke.

Cep.

He sleeps.

Page.

Was he not here just now?

Borsa.

Yes. but he went to hunt.

Page.

Without his suite?

All.

Dost thou not understand.

That for the moment he cannot be seen.

Rig.

(who has paid great attention to the dialogue, suddenly exclaims—)

Ah! then she is here, she is with the duke.

All.

Who?

Rig.

The lady you have stolen

Last night from my own roof.

All.

You are delirious.

Rig.

But I shall rescue her. She must be there.

All.

If you have lost your mistress,

’Tis not within these walls you have to search.

Rig.

Ah! give me back my daughter.

All.

His daughter!

Rig.

Ah! yes, my daughter, of your action now

No, no, you cannot laugh!

She is there, give back to me my child.

[Rig. runs toward the door, but all prevent his passage.

Impious courtiers, race of cowards,

For what price my child you sold?

For gain no crime your hand restrains;

To me my child is more than gold.

Give her back, or, though disarmed,

Against your life I’ll raise my hand;

Naught on earth a father fears

When he his children doth defend

Cowards, open at least that door.

[Rig. goes again to the door, but he is prevented from opening it.

Alas! you come against me all;

Well, I weep—Marullo—yield,

I know you have a gentle heart,

Tell me where she is concealed.

Speak—she is there. You are all mute.

Give back the daughter to the old man:

My friends, my lords, have pity on me,

It costs you nothing to grant this boon;

But all my hopes in her I see.