Act 1 pp. 70-85 Ask the gentle breeze Duet with N Flashcards
NEMORINO
Only one moment, Adina
ADINA
You’ll moon and swoon as usual!
ADINA
You’ll moon and swoon as usual! You’re boring me to death!
ADINA
Why don’t you go and live with your uncle in the city. I hear that he’s feeble and that he’s suffering.
NEMORINO
All his suffering is nothing compared to mine. I cannot go away. I have tried in vain.
ADINA
Suppose he died and willed someone else his fortune?
NEMORINO
And why should I care?
ADINA
You’ll die of hunger, if you go on in this way.
NEMORINO
Die of hunger or love…it makes no difference.
ADINA
Listen to me…
ADINA
Listen to me. You’re a good boy, an honest fellow
ADINA
…but do not think for a moment that you will ever impress me like that sergeant.
ADINA
Therefore to be quite frank, once for all, don’t give yourself illusions;
ADINA
for I am too capricious, and my affections, full of whims and unstable, change like the weather.
NEMORINO
O Adina! Why must it be so?
ADINA
Why do you ask me?
ADINA
Ask the gently blowing zephyr why it never once reposes,
ADINA
floating over lilies and roses, over meadows, through the trees.
ADINA
It will answer and say truly, “Who can hold a wayward breeze?”
ADINA
It will answer and say truly: “I’m at liberty to go as I please.”
NEMORINO
Then I have to…
ADINA
Give up forever all thoughts of me and say goodbye.
NEMORINO
No, I cannot! Never, never!
ADINA
So you cannot? And why? I ask you why?
NEMORINO
You ask me why? Ask the swiftly rolling river why…that it’s fate, and meant to be, that it’s fate and meant to be.
ADINA
Then you wish to?
NEMORINO
Be like the river, and to die of love for you.
ADINA
Find a new love, you have a right to.
NEMORINO
That’s the one thing I can’t do, I cannot do, I cannot do!
ADINA
Then the only way to conquer your romantic, undying passion, treat it lightly in my fashion
